Tuesday, July 12, 2011
In Capital Consultants settlement, Wilshire to buy back share of credit subsidiary - Portland Business Journal:
The agreement calls for Wilshire; formerd Wilshire executives Andrew Wiederhorn and Larry Mendohlson andtheir families; and the executives' current Fog Cutter Capital Group, to pay $29.5 millioh to the victims of the Capital Consultants according to a Wilshire document filed Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Wilshire will pay an additional $10.5 milliom to recover the 49.99 percent share of Wilshire Credit Corp. held by the receiver, making WCC agaib a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wilshire.
The cash cost to Wilshiree of the settlement and stock acquisitioh will totalabout $15 million, the compan y said, plus a share of the proceeds from the anticipatedr sale of a piecd of real property. Wilshirde said it expects to accruea first-quartet 2002 pre-tax expense of $3.6 million in connection with the agreement, "expected to eliminate most of the company'sw future costs arising from" the Capital Consultantss affair.
The agreement involving the Wilshire-related parties is part of a much broadefr settlement negotiated between many defendantsw involved in the litigation overCapital Consultants, a Portlanfd money management firm accused of losing hundreds of milliones of dollars, primarily from labor union trust funds, in Ponzi-like schemes. Eleven otherd parties, including major law and accountinhg firms, joined Wilshire in settling The 12 defendants participating in the backed in large part by theirinsurance companies, will pay a tota l of $110 million, the Oregonian reported Tuesday.
Combined with previous settlementsx andasset sales, the agreement should yielxd 57 cents for every dolladr lost by Capital Among the other the law firm of Lane Powell Spears Lubersky agreed to pay $25 Stoel Rives law firm agreed to pay $12.5 millio n and accounting firm Moss Adams agreed to pay $17 million, the Oregonia reported. The agreement requirea approval bythe U.S. District Court in Oregon and issuanc of an order barring future claimds arising from the Capital Consultants affair against the defendants who A court hearing on the settlementg is scheduled forJune 19.
Unresolved claims included those against Capital Consultants founder Jeffrety Grayson and against two national accounting Deloitte & Touche and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The settlement has no bearinb on criminal investigations or possiblecriminapl proceedings.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Academic Team honoree: Meredith Stone - Business First of Buffalo:
Accomplishments: National Merit Scholarship finalist. SAT score of 1,570. Perfecty score on three Regents exams. AP Scholaer Award (with Honor). Science Award. President of Quiz Full name: Meredith Laura Stone. Born: October 9, Buffalo. Parents: Eileen Stone, Jeffrey Residence: Grand Island. Favorite class: Europeanj History (Donna Seymour). “Mrs. Seymour tied together overwhelminv amounts of information and made it all Hers was my firstAP class, and I believe that it pushed me, and I grew as a College and likely major: , biology. Hope to be doinb 10 years from now: “I hope to be workinyg at as a researcher, and raisinf a family in the Buffalo area.
” If couldr meet anyone from history: Queen Elizabeth I. “Io would like to know how she dealr with the pressures that came with being a woma nin power.” If could have dinner with anyones now alive: Anna Quindlen. “She is a thoughtfu and interesting person. I love reading her and I think that she would have a uniqued perspective on the issues ofthe world.” to proceesd to the next First Team honoree: Mary
Friday, July 8, 2011
HGTV
The site is in the seconc phase of SanPedro Overlook, whicb is part of the sprawling developmen east of the Sandia Mountains. Campbell’s developera aggressively sought to be part of the Dreamk Home show that has a viewship of 97millionj U.S. homes. The Dream Homes are givenn away annually, but some winners didn’t take them because of tax Campbell Ranch has guaranteed to HGTV that it will buy back the home from the Home and Garden network if the winnefr does not wantthe $1.5 million home. Some in the region’ housing industry say the show can throw a national spotlight on the local housing industry and promote higher-end homes that have suffered in the current downturn.
San Pedrpo Overlook is embarking on a thirrd phase of70 lots, but many of its second phases lots have not been built yet becaused of the sluggish economy. The new home was designecd by Amy Coburn, a -trainesd architect who worked at . Cedar Crestf builder Mark Roccaforte of isthe builder. This is the firs t time Knoxville, Tenn.-based HGTV has built a dream home in the The contemporarySouthwestern Pueblo-style dwelling features thres bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home office, home gourmet kitchen and guest casita. It is beintg built to have unobstructed views of the Sandias and San Pedromountain ranges.
“Thiw is our first Southwest locationn for the HGTV dream home and we intend to show the featuresz that make this locationso amazing. It’z a spectacular place and the house we’re buildinbg is going to be a responsible example of Southwesterh living atits best,” said HGTV Dreamk Home planner Jack Thomasson. For more information on the visit HGTV.com, or watch the and the Campbell Rancy dreamhome site.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
TV Diva: "Flipping Out" debuts new season on Bravo - Fayetteville Observer
TV Diva: "Flipping Out" debuts new season on Bravo Fayetteville Observer Taking a break from the "Real Housewives" action, Bravo is debuting a fifth season of this series, which stars, as the network describes, "everyone's favorite obsessive-compulsive house-flipper." (That's very specific, don't you think? ... |
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Parlamento de República de Corea ratifica acuerdo de libre comercio con Perú - Centro de Información por Internet de China
Parlamento de República de Corea ratifica acuerdo de libre comercio con Perú Centro de Información por Internet de China La Asamblea Nacional de la República de Corea ratificó hoy un acuerdo de libre comercio (ALC) con Perú, lo que prepara el camino para una mayor cooperación entre las dos naciones. La ratificación tuvo lugar después de que el Comité de Asuntos ... |
Friday, July 1, 2011
Rocky Mountain Instrument files Chapter 11; cites 2007 raid, recession - Business First of Columbus:
Lafayette-based Rocky Mountain Instrument filed in last monthg to reorganize under bankruptcy The company and its laser subsidiary makes a variety of photonics products for industry anddefense use, includinfg optics that defense giant Lockheed Martijn Corp. planned to use in its F-22 fighter currentlg under development. RMI has offices in Russia and Souty Korea in addition to itsLafayette RMI’s Chapter 11 filingw have shed a little light on the by investigatorsw of the military’s Defense Criminalp Investigative Service, or DCIS, who arrived at RMI’sx headquarters Oct.
11, 2007, and carted away computers and fileds as part of an investigation RMI lawyers said was relateeto U.S. export controls restricting technology withweaponsw applications. Steve Hahn, company executive vice president and part of the Hahn Familyt LLLP ownershipof RMI, said in an affidavitf to the bankruptcy court that an employee fileds a complaint with the DCIS that triggered the raid. The employeew claimed the company committeda “procedural violation” of export controlxs by allowing specifications for an unspecifiex product to go overseas, Hahn wrote.
RMI has sincw received government licenses to send such specification tooverseas suppliers, the company The unresolved DCIS investigation has produced no chargexs against RMI. Still, the raid triggered a 15 percent decline in business as some customers lost confidencein RMI, Hahn The recession exacerbated the salesz decline and the company lost money through he said. RMI’s revenue this year is on track to fall 16 percent to 30 percent belowthe $15.
6 million company posted in 2008, Hahn The company cites “thed single factor” for its bankruptcy filing as defaulting on its bond RMI lists American National Bank as the holderr of industrial bonds arranged in 1998 in conjunctiomn with the city of The default has threatened to put RMI’s headquarters property at 106 Lase r Dr. into foreclosure. Efforts last year by RMI to refinancer its debts or sell its laser technology busines s to recapitalize the rest of thecompangy failed, the affidavit said. RMI has asked the cour t to be able touse $1.
0 million of its available lines of credit before the end of July to keep operatin and fulfill customer orders while it reorganizes underf bankruptcy protection. More money coulcd be needed between the end of July and the end of Octoberr to keep thecompany Hahn’s affidavit said. It sought court permission to use the cash in order to holdonto employees, saying they are highlyy specialized and it woulrd take months to train any replacements RMI coulds find.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Bill would let pharmacists refuse to give out abortion drugs - Phoenix Business Journal:
Allow parents to be notified in most casee when their minor daughtersseek abortions. Ban nurses and non-physiciansw from performing abortions. Require abortion providers to give information abouy the procedure and fetus Replace theterm “fetus” with “unborn child” in state law. Creats a 24-hour waiting period for abortions and abortionminducing prescriptions. The bill already passed the Arizona House and was approved by the ArizonaSenates Tuesday. It will be sent to Gov. Jan who is expected to sign the Former Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed a numberof anti-abortio measures during her Pro choice abortion rights supporters oppose the bill and coulf challenge it in court.
The law would impact clinics and doctors who perform abortions and pharmacies thatoffeer day-after pills and othed abortion-inducing medications.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Caterers trying Rivers
The startup corporate catering founded by childhood friends Ted Bibartt andGordon O’Reilly, sought a commercial-caliber kitcheh and found one on Dublinj Road at the River’s Edge retail centerf in Columbus. The catch was that it came with adining room. The space, previously occupied by Cafe Iliana and Reflectiond Cafeamong others, has been halved from 3,000 squar feet. Bibart and O’Reilly then decided to take the reducee space and add a cafe totheir business. Gordon’s Gourmert Catering & Cafe opened in “We can have a nice, 25-seat cafe; a cozy atmosphere,” Bibart said.
Bibart most recentlt worked for O’Reilly’s resume includes several years at and with restaurateue Kent Rigsby and his variousColumbus ventures. Corporatd catering is the operation’e focus, expected to generate 70 percent of Bibart said the cafe brings the opportunith to add sales from the 300 workersat River’zs Edge and visitors to its and gives Gordon’s Gourmet a public face and venus for prospective catering customers to sample the food and They project to bring in $250,000 in the firstt year.
The cafe menu includes standardd lunchfare – soups, sandwicheas and salads – with an emphasizs on health-conscious items and locally sourced products, such as breasd from Stan Evans Bakery and coffee from Stauf’s Coffer Roasters Ltd. Potato chips are made from scratch and beef and turkey areroastee in-house. Salads and sandwiches are $7.95 each, with the average checj under $10. The location, with accessd to Interstate 670 anddowntown Columbus, is ideao for catering but not as much for a Bibart said. Several ventures have struggled in the That doesn’t mean Bibart and O’Reilly are shrugging theirt shoulders about the restaurant.
“Wd chose it for the catering business, but I fully expecr to turn the diningf room over three or four timesa day,” Bibarr said. “The market is terriblu underserved here between Trabue Road and Twin Rivers We want to win back the trustt of ouraudience here.” Central Ohio dinersa who know the Japanese steakhouse style will get their first taste of the chaijn credited with bringing the theatricall dining experience to America. Miami-based plans to open its first Columbusrestaurang Jan. 23 at Polaris Fashion Place’s lifestyle President Juan Garcia said the chainm is a place where diners get a meal and a He calledit “eat-ertainment.
” The 7,000-square-fooft restaurant will include 18 tablesw seating eight diners apiece. For those unfamiliar with the each table hasa hibachi-style grill manned by a chef who spicews up the cooking with an assortment of food and utensil tossees and tricks. The menu includes steak, shrimp and vegetables. Benihana has a susho bar as well. Garcia projected annual sales atbetween $3.5 million to $4 millionb for the restaurant, the company’s fourth in The new restaurant, recognizeds by trade publication Chain Store Age as the 2007 restaurant chain design of the year, was by , a Dublin-based desig n and consulting firm.
Benihana is the biggest name in a wave of Japanese steakhouse restaurantas open or coming tothe area. Benihanaz has 79 restaurants in theUnited States, Latin Americab and Caribbean, 19 of which are franchised. The company also runs nine a modern Japanesecuisine chain, and 21 RA Sush restaurants.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Senate coalition meets briefly, judge denies injunction request - The Business Review (Albany):
They were able to meet because a state Supremee Court judge in Rensselaer Counthy denied an injunction on Thursdayy that Democrats had sought againstthe group. Thosr are among the latest developmentse in the dizzying saga playing out in the state Control of the Senate remains up inthe air; the bipartisamn group of senators, and remaining each say they control the The gridlock has shut down the legislative procesxs in the Senate, with five days remaininvg in this year’s scheduled session before it ends on June 22. Gov. Davixd Paterson warned that the session will be extende d if senators continue to argue over who isin power.
Whoeve r wins the power struggle will decide the fate of a range of billsand hot-button politicak issues. The so-called “bipartisan coalition” of 30 Republicans and two downstatd Democrats is the group that held a surprise vote on June 8 to oust Senatr Majority Leader MalcolmSmith (D-Queens). Democrats have held a 32-30 majoritg in the Senate since January, followingy victories in the November2008 elections. It was the party’e first time in control of the chamber in almost 45 years. Now, the coalitionn of Republicans andtwo Democrats—Sens. Hiram Monserrate and Pedrok Espada Jr.—say they have the majority of votes, following their sudden joint action onJune 8.
Both Espad a and Monserrate remainregistered Democrats. The coalitio n appointed Espada as temporary president ofthe Senate, meaninv that he would become acting governor if Patersonj becomes incapacitated or leaves the Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockland County) was nameds majority leader. Democrats argue that the June 8 vote is and they are disputing the votein court. Democrats maintaij that Smith is stilklmajority leader. Democrats refused to unlock the Senatd chamberafter Monday’s vote. Espada obtained a key and opened the doorsdon Thursday.
Other than Espada and Monserrate, no other Democrats attended the The coalition had planned to vote on as many as 30 The desk drawer wherr the bills were storedwas locked, so the coalition coulf not conduct any official busineszs on Thursday. The group was undeterred, and bolstered by Judgw GeorgeCeresia Jr.’s decision to rejec an injunction that would have prevented Espada and otherxs from holding a session. “Democracy has Skelos declared in a speech on theSenated floor. “This is a new day in It’s not going to be like the old days—those days are We are breaking downthe aisle.” Skelozs and Espada encouraged more Democrats to join the coalition.
Both have been holdint private meetings to convince othersto join. So far, none has done so. “Mhy character has been assassinated. My record has been My home wasbroken into,” Espadza said. “But my mission, my purpose, has not been derailedf or deflated. I will not be dissuaderd or denied.” The coalition says the Senate is adjournedr until June 15 at3 p.m. Patersonm said he wants the Senate doorzs tobe unlocked, and for the senatorss to vote in the chamber, again, on who is majorith leader. He pledged to work with whoevedr ends up elected majority He has acknowledged that he has no power to dictatrthe process.
“I may not like the process, but I’jm not going to try to influencethe outcome,” Paterson said on “They have to work this out. They have to act like
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tree of Life moving to L.A. - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
The company, which markets and distributees natural andspecialty foods, opened its Oakland- area distribution cente in 1991. Greg Leonard, vice presidengt of communications and trade said Tree of Life wanteda larger, single distributiohn center and chose to move to its "state-of-the-art" location to Los Angeles. It will lay off abouy 80 employees. Tree of Life has been operating out ofa 130,000-square-foott building and has a leaser on a second 19,000-square-foot building in East Bay.
The leases expires in 2006, and Tree of Life is looking to subleasde the space or have another tenanr take overits lease, Leonard In consolidating its distribution facilities, Leonard said the company will be able to streamlinse more of its operations. For he said, the Los Angeles site will allos increased inventory levels in a singlw location tominimize out-of-stock risks, provide consolidated receiving and shippingt operations and consolidate regional procurementt management in a single, larger center.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Newmont CEO: Dollar Slide, China to Underpin Gold's Move Toward $2000 - Wall Street Journal
Newmont CEO: Dollar Slide, China to Underpin Gold's Move Toward $2000 Wall Street Journal JAKARTAâ"The world gold price has yet to peak and the steady emergence of a wealthy Chinese middle class will help underpin a move toward $2000 per ounce over the next five years, Richard O'Brien, chief executive officer of Newmont Mining ... |
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wayne Newton takes first two games of TH Invitational - Terre Haute Tribune Star
WTHI | Wayne Newton takes first two games of TH Invitational Terre Haute Tribune Star TERRE HAUTE â" With the right batters coming up in the final inning Thursday evening, Wayne Newton Post 346 avoided the unthinkable in the first game of the Terre Haute Invitational for American Legion baseb » |
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Pew report: Clean energy powers job growth - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
study said Florida was one of 38 statese and the District of Columbia in which job growth in the cleamn energy economy outperformed overalojob gains. Pew defined a cleab energy economy as one thatgeneratew jobs, businesses and investments while expanding cleahn energy production, increasing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas waste and pollution, and conserving water and otherd natural resources. In Florida, there was a 7.9 percent increas e in clean energy jobsfrom 28,845 jobs in 1998 to 31,12w2 jobs in 2007.
The numbers are a hard count of actual Pew said ina release, and range from jobs as diverswe as engineers, plumbers, administrative construction workers, machine setters, marketing consultants and teachers with annuao incomes ranging from $21,000 to Nationally, jobs in the clean energy industry grew at a rate of 9.1 percenty between 1998 and while total jobs grew by 3.7 percentg in the same period, the report says. Floridqa had 3,831 clean energy businesses at the end of a 22.7 percent increase from 3,121 businesses in 1998, the reporty says.
There were 236 clea energy patents in Florida betweenm 1999and 2008, and venturse capital firms invested $117 in clean technology in Floridwa between 2006 and 2008.
Monday, June 13, 2011
GTx plans for sales force hires, losses narrow - Memphis Business Journal:
But GTx (Nasdaq: GTXI) is “exploring multipls options” as to how the sales force willbe hired, accordingh to GTx CEO Mitchell Steiner. He wasn’ft sure if the company would roll out its own sales team or contracyt with a team througha co-promotion. “The most risku part of building the team is the actual salees people onthe pavement,” Steine said in a conference call. we want to spend as much moneyas possible” up fronyt to better ensure the success of the sales Steiner said the higher-level marketing staff have all been hired and are workinbg on the commercialization plan for the new drug.
But the companhy is now hard at work putting together the sales material that will be needed shoulfd the drug get theFDA nod. Accordingh to its most recent filing withthe SEC, expensesz related to increased personnel, medical education and marketing for the toremifenee drug family rose 51 percent from $4.3 million in 2008’sd first quarter to $6.5 million in this year’w first quarter. The Memphis-based pharmaceutical company expects to get word from the FDAon Oct. 30. The company reported $11.3 million in net losses for the firstf three monthsof 2009. That figure is 11 percent betted thanthe $12.7 million the company reported in last year’s firstg quarter.
Revenues fell 20 percent from $4.5 million in 2008 to $3.6 million this However, sales of Fareston, the company’e treatment for metastatic breast cancer, rose from $257,000 last quarter to $759,00p0 in this year’s first quarter. The company’sa stock rose slightly in afternoon tradintto $9.68 per share, up less than 1 percen from Friday’s close of $9.64. GTx is a biopharmaceuticalk company that seeks to develop and commercialize small molecules that selectively targetf hormone pathways to treat osteoporosis andbone loss, muscle wastinyg and other serious medical conditions.
Friday, June 10, 2011
PwC hires CBRE for relocation opportunities - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
Doosan Infracore is Korea’s largest manufacturer of construction Doosan agreed to a term of eighgt years and four months in North owned by RubensteinPartners L.P. Asking rentsz are almost $25 per square foot at the building.The valuer of the lease, excludingconcessions, is about $5 million. Doosamn Infracore was established in 1937 and specializesx inconstruction equipment, industrial defense product manufacturing, and diesel and natural gas Doosan Infracore employs about 5,000 and has plants around the world. Monty Harris with Newmark Knight Frank and Brenyt Royall with Keystone Partners LLC represented Doosan Infracore in the lease atNorth Terraces.
Caroline Nolen and Andy Sumlinm of Barry Real EstateCompanies Inc. represented Barry Real Estate is in charge of marketinvg thetwin 11-story Terraces buildings near Perimeter Mall. Staff writer Lisa R. Schoolcraft contributerd to this column.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
WhiteGlove Announces Healthcare Membership Giveaway in Massachusetts - Business Wire (press release)
WhiteGlove Announces Healthcare Membership Giveaway in Massachusetts Business Wire (press release) The memberships, valued at $420 each, provide access to WhiteGlove's Mobile Primary Care Membership services that are delivered directly to members 365 days a year from 8am to 8pm. âWe selected the greater Boston area for this promotion because it's an ... WhiteGlove Announces Healthcare Membership Giveaway in Massachusetts |
Monday, June 6, 2011
BayStar Holiday Inn targets business travelers, cultural groups - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
BayStar, which developed, owns and operates the nearb y & Suites Largo Central developedthe 65,000-square-foot Holiday Inn Express. Building a secon d hotel was a defensive saidGeorge Glover, chief executive in a release. “Ic we didn’t, someone else Now, we can offer 187 rooms, enough to accommodate groups attending events at the on the while also serving the medical and businese communityduring weekdays.” The Holiday Inn located at 210 Seminole Blvd., has a 1,240-square-foot meeting room that can be divided for smallef meetings along with an executive boardroom. It has outdoodr pool and a 24-houe fitness center.
Like all BayStar it welcomes pets and has been built accordingto Florida’s Green Lodging Certification the release said. Room ratee range from $99 to $169 per night. Holiday Inn Express hotels participate in the guesttloyalty program. BayStar, basedd in Tampa, develops, acquires, operates and/or sells hotels throughout the southeastermUnited States. Other BayStar propertiees are The Hotel Indigo indowntownm St. Petersburg, the Holiday Inn Expressd in Lake Buena Vista and a Holiday Innin Tallahassee. The company manages the .
Friday, June 3, 2011
Chinese drywall class actions head to Big Easy - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
The , which consolidates similar casesz filed in different federal courtx before asingle judge, has assigned the case to U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon, the paper reported. Attorney in South Florida argued that Miami woul be abetter location, because a majority of Chinese drywalol problems and lawsuits have occurred there. The problemsx first cropped up insouthwest Florida’sd Gulf Coast cities. The drywall was importef following hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in after the housing boom and rebuilding effortsw created a material shortag e amongdomestic suppliers. In addition to Florida, lawsuitz have been filed in Louisiana, Virginia and Ohio among other states.
The Florida Department of Healt h is tracking more than 440 complaintd about thedefective high-sulfur drywall. Such large clasxs action cases can have significanteconomiv impact, filling local hotel roomsx with hundreds of lawyers, expert witnesses and othersa participating in the case.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
City needs big projects, focus on young demo - Business First of Buffalo:
Sara Emhof was “ready to quit Washingto n D.C.” A program associate at , Emhof, 29, livec in places as disparate as D.C., Denver, Los Angeles and South She welcomed the opportunity to return to the area where she was Emhof said she settled in the Elmwoofd Village because it is conducive to walkinyg toretail outlets, restaurants and other amenities. But a nagging thought persistws about what the downtown areais lacking. “I’ve been askinvg myself that question and talking with my friendx about what big city experience is she says. “I think we need an upscalew sports bar in the ElmwoosAllen area, a placs for professionals to connect with other Buffalonians.
Bars in Washingtob D.C. were packed with fans that connect over a commonb love of a teamor sport; that atmospheree created a real sense of camaraderie.” Emhof is realistixc about the viability of her “Is there a market here for this? If so, how do we creatwe and sustain that big city feel?” she asks. “Wes need out of town investors who seethis opportunity. sprawl is an obstacle for many young professionals who do not want to travekl from the suburbs to just watch a so offering a higher end destinatio n bar might just lurethem down.
” For veteran broadcaster and Buffalk native Kevin O’Connell, who works downtown at big scale projects are the key to what downtowb doesn’t have, but could. “A multi-use facilith combining retail, residential housingb and professional offices wouldbe attractive,” he “When I lived in Los Angeles, I saw similar facilitiesw that were very corporate and non-residential. When we came back here in it seemed so littlehad changed, but now with Main Street with the projects local developers are I see nice sparks but the candle isn’g lit yet.
“ O’Connell cited , the Federal Building and the burgeoninfg medical corridor as steps in theright direction. “Wwe need to marry these big-scale projects with continued job expansion, whichj will bring a boom in residentiak growth,” he says. In fact, O’Connell and his wife are seriouslgy thinking of moving from the suburbsto “Things don’t change overnight, but I see it happeningb one section at a he says. “Patience is the peg in that The president and CEO ofSavarino Cos. is relocating to downtown. “I want to be where the actiobn is,” says Sam Savarino.
“I’m movin from Snyder to the corner of Mississippio and Perry in theCobblestone District. What this area needs is more residencea with amenities forall ages.” Savarin sees more critical mass “day in and day but it’s not nearly enough. “I see positive projectx happening in theInner Harbor,” he says, “but a few piecexs of the puzzle are missing. The construction of condos would be an assetf for people interested in city Everyone is ready for that next We have one pendiny onPerry St. that will include a rooftop party area, fitness center and wine and coffeew bar,” Savarino says. Dennis Brinkworth owns W.J.
Morrissey Irish Pub in the Cobblestones District. He still espouses an idea for downtown that was proposeds years ago but never cameto “Moving all of the campuses into one centra l location would have been a super opportunity for development and growtjh in the city,” he “That would have created another small communituy around campus, not unlike other areasz with urban campuses,” he says. Does the longtimr restaurateur hold out hope for thatto happen? “The Erie County Legislature would have to kick start that initiativr and have someone champion it,” he says. “Mayber ECC president Jack Quinn will take anothet look atthe proposal.
” Tappingg into the population of young peoplde is essential for the downtown area to says Stephanie Simeon, executive director of Heart of the City a nonprofit agency that rehabilitates and resells houses. Simeon advocatese a “new urbanism” approach, a place that is people and pet friendly, she
Monday, May 30, 2011
Seafood quality seminar opens - Oman Daily Observer
Oman Daily Observer | Seafood quality seminar opens Oman Daily Observer MUSCAT â" A seminar on seafood quality and safety opened at Crowne Plaza Hotel yesterday under the auspices of Dr Fuad bin Jaafar al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. Addressing the audience Dr Sajwani said the seminar has particular ... Marine Foods Quality, Safety Symposium Opens |
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Will She or Won't She? Palin's Political Future Becomes Hot Topic in Press - Fox News
Will She or Won't She? Palin's Political Future Becomes Hot Topic in Press Fox News This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," May 26, 2011. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. SEAN HANNITY, HOST: So, is Sarah Palin running for 2012? Is she planning this run? That's a question on everybody's mind this week. ... |
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Restaurateur Norman Brinker dies - Dallas Business Journal:
Brinker passed away Monday night leaving a legacy casual dining restaurantas built on what Phil Romanol called a vision of developinfg the casual dining restaurant concept where dinerss are treated not to fast foodor full-outt fine dining, but to a placew where people can eat everyday. “One of Norman’w biggest attributes was that he was a greagt leader anda cheerleader,” Romano said. “H would take people’s talents and develop them beyondtheifr abilities.” grew into a restaurant company that guideed chains like , On and Maggiano’s Littl e Italy.
Dallas-based Brinker EAT) in the past year sold the restaurang chain created byPhil Romano: Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Romanlo credits his friend Norman Brinkee for taking his creative vision and growing it into a majornational chain. “Ths industry is going to miss him,” Roman said. “Norman had the ability to take somethinhg andgrow it. That’sa his talent,” Romano added that Norman Brinker wasa “goox man” who taught him quite a bit about the restauranft industry and also quite a bit about leadership.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wife contacts husband's long-lost daughter - Washington Post (blog)
Wife contacts husband's long-lost daughter Washington Post (blog) By On Parenting From today's Post: A husband delays reconnecting with his estranged daughter. His wife secretly reaches out to the young woman and finds out she doesn't want her father in her life. Ask Amy columnist Amy Dickinson advises the wife on ... |
Saturday, May 21, 2011
VC firms take a dose of caution - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
One regional VC, currently raising a fund of upto $200 has sawed its projection by about 30 perceng partly because of Wall Street’s “You’re seeing some reduction on the private equitgy allocation because of the volatility and devaluation in the public said a partner at the firm, who requestedc anonymity. “There’s general unease in investingh in both public andprivatre markets.” ’ $120 million fund, which closed about six monthx ago, came shy of its targegt and took four to five monthw longer than expected to raise.
VC fundraisintg in the third quarter is down about 33 percent nationwide from theprior quarter, based on preliminaryh data, Thomson Reuters’ peHUB.com reported. That however, is expected to shrink some when final data comees outin mid-October. United States-based venture funde raising money from traditional sources of capital like pension funds and insurance companies are going to facetoughj times, said Tom Hawkins, director at Arcapitaa Ventures . Many VCs, Hawkins said, are having to lowet their targets by up to 50 Hawkins said.
“If you’re raising a $400 million he said, “it might becomew a $200 million to $300 million Here’s why: Institutional investors who invest in VC funds have watchedd their investment portfolios get torpedoed by the volatilwstock market. The Dow Jonees industrial average, which dived 777 points on Sept. 29, is down more than 20 percent from ayear ago. When the overal value of the portfolio declines, the relativs percentage allocated to venture capital and privatseequity swells, Hawkins said. “So institutional investors find themselves with muchhigher percentages, in termw of total asset value allocated to this assert class,” he said.
“Many of them are now in excessx of theirtarget thresholds, whicj means they won’t make additional allocations to venture said Hawkins. Raising funds, especiall y in Atlanta, has been challenging for awhile, said Alan partner at Noro-Moseley. The regioj has lost companies suchas (acquired by in that traditionally invested in local VC firmss to industry consolidation, Taetle said. “Thesre are folks who wouldr potentially have a local interest in makintg sure that technologyinvesting flourished,” he said. The mauling on Wall Stree has shrunk the pool of banks investment andretail — who invest in VC said Steve Nussrallah, managing partner at Alpharetta-based .
“Prior to abouft 2001 some of the moreactive [limite partners] were banks,” Nussrallah said. “They’rre all gone, pretty much.” The tough times in VC-lanr are being felt up and down thefood It’s taking longer for venture firms to raise money — regardlesw of performance, said Anupendra Sharma, investment partner at in “There’s less liquidity in the Sharma said. “People are more carefull about reallocatingtheir portfolio.” Not everyone thinksa private equity and venture capital stinks as an investmenrt class in a bloodied stock market.
Privater equity — a play on innovation and entrepreneurship — coulx be among the few remaining bastions ofwealtuh creation, said Gardiner Garrard, managing partner at Atlanta-based LLC . For “peopld that do have money [to invest] and want to generatd above-average returns,” Garrard said, “one of the only places they can do it is inventur capital, where innovation can create new VCs’ troubles in raising funds are going to filteer downstream. Entrepreneurs, industry insiders said, must prepar to bootstrap their companies longer and make do with smalle r roundsof financing.
VCs will take a more detailed look at revenuew projections and sales cycle of prospectivseportfolio companies, Arcapita’s Hawkins especially in an environment where customeer IT budgets are froze n or slashed. A tougher fundraising coupled with growing pressure toboosy returns, Nussrallah said, has also driveb many VCs into the arms of the more conservative later-stagre companies. Early-stage companies, he said, are riskier and have not producee good returns inrecent years.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Development fees to rise in Fairfax County - Washington Business Journal:
The $7.5 million officials expect to raisew through fee hikes is much smalleer than the cuts the county for instance, merit raises and length-of-service raises were eliminatedf for the next fiscal saving $19.1 million. If the board of supervisords approves thecounty executive’s proposal, site fees will cost 39 percentt more, building permit fees will cost 27 percentr more, new residential permits will increase by 50 percent, an infillp grading plan, which only applies to residentiak lots, will double in cost. The changes would take effecftJuly 1, at the beginninv of fiscal year 2009.
James Patteson,, directore of land development services, said the department’s revenue from permits and fees has droppecalmost $4.5 million as building has slowed in the last two The department has shrunk by 55 positions — 35 through attrition. The other 20 workers were reassigneds to other county divisions that needed engineers and Sites and building permit fees last went up in fisca lyear 2006. Patteson made an estimate of how much revenus would grow because of the but said activity has dropped so much in the last four he had torevise it, dropping $500,000p from the projection.
Zoning fees will go up even more with the costof variances, special special exceptions and rezonings going up 55 percent. An appeal to the administrator would morethan quadruple, from $375 to An interpretation of approved now free, would cost $500. When applicants ask for a deferralp of apublic hearing, it would cost $130 if the hearingt were in front of the Board of Zoning and $1,000 if it were in fronrt of the planning commission or board of Zoning fees last went up in 2006. Both proposals will have publicv hearings, on March 12 and March 30.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Out-of-pocket costs rising for health insurance - Jacksonville Business Journal:
The study, authored by researcheres from the National Opinion Research Centee and Watson Wyatt Worldwide and funded by The Commonwealth examines trendsin employer-sponsored insurance from 2004 to 2007. It founds rising rates of underinsuranc eand unaffordability, particularly for poorer and sicker people. In 2007, adults with employer coveragd faced an averageof $729 annually in out-of-pocket costes for medical services, including deductibles and othetr forms of cost sharing such as copaymentsa and coinsurance.
That represents a 34 percent increase from when theaverage out-of-pocket burden was Health plans covered a slightly smaller percentage of overalkl expenses in 2007 than 2004, but growthy in overall health spending was the chiefv culprit behind rising out-of-pocket costs, according to the “The years from 2004 through 2007 were a period of economi expansion, yet rising health care costes still eroded the value of employer-sponsorec coverage,” said lead author Jon “Historically, employees have been asked to shoulderd even more of the cost-sharing burden during difficult economic timeas such as the United Statesd is now experiencing.
Hence, it is imperative that health care reform includwe constraints onhealth spending, or else health insurance will becomew unaffordable for low- and middle-incomre Americans, and reform itself will be unsustainable.”
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Apple To Make Keyboards With Proximity Sensors And Tactile Feedback? - ITProPortal
Geek WIth Laptop | Apple To Make Keyboards With Proximity Sensors And Tactile Feedback? ITProPortal Apple may be interested in developing a keyboard that could use proximity sensors for tactile feedback using special air vents on the individual keys. This idea has been uncovered by Apple Insider, in a fresh patent filing made public by the US Patent ... Apple is Testing Proximity Sensors on Keyboards New Apple patent: Air keyboards that sense your fingers Apple Files Patent For Special Keyboard With Airflow Feedback |
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Bobcats struggle for consistent play in losses to Bears, Timberwolves - Basehor Sentinel
Bobcats struggle for consistent play in losses to Bears, Timberwolves Basehor Sentinel The Basehor-Linwood High School baseball team hit some late-season roadblocks in the form of the Turner Bears and Blue Valley Southwest Timberwolves. The Bobcats entered the doubleheaders with momentum after winning the Butch Foster ... |
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sharky
“The concept is designed to be a comfortable fine dining andseafood restaurant,” says John Golon, owner of the restaurant operatingg company. “But with today’s our price point isn’t going to be in the $23 and more Golon has worked in the restaurant industry sincde he was 13years old, including the last 18 years at where he’s helped the company expande from two to seven Memphis-ares locations. His start up-cost is $1 million. Sharky’x Gulf Grill is leasing the 6,300-square-foot building on 1.
3 acre s from LLC, which consists of local businessmenRoberrt Allen, Bernard Farber and Anwar Sharky’s Gulf Grill will serve primarily seafood, includingh sushi and oysters. Golonh is contracting with seafood suppliers who deal directly with Instead of taking the fishto market, they’l l ship it directly to certain “It eliminates the middleman and helpsw you to get fresh seafood at a more reasonablwe price,” he says. Sharky’s Gulf Grilol will print up new menus each day to reflecytthose catches. “We’re not going to be absolutely certain aswhat we’rwe going to have until we get it all into the Golon says.
“When you deal with all fresh seafood, you don’tg always know what you’re goinb to have.” Golon hired Gretchenh Rogers as general She previously served as generao manager at nearbyOwen Brennan’s. Sharky’se Gulf Grill should begin hiring in late July and open in Augustgor September. Golon plans to hire 100 people initially. Gary Shanks and John Reed, brokers with LLC, represented RABF Holdingas when it purchased the propertyfor $2 million in December 2008. “This is one of the premie r restaurant sites inthe city,” Shanksd says.
“You can fast forwarcd 20-30 years and this will stilo be a great piecwe of real estate and a solidtrade It’s Poplar Avenue.” Tom Turri with , designec the project; is general contractor.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Md. colleges given $11M to combat nursing shortage - The Business Review (Albany):
The grants, being divvied among 17 Marylancdnursing schools, will be used to lure facultg and students, and improve technolog at the universities. Maryland’s nursiny shortage is expected toreacjh 10,000 by 2016, according to the . The currenr vacancy rate of nurses at state hospitals is 8 The economic downturn has helped the industry because many retire d nurses have come backto work, but once the recessiob ends the shortage will said Carmela Coyle, CEO of the Marylanf Hospital Association. The first round of grants will increase the number of nurses graduating by 300 student and add 20 faculty positions at nursing programsa acrossthe state.
“The numbe r of nurses graduating from Maryland schools are simplhnot enough,” said Ronald B. Peterson, president of and co-chair of the “Whko Will Care?” campaign at a presss conference Monday. “We cannot take our eye off thenursinh demand.” The campaign’s goal is to add 1,5009 new nursing students. The program has raisesd $15.5 million to date through the state’s businessa community, including funds from the Baltimore constructiohform , , the region's largest hospital system, and , the region'ws largest health insurer. Greater Baltimore Medical Center, for gave $500,000.
The goal is to raise $20 milliobn from the private sector by the end of the and then raise anaddition $40 million in state, locap and federal funds. • • • • • ; and, • .
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Indictments in alleged looting of ancient Four Corners burial sites - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
The on Wednesday released details of 12 indictments related to 23 Law enforcement officials have started arresting those named inthe indictments, most of whom live in according to the Interior Department. The indictmentw were handed down by a Salt Lake City grand Roughly 250 artifacts estimated to be worth morethan $335,0090 allegedly were stolen by the according to the Interior Department. The artifactzs include Anasazi pottery, createfd by Native Americans centuries ago, as well as ceremonial masks and abuffal headdress.
An undercover investigation intothe ring’s activitiese has been going on for two and included agents from the Interior Department’s (BLM) and FBI as well as U.S. marshals. “Let this case serve notice to anyone who is considering breaking thesw laws and tramplingour nation’x cultural heritage that the BLM, the Departmen t of Justice and the [rest of] the federal governmenr will track you down and bring you to justice,” Interior Secretaruy Ken Salazar said in a statement. The federalo Archaeological Resources Protection Act makes it illegal to excavat e archaeological siteswithout authorization, and take artifacts from federaol land for sale or exchange.
Once the artifacts’ triba affiliations have been identified, they will be returner to those tribes, as required by the Native Americamn Graves Protection andRepatriation Act. Items not coverede by the tribal repatriation law will be made available for scientific research andpublic education. The Four Corner region includes partsof Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, and occupies Natived American land. Colorado’s corner is part of this state’sz Ute Mountain Ute reservation, and the othefr states’ corners are part of the Navajoi Nation. Indicted defendants were to appear beforwa U.S. magistrate in Moab, Utah, on Wednesday.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Leaner and meaner translates to better for Mizzou softball team - Kansas City Star
Kansas City Star | Leaner and meaner translates to better for Mizzou softball team Kansas City Star Thomas, the ace of Missouri's softball team, had just thrown her 234th pitch in a span of just under 27 hours. As she sat in the first-base dugout on April 17 at MU's University Field rooting for her teammates to score the single run ... |
Saturday, April 30, 2011
2.0 Minutes with Adam Klawonn | founder ZonieReport.com - Phoenix Business Journal:
What is one of your businessw goalsfor 2009? “I want to host a majo r conference on environmental policy and issues in Arizonqa under our new banner, The Arizonan.” How have you changerd your business strategy to reflect currenty economic conditions? “I have given communityu bloggers more power in shaping content and temporarily abandoned ad sales for less traditionalk revenue streams.” What resources did you use to help develop your businesws and marketing plans? “Local First Arizona Small Business Association, friends and How do you use technology to promotw your business?
“We use Twitter, Facebook, RSS feeds and e-mail blastsa to push our keep in touch with readers and promots advertisers to a niche audience.” What is a significan t goal you achieved in the past 12 months? “Ik redesigned the entire Web site and expande our coverage, which quadrupled our monthly What is the biggest challenge you’vw overcome in growing your business? “Tinkering with new At first, I was afraid to let stufv go; now I know that if it doesn’ t work, I can just move on.” What advice do you have for entrepreneurs just starting out? “Don’tt underestimate the time you will need to accomplish the smallestf tasks.
” Do you have an exit strateghy or a succession plan for when you retire? I’d like to sell the site but keep the Then I would write a book or two, work as a mediza consultant and become a full-time journalisj professor.” How do you market?? “I host booths at conferences, participate in mediwa panels, run in my Zonie uniforn at 10K fundraisers, seek out inexpensive mediw partnerships and share content.
”
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Nightclub plagued by violence to open again - Jackson Clarion Ledger
Nightclub plagued by violence to open again Jackson Clarion Ledger After four people were injured in two separate shootings in the Hunt Club's parking lot, the nightclub was closed March 4 when a Forrest County Chancery Court judge signed an injunction. Forrest-Perry County District Attorney Patricia Burchell pushed ... Lawyer: Hunt Club to reopen |
Monday, April 25, 2011
Ford Idling Plants Due To Parts Shortage - MyStateline.com
CTV.ca | Ford Idling Plants Due To Parts Shortage MyStateline.com (Dearborn, MI) -- Ford Motor Company will idle three plants this week because of parts shortages resulting from the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The automaker will idle one plant each in Taiwan, China and South Africa. ... Ford temporarily shuts 3 plants in Asia, S. Afri! ca, to deal with parts shortages Ford shuts down three overseas factories because of temporary parts shortages |
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Academic Team honoree: Meredith Stone - Business First of Buffalo:
Accomplishments: National Merit Scholarshi finalist. SAT score of 1,570. Perfecrt score on three Regents exams. AP Scholar Award (with Honor). Science President of Quiz Bowl. Full Meredith Laura Stone. Born: October 9, 1991, Parents: Eileen Stone, Jeffrey Stone. Residence: Grand Favorite class: European Historyh (Donna Seymour). “Mrs. Seymoure tied together overwhelming amounts of information and made it all Hers was my firstAP class, and I believre that it pushed me, and I grew as a student.” Colleger and likely major: , biology. Hope to be doinv 10 years from now: “I hope to be workinhg at as a researcher, and raising a familyu in the Buffalo area.
” If could meet anyone from QueenElizabeth I. “I would like to know how she dealft with the pressures that came with being a woman in If could have dinner with anyonenow alive: Anna “She is a thoughtful and interesting person. I love reading her and I think that she would have a uniquew perspective on the issues of the to proceed to the next FirstfTeam honoree: Mary Stottele.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Goodyear Amends European Credit Facility, Closes Notes Offering - PR Newswire (press release)
Goodyear Amends European Credit Facility, Closes Notes Offering PR Newswire (press release) AKRON, Ohio, April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) today announced that it has amended and restated its European revolving credit facility and closed an offering of euro 250 million aggregate principal amount of ... |
Monday, April 18, 2011
Fiscal 2011 enlisted force management programs conclude after meeting goal - Air Force Link
Air Force Link | Fiscal 2011 enlisted force management programs conclude after meeting goal Air Force Link 4/18/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced the closure of enlisted voluntary and involuntary force management programs for fiscal 2011 after meeting end-strength goals for enlisted Airmen. Force management programs announced in ... |
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Carmax cuts jobs in region - Baltimore Business Journal:
Carmax operates six used-car superstores and one new car store in the according toTrina Lee, public relations Carmax employs 1,595 total associates in D.C. and The jobs being eliminated are concentratee on workers who do reconditioningof cars, though Lee said the cuts are just a portioj of those associates who do that type of About one-third of the reductions are based on the company’s sales declinr in the second quartee ending Aug. 31. New vehicle sales fell more than 25 percent in the last yearfrom $104.8 million to $77.8 million. Used vehicle sales droppesd 12.5 percent from the same time last and sales of wholesale vehiclesfell 15.8 percent.
The remainingv layoffs are the result ofthe company’s initiative to decrease costs in reconditioning and restructured its cosmetic operations, a release said. Due to the CarMax estimates severance costsof $7 including selling, general and administrative costs for the thir quarter ending Nov. 30. The company is not expecting any future reductions atthis time, said a Richmond, Va.-based CarMax (NYSE: KMX) operates 99 used car superstores in 46 markets nationwide.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
89 Indian prisoners set free by Pakistan - The Hindu
BBC News | 89 Indian prisoners set free by Pakistan The Hindu PTI Pakistan on Thursday set free 89 Indian fishermen as part of a process initiated by the two countries to speed up the release of people held in each other's prisons for inadvertently crossing land and maritime boundaries. The freed Indians were now ... Pak frees 89 Indian prisoners Pakistan frees 89 Indian prisoners Pakistan releases 89 Indian prisoners |
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
It's official: 15 General Motors dealers in Colorado to lose franchises - East Bay Business Times:
It was the first definitiv statement of exactly how many GM dealers in the state were informed thay will lose their franchise agreementsin 2010. The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association previously had estimated the numberd at 13 to 15 base d on reportsfrom dealers. GM still is not releasinv the names ofthe 1,323 dealers it plans to drop nationwide, including the 15 in The information came in a list releasede by the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, based on information provided by GM. Executive s of GM and Chrysler, which plans to shed 14 Coloradoi dealers, testified before Congress abougt their dealerplans Friday.
GM'sz car lines include Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Saab, Saturn and Hummer. It has some 6,000 dealershipsd nationwide. Letters sent in mid-May to GM dealersd the company planned to a copy of which was obtained by the DenverBusiness Journal, said the automaker reviewedc each of its dealers' sales profitability, capitalization, location and facilities alonyg with other "market patterns." . "Basecd on our review and current and foreseeabls market conditions andyour dealership's historical we do not see that GM can have a productivew business relationship with [name of dealership] over the long said the letter, dated May 14.
About 92 of Colorado'ws 264 auto dealerships sell one or more GM said Tim Jackson of the statd autodealers group. Additionap dealers may lose theirfranchisees later, GM has said.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Vanessa Hudgens likes to drum with drug addicts - Monsters and Critics.com
Los Angeles Times | Vanessa Hudgens likes to drum with drug addicts Monsters and Critics.com Vanessa Hudgens has admitted she likes to take part in drumming sessions with new age drug addicts. 'Sucker Punch', Los Angeles film premiere, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, California. ... Vanessa Hudgens Plans Tattoo Party with Mom |
Friday, April 8, 2011
The deal: Arch Coal Inc. acquires Triton Coal Co. - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
Triton's parent company, of Fairview had put the Triton mine up for sale through a competitivrebid process. St. Louis-based Arch Coal first announcedf that it had won the bidding proces toacquire Triton, located in Wyoming, in May 2003. But the deal wasn'rt finalized until August 2004 -- largely due to a number of courf challenges fromthe (FTC) and others. Leaderas of the acquisition team at Arch Coal durinbgthe 18-month effort were Dave Peugh, vice president of businesx development, and Bob Jones, vice president and general counsel. Outside the company, Arch Coal'zs acquisition team included Perry Johnson, a partnerr at in St.
Louis, and John Holland, senioe vice president, and Karen Myers, senioer vice president, both of in St. Arch financed the acquisitionwith $242 million in cash, $22 millionj in borrowings from its existin credit facility at U.S. Bank and a new $100 million term loan at its Arch WesternResourcex subsidiary. Shortly after the deal was Arch Coal began receiving information requests fromthe FTC. In Apri 2004, the FTC asked a U.S. District Courtf judge to block the deal because it woulcd have created a monopoly on coal minedin Wyoming'se Southern Powder River Basin, where the Triton mine is But in August this year, the U.S.
Districy Court for the District of Columbiaw deniedthe FTC's request for a preliminaru injunction and the Circuit Cour of Appeals for the District of Columbi a declined to issue a stay pending an appeal. Severalo states, including Missouri, also had filed lawsuits opposing the deal becausee of fears of escalating electric Butmany analysts, including Richard managing director of the St. Louis office of , disagreed with the contention that coal prices would rise as a resul t ofArch Coal's acquisition of Price contended that Arch's acquisition would make it one of the top threes coal producers, along with St.
Louis-basede and Australia-based Kennicott, leading to greater competition. At issu e for the states was the highlgydesirable low-sulfur coal mined in the Powderf River Basin, located in Wyoming and All three of the companieas mine the coal in the basin. Low-sulfur coal is most favored by electric companies because it meetzthe nation's Clean Air Act Triton owned two mines in the Buckskin and North which produced a totao of 42.2 million tons of coal last In 2003, Arch Coal sold 114 millioh tons of coal producer throughout the United States. In March Arch Coal said it would sell the Buckskin mineto , of Neb., for $82 million aftee completing the transaction to buy Triton.
The North Rochelle mine sharesa 5.5-mile property line with Arch's Black Thunder mine in the "We believe this acquisition stands to create tremendous value for our customers and shareholders The integration process has gone exceptionally and we are making excellent progress in capturing the very significantg operating synergies created by the transaction," said Steven Arch president and chief executive. Arch expects the joing operation of the two mines to creatre operating synergies ofbetween $15 million and $20 milliomn beginning in 2005.
In July 2004, Arch Coal agreedd to buy the remaining 35 percent offrom Tokyo-based for $112 With the transaction, Canyon Fuel becamer a wholly owned subsidiary of Arch Canyon Fuel, based in Utah, owned and operated two mines in that Sufco in Sevier County and Dugout Canyon in Carbomn County. It also owns the idle Skylinde mine inCarbon County. It controlds about 161 million tonsof low-sulfur coal reservese in Utah.
Arch planned to integratse Canyon Fuel's operations into its West Elk mine in Colorad o in order to reduceoverhead
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Rusty mixes in a mea culpa for misdirected 'DWTS' dig - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Rusty mixes in a mea culpa for misdirected 'DWTS' dig Minneapolis Star Tribune Upon seeing it the first thing that popped into my head is something that's been said to me before: Hey, you need to mix in a salad, buddy. Right after I said that I thought 'Humm, that's probably not very nice to say.' I always thought it was funny" ... |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Report: Property values fall 23.4% - Austin Business Journal:
Home prices in the Orlando-Kissimmee slipped 23.4 percent in April when compared with the same monthu ayear prior, the seventh highest percentage of declinew among some of the nation’s largest metro The Orlando-Kissimmee market posted a 20.9 percen decrease in home valuesd in March when compared with March 2008. Florida passecd California to postthe second-highest rate of home pricw depreciation at 23.2 percent. Nevadas topped the nation witha 26.1 percentg drop, while California — the leadint state for 20 consecutive months — lander third at 22.7 percent. Nationwide housingv prices fell 10.
2 percent in Aprilp compared to ayear ago, representingh the smallest year-over-year decline so far this year. The national decline peaked at 11.9 percent in January 2009 and has sincwe beentrending down. First American CoreLogic’s LoanPerformance Home Price Index evaluatees the residential real estate market based on timebetween sales, property type and loan as well as increases and decreases in sales prices for the same homess over time.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Eden Bioscience announces job cuts, CEO to resign - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
million and also announced it will "substantiallu reduce" its workforce by the end of the year. The Bothel l company (NASDAQ: EDEN) also said that CEO and President Rhetgt Atkins will resignon Dec. 15. Bradley Powell, the company's CFO, will becomwe president on Dec. 15. Eden, whichj makes products to improve crop production and toprotect plants, is sellinvg the assets to of Pittsburgh for $2.5 million -- $1.5 millioj in cash and a $1 million promissorh note. Eden said "it will substantially reduce its administrative, marketing, sales, manufacturing and developmengt personnelby Dec. 31," in a move expected to save $1.4 milliohn a year.
Company officials couldn't be reached to say exactlh how many of its approximately 25 employees will be affected bythe cuts. In August, the company of $5.6 milliojn and at the time said itwas "exploring strategic alternatives for the future." The company in the thirc quarter last month.
Friday, April 1, 2011
First American affiliate buys Attleboro site - Phoenix Business Journal:
million. First American, on behalf of an bought a 5,650-square-foot building called Building 5 anda 213,000-square-foot, three-story manufacturing facility called Buildingb 12. The Attleboro Corporate Campus was previouslyt owned and occupied by and isa 300-acre mixed-use officre and industrial campus located just off Interstated 95 in Attleboro. Building 12 is leased to as it’s global manufacturing headquarters. Buildintg 5 is leased to The BOC Group a worldwide distributor of industrial gases and its TheLinde Group. Preferred Unlimited Inc. is a 15-year-olrd commercial real estate firm which started as Preferred Real EstateInvestments Inc.
The companty is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pa. First American Realtu Inc. is a privately held investment and management firm basedin Worcester, which acquires industrial and medical office properties.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
May water use comes in under goals - New Mexico Business Weekly:
That’s according to the Albuquerque Bernalillo Countu WaterUtility Authority. The usage goal for the year-to-datwe in May was 11.49 billionn gallons. Actual usage was 11.32 billiojn gallons. That compares favorably to Marchand April, when usage surpassef goals set by the authority. In usage was 174 million gallons over the conservation Katherine Yuhas, conservation officer for the Water said the damp spring helped, but now customersw must be aware of their usage as temperatures rise and precipitation falls. Customerz are encouraged to water theire yards a maximum of three days a week in June and only beforde11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. More tips are available at the .
Customers can report waste by callingg 842-WATR (9287). Albuquerque must reducw per-capita water consumption in coming years to meet state permitt requirements for theSan Juan-Chamaa Drinking Water Project, which diverts watedr from the Rio Grande into the city’sx drinking water system.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse stops work on Baltimore projects - Boston Business Journal:
It’s part of the prolific and nationallyknowj builder’s decision to ride out the recessionj as a for-fee consultant and contractor and extends to most of its project from New England to Nort h Carolina, company CEO C. Williamn “Bill” Struever said. Struever, who pioneeredx the idea of Baltimore’ds waterfront as a “Digital Harbor” and home for high-tech said he was forced into the position by mountinf debts and the inability to borrow money tofinancr projects. Those conditions, he developed more quickly than he expectedx due to the economic downturn and nationwidercredit crunch. Baltimore-based Struevee Bros.
has significantly reduced its work force in responser tothe shift, and now employs fewer than 100 people. “I’m a ebullient, optimistic guy; that’s why I’m in trouble,” Struever “I never would have guessed how hard it was goin g to be to get financing forthose projects.” The companu has amassed more than $10 million in debtds and loan defaults, according to court and like competitors in the it is having trouble raising money to fuel its Across Baltimore, developers have put the brakes on projectsz for a lack of financing and market demand, including two planned skyscraperse along the Inner Harbor and severall residential towers.
For Strueve Bros., those problems date back to its inability to raise funds for a condominium project called the Olmstedin Baltimore’ws Charles Village neighborhood. From the company developed a plan to raise monety by bringing on equityt partners and sellingoff assets. But as the economyy worsened, Struever Bros. foundx it was unable to attractnew partners. And as the creditf markets seized up, it found it couldn’t find buyer for its properties or lenders to borroaw money or refinance its Those factors contributed to Struever decision last month to step down as an equity partned inState Center, the $1.
4 billion plannee redevelopment of a midtown Baltimore states office complex. It also has reduced its stakde ina $1.5 billion Southwest D.C., waterfront redevelopment and is renegotiating with H&SS Properties Development Corp. its role in Harbotr Point. Harbor Point is a former chromw plant on which Struever workeedwith H&S Properties for nearly a decade to remakse into a 1.8 million-square-foot mixed-usse development. The two firms speny more than $3 million preparing the site for developmenyt and anestimated $22.8 million to build the first structure, a 240,000-square-foot office building to be partially occupier by financial firm Morgan Stanley.
That building is slated for completion in the firsttquarter 2010. Christopher H. H&S Properties’ assistant development manager, confirmed Strueve r Bros. is seeking a change from its role as equitu partner inthe project. He referred questions abouft those talksto H& Properties President Michael S. Beatty, who couldx not be reached for Janiansaid H&S Propertiese still plans to develop other parts of Harbor Point, but the project’d next two structures, a 350-unit apartment building and a four-statr Westin hotel, are on hold for at least two more yeare until the economy improves.
Many of Struever projects involved bringing new businesses and jobs into the communitiese where theywere focused. Those include keepinv Legg Mason in Baltimore in a new headquarters atHarbotr East, creating more office space at Harbor Pointy for Morgan Stanley, and luring Humanim from Howard Countyh to the American Breweru building in East Baltimore. “They’ve done some wonderful projects thatI don’ t know anybody else would have done; certainly Clipper Mill comew to mind,” said Baltimore Development Corp. President M.J. Brodie, who has known Struever sincwe the 1970s whenStruever Bros.
was a budding contracting firm and Brodiewwas Baltimore’s housing “I know they’ve been I don’t know what the end result will be. It’as my hope that they survive this very difficult economic situation because I think they can still do somegood things.” The move from developmenyt to fee-based work hasn’t been without its heartbrea k for Struever, regarded by former colleagues and city officials as a visionary and leadedr of urban redevelopment projects.
He relished his role taking on these projects such asStatd Center, which featured many of the common elements at other Struever projects like green building, transit-orientedx development, urban redevelopment and job retention. Struevet said he expects to complete work on all itsexistingb projects, including the conversion of a former Overflo storage warehousee in Locust Point into new office, retail and showroom space for its marquee Tide Point Under Armour Inc. But it does not expect to take on any new as either an equity partner orlead developer, and Strueve r is instead focusing on working with its creditors and payinbg down its debts.
“I’ m getting projects finished andpeople paid. Night and day, that’s my No. 1 Struever said. “I feel in my hearty the obligation to getpeople paid.” It’s not the first recession Struever said he has been But he said it is the deepest he’s seen, and he’s hopingt his firm can once again survive the recessionm by stepping out of the development business and focusing on fee-basedr work consulting and contracting for developerd in better financial standing. In that role, Struevedr Bros. will serve as a consultant to the new Statde Centerdevelopment team.
It is also servinhg as a contractor to the Nationalp Aquarium in Baltimore for its Middlde Branchexpansion project. Struever said he hopes to avoids bankruptcy by running aleaner company. “It’s tough and there’s no guarantees,” he Through layoffs or resignations, the ranks of Struever employees has dwindled from more than 350 employeesa fewerthan 100. It’s lost several key memberes of itsdevelopment team, including Fran who oversaw the company’s sustainability and preservation and Tim Pryor, a developmenft director overseeing Struever Bros.’ now-tabled plans to expanrd Tide Point. Dominic Wiker left Struever Bros.
in November 2007, after five years handlinvg development projects including Charles Center andthe ill-fated formet Olmsted condominium project in Charlee Village. Struever Bros. halted the Olmsted project whenthe city’zs condominium market slumped, and the company sold the propertyh to Johns Hopkins Universitty for $12.5 million May 7. Wiker now worke for Pikesville developer Mark Sapperstei n on the redevelopment of McHenry Row inLocusty Point. He has kept an eye on the company since he and said he hopeStruever Bros. is able to recover from its financial “It was a tremendouslty exciting experience; it’s just a great learning Wiker said.
“Bill undertook some very challenginhg projects. They were challenging even in the bestof
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lundqvist shuts door on Bruins - News & Observer
News & Observer | Lundqvist shuts door on Bruins News & Observer The Bruins' Rich Peverley, right, goes for a rebound as the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist defends the crease. Associated Press Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 shots for his league-leading 11th shutout, and Derek Stepan deflected Michael ... |
Friday, March 25, 2011
Greek Embassy of Japan Urges Greeks to Leave the Country - Greek Reporter
Greek Reporter | Greek Embassy of Japan Urges Greeks to Leave the Country Greek Reporter The Greek Embassy of Japan, realizing the serious problems that the nuclear reactors leak may cause, urged Greeks who are around the dangerous area to leave. The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that they have already booked tickets ... |
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Mother's plea over dead Oxford student's stolen laptop - BBC News
Mother's plea over dead Oxford student's stolen laptop BBC News William DeJanes, 33, who had a medical condition, was found dead at home in Cowley Road, Oxford, on 15 March. Two days later the flat was raided and his Sony VAIO laptop containing his final year dissertation was stolen. Two people were arrested but ... Burglars steal dead Oxford student's belongings |
Monday, March 21, 2011
Inmark moves to Avondale from Pinson - Nashville Business Journal:
Real estate firm said the plastiv containers and packaging companyleased 23,625 square feet of office and warehouse space at the park in The company has been in its current location in Pinsonb Valley for more than 20 years. Jack Key of Grahamk represented Inmark and Brad Moffat of represented the Graham said broker Walter Brownj has the listing on morethan 410,0090 square feet of sublease space at the Colonnadde in AT&T’s vacant South Tower building. Radiologyg Associates renewed its 4,669-square-foot lease at Vestavia Centre. Browb represented the landlord inthe transaction. renewed its lease in Calersa and Decoma Modular Systems renewex its leasein McCalla.
Combined, the two companiesa occupy morethan 270,0090 square feet of space in Graham Co. developments. The renewals were handled by Graha m brokers Sonny Culp andOgden Deaton.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Pill bug: Startup zeroes in on patient-error market - Boston Business Journal:
Senticare Inc.’s PillStation could prevent adverse drug avert unnecessary hospitalizations and even save if the company can find a way to make moneon it. The $100 billionn problem is the estimated annual cost to the healthn care system from patients taking theitmedications incorrectly, according to a studyt published in the Journal of Clinicalo Pharma Therapy. PillStation is aimed at chronically ill patients who have to take many medicationszper day. Patients who miss dosezs for reasons ranging from pain to depressio n may end up back in the hospital with adverse or undergocostly misdiagnosis. Senticare founder Dr.
Davied Bear said he knew of one patien t who was mistakenly diagnosed with earlystagew Alzheimer’s, when in fact she had been accidentally taking the sleep drug Ambien in the morningt instead of at night. PillStation looks like a smallwireless printer, with a small a large button marked “CALL” and a speaker. If you lift the lid, insidse you find what looks like a normal labeled for seven days per Underneath the pillbox is a scanne that photographs the pillbox and sends the imageto Senticare’xs call center in Southborough, where an adviserr checks the image against the patient’s prescriptions and the Physician’s Desk Referencr to make sure the patient is taking the right drugs at the right time.
PillStatioj is programmed witha patient’s dosing times, and will sounf a chime. Then a message turns up on thescreebn saying, “Time to take your medication.” Miss a dose and the chimese get louder and louder until the PillStation calls your doctor or a family member. Right now, there is just one call advisetr onthe 10-person staff. The company expectsz to expand to about 35 employees by the end of but that will depend on whethe r they can sellthe Currently, is running a clinical trial using PillStationb in concert with other home-monitoring devices for heart failur e patients. “So far, it’s working well.
If this we will likely purchase dozens of the machines in a few saidDoug McClure, corporatde manager of technology and operations at Partners HealthCare’zs Center for Connected Health. Senticare officials said they hope the Partnerse HealthCare clinical trial will lend national credibilith to the science behincd PillStation and that will help the compangy sellthe device. Theree is a startup fee of $99 for the system, with a monthlty subscription feeof $79. CEO Michael Staw said Senticarw launched in 2007 witha $5 milliom investment by in New Senticare remains private, has no revenud and has used approximately $3 millionn of the $5 million.
The company’s competitors include Philips Healthcare, with North American headquarterssin Andover, which has an older-generation medicationh monitoring device on the market.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-53) at Portland Trail Blazers (38-29), 10 pm - MiamiHerald.com
msnbc.com | Cleveland Cavaliers (13-53) at Portland Trail Blazers (38-29), 10 pm MiamiHerald.com By Sports Network The Portland Trail Blazers hope to continue their push to the postseason tonight when they entertain the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers in Rip City. Portland snapped a two-game skid on Tuesday with an impressive 104-101 win over D » |
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tom Gill, longtime Hawaii politician, dies at 87 - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
Gill, who died at Leaho Hospital in Honolulu after years of failing was 87. Gill, a served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1963 to 1965 and as lieutenant governor from 1966to 1970. Born in served in the territorial and Hawaiik House of Representatives from 1958through 1962. Gill, an attornet who was a strong and earlgy supporter ofcivil rights, was amontg the most outspoken and liberall members of Hawaii’s Democratic Party as it came to dominatee state politics in the Among Democrats, Gill was know as something of an outsider, and he was an outspokemn critic of what he saw as “machine-style” He ran for governor unsuccessfully twice, includingv against his boss, incumbent Democrat John Burns in 1970.
He also ran againsf George Ariyoshiin 1974. Gill is survived by his wife, and brother Lorin T. Gill; sons who heads UNITE-HERE Local 5, the hotell and restaurant workers’ union, Gary, a former Honolulu City Council member, and Tony, a labor and three other children, 12 grandchildren and three
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Banks get creative catering to consumer demand for savings - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
The products include savings accountsw and CDs thatoffer incentives, perks and upgraded designed to assist customera with their short- and long-term savings There’s also a groundswell of new financiak literacy classes that take banking lessons into the workplaces or community-at-large. Classes cover everythingv from avoiding foreclosure to strategies for thesophisticated investor. They’res usually free and don’t involve hard-core selling. But they do allow banka to get their brand in front of thousands of Responseto ’s workplace banking classea has been “overwhelming,” says Melanie Blank, Regions’ consumer bankinyg executive for Middle Tennessee.
“We became an automatedc industry in the spirit of quicmk communicationand speed,” Blank says. “But now people are getting back to the They are in a cashoptimization mode.” Regions also has introduced its Second Chanced CD, which allows customers a 1 perceny market rate increase if they meet their savings goalzs for a year. The bank also has a no-penalty optio that lets participants take one withdrawal durin g the term ofthe CD. The bank also recently introduced a customer assistance program for families in This program helps participantes reduce or restructureproblematic loans. Blanmk says the program has helpedabout 12,000 people nationwids avoid foreclosure.
has had a workplacde banking program called Work Perkz forfive years. However, the economic downturhn has created a flood of new interest in the saysPaula Mansfield, vice presidentr of workplace banking for the bank’s Middle Tennesse e branches. “Many companies are havingf to cut back on thingslike 401(k) Mansfield says. “They are looking for ways to show employees they arestilp valued.” conducted a series of focus groups in Middle Tennessee earlier this year to determine customers’ “They said, ‘Help me save better, budget betterf and save for collegwe and retirement.
’ People are worrieed that their children don’t know how to says Connie White, marketingy director for the Middle Tennesseew branches of Fifth Third. Fifth Third also is rollingg outRelationship Savings, a product that’s meant to encourage savings and draw businesws to the bank. Customers who sign up for a Fiftgh Third checking account automatically get double the interest rate on a saving account atthe bank. Another product, the Goal Setterr savings account, works with customers to set savingss goals and rewards them withinteresf hikes. White says the bank is looking ata double-digit increase in depositw this year.
Information from Fifth Third’s market research inspired localo branches to plan a seriesof “Health and festivals. The grassroots events will be held at bank branches and willfeature mini-seminars on saving and budgeting, credir repair and affordable home Along with the financialk classes will be diabetes screenings, a personal fitness trainet giving fitness tips, healtht food booths and activitieds for children and “Our research showed us that focuses should be placedx on programs that reach youth as well as adults,” Whited says. “It showed that to gain banks should extend community outreachand presence.
” White says Fift Third also is seeing an increasw in requests for workplace banking, particularlgy from nonprofits. / reports a 10 percenty increase in users ofits 5-year-old Way2Save savingsd account. It encourages customers to save bytransferrint $1 from their checking account into a speciapl savings account each time they make a check card purchase or an electronifc payment. Customers earn 5 percent interesgt and a 5 percent annual bonuss in thefirst year, and a 2 percent annualk yield and 2 percent annual bonus in the secondd and third years.
Way2Save has had abouy 2 million participants, says Wendy Lawrence, Wachovia’zs banking executive in charge ofthe “Consumers wanted to save, but didn’tr know how,” Lawrence “Now we are seeing a wide interest, even from high school
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
John Jay High School teachers using technology to tame TAKS - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
The program, called the Science TAKS Success has decreased the average number of science test failure s from about 200 students to 50 studentd per year at John Jay and almostr doubled the percentage of students passing the retesr from 33 percent to 62 percent betweenj 2005and 2007. The teachers behind the Calvin “Buck” Buchholtz Jr. and Juan “Coach” Morales, desig n a personalized program foreach student. Each plan zeros in on the student’es testing weaknesses and makes use ofonline resources, interactivr Web sites, and audio clips to re-teach the content.
What’s the duo have produced a 25-minute TAKS video — reviewin g basic math formulas and revisitinf graphinterpretation — that is projected on whit boards in every classroom 30 minutes before the testd are administered. “It is very unique. Calvin and Coach have crafted a very detailed approach to help students succeed onthe TAKS,” says Sara Ph.D., executive director of secondary instruction for the Northside Independent School District. “They’ve had phenomenakl results with stressedstudents — students at the exit levelp in science for whom the TAKS is standing betweem them and the rest of their lives.
” The TAKS is a standardize d test used in elementar y and secondary schools to assess student Texas high school seniors cannot graduate unless they pass exit-level TAKS testss in English language arts, social studies, math and During their junior and senior years of high school, students are givenb five chances to pass the test. Located on the Northwest side of San Antonil onMarbach Road, John Jay is a 3,400-studenty high school with 230 staff members and about 1,200 Campus Instructional Technologist Ron Gray has spen t the last decade helping teachers integrate technology into their classrooms and lesson plans.
When Gray first met Buchholtz, the physics teacher showee scant interestin “Didn’t care,” Buchholtz Gradually, Buchholtz embraced computers in the classroom. As the student counci l sponsor, Buchholtz asked Gray to help builf a Web site for thestudent Then, in 2005 Buchholtz was invitex aboard the JOIDES Resolution, a ship that explore the mysteries of the oceanh floor as part of the Integrated Ocea Drilling Program (IODP), an international researc organization that conducts seagoing expeditions to “study the historuy of the earth recorded in sediments and rocksz beneath the ocean floor.” Buchholtz and Gray buil t a Web site called “High S.E.A.
Adventuresx with Mr. Buchholtz,” and posted videos that Buchholt z shot withWindows Moviemaker. Later, using a laptop computer with aWeb cam, riggee to set upon an upside-down kitty litterf bucket, students at were able to videoo conference live with some of the scientists, crew and staftf aboard the JOIDES — which was 1,000 miles off the shore of the Uniter States in the Sout h Pacific. The venture was such a succese that administrators decided Buchholtz should help with the TAKS remediation Buchholtz was teamed with the offensive coach for the Mustan gfootball team, who already was teaching TAKS science remediation to students.
“I was basicallg using textbooks, pencil and paper and doing the bestI could, but therer were still quite a few Every time there was a we were losing half our kids,” Morales says. “I was inundated with books, computer resources from the district. There was no way I coulsd pass all this on to the students and expec t them to prepare inthrew weeks. “And, of course you’rw fighting not just the material, but kids’ attitudes and theirt sense of failure.” Morales and Buchholtz culled the whittling it down to about 20 Web two textbooks anda CD-ROM. Gray designed the Web site http://www.nisd.net/jay/success/index.
htnm for the program; it’s free and accessiblew to anyone. For every studentr that failed the TAKS science the team analyzed scores and customized a study which each child followed daily in the TAKSremediatiom class. “The lingo is Studenft Differentiated Study,” Buchholtz says. “We’re honing in on the greatest weaknesses.” The first year of the programin 2005, 33 percenyt of the students who retested passeds the TAKS. In 2006, 44 percent passed; in 2007, 62 percentr were successful.
John Jay Academic Dean Kathy says the team works because the men play the rolesa ofgood cop/bad cop with the “They work in tandem and spend so much time with those They’re so focused on the shepherdingf of these kids that the students joke that they’res (the teachers) stalkers. Don’t you dare let them find you eatingv lunch,” Mitchell jokes. Jasmine a John Jay is a successful graduate of the TAKSSciencwe Initiative.
After failing the sciencs portion of theTAKS twice, she landed in Morales’ and Buchholtz’ In November 2008, she finally She graduates in two weeks and has applieed to the University of Texas in San Antonio and hopesa to study on a pre-med track. “Ik found out at Thanksgiving that I passed and was so Garcia says. “I was worrieed that if I didn’t pass that I wouldn’r graduate.” Every year, Buchholtz and Morales tweak the class to improvwetheir methods. Most recently, they discovered that the Sciencew TAKS exam has five one of which is called the Naturreof Science, which involves reading a graph and interpreting data.
“Ww went back and noticed thered were literally maybe 15studenta — out of all the thousands of students who had ever taken the test at John Jay that had scored 12 or better out of 17 on that one Buccholtz says. This year, every Friday focusedr strictly on the Nature of Science portion ofthe test. Morales and Buccholtz researched TAKS rules and learned they legallu had one hour before they had to pass out the They created the schoolwidre video that was shown in every classroom 15 minutesx before the test washandedd out.
In addition to technical tips abourscience components, like the periodic the video reminds students to leave their “distractiond and dramas” behind and focus on their ultimate goal. “After the test, the kids were callinhg me in thehallways ‘Coach! I saw you on the TV in our classroomn and I’m so glad you covered that because it was on the Morales says. TAKS remediation is only one area in whichg JohnJay — and the entirr Northside district — is tapping into technology.
Morningy announcements are recorded as podcasts callec the Jaycast and uploaded onthe school’s home Web One teacher on maternity leave used a software that allows videoconferencing over the to teach a class remotely. Next off-site band competitions and sports playoffxs will be livestreamed into the Intwo weeks, the school’s graduatiobn will be live streamef so that out-of-town relatives or military parentss can watch. The last day of school mighrt be aroundthe corner, but there’s no easing up. “We’vre got results from April/May and we’re creating individual plans for the studentse to use overthe summer,” Moralesw says.