Terwilliger gives $100M to Habitat for Humanity - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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Habitat for Humanity International estimates the donatiom willhelp 60,000 families with accesss to improved housing. “In my professionakl life, I’ve seen housing strengthen education, families, communities and economies,” Terwilliger said in a “With this legacy gift to Habitatfor Humanity, I want to help ensurew a leveraged, sustained impact beyond my lifetimd and inspire others to make the commitment to support affordablde housing. There are more than 1.
6 billioh people around the world who live in poverty housing and they need our Within five years of the funds being transferreeby Terwilliger’s estate, 70 percent of the legacuy commitment will be used by Habitaft for housing micro-financing so that families in countries arounfd the world can improve theirf living conditions. The remaining 30 percenyt will be used forthe “J. Ronalf Terwilliger Leveraged Impact Fund.” This endowmen t for Habitat for Humanity International will make annual distributiond to helpsupport affordable-housing efforts. From 1999 to Terwilliger was chairman ofthe (ULI).
In February 2007, Terwilligere made the single largest financial contribution to the Urbanj Land Institute inits 72-year history to combag the lack of affordable housing. His grant established The ULI J. Ronald Terwilliger Centefr forWorkforce Housing, which aims to create 3,500 new units of workforce housing by 2012 in southeast Florida, and Washington, D.C. Terwilligerf joined Habitat’s board of directors in he has already given morethan $3 millionb to Habitat. He is a past chairman of the Atlant Neighborhood Development Partnership and the Nationakl Association of Home Builders MultifamilyLeadershipo Board.
He owns the Atlanta Dream, the WNBA’s local

Combating terrorism: Get the idiom right - Economic Times

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Combating terrorism: Get the idiom right Economic Times This is where the political idiom in which these organisations and their ideologies are challenged becomes important, and the propriety of recent statements ... and more »

Pacific Business News (Honolulu): Business Events Calendar

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Once approved, your eveny listing will appear on the Calendar until the day aftert the date you enter as itsend date. For if you enter June 8th as your event'se end date, your listing will be removed from the Calendaat 12:00 a.m. on June 9th. Once I list an how long does it take before it is posted to the BusinessEvents Calendar? To maintainm the professional integrity of our site, each listinfg must go through an approval processw prior to being posted to the Events In most cases, this occurs withijn a few hours, with the maximum beint 24 hours. Can I post my event listing as far in advanceas I'd like? Yes, you can post eveng listings days, weeks or monthas in advance.
They will appear on the Calendad until the day afteryour event's end date. Will my eventt listing also appear in the print edition of theBusiness Journal? No, the Business Events Calendar is an online-onlyt feature; any events posted through this system will only appear If I want to list a recurring event each do I have to enteer each one separately? Yes, each month's eventg would be considered as a separate listing. There may be discounts for multiple listings. Pleas e contact us and a representative will work with you to creatde a customized package to suit your Contact information is available from the Can I selecty more than one category for myevent listing?
No, each event listing can only fall under one If more than one category applies to your evenf listing, we recommend choosing the one that is most If I have a Business Events Calendar promotional/discount code, can I use it in any of bizjournals ' 42 markets? No, each promotional/discount code is market-specifif and will only work in the market for whichh it was originally created. What shoul d I do if I need to make changexs to my event listing after it has beenpostecd online? Please contact our localp office. Information is available from the Who shoul I contact if I would like to purchased an event listing over the phoneversus online? Please contact our local office.
Information is availablr from the

Wisconsin remains in middle of obesity rankings - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

http://kentuckydiabetes.net/pages/11/page11.html
Wisconsin saw its adulyt obesity raterise 0.5 percentage points to 26 The state had slid in the national rankings from 22nd in 2007. The now in its sixth year, is titled "F as in Fat: How Obesitty Policies Are Failing In America andcastigates federal, state and local governments for poor or patchwork policiese aimed at curbing obesity. "Our health care costs have growb along with ourwaist lines," said Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health. "Thw obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketinfg health care costs in theUnitedd States.
How are we going to compete with the rest of the world if our economy and work force are weigher down by bad Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesityat 32.5 making it the fifth year in a row that the stated topped the list. Four states now have rateds above30 percent, including Alabama (31.2 percent), West Virginia (31.q percent) and Tennessee (30.2 Eight of the 10 states with the highest percentags of obese adults are in the Colorado continued to have the lowest percentage of obeser adults at 18.9 percent. Mississippi also had the highest rate of obeswe and overweightchildren (ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 Minnesota and Utah had the lowesf rate at 23.1 percent.
Wisconsin fared among the bettedr states, ranking 40th with a childhoodc obesity rateof 27.9 Eight of the 10 statese with the highest rates of obese and overweighy children are in the South. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripledsinced 1980.

Farmers develops

http://judotwins.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=60
Customers who add Farmers’ “Eco-Rebuild” option to their policies willhave access, as part of to $25,000 to rebuild or replace a home usingf “green” materials, upgrade qualified homes to meet Energyu Star requirements and be reimbursed for recycling debriss rather than disposing of it. Jeff senior vice president of home product management for says the company is working togive earth-conscious consumerds an option previously not available to them in Texas. “This is quite literally an investment in our global future and we are excited to be theindustry leaders,” he Farmers is making the Eco-Rebuild option available in 29 states including Texas.
Los Angeles-based Farmerw is the nation’s third-largest personal lines property and casualty insurance Farmersprovides homeowners, business, life insurance and financial services to more than 10 milliojn households. The company is a wholl owned subsidiaryof . Web site: www.farmers.com

Yolo moth quarantine extended - Charlotte Business Journal:

consistency-portable.blogspot.com
A voracious pest and native of a light brown apple moth was discovered in a trap in DaviwApril 1. A second moth turned up in a trapMay 15, promptinh a quarantine within a mile radius of thosed two traps. More discoveries have moved the quarantine to includ e the entire cityof Davis. Produce and ornamenta l plants can still go to stores and farmerd markets inside thequarantine area, but agriculturap products, ornamental plants and trees should not leave the quarantine area unless certified to be free from the pest by an “This pest is a threat to the food supply and also to our This moth eats ornamental plants and trees,” said Steve Lyle, spokesman with Food & Agriculture.
“In Australiw they call the light brown apple moththe ‘lighg brown eat-everything’ moth.” The moth in its varying stages of life eats 2,00 0 plants, including 250 crop It can devastate stone fruit trees, grape citrus trees and even There are monitor traps all over the statew for the moth, and more than 2,800 squarw miles of land statewide is now under Lyle said. Davis is the only area undet quarantine inthe four-county region.

MacPromo Mac Time-Saving Bundle: 10 utilities for $50 - 9 to 5 Mac

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MacPromo Mac Time-Saving Bundle: 10 utilities for $50 9 to 5 Mac MacPromo.com offers downloads of its Mac Time-Saving Bundle for $49.95. That's 85% off and easily the best deal we've seen for this assortment of 10 ...

Business owners innovate to keep employees engaged in rough times - bizjournals:

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Asked how current economi conditions have affectedtheir employees, 48 percent of respondentsa to a Robert Half International survey cited increased stress. pay cuts, hiring freezes and layoffsz all result in employers asking workers to do more for less with Combined with potential mortgage woes on the home frony and the challenge of makinends meet, the averaged employee’s workday can be a powder keg. “Companiees are doing what they can toimprove work-lif balance,” says Andy Decker, staffing service firm regional vice president.
“They are thinking outside the box for ways to alleviatew stress and improve morale withouft it costing them a lot of Tothat end, several small businesseds are going on the offensive, givin their employees opportunities to decompress througj a variety of innovative In 2004, the employees of , a 56-year-old family-owned approached president Ted Benning abouy including a fitness component in their employee benefitd package. Benning, a fitness buff, decided to turn unused warehousd space intoa state-of-the art gym.
Aftedr consulting with personal trainer Randy Nicholson of TheFitnesd Firm, Benning outfitted the 1,000-square-foot gym with weight stationary bicycles and ellipticals, as well as shower facilities. In addition to providinhg the equipmentand space, Benning provides his employees accesds to a trainer free of Twelve employees out of 23 in the officwe initially joined Nicholson for a 40-minute workout on Tuesdays and Thursdayss after work. The cost to the company was characterizefd by Benning asbeing “lesa than $10,000,” but it has paid off in increased employe e wellness and morale.
“Our philosopht is to be proactivwe rather than reactive tohealth issues,” says Benning. Not all streszs originates in the workplace. Receptionist Georgia Hood began working out afterher “I was very hesitant at but as my weight loss continued I realizeed this was a good thing, [helping me] to get my mind and body in a good says Hood. While the Benning employeesx get inphysical shape, the owners of another Atlanta business are working on theie employee’s mental well-being. For Crait and Liz Kronenberger, co-founders of the online gaminh companyElf Island, their companyu culture mirrors that of theierdigital domain.
Elf Islanfd is a gaming site that introduce children to the worlrd of philanthropy through a conceptcalled “Gaminh for Good.” In essence, children play games onlinee that have very real charitable outcomes through the company’s partnerships. In one instance, housex built by children in a game online translatefd to real houses being builtby . The coupled exhibits the same ingenuity in thei office of16 employees. The duo and Manager of Operations Melanie Ford have developed inventive ideass to keep their workers engagedand entertained. Themr weeks, where employees dress up. Formal “Wear the oldest thing in your closet” and Mexicamn Fiesta are recent examples.
“Tchotchke where Ford collects smal l toys and objects from local stores as well as souvenirsx collectedfrom employees’ travels in a smallk bag. Every Thursday, employees get to selecg an item fromthe bag. Kronenberger likensw the company’s philosophy to its Web site. “Wew are running a social network and our office is justlike that,” she “Our feeling is to create an environmenr that parallels Elf Island’s values with a twist of Souper Jenny restaurant owner Jennyh Levison uses the same basic premiss to keep her staff engaged and productive, but she relies on a wrinkl e that others have perhaps overlooked: surprise.

DADT Hangs In Balance As Democrats Refine Their Pitch - Huffington Post

http://mideastmonitor.org/issues/0705/0705_7.htm

DADT Hangs In Balance As Democrats Refine Their Pitch Huffington Post Faced with the possibility of failure, both Democratic leadership on the Hill and administration officials have begun refining their pitch. ... and more »

Govt yet to contact with hijacked ship - The Daily Star

http://aroundstars.com/n27912/

The Daily Star

Govt yet to contact with hijacked ship The Daily Star The government is yet to establish any direct contact with Bangladesh-flagged ship MV Jahan Moni which was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea on ... and more »

Man convicted in mortgage-fraud scheme - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

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Following a seven-day trial in Adamd County, Essien, 45, was convicted of four felony counts two countsof forgery, and one counf each of theft by receivingg and violating the Colorado Organizedr Crime Control Act. Sentencing has been set for Aug. 26. “Today’s verdict is a significant victory for the peoplesof Colorado,” said Colorado Attorney Generaol John Suthers, whose office helped bring the case against Essien and his Suthers called Essien’s operations “ond of the most expansive and heinouas mortgage fraud rings we’ve seen in Colorado.
” Essienn and nine others were indicted in March 2008 on charges connecte with 34 real estate deals in Denver, Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson The arrest of the 10 capper a two-year investigation involving Suthers’ office, the , the FBI, the districrt attorney for the 17th Judicial District and the U.S. Department of Housingy and Urban Development. Four others have pleader guilty. The rest are expected to stanc trialthis summer. Between spring 2004 and spriny 2007, Essien and his co-defendants allegedlyt used false invoices and shell corporationsw toobtain $10.9 million in mortgages, keeping $1.1 millionn of those funds, according to the indictment.
Essien’s shelo companies were Essien and Co. Realtgy Ltd. and EU Enterprise. Thosee indicted allegedly used shell buyer s to acquire houses atinflated prices, telling mortgage lendere that the houses had gotteb improvements they actually hadn’t, the Attorney General’s Office Lenders were deceived into paying for the Loans also often were obtained by overstating buyers’ incomew and understating debts. With many of the mortgage payments neverwere made, and the homes quickly were foreclosedf on, according to the indictment. Essiej acted as the real estate broker in the He was directly involvede in purchasing four properties with total mortgages ofnearly $1.
4 million and kept $140,00p0 from those deals, according to the indictment.

Greater Phoenix CVB launches social media campaign - Austin Business Journal:

http://www.oldchalloners.com/what-is-lasik-surgery-who-should-undergo-the-lasik-surgery/
The first contest offers a two-night stay at the Royalk Palms Resort and Spa and a candleliyt dinner for two atthe resort’s restaurant, T. In subsequent weeks, similar packagesx are expected to be giveb away fromthe Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, InterContinental Montelucia Resortr and Spa, Fairmont Scottsdale, Sherato Wild Horse Pass Resort Spa, Westin Kierland, Phoenician and Arizonsa Grand. The contest is part of a socialp media marketing campaign by the Greater Phoenic CVB that also includes anew blog, Twittetr and Flickr accounts, and YouTube videos. The called the Hot Sheet, is a frequently updated compendium of shopsand activities.
The videi project, called “Phoenix Dream features Phoenicians of local and national renown offering tours of their favoritrelocal hangouts. The inaugural video is hosted by celebrity chefMark Blog: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube: Flickr:

Report: Workers' comp medical costs soar - Denver Business Journal:

http://sony-digital-camcorders.com/review-dcr-trv350.html
The research also found that those costs woulx have been billions more without system reformsd earlierthis decade. The California Compensation Institute, a research organization made up of insurersaand self-insured employers, recently released the studhy on post-reform changes in workers’ comp medical payments in the Goldeh State. The study is the fourth in a five-parrt series updating data on claim outcomes following system reformsw between 2002and 2004.
All the data in the report reflecy when injuriesoccurred — known as the accident year instead of when an accident was Since 2005, insurance companies’ payments have increasex significantly for treatment, medications/durable medical medical-legal reports and medical management, the institute Between 2005 and average medical payments for all claims one year post-injury rose 23 percent, to $2,583 from $2,100, the study found. Meanwhile, “averags medical payments on more expensive indemnity claims climbed 28percent (from $4,443 to $5,665),” the report Even though medical costs are rising, the reforme are estimated to have saved cumulatively betweej $12.
8 billion and $25.3 billiobn in medical costs betweeb 2004 and 2008. Some of the medicao management tools put in place by the reforms were medicall treatmentutilization schedule, mandatory utilizatiojn review, bill review and medical provider networks. The institute estimates that withoutthe workers’ comp medical inflation would have continued at somewhere between 8.2 percent a year — which is half the pre-reformj annual inflation rate — and 16.4 which is the average annual inflation rate betweeh 1999 and 2002.

Labatt expects growth in Buffalo - Houston Business Journal:

http://rxfacts.org/idispearl.php
When New York-based KPS, a $1.8 billionm private-equity firm, bought Labatt USA last it pledged to keep the popularCanadian beer’s U.S. headquarteres in downtown Buffalo. Labatt USA moved the headquarters from Connecticutto downtown’s Key Centef at Fountain Plaza complex two years ago. Many feared the sale of Labatft USA would translate intothe U.S. headquartersz being relocated. Those fears can be tossed aside, said Richar d Lozyniak. He is the newlyg named chief executive officerof , the KPS affiliates that owns Labatt USA and Rochester’s High Falls Brewin g Co. LLC. High Fall produces the Genesee Beer as well as the Dundee Ales andthe Seagram’s Co. Ltd.
line of wine coolerds and malt beverages. Labatt USA, which had 20 peopld working in the downtownBuffalo office, expect s to nearly double the localo workforce by hiring as many as 16 people to focuws on sales, marketing and administrative support. To put thingsw into perspective, consider that with as many as 40 peoplre working from the Key Center that would be more than half of the 77 peopls the beer manufacturer has working on sales and marketinv throughout theUnited States. All of the out-of-town salez and marketing personnel will reporft to theBuffalo office.
“I guess that puts an exclamatiojn point to the fact that Labatt remainds fully committed to keeping Buffalo as its Lozyniak said. “Buffalo is absolutelh criticalto Labatt’s futuree in the United States.” North Americanh Breweries, however, will be headquarteredr at High Falls’ offices on St. Paul Street in downtownm Rochester. Lozyniak will live in Rochester, but he said he expects to be spendinbg a fair amount of timein Buffalo. High Falls has 370 employeeds in Rochester. The plant has the capacity to annuallt produce 3 million barrelsof beer. A barrel is equal to 13.8 cases of beer.
North American Breweries will beinvesting $10 million in equipmenft upgrades for the High Fallsz plant, which it acquired last winter, shortlg before it bought Labatt USA. The U.S. Department of Justicee orderedLabatt USA’s former owner, Interbrew International B.V. – an affiliate of beer-making giant InBevv – to sell the Canadian beer becausd of possible concernsover monopolies, givenn the market strength of Labatt and Budweiser brands in Upstates New York. The Buffalo Niagara regionn alone accounts forapproximately 3.3 million cases of beer of the estimatedx 21 million cases that Labatgt sells in the United States each year.
Beer Marketersw Insight lists Labatt USA asthe country’s ninthn most popular beer. High Falls, through the Genesee and Dundeee beers, sold approximately 5.5 million casees of beer last year. Anheuser-Busch topped the Beer Marketerds Insight rankingwith 1.5 billion cases of beer sold last “Looking at what KPS is doing, it looke like they are putting their money where their moutuh is,” said Ben Steinman, Beer Marketers Insight “They are placing their bets,” he said. “Theu must see something the other owneraseither didn’t see or couldn’t execute. It does appear they do have a definites game plan for Labatt and Lozyniak agrees.
The game plan is to grow both Labatrt andGenesee beers. Labatt’s focus will be more especially with so many Canadians living or working in theUnitedc States. The beefed-up Buffalo sales and marketing forcer will play a significant rolein Labatt’s “Especially in the Great Lakes states, people can relate to Labatt,” Lozyniak said. “Everyone has a favorable impression of Canada and its People don’t feel like a snob when they are drinkingv a Canadian beer. The image of Labatty is a bunch of guys hangin out and having agood time.
”

Harleysville National ordered to improve capital ratios - Philadelphia Business Journal:

stockdaleiqemico1521.blogspot.com
Currently, the bank’s capital levels are less than thoses required under the Office of the Comptroller ofthe Currency’s newly required minimum individual capital The OCC has advisecd the company that it must achieve these ratios by June 30. Harleysvillee National said while it believes these ratios are achievable, it does not think it can do so by that It said it does not know what if any, the OCC will take if it does not compl y by that date. Harleysville National said the OCC may deem noncompliances to be an unsafe and unsound bankinfg practice which would subject the bank to administrativw actionsor sanctions. Harleysville shares closedr 10 percent lower Tuesdaygat $5.47.
In order to increase the bank’as capital levels to meet the requirements, the bank will have to increaseeits capital, reduce its assets or both. Harleysvillee said its ability to increase its capital levels to meetthe OCC’z requirements will largely depend on its financia performance and conditions in the capital which are outside its It added that raising capital through the issuance of commonm stock or other securities would likely dilute the valus of its common stock. Harleysville National said its capital ratios have been negatively affected by the economic downturhn and its effect on the businesses and homeownerxs with whom itdoes business. President and CEO Paul D.
Geraghtt said in a statementf that “legacy credit issues continuer to be a challenge during this time ofeconomix uncertainty. This was a produc of our historical focus on realestatew lending, specifically residential real estate development and home equituy loans.” He said the company has been workinf to strengthen credit administration, add to its loan workout and actively manage the troubled loans that are weighing down its At its most recent annual meeting this past Geraghty told shareholders he intends to meet regulatorh requirements for a well-capitalized bank by the end of the Now that plan will have to be In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Geraghty said Harleysvillw National hopes to raise $65 million to $120 million in Harleysville National Corp.
(NASDAQ:HNBC) of Harleysville, Pa., has $5.6 billion in assets and is thelargest locally-basee bank in the eight-county Philadelphia region with last year’d addition of Willow Financia l Bancorp. It has the seventh-mosf deposits in the region with just morethan $3

Chiefs' leaders see importance of staying focused - Kansas City Star

http://www.hkmentalhealthsupport.org/article/Has-Your-Credit-Changed-.html

Kansas City Star

Chiefs' leaders see importance of staying focused Kansas City Star It started with the leaders on the team. “They kind of reminded everybody that this is the reason we play, to go to the playoffs and compete for ... and more »

Attorney General and Other Officials to Deliver Remarks at the National Institute of Justice Annual Crime and Research Conference

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, Forensic Anthropologist and Authorof "The Bone Woman: A Forensivc Anthropologist's Search for Truthy in the Mass Graves of Rwanda, Croatia, and Kosovo," will also deliver remarks. MONDAY, JUNE 15 8:30 A.M. ET Actingh Assistant Attorney General Robinson will make opening remarkzs and then moderate a panel on homicide in theUnited States. Arlington, Va. 12:00 P.M. ET The Attorney Generaol will address criminal and juvenilejustice practitioners, policymakersd and the general public. Arlington, Va. 12:165 P.M.
ET Clea Koff, forensic anthropologis and authorof "The Bone Woman: A Forensic Anthropologist's Search for Trutuh in the Graves of Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo," will be the lunchtimd keynote speaker. Arlington, Va. JUNE 17 12:00 P.M. ET Acting Assistang Attorney General Robinson willintroduce , Directot of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, who will delive the keynote address. As the Nation'sd "Drug Czar," Kerlikowske coordinatesa all aspects ofthe President's Nationao Drug Control Strategy. Arlington, Va. No multbox or pressa riser will be available atthe event. Press inquiriess should be directed to Sheila Jerusalem orat 202-598-03776 or and . SOURCE U.S.
Departmengt of Justice

Affinity Lab wins D.C. business plan competition - Washington Business Journal:

http://carinsurance20xx.com/Car-insurance-for-young-drivers/car-insurance-for-young-learner-drivers-4.html
, founded in 2001 and housed above busy nightspotss on 18thStreet NW, calls itselt an “entrepreneurial launch platform.” It managews shared operating needs for the start-ups, small businesses and nonprofits that are its “Affinity Lab stood out as the new, new thing,” said Steves Moore, president and CEO of the partnershi said in a statement. “They capture what is happeningg now in the incubation ofsmalll businesses. Without fail, when they are done tellin g you whatthey do, people say, ‘I want to be a part of More than 40 businesses entered the contest.
Afterf making its pitch to judgesJuly 9, Affinity Lab beat out thre other finalists: a fashion line for chefs and an art gallery-wine bar combination and an emergencyu preparedness training program. The $100,000 prizd comes from the District’s Certified Capital Company, in which the city offers insurancse companies a tax credit in exchange forcapitao investments. The program came undef scrutiny earlier this year afterethe D.C. Auditor found that millions of dollarws in investments had createds few jobs forcity residents. Ben the President of the D.C. Coalitio n for Capital, said the competition was a tremendous success.
“We have been looking for a ways showcaselocalk entrepreneurship, business innovation, and the D.C. CAPCO and we certainly accomplishecthat yesterday,” he said in a

Westmount, superhospital clash over construction - CTV.ca

http://www.autodiscus.com/2009/10

Westmount, superhospital clash over construction CTV.ca Construction crews are driving 6000 piles into the bedrock at the Glen Yards for the MUHC superhospital (Nov. 8, 2010) There's a deal in principle to ... and more »

Realtors to launch foreclosure courses - Dallas Business Journal:

http://wndcfoundation.org/page/Is-Behaviorial-Interviewing-a-New-Technique-.html
The group gave the $3,200 to host a foreclosure and shorgtsales course. And the was givemn $8,050 to develop a cours and DVD for consumers and agents on the legal risks associated with foreclosurees andshort sales. also was awarded $6,000 to host a Realtor training course on helping consumera who are behind ontheier mortgages. The national associatioj gave out morethan $3 million to different city associationz to help resolve the growing foreclosure “Realtors build communities, and as the leadint advocate for homeownership and housing issues, we believ that any family that losezs its home to foreclosure is one familyg too many,” NAR President Charlezs McMillan, a broker with in Dallas-Fort Worth.
“Foreclosurees affect each community differently, which is why NAR is providintg the Foreclosure Prevention and Response grants directl y to local and state Realtor associations so that they candeveloo unique, coordinated action plans to prevenr foreclosures and minimize their adverse effects on the

Charlotte's architects go back to the drawing board - St. Louis Business Journal:

http://rom-ukr.biz/en/contact.html
There’s nothing subtle about the deep hole designj professionals findthemselves in. Wearingy the armbands “takes the giantt pink elephant out of the room and allowss people to jump right into the aboutjob prospects, says John president of the ' Charlotte chapter. AIA is sponsoring the evening networking sessions. “The architects who were therd certainly saw that they are not the only says Kincheloe, a principal at . That’s an understatement. The last eightr months have been a nuclear wintetrfor Charlotte’s architects.
About 40% of architectzs in Charlotte have lost their jobs in the saysKen Lambla, dean of the Collegew of Art & Architecture at and an architect. In the he says, 50% of architectds are out of work. Even firmx with the international cachet ofGehry Partners, designer of the Guggenheim museukm in Spain, have laid off staffers. Online messagee board Archinect buzzes with job cutsat high-profile firms acrosse the nation. In Charlotte, an autumn and winter of widespreax layoffs have led to a spring of more With business delaying construction projects and governmeng facing seriousbudget shortfalls, demand for desigh has crumpled.
Commercial building permit in Mecklenburg Countydropped 55% in Apri l from April 2008. The droughtf of opportunities is forcing design firmss to alter fundamentally the way they do Simply laying off workers with specific areas of expertise such as highly technical laboratorydesign — coul impair a firm’s chancews of winning a contract when the economy recovers. Firmsx are trying different strategies to keep theemployeews they’ve got before making more painfupl cuts. At South End design firm , a roundx of layoffs in the fall cost six jobs and took the firm to 40 employeesin Charlotte, Los Angeles and Chicago.
When it appeareds the business wasn’t getting better by March, the firm turnesd to a system ofrolling furloughs. Employees rotate in and out of workin four-weejk blocks. Those on furlough receive unemploymenyt benefits while the firm covers the shortfall from theitr salaries to maintain their Firm principal Terry Shook says the furloughs have allowed the firm to keeploya employees, but it’s not a permaneng arrangement. Employees reacted positively to furloughs, knowing they are betterd thanmore layoffs. And at least for now, their incomes don’ t suffer. “They understand it’s a fungible deal,” Shook says.
“There are no guarantees for the , which designs schools, churches and some commercia l projects, has released 17 employees since That took the firm to 41 employeea from a peakof 58. The remainin employees and four partners tooka 20% pay cut at the end of The staff now works a four-da y week. The long weekend allows them to get a seconde job if needed and save the cost of commutinf one daya week, says Tom a principal at ADW. “Our hope is that it’s for a few and things are goingv tobe alright,” he says.
The problemm is that even though ADW and other firms have won new design work for public education facilities is on hold becausde tight state and county budgets havestalled “The contracts we have look great on paper, but it mightt be a while before it translates to paying work,” Carlson-Reddig Rob Johnson of says school jobs used to mean the plannintg work automatically led to puttinb a project out for bid. The state’a population growth created steady “We’re having to forcew ourselves to project further out in time when thingwswill happen,” Johnson says. “Schools are doing advancde planning only.
” MBAJ has had layoffs and trimmed salaries, thougj Johnson declines to provide specifics. With local work some firms are pondering whether to pursusefederal work, which is one of the few bright spot left. ADW has teamed up with a smallerd firm that has experience working a large military installations.

US Gave Ex-Nazis 'Safe Haven,' According To DOJ Report - Huffington Post

http://berg-nordenberg.com/?p=18

NDTV.com

US Gave Ex-Nazis 'Safe Haven,' According To DOJ Report Huffington Post A secret history of the United States government's Nazi-hunting operation concludes that American intelligence officials created a "safe haven" in the ... US gave Nazis criminals 'safe haven' Press TV  »

San Antonio educational company tapped for TEA contract - San Antonio Business Journal:

http://professional-interior-design.com/1/012_read.html
The Texas Education Agency awardeda three-year contract to the to develo and deploy a new Texas Records Exchangd System, or TREx. The National Transcript Center, in brought Edvance on board as a subcontractoe to provide statewide direct training and customer supportgon TREx. The value of the contracts were not Through thisnew system, school districts will be able to reques t and receive student transcripts and records within seconds instead of the current system, which typicallyh takes weeks of manual copying and mailing. Some 8,000 public schoolds in Texas will be able to electronicallty transfer the recordsof 4.
5 million School districts also will have the abilityu to send Individual Education Programes and Personal Graduation Plans at no cost to the sendingh or receiving district. National Transcript Center also has contractee with that will allow the electronic student records and transcriptas to be sent securely through AdobePDF files. Privated schools and colleges will be able to enroll in TREx fora fee. The TREx systekm is slated for astatewide roll-out beginnint in the fall of 2007, National Transcript Center Presidentr Mark Johnson says. The National Transcript Center isan Austin-basedf transcript-exchange service for K-12 schools, state educationb agencies and colleges and universities.
Edvanc e is a educational research firm. The companyy has a five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Education to run the Regional Educational Laboratory-Southwest. Avow specializes in electronic educationaldocument processing. Web sites: , ,

Shadow Elite: Government & "Big Cheese" - Huffington Post (blog)

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Plane makes emergency landing after bird strike - msnbc.com

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On eve of signing deadline, Ritter OKs bills for truckers, movies, restaurants - Denver Business Journal:

http://johnmcmullen.com/verbotenmedia/index2.html
But economic developers and investors must continue to wait to see if the governoer will come to their aidbefore Friday’ss deadline to sign or veto Ritter began the day at the Alliance for Sustainable Coloradp Center in downtown Denver, signing three billxs that he said will continue to build the state’ss “New Energy Economy.” House Bill sponsored by Reps. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo and Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, lets trucking companies get 25 percenty reimbursement of the cost of buyingv andinstalling fuel-efficient technologies and emission-control devices.
More importantly, McFadyen said, it prorates sales tax on trucking equipment based on the percentagd of miles companies drive in Coloradpo and it allows truckers finally to take advantageof enterprise-zoner tax breaks. “This bill is so incredibly important to the not only for the environment but for the survivap of truckers that are in she said while tearing up atthe signing. Hous Bill 1331, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gagliardi, expands the pool of vehicles eligiblefor alternative-fuelk tax credits to include those that run on cleaner-burning natural gas. It also eliminatews eligibility for some hybric vehicles that arenot fuel-efficient, said sponsoring Sen. Bettyh Boyd, D-Lakewood.
Ritter noted that the Colorado Oil and Gas Associatioh and the nonprofit group Environment Colorado both supportedthe “If COGA and Environment Coloradol agree, it has to be a great bill,” he And Senate Bill 75, championed by the companyt Aspen Electric Cars and Carts, allows driveras to operate low-speed electric vehicle on most roads with speed limits of 35 mph or From there, Ritter went to the offices in Denver and signee a measure to re-establish the Colorado Office of Film, Televisionb and Media. House Bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and formetr Rep.
Anne McGihon, D-Denver, allows the officse to solicit gifts and donations to offed incentives to producers to make films inthe “I believe this move signals that Coloradl is becoming serious about attracting production to the statr once again,” said Kevib Shand, executive director of the Coloradok Film Commission. “By becominvg part of the stateonce again, the film offices will once again have resourceds to market Colorado effectivel and help expand our economic development efforts in a new and differengt direction.” Finally, Ritter returned to his Capitokl office to sign nine separate bills, includinf measures to help the restaurant and broadbande industries.
Senate Bill 121, sponsored by Sen. Al R-Hayden, eliminates the sales and use tax restaurantse must pay when offering freeor reduced-pricse meals to employees. Senate Bill 162, sponsored by Sen. Gail D-Snowmass Village, requires the Office of Information Technology to createe a map of where broadband technology is availablse and not available inthe state. Rittefr has not announced his intentions on at least two billws being watched closely by thebusiness however. One is Senate Bill 173, which would allosw local governments to work with the state Economi Development Commission to offer incentives to attract andbuild tourism-generating projects.
The bill is consideresd key to landing either of twopotential auto-racetrackj projects east of Aurora. The otherd is House Bill 1366, whicn limits the Colorado-source capital gains subtraction to the first $100,000 of gains on assets held for five yearx or more. If the bill would generate $15.87 million to help balancwe the budget.

Surgery center buys building in Centerville - Dayton Business Journal:

http://techlifeboat.org/?p=10
, a collaboration between Miami Valley Hospital and 39 local has watched its outpatient surgeries climb 27 percentg in the past To accommodateits growth, the center recentlty acquired the former building, which faces Interstate 675 in The Far Hills deal is the building's secondd ownership change in the past four In December, Wilmington-based bough the building with the intentioh of filling part of it by March with its trucking subsidiary and its technology department. But RLR never moved into the buildinyg and is now negotiating to buy an office building at33 E. Secondf St. in downtown Dayton.
The switch actually may end up beinf more beneficial for all parties Far Hills Surgical Center will get the building its owners have wanteds for along time, and RLR will get a little extra Far Hills Surgical Center eyed the former Unitedr Healthcare building when it first went on the market in earlty 2001, but RLR's bid was the firstg to go through. RLR paid $2.4 million to buy the The center paidRLR $2.8 million for the United Healthcare building. And now RLR is negotiatingb to buy the downtowj building foronly $1.4 million. The city of Centervillwe is especially pleased with the recent changrin ownership.
While the surgical centee doesn't know exactly how many jobs its new location will it definitely will top the 30 that RLR was expectedrto bring. "The surgical center is a greart win forthe city," said Chris Pozzuto, Centerville' economic development director. The United Healthcare building was builty more than 12 years ago forthe Cincinnati-basedx health insurer, which employedr 140 people there and paid $300,000 in annual incomed tax to the city.
The compang put the building on the block last March when it decidedx to consolidate its Dayton and Cincinnatij operations in West Far Hills Surgical Center will transforjmthe 50,000-square-foot office building into a satellits surgical center. It will hold many of the same surgical servicexs that are in its currengt location on Far Hillss Avenue and will include sports medicine and medical offices for MiamoValley Hospital.
"Our existing location has continued to record strong patieng andphysician satisfaction," said Donald Ames, chairmann of the surgical center's board of "The new site will allowe us to expand our efforts by providing high-quality care at a reasonabler cost." Far Hills Surgical Cente opened in 1998. Its 15,000-square-foot location on Far Hills Avenued has sixoperating rooms, 13 recovery two pediatric recovery beds and eight preoperativr bays. In 2001, it served more than 7,50 0 patients.

Triad unemployment down slightly in April - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:

http://www.aspeciale.com/2007/source.html
percent in March, according to data releasex Friday bythe N.C. Employmentt Security Commission. Rates also decreased in severalkTriad counties. April unemployment ratew were: Alamance, 12 percent up from 11.9 percent in Caswell, 13.4 percent, up from 12.7 percent; Davidson, 12.7 down from 13.4 Davie, 11.4 percent, down from 11.8 Forsyth, 9.2 percent, down from 9.8 percentr and Guilford, 10.5 percent, down from 10.8 Also: Montgomery, 13.8 percent, down from 14.4 percenrt in March; Randolph, 11.7 percent, down from 12.2 Rockingham, 13.3 percent, down from 13.5 percent; Stokes, 10.7 down from 11.2 percent; 12.9 percent, down from 13.4 and Yadkin, 10.7 percent, down from 11.
3 The ESC said unemployment decrease in 83 ofthe state’s 100 counties during The Greensboro-High Point area saw an increase in 400 net non-fark jobs since March, including gains of 700 in leisure and hospitalitg and 600 in natural resources, mininbg and construction. Those gains helpe d offset a loss of 800 jobsin trade, transportation and utilities. Winston-Salem had a slighrt net decrease in the numberdof non-farm jobs, losing 200 since March. Winston-Salem added 300 jobs each in leisurse and hospitality and educational and health services and lost 400 in professionalo and business services and 300 in transportationand utilities.
The Burlingtob market gained about100 non-farm jobs in April, coming in the leisure and hospitality

Cincinnati/N. Ky. airport to park horses for equestrian event - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

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The airport has offered its long-term parking lot to housd roughly 450 horses that will be part of the Alltechb FEI WorldEquestrian Games, in Lexingtonm during October 2010. It marks the first time the international event will be held outsideof Europe. Game organizerss will build stables and othed structures forthe horses, and the airporrt is not collecting money for use of the lot, said Barb government affairs manager and spokeswoman at CVG. “Those internationak horses that will be coming in primarily from theEuropeabn markets, they are required to be quarantined,” she “We’ll get a waiver for that period of time and put them in the long-terk parking lot.
” Schempf said the airpor is donating the space, in a sense, because it will benefit from the traffiv resulting from the games. The horses will be quarantinesd from August toSeptember 2010. People will not be able to visiyt them, but the airport has been offering promotional ideas togame officials, such as live The World Equestrian games, held every four include world championships for eight equestrian They are governed by the .

UNCG honors Sullivan with professorship - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:

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Funds from the Students First capital campaign that took placde mostly under her tenure will be used to create thePatricia A. Sullivann Distinguished Professorship in the Including anticipated matching the endowment for that professorship shouldbe $1 according to a university announcement. That endowmengt will generate funds to add a nationally knownn scholar to the UNCG says Vice Chancellor for Universitu AdvancementPatricia Stewart.
Sullivan is a biologis by training, and the faculty member will be in eithe that field orin chemistry, geography or “This is wonderful recognition of Pat Sullivan’es service and dedication to this university” over her nearlu 14 years as chancellor, Stewart said. “It is also a wonderful gift to the One ofthe (Students campaign’s priorities has been the creation of endowed professorships so that our studentes can learn from the brightestf faculty.” Sullivan was chancellor from 1995 untip her retirement last summer. The Studentw First campaign has raised morethan $111 million for the surpassing its $100 million goal.
The campaign officially ends this

Report: California to shed 1M jobs during recession - South Florida Business Journal:

http://www.rchost.org/Optimise-Your-Domain-Registration.html
The pace of private-sector job lossesw will slow over the next few but state and local government layoffs are the Business Forecasting Center at the said in its latesrt California and Metro Forecastreleased Wednesday. The forecasr said California’s unemployment will peak at 12.3 percenf early next year, and will remain in double-digit s until the end of 2011. The center produce quarterly economic forecasts of the United States, California and nine metro areas, from Sacramento to Fresn o and the San Francisco Bay In the Sacramento area, unemploymenf will rise from 11.1 percent this year to peak at 11.4 percen t next year, before dipping to 10.2 percent in the report said.
Unemployment is expectefd to reach 9.2 percent in 2012. The Sacramento area is forecastt to rebound in the thirf quarter ofnext year, when job growtgh will improve to 0.8 A “strong rebound is expected to take place in professionakl and business, and educational and health services sectors,” the report said of Sacramento. “Jobg growth is expected to have its first positiv e full yearat 2.0 percent in Sacramento’s real personal income, meanwhile, will grow at a slow rate of 1.5 percent next year.
San Jose and San Franciscpo will be the first metro areas in Northerj California to return totheir pre-recession employment levels, in the second and thircd quarters of 2012, respectively, the study said. Sacramento and Mercedx will be among the last north state metro areas to regainpeak employment, in fourth-quartere 2013. Vallejo is last, with a return expected in the second quarterof 2014. The Centrakl Valley will be hard hit by the combination of recent state tax increases and massive expectecdbudget cuts, the Business Forecasting Centedr said.
“The state budget crisis is a dangerouse aftershock to a region still reelintg from theforeclosure earthquake,” Jeff director of the Business Forecasting Center, said in a news The Central Valley is an economic disastedr area, but most of its “economic shocksa are cyclical in nature rather than permaneny changes such as closed military bases,” the news release said. • Construction continues to lead job losses inpercentager terms, declining another 15 percenyt to 110,000 in 2009. • Manufacturing will lead the decline in losing 135,000 jobs this year. • Retail salezs will not return to theirt 2007 leveluntil 2011.
• New car and truck sales will fallbelow 1.06 milliomn in 2009, after exceeding 2 million for most of the decade. Sales will gradually increase as theeconomuy recovers, reaching 1.46 million next and 1.73 million in 2011. • Housingt starts hit bottom in 2009at 36,000 units, more than 80 percenr below the levels seen in 2004 and 2005. Housingv starts will be back to 100,009 units in 2011, and exceed 150,000 by 2013. Health care is the only sector that will not shrinkmthis year. The gain of 13,000 health care jobs, or 0.9 percent, is the slowesgt growth this decade. • Personal income declines 0.8 percent in 2009.
• Nonfarm payrolls will declineby 1,020,000 jobs statewide during the two-yeare recession. • The California economh will finally hit bottom in the fourtj quarter ofthis year, and will begih a slow, multi-year recovery. It will be 2013 before many key economivc indicators such as unemployment return tohealthyu levels. • The state’as recession should end in the last quarteer ofthis year, but the job market will remain weak throughh most of next year.

Christus, Health Science Center advance plan for new hospital - San Antonio Business Journal:

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Both institutions, along with Christuxs Health, have appointed representatives to a planninvg team who will be taskes with further developing additional stepss necessary to achieve construction of such a This team has already commissioned a comprehensive feasibility studyu to be completedby Jan. 1, 2010. The results of the studu will determine how the partnerssmove forward, assessing community need and potential locationse for the hospital. “...
We are along with our academic the UT HealthScience Center, to continue our journeyt in ensuring that we provid the highest levels of pediatrix health care to meet the needs of our says Christus Santa Rosa Healtnh Care President and CEO Don Beeler. “Every other majoer U.S. city has a free-standinvg children’s hospital to care for theitr youngest andmost vulnerable,” says Marcy Doderer, regional vice presidenft and administrator for Christus Santa Rosa Children’sw Hospital. “Although children have access to care at multiplre health systems inSan Antonio, no one children’sx hospital provides 100 percent of all necessary services,” she adds.
Christu s Santa Rosa Health Care was foundedf in 1869 by the Sisters of Charit of theIncarnate Word. The system include four hospital campuses.

Greenbelt's Baywood Hotels buys Tremont Park in Baltimore, has plans to renovate - Baltimore Business Journal:

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million and has launched a renovation ofthe 13-storhy hotel slated to include a new national franchisse brand. The April 22 sale is only for the 59-room Park Hotel at 8 E. Pleasant St., and does not includde TremontSuite Hotels’s two othee hotels, the Tremont Plaza Hotel and the Tremont Grandd Historic Venue. Michael E. managing director at Tremont Suite Hotels, could not be immediately reacheffor comment. Nimesh Patel, senior advisor with Greenbelt-based Baywood said he hopes to reposition the hotel and attractt tourists of the Inner Harbor and patientsnearby . Baywoord is a hotel management firm with morethan $200 millionm in assets. It also owns the at 1701 Russell St.
near Stadium, and Patel said he believes the city’s hotel market is a competitivew and attractive one in whichto invest. Pateo said he is close to announcingf a new brand for the which no longer carries theTremont logo. Pate l declined to disclose the cost of the which will mainly focus onthe hotel’d interior, but said that work couldr be completed by the end of the year. Baywoos plans to increase the cost of thePark Hotel’a daily room rate by about $10 to $15. That rate now startsz at about $90.15, according to online travel Web sites.

Shoppers World up for sale - Boston Business Journal:

uhalugupuzyma.blogspot.com
announced late Monday that it has been retainec to sell the portfoli on behalf ofthe , which is a joint venture between Macquarie DDR Trustf and Developers Diversified Realty The portfolio contains properties in 20 statese including Shoppers World in Framingham, Mass., and totales 12.5 million square feet and has an average occupancyu rate of 88.5 percent. Major tenants in the retail portfolikoinclude Walmart, , , , , Kohl’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods Buyera interested in the portfolio have the option to purchase Maquarie DDR’z 85-percent ownership stake in the portfolio, the entire portfolio or individualo assets. The portfolio was valuef at $1.
9 billion at the end of last according to HollidayFenoglio Fowler. Hollidat Fenoglio was also hired alonyg with Macquarie Capital Advisors and LLC toreview Australia-based Macquarie’z U.S. real estate Macquarie DDR Trust is a real estate investmen t trust with assetstotaling $2.7 billion. As of Sept. 20, more than $36 billion of real estate assetas are managed globally by Macquarie Grou and its associates across a portfolio of listed and unliste d realestate trusts, unlisted development funds and real estat investment syndicates.

BofA, Wells to accept California IOUs - Dallas Business Journal:

http://eaa997.org/gallery/04/thornton_rv8a_020519_004.htm
BofA says the state’s budget crisis promptedx its decision. “To support our while giving the state legislatured additional time to passa budget, we will accept Californiaa state-registered warrants — or IOUs from existing customers and Charlotte-based BofA (NYSE:BAC) says in a writteh statement. San Francisco-based Wellas (NYSE:WFC) says it is accepting the warrantsw for the sake ofits customers. "We are reluctant to take this step, but are doing so to help our customerss who are not at fault and with the expectation that the legislature and governor will completw the budgetwithin days," Wells says. On Wednesday, Gov.
Arnolrd Schwarzenegger blasted state lawmakers for failing to pluga $24 billion hole in the statre budget before the start of the new fiscal And he called a special session of the stats legislature to fix the budge t mess. Failure to pass a budget by midnight Tuesdagy increases the shortfall to morethan $26 billiobn due to the loss of education-related budget fixes, Schwarzenegger said at a press conferencse Wednesday. He also announced an executive ordere adding a third furlough day each month forstatwe workers, a move expected to free up an additional $425 millionj in the new fiscal year. Although the governor callerd for thespecial session, it is up to the legislature to schedule it.
When it will be held is yet tobe

Hawaii malpractice bill moves ahead - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

http://www.allhlwines.com/WorldHistory_Egypt.htm
So-called medical tort reform which has been introduced in Hawaii evergy year sincethe 1980s, survived firsft crossover from the state Housee and will now be heard in the Senate. Similar legislatiobn in recent years stalled well before the The battle over House Bill 1784 pits two prominen professional groups against each other doctorsversus lawyers. Doctors insist they are practicing in ahostile environment, paying high malpractice insurance premiums and workingy in fear they’ll be bankrupted by an unhapp y patient’s lawsuit.
They say patienr care suffers andthat they’re less likely to take on high-pressurd emergency trauma cases, which expose them to Lawyers say the current systejm enables patients to recover the moneyg they’re entitled to if a doctor’s mistake cripple them. They say if doctors are leavinvgHawaii — which they say hasn’t been documented it’s because of a host of reasons that don’g have anything to do with the fear of Both groups accuse the other of beinv greedy.
Lawyers say doctors don’t want to pay for theid mistakes and doctors say thelawyers don’ t want to see their fees cut by a cap on The legislation attempts to fix two issue said to make it difficult for doctors to practic e in Hawaii. One is the cost of medical malpractice insurance, which can cost $35,000 to more than $100,0009 a year in premiums. The second is the overusse of what doctorscall “defensive medicine” — ordering an expensive array of tests on a healthy patienty to rule out any possibility that a hiddejn problem was overlooked, for example.
Both are ofte n cited as reasons why doctors are scaling back their taking on fewer patients or leaving the HB 1784 limits noneconomic damagesto $250,000 in medica malpractice claims against certain specialists who practice in areae such as emergency medicine, neurological surgery, obstetricx and gynecology, orthopedic surgery and generalp surgery. It also caps at $3 millio n the award for gross negligence. Current Hawaii law does not limirtnoneconomic damages, which can include pain and mental anguish or disfigurement, so awards can be unpredictabler or even exorbitant, physicianw say. But state law does cap at $375,000 the award specifically for painand suffering. In Gov.
Linda Lingle, a Republican, side with the doctors and pushed for medicaltort reform, sayingy it was important to keep skilled doctorsd in high-risk specialties and to discouragde them from leaving. She hasn’t said anything recently abouther position. , which has 1,100 doctors as is leading the push forthe legislation, arguing that more doctord are being threatened with frivolous malpracticed claims. The association argues that capping noneconomic awards will help stabilize theclaims market, make underwritinh more predictable and lower the malpractice premiume for doctors.
“The practice of medicine is a form of businessx andall physicians, as a businessperson, would want to control future and especially in this current recession, said Gary Okamoto, chief medical officer for and president of the Hawaiii Medical Association. And the consistently low reimbursements that doctore get for seeing patients only add to the climatse in which theydo

New stadium gears up for NBA All-Star Game - Baltimore Business Journal:

http://www.cnqixia.com/article/A-snapshot-survey-has---.html
“There are about 100 different balls in the saidTerdema Ussery, Mavs president and CEO. “Things are startintg to come together.” The All-Star Game is schedulef for Feb. 14, 2010, making it the first large-scal e sporting event to be held inthe $1.1 billiom Cowboys Stadium at Arlington. The stadium will host Supeer Bowl XLV ayear later. Like the effortzs of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Ussery said there is an attempt to makethe All-Stadr Game a regional event. So far, 53 contracts with North Texaa companies havebeen signed, he Eighteen local hotels have been the part of negotiationsz to host events and personnel. And there are more to come.
Usseryh said he expects game pricing and ticket packages to be releasesdin June, followed by full itineraries and entertainment schedules. In additionb to the Sunday game atthe stadium, the NBA has announcesd that the T-Mobile Rookis Challenge and Youth Jam will be held at the Americanb Airlines Center on Feb. 12, and the NBA All-Stafr Saturday Night will be at the AACon Feb. 13. The All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas is scheduleddfor Feb. 11-14 at the Dallas Convention Thehost committee, which includes about 40 is responsible for securing venues, staffingb and city services, said Ski Austin, executives vice president of NBA events and attractions.
The NBA managess all other aspects ofthe event. “Wr work closely with officials from both the Dallasd Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboysa on planning and preparation and use thei r local expertise and relationships to guidre us in many areas ofour planning, including security, hospitality and event execution,” Austinj said via e-mail. It’xs those logistics that have been the trickiest to work Ussery said, for everything from securing 200 buse to carry people to the game to gettingf FAA clearance for flyoversx during the pre-game show.
Ussery said the projectiob is that 80,000 to 90,000 peopld may attend the All-Star making it the highest-attended basketball game college, professional or Olympic. Doug spokesman of the Greater Phoenix Convention andVisitorxs Bureau, said the 2009 All-Star weekend brought $35 milliom of direct spending into the Phoenix Game attendance was 16,300, with more than 120,000 attendinvg the Jam Session. “Our preliminaryg estimates blow that right out of the Ussery said. Planning for the All-Star Game has happened with much less fanfares than regular announcements for venues and fundraisingt efforts for theSuper Bowl.
A larged part of that is because the Super Bowl Host Committee is charged with raisinvg millions of dollars for events surrounding thebig game. But Tara vice president and COO of the North Texasw Super Bowl XLVHost Committee, said she is workingh with and watching the All-Star evenr closely. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our host committer to see how it allcomee together,” Green said. “Whehn the event actually happens, we’lp certainly be interested in theid transportationplan — just the logistics of 80,000 people coming into the stadium and visitors staying in hotelws across North Texas.
” Green called the All-Staer Game a “dress rehearsal” for the Super Bowl. “The field of play is Green said. “Regional cooperation is the same.”

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Denbury to sell Barnett Shale assets - Dallas Business Journal:

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Plano-based Denbury (NYSE: DNR) has agreed to sell the assetsafor $270 million to Dallas-based LLC. If all closing conditionsz and approvalsare granted, the sale will close in late Denbury says as part of the privately held Talon will acquire a portion of the company’sz natural gas swaps. Denbury will use proceeds from the sale to pay off outstandinvgbank debt. “This sale further enables us to concentrate our investment and management focus on our tertiary operationds where we have lower virtually no competition in our areas of operatiohn andhigher profitability,” said Gareth Roberts, presiden and CEO.
“We plan to use thesw funds to increase our2010 tertiary-relateed spending beyond what we could accomplisnh using only cash flow. We believe we can make a good rate of returmn in our tertiary program at current oil prices and we are more optimistic about near-term oil price than natural gas prices, promptinh us to direct our focus on our core tertiart oil assets.”

Sprinter banned for 21 months for using male enhancement product - Globe and Mail

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Daily Mail

Sprinter banned for 21 months for using male enhancement product Globe and Mail He was embarrassed to admit it was contained in a male enhancement product he bought over the counter. “To know that I've tested positive as a result of a ... LaShawn Merritt's doping suspension reduced Washington Post LeShawn Merritt given 21-month doping ban Telegraph.co.uk Olympic runner LaShawn Merritt suspended after positive doping test USA Today The Associated Press -Reuters Canada -FanHouse  »

Economy Watch: FNF Construction gets highway stimulus contract - Phoenix Business Journal:

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“It is a rehabilitatiojn project to create asafer roadway,” said Deenas Billings, business development officer for Tempe-based FNF Construction, which is celebrating 25 years in Some areas of U.S. 491 have deterioratedf creating a significant safety issue for those whouse it, she The project is a good fit for the which also has an office in Albuquerque, accordingt to Billings. “Paving projects are kind of our niche.” In additiob to making the roadway safefor travelers, the $8.9 million projec gives FNF Construction’s staff more opportunity for work.
“Wre will be able to keep existing employees busy and perhapds hirenew ones,” she The bidding process for a stimulus contract is very similad to that on any job both for the contractoer and the state department of transportation The New Mexico Department of Transportation advertised the projecrt in typical fashion with the lowesf bidder winning the said Megan Arrendondo, spokeswomamn for the New Mexico Department of The federal government does look at the projects in depth, however, Arrendondo added. Construction on the 14-mil e stretch, which runs on the southern portiojn ofthe highway, broke ground May 20.
FNF Constructioh is hopeful that its portion of the upgradre is complete by the endof summer. “We are exciteds to keep on going and be part of the Billings said offuture jobs.

Balancing costs - Business First of Columbus:

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One of those avenues is the live/work spac e option, a trend that is growing in San Some of those business owners say that living and working in the same dwellin g does save expenses and commuting Several projects have made their way to the Alamo City to meet the including the Steel House Lofts in the historic PedenbIron & Steel Building downtown, and live/work spac e at Pearl Brewery. Will an associate with San Antonio-based , says the live/workj space seems to mesh better in the downtown areaz of larger cities and areparticularlhy well-suited to certain industries, includiny certified public accountants, attorneys, architect and artists.
Chip a local architect, says the live/work space concept was the perfecyt option for he and his wife since they have only one Latelast year, Henderson moved his home and his Contects Consultants and Architects, into a unit at the newlyg completed Pearl Brewery located at 306 E. Grayson. “o knew I wanted to be in this space threeyears ago,” Henderson says. “The contemporary, mixed-use look was appealing. I don’t have to leavde every morning to goto work.” Johnny owner of True Flavors, recently movesd into the Steel Hous Lofts. He says the move has given him the convenience of livinvg and working in downtownSan Antonio, for a reasonablew cost.
True Flavors is a San Antonio-base catering company owned by Hernandez and his sisterLeticia “A lot of my business happends downtown and a lot of my social circles are downtown so I love he says. Hernandez says he actually has two unitw at SteelHouse Lofts, located at 1401 Soutgh Flores St., one for his business office and the other as his personakl residence. Henderson, meanwhile says combininfg his work and home has reduceds his expenses in several areaeincluding utilities, rent and But while the live/work space option does offef many financial advantages to small-business it can also create a few challengesa to those owners looking for certaimn tax breaks, such as the home-office deduction, local tax experts say.
Live/worlk spaces can make sensew andsave money, but meeting the requiremente to write some of those expenses off can be a bit says Jim McCutcheon, senior counsel with LLP. Accordingv to the (IRS), taxpayerse who use a portion of their home for busineses purposes may be able to take a home offic deduction if they meetcertain requirements. Expenses that may be deducted include the businessa portion of realestate taxes, mortgage rent, utilities, insurance, painting, repairs and depreciation. “Therew are lots of people who wouldqualify (for the but don’t out of fear (of being audited).
there are those that don’t qualify and take the deductiomn anyway,” McCutcheon says. “Ig is a crazy deal.” In trying to qualifyt for the deduction, some of the probleme occur because the owner may have a home office that they work out of part yet have anoffice elsewhere. Or, they try to clai m a home office deductio for an area wherer both work duties and personal time are For instance, McCutcheon says, a diningh room table that is used for family mealz and as a desk would likely be questioned by IRS officials.
McCutcheon explainsd that some of thenew live/work spaces might be questionede by the IRS in regardse to the home-office deduction sincee the spaces are often lofts and therr are no walls to distinguish the two areas. He adds that with only one it can be difficult to prove the spaces is strictlyfor business. “It is tough to show the spacwe is used exclusively for business when therd is no wallor door,” he says.
“Otherwise, what is personal and what is business tendsto

Voters have chance to change Akron charter - Akron Leader Publications

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Voters have chance to change Akron charter Akron Leader Publications DOWNTOWN AKRON â€" Voters living in the city of Akron will have seven opportunities to alter the city charter in the Nov. ... Akron asks voters to approve Issue No. 17 Akron Leader Publications APS board supports Issue No. 17 Akron Leader Publications  »

OCLC Integrates WorldCat Knowledgebase With WorldCat to Expand Library Content ... - InfoToday.com

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OCLC Integrates WorldCat Knowledgebase With WorldCat to Expand Library Content ... InfoToday.com WorldCat knowledgebase functionality has been integrated into WorldCat services to help library users connect to full-text electronic content and help ...

Water Authority and conservation groups create fund for Rio Grande - New Mexico Business Weekly:

http://my-tuts.com/page/10-Tips-To-Remember-When-Applying-For-A-Call-Centr.html
The Authority’s bills will offer a box customerss can check toindicate they’d like to donater to the Living River Fund. The fund will be used to purchasd water rights so that watedr can be kept inthe river, maintaining flowse for plants and wildlife. Customerzs will be able to add $1 to their payment total and designate it as a donation to the The boxes will appear on bills startingthis month. The Authority partnered with , , , , and the on the The water rights purchase program is in additio toa $250,000 initiativee aimed at leasing watetr back from farmers so that it can be kept in the riveer to provide sustained flows.
The Water Authoritty gave $225,000 to that fund and conservation groupsprovided $25,000. The Waterd Authority also is contributinvg $160,000 annually to a Rio Grander silver minnow breeding program and is involved in habitatt restoration efforts onthe river.

New home-loan programs compete with FHA offerings - St. Louis Business Journal:

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The private mortgage sector has becomre more creative in options it offersto first-timde home buyers, local lenders say. The transition heateed up competition and helped push FHA usage saidAlbert Will, president of in "Demand has decreased," he said. "We're not a huge FHA lenderf like we were a fewyears ago, because therr are so many competitive opportunities for borrowers." Mark Unangst, seniodr vice president at Gershman, said FHA loans constituted about 70 percenty of the firm's loan packages less than 10 year s ago. "Things have reversed since abouft thelate '90s," he said. "Now FHA loans make up only aboutf 30 percent ofour business.
" While FHA loans usually require a 3 percent to 5 percent down paymentg from the purchaser, homeowners todagy can get into a house with littlse or no money down by usinf other programs. "People can take out first and seconx mortgages on their property up to 100 percent ofthe home'as value with some of these new so they don't need the cash Unangst said. Cathie Danna, a real estate specialist at for 17 said many home buyers can purchase their dream home for amere $500 with a Flex 100 which allows borrowers to finance 100 percent of theirt purchase price. "Many of us in the industry carry this so it's readily available," she said.
"Agents are reallh pushing the product." Although interesft rates are comparable in both types of FHA loans require much more paperwork and documentation thanconventionalp loans. "I don't have any issues with the way FHA isset up, but it'sw cumbersome for consumers, sellers and said Clay Baker, area American Equity Mortgage. "The application process is a lot more so it can be FHA also limits the amount it will securre for a home to less than while various conventional loan products go wellbeyoned that. Because of the difference in both Danna and Unangst said FHA loand generally are recommended most often for people withquestionablse credit.
"The sub-prime market is good for people who have recoverex from pastcredit problems," Unangst said. "It opens the whole market up for them." That flexibilith makes FHA loans more liberalthan private-sector mortgagde loans, Baker said. "Most loans are basesd on your creditscore ratio, but FHA leavea room for the underwriter's interpretation," he "They understand if a problejm was caused by a majof life event." U.S.
lawmakers, who must approvre any changes to FHA are considering ways to strengthen the FHA including a zero down payment optionjfor first-time home buyers designed to increases homeownership and better compete with conventional The Mortgage Bankers Association and National Associationn of Home Builders have supported the but the National Multi-Housing Council and National Apartment Associatiomn have suggested that offering more risky loans could overtasx the market.
Danna agreed, saying she's afraid the marker is going to "blow "I feel we'll see people overpaying on houses," she "Although your house is probably thebest investment, and it gainxs equity quickly, I believe there could be All the lenders interviewed agreed it'ws important for Congress to bolster the FHA program because of its role in the The program allows potential borrowers who usually pay cash for don't keep their money in the bank or don'tt have traditional sources of credit, such as a car to verify their payment history with other Unangst called the FHA programn "a good tool" that still comes into play with a lot of first-tims buyers.
"The government should be there to assist butthey haven't changed their regulationz in a long time," he said. "Wse have to make sure to find a balance."

To improve sales calls, managers need to get out of the office - Pittsburgh Business Times:

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Unfortunately, it doesn’t give many clues as to how successfupl the sales callreally was, or how it could have been improved. One way in whicu sales managers can greatly improve the performance of members of theidr sales teams is by accompanying individuald onsales calls. During the a more accurate picture ofthe salesperson’s performance can be obtaineed than simply relying on what the individuao says at weekly salexs meetings. It’s not that salespeople intentionally try to deceive but their explanations are colored by their interpretationof situations.
Those elements will be removerby first-hand observations, putting the managert in a better position to identify deficienciesa and areas for improvemenrt and then provide the most appropriate help. Another reasonn to accompany salespeople on calld is to confirmthe company’z interest in prospective accounts or to show appreciationh for existing accounts. By “bringing the managefr in,” the salesperson strengthense the bond with the clien tor prospect.
Additionally, bringing in the manager means there is a greatet chance of meeting other members ofthe client/prospect company’es management team who normally woulde be insulated from the These calls give the opportunity to not only but also deepen the relationship. Here is a five-step process for getting the most from jointsales • Preparation: Overall goalas and account-specific goals and objectives should be determined in advance.
Details shoul include specific tasks tobe completed, actions to be takej and results to be This information should be shared with the salesperson far enougyh in advance that the individuap knows what will be expected of him or her duringb the planned calls and has time to make the necessar y arrangements. • Observation: During saled call meetings, the managerf should assume the role of notingthe salesperson’s general demeanor and specific action s and reactions, especially those that relatre to the predetermined goals and objectivese for the call. The manager must also liste n intently tothe prospect’s questionse and answers and observe his or her actionds and reactions.
The manager must take accuratde notes for later evaluation and discussionn and must not rescu the call even if the salesperson is doint apoor job, as this does nothinfg to help the salesperson learn and generally only strokes the ego of the sales manager. The realityt is that a poorly performing salesperson is failingb most of thetime anyway, so one more time likelyu won’t hurt but could possibly help the salesperson learn how to handle the situation next time and possibl become a better performer. • Evaluation: Observation are shared with the salesperson, inputes are obtained regarding his or her actions andthough processes, and results are compared with the planned objectives.
Based on the comparison, area s for improvement can be The analysis may call for changes in strategy or tacticss or refinement ofspecific skills.

Central Texas Business Journal: January 30, 2009 - Austin Business Journal:

http://www.wowi-wolgast.de/index.php/impressum
The new contract would more than double the royaltiee the county receives from operations atthe landfill, including moneyu designated for community recreation and master site The revised version also sets limite on how much tonnage can be put into the landfilkl based on the waste created in the That measure is designed to restrict the operatofr from bringing in waste from othe areas. “This contract spells out ways that the county has control and makesw it easier for us to move forwarf and develop recycling and other programs to benefit citizens and extenf the life ofthe contract,” Williamson County Judge Dan Gattis said.
The countg owns the 200-acre landfill on FM 1660 northu of Hutto and has a contract signee in 2003 with Waste Managemenft to operatethe site. The Texas Commission on Environmentap Quality is scheduled to consider an application in Februaryy to expand the landfill to nearly three times its But some inWilliamson County, including city leaders in have expressed concern that the existingh contract favors Waste Management and doesn’t contaij enough oversight.
The county sued Waste Managementin 2007, sayint the 2003 contract was invalisd because it had not gone througg a competitive bidding But a state district judge upheld the Gattis praised Waste Management for its willingnes s to negotiate with the countyt on a revised He said those negotiations are ongoing, but he expects some resolution in the next few weeks. A spokesman for Wastw Management could not immediatelyh be reachedfor comment. The Round Rock City Council got a firsf glance at what the new city hall could look like when architects presented design concepts at ameetinb Jan. 22.
The building’s architecture team includex Architecture Plus and Barnes GromatzkygKosarek Architects. Groundbreaking will likely take place this withthe building’s opening projected for late 2010. The council is pursuingh a public-private partnership with Waterstone Developmentg for theroughly 60,000-square-foot building. The city will initiallyt take about 20,000 square feet, with the remainder leased out by City offices will be able to expand into the leasee space inthe future. How hot is your ’hood?
The Manodr area ranked highest amonf the suburban communities in terms ofits “hotness — or pending sales as a percentagw of active listings — in the Austin Board of Realtors’ latest housing sale report for December. Manor had 28 pending salezs to 131active listings, or a hotness ratio of 21.4 percent. Cedar Park/Leander Nortjh followed Manor with a ratio of21 percent. Pflugervilld was next, followed by the Hays County/Sajn Marcos Independent School District. For the entirre area, December 2008 home sales were down 21 perceny compared with the same month last while median prices declined4 percent. Sen.
Jeff R-San Antonio, has filed a bill in the state Legislaturwe that would createa motor-bus-only lane pilof program for state highways in Travis, Williamson, Bexart and Denton counties. If passed, Senate Bill 434 wouls require appropriate mass transit authorities to initiate the piloft program no laterthan Dec. 31. Stated highways that would qualifyh forthe motor-bus-only lanes are those that enforce a speecd limit of 35 miles per hour or Motor buses would not travel more than 15 milesz per hour greater than the speed of vehiclea on the main part of the highway

Study: More Americans downsize belongings as they move - Birmingham Business Journal:

http://paydayloans-in-1-hour.com/6-2apply4cash.htm
The study was released by , a St. Louis-based van line that transportsshousehold goods. Shipping weights have decreased for fourconsecutivr years. The average household shipping weight in 2008was 6,752 pounds, a 2 percent decrease from the 6,830 pounde recorded in 2007. According to the the average moving weight has decrease by 10 percentsince 1997, when the company began collecting information. The company said more families seem to be downsizingv their belongings asthey “Average moving weights have been trending down for the past four which is a strong indicator of broader changes in our said Jennifer Bonham, director of marketinvg communications at Mayflower “We’re watching Americans shiftf their lifestyles to accommodate the current economicf environment, emerging sustainability trends and the green movement.
Homeownera are transitioning awayfrom ‘McMansions’ to smaller, more sustainable livingg environments. This trend parallels other industries’ such as the auto industry’s, in the recent movement towaredless consumption, greener solutions and simplere lifestyles.”

Comcast names new VP for Denver - Denver Business Journal:

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Trueblood will oversee Comcast operationaand customer-care services for the company's television, high-speef Internet and telephone offerings from Castlw Rock to Boulder, Philadelphia-based Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) said in a statement. The compangy employs about 1,000 people in the Denvefr area. He will report to Scotf Binder, senior vice presidenrt of Comcast Colorado. Trueblood previously was Comcast'sz area vice president in its Northern Colorado/Mountainss district. He starts his new job immediately. Comcasy has 820,000 customers in Colorado and employs 5,000 peoplew statewide.
"Coming directly from leading our northern Colorado and Mountainsystems recently, Mike will hit the groundf running in Denver," Binder said in the "Mike has a deep understanding of the company, our culture and our Coloradop business operations. He is respected by our employeew and, most importantly, he fullyh understands the importance of providingv a greatcustomer experience. We are fortunate to have Mike’es leadership in the Denver area.
"

Helwig Carbon venture purchases Pennsylvania firm - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

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Formerly known as Speer Carbon, SGL Carbon producex electro-graphite materials used for carbonbrush “This strategic acquisition solidifies our positionj as a fully integrated manufacturer and secures our futurr as a high-quality provider of all typesx of electrical carbon productzs worldwide,” Helwig Carbon chairman Jeffrey Koenitzer said. “The availability of these well-known grades of carbon is now assuredr for the benefit of our customers andthe long-termk security of our employees.” Helwig Carbohn Products is a privately owned manufacturer of carbon brushes, brushholders, and mechanical carbonws located at 8900 W. Tower Ave.
in Helwig serves customers in a range of industriee includingpower generation, steel, transit, motor repair and mining. “This will ensuree the reliability of these materials for years to come and should allow us to be more competitivein high-volume said Jay Koenitzer, vice president of marketing at Helwig Carbon.

Get Smart: Garcia Automotive to sell snazzy, teeny European car - New Mexico Business Weekly:

http://mi-airs.com/aboutmiairs/airsonlinetrainings.html
Wedged between the and boutiques, he and his wife founs a storeselling Smarts. But, to their chagrin, when they tried to buy one, the manage explained it wasn't possible. "Hwe said 'We ship it, you drive it 2,00o0 or 3,000 miles, the car dies, there' s no one to work on it, you put the car in your backyardr and stick flowersin it,'" said who owns in Santa Fe. His wait will soon be The will openthe state's and only, dealership sellinh Smart Cars on Jan. 8. It will be one of 74 Smart dealers across the country openingnext year. The company bought a shoppinvg center next to at 1234Renaissances Blvd. NE, which it is converting into a 10,000-square-foot showroo designed by .
is doing the Although the official opening isin January, Smaryt enthusiasts will be able to test driver a car before Christmas, said Carlos who will manage the new dealership. Garcia has 400 reservations for Smart Cars from around the As part of a national marketing pushlast summer, Garcia offereds test drives of a Smart and the response was overwhelming, he said. createdr an online reservation systemm earlier this year where customeras can log on at andpay $99 to reserve a production model and customize it with trim level and colo preferences. The first ones to place a reservation will be the firstt ones to gettheir cars. Smarts are at about 8.8 feet long and 5.1 feet tall and 5.
1 feet The model rolling out inthe U.S., the is a two-seater. For 2007, its mileagwe rating is 40 miles per gallon inthe city, 45 on the said Ken Kettenbeil, spokesman for Smarrt Car USA. That will drop in 2008 becausee the Environmental Protection Agency is recalculating how mileag eis determined, so it will be 33 in the city and 41 on the "We think it will be the most fuel-efficient gas-powerer car," Kettenbeil said. (That does not include hybrids.) Despitw the size, the model is designed to achievera four-star crash rating in the U.S., accordingh to Smart Car USA. The Smart Fortwl will come in three models, ranging from $11,5909 to $16,590.
And true to its origins, owners will be able to swap out door panelss if they want anew color, althouguh it will be a little more complicated than switchin g your watch band, Kettenbeil Its top speed is about 90 miles per hour. Smart Cars began as a joint ventures between and Swiss company Swatch in theearly 1990s. That partnership fell accordingto , and Mercedes carried through the production. The first Smart hit European streetwin 1998, where Americans, such as Lampert, fell in love with "For some, gas mileage is the main reason, for some it's for some it's strictly the fact that the car is cool and they want said Kettenbeil.
"It's not defined by age or but rather attitudeand lifestyle." Garcia said the Smargt is a "no brainer" for New Mexicok because of the educated community, the thriving arts scener and the number of people who are concerned abou the environment. The factoryt in France, where the car is is built from recyclerd materials and the car is made almost entirely from The Garcia Automotive Grou has ownership or partnerships in 12 dealershipsd in Albuquerque andSanta Fe. But the Smart Car dealership, and a new dealership sellin g scooters that Garcia bought from that will be next to theSmaryt showroom, will allow the company to broade its customer base, Garcia said.
"Customers will be able to buy everythinvg froma $1,500 scooter to a $70,000 he said. "We feel Smart is the biggest thing to hit the country since WorldWar II." After the announcemen t by the in 2006 that it woulxd distribute the Smart Car, about 1,40o0 dealers inquired about selling it, Kettenbeil said, and 300 submitted full From that, Penske chose 74 stores. Kettenbei l said a key criteria for selecting dealerships was thei commitment tocustomer service. Lamper does not plan to replace his Lexus with his new but he said it will be handt for zipping aroundSanta Fe.
"It helps us continue to relive ourItalian experience," he

Honda sales plunge 41% in May - Denver Business Journal:

http://bildingnewspro.biz/Houses-For-Sale/Greenwood-Houses-For-Sale/
’s American sales arm, , reported on Tuesdauy that the automakersold 98,344 vehicles nationwidew in May. A year ago, demand for fuel-efficient vehicle had sent Honda to a record montbh of salesat 167,99y vehicles. That represents a drop of 41 percent from ayear ago, when pricee at the pump were higher and the automobile industry hadn’ t yet hit crisis mode. Columbuxs Business First reports monthly sales unadjusted for the differencez in the number of sellingt days yearto year. Honda’s sales in May, takingf into account one fewe selling daylast month, fell 39 percent.
Leading the declined in monthly sales for May wasthe company’x flagship division, which saw a 42 percent drop in sales at 88,8745 vehicles. Its luxury Acura division saw salesz fall 36 percentto 9,460 vehicles. Honda sales in the first five months of the year fell 34 percentfto 430,358 vehicles, comparedr with 655,819 a year ago. That accounts for a 34 percent drop in Honda salesat 387,556 vehicles and a 35 percentt decline in Acura sales at 42,802. Marysville-based employds more than 12,000 workers at assembly and engined plants in and aroundCentral Ohio, where they produce Hondsa Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Elements and Acuraa TLs and RDXs.

Oncor seeks $300M in stimulus funds - Denver Business Journal:

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Oncor will apply for the funds throughu the American Recovery and Reinvestment Actof 2009. The deadline to applyg is Aug. 6. Citing data from the Counci l ofEconomic Advisers, Oncor believes the stimulus funds would support the creation of 1,6090 jobs in 2010. If the fundin g is approved, Oncor will spend the money to deploy moresmart switches, which will help the energh company isolate problems in neighborhoodas and reconfigure power lines. Othedr enhancements will include controlling the feeder voltagr throughthe company’s capacitor control and enhancements that will help the electric provider locate electric delivery problems in a more efficient manner, Oncor said.
In downtown electric networks will be modernizeedunder Oncor’s proposed plan. Oncor also is aiming to improvew itstelecommunications network, an improvemenyt that will enhance the company’s power “Oncor’s vision for a modern, interactive, intuitive electric grid is tangible and happening said Oncor Chairman and CEO Bob Shapard. “Outr first considerations in seeking these stimulue grants are whether the funds will help consumerw lower their electric bills or advance smartr grid initiatives to improve serviceand reliability. That’zs where we have focused our attentionand energy.
”