http://www.disruptit.org/article/Great-Plains-Integration-Consultant--DTS-packages-and-IM---Alba-Spectrum.html
spokesman Frank Raczkiewicz confirmed theresignatioh Tuesday. Oxendale will remain through the endof 2009. He also is resignintg the presidencyof Children’s a position he has held sincd 2008. Oxendale, who was travelinfg Tuesday morning, was not immediately available. He joinedc the hospital 14 years ago asits CFO. He became COO in 2000 and replacedd Ron Violi as presidenft and CEOin 2005. Oxendale dropper the president title when he took the post at the foundation last year.
Children’s spokesman Marc Lucasiak said the organization will be conductinhg a search to fill the foundatioj position but will not continue the CEO Christopher Gessner will continuw to serve as presidentof Children’s He was appointed in 2008 after eighg years as chief operating Children’s in Pittsburgh’s Lawrencevillre neighborhood May 2. It launched a $100 milliojn capital campaign last fall to help payfor it. John vice president of Witt/Kieffer, a recruitment firm specializinb in thenonprofit sector, said it will be tougyh to find a new president for the but that Children’s is “well to attract strong prospects.
“It’s becoming increasingly more difficulft tofind top-notch development and advancement Thornburgh said. “But I believe Children’s is in a strongerd position because ofits reputation. The new building will be an asset in recruitingexcellentt candidates, and, frankly, fundraising for children’a causes is something that the community respondsa to better than othe r nonprofits.
”
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
King Soopers, workers heading back to bargaining table - Nashville Business Journal:
http://tevla27.com/426/
The contract at hand involved an increase inpreventativwe health-care programs and a wage increase, as well as a decrease in pensiom benefits, King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said. However, workersz had protested the pensionbenefit cuts, with the United Food and Commerciakl Workers Union Local No. 7 warning that some coulc lose $100,000 over the life of the and said the wage increases werenot “We are ready, willing and able to get back to the bargaininb table if the corporation is willing to meet us King Soopers worker Julie Gonzalez said in a news releases put out by the union. “All we’rse asking for is a fair deal.
And we really hope they don’yt lock us out for asking for livabls wages and a pension plan that recognizesa our contribution tocompany profits.” Aboutf 17,000 union workers from the area’as three largest grocery chains — Albertsons, King Soopers and have been in negotiations with the grocersz since April 9 on new five-year contracts. Safeway workers have voted to extend thei r contract untilJune 26, whic h Albertsons and King Soopers employees currently are working withoutr contracts. The rejection of the latesgt King Soopers contract proposal came quickluy after votingbegan Monday.
Workers in Colorado Longmont and Boulder arevotinhg today, while Pueblo workers are schedulex to cast ballots Wednesday. King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said that the rejectioh of the deal will not have any tangiblwe effect onstore operations. King Sooperds workers have not cast ballotsto “We’re disappointed in the vote, but we look forward to getting back to Mulligan said Tuesday.
King Soopers is a unit of Cincinnati-base d
The contract at hand involved an increase inpreventativwe health-care programs and a wage increase, as well as a decrease in pensiom benefits, King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said. However, workersz had protested the pensionbenefit cuts, with the United Food and Commerciakl Workers Union Local No. 7 warning that some coulc lose $100,000 over the life of the and said the wage increases werenot “We are ready, willing and able to get back to the bargaininb table if the corporation is willing to meet us King Soopers worker Julie Gonzalez said in a news releases put out by the union. “All we’rse asking for is a fair deal.
And we really hope they don’yt lock us out for asking for livabls wages and a pension plan that recognizesa our contribution tocompany profits.” Aboutf 17,000 union workers from the area’as three largest grocery chains — Albertsons, King Soopers and have been in negotiations with the grocersz since April 9 on new five-year contracts. Safeway workers have voted to extend thei r contract untilJune 26, whic h Albertsons and King Soopers employees currently are working withoutr contracts. The rejection of the latesgt King Soopers contract proposal came quickluy after votingbegan Monday.
Workers in Colorado Longmont and Boulder arevotinhg today, while Pueblo workers are schedulex to cast ballots Wednesday. King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said that the rejectioh of the deal will not have any tangiblwe effect onstore operations. King Sooperds workers have not cast ballotsto “We’re disappointed in the vote, but we look forward to getting back to Mulligan said Tuesday.
King Soopers is a unit of Cincinnati-base d
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Alabama wins economic development award - Birmingham Business Journal:
shemwellmygalej1291.blogspot.com
Area Development magazine recognized Alabama for its new and expandingh industry announcements thatattracted “high-value investmeny projects that will create a significant number of new The award was given after the magazined reviewed data from each state’s top 10 job creationh and investment projects in 2008. Only those project s that “broke ground,” began an expansion or started hiringbwere considered.
Among the Alabama projects featured in the magazindare 1,000 new jobs at ’s shipbuilding facilith in Mobile, 400 new jobs at Birmingham’s ’s auto metaol stamping facility and 300 new jobs at in Alabama received the award in the category for statesw with a population under 5 Alabama earned the magazine’s Golden Shovel award in 2005. “Alabama continues to outperform most even during thistough economy,” Alabama Gov.
Bob Riley
Area Development magazine recognized Alabama for its new and expandingh industry announcements thatattracted “high-value investmeny projects that will create a significant number of new The award was given after the magazined reviewed data from each state’s top 10 job creationh and investment projects in 2008. Only those project s that “broke ground,” began an expansion or started hiringbwere considered.
Among the Alabama projects featured in the magazindare 1,000 new jobs at ’s shipbuilding facilith in Mobile, 400 new jobs at Birmingham’s ’s auto metaol stamping facility and 300 new jobs at in Alabama received the award in the category for statesw with a population under 5 Alabama earned the magazine’s Golden Shovel award in 2005. “Alabama continues to outperform most even during thistough economy,” Alabama Gov.
Bob Riley
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sure way to get your mailings opened and read - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
bertayfybuqutyp.blogspot.com
For most decision-makers, this task is performed by an administrativd assistant; others prefer to do it themselves. In eitherf case, the procedure is almost alwaysthe same: a briefc walk to the wastebasket. A momeny suspended it time, durinv which each piece of mail is held precariously overthe “circular file.” A question is pondered: Can I throw this away withouy opening it? A decision is The letter is either jettisonec or retained. I would gladly trade a winningylottery ticket, without hesitation, for the money that is wasted in this country on just one day’s worth of unopened mail. Is your businessz one of those whose mailinges gets thrown directly intothe wastebasket?
When it comews to direct-mail marketing, getting your envelope openec is everything. Fail in this firsr step, and everything else associated with your marketingb effort is a complete wasteof time. That it astounds me how many thousands of marketing peoples in this countryjust don’y seem to understand the importance of the They continue to blindly duplicate the same look to their direct-mailo materials — a look that might as well have the word stamped across every piece in bright neon The dynamic that makes your envelope so important today is that nobody of any importance has the time anymore to read junk-mail.
In between regular priority mail, interoffice mail, e-mail and voice your buyers are totally They don’t have time to leisurely open and look over your solicitation materials. Their first objective with your letter is to find a reasohn to throwit away. How do you avoic having your mail thrown away without everbeing opened? By using your braibn — or more specifically, that part of your braib that controls creativity. By looking at the mail from your recipient’sa perspective. By asking yourself, what would a piecew of mail need to look like in ordee for me to be compelled toopen it? By what can I do to make my mail stand out? Validate the quality of your database.
Sure, it takes but what’s the point of sending information out to people that no longe exist on theother end? Someone needsx to do the tedious task of calling and updatingf your database at least once everuy six months. Don’t have the staffr or money to do it? Neither does anyonse else! Here’s what a creative marketert might do: Go to the locao college and offera sales-and-marketing internship to a rising senioer who is a marketing major.
Talk about win-win: For paying the kid beer and pizzqa money, you get a person who actually — yes, it’s really true — is enthusiastic and motivate d by this initial foray into the exciting world of sales andmarketing — i.e. making outbounde calls to updateyour database. this go-getter attitude wears off after afew weeks, but why not make hay while the sun shines Besides, do you know how hard it is for a collegwe graduate with no sales experience to get a job in sales ? Regardless of whether you hire them after graduation, the work experienc they gained from you will open many doors. • Use blankl envelopes (no return address).
This is a If your recipient doesn’t know who your letter is from, they cannogt afford to not open it. The mystery of the unknown is the It gets the envelope opened almostrevery time. • The Crackerjack Theorem. You can gueszs where this idea got itsstart — another exampls of a unique, creative marketing idea that workerd wonders for the sale of the If you include a in your envelope, most people will open the envelop e to get the freebie — and, while they are at it, they’l take a look at your information.
Get in touch with a top-tied sales professional in the promotionapproducts industry, and ask them to recommend a usefuk item that is light (for easy to fit in a standard and is large enough to have your company phone number, and email (at a stamped on each item. Don’t you dare try to with the sales persojn over the price of the items they recommend they deserveevery penny, and then some, for their expertised in this area. If you want a lowerr price, buy in quantity. Hand-write the name and address of the Yes, this is time-consuming and is impracticalp if you are mailing inlargs quantities.
It is however, for a direct-mail campaig that targets a small, highly niched prospecf base at the rate of less than 100 pieces per The pay-off? If you combiner this tactic with the no-return-address you will get guaranteed — 100 percent of your mail opened and I refer back to my earlier pointt about looking at your mail piece from the perspectives of your recipient. What would you do with a letterr that had your name andaddress hand-writtenb on it, with no return address? I rest my case. I’v e heard all the statistics about an returnon direct-mail of 2 or 3 percent, and I don’tt buy a word of it. Those statistice are for losers.
They are nothing but numbers benchmarking the historical performance of unimaginative marketerswhose approach, and materials, look stock and barrel like everything that you see evert day. So while you throw away their marketing literature, throw away their rule book as well. Do your own and blaze your own trails. In other create your own statistics.
For most decision-makers, this task is performed by an administrativd assistant; others prefer to do it themselves. In eitherf case, the procedure is almost alwaysthe same: a briefc walk to the wastebasket. A momeny suspended it time, durinv which each piece of mail is held precariously overthe “circular file.” A question is pondered: Can I throw this away withouy opening it? A decision is The letter is either jettisonec or retained. I would gladly trade a winningylottery ticket, without hesitation, for the money that is wasted in this country on just one day’s worth of unopened mail. Is your businessz one of those whose mailinges gets thrown directly intothe wastebasket?
When it comews to direct-mail marketing, getting your envelope openec is everything. Fail in this firsr step, and everything else associated with your marketingb effort is a complete wasteof time. That it astounds me how many thousands of marketing peoples in this countryjust don’y seem to understand the importance of the They continue to blindly duplicate the same look to their direct-mailo materials — a look that might as well have the word stamped across every piece in bright neon The dynamic that makes your envelope so important today is that nobody of any importance has the time anymore to read junk-mail.
In between regular priority mail, interoffice mail, e-mail and voice your buyers are totally They don’t have time to leisurely open and look over your solicitation materials. Their first objective with your letter is to find a reasohn to throwit away. How do you avoic having your mail thrown away without everbeing opened? By using your braibn — or more specifically, that part of your braib that controls creativity. By looking at the mail from your recipient’sa perspective. By asking yourself, what would a piecew of mail need to look like in ordee for me to be compelled toopen it? By what can I do to make my mail stand out? Validate the quality of your database.
Sure, it takes but what’s the point of sending information out to people that no longe exist on theother end? Someone needsx to do the tedious task of calling and updatingf your database at least once everuy six months. Don’t have the staffr or money to do it? Neither does anyonse else! Here’s what a creative marketert might do: Go to the locao college and offera sales-and-marketing internship to a rising senioer who is a marketing major.
Talk about win-win: For paying the kid beer and pizzqa money, you get a person who actually — yes, it’s really true — is enthusiastic and motivate d by this initial foray into the exciting world of sales andmarketing — i.e. making outbounde calls to updateyour database. this go-getter attitude wears off after afew weeks, but why not make hay while the sun shines Besides, do you know how hard it is for a collegwe graduate with no sales experience to get a job in sales ? Regardless of whether you hire them after graduation, the work experienc they gained from you will open many doors. • Use blankl envelopes (no return address).
This is a If your recipient doesn’t know who your letter is from, they cannogt afford to not open it. The mystery of the unknown is the It gets the envelope opened almostrevery time. • The Crackerjack Theorem. You can gueszs where this idea got itsstart — another exampls of a unique, creative marketing idea that workerd wonders for the sale of the If you include a in your envelope, most people will open the envelop e to get the freebie — and, while they are at it, they’l take a look at your information.
Get in touch with a top-tied sales professional in the promotionapproducts industry, and ask them to recommend a usefuk item that is light (for easy to fit in a standard and is large enough to have your company phone number, and email (at a stamped on each item. Don’t you dare try to with the sales persojn over the price of the items they recommend they deserveevery penny, and then some, for their expertised in this area. If you want a lowerr price, buy in quantity. Hand-write the name and address of the Yes, this is time-consuming and is impracticalp if you are mailing inlargs quantities.
It is however, for a direct-mail campaig that targets a small, highly niched prospecf base at the rate of less than 100 pieces per The pay-off? If you combiner this tactic with the no-return-address you will get guaranteed — 100 percent of your mail opened and I refer back to my earlier pointt about looking at your mail piece from the perspectives of your recipient. What would you do with a letterr that had your name andaddress hand-writtenb on it, with no return address? I rest my case. I’v e heard all the statistics about an returnon direct-mail of 2 or 3 percent, and I don’tt buy a word of it. Those statistice are for losers.
They are nothing but numbers benchmarking the historical performance of unimaginative marketerswhose approach, and materials, look stock and barrel like everything that you see evert day. So while you throw away their marketing literature, throw away their rule book as well. Do your own and blaze your own trails. In other create your own statistics.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Peter's Post: Beemer me up, Scotty - Times LIVE
http://restaurants-hr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=429&Itemid=99999999
Times LIVE | Peter's Post: Beemer me up, Scotty Times LIVE I was interested to read of the Ferrari Museum in your column. My family is visiting Germany in January and I wondered if there was a similar museum ... |
Friday, October 22, 2010
Aurora's Southlands shopping center damaged by tornado - South Florida Business Journal:
http://net.best-go.org/?f=1
A twister reportedly touched down nearbgat 1:49 p.m. Sunday and crossed through the area on aneight - to 10-mile-long path for about 30 the said. . Firefighters found moderated damageat Southlands, locatefd at E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, CBS4 News Rooftop heating, venting and air-conditioningb units were damaged, windows were broken, a shed was and a car was overturned. Natural-gas leaks also were Authorities shut down gas service to Southlands earlySundayt afternoon.
No serious injurieds were reported onthe shopping-centedr grounds, but a man in a nearbty neighborhood who was trying to take picturews reportedly was hospitalized with unspecified serious injuries, accordingv to news reports. A Southlandz spokeswoman told CBS4 most ofthe center' s stores will be close Monday to allow for continued damage assessment. She said customerzs should call individual storeds to verify whether they are closedor Southlands, which opened in 2006, is the Denver area'sx largest shopping center by retail at 1.
7 million square It consists of severa freestanding buildings connected by pedestrian corridors and The complex is owned by Granite Southlands Town Center LLC and managed by Forest City Commercial Management Inc. Four othe tornadoes were spotted north and east of DenverSunday afternoon, and baseball-sized hail struckl some areas. As many as 3,000 customerzs were without power for a time in partz of Auroraand Centennial. .
A twister reportedly touched down nearbgat 1:49 p.m. Sunday and crossed through the area on aneight - to 10-mile-long path for about 30 the said. . Firefighters found moderated damageat Southlands, locatefd at E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, CBS4 News Rooftop heating, venting and air-conditioningb units were damaged, windows were broken, a shed was and a car was overturned. Natural-gas leaks also were Authorities shut down gas service to Southlands earlySundayt afternoon.
No serious injurieds were reported onthe shopping-centedr grounds, but a man in a nearbty neighborhood who was trying to take picturews reportedly was hospitalized with unspecified serious injuries, accordingv to news reports. A Southlandz spokeswoman told CBS4 most ofthe center' s stores will be close Monday to allow for continued damage assessment. She said customerzs should call individual storeds to verify whether they are closedor Southlands, which opened in 2006, is the Denver area'sx largest shopping center by retail at 1.
7 million square It consists of severa freestanding buildings connected by pedestrian corridors and The complex is owned by Granite Southlands Town Center LLC and managed by Forest City Commercial Management Inc. Four othe tornadoes were spotted north and east of DenverSunday afternoon, and baseball-sized hail struckl some areas. As many as 3,000 customerzs were without power for a time in partz of Auroraand Centennial. .
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Bay Area's stimulus priorities ranked - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
http://trawma.net/index/t7
Projects in the plan cover a wide range of proposalsincluding high-speed rail construction and extending the BART line to San The list is separated into 98 "strategic" projects at the top and 129 projects in a second tier. The priority list also includeds a new stem cell research facilit at the inMarin County, energy efficiency and sola r retrofits of public and other buildings in San San Francisco and energy conversions to LED streetlights; transit-orientedc development projects; electrical vehicle infrastructure and work forcse training and placement for laid-off employees.
“This plan is designexd to maximizeour region’s share of federal stimulues funding and other stats support that will benefit the Bay Area in both the near and said Sean Randolph, CEO of the , whichj was charged with compiling the list. The plan, released publicly Friday, was the culminatiob of a four-month vettinf process. The report was sent to the . The statwe agency, which requested other metropolitan regionsz around the state to submitsimilar plans, will now take all thosw plans and help coordinate with citied and counties to lobby the federal government on behalft of certain projects.
“This is to get people on the same page to minimize the food fight wherer you have parts of the statde compete againstone another,” said Dale Bonner, head of the Californiw Business Transportation and Housing Agency. “What we’rd doing is acting as a facilitator to help identifyhthe best” projects. Projects on the Economic Institute’s wish list could be in for a big About $30 billion in federao stimulus money will be divvied up in Sacramentpo before going to various regions around California. Anotherd $20 billion is expected to be distributex directly in the state by federal officials on adiscretionary basis.
The chance to get dollarsz from the federal stimuluws program led to a flurry of Bay Area authorities sifted through almost570 suggestions. To make the cut, project were supposed to spur job have regional impact and align with stat programsand priorities, among othe r criteria. The Economic Institute called upon local experts in specific fieldz to judge proposals that fit at least one ofsevenj categories: transportation, water, energy/climate, workforce training and business development, science and innovation or housing.
The vast majority of project that made it to theEconomic Institute’sz short list were from government A range of companies sought federal stimulus, too, sayinv that their service would help boost the broadert economy. For example, a Berkeley-based firm called Picture it Sold sought stimulusx money to franchiseits home-staging “We’re ready to move ahead with this plan the company wrote in its “and we’ll help thousandz of families and the whole economy to recover.” The company’ds idea did not make the Economic Institute’s highest prioritg cut. But an appendix to the Economic Institute’s wish list includes everg proposalit received.
The entire repory can be found onlindeat .
Projects in the plan cover a wide range of proposalsincluding high-speed rail construction and extending the BART line to San The list is separated into 98 "strategic" projects at the top and 129 projects in a second tier. The priority list also includeds a new stem cell research facilit at the inMarin County, energy efficiency and sola r retrofits of public and other buildings in San San Francisco and energy conversions to LED streetlights; transit-orientedc development projects; electrical vehicle infrastructure and work forcse training and placement for laid-off employees.
“This plan is designexd to maximizeour region’s share of federal stimulues funding and other stats support that will benefit the Bay Area in both the near and said Sean Randolph, CEO of the , whichj was charged with compiling the list. The plan, released publicly Friday, was the culminatiob of a four-month vettinf process. The report was sent to the . The statwe agency, which requested other metropolitan regionsz around the state to submitsimilar plans, will now take all thosw plans and help coordinate with citied and counties to lobby the federal government on behalft of certain projects.
“This is to get people on the same page to minimize the food fight wherer you have parts of the statde compete againstone another,” said Dale Bonner, head of the Californiw Business Transportation and Housing Agency. “What we’rd doing is acting as a facilitator to help identifyhthe best” projects. Projects on the Economic Institute’s wish list could be in for a big About $30 billion in federao stimulus money will be divvied up in Sacramentpo before going to various regions around California. Anotherd $20 billion is expected to be distributex directly in the state by federal officials on adiscretionary basis.
The chance to get dollarsz from the federal stimuluws program led to a flurry of Bay Area authorities sifted through almost570 suggestions. To make the cut, project were supposed to spur job have regional impact and align with stat programsand priorities, among othe r criteria. The Economic Institute called upon local experts in specific fieldz to judge proposals that fit at least one ofsevenj categories: transportation, water, energy/climate, workforce training and business development, science and innovation or housing.
The vast majority of project that made it to theEconomic Institute’sz short list were from government A range of companies sought federal stimulus, too, sayinv that their service would help boost the broadert economy. For example, a Berkeley-based firm called Picture it Sold sought stimulusx money to franchiseits home-staging “We’re ready to move ahead with this plan the company wrote in its “and we’ll help thousandz of families and the whole economy to recover.” The company’ds idea did not make the Economic Institute’s highest prioritg cut. But an appendix to the Economic Institute’s wish list includes everg proposalit received.
The entire repory can be found onlindeat .
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Facebook Privacy: Protecting Personal Information on the Social Network - eWeek
http://aregoni.com/fox/pages/banquets.htm
The Hindu | Facebook Privacy: Protecting Personal Information on the Social Network eWeek But just how much information is too much information, what Facebook has done so far to protect data and what it should do in the future are » |
Sunday, October 17, 2010
RWANDA: No more bursary loans for students - cabinet - University World News
kapitonragomo.blogspot.com
University World News | RWANDA: No more bursary loans for students - cabinet University World News Last week the Rwandan cabinet approved a decision to cancel bursary loans used to support government-assisted students through their academic life. ... |
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Study: Kansas City-area hotel revenue will fall in 2009 - Dallas Business Journal:
hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
percent decrease in revenue per availablse room in 2009 comparecwith 2008, according to a study by . The projected revenuwe decrease compares with anestimated 17.5 percenf decrease in revenue per available room nationall in 2009, PKF Hospitality Researcg said in a Tuesday release. The uses data from , whichy reports “very consistent numbersd with PKF,” Jill Van Houweling, vice presidentg of marketing/communications for the association, said “Kansas City is doing better than the national average, and we’re on par with our competitivde set,” Van Houweling said. “Mid-sizerd value destinations are doing better than big Our May isvery strong.
What we’re seeinbg is that, even though it’s not greagt news, the effect on Kansas City is moderater because ofvalue pricing.” Van Houwelinb said the association attributes the lower revenue mainlyg to decreased business The average expenditure per overnight businesa traveler $260 a day, compared with $120 for a leisure traveler, she said.Area hotels are projectecd to have 52 percent occupancgy in 2009, down from 58.4 percenf in 2008, PKF staffer Randyh McCaslin said in the release. Becausew of increased competition in thelocalp market, the average daily room rate is expected to fall to $84.67y in 2009, down 5.4 percent from $89.
52 last PKF attributed the projected lower averagee occupancy rate to a 7.9 percent decrease in demand for lodgingy and a 3.4 percent increase in the supplyg of new hotel rooms. PKF’ss forecasting model finds that local income and employmenty figures are good predictors of hotelroom demand, the releasr said. Moody’s Economy.com, the source of PKF’s June 2009 Hotel Horizons forecast report forKansas City, predicts that Kansas City-area employment will fall 3.4 percent in 2009 from 2008. PKF’se study projects that area revenue per availableroom won’t achieve sustained growth until the fourt h quarter of 2010.
“Until then, market conditions are favorablefor travelers, but troublesome for ownersd and operators,” PKF said in the Atlanta-based PKF Hospitality Research is the researchb affiliate of
percent decrease in revenue per availablse room in 2009 comparecwith 2008, according to a study by . The projected revenuwe decrease compares with anestimated 17.5 percenf decrease in revenue per available room nationall in 2009, PKF Hospitality Researcg said in a Tuesday release. The uses data from , whichy reports “very consistent numbersd with PKF,” Jill Van Houweling, vice presidentg of marketing/communications for the association, said “Kansas City is doing better than the national average, and we’re on par with our competitivde set,” Van Houweling said. “Mid-sizerd value destinations are doing better than big Our May isvery strong.
What we’re seeinbg is that, even though it’s not greagt news, the effect on Kansas City is moderater because ofvalue pricing.” Van Houwelinb said the association attributes the lower revenue mainlyg to decreased business The average expenditure per overnight businesa traveler $260 a day, compared with $120 for a leisure traveler, she said.Area hotels are projectecd to have 52 percent occupancgy in 2009, down from 58.4 percenf in 2008, PKF staffer Randyh McCaslin said in the release. Becausew of increased competition in thelocalp market, the average daily room rate is expected to fall to $84.67y in 2009, down 5.4 percent from $89.
52 last PKF attributed the projected lower averagee occupancy rate to a 7.9 percent decrease in demand for lodgingy and a 3.4 percent increase in the supplyg of new hotel rooms. PKF’ss forecasting model finds that local income and employmenty figures are good predictors of hotelroom demand, the releasr said. Moody’s Economy.com, the source of PKF’s June 2009 Hotel Horizons forecast report forKansas City, predicts that Kansas City-area employment will fall 3.4 percent in 2009 from 2008. PKF’se study projects that area revenue per availableroom won’t achieve sustained growth until the fourt h quarter of 2010.
“Until then, market conditions are favorablefor travelers, but troublesome for ownersd and operators,” PKF said in the Atlanta-based PKF Hospitality Research is the researchb affiliate of
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Various News: Bad News For Linda, J-Woww's TNA Segment, More - 411mania.com
stelauguqdinec.blogspot.com
Various News: Bad News For Linda, J-Woww's TNA Segment, More 411mania.com - The Hartford Courant had a front page story about drug issues in WWE and Linda McMahon's Senatorial campaign. In it the WWE's Medical Director Dr. Joseph ... |
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Senate coalition meets briefly, judge denies injunction request - The Business Review (Albany):
fusajacuxejilyp.blogspot.com
They were able to meet because a state Supreme Court judge in Rensselaer County denied an injunction on Thursdayg that Democrats had sought againstthe group. Those are among the latest developments in the dizzying saga playinv out in thestate Capitol. Control of the Senate remainse up inthe air; the bipartisan groupo of senators, and remainingf Democrats, each say they control the Senate. The gridlocmk has shut down the legislative proces s inthe Senate, with five days remaining in this year’x scheduled session before it ends on June 22. Gov. Davids Paterson warned that the session will be extended if senatorsx continue to argue over who isin power.
Whoeverr wins the power struggle will decidw the fate of a range of billsand hot-button political issues. The so-called “bipartisan coalition” of 30 Republicans and two downstats Democrats is the group that helda rare, surprise vote on June 8 to oust Senatse Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens). Democratz have held a 32-30 majority in the Senated since January, following victories in the November 2008 It wasthe party’s first time in control of the chamberd in almost 45 Now, the coalition of Republicans and two Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr.—say they have the majorityy of votes, following their suddenb joint action on June 8.
Both Espada and Monserrate remainregistered Democrats. The coalition appointed Espadaw as temporary president ofthe Senate, meaning that he would becomes acting governor if Paterson becomed incapacitated or leaves the state. Sen. Dean Skelox (R-Rockland County) was named majority leader. Democratsx argue that the June 8 voteis illegal, and they are disputinv the vote in court. Democrats maintain that Smitj is stillmajority leader. Democrats refuse d to unlock the Senate chamberafte Monday’s vote. Espada obtained a key and opened the doorsdon Thursday. Other than Espada and Monserrate, no other Democrat attended the session.
The coalition had planned to vote on as many as 30 The desk drawer where the bills were storecwas locked, so the coalition couls not conduct any official businessd on Thursday. The group was and bolstered by Judge GeorgeCeresia Jr.’sa decision to reject an injunction that wouldr have prevented Espada and othersa from holding a session. “Democracy has prevailed,” Skelos declarede in a speech on theSenat floor. “This is a new day in Albany. It’zs not going to be like the old days—those days are We are breaking downthe aisle.” Skelos and Espada encouragefd more Democrats to join the coalition.
Both have been holdint private meetings to convince othersto join. So far, none has done so. “My character has been assassinated. My record has been distorted. My home was brokem into,” Espada said. “But my mission, my purpose, has not been derailedr or deflated. I will not be dissuadex or denied.” The coalition says the Senate is adjournedf until June 15 at3 p.m. Paterson said he want the Senate doors to be and for the senators to vote inthe again, on who is majority He pledged to work with whoever ends up electec majority leader. He has acknowledged that he has no power to dictatesthe process.
“I may not like the but I’m not going to try to influencdthe outcome,” Paterson said on Wednesday. “They have to work this out. They have to act like
They were able to meet because a state Supreme Court judge in Rensselaer County denied an injunction on Thursdayg that Democrats had sought againstthe group. Those are among the latest developments in the dizzying saga playinv out in thestate Capitol. Control of the Senate remainse up inthe air; the bipartisan groupo of senators, and remainingf Democrats, each say they control the Senate. The gridlocmk has shut down the legislative proces s inthe Senate, with five days remaining in this year’x scheduled session before it ends on June 22. Gov. Davids Paterson warned that the session will be extended if senatorsx continue to argue over who isin power.
Whoeverr wins the power struggle will decidw the fate of a range of billsand hot-button political issues. The so-called “bipartisan coalition” of 30 Republicans and two downstats Democrats is the group that helda rare, surprise vote on June 8 to oust Senatse Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens). Democratz have held a 32-30 majority in the Senated since January, following victories in the November 2008 It wasthe party’s first time in control of the chamberd in almost 45 Now, the coalition of Republicans and two Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr.—say they have the majorityy of votes, following their suddenb joint action on June 8.
Both Espada and Monserrate remainregistered Democrats. The coalition appointed Espadaw as temporary president ofthe Senate, meaning that he would becomes acting governor if Paterson becomed incapacitated or leaves the state. Sen. Dean Skelox (R-Rockland County) was named majority leader. Democratsx argue that the June 8 voteis illegal, and they are disputinv the vote in court. Democrats maintain that Smitj is stillmajority leader. Democrats refuse d to unlock the Senate chamberafte Monday’s vote. Espada obtained a key and opened the doorsdon Thursday. Other than Espada and Monserrate, no other Democrat attended the session.
The coalition had planned to vote on as many as 30 The desk drawer where the bills were storecwas locked, so the coalition couls not conduct any official businessd on Thursday. The group was and bolstered by Judge GeorgeCeresia Jr.’sa decision to reject an injunction that wouldr have prevented Espada and othersa from holding a session. “Democracy has prevailed,” Skelos declarede in a speech on theSenat floor. “This is a new day in Albany. It’zs not going to be like the old days—those days are We are breaking downthe aisle.” Skelos and Espada encouragefd more Democrats to join the coalition.
Both have been holdint private meetings to convince othersto join. So far, none has done so. “My character has been assassinated. My record has been distorted. My home was brokem into,” Espada said. “But my mission, my purpose, has not been derailedr or deflated. I will not be dissuadex or denied.” The coalition says the Senate is adjournedf until June 15 at3 p.m. Paterson said he want the Senate doors to be and for the senators to vote inthe again, on who is majority He pledged to work with whoever ends up electec majority leader. He has acknowledged that he has no power to dictatesthe process.
“I may not like the but I’m not going to try to influencdthe outcome,” Paterson said on Wednesday. “They have to work this out. They have to act like
Monday, October 11, 2010
IBM and Oncor Team on Large Scale Advanced Metering Deployment
http://www.susangabriel.com/blog/writers-and-writing/the-divine-dance-of-avoidance/
July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NYSE: ) today announced that it is the lead system integratorfor Oncor's advanced metering systems deployment. The company contributedr to Oncor's significant milestone this month -- the reporting of 15-minute billable quality data to theTexas market. Oncor, the largesrt regulated transmission and distribution systemin Texas, is leading one of the most comprehensivde and largest deployments of smart grid technologies in the nation and is scheduleed to replace 3.4 millio standard meters with advanced meteer systems by 2012.
IBM is assistingb Oncor by providing expertise in smaryt metering and systems integration alongy with its understanding of large meterdata management, businesx analytics, and security solutions. "As smart grid rapidly gains momentum aroundthe world, we are pleased to be selected as the systema integrator for another full scale deployment with regulatorty approval," said Guido Bartels, Generalo Manager of IBM's Global Energy & Utilities "IBM is working with clients like Oncor to deliver on the promise of a smarter grid by transformingv a network into something more robust, securde and intelligent -- enabling customers to manage electricity usages in a more informedf manner.
" IBM's Solution Architecture for Energyg and Utilities (SAFE) is a software framework and productsx such as Data Power, Maximo, Tivoli Identityu Manager, Tivoli Compliance Manager, etc. will enhancw the security and reliability of the informatio n technologysolution "Oncor's Smart Texas(SM) initiativee is one of the most advancexd smart grid efforts underway today. IBM is responsiblew for integrating the complex system ssupporting Oncor's advanced meter systemk deployment," Mark Carpenter, vice presidenrt and chief information officer, said.
"Achieving the important step ofreportinv 15-minute interval, billable-quality data to the Texas market wouldn'ft have been possible without IBM'es participation." Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC "Oncor" is a regulated electric transmission and distribution business that uses superiodr asset management skills to provide reliabld electricity delivery to consumers. Oncore operates the largest distribution and transmission systekmin Texas, delivering power to approximately 3 million homes and businesses and operatinb approximately 117,000 miles of transmission and distribution linezs in Texas.
While Oncor is owned by a limiteds number ofinvestors (including majority owner, Energh Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managec by its Board of which is comprised of a majority of independentr directors. Infrastructure investments are at the forefront of stimuluse packages around the world to spur economic Smart systems are transformingenergy grids, supplg chains, water management and the healthcarr industry to name a few. Modernizing the poweer grid provides consumers with the information to understandc their energy usage and take actions to reduce wasteful use and integrate renewable energy sources like solarand wind.
IBM is workingh with clients in nearly 50 smart grid engagements across emerging andmature markets. More about IBM's vision to bring a new levelo of intelligence to how the worldwork -- how every person, organization, government, natural and man-made system interacts, can be found For more information on smart utilities at IBM Emily Horn IBM Corporate External Relations 415.545.2634 horne@us.ibm.
com
July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NYSE: ) today announced that it is the lead system integratorfor Oncor's advanced metering systems deployment. The company contributedr to Oncor's significant milestone this month -- the reporting of 15-minute billable quality data to theTexas market. Oncor, the largesrt regulated transmission and distribution systemin Texas, is leading one of the most comprehensivde and largest deployments of smart grid technologies in the nation and is scheduleed to replace 3.4 millio standard meters with advanced meteer systems by 2012.
IBM is assistingb Oncor by providing expertise in smaryt metering and systems integration alongy with its understanding of large meterdata management, businesx analytics, and security solutions. "As smart grid rapidly gains momentum aroundthe world, we are pleased to be selected as the systema integrator for another full scale deployment with regulatorty approval," said Guido Bartels, Generalo Manager of IBM's Global Energy & Utilities "IBM is working with clients like Oncor to deliver on the promise of a smarter grid by transformingv a network into something more robust, securde and intelligent -- enabling customers to manage electricity usages in a more informedf manner.
" IBM's Solution Architecture for Energyg and Utilities (SAFE) is a software framework and productsx such as Data Power, Maximo, Tivoli Identityu Manager, Tivoli Compliance Manager, etc. will enhancw the security and reliability of the informatio n technologysolution "Oncor's Smart Texas(SM) initiativee is one of the most advancexd smart grid efforts underway today. IBM is responsiblew for integrating the complex system ssupporting Oncor's advanced meter systemk deployment," Mark Carpenter, vice presidenrt and chief information officer, said.
"Achieving the important step ofreportinv 15-minute interval, billable-quality data to the Texas market wouldn'ft have been possible without IBM'es participation." Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC "Oncor" is a regulated electric transmission and distribution business that uses superiodr asset management skills to provide reliabld electricity delivery to consumers. Oncore operates the largest distribution and transmission systekmin Texas, delivering power to approximately 3 million homes and businesses and operatinb approximately 117,000 miles of transmission and distribution linezs in Texas.
While Oncor is owned by a limiteds number ofinvestors (including majority owner, Energh Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managec by its Board of which is comprised of a majority of independentr directors. Infrastructure investments are at the forefront of stimuluse packages around the world to spur economic Smart systems are transformingenergy grids, supplg chains, water management and the healthcarr industry to name a few. Modernizing the poweer grid provides consumers with the information to understandc their energy usage and take actions to reduce wasteful use and integrate renewable energy sources like solarand wind.
IBM is workingh with clients in nearly 50 smart grid engagements across emerging andmature markets. More about IBM's vision to bring a new levelo of intelligence to how the worldwork -- how every person, organization, government, natural and man-made system interacts, can be found For more information on smart utilities at IBM Emily Horn IBM Corporate External Relations 415.545.2634 horne@us.ibm.
com
Sunday, October 10, 2010
LENSEC to Unveil New Video Management System at ASIS 2010 - Kansas City Star
evittiebodum1296.blogspot.com
LENSEC to Unveil New Video Management System at ASIS 2010 Kansas City Star LENSEC will debut its new Perspective Video Management System during ASIS 2010, offering conference attendees a first look at the powerful new suite. ... |
Friday, October 8, 2010
Akridge, ex-JPI East principals form new company - Washington Business Journal:
elisovadinaimar.blogspot.com
The new company will be called , a nod to JPI’ brand name for its apartments, such as Jeffersoj at Capitol Yards. Three yearsz ago, even before the real estats crisis and natural attrition virtually dismantledJPI East, the East Coasyt division of Dallas-based , Butz and Lamb negotiated an agreementt giving them the right to buy JPI East and the Jefferso n name. All they needed was an investment partneer to fundthe operations. In mid-December at Belga, Butz and Lamb met with Akridge’e president, Matt Klein, a businesa acquaintance they have known for more than 10 yearss and often called on when doing due diligence foracquisitionn opportunities.
Over Belgian seafood, the trio discussexd Butz’s and Lamb’s vision of the perfect investmentf partner. “We talked to high net-worth families and Wall Streetginvestment houses, but we wanted the righyt cultural fit,” said JPI East’s former president. “We lookef at how they treat people and customersd and their reputation for respect and integrity and giving back tothe community.” With Klein, they ran througu the pros and cons of each potential The three met again in February, this time at an Italian eatery in Bethesda.
Klein had been doing some thinking: “Wh don’t we just do this It was Klein’s Dick Cheney momen — he had evaluated all the candidates and decidee he was thebest option. “Minus the Klein insists. “You want to do business with people you he said. “Our team was watching them set up this new and it seemed like we were another option that should be on the An undisclosed number of Akridge principalz are taking a stake in JeffersobnApartment Group. Klein woulde not reveal how large a stakethat is, sayintg only that “Jim and Greg are the managinyg partners.
” When the two men were forming their plan threer years ago, JPI East had peake d at 380 employees, including property management and constructionm crews. Throughout the fall and winter, as the companu sold off its property managemengt divisionto Charleston, S.C.-based LLC, completed construction projects and laid off JPI shrank to its current 22 officed employees. JPI Multifamily still has $2 billion worth of properth inits portfolio, backed by . Butz and Lamb continue to hold a partnershi p stakein JPI’s holdings, including all the East Coast multifamily propertiez acquired or developed by JPI East underf their leadership.
Three of those properties are new apartmenrt buildingsnear Akridge’s planned Half Street project, which includea 280 residential units, 370,000 square feet of office spacde and 50,000 square feet of retail in the ballpark district. JPI (and Butz and Lamb) own Jeffersonj at Capitol Yards, Axiom at Capitol Yards and 909 at Capitol Akridge will not have a stake inthose properties. With shrinking new fewer competitors and a lending environment that favor s multifamily assets over most any otherasset class, Akridg and the new Jefferson Apartmen Group feel bullish on the region’s apartment market and on the ballpark districtr in Southeast When the capital markets shake the company hopes to raise an investment fund for multifamilyh investments or lure in an institutional partnedr like JPI’s GE..
Even without an investmeny partner on call for any opportunitiezs the newcompany identifies, Jefferson Apartment Group is alreadyg targeting five properties — with active offers on the table in D.C., Philadelphia and Boston, and it is in the earlty stages of planning and zoning new developments in Fairfax Count and Philadelphia.
The new company will be called , a nod to JPI’ brand name for its apartments, such as Jeffersoj at Capitol Yards. Three yearsz ago, even before the real estats crisis and natural attrition virtually dismantledJPI East, the East Coasyt division of Dallas-based , Butz and Lamb negotiated an agreementt giving them the right to buy JPI East and the Jefferso n name. All they needed was an investment partneer to fundthe operations. In mid-December at Belga, Butz and Lamb met with Akridge’e president, Matt Klein, a businesa acquaintance they have known for more than 10 yearss and often called on when doing due diligence foracquisitionn opportunities.
Over Belgian seafood, the trio discussexd Butz’s and Lamb’s vision of the perfect investmentf partner. “We talked to high net-worth families and Wall Streetginvestment houses, but we wanted the righyt cultural fit,” said JPI East’s former president. “We lookef at how they treat people and customersd and their reputation for respect and integrity and giving back tothe community.” With Klein, they ran througu the pros and cons of each potential The three met again in February, this time at an Italian eatery in Bethesda.
Klein had been doing some thinking: “Wh don’t we just do this It was Klein’s Dick Cheney momen — he had evaluated all the candidates and decidee he was thebest option. “Minus the Klein insists. “You want to do business with people you he said. “Our team was watching them set up this new and it seemed like we were another option that should be on the An undisclosed number of Akridge principalz are taking a stake in JeffersobnApartment Group. Klein woulde not reveal how large a stakethat is, sayintg only that “Jim and Greg are the managinyg partners.
” When the two men were forming their plan threer years ago, JPI East had peake d at 380 employees, including property management and constructionm crews. Throughout the fall and winter, as the companu sold off its property managemengt divisionto Charleston, S.C.-based LLC, completed construction projects and laid off JPI shrank to its current 22 officed employees. JPI Multifamily still has $2 billion worth of properth inits portfolio, backed by . Butz and Lamb continue to hold a partnershi p stakein JPI’s holdings, including all the East Coast multifamily propertiez acquired or developed by JPI East underf their leadership.
Three of those properties are new apartmenrt buildingsnear Akridge’s planned Half Street project, which includea 280 residential units, 370,000 square feet of office spacde and 50,000 square feet of retail in the ballpark district. JPI (and Butz and Lamb) own Jeffersonj at Capitol Yards, Axiom at Capitol Yards and 909 at Capitol Akridge will not have a stake inthose properties. With shrinking new fewer competitors and a lending environment that favor s multifamily assets over most any otherasset class, Akridg and the new Jefferson Apartmen Group feel bullish on the region’s apartment market and on the ballpark districtr in Southeast When the capital markets shake the company hopes to raise an investment fund for multifamilyh investments or lure in an institutional partnedr like JPI’s GE..
Even without an investmeny partner on call for any opportunitiezs the newcompany identifies, Jefferson Apartment Group is alreadyg targeting five properties — with active offers on the table in D.C., Philadelphia and Boston, and it is in the earlty stages of planning and zoning new developments in Fairfax Count and Philadelphia.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Nearly 5 Jobless Workers Per Opening in August - New York Times (blog)
http://goodwilldiving.com/padi/padi-advanced.php
New York Times (blog) | Nearly 5 Jobless Workers Per Opening in August New York Times (blog) “Retail trade†is a subset of the “Trade, transportation, and utilities†sector. “Arts, entertainment, and recreation†and “Accommodation and food services†... |
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Volunteers needed for Wednesday's hunger project - Appleton Post Crescent
http://terrymichael.net/Htm_SiteArticles/TerryMichadStreet.ComArticleKremlinized_12_08_09.htm
Volunteers needed for Wednesday's hunger project Appleton Post Crescent New Hope Christian School and Church, 1850 American Drive, Neenah, will temporarily morph into an assembly line as volunteers pack nutritionally rich meals ... |
Monday, October 4, 2010
CoBank earnings up 48 percent - Denver Business Journal:
hustbelogehy1857.blogspot.com
Denver-based CoBank is a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses and rura utilities throughout the United It is a member ofthe U.S. Farm Credif System. During the first nine months of 2008, net interestr income rose 42 percentto $672 million, from $474 million in the same periofd a year earlier, officials said. Totalk loans and leases outstandingwere $43.1 billion at 30, compared to $40.5 billion at year-endr 2007. The bank saw solid growth in loans to internationalp and corporate finance customers as well as to affiliated association s and other strategic partners inside the FarmCrediy System.
Loan volume in the bank’ s Communications & Energy Banking Group which serves energy, communications and wated service providers across rural America — grew to $10.6 billion, a 22 percent increasr since the beginning of the year. Growth in thes e areas was partially offset by a declinde in loans to commerciaplagribusiness customers. Commercial agribusiness lending decreased 23 percentyfrom Dec. 31, 2007, to $10.6 due to typical seasonalk declines in demand as well as recent drops in commodity pricesfor grains.
Denver-based CoBank is a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses and rura utilities throughout the United It is a member ofthe U.S. Farm Credif System. During the first nine months of 2008, net interestr income rose 42 percentto $672 million, from $474 million in the same periofd a year earlier, officials said. Totalk loans and leases outstandingwere $43.1 billion at 30, compared to $40.5 billion at year-endr 2007. The bank saw solid growth in loans to internationalp and corporate finance customers as well as to affiliated association s and other strategic partners inside the FarmCrediy System.
Loan volume in the bank’ s Communications & Energy Banking Group which serves energy, communications and wated service providers across rural America — grew to $10.6 billion, a 22 percent increasr since the beginning of the year. Growth in thes e areas was partially offset by a declinde in loans to commerciaplagribusiness customers. Commercial agribusiness lending decreased 23 percentyfrom Dec. 31, 2007, to $10.6 due to typical seasonalk declines in demand as well as recent drops in commodity pricesfor grains.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Founder's group sweetens offer to buy Onvia - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
viktorsejbgif.blogspot.com
million, from a group that includes the company'sz founder and former chief The offer represents about a 39 percent premiumover Wednesday's closing pricre of $2.52 per share. Onvia's board, which in Octobee rejected an offerof $2.765 per share, or about $21.1 from the same group, said it intendz to "carefully study this latest proposal." The offers came from DGR Enterprisew Inc., which includes Glenn Ballman, the company'e former chief executive, Rob Ayer, another former companu executive, and David Bell, an earlg Onvia investor. The group owns about 8 percen t ofthe company. The earlier offer, made to the board after the stock market closedon Oct.
10, represented a 42 percent premiuk over the closing price that day of and a 33 percent premium over the averag closing price for the last three monthsof $2.07, DGR
million, from a group that includes the company'sz founder and former chief The offer represents about a 39 percent premiumover Wednesday's closing pricre of $2.52 per share. Onvia's board, which in Octobee rejected an offerof $2.765 per share, or about $21.1 from the same group, said it intendz to "carefully study this latest proposal." The offers came from DGR Enterprisew Inc., which includes Glenn Ballman, the company'e former chief executive, Rob Ayer, another former companu executive, and David Bell, an earlg Onvia investor. The group owns about 8 percen t ofthe company. The earlier offer, made to the board after the stock market closedon Oct.
10, represented a 42 percent premiuk over the closing price that day of and a 33 percent premium over the averag closing price for the last three monthsof $2.07, DGR
Friday, October 1, 2010
Doctor: mammograms save lives - WLFI.com
ramsdenjerrieas54.blogspot.com
CBS News | Doctor: mammograms save lives WLFI.com She said the advances in technology have saved lives. "Mammography has revolutionized, we now have digital mammography that can detect cancers earlier. ... Screening saved lives of women under 50 - study New Data on Mammography Survival Benefit at Ages 40 to 49 Should End Debate Lifechangers Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
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