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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Class and specialization abilities in Mists ... - Joystiq
tatyanagepoji.blogspot.com
The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Class and specialization abilities in Mists ... Joystiq The calculator lists class abilities and specialization only abilities in addition to talents, which means we now have more details to examine in terms of what's coming. One thing I noted immediately was that yes, arms is going to be the only tree with ... |
Friday, November 25, 2011
Calif. homeowners file class action against KB Home, affiliates - Washington Business Journal:
http://property-canada.com/intellectualpropertycanada.html
The lawsuit lists identical claims to a suit filexd in Arizonalast month. Homeowners clai m KB Home and the other defendants inflated home prices by as muchas $300 millio n in California alone. The suit filed by Seattle-based Hagensa Berman Sobol Shapiro claims that between 2006 and KB built morethan 15,000 homes in California at an averags selling price of $425,000, and each home had an inflated appraised value of about $20,000. "KBv and Countrywide created an opportunity where the companies couls control every aspect ofa buyer's real estate said Steve Berman, lead attorneg and managing partner at HBSS.
"The defendants essentially created a black hole in the where they could rig and falsify appraisals and home sale valuez and customers had absolutelyno idea." Accordin g to the 75-page Countrywide funneled all its KB customers' home appraisals to one personj at LandSafe, an appraisal subsidiaruy of Countrywide who in turn would deliver an appraisapl value at whatever KB and Countrywide These individuals were under direct instruction to value homes at or abovs the contract price, even if it meant violating regulatory guidelines and the suit claims. The suit says that in two KB Home sampled appraisals were inflated by $48,000 and $52,000 per property.
The suit includeds allegations of a second scheme with Countrywide and its subsidiaryuappraisal arm, LandSafe. The suit alleges LandSafw outsourced appraisal work to some individuak appraisers and forced appraisers to accept payment belowmarkett value. LandSafe then charged plaintiffs upwardsof $400 for servicezs when the company completed no work of its own, the suit According to the complaint, KB Home ran into similar appraisal problems in 2005 when it settled with HUD for $3.2 million to resolv e an investigation into the company'ds underwriting violations.
The HBSS lawsuit claims violations of the Racketeerd Influenced and Corrupt OrganizationsAct (RICO) and violation of Californiwa unfair competition law. KB' major markets in California include communities inSan Fresno, Los Angeles and Ventura, Orange County, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Oakland and
The lawsuit lists identical claims to a suit filexd in Arizonalast month. Homeowners clai m KB Home and the other defendants inflated home prices by as muchas $300 millio n in California alone. The suit filed by Seattle-based Hagensa Berman Sobol Shapiro claims that between 2006 and KB built morethan 15,000 homes in California at an averags selling price of $425,000, and each home had an inflated appraised value of about $20,000. "KBv and Countrywide created an opportunity where the companies couls control every aspect ofa buyer's real estate said Steve Berman, lead attorneg and managing partner at HBSS.
"The defendants essentially created a black hole in the where they could rig and falsify appraisals and home sale valuez and customers had absolutelyno idea." Accordin g to the 75-page Countrywide funneled all its KB customers' home appraisals to one personj at LandSafe, an appraisal subsidiaruy of Countrywide who in turn would deliver an appraisapl value at whatever KB and Countrywide These individuals were under direct instruction to value homes at or abovs the contract price, even if it meant violating regulatory guidelines and the suit claims. The suit says that in two KB Home sampled appraisals were inflated by $48,000 and $52,000 per property.
The suit includeds allegations of a second scheme with Countrywide and its subsidiaryuappraisal arm, LandSafe. The suit alleges LandSafw outsourced appraisal work to some individuak appraisers and forced appraisers to accept payment belowmarkett value. LandSafe then charged plaintiffs upwardsof $400 for servicezs when the company completed no work of its own, the suit According to the complaint, KB Home ran into similar appraisal problems in 2005 when it settled with HUD for $3.2 million to resolv e an investigation into the company'ds underwriting violations.
The HBSS lawsuit claims violations of the Racketeerd Influenced and Corrupt OrganizationsAct (RICO) and violation of Californiwa unfair competition law. KB' major markets in California include communities inSan Fresno, Los Angeles and Ventura, Orange County, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Oakland and
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Wells' hand shines as banks play high-stakes Texas poker - Denver Business Journal:
gorbunovabowiper.blogspot.com
In addition to the San Francisco bank's crown jewel -- it's status as California's second-largestr bank -- Wells Fargo's strength in states such as Texas bodes well forthe company's long-ter m prospects. Texas is hot righft now, in more ways than one. Prospects for surging populationhgrowth -- and the depositxs that accompany such growthb -- has bankers eager to expand in that struck a deal last month to finallg enter Texas retail banking with the purchase of in Texas. No, that's not a typo. The nation's largest bank with $1.19o trillion in assets made its Texas debutg with the purchase of a bankwith $3.5 billionm in assets and 102 branches.
The deal gives Citigrouop a deposit market share ofjust 0.8 percent in By comparison, Wells Fargo holds 7.7 percent of Texas making it that state's third-largest The combined J.P. Morgan Chase- holds a 23.7 percengt share of deposits, and comes in secondd with 12.3 percent, according to SNL , eager to take its huge East Coast franchise intothe West, said in Februar that it planned to build a Texazs branch network from the ground up, startintg with 150 branches by 2008. That sounds more like a move a bank makeas when its merger overtures havebeen rebuffed. based in Charlotte, N.C., has since announced plans to acquire Alabama's SouthTrustt for $13.
7 billion, which includes 60 Texas giving Wachoviaa 0.7 percent It's no wonder that Wachovia's fledglinfg efforts to go West fuel speculatiob on a Wachovia-Wells Fargo combinatioj occurring some day. Wells Fargo CEO Dick Kovacevich has consistentl y denied any ambitions for seeingthe bank'a ubiquitous stage coach traveling up the Atlantix Coast. But recent Texas deals that generated as much enthusiasmas warmed-u p leftovers show just how valuable Wells Fargo's western franchisw is becoming.
Bank of Marin addex another woman toits board, bringinf female representation in the boardroom to 20 The bank elected Jan an entrepreneur and former journalist, to its board of Her entrepreneurial pursuits include Media and Marketing Strategicc Planning as well as bein a founding partner of Fair which provides college and career guidance for young women, and Thrivinb Together, a business that seeks to inspire womenn in the areas of business, family and "She is highly recognizable in the communitty and will provide a unique perspectiver to our board," said Judy a longtime board member who was elected chairmanh last year.
It also doesn't hurt for competitivee reasons to have more women in the boarfd room as the bank goes up againstf rapidly expanding and Epic parent ofTamalpais Bank. Both banks are run by Circle is run byKimberly Petrini, and Epic is led by her Kit Cole. But Bank of Marin, with about half its executivre suites filledwith women, downplayed the idea that it searched for a womahn to fill the board seat. "It'w a matter of getting the best people on the aspokeswoman said. Investors will do well to remember that actionsd speak louder than words in assessing the outlook for the stock advisesJames Paulsen, chief investment strategist for , a unit of Wells Fargo.
In addition to the San Francisco bank's crown jewel -- it's status as California's second-largestr bank -- Wells Fargo's strength in states such as Texas bodes well forthe company's long-ter m prospects. Texas is hot righft now, in more ways than one. Prospects for surging populationhgrowth -- and the depositxs that accompany such growthb -- has bankers eager to expand in that struck a deal last month to finallg enter Texas retail banking with the purchase of in Texas. No, that's not a typo. The nation's largest bank with $1.19o trillion in assets made its Texas debutg with the purchase of a bankwith $3.5 billionm in assets and 102 branches.
The deal gives Citigrouop a deposit market share ofjust 0.8 percent in By comparison, Wells Fargo holds 7.7 percent of Texas making it that state's third-largest The combined J.P. Morgan Chase- holds a 23.7 percengt share of deposits, and comes in secondd with 12.3 percent, according to SNL , eager to take its huge East Coast franchise intothe West, said in Februar that it planned to build a Texazs branch network from the ground up, startintg with 150 branches by 2008. That sounds more like a move a bank makeas when its merger overtures havebeen rebuffed. based in Charlotte, N.C., has since announced plans to acquire Alabama's SouthTrustt for $13.
7 billion, which includes 60 Texas giving Wachoviaa 0.7 percent It's no wonder that Wachovia's fledglinfg efforts to go West fuel speculatiob on a Wachovia-Wells Fargo combinatioj occurring some day. Wells Fargo CEO Dick Kovacevich has consistentl y denied any ambitions for seeingthe bank'a ubiquitous stage coach traveling up the Atlantix Coast. But recent Texas deals that generated as much enthusiasmas warmed-u p leftovers show just how valuable Wells Fargo's western franchisw is becoming.
Bank of Marin addex another woman toits board, bringinf female representation in the boardroom to 20 The bank elected Jan an entrepreneur and former journalist, to its board of Her entrepreneurial pursuits include Media and Marketing Strategicc Planning as well as bein a founding partner of Fair which provides college and career guidance for young women, and Thrivinb Together, a business that seeks to inspire womenn in the areas of business, family and "She is highly recognizable in the communitty and will provide a unique perspectiver to our board," said Judy a longtime board member who was elected chairmanh last year.
It also doesn't hurt for competitivee reasons to have more women in the boarfd room as the bank goes up againstf rapidly expanding and Epic parent ofTamalpais Bank. Both banks are run by Circle is run byKimberly Petrini, and Epic is led by her Kit Cole. But Bank of Marin, with about half its executivre suites filledwith women, downplayed the idea that it searched for a womahn to fill the board seat. "It'w a matter of getting the best people on the aspokeswoman said. Investors will do well to remember that actionsd speak louder than words in assessing the outlook for the stock advisesJames Paulsen, chief investment strategist for , a unit of Wells Fargo.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Lingle orders unpaid days off for workers - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
uvepexatawus.blogspot.com
In an address broadcast from the State Lingle also said she would scale back free Medicaidx benefitsto low-income adults and said the statr would delay paying some of its larger billzs until July. The governor is also askinyg the Judiciary, the and the Office of Hawaiia n Affairs to implement equivalenr furlough days or restrict their budgets. Hawaii law does not allowa ordering furloughs for the Departmentof Education, the Universityu of Hawaii or the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, but Lingle said theifr spending will be restrictex in an amount equivalent to the three-days-per-month The furloughs, which startr July 1, amount to about a 13.
8 percent pay cut, or aboutt $5,500 for a worker making $40,000 a year. As with Lingle does not have to negotiate the furlough s with any of the unionzs representingstate workers. Lingle has said she doesn’r want to lay off workers becausee of the disruptive effect of contract ruled that would enable senior workers to junior workers, even if they worked in differeny state agencies. The furloughs will save $688 million. Linglre said the savings are needed to clos a gapof $730 million between now and June 30, as forecast by the state’s Council on Revenues May 28. All Hawaii is expected to see tax revenuew fallby $2.
7 billion over the next two “If we do not implement the furlough we would have to lay off up to 10,00o0 employees to realize an equivalent amounyt of savings,” Lingle said. The state has about 46,000 workers, including 21,000 employees of the Department of Lingle blamed the fiscal shortfall on thelingerinb recession, rising unemployment, dropping visitorf arrivals, a decline in private building a doubling of foreclosures, and record bankruptcy levels. The stater Legislature ended its session last month by raisingh tax rates onhotel rooms, high-income earners, luxury home transactionsa and tobacco to help meet the budgety shortfall.
But Lingle, a Republican whosed vetoes of those measures were overridden bymajority Democrats, said she woulcd not ask for additional tax increases. She also rejected callsd for legalizing gambling. Lingle noted that 70 percent of statre operating funds go to labor costws and that the state had provided employee wage increase of between 16 and 29 percent over the past fouryears “when our economy was thriving.
”
In an address broadcast from the State Lingle also said she would scale back free Medicaidx benefitsto low-income adults and said the statr would delay paying some of its larger billzs until July. The governor is also askinyg the Judiciary, the and the Office of Hawaiia n Affairs to implement equivalenr furlough days or restrict their budgets. Hawaii law does not allowa ordering furloughs for the Departmentof Education, the Universityu of Hawaii or the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, but Lingle said theifr spending will be restrictex in an amount equivalent to the three-days-per-month The furloughs, which startr July 1, amount to about a 13.
8 percent pay cut, or aboutt $5,500 for a worker making $40,000 a year. As with Lingle does not have to negotiate the furlough s with any of the unionzs representingstate workers. Lingle has said she doesn’r want to lay off workers becausee of the disruptive effect of contract ruled that would enable senior workers to junior workers, even if they worked in differeny state agencies. The furloughs will save $688 million. Linglre said the savings are needed to clos a gapof $730 million between now and June 30, as forecast by the state’s Council on Revenues May 28. All Hawaii is expected to see tax revenuew fallby $2.
7 billion over the next two “If we do not implement the furlough we would have to lay off up to 10,00o0 employees to realize an equivalent amounyt of savings,” Lingle said. The state has about 46,000 workers, including 21,000 employees of the Department of Lingle blamed the fiscal shortfall on thelingerinb recession, rising unemployment, dropping visitorf arrivals, a decline in private building a doubling of foreclosures, and record bankruptcy levels. The stater Legislature ended its session last month by raisingh tax rates onhotel rooms, high-income earners, luxury home transactionsa and tobacco to help meet the budgety shortfall.
But Lingle, a Republican whosed vetoes of those measures were overridden bymajority Democrats, said she woulcd not ask for additional tax increases. She also rejected callsd for legalizing gambling. Lingle noted that 70 percent of statre operating funds go to labor costws and that the state had provided employee wage increase of between 16 and 29 percent over the past fouryears “when our economy was thriving.
”
Friday, November 18, 2011
S&P rates Virginia bonds AAA - Washington Business Journal:
llrx-royce.blogspot.com
Virginia will use proceeds from the bonds to fund educational and park facilities and to retireexisting “The rating reflects what we view as the Commonwealth’as strong and broad-based economy that in the past decadre has grown at a faster pace than the national says Standard & Poor’s crediy analyst Karl Jacob in his “The rating also reflects what we consideer Virginia’s strong financial position demonstrated by good long history of proactive and conservative financial and manageable debt burden.
” Standard & Poor’sx also says Virginia’s overall economic strength, employment diversity and good incomer levels will offset the near-terk effects of the recession. Standarx & Poor’s also affirme its “AAA” ratings on othefr Virginia bonds outstanding.
Virginia will use proceeds from the bonds to fund educational and park facilities and to retireexisting “The rating reflects what we view as the Commonwealth’as strong and broad-based economy that in the past decadre has grown at a faster pace than the national says Standard & Poor’s crediy analyst Karl Jacob in his “The rating also reflects what we consideer Virginia’s strong financial position demonstrated by good long history of proactive and conservative financial and manageable debt burden.
” Standard & Poor’sx also says Virginia’s overall economic strength, employment diversity and good incomer levels will offset the near-terk effects of the recession. Standarx & Poor’s also affirme its “AAA” ratings on othefr Virginia bonds outstanding.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
GOP: Admin. Tried to Halt Solyndra Layoffs - TIME
vykyvimote.wordpress.com
Reuters UK | GOP: Admin. Tried to Halt Solyndra Layoffs TIME 16, 2011 (WASHINGTON) â€" The Obama administration wanted the failing solar energy company Solyndra to delay announcing employee layoffs last year until after the 2010 midterm elections, Republican investigators say. A memo prepared by GOP staff at the ... You are here: Blog / O bama Admin. Pushed Solyndra Layoff Announcement Until ... |
Monday, November 14, 2011
Plans for $200M racetrack, entertainment center near DIA announced - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
deeshu-tatum.blogspot.com
The announcement comes after years of discussion about the possibility of a track opening inthe area, although there was no word Wednesdayu of a NASCAR commitment to the Auroraw venture. . The facility announced Wednesdayh would be located in theplannefd 6,500-acre TransPort cargo-distribution developmeng along Interstate 70 several miles east of Pena Boulevard. Bill Schucko -- whose company, , is the developere of TransPort -- is one of the principalss involvedin Wednesday's racetrackm announcement. Schuck's plans call for the track comples to includea one-mild oval speedway and a four-mile road courss with room for 65,000p to 100,000 spectators.
The facility would accommodate a variety ofracingg types, including stock car, open wheel, road racing, club and track Kart racing and motorcycle racing. Schuck noted that the site is zoned forindustrial use, yet providesx easy access to spectators. The announcement said TransPort is negotiatinhwith "national and regional tourisnm attractions" and retailers to locate on the site along with the racetrackl "to create a true 'destination' entertainment and tourism "The Schuck Corp.
, and its long-time financial partners, will lead the private investment effort for the motor sportsa complex and will work with a variety of national and local partners with motor sports experience who are interestee in establishing a national racing venu in Colorado," the announcement said. "In addition, Schuck is workinv with Greg Stevinson, the Jefferson County real estatee developerand investor, on a variety of othee development opportunities on the site," the announcement added. Gerrhy Freeman, a spokesman for the development group, said NASCAR's involvement isn't pivotal to starting the project.
"There are a variet of other motor racing events that could be held at this he said. Financing will be a combination of private investorssand debt, which is yet to be fullty committed, although Freeman stressed that the project's organizerzs do not see financing to be a problem. He said a number of investors are waiting to jump on the project pendin completion of a final economic feasibility which is expected in afew weeks. Schuck's groul also will seek financial help from locall and state government shares of the federal economicd stimulus programas well.
The Colorado Legislature this month passed a measure aimed at providing incentives for majoftourism projects, with the possibilityt of a racetrack mentioned by lawmakeres in arguing for its passage. The measure, Senate Bill 173, awaitxs Gov. Bill Ritter's signature. Sponsored by Sen. Jennifer D-Denver, SB 173 would allow local governments to work with the Colorado Economivc Development Commission to set up enterprise zones that help to defra the infrastructure and construction costs of major tourism projects. State sales tax revenueas would help to fundthe projects. Lawmakers capped the measure's benefits at $50 million.
The announcement comes after years of discussion about the possibility of a track opening inthe area, although there was no word Wednesdayu of a NASCAR commitment to the Auroraw venture. . The facility announced Wednesdayh would be located in theplannefd 6,500-acre TransPort cargo-distribution developmeng along Interstate 70 several miles east of Pena Boulevard. Bill Schucko -- whose company, , is the developere of TransPort -- is one of the principalss involvedin Wednesday's racetrackm announcement. Schuck's plans call for the track comples to includea one-mild oval speedway and a four-mile road courss with room for 65,000p to 100,000 spectators.
The facility would accommodate a variety ofracingg types, including stock car, open wheel, road racing, club and track Kart racing and motorcycle racing. Schuck noted that the site is zoned forindustrial use, yet providesx easy access to spectators. The announcement said TransPort is negotiatinhwith "national and regional tourisnm attractions" and retailers to locate on the site along with the racetrackl "to create a true 'destination' entertainment and tourism "The Schuck Corp.
, and its long-time financial partners, will lead the private investment effort for the motor sportsa complex and will work with a variety of national and local partners with motor sports experience who are interestee in establishing a national racing venu in Colorado," the announcement said. "In addition, Schuck is workinv with Greg Stevinson, the Jefferson County real estatee developerand investor, on a variety of othee development opportunities on the site," the announcement added. Gerrhy Freeman, a spokesman for the development group, said NASCAR's involvement isn't pivotal to starting the project.
"There are a variet of other motor racing events that could be held at this he said. Financing will be a combination of private investorssand debt, which is yet to be fullty committed, although Freeman stressed that the project's organizerzs do not see financing to be a problem. He said a number of investors are waiting to jump on the project pendin completion of a final economic feasibility which is expected in afew weeks. Schuck's groul also will seek financial help from locall and state government shares of the federal economicd stimulus programas well.
The Colorado Legislature this month passed a measure aimed at providing incentives for majoftourism projects, with the possibilityt of a racetrack mentioned by lawmakeres in arguing for its passage. The measure, Senate Bill 173, awaitxs Gov. Bill Ritter's signature. Sponsored by Sen. Jennifer D-Denver, SB 173 would allow local governments to work with the Colorado Economivc Development Commission to set up enterprise zones that help to defra the infrastructure and construction costs of major tourism projects. State sales tax revenueas would help to fundthe projects. Lawmakers capped the measure's benefits at $50 million.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
McCain backs Whitman to succeed Schwarzenegger - Phoenix Business Journal:
coeragnheidur3778.blogspot.com
is backing former eBay CEO Meg Whitmab in her bid to replace Arnoldc Schwarzenegger asCalifornia governor. Term limits prevent Schwarzeneggee for running againin 2010. “Americans acrosw the country, are facing unprecedented economicf challenges, and Meg Whitman has the righft credentials torestart California‘ws economic engines,” McCain said in a “Meg led eBay with and her inspirational leadership has helped 1.3 million people make if not all, of their livin g selling on eBay.
I applaud her goalsd of getting Californi ans back to work by creating 2milliohn jobs, her commitment to fixinyg California’s budget problems, and helping to restors the public trust in government by cutting wasteful Whitman was among McCain’s businesd backers during his failed 2008 presidential bid. Californiqa faces a mammoth budget its economy hit hard by the recessionn and realestate crash. The 2010 governor’s race could be heavyweigh t affair with potential Democratic candidatexs suchas U.S. Sen.
Dianne San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and statwe Attorney General Jerry Whitman could faceformer Hewlett-Packard CEO Carlyy Fiorina, another McCain backer, in the GOP primary.
is backing former eBay CEO Meg Whitmab in her bid to replace Arnoldc Schwarzenegger asCalifornia governor. Term limits prevent Schwarzeneggee for running againin 2010. “Americans acrosw the country, are facing unprecedented economicf challenges, and Meg Whitman has the righft credentials torestart California‘ws economic engines,” McCain said in a “Meg led eBay with and her inspirational leadership has helped 1.3 million people make if not all, of their livin g selling on eBay.
I applaud her goalsd of getting Californi ans back to work by creating 2milliohn jobs, her commitment to fixinyg California’s budget problems, and helping to restors the public trust in government by cutting wasteful Whitman was among McCain’s businesd backers during his failed 2008 presidential bid. Californiqa faces a mammoth budget its economy hit hard by the recessionn and realestate crash. The 2010 governor’s race could be heavyweigh t affair with potential Democratic candidatexs suchas U.S. Sen.
Dianne San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and statwe Attorney General Jerry Whitman could faceformer Hewlett-Packard CEO Carlyy Fiorina, another McCain backer, in the GOP primary.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Mechanics in high gear - bizjournals:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
The seven shops joined the international FixAuto brand, which meanss they consolidated just enough to win valuable business from the insurance industry while protecting their mom-and-pop The seven new Fix Auto shops collectivelt employ 104 people and had more than $17.8 milliob in revenue last year. The shops originally teamed up nearly sevenjyears ago, but until this year kept theirr old names with the Fix Auto brand remainingy secondary to their business identities.
This spring, all sevej agreed to convert to the Fix Auto name in orderf to stand out in a market dotted with Fix Auto is an international networm of independent auto repair shops that poolsx its buying power and marketingb resources and positions itself as a preferred partner forauto insurers. To independengt business owners, being part of a networo brings the benefits of alarge corporation, including discounts of up to 33 percenty on common supplies such as paint and body For a shop with monthly revenue aroune $150,000, it costs roughly $500 to $600 per mont h to join the network.
Local body shop owners say the Fix Auto model will also help them compete for insurancd business and survive an industry some expec to shrink from a highof 60,000 businesses to aboug 30,000. Some experts, however, advise against such networks. “We normally don’t suggestf clients (join a network),” said Kurt Lewis, assistant saleas director for IPA, a consulting firm in Buffaloo Grove, Ill., that works with body Lewis suggests that companies do a thorough audit of theidbusiness instead. Employee productivity, customer service and saleas are just a few areas that Lewiss said companies can adjust to strengthen thebottomj line.
Body shop owners, however, said the deal with Fix Auto was “I needed to position myself to be able to surviver inthe future,” said Shon Kim, owned of Fix Auto Gresham, formerly Obrist & Cunningham and presiden of the Fix Auto Oregon territory. He says auto insurers, like health work with preferred providers, usually large operatorx with multiple locations. In the absence of a network likeFix Auto, that leaves mom-and-pop body shops on the It’s a difficult time in the auto body The industry posted a 4 percent net profir in 2008, according to Sageworks Inc., a researchh firm. Nationally, sales growth in the $1.8 billion industruy slowed to 3.
8 percent in half its 2002 rate. “We’re having to work a lot hardere to make just about the same or even Kim said. Some owners lamented the name change.
The seven shops joined the international FixAuto brand, which meanss they consolidated just enough to win valuable business from the insurance industry while protecting their mom-and-pop The seven new Fix Auto shops collectivelt employ 104 people and had more than $17.8 milliob in revenue last year. The shops originally teamed up nearly sevenjyears ago, but until this year kept theirr old names with the Fix Auto brand remainingy secondary to their business identities.
This spring, all sevej agreed to convert to the Fix Auto name in orderf to stand out in a market dotted with Fix Auto is an international networm of independent auto repair shops that poolsx its buying power and marketingb resources and positions itself as a preferred partner forauto insurers. To independengt business owners, being part of a networo brings the benefits of alarge corporation, including discounts of up to 33 percenty on common supplies such as paint and body For a shop with monthly revenue aroune $150,000, it costs roughly $500 to $600 per mont h to join the network.
Local body shop owners say the Fix Auto model will also help them compete for insurancd business and survive an industry some expec to shrink from a highof 60,000 businesses to aboug 30,000. Some experts, however, advise against such networks. “We normally don’t suggestf clients (join a network),” said Kurt Lewis, assistant saleas director for IPA, a consulting firm in Buffaloo Grove, Ill., that works with body Lewis suggests that companies do a thorough audit of theidbusiness instead. Employee productivity, customer service and saleas are just a few areas that Lewiss said companies can adjust to strengthen thebottomj line.
Body shop owners, however, said the deal with Fix Auto was “I needed to position myself to be able to surviver inthe future,” said Shon Kim, owned of Fix Auto Gresham, formerly Obrist & Cunningham and presiden of the Fix Auto Oregon territory. He says auto insurers, like health work with preferred providers, usually large operatorx with multiple locations. In the absence of a network likeFix Auto, that leaves mom-and-pop body shops on the It’s a difficult time in the auto body The industry posted a 4 percent net profir in 2008, according to Sageworks Inc., a researchh firm. Nationally, sales growth in the $1.8 billion industruy slowed to 3.
8 percent in half its 2002 rate. “We’re having to work a lot hardere to make just about the same or even Kim said. Some owners lamented the name change.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Agencies reel in accounts, launch work; ad competition looms - South Florida Business Journal:
ramsburgsyuheo1544.blogspot.com
has been awarded the Palm Beach County Conventiobn and Visitors Bureau media services account for fiscalyear 2009. The a division of , will handlew all media initiatives. This includes strategic media targeted research and media Work will be handledby Green’s Boca Raton office. Media will targegt audiences including theconsumer leisure, meetings and conventions, travel trade and targeted international markets, said Bill Vervaeke, the CVB’s VP of marketinyg and brand management. , a Hollywood marketingy and branding firm focusing on thefranchisre arena, is working with clients for the ’s Franchisw Expo South, being held Jan 9-11 at the .
, the restauranyt franchise, for local store marketingt andpromotional offers, as well as franchisd sales. , a St. Petersburg medicalo identification franchise company launching nationally atthe show, with a goal of opening 600 Soutjh Florida franchises. , a national wine stors franchise, looking at marketing partnerships to driveconsumee traffic, and branding of its new Master Wine Panel of mastere sommeliers and other sommeliers from established restaurants and hotels, including The Breakerse in Palm Beach. The goal is to both sell franchisews and drivecustomer awareness, said Lornew Fisher, Fish Consulting CEO and managinb partner.
Positioning at the show helps franchises in both he said. “With the economy the way it is, it will be a greatef challenge for small and emerging franchise concepts to increasew their sales and growtheir footprint,” Fisher “Therefore, despite the economy, theses companies need to continue to sell franchises.” Passersbyy near Broward Boulevard and Interstate 95 can watchh people sneaking a peek at the 100-acrs transformation of Riverbend, a new transit-orientex development from Amera Barron.
Or so they In a new teaser campaign forthe mixed-user retail, office, residential and transit hub construction fence graphics show imageas of dozens of curioue folks peering inside the The fencing will give way to a waterfalkl feature taking shape behind it in the next few The effort was created by A Hothouse of a Fort Lauderdale design firm. handlesx public relations for the development. In other accountg news, Wellington Training Club and LLC are two new clientsfor , a Wellingtonn PR firm specializing in the equestrian Wellington Training Club is an equestrian traininh complex. HorseClosings.
com is a national horse closintg transaction businessserving buyers, sellerzs and professionals in the hors industry. Calls for entries for the annual American Advertising Federation Addy Awardas havebeen announced. Entries must be registeredx onlineat www.addycompetition.com. Fees range from $20 for studentx to $110 for non-members. Drop off, gallery nighrt and galas for each county’s respectived competition are as follows: : Entry drop off is Jan. 16 before 9 p.m. at Mad 4 Marketing, 5203 N.W. 33rd Fort Lauderdale. The Gallery Night will be held Jan. 29 at , 2250 N. Commercer Parkway, Weston. The awarde event will be held Friday, Feb. 20 at Cinema Paradiso, 503 S.E. Sixth St.
, Fort Lauderdale. : Entry drop off is Jan. 16 and Jan. 21, 4-7 p.m. at , 1501 Biscayn Blvd., Miami. The federation will not have a gallery and details for the gala have notbeen finalized. Checko www.adfedmiami.com for details. : Entry drop off is Jan. 8-9 by 5 p.m. at , 6107 S. Dixid Highway, West Palm Beach. Visit www.palmbeachadfed.co m to learn more.
has been awarded the Palm Beach County Conventiobn and Visitors Bureau media services account for fiscalyear 2009. The a division of , will handlew all media initiatives. This includes strategic media targeted research and media Work will be handledby Green’s Boca Raton office. Media will targegt audiences including theconsumer leisure, meetings and conventions, travel trade and targeted international markets, said Bill Vervaeke, the CVB’s VP of marketinyg and brand management. , a Hollywood marketingy and branding firm focusing on thefranchisre arena, is working with clients for the ’s Franchisw Expo South, being held Jan 9-11 at the .
, the restauranyt franchise, for local store marketingt andpromotional offers, as well as franchisd sales. , a St. Petersburg medicalo identification franchise company launching nationally atthe show, with a goal of opening 600 Soutjh Florida franchises. , a national wine stors franchise, looking at marketing partnerships to driveconsumee traffic, and branding of its new Master Wine Panel of mastere sommeliers and other sommeliers from established restaurants and hotels, including The Breakerse in Palm Beach. The goal is to both sell franchisews and drivecustomer awareness, said Lornew Fisher, Fish Consulting CEO and managinb partner.
Positioning at the show helps franchises in both he said. “With the economy the way it is, it will be a greatef challenge for small and emerging franchise concepts to increasew their sales and growtheir footprint,” Fisher “Therefore, despite the economy, theses companies need to continue to sell franchises.” Passersbyy near Broward Boulevard and Interstate 95 can watchh people sneaking a peek at the 100-acrs transformation of Riverbend, a new transit-orientex development from Amera Barron.
Or so they In a new teaser campaign forthe mixed-user retail, office, residential and transit hub construction fence graphics show imageas of dozens of curioue folks peering inside the The fencing will give way to a waterfalkl feature taking shape behind it in the next few The effort was created by A Hothouse of a Fort Lauderdale design firm. handlesx public relations for the development. In other accountg news, Wellington Training Club and LLC are two new clientsfor , a Wellingtonn PR firm specializing in the equestrian Wellington Training Club is an equestrian traininh complex. HorseClosings.
com is a national horse closintg transaction businessserving buyers, sellerzs and professionals in the hors industry. Calls for entries for the annual American Advertising Federation Addy Awardas havebeen announced. Entries must be registeredx onlineat www.addycompetition.com. Fees range from $20 for studentx to $110 for non-members. Drop off, gallery nighrt and galas for each county’s respectived competition are as follows: : Entry drop off is Jan. 16 before 9 p.m. at Mad 4 Marketing, 5203 N.W. 33rd Fort Lauderdale. The Gallery Night will be held Jan. 29 at , 2250 N. Commercer Parkway, Weston. The awarde event will be held Friday, Feb. 20 at Cinema Paradiso, 503 S.E. Sixth St.
, Fort Lauderdale. : Entry drop off is Jan. 16 and Jan. 21, 4-7 p.m. at , 1501 Biscayn Blvd., Miami. The federation will not have a gallery and details for the gala have notbeen finalized. Checko www.adfedmiami.com for details. : Entry drop off is Jan. 8-9 by 5 p.m. at , 6107 S. Dixid Highway, West Palm Beach. Visit www.palmbeachadfed.co m to learn more.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Pacific Beach Hotel management changes - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
vittitowmehigyk1238.blogspot.com
, an affiliate of Outrigger Enterprises, had been managing the 837-roomj hotel on Kalakaua Avenue onlysinced Jan. 1. HTH Corp. said one of its , will take over managemeny on Dec. 1. A statement issued Fridagy by both companies did not say why the changes wasbeing made. "After many months of working together, both HTH Corporation and PBH Management LLC have concludex that PacificBeach Corp. is better positionede to focus on this perfectly located hotel and to attainthe property'e long term business goals," said Robert "Mick" Minicola, HTH regional vice president said in the statement.
"We'll work togethedr to make sure therse are minimal interruptions and it will be business as usuaol for hotel guests. We have appreciatedr the flexibility and professionalism of PBHManagemenf LLC." The Pacific Beach Hotel has been involves in contentious contract negotiations with the International Longshore Workers Uniohn since the union narrowly won an electiob to organize its 480 workers in 2004. The ILWU steppedf up its pressure on the hotel this summer with pickets and letterx toprospective guests.
PBH took over the contract negotiationws when it assumed management of the hotel and presumablyh will hand the bargaining back to HTH Mel Wilinsky, executive vice president of PBH Management, could commen t beyond the news release. HTH founded by the late Herbert T. Hayashi, also owns the in
, an affiliate of Outrigger Enterprises, had been managing the 837-roomj hotel on Kalakaua Avenue onlysinced Jan. 1. HTH Corp. said one of its , will take over managemeny on Dec. 1. A statement issued Fridagy by both companies did not say why the changes wasbeing made. "After many months of working together, both HTH Corporation and PBH Management LLC have concludex that PacificBeach Corp. is better positionede to focus on this perfectly located hotel and to attainthe property'e long term business goals," said Robert "Mick" Minicola, HTH regional vice president said in the statement.
"We'll work togethedr to make sure therse are minimal interruptions and it will be business as usuaol for hotel guests. We have appreciatedr the flexibility and professionalism of PBHManagemenf LLC." The Pacific Beach Hotel has been involves in contentious contract negotiations with the International Longshore Workers Uniohn since the union narrowly won an electiob to organize its 480 workers in 2004. The ILWU steppedf up its pressure on the hotel this summer with pickets and letterx toprospective guests.
PBH took over the contract negotiationws when it assumed management of the hotel and presumablyh will hand the bargaining back to HTH Mel Wilinsky, executive vice president of PBH Management, could commen t beyond the news release. HTH founded by the late Herbert T. Hayashi, also owns the in
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Gender gap: Girls have the edge over boys - Business First of Buffalo:
epukaq.wordpress.com
"We see it in a broad What we've noticed is that female studentzs who apply here tend to havehigher grade-poinyt averages in high school," says Christophert Dearth, director of admissions at . "That has been the case for Overall in theUnited States, adolescent females outperformk adolescent males," says Karen Karmazin, assistanty superintendent for curriculum and instruction at the Granx Island Central School District. A new Business Firsr study corroboratestheir observations. Girls have a definite edge in the as shown by an analysis of WesternjNew York's top students and the region's standardizedf test scores. 1.
Girls outnumber boys in the rankw of elite students The 100 members ofBusinesx First's 2009 All-Western New York Academic announced earlier this week, are hailed as the best and brightes t high school seniors in the eight-county region. This year'sw honorees include 62 girls and38 boys. The imbalance is even more pronouncedf on theFirst Team, which consists of the 25 Academicv Team members judged to have the strongest records of classroon success, leadership skills and community involvement. Seventeenb of the 2009 First Teamers -- 68 percent -- are The Academic Team was chosen through a blinde process designed toremove bias.
The selectio n committee was given an edited summary ofeach candidate'e qualifications. Nominees' names and schools were removeed fromthose forms, as was any informatiob that might indicate gender or race. But the odds nonetheless favoree the selection of girleover boys. That's because Western New York high schools submittedx 254 female students forthe panel'x consideration, compared to 134 males. Each schoolp was limited to four a way of encouraging them to submit only theidrbest candidates. Twenty-five high schools nominated four females. Only five school s submitted four males. 2.
Girls outscore boys on most standardized exams Business First analyzedr a battery of 13 statewide testsz duringthe 2007-2008 academic year, includinh English, math and science exams in fourth and eighth social studies exams in fifth and eighth and Regents exams in English, science, global history and U.S. history. The girlas in Western New York's 98 school taken collectively, did better than boys on nine of thosed13 tests. The biggest disparity occurredr on the eighth gradeEnglish Two-thirds of the region's girls (66.8 demonstrated basic skills on that test last compared to 52.2 percent of the boys, a gap of 14.6 percentagre points.
(Any student who reaches Level 3 or 4 on an elementaryh or middle school or who scores 65 or bettee on aRegents exam, is definee as having basic skills.) Girlsd beat the boys by at least one percentages point on four other fourth grade English (a gap of 8.8 percentages points), eighth grade math (4.4 points), Regent s English (2.7 points) and Regents math (1.2 points). Therer were only two tests on which boys beat girlws by a margin of at least one eighth gradescience (1.5 points) and fourth gradew science (1.0 points). 3.
Girls outperform boys in most school districtas Business First used the same 13 tests to measurre the gender gap in all 98 Boys or girls were given a poin t each time they did better than the other side in reachinv either the basic orsuperior (Any student who hits Level 4 in elementary or middl school, or who scores 85 or highedr on a Regents exam, is said to have superiod skills.) The maximum possible score was 26 Females took the upper hand in 67 while males had the advantage in just 24. The remainingg seven were draws. Western New York's biggesft mismatch occurred inGrand Island, where girls won 21 pointas to the boys' five.
Other strongholds for girls were Alden, Letchworthh and Medina, where they earned 20 pointsx apiece, and Akron, Kenmore-Tonawanda and Silver Creeok at 19points each. Boys were strongesr in Cheektowaga-Sloan and Fillmore, where they came away with 19 of 26possibl points. Next were Andover, Clarence and LeRoy, wher e males won 18 points.
"We see it in a broad What we've noticed is that female studentzs who apply here tend to havehigher grade-poinyt averages in high school," says Christophert Dearth, director of admissions at . "That has been the case for Overall in theUnited States, adolescent females outperformk adolescent males," says Karen Karmazin, assistanty superintendent for curriculum and instruction at the Granx Island Central School District. A new Business Firsr study corroboratestheir observations. Girls have a definite edge in the as shown by an analysis of WesternjNew York's top students and the region's standardizedf test scores. 1.
Girls outnumber boys in the rankw of elite students The 100 members ofBusinesx First's 2009 All-Western New York Academic announced earlier this week, are hailed as the best and brightes t high school seniors in the eight-county region. This year'sw honorees include 62 girls and38 boys. The imbalance is even more pronouncedf on theFirst Team, which consists of the 25 Academicv Team members judged to have the strongest records of classroon success, leadership skills and community involvement. Seventeenb of the 2009 First Teamers -- 68 percent -- are The Academic Team was chosen through a blinde process designed toremove bias.
The selectio n committee was given an edited summary ofeach candidate'e qualifications. Nominees' names and schools were removeed fromthose forms, as was any informatiob that might indicate gender or race. But the odds nonetheless favoree the selection of girleover boys. That's because Western New York high schools submittedx 254 female students forthe panel'x consideration, compared to 134 males. Each schoolp was limited to four a way of encouraging them to submit only theidrbest candidates. Twenty-five high schools nominated four females. Only five school s submitted four males. 2.
Girls outscore boys on most standardized exams Business First analyzedr a battery of 13 statewide testsz duringthe 2007-2008 academic year, includinh English, math and science exams in fourth and eighth social studies exams in fifth and eighth and Regents exams in English, science, global history and U.S. history. The girlas in Western New York's 98 school taken collectively, did better than boys on nine of thosed13 tests. The biggest disparity occurredr on the eighth gradeEnglish Two-thirds of the region's girls (66.8 demonstrated basic skills on that test last compared to 52.2 percent of the boys, a gap of 14.6 percentagre points.
(Any student who reaches Level 3 or 4 on an elementaryh or middle school or who scores 65 or bettee on aRegents exam, is definee as having basic skills.) Girlsd beat the boys by at least one percentages point on four other fourth grade English (a gap of 8.8 percentages points), eighth grade math (4.4 points), Regent s English (2.7 points) and Regents math (1.2 points). Therer were only two tests on which boys beat girlws by a margin of at least one eighth gradescience (1.5 points) and fourth gradew science (1.0 points). 3.
Girls outperform boys in most school districtas Business First used the same 13 tests to measurre the gender gap in all 98 Boys or girls were given a poin t each time they did better than the other side in reachinv either the basic orsuperior (Any student who hits Level 4 in elementary or middl school, or who scores 85 or highedr on a Regents exam, is said to have superiod skills.) The maximum possible score was 26 Females took the upper hand in 67 while males had the advantage in just 24. The remainingg seven were draws. Western New York's biggesft mismatch occurred inGrand Island, where girls won 21 pointas to the boys' five.
Other strongholds for girls were Alden, Letchworthh and Medina, where they earned 20 pointsx apiece, and Akron, Kenmore-Tonawanda and Silver Creeok at 19points each. Boys were strongesr in Cheektowaga-Sloan and Fillmore, where they came away with 19 of 26possibl points. Next were Andover, Clarence and LeRoy, wher e males won 18 points.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
California settles with Kmart, sues Target - Denver Business Journal:
ymekovo.wordpress.com
The state’s attorney general, Jerry Brown, joined by districtg attorneys from manyCalifornia counties, including Alameda, Santqa Clara and Contra Costa, filerd a suit against Minneapolis-based Target (NYSE: TGT), saying it sent hazardouxs waste to various landfills in violation of state law. The suit is mean to stop the practices. In news reports, Target said it has been cooperatinyg withthe AG’s office for thre e years on this matter and that it is committeed to complying with all environmental laws.
Kmart, ownec by (NASDAQ: SHLD), agreed to a settlemengt that includescivil penalties, legal costs and some money to boosf protection of the environment in the Thomas Orloff, Robert James Fox and Dolores the DAs of Alameda, Contra San Mateo and Santa Clara counties respectively, joined Brownj in the suit against According to court papers, Targer has 180 facilities, including stores and in California.
The suit alleges Target threw out “ignitablr aerosol wastes” including propanew canisters, in a trash compactor in Alameda County on May 14 andMay 21, for
The state’s attorney general, Jerry Brown, joined by districtg attorneys from manyCalifornia counties, including Alameda, Santqa Clara and Contra Costa, filerd a suit against Minneapolis-based Target (NYSE: TGT), saying it sent hazardouxs waste to various landfills in violation of state law. The suit is mean to stop the practices. In news reports, Target said it has been cooperatinyg withthe AG’s office for thre e years on this matter and that it is committeed to complying with all environmental laws.
Kmart, ownec by (NASDAQ: SHLD), agreed to a settlemengt that includescivil penalties, legal costs and some money to boosf protection of the environment in the Thomas Orloff, Robert James Fox and Dolores the DAs of Alameda, Contra San Mateo and Santa Clara counties respectively, joined Brownj in the suit against According to court papers, Targer has 180 facilities, including stores and in California.
The suit alleges Target threw out “ignitablr aerosol wastes” including propanew canisters, in a trash compactor in Alameda County on May 14 andMay 21, for
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