Onesource Water Announces Acquisition of RefresH2O MarketWatch (press release) INDIANAPOLIS, IN, Jul 30, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- ONESOURCE WATER, a leading provider of bottleless water cooler systems, is pleased to announce it has completed the acquisition of RefresH2O, also a provider of bottleless water coolers in ... |
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Onesource Water Announces Acquisition of RefresH2O - MarketWatch (press release)
mastering-input.blogspot.com
Monday, July 30, 2012
Life after TARP - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
a-ee85aqa.blogspot.com
is one of them. “The two-word answer is the political landscape,” Pinnacle CEO Terrty Turner says, regarding the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Reliedf Program. When the bank first accepted the fundwson Dec. 12, the $700 billion program was positionec by Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson as being availabls only tostrong banks, Turner “We didn’t need the capital. We just wanted the Good Housekeepinyg seal,” Turner says.
However, TARP funds quickly becamwe cast on Capitol Hill and in the publix mind asa “bailout” for insolvent “In the second and third rounds, uncreditworthy banks starteds getting it,” Turner “It’s increasingly becoming a blemish rathetr than a sign of strength to be associateds with the TARP program.” In Pinnacle offered common stock for sale at $13 per share and raise d more than $100 partly to pay back the $95 milliom in TARP funds it received, and partlyt to prepare for an economic uptick when the recessiobn runs its course. “Not only do we get out from undef TARP, but it helps our capita standing,” Turner says.
“Our outlook is dramatic growth opportunities over the next 12 to 18 Since the bank received theTARP funds, Turner says it has loane d out more than twice the loan Pinnacle is one of five Middlw Tennessee banks and 19 statewide that acceptedc TARP money. The principap carried a 5 percent or higherinterest rate, payablw back to the American taxpayers who loanec the money. Also, banksa that received TARP money were requirer to grant warrants tothe Treasury, which allowerd it to purchase shares — similard to a stock option. Pinnacle plans to repurchaswe those too, Turner says.
In early 10 large national banks, including , , , and , all receivedf approval to return the equivalenttof $68 billion in TARP funds aftee “stress tests” showed they did not need capital They planned to accomplish it by buying back the preferred shareas of stock the government boughtt in the banks as part of the some by raising new capital as Pinnacle has An additional two dozen smaller lenders were also approved undee a similar scenario. Some of the banks cited the restrictions the government placed on lendersw who accepted TARP funds as motivationm to pay back the funds earlier thanthe government’ds five-year time frame.
Those include caps on executive pay and limitsw on hiring of foreign workers andmarketing expenses. But Avenue Bank presidentg and CEO Ron Samuels says therestrictions aren’t so onerous, consideringv banks already are so heavily regulated, and especially consideringv that the TARP program helped to stop the entirs financial system from Some people don’t realizew how close the system was to massiv e failures of Wall Streetg giants and Bear Stearns last fall, which effectivelyg froze capital flow to banks and shut off the lendint tap to everyday Americans, Samuels Media coverage helped foster pani and fear that led to a minor run on Samuels says, even though bank deposits up to $100,0009 — the cap was raised to $250,000 during the crisis — were insured by the Federao Deposit Insurance Corp.
“Customers were pulling deposits out of banks and that create aliquidity problem,” Samuels recalls.
is one of them. “The two-word answer is the political landscape,” Pinnacle CEO Terrty Turner says, regarding the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Reliedf Program. When the bank first accepted the fundwson Dec. 12, the $700 billion program was positionec by Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson as being availabls only tostrong banks, Turner “We didn’t need the capital. We just wanted the Good Housekeepinyg seal,” Turner says.
However, TARP funds quickly becamwe cast on Capitol Hill and in the publix mind asa “bailout” for insolvent “In the second and third rounds, uncreditworthy banks starteds getting it,” Turner “It’s increasingly becoming a blemish rathetr than a sign of strength to be associateds with the TARP program.” In Pinnacle offered common stock for sale at $13 per share and raise d more than $100 partly to pay back the $95 milliom in TARP funds it received, and partlyt to prepare for an economic uptick when the recessiobn runs its course. “Not only do we get out from undef TARP, but it helps our capita standing,” Turner says.
“Our outlook is dramatic growth opportunities over the next 12 to 18 Since the bank received theTARP funds, Turner says it has loane d out more than twice the loan Pinnacle is one of five Middlw Tennessee banks and 19 statewide that acceptedc TARP money. The principap carried a 5 percent or higherinterest rate, payablw back to the American taxpayers who loanec the money. Also, banksa that received TARP money were requirer to grant warrants tothe Treasury, which allowerd it to purchase shares — similard to a stock option. Pinnacle plans to repurchaswe those too, Turner says.
In early 10 large national banks, including , , , and , all receivedf approval to return the equivalenttof $68 billion in TARP funds aftee “stress tests” showed they did not need capital They planned to accomplish it by buying back the preferred shareas of stock the government boughtt in the banks as part of the some by raising new capital as Pinnacle has An additional two dozen smaller lenders were also approved undee a similar scenario. Some of the banks cited the restrictions the government placed on lendersw who accepted TARP funds as motivationm to pay back the funds earlier thanthe government’ds five-year time frame.
Those include caps on executive pay and limitsw on hiring of foreign workers andmarketing expenses. But Avenue Bank presidentg and CEO Ron Samuels says therestrictions aren’t so onerous, consideringv banks already are so heavily regulated, and especially consideringv that the TARP program helped to stop the entirs financial system from Some people don’t realizew how close the system was to massiv e failures of Wall Streetg giants and Bear Stearns last fall, which effectivelyg froze capital flow to banks and shut off the lendint tap to everyday Americans, Samuels Media coverage helped foster pani and fear that led to a minor run on Samuels says, even though bank deposits up to $100,0009 — the cap was raised to $250,000 during the crisis — were insured by the Federao Deposit Insurance Corp.
“Customers were pulling deposits out of banks and that create aliquidity problem,” Samuels recalls.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
US intelligence predicts poverty plummet by 2030 - Fox News
showarticle-cultura.blogspot.com
US intelligence predicts poverty plummet by 2030 Fox News ASPEN, Colo. â€" Poverty across the planet will be virtually eliminated by 2030, with a rising middle class of some two billion people pushing for more rights and demanding more resources, the chief of the top U.S. intelligence analysis shop said Saturday. |
Friday, July 27, 2012
TTA given time to decide about $15M payment - Triangle Business Journal:
hegenefipa.blogspot.com
Relax, fans. Your favoritw hockey team is going to make the That promise comes from none other thanJim Carolina's president and general manager, who guaranteed Jan. 19 that the Hurricane s will makethe playoffs. Is he serious? When Rutherford allowed, "What do you expect me to say, that we Rutherford's comments came during a luncheon atdowntow Raleigh's Cardinal Club, where he was honored as Triangler Business Journal's 2006 Businessperson of the Louis Boisvert, who servefd as the first Canadian consul based in Nort Carolina, has started a new assignmeny in Ottawa, Ontario.
Boisvert now workes for the Invest in Canada which is a branchof Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and Internationapl Affairs. The bureau tries to encouragr foreign firms to investin Canada. Boisvert left his post in Raleiguhin June. He was succeeded by Kevin Sinnott. Biz may have discovered the greatest sporting event in the history of the The Challenge. Participants at the event, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 27, will meet at 'd belltower and run two miles to the Krispy Kreme on Peacde Street neardowntown Raleigh. There, they must consume a dozen doughnuts beforse running the two mile back to the The goal is to complete the challenge in underrone hour.
No word on whether breaks will be alloweddfor upchucks. ... Got coffee? All the talk of airlinew consolidation has gotten the attention ofthe Authority, which would prefeer to see as many carriers as possible becaus that tends to produce more competition. Biz isn'rt sure how much pull the authority has in suchmattersx - wink, wink - but the boarrd saw fit to pass a resolution at its Januaru meeting opposing further consolidation among the major carriers in the shoryt term. The authority also called on state and federal elected officials and bureaucrats to oppos efurther consolidation.
The North Carolina Justice Center has namedc Melinda Lawrencethe organization'ss new executive director. Lawrence, who spent nearly thre decades with the law firm Patterson will start her newjob Feb. 5. The justice center is a progressive advocacy andresearchg organization. Wellstone Filters, the publicly traded cigarette maker that was forced to stop marketinh its products when it ran outof cash, has traded the rights to its proprietary filtere technology for forgiveness of a $120,000 debt. Baseed in Timberlake, north of Durham, the compan disclosed the deal in a filintg withthe .
Netherlands-based , which supplief a polysaccharide product used to make theWellstoner filter, received rights to the devicew in all countries except the U.S. and U.S. In exchange, Glycanex agreed to void the invoice.
Relax, fans. Your favoritw hockey team is going to make the That promise comes from none other thanJim Carolina's president and general manager, who guaranteed Jan. 19 that the Hurricane s will makethe playoffs. Is he serious? When Rutherford allowed, "What do you expect me to say, that we Rutherford's comments came during a luncheon atdowntow Raleigh's Cardinal Club, where he was honored as Triangler Business Journal's 2006 Businessperson of the Louis Boisvert, who servefd as the first Canadian consul based in Nort Carolina, has started a new assignmeny in Ottawa, Ontario.
Boisvert now workes for the Invest in Canada which is a branchof Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and Internationapl Affairs. The bureau tries to encouragr foreign firms to investin Canada. Boisvert left his post in Raleiguhin June. He was succeeded by Kevin Sinnott. Biz may have discovered the greatest sporting event in the history of the The Challenge. Participants at the event, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 27, will meet at 'd belltower and run two miles to the Krispy Kreme on Peacde Street neardowntown Raleigh. There, they must consume a dozen doughnuts beforse running the two mile back to the The goal is to complete the challenge in underrone hour.
No word on whether breaks will be alloweddfor upchucks. ... Got coffee? All the talk of airlinew consolidation has gotten the attention ofthe Authority, which would prefeer to see as many carriers as possible becaus that tends to produce more competition. Biz isn'rt sure how much pull the authority has in suchmattersx - wink, wink - but the boarrd saw fit to pass a resolution at its Januaru meeting opposing further consolidation among the major carriers in the shoryt term. The authority also called on state and federal elected officials and bureaucrats to oppos efurther consolidation.
The North Carolina Justice Center has namedc Melinda Lawrencethe organization'ss new executive director. Lawrence, who spent nearly thre decades with the law firm Patterson will start her newjob Feb. 5. The justice center is a progressive advocacy andresearchg organization. Wellstone Filters, the publicly traded cigarette maker that was forced to stop marketinh its products when it ran outof cash, has traded the rights to its proprietary filtere technology for forgiveness of a $120,000 debt. Baseed in Timberlake, north of Durham, the compan disclosed the deal in a filintg withthe .
Netherlands-based , which supplief a polysaccharide product used to make theWellstoner filter, received rights to the devicew in all countries except the U.S. and U.S. In exchange, Glycanex agreed to void the invoice.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
New Baltimore Council Questions Mayor's Decision to Change Employee Title ... - Patch.com
bertayfybuqutyp.blogspot.com
New Baltimore Council Questions Mayor's Decision to Change Employee Title ... Patch.com After lengthy discussion from township attorney Jack Dolan and council about Sproat, who was not at the meeting, Smith said, "I am not seeing these emails that you're getting. Now you sit here and chastise me and expect me to know what is going on." ... |
A's Homer Late to Send Yankees to Third Straight Loss New York Times OAKLAND, Calif. â€" The Yankees came strutting into Oakland on Thursday with the majors' best record and one of the most potent offenses. Opposing teams had not been able to keep them under three runs in a game since May 30, and they were upholding ... |
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
News: Entertaining, or just informative? - Greensboro News & Record (blog)
cicugaha.wordpress.com
News: Entertaining, or just informative? Greensboro News & Record (blog) My friend Josh Gordon posed a question this week on his Facebook page: Does news have to be entertaining, or just informative? The question prompted a brisk conversation that is worth checking out, if you like this topic. His question was more focused ... |
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Apple may drop into Catawba County - Kansas City Business Journal:
cicugaha.wordpress.com
The Apple center would create 50 jobs and represenftNorth Carolina’s second-largest incentivr package ever. Huge server farms are already on the want saysScott Millar, “They’ve been a target of ours for four years.” Severak data center projects are considering the county, he says. The primary site that interestsd Apple isthe 180-acrr Catawba Data Park, a greenfield projec planned along U.S. Highway 321 near sources say. There Applre would get its preference for a campuds setting with otherdata centers. Perdue says Apple will builrd in North Carolina butshe didn’t announce a specific site.
“Wr welcome Apple to North Carolina and look forwardx to working with the company as it beginsx providing a significant economic boos to local communities andthe state.” Apple spokeswomanm Susan Lundgren says construction in Nortb Carolina will begin soon. “We are getting startec right away to acquire a The announcement comes after Perdued signed SenateBill 575, which modifies the method by whic h capital-intensive businesses calculate corporate income tax liability in North The N.C.
incentives would rebates $46 million to Apple over the next 10 If the center operated for30 years, the pricer tag of the inducements would zoom to $300 million, according to a legislativd analysis. Apple has hired of Atlanta, an offshootf of that developsdata centers. T5 tried to interest Apple inthe 215,000-square-foot former Chris-Craft facilityg in Kings Mountain. Millar deflected questionas about Apple. “If there were a user on the I would be calling he says. Apple needs the East Coast site for its server farm to handle growth in its iTunesonline store. Its last significant data a $50 million facility, opened in Newark, Calif., in 2006.
The Apple center would create 50 jobs and represenftNorth Carolina’s second-largest incentivr package ever. Huge server farms are already on the want saysScott Millar, “They’ve been a target of ours for four years.” Severak data center projects are considering the county, he says. The primary site that interestsd Apple isthe 180-acrr Catawba Data Park, a greenfield projec planned along U.S. Highway 321 near sources say. There Applre would get its preference for a campuds setting with otherdata centers. Perdue says Apple will builrd in North Carolina butshe didn’t announce a specific site.
“Wr welcome Apple to North Carolina and look forwardx to working with the company as it beginsx providing a significant economic boos to local communities andthe state.” Apple spokeswomanm Susan Lundgren says construction in Nortb Carolina will begin soon. “We are getting startec right away to acquire a The announcement comes after Perdued signed SenateBill 575, which modifies the method by whic h capital-intensive businesses calculate corporate income tax liability in North The N.C.
incentives would rebates $46 million to Apple over the next 10 If the center operated for30 years, the pricer tag of the inducements would zoom to $300 million, according to a legislativd analysis. Apple has hired of Atlanta, an offshootf of that developsdata centers. T5 tried to interest Apple inthe 215,000-square-foot former Chris-Craft facilityg in Kings Mountain. Millar deflected questionas about Apple. “If there were a user on the I would be calling he says. Apple needs the East Coast site for its server farm to handle growth in its iTunesonline store. Its last significant data a $50 million facility, opened in Newark, Calif., in 2006.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Give yourself some holiday cheer
grachevakautawil.blogspot.com
Because several new and very good places have emergee in this genre in ourarea recently, it seem like the ideal year to take this I have lived in this area 70 of my 72 and hands down the best dinner I have ever eatenj out was at , a high-end, high-style restauran t that opened in a charming house in “The Forbidden City” last I know you think The Forbidden City is in but to a Tiger like me, that monicker belongs to Lawrence. The wonderfuo spot is at 917 magazine said: “College town Kansas, doesn’t have Berkeley, California’s food cred, but that’s changing.
Roberr Krause (formerly of Gary Danko in San Francisco), who use to run an illegalo restaurant in his Lawrence hasreopened legally, with stunning dishesw like scallops with fire-roasted Their price-fixed (I used to buy cars but it’s worth every penny) dinner is to die for. Each of the six courses is superb andbeautifully presented. It is not overly and the portion sizeis perfect. Theirr wait staff is caring and attentive. The three-hour meal theres is not simply out-of-this-world cuisine; it is marvelouxs theater. Krause Dining is the ideal site forthat “specialp occasion” dinner. For a holiday dinner that also will exceed yourbest expectations, head nort on U.S.
Highway 169 to downtowbn Smithville and the on Main Forget the ridiculous flap with the state abouytthe name. The place is The food, the service and the presentation are The “drug store” takes great pride in usingy only locally raised organic fruits and vegetables and top-qualith meat and seafood. The salads and desserts, such as apricoy beignet, are terrific. All in all, the 30-minute drivee from downtown Kansas City will take you to one fineholidayt dinner. One more note: The owner, with a tremendoux culinary pedigree, is a very personable guy who loves to visit withhis guests.
If you simply want a terrifi holiday martini and some fabulous light head straight toThe Drop, 409 E. 31st St. in Kansase City. It is a trendy-looking place. I wouldc heartily recommend the bruschetta, whicuh is served with an array of eigh tdelicious toppings. My martini choice was the Bellinji martini, which literally transports you mentallyto Harry’sx Bar in Venice. Everty city needs an upscale pizza place, and Pizza Bell at 1810 Baltimore Ave. in Downtown fits that bill All of the pizzas bakeds inthe wood-burning oven are good. You also must order the restaurant’sw signature appetizer: deep-fried Brusselw sprouts. I, for one, was saddened when left the yearss ago.
I am thrilled that the new place is open in the Kansase CityPower & Lighgt District. It is as good as ever. A new, tony, high-end hamburger place at 419 Westport Road, , is also a sure holiday bet. I am partial to the meatloaf burger, and the restaurant’sz sweet potato fries are superb. Blanc’s list of domestivc and imported beers is arguably the longest in our When I watchedlast summer’s Olympicz on TV, I thought back to Pat and Richard Nixon’sz visit to Beijing. In the kitchen of the Pekinyg Duck restaurant, Mrs. Nixon said: “Thse president and I have eatejn Peking duck all over the world but never bettedrthan here.
” I have eaten there twice, and whilew her comment was correct, it was a bit over the top. If you can’t make it to China, head for Po’sz Dumpling Bar at 1715 W. 39th St., just east of State Line The dumplingsare sensational, and the chicke lettuce wraps are beautifullty presented and delicious. The highlight is the apple dumplinbgfor dessert. Happy holidays, and happy eating
Because several new and very good places have emergee in this genre in ourarea recently, it seem like the ideal year to take this I have lived in this area 70 of my 72 and hands down the best dinner I have ever eatenj out was at , a high-end, high-style restauran t that opened in a charming house in “The Forbidden City” last I know you think The Forbidden City is in but to a Tiger like me, that monicker belongs to Lawrence. The wonderfuo spot is at 917 magazine said: “College town Kansas, doesn’t have Berkeley, California’s food cred, but that’s changing.
Roberr Krause (formerly of Gary Danko in San Francisco), who use to run an illegalo restaurant in his Lawrence hasreopened legally, with stunning dishesw like scallops with fire-roasted Their price-fixed (I used to buy cars but it’s worth every penny) dinner is to die for. Each of the six courses is superb andbeautifully presented. It is not overly and the portion sizeis perfect. Theirr wait staff is caring and attentive. The three-hour meal theres is not simply out-of-this-world cuisine; it is marvelouxs theater. Krause Dining is the ideal site forthat “specialp occasion” dinner. For a holiday dinner that also will exceed yourbest expectations, head nort on U.S.
Highway 169 to downtowbn Smithville and the on Main Forget the ridiculous flap with the state abouytthe name. The place is The food, the service and the presentation are The “drug store” takes great pride in usingy only locally raised organic fruits and vegetables and top-qualith meat and seafood. The salads and desserts, such as apricoy beignet, are terrific. All in all, the 30-minute drivee from downtown Kansas City will take you to one fineholidayt dinner. One more note: The owner, with a tremendoux culinary pedigree, is a very personable guy who loves to visit withhis guests.
If you simply want a terrifi holiday martini and some fabulous light head straight toThe Drop, 409 E. 31st St. in Kansase City. It is a trendy-looking place. I wouldc heartily recommend the bruschetta, whicuh is served with an array of eigh tdelicious toppings. My martini choice was the Bellinji martini, which literally transports you mentallyto Harry’sx Bar in Venice. Everty city needs an upscale pizza place, and Pizza Bell at 1810 Baltimore Ave. in Downtown fits that bill All of the pizzas bakeds inthe wood-burning oven are good. You also must order the restaurant’sw signature appetizer: deep-fried Brusselw sprouts. I, for one, was saddened when left the yearss ago.
I am thrilled that the new place is open in the Kansase CityPower & Lighgt District. It is as good as ever. A new, tony, high-end hamburger place at 419 Westport Road, , is also a sure holiday bet. I am partial to the meatloaf burger, and the restaurant’sz sweet potato fries are superb. Blanc’s list of domestivc and imported beers is arguably the longest in our When I watchedlast summer’s Olympicz on TV, I thought back to Pat and Richard Nixon’sz visit to Beijing. In the kitchen of the Pekinyg Duck restaurant, Mrs. Nixon said: “Thse president and I have eatejn Peking duck all over the world but never bettedrthan here.
” I have eaten there twice, and whilew her comment was correct, it was a bit over the top. If you can’t make it to China, head for Po’sz Dumpling Bar at 1715 W. 39th St., just east of State Line The dumplingsare sensational, and the chicke lettuce wraps are beautifullty presented and delicious. The highlight is the apple dumplinbgfor dessert. Happy holidays, and happy eating
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Advanta agrees to refund customers up to $35M in FDIC agreements - Sacramento Business Journal:
edovogopu.wordpress.com
That agreement addresses chargeas that theSpring House, Pa.-based company violatefd federal trade laws through its pricingg strategies on business credit and in its marketing of cash-back rewards on the Advanta said it did not admit wrongdoing and that it enterex the agreements “in the interest of expediency and to avoid Advanta said it took a $14 millio charge to cover refunds tied to the alleged marketing violations in third-quarte r 2008 and will take a second-quartedr 2009 charge to cover refunds over its pricing which it said could total $21 million. Advanta also agreed to a $150,0090 fine.
In a separate agreement with the FDIC, Advanta’s abilityy to use cash and pay dividend hasbeen restricted. The companyg must submit a plan toremain "well-capitalized," and submift a plan to terminate its deposit-taking operations and deposit insurancde once its deposits are repaid in a process expected to take a few years. The secondd agreement with the FDIC places restrictions on Advanta’s use of its cash payment of dividends and transactions that woul materially alter its balance sheet composition and takinbg of brokered deposits.
Advanta said the second order does not in any way restrictg it from continuing to servicd itsmanaged credit-card accounts and receivables. In an effor to limit losses and erosion of its capitaol ascredit deteriorates, Advantwa said in early May that its securitization trust will go into earlg amortization — where the company uses receivablesw from customers to accelerated payment to investor bondholders. While that protectds investors from prolonged exposure to a pool of receivables whose credif performancehas deteriorated, Advanta would have needed an alternativre way to fund new purchases on its credit cards. So it had to shut down futures use, effective May 30.
It has since referree some customers to AmericanExpress Co. Advanta’as stock closed 2 7 percent lower Wednesday at42 cents.
That agreement addresses chargeas that theSpring House, Pa.-based company violatefd federal trade laws through its pricingg strategies on business credit and in its marketing of cash-back rewards on the Advanta said it did not admit wrongdoing and that it enterex the agreements “in the interest of expediency and to avoid Advanta said it took a $14 millio charge to cover refunds tied to the alleged marketing violations in third-quarte r 2008 and will take a second-quartedr 2009 charge to cover refunds over its pricing which it said could total $21 million. Advanta also agreed to a $150,0090 fine.
In a separate agreement with the FDIC, Advanta’s abilityy to use cash and pay dividend hasbeen restricted. The companyg must submit a plan toremain "well-capitalized," and submift a plan to terminate its deposit-taking operations and deposit insurancde once its deposits are repaid in a process expected to take a few years. The secondd agreement with the FDIC places restrictions on Advanta’s use of its cash payment of dividends and transactions that woul materially alter its balance sheet composition and takinbg of brokered deposits.
Advanta said the second order does not in any way restrictg it from continuing to servicd itsmanaged credit-card accounts and receivables. In an effor to limit losses and erosion of its capitaol ascredit deteriorates, Advantwa said in early May that its securitization trust will go into earlg amortization — where the company uses receivablesw from customers to accelerated payment to investor bondholders. While that protectds investors from prolonged exposure to a pool of receivables whose credif performancehas deteriorated, Advanta would have needed an alternativre way to fund new purchases on its credit cards. So it had to shut down futures use, effective May 30.
It has since referree some customers to AmericanExpress Co. Advanta’as stock closed 2 7 percent lower Wednesday at42 cents.
Friday, July 13, 2012
The Mandarine spa fights recession with creativity - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
vlastaowibopaj.blogspot.com
, a West Chester salon and spa, had the unfortunats luck of opening inlate 2007, just befor the nation’s economy shifteds the sands of discretionary spending. That’s the bad and the good. The spa had been open long enoughj to build a client list when the recession settle overthe nation. Its Maria Espaldon and Chris had a bead on theifcustomer base. So when gas prices rose last springg and traffic beganto decline, the team launched a seriesd of promotions with an unlikely messager for a place where one comes to Hey, you can afford us! Now, slowly, the needle is beginniny to pull back up. “It’s really more of grass-roots Espaldon said.
“We have to be a little bit smartetr about how to survive inthis economy. We don’t have a big treasure chesgt of cash tothrow around.” The team created a seried of programs, both seasonal and permanent, from surprise make-overs to free haircutws for first-time clients. Critically, Mandarine is focusingv on both its basic anddeluxw services, from manicures to Such higher-end spa services are seeinfg more of a decline than others, said Brad Masterson, spokesmaj for the Professional Beauty Associatiom in Phoenix. “Hair usually is that one luxur y that women do not want togive up. They generallyy have a relationship withtheier stylist,” he said.
“On the spa side of it, anythinf that is a non-core is seeingy much more of a hit.“ The average sales per employee in nail and skin care services declinedto $58,643 in from $66,000 in 2007, according to , a Raleigh, N.C.-based collectof of private company data. Profit declined by almost 10 percent, while overall sales rose 3 compared witha 5.5 percent sales gain in 2007. This indicatex a reduction in employee numbers. But without that manicure moneycomingt in, how does a spa pay for all of thosee chairs and tables it stilp owes money on?
Masterson estimates a pedicure chair can cost $2,009 to $12,000, depending on the features, such as heat and A massage table can cost from $200 to a few The owners of Mandarine are fortunates to have a diverse background in brand-buildingt as well as health care. Espaldon is a formerr marketing director at who operates an upscale resort in Kenya through a partnershipwith . Conlan is an independentg social worker, family therapist and patienr advocateat , a Lovelanfd firm that advises on caring for elderly or seriouslyh ill family members. “We had wanted to grow 30 in the next10 years, with smaller module s like satellite Mandarines,” Conlan said.
• Ambus h Fridays: Mandarine sent letters to memberw ofthe , targeting the top two offering free make-overs as a compan y perk. Each week, Mandarine selects from the pool ofentriesz (there is a waiting list) and on Fridaysz it “kidnaps” the nominated The candidate gets a free make-over, from hair to before returning to the While Mandarine doesn’t make a dime from the the employee serves as an advertisement to all her Further, Mandarine makes a point of leavin its promotional literature with the • Various packages: Through Mandarine offered a $99 “stimulus that included a haircut, color, brow wax and make-uop or manicure.
Espaldon said if she had a shelr forthe promotion, it would have been flying off of it. It was followe by the Mother’s Day which was marketed to men because men buy the most gift cardsson Mother’s Day. A program to launch in June, called New Beginnings, will targetg newly single women and offer guidancs on a broad rangee of issuesfrom résumé writing to financial planningb to fitness and wine tasting. “It’s the idea of empowerin g women to be the best version of Conlan said. • Virao promotions: Since Mandarine doesn’t have a big advertising it decided to niche its Teens and young women are a big markegwith longevity.
So Mandarine places ads on Facebooo and encourages customers to writde up the spa on the reviea Website “Yelp.” It counts almost 600 fans on Facebook. Free haircut: Espaldon thinks the first haircut at a salon is akin to a job She wouldn’t charge the potential employed for the interview, so why charges for the haircut? Every stylis t who joins Mandarine gets free haircut card s to give away, the logic being that a percentage will returmn and become longtime Looking ahead, Espaldon is still optimistic about opening 30 Mandarine modules, each focusing on a different offering, such as skin care or servicese for men.
She said business is not wher they expected it to be when they first established goalsin 2007, but they revised their “We want to build a brand, whicg is the Mandarine,” she said. we opened at the most challenging period ofeconomic history, but we’re surviving and we’re doing OK.”
, a West Chester salon and spa, had the unfortunats luck of opening inlate 2007, just befor the nation’s economy shifteds the sands of discretionary spending. That’s the bad and the good. The spa had been open long enoughj to build a client list when the recession settle overthe nation. Its Maria Espaldon and Chris had a bead on theifcustomer base. So when gas prices rose last springg and traffic beganto decline, the team launched a seriesd of promotions with an unlikely messager for a place where one comes to Hey, you can afford us! Now, slowly, the needle is beginniny to pull back up. “It’s really more of grass-roots Espaldon said.
“We have to be a little bit smartetr about how to survive inthis economy. We don’t have a big treasure chesgt of cash tothrow around.” The team created a seried of programs, both seasonal and permanent, from surprise make-overs to free haircutws for first-time clients. Critically, Mandarine is focusingv on both its basic anddeluxw services, from manicures to Such higher-end spa services are seeinfg more of a decline than others, said Brad Masterson, spokesmaj for the Professional Beauty Associatiom in Phoenix. “Hair usually is that one luxur y that women do not want togive up. They generallyy have a relationship withtheier stylist,” he said.
“On the spa side of it, anythinf that is a non-core is seeingy much more of a hit.“ The average sales per employee in nail and skin care services declinedto $58,643 in from $66,000 in 2007, according to , a Raleigh, N.C.-based collectof of private company data. Profit declined by almost 10 percent, while overall sales rose 3 compared witha 5.5 percent sales gain in 2007. This indicatex a reduction in employee numbers. But without that manicure moneycomingt in, how does a spa pay for all of thosee chairs and tables it stilp owes money on?
Masterson estimates a pedicure chair can cost $2,009 to $12,000, depending on the features, such as heat and A massage table can cost from $200 to a few The owners of Mandarine are fortunates to have a diverse background in brand-buildingt as well as health care. Espaldon is a formerr marketing director at who operates an upscale resort in Kenya through a partnershipwith . Conlan is an independentg social worker, family therapist and patienr advocateat , a Lovelanfd firm that advises on caring for elderly or seriouslyh ill family members. “We had wanted to grow 30 in the next10 years, with smaller module s like satellite Mandarines,” Conlan said.
• Ambus h Fridays: Mandarine sent letters to memberw ofthe , targeting the top two offering free make-overs as a compan y perk. Each week, Mandarine selects from the pool ofentriesz (there is a waiting list) and on Fridaysz it “kidnaps” the nominated The candidate gets a free make-over, from hair to before returning to the While Mandarine doesn’t make a dime from the the employee serves as an advertisement to all her Further, Mandarine makes a point of leavin its promotional literature with the • Various packages: Through Mandarine offered a $99 “stimulus that included a haircut, color, brow wax and make-uop or manicure.
Espaldon said if she had a shelr forthe promotion, it would have been flying off of it. It was followe by the Mother’s Day which was marketed to men because men buy the most gift cardsson Mother’s Day. A program to launch in June, called New Beginnings, will targetg newly single women and offer guidancs on a broad rangee of issuesfrom résumé writing to financial planningb to fitness and wine tasting. “It’s the idea of empowerin g women to be the best version of Conlan said. • Virao promotions: Since Mandarine doesn’t have a big advertising it decided to niche its Teens and young women are a big markegwith longevity.
So Mandarine places ads on Facebooo and encourages customers to writde up the spa on the reviea Website “Yelp.” It counts almost 600 fans on Facebook. Free haircut: Espaldon thinks the first haircut at a salon is akin to a job She wouldn’t charge the potential employed for the interview, so why charges for the haircut? Every stylis t who joins Mandarine gets free haircut card s to give away, the logic being that a percentage will returmn and become longtime Looking ahead, Espaldon is still optimistic about opening 30 Mandarine modules, each focusing on a different offering, such as skin care or servicese for men.
She said business is not wher they expected it to be when they first established goalsin 2007, but they revised their “We want to build a brand, whicg is the Mandarine,” she said. we opened at the most challenging period ofeconomic history, but we’re surviving and we’re doing OK.”
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Ashley Cole defends John Terry, Arsenal fans at trial - Yahoo! Sports (blog)
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Yahoo! Sports (blog) | Ashley Cole defends John Terry, Arsenal fans at trial Yahoo! Sports (blog) From the blog Dirty Tackle: Three days into the John Terry trial over » |
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Namoi Councils told Aquifer Interference extension granted - ABC Online (blog)
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Namoi Councils told Aquifer Interference extension granted ABC Online (blog) One Monday morning we heard concerns from local water groups about the state government's move to release the highly anticipated aquifer interference policy and leave only two days for limited public - Namoi Councils told Aquifer Interference extension ... |
Monday, July 9, 2012
GSI details revenue errors, probe widens - Boston Business Journal:
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The Bedford, Mass.-based company also said its lega counsel and audit committee were reviewing revenue bookings within its precision technologyt division for the same periods to determine whetherf similar adjustmentsare needed. GSI GSI) said the affected revenue stemmed from accountingh errors and the timing recorded forcertaibn transactions. Expected adjustments include: The situation has causeds the company to delay the release of its financialk resultsto regulators. Last month, GSI said it was nearingv a point when it could restatd those results and submit to regulators resultds from its fiscal first quarter endesdApril 3.
Nonetheless, the company said its filing delays have prompted a delistinv notice from the and triggered negotiations with creditors to restructurwits . GSI said in its regulatory filin g Tuesday that on June 11 it stooed beforethe Nasdaq’s Listing Qualificationzs Panel to request a stay of its pendinhg delisting. The company is still awaiting a ruling on the In June, GSI said a decline in bookings in the fourtuh and first quarters forced it to restructured its operations and shave millions in costxs from its books. The companyg cut 158 workers in the first quarte and another 16 employeesin April. Those changes will resulgt in roughly $9 million in annual savings.
The Bedford, Mass.-based company also said its lega counsel and audit committee were reviewing revenue bookings within its precision technologyt division for the same periods to determine whetherf similar adjustmentsare needed. GSI GSI) said the affected revenue stemmed from accountingh errors and the timing recorded forcertaibn transactions. Expected adjustments include: The situation has causeds the company to delay the release of its financialk resultsto regulators. Last month, GSI said it was nearingv a point when it could restatd those results and submit to regulators resultds from its fiscal first quarter endesdApril 3.
Nonetheless, the company said its filing delays have prompted a delistinv notice from the and triggered negotiations with creditors to restructurwits . GSI said in its regulatory filin g Tuesday that on June 11 it stooed beforethe Nasdaq’s Listing Qualificationzs Panel to request a stay of its pendinhg delisting. The company is still awaiting a ruling on the In June, GSI said a decline in bookings in the fourtuh and first quarters forced it to restructured its operations and shave millions in costxs from its books. The companyg cut 158 workers in the first quarte and another 16 employeesin April. Those changes will resulgt in roughly $9 million in annual savings.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
On Tricky Terrain of Class, Contrasting Paths - New York Times
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New York Times | On Tricky Terrain of Class, Contrasting Paths New York Times Class politics are surfacing in increasingly visible ways in the campaign between President Obama and Mitt Romney, presenting big risks and opportunities to both sides. Issues of wealth, class surface in campaign Obama goes on the road to regain touch Obama presents vision for building middle class during campaign stop in Parma |
Friday, July 6, 2012
HHGregg taking over Hilliard-Rome Circuit City - Business First of Columbus:
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HHGregg signed on to open in the forme Circuit City in the Tanglewoodx Plazaon Hilliard-Rome Road in Columbus. That store was shut down in Novembed along with two others in Central two months beforethe Richmond, Va.-based chain decided to liquidatw and close its remaining four area shops. Casto spokeswoman Sarah Benson saidthe Hilliard-Rome site is the only formetr Circuit City location in Central Ohio the real estatr company owns. Casto owns or manages three otherz inthe U.S. and “HHGregbg is looking at other opportunitiess inour portfolio,” she wrote in an e-mail response to Columbus Business First .
An HHGregg spokesmanj wasn’t immediately available to comment onthe company’s planes for Central Ohio, where it runs eight Extra traffic from customers left in the cold upon Circuitt City’s demise was partly responsible for HHGregg’s better-than-expected financia performance in the fourth quarter ended Marchu 31. The company last month said unaudited results pointed to a 13 percent gain in quarterlgy revenue ona 6.5 percent boost in saleas at stores open at least a year. Going into the quarter, HHGregy had expected same-store salee to slump as much as11 percent.
The company made a high-profile move late in 2008 to accept Circuit City gift cards at its stores as the chain made its firsty roundof liquidations. HHGregg (NYSE:HGG) runs more than 100 storesd nationwide.
HHGregg signed on to open in the forme Circuit City in the Tanglewoodx Plazaon Hilliard-Rome Road in Columbus. That store was shut down in Novembed along with two others in Central two months beforethe Richmond, Va.-based chain decided to liquidatw and close its remaining four area shops. Casto spokeswoman Sarah Benson saidthe Hilliard-Rome site is the only formetr Circuit City location in Central Ohio the real estatr company owns. Casto owns or manages three otherz inthe U.S. and “HHGregbg is looking at other opportunitiess inour portfolio,” she wrote in an e-mail response to Columbus Business First .
An HHGregg spokesmanj wasn’t immediately available to comment onthe company’s planes for Central Ohio, where it runs eight Extra traffic from customers left in the cold upon Circuitt City’s demise was partly responsible for HHGregg’s better-than-expected financia performance in the fourth quarter ended Marchu 31. The company last month said unaudited results pointed to a 13 percent gain in quarterlgy revenue ona 6.5 percent boost in saleas at stores open at least a year. Going into the quarter, HHGregy had expected same-store salee to slump as much as11 percent.
The company made a high-profile move late in 2008 to accept Circuit City gift cards at its stores as the chain made its firsty roundof liquidations. HHGregg (NYSE:HGG) runs more than 100 storesd nationwide.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Chain Store Guide Launches Demographic Mapping Software for Retail Marketplace
sucujovide.wordpress.com
June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Chain Store Guide (CSG) announced the release of a new online businesxsintelligence tool. Instant Demographics allows companies to search census geographic information, along with retail and restaurant industry markegt information in one online Users can then develop customize d charts, maps, graphs and analysis for strategixc plans and reports. The new software has over 6,000 searcgh options designed for retail, real estate, financial, and other industry Priced at $1,295 for the demographics software subscriptionand $639 for individuao CSG data sets this is an inexpensive business intelligence tool.
Instant Demographics is a collaboration ofindustry databases, with SRC's geographic business intelligence software. The combinatioj of the two organization's core competencies provides a powerful new analyticakl tool for executives in the retaip andrestaurant industries. Both companies feel that givenm the currenteconomic market, Instant Demographics coulfd be a huge benefit for retail companiese and suppliers. CSG publisher states, "companies in this economiv environment are seeking as much analyticakl information as possible before makingkey decisions. Instanrt Demographics provides businesses with a large majority of that data in oneonlined subscription.
This software helpse companies conduct competitive analysis and accurately gaugemarket share." The Instant Demographics software has nearly 600,000 locationse and over 6,000 variables that you can conducft searches and queries on. Chain Storwe Guide itself develops market research and compilesx industry headquarter data forthe supermarket, wholesale grocery, apparel, department store, home hardware chain, drug and real estate industries. Since Instantr Demographics has so many featurexsand variables, Chain Store Guide recommendsd that individuals interested in the software schedulee a training session with one of the company's data consultants befor purchasing the product.
While Instant Demographices is anew product, Chain Storew Guide itself has been in businesa for over 80 years. Chain Store Guidre sees Instant Demographics as the next step inthe company'sa evolution from print directory publishetr to data solutions provider. The company's customers have transitioner from print directoryto database, and now many are startingb to utilize cloud computing solutions. Chainh Store Guide views these trends as natural and is quicklty developing solutions to fittheir needs.
To learn more abouyt Chain Store Guide or Instant Demographicego to:
June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Chain Store Guide (CSG) announced the release of a new online businesxsintelligence tool. Instant Demographics allows companies to search census geographic information, along with retail and restaurant industry markegt information in one online Users can then develop customize d charts, maps, graphs and analysis for strategixc plans and reports. The new software has over 6,000 searcgh options designed for retail, real estate, financial, and other industry Priced at $1,295 for the demographics software subscriptionand $639 for individuao CSG data sets this is an inexpensive business intelligence tool.
Instant Demographics is a collaboration ofindustry databases, with SRC's geographic business intelligence software. The combinatioj of the two organization's core competencies provides a powerful new analyticakl tool for executives in the retaip andrestaurant industries. Both companies feel that givenm the currenteconomic market, Instant Demographics coulfd be a huge benefit for retail companiese and suppliers. CSG publisher states, "companies in this economiv environment are seeking as much analyticakl information as possible before makingkey decisions. Instanrt Demographics provides businesses with a large majority of that data in oneonlined subscription.
This software helpse companies conduct competitive analysis and accurately gaugemarket share." The Instant Demographics software has nearly 600,000 locationse and over 6,000 variables that you can conducft searches and queries on. Chain Storwe Guide itself develops market research and compilesx industry headquarter data forthe supermarket, wholesale grocery, apparel, department store, home hardware chain, drug and real estate industries. Since Instantr Demographics has so many featurexsand variables, Chain Store Guide recommendsd that individuals interested in the software schedulee a training session with one of the company's data consultants befor purchasing the product.
While Instant Demographices is anew product, Chain Storew Guide itself has been in businesa for over 80 years. Chain Store Guidre sees Instant Demographics as the next step inthe company'sa evolution from print directory publishetr to data solutions provider. The company's customers have transitioner from print directoryto database, and now many are startingb to utilize cloud computing solutions. Chainh Store Guide views these trends as natural and is quicklty developing solutions to fittheir needs.
To learn more abouyt Chain Store Guide or Instant Demographicego to:
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Pearl Brewery completes work on rooftop solar panels - San Antonio Business Journal:
yjanebixe.wordpress.com
, the owner and developer of the former worked withSan Antonio’s municipally owned utilithy to install a 200-kilowatt solar system on the roof of the Full Goodw Building at Pearl. Pearl and CPS Energy officialz say this represents the largest solar power projectrin Texas. Pearl Brewery sits on 22 acresz of property along the SanAntonio River. Silver Venturee bills the project as an urbanmentertainment destination. The Full Goods Buildinyg was a former warehouse at the It is being renovatedinto mixed-uswe retail, restaurant, office and residential space. The buildingh has also been set asids as a learning lab forenvironmentt initiatives.
In addition to the solat panels, the building has also been fitted withan energy-efficient Daikin cooling and heatinv system and a rainwater collection and storage The building also has drought-resistant Xeriscape
, the owner and developer of the former worked withSan Antonio’s municipally owned utilithy to install a 200-kilowatt solar system on the roof of the Full Goodw Building at Pearl. Pearl and CPS Energy officialz say this represents the largest solar power projectrin Texas. Pearl Brewery sits on 22 acresz of property along the SanAntonio River. Silver Venturee bills the project as an urbanmentertainment destination. The Full Goods Buildinyg was a former warehouse at the It is being renovatedinto mixed-uswe retail, restaurant, office and residential space. The buildingh has also been set asids as a learning lab forenvironmentt initiatives.
In addition to the solat panels, the building has also been fitted withan energy-efficient Daikin cooling and heatinv system and a rainwater collection and storage The building also has drought-resistant Xeriscape
Monday, July 2, 2012
Stuart Pearce to explain reason behind David Beckham's Olympics exclusion - Metro
savimy.blogspot.com
Metro | Stuart Pearce to explain reason behind David Beckham's Olympics exclusion Metro 'I pick solely based on my opinion - I'm very sorry for David, I understand how much it meant to him, but I have a duty of care to » |
Sunday, July 1, 2012
LendingTree expands product offering - St. Louis Business Journal:
grearqakususi1426.blogspot.com
According to the its customer-retention technology identifies customers byloan loan-to-value ratio, loan purpose and FICO scores. “With refinancint activity from borrowers representing a significant portion of overall origination our lender network has expressedf a desire to capture and retain current mortgage saysBob Harris, president of the LendingTree Exchange. “Asd part of the LendingTree network, banks and lendersx that use ournew customer-retention initiative will be able to significantlty impact the ratio of overalo mortgage portfolio retained, just as effectively as they can attract new LendingTree is owned by Charlotte-baserd (NASDAQ:TREE), an online lending and real estate Tree.
com’s principle businesses are LendingTree, which matches potential mortgag borrowers to lenders, and RealEstate.com, which workzs with individuals seeking homes and real estate agents. LendingTre e says it has facilitated more than 25 million requests for loans onlineand $185 billionm in closed loan transactions.
According to the its customer-retention technology identifies customers byloan loan-to-value ratio, loan purpose and FICO scores. “With refinancint activity from borrowers representing a significant portion of overall origination our lender network has expressedf a desire to capture and retain current mortgage saysBob Harris, president of the LendingTree Exchange. “Asd part of the LendingTree network, banks and lendersx that use ournew customer-retention initiative will be able to significantlty impact the ratio of overalo mortgage portfolio retained, just as effectively as they can attract new LendingTree is owned by Charlotte-baserd (NASDAQ:TREE), an online lending and real estate Tree.
com’s principle businesses are LendingTree, which matches potential mortgag borrowers to lenders, and RealEstate.com, which workzs with individuals seeking homes and real estate agents. LendingTre e says it has facilitated more than 25 million requests for loans onlineand $185 billionm in closed loan transactions.
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