karnergetajequ1416.blogspot.com
The glass-sheathed building designed by 1982 Pritzket laureate Kevin Roche for the Securitieds andExchange Commission, occupying a long blocik between Union Station and H Street NE, is ratherd elegant and rather boring and very, very big. Althouggh its double-curved curtain-wall entryway is an engineering tour-de-force, the effecyt is altogether spoiled by the security apparatus that junkxs up thesoaring lobby.
Both buildings do handl aspects of the security challenge with Safdie used the requirementgfor ground-floor retail to establish a strong perimeter The stores are there to stop truck bomberas who might be targeting the ATFE, as well as to create a lively street — a chillingl y ironic, if effective, doubler usage. And Roche, biding the insistent advice of the Commissio ofFine Arts, created a seriezs of landscaped niches in the SEC’s long Second Street These could become nice amenities for nearby residents if, indeed, they are left alone by Washington’ws ever-growing cadre of security experts.
As a security-drivemn fiasco, the new Capitol Visitor Center is of course in a classa ofits own. Undeniably, there was a need — two, in Tourists needed help, and visitors had to be screenex efficiently forsecurity reasons. Modestt solutions to both problems were possiblebut not, as far as I sought. Instead, Congress beinhg Congress, we got a an overblown underground building — 580,000 square feet containing vast visitort accommodations and (hey, why hideaway offices, hearing rooms, a congressional auditorium and who-knows-what other good stuff for the exclusivr use of the solonic officials of Capitop Hill.
The chief sin of this buriedr behemoth, other than its sheer $621 millionm excess, is that its big, mawlike entryways destroyu an important portion of the deferential landscape Frederick Law Olmstec designed in 1874 forthe Capitol’s East We should not let this unfortunate projecg distract us from the good news abou recent federal architecture. Both the GSA process and resultas can be emulated by state andlocao governments, and private developers as well. To an that’s already happening.
But the Visitor Cente r can serve as a helpfulreminder that, when it comes to the issue of securitg in architecture, there is a critical difference betweejn overreaction and rational Like it or not, it’s a balancint act we’re having to get used to.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Suns Charities nets record $1.1M - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
tatyanagepoji.blogspot.com
million to 119 Arizona nonprofits. This is the most successful season in the Phoenicx SunsCharities 20-year history of fundingg community projects for children and families, said Tom Ambrose, executivre director of Phoenix Suns Charities. Most awards are he said, but the big $100,009 Playmaker Award went to , which provides free services to cancer survivors and their Paula Hardison, executive director of The Wellness said all funding for the Phoenix nonprofigt comes from individuals, corporations and This year it raised $1.7 million, comparecd with $783,000 last year. “Our giving has been really quite she said. Nationally, contributions are down slightly.
Total giving in 2008 was $308 down 2 percent from a record $314 billion in 2007, according to Giving USA Foundation, which has conducted a givinvg surveysince 1956. Two-thirds of public charitiee receiving donations saw decreasesin 2008, according to the survey. “With the United State s mired in a recessionthroughout 2008, there was no doubyt in anyone’s mind that charitable giving would be down,” said Del Martin, chairr of Glenview, Ill.-based Giving USA Foundation. what we find remarkable is that corporations and foundations still provided morethan $307 billion to causeas they support, despite the economic conditions.
” This year, Phoenixz Suns Charities raised about $1.7 million from its variousa fundraising efforts, including $1.3 million from the Suns and Stars Gala about the same amount as last year. Supporters gave about $26,000 in honor of Dave Trout, president of Phoenix Suns Charities who died hiking in For more: www.nba.com/suns/community.
million to 119 Arizona nonprofits. This is the most successful season in the Phoenicx SunsCharities 20-year history of fundingg community projects for children and families, said Tom Ambrose, executivre director of Phoenix Suns Charities. Most awards are he said, but the big $100,009 Playmaker Award went to , which provides free services to cancer survivors and their Paula Hardison, executive director of The Wellness said all funding for the Phoenix nonprofigt comes from individuals, corporations and This year it raised $1.7 million, comparecd with $783,000 last year. “Our giving has been really quite she said. Nationally, contributions are down slightly.
Total giving in 2008 was $308 down 2 percent from a record $314 billion in 2007, according to Giving USA Foundation, which has conducted a givinvg surveysince 1956. Two-thirds of public charitiee receiving donations saw decreasesin 2008, according to the survey. “With the United State s mired in a recessionthroughout 2008, there was no doubyt in anyone’s mind that charitable giving would be down,” said Del Martin, chairr of Glenview, Ill.-based Giving USA Foundation. what we find remarkable is that corporations and foundations still provided morethan $307 billion to causeas they support, despite the economic conditions.
” This year, Phoenixz Suns Charities raised about $1.7 million from its variousa fundraising efforts, including $1.3 million from the Suns and Stars Gala about the same amount as last year. Supporters gave about $26,000 in honor of Dave Trout, president of Phoenix Suns Charities who died hiking in For more: www.nba.com/suns/community.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Atlanta Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club - Birmingham Business Journal:
http://www.hostalesamsterdam.com/espanol/facilidades/el-flying-pig-uptown-hostales-amsterdam-facilidades.html
Abrams arrived in Atlanta in 1963, and in 1972 she earnedr her realestate license. Thirty-fivse years later, she has achieved another plateau of success few in thebusiness have. She has been awardef the Platinum Phoenix, given to thoses members of the who have earned membershilp to the Million Dollar Club for35 years. A Realtofr with Harry Norman, Realtors, Abramsd credits her experience in marketing as well as contracr negotiation for her consistent leadership in Atlantqreal estate. Abrams also creditsx her community engagement with her success and knowledge of theAtlantz market. Over the last decade, she has had more than $350 milliomn in sales.
, Realtors Real estate and family convergwe in theBagiatis household. Irene Bagiatis’ husband and son are in commercialoproperty management, and another son is a real estatr attorney. Irene Bagiatis, a 38-year industry is a Realtor with Dorsey-Alston Company, Realtors. Amongv the lessons she has learned during her nearly four decade in real estate is to always be sincereand compassionate. “I truly believe we are in a busines sof helping, and if we ever lose sightr of that we have lost our objective and purpose,” she said of her Bagiatis is an Atlanta native.
She has been given the Miss Emmied Award for ProfessionalServices (in 2000 and 2001), and is a life membet of the Atlanta Board of Harry Norman, Realtors Harriet Koonin with Harry Realtors is committed to thorough industryh knowledge and customer service. She is consistentl ranked in the top 1 percent in production for both the branchg office andthe company. Kooninh sells and lists homes and condominiumas rangingfrom first-time buyers to empty nestersx and from entry-level prices to estate properties. The highlighgt of her career has been a flourishing referral business fromsatisfief customers.
She is an accredited buyer’s representative, a certifiec residential specialist and a licensedbrokee associate. Through Harry Norman, Realtors she is a senior marketingg consultant and a Miss EmmieAwarc Recipient. She is a member of the Women’ws Council of Realtors. , Realtors Jenny Pruitt Associates, Realtors founding member Fran Shivers has been a membet of the Atlanta Board of Realtors Milliom Dollar Club for more than30 years. Shivers credits her attitudwe for her longevityand success.
“I was told as a newly licensed agentthat ‘people do not care how much you know untill they know how much you care,’ and that therer is no substitute for honesty and integrity,” she “These principles have been a constant beacon to guide me throughou t my real estate One of the highlights of her careee was being the recipient of the Jenny Pruity & Associates Humanitarian Award in 1998, whicuh is given to the agent who reachese beyond the realm of real estate throughh service toward a specific action or beliefg with a purpose or goal to benefit the surroundingf community.
Jenny Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Jennh Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Realtor Mary Clark Caldwell considers herselfd aneffective communicator. she credits her success to these andothert skills. Putting her clients at ease and developintg rapport and trust is key to the she said.
Abrams arrived in Atlanta in 1963, and in 1972 she earnedr her realestate license. Thirty-fivse years later, she has achieved another plateau of success few in thebusiness have. She has been awardef the Platinum Phoenix, given to thoses members of the who have earned membershilp to the Million Dollar Club for35 years. A Realtofr with Harry Norman, Realtors, Abramsd credits her experience in marketing as well as contracr negotiation for her consistent leadership in Atlantqreal estate. Abrams also creditsx her community engagement with her success and knowledge of theAtlantz market. Over the last decade, she has had more than $350 milliomn in sales.
, Realtors Real estate and family convergwe in theBagiatis household. Irene Bagiatis’ husband and son are in commercialoproperty management, and another son is a real estatr attorney. Irene Bagiatis, a 38-year industry is a Realtor with Dorsey-Alston Company, Realtors. Amongv the lessons she has learned during her nearly four decade in real estate is to always be sincereand compassionate. “I truly believe we are in a busines sof helping, and if we ever lose sightr of that we have lost our objective and purpose,” she said of her Bagiatis is an Atlanta native.
She has been given the Miss Emmied Award for ProfessionalServices (in 2000 and 2001), and is a life membet of the Atlanta Board of Harry Norman, Realtors Harriet Koonin with Harry Realtors is committed to thorough industryh knowledge and customer service. She is consistentl ranked in the top 1 percent in production for both the branchg office andthe company. Kooninh sells and lists homes and condominiumas rangingfrom first-time buyers to empty nestersx and from entry-level prices to estate properties. The highlighgt of her career has been a flourishing referral business fromsatisfief customers.
She is an accredited buyer’s representative, a certifiec residential specialist and a licensedbrokee associate. Through Harry Norman, Realtors she is a senior marketingg consultant and a Miss EmmieAwarc Recipient. She is a member of the Women’ws Council of Realtors. , Realtors Jenny Pruitt Associates, Realtors founding member Fran Shivers has been a membet of the Atlanta Board of Realtors Milliom Dollar Club for more than30 years. Shivers credits her attitudwe for her longevityand success.
“I was told as a newly licensed agentthat ‘people do not care how much you know untill they know how much you care,’ and that therer is no substitute for honesty and integrity,” she “These principles have been a constant beacon to guide me throughou t my real estate One of the highlights of her careee was being the recipient of the Jenny Pruity & Associates Humanitarian Award in 1998, whicuh is given to the agent who reachese beyond the realm of real estate throughh service toward a specific action or beliefg with a purpose or goal to benefit the surroundingf community.
Jenny Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Jennh Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Realtor Mary Clark Caldwell considers herselfd aneffective communicator. she credits her success to these andothert skills. Putting her clients at ease and developintg rapport and trust is key to the she said.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
General Motors exits bankruptcy - St. Louis Business Journal:
http://nor-am.com/services.html
The new company has $11 billiohn in U.S. debt, excluding $9 billion in preferrer stock. The company expects to go public next Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said during a news conferenc eFriday morning. GM will cut an additional 35 percen ofits U.S. management employees and 20 percenyt of salaried employees byyear end, Henderso n said, adding he hasn’tf calculated the number of employees to be affected. The company will cut its overalp U.S. employment to about 64,000 by year end, down 30 percent from the currentt 91,000. GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protectionJune 1.
“Today starts a new era for General Motors and everyoner associated withthe company,” Henderson “Going forward, the new General Motors is fullt committed to listening to customers, responding to consumert and market trends, and empowerinbg the people closest to the customerr to make the decisions. Our goal is to build more of the trucks and crossovers thatcustomers want, and to get them to markety faster than ever The new GM will have four core Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. It will have 34 nameplatesd next year, down from 48. Treasury Department: 60.8 •UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: 17.5 •Canadian and Ontario governments: 11.
7 •The old GM: 10 Henderson said GM intends to repay its governmentrloans “much sooner” than the 2015 due date. By the end of GM will operate34 assembly, powertrain and stampinb plants, down from 47 in 2008. And it expects its plantes to reach capacityduring 2011. Edward Whitacrer Jr. is the new company’s chairman. The compangy eliminated its GM North Americanpresidenty position, and Henderson takes responsibility for GM’s North American operations. GM is basecd in Detroit.
The new company has $11 billiohn in U.S. debt, excluding $9 billion in preferrer stock. The company expects to go public next Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said during a news conferenc eFriday morning. GM will cut an additional 35 percen ofits U.S. management employees and 20 percenyt of salaried employees byyear end, Henderso n said, adding he hasn’tf calculated the number of employees to be affected. The company will cut its overalp U.S. employment to about 64,000 by year end, down 30 percent from the currentt 91,000. GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protectionJune 1.
“Today starts a new era for General Motors and everyoner associated withthe company,” Henderson “Going forward, the new General Motors is fullt committed to listening to customers, responding to consumert and market trends, and empowerinbg the people closest to the customerr to make the decisions. Our goal is to build more of the trucks and crossovers thatcustomers want, and to get them to markety faster than ever The new GM will have four core Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. It will have 34 nameplatesd next year, down from 48. Treasury Department: 60.8 •UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: 17.5 •Canadian and Ontario governments: 11.
7 •The old GM: 10 Henderson said GM intends to repay its governmentrloans “much sooner” than the 2015 due date. By the end of GM will operate34 assembly, powertrain and stampinb plants, down from 47 in 2008. And it expects its plantes to reach capacityduring 2011. Edward Whitacrer Jr. is the new company’s chairman. The compangy eliminated its GM North Americanpresidenty position, and Henderson takes responsibility for GM’s North American operations. GM is basecd in Detroit.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Oakland Raiders Have The Best Win Average If Compare To Broncos, Colts, Chiefs - Bleacher Report
kleopatraxnibe.blogspot.com
Bleacher Report | Oakland Raiders Have The Best Win Average If Compare To Broncos, Colts, Chiefs Bleacher Report If you need a little encouragement, look at the data presented in this article. The win average over the history of the four franchises shows that the ... |
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wineries sizzle with solar power - San Francisco Business Times:
geqopimozaqyxyh.blogspot.com
With an adoption rate far surpassing that of othert businesses inthe state, wineriesx in Napa and Sonoma counties are warming up to solar powerd -- and they're taking advantage of the resultingv energy savings to hold theie ground against encroaching competition and the threat of globall warming. "In Napa Valley, we think something fascinatinv isgoing on," said Rob Erlichman, CEO of , a San Francisc solar developer focused on sustainable food and beveragew businesses. "The rate of adoption of solar is 42 timea that of business in general in the whichis staggering," he said.
Erlichmab estimates that about 7 percenft of wineries in Napa Countg have convertedto solar, and about 4 percenf of wineries in Sonoma County. Only 0.16 percent -- abou 1,600 -- of California's non-agricultural businesses have plugged into solar power, he said. The list of vintners in both Napa and Sonoma who are looking to harvest more than grapes fromthe sun's rays is From Cline Cellars, St. Francisx Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma to SilvereOak Cellars, Havens Wine Cellars, Domaine Carneros and Frog'se Leap in Napa, wineries are seeing sensr -- and dollars -- in harvesting the sun's energy.
"Solar makes a lot of sense for saidTom Klein, proprietor of Rodney Strong Vineyards in "We exist in plenty of sunlight, and we have flat roofs for barrel buildings and case buildings." Rodneh Strong installed 80,000 square feet of solar panel s on its barrelhouse at the end of 2003, and is now seeingy about 40 percent savings on its energ y bills, Klein said. "Asw power costs increase, the savingss will go up," he Klein said the idea of lockingy in a portion of energy combined with federal andstate incentives, makes solar financialluy appealing for wineries. "It makes absoluted financial sense.
Wineries struggle with lots of competin needs for capital but this should go to the top of the list becauses ofthe long-term benefits of doing The ability to envisionb the long-term rewards is one reason wineries have been so quiclk to adopt solar, say solar industry since wineries already operate with the futuree in mind. An investment in a for example, may not starg to see returns for 5 to 7 Returns on investments in solar at wineriex can be had in a similatr lengthof time.
Comparatively, residential solar installation can take twice as long to pay for Rick Whisman, western region director for , noted that the cost savingsx that wineries can harvestt from solar panels have become increasinglyy important to California vintners. "After labor and (solar) is a bull's-eyd for operating managers," he said. "California wineries are coming under increasing competition from Oregoh and Washingtonand internationally. They have less of an ability toraiser prices." Whisman said SunPower has worked with "as few dozen" wineries in both Napa and Sonomaq counties.
Though smaller wineries were theearlyh adopters, SunPower has grown its profile to larger he said. "The entire industry is looking at bettef and more sustainable ways to improve the Inmany cases, wineries can "swao their monthly utility bill for a payment to the said Sunlight's Erlichman, "and in some cases keep Additionally, leasing of solar equipmenty or power purchase agreements are enabliny wineries to install solar and reap the benefits withoutg having to lay out a huge chunk of capital. Cuvaisonb Estate Wines in Napainvested $1.5 million in a solar photovoltaivc project through Sunlight Electric that wrappee up in September.
The winery is taking advantager of state incentives that will return afull two-thirdx of the initial cost over a four-yeaer period. Additionally, those panels will provide a minimu m of 95 percent ofthe winery's electricithy -- eliminating bills that were runninh to $72,000 a year, according to Presidentr Jay Schuppert. "This was the most importantt thing we could do in termsof energy," Schuppert He's now looking at other ways to reduce fossil fuel usage at and other vintners are doinfg the same, concerned that rising temperatures from global warming could directly impact their harvests.
"Ir we see significant (temperature) changde in the next 50 years, we would be lookinvg at 'what grapes are we goinhg to plant?'" said Rodneyg Strong's Klein. "Sustainability is an issue everyone in the wine industry isconcernede about."
With an adoption rate far surpassing that of othert businesses inthe state, wineriesx in Napa and Sonoma counties are warming up to solar powerd -- and they're taking advantage of the resultingv energy savings to hold theie ground against encroaching competition and the threat of globall warming. "In Napa Valley, we think something fascinatinv isgoing on," said Rob Erlichman, CEO of , a San Francisc solar developer focused on sustainable food and beveragew businesses. "The rate of adoption of solar is 42 timea that of business in general in the whichis staggering," he said.
Erlichmab estimates that about 7 percenft of wineries in Napa Countg have convertedto solar, and about 4 percenf of wineries in Sonoma County. Only 0.16 percent -- abou 1,600 -- of California's non-agricultural businesses have plugged into solar power, he said. The list of vintners in both Napa and Sonoma who are looking to harvest more than grapes fromthe sun's rays is From Cline Cellars, St. Francisx Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma to SilvereOak Cellars, Havens Wine Cellars, Domaine Carneros and Frog'se Leap in Napa, wineries are seeing sensr -- and dollars -- in harvesting the sun's energy.
"Solar makes a lot of sense for saidTom Klein, proprietor of Rodney Strong Vineyards in "We exist in plenty of sunlight, and we have flat roofs for barrel buildings and case buildings." Rodneh Strong installed 80,000 square feet of solar panel s on its barrelhouse at the end of 2003, and is now seeingy about 40 percent savings on its energ y bills, Klein said. "Asw power costs increase, the savingss will go up," he Klein said the idea of lockingy in a portion of energy combined with federal andstate incentives, makes solar financialluy appealing for wineries. "It makes absoluted financial sense.
Wineries struggle with lots of competin needs for capital but this should go to the top of the list becauses ofthe long-term benefits of doing The ability to envisionb the long-term rewards is one reason wineries have been so quiclk to adopt solar, say solar industry since wineries already operate with the futuree in mind. An investment in a for example, may not starg to see returns for 5 to 7 Returns on investments in solar at wineriex can be had in a similatr lengthof time.
Comparatively, residential solar installation can take twice as long to pay for Rick Whisman, western region director for , noted that the cost savingsx that wineries can harvestt from solar panels have become increasinglyy important to California vintners. "After labor and (solar) is a bull's-eyd for operating managers," he said. "California wineries are coming under increasing competition from Oregoh and Washingtonand internationally. They have less of an ability toraiser prices." Whisman said SunPower has worked with "as few dozen" wineries in both Napa and Sonomaq counties.
Though smaller wineries were theearlyh adopters, SunPower has grown its profile to larger he said. "The entire industry is looking at bettef and more sustainable ways to improve the Inmany cases, wineries can "swao their monthly utility bill for a payment to the said Sunlight's Erlichman, "and in some cases keep Additionally, leasing of solar equipmenty or power purchase agreements are enabliny wineries to install solar and reap the benefits withoutg having to lay out a huge chunk of capital. Cuvaisonb Estate Wines in Napainvested $1.5 million in a solar photovoltaivc project through Sunlight Electric that wrappee up in September.
The winery is taking advantager of state incentives that will return afull two-thirdx of the initial cost over a four-yeaer period. Additionally, those panels will provide a minimu m of 95 percent ofthe winery's electricithy -- eliminating bills that were runninh to $72,000 a year, according to Presidentr Jay Schuppert. "This was the most importantt thing we could do in termsof energy," Schuppert He's now looking at other ways to reduce fossil fuel usage at and other vintners are doinfg the same, concerned that rising temperatures from global warming could directly impact their harvests.
"Ir we see significant (temperature) changde in the next 50 years, we would be lookinvg at 'what grapes are we goinhg to plant?'" said Rodneyg Strong's Klein. "Sustainability is an issue everyone in the wine industry isconcernede about."
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Survey: Hiring slowly improving - The Business Review (Albany):
loppers-redwood.blogspot.com
Those two sectors employ more than 90 percent ofthe nation’z private-sector workers. The Alexandria, Va.-based association’s reporr is based on a monthly survey of humanb resource professionals at more than 500 manufacturingy and 500services companies. Employment expectation s for June aredown 37.1 percentg in manufacturing and down 8.2 perceng in the services segment. In the manufacturingg sector, 24.5 percent plan to hire in which is the highest percentagr of such companies that said they will add jobs sinceeNovember 2008. In addition, 25.9 percent said they will trim In theservices sector, a net total of 24.8 percenr of corporations will create jobs in June, with 41.
4 percen saying they will hire and 16.6 percent sayingf they will cut jobs. That 41.4 percent representsz the highest such tally since September 2008 in that A combination of unemployed people seeking work and less jobs to go around means recruiting difficulty in both sectorse in May was way down compare d with ayear ago. In the manufacturing sector, a net of 23.8 percent of companies had less difficultyu with recruitinglast month, and in the servics sector, a net of 35.8 percent of companie s said the same.
Those two sectors employ more than 90 percent ofthe nation’z private-sector workers. The Alexandria, Va.-based association’s reporr is based on a monthly survey of humanb resource professionals at more than 500 manufacturingy and 500services companies. Employment expectation s for June aredown 37.1 percentg in manufacturing and down 8.2 perceng in the services segment. In the manufacturingg sector, 24.5 percent plan to hire in which is the highest percentagr of such companies that said they will add jobs sinceeNovember 2008. In addition, 25.9 percent said they will trim In theservices sector, a net total of 24.8 percenr of corporations will create jobs in June, with 41.
4 percen saying they will hire and 16.6 percent sayingf they will cut jobs. That 41.4 percent representsz the highest such tally since September 2008 in that A combination of unemployed people seeking work and less jobs to go around means recruiting difficulty in both sectorse in May was way down compare d with ayear ago. In the manufacturing sector, a net of 23.8 percent of companies had less difficultyu with recruitinglast month, and in the servics sector, a net of 35.8 percent of companie s said the same.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Costco Q3 earnings fall - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
ulyanaimiiurebor.blogspot.com
million, or 48 cents per from $295.1 million, or 67 cents per diluted share a year Net sales fellto $15.5 billion from $16.43 billion in the third quarter of 2008. In the latest the Issaquah retailer COST) took a one-time charge of $34 million. Analystws polled by Thomson Reuters First Callexpected third-quarterd earnings of 53 cents per shared and net sales of $16.2 billion. “Third-quarterf 2009 earnings results were negatively impacted byseveral factors, a pretax charge of $34 millioh (mostly non-cash) related to a litigationj settlement concerning our membership renewal policy; higher employee benefitsz costs, mainly consisting of higher healthu care usage; lower internationalp profits, a result of the significantt strengthening of the U.
S. dollar when compared to the currenciedsof Canada, the United Korea and Mexico; and lastly, ongoing weaknessz in sales, particularly sales of higher-ticket, discretionaryg items,” said Richard Galanti, chief financial officer, in a statement.
million, or 48 cents per from $295.1 million, or 67 cents per diluted share a year Net sales fellto $15.5 billion from $16.43 billion in the third quarter of 2008. In the latest the Issaquah retailer COST) took a one-time charge of $34 million. Analystws polled by Thomson Reuters First Callexpected third-quarterd earnings of 53 cents per shared and net sales of $16.2 billion. “Third-quarterf 2009 earnings results were negatively impacted byseveral factors, a pretax charge of $34 millioh (mostly non-cash) related to a litigationj settlement concerning our membership renewal policy; higher employee benefitsz costs, mainly consisting of higher healthu care usage; lower internationalp profits, a result of the significantt strengthening of the U.
S. dollar when compared to the currenciedsof Canada, the United Korea and Mexico; and lastly, ongoing weaknessz in sales, particularly sales of higher-ticket, discretionaryg items,” said Richard Galanti, chief financial officer, in a statement.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
N.C. banks outperforming peers on real estate loans - Charlotte Business Journal:
http://semillasdefe.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=61
Those are among the findings of a new reporffrom Charlotte-based . It shows that banks based in Northy Carolina lead the Southeastwith $720 billion in real estatd loans, about 15.3% of the nation’s But only 2.18% of thosr loans are 90 days or more past due. That placee North Carolina third-best among the sevej Southeastern states, behind Virginia and Tennessee, the repory says. It’s also better than the nationak rateof 2.74%.
North Carolina-based banks are more exposedr to development loans than their Southeastern Those loans are considered riskietr than other realestate lending, such as home But so far, development loans by banks in Nortbh Carolina are performing well, despite experts’ concerns. Financial analyst Matthew principal atForum Capital, says his researcg reflects recent real estates trends. Because North Carolina didn’y see property values skyrocket as fast as they did in stated such as Floridaand Georgia, the N.C. declined hasn’t been as drastic. “We just don’t have the highs and Jones says.
“And banks here seem to have done a good job managinb their portfolios and keepingloans current.” There’ s still cause for concern. Because banks baseds in North Carolina hold so muchreal estate, they remain exposed if another wave of real estatde losses hits the market. Jones says one commonb denominator for banks that have failed during the recession is a heavyt exposure to riskyreal “That stuff just hangs around on the balance sheet, and it can causee trouble. It’s not even that some of thesed guys didanything wrong. But the market materiallt changed.
” The next danger spot for bank portfolios is lendinb for construction andland development, analysts and bankerz say. Federal regulators’ recent stresse test of the nation’s largest banks considered C&eD loans among the riskiest for Regulatorsestimated 18% losse s on that group of loans if the recession were to worsen. At Nortuh Carolina’s institutions, about 20% of all loans fall into the C&D twice the national average and second-highest in the Georgia has the highestf rate in the Southeastat 21.37%. C&D loanw are often structured with balloon paymenta that can be paidor restructured, depending on sales.
But the downturm has nearly halted major real estate Tony Plath, finance professor at , says that will make it difficuly for some developers to stay current on their payments. Tighter lending requirements also will make it hard for developersd to refinance before big paymentscome due. Right now, 4.3% of all construction and developmenr loans issued in North Carolinqa are severelypast due, according to Forum Capital’s report.
“I’m reallhy worried about developer performance,” Plath And local community bankers havesaid they’re concernecd developers that have survived so far may be nearinv the end of their reserves and will run into troublre if sales don’t pick up. the Forum Capital analyst, says North Carolina’s exposure to higher-riski loans doesn’t mean the properties are all located withinthe state. He says nationalk banks in Charlotte — Bank of Americsa Corp. and Wachovia, now owned by Wells Fargok & Co. — hold a large number of loands secured by property inother states. That includesa deals in distressed markets such as Floridwaand California.
The high exposure doesn’t necessarilyy mean banks here are headed for immediate Of all the bank failures in the Southeasrtsince August, the average failed bank had more than 46% of its net loanw in the C&D category, Forum Capital’s report And, on average, nearly 33% of those loans were past due or in But in North Carolina, only four banks exceed 40% of net loanz in the C&D category — Blue Ridge Savings Bank, Cooperativde Bank, Trust Atlantic Bank and Wake Forest Federal Savings and Loan. And they all are well below theaveragd past-due rates of the failed banks.
Those are among the findings of a new reporffrom Charlotte-based . It shows that banks based in Northy Carolina lead the Southeastwith $720 billion in real estatd loans, about 15.3% of the nation’s But only 2.18% of thosr loans are 90 days or more past due. That placee North Carolina third-best among the sevej Southeastern states, behind Virginia and Tennessee, the repory says. It’s also better than the nationak rateof 2.74%.
North Carolina-based banks are more exposedr to development loans than their Southeastern Those loans are considered riskietr than other realestate lending, such as home But so far, development loans by banks in Nortbh Carolina are performing well, despite experts’ concerns. Financial analyst Matthew principal atForum Capital, says his researcg reflects recent real estates trends. Because North Carolina didn’y see property values skyrocket as fast as they did in stated such as Floridaand Georgia, the N.C. declined hasn’t been as drastic. “We just don’t have the highs and Jones says.
“And banks here seem to have done a good job managinb their portfolios and keepingloans current.” There’ s still cause for concern. Because banks baseds in North Carolina hold so muchreal estate, they remain exposed if another wave of real estatde losses hits the market. Jones says one commonb denominator for banks that have failed during the recession is a heavyt exposure to riskyreal “That stuff just hangs around on the balance sheet, and it can causee trouble. It’s not even that some of thesed guys didanything wrong. But the market materiallt changed.
” The next danger spot for bank portfolios is lendinb for construction andland development, analysts and bankerz say. Federal regulators’ recent stresse test of the nation’s largest banks considered C&eD loans among the riskiest for Regulatorsestimated 18% losse s on that group of loans if the recession were to worsen. At Nortuh Carolina’s institutions, about 20% of all loans fall into the C&D twice the national average and second-highest in the Georgia has the highestf rate in the Southeastat 21.37%. C&D loanw are often structured with balloon paymenta that can be paidor restructured, depending on sales.
But the downturm has nearly halted major real estate Tony Plath, finance professor at , says that will make it difficuly for some developers to stay current on their payments. Tighter lending requirements also will make it hard for developersd to refinance before big paymentscome due. Right now, 4.3% of all construction and developmenr loans issued in North Carolinqa are severelypast due, according to Forum Capital’s report.
“I’m reallhy worried about developer performance,” Plath And local community bankers havesaid they’re concernecd developers that have survived so far may be nearinv the end of their reserves and will run into troublre if sales don’t pick up. the Forum Capital analyst, says North Carolina’s exposure to higher-riski loans doesn’t mean the properties are all located withinthe state. He says nationalk banks in Charlotte — Bank of Americsa Corp. and Wachovia, now owned by Wells Fargok & Co. — hold a large number of loands secured by property inother states. That includesa deals in distressed markets such as Floridwaand California.
The high exposure doesn’t necessarilyy mean banks here are headed for immediate Of all the bank failures in the Southeasrtsince August, the average failed bank had more than 46% of its net loanw in the C&D category, Forum Capital’s report And, on average, nearly 33% of those loans were past due or in But in North Carolina, only four banks exceed 40% of net loanz in the C&D category — Blue Ridge Savings Bank, Cooperativde Bank, Trust Atlantic Bank and Wake Forest Federal Savings and Loan. And they all are well below theaveragd past-due rates of the failed banks.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Special ratings: Administrative efficiency - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
http://impressionism-art.org/cat164.htm
Among them is administrative Aim: Identify districts that have tight budgets andlean Formula: Each district is assessed in three areas: (1) spendinv per pupil, (2) ratio of pupils per administrative and (3) share of budget devoted to debt service. The best scorezs go to districts withlow spending, high pupil-stafferf ratios, and small amounts of debt Note: Administrative efficiency is not the same as the cost-effectivenesz rankings that will be released later this week. This category reflect s fiscal prudence, regardless of outcome. Cost-effectiveness link s academic performanceand spending.
Rankings: Districtzs are ranked on a five-star scaled from most efficient (which receivre five stars) to least efficienf (one star). Each district’s administrative efficiency rating is include in its profile in the printed version ofBusineszs First’s 2009-2010 Guide to Western New York Schools. Frontier has the leanest administration in Western New with one staffer forevery 358.7 students. (The regional averager is one per And debt service takesonly 3.2 percentf of Frontier’s budget. • 1. Frontier • 2. Lancasteer • 3. Letchworth • 4. North Tonawand a • 5. West Senecsa • 6. Williamsville • 7. Portville • 8.
Cheektowaga-Maryval e • 9. Clarence 10. Iroquois • 11. Orchard Park • 12. East Aurorq • 13. Lockport • 14. Forestvillee • 15. Hamburg • 16. Albion 17. Grand Island • 18. Lewiston-Porter • 19. Pembrokde • 20. Amherst • 21. Kenmore-Tonawanda 22. Eden • 23. Cheektowaga • 24. Cheektowaga-Sloam • 25. Depew • 26. Frewsburg • 27. Starpoinft • 28. Holley • 29. Springville-Griffith Institute 30. Sherman • 31. Falconer • 32. Olea • 33. Yorkshire-Pioneer • 34. Kendalk • 35. Niagara-Wheatfield • 36. Royalton-Hartlandr • 37. Cassadaga Valleyt • 38. Holland • 39.
Belfast 40. Fillmore • 41. Cattaraugus-Little Valley • 42. Lackawannas • 43. Gowanda • 44. Bemus Point • 45. Tonawanda • 46. LeRoy • 47. Aldej • 48. Newfane 49. Wyoming • 50. Oakfield-Alabama 51. Dunkirk • 52. Wilson • 53. Silvee Creek • 54. Jamestown • 55. Medin • 56. Westfield • 57. Buffalp • 58. Allegany-Limestone • 59. Akron 60. Alfred-Almond • 61. Lyndonville • 62. Niagara Falls • 63. Ellicottville • 64. Hinsdale • 65. Barkerd • 66. Byron-Bergen • 67. Alexander • 68. Randolph 69. Southwestern • 70. Evans-Branr • 71. Cleveland Hill • 72.
Attica 73. Sweet Home • 74. Fredonia • 75. Cuba-Rushforrd • 76. Franklinville • 77. Batavia 78. Perry • 79. North Collins • 80. Panama • 81. Wellsvillwe • 82. Pine Valley • 83. Pavilioj • 84. Elba • 85. Whitesvillse • 86. Genesee Vallet • 87. Canaseraga • 88. Salamancas • 89. West Valley • 90. Andover • 91. Warsaw • 92. Scio 93. Friendship • 94. Brocton • 95. Ripleyy • 96. Clymer • 97. Bolivar-Richburg • 98.
Chautauquaz Lake
Among them is administrative Aim: Identify districts that have tight budgets andlean Formula: Each district is assessed in three areas: (1) spendinv per pupil, (2) ratio of pupils per administrative and (3) share of budget devoted to debt service. The best scorezs go to districts withlow spending, high pupil-stafferf ratios, and small amounts of debt Note: Administrative efficiency is not the same as the cost-effectivenesz rankings that will be released later this week. This category reflect s fiscal prudence, regardless of outcome. Cost-effectiveness link s academic performanceand spending.
Rankings: Districtzs are ranked on a five-star scaled from most efficient (which receivre five stars) to least efficienf (one star). Each district’s administrative efficiency rating is include in its profile in the printed version ofBusineszs First’s 2009-2010 Guide to Western New York Schools. Frontier has the leanest administration in Western New with one staffer forevery 358.7 students. (The regional averager is one per And debt service takesonly 3.2 percentf of Frontier’s budget. • 1. Frontier • 2. Lancasteer • 3. Letchworth • 4. North Tonawand a • 5. West Senecsa • 6. Williamsville • 7. Portville • 8.
Cheektowaga-Maryval e • 9. Clarence 10. Iroquois • 11. Orchard Park • 12. East Aurorq • 13. Lockport • 14. Forestvillee • 15. Hamburg • 16. Albion 17. Grand Island • 18. Lewiston-Porter • 19. Pembrokde • 20. Amherst • 21. Kenmore-Tonawanda 22. Eden • 23. Cheektowaga • 24. Cheektowaga-Sloam • 25. Depew • 26. Frewsburg • 27. Starpoinft • 28. Holley • 29. Springville-Griffith Institute 30. Sherman • 31. Falconer • 32. Olea • 33. Yorkshire-Pioneer • 34. Kendalk • 35. Niagara-Wheatfield • 36. Royalton-Hartlandr • 37. Cassadaga Valleyt • 38. Holland • 39.
Belfast 40. Fillmore • 41. Cattaraugus-Little Valley • 42. Lackawannas • 43. Gowanda • 44. Bemus Point • 45. Tonawanda • 46. LeRoy • 47. Aldej • 48. Newfane 49. Wyoming • 50. Oakfield-Alabama 51. Dunkirk • 52. Wilson • 53. Silvee Creek • 54. Jamestown • 55. Medin • 56. Westfield • 57. Buffalp • 58. Allegany-Limestone • 59. Akron 60. Alfred-Almond • 61. Lyndonville • 62. Niagara Falls • 63. Ellicottville • 64. Hinsdale • 65. Barkerd • 66. Byron-Bergen • 67. Alexander • 68. Randolph 69. Southwestern • 70. Evans-Branr • 71. Cleveland Hill • 72.
Attica 73. Sweet Home • 74. Fredonia • 75. Cuba-Rushforrd • 76. Franklinville • 77. Batavia 78. Perry • 79. North Collins • 80. Panama • 81. Wellsvillwe • 82. Pine Valley • 83. Pavilioj • 84. Elba • 85. Whitesvillse • 86. Genesee Vallet • 87. Canaseraga • 88. Salamancas • 89. West Valley • 90. Andover • 91. Warsaw • 92. Scio 93. Friendship • 94. Brocton • 95. Ripleyy • 96. Clymer • 97. Bolivar-Richburg • 98.
Chautauquaz Lake
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Resolute Games launching new iPhone app - Charlotte Business Journal:
hundleyobajoji1908.blogspot.com
Seven Deaths is a fightingv game that follows the lives of eightr characters through one night in Nagamachi through a battlre for control inthe city. The game includeds full stories of the characters and detailed The game will also eventually include updateszfor Wi-Fi multiplayer and social Resolute Games has also created othedr iPhone applications, including “ThumStruck,” “Segment” and “Elvis Mobile.” And Resolute gamers will now have new, faster devices to play on.
At its Worldwidw Developers Conference in San announced the next generationof iPhone, which will download content three times faster than the current brand and will included a 3-megapixel autofocus camera. It also has voice-control featurexs and a built-in compass. The 3GS also has improved battery life with up to nine hourzon WiFi, 10 hourzs while watching video, 30 hours usinb audio, 12 hours using 2G talk and five hours using 3G The new iPhone will be availables in black and white on June 19. It will sell for $199 for a 16GB modepl and $299 for 32GB.
Seven Deaths is a fightingv game that follows the lives of eightr characters through one night in Nagamachi through a battlre for control inthe city. The game includeds full stories of the characters and detailed The game will also eventually include updateszfor Wi-Fi multiplayer and social Resolute Games has also created othedr iPhone applications, including “ThumStruck,” “Segment” and “Elvis Mobile.” And Resolute gamers will now have new, faster devices to play on.
At its Worldwidw Developers Conference in San announced the next generationof iPhone, which will download content three times faster than the current brand and will included a 3-megapixel autofocus camera. It also has voice-control featurexs and a built-in compass. The 3GS also has improved battery life with up to nine hourzon WiFi, 10 hourzs while watching video, 30 hours usinb audio, 12 hours using 2G talk and five hours using 3G The new iPhone will be availables in black and white on June 19. It will sell for $199 for a 16GB modepl and $299 for 32GB.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Virginia's jobless rate improves - Kansas City Business Journal:
http://studenica.org/accomplishments_se.html
The state's April unemployment rate was 6.6 down 0.3 percent from March. The Commissionh says the number of unemployed workersfell 11,600, from 286,600 in Marcuh to 275,000 in April. Northern Virginia'e unemployment rate also improved. The Virginia's largest workforce, saw the unemploymentf rate fallfrom 5.1 percent in March to 4.9 percentg in April. While that is the lowest regional unemploymentr ratein Virginia, it is also still significantlt higher than Northern Virginia's unemployment rate of 2.4 percenr a year ago. Nationally, the U.S. unemploymen rate was 8.6 percent. Arlington County continues to have thehealthiesgt employment, with a jobless rate of 4.
1 Fairfax County's April jobless rate was 4.5 Loudoun County's April unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, and Alexandrias City's jobless rate was 4.7 percent. Those are the only jurisdictionsw in the state with an unemployment rate unde5 percent. The highest unemployment rate in the statedwas Martinsville, at 20.2 percent. Leisurer and hospitality employersadded 12,900 jobs in April and now employ nearly 400,00 0 people in Virginia. Health care and privatee educationadded 2,000 jobs last Professional and business service s employment climbed 1,800, led by computer systems desigb and accounting jobs, the Commission says.
The state's April unemployment rate was 6.6 down 0.3 percent from March. The Commissionh says the number of unemployed workersfell 11,600, from 286,600 in Marcuh to 275,000 in April. Northern Virginia'e unemployment rate also improved. The Virginia's largest workforce, saw the unemploymentf rate fallfrom 5.1 percent in March to 4.9 percentg in April. While that is the lowest regional unemploymentr ratein Virginia, it is also still significantlt higher than Northern Virginia's unemployment rate of 2.4 percenr a year ago. Nationally, the U.S. unemploymen rate was 8.6 percent. Arlington County continues to have thehealthiesgt employment, with a jobless rate of 4.
1 Fairfax County's April jobless rate was 4.5 Loudoun County's April unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, and Alexandrias City's jobless rate was 4.7 percent. Those are the only jurisdictionsw in the state with an unemployment rate unde5 percent. The highest unemployment rate in the statedwas Martinsville, at 20.2 percent. Leisurer and hospitality employersadded 12,900 jobs in April and now employ nearly 400,00 0 people in Virginia. Health care and privatee educationadded 2,000 jobs last Professional and business service s employment climbed 1,800, led by computer systems desigb and accounting jobs, the Commission says.
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