http://www.the-telephone.net/dir/satellite_tv/follow4/
Eighty-seven percent of new car shoppers last month said they thinkm gas prices will gomuch higher, up from 66 percen in April. The prospect of higher gas prices also is havin an impact onpurchasing decisions. When askedf what they would be most likely to compromiss in theirnext new-vehicle purchase, shoppers citee engine size as the top item likely to be followed closely by vehicl size. In addition, 73 percent of those who saw gas pricexs increasing in May said they plan to change their spending habits if gas prices were to gomuch "While we may not see the $5-per-gallon gas experienced in some areas last year, current economic conditions compounded by the pain at the pump may make $3-per-gallonj gas a new thresholc for car buyers – the poing at which they change theidr mind about what vehicle to buy and how they spenfd their money," said Jack R.
Nerad, executiver editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and in anews release.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Catholic Bible revamped in time for Lent - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
xysecurakihir.blogspot.com
Catholic Bible revamped in time for Lent Pittsburgh Post Gazette One dispute focused on Psalm 1:1, where the bishops proposed changing, "Happy the man who follow not the counsel of the wicked," to, "Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked." Vatican officials argued that the verse was a prophecy of ... |
Monday, March 28, 2011
Price Chopper shoppers can save money at Sunoco - Nashville Business Journal:
mcfarlainofuqub1258.blogspot.com
region can now save on gasolinse for their car when they spenrd money in thesupermarket chain. Pricw Chopper has teamed up with more than 70 stationzs to offerFuel AdvantEdge, a program that has been availablre for more than two years in other areas servicedx by the grocery chain. Consumers can save 10 centsd per gallon at participatingv Sunoco stations forevery $50 of qualified groceriesz they purchase. The points/dollars can be accumulatedc overa 90-day period and spent on up to 20 gallon of gas. Sunoco customers in other areas have savef upwards of 50 cent to60 cents, and even $1 or more per through the program, accordingh to Jeff Hassman, channel marketing managetr for the gas stations.
The number of participating stationwswill grow, said Neil president and CEO of Price Customers must use their Price Choppeer AdvantEdge card to qualifuy for the savings. The supermarkegt automatically tracks the purchases that can be appliede toward the fuel savings Certainrestrictions apply. For instance, purchases of alcohol, gift cards, lottery tickets, video rentals and some other items don’gt count toward the $50 total.
region can now save on gasolinse for their car when they spenrd money in thesupermarket chain. Pricw Chopper has teamed up with more than 70 stationzs to offerFuel AdvantEdge, a program that has been availablre for more than two years in other areas servicedx by the grocery chain. Consumers can save 10 centsd per gallon at participatingv Sunoco stations forevery $50 of qualified groceriesz they purchase. The points/dollars can be accumulatedc overa 90-day period and spent on up to 20 gallon of gas. Sunoco customers in other areas have savef upwards of 50 cent to60 cents, and even $1 or more per through the program, accordingh to Jeff Hassman, channel marketing managetr for the gas stations.
The number of participating stationwswill grow, said Neil president and CEO of Price Customers must use their Price Choppeer AdvantEdge card to qualifuy for the savings. The supermarkegt automatically tracks the purchases that can be appliede toward the fuel savings Certainrestrictions apply. For instance, purchases of alcohol, gift cards, lottery tickets, video rentals and some other items don’gt count toward the $50 total.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Charity law overhaul sparks concern - Boston Business Journal:
efimtsovavadan.blogspot.com
The legislation also would make it easiedr for nonprofitsto dissolve, addressing the issuer of nonprofit organizations that are registered with the AG’sz office but are not operating. In addition, the legislatio n increases filing fees forthe state’s larges nonprofits and removes the 25 percent limift on the amount of money professional fundraiserse can earn from contribution s they raise. Sponsored by Rep.
Marthaz Walz, D-Cambridge, the legislation represents the first majofr change tothe state’s charities laws in 30 The legislation reflects an ongoing efforty by Attorney General Martha Coakley to put teetyh into all of the laws governing the issues under her said Jill Butterworth, a Coakley spokeswoman. In its effort to bringt the nonprofit sector intogreater compliance, the AG’sd office recently began posting on its Web site a list of nonprofitsx that are not current with statw regulations. Of the 25,000 nonprofite registered with Coakley’s office, 23 are publicly listed as “non-current.
” “Nonprofit organizations receive a significanft benefit from the state and federal government and they have a duty to complyt with the law from whicbhthey benefit. There should be stronb enforcement for organizationsthat don’ft comply with the laws,” Walz said. Nonprofig experts expressed mixed feelings about the proposeedlegislative changes, agreeing with the need for greateer enforcement but questioning the higher filinhg fees, increased penalties and notification process for delinquen t organizations. The legislation hikes penalties that nonprofits woulcd have to pay for failinvg to file required documents within 30 days of receivingf noticethrough U.S.
mail from a $500 maximum fine to a $10,000 maximum. The penaltiexs also would extend to those responsible for filingan organization’x paperwork, as they would be assessed Critics say the proposal is problematic on several levels. “Ths threat of these possible penalties imposefd on them personally is going to make it difficult for smalledr nonprofits to recruit board saidPeter Golemme, an attorney with Ganson & Perrin, addingf there is no guarantee that a notice sent through regular mail from the AG’as office has landed in the right hands.
“Jusr mailing a notice is scant protection to makingb sure they have received the notice and are given a chancweto respond,” Golemme said. The proposed fee structure for filing annual reports and audiyt statements also would increase the annual filing fees for organizationzs with gross receipts and revenues ofbetween $1 millio n and $100 million. The new fee structuree would add new tiers to the current system as well as higher fees rangingfrom $500 to $2,00p0 for larger organizations.
“At what point do they get high enouguhthat they’re no longerd fees but begin to look like asked David Magnani, executive director, Massachusetts Nonprofit The part of the legislation getting no argumen t from nonprofit advocates is the provision that wouldd enable nonprofits without assets to dissolve with a mere vote of theird boards of directors and a notice sent to the AG’ws office. Nonprofits that cease operations and have asseta would continue to file for dissolutiojn withthe .
The legislation also would make it easiedr for nonprofitsto dissolve, addressing the issuer of nonprofit organizations that are registered with the AG’sz office but are not operating. In addition, the legislatio n increases filing fees forthe state’s larges nonprofits and removes the 25 percent limift on the amount of money professional fundraiserse can earn from contribution s they raise. Sponsored by Rep.
Marthaz Walz, D-Cambridge, the legislation represents the first majofr change tothe state’s charities laws in 30 The legislation reflects an ongoing efforty by Attorney General Martha Coakley to put teetyh into all of the laws governing the issues under her said Jill Butterworth, a Coakley spokeswoman. In its effort to bringt the nonprofit sector intogreater compliance, the AG’sd office recently began posting on its Web site a list of nonprofitsx that are not current with statw regulations. Of the 25,000 nonprofite registered with Coakley’s office, 23 are publicly listed as “non-current.
” “Nonprofit organizations receive a significanft benefit from the state and federal government and they have a duty to complyt with the law from whicbhthey benefit. There should be stronb enforcement for organizationsthat don’ft comply with the laws,” Walz said. Nonprofig experts expressed mixed feelings about the proposeedlegislative changes, agreeing with the need for greateer enforcement but questioning the higher filinhg fees, increased penalties and notification process for delinquen t organizations. The legislation hikes penalties that nonprofits woulcd have to pay for failinvg to file required documents within 30 days of receivingf noticethrough U.S.
mail from a $500 maximum fine to a $10,000 maximum. The penaltiexs also would extend to those responsible for filingan organization’x paperwork, as they would be assessed Critics say the proposal is problematic on several levels. “Ths threat of these possible penalties imposefd on them personally is going to make it difficult for smalledr nonprofits to recruit board saidPeter Golemme, an attorney with Ganson & Perrin, addingf there is no guarantee that a notice sent through regular mail from the AG’as office has landed in the right hands.
“Jusr mailing a notice is scant protection to makingb sure they have received the notice and are given a chancweto respond,” Golemme said. The proposed fee structure for filing annual reports and audiyt statements also would increase the annual filing fees for organizationzs with gross receipts and revenues ofbetween $1 millio n and $100 million. The new fee structuree would add new tiers to the current system as well as higher fees rangingfrom $500 to $2,00p0 for larger organizations.
“At what point do they get high enouguhthat they’re no longerd fees but begin to look like asked David Magnani, executive director, Massachusetts Nonprofit The part of the legislation getting no argumen t from nonprofit advocates is the provision that wouldd enable nonprofits without assets to dissolve with a mere vote of theird boards of directors and a notice sent to the AG’ws office. Nonprofits that cease operations and have asseta would continue to file for dissolutiojn withthe .
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Degrees of Success: Local CPAs find that a law degree enhances ability to serve clients - Business First of Louisville:
houston-nearly.blogspot.com
Loyd, a member of the Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC law firm in became an accountant in 1991 afte r graduating summa cum laude fromin 1989. He started out doing tax work forCoopers & Lybrand, now part of and then moved on to work for Brow n & Williamson Tobacco Corp. in the mid-90s. Therer he managed their state and local tax reviewed tax returns filed in several statesd and local jurisdictions and managed revenue auditz from variousdepartments nationwide. He also earned his MBA from thein 1996. But Loyd wasn'rt finished.
He attended night school at the Universityu of Louisville to earn his law degree in andin 2003, left Brown & Williamsonh for his current position with Greenebaum Doll & where he works in tax litigation such as when a clienrt protests a tax assessment. "Instead of doin g tax returns, now I represent many differenyt kinds of clients before the and the Kentuckt Department of Revenue or the Indiana Departmengtof Revenue," Loyd said. He also strivesd to be active in professional groups for both as a member of the board of the Kentuckty Society of Certified Public Accountantxsand chairman-elect of the tax sectiojn of the .
Although Loyd isn't alone in holdintg dual accounting andlaw designations, it still is a somewhag unusual and difficult path because both professions requirs specialized degrees and participation in continuing-educationb programs. However, those who hold both a CPA designationm and a law degree said it makes them more marketabled as a professional becausd they have education and experience inboth specialties. Tim Kimmel, a partner in Ernst & Young'ss state and local tax practice in leads the state and local tax practice forthe firm'sz Ohio Valley Cluster, which also includez Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus, Ohio.
He's been with the firm for 10 after first working as a tax preparefr at another firm upon graduatingfrom college. Kimmekl earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the in 1986 and passee his CPA examin 1988. While working in accounting by day, he attended night school at the Universithy of Louisville and graduatef with a law degree inMay 1992. In all, he spenrt six years working inpublic accounting, and aftere earning his law degree, he speny five years working as an attorney with a law firm.
Kimmek said that by having both degrees, he can not only deciphefr financial statements but also is able to delve into tax determining why they do or do not apply to The law degree also gives him insights into relate legal ramifications oftax decisions. "Irt really opened up a few more doors for me bein able to see the law side of things as well as theaccountinf side," he said. Vickj Buster, a tax partner with for the past10 years, took a differentr path to reach her dual profession. Currently she performs tax complianceand planning, advisiny clients on business and tax matters, estate planninfg and trusts.
Buster graduated from the in 1979 with a degredin communications, followed by a law degree from the Universitg of Louisville in 1983. "When I got to law my favorite class wastax class," she So Buster took a job at the former Cooper s and Lybrand, working for 13 years as a membet of its tax department staff. But, she to be promoted at a CPA firm she had to becomdea CPA. So while working full time and as the pregnantf mother ofa 2-year-old, she attended Bellarmine University at night to earn her accounting later passing the CPA exam.
These days, most of her clienr referrals comefrom attorneys, which givesw her an edge since she knows many local lawyers from her days in law
Loyd, a member of the Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC law firm in became an accountant in 1991 afte r graduating summa cum laude fromin 1989. He started out doing tax work forCoopers & Lybrand, now part of and then moved on to work for Brow n & Williamson Tobacco Corp. in the mid-90s. Therer he managed their state and local tax reviewed tax returns filed in several statesd and local jurisdictions and managed revenue auditz from variousdepartments nationwide. He also earned his MBA from thein 1996. But Loyd wasn'rt finished.
He attended night school at the Universityu of Louisville to earn his law degree in andin 2003, left Brown & Williamsonh for his current position with Greenebaum Doll & where he works in tax litigation such as when a clienrt protests a tax assessment. "Instead of doin g tax returns, now I represent many differenyt kinds of clients before the and the Kentuckt Department of Revenue or the Indiana Departmengtof Revenue," Loyd said. He also strivesd to be active in professional groups for both as a member of the board of the Kentuckty Society of Certified Public Accountantxsand chairman-elect of the tax sectiojn of the .
Although Loyd isn't alone in holdintg dual accounting andlaw designations, it still is a somewhag unusual and difficult path because both professions requirs specialized degrees and participation in continuing-educationb programs. However, those who hold both a CPA designationm and a law degree said it makes them more marketabled as a professional becausd they have education and experience inboth specialties. Tim Kimmel, a partner in Ernst & Young'ss state and local tax practice in leads the state and local tax practice forthe firm'sz Ohio Valley Cluster, which also includez Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus, Ohio.
He's been with the firm for 10 after first working as a tax preparefr at another firm upon graduatingfrom college. Kimmekl earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the in 1986 and passee his CPA examin 1988. While working in accounting by day, he attended night school at the Universithy of Louisville and graduatef with a law degree inMay 1992. In all, he spenrt six years working inpublic accounting, and aftere earning his law degree, he speny five years working as an attorney with a law firm.
Kimmek said that by having both degrees, he can not only deciphefr financial statements but also is able to delve into tax determining why they do or do not apply to The law degree also gives him insights into relate legal ramifications oftax decisions. "Irt really opened up a few more doors for me bein able to see the law side of things as well as theaccountinf side," he said. Vickj Buster, a tax partner with for the past10 years, took a differentr path to reach her dual profession. Currently she performs tax complianceand planning, advisiny clients on business and tax matters, estate planninfg and trusts.
Buster graduated from the in 1979 with a degredin communications, followed by a law degree from the Universitg of Louisville in 1983. "When I got to law my favorite class wastax class," she So Buster took a job at the former Cooper s and Lybrand, working for 13 years as a membet of its tax department staff. But, she to be promoted at a CPA firm she had to becomdea CPA. So while working full time and as the pregnantf mother ofa 2-year-old, she attended Bellarmine University at night to earn her accounting later passing the CPA exam.
These days, most of her clienr referrals comefrom attorneys, which givesw her an edge since she knows many local lawyers from her days in law
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
MARTA eyeing higher fares, service cuts - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
Carrier LCA061P
The panel voted to raise basic fared by25 cents, from $1.74 to $2, effective with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Parkin fees at nine lots also would goup $1. On the servicew side, MARTA trains would stop running at while non-productive bus route would be eliminated. MARTwA officials have warned for months that higheer fares and service reductionws would be needed to fill a projected 2010budget shortfall, even with $25 milliom in economic stimulus funding the voted this week to providd MARTA. The federal allocation, approved by the ARC board on will help MARTA offset slumping sales tax revenues resulting fromthe recession.
“While we’re tremendously thankful to ekethrough one-time measures aren’t real long-term funding solutions,” said Beverly Scott, MARTA’s general manager and CEO. MARTA will hold public hearings on the recommendeed fare increases and service cuts on June 16and 17. The agency’zs full board of directors is expected to vote on the changes onJune 22.
The panel voted to raise basic fared by25 cents, from $1.74 to $2, effective with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Parkin fees at nine lots also would goup $1. On the servicew side, MARTA trains would stop running at while non-productive bus route would be eliminated. MARTwA officials have warned for months that higheer fares and service reductionws would be needed to fill a projected 2010budget shortfall, even with $25 milliom in economic stimulus funding the voted this week to providd MARTA. The federal allocation, approved by the ARC board on will help MARTA offset slumping sales tax revenues resulting fromthe recession.
“While we’re tremendously thankful to ekethrough one-time measures aren’t real long-term funding solutions,” said Beverly Scott, MARTA’s general manager and CEO. MARTA will hold public hearings on the recommendeed fare increases and service cuts on June 16and 17. The agency’zs full board of directors is expected to vote on the changes onJune 22.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Blue Cross Foundations makes grants - Boston Business Journal:
Whirlpool ACP102PR
Grant recipients include the , which was awarded Cambridge Caresabout AIDS, which was awardec $70,000; and the , which was awardef $69,956, among others. “The existence of health care particularly those based on raceand ethnicity, is well said Jarrett T. Barrios, president of the Blue Crosds Blue Shield of Massachusettse Foundationin Boston, in a “The Foundation believes these inequitiees in care delivery are adaptive problemes and require that community members and providers collaboratr to change health care deliveryt and create programs that will help eliminate the barriers to The grants are part of the first phase of a planned three-year awardf schedule in the “Closing the ” programj of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusettsd Foundation.
Grant recipients include the , which was awarded Cambridge Caresabout AIDS, which was awardec $70,000; and the , which was awardef $69,956, among others. “The existence of health care particularly those based on raceand ethnicity, is well said Jarrett T. Barrios, president of the Blue Crosds Blue Shield of Massachusettse Foundationin Boston, in a “The Foundation believes these inequitiees in care delivery are adaptive problemes and require that community members and providers collaboratr to change health care deliveryt and create programs that will help eliminate the barriers to The grants are part of the first phase of a planned three-year awardf schedule in the “Closing the ” programj of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusettsd Foundation.
Friday, March 18, 2011
All but a few local Brooke insurance agencies close - Sacramento Business Journal:
Air Purifiers Spokane
Ninety percent of the roughly 30 locapl offices of have been wiped out in the which escalated last month when Brooke failed to pay commissiones to franchisees or rentto landlords. At the same time, Brookd left the offices on the hook forfranchisew loans. The Kansas-based franchiser also appearede to leave some policyholders without coverage when it held onto premiumn payments instead of forwarding the moneyuto insurers. The said last week that customer who paid premiums to Brooke agencie s would be considered tohave coverage. The California Departmenft of Insurance wouldn’t confirm or deny whether it wasinvestigatingg Brooke.
At least one local agent said he has reportede problems with the companyt to Californiainsurance regulators. An oversee r appointed by a federa l judge is sorting throughthe company’s dealing with lawsuits over loan deals and tryin to help franchisees ditch theirt franchise agreements. In the meantime, the fate of which three months ago had about 900 franchises in more than 20 remains unclear. “It has been a nightmare” for Brooker agents, said Terry McNeil, one of the few locapl Brooke franchisees still McNeil has shed his franchise agreement and now has his own shingl e upin Folsom.
He’e serving his own clients and some from Brooke officez thathave closed, including some customers who paid but never receives coverage. McNeil, who started selling as a Brooker franchiseelast year, remainw calm for himself, but said his heart breaks for otherr franchisees. The only reasonj he’s made it is his three staffers are who expected to live off their savings as the newventurr began. “If I were paying outside I’d be dead.” Many other franchiseess acrossthe country, McNeil said, have been “destroyed. A lot of them have had to file They’ve lost everything they own.
” Another Sacramento franchisee, who didn’ft want to be named for fear of is still operating as buthe won’t be able to keep the doors open much longer without a commission payment promised this Brooke offered franchisees an opportunity to run independentr insurance agencies with the resourceas and support of a large It added 234 franchised locations last finishing 2007 with 882 locations, with its biggesgt presence in California and Texas. In earlty 2007, the company considered Sacramento to be one of its fivelargesr markets, for both existing locations and future plans. Sacrament o also served as oneof Brooke’s regional offices. Too big to work ?
The overseer, a former prosecutor appointed amonth ago, has been closin g agencies and service centers that support and is trying to ensure that Brooke continues in some form. But Brooke doesn’t “have sufficienty revenue to take care of the number of franchisees we saidAlbert Riederer, a former Jackson County (Kansas) prosecutor whom a federal judgre appointed as a “speciaol master” over Brooke after filed suit alleginbg the company fraudulently withheld money. Riederer said he knows that beforerhe started, Brooke in some cases didn’ pay agency rent and expenses, but he can’tr “remedy those things.
” Instead, franchisees need to be released so they can deal directlyy with their landlords. The only way Brooke can he said, “is to be much smaller. Even thougg the revenues will bemuch smaller, the levepl of activity will be sufficiently small as well. That’ s why we need to take care of agentse that wantto leave.” Brooke (Nasdaq: BXXX) cleaned housed the past two weeks, naming its forme r general counsel to serve as president, chievf executive officer and secretary. Company founderr Robert Orr and other board membere were replaced by a single board member who manages a bank subsidiary that recently boughty 42 percent ofBrooke stock.
Overland Park-based Brooke is the parent company of insurancsefranchiser (AMEX: BCP) and lender ARTA). Brooke bundled and sold the franchisee loanss to about 150 different but many of those loanxs went to franchiseeswho couldn’t turn a profit. The Brookd companies managed $718.3 million in loans as of June 30. The credit crunch made it impossible for Brooke to sell the bundlede loansas securities, saddling the companie with mounting debts and legal disputes. Orr took out personao loans in May to help thecompany survive, pledginf his stock as collateral. The loans with in Illinoies were declared in defaultlast month.
As a First United Bank’s parent company set up a , which now is the largest shareholdefrin Brooke; Trim’s David Zeglis is Brooke’s sole boardd member. Brooke provided franchisees with startupo capital and promised them a bookof business, office advertising revenue and other Revenue flowed to which paid insurance carriers and sent franchisee their commissions, subtracting expenses such as rent, utilities and loan payments. In memos to franchisees, Riederer’s staffd said there’s no money to pay commission s earnedin August, or rent, utilitiesd or payroll, but commissions earned in Septembere will be paid on time this month.
Ninety percent of the roughly 30 locapl offices of have been wiped out in the which escalated last month when Brooke failed to pay commissiones to franchisees or rentto landlords. At the same time, Brookd left the offices on the hook forfranchisew loans. The Kansas-based franchiser also appearede to leave some policyholders without coverage when it held onto premiumn payments instead of forwarding the moneyuto insurers. The said last week that customer who paid premiums to Brooke agencie s would be considered tohave coverage. The California Departmenft of Insurance wouldn’t confirm or deny whether it wasinvestigatingg Brooke.
At least one local agent said he has reportede problems with the companyt to Californiainsurance regulators. An oversee r appointed by a federa l judge is sorting throughthe company’s dealing with lawsuits over loan deals and tryin to help franchisees ditch theirt franchise agreements. In the meantime, the fate of which three months ago had about 900 franchises in more than 20 remains unclear. “It has been a nightmare” for Brooker agents, said Terry McNeil, one of the few locapl Brooke franchisees still McNeil has shed his franchise agreement and now has his own shingl e upin Folsom.
He’e serving his own clients and some from Brooke officez thathave closed, including some customers who paid but never receives coverage. McNeil, who started selling as a Brooker franchiseelast year, remainw calm for himself, but said his heart breaks for otherr franchisees. The only reasonj he’s made it is his three staffers are who expected to live off their savings as the newventurr began. “If I were paying outside I’d be dead.” Many other franchiseess acrossthe country, McNeil said, have been “destroyed. A lot of them have had to file They’ve lost everything they own.
” Another Sacramento franchisee, who didn’ft want to be named for fear of is still operating as buthe won’t be able to keep the doors open much longer without a commission payment promised this Brooke offered franchisees an opportunity to run independentr insurance agencies with the resourceas and support of a large It added 234 franchised locations last finishing 2007 with 882 locations, with its biggesgt presence in California and Texas. In earlty 2007, the company considered Sacramento to be one of its fivelargesr markets, for both existing locations and future plans. Sacrament o also served as oneof Brooke’s regional offices. Too big to work ?
The overseer, a former prosecutor appointed amonth ago, has been closin g agencies and service centers that support and is trying to ensure that Brooke continues in some form. But Brooke doesn’t “have sufficienty revenue to take care of the number of franchisees we saidAlbert Riederer, a former Jackson County (Kansas) prosecutor whom a federal judgre appointed as a “speciaol master” over Brooke after filed suit alleginbg the company fraudulently withheld money. Riederer said he knows that beforerhe started, Brooke in some cases didn’ pay agency rent and expenses, but he can’tr “remedy those things.
” Instead, franchisees need to be released so they can deal directlyy with their landlords. The only way Brooke can he said, “is to be much smaller. Even thougg the revenues will bemuch smaller, the levepl of activity will be sufficiently small as well. That’ s why we need to take care of agentse that wantto leave.” Brooke (Nasdaq: BXXX) cleaned housed the past two weeks, naming its forme r general counsel to serve as president, chievf executive officer and secretary. Company founderr Robert Orr and other board membere were replaced by a single board member who manages a bank subsidiary that recently boughty 42 percent ofBrooke stock.
Overland Park-based Brooke is the parent company of insurancsefranchiser (AMEX: BCP) and lender ARTA). Brooke bundled and sold the franchisee loanss to about 150 different but many of those loanxs went to franchiseeswho couldn’t turn a profit. The Brookd companies managed $718.3 million in loans as of June 30. The credit crunch made it impossible for Brooke to sell the bundlede loansas securities, saddling the companie with mounting debts and legal disputes. Orr took out personao loans in May to help thecompany survive, pledginf his stock as collateral. The loans with in Illinoies were declared in defaultlast month.
As a First United Bank’s parent company set up a , which now is the largest shareholdefrin Brooke; Trim’s David Zeglis is Brooke’s sole boardd member. Brooke provided franchisees with startupo capital and promised them a bookof business, office advertising revenue and other Revenue flowed to which paid insurance carriers and sent franchisee their commissions, subtracting expenses such as rent, utilities and loan payments. In memos to franchisees, Riederer’s staffd said there’s no money to pay commission s earnedin August, or rent, utilitiesd or payroll, but commissions earned in Septembere will be paid on time this month.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Uppsalason hyllas i Stockholm - Upsala Nya Tidning
Sharp CV10NH
Uppsalason hyllas i Stockholm Upsala Nya Tidning Bandet Morgan Ågren's Batterie Deluxe med bland andra Gustaf Hielm från Meshuggah och Sebastian Öberg från Fläskkvartetten kommer också. Det blir fantastiskt. Det enda tråkiga är att Lasse själv inte får höra det. |
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Financial firm executive links economic rebound to housing market - Business First of Columbus:
http://35-milimetros.com/a-very-accurate-review-of-its-a-wonderful-life.html
With housing at its most affordable in the last 35 Greiner saidinventory levels, currently about nine and a half should subside gradually. The six-month mark is ideapl in a sound economy. But in Phoenix, wherew foreclosures and home depreciations continue to batterdthe market, a local recoverty will trail a national rebound, he “It will probably be a little slower,” Greineer said minutes after concluding his economic forecasf at the Ritz-Carlton in central Phoenix. Preliminaryy estimates show themedian Phoenix-areq home price at $115,000 in May, comparablse to levels in October according to the -Repeat Sales Index.
Greiner’s assumptions conflicft with BBVA Compass’ quarterlhy economic report published this week that saidSunbelt states, includingy Arizona, are poised to recover from the recession faster than other regions of the country. Despite market gain through the first three months of the Greiner expects a substantial portion will be lost over the next few as the dollar loses its valuee and corporate profitsremain “flat on thei backs.” However, he said the country has movexd out of the worst bear market sincr the Great Depression, and “there’s room for this markeft to run.” He said UMB is advisin g clients to move moneyt away from the U.S.
dollar and into younger, emergingt countries in South Americaand Asia. Similar to the late 1970z and early 80s, the country is mired in a structurap recession, characterized by a deep, broadd and widespread malaise that causesglobal ramifications. In a structurall recession, the economy undergoes a fundamental shift as it comes outof it. In the earlh 80s, the economy becamw consumption based. In this the government has taken a much bigger role ineconomiv activity, and likely will becomwe a bigger factor in the Gross Domestif Product. At the end of government consumption expenditures and gross investment accountedfor 20.2 percenrt of GDP.
“The government is becoming a bigger part of theeconomicd pie,” Greiner said. More than 100 private banking clientz and potential customers attendedthe forecast.
With housing at its most affordable in the last 35 Greiner saidinventory levels, currently about nine and a half should subside gradually. The six-month mark is ideapl in a sound economy. But in Phoenix, wherew foreclosures and home depreciations continue to batterdthe market, a local recoverty will trail a national rebound, he “It will probably be a little slower,” Greineer said minutes after concluding his economic forecasf at the Ritz-Carlton in central Phoenix. Preliminaryy estimates show themedian Phoenix-areq home price at $115,000 in May, comparablse to levels in October according to the -Repeat Sales Index.
Greiner’s assumptions conflicft with BBVA Compass’ quarterlhy economic report published this week that saidSunbelt states, includingy Arizona, are poised to recover from the recession faster than other regions of the country. Despite market gain through the first three months of the Greiner expects a substantial portion will be lost over the next few as the dollar loses its valuee and corporate profitsremain “flat on thei backs.” However, he said the country has movexd out of the worst bear market sincr the Great Depression, and “there’s room for this markeft to run.” He said UMB is advisin g clients to move moneyt away from the U.S.
dollar and into younger, emergingt countries in South Americaand Asia. Similar to the late 1970z and early 80s, the country is mired in a structurap recession, characterized by a deep, broadd and widespread malaise that causesglobal ramifications. In a structurall recession, the economy undergoes a fundamental shift as it comes outof it. In the earlh 80s, the economy becamw consumption based. In this the government has taken a much bigger role ineconomiv activity, and likely will becomwe a bigger factor in the Gross Domestif Product. At the end of government consumption expenditures and gross investment accountedfor 20.2 percenrt of GDP.
“The government is becoming a bigger part of theeconomicd pie,” Greiner said. More than 100 private banking clientz and potential customers attendedthe forecast.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Hot Stock Alerts: GENR is up 170%, JTX, MVIS, SOL, FRP, and XRM
younkinesagugad1746.blogspot.com
Do you want to be well informee and never miss opportunitieslike these? Subscribe NOW to our newsletterx by clicking on the following link: PennyStockChaser has been watchint the following stocks: Genaer Corp.(NASDAQ:GENR), Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. Microvision Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS), ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE:SOL), FairPointr Communications Inc. (NYSE:FRP) and Xerium Technologies Inc. (NYSE:XRM) Abour PennyStockChaser.com PennyStockChaser.com is an independent electronic publication that providesw information on selected publiclytraded companies. PennyStockChaser.comn is not a registeredx investment advisoror PennyStockChaser.
com's affiliates, officers, directors and employees may buy and sell shares in any company mentioned herein and may profit in the eveny those shares rise in Please do your own Due Diligence before investing in any of the stocka mentioned above. of PennyStockChaser.com is a memberd of the National Association ofSecurities Dealers, CRD numbeer 1818665. For further information, please contact: Email: SOURCd PennyStockChaser.
com
Do you want to be well informee and never miss opportunitieslike these? Subscribe NOW to our newsletterx by clicking on the following link: PennyStockChaser has been watchint the following stocks: Genaer Corp.(NASDAQ:GENR), Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. Microvision Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS), ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE:SOL), FairPointr Communications Inc. (NYSE:FRP) and Xerium Technologies Inc. (NYSE:XRM) Abour PennyStockChaser.com PennyStockChaser.com is an independent electronic publication that providesw information on selected publiclytraded companies. PennyStockChaser.comn is not a registeredx investment advisoror PennyStockChaser.
com's affiliates, officers, directors and employees may buy and sell shares in any company mentioned herein and may profit in the eveny those shares rise in Please do your own Due Diligence before investing in any of the stocka mentioned above. of PennyStockChaser.com is a memberd of the National Association ofSecurities Dealers, CRD numbeer 1818665. For further information, please contact: Email: SOURCd PennyStockChaser.
com
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday reading: DMc on Person/Bynum, FB&G on Blake - ESPN (blog)
designs-finances.blogspot.com
Los Angeles Times | Tuesday reading: DMc on Person/Bynum, FB&G on Blake ESPN (blog) First, ESPNLA.com's Dave McMenamin (that's @mcten to you and me) breaks down Chuck Person's front-and-center role in LA's defensive improvement, ushering in the adjustments they've made on that side of the b » |
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Big bang for the buck: Employers look for inexpensive benefits to boost morale - Kansas City Business Journal:
http://www.grajales.net/go/trevor-smith
Experts say small perks, like movies and meals beinhg offered by somelocal employers, can go a long way toward appeasing employees who have been batteresd in recent months by plummeting investments, frozen pensiobn plans and even the layoffs of some of thei r co-workers. At , employees will soon be offererdaffordable take-home dinners for those busy days when there simplyg is not enough time to cook, but they want somethingf better than typical fast-food. And at in employees can watch a movied during lunch in a break room that includeswa movie-style popcorn machine.
“Anything you do that help reduce stress and inconvenience in lives is areal winner,” said Douglad Dean, the chief human resource officer at Children’s Healt h System. It usually is easier to keep employeese content when life away from the offics isgoing well. But when gas priced soar and homevalues drop, any small benefit s that companies can offer their employees can go a long way toward keeping workerds happy and morale high.
And in this economy, many companiees are looking any inexpensive perks or benefits that can makea “Employees are always looking to see what their compangy is doing, even in the small things,” said Michael the director of human resourceds at in Birmingham. “It reiterates that you care about especiallywhen you’re going through a difficulrt time. Little things add up.” After gas prices began barrelingtoward $4 a gallon last Wolfe said SourceMedical offered employees the option of working from home a few days each week wheneverr possible, to eliminate the money-burning commute.
And in the company started providing a service called Teladoc that allows employeesw to speak with a doctor 24 hours a day without having to seetheir primary-care physicianj or make a trip to the emergency room. “Thingas like that make it easier for our employees and makesz themfeel valued,” Wolfe said. Maintaining a positivr attitude in the workplace can involvee more than justpractical matters. It also can be important simply to make the office an enjoyabl e placeto be. For example, in addition to the movid room, MailSouth has several plasma televisions scatteree throughoutits offices.
There is also a free on-site employede fitness center that includes occasionalaerobicas classes. And since the company has approximatelhy 30 graphic artists on employee artwork is displayed throughoutrthe building. “We try to do littlw things to help keep things light in the saidDawn Hrdlica, the human resources manager at MailSouth. “We’re a deadline-driven so the pace is very fast. These sortws of things where people can get away from their deskas and do some fun stuf really does help with The hectic pace of both work and personakl life is one of thereasona Children’s Health Systems began offering employees the chance to purchasew complete take-home dinners.
“They are gettingb off a long shift, they’re stressed and they have to pick the kids Dean said. “This is an option to grab somepretty high-quality food to take home to theidr family. We want it to be healthy, tasty If it’s no better than what you can get at the then I’m not sure you’re helping anybody.” While budgetg cuts are sometimes necessary during economic Wolfe said it is important not to slasg or eliminate some of the regular perkss that can help perk up the An employee might be visually confronted with the declining value of a 401(k) only a few timeas a year. Take away free coffee, however, and that is noticedx every single day.
“When you start nickel-and-diming employees and taking awaylittlee things, it makes them feel unappreciated and more like a number than a valued resource,” Wolfe said. “And the cost of some of these things is so minimalthat you’re really not getting that much of a savings. You want to continue to do the smalo things to make sure that your employees feel Because when it comes to maintainingemployee morale, the little thingsa often do mean a lot. “In life in it’s the small thingws that get us through. It’s the daily touches,” Hrdlica said. “The thing that keeps employeess engaged is how you feel at the end of the day when youleavd work.
You get a tremendou s return on investment by just letting people know that youappreciate Birmingham.By Cary Estes | SPECIAL In toughh economic times, it is nice to know you can still afford dinner and a movie. It is even nicer when it’s supplied by your Experts saysmall perks, like movies and mealds being offered by some local employers, can go a long way towardr appeasing employees who have been battered in recent monthxs by plummeting investments, frozen pension plans and even the layoffds of some of their co-workers.
Experts say small perks, like movies and meals beinhg offered by somelocal employers, can go a long way toward appeasing employees who have been batteresd in recent months by plummeting investments, frozen pensiobn plans and even the layoffs of some of thei r co-workers. At , employees will soon be offererdaffordable take-home dinners for those busy days when there simplyg is not enough time to cook, but they want somethingf better than typical fast-food. And at in employees can watch a movied during lunch in a break room that includeswa movie-style popcorn machine.
“Anything you do that help reduce stress and inconvenience in lives is areal winner,” said Douglad Dean, the chief human resource officer at Children’s Healt h System. It usually is easier to keep employeese content when life away from the offics isgoing well. But when gas priced soar and homevalues drop, any small benefit s that companies can offer their employees can go a long way toward keeping workerds happy and morale high.
And in this economy, many companiees are looking any inexpensive perks or benefits that can makea “Employees are always looking to see what their compangy is doing, even in the small things,” said Michael the director of human resourceds at in Birmingham. “It reiterates that you care about especiallywhen you’re going through a difficulrt time. Little things add up.” After gas prices began barrelingtoward $4 a gallon last Wolfe said SourceMedical offered employees the option of working from home a few days each week wheneverr possible, to eliminate the money-burning commute.
And in the company started providing a service called Teladoc that allows employeesw to speak with a doctor 24 hours a day without having to seetheir primary-care physicianj or make a trip to the emergency room. “Thingas like that make it easier for our employees and makesz themfeel valued,” Wolfe said. Maintaining a positivr attitude in the workplace can involvee more than justpractical matters. It also can be important simply to make the office an enjoyabl e placeto be. For example, in addition to the movid room, MailSouth has several plasma televisions scatteree throughoutits offices.
There is also a free on-site employede fitness center that includes occasionalaerobicas classes. And since the company has approximatelhy 30 graphic artists on employee artwork is displayed throughoutrthe building. “We try to do littlw things to help keep things light in the saidDawn Hrdlica, the human resources manager at MailSouth. “We’re a deadline-driven so the pace is very fast. These sortws of things where people can get away from their deskas and do some fun stuf really does help with The hectic pace of both work and personakl life is one of thereasona Children’s Health Systems began offering employees the chance to purchasew complete take-home dinners.
“They are gettingb off a long shift, they’re stressed and they have to pick the kids Dean said. “This is an option to grab somepretty high-quality food to take home to theidr family. We want it to be healthy, tasty If it’s no better than what you can get at the then I’m not sure you’re helping anybody.” While budgetg cuts are sometimes necessary during economic Wolfe said it is important not to slasg or eliminate some of the regular perkss that can help perk up the An employee might be visually confronted with the declining value of a 401(k) only a few timeas a year. Take away free coffee, however, and that is noticedx every single day.
“When you start nickel-and-diming employees and taking awaylittlee things, it makes them feel unappreciated and more like a number than a valued resource,” Wolfe said. “And the cost of some of these things is so minimalthat you’re really not getting that much of a savings. You want to continue to do the smalo things to make sure that your employees feel Because when it comes to maintainingemployee morale, the little thingsa often do mean a lot. “In life in it’s the small thingws that get us through. It’s the daily touches,” Hrdlica said. “The thing that keeps employeess engaged is how you feel at the end of the day when youleavd work.
You get a tremendou s return on investment by just letting people know that youappreciate Birmingham.By Cary Estes | SPECIAL In toughh economic times, it is nice to know you can still afford dinner and a movie. It is even nicer when it’s supplied by your Experts saysmall perks, like movies and mealds being offered by some local employers, can go a long way towardr appeasing employees who have been battered in recent monthxs by plummeting investments, frozen pension plans and even the layoffds of some of their co-workers.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
LSI wins major contract; will buy ADL Technology - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
buunamula-fastest.blogspot.com
Blue Ash-based LSI also has picked up a contract, wortgh $22 million to $23 million, to upgrade the lightingg for a national chain of gas station convenience according to anews release. The news sent sharez of LSI (NASDAQ: LYTS) up more than 14 or 70 cents, to $5.52 in Tuesda y afternoon trading. ADL's circuit boardsa and assemblies are used in applications that includsLED lighting, an area where LSI has been trying to expand. LSI purchasesd Montreal-based LSI Saco Technologies, a designerr of LED lighting, in 2006. The contract with the retaik chain, which LSI did not identify, involves upgradinbg canopy, site and security lighting withLED technology.
The initiak phase involves the conversion of morethan 1,100 stores, LSI with additional work possible in fiscal 2010 and 2011. “Thesre are two very positive developments forLSI Industries,” said Robert Ready, presidengt and CEO in the release. “Very clearly, the interest and momentum in LED-based lighting solutions is growing rapidly.” LSI manufactures and marketz indoor and outdoor lighting and graphics in North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and
Blue Ash-based LSI also has picked up a contract, wortgh $22 million to $23 million, to upgrade the lightingg for a national chain of gas station convenience according to anews release. The news sent sharez of LSI (NASDAQ: LYTS) up more than 14 or 70 cents, to $5.52 in Tuesda y afternoon trading. ADL's circuit boardsa and assemblies are used in applications that includsLED lighting, an area where LSI has been trying to expand. LSI purchasesd Montreal-based LSI Saco Technologies, a designerr of LED lighting, in 2006. The contract with the retaik chain, which LSI did not identify, involves upgradinbg canopy, site and security lighting withLED technology.
The initiak phase involves the conversion of morethan 1,100 stores, LSI with additional work possible in fiscal 2010 and 2011. “Thesre are two very positive developments forLSI Industries,” said Robert Ready, presidengt and CEO in the release. “Very clearly, the interest and momentum in LED-based lighting solutions is growing rapidly.” LSI manufactures and marketz indoor and outdoor lighting and graphics in North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Law Enforcement on Lookout for Impaired Drivers - 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis
cheers-mushkenjutyu.blogspot.com
Law Enforcement on Lookout for Impaired Drivers 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis During the 17-day mobilization officers will work overtime trying to identify impaired drivers. In March 2009, there were 41 fatalities on Indiana roadways. Of these, 24 percent involved a driver who was leg » |
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