REG-Downing Planned Exit VCT 3 PLC: Half-yearly report Reuters (press release) The main investments completed in the period are summarised as follows: Aminghurst Limited: £2000000 loan to a company undertaking a residential and hotel ... REG-Downing Planned Exit VCT 7 PLC: Half-yearly report PACIFIC ASSETS TRUST PLC - Half-yearly Report |
Thursday, September 30, 2010
REG-Downing Planned Exit VCT 3 PLC: Half-yearly report - Reuters (press release)
http://www.wh-auction.com/article/Sonia-summons-YSR-aide-after-signature-campaign.html
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Dispute over railroad rules raises hackles - Business First of Columbus:
http://escapetravelinc.com/corporateevents.html
One bill has been introduced in Congressx and another may soon be reintroduced that togethef seek to impose increased competition among rail carriers whilr giving industrial shippers a regulatory framework that they arguw would lead to lower prices onmany shipments. The measuresw are being fought by therail industry, whicy maintains the legislative efforts woulfd create more government-imposed constraints on reducing their profit and slowing infrastructure development and shipping capacitgy growth in places such as Columbus.
“Therew won’t be the resource available to invest in such things as major intermodal terminalsor double-stack lines or longer passinv sidings,” said Tom White, spokesman for the trade “If the money is not there, we can’yt invest in them.” But there’s at least one majot Central Ohio interest on the otherf side of the debate AEP executives wouldn’t comment directly on the debate, but the Columbua utility is a member of the . The Washington, D.C.
-basex coalition has taken a hard line againsty the rail industry and posits that the current rules and system for addressing shipperd complaints give a handful of major railroads companies free rein on pricing andservicew quality, said Executive Director Bob “Rail’s attitude is that you’re lucky we’rse here and you’ll pay whatever we say you’ll he said. The result is that shippers, such as a coal mine serveds by a single rail line owned by one rail are helpless tocontest prices, Szabo said. The rules on prics complaints, but its decisions can take cost companies millions and put a heavy burden of proof on shippers to win a he said.
Proponents of the measures hope to make it easiedr for shippers to arguee forlower prices, in addition to forcing more competitiohn among rail providers. But the bill’ss opponents insist the measures suggested by Consumers Unite d for Rail Equity would force rail companies to lowee prices on trainsto out-of-the-way places with littlr access, typically where their costs are highest. That could neutralize the competitive advantage and benefif of lower prices offered by robusft shipping hubs such as Central saidJames Seney, who once headed the and is now helpinf to fight the regulatory proposals.
“Ohio has a uniquee advantage,” he said, because its numerous rail lines, cargo transfere hubs, waterways and highways work together to make shipping convenien t andcomparatively inexpensive. “If we lose that advantage becausreof government-imposed pricing,” he said, “then what does Ohio have to competr with?” The root of the measures reachesa to the 1970s, when the rail industryg was heavily regulated. Companies back then needed approval on most pricee adjustments andinfrastructure growth. The restrictions nearly put the railroads out of busines s because they were unable to set prices and adjusyt tomarket changes, White said.
But the Staggers Act in 1980 deregulatedthe industry, allowing it to consolidatw and restore its profitability, he said. But thoss seeking the new rules say the consolidatio n since then into a handful ofproviders – each owninh its own track – has shippers at the mercyh of rail. “Really, the current state of rail service is retardinteconomic development,” said Jack Pounds, presiden of the , a trade group for chemica manufacturers. “But if you are a monopoly, you have very little incentive to worry about detailed service issuedfor customers.” Consumers United for Rail Equity is workin for reform on two fronts.
One is the Railroadd Antitrust Enforcement Actof 2009. It seeka to remove rail’s antitrust exemptions for collectives rate-making and would enactt greater oversight of rail company mergers and Another measure is a planned reintroduction of a broa d bill known in the last sessionj of Congress as the Railroade Competition and Service Improvement Actof 2007. It sought requirementxs that some rail providers sharetheit tracks, among other measures aimed at boosting “And we want to make the rate challenges process better,” Szabo said.
One bill has been introduced in Congressx and another may soon be reintroduced that togethef seek to impose increased competition among rail carriers whilr giving industrial shippers a regulatory framework that they arguw would lead to lower prices onmany shipments. The measuresw are being fought by therail industry, whicy maintains the legislative efforts woulfd create more government-imposed constraints on reducing their profit and slowing infrastructure development and shipping capacitgy growth in places such as Columbus.
“Therew won’t be the resource available to invest in such things as major intermodal terminalsor double-stack lines or longer passinv sidings,” said Tom White, spokesman for the trade “If the money is not there, we can’yt invest in them.” But there’s at least one majot Central Ohio interest on the otherf side of the debate AEP executives wouldn’t comment directly on the debate, but the Columbua utility is a member of the . The Washington, D.C.
-basex coalition has taken a hard line againsty the rail industry and posits that the current rules and system for addressing shipperd complaints give a handful of major railroads companies free rein on pricing andservicew quality, said Executive Director Bob “Rail’s attitude is that you’re lucky we’rse here and you’ll pay whatever we say you’ll he said. The result is that shippers, such as a coal mine serveds by a single rail line owned by one rail are helpless tocontest prices, Szabo said. The rules on prics complaints, but its decisions can take cost companies millions and put a heavy burden of proof on shippers to win a he said.
Proponents of the measures hope to make it easiedr for shippers to arguee forlower prices, in addition to forcing more competitiohn among rail providers. But the bill’ss opponents insist the measures suggested by Consumers Unite d for Rail Equity would force rail companies to lowee prices on trainsto out-of-the-way places with littlr access, typically where their costs are highest. That could neutralize the competitive advantage and benefif of lower prices offered by robusft shipping hubs such as Central saidJames Seney, who once headed the and is now helpinf to fight the regulatory proposals.
“Ohio has a uniquee advantage,” he said, because its numerous rail lines, cargo transfere hubs, waterways and highways work together to make shipping convenien t andcomparatively inexpensive. “If we lose that advantage becausreof government-imposed pricing,” he said, “then what does Ohio have to competr with?” The root of the measures reachesa to the 1970s, when the rail industryg was heavily regulated. Companies back then needed approval on most pricee adjustments andinfrastructure growth. The restrictions nearly put the railroads out of busines s because they were unable to set prices and adjusyt tomarket changes, White said.
But the Staggers Act in 1980 deregulatedthe industry, allowing it to consolidatw and restore its profitability, he said. But thoss seeking the new rules say the consolidatio n since then into a handful ofproviders – each owninh its own track – has shippers at the mercyh of rail. “Really, the current state of rail service is retardinteconomic development,” said Jack Pounds, presiden of the , a trade group for chemica manufacturers. “But if you are a monopoly, you have very little incentive to worry about detailed service issuedfor customers.” Consumers United for Rail Equity is workin for reform on two fronts.
One is the Railroadd Antitrust Enforcement Actof 2009. It seeka to remove rail’s antitrust exemptions for collectives rate-making and would enactt greater oversight of rail company mergers and Another measure is a planned reintroduction of a broa d bill known in the last sessionj of Congress as the Railroade Competition and Service Improvement Actof 2007. It sought requirementxs that some rail providers sharetheit tracks, among other measures aimed at boosting “And we want to make the rate challenges process better,” Szabo said.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Inmark moves to Avondale from Pinson - Boston Business Journal:
http://www.hoidap.net/95.html
Real estate firm said the plastic container and packaging companyleased 23,625 square feet of office and warehouse space at the park in The company has been in its current locatioj in Pinson Valley for more than 20 years. Jack Key of Grahamj represented Inmark and Brad Moffat of represented the Graham said broker Walter Brownh has the listing on morethan 410,00 square feet of sublease spacs at the Colonnade in AT&T’s vacant South Tower building. Radiology Associatesd renewed its 4,669-square-foot lease at Vestavia Brown represented the landlord in the renewed its lease in Calera and Decoma Modular Systems renewed its leasein McCalla.
Combined, the two companies occupg morethan 270,000 square feet of space in Graham Co. developments. The renewals were handled by Graham brokers Sonny Culp andOgdeh Deaton.
Real estate firm said the plastic container and packaging companyleased 23,625 square feet of office and warehouse space at the park in The company has been in its current locatioj in Pinson Valley for more than 20 years. Jack Key of Grahamj represented Inmark and Brad Moffat of represented the Graham said broker Walter Brownh has the listing on morethan 410,00 square feet of sublease spacs at the Colonnade in AT&T’s vacant South Tower building. Radiology Associatesd renewed its 4,669-square-foot lease at Vestavia Brown represented the landlord in the renewed its lease in Calera and Decoma Modular Systems renewed its leasein McCalla.
Combined, the two companies occupg morethan 270,000 square feet of space in Graham Co. developments. The renewals were handled by Graham brokers Sonny Culp andOgdeh Deaton.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Filing details Penn Virginia Resource Partners-Lone Star Gathering deal - Philadelphia Business Journal:
http://www.dinbill.com/enciklop_9.php
Penn Virginia Resource Partners (NYSE:PVR) agreeed Tuesday to buy Lone Starfor $160 millionb due at closing, $5 million due Dec. 31, 2009 and paymentws of $30 million and $25 millioh depending on the performance ofLone Star'x assets before June 30, 2013. The $160 million due at closin g consistsof $80 millionn in cash; a little more than 2 million common units of Penn Virginia GP Holdinge (NYSE:PVG) valued at $65 million for purposezs of the transaction; and approximately 543,000 newly issued common units of Penn Virginia Resourc e Partners valued at $15 million for purposesa of the transaction.
The $5 milliojn due in 2009 must be paid in If the contingent paymentsare necessary, Penn Virginia Resource Partnera can make them in cash or its Irving, Texas-based Lone Star'sd assets consist of 129 miles of gas gathering pipelines and abou t 240,000 acres of land on which natural gas is beingv produced. The filing said Penn Virginiza Resource Partners will buynearly 565,000 Penn Virginiaq GP Holdings units from Penn Virginia Resourcer LP Corp. and nearly 1.45 million units from for approximately $61.7t5 million. Both Penn Virginia Resource LP and Kanawhqa Rail are owned by PennVirginia Corp.
which produces gas and oil and indirectl ownsthe non-economic general partner interest in Penn Virgini a GP Holdings and 82 percent of Penn Virginia GP units. Penn Virginia GP Holding owns the general partner of Penn Virginiaz Resource Partners and 38 percent of Penn VirginiaResource Partners' commo n units. Penn Virginia Resource Partners manages coal andother natural-resource properties and gathers and processes natural gas. All the Penn Virginiaw companies are basedin Radnor, Pa. Thursday's filing also said that , whicnh is owned by Penn VirginiaResource Partners, notifiex the holders of its senior unsecurecd notes due 2013 that it will prepay the notesa on July 17.
Penn Virginia Operating Co. will pay the noteholders slightly morethan $62.5 million consisting of the $58.4 million in principal outstanding on the a little more than $1 milliobn in accrued and unpaid interest on the notes through the prepaymeny date; and a little more than $3 millio n in make-whole amounts due in connectionj with the prepayment of the notes.
Penn Virginia Resource Partners (NYSE:PVR) agreeed Tuesday to buy Lone Starfor $160 millionb due at closing, $5 million due Dec. 31, 2009 and paymentws of $30 million and $25 millioh depending on the performance ofLone Star'x assets before June 30, 2013. The $160 million due at closin g consistsof $80 millionn in cash; a little more than 2 million common units of Penn Virginia GP Holdinge (NYSE:PVG) valued at $65 million for purposezs of the transaction; and approximately 543,000 newly issued common units of Penn Virginia Resourc e Partners valued at $15 million for purposesa of the transaction.
The $5 milliojn due in 2009 must be paid in If the contingent paymentsare necessary, Penn Virginia Resource Partnera can make them in cash or its Irving, Texas-based Lone Star'sd assets consist of 129 miles of gas gathering pipelines and abou t 240,000 acres of land on which natural gas is beingv produced. The filing said Penn Virginiza Resource Partners will buynearly 565,000 Penn Virginiaq GP Holdings units from Penn Virginia Resourcer LP Corp. and nearly 1.45 million units from for approximately $61.7t5 million. Both Penn Virginia Resource LP and Kanawhqa Rail are owned by PennVirginia Corp.
which produces gas and oil and indirectl ownsthe non-economic general partner interest in Penn Virgini a GP Holdings and 82 percent of Penn Virginia GP units. Penn Virginia GP Holding owns the general partner of Penn Virginiaz Resource Partners and 38 percent of Penn VirginiaResource Partners' commo n units. Penn Virginia Resource Partners manages coal andother natural-resource properties and gathers and processes natural gas. All the Penn Virginiaw companies are basedin Radnor, Pa. Thursday's filing also said that , whicnh is owned by Penn VirginiaResource Partners, notifiex the holders of its senior unsecurecd notes due 2013 that it will prepay the notesa on July 17.
Penn Virginia Operating Co. will pay the noteholders slightly morethan $62.5 million consisting of the $58.4 million in principal outstanding on the a little more than $1 milliobn in accrued and unpaid interest on the notes through the prepaymeny date; and a little more than $3 millio n in make-whole amounts due in connectionj with the prepayment of the notes.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Chick-fil-A: Wear cow suit on July 10, get free chicken - Houston Business Journal:
http://conceptintermedia.com/index.php?aid=113872085843df805a08d83
The Atlanta-based chicken chain has more than35 Houston-areqa locations. The giveaway is part of its fifth-annua Cow Appreciation Day, which honors its "Eat Mor Cows. In a related promotion, parents can entefr photos of their cow-clad children as part of a "Shoew Us the Cow" online photo for a chance to wina $1,000 U.S. Savings Between now and Aug. 31, childrenn ages 10 and younger are encouraged to work with an adulyt to submit creative photos of themselves dressedras cows. The contest Web www.CowAppreciationDay.com, has details about uploading photos for the Once the picturesare uploaded, the public can vote for theire favorite photo through Aug. 31.
The 20 photographsd that get the most Internet votea will be named Fromthe semifinalists, Chick-fil-A will selec t five finalists and one grand prize winnet based on overall quality, appearance, creativity and skill. The entrant's age will be takej into accountfor judging, Chick-fil-A said. The granr prize winner will receivea U.S. Seriews EE Savings Bond with a maturity value of a catered party fortheir classroom, free Chick-fil-As Kid's Meals for a year and a digitap camera, among other gifts.
Also each Kid'a Meal from June 22 to July 25 will includer miniatureCow figurines, while supplies One out of every 100 of the cows will have gold spotsx instead of the traditional black spots and will be packagede with a card redeemable for a free Ice
The Atlanta-based chicken chain has more than35 Houston-areqa locations. The giveaway is part of its fifth-annua Cow Appreciation Day, which honors its "Eat Mor Cows. In a related promotion, parents can entefr photos of their cow-clad children as part of a "Shoew Us the Cow" online photo for a chance to wina $1,000 U.S. Savings Between now and Aug. 31, childrenn ages 10 and younger are encouraged to work with an adulyt to submit creative photos of themselves dressedras cows. The contest Web www.CowAppreciationDay.com, has details about uploading photos for the Once the picturesare uploaded, the public can vote for theire favorite photo through Aug. 31.
The 20 photographsd that get the most Internet votea will be named Fromthe semifinalists, Chick-fil-A will selec t five finalists and one grand prize winnet based on overall quality, appearance, creativity and skill. The entrant's age will be takej into accountfor judging, Chick-fil-A said. The granr prize winner will receivea U.S. Seriews EE Savings Bond with a maturity value of a catered party fortheir classroom, free Chick-fil-As Kid's Meals for a year and a digitap camera, among other gifts.
Also each Kid'a Meal from June 22 to July 25 will includer miniatureCow figurines, while supplies One out of every 100 of the cows will have gold spotsx instead of the traditional black spots and will be packagede with a card redeemable for a free Ice
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Gold Country plans retail store at TCF Bank Stadium - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
clarityviellegq67.blogspot.com
Goldy’s Locker Room will be locatex at the main entrances to TCF Bank Stadium at the corner of Universityu Avenue andOak Street. The store is schedule to open in about a month before the firsyt game at the newfootball “Goldy’s Locker Room at TCF Bank Stadiumk will be one of the nation’s most state-of-the-art college sports retail venues and the go-tko destination for Gopher sports fans from far and Gold Country CEO Ron Leafblad said in a statement. “Ww are excited to be part of this historic moment for the University of Minnesota and continuw our longstanding partnership withthe university’s athletics The store also will be open on non-gamedays.
Gold Countrg operates 12 retail storesand kiosks, includint locations on the University of Minnesota campue and at malls in the Twin Rochester and St. Cloud.
Goldy’s Locker Room will be locatex at the main entrances to TCF Bank Stadium at the corner of Universityu Avenue andOak Street. The store is schedule to open in about a month before the firsyt game at the newfootball “Goldy’s Locker Room at TCF Bank Stadiumk will be one of the nation’s most state-of-the-art college sports retail venues and the go-tko destination for Gopher sports fans from far and Gold Country CEO Ron Leafblad said in a statement. “Ww are excited to be part of this historic moment for the University of Minnesota and continuw our longstanding partnership withthe university’s athletics The store also will be open on non-gamedays.
Gold Countrg operates 12 retail storesand kiosks, includint locations on the University of Minnesota campue and at malls in the Twin Rochester and St. Cloud.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Two Years of 2B - Raleigh/Durham Business Travel Guide
http://icda.org/news/roster.html
But be warned: There are no overarching trendsw here. As is so often the case on the road, these last two years have been almos ttotally reactive: to insane swings in the price of fuel to the apparentlty endless cycle of boom-and-bust that dominates hotekl development, and, of course, to the economic wave that has carriedd us from the relatively giddy times of April 2007 to our well…to whatever it is we're living and workinh through. Southwest's Steady Course Even the nation's one financiallg sound U.S. carrier, Southwest Airlines, hasn't been able to escapre the ravages ofthe nation's economic collapse.
Its traffic is down aboutr in linewith industry-wide trendds and it has taken the unprecedented step of trimmingg its overall capacity by 4 perceny this year. And the airline's vaunted fuel-hedging which saved the carrierabout $3.5 billioh in the last decade, cost it money in the seconsd half of 2008 as oil prices But some things never change: Southwest is using the downturn to positiohn itself as an alternative to the nation's mainline After decades of shunning some of the larges U.S. cities, it launched flightxs to Minneapolis last is scheduled to beginits first-eve flights into New York (via LaGuardia in June, and will serve Boston's Logah Airport in the fall.
United's Inexorable Decline It's gone from worsrt to even worse than that atUnitec Airlines, the most troubled of the nation's so-callesd "legacy" carriers. Once the nation'xs largest airline, United is hemorrhagin g after abungled mega-bankruptcy and years of managemengt missteps. About 40 percent of what flies as United Airlinew is subcontracted to regional airlines and much of the remaininbg service isactually code-share operations with its international partnerw in the Star Alliance. Every one of its union contracts becomes "amendable" next year (airline contracts never technically expire).
Compare with the other legacy carriers, its cash reservesd are small and there are few unencumbered assetssto hock. And early next year, it will have to discusd cash-draining "holdbacks" with JP Morgan Chase, its credit-card Operationally, there's no good news, either, sinced its once-profitable service to the Pacific Rim is deterioratinf rapidly due to plunging yields to Asia and freshb competition on its Australia Fate of the Fourth Clasds The worldwide collapseof premium-class traffid since last fall has had the expected Airlines have stepped up their discountingf in business class and more carriers are addinfg a fourth class, which is rather genericallyy known as "premium economy.
" The discounting trend is both structurallh strategic—the airlines now offer a range of discounts from threre to 60 days befored departure—and tantalizingly tactical, with sale fares slashing as much as 75 percen off the price of international businesx class. As for premium Air France added the new cabihn on three premierroutes (from Paris to New Tokyo, and Osaka). But the fate of fourtyh class is farfrom secure. Even as Air France was OpenSkies, British Airways' boutique carrier, was renaminbg its fourth cabin asthe "bixz seat." The reason?
Premium economy still existds in a computer-coded limbo, which makexs selling it via the airline industry's omnipresent global reservatiomn services difficult. The Banking Bluezs and London RediscoveredIf I've been at all prescient in the last two it was the Run on the Bankers column that poste shortly after Lehman Brothers tanked last Exactly in line with the meltdown of the bankers stopped flying, and that has caused the calamitouse decline in premium-class airline revenue. It's been especially toughn on British Airways, which is disproportionately dependentg on premium flying on theNyLojn (New York-London) route.
And there's no douby that BA (and London) are still suffering a year on from the disastrou s opening weeks of Terminal 5 at Heathroaw Airport inMarch 2008. The good news for thos e of us wholove London? The British capital is chealp again for upscale American visitors, thanks to massive airfarde and hotel discounts and the precipitou decline of the value of the Britishg pound. Counterintuitive Currency Just beforthe world's economies shuddered, the U.S. dollar was at an unaffordablelow ebb. But for reasons known only to the mastersw ofthe universe, the U.S. dollatr has gained strength against almos t all ofthe world's currencies as the America n economy weakened.
If you've got any discretionary incom left, this will be a great summer to travel virtuallgy anywhere inthe world. The dollar is buying 20 to 50 percenr more than last springand summer. The only Japan, where the dollar continues to languisyh at or belowthe 100-yenb mark. A Fee By Any Other Name it isn't all breard and dollar-denominated chocolates overseas. Banksx and other financial institutions continue to raisse the fees they charge when you use your ATM or credit card outside of theUnitedr States.
The latest trick: Currency-exchangew fees of 3 percent or more even if you use yourown bank'as ATM card to make a withdrawalk from your own account at an overseas ATM ownexd and operated by said bank. Even financialo institutions that continue toadvertise fee-free ATM usage are adoptintg the currency gambit. One Charles Schwab Bank, whose print ads promisw in big, bold type that there are "Nk ATM fees—we rebate all ATM fees from any ATM. Period." But as Schwab'xs fine print makes clear, "ATM free rebates do not includs currency exchange fees orother fees." Some of the few trult fee-free ports in the storm are the credif cards and ATM cards issued by Capitalo One.
The Fine Print… Allow me to end this columjn where I began in April I still believe the single best investment you can make inyour on-the-roaxd comfort and productivity is Priority Pass, the worldwide airport-lounge access program. The fees haven't changed, but the lounge networ k has grown by20 percent, to more than 600 clubs in 300 Portfolio.com © 2009 Cond Nast Inc. All
But be warned: There are no overarching trendsw here. As is so often the case on the road, these last two years have been almos ttotally reactive: to insane swings in the price of fuel to the apparentlty endless cycle of boom-and-bust that dominates hotekl development, and, of course, to the economic wave that has carriedd us from the relatively giddy times of April 2007 to our well…to whatever it is we're living and workinh through. Southwest's Steady Course Even the nation's one financiallg sound U.S. carrier, Southwest Airlines, hasn't been able to escapre the ravages ofthe nation's economic collapse.
Its traffic is down aboutr in linewith industry-wide trendds and it has taken the unprecedented step of trimmingg its overall capacity by 4 perceny this year. And the airline's vaunted fuel-hedging which saved the carrierabout $3.5 billioh in the last decade, cost it money in the seconsd half of 2008 as oil prices But some things never change: Southwest is using the downturn to positiohn itself as an alternative to the nation's mainline After decades of shunning some of the larges U.S. cities, it launched flightxs to Minneapolis last is scheduled to beginits first-eve flights into New York (via LaGuardia in June, and will serve Boston's Logah Airport in the fall.
United's Inexorable Decline It's gone from worsrt to even worse than that atUnitec Airlines, the most troubled of the nation's so-callesd "legacy" carriers. Once the nation'xs largest airline, United is hemorrhagin g after abungled mega-bankruptcy and years of managemengt missteps. About 40 percent of what flies as United Airlinew is subcontracted to regional airlines and much of the remaininbg service isactually code-share operations with its international partnerw in the Star Alliance. Every one of its union contracts becomes "amendable" next year (airline contracts never technically expire).
Compare with the other legacy carriers, its cash reservesd are small and there are few unencumbered assetssto hock. And early next year, it will have to discusd cash-draining "holdbacks" with JP Morgan Chase, its credit-card Operationally, there's no good news, either, sinced its once-profitable service to the Pacific Rim is deterioratinf rapidly due to plunging yields to Asia and freshb competition on its Australia Fate of the Fourth Clasds The worldwide collapseof premium-class traffid since last fall has had the expected Airlines have stepped up their discountingf in business class and more carriers are addinfg a fourth class, which is rather genericallyy known as "premium economy.
" The discounting trend is both structurallh strategic—the airlines now offer a range of discounts from threre to 60 days befored departure—and tantalizingly tactical, with sale fares slashing as much as 75 percen off the price of international businesx class. As for premium Air France added the new cabihn on three premierroutes (from Paris to New Tokyo, and Osaka). But the fate of fourtyh class is farfrom secure. Even as Air France was OpenSkies, British Airways' boutique carrier, was renaminbg its fourth cabin asthe "bixz seat." The reason?
Premium economy still existds in a computer-coded limbo, which makexs selling it via the airline industry's omnipresent global reservatiomn services difficult. The Banking Bluezs and London RediscoveredIf I've been at all prescient in the last two it was the Run on the Bankers column that poste shortly after Lehman Brothers tanked last Exactly in line with the meltdown of the bankers stopped flying, and that has caused the calamitouse decline in premium-class airline revenue. It's been especially toughn on British Airways, which is disproportionately dependentg on premium flying on theNyLojn (New York-London) route.
And there's no douby that BA (and London) are still suffering a year on from the disastrou s opening weeks of Terminal 5 at Heathroaw Airport inMarch 2008. The good news for thos e of us wholove London? The British capital is chealp again for upscale American visitors, thanks to massive airfarde and hotel discounts and the precipitou decline of the value of the Britishg pound. Counterintuitive Currency Just beforthe world's economies shuddered, the U.S. dollar was at an unaffordablelow ebb. But for reasons known only to the mastersw ofthe universe, the U.S. dollatr has gained strength against almos t all ofthe world's currencies as the America n economy weakened.
If you've got any discretionary incom left, this will be a great summer to travel virtuallgy anywhere inthe world. The dollar is buying 20 to 50 percenr more than last springand summer. The only Japan, where the dollar continues to languisyh at or belowthe 100-yenb mark. A Fee By Any Other Name it isn't all breard and dollar-denominated chocolates overseas. Banksx and other financial institutions continue to raisse the fees they charge when you use your ATM or credit card outside of theUnitedr States.
The latest trick: Currency-exchangew fees of 3 percent or more even if you use yourown bank'as ATM card to make a withdrawalk from your own account at an overseas ATM ownexd and operated by said bank. Even financialo institutions that continue toadvertise fee-free ATM usage are adoptintg the currency gambit. One Charles Schwab Bank, whose print ads promisw in big, bold type that there are "Nk ATM fees—we rebate all ATM fees from any ATM. Period." But as Schwab'xs fine print makes clear, "ATM free rebates do not includs currency exchange fees orother fees." Some of the few trult fee-free ports in the storm are the credif cards and ATM cards issued by Capitalo One.
The Fine Print… Allow me to end this columjn where I began in April I still believe the single best investment you can make inyour on-the-roaxd comfort and productivity is Priority Pass, the worldwide airport-lounge access program. The fees haven't changed, but the lounge networ k has grown by20 percent, to more than 600 clubs in 300 Portfolio.com © 2009 Cond Nast Inc. All
Monday, September 20, 2010
Prescription drug disposal set up - Republican & Herald
http://chathamyachtclub.org/sailingschool.html
My Fox Boston | Prescription drug disposal set up Republican & Herald by peter e. bortner (staff writer pbortner@republicanherald.com) Medicine cabinets overloaded with prescription drugs can lead to dangers, ... Drug Task Force to participate in National Prescription Drug “Take Back†Day Getting Old Prescription Drugs Out of the Medicine Cabinet Agencies collect pills to curb drug abuse |
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Keeping their cool: Partnership spurs HVAC firm to new growth - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
tatyanagepoji.blogspot.com
He joined as a partner two years ago, enablingf the company to focus on building its commercial construction and service businessand de-emphasizr its residential interests. “j had confidence when he came over becaus he had a long track record of doing this type of Newberry says of a commercialconstruction veteran. “The potential for me was to become a partner with a compant and being able to starg the commercial side up prettyg much from scratch and building it to what it is That was primarily my Kittinger says. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and done it for a coupleovfother companies, and this was an opportunity of right time, righ t place.
” Air Doctors saw its commerciaol construction revenue grow about 500 percent to $1.2 millionm last year. Its total revenur was $2.2 million, more than six times greater than 2006. Newberruy is expecting $2.5 million in revenue this with commercial construction accounting for 55 commercial services 30 percent and residential maintenance and installatioh15 percent. Air Doctors is in the process of makint the commercial construction business a separates company with anew name. “Mike had a decenrt customer baseto start,” Kittinger “He had done real well with getting in some customers.
He just didn’f know how to do the bigger jobs, how to estimat e them and howto micro-manage Air Doctors installs and services HVAC systems for facilitiex such as schools, officew and medical buildings, churches, restaurants and motels. The companty is bidding on largerprojects — up to $1.5 millionm — now that struggling residential heatingy and air installers are moviny to the commercial side and offerinh discount prices. “It affects our bottom line because we have to push the grosemargin down, but you make up for that in size and Newberry says. “It definitely changes It changes yoursales process. It takes a lot longer on the front end.
It’s more time consumingt with project management.” Newberry’s customer service philosopht is to never say no to a request even if it is outsidewAir Doctors’ core Through the years Newberry has used his maintenance backgrounde to patch leaky fix plumbing and repair a cappuccino machine. “ I tell my guys all the time, ‘Don’t ever tell them no. If somebodgy has to tell them no it’ll come from the top; it’es not going to come from the bottom,’ Newberry says.
“My guys are, ‘Yes, we can, and what can I do for ”
He joined as a partner two years ago, enablingf the company to focus on building its commercial construction and service businessand de-emphasizr its residential interests. “j had confidence when he came over becaus he had a long track record of doing this type of Newberry says of a commercialconstruction veteran. “The potential for me was to become a partner with a compant and being able to starg the commercial side up prettyg much from scratch and building it to what it is That was primarily my Kittinger says. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and done it for a coupleovfother companies, and this was an opportunity of right time, righ t place.
” Air Doctors saw its commerciaol construction revenue grow about 500 percent to $1.2 millionm last year. Its total revenur was $2.2 million, more than six times greater than 2006. Newberruy is expecting $2.5 million in revenue this with commercial construction accounting for 55 commercial services 30 percent and residential maintenance and installatioh15 percent. Air Doctors is in the process of makint the commercial construction business a separates company with anew name. “Mike had a decenrt customer baseto start,” Kittinger “He had done real well with getting in some customers.
He just didn’f know how to do the bigger jobs, how to estimat e them and howto micro-manage Air Doctors installs and services HVAC systems for facilitiex such as schools, officew and medical buildings, churches, restaurants and motels. The companty is bidding on largerprojects — up to $1.5 millionm — now that struggling residential heatingy and air installers are moviny to the commercial side and offerinh discount prices. “It affects our bottom line because we have to push the grosemargin down, but you make up for that in size and Newberry says. “It definitely changes It changes yoursales process. It takes a lot longer on the front end.
It’s more time consumingt with project management.” Newberry’s customer service philosopht is to never say no to a request even if it is outsidewAir Doctors’ core Through the years Newberry has used his maintenance backgrounde to patch leaky fix plumbing and repair a cappuccino machine. “ I tell my guys all the time, ‘Don’t ever tell them no. If somebodgy has to tell them no it’ll come from the top; it’es not going to come from the bottom,’ Newberry says.
“My guys are, ‘Yes, we can, and what can I do for ”
Friday, September 17, 2010
Report: Google CEO turns down Obama cabinet post - San Francisco Business Times:
bentlyoupapa1810.blogspot.com
Reuters reported that Schmidt declined such a post in a TVintervieew Friday. Obama said during his campaign for the presidencyg that he would create a cabinet post similart to a chief technology officer to advised ontech issues. Schmidt, a strong supporter of was seen by some watchers as likely to be tappedf forthat post. Google GOOG) is based in Mountaib View. Last week Obama picked Juliusw Genachowski, who has links to parent . and to , to help him choosed people for a new administrationin Washington. The choicd convinced some that technology policy and a favorabls attitudetoward high-tech business could be a big part of Obama’es focus as president.
Schmidrt topped a list of 10 likelty candidates for the cabineyt post put upby ZDNet. Genachowski himself came in at No. 2. Otherds on the list included Redmond, Wash.-based (NASDAQ: founder Bill Gates and San Jose-baseed (NASDAQ: CSCO) chief John Chambers.
Reuters reported that Schmidt declined such a post in a TVintervieew Friday. Obama said during his campaign for the presidencyg that he would create a cabinet post similart to a chief technology officer to advised ontech issues. Schmidt, a strong supporter of was seen by some watchers as likely to be tappedf forthat post. Google GOOG) is based in Mountaib View. Last week Obama picked Juliusw Genachowski, who has links to parent . and to , to help him choosed people for a new administrationin Washington. The choicd convinced some that technology policy and a favorabls attitudetoward high-tech business could be a big part of Obama’es focus as president.
Schmidrt topped a list of 10 likelty candidates for the cabineyt post put upby ZDNet. Genachowski himself came in at No. 2. Otherds on the list included Redmond, Wash.-based (NASDAQ: founder Bill Gates and San Jose-baseed (NASDAQ: CSCO) chief John Chambers.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Covert Operations in Yemen: Washington Criticized for Human Rights Violations - Toward Freedom
Air Purifiers - Efficient Cleansing of Home Environments
Toward Freedom | Covert Operations in Yemen: Washington Criticized for Human Rights Violations Toward Freedom Stefan Simanowitz is a journalist, broadcaster and human rights campaigner. He is Chair of the Westminster Committee on Iran and Chair of the Free Western ... |
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Boeing 747 freighter program follows course of troubled 787 - Los Angeles Times
dusinenezoqoc.blogspot.com
Los Angeles Times | Boeing 747 freighter program follows course of troubled 787 Los Angeles Times Of course, the corporate relocation to Chicago emphasized that." The pendulum is swinging back as Boeing has taken direct control of more of the 787 process ... |
Sunday, September 12, 2010
InfoWorks shares the wealth - Kansas City Business Journal:
judonebolayb1394.blogspot.com
The Nashville-based information technology consulting firmsimplt isn’t structured like a traditional top-down Rather than being run exclusively by InfoWorks is employee-owned. A meeting at the 12-year-old companhy also is a staff meeting whers employees bringup concerns, make recommendations and participatde directly in key decisions. Tony president of InfoWorks, says the company’s flexibl e structure is one reasonwhy it’s managing to clip alonb nicely during the recession. Decisions are flui d and can bemade quickly, which keeps employeesz motivated, responsive and creatively “The engagement of employees means a whols lot,” Heard says.
“It means they take everything more They each feellike it’a their own company.” It also helps that the primar business plan at InfoWorks is straightforwarf and simple. The company specializes in working on the databases of locakl companies to createopitimal efficiency. They also converg database functions such as payrolll or invoicing from paperrto computer. Lewis Lavine, president of Nashville’s Center for Nonprofitg Management, recently hired InfoWorksd to redesignthe organization’s complicate d 10-year-old database. He says he responded to the company’es hands-on approach.
“We have specific things we need for our memberas andfor training,” Lavine says. “Theyu have the ability to customize the databasefor us, which is going to make a big differencs in the end.” The recession did slow things down at changing growth from explosive to moderate. From the company grew at a rate of 29 By 2008, that fell to 9 Heard says the companyh is projecting 11 percenrt growth in 2009. In response to the country’zs economic crunch, InfoWorks decided to beef up its business marketingand sales. Three more businesss development officerswere hired, including Heard. “Activity creates opportunity.
It’ws important to get out of the office,” he Getting a pipeline of future business requires a combination of patiencdeand savvy, Heard says. For example, he says health care-relate d information technology business generated by theObama administration’es stimulus package has “significant potential.” But he says it will take a couple of years for it to become actual bottom-linse business. “Everyone is looking for the stimulus monehy to haveimmediate impact,” Heared says. “But I think in our case it’s goin g to take until 2010.
”
The Nashville-based information technology consulting firmsimplt isn’t structured like a traditional top-down Rather than being run exclusively by InfoWorks is employee-owned. A meeting at the 12-year-old companhy also is a staff meeting whers employees bringup concerns, make recommendations and participatde directly in key decisions. Tony president of InfoWorks, says the company’s flexibl e structure is one reasonwhy it’s managing to clip alonb nicely during the recession. Decisions are flui d and can bemade quickly, which keeps employeesz motivated, responsive and creatively “The engagement of employees means a whols lot,” Heard says.
“It means they take everything more They each feellike it’a their own company.” It also helps that the primar business plan at InfoWorks is straightforwarf and simple. The company specializes in working on the databases of locakl companies to createopitimal efficiency. They also converg database functions such as payrolll or invoicing from paperrto computer. Lewis Lavine, president of Nashville’s Center for Nonprofitg Management, recently hired InfoWorksd to redesignthe organization’s complicate d 10-year-old database. He says he responded to the company’es hands-on approach.
“We have specific things we need for our memberas andfor training,” Lavine says. “Theyu have the ability to customize the databasefor us, which is going to make a big differencs in the end.” The recession did slow things down at changing growth from explosive to moderate. From the company grew at a rate of 29 By 2008, that fell to 9 Heard says the companyh is projecting 11 percenrt growth in 2009. In response to the country’zs economic crunch, InfoWorks decided to beef up its business marketingand sales. Three more businesss development officerswere hired, including Heard. “Activity creates opportunity.
It’ws important to get out of the office,” he Getting a pipeline of future business requires a combination of patiencdeand savvy, Heard says. For example, he says health care-relate d information technology business generated by theObama administration’es stimulus package has “significant potential.” But he says it will take a couple of years for it to become actual bottom-linse business. “Everyone is looking for the stimulus monehy to haveimmediate impact,” Heared says. “But I think in our case it’s goin g to take until 2010.
”
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Hawaii flu cases close to 300 - St. Louis Business Journal:
http://www.submitportal.com/index.php?s=D&c=489
The Hawaii Department of Health, which now updates its onlinr H1N1 counteach Wednesday, said therw are now 298 confirmed cases in Hawaii. There were 98 new casex confirmed on Oahu this week for a total of 288 Kauai and Maui added a case each this They each have a totall ofthree cases. The Big which has four did not report any new casewsthis week. Most have recovered or are recovering fromthe illness. The Centerse for Disease Control and Preventiom said thatmost U.S. cases have not been severed and are comparable in severity toseasonal influenza. Hawaii residentes with questions about H1N1 flu cancall 767-5044 ext. 3 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondag through Friday and on weekends from9 a.
m. to 5:30 p.m. Or visift www.hawaii.gov/health or the Centers for Disease Controk and Preventionat
The Hawaii Department of Health, which now updates its onlinr H1N1 counteach Wednesday, said therw are now 298 confirmed cases in Hawaii. There were 98 new casex confirmed on Oahu this week for a total of 288 Kauai and Maui added a case each this They each have a totall ofthree cases. The Big which has four did not report any new casewsthis week. Most have recovered or are recovering fromthe illness. The Centerse for Disease Control and Preventiom said thatmost U.S. cases have not been severed and are comparable in severity toseasonal influenza. Hawaii residentes with questions about H1N1 flu cancall 767-5044 ext. 3 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondag through Friday and on weekends from9 a.
m. to 5:30 p.m. Or visift www.hawaii.gov/health or the Centers for Disease Controk and Preventionat
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Brighton man indicted, accused of defrauding investors - Denver Business Journal:
http://ecmalaysia.com/authors/author-1170.html
Shattuck allegedly obtained $257,000 from investors that was to be used to builf a car washin Northglenn, but mislee those investors by “falsely portraying” his personal finances and failinb to disclose a previous bankruptcy, accordingg to Suthers’ office. Shattuck allegedlu got the funds from three investorzs from April toNovember 2006. Investigators from Suthers’ officer and the Northglenn Policse Department also allege Shattuckused $15,000 from a $450,000 business loan he received in Januart 2007 to pay off personalp debt.
Clark Mineral Trust LLC allegedlyy made the loan to a Shattuck companhy called Construction Specialists to develop a housing subdivision in Weld County calledSandstone Ridge. Shattuck turnefd himself in to authorities onJune 24. The attorneh general’s office said it will prosecute Shattuck in Adamsx CountyDistrict Court. Shattuck is scheduled to appear in courgon Aug. 13.
Shattuck allegedly obtained $257,000 from investors that was to be used to builf a car washin Northglenn, but mislee those investors by “falsely portraying” his personal finances and failinb to disclose a previous bankruptcy, accordingg to Suthers’ office. Shattuck allegedlu got the funds from three investorzs from April toNovember 2006. Investigators from Suthers’ officer and the Northglenn Policse Department also allege Shattuckused $15,000 from a $450,000 business loan he received in Januart 2007 to pay off personalp debt.
Clark Mineral Trust LLC allegedlyy made the loan to a Shattuck companhy called Construction Specialists to develop a housing subdivision in Weld County calledSandstone Ridge. Shattuck turnefd himself in to authorities onJune 24. The attorneh general’s office said it will prosecute Shattuck in Adamsx CountyDistrict Court. Shattuck is scheduled to appear in courgon Aug. 13.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hensarling: GM TARP funds will be probed - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
http://shadowshow.net/authors/author-899.html
Hensarling is the lone Republican on the Congressional Oversight Panel and a rankingh member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financialp Institutions andConsumer Credit. He says he is concernerd about the disparate treatment of different classees of bond holders as Troubled Asset Relief Program fundsare distributed. Detroit-based GM (NYSE: GM) fileed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection on has reached a deal with its bondholders that woulrd have those firms own up to 25 percenrt ofthe automaker, with the U.S.
Treasur Department investing upto $50 billion in GM, accordinb to a regulatory filing made by the Detroit The automaker has received nearly $20 billion in taxpayetr funds to date. “I am pleased that the Congressionalp Oversight Panel will hold this important oversight hearingin July. While I opposed givinhg TARP money tothe automakers, taxpayers deservee transparency and need to know that theid tax dollars are being spent fairly and to promoted financial stability," Hensarling said. “Many believr that TARP is being used instead to promotse a social agenda and to reward the allies of the This hearing will be a venur for seeking answers to suchimportangt questions.
” The White House could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday morning.
Hensarling is the lone Republican on the Congressional Oversight Panel and a rankingh member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financialp Institutions andConsumer Credit. He says he is concernerd about the disparate treatment of different classees of bond holders as Troubled Asset Relief Program fundsare distributed. Detroit-based GM (NYSE: GM) fileed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection on has reached a deal with its bondholders that woulrd have those firms own up to 25 percenrt ofthe automaker, with the U.S.
Treasur Department investing upto $50 billion in GM, accordinb to a regulatory filing made by the Detroit The automaker has received nearly $20 billion in taxpayetr funds to date. “I am pleased that the Congressionalp Oversight Panel will hold this important oversight hearingin July. While I opposed givinhg TARP money tothe automakers, taxpayers deservee transparency and need to know that theid tax dollars are being spent fairly and to promoted financial stability," Hensarling said. “Many believr that TARP is being used instead to promotse a social agenda and to reward the allies of the This hearing will be a venur for seeking answers to suchimportangt questions.
” The White House could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday morning.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Zale Corp. posts bigger loss, names CFO - Dallas Business Journal:
http://www.loupatriot.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticleComments&ustory_id=c5b88354-513e-4c7f-b91f-0219f4d4986e
million during its fiscal third quarter, an increase of 33 percentt compared to the loss it posted in the same quarterrlast year. The company also namedr Mathew W. Appel its new chief financial officer, executive vice president, effective June 15. Appel joinx Zale Corp. from , where he served as vice president and chietfinancial officer. Irving-based Zale's ZLC) third-quarter loss amountedx to 73 centsper share, compareds to a net loss last year of $17.r4 million, or 42 cents per share. Meanwhile, revenude for the most-recent quarter hit $379 million, which is down from $477 millio a year earlier.
The company’x sales fell 20 percen when compared to the previous Zale says its2008 third-quarte sales were actually up 5.8 percentf last year due to a clearance sale that cut back on Zale continues to realign its business by closinf under-performing stores, cutting operating expenses and adjustinb rents and leases to keep them in line with current sales
million during its fiscal third quarter, an increase of 33 percentt compared to the loss it posted in the same quarterrlast year. The company also namedr Mathew W. Appel its new chief financial officer, executive vice president, effective June 15. Appel joinx Zale Corp. from , where he served as vice president and chietfinancial officer. Irving-based Zale's ZLC) third-quarter loss amountedx to 73 centsper share, compareds to a net loss last year of $17.r4 million, or 42 cents per share. Meanwhile, revenude for the most-recent quarter hit $379 million, which is down from $477 millio a year earlier.
The company’x sales fell 20 percen when compared to the previous Zale says its2008 third-quarte sales were actually up 5.8 percentf last year due to a clearance sale that cut back on Zale continues to realign its business by closinf under-performing stores, cutting operating expenses and adjustinb rents and leases to keep them in line with current sales
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Moral Challenge of a Nuclear-Free World - Wall Street Journal
http://artbistro.monster.com/member/Wurd
The Moral Challenge of a Nuclear-Free World Wall Street Journal It is a moral responsibility. Mr. Okada is foreign minister of Japan. Mr. Westerwelle is foreign minister of Germany. This copy is for your personal, ... |
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Construction workers used a crane Tuesday night to lift half of the new Santa ... - Dallas Morning News
http://hear-me-now.org/Frame-4-fundraisingpage4.html
Construction workers used a crane Tuesday night to lift half of the new Santa ... Dallas Morning News The second half was to be lifted into place Wednesday night. This stretch of the Santa Fe Trail is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will ... |
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