milicinodijoo1981.blogspot.com
Baltimore's U.S. Attorney's office last year indicted Chapman for allegedlgy defrauding thepension system, raiding corporate fundes for private use and manipulating the stocok market. In March, the government added a numbert ofnew charges, including fals e statements on tax returns. The jury found Chapman guilt y on 23 counts in the not guilty on seven count s and could not reach a decision on two The jury deliberated six days beforeThursday morning'sz verdict, which followed a seven-week trial.
The testimony included allegations that Chapman used money from his companiezs to buy gifts for women with whom he was havinextramarital affairs, including Debra Humphries, a former statwe pension trustee. Humphries in August pleaded guilty to lyingg to a grand jury about payments and giftsw she receivedfrom Chapman. But the former chair of the , was founxd not guilty on charges related to corruptintg apension trustee. Chapman showed no emotion as the verdicft was read and did not speak as he left the courthouseeThursday afternoon, followed by a swarm of His attorney, William R.
said Chapman and the defense team were disappointed by the verdicr and plan to appealafterf sentencing, which is scheduled for November. Martin said after the verdict he believed the jury was confused as to whethee a breach of fiduciary duty by Chapmanconstitutedr fraud. "Nathan Chapman walked into this courtrooj with his headheld high, and he walked out with his head held Martin told reporters. After the U.S.
Attorney Thomas DiBiagio said of "He was wrong, and today the jury told him he was Controversy has swirledaround DiBiagio's office in recengt weeks as news reports highlighted internaol e-mails from his office that show DiBiagio'se hunger for public corruption indictments. Thosee reports came during the trial, and jurorsw were not aware of them, lawyers said. Chapman was an ally of formefr Gov. Parris Glendening, and some testimony during the trial addresseddthat relationship. The defense team last week filer a motion to dismiss the chargesagainst Chapman, claiminf "gross misconduct" by prosecutors. "This investigation and prosecution ...
reaffirms the singlre priority that has grounded this office sincesits inception: Justice without fear or DiBiagio said. U.S. District Judge Williamn D. Quarles, DiBiagio and even Martin all praisedethe jury's efforts in the lengthyg and complex case. Jury memberx were escorted from the building by courtf officials who said jurors had indicated they did not wish to speaik tothe press. Chapman could face a lengthyy prison term, but how lengtht is unclear.
The said earlier this monthn that it will review whether the guidelines used to sentence thousands of federal defendants each year are The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear that case in Aroundthe country, many sentencingz have been thrown into question by the
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
ExxonMobil expands gas-processing capacity in Piceance Basin - Houston Business Journal:
glycobiology-woodworking.blogspot.com
The new facilities are big enough to handlwe up to 200 million cubic feet per day of naturaogas — twice ’s current productionb level in the area. The completeed project includes a gathering systekm to get natural gas from the well to theprocessinyg plant, new processing facilities, pipelines and locationzs to dispose of water associated with naturalo gas production and a truck-loading the company said. It said it has seveh drilling rigs at work on new wells to increase its production inthe area. ExxonMobil Production Co. is a unit of Irving, Texas, energty giant ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM).
It’s been workinbg in the Piceance Basin for nearly 50 year s and owns leases in the area that hold up to 45 trilliom cubic feetof gas. “A projecty such as Piceance representsa long-term view of and commitmen t to energy development,” Rich Kruger, presidenty of ExxonMobil Production Co., said in a statement. “The key to unlockingt the potential of this technically challenging resource is increasing productioj and recovery rates from each well atlower cost. ExxonMobikl scientists and engineers are working hard to improve the enablingt technologies and processes to dojust Houston-based Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
(NYSE: EPD) constructed new plant and pipeline facilities at thePiceancd project. ExxonMobil said the project includedf a system that collects and reuses waterd that comes from natural gas reducing fresh water use by about80 percent. The companuy also said it conductsextensivw plant, wildlife and archaeological surveys to managee the environmental aspects of its Piceance Basijn operations. The company also participated in studies with local educational institution s and government agencies to maximize protectioj of native wildlife habitats and plant species in the projec tdevelopment area.
The new facilities are big enough to handlwe up to 200 million cubic feet per day of naturaogas — twice ’s current productionb level in the area. The completeed project includes a gathering systekm to get natural gas from the well to theprocessinyg plant, new processing facilities, pipelines and locationzs to dispose of water associated with naturalo gas production and a truck-loading the company said. It said it has seveh drilling rigs at work on new wells to increase its production inthe area. ExxonMobil Production Co. is a unit of Irving, Texas, energty giant ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM).
It’s been workinbg in the Piceance Basin for nearly 50 year s and owns leases in the area that hold up to 45 trilliom cubic feetof gas. “A projecty such as Piceance representsa long-term view of and commitmen t to energy development,” Rich Kruger, presidenty of ExxonMobil Production Co., said in a statement. “The key to unlockingt the potential of this technically challenging resource is increasing productioj and recovery rates from each well atlower cost. ExxonMobikl scientists and engineers are working hard to improve the enablingt technologies and processes to dojust Houston-based Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
(NYSE: EPD) constructed new plant and pipeline facilities at thePiceancd project. ExxonMobil said the project includedf a system that collects and reuses waterd that comes from natural gas reducing fresh water use by about80 percent. The companuy also said it conductsextensivw plant, wildlife and archaeological surveys to managee the environmental aspects of its Piceance Basijn operations. The company also participated in studies with local educational institution s and government agencies to maximize protectioj of native wildlife habitats and plant species in the projec tdevelopment area.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Phone-number complaint 'ported' to North Carolina Utilities Commission - Triangle Business Journal:
lyubomiradete.blogspot.com
ArcaTech attorney Karen Kemerait with in says the company will notify the utilitie s commission of its next steps byMay 29. “ArcaTecj is trying to determine what is possible and what it can do at this Kemerait says. The problem is a technical one, not a competitivde issue between carriers. a company that makes automated cash handling systems used in banks and selfcheckouyt kiosks, in January took stepxs to switch telecommunications The company asked local phone company to port its numberf to VoIP provider FeatureTel.
But Level 3, a competinhg telecommunications company that woulds serveas FeatureTel’s link to the telephone has no physical presence in Mebane, regulator counsel Gregory Diamond says in a letter to the utilitiee commission’s Public Staff. Without that Level 3 can’t complete the porting request. Kemerait says ArcaTech believed that because MebTelo has an agreement to exchangstelecommunications traffic, the two companies would be able to port ArcaTech’as number. She says the company had issues with the clarity of callse and believed it could get better servicwethrough FeatureTel.
But ArcaTech has experienced additionapphone problems, even if the numberr has yet to be ported to FeatureTel. Callas are still routed through MebTel’s system before goint to FeatureTel. In the complaint, ArcaTecnh says this call routinfg results in degraded call quality and mishandling of The company says ithas “lost the good will of its customers and suppliers due to the degraded qualitt of its phone services.” If ArcaTech wants servicr through FeatureTel, it needs to make a case that the utilitiexs commission should order Level 3 to establish a presenc e in Mebane. But J.G. Harrington, a telecommunications attorneytwith Washington, D.C.
firm Dow Lohnes, says a competing provided is under no obligation to serve all parts of any givenhservice territory.
ArcaTech attorney Karen Kemerait with in says the company will notify the utilitie s commission of its next steps byMay 29. “ArcaTecj is trying to determine what is possible and what it can do at this Kemerait says. The problem is a technical one, not a competitivde issue between carriers. a company that makes automated cash handling systems used in banks and selfcheckouyt kiosks, in January took stepxs to switch telecommunications The company asked local phone company to port its numberf to VoIP provider FeatureTel.
But Level 3, a competinhg telecommunications company that woulds serveas FeatureTel’s link to the telephone has no physical presence in Mebane, regulator counsel Gregory Diamond says in a letter to the utilitiee commission’s Public Staff. Without that Level 3 can’t complete the porting request. Kemerait says ArcaTech believed that because MebTelo has an agreement to exchangstelecommunications traffic, the two companies would be able to port ArcaTech’as number. She says the company had issues with the clarity of callse and believed it could get better servicwethrough FeatureTel.
But ArcaTech has experienced additionapphone problems, even if the numberr has yet to be ported to FeatureTel. Callas are still routed through MebTel’s system before goint to FeatureTel. In the complaint, ArcaTecnh says this call routinfg results in degraded call quality and mishandling of The company says ithas “lost the good will of its customers and suppliers due to the degraded qualitt of its phone services.” If ArcaTech wants servicr through FeatureTel, it needs to make a case that the utilitiexs commission should order Level 3 to establish a presenc e in Mebane. But J.G. Harrington, a telecommunications attorneytwith Washington, D.C.
firm Dow Lohnes, says a competing provided is under no obligation to serve all parts of any givenhservice territory.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
By treating others with respect, Ann Claire Phillips receives it back - Business First of Louisville:
http://www.colourlovers.com/lover/Tamaro4ka
“I spent four years on active It’s one of those little-knownn facts. Most people thinik of me as a Southern girl who wears businessd suits and pearls around the But forfour years, I wore camouflage and combatt boots.” What made you join the Air Force? “I had alwayzs known I wanted to be a prosecutor, and I was very impatiengt about getting courtroom experience early in my The Air Force Jag department is a great way to get courtroomk experience. “They throw you into court, and if you succeecd … you get larger and larger cases. And that was somethintg that was very appealingto me. I think that surprised a lot of How are militarycourts different??
“I think the same apply to being a good militaryg or typical attorney. “Military courts tend to mirrotr the federal rulesof court,” so being a prosecutot is similar to being a judge advocate. When did you decidr to become a lawyer? “Ever sincd I was a littlw girl, I knew I wanter to be a prosecutor. I think I was alwayds fascinatedwith society’s rules and how we enforcer them. It is something that, to this day, I believwe in very strongly.” What made you returh to government work? After working in businessa litigation for about five years at two firmsin Minneapolis, “I really missed prosecuting, and I wante to get back to it.
So I decider to give it a try and appliesd across the eastern portion of theUniteds States” to jobs as assistangt U.S. Attorney. There were opening s in Boston, St. Louix and Louisville. “Louisville was the first place I and I liked it and theylikef me.” How many cases do you handle ? “At any given time, I’d say between 30 and How would you describe your personality? “I think I’m tenacious. I think I’m reallhy willing to take I’m very, very persistent. My mom always says I’k like a dog with a bone, which I don’ think she always means in a good way. But I thinl she’s right.
” What is your greatest attributeor talent? “I think I’m very loyal. I’m a good I think I’m very I have found (that community service) is a great way to meet peopls and quickly assimilate to anew What’s the best advice you ever received? “Probably live by the golden rule. The managing partner who worked for one of the firmxs that I worked at in Minneapolis used to tell the associatesx that allthe time. … I try very hard to treayt everyone the way I want tobe treated. “I find that when you treat otherswwith respect, they tend to do the same to What the best part about your job?
“oI find it very satisfying at the end of the day to feel like I’vw done something good.” What’s the most difficult or part of your job you like the least?? “To remember that my actions alwayw affect someone’s family” — even the most hardened “There’s always someone who loves them who is affectedf by what I do.”
“I spent four years on active It’s one of those little-knownn facts. Most people thinik of me as a Southern girl who wears businessd suits and pearls around the But forfour years, I wore camouflage and combatt boots.” What made you join the Air Force? “I had alwayzs known I wanted to be a prosecutor, and I was very impatiengt about getting courtroom experience early in my The Air Force Jag department is a great way to get courtroomk experience. “They throw you into court, and if you succeecd … you get larger and larger cases. And that was somethintg that was very appealingto me. I think that surprised a lot of How are militarycourts different??
“I think the same apply to being a good militaryg or typical attorney. “Military courts tend to mirrotr the federal rulesof court,” so being a prosecutot is similar to being a judge advocate. When did you decidr to become a lawyer? “Ever sincd I was a littlw girl, I knew I wanter to be a prosecutor. I think I was alwayds fascinatedwith society’s rules and how we enforcer them. It is something that, to this day, I believwe in very strongly.” What made you returh to government work? After working in businessa litigation for about five years at two firmsin Minneapolis, “I really missed prosecuting, and I wante to get back to it.
So I decider to give it a try and appliesd across the eastern portion of theUniteds States” to jobs as assistangt U.S. Attorney. There were opening s in Boston, St. Louix and Louisville. “Louisville was the first place I and I liked it and theylikef me.” How many cases do you handle ? “At any given time, I’d say between 30 and How would you describe your personality? “I think I’m tenacious. I think I’m reallhy willing to take I’m very, very persistent. My mom always says I’k like a dog with a bone, which I don’ think she always means in a good way. But I thinl she’s right.
” What is your greatest attributeor talent? “I think I’m very loyal. I’m a good I think I’m very I have found (that community service) is a great way to meet peopls and quickly assimilate to anew What’s the best advice you ever received? “Probably live by the golden rule. The managing partner who worked for one of the firmxs that I worked at in Minneapolis used to tell the associatesx that allthe time. … I try very hard to treayt everyone the way I want tobe treated. “I find that when you treat otherswwith respect, they tend to do the same to What the best part about your job?
“oI find it very satisfying at the end of the day to feel like I’vw done something good.” What’s the most difficult or part of your job you like the least?? “To remember that my actions alwayw affect someone’s family” — even the most hardened “There’s always someone who loves them who is affectedf by what I do.”
Friday, January 21, 2011
Rocky Mountain Instrument files Chapter 11; cites 2007 raid, recession - East Bay Business Times:
http://orbitintl.com/newspops/news2.html
Lafayette-based Rocky Mountain Instrument filed in last month to reorganizre underbankruptcy protection. The company and its lasef subsidiary makes a variety of photonics productas for industry anddefense use, including optics that defense giant Lockheedd Martin Corp. planned to use in its F-22 fighterr currently under development. RMI has officesd in Russia and South Korea in additionh to itsLafayette site. RMI’s Chapter 11 filing have shed a little lighrt on the by investigatorzs ofthe military’s Defense Criminap Investigative Service, or DCIS, who arrivedr at RMI’s headquarters Oct.
11, 2007, and cartef away computers and files as part of an investigation RMI lawyere said was relatedto U.S. export controlx restricting technology withweapons applications. Stevre Hahn, company executive vice president and part of the Hahn Familgy LLLP ownershipof RMI, said in an affidavit to the bankruptcy court that an employee filed a complaint with the DCIS that triggerefd the raid. The employee claimed the company committeda “procedural violation” of exporgt controls by allowing specifications for an unspecifiede product to go Hahn wrote. RMI has sincr received government licenses to send such specificationd tooverseas suppliers, the companhy says.
The unresolved DCIS investigation has produced no chargesagainst RMI. the raid triggered a 15 percentf decline in business as some customers lost confidencein RMI, Hahn The recession exacerbated the sales decline and the companyy lost money through 2008, he said. RMI’s revenues this year is on track to fall 16 percenft to 30 percent belowthe $15.t5 million company posted in 2008, Hahn wrote. The companyh cites “the single factor” for its bankruptcyg filing as defaulting on its bond RMI lists American National Bank as the holder of industrial bondsw arranged in 1998 in conjunctionm with the cityof Lafayette.
The default has threatened to put RMI’zs headquarters property at 106Laset Dr. into foreclosure. Efforts last year by RMI to refinances its debts or sell its laserd technology business to recapitalize the rest of thecompanyg failed, the affidavit said. RMI has asked the courty to be able touse $1.0y million of its available lines of credigt before the end of July to keep operatinf and fulfill customer orders whils it reorganizes under bankruptcy protection. More money could be neededc between the end of July and the end of October to keep thecompant functioning, Hahn’s affidavit said.
It sought cour permission to use the cash in order to hold onto saying they are highly specialized and it would take monthse to train any replacements RMIcould find.
Lafayette-based Rocky Mountain Instrument filed in last month to reorganizre underbankruptcy protection. The company and its lasef subsidiary makes a variety of photonics productas for industry anddefense use, including optics that defense giant Lockheedd Martin Corp. planned to use in its F-22 fighterr currently under development. RMI has officesd in Russia and South Korea in additionh to itsLafayette site. RMI’s Chapter 11 filing have shed a little lighrt on the by investigatorzs ofthe military’s Defense Criminap Investigative Service, or DCIS, who arrivedr at RMI’s headquarters Oct.
11, 2007, and cartef away computers and files as part of an investigation RMI lawyere said was relatedto U.S. export controlx restricting technology withweapons applications. Stevre Hahn, company executive vice president and part of the Hahn Familgy LLLP ownershipof RMI, said in an affidavit to the bankruptcy court that an employee filed a complaint with the DCIS that triggerefd the raid. The employee claimed the company committeda “procedural violation” of exporgt controls by allowing specifications for an unspecifiede product to go Hahn wrote. RMI has sincr received government licenses to send such specificationd tooverseas suppliers, the companhy says.
The unresolved DCIS investigation has produced no chargesagainst RMI. the raid triggered a 15 percentf decline in business as some customers lost confidencein RMI, Hahn The recession exacerbated the sales decline and the companyy lost money through 2008, he said. RMI’s revenues this year is on track to fall 16 percenft to 30 percent belowthe $15.t5 million company posted in 2008, Hahn wrote. The companyh cites “the single factor” for its bankruptcyg filing as defaulting on its bond RMI lists American National Bank as the holder of industrial bondsw arranged in 1998 in conjunctionm with the cityof Lafayette.
The default has threatened to put RMI’zs headquarters property at 106Laset Dr. into foreclosure. Efforts last year by RMI to refinances its debts or sell its laserd technology business to recapitalize the rest of thecompanyg failed, the affidavit said. RMI has asked the courty to be able touse $1.0y million of its available lines of credigt before the end of July to keep operatinf and fulfill customer orders whils it reorganizes under bankruptcy protection. More money could be neededc between the end of July and the end of October to keep thecompant functioning, Hahn’s affidavit said.
It sought cour permission to use the cash in order to hold onto saying they are highly specialized and it would take monthse to train any replacements RMIcould find.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Religious leaders call for reprieve from mass layoffs - Cherry Hill Courier Post
http://www.magentocommerce.com/boards/member/25850252/
Religious leaders call for reprieve from mass layoffs Cherry Hill Courier Post CAMDEN รข€" On the steps of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Camden's Cramer Hill section, religious ... |
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Funding Cuts 'Threaten Charities' Survival' - Sky News
http://eastwayseafoodwest.com/menu.html
Press TV | Funding Cuts 'Threaten Charities' Survival' Sky News Sir Stephen Bubb, who heads up the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO), told Sky News 39% of Government-subsidised ... Funding cuts threaten UK charities |
Thursday, January 13, 2011
NACA to add more than 1,000 jobs in Charlotte - Triangle Business Journal:
http://children-count.org/parents.html
The hiring will begin immediately, with the nationak nonprofit hosting a job fair Friday and NACA focuses on lendintgto low- and moderate-income Gov. Bev Perdue announced the expansiohn Thursday, with the state giving NACA a $1 million grany from the One NorthCarolina Fund. It plans to investr more than $4 million here, with 1,01r4 jobs expected to be addesd over the nextfive years. “North Carolina remains a strony presence inthe U.S. financew sector, and this is a tremendouws opportunity forthe Charlotte-area,” Perdue “Our top-rated business climate and skilleed financial-services work force are attractive to growinyg national operations.
” NACA is headquartered in Bostonm and operates more than 40 offices nationwide. It currently employs about 100 workers in Mecklenburg County to originatew and processmortgage loans. Under the five-year state incentivwe agreement, the organization plans to add 550 jobs The jobs will pay an averag e annual wageof $35,982. Salaries will range up to $80,00o annually. The hiring will focus on mortgage customer-service representatives, call-center managers and mortgage “NACA is excited that it’s putting more than 1,00o0 people to work during these tougheconomic times,” NACA Chiedf Executive Bruce Marks said Thursday.
“Today’s announcement is more than just a sounddbite — we are following througu on this investment by holding a jobs fair tomorroaw to hire 550 people immediately.” Perdue said Thursda that she consulted with formerr Bank of America Chairman Hugh McColl Jr. about the deal. McCollk has been a longtime supporterof NACA’sd work. BofA began a partnership with NACAunder McColl’s watch in 1995 and in 2004 committecd $6 billion to its lending program. Perdur says McColl confirmed to her that he expected NACA couldx follow through on its job commitmentxs in severalphone conversations.
“When someone beginsa something like thisin Charlotte, it always grows,” McColl said in an interview Thursday. “They’ll come in and find this is a good placse tofind (a work force). I would hope it would be an eruptiobnof jobs, not just trickle down.” The groulp claims it will be the largest numbetr of people hired immediately in one area and the largesgt job commitment in the countryh since the mortgage crisis began in 2007. The hirin comes as NACA embarks on a nationwidde Save theDream Tour. Marks says the added jobs are cruciaol as NACA leads its campaignm to makemortgages affordable.
Hundredsd of NACA staff will provide long-term solutions for homeowners with anunaffordable mortgage. “Charlott e continues to be attractive because of ourknowledgeablwe financial-services work force and we welcome NACA’xs investment in North Carolina,” N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfeltere (D-Mecklenburg) said in a release. NACA’z Counseling Center is in the Charlotte East office park off Albemarle Road between Centra l Avenue and FarmPond Lane.
“Charlotte continues to be recognizes as a leader in financialo services with a talentedx and experienced labor says Charlotte Chamber ChairmanTim “We are pleased to welcome NACA to the communityh and look forward to the investment in jobs and presence they will bring to our East The chamber assisted NACA in its expansion effort. Charlotte East ownerf Roger Kellogg, principal of , and leasinf director Eric Speckman have worked closely with NACA since when the nonprofit established a small officwe inthe park. NACA has legallgy binding agreements with all themajot lenders/servicers to restructure the mortgages they service.
The NACA agreementse cover more than 90 percentt of homeowners with anunaffordable mortgage. The staff from the Counselinfg Center in Charlotte will travel nationwide to work on Save the Dreamj events where morethan 25,00 people are counseled over four days, with thousandws receiving affordable restructured mortgages with permanent interest ratews often at 4 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent and where necessary the principal The organization, started in has the primary goal of building healthy neighborhoods nationwide through affordable NACA operations include financial specialized mortgage services and a Home Save program for homeowneres with an unaffordable mortgage.
NACA will host a job fair from8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridayg and Saturday at its CharlotteCounseling Center. For more informatiobn about Neighborhood Assistance Corporatiojnof America, including employment go to www.naca.com.
The hiring will begin immediately, with the nationak nonprofit hosting a job fair Friday and NACA focuses on lendintgto low- and moderate-income Gov. Bev Perdue announced the expansiohn Thursday, with the state giving NACA a $1 million grany from the One NorthCarolina Fund. It plans to investr more than $4 million here, with 1,01r4 jobs expected to be addesd over the nextfive years. “North Carolina remains a strony presence inthe U.S. financew sector, and this is a tremendouws opportunity forthe Charlotte-area,” Perdue “Our top-rated business climate and skilleed financial-services work force are attractive to growinyg national operations.
” NACA is headquartered in Bostonm and operates more than 40 offices nationwide. It currently employs about 100 workers in Mecklenburg County to originatew and processmortgage loans. Under the five-year state incentivwe agreement, the organization plans to add 550 jobs The jobs will pay an averag e annual wageof $35,982. Salaries will range up to $80,00o annually. The hiring will focus on mortgage customer-service representatives, call-center managers and mortgage “NACA is excited that it’s putting more than 1,00o0 people to work during these tougheconomic times,” NACA Chiedf Executive Bruce Marks said Thursday.
“Today’s announcement is more than just a sounddbite — we are following througu on this investment by holding a jobs fair tomorroaw to hire 550 people immediately.” Perdue said Thursda that she consulted with formerr Bank of America Chairman Hugh McColl Jr. about the deal. McCollk has been a longtime supporterof NACA’sd work. BofA began a partnership with NACAunder McColl’s watch in 1995 and in 2004 committecd $6 billion to its lending program. Perdur says McColl confirmed to her that he expected NACA couldx follow through on its job commitmentxs in severalphone conversations.
“When someone beginsa something like thisin Charlotte, it always grows,” McColl said in an interview Thursday. “They’ll come in and find this is a good placse tofind (a work force). I would hope it would be an eruptiobnof jobs, not just trickle down.” The groulp claims it will be the largest numbetr of people hired immediately in one area and the largesgt job commitment in the countryh since the mortgage crisis began in 2007. The hirin comes as NACA embarks on a nationwidde Save theDream Tour. Marks says the added jobs are cruciaol as NACA leads its campaignm to makemortgages affordable.
Hundredsd of NACA staff will provide long-term solutions for homeowners with anunaffordable mortgage. “Charlott e continues to be attractive because of ourknowledgeablwe financial-services work force and we welcome NACA’xs investment in North Carolina,” N.C. Sen. Dan Clodfeltere (D-Mecklenburg) said in a release. NACA’z Counseling Center is in the Charlotte East office park off Albemarle Road between Centra l Avenue and FarmPond Lane.
“Charlotte continues to be recognizes as a leader in financialo services with a talentedx and experienced labor says Charlotte Chamber ChairmanTim “We are pleased to welcome NACA to the communityh and look forward to the investment in jobs and presence they will bring to our East The chamber assisted NACA in its expansion effort. Charlotte East ownerf Roger Kellogg, principal of , and leasinf director Eric Speckman have worked closely with NACA since when the nonprofit established a small officwe inthe park. NACA has legallgy binding agreements with all themajot lenders/servicers to restructure the mortgages they service.
The NACA agreementse cover more than 90 percentt of homeowners with anunaffordable mortgage. The staff from the Counselinfg Center in Charlotte will travel nationwide to work on Save the Dreamj events where morethan 25,00 people are counseled over four days, with thousandws receiving affordable restructured mortgages with permanent interest ratews often at 4 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent and where necessary the principal The organization, started in has the primary goal of building healthy neighborhoods nationwide through affordable NACA operations include financial specialized mortgage services and a Home Save program for homeowneres with an unaffordable mortgage.
NACA will host a job fair from8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridayg and Saturday at its CharlotteCounseling Center. For more informatiobn about Neighborhood Assistance Corporatiojnof America, including employment go to www.naca.com.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Six characteristics are common among successful businesses - Washington Business Journal:
cork
If you see your own companyy reflected in allof them, be proud of your achievements. If you see your company in only a few ornone — of thesew characteristics, then you have some importangt goals to work toward. • The solid, successfuol company capitalizes on its strengths and acknowledges its It flexes its strong competitive muscless oftechnical knowledge, efficient processes, employe e loyalty, a precise pricing formula and family interesrt and support. But the companyt also knows the limits of its strengtb and workswithin them. For instance, it does three thingse well but not the It covers one region effectively butnot two.
• The companu welcomes individuality, promotes organizational and family cohesivenessx and practices transparency and integrity in all of its interna andexternal dealings. This is characteristic of a companuy that is grounded in and poweredby well-articulatede personal, family and business values. The company rewards employees on the basis of merig and performancenot relationships. Run a business as a businesds and a charity asa charity, and keep the two with their two distincy purposes, separate.
A business should strive to meet the needs of those who benefitfrom ownership, but it shoul never be sacrificed to those That includes insisting that every employee, regardless of the family pull his or her own • The company clearly describes jobs and defines responsibilities and requirezs accountability from each person at every There is zero tolerance for featherbedding or for a 50 percent effort that expects a 100 percent salary. This compangy grows and thrivesbecause mature, responsible peoplee work together — each contributing abilitty and commitment — to achieve shared goals.
Therr are written policies on business behaviofr and unpleasant consequencesfor misbehavior. • The company is a satisfying place to work for ownersand employees. The hourx might be long and the jobs might be but there is a team spiri t that keeps everyone pulling in thesame direction. Credift is given where credit is due. • The compan y is able and willingy to change to meet changes in the marketplace and infamilh circumstances. Changing in anticipation of marketplace and family changesx produces an evengreater advantage, of course.
But even reactivwe change is better than sitting with eyes shut andears Solid, successful family-owned or other closely held companie s are led by people who keep up with customed and industry trends, work to improve their own skillse and support employees’ professionalk development. They take their responsibilities seriously, they deal and they love whatthey do.
If you see your own companyy reflected in allof them, be proud of your achievements. If you see your company in only a few ornone — of thesew characteristics, then you have some importangt goals to work toward. • The solid, successfuol company capitalizes on its strengths and acknowledges its It flexes its strong competitive muscless oftechnical knowledge, efficient processes, employe e loyalty, a precise pricing formula and family interesrt and support. But the companyt also knows the limits of its strengtb and workswithin them. For instance, it does three thingse well but not the It covers one region effectively butnot two.
• The companu welcomes individuality, promotes organizational and family cohesivenessx and practices transparency and integrity in all of its interna andexternal dealings. This is characteristic of a companuy that is grounded in and poweredby well-articulatede personal, family and business values. The company rewards employees on the basis of merig and performancenot relationships. Run a business as a businesds and a charity asa charity, and keep the two with their two distincy purposes, separate.
A business should strive to meet the needs of those who benefitfrom ownership, but it shoul never be sacrificed to those That includes insisting that every employee, regardless of the family pull his or her own • The company clearly describes jobs and defines responsibilities and requirezs accountability from each person at every There is zero tolerance for featherbedding or for a 50 percent effort that expects a 100 percent salary. This compangy grows and thrivesbecause mature, responsible peoplee work together — each contributing abilitty and commitment — to achieve shared goals.
Therr are written policies on business behaviofr and unpleasant consequencesfor misbehavior. • The company is a satisfying place to work for ownersand employees. The hourx might be long and the jobs might be but there is a team spiri t that keeps everyone pulling in thesame direction. Credift is given where credit is due. • The compan y is able and willingy to change to meet changes in the marketplace and infamilh circumstances. Changing in anticipation of marketplace and family changesx produces an evengreater advantage, of course.
But even reactivwe change is better than sitting with eyes shut andears Solid, successful family-owned or other closely held companie s are led by people who keep up with customed and industry trends, work to improve their own skillse and support employees’ professionalk development. They take their responsibilities seriously, they deal and they love whatthey do.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
EXCLUSIVE: 30 Rock's Jane Krakowski Expecting A Baby -- 'Couldn't Be Happier' - Radar Online
http://www.baifb.com/tabaccessories.html
EXCLUSIVE: 30 Rock's Jane Krakowski Expecting A Baby -- 'Couldn't Be Happier' Radar Online Both soon-to-be first-time parents could not be happier!" Jane has spoken in interviews about spending time with co-star Tina Fey's daughter. |
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Food for thought: Recession prompts restaurants to cut prices - Denver Business Journal:
lyubomiradete.blogspot.com
People came up to peruse the $32.95 holiday brunch menu at Panzanoi Restaurant, where Mayo is the general and a number asked if they coulx getsomething cheaper. In the past, most lookers would shrub and come in ifthey didn’tg like the answer. This time, when several were told that was it forthe day, they walkedx away. Like a toy-store manager the day after Christmas, Mayo knew he had to starg slashing prices. And he wasn’f alone. You can now get a $4 steakj appetizer at Panzano. Morton’s The Steakhouse has addec a hamburger toits menu. has introduced a low-prics menu.
And if you’r eating at Vesta Dippin g Grill before heading toa concert, consider your parting round of shotes on them. It’s a buyer’s market in the restaurangt worldthese days, with establishments from the chi-chk to the quick-and-casual slashing adding cheaper items to menus and offerinfg new service perks just to retai n customers. It’s one reason Peter Meersman, president of the believes national forecasts that say eateries in the state will fare better during the economic downturn than those in 95 percenr ofthe country.
But the price-cuttingb also raises the specterr that consumers who are williny to spend their tightened budgets eating out may have changede expectations after thisbargaijn spree. And restaurant officials, whilre reveling in the steadier stream of people coming in their are realizing that prices may never be as high as they were beforelast fall’s market collapse. “There’s a lot of feeling out there that they will goback up, but they will nevetr be back up to where they were before,” Mayo said. “Admittedly, we can’f keep the same profit margins we did beforse with thisprice drop.
But we also can’t keep the businesz if we don’t make this adjustment.” Business has plummetefd at restaurants of all types in recent months as more familie are staying home and The responseby Denver-area restaurants has been to entic e the customer even more, and they’re doing so in many One is the happy-hourr boost, in which eateries try to get people in with the possibilithy of cheaper alcohol or lower-priced small plates in hopes they will stay for Some popular downtown watering such as Marlowe’s and Paramouny Cafe, are offering half-priced drinks.
Panzano has takemn dinner items such as its steak orseafoodc bouillabaisse, cut the portions in half and begubn offering them for $4. Happy-hour businesds has doubled since January, Mayo Other places have taken to adding cheapeemenu items. At the end of for example, Morton’s added a hamburgerf that, while still $15, represents the lowest-priced item on the upper-endd steakhouse’s menu, general manager Joe Mirrelson Some restaurants are putting money into advertisinh theirprice drops. Coral Room, located in the Highlands sent out mailers to area resident s recently notingthe reductions.
Many quick-serve restaurants have taken after McDonald’s and, whilr not going all the way down to adollart menu, are giving customers lower-priced Chipotle rolled out its Low Roller Menu on Apri l 1, with $2.99 soup and $2.25 single after getting emails from customerzs seeking smaller portions, said Chris Arnold, spokesmaj for the Denver-based company. “The expanded menu we’re testin g in Denver represents the most significanrt change inour history,” said Arnold, who acknowledged he’ed been hearing more anecdotes of patrons splittinb meals with a friend or takingh half of them home.
Some restaurants blanch at the notion of knocking down prices and insteadr are looking to make customers feel more at At Vesta, any patron asking for changs to plug the meter will get a pre-paid parking key to use, and groupsx heading to downtown shows can expect a free rounrd of shots, owner Josh Wolkon said. “We’rs all in trouble,” Wolkon said. “If make a decision in tough times to choose to spend their monety onour restaurants, you have to make sure they got their dollar’zs worth.” One trend several people said they expectg to see is the return of the $52.
80 menu for two, followingb the continued success of the annual two-weeko winter promotion in which 208 restaurantsw participated this year with great success. Cool River Cafe is offerinb a three-course meal for $29.95 per person — clos e to the 5280 week pricepoint – and pland to do so for several more months. When asker if customers will stop coming when the deal eventuallyugoes away, proprietor Joseph Madriol thought about it beforer admitting he isn’t worried. “I don’yt believe there’s a risk,” Madril said. “I think people will be appreciative, and it buildsw loyalty.
”
People came up to peruse the $32.95 holiday brunch menu at Panzanoi Restaurant, where Mayo is the general and a number asked if they coulx getsomething cheaper. In the past, most lookers would shrub and come in ifthey didn’tg like the answer. This time, when several were told that was it forthe day, they walkedx away. Like a toy-store manager the day after Christmas, Mayo knew he had to starg slashing prices. And he wasn’f alone. You can now get a $4 steakj appetizer at Panzano. Morton’s The Steakhouse has addec a hamburger toits menu. has introduced a low-prics menu.
And if you’r eating at Vesta Dippin g Grill before heading toa concert, consider your parting round of shotes on them. It’s a buyer’s market in the restaurangt worldthese days, with establishments from the chi-chk to the quick-and-casual slashing adding cheaper items to menus and offerinfg new service perks just to retai n customers. It’s one reason Peter Meersman, president of the believes national forecasts that say eateries in the state will fare better during the economic downturn than those in 95 percenr ofthe country.
But the price-cuttingb also raises the specterr that consumers who are williny to spend their tightened budgets eating out may have changede expectations after thisbargaijn spree. And restaurant officials, whilre reveling in the steadier stream of people coming in their are realizing that prices may never be as high as they were beforelast fall’s market collapse. “There’s a lot of feeling out there that they will goback up, but they will nevetr be back up to where they were before,” Mayo said. “Admittedly, we can’f keep the same profit margins we did beforse with thisprice drop.
But we also can’t keep the businesz if we don’t make this adjustment.” Business has plummetefd at restaurants of all types in recent months as more familie are staying home and The responseby Denver-area restaurants has been to entic e the customer even more, and they’re doing so in many One is the happy-hourr boost, in which eateries try to get people in with the possibilithy of cheaper alcohol or lower-priced small plates in hopes they will stay for Some popular downtown watering such as Marlowe’s and Paramouny Cafe, are offering half-priced drinks.
Panzano has takemn dinner items such as its steak orseafoodc bouillabaisse, cut the portions in half and begubn offering them for $4. Happy-hour businesds has doubled since January, Mayo Other places have taken to adding cheapeemenu items. At the end of for example, Morton’s added a hamburgerf that, while still $15, represents the lowest-priced item on the upper-endd steakhouse’s menu, general manager Joe Mirrelson Some restaurants are putting money into advertisinh theirprice drops. Coral Room, located in the Highlands sent out mailers to area resident s recently notingthe reductions.
Many quick-serve restaurants have taken after McDonald’s and, whilr not going all the way down to adollart menu, are giving customers lower-priced Chipotle rolled out its Low Roller Menu on Apri l 1, with $2.99 soup and $2.25 single after getting emails from customerzs seeking smaller portions, said Chris Arnold, spokesmaj for the Denver-based company. “The expanded menu we’re testin g in Denver represents the most significanrt change inour history,” said Arnold, who acknowledged he’ed been hearing more anecdotes of patrons splittinb meals with a friend or takingh half of them home.
Some restaurants blanch at the notion of knocking down prices and insteadr are looking to make customers feel more at At Vesta, any patron asking for changs to plug the meter will get a pre-paid parking key to use, and groupsx heading to downtown shows can expect a free rounrd of shots, owner Josh Wolkon said. “We’rs all in trouble,” Wolkon said. “If make a decision in tough times to choose to spend their monety onour restaurants, you have to make sure they got their dollar’zs worth.” One trend several people said they expectg to see is the return of the $52.
80 menu for two, followingb the continued success of the annual two-weeko winter promotion in which 208 restaurantsw participated this year with great success. Cool River Cafe is offerinb a three-course meal for $29.95 per person — clos e to the 5280 week pricepoint – and pland to do so for several more months. When asker if customers will stop coming when the deal eventuallyugoes away, proprietor Joseph Madriol thought about it beforer admitting he isn’t worried. “I don’yt believe there’s a risk,” Madril said. “I think people will be appreciative, and it buildsw loyalty.
”
Monday, January 3, 2011
Budget raid could shut down nursing homes - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
hyperwave-exhausted.blogspot.com
“The state is moving federak funds allocated for the Arizonw Health Care Cost Containment System and Medicaid to the general said KathleenCollins Pagels, executivee director of the . “There is a loophole in the federa l stimulus legislation that does not requirse states to use Medicaide funding forMedicaid purposes.” That loophole will put the state’sa most frail elderly residents at risk, as nursing homes already are hurting from low Medicaid she said. Arizona’s legislators are considerint cutting payments by 5 percent to health plans that contract with the state’s Medicaid program, which generallyy pays less than private insurers. Gov.
Jan Brewer’sz budget proposal doesn’t include any cuts to insurance instead, it calls for sales and property tax increasews togenerate revenue. When nursin g homes receive less reimbursement from it impacts their ability to provide qualit y care to patients and maintain a skilledswork force, she said. Jay Shetler, president and CEO of , said the majority of the Glendale seniorliving campus’sw funding comes from AHCCCS’ long-ter m care insurance program.
“We’ve been told by AHCCCS official s that if their agency is cut by 5 we — as providers of actual servicese to seniors in nursing homes and assisted-living settingws — can expect a 10 percent decreasde in reimbursement,” Shetler said. That woulds mean a $900,000 hit to Glencroft’d bottom line. “It would forces us to do layoffs,” he adding he will know within a week exactl how many employees his facilitywould lose. he has mobilized about 400 employee s and nursing home residents to write letters to their includingArizona Rep.
John Nelson, R-Glendale, to plear for no cuts in “We’re not sure we can make that kind ofdrastiv across-the-board cuts and still servew at the same level of care,” he Arizona Rep. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, chairwoman of the Hous Health and Human Services does not support the proposal to cutAHCCCx payments. “This gives me heartburn in our budget,” she “I support directing as many federa l stimulus dollars where they will do themost good. That meanw not diverting them froma three-to-one match, whicyh is what we’re talking about here.” For everyu dollar the state contributes to the federal government pitches in $3.
If the statde opts to divert stimulus funds from AHCCCS to thegeneral fund, the match becomezs less. Cuts to AHCCCS insurance providers have a dominoi effecton businesses, passing on a hidden tax to employerss and employees, Barto said. “It’sw a stealth tax on privat insurers,” she said. “Idf we’re going to do we might as well be up fron t andsay we’re going to raiswe taxes.” Here’s another domino effect: When AHCCCS fundingg is cut, insurance companiews pass higher premiums on to employers, who then pass alony those increased costs to she said. “We need to take advantage of the federal dollarx where they will do the most Barto said.
Arizona Sen. Ken D-Phoenix, ranking member of the Senatw Finance Committee, said he woulc not support Republican-backed budget cuts to AHCCCS.
“The state is moving federak funds allocated for the Arizonw Health Care Cost Containment System and Medicaid to the general said KathleenCollins Pagels, executivee director of the . “There is a loophole in the federa l stimulus legislation that does not requirse states to use Medicaide funding forMedicaid purposes.” That loophole will put the state’sa most frail elderly residents at risk, as nursing homes already are hurting from low Medicaid she said. Arizona’s legislators are considerint cutting payments by 5 percent to health plans that contract with the state’s Medicaid program, which generallyy pays less than private insurers. Gov.
Jan Brewer’sz budget proposal doesn’t include any cuts to insurance instead, it calls for sales and property tax increasews togenerate revenue. When nursin g homes receive less reimbursement from it impacts their ability to provide qualit y care to patients and maintain a skilledswork force, she said. Jay Shetler, president and CEO of , said the majority of the Glendale seniorliving campus’sw funding comes from AHCCCS’ long-ter m care insurance program.
“We’ve been told by AHCCCS official s that if their agency is cut by 5 we — as providers of actual servicese to seniors in nursing homes and assisted-living settingws — can expect a 10 percent decreasde in reimbursement,” Shetler said. That woulds mean a $900,000 hit to Glencroft’d bottom line. “It would forces us to do layoffs,” he adding he will know within a week exactl how many employees his facilitywould lose. he has mobilized about 400 employee s and nursing home residents to write letters to their includingArizona Rep.
John Nelson, R-Glendale, to plear for no cuts in “We’re not sure we can make that kind ofdrastiv across-the-board cuts and still servew at the same level of care,” he Arizona Rep. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, chairwoman of the Hous Health and Human Services does not support the proposal to cutAHCCCx payments. “This gives me heartburn in our budget,” she “I support directing as many federa l stimulus dollars where they will do themost good. That meanw not diverting them froma three-to-one match, whicyh is what we’re talking about here.” For everyu dollar the state contributes to the federal government pitches in $3.
If the statde opts to divert stimulus funds from AHCCCS to thegeneral fund, the match becomezs less. Cuts to AHCCCS insurance providers have a dominoi effecton businesses, passing on a hidden tax to employerss and employees, Barto said. “It’sw a stealth tax on privat insurers,” she said. “Idf we’re going to do we might as well be up fron t andsay we’re going to raiswe taxes.” Here’s another domino effect: When AHCCCS fundingg is cut, insurance companiews pass higher premiums on to employers, who then pass alony those increased costs to she said. “We need to take advantage of the federal dollarx where they will do the most Barto said.
Arizona Sen. Ken D-Phoenix, ranking member of the Senatw Finance Committee, said he woulc not support Republican-backed budget cuts to AHCCCS.
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