USA TODAY | Obama, Christie laud 'working relationship' on storm USA TODAY "I want to let you know that your governor is working overtime" to help repair the damage, Obama said. "The entire country has been watching what's been happening -- everybody knows how hard Jersey has been hit," Obama said, adding that his "top ... Obama: Christie is "working overtime" to recover from Sandy Working together รข€" Obama and Christie work to clean up NJ after Hurricane Sandy Storm Sandy: New York working to get 'back to normal' |
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Obama, Christie laud 'working relationship' on storm - USA TODAY
gault-rickettsias.blogspot.com
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Reader feedback: Key steps to fostering health care - Boston Business Journal:
mastering-input.blogspot.com
The Department of Health’s proposed regulations relatedc to marketing activities by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturerz will create an unquestionably restrictive environment forthese companies. However, the administratiobn wisely opted to exclude from the requirementa disclosure of legitimate payments related toclinicalo trials. A vocal minority has since raisedfa stink, suggesting that the state health officialsw caved to industry. This is The administration has simply done theright thing. Recent data from showed that in biopharmaceutical-related companies were responsible foralmosyt 55,000 jobs in the state.
The university’d also projected that 15,000 new jobs in the biopharmaceutical industry will be generatesd in Massachusettsby 2014. Lawmakers showesd great determination and vision in championintg the recently enacted lifesciences initiative. These effortes could have been jeopardized if not for the actionsd of the Departmentof Health. Our statew officials took crucial steps to ensurd that ongoing clinical researchn conducted in partnership between local physicians and academic medical centers and life sciences companiesz is not threatened by overly restrictivedisclosure requirements.
It is the rightg decision for thepublic health, for this uniques and dynamic life sciences sector, and for the near-ter m prospects of our loca l economy. Kelly Thompson Clark Presidentand CEO,
The Department of Health’s proposed regulations relatedc to marketing activities by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturerz will create an unquestionably restrictive environment forthese companies. However, the administratiobn wisely opted to exclude from the requirementa disclosure of legitimate payments related toclinicalo trials. A vocal minority has since raisedfa stink, suggesting that the state health officialsw caved to industry. This is The administration has simply done theright thing. Recent data from showed that in biopharmaceutical-related companies were responsible foralmosyt 55,000 jobs in the state.
The university’d also projected that 15,000 new jobs in the biopharmaceutical industry will be generatesd in Massachusettsby 2014. Lawmakers showesd great determination and vision in championintg the recently enacted lifesciences initiative. These effortes could have been jeopardized if not for the actionsd of the Departmentof Health. Our statew officials took crucial steps to ensurd that ongoing clinical researchn conducted in partnership between local physicians and academic medical centers and life sciences companiesz is not threatened by overly restrictivedisclosure requirements.
It is the rightg decision for thepublic health, for this uniques and dynamic life sciences sector, and for the near-ter m prospects of our loca l economy. Kelly Thompson Clark Presidentand CEO,
Monday, October 29, 2012
Portland-area economy weakens Q1 - Triangle Business Journal:
ofycagvezi.blogspot.com
percent, an accelerating decline compared tothe 13.5 percen t (revised) drop in the fourth quarter of 2008. Of the nine indicatorse included inthe index, six declined significantly, said Tim Duy, directo r of the Oregon Economic Forum and a UO adjuncty assistant professor, Labor market trends continue to Help-wanted advertising in The Oregonian fell during the quarter, consistent with a decreases in hiring demand. Similarly, initial unemployment claims continuedfto rise, reaching a month average of 16,819i claims. Non-farm payrolls continue to fall as undee the dual forces of increased layoffs and slacihiring demand; payrolls stand 3.
9 percent lower than year-ago The expected slowdown in lodging activity finally came to pass, said Duy,wit estimated lodging revenue (seasonally and inflationb adjusted) down 15.4 percent from the fourth quarter. Passenger traffic at Portland Internationaol Airport was effectively unchanged from the previous quarter. Housing markets were generallyy weaker. Housing sales were effectivelyh unchanged, while average days-on-market fell, partiallyt offsetting a particularly sharp rise in the fourth quarter of attributable to the intensification of the financiao crisis and unusual weather said Duy.
Ongoing declines in the in point to continued economic deterioration in thePortlanxd region, he added. Signs of stabilization are difficulgto find, he said; expectations for a firming of economic activity in the second half of 2009 are largelg based on some tentative signs of stability in the nationak economy. Moreover, the impactg of fiscal and monetary policies should become more evidenft as theyear progresses. Still, the pace of the recoveru is expected to be subdued as the economhy adjusts to an environment less dependent on debt-supported consumer spending growth.
percent, an accelerating decline compared tothe 13.5 percen t (revised) drop in the fourth quarter of 2008. Of the nine indicatorse included inthe index, six declined significantly, said Tim Duy, directo r of the Oregon Economic Forum and a UO adjuncty assistant professor, Labor market trends continue to Help-wanted advertising in The Oregonian fell during the quarter, consistent with a decreases in hiring demand. Similarly, initial unemployment claims continuedfto rise, reaching a month average of 16,819i claims. Non-farm payrolls continue to fall as undee the dual forces of increased layoffs and slacihiring demand; payrolls stand 3.
9 percent lower than year-ago The expected slowdown in lodging activity finally came to pass, said Duy,wit estimated lodging revenue (seasonally and inflationb adjusted) down 15.4 percent from the fourth quarter. Passenger traffic at Portland Internationaol Airport was effectively unchanged from the previous quarter. Housing markets were generallyy weaker. Housing sales were effectivelyh unchanged, while average days-on-market fell, partiallyt offsetting a particularly sharp rise in the fourth quarter of attributable to the intensification of the financiao crisis and unusual weather said Duy.
Ongoing declines in the in point to continued economic deterioration in thePortlanxd region, he added. Signs of stabilization are difficulgto find, he said; expectations for a firming of economic activity in the second half of 2009 are largelg based on some tentative signs of stability in the nationak economy. Moreover, the impactg of fiscal and monetary policies should become more evidenft as theyear progresses. Still, the pace of the recoveru is expected to be subdued as the economhy adjusts to an environment less dependent on debt-supported consumer spending growth.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Companies look to legal departments for belt tightening - Washington Business Journal:
ysynut.wordpress.com
While this axiom sometimesa wields thepersonnel ax, it also forcexs businesses to rethink weak strategies and questionb long-standing norms across the organization. As chief financial officerss scan their operating budgets looking for places to one department oftenstands out: legal. Most mediuk and large businesseshave in-housre lawyers. One of their key jobs is hirinfg and managing all the outside legal work done on behalg ofthe company, which can be painfully Companies might shell out $200 to as much as $800 per hour to elite law firms for matters that can take hundreds of billablee hours.
Amid the budgegt squeeze, corporate counsels are looking for lessexpensive alternatives, whichh is driving significant changes in the way legall work is done and how lawyers get paid for it. Corporate counsels are often a company’s analyzing all transactions and business practice s through the lens oflegal “In-house lawyers are able to wed an in-depthg knowledge of a particular businesws with the nuances of law,” said Manikj Rath, president of the and general counsel of McLean-based .
“An outside lawyer will only give you generakllegal expertise, not great knowledge of your In-house counsels are often generalists hired to do the nuts-and-boltxs legal work at company. For a real estate business mighthave in-house lawyers handling property transactions and buildingy licensing. This can save companies a bundle inlegalo fees. “When you hire an in-house you’re paying for an open bar. With outside you’re buying by the drink,” Rath explained. When somethingv more specializedand time-consuming comes up, such as litigation, a majorf acquisition or an employment law matter, corporate counsels will typicallh farm it out to a law firm.
“Thesee things require a lot of bandwidth,” Rath “You don’t want your in-house lawyerse to get tied down in the minutiaa of litigation when they shouls be focused on your Some industries, such as governmenty contracting, have not been dramatically affected by the recession. But other such as financial services, have been pummeled by the downturn and are clamping downon spending. For at Reston-based student loan provider , fourth-quarter total operatingh expenses weredown 41.3 percent over a year earlier, as a percentag of assets.
McLean-based mortgage gianty , which has not yet releasede fourth-quarter earnings, reported that third-quarter administrative expensesdroppes 13.1 percent over a year earlier, as a percentager of assets. ’s fourth-quarte operating expenses fell 15.5 percent, as a percentage of While legal departments are almost certainlyu a part of thisbudgetary squeeze, it is hard to say just how they are affectecd because none of those companies would agre to be interviewed for this story. McLean-based Capitapl One did, however, furnish an e-maile d statement from Steve Gannon, deputy general about the company’s reduction in expenses for outsidelegal counsel.
The company has, amontg other things, “recently begun utilizing alternative billing arrangements such as flat fees insteadx ofhourly rates, and limited biddiny processes for certain work,” he This strategy is becoming more common, and it is driving some long-awaites changes in the way law firms operate, said Willia Brennan, a law firm consultanrt with in Newton Square, Pa. “For the first time in 20 there’s actually an implementation of new billiny methods other than the very much malignedhourlh method,” he said.
It is becoming more commom for law firms to get paid withfixede fees, retainers and success fees basefd on the value renderex by the law firm, Brennan
While this axiom sometimesa wields thepersonnel ax, it also forcexs businesses to rethink weak strategies and questionb long-standing norms across the organization. As chief financial officerss scan their operating budgets looking for places to one department oftenstands out: legal. Most mediuk and large businesseshave in-housre lawyers. One of their key jobs is hirinfg and managing all the outside legal work done on behalg ofthe company, which can be painfully Companies might shell out $200 to as much as $800 per hour to elite law firms for matters that can take hundreds of billablee hours.
Amid the budgegt squeeze, corporate counsels are looking for lessexpensive alternatives, whichh is driving significant changes in the way legall work is done and how lawyers get paid for it. Corporate counsels are often a company’s analyzing all transactions and business practice s through the lens oflegal “In-house lawyers are able to wed an in-depthg knowledge of a particular businesws with the nuances of law,” said Manikj Rath, president of the and general counsel of McLean-based .
“An outside lawyer will only give you generakllegal expertise, not great knowledge of your In-house counsels are often generalists hired to do the nuts-and-boltxs legal work at company. For a real estate business mighthave in-house lawyers handling property transactions and buildingy licensing. This can save companies a bundle inlegalo fees. “When you hire an in-house you’re paying for an open bar. With outside you’re buying by the drink,” Rath explained. When somethingv more specializedand time-consuming comes up, such as litigation, a majorf acquisition or an employment law matter, corporate counsels will typicallh farm it out to a law firm.
“Thesee things require a lot of bandwidth,” Rath “You don’t want your in-house lawyerse to get tied down in the minutiaa of litigation when they shouls be focused on your Some industries, such as governmenty contracting, have not been dramatically affected by the recession. But other such as financial services, have been pummeled by the downturn and are clamping downon spending. For at Reston-based student loan provider , fourth-quarter total operatingh expenses weredown 41.3 percent over a year earlier, as a percentag of assets.
McLean-based mortgage gianty , which has not yet releasede fourth-quarter earnings, reported that third-quarter administrative expensesdroppes 13.1 percent over a year earlier, as a percentager of assets. ’s fourth-quarte operating expenses fell 15.5 percent, as a percentage of While legal departments are almost certainlyu a part of thisbudgetary squeeze, it is hard to say just how they are affectecd because none of those companies would agre to be interviewed for this story. McLean-based Capitapl One did, however, furnish an e-maile d statement from Steve Gannon, deputy general about the company’s reduction in expenses for outsidelegal counsel.
The company has, amontg other things, “recently begun utilizing alternative billing arrangements such as flat fees insteadx ofhourly rates, and limited biddiny processes for certain work,” he This strategy is becoming more common, and it is driving some long-awaites changes in the way law firms operate, said Willia Brennan, a law firm consultanrt with in Newton Square, Pa. “For the first time in 20 there’s actually an implementation of new billiny methods other than the very much malignedhourlh method,” he said.
It is becoming more commom for law firms to get paid withfixede fees, retainers and success fees basefd on the value renderex by the law firm, Brennan
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Galveston National Laboratory set for Nov. 11 dedication - Houston Business Journal:
cahijisebi.wordpress.com
“The GNL brings the focus on global healtjh research toGalveston — and that’sx something our local community can be proud of. This facilityu is indeed a national resource,” said Dr. Stanlegy Lemon, principal investigator of the Galvestob National Laboratory and directorof UTMB’s Institute for Human Infectione and Immunity. Although Hurricane Ike dealt a devastatingh blow to Galvestonin mid-September, the new laboratory weathereds the storm without significant damage, as it was designe to do, officials said.
In the new facility UTMB scientists will work with othee scientists across the nation to addresse the most critical emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism threate facing thehuman population. The GNL will also train the next generation of infectiouzdiseases scientists. The GNL is projected to contributw anestimated $1.4 billiobn to the Texas economy over the next 20 according to UTMB.
“The GNL brings the focus on global healtjh research toGalveston — and that’sx something our local community can be proud of. This facilityu is indeed a national resource,” said Dr. Stanlegy Lemon, principal investigator of the Galvestob National Laboratory and directorof UTMB’s Institute for Human Infectione and Immunity. Although Hurricane Ike dealt a devastatingh blow to Galvestonin mid-September, the new laboratory weathereds the storm without significant damage, as it was designe to do, officials said.
In the new facility UTMB scientists will work with othee scientists across the nation to addresse the most critical emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism threate facing thehuman population. The GNL will also train the next generation of infectiouzdiseases scientists. The GNL is projected to contributw anestimated $1.4 billiobn to the Texas economy over the next 20 according to UTMB.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Workers' comp reform has worked for everyone - Portland Business Journal:
andreychukuze.blogspot.com
Recently, the state announced that 1996 ratesxof work-related injuries and illnesses fell to recors lows. This followed an announcement that the average premium employers payfor workers' compensatiomn insurance will decline 15.6 percent in 1998, saving $112 These announcements created little stir, frankly, becauser they've become routine: Workplace illness and injury rates have droppedr almost every year since 1988, and average premiumn rates have dropped every year sincw 1990. Workers' comp costd are down by half and illness and injury rates by abouta third.
This is quitse a change: In 1986, Oregon'sw workers' compensation premium rates ranked sixth most expensivw inthe nation, employers' policies were being canceled, new insurerz were unavailable, and workers' compensatiomn insurance was an impediment to businessd in Oregon. Too many workeras were being injured and resolving cases took too Our medical and permanent disability costs were amongf the highest in the while injured and sick workers received amonv thelowest benefits. By 1987, we clearly needer reform, but that was no simple It required action bythe 1987, 1993, and 1995 legislative plus a special session in 1990, to create a new frameworjk for the system.
This included creation of , the Managemenyt Labor Advisory Committeewe chair, to provided a forum for labor and management representatives to study the systej and offer changes that serve the balanced interests of workers and The reforms made Oregon workers' compensationb more efficient and more equitable. We're now the only stater in the nation with eight straight yearsw ofpremium reductions, saving employers at least $1.5 billion in direct costs, and our national premium rate ranking dropped from sixth to 34th. The savingw expected for 1998, alone, total enough to pay the annual wagesfor 3,212 industrialp jobs or provide basic health care for 50,5200 workers.
At the same time, Oregon OSHA, a divisioh of the Department of Consumer andBusiness Services, has helped make workplaces safer thoughn consultation programs, inspections, sanctions for grants for innovative workplace safety and educational programs. Workers who do experienc on-the-job injuries have better benefits now: Maximum benefits for permanently disabled workers are four time s higher than they werein 1987; "tims loss" payments for people unable to work while awaiting acceptance or denial of theird claims are made more promptly; claimantss get better medical treatment under managed care principles; and we have activde early return-to-work programs.
It's important to note that the percentagw of claims denied remained stable from FY 1993to 1996, and actuallhy declined in FY 1997. Also, injury and illnessz rates have been measuredr by US Bureau of Labor Statisticse standards throughoutour workers' comp reforms. Theirr downward trend doesn't mean we've just quit counting. Of we haven't made this progress without and some of that criticismdeserves consideration. As of Jan. 1, DCBS increasexd the assessment it levies on employerw tofund workers' comp programs, for the firs time since 1982 and after seven yeare without any change.
The increas e is needed because our success atreducin workers' comp premiums has shrunk the base against which the assessment is applied. The only reasom the assessment did not increasw during the past several years is that the departmentf followed legislative instructions to spend down reserve funds, allowing the assessment to be held artificiallgy low. Even with the higher assessment, decreasing premiums mean that employers will pay an averagweof 13.3 percent less for workers'' comp coverage in 1998 than in 1997.
But the increasr makes it especially critical for us to review programe to makesure they're the right funded at the right level: DCBS will conductg an internal review and work with the secretaryy of state's office to conduct an external program audit. The findingds will be reflected inthe department'd next budget request and in recommendationse MLAC makes to the governor and legislaturs next year. Improvement is always Just as no job can be guaranteed perfectly no state systemis perfect. Not every employere acts responsibly, every claimant honestly, and every lawyer scrupulously. Not everyy insurance company isabove reproach.
But Oregon'w system for educating monitoring employers andinsurance companies, assessing compensating permanent disability, re-employing injured workers, and ensuring that workers ' cases will be heard and judgec impartially is better than Costs are down, and the number of insured workers is up. The workers' compensation system by careful redesigmn has ensured that work in Oregon is that insurance is available atreasonable cost, and by doinf so, ensured that there is more work for all Those who argue, in effect, for pre-reform status quo in our workers' compensation system have missed the poinf to having worker's comp at all and have lost sight of the balancse we seek to achieve.
MLAC, with equapl representation from management and has no intention of letting that balancer be tilted to the detriment of this stat e and the workers who drive itseconomifc success. Shiprack and Pope are co-chairs of Oregon's Managemeny Labor Advisory Committee, which advises the legislature, and state agencies on workers' compensatio n issues.
Recently, the state announced that 1996 ratesxof work-related injuries and illnesses fell to recors lows. This followed an announcement that the average premium employers payfor workers' compensatiomn insurance will decline 15.6 percent in 1998, saving $112 These announcements created little stir, frankly, becauser they've become routine: Workplace illness and injury rates have droppedr almost every year since 1988, and average premiumn rates have dropped every year sincw 1990. Workers' comp costd are down by half and illness and injury rates by abouta third.
This is quitse a change: In 1986, Oregon'sw workers' compensation premium rates ranked sixth most expensivw inthe nation, employers' policies were being canceled, new insurerz were unavailable, and workers' compensatiomn insurance was an impediment to businessd in Oregon. Too many workeras were being injured and resolving cases took too Our medical and permanent disability costs were amongf the highest in the while injured and sick workers received amonv thelowest benefits. By 1987, we clearly needer reform, but that was no simple It required action bythe 1987, 1993, and 1995 legislative plus a special session in 1990, to create a new frameworjk for the system.
This included creation of , the Managemenyt Labor Advisory Committeewe chair, to provided a forum for labor and management representatives to study the systej and offer changes that serve the balanced interests of workers and The reforms made Oregon workers' compensationb more efficient and more equitable. We're now the only stater in the nation with eight straight yearsw ofpremium reductions, saving employers at least $1.5 billion in direct costs, and our national premium rate ranking dropped from sixth to 34th. The savingw expected for 1998, alone, total enough to pay the annual wagesfor 3,212 industrialp jobs or provide basic health care for 50,5200 workers.
At the same time, Oregon OSHA, a divisioh of the Department of Consumer andBusiness Services, has helped make workplaces safer thoughn consultation programs, inspections, sanctions for grants for innovative workplace safety and educational programs. Workers who do experienc on-the-job injuries have better benefits now: Maximum benefits for permanently disabled workers are four time s higher than they werein 1987; "tims loss" payments for people unable to work while awaiting acceptance or denial of theird claims are made more promptly; claimantss get better medical treatment under managed care principles; and we have activde early return-to-work programs.
It's important to note that the percentagw of claims denied remained stable from FY 1993to 1996, and actuallhy declined in FY 1997. Also, injury and illnessz rates have been measuredr by US Bureau of Labor Statisticse standards throughoutour workers' comp reforms. Theirr downward trend doesn't mean we've just quit counting. Of we haven't made this progress without and some of that criticismdeserves consideration. As of Jan. 1, DCBS increasexd the assessment it levies on employerw tofund workers' comp programs, for the firs time since 1982 and after seven yeare without any change.
The increas e is needed because our success atreducin workers' comp premiums has shrunk the base against which the assessment is applied. The only reasom the assessment did not increasw during the past several years is that the departmentf followed legislative instructions to spend down reserve funds, allowing the assessment to be held artificiallgy low. Even with the higher assessment, decreasing premiums mean that employers will pay an averagweof 13.3 percent less for workers'' comp coverage in 1998 than in 1997.
But the increasr makes it especially critical for us to review programe to makesure they're the right funded at the right level: DCBS will conductg an internal review and work with the secretaryy of state's office to conduct an external program audit. The findingds will be reflected inthe department'd next budget request and in recommendationse MLAC makes to the governor and legislaturs next year. Improvement is always Just as no job can be guaranteed perfectly no state systemis perfect. Not every employere acts responsibly, every claimant honestly, and every lawyer scrupulously. Not everyy insurance company isabove reproach.
But Oregon'w system for educating monitoring employers andinsurance companies, assessing compensating permanent disability, re-employing injured workers, and ensuring that workers ' cases will be heard and judgec impartially is better than Costs are down, and the number of insured workers is up. The workers' compensation system by careful redesigmn has ensured that work in Oregon is that insurance is available atreasonable cost, and by doinf so, ensured that there is more work for all Those who argue, in effect, for pre-reform status quo in our workers' compensation system have missed the poinf to having worker's comp at all and have lost sight of the balancse we seek to achieve.
MLAC, with equapl representation from management and has no intention of letting that balancer be tilted to the detriment of this stat e and the workers who drive itseconomifc success. Shiprack and Pope are co-chairs of Oregon's Managemeny Labor Advisory Committee, which advises the legislature, and state agencies on workers' compensatio n issues.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sumter Crossing developer claims bank cut off funding - Nashville Business Journal:
deeshu-tatum.blogspot.com
Frank Menke alleges Fifth Thirrd wrongly stopped fundinga $30.5 million construction loan for the U.S. 41 projectr in Sarasota County’s North according to a documenrt filed April 2 withthe , Middlre District of Florida. North Port Gatewat filed a Chapter 11 petitionMarch 30. Menks is unable to completer construction ofthe project’d second two buildings despite the success of the first 37,476-square-foot Sumter Crossing East and 24,000-square-foot Sumterd Crossing Commerce, since funding was he alleges in court records. Projecft anchors include , , , Regionsd Bank, Applebee’s and Charlottes State Bank. All the businesses bought theirf properties from NorthPort Gateway.
The dispute with Fifthb Third has hindered the developef in completing more land sales in the amountof $10.8 records show.
Frank Menke alleges Fifth Thirrd wrongly stopped fundinga $30.5 million construction loan for the U.S. 41 projectr in Sarasota County’s North according to a documenrt filed April 2 withthe , Middlre District of Florida. North Port Gatewat filed a Chapter 11 petitionMarch 30. Menks is unable to completer construction ofthe project’d second two buildings despite the success of the first 37,476-square-foot Sumter Crossing East and 24,000-square-foot Sumterd Crossing Commerce, since funding was he alleges in court records. Projecft anchors include , , , Regionsd Bank, Applebee’s and Charlottes State Bank. All the businesses bought theirf properties from NorthPort Gateway.
The dispute with Fifthb Third has hindered the developef in completing more land sales in the amountof $10.8 records show.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
First snow falls in Lapland - YLE News
bakakinkorypon.blogspot.com
First snow falls in Lapland YLE News The snowfall began in Rovaniemi after 2pm on Tuesday, and within a few hours the city was covered. Snowfalls will continue in Lapland until Wednesday morning, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). The FMI warns of poor road ... |
Friday, October 19, 2012
Ruth
olimstgon.blogspot.com
The Heathrow-based upscale restaurant chain (Nasdaq: RUTH), which filedr the shelf registration statementJune 25, now has the flexibility to raised the money through the sale of according to a news release. The filing allows the company to quickly access the capitaol markets through any combinationof equity, debt or other securities. Ruth’s Hospitality investor relationws spokesman Raphael Gross was unavailable for comment bypresz time. The company in May reportes an 18.
5 percent decline in company-owned, first-quarted same-restaurant sales, coupled with a nearlgy 14 percent drop in combined average weeklg sales for the 22 restaurants acquired in Februart of 2008 fromCameroj Mitchell’s Restaurants LLC. Company share s were trading at $3.37 in the early hours of June 26, down slightlgy from the previous day’s close of Ruth’s Hospitality, a leading restaurant company focused exclusivel y on the upscaledining segment, owns more than 150 company-ownexd and franchised restaurants, including , Mitchell’es Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Cameron’s Steakhouse
The Heathrow-based upscale restaurant chain (Nasdaq: RUTH), which filedr the shelf registration statementJune 25, now has the flexibility to raised the money through the sale of according to a news release. The filing allows the company to quickly access the capitaol markets through any combinationof equity, debt or other securities. Ruth’s Hospitality investor relationws spokesman Raphael Gross was unavailable for comment bypresz time. The company in May reportes an 18.
5 percent decline in company-owned, first-quarted same-restaurant sales, coupled with a nearlgy 14 percent drop in combined average weeklg sales for the 22 restaurants acquired in Februart of 2008 fromCameroj Mitchell’s Restaurants LLC. Company share s were trading at $3.37 in the early hours of June 26, down slightlgy from the previous day’s close of Ruth’s Hospitality, a leading restaurant company focused exclusivel y on the upscaledining segment, owns more than 150 company-ownexd and franchised restaurants, including , Mitchell’es Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Cameron’s Steakhouse
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Lawmakers approve full-fledged Texas A&M San Antonio campus - San Antonio Business Journal:
ysynut.wordpress.com
The law allows the state to releasew $40 million in tuitionh revenue bonds to begin construction on the first buildingg on thecampus site. The local Texas A&M campu had been operating as an extension site of Texas Effective immediately, the local university will no longer operate undetr the Kingsville banner. Texas A&M University-San Antonio needed to achievee an enrollment thresholdof 1,500 students beforwe tuition revenue bonds could be disbursed. The school is currentluy offering classes at temporary sites at and facilities owned by San Antonio IndependentSchool District. State Rep. Joe D-San Antonio, joined the governor and Heleb Madla, the widow of the late Texaw Sen.
Frank Madla Jr., at a bill signintg for SenateBill 629. Madla was a major advocate of establishingha four-year institution on San Antonio’s South Side up untipl his death in 2006. “Todayu marks the biggest step forward for this campusz sinceits creation,” Farias “Not only can the universityg proudly begin using its own name, but now we can lay some real brick s and mortar and start building.” donated 700 acres of land to the A&Mj System to allow it to begin building a Texas A&M System Chancellor Michael McKinney and Texas A&M-San Antonilo Executive Director Maria Hernandez Ferrier were also present at the signingh ceremony in Austin.
“It is an hono r to work with so many wonderful peoplr inthe community, our facultty and staff and our legislators that have supportefd the university’s growth and vision from the beginning,” Ferrierr says. “They say it takes the entire team to get the ball acros the goal line and the collectivw efforts of these individuals certainly are evidence of Texas A&M-San Antonio will now work to unveil a new school colors, mascot, seal and ring as part of its new
The law allows the state to releasew $40 million in tuitionh revenue bonds to begin construction on the first buildingg on thecampus site. The local Texas A&M campu had been operating as an extension site of Texas Effective immediately, the local university will no longer operate undetr the Kingsville banner. Texas A&M University-San Antonio needed to achievee an enrollment thresholdof 1,500 students beforwe tuition revenue bonds could be disbursed. The school is currentluy offering classes at temporary sites at and facilities owned by San Antonio IndependentSchool District. State Rep. Joe D-San Antonio, joined the governor and Heleb Madla, the widow of the late Texaw Sen.
Frank Madla Jr., at a bill signintg for SenateBill 629. Madla was a major advocate of establishingha four-year institution on San Antonio’s South Side up untipl his death in 2006. “Todayu marks the biggest step forward for this campusz sinceits creation,” Farias “Not only can the universityg proudly begin using its own name, but now we can lay some real brick s and mortar and start building.” donated 700 acres of land to the A&Mj System to allow it to begin building a Texas A&M System Chancellor Michael McKinney and Texas A&M-San Antonilo Executive Director Maria Hernandez Ferrier were also present at the signingh ceremony in Austin.
“It is an hono r to work with so many wonderful peoplr inthe community, our facultty and staff and our legislators that have supportefd the university’s growth and vision from the beginning,” Ferrierr says. “They say it takes the entire team to get the ball acros the goal line and the collectivw efforts of these individuals certainly are evidence of Texas A&M-San Antonio will now work to unveil a new school colors, mascot, seal and ring as part of its new
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Op-Ed: A Slice Of Life That's Become Divisive - Sheepshead Bites
kittredgeihuhyla1951.blogspot.com
Op-Ed: A Slice Of Life That's Become Divisive Sheepshead Bites Stained glass at the Cloisters shows baby Jesus' bris, in which some accounts say he received metzitzah b'peh. (Source: pboothe/Flickr). BETWEEN THE LINES: As soon as the New York City Department of Health (DOH) established a regulation recently to ... |
Monday, October 15, 2012
Blogger names MSD privacy breach source - Stuff.co.nz
fixyruw.wordpress.com
Blogger names MSD privacy breach source Stuff.co.nz He said he walked into a WINZ kiosk and was able to open files including sensitive case notes, names of children in care and up for adoption, foster parents, lists of people who owed MSD money, details of contract workers and how much they were paid ... |
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Youthbuild Boston Inc. Company Profile | Company Information
younkinesagugad1746.blogspot.com
Launched in 1990 with 28 young people in achurcnh basement, YBB was the first replication of the YouthBuilx model outside of New York. The missio n of YouthBuild Boston Inc. (YBB) is to improver opportunities for young peopler of Boston by teaching skillzs that will equip them to supporg themselves and help develop personal andneighborhoodf responsibility. The guiding principle of YBB is "Youtg or young adults, when treated as valuable will realize that they can be partners in rebuilding their YBB realizes that the difficulties that youngy people face must be overcome by addressing the terrible and overwhelming lack of empowermenrt that theyoften feel.
These feelings are reinforce by a society that views them as part of the and notthe solution. YBB recognizes that these individualds are capable of and vital to improvint their lives and the condition of their YBB has been successful sinceits inception. YBB, alonh with other agencies has contributexd to the vibrancy ofthe community. Consistent funding from the Departmenft of Housing andUrban Development, AmeriCorps, the Commonwealth of YouthBuild USA, the private foundation community, corporations, and has enabled us to serve Boston youth. We do this through the operationb offour programs.
Launched in 1990 with 28 young people in achurcnh basement, YBB was the first replication of the YouthBuilx model outside of New York. The missio n of YouthBuild Boston Inc. (YBB) is to improver opportunities for young peopler of Boston by teaching skillzs that will equip them to supporg themselves and help develop personal andneighborhoodf responsibility. The guiding principle of YBB is "Youtg or young adults, when treated as valuable will realize that they can be partners in rebuilding their YBB realizes that the difficulties that youngy people face must be overcome by addressing the terrible and overwhelming lack of empowermenrt that theyoften feel.
These feelings are reinforce by a society that views them as part of the and notthe solution. YBB recognizes that these individualds are capable of and vital to improvint their lives and the condition of their YBB has been successful sinceits inception. YBB, alonh with other agencies has contributexd to the vibrancy ofthe community. Consistent funding from the Departmenft of Housing andUrban Development, AmeriCorps, the Commonwealth of YouthBuild USA, the private foundation community, corporations, and has enabled us to serve Boston youth. We do this through the operationb offour programs.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Week brings double-digit increases in gas prices - South Florida Business Journal:
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According to the ’s Weekene Gas Watch. the average pricde of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $2.82r per gallon, which is 16.2 cents more than last 49 cents higher thanlast month, and $1.443 less than last year. On the Centrapl Coast, the average price is $2.877, up 15.5 cents from last week, 44 cents above last and $1.48 below last year. In the Inlanxd Empire, the average per gallon priceis $2.810, which is 14.9 centz more than last week, 48 centa more than last month, and $1.
47 less than last "Just as in 2008, commodities investorx are pushing up crude oil and wholesald gasoline prices at a frenzied pace that seemas to have no connection to domestidc fuel consumption or availability. There have been some refinery issuee this year across the but no more so than inother years," Auto Club spokespersojn Jeffrey Spring said in a statement.
According to the ’s Weekene Gas Watch. the average pricde of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $2.82r per gallon, which is 16.2 cents more than last 49 cents higher thanlast month, and $1.443 less than last year. On the Centrapl Coast, the average price is $2.877, up 15.5 cents from last week, 44 cents above last and $1.48 below last year. In the Inlanxd Empire, the average per gallon priceis $2.810, which is 14.9 centz more than last week, 48 centa more than last month, and $1.
47 less than last "Just as in 2008, commodities investorx are pushing up crude oil and wholesald gasoline prices at a frenzied pace that seemas to have no connection to domestidc fuel consumption or availability. There have been some refinery issuee this year across the but no more so than inother years," Auto Club spokespersojn Jeffrey Spring said in a statement.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
BofA raises almost all of $33.9B buffer - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
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billion. Last month, BofA sold $13.5 billio n in common stock. The bank issued 1.25 billion shareds at an average priceof $10.76 per share. BofA also sold a 5.7 percent stake in to Asian investors for a gainof $4.5 billion. In BofA agreed to exchange $9.5 billioj in preferred shares for 704 million sharese ofcommon stock. BofA expects to garner $1.3 billion from reduced dividends on thepreferred shares. The exchangr doesn’t apply to preferred shares held by thefedera government. So far, BofA has boosted its Tier 1 common capitaloby $2.1 billion by reducing a deferres tax-asset deduction.
And the bank says it has gainexd anadditional $2 billion from the disposition of As part of the company’ s capital plan, it could issue up to an additionakl 296 million common shares. “Wed are pleased to have nearly reacher our goal this saidJoe Price, chievf financial officer. The government said BofA had toraiswe $33.9 billion after conducting “stress tests” on the country’ws 19 largest banks. The tests were designed to assess the ability to survive if economic conditions worsen more than expectecd during the nexttwo years.
BofA has received a total of $45 billion in taxpayere aid under thefederal government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, which is designed to thaw the crediy markets and boost the economy. In separatd developments, Charlotte, N.C.-based BofA BAC) sold $3 billion in five-year notesx on May 8 and $2.5 billiohn in 10-year notes on May 28 without guarantees.
billion. Last month, BofA sold $13.5 billio n in common stock. The bank issued 1.25 billion shareds at an average priceof $10.76 per share. BofA also sold a 5.7 percent stake in to Asian investors for a gainof $4.5 billion. In BofA agreed to exchange $9.5 billioj in preferred shares for 704 million sharese ofcommon stock. BofA expects to garner $1.3 billion from reduced dividends on thepreferred shares. The exchangr doesn’t apply to preferred shares held by thefedera government. So far, BofA has boosted its Tier 1 common capitaloby $2.1 billion by reducing a deferres tax-asset deduction.
And the bank says it has gainexd anadditional $2 billion from the disposition of As part of the company’ s capital plan, it could issue up to an additionakl 296 million common shares. “Wed are pleased to have nearly reacher our goal this saidJoe Price, chievf financial officer. The government said BofA had toraiswe $33.9 billion after conducting “stress tests” on the country’ws 19 largest banks. The tests were designed to assess the ability to survive if economic conditions worsen more than expectecd during the nexttwo years.
BofA has received a total of $45 billion in taxpayere aid under thefederal government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, which is designed to thaw the crediy markets and boost the economy. In separatd developments, Charlotte, N.C.-based BofA BAC) sold $3 billion in five-year notesx on May 8 and $2.5 billiohn in 10-year notes on May 28 without guarantees.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Time to minimise water usage - Mackay Daily Mercury
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Time to minimise water usage Mackay Daily Mercury MACKAY Regional Council has asked all residents to minimise their water usage while upgrades to the raw water intake at Dumbleton Weir are completed. The works will be undertaken from tomorrow until Sunday, October 14. There will be no disruption to ... |
Monday, October 8, 2012
Recovery Report: SBA urged to do more to boost lending - Phoenix Business Journal:
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On June 15, the SBA began acceptinf applications for emergency bridge loans of up to Small businesses can use these created by the economic stimulus to make up to six months of paymentxs onexisting debt. They won’yt have to start repaying the loanzs until a year afte thelast disbursement. The SBA will subsidize the interest onthese loans, which will be offered through private-sector lenders. The stimulua bill also temporarily reduced or eliminated fees onthe SBA’x regular 7(a) and 504 business loans, and increased the governmentr guarantee on 7(a) loans to 90 percent.
Weeklty loan volume for the SBA’e 7(a) and 504 programs has increased by more than 30 percentt since these changes were implementefdMarch 16. This increase in SBA lending is “qa positive and welcome sign, but we have a very long way to go beforer SBA lending reaches solidlevels again,” said Cynthi a Blankenship, vice chair and chierf operating officer of Bank of the West in Texas.
On June 15, the SBA began acceptinf applications for emergency bridge loans of up to Small businesses can use these created by the economic stimulus to make up to six months of paymentxs onexisting debt. They won’yt have to start repaying the loanzs until a year afte thelast disbursement. The SBA will subsidize the interest onthese loans, which will be offered through private-sector lenders. The stimulua bill also temporarily reduced or eliminated fees onthe SBA’x regular 7(a) and 504 business loans, and increased the governmentr guarantee on 7(a) loans to 90 percent.
Weeklty loan volume for the SBA’e 7(a) and 504 programs has increased by more than 30 percentt since these changes were implementefdMarch 16. This increase in SBA lending is “qa positive and welcome sign, but we have a very long way to go beforer SBA lending reaches solidlevels again,” said Cynthi a Blankenship, vice chair and chierf operating officer of Bank of the West in Texas.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Businesses should know the pros and cons of furloughs - Washington Business Journal:
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As the recession has deepened, employers everywhere have lookeed for ways tocut expenses, and one of the biggesty expenses is payroll. But for small and midsize cutting staff could make it difficult to keep thecompanty running. Furloughs, a staff-reduction measure employed by the airlind industry when travel decreased and pilots and flighg attendants werenot needed, is becoming more common in othet industries.
Furlough has come to mean cuttinggstaff hours, rather than its traditional meaning of sendingb employees home without pay for weeks or “A furlough is when employees are off for some periodf of time, but they are not terminatef from the payroll,” says Mitch principal with Mercer LLC, a human resources consulting The traditional furlough option works best at companieas that can make a distinction betweenh an essential employee and a nonessentiall one, says Jeffrey D. Cunningham, a corporater attorney at in Atlanta. “If you look at your roster and everyoneis essential, you need to look at other Cunningham says.
“Look at an hourws reduction, rather than a In the Washington two large mediacompanies — National Public Radip and Co. Inc. recently instituted furloughs. In Gannett announced most of its employees would have to take a secondx week of unpaid leave this year in an effory to offset steady declinea inadvertising revenue. In April, NPR said 13 employees were beingg let go and the remaining workers would have to take five unpaide days off over the next five In addition, employees would not be paid for time off on threed holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
Hotels and restaurantsz also are using furloughs to reduce theierstaff costs, says Andria Lure a partner at law firm LLP in Atlanta. “A hoteo will close a couple of their four restaurants and furlougnhthose employees,” she says. “I was at a resortg hotel, and none of the restaurants were Furloughs are just one option for companies in afinancial bind. Businesses also can cut expenses, pay, bonuses and benefits put promotions on institute hiring freezes andundertake layoffs. “Just about everty client I work with is doing somethinhg alongthose lines,” Barnee says.
“The reason we are talking about furloughs is they have gone down that checklistg and need to cut more but are worried aboutemployees retention.” For small businesses, laying off the third and fourth employee was likely hard to do, but dismissing the fifth and sixth employee is gointg be even more he says. A furlough enables a companuy to save money in hourly or monthly wagews while stillmaintaining “a waiting work that is ready to retur when a full workload returns, Barnes “In these unprecedented times, we’rr seeing employers of all descriptions using this he says. But it is not the first approach formany companies, Barnes says.
Salary cuts, wage and hiringf freezes, and other measures are usuallytaken first, followed by layoffs, he says. “Mangy employers believe they areso lean, and if they continue to cut they will have hard time staffing back up,” Barnes says. “If I’n a small employer or midsized employer, I can’t cut 1,000 But I can reduce my costs by sendinhgpeople home, and as soon as the orders start to come back in, can connec with my furloughed employees so they will come back to work
As the recession has deepened, employers everywhere have lookeed for ways tocut expenses, and one of the biggesty expenses is payroll. But for small and midsize cutting staff could make it difficult to keep thecompanty running. Furloughs, a staff-reduction measure employed by the airlind industry when travel decreased and pilots and flighg attendants werenot needed, is becoming more common in othet industries.
Furlough has come to mean cuttinggstaff hours, rather than its traditional meaning of sendingb employees home without pay for weeks or “A furlough is when employees are off for some periodf of time, but they are not terminatef from the payroll,” says Mitch principal with Mercer LLC, a human resources consulting The traditional furlough option works best at companieas that can make a distinction betweenh an essential employee and a nonessentiall one, says Jeffrey D. Cunningham, a corporater attorney at in Atlanta. “If you look at your roster and everyoneis essential, you need to look at other Cunningham says.
“Look at an hourws reduction, rather than a In the Washington two large mediacompanies — National Public Radip and Co. Inc. recently instituted furloughs. In Gannett announced most of its employees would have to take a secondx week of unpaid leave this year in an effory to offset steady declinea inadvertising revenue. In April, NPR said 13 employees were beingg let go and the remaining workers would have to take five unpaide days off over the next five In addition, employees would not be paid for time off on threed holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
Hotels and restaurantsz also are using furloughs to reduce theierstaff costs, says Andria Lure a partner at law firm LLP in Atlanta. “A hoteo will close a couple of their four restaurants and furlougnhthose employees,” she says. “I was at a resortg hotel, and none of the restaurants were Furloughs are just one option for companies in afinancial bind. Businesses also can cut expenses, pay, bonuses and benefits put promotions on institute hiring freezes andundertake layoffs. “Just about everty client I work with is doing somethinhg alongthose lines,” Barnee says.
“The reason we are talking about furloughs is they have gone down that checklistg and need to cut more but are worried aboutemployees retention.” For small businesses, laying off the third and fourth employee was likely hard to do, but dismissing the fifth and sixth employee is gointg be even more he says. A furlough enables a companuy to save money in hourly or monthly wagews while stillmaintaining “a waiting work that is ready to retur when a full workload returns, Barnes “In these unprecedented times, we’rr seeing employers of all descriptions using this he says. But it is not the first approach formany companies, Barnes says.
Salary cuts, wage and hiringf freezes, and other measures are usuallytaken first, followed by layoffs, he says. “Mangy employers believe they areso lean, and if they continue to cut they will have hard time staffing back up,” Barnes says. “If I’n a small employer or midsized employer, I can’t cut 1,000 But I can reduce my costs by sendinhgpeople home, and as soon as the orders start to come back in, can connec with my furloughed employees so they will come back to work
Friday, October 5, 2012
Web site connects consumers to free health care - Sacramento Business Journal:
andreychukuze.blogspot.com
The site, myhealthresource.org, is sponsore d by . It provides information on health servicesz throughoutthe state, including state and federal health care insurance options, information about disease management prescription services, area hospital and clinics — alongv with locations and directions mental health assistance, homeless resource and more. A visitor simply enters a ZIP clicks on the categoryof interest, and is presentecd with information and a variety of The online resource comes as unemployment continues to rise in the regioh and growing numbers of locaol residents lose their health insurance along with theire jobs.
There are an estimated 250,00p people without health insurance inSacramentp County, said registered nurse Maria Robles, presidentr of Californians for Patient Care. “Sacramento’s firefighters and state government workeres are losing their jobs at analarming rate,” Roblews said in a press release. The online servics provides information on how to getcoverage and/ore treatment at no or low While the Web site is intended for consumerxs who need direction to services, doctore and other providers may want to use it to find out how to help an uninsure patient get access to further care.
The site, myhealthresource.org, is sponsore d by . It provides information on health servicesz throughoutthe state, including state and federal health care insurance options, information about disease management prescription services, area hospital and clinics — alongv with locations and directions mental health assistance, homeless resource and more. A visitor simply enters a ZIP clicks on the categoryof interest, and is presentecd with information and a variety of The online resource comes as unemployment continues to rise in the regioh and growing numbers of locaol residents lose their health insurance along with theire jobs.
There are an estimated 250,00p people without health insurance inSacramentp County, said registered nurse Maria Robles, presidentr of Californians for Patient Care. “Sacramento’s firefighters and state government workeres are losing their jobs at analarming rate,” Roblews said in a press release. The online servics provides information on how to getcoverage and/ore treatment at no or low While the Web site is intended for consumerxs who need direction to services, doctore and other providers may want to use it to find out how to help an uninsure patient get access to further care.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Turkey hits targets inside Syria after border deaths - BBC News
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BBC News | Turkey hits targets inside Syria after border deaths BBC News Turkey has renewed firing at targets inside Syria after two women and three children were killed by shelling from across the border on Wednesday. Several Syrian troops were killed by Turkish fire, a UK-based Syrian activist group said. Syria says it is ... Turkish resumes artille ry strikes at Syrian targets; PM's aide says no intent ... Turkey fires on Syrian targets after deadly shelling from Syria Turkey strikes targets in Syria in retaliation for shelling deaths |
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
France, Germany clash over EADS-BAE headquarters: sources - Reuters
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Telegraph.co.uk | France, Germany clash over EADS-BAE headquarters: sources Reuters BERLIN/LONDON (Reuters) - France and Germany have collided over the location of the headquarters for a new aerospace giant to be formed from a planned merger of Europe's EADS and Britain's BAE Systems (BAES.L), sources familiar with the matter ... France, Germa ny argue on HQ of aerospace giant France and Germany clash over BAE-EADS headquarters France Seeks More Government Influence Over Merged EADS/BAE |
Monday, October 1, 2012
Republicans Reject Union Workers But Respect Union Refs - Huffington Post
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Republicans Reject Union Workers But Respect Union Refs Huffington Post Republicans' reaction to last week's Monday Night Football debacle was record-breaking given their decades of hating on union workers. After replacement refs bestowed on the Seattle Seahawks a game clearly won by the Green Bay Packers, GOP standard ... |
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