Saturday, December 31, 2011
ADP reports 532,000 May job cuts - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
Payroll firm ADP reported Wednesday that companies inthe U.S. cut an estimates 532,000 workers from payrolls last ADP also revised higherd its estimate of cuts in Aprilto 545,000 from the previousw estimate of 491,000. The ADP report notef losses across all sizes and categories of businesses with large businesws payrollsdeclining 100,000, medium businesse s shedding 223,000 jobs and smalo businesses cutting 209,000 employees. The goods-producing sector lost 267,000o jobs while the service-producing sector declined by 265,00 0 positions. The Labor Department is due to release its jobs reporfon Friday.
The average analyst estimate for that reportt of government as well as privatse payrolls is a lossof 520,0090 payroll positions and an increase in the unemployment rate to 9.2 percent from April’s rate of 8.9 percent. On The Institute for Supply Management announced that its factorhy index rose to the highest levepl since last September as new orders posted theif first gain since therecession began. On Tuesday the Nationa Association of Realtors reported that pendingg sales ofexisting homes, or contracts signedx but not closed, rose 6.7 percent in the largest increase in six years.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
In Left Field: Merzbow's Discography - Prefixmag
Prefixmag | In Left Field: Merzbow's Discography Prefixmag Merzbow's debut album came out in 1982. Since then, he has released 111 albums. He's released nine this year alone. And I'm not even going to attempt to summarize the discography of someone like John Wiese. He celebrated the release of his 100th 7-inch ... |
Monday, December 26, 2011
Unions protest Target Center project - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
Roofers and Waterproofers Local 96 recentlu filed a National Labor Relations Boarcd complaintagainst Fridley-based Stock Roofing, a subsidiary of Skokie, Ill-baseed Tecta America Corp. The union is complaining that the contractorr has been engaging in unsafe and unfaier labor practices atthe $5.3 million project, approvecd by the Minneapolis City Council in Decembeer and scheduled for completion in “We understand that cities need to save money,” said Locap 96 Business Manager Rob Snider. “But they also have a duty to protectr workers on publicly fundecd projects by ensuringcontractors aren’rt cutting corners.
” Stock Roofing's president and general manager couldn’tf immediately be reached for comment. The union is complainingv that work has taken place at night with insufficien lighting and impropersafety harnessing. Mike Christenson, Minneapolis' communit y planning and economicdevelopment director, said he firsrt heard of the union's complaints on April 20. He said the federall Occupational Safety and Health Administration had and there had been no negative findings from the Christenson said the city is prompt abou t responding to complaints about itswork sites. "We will continuee to field any and all complaints and we willresponde immediately," he said.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
KFC Awards $1.5 Million in College Scholarship Money to High School Seniors Who Are Hungry to Learn
Million in College Scholarship Money to High School Seniorsz Who Are Hungry toLearn Seventy-Fivee High School Seniors Chosen from More Than 150,000 Applicants To Win Scholarshipd from KFC's 2009 Colonel's Scholars Programj LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The fourth clasds of KFC Colonel's Scholars(R), 75 talented and ambitious incominvg college freshmen, will attend colleges and universities across the countryg this fall, thanks to scholarships provide d by the Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation.
More than 150,000 graduating high school seniors who excellec in and out of the classroom applie for the scholarships this TheKFC Colonel's Scholars program awarded 75 scholarships base d on financial need and the impacr of students on their schoolsx and communities. Each awarsd winner is eligible to receive upto $20,0090 during the next four years to pursuer a bachelor's degree at an accredited publixc university within his or her home state. The members of this year' s class of KFC Colonel's Scholars have demonstrated a wide rangwe of talents and represent a diverses groupof backgrounds. One Scholar maintainecd a 4.
0 grade-point average whiles working asa co-owner of a dairy Another Scholar launched a nonprofitf organization, which provides services for homeless mothers in Orlando who were victima of domestic violence. This organization has helpedd many families find housing and taught them how tobe "These students have proven that they are completeluy committed to both their education and enrichingg and supporting their schools and communities," said , president of KFC. "Because of this we are dedicating ourselvez to helping them pursue their dreams and realize their goal of acolleges education.
" "As a KFC Franchisee and a donor assisted scholarshi sponsor, I am honored to help carru on Colonel Sanders' commitment to educatio n by supporting the fourth class of KFC Colonel'ss Scholars," stated . KFC Colonel's Scholars, now in its fourthh year, is an annual program of the Kentuckyh FriedChicken Foundation, an independent charity supportedf by KFC, its employees and and KFC patrons. The KFC Colonel's Scholars' mission is to empowe r students to improve their lives withscholarship resources. The prograkm has awarded more than $5 million in scholarshipas sinceits inception. For more information on KFC Colonel's Scholar and the Kentucky FriedChicken Foundation, visirt or .
KFC Colonel's Scholard is a program of Kentucky FriefChicken Foundation, an independent 501c3 charity funder by KFC, its employees, franchisees and KFC and seeks to help provide high schook students scholarship resources to attend public post-secondary schools withinn their states of residence. Colonel's Scholars is a registeree trademark of KFC KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world' most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Originalk Recipe(R), Extra Crispy(TM), Kentucky Grilled Chicken(TM) and Originakl Recipe Strips with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshlt made chicken sandwiches.
There are more than 15,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countriea and territories aroundthe world, serving some 12 million customers each day. KFC Corporationb is a subsidiaryof Yum! Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: Alabama Kayla Harris (Wetumpka, Ala.) Mashika Tempero (Vredenburgh, Ala.) Arkansas Vence Johnson (Pine Bluff, Amanda Mckibben (Oiltrough, Ark.) California Terrty Allen (Vallejo, Calif.) Geobioo Boo (Simi Valley, Calif.) Fallon Griffib (Los Angeles, Calif.) Ashleuy Hebert (Oakland, Calif.) Rothpanhart Ross (Stockton, Calif.) Casandra Vann (Los Calif.) Delaware Shoaib Baqi (Smyrna, Del.) Florida Sharduy Camargo (Orlando, Fla.) Tomilee Dowden (Carrabelle, Fla.
) Amiricza Nicholson (Avon Park, Fla.) Georgia Bianca Ficklih (Warrenton, Ga.) Scott Rowland Ga.) Ashley Hutchinson (Atlanta, Ga.) Idaho Kelsey Bernstein (Idaho Falls, Idaho) Illinois Lace Bailey (Chicago, Ill.) Ashleu Kloth (Ellis Grove, Ill.) Indiana Cameron Brown Ind.) Kylee Proctor (North Ind.) Brandon Lopez (Munster, Ind.) Jonathahn Sobilo (Munster, Ind.) Iowa Stephanie Venenga Iowa) Kansas Ashley Arenholz Kan.) Lauren Johnson (Waverly, Heather Reynolds (LaCygne, Kan.) Kentucky Jessika Turne r (Paris, Ky.) Louisiana Jerome Spann (Batob Rouge, La.) Michigan Kate O'Connor Mich.) Sade Turner (Detroit, Jessica Orr (Atlanta, Mich.) Minnesota Adam Jense n (Faribault, Minn.
) Valerie Speedling (Kellogg, Minn.) Neil Turner Minn.) Blai Vue (St. Paul, Minn.) Missour i Elaine Gibson (Sikeston, Mo.) Melanie Gilmoree (Brentwood, Mo.) Montana Hannah Johnson Mont.) Nebraska Michelle Pineds (Humboldt, Neb.) Jessica Arias (Lincoln, Nevada Courtney Sharp (Fernley, Nev.) New Jersey Victor Espinoz (Union City, N.J.) Sarah Lee (Egg Harbor N.J.) New York Corinnwe McGuirk (Douglaston, N.Y.) Benjamin Hall N.Y.) North Carolina Sarah Gambrel (Red N.C.) Ohio Madalynn Priskorn Ohio) Shari' Thomas (Steubenville, Ohio) Heathefr Brewer (Hillsboro, Ohio) Oklahom Leslie Barcenas (Muldrow, Okla.) Brittney Wilsohn (Claremore, Okla.) Oregon Megan Taylor (Hebo, Ore.
) Alyssa Warren (Merlin, Pennsylvania Victoria Ammermann (Beach Lake, Pa.) Trentg Gray (Harrisburg, Pa.) Rachel Solomon Pa.) Rhode Island Kimberly Leonard (West Warwick, R.I.) South Carolina Megan Garland (Northg Augusta, S.C.) Michelle Robles (Fort Mill, Tennessee Merita Pierce (Winfield, Texas Hannah Daniel (Kountze, Texas) Owais Durrani (Houston, Texas) Michelled Quinones (El Paso, Texas) Rigoberto Soto (Houston, Texas) Uriel Urangza (Presidio, Texas) Utah Elisabeth Jessop (Ogden, Virginia TeAirra Brown (Portsmouth, Va.) Melanie Rogera (Alexandria, Va.) Washington Tiya Tuffa (Seattle, Washington, D.C. Ashley Pierce (Washington, D.C.) Wisconsib Bradley Beaumier (Lena, Wisc.
) Dawn Henn Wisc.) Michael Muir (Kenosha, Wisc.)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Teens apparently fake abduction; may face charges - WOKV
Teens apparently fake abduction; may face charges WOKV Two Palm Coast teenagers seem to have cooked up quite a story about their disappearance. 17 year-old Danielle Annis and 15 year-old Amanda Hunt were reported missing last night. Police tell us Annis' father reported his Volvo was stolen. ... |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Penske losing Big Lots logistics contract - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
is packing up this summer at thediscount retailer’s headquarters and four other distribution facilitiesw after the merchant opted to not renewa a logistics contract that expireds in July. The Reading, Pa.-based Penskre said 186 workers, including 53 in could be affected when its contractwith Columbus-basedd Big Lots (NYSE:BIG) expirees July 31. Penske spokesman Randy Ryersom said the company has worked with the retaileersince 1991.
The 1,300-storw Big Lots has chosen a new third-partg logistics provider to continue the warehousing and distributionj work that Penske performed atthe retailer’s Phillipo Road headquarters and its distribution centerzs in Tremont, Pa; Montgomery, Ala.; Rancho Calif.; and Durant, Timothy Johnson, Big Lots’ vice president of strategivc planning and investor relations, said more than a dozebn carriers bid for the work. He declined to discloss the company Big Lots selectedx tosucceed Penske.
Big Lots and Penske representativessaid they’red working with truck drivers looking to continue work under the new logistics Johnson said the companu met with workers over the weekend to introduce the new In the event that some workers are cut, Ryerson said privatelgy held Penske will work with the state “tl make sure employees are aware of differenft services.” Penske employs about 20,00 0 workers worldwide.
Asked why Big Lots opted to bid for a new contractoer after thelatest five-year contracgt with Penske, Johnson said, “a lot has changed in transportation in the past five We owed it to our associates and shareholderx to take a fresh look at how we handlre outbound transport.” The loss of the Big Lots contracr comes less than a year aftert Penske was replaced at a warehouse in Chattanooga, Tenn.-based last fall stepped in at the facility, wherwe Penske had employed 146 Penske has 400 logistics centers worldwide. Its Central Ohio operationxs include a number of distributiohn and warehousing facilities inthe region.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Hooters of Kennesaw, GA to Host Atlanta Regional Swimsuit Contest Semi-Finals
The night is dedicated to military appreciationh andOperation Homefront. Hooters Girl finalists will be competingh in the contest in hopesz to advance to the 13th Annual HootersInternationapl Pageant. The top 5 Hooters Girls will head Hollywood, Florida to compete in the Pageant on June Over 130 Hooters Girls from Chinsa to Cincinnati will be competing for the Miss HootersInternational title, over $150,000 in cash and prizes, a featurre in Hooters Magazine, Hooters Calendafr and star in nationalk TV commercials. "The swimsuit semi-final is one of the larges t events wehost regionally," said , Regional Managere for Hooters.
"It is always exciting to see what Hootersx Girls will be representing the Atlanta area at the Internationap Pageant and is a great opportunity for our gueste to cheer on their favoriteHooters Girls." The contest will begin at 8 PM at the Hooters of Kennesae located at 2102 Old Highway 41. Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchiser and operator of more than 450 Hooterws restaurants in 43 states and 26foreigb countries. The first Hooters openee in 1983in Florida.
Hooters is well-known for its bran d of food and fun, featuring a casualp beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that featuresa seafood, sandwiches and Hooters signaturechicken wings, and service providec by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls. The Hooters of America corporate office is locaterdin Atlanta, Georgia, and can be reached at 951-2040, or visit . SOURCE Hooters of America, Inc.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Convera folding into U.K. company - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
Vienna-based Convera (NASDAQ: CNVR) will be After the merger, Patrick Condo, Convera's CEO, will becomes the chairman of the andColin Jeavons, Firstlight's CEO, will becomde the CEO. Convera's plan of dissolution contemplatews an orderly wind down of its busineszsand operations. After filing its certificate of dissolution, Convera intendws to make one or more distributions to its stockholderw of cash availablefor distribution, subject to applicable legal requirements. Convera will then delist its commonh stockfrom Nasdaq. The new company will bring together the verticaol search technology of Converaa and the advertising sales and marketing capabilitie sof Firstlight.
It will have over 60 corporatre customer accounts and 120 existing Web sites withapproximately 1,50 0 advertisers. When the merger becomes effective, Convera will own 33.3 perceng and Firstlight will own 66.7 percent of the totalk outstanding common stock of thenew company, subject to certain adjustments whic h may enable Convera to own up to 42 percenf of the new company prior to the distribution. The mergeer is subject to Convera stockholders' approval and certaij other customaryclosing conditions. The merger is expected to closethis summer.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
More trespassing arrests in Cuba - Wellsville Daily Reporter
More trespassing arrests in Cuba Wellsville Daily Reporter Cuba police charged four more 17-year-old boys, two of them over the weekend, with trespass following the November theft of handguns and money from a Stoll Road residence. The three guns are still missing, Police Chief Dustin Burch said ... |
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Varnett Public School builds administrative headquarters - Houston Business Journal:
The building is the first of its kind for the Houston open-enrollment charter school, which was formed as a privated school in 1984. Varnet t received its open-enrollment charter in 1998. Enrollmenf is more than 1,400 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade spread between threecampuses southwest, northeast and east. “We have alwayz dreamed of having our own administrativse building located on the campus of one of our Annette Cluff, superintendent of Varnett, said in a “It is definitely a milestonse for us as we approach our anniversary and celebrate the commitment we have made to provide a first-rate educational program in the Houstoh area.
” The 6,000-square-foot facility will houswe Varnett’s district administrative offices, includinf registration, transportation, human resources, communication and curriculum, and it will serve as a meeting placew for the school’s board of It will also feature a large conference room, a full kitchenb and break room.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Filene
The two companies said they willpay $62.4 milliobn for Filene's, according to . Approval of the sale is subjec t to a hearing set for Wednesda y before a federal bankruptcy judgsin Delaware. Filene’s had originally agreed in earlyg May to sell most of its storews and assets to Crown Acquisitionsfor $22 millionb in a deal that left the door open for competing bids. Men’s Wearhouse then emergec as the winning bidder inan auction, agreeingb to pay $67 million for Filene’s. Crown objected to the Men’s Wearhouse deal, sayinbg the transaction didn’t follow biddinh procedures.
In a secondr court-supervised auction, Syms and Vornado emerged as the winnin g bidder It was not clear if Syms would acquire allof Filene’s stores. Both Men’s Wearhous and Crown had plannef to acquire and keep opena majority, but not all of Filene’es locations. Filene’s Basement filed for bankruptcuy protection just months afte closingseveral locations. This is Filene’es Basement’s second bankruptcy filing.
The 100-year old retailer filed for bankruptcgy protection in 1999as
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Idea Integration to offer Microsoft stimulus package - Business First of Buffalo:
Idea Integration is one of six companies inthe U.S. chosen by to offeer Microsoft Stimulus360. “They’ve cobbled together a lot of Microsof t technology as a solution that can drop into a syste m and immediately track stimulus dollarsw and apply forstimulus dollars,” said Sandg Bateh, a senior vice president at Idea Integrationb and the company’s Microsofg alliance manager. The package is aimex at state and local governments trying to get their shars of the stimulus mone and to trackits use. Idea Integration and the other five companieds offering the package were chosen because of theifr familiarity with all of the applications inthe package.
“Yoi have to understand the five underlying piecees ofthe technology,” Bateh said. Idea Integration will be competingt with the other five companies forgovernment clients. Bateh said the most promisin g sector islocal governments, sincr most of the stimulus money ultimately gets spent at that Bateh said the alliance with Microsoft gives Idea Integration a chance to land new clients. “It’sw a great opportunity for companies like us because it givesanother entry, it’s a door-opener,” he
Monday, December 5, 2011
Local health care organizations weigh in on Obama proposal - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
They agree with Obama that reform of the system isurgentlyu needed, but they also worry aboutf the shape a final plan might take. “The phrasw we use over and over againm is that the devil is inthe details, and that is the fact with this said Dr. Noel Peterson, president of the . One of the biggesft issues involves Obama’s proposal to create a national public health plan to provids health insurance for those withoutemployer coverage. Peterson and otherss say the massive federal and Medicaifprograms don’t fully reimburse Minnesotsa health providers and they worry that a new national plan would do the same. St.
Paul-basedx receives half its revenue from Medicareand Medicaid, said Rogert Green, HealthEast’s vice president of policy and marketing. “Thosse revenues don’t cover the costs of covering those patients, so anythingt that expands that pool could make it more difficult for us because it shifts the cost to a smaller portio of our patient base,” Green said. The problem for Minnesota healt providers is that they are trying to reduce unnecessaryt procedures as federal reimbursement formulas focus on the quantit y ofservices provided, said Donna Zimmerman, vice presidentf of government and community relations at Bloomington-based healt provider and insurer HealthPartners.
however, likes that Obama’s proposal includes a shifr toward rewarding providers that providebetted care. “Barack Obama is talking about paying for qualituyof outcomes, and if that were the case, we’rd be supportive of such a Zimmerman said. Obama is calling for some things that Minnesota isalready implementing, such as electronic systems for medicalk records. The Obama plan also calls for more efforts to promotpublic health, including efforts to reduce smokingg and bad eating habits. “That is all rightg in line withwhere we’re going and where we want to push further,” Zimmerman said.
Julie executive director of the , is hopefupl that Obama will push a health care plan through Congressw that will bring coverage toeveryone — a goal the councio has been pushing for years. Minnesot a has one of the lowest uninsured rates inthe nation. The state estimatesa about 374,000 Minnesotans, or 7.2 were uninsured in 2007. Gov. Tim Pawlentt in May signed a bill intended to connecgt more uninsured people withinsurance Obama’s plan “certainly fits the vision we have put forwar d for a long time for universal coverage,” Brunner No matter what, many agree that the systemk can’t fiscally survive in its present form.
alonse is facing projected $147 million in annual lossez starting in 2010 due to the larg number of baby boomers heading into a federal Medicar program that is already saidMark Skubic, the St. Louis Park-basefd health system’s vice president of government relations. “ I think there’s a growing sense out there that the system has to be because we’re five yeares away from a system collapse,” Skubic said.
Highlights of President-elect Obama’sd health care plan:
Friday, December 2, 2011
Silicon Valley Bank vice chairman to oversee wine division - San Francisco Business Times:
Kellogg joins Bill Stevens, the unit's manager, and Rob its founder, as part of the group's managemeng team, officials said. Santa Clara-based SVB Silicon Valley Bank is the Californiaw bank subsidiary and commercial bankint unitof (NASDAQ: Its wine business has two officesa in the Napa-Sonoma Wine Country, in St. Helena and Santaa Rosa, respectively. "Given the importancse of the Wine Division to SVBFinancial Group, we determinee it was appropriate to have one of our most experiencexd banking executives involved with strategy and direcf client contact," Ken Wilcox, SVB Financial Group's presidentr and CEO, said in a Jan.
16 "Harry's leadership, vision and experience will help us deepem our client and partner relationshipe in thewine industry." Kellog g will be responsible for the wine division's strategy whilde also helping to keep clients and bring in new Officials said the bank has been working with winerieas and vineyards for 15 years, producin g industry analysis reports and offering comprehensived banking services. It employs more than 30 people dedicate d to assisting the wine industrin California, Oregon and Washington.
Kellogg oversees SVB Financia Group's venture capital, private private banking and premium wine He joined the company in just three years aftertits start, as senior vice president of the then-technology The commercial bank's other areas of specializatiob include emerging growth and mature companies in the life science, and private equitg industries.