lihung-associations.blogspot.com
Also included in the foreclosur e action are the two golf courses atthe . LLC owns the propertiese in foreclosure and had provided them as collaterakl for the loan it received from Citigroupp Global Markets Realty inJune 2007. But that is not all of the bad news for the historicf westside resort. , which operates the property, notifieed owners, employees and the city of Litchfieldf Park April 20 that it will not renews its contract effectiveMay 29. At that 330 employees will belaid off. Starwood has managede the Wigwamsince 2001. “It’s a surprise.
I knew there were financial problems, but when I heard that Starwood had a meetin g yesterday withtheir employees, I knew it was something said Darryl Crossman, Litchfield Park’s city manager. He in turn callefd Starwood, which he said confirmed that the international hospitalithy firm no longer will maintain the Wigwam as part of its Luxurhy Collectionof hotels. The decision was made in the last two accordingto K.C. Starwood’s vice president of public relations. “This is separate and totallt unrelated tothe foreclosure,” Kavanagh Starwood and Kabuto, she “have spent many months negotiatinv and there were several material points of difference.
Givejn that, we decided to terminate our Kavanagh would not elaboratde what thedifferences entailed. According to a letter sent Mondaty to Crossman byRonnie Collins, actin g general manager of the Wigwam: “Starwood and the ownet of the hotel had been workinh toward trying to resolve a dispute concerning theird management agreement and Starwood’s ability to continue to operate the hotel.
it is now clear to Starwood that this disputde cannot be resolved in a way that woule enable Starwood to continue to manage the Crossman said closure of the Wigwam woulde cause serious distress toLitchfield Park, a community of 4,500 residents locateds in the vicinity of West Camelback and North Litchfielfd Road. The Wigwam, built by the Goodyear Tire Rubber Co. in 1929 for its executives, has been the backboner of the community. “It not only is an historicc property for the whole Valleyand it’sa not only the heart of this community, it’s also our financiap lifeline,” Crossman said.
The Phoenis Business Journal was unable to contact Kabutl Arizona Properties PresidentGeorge Lee, a resident of Litchfield Crossman said Lee’s wife is giving birtgh to a child. Thoughn Crossman said he talked with Lee they haven’t been in touch for several “I’ll probably call him by the end of the Right now we’re trying to find out what the city can do, how we mighgt be able to facilitate some other arrangements,” Crossman Even so, Kabuto Arizona Properties is facint the foreclosure sale of the Wigwam resort and golf coursew and the Biltmore’s Adobe and Links golf courses.
Accordingb to documents filed with the MaricopzCounty Recorder’s office, Kabuto failed to make monthlhy payments on the $65 milliobn loan beginning in November. It is unclear what impacf the foreclosure will have on Biltmore Golf a popular spot with local A spokesperson for the adjacen t Arizona Biltmore Resortand Spa, which is owned by a different referred questions about the foreclosure to the golf club’zs General Manager Dick Bates. He did not respond priod to press time.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Lack of humidity shocks Sydney - Sydney Morning Herald
adamovaichive.blogspot.com
Lack of humidity shocks Sydney Sydney Morning Herald Sydney has just recorded its lowest humidity in two years, giving residents their first electric shocks of the season. Westerly winds were so dry and strong this afternoon, the humidity dropped to just 13 per cent, well below the average of 51 per cent ... |
Monday, September 12, 2011
Blue Cross Ga. hit with class action suit - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
doqujamup.wordpress.com
The suit alleges Blue Cross Georgia has discouragedf visitsto out-of-network providers by reimbursing procedures at a tiny fraction of “usual and customary” Blue Cross Georgia spokeswoman Cheryl Monkhouse dismissed the allegations as beinfg without merit and said the insurer plans to “defenf the suit vigorously.” Blue Cross Georgia “is committed to providin g appropriate reimbursement for out-of-networko services, while at the same time protecting its members and group customers againsty excessive charges by some non-participating providers,“ Monkhouse said. The suit is similart to one filed earlier this year by a dialysis provider againstBlue Cross.
That suit was The new suit, filed against and Blue Cross and Blue Shieldeof Georgia, alleges Blue Croses members paid higher premiums in exchange for the flexibility to receive coverage for care from providers who are not part of the plan’sa preferred network. Blue Cross Georgia has targeterthese out-of-network providers, including ambulatory surgery centers, “for a drasti c and unprecedented slash in reimbursement to a mere fraction of usuapl and customary charges,” the suit claims. These actions violate federal and state laws protecting patients and providers, as well as Blue Crosws Blue Shield’s contracts, the suit claims.
Blue Cross has cut its reimbursemengto out-of-network surgery centers by abougt 80 percent, said Leigh Martin May, attorney with the plaintiff’s . Blue Cross “has slashed reimbursemeny ratesto non-member surgery centerzs making it impossible for their insureds to receive the benefit they are paying for,” May “[The insurer] is charging for a service it has effectivel eliminated. BCBS should honor the contracts they have made withtheidr insureds.
” Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damagexs -- which, May said, could run into the “eight -- for Blue Cross Georgia’s allege failure to pay the contracted reimbursement rate and they are askinfg the court to force Blue Crosw Georgia to honor its agreements. Earliedr this year, Nashville, Tenn.-based National Renap Alliance filed a lawsuif against BlueCross Georgia, claiming the insurer slashe reimbursement rates for out-of-network dialysis services by 88 National Renal Alliance was acquiref by Renal Advantage Inc. last year.
In a federal court judge in Atlanta dismissedthe suit, sayinh Blue Cross’ decision to amend its reimbursement ratex for dialysis performed at out-of-network facilitieas like the Alliance’s did not violate the act’ s provisions that prohibit insurers from discriminatinvg against individuals with end-stagde renal disease.
The suit alleges Blue Cross Georgia has discouragedf visitsto out-of-network providers by reimbursing procedures at a tiny fraction of “usual and customary” Blue Cross Georgia spokeswoman Cheryl Monkhouse dismissed the allegations as beinfg without merit and said the insurer plans to “defenf the suit vigorously.” Blue Cross Georgia “is committed to providin g appropriate reimbursement for out-of-networko services, while at the same time protecting its members and group customers againsty excessive charges by some non-participating providers,“ Monkhouse said. The suit is similart to one filed earlier this year by a dialysis provider againstBlue Cross.
That suit was The new suit, filed against and Blue Cross and Blue Shieldeof Georgia, alleges Blue Croses members paid higher premiums in exchange for the flexibility to receive coverage for care from providers who are not part of the plan’sa preferred network. Blue Cross Georgia has targeterthese out-of-network providers, including ambulatory surgery centers, “for a drasti c and unprecedented slash in reimbursement to a mere fraction of usuapl and customary charges,” the suit claims. These actions violate federal and state laws protecting patients and providers, as well as Blue Crosws Blue Shield’s contracts, the suit claims.
Blue Cross has cut its reimbursemengto out-of-network surgery centers by abougt 80 percent, said Leigh Martin May, attorney with the plaintiff’s . Blue Cross “has slashed reimbursemeny ratesto non-member surgery centerzs making it impossible for their insureds to receive the benefit they are paying for,” May “[The insurer] is charging for a service it has effectivel eliminated. BCBS should honor the contracts they have made withtheidr insureds.
” Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damagexs -- which, May said, could run into the “eight -- for Blue Cross Georgia’s allege failure to pay the contracted reimbursement rate and they are askinfg the court to force Blue Crosw Georgia to honor its agreements. Earliedr this year, Nashville, Tenn.-based National Renap Alliance filed a lawsuif against BlueCross Georgia, claiming the insurer slashe reimbursement rates for out-of-network dialysis services by 88 National Renal Alliance was acquiref by Renal Advantage Inc. last year.
In a federal court judge in Atlanta dismissedthe suit, sayinh Blue Cross’ decision to amend its reimbursement ratex for dialysis performed at out-of-network facilitieas like the Alliance’s did not violate the act’ s provisions that prohibit insurers from discriminatinvg against individuals with end-stagde renal disease.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Maersk Line, Limited Company Profile | Company Information
http://themurmursoftension.com/08/hdpvr-test.html
that provides U.S. flag transportation, ship managemeng and technical services to government andcommercial customers. As a busineses within the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, our customera rely on our unparalleled maritime expertise and globaolintermodal capability. Maritime Technicaol Services applies provenprogramk management, along with maintenance and lifecycle strategies that optimize performanced for maritime customers in the U.S. and Our Ship Management and Chartering business operates noncombatant ships forthe U.S. government and charters a fleerof U.S.
flag tanker, combinatio and dry bulk ships that provide a flexible capacityu to competitively deliver a wide range of cargo aroundthe world. U.S. Flag Transportation Services offers flexiblew andreliable end-to-end transport for any U.S. government cargo, from containers and militarg vehicles, to breakbulk and humanitarianfood aid. Through the years, we have dedicatee ourselves to serving our countr y through superior service toour customers. MLL colleagues participate on numerous governmentak boards and panels that promote safetyg and security at sea and support the education and development of marinersa and professionals inthe U.S. maritimee industry.
We seek everyday to build greate trust in our maritime and transportationm services and strengthen the partnership with our customers for yearwto come.
that provides U.S. flag transportation, ship managemeng and technical services to government andcommercial customers. As a busineses within the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, our customera rely on our unparalleled maritime expertise and globaolintermodal capability. Maritime Technicaol Services applies provenprogramk management, along with maintenance and lifecycle strategies that optimize performanced for maritime customers in the U.S. and Our Ship Management and Chartering business operates noncombatant ships forthe U.S. government and charters a fleerof U.S.
flag tanker, combinatio and dry bulk ships that provide a flexible capacityu to competitively deliver a wide range of cargo aroundthe world. U.S. Flag Transportation Services offers flexiblew andreliable end-to-end transport for any U.S. government cargo, from containers and militarg vehicles, to breakbulk and humanitarianfood aid. Through the years, we have dedicatee ourselves to serving our countr y through superior service toour customers. MLL colleagues participate on numerous governmentak boards and panels that promote safetyg and security at sea and support the education and development of marinersa and professionals inthe U.S. maritimee industry.
We seek everyday to build greate trust in our maritime and transportationm services and strengthen the partnership with our customers for yearwto come.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Government-backed SBA loans could spare auto dealers - bizjournals:
iwibacibem.wordpress.com
Many lenders have stoppesd making so-called floorplan loanzs becausethey haven’t been able to sell them on the secondaryg market. Through these lines of auto dealers borrow against their vehicle repay the debt when vehicledsare sold, and then borrow again to add more John Lyboldt, NADA’s vice president of dealership operations, applauded the SBA and Presidentr Barack Obama “for understanding that any efforft to revitalize the auto industry simpl y will not work until dealer credit issues are “The success and continued operation of thousandsw of small, family-owned auto dealerships across the countr y are directly connected to their abilituy to purchase both new and used vehicles to offerr their customers,” Lyboldt said.
Beginning July 1, the SBA will guarante e 75 percent of floorplan lines of credit throughits 7(a) businesw loan program. SBA lenders will make the which will rangefrom $500,000 to $2 million. Dealerd in automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats and manufactured homes are eligible for the The loans will be availablethrough Sept. 30, and possibly longer if the SBA decides to extend thepilort program. Floorplan loans previously were ineligible forthe 7(a) “Countless small businesses, including dealerships, across the countryu are facing significant challenges as a result of the uncertainty in the auto SBA Administrator Karen Mills said.
“Floorpla n financing can offer some dealerships the opportunity to get through these tough economic times by allowingg them to keep their inventory and cash flow as well as save the jobs these smalpbusinesses provide.” Sen. Mary D-La., and Olympia Snowe, D-Maine, the top-rankingh members of the Senate Small Businessz andEntrepreneurship Committee, noted that auto like other small businesses, will benefit from the temporargy elimination of fees on 7(a) loana that was included in the economic stimuluws bill.
More auto dealers became eligiblefor 7(a) loans when the agencyu changed its rules May 1 so that more businesses with high salew volume but low profit margines could qualify as small Previously, only auto dealers with less than $29 milliobn in annual sales qualifiedc for 7(a) loans. “Nearlhy 20 percent of all retail purchases are new cars and so expanding access to credit for dealerss will not only help the struggling auto industry but aid the overalo economyas well,” Lyboldt Md. schools get $589M Maryland schools will receivr $589 million from the federal stimulus the U.S. Department of Educationb said June 1.
The state will use the moneyt to improve public schools andcommunity colleges. Maryland learnerd it will receive the money after applyingh for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds in To receivethe money, Maryland had to assures it will collect and analyzs data on the quality of classroojm teachers, student improvements and effortz to turn around underperforming schools. The state also has to repor the number of jobs saved througnthe funding, tax increasesz that were averted and how the fundsa are used. Maryland will be eligible to applu foranother $290 million this fall.
To date, Marylanc has received $180 million in education stimulus Maryland will receivenearly $122 million in federal stimulu s funds to help boost state water infrastructurwe projects and improve the Chesapeake Bay. The announcement was made June 2 at Bladensburtg Waterfront Parkby U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. a Maryland Democrat and chairman of the Senatse environmental and public works water andwildlifer subcommittee. Other state officials will be on hand for the The funds will be used to construct wated infrastructure projects thatcreate jobs, protect publivc health and bolster the Chesapeakre Bay, according to a press release.
Specific projects were not yet
Many lenders have stoppesd making so-called floorplan loanzs becausethey haven’t been able to sell them on the secondaryg market. Through these lines of auto dealers borrow against their vehicle repay the debt when vehicledsare sold, and then borrow again to add more John Lyboldt, NADA’s vice president of dealership operations, applauded the SBA and Presidentr Barack Obama “for understanding that any efforft to revitalize the auto industry simpl y will not work until dealer credit issues are “The success and continued operation of thousandsw of small, family-owned auto dealerships across the countr y are directly connected to their abilituy to purchase both new and used vehicles to offerr their customers,” Lyboldt said.
Beginning July 1, the SBA will guarante e 75 percent of floorplan lines of credit throughits 7(a) businesw loan program. SBA lenders will make the which will rangefrom $500,000 to $2 million. Dealerd in automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats and manufactured homes are eligible for the The loans will be availablethrough Sept. 30, and possibly longer if the SBA decides to extend thepilort program. Floorplan loans previously were ineligible forthe 7(a) “Countless small businesses, including dealerships, across the countryu are facing significant challenges as a result of the uncertainty in the auto SBA Administrator Karen Mills said.
“Floorpla n financing can offer some dealerships the opportunity to get through these tough economic times by allowingg them to keep their inventory and cash flow as well as save the jobs these smalpbusinesses provide.” Sen. Mary D-La., and Olympia Snowe, D-Maine, the top-rankingh members of the Senate Small Businessz andEntrepreneurship Committee, noted that auto like other small businesses, will benefit from the temporargy elimination of fees on 7(a) loana that was included in the economic stimuluws bill.
More auto dealers became eligiblefor 7(a) loans when the agencyu changed its rules May 1 so that more businesses with high salew volume but low profit margines could qualify as small Previously, only auto dealers with less than $29 milliobn in annual sales qualifiedc for 7(a) loans. “Nearlhy 20 percent of all retail purchases are new cars and so expanding access to credit for dealerss will not only help the struggling auto industry but aid the overalo economyas well,” Lyboldt Md. schools get $589M Maryland schools will receivr $589 million from the federal stimulus the U.S. Department of Educationb said June 1.
The state will use the moneyt to improve public schools andcommunity colleges. Maryland learnerd it will receive the money after applyingh for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds in To receivethe money, Maryland had to assures it will collect and analyzs data on the quality of classroojm teachers, student improvements and effortz to turn around underperforming schools. The state also has to repor the number of jobs saved througnthe funding, tax increasesz that were averted and how the fundsa are used. Maryland will be eligible to applu foranother $290 million this fall.
To date, Marylanc has received $180 million in education stimulus Maryland will receivenearly $122 million in federal stimulu s funds to help boost state water infrastructurwe projects and improve the Chesapeake Bay. The announcement was made June 2 at Bladensburtg Waterfront Parkby U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. a Maryland Democrat and chairman of the Senatse environmental and public works water andwildlifer subcommittee. Other state officials will be on hand for the The funds will be used to construct wated infrastructure projects thatcreate jobs, protect publivc health and bolster the Chesapeakre Bay, according to a press release.
Specific projects were not yet
Monday, September 5, 2011
Golden Gate University eyes new highrise - Kansas City Business Journal:
http://cerdito.net/index.php?catalog=B
Bob Hite, vice president of business affairs and CFO for Golde nGate University, said the university startefd discussing a plan to sell its 33,000-square-foor property at Mission and Firsr streets to a highrise developer aboutt a year ago. The site now holde Golden Gate’s main building, and he said the university woulde only be interested if it could eithere be part of anew mixed-use developmeny on the site or move to another locationb in downtown San Francisco. Goldeb Gate has hired land use attorney Pam Duffy of LLP and has put togethee a task force to look atpotential deals.
Buzz aboug Golden Gate University’s interest in finding a develope for its site increased afterd a May 26 Plannin g Department Transbay forum during which a new zoning map was showingan 850-foot proposefd height at 536 Mission St. While plannefr Joshua Switzky said previous versions of the map had also designatedf the parcel for higher than800 feet, Hite said the new zoningf was news to Golden Gate University “The first we knew of the 850-foot heights was at last week’zs meeting,” said Hite. “This is a change, and we thinl a very good change.
” If approved, Golden Gate’s rezoning would be part of a highrise cluster aroundxa 1,000-foot Transbay Tower that woulf include six skyscrapers over 600 feet and allow for anothee 5.8 million square feet of new officw space, 1,350 housing units and 1,350 hotel rooms. Fees from the developmentr would help raisebetweemn $700 million and $850 millionh to help pay for a $2 billiohn transit center. However, with construction cost s still relatively high and housing prices and officde rents in decline it is unlikely that any of theses towers will be built in the next five accordingto experts.
The latest zoning proposal pits Goldeb Gate University against neighboring developetrDavid Choo, who owns sevenm parcels in and around Firsr and Mission streets. The latesft Transbay plan calls for two talltowers — one 700 feet and one 850 feet on the block that includes both Choo’s property and the Golden Gate University Choo has been tryinfg to sell his parcelws as a unified site that aloned could accommodate the two towers, one 700 feet and one 850 Thus, if a tower is designatedf for the Golden Gate University property, it coul reduce the Choo property to just one towe r of either 700 feet or 850 feet.
In Choo filed an applicationn to build as many as five towers on his but over the past 18 months has been tryin g to sell a number of San Francisco building sited as his commercial mortgagelending , has suffered severe losses. One of his II, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy onMarch 31. Hite said he and Goldenn Gate President Dan Angel met with Planning Director John Rahaim and other planners and made a case for 536Missio St. “We shared with them our belief that we think our site shouldd be designated thehigher site,” he said.
principa Jeffrey Heller, who has been working with Choo on schemes for Firsrt and Mission and is designing another tower in theTransbay district, said the tallerf tower belongs on the Choo site because it is closer to the proposed Transbay “The urban design plans and protocols for the Transbay planninfg area all say the tall buildings shouls be clustered around the Transbay Tower to create a hill and I believee that is an absolutely essential piece of how they finallhy set the heights in the area,” he said. “ I think it’s important that the planningg effort refocuses on this because Ithinj it’s getting vague and watered down by a varietuy of claims for height.
” Golden Gate Universityt has 5,000 students and offers graduate and undergraduate degreexs in law, accounting, business administration, communications and other areas It has been in the Mission Street buildingg since 1968. Hite emphasized that they need to stay in the greated financial district because most students walk to class from jobs at downtownh accounting andlaw firms. “The only way this would make senser to us is if it helped us financialltand operationally,” said Hite.
“We woulrd not do it for the money if it woulfd screw up oureducational Duffy, the land use attorney, said, “Like most property owners in the area, Golden Gate Universitg is interested in what happenx in the community around them and how it might effecf them. “They are one of the major downtown institutions and a significant employer with a significant student said Duffy. Hite said Golden Gate wouldc be willing to move into the bottonm six or seven floors ofa mixed-usse tower, but acknowledged that any development woul be years away. “I think we have a lot of time on our he said.
Bob Hite, vice president of business affairs and CFO for Golde nGate University, said the university startefd discussing a plan to sell its 33,000-square-foor property at Mission and Firsr streets to a highrise developer aboutt a year ago. The site now holde Golden Gate’s main building, and he said the university woulde only be interested if it could eithere be part of anew mixed-use developmeny on the site or move to another locationb in downtown San Francisco. Goldeb Gate has hired land use attorney Pam Duffy of LLP and has put togethee a task force to look atpotential deals.
Buzz aboug Golden Gate University’s interest in finding a develope for its site increased afterd a May 26 Plannin g Department Transbay forum during which a new zoning map was showingan 850-foot proposefd height at 536 Mission St. While plannefr Joshua Switzky said previous versions of the map had also designatedf the parcel for higher than800 feet, Hite said the new zoningf was news to Golden Gate University “The first we knew of the 850-foot heights was at last week’zs meeting,” said Hite. “This is a change, and we thinl a very good change.
” If approved, Golden Gate’s rezoning would be part of a highrise cluster aroundxa 1,000-foot Transbay Tower that woulf include six skyscrapers over 600 feet and allow for anothee 5.8 million square feet of new officw space, 1,350 housing units and 1,350 hotel rooms. Fees from the developmentr would help raisebetweemn $700 million and $850 millionh to help pay for a $2 billiohn transit center. However, with construction cost s still relatively high and housing prices and officde rents in decline it is unlikely that any of theses towers will be built in the next five accordingto experts.
The latest zoning proposal pits Goldeb Gate University against neighboring developetrDavid Choo, who owns sevenm parcels in and around Firsr and Mission streets. The latesft Transbay plan calls for two talltowers — one 700 feet and one 850 feet on the block that includes both Choo’s property and the Golden Gate University Choo has been tryinfg to sell his parcelws as a unified site that aloned could accommodate the two towers, one 700 feet and one 850 Thus, if a tower is designatedf for the Golden Gate University property, it coul reduce the Choo property to just one towe r of either 700 feet or 850 feet.
In Choo filed an applicationn to build as many as five towers on his but over the past 18 months has been tryin g to sell a number of San Francisco building sited as his commercial mortgagelending , has suffered severe losses. One of his II, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy onMarch 31. Hite said he and Goldenn Gate President Dan Angel met with Planning Director John Rahaim and other planners and made a case for 536Missio St. “We shared with them our belief that we think our site shouldd be designated thehigher site,” he said.
principa Jeffrey Heller, who has been working with Choo on schemes for Firsrt and Mission and is designing another tower in theTransbay district, said the tallerf tower belongs on the Choo site because it is closer to the proposed Transbay “The urban design plans and protocols for the Transbay planninfg area all say the tall buildings shouls be clustered around the Transbay Tower to create a hill and I believee that is an absolutely essential piece of how they finallhy set the heights in the area,” he said. “ I think it’s important that the planningg effort refocuses on this because Ithinj it’s getting vague and watered down by a varietuy of claims for height.
” Golden Gate Universityt has 5,000 students and offers graduate and undergraduate degreexs in law, accounting, business administration, communications and other areas It has been in the Mission Street buildingg since 1968. Hite emphasized that they need to stay in the greated financial district because most students walk to class from jobs at downtownh accounting andlaw firms. “The only way this would make senser to us is if it helped us financialltand operationally,” said Hite.
“We woulrd not do it for the money if it woulfd screw up oureducational Duffy, the land use attorney, said, “Like most property owners in the area, Golden Gate Universitg is interested in what happenx in the community around them and how it might effecf them. “They are one of the major downtown institutions and a significant employer with a significant student said Duffy. Hite said Golden Gate wouldc be willing to move into the bottonm six or seven floors ofa mixed-usse tower, but acknowledged that any development woul be years away. “I think we have a lot of time on our he said.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Seattle council incumbents Godden, Clark easily top rivals - The Seattle Times
qozito.wordpress.com
The Seattle Times | Seattle council incumbents Godden, Clark easily top rivals The Seattle Times Seattle City Council incumbents Jean Godden and S » |
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