Spiegel Online | Trichet to Leave a Difficult Legacy at Central Bank New York Times FRANKFURT â" Since Europe's debt crisis became acute last year, the European Central Bank has gone beyond its role as arbiter of monetary policy to become in effect the adult supervision for quarreling heads of government. ... ECB WATCH: German Economy, Euro CPI Data Point To July Rate Hike |
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Trichet to Leave a Difficult Legacy at Central Bank - New York Times
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Wanted: ecotourism operator for state - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
The Legislature approved a special $250,000 appropriatio n to fund the ecotourism projecr in fiscalyear 2010. The work will include creating an inventory of ecotourism assets in the state and vettinfg these assets to be certifiedx as part of theecotourismm program. It would also involve teachinh ecotourism marketing skills and working with otherr state agencies and public and privatwe entities to administer the The contract is scheduled tobegin Aug. 20, or when all statw approvals arereceived — whichever is later — and will last a The contract may be extended for up to thres additional one-year periods.
Tourism Secretary Michael Cerletti said the ecotouris m initiative will bring new and sustainable businesses and economic opportunitiew to communities around the Richard Eeds, the department’s advertising director, is the procurement manage for the RFP. He can be reached at (505) 827-6557 or richard.eeds@state.nm.us. The RFP is at the department’s Web site.
Friday, May 27, 2011
An Interview with a newsmaker: Mike and Mickey Turner, Owners of Freedom Court Reporting - Birmingham Business Journal:
Since they opened the company, the business has grown to become one of the largest courtt reporting firms in the with six offices inthe state. The couple, who met on a blincd date, have more than 30 years of experience in the courft reporting business and say they have probably take n morethan 10,000 depositions including many in foreign countries. Mickey Turnedr was even hired to transcribe a speech by PresidentBill BBJ: How did you get into the court reporting Mickey Turner: My dad actually founrd out about it and thoughg it would be a good After I checked into it, it seemed so Mike Turner: Mickey and I met on a blind date, and when I she was a reporter so I went to Plainview (Texas)...
and became a reporter too. BBJ: How much has the business changed since you enteredthe industry? Mike Turner: Thered have been big time changes. When I firsrt started, you would type with a stenograph a littlemachine (with that looked like hieroglyphics. Today, we use the same basic but the machines are computerized now and they translat e the hieroglyphics intotext instantly. It has changed dramatically. BBJ: Why do you thinki Freedom Court Reporting has been able to grow so much in size inthreer years? Mickey Turner: Being in the businesw for 30 years, we’ve got so many friends. It’sd such a great group of people. Mike We’re really blessed there.
Part of it is our In about anythingwe do, we look at our businesxs and what the clien t wants and how we can bettetr serve them. It’s having that . We do that. (We what would our needs be if we were in that Mickey Turner: It’s personal servicse and nowadays, unfortunately in a lot of industries, that’sx gone away. But they know they can call Mike Turned orMickey Turner’s cell phone. BBJ: What’s your primary clientt base? Mike Turner: Law firms, sole practionerd – any lawyer who needs to take depositionzs orcourt hearings. Our clients are ultimatelyy thelitigation lawyers. We have worked all across the state.
We have six offices across the statw withconference facilities. BBJ: What’s your favorite part about being in the courtreporting business? Mickey It’s a fun business. Our clients are just greaf people. Lawyers are some of the nicestpeopl you’ll ever meet. They are very charity-oriented and Mike Turner: Unlike some of the jokes you hear. It’w fun being with those people. (And) most aspectsx of what we do arevery interesting. You’re dealing with myriad subjectes and learning about a lot of different Mickey Turner: Some people go to and others go to courft reporting school.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Blog > *NEWS > Haley Reinhart debuting single on Wednesday's âIdolâ? - Hollywoodnews.com
USA Today | Blog > *NEWS > Haley Reinhart debuting single on Wednesday's âIdolâ? Hollywoodnews.com By Sean O'Connell Hollywoodnews.com: Haley Reinhart looked shocked when Ryan Seacrest revealed that Lauren Alaina was moving on to this week's âAmerican Idolâ finale ⦠but she didn't look as sad as some might have expected. ... American Idol finale: What we know Lauren's voice doesn't let her down on 'Idol' |
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Bureau of Labor Statistics shows work fatalities down overall, up for Hispanics - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
This decline demonstrates that "manyu of our initiatives to reducse workplace fatalities are showing tremendous saidEdwin G. Foulke Jr., who heads the Occupationakl Safety andHealth Administration. For fatal falls were down 7 percent fromlast year's record high and fatalitiesw among women were the lowest ever recorde d by the BLS census. Foulke however, "there is still more work to insome areas.
A record 917 Hispanics, for example, died on the job last Fatalities among workers under 20 years old jumpexd 18 percentto 166, and fatalities amongh workers 55 or older also Fatalities among agricultural workers increased 23 "These numbers confirm that under the Bush workers at the bottom of the economic ladder are payingt a very heavy price," said AFL-CI O President John Sweeney. The union leader accuserd the administration of neglectingworkplace safety. Highway accidents accounted for one out of every four work fatalitieelast year. Construction continuedc to be the most dangerous accountingfor 1,186 fatalities.
Small businessesd have received about 31 percent of the moneu spent by federal agencies on information technologgythrough government-wide acquisition contracts, according to a new GWACs were created in 1996 to make IT procuremeny more efficient. Through these contracts, agencies can purchasd information technology froma pre-selected group of vendors. The General Servicesx Administration manages most of these The creation of GWACs limited to smalo businesses have helped small IT firme winmore contracts, a study by the Small Businessx Administration's Office of Advocacy found. But a handful of companiews are benefitingthe most.
One-third of the GWAC dollars awardeed to small businesses from 1995 to 2004 went to only five according tothe study. The study was based on the federal government's official procurement Critics say this database mistakenlyu counts many contracts awarded to large businesses as smalllbusiness contracts. The Securities and Exchangew Commission wants to give small public companiez more time to comply with the internal controlxs requirements ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The SEC proposee extending Section 404 reporting deadlines for companiea with lessthan $75 million in marker capitalization.
Under its proposal, managemen reports on the effectivenese of internal controls over financialreporting wouldn't be due until after Dec. 15, 2007. The previouz deadline was July 15, 2007. Reports by auditors attesting to internalcontrols wouldn't be due until annual reports are filed for fiscal years ending Dec. 15, 2008. The SEC statesd this will give small public companie an additional year to prepare for changes the agenchy plans to make inauditing standards. In newly public companies won'r have to file reports on their internal controlzs until they file their second annual report withthe SEC.
Smal l companies have complainedthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act's internal controls and auditinyg requirements are too burdensomed for them. The SEC announcex last month that it would developp guidelines that would make compliance easier for small The Biotechnology Industry Organization praisedthe SEC's plan to extend Sectio 404 deadlines. "The proposal demonstrates that the SEC is considerin g the full weight of Section 404 on smalle rpublic companies," said BIO Presidentr and CEO Jim Greenwood.
Homebuilders' confidence in the housinyg market has fallen to its lowest levelsincs 1991, according to a monthly survety conducted by Wells Fargpo and the National Association of Home "Two big factors are coloring perception of the market right now -- rising salezs cancellations and substantial growth in inventories of both new and existinv homes," said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. More buyers are takingb a "wait-and-see attitude because of uncertainty about wher e the marketis headed," Seiders said. Plus, many speculatorws are leavingthe market.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Report: D.C. area posts a strong economic performance - Dayton Business Journal:
The report ranked the 100 largest U.S. metro areaes based on employment, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitabn product, housing prices and foreclosure ratexs in thefirst quarter. D.C. ranked No. 13, whiles San Antonio, Texas, placed No. 1 and Detroitf came in last at No. 100. “All metropolitan areas are feeling the effects ofthis recession, but the distress is not shared equally,” said Alan research director of the metropolitajn policy program at the D.C.
institute and co-author of the “While some areas of the country have experienced only ashallosw downturn, and may be emerging from the recessioh already, people living in metro arease that are now performing weakest economically should prepars themselves for a long recovery At the first quarter’s end, only 10 of the 100 metrop areas were starting to show signds of recovery, said the and said McAllen, Texas was the only place that saw growth in employment and Output increased in just a handfull of metro areas, including Seattle; Austin, Texas; and Virginisa Beach, Va..
The report also pointeds out that metro areas with concentrations of jobs in certaijn sectors have resulted in fewere dramaticjob losses. The San Antonio, Texas Austin, Texaa McAllen, Texas Baton Rouge, La. Okla. Omaha, Neb. El Paso, Texaxs Wichita, Kan. Washington, D.C. Albuquerque, N.M. Virginiz Beach, Va. Harrisburg, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. New Conn. Rochester, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
I-96 Speedway Prepares for a World of Outlaws Sprints Series Invasion this ... - WhoWon.com
I-96 Speedway Prepares for a World of Outlaws Sprints Series Invasion this ... WhoWon.com This Saturday, May 21st will be one of the biggest shows of the year at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan as the ultra fast, fire breathing, winged warriors of the World of Outlaws Sprints Series will invade for their yearly appearance in the ... Pittman cashes in at the Grove |
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Streamline jumps into black for 1Q - Phoenix Business Journal:
The software company reported net income of or zero centsper share, compared to a net loss of or 9 cents per share, in the year-agi quarter. Revenues grew to $3.8 millioj from $3.6 million. The one analyst who coverd the company expected a net loss of 2 centes on revenuesof $3.5 million. Systems sales and maintenance and support revenues both rose 12 percent durinvgthe quarter, while application hosting services revenuexs fell 23 percent, the companyu said in a news release. “We continue to make progressx in moving this busineszs forward to the point of becominyconsistently profitable; that is our main strategic goal,” said CEO Brian Patsy in the release.
In earlgy June, Streamline won a contractr valued at morethan $1 millio to integrate its document workflow solutions into an electronic medical recorde system at a Canadian healthy care region, Patsy said. It is the second Canadian contract the compangy has won in thepast year. Despite the better news, shares of Streamline (NASDAQ: STRM), followed most tech stock down onWednesday morning, losingf more than 8 percent, or 26 cents, to Streamline Health Solutions, based in Cincinnati, is a supplier of workflow and document management tools, applications and serviced to businesses, specifically health-care
Friday, May 13, 2011
Duke Energy CFO moves to FairPoint Communications as CEO - Triangle Business Journal:
He will assume his new responsibilitiee uponGene Johnson’s retirement as FairPoint chairmanh and CEO on July 1. Johnson, a co-founder of previously announced his plansto retire. He has been the company’ s chief executive since 2002. Duke Energy, meanwhile, has namedx Lynn Good to succeed Hauser asits CFO, effectived July 1. Most recently, Good has been grouo executive and presidentof Duke’s commercial businesses. She previouslyh was a senior vice presidenand treasurer. “While it is gratifying to be namesd chairman and CEO of this longstanding organization I am very aware of the operational and financial concerns surroundingthe company,” Hauseer says.
“My primary focus will be to addrese these concerns in quickj succession and empower our team to seek andimplement solutions. There is a lot of work to be done, and I am lookinhg forward to getting started.” Last Charlotte-based FairPoint bought ’s landline operations in Maine and New Hampshirsfor $2.3 billion. The deal made FairPointt (NYSE:FRP) the country’s eighth-largest telephone company.
But FairPoint took on substantiaol debt to do the deal and the integration has not gone Problems in converting billingto FairPoint’ds system from Verizon’s led to slow collections and frustrated Phone and e-mail service problems cropped up across the new And regulators in the region have expressed dissatisfaction with some of the operations. Last FairPoint said it was considering hirinbg a financial adviser to considet somedebt restructuring. During the first quarter, FairPoint drew $50 millioh under its $170 million credit As of March 31, only $4.7 million remained available to Bill collectionshave improved. And that shoulrd produce bettercash flow.
But the company says liquidityt remainsa problem. And that’s not a difficulty a businesx wants to have when credit remains as tight as it has been in this FairPoint is looking at measures to cutsits costs. It expectse to save $19 million or so in the second half of the year just becauses it will no longer have to pay Verizojfor services. Charlotte-based Duke is the third-largest electric power holding companu in theUnited States, based on kilowatt-hour sales.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Merchant & Gould Company Profile | Company Information
and more than 105 practicing the firm is one of the largest intellectual property law firmz in theUnited States. Typically, our attorneyas are admitted to practice in the statew where they reside and nearly all are admittedf to practice before the United Statese Patent and TrademarkOffice (USPTO). We are consistently ranked as a top trademark and copyright firm in boththe U.S. and Merchant & Gould values our client relationships, and actively partners with clientsto understand, and implement technology and intellectual property driveb strategies that add bottom-line business value.
The depth and breadth of our legak and technical knowledge coupled with years of experiencde in helping clients create and strategically managwe global intellectual property assets uniquely positions us to be a valuedf member of theclient team. Technical Expertise: Our attorneyas have substantial technical expertise to servde the needs ofour clients...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Texas Lutheran University names chief academic officer - San Antonio Business Journal:
In this role Edward Thompsonb III will be the chief academi c officer andthe second-ranking officer of the Thompson will report directly to TLU Presidengt Ann Svennungsen and his position with the privatew university will be effective June 1. Thompson brings a wealth of experience to Texas Svennungsen says. “His understandingf of academia, his knowledge of both publixc and private universities acrossthe country, and his support of our missiobn as a values-centered institution are assets that will continue to strengthenb TLU.” Thompson replaces Mark Gilbertson, who had been serving as interij provost following the retirementf of John Masterson last year.
He is currentlgy provost at Marygrove College, an Catholic liberal arts college in northwest TLU is an exclusively undergraduatsliberal arts, sciences and professionaol studies university in Seguin. www.tlu.edu
Friday, May 6, 2011
Torturism, the new birtherism - CBS News
The Guardian | Torturism, the new birtherism CBS News Like the death of bin Laden, the death of birtherism was a long time coming, but when it fin » |
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Report: Law firm Day Casebeer eyes merger with Howrey - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
LLP, with 27 attorneys, was foundec in 1998 and has lined up a roster of clientsx thatincludes , and A deal between Day Casebeed and Howrey likely will closes soon, according to legal newspaper the Recorder . A representative of Day Casebeee was notimmediately available. Howre declined to confirm talks withDay “As of today therse is no deal with any firm,” said spokeswomam Christine Till.
A merger with Day Casebeer wouldeboost Howrey’s presence in the Bay Area to 114 Howrey has 30 attorneys in East Palo Alto and 57 in San Howrey, with about 700 attorneys in 17 locations has been aggressive in expanding in the Bay The firm last year lurede most of the highly-prized construction practicw from Thelen LLP, a San Franciscok law firm that disbanded amid financial trouble and an exodus of Day Casebeer came underd judicial criticism last year for its handling of discoveryh on behalf of in a lawsuit againsy Five Day Casebeer lawyeres and one from now-defunctf LLP were sanctioned by a magistrate for assisting Qualcomm in committinyg an “incredible discovery violation by intentionally hiding or recklessly ignoring relevant documents” during discovery.
Most of the Day Casebeer lawyers who were sanctioned have since leftthe
Monday, May 2, 2011
Colorado skier visits down 5.5% for the season - Portland Business Journal:
percent from last year, reporte d Thursday. But the state’s ski resorts had an uptick in visits by FrontrRange residents, and Melanie Mills, Ski Country’s presidentf and CEO, pronounced herselv “very happy with wherde visitation is for this season.” “The travel industry as a wholer was put to the test this past year,” Mills said in a “But visitation numbers show not only the endurinfg value of a Colorado ski but the strong commitmentt our resident skiing and ridin g community has to our state’s signature sports.” Ski Countrg is a marketing and trade group for 22 Coloradoo mountain resorts. Those member resorts alone recorded 6.
79 million skier visitw this season, down 6.9 percent from the previouw year, Ski Country said. Member resort numbersa for 2008-09 were down 3.9 percent from the averag of the lastfive years, Ski Country Ski Country said that in-state resorty visits were up 2.5 percent over last as Front Range residents took advantage of bargainzs and stayed closer to home to keep down vacationb and recreations costs. Ski areas operatec by Broomfield-based aren’t members of Ski Country. Thosew resorts include Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creemk and Keystone. Vail Resorts last week said its totalk skier visits at all its resorts including Heavenlyin California-Nevada were down 5.
3 percent from the previous