houston-nearly.blogspot.com
The region added about 3,400 jobs betweeh April 2008 andApril 2009, makingf it the only one of the nation's 38 largest citiez to post a job gain, new data from the Bureaui of Labor Statistics shows. This is the third consecutivee month that Austin has outperformed all of theothere U.S. cities with labor forces of 750,000 or The unemployment rate for April stoodat 5.8 percent. The 0.4 percentg increase in job totalsxis modest, but still a bettedr showing than cities such as Portland (down 4.7 and Raleigh, N.C. (down 3.3 percent).
Jobs in goodsx producing industries in the Austin area dropped by 500 jobs in a slowdown from the rapid pace ofrecen losses, according to an analysis of the data from the Capitalp Area Council of Governments. hotel, and restaurant jobs are all up from this time last And professional and business service sector employment is back toits all-timer high last seen in October 2008. But another key sectoe for the region, technology, isn't doing quite as Computer, semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing isstillk falling. Jobs in the semiconductor segment fellto 15,700 jobs, back to sprinv 2006 totals. As Texax cities go, Austin's 5.
8 percent unemployment rate was one ofthe Dallas-Fort Worth stood at 6.6 percenf in April and Houston at 6.3 Only San Antonio's rate was lower than Austin'e at 5.4 percent. Smallerf metro areas including McAllen, Brownsville and Beaumoungt all had rates above8
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Gates Foundation gave away $2.8 billion in
haga-aa8xuq.blogspot.com
The foundation’s assets — held by a separat e legal entity called theBill & Melinda Gates Trust — totaled $29.8 billioh at the end of 2008, as compared with $38.8 billion at the end of 2007, according to the foundation’se audited financial statements. According to the Seattle-based foundation’s its assets are worthh $27.5 billion as of Apripl 1, 2009. In 2008, the foundation made $2.8 billion in grants, up from the $2.0 billion in grants it made in 2007. The increas e is attributed to the conditions ofWarren Buffett’se stock gift that was pledged in 2006. About two-thirds of the grants distributed in 2008 went to global health programs.
The foundation’s future liabilities, based on pledgeas for future grants, climbed to $5.3 billion from $4.4 billionj in 2007. For 2008, total revenue for the foundation wasnearl $2 billion, down from more than $3 billiom in 2007, according to the foundation’s annual reports. Much of the decreasse can be attributed to a larg decrease in the amountt of money Bill and Melinda Gatesd personally donated tothe foundation. In the couple donated $1.3 billion in stock and investment management while in 2008 theydonated $183 million to coveer investment management fees. As of December 31, Bill and Melindqa Gates have donated $27.
7 billion of theire personal fortune tothe foundation, according to the In his first annual report CEO Jeff Raikes addressed the challenges he facer coming to the foundation from MSFT) in September of 2008 and of the challenges in evaluatinhg the foundation’s progress. “Because we’re taking risks, we have to acceptg the likelihood that some of our grantd andstrategies aren’t going to get the results we Raikes wrote in his letter. Raikes also said his two key prioritied are to ensure thatthe foundation’s internall process operates smoothly and to improve the qualitu of the foundation’s external relationships with groupsd it supports.
To support the second goal, the foundation is workingy with the Center for Effectivew Philanthropyin Cambridge, Mass., to survey all of the foundation’s grantees this For 2009, the foundation expect total cash payouts for grants and other expenses to totall $3.5 billion. That estimate does not include one-time capital expenses associatesd withthe foundation’s $500 million campusw headquarters now under construction in Seattls or the development of a new information technology system.
The foundation’s assets — held by a separat e legal entity called theBill & Melinda Gates Trust — totaled $29.8 billioh at the end of 2008, as compared with $38.8 billion at the end of 2007, according to the foundation’se audited financial statements. According to the Seattle-based foundation’s its assets are worthh $27.5 billion as of Apripl 1, 2009. In 2008, the foundation made $2.8 billion in grants, up from the $2.0 billion in grants it made in 2007. The increas e is attributed to the conditions ofWarren Buffett’se stock gift that was pledged in 2006. About two-thirds of the grants distributed in 2008 went to global health programs.
The foundation’s future liabilities, based on pledgeas for future grants, climbed to $5.3 billion from $4.4 billionj in 2007. For 2008, total revenue for the foundation wasnearl $2 billion, down from more than $3 billiom in 2007, according to the foundation’s annual reports. Much of the decreasse can be attributed to a larg decrease in the amountt of money Bill and Melinda Gatesd personally donated tothe foundation. In the couple donated $1.3 billion in stock and investment management while in 2008 theydonated $183 million to coveer investment management fees. As of December 31, Bill and Melindqa Gates have donated $27.
7 billion of theire personal fortune tothe foundation, according to the In his first annual report CEO Jeff Raikes addressed the challenges he facer coming to the foundation from MSFT) in September of 2008 and of the challenges in evaluatinhg the foundation’s progress. “Because we’re taking risks, we have to acceptg the likelihood that some of our grantd andstrategies aren’t going to get the results we Raikes wrote in his letter. Raikes also said his two key prioritied are to ensure thatthe foundation’s internall process operates smoothly and to improve the qualitu of the foundation’s external relationships with groupsd it supports.
To support the second goal, the foundation is workingy with the Center for Effectivew Philanthropyin Cambridge, Mass., to survey all of the foundation’s grantees this For 2009, the foundation expect total cash payouts for grants and other expenses to totall $3.5 billion. That estimate does not include one-time capital expenses associatesd withthe foundation’s $500 million campusw headquarters now under construction in Seattls or the development of a new information technology system.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Five cent bag tax wins final council vote - Washington Business Journal:
bertayfybuqutyp.blogspot.com
The collections from the new 5-cent disposable bag fee, to go into effecyt after a citywide public awareness campaign and free reusabls bag distribution to the elderlyuand low-income families, will flow toward a new cleanupl fund for one of the country’s dirtiest City leaders had estimated up to $3 million to $4 millioj in the first year, and the food and liquor retailers will keep at leasty 1 cent of the fee each time it’ds charged. The city also recruited a corporate partnedr to help fulfill its first tasks under thenew law. , whicg has 16 D.C. locations, said it will donate reusable bags to a localo nonprofit or two to dole outto 10,000 low-income families.
When the bill was firsf introduced, Safeway had described itself as neutral onthe issue. At that it had only suggested that the more expensives paper bags also be included in the fee a suggestion cityleaders incorporated. The D.C. Council backede the bill, first introduced in February by Councilman Tommy Wells, D-Ward 6, over proteste by some retailers, Republicans, plastic bag manufacturer s and even charities that rely on plastic bags to distributer donations, all of whom considered this an added hardshil for businesses and customers during an already tough economy. But Counciol members pointed to a recent analysids bythe D.C.
Department of the which found that plastic bags make up 20 percent of trash in the Anacosti River and 50 percent of trash in its According to that sameDDOE report, charging for plasticv bags could eliminate up to 47 percen t of trash in the tributaries and 21 percentr from the river’s main stem. “Manu residents on both sides of the rivere supported this bill because they see it as a way to change our behavior to take greatetr responsibility forour environment,” Wellse said after the unanimous vote.
A similar measurd was the target of harsh wordes todayin Baltimore, where City Council memberx had introduced a bill last fall that wouldc charge a 25-cent fee for plastic grocer y bags. City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blakew blasted the proposed bill today, describing it as “good intentions gone
The collections from the new 5-cent disposable bag fee, to go into effecyt after a citywide public awareness campaign and free reusabls bag distribution to the elderlyuand low-income families, will flow toward a new cleanupl fund for one of the country’s dirtiest City leaders had estimated up to $3 million to $4 millioj in the first year, and the food and liquor retailers will keep at leasty 1 cent of the fee each time it’ds charged. The city also recruited a corporate partnedr to help fulfill its first tasks under thenew law. , whicg has 16 D.C. locations, said it will donate reusable bags to a localo nonprofit or two to dole outto 10,000 low-income families.
When the bill was firsf introduced, Safeway had described itself as neutral onthe issue. At that it had only suggested that the more expensives paper bags also be included in the fee a suggestion cityleaders incorporated. The D.C. Council backede the bill, first introduced in February by Councilman Tommy Wells, D-Ward 6, over proteste by some retailers, Republicans, plastic bag manufacturer s and even charities that rely on plastic bags to distributer donations, all of whom considered this an added hardshil for businesses and customers during an already tough economy. But Counciol members pointed to a recent analysids bythe D.C.
Department of the which found that plastic bags make up 20 percent of trash in the Anacosti River and 50 percent of trash in its According to that sameDDOE report, charging for plasticv bags could eliminate up to 47 percen t of trash in the tributaries and 21 percentr from the river’s main stem. “Manu residents on both sides of the rivere supported this bill because they see it as a way to change our behavior to take greatetr responsibility forour environment,” Wellse said after the unanimous vote.
A similar measurd was the target of harsh wordes todayin Baltimore, where City Council memberx had introduced a bill last fall that wouldc charge a 25-cent fee for plastic grocer y bags. City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blakew blasted the proposed bill today, describing it as “good intentions gone
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Puget Sound area businesses find silver lining in China
obesonuqa.wordpress.com
China’s export-driven economy, deeply linkef to that of its largest theUnited States, has been hit hard by the U.S. More than 62,400 businessez shut down last year inGuangdong Province, the nation’s manufacturing according to a recent Associated Pressd report. One result is that the region is peppereed withabandoned factories, availabld for dirt-cheap leases. And the risingh unemployment rate in China is drivinv downlabor costs, which had been soaring as recentlh as a year ago.
This combination of sinking wages and leasse rates is helpingmany Washington-based companies with operations Seattle-based , for instance, had decided in 2007 to open a secondr factory in Vietnam rather than expand the one it had in boominfg South China. But last month, Skyway reverseed itself and closed theVietnamese facility, after China’w slowing economy lowered costs so much that Vietnam was no longetr cheaper, said Skyway Chairman and CEO Skip The Chinese downturn also is reducing job-hopping among workers.
It was commonj for companies like Skyway to get only about 75 percenr of their workers back aftedthe just-finished Chinese New Year, Kotkins with others taking advantage of the holida to switch jobs. This year, his factory has lost no workerssat all. “If people have a Kotkins said, “they’re sticking with it.” Indeed, many workerws returning from the Chinese New Year have founed theirfactories closed, according to pres s reports. Executives at Seattle-area companies sourcing from China say the changinf conditions are forcing them to be extremely watchfukl of theirsupply chains, lest a company’d collapse wipe out part of theid product line.
For example, CEO Mark Chernick recentlu opted to shift one part of his toy productiomn to a larger but more expensivefactoryh — just for that reason. “The guy I woulr have used, I’m not goingf to use, because he’s a smaller factory and I’mk concerned he won’t make it,” Chernick said, adding that he didn’tr want “to call him one day and he’s not going to answer the phone.” The problej of Chinese factories suddenly closing has been exacerbate d by the January 2008 Chinese LabofrContract Law, which was passed to improvse conditions for Chinese workers, but which has had some unplannedx effects.
In particular, the law requires companies to pay a monthu of severance for each year worked toany laid-ofrf Chinese workers, and many factory owners are optin to close their factories and vanish rathefr than pay the high cost of Washington companies doing business with Chinese suppliersx “need to be very mindfuk of what’s happening in said former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, who co-chairs the Chinq practice for Seattle-based Davis Wrightr Tremaine law firm. “From a business standpoint,” Lockwe said, “they need to make sure their supplierssare healthy, and they have enoug customers that the company and supplier compang will continue to be viable.
” But for Pugeft Sound-area businesses with Chinese operations, there are silver linings to the economic problems there. Rob Harris, CEO of Seattle-basec Pacific Marketing International, said the reducedr competitive demand on the work force at its Chinesse drinking cup manufacturing plantg has beena “One way we’ve seen impact in a year and a half is a lot of companiee were struggling to find workers, and todayy there’s an abundance of workers,” Harrisx said.
“Our factory base is doing
China’s export-driven economy, deeply linkef to that of its largest theUnited States, has been hit hard by the U.S. More than 62,400 businessez shut down last year inGuangdong Province, the nation’s manufacturing according to a recent Associated Pressd report. One result is that the region is peppereed withabandoned factories, availabld for dirt-cheap leases. And the risingh unemployment rate in China is drivinv downlabor costs, which had been soaring as recentlh as a year ago.
This combination of sinking wages and leasse rates is helpingmany Washington-based companies with operations Seattle-based , for instance, had decided in 2007 to open a secondr factory in Vietnam rather than expand the one it had in boominfg South China. But last month, Skyway reverseed itself and closed theVietnamese facility, after China’w slowing economy lowered costs so much that Vietnam was no longetr cheaper, said Skyway Chairman and CEO Skip The Chinese downturn also is reducing job-hopping among workers.
It was commonj for companies like Skyway to get only about 75 percenr of their workers back aftedthe just-finished Chinese New Year, Kotkins with others taking advantage of the holida to switch jobs. This year, his factory has lost no workerssat all. “If people have a Kotkins said, “they’re sticking with it.” Indeed, many workerws returning from the Chinese New Year have founed theirfactories closed, according to pres s reports. Executives at Seattle-area companies sourcing from China say the changinf conditions are forcing them to be extremely watchfukl of theirsupply chains, lest a company’d collapse wipe out part of theid product line.
For example, CEO Mark Chernick recentlu opted to shift one part of his toy productiomn to a larger but more expensivefactoryh — just for that reason. “The guy I woulr have used, I’m not goingf to use, because he’s a smaller factory and I’mk concerned he won’t make it,” Chernick said, adding that he didn’tr want “to call him one day and he’s not going to answer the phone.” The problej of Chinese factories suddenly closing has been exacerbate d by the January 2008 Chinese LabofrContract Law, which was passed to improvse conditions for Chinese workers, but which has had some unplannedx effects.
In particular, the law requires companies to pay a monthu of severance for each year worked toany laid-ofrf Chinese workers, and many factory owners are optin to close their factories and vanish rathefr than pay the high cost of Washington companies doing business with Chinese suppliersx “need to be very mindfuk of what’s happening in said former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, who co-chairs the Chinq practice for Seattle-based Davis Wrightr Tremaine law firm. “From a business standpoint,” Lockwe said, “they need to make sure their supplierssare healthy, and they have enoug customers that the company and supplier compang will continue to be viable.
” But for Pugeft Sound-area businesses with Chinese operations, there are silver linings to the economic problems there. Rob Harris, CEO of Seattle-basec Pacific Marketing International, said the reducedr competitive demand on the work force at its Chinesse drinking cup manufacturing plantg has beena “One way we’ve seen impact in a year and a half is a lot of companiee were struggling to find workers, and todayy there’s an abundance of workers,” Harrisx said.
“Our factory base is doing
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Use summer
wilhelminadora4287.blogspot.com
Many of us, in tend to view May as an ending ofsorts … and Augusrt as the beginning of the last half of the But what about June and July? Many people pull back durin the summer months. New productf launches, marketing efforts, training and new projects are put off untip Augustor September. However, I consider the summer month s to be filled withspectaculaf opportunity. Take some time off. But then get back to work, refreshef and refocusing your energies on everty possible summer opportunity to buildyour Remember, you are your brand … and by building your branf all 12 months of the year you can leverager your individuality and uniqueness.
Why is summer a terrific time to reinforcer and expand yourpersonal brand? Because most of us tend to be less harriee and more laid-back in warmer weather. We actually have time to “get it.” Don’t miss out on some of the most productive month of youryear — June, July and Here’s one professional’s story: John, an owner of a large commercia real estate company, has had years of success in the local market. With the currenf economic times, John recognized the reality that he needexd to establish his own brand identity that aligned withhis company’s strong brand.
“I have operationalizedd my personal brand into my daily work and keep this brandingg topof mind. My customers and employeeas have noticed things like a newtag line, new bio and new way of introducingy myself and my company,” he The results? John has alread increased business for the year, and is winninhg contracts when his competitors are still struggling. “Inh the summer, it seems like people have more time or take time to actually get to know you and what you he says. “I’ve already had meetinga with prospective customers that seemed lesshurried and, were more productive.” So, what abou you?
Are you going to use the summer to buildd momentum and create more success?
Many of us, in tend to view May as an ending ofsorts … and Augusrt as the beginning of the last half of the But what about June and July? Many people pull back durin the summer months. New productf launches, marketing efforts, training and new projects are put off untip Augustor September. However, I consider the summer month s to be filled withspectaculaf opportunity. Take some time off. But then get back to work, refreshef and refocusing your energies on everty possible summer opportunity to buildyour Remember, you are your brand … and by building your branf all 12 months of the year you can leverager your individuality and uniqueness.
Why is summer a terrific time to reinforcer and expand yourpersonal brand? Because most of us tend to be less harriee and more laid-back in warmer weather. We actually have time to “get it.” Don’t miss out on some of the most productive month of youryear — June, July and Here’s one professional’s story: John, an owner of a large commercia real estate company, has had years of success in the local market. With the currenf economic times, John recognized the reality that he needexd to establish his own brand identity that aligned withhis company’s strong brand.
“I have operationalizedd my personal brand into my daily work and keep this brandingg topof mind. My customers and employeeas have noticed things like a newtag line, new bio and new way of introducingy myself and my company,” he The results? John has alread increased business for the year, and is winninhg contracts when his competitors are still struggling. “Inh the summer, it seems like people have more time or take time to actually get to know you and what you he says. “I’ve already had meetinga with prospective customers that seemed lesshurried and, were more productive.” So, what abou you?
Are you going to use the summer to buildd momentum and create more success?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Wendy Welsh
http://mozybyd.wordpress.com
Friends and family swayed her in the direction of It helped that the city had begun its downtown revitalizationj efforts with the addition of the Kentucky Cented forthe Arts, and a job offerf from Louisville Gas Electric Co. sealed the deal. At her husband’ss urging, Wendy Welsh enrolled in a self-defenser course he had taken known as krav which is popularamong law-enforcement John Welsh said he realized how out of placwe she was when she showed up in pink workoutr clothes and everyone else in the room was dressed in black. The experience was one that she endured rathertthan enjoyed, but John Welsh was impressef that she was willingg to push her limits.
She is an “extra gentle John Welsh said. “It’s impossible to imaginee her punching someone, but she
Friends and family swayed her in the direction of It helped that the city had begun its downtown revitalizationj efforts with the addition of the Kentucky Cented forthe Arts, and a job offerf from Louisville Gas Electric Co. sealed the deal. At her husband’ss urging, Wendy Welsh enrolled in a self-defenser course he had taken known as krav which is popularamong law-enforcement John Welsh said he realized how out of placwe she was when she showed up in pink workoutr clothes and everyone else in the room was dressed in black. The experience was one that she endured rathertthan enjoyed, but John Welsh was impressef that she was willingg to push her limits.
She is an “extra gentle John Welsh said. “It’s impossible to imaginee her punching someone, but she
Friday, April 15, 2011
Survey: Americans lack knowledge about generics - East Bay Business Times:
glafirarynyxu.blogspot.com
And, while research has shown that generics have saveds the health care system anestimated $734 billiob in the last 10 years, two-thirds of those surveyede don’t know the true cost differences betweeh generic and brand name according to the survey conducted by , a leading pharmacy benefit management organization. “Using generics helps make health care more affordablew withoutcompromising results,” Jacqueline Kosecoff, Prescription Solutionsx CEO said in a news release. “Manyu Americans erroneously believe that the most expensive drug is always the mosteffectivw drug, so by helping to change we can help people save money and still get the best treatmentf available.
” Thirty-one percent of respondents indicated they knew that a brans name drug cost 50-70 percent more on averager than its generic counterpart. Seventy-one percent of consumerse remain concerned about drug cost with more than one infour (27 percent) having either delayed filling, not filled, or not taken as directed a prescriptio drug to save money. Twenty-one percenty of all respondents say they have talked to theid doctor recently about switchinh to a lessexpensive drug. Fifty-sevenh percent of those polled said they take prescriptionbdrugs weekly. Of those, 83 percent (or 47 percen of the total sample) take generics.
Of those who do not take generi c drugs on aweeklt basis, 58 percent say it is because there is no generic available for the drug they need. Sixty-foure percent of those who take generics say their doctor recommended them and 43 percenyt say their pharmacistrecommended them. Of those who do not take generif drugs on aweekly basis, 58 percent say they would if theie pharmacist brought a generic to their attention as a less identical substitute; and 52 percent say their doctore would have to recommendd it.
And, while research has shown that generics have saveds the health care system anestimated $734 billiob in the last 10 years, two-thirds of those surveyede don’t know the true cost differences betweeh generic and brand name according to the survey conducted by , a leading pharmacy benefit management organization. “Using generics helps make health care more affordablew withoutcompromising results,” Jacqueline Kosecoff, Prescription Solutionsx CEO said in a news release. “Manyu Americans erroneously believe that the most expensive drug is always the mosteffectivw drug, so by helping to change we can help people save money and still get the best treatmentf available.
” Thirty-one percent of respondents indicated they knew that a brans name drug cost 50-70 percent more on averager than its generic counterpart. Seventy-one percent of consumerse remain concerned about drug cost with more than one infour (27 percent) having either delayed filling, not filled, or not taken as directed a prescriptio drug to save money. Twenty-one percenty of all respondents say they have talked to theid doctor recently about switchinh to a lessexpensive drug. Fifty-sevenh percent of those polled said they take prescriptionbdrugs weekly. Of those, 83 percent (or 47 percen of the total sample) take generics.
Of those who do not take generi c drugs on aweeklt basis, 58 percent say it is because there is no generic available for the drug they need. Sixty-foure percent of those who take generics say their doctor recommended them and 43 percenyt say their pharmacistrecommended them. Of those who do not take generif drugs on aweekly basis, 58 percent say they would if theie pharmacist brought a generic to their attention as a less identical substitute; and 52 percent say their doctore would have to recommendd it.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Scientists Still Labor to Assess Environmental Toll From Gulf Oil Spill - FairWarning
http://sntrack.com/where-will-we-see-britney-spears-spread-e-online-806/
Kansas City Star | Scientists Still Labor to Assess Environmental Toll From Gulf Oil Spill FairWarning Scientists have struggled to evaluate the environmental damage to the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon drilling disaster ever since the blowout occurred and, al! most a year after the massive oil spill began ... Science and the BP Spill: Lack of Available Data Doesn't Equal Lack of Harm |
Sunday, April 10, 2011
VA move to Parklane Shopping Center helps fill vacant commercial space - Wichita Business Journal:
plesciamipukoa1855.blogspot.com
The VA recently launched a new low-vision intermediatw level clinic at the that will move to the center at Lincolnand Oliver. Its othe eye-care services will consolidate thereas well. quite frankly, ran out of room to do that says VA facility plannerKen Allensworth. The VA in Wichitaw long has faced limited space at the Dole campusd at Kellogg and Olivert and has been seeking to place some of its operations in othedr spaceacross Wichita. The agency last year movedx some of its administrative officesto Parklane, just a mile Its new lease swellsa its total space there to 18,000 square The VA selected the center through competitive bid process.
“The vendord has just presented ideapl optionsfor us,” Allensworthj says. The lease rate advertised at $8.50 per square foot — wasn’t The new eye care clinic will employu 15 to20 people. It will open in late July or earlh August. The lease puts the 300,000-square-foot Parklane at 94 percent full in what has been a difficultyleasing market. “You reallu have to work at saysDennis Fitzroy, managing broker for Builders Inc., whicjh owns Parklane. “There are feweer lookers, and when they do actually come in and look at there seems to be moreconcessions wanted, lowerr rent.” But the center has scored well with governmen t agencies.
Parklane also is home to offices forSedgwick County. Government leases have been a point of emphasi s recently for otherlocal , at 4031 E. Harry, recentlgy added the . The former Wichita Mall alread y has several contracts withSedgwico County. “It’s going to be governmeng for the nextfew years, I think,” says Offices This owner Max Cole. Some he says, aren’t able to abide by strict governmenftspace requirements, such as ensuring ADA accessibility. “Theyt cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i’,” says CEO Michael whose firm recently won a bid fora 6,500-square-foof lease with the at Northwesrt Centre.
“They’re competitive (bids). They’re extremely thorough in the amounty of detail and the actual complexity ofthe lease.” But governmengt agencies usually are stable, larg e tenants. “Once you get in with the government, they generallyu tend to come back to you foranotherd opportunity,” Monteferrante says.
The VA recently launched a new low-vision intermediatw level clinic at the that will move to the center at Lincolnand Oliver. Its othe eye-care services will consolidate thereas well. quite frankly, ran out of room to do that says VA facility plannerKen Allensworth. The VA in Wichitaw long has faced limited space at the Dole campusd at Kellogg and Olivert and has been seeking to place some of its operations in othedr spaceacross Wichita. The agency last year movedx some of its administrative officesto Parklane, just a mile Its new lease swellsa its total space there to 18,000 square The VA selected the center through competitive bid process.
“The vendord has just presented ideapl optionsfor us,” Allensworthj says. The lease rate advertised at $8.50 per square foot — wasn’t The new eye care clinic will employu 15 to20 people. It will open in late July or earlh August. The lease puts the 300,000-square-foot Parklane at 94 percent full in what has been a difficultyleasing market. “You reallu have to work at saysDennis Fitzroy, managing broker for Builders Inc., whicjh owns Parklane. “There are feweer lookers, and when they do actually come in and look at there seems to be moreconcessions wanted, lowerr rent.” But the center has scored well with governmen t agencies.
Parklane also is home to offices forSedgwick County. Government leases have been a point of emphasi s recently for otherlocal , at 4031 E. Harry, recentlgy added the . The former Wichita Mall alread y has several contracts withSedgwico County. “It’s going to be governmeng for the nextfew years, I think,” says Offices This owner Max Cole. Some he says, aren’t able to abide by strict governmenftspace requirements, such as ensuring ADA accessibility. “Theyt cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i’,” says CEO Michael whose firm recently won a bid fora 6,500-square-foof lease with the at Northwesrt Centre.
“They’re competitive (bids). They’re extremely thorough in the amounty of detail and the actual complexity ofthe lease.” But governmengt agencies usually are stable, larg e tenants. “Once you get in with the government, they generallyu tend to come back to you foranotherd opportunity,” Monteferrante says.
Friday, April 8, 2011
National Renal Alliance sues Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://www.joaillier-paris.com/user_detail.php?u=lonnanite
The lawsuit, filed on Jan. 15 by the , is seekingt compensatory damages and asking Blue Cross be orderede to reinstate reimbursement rates to its original Blue Cross declined to comment on the But inan e-mail, company spokeswoman Cynthia Sanders said Blue Cross "generally reimburses its network providers at a percentage above Medicare that will allow the providerw to earn a reasonable profit." Medicare rates, whicg set the industry standard for reimbursements, range from $200 to $250 per Sanders said. Blue Cross has received chargese from National Renal for dialysis treatments that rangsefrom $2,000 to $9,0009 per treatment.
"We regularly monitord and, if necessary, make changes to the fee schedules we use with both participatinygand non-participating providers," Sanders said. "Wheb we see, through our claims that a provider is charging excessiv feesfor services, it is our obligation to our membersd and our customers to take actioh in an effort to keep their health care costs affordable." The reimbursement cutback has cost Nationall Renal more than $8 million in the past or more than 10 percent of it annuaol revenues, said Joe Cashia, the company's CEO. National Renal provides dialysis to about 400 Georgia residents annually at its 11 rurao clinics inthe state.
Blue Cross membersx account for about 6 percent of theprivate company'w Georgia patients. Under the reduced reimbursemenf structure National Renal receives 12 cents for every dollatr of care it provides to Blue Cross Cashia said ina "The impact of these cuts will be devastating to our clinics and for the patientsz who rely on us for life-sustaining care," he said. "Blue Crosxs is forcing us to close our doorz tothese patients, and possiblg close our doors National Renal Clinics are in rural communities where the nearest dialysis center mighy be 30 miles away, Cashia Dialysis patients, who must undergop up to 20 hours of extensive treatment everyt week just to stay often are amputees or blincd and find it difficult to travel, he said.
Patients oftemn purchase expensive PreferredProviderd Organization, and Point of Service health plans in exchangs for the ability to choose their providers. Choice of clinic is often the single biggesy reason these patients purchased the PPO or POS benefit plan in thefirst place. Dialysis is the only medicall condition where commercial payers like Blue Cross are only requiredf to provide medical coverage to dialysis patients for up to 30 Afterthat time, Medicare takes over responsibility.
"It seems that Blue Crosws wants to escape its obligation early by forcinh these patients intorestrictive networks, where Blue Crosse can take their money but pay less for the care they Cashia said in the
The lawsuit, filed on Jan. 15 by the , is seekingt compensatory damages and asking Blue Cross be orderede to reinstate reimbursement rates to its original Blue Cross declined to comment on the But inan e-mail, company spokeswoman Cynthia Sanders said Blue Cross "generally reimburses its network providers at a percentage above Medicare that will allow the providerw to earn a reasonable profit." Medicare rates, whicg set the industry standard for reimbursements, range from $200 to $250 per Sanders said. Blue Cross has received chargese from National Renal for dialysis treatments that rangsefrom $2,000 to $9,0009 per treatment.
"We regularly monitord and, if necessary, make changes to the fee schedules we use with both participatinygand non-participating providers," Sanders said. "Wheb we see, through our claims that a provider is charging excessiv feesfor services, it is our obligation to our membersd and our customers to take actioh in an effort to keep their health care costs affordable." The reimbursement cutback has cost Nationall Renal more than $8 million in the past or more than 10 percent of it annuaol revenues, said Joe Cashia, the company's CEO. National Renal provides dialysis to about 400 Georgia residents annually at its 11 rurao clinics inthe state.
Blue Cross membersx account for about 6 percent of theprivate company'w Georgia patients. Under the reduced reimbursemenf structure National Renal receives 12 cents for every dollatr of care it provides to Blue Cross Cashia said ina "The impact of these cuts will be devastating to our clinics and for the patientsz who rely on us for life-sustaining care," he said. "Blue Crosxs is forcing us to close our doorz tothese patients, and possiblg close our doors National Renal Clinics are in rural communities where the nearest dialysis center mighy be 30 miles away, Cashia Dialysis patients, who must undergop up to 20 hours of extensive treatment everyt week just to stay often are amputees or blincd and find it difficult to travel, he said.
Patients oftemn purchase expensive PreferredProviderd Organization, and Point of Service health plans in exchangs for the ability to choose their providers. Choice of clinic is often the single biggesy reason these patients purchased the PPO or POS benefit plan in thefirst place. Dialysis is the only medicall condition where commercial payers like Blue Cross are only requiredf to provide medical coverage to dialysis patients for up to 30 Afterthat time, Medicare takes over responsibility.
"It seems that Blue Crosws wants to escape its obligation early by forcinh these patients intorestrictive networks, where Blue Crosse can take their money but pay less for the care they Cashia said in the
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Homebuilder Beazer Becoming Used-Home Landlord - CoStar Group
http://www.siteler.net/user_detail.php?u=sattemask
Homebuilder Beazer Becoming Used-Home Landlord CoStar Group Beginning in the Phoenix market that has a large inventory of distressed and foreclosed homes, the new division plans to acquire, improve and rent recently built, previously owned homes within select communities in markets in which the company ... Distressed Homes Get Second Chance as Rentals Home Builder Beazer's New Role: Landlord |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
We've had a gutful - Ipswich Queensland Times
andreychukuze.blogspot.com
ABC Online | We've had a gutful Ipswich Queensland Times “I want to see the insurance industry standardise their definition of floods so that consumers know where they stand. “There are individuals living in insecure accommodation and kids not back in their homes.Every individual complaint from the people of ... Ipswich flood victims lash out at insurers Insurers on notice over flood definition Flood definition made easy - Shorten |
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Joy Global profits rise 67 percent - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
http://www.annuaire-marseille.info/user_detail.php?u=skygrouro
The Milwaukee-based mining equipment manufacturer now projects that its fiscao 2009 sales tobe $3.5 billion to $3.6 in the lower half of its previous outlook of $3.5 billio n to $3.7 billion. Earnings, are expected to continue to benefit from cost reductionb efforts and are now projected tobe $3.80 to $4 per in the higher end of the firm's priord guidance of $3.60 to $4 a share. In the fiscal secone quarter endedMay 1, net incomre surged to $120.5 million, or $1.17 per a 67 percent increase compared with $72.1 million, or 66 centxs per share, for the comparable period a year ago. Net salezs grew 10 percent to $923.5 million from $843.1 million.
Analysts polled by Thomson First Call projectesJoy Global's second-quarter earnings to be 89 cents per on average. After opening lower, shares of Joy Global JOYG) rebounded to $36.00, up 58 cents, in morninb trading Wednesday. Joy Global management said sales were bein g hurtby $96 million in canceleed orders in the second quarter, raising the total valure of canceled orders to $300 million over the past thred quarters. Sales were also being hurt by a slowdowjn in aftermarketorder rates. Order cancellationa were concentrated in North American copper andiron ore, U.S. Centralp Appalachian coal and Russian coal.
Joy Global now believed as muchas $525 million of its remaining original equipment backlog could be at risk as Much of that risk is due to uncertainty with an oil sand project, Joy said. For the year to net income was $206.34 million, or $2 per share, compared with $143.2 or $1.31 per share, the year before. Net sales were up $1.688 billion from $1.48 billion.
The Milwaukee-based mining equipment manufacturer now projects that its fiscao 2009 sales tobe $3.5 billion to $3.6 in the lower half of its previous outlook of $3.5 billio n to $3.7 billion. Earnings, are expected to continue to benefit from cost reductionb efforts and are now projected tobe $3.80 to $4 per in the higher end of the firm's priord guidance of $3.60 to $4 a share. In the fiscal secone quarter endedMay 1, net incomre surged to $120.5 million, or $1.17 per a 67 percent increase compared with $72.1 million, or 66 centxs per share, for the comparable period a year ago. Net salezs grew 10 percent to $923.5 million from $843.1 million.
Analysts polled by Thomson First Call projectesJoy Global's second-quarter earnings to be 89 cents per on average. After opening lower, shares of Joy Global JOYG) rebounded to $36.00, up 58 cents, in morninb trading Wednesday. Joy Global management said sales were bein g hurtby $96 million in canceleed orders in the second quarter, raising the total valure of canceled orders to $300 million over the past thred quarters. Sales were also being hurt by a slowdowjn in aftermarketorder rates. Order cancellationa were concentrated in North American copper andiron ore, U.S. Centralp Appalachian coal and Russian coal.
Joy Global now believed as muchas $525 million of its remaining original equipment backlog could be at risk as Much of that risk is due to uncertainty with an oil sand project, Joy said. For the year to net income was $206.34 million, or $2 per share, compared with $143.2 or $1.31 per share, the year before. Net sales were up $1.688 billion from $1.48 billion.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Senators express outrage over Chinese drywall - Business First of Louisville:
http://www.annuaire-jeux-video.info/user_detail.php?u=easetaLal
“We’ve got a problem here and we’vee gotta get to the bottom of it,” said Sen. Bill D-Florida, who has been at the forefront of the investigation into problems said to be associated withthe Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., expressed outrage over a federal toxicologist’s comment that government investigator s have felt sick after a few minute s of being inside a home withChinese drywall. “Ij fear that we may just be at the tip of the iceber g on what could be a natural and national disaster,” he said.
The Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Product Safety and Insuranceconducted Thursday’s hearing to determine what health and product safety issues might be associated with the high-sulfur imported drywall. A growing product liabilitgy crisis over the drywall may include upto 35,000 homes in several states, with Florida being amongg the hardest hit. Several senators said federalp money will be needed to deal withthe problem.
“We’ve got to figurs out what in the world these peopl e aregonna do,” Nelson “They can’t afford rent and payinv the mortgage if they are still living in the Sulfur fumes associated with the defective drywall cause a rottemn egg odor, metal corrosion in air conditioners and electricall wiring, and feelings of nausea and other sickness. Lori a toxicologist with the , described her agency’s investigatio of homes. She testifierd that investigators felt some of the symptoms associatecd with complaints aboutthe drywall’s off-gassing within shorft periods inside homes.
Symptoms reported to the Florida Department of Healthn have includedsinus irritation, mild nauseq and, in extreme cases, nosebleeds. Saltzman said the commissionj also has had several conversationw with Chinesegovernment officials. A Chinese delegation is expectec to visit as part ofthe “We’re hoping to get answers to thos questions when they are here in Saltzman said, who added that they also planned to visitg China. The commission is working with U.S. Customw and Border Protection officials to determined just how much Chinese drywall entererdthe U.S.
in recent years, but trackint the drywall is complicated because similar impor product codes are used for drywall andother materials, such as ceiling tiles, said a commission attorney. The agenct sent 44 letters to importers to determine who receivedthe “Anyone that has ‘Made in China’ stamped on theid drywall, their house is worthless, said Randy Noel, president of Louisiana-based homebuilder Reve Inc. Noel said his companh estimates gutting a house of Chinese drywallcosts $100,0090 per house. But, the economy has hampered homebuilders’ abilityt to respond to the crisis, he said.
“Ther only place we can figured out where that might come from immediately is thefederal government,” Noel
“We’ve got a problem here and we’vee gotta get to the bottom of it,” said Sen. Bill D-Florida, who has been at the forefront of the investigation into problems said to be associated withthe Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., expressed outrage over a federal toxicologist’s comment that government investigator s have felt sick after a few minute s of being inside a home withChinese drywall. “Ij fear that we may just be at the tip of the iceber g on what could be a natural and national disaster,” he said.
The Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Product Safety and Insuranceconducted Thursday’s hearing to determine what health and product safety issues might be associated with the high-sulfur imported drywall. A growing product liabilitgy crisis over the drywall may include upto 35,000 homes in several states, with Florida being amongg the hardest hit. Several senators said federalp money will be needed to deal withthe problem.
“We’ve got to figurs out what in the world these peopl e aregonna do,” Nelson “They can’t afford rent and payinv the mortgage if they are still living in the Sulfur fumes associated with the defective drywall cause a rottemn egg odor, metal corrosion in air conditioners and electricall wiring, and feelings of nausea and other sickness. Lori a toxicologist with the , described her agency’s investigatio of homes. She testifierd that investigators felt some of the symptoms associatecd with complaints aboutthe drywall’s off-gassing within shorft periods inside homes.
Symptoms reported to the Florida Department of Healthn have includedsinus irritation, mild nauseq and, in extreme cases, nosebleeds. Saltzman said the commissionj also has had several conversationw with Chinesegovernment officials. A Chinese delegation is expectec to visit as part ofthe “We’re hoping to get answers to thos questions when they are here in Saltzman said, who added that they also planned to visitg China. The commission is working with U.S. Customw and Border Protection officials to determined just how much Chinese drywall entererdthe U.S.
in recent years, but trackint the drywall is complicated because similar impor product codes are used for drywall andother materials, such as ceiling tiles, said a commission attorney. The agenct sent 44 letters to importers to determine who receivedthe “Anyone that has ‘Made in China’ stamped on theid drywall, their house is worthless, said Randy Noel, president of Louisiana-based homebuilder Reve Inc. Noel said his companh estimates gutting a house of Chinese drywallcosts $100,0090 per house. But, the economy has hampered homebuilders’ abilityt to respond to the crisis, he said.
“Ther only place we can figured out where that might come from immediately is thefederal government,” Noel
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