youngmanmeledero1636.blogspot.com
Even then, the process remainsa uncertain. estimates that the stimulus bill allocatese atleast $1.7 billion for the state. The lion’s share of that $1.34 billion – will be filtereed through FDOT and go towardroad projects. The about $315 million, will go to the locak transit agencies for capital expensese like purchasing buses and For FDOT and counties vying for their share ofthe $1.35 billion road cash, the process is similar to the way federalp money is typically distributed, in termsa of requirements. Things are pretty much “businesxs as usual,” said David Lee of FDOT’s officse of policy and planning.
The main difference is that the procesa will behurried along, he said, because of the urgencty to put the money to work. For road work FDOT has sought input fromeach county’s metropolitan planning organizatioj (MPO). Once the MPOs green-light projectx in their respective counties, FDOT will assemble a fina l list for the state and apply tothe (FHWA) to fund the After FHWA OKs the projects, FDOT can move But, FDOT will have latitudew in which projects it asks the federal government to And it has discretion over the majority of the $1.
34 billioj in road money allotted for the statr – some $900 million – which makes it uncertain how much each count y will get, FDOT spokesmann Dick Kane said. Whichever projects FDOT asks the federalo governmentto fund, it’s important that projectws be well past the conceptua l phase in their development. The reason: The statwe is under a 120-day deadline to apply for road “In order to use the moneg quickly it means that projects pretty much need to have beenvettefd already,” FDOT’s Lee said. Larry a transportation system managerwith Miami-Dade-County MPO, agreed. “Normally, it takee four to five years to put a projecgt outto bid.
Now, we’re trying to do it withibn 120 days.” he “We’ve been going crazy here in the last monthj anda half.” The counties have estimated the minimum amountf they’ll get for road projects: $188 milliojn for Miami-Dade; $41 million for Broward; and $27 milliohn for Palm Beach. Browarcd County’s MPO allocated most of its $41 million for a elevated flyover that will connec ta narrow, disjointed section of Dixie Highway in Deerfielfd Beach near Hillsboro The flyover will run a few blocks into Palm Beach County, which will share the cost. Broward will pay aboutf $37 million and Palm Beach will payabout $4.
5 million, MPO officials After applying, Miami-Dade Transit, Browarsd County Transit, Palm Tran and the , whic h operates , are expecting to get their money directly from the federal government. “We got approximatelyt $16 million, and we’re hoping to buy up to five SFRTA spokeswoman BonnieArnoldd said. “And, if we can’t find the we’re looking to buy up to 10 trailers.” Miami-Daded Transit expects to get $58.
7 million, which will fund everythinv from the construction ofa rapid-transif bus system along Kendall Drive to upgrading Metrorail and Metromover even equipping Metrorail trains with free Wi-Fi for Among other purchases, Palm Tran is planning to use its estimatedx $21 million to replace 10 of its older buse s with hybrid buses, said Lorraine Szyms, Palm Tran’s assistanr executive director. The biggest chunl of Broward County Transit’s estimateds $35 million –about $13.5 million – will go to bus stop including better shelters that will have a positivew impact ondrawing riders, spokeswoman Phyllis Berr said.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wearing my hoodie has a different meaning and consequence - AustinTalks
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AustinTalks | Wearing my hoodie has a different meaning and consequence AustinTalks The same pastor made the comment, “You get to make your choices, but you don't get to choose the consequences.†I'm not saying that you should be targeted because of what you wear, but it happens. Why are you setting yourself up? 'I am Trayvon Mar tin' -- even in Connecticut Pursuing justice in the Trayvon Martin case |
Monday, March 26, 2012
Atlanta Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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Abrams arrived in Atlanta in 1963, and in 1972 she earnefd her realestate license. Thirty-five years she has achieved another plateau of success few in thebusinesw have. She has been awardedd the Platinum Phoenix, given to those members of the who have earned membership to the Million Dollar Club for 35 A Realtor withHarry Norman, Abrams credits her experience in marketing as well as contracrt negotiation for her consisteng leadership in Atlanta real estate. Abramx also credits her community engagement with her succesws and knowledge of the Atlanta Over thelast decade, she has had more than $350 milliobn in sales. , Realtors Real estate and familu converge in theBagiatis household.
Irene Bagiatis’ husband and son are in commerciaproperty management, and another son is a real estate attorney. Irene Bagiatis, a 38-year industry veteran, is a Realto with Dorsey-Alston Company, Realtors. Amongh the lessons she has learner during her nearly four decades in real estate is to alwayzsbe honest, sincere and compassionate. “I truly believe we are in a busineszsof helping, and if we ever lose sight of that we have lost our objectivesx and purpose,” she said of her profession. Bagiatisa is an Atlanta native. She has been givem the Miss Emmie Award for ProfessionalServicess (in 2000 and 2001), and is a life member of the Atlantwa Board of Realtors.
Harry Norman, Realtord Harriet Koonin with Harry Norman, Realtors is committeed to thorough industry knowledge andcustomeer service. She is consistently ranked in the top 1 percentf in production for both the branch office and the Koonin sells and lists homesx and condominiums rangingfrom first-time buyerd to empty nesters and from entry-level pricexs to estate properties. The highlight of her career has been a flourishinf referral business from satisfied She is anaccredited buyer’ representative, a certified residential specialis t and a licensed broker associate. Through Harry Norman, Realtors she is a seniore marketing consultant and a Miss EmmieAward Recipient.
She is a membef of the Women’s Council of Realtors. , Realtors Jenny Pruitt Associates, Realtors founding member Fran Shivere has been a member of the Atlanta Board of Realtorw Million Dollar Club for more than30 years. Shivers creditz her attitude for her longevityand success. “Iu was told as a newly licensefd agentthat ‘people do not care how much you know unti l they know how much you care,’ and that there is no substitutew for honesty and she said. “These principles have been a constant beacom to guide me throughout my realestatwe career.
” One of the highlightx of her career was beingt the recipient of the Jenny Pruitt & Associatesz Humanitarian Award in 1998, which is give to the agent who reaches beyoned the realm of real estate througg service toward a specific action or belie with a purpose or goal to benefit the surroundin community. Jenny Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Jenn Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Realtor Mary Clark Caldwelpl considers herself aneffective Indeed, she credits her succes s to these and other skills. Putting her clientx at ease and developing rapport and trust is key to the she said.
Abrams arrived in Atlanta in 1963, and in 1972 she earnefd her realestate license. Thirty-five years she has achieved another plateau of success few in thebusinesw have. She has been awardedd the Platinum Phoenix, given to those members of the who have earned membership to the Million Dollar Club for 35 A Realtor withHarry Norman, Abrams credits her experience in marketing as well as contracrt negotiation for her consisteng leadership in Atlanta real estate. Abramx also credits her community engagement with her succesws and knowledge of the Atlanta Over thelast decade, she has had more than $350 milliobn in sales. , Realtors Real estate and familu converge in theBagiatis household.
Irene Bagiatis’ husband and son are in commerciaproperty management, and another son is a real estate attorney. Irene Bagiatis, a 38-year industry veteran, is a Realto with Dorsey-Alston Company, Realtors. Amongh the lessons she has learner during her nearly four decades in real estate is to alwayzsbe honest, sincere and compassionate. “I truly believe we are in a busineszsof helping, and if we ever lose sight of that we have lost our objectivesx and purpose,” she said of her profession. Bagiatisa is an Atlanta native. She has been givem the Miss Emmie Award for ProfessionalServicess (in 2000 and 2001), and is a life member of the Atlantwa Board of Realtors.
Harry Norman, Realtord Harriet Koonin with Harry Norman, Realtors is committeed to thorough industry knowledge andcustomeer service. She is consistently ranked in the top 1 percentf in production for both the branch office and the Koonin sells and lists homesx and condominiums rangingfrom first-time buyerd to empty nesters and from entry-level pricexs to estate properties. The highlight of her career has been a flourishinf referral business from satisfied She is anaccredited buyer’ representative, a certified residential specialis t and a licensed broker associate. Through Harry Norman, Realtors she is a seniore marketing consultant and a Miss EmmieAward Recipient.
She is a membef of the Women’s Council of Realtors. , Realtors Jenny Pruitt Associates, Realtors founding member Fran Shivere has been a member of the Atlanta Board of Realtorw Million Dollar Club for more than30 years. Shivers creditz her attitude for her longevityand success. “Iu was told as a newly licensefd agentthat ‘people do not care how much you know unti l they know how much you care,’ and that there is no substitutew for honesty and she said. “These principles have been a constant beacom to guide me throughout my realestatwe career.
” One of the highlightx of her career was beingt the recipient of the Jenny Pruitt & Associatesz Humanitarian Award in 1998, which is give to the agent who reaches beyoned the realm of real estate througg service toward a specific action or belie with a purpose or goal to benefit the surroundin community. Jenny Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Jenn Pruitt & Associates, Realtors Realtor Mary Clark Caldwelpl considers herself aneffective Indeed, she credits her succes s to these and other skills. Putting her clientx at ease and developing rapport and trust is key to the she said.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Construction begins on Partnership III - Orlando Business Journal:
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The building expansion is part of local efforts to help metroi Orlando retain and add thousandsof high-tech, high-wage modelingf and simulation jobs. UCF and the military will shareethe five-story building, which will be home to the UCF Institutde for Simulation & Training laboratories and relatesd modeling and simulation research. Fundin g for the new 118,860-square-foot Partnership III building, schedulede to open in fall 2010, was providefd by the state, separate from its allocationsto UCF. The building’s architecyt is , and the construction manager is . It will be built to meet at leasg the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesig (LEED) standards.
Partnership III will be constructefd next to Partnership II and will be a mirror image ofthat building, saving the state abouy $500,000 in design costs. Partnership III also will houser UCF’s new high-performance computing which allows for realistic training scenarios with thousands of peoplee training in the same virtual world and enablese UCF to conduct research in the physicalo andbiological sciences. The metro Orlandp area is a national leaderin modeling, simulation and traininf with more than 100 companies that directlty or indirectly generate nearly 17,000 jobs in the U.S.
Army, Navy and Marined Corps simulation offices based in the Research Park expect to award morethan $5 billiojn in contracts this year, and much of that monegy remains in the Orlando
The building expansion is part of local efforts to help metroi Orlando retain and add thousandsof high-tech, high-wage modelingf and simulation jobs. UCF and the military will shareethe five-story building, which will be home to the UCF Institutde for Simulation & Training laboratories and relatesd modeling and simulation research. Fundin g for the new 118,860-square-foot Partnership III building, schedulede to open in fall 2010, was providefd by the state, separate from its allocationsto UCF. The building’s architecyt is , and the construction manager is . It will be built to meet at leasg the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesig (LEED) standards.
Partnership III will be constructefd next to Partnership II and will be a mirror image ofthat building, saving the state abouy $500,000 in design costs. Partnership III also will houser UCF’s new high-performance computing which allows for realistic training scenarios with thousands of peoplee training in the same virtual world and enablese UCF to conduct research in the physicalo andbiological sciences. The metro Orlandp area is a national leaderin modeling, simulation and traininf with more than 100 companies that directlty or indirectly generate nearly 17,000 jobs in the U.S.
Army, Navy and Marined Corps simulation offices based in the Research Park expect to award morethan $5 billiojn in contracts this year, and much of that monegy remains in the Orlando
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Morning briefing: Boy gets new wheelchair after break-in - The Tribune-Democrat
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Morning briefing: Boy gets new wheelchair after break-in The Tribune-Democrat AP SCOTTDALE â€" A Westmoreland County boy whose wheelchair was damaged when the family car was broken into during a burglary spree has a new ride â€" and so do his parents. Six-year-old Ian Hixson had been inconvenienced since his wheelchair was damaged ... |
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Trucking company quickly builds customer base after adding key personnel - Denver Business Journal:
dawojetos.blogspot.com
But rather than put the brakeson , which he founded in Rice, 64, brought in longtime friend Gary Watsob as an investor last July to help him expancd the business. In early May, the pair moved the company’ws operations from an apartment complex Rice owns to leasesd space at954 E. Kentucky St. in They also hired office manager Kim Barnett to handlew accounting andmarketing duties. Watson, through face-to-face and Barnett, through telephone marketing, have continued to add clients. Now Rice envisionsx a day whenhe won’ t have to handle administratived duties or drive trucks to Ohio, or Washington, D.C.
Rice said he’s at the point in his career wherwe he’d rather sit on his boat in the middlee of a lake and think aboutExpeditef Trucking’s success while casting another “Being in this business for 13 yearse is remarkable, but I couldn’t do it by myself anymore because it was just gettinvg too big,” said who left a 34-year career with Fetter Printinv Co. in 1997 to begin the “Gary is younger than I am, and I know he and Kim can do a greay job buildingthis business.” Expedited Trucking has found a niche in takingh some of the small business that the larger companies don’t have time for, Rice said.
The company got its start hauling pallets of materials primarilyg for printing companies but has branched out to serveeother industries. It will haul most types of dry with the exception ofhazardouas materials, Watson said. Rather than owning a fleet of vehicles, the companyt leases vans and straight trucks on demand from Penske and EnterpriseeCommercial Trucks. The approach remove s the cost of preventativemaintenanc work, oil changes, license platesa and other expenses that come with owning a truck Watson said. “When I got here, I was amazedc at the rates (Rice) was getting for trucks,” said 59, who has more than 30 yeard of sales experience in thetrucking industry.
“This is such a smarf way to go for a business our Being a small business also allows Expedites Trucking to offer a personal Watson said. “The business has changed so much. Now the big companiews do everythingby computer, and the personal leve is gone,” Watson said. “Our customers know they can pick up the phons and talk to one ofus directly. That means a lot to Expedited Trucking has gone the route of many householde by operating on a cash only basis rather than putting expenses on acredit It’s somewhat unusual for a trucking company to send a drivetr on the road with a pocket full of cash rathedr than a credit card, but it’s an approach that co-owner Jack Rice said works well for his business.
“The drivers are good about bringing back all receipts and leftoverf cashthey have,” Rice said. “If we happenj to underestimate the the drivers will put what they need on theirf personal cards orpay cash, and we will promptly reimburs them. “It’s not always easy, especiallhy when cash flow’s low,” Rice added. “But at the end of the it’s nice knowing you’re not going to be getting some big credift card bill or fuel bill and wondering wherewthe money’s going to come from.
”
But rather than put the brakeson , which he founded in Rice, 64, brought in longtime friend Gary Watsob as an investor last July to help him expancd the business. In early May, the pair moved the company’ws operations from an apartment complex Rice owns to leasesd space at954 E. Kentucky St. in They also hired office manager Kim Barnett to handlew accounting andmarketing duties. Watson, through face-to-face and Barnett, through telephone marketing, have continued to add clients. Now Rice envisionsx a day whenhe won’ t have to handle administratived duties or drive trucks to Ohio, or Washington, D.C.
Rice said he’s at the point in his career wherwe he’d rather sit on his boat in the middlee of a lake and think aboutExpeditef Trucking’s success while casting another “Being in this business for 13 yearse is remarkable, but I couldn’t do it by myself anymore because it was just gettinvg too big,” said who left a 34-year career with Fetter Printinv Co. in 1997 to begin the “Gary is younger than I am, and I know he and Kim can do a greay job buildingthis business.” Expedited Trucking has found a niche in takingh some of the small business that the larger companies don’t have time for, Rice said.
The company got its start hauling pallets of materials primarilyg for printing companies but has branched out to serveeother industries. It will haul most types of dry with the exception ofhazardouas materials, Watson said. Rather than owning a fleet of vehicles, the companyt leases vans and straight trucks on demand from Penske and EnterpriseeCommercial Trucks. The approach remove s the cost of preventativemaintenanc work, oil changes, license platesa and other expenses that come with owning a truck Watson said. “When I got here, I was amazedc at the rates (Rice) was getting for trucks,” said 59, who has more than 30 yeard of sales experience in thetrucking industry.
“This is such a smarf way to go for a business our Being a small business also allows Expedites Trucking to offer a personal Watson said. “The business has changed so much. Now the big companiews do everythingby computer, and the personal leve is gone,” Watson said. “Our customers know they can pick up the phons and talk to one ofus directly. That means a lot to Expedited Trucking has gone the route of many householde by operating on a cash only basis rather than putting expenses on acredit It’s somewhat unusual for a trucking company to send a drivetr on the road with a pocket full of cash rathedr than a credit card, but it’s an approach that co-owner Jack Rice said works well for his business.
“The drivers are good about bringing back all receipts and leftoverf cashthey have,” Rice said. “If we happenj to underestimate the the drivers will put what they need on theirf personal cards orpay cash, and we will promptly reimburs them. “It’s not always easy, especiallhy when cash flow’s low,” Rice added. “But at the end of the it’s nice knowing you’re not going to be getting some big credift card bill or fuel bill and wondering wherewthe money’s going to come from.
”
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Russian ensemble brings military music and folk dance to Harriman-Jewell Series - Kansas City Star
kleopatraxnibe.blogspot.com
Kansas City Star | Russian ensemble brings military music and folk dance to Harriman-Jewell Series Kansas City Star By LIBBY HANSSEN The Red Star Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble came to Helzberg H » |
Friday, March 16, 2012
Charles Pope named new CFO at Aerosonic - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
esivyjifag.wordpress.com
Charles Pope most recently held similar posts at companieds suchas (NASDAQ: STRC), Utek ) and , now a subsidiary of (NASDAQ: KBALB). "Charlire Pope brings a broad base of financial expertise as well as a solic reputation in the financial community and a deep understandingf of the financial requirements of apublicd company," said David Baldini, president and chief executive officef of Aerosonic (AMEX: AIM). Pope has more than 25 years of financiak management experience and was formerly a partnerat PricewaterhouseCoopers, a release Colbert Aug. 10 and was temporarily replaced by controllerDoug Morris.
Company officials said Colbert's departure had nothint to do withhis work, and no integrith issues had been raisedr in terms of Aerosonic's financiap statements. Revenue at Aerosonic in the second quarter, according to filings with the Securitiezs andExchange Commission. The Clearwater-based aviatiob produce manufacturer reported a net lossof $1.3 or 37 cents per share, on revenue of $5.3 milliobn compared to a net loss of $77,000, or 2 centd per share, on revenue of $7.6 millioj the year before.
Charles Pope most recently held similar posts at companieds suchas (NASDAQ: STRC), Utek ) and , now a subsidiary of (NASDAQ: KBALB). "Charlire Pope brings a broad base of financial expertise as well as a solic reputation in the financial community and a deep understandingf of the financial requirements of apublicd company," said David Baldini, president and chief executive officef of Aerosonic (AMEX: AIM). Pope has more than 25 years of financiak management experience and was formerly a partnerat PricewaterhouseCoopers, a release Colbert Aug. 10 and was temporarily replaced by controllerDoug Morris.
Company officials said Colbert's departure had nothint to do withhis work, and no integrith issues had been raisedr in terms of Aerosonic's financiap statements. Revenue at Aerosonic in the second quarter, according to filings with the Securitiezs andExchange Commission. The Clearwater-based aviatiob produce manufacturer reported a net lossof $1.3 or 37 cents per share, on revenue of $5.3 milliobn compared to a net loss of $77,000, or 2 centd per share, on revenue of $7.6 millioj the year before.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Reston Heights gets Silver LEED certification - Washington Business Journal:
glafirarynyxu.blogspot.com
The first national system for neighborhoocd design from the takes into account principlea ofsmart growth, new urbanism and greebn building. The certified development formerly housed surfaces parking lots and low densitygoffice space. Chevy Chase-based said aspects of its projecf that contributed to the rating all new buildings being LEEDSilver certified, proximity to the Dulle Toll Road and two future Metro stations at Wiehl Avenue and Reston Parkway, green operations, organic landscaping and maintenance programs for all new buildingws and reducing water use by 30 percent.
Reston the first phase of the mixed-usr project, is done and consistws of a fully-leased 140,000 square-foot Clasz A office building, a 191-room Westin Reston and the soldout 194-unit Mercetr Condominium. Subsequent phases of the project, designed by Robertson and Partners, will include at leasty 1.5 million square feet of trophyoffice space, 350,000 square feet of and 500 new residential units. The entire project is estimated to deliverby 2015, which will coincide with the expected completiom of the Silver Line to Dulles. In addition to Reston JBG currently has more than 20 LEED registeres or certified projects throughoutthe area, totalint over nine million square feet.
Last year its Twinbrool Station in Rockville earnes the Gold LEEDcertification -- the first neighborhoocd development in the D.C. area and one of a handful on the East Coasrt to achievethe rating.
The first national system for neighborhoocd design from the takes into account principlea ofsmart growth, new urbanism and greebn building. The certified development formerly housed surfaces parking lots and low densitygoffice space. Chevy Chase-based said aspects of its projecf that contributed to the rating all new buildings being LEEDSilver certified, proximity to the Dulle Toll Road and two future Metro stations at Wiehl Avenue and Reston Parkway, green operations, organic landscaping and maintenance programs for all new buildingws and reducing water use by 30 percent.
Reston the first phase of the mixed-usr project, is done and consistws of a fully-leased 140,000 square-foot Clasz A office building, a 191-room Westin Reston and the soldout 194-unit Mercetr Condominium. Subsequent phases of the project, designed by Robertson and Partners, will include at leasty 1.5 million square feet of trophyoffice space, 350,000 square feet of and 500 new residential units. The entire project is estimated to deliverby 2015, which will coincide with the expected completiom of the Silver Line to Dulles. In addition to Reston JBG currently has more than 20 LEED registeres or certified projects throughoutthe area, totalint over nine million square feet.
Last year its Twinbrool Station in Rockville earnes the Gold LEEDcertification -- the first neighborhoocd development in the D.C. area and one of a handful on the East Coasrt to achievethe rating.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Variable annuites catch fire with investors - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
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Simple demographics are one of the key forcesa driving demand forthese tax-deferred relatives of mutual As wrinkles set in and their hair goes baby boomers are shifting their investment goalxs to generate income for theire retirement years. "People are living and I think one of the concernsw they have is having enough money to live on and not outlivinygtheir assets," said Meridee Maynard, vice president in the annuity and accumulationj products department at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurancew Co., Milwaukee. That thinking helped push variable-annuityh sales up to a record $72.5 billion last a 47 percent jumpfrom $49.3 billion in 1995, according to , a Conn.
, insurance industry tradd group. Sales last year were nearly eight times the amoungt sold adecade earlier. Annuitied generally work like this: Investors pay a premium, much like they woulsd for a life insurance to receive benefits at alaterr date. The principal earns income on a tax-deferred but in return, the investors can'r withdraw funds before the annuity unless they want to lose the tax benefits and payextrza fees. "If you need don't buy one," Maynard said. "It you're looking at this as just a short-term place to park some the penalties that the product has and that the IRS imposeas makeit prohibitive.
" When the annuityh matures -- after a specifiedd number of years or a designatedc retirement age -- the annuityt begins paying out benefits to the investor, either in a lump sum, or in usually monthly, payments. Unlike a fixed annuity, which offers a set, guaranteede interest rate, a variable annuity givese investors the freedom to choose how they want theidrprincipal invested, whether it's in stocks, bonds or a moneuy market fund. After they buy the they can transfer principal betweenj different funds without a tax But variable annuities also carryhighetr risks: Their benefit payments aren't guaranteed and depend on the performance of theirt underlying assets.
The two types of annuities often behavdquite differently. Not surprisingly, when interest ratesa are high, investors tend to favot fixed-rate products. When they're low and the stock market is many investors prefervariable annuities, which usually offer a highert return. "Generally, as one's going up, the other'ds going down," said Scott Dunn, an assistan t scientist at LIMRA International. That was especially true in when interest ratesremained stable, and the stoc market broke one record after As variable-annuity sales nearly doubled last year, fixed-annuityg sales fell 21 percent to $38.89 billion, down from $49.4 billion the year according to LIMRA. Of the $704.
4 million in annuitiesa that NML soldin 1996, 88 or about $620 million, were variable. About four years ago, that figure was close to 40 percent, Maynard said. NML, which began selling variable annuities inthe 1970s, offers nine such productw today, including a money-market a high-yield bond fund, and an international-equithy fund. And who's buying them? "kI would say typically our ideal annuitu buyer is someone who isprobably 45, 50 yearxs old, has maxed out on his 401(k), has probablg got sources to send the kids to college, some otheer liquidity, and really now wants to focus on that primary need of putting that money away until Maynard said.
The growing ranks of people who fit that profiles are one reason business is booming atFIMCp , a Milwaukee firm that distributes annuitiea from insurance companies to banks and brokerage The company sold about $100 million in variablse annuities last year, a big jump from the $28 millionh it sold in 1995, said Fred FIMCO's president. FIMCO's commissionws on those sales vary depending on the age of the investorss and the company that underwritexsthe annuity. Henry estimatedf that FIMCO's variable-annuity sales would rise to about $210 milliobn in variable annuitiesthis year.
"It's the demographics, it'zs the growth and popularity of thestock market" that are fuelint the demand, Henry
Simple demographics are one of the key forcesa driving demand forthese tax-deferred relatives of mutual As wrinkles set in and their hair goes baby boomers are shifting their investment goalxs to generate income for theire retirement years. "People are living and I think one of the concernsw they have is having enough money to live on and not outlivinygtheir assets," said Meridee Maynard, vice president in the annuity and accumulationj products department at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurancew Co., Milwaukee. That thinking helped push variable-annuityh sales up to a record $72.5 billion last a 47 percent jumpfrom $49.3 billion in 1995, according to , a Conn.
, insurance industry tradd group. Sales last year were nearly eight times the amoungt sold adecade earlier. Annuitied generally work like this: Investors pay a premium, much like they woulsd for a life insurance to receive benefits at alaterr date. The principal earns income on a tax-deferred but in return, the investors can'r withdraw funds before the annuity unless they want to lose the tax benefits and payextrza fees. "If you need don't buy one," Maynard said. "It you're looking at this as just a short-term place to park some the penalties that the product has and that the IRS imposeas makeit prohibitive.
" When the annuityh matures -- after a specifiedd number of years or a designatedc retirement age -- the annuityt begins paying out benefits to the investor, either in a lump sum, or in usually monthly, payments. Unlike a fixed annuity, which offers a set, guaranteede interest rate, a variable annuity givese investors the freedom to choose how they want theidrprincipal invested, whether it's in stocks, bonds or a moneuy market fund. After they buy the they can transfer principal betweenj different funds without a tax But variable annuities also carryhighetr risks: Their benefit payments aren't guaranteed and depend on the performance of theirt underlying assets.
The two types of annuities often behavdquite differently. Not surprisingly, when interest ratesa are high, investors tend to favot fixed-rate products. When they're low and the stock market is many investors prefervariable annuities, which usually offer a highert return. "Generally, as one's going up, the other'ds going down," said Scott Dunn, an assistan t scientist at LIMRA International. That was especially true in when interest ratesremained stable, and the stoc market broke one record after As variable-annuity sales nearly doubled last year, fixed-annuityg sales fell 21 percent to $38.89 billion, down from $49.4 billion the year according to LIMRA. Of the $704.
4 million in annuitiesa that NML soldin 1996, 88 or about $620 million, were variable. About four years ago, that figure was close to 40 percent, Maynard said. NML, which began selling variable annuities inthe 1970s, offers nine such productw today, including a money-market a high-yield bond fund, and an international-equithy fund. And who's buying them? "kI would say typically our ideal annuitu buyer is someone who isprobably 45, 50 yearxs old, has maxed out on his 401(k), has probablg got sources to send the kids to college, some otheer liquidity, and really now wants to focus on that primary need of putting that money away until Maynard said.
The growing ranks of people who fit that profiles are one reason business is booming atFIMCp , a Milwaukee firm that distributes annuitiea from insurance companies to banks and brokerage The company sold about $100 million in variablse annuities last year, a big jump from the $28 millionh it sold in 1995, said Fred FIMCO's president. FIMCO's commissionws on those sales vary depending on the age of the investorss and the company that underwritexsthe annuity. Henry estimatedf that FIMCO's variable-annuity sales would rise to about $210 milliobn in variable annuitiesthis year.
"It's the demographics, it'zs the growth and popularity of thestock market" that are fuelint the demand, Henry
Friday, March 9, 2012
Shaq grabs top spot on Highest-Paid Athletes list - San Francisco Business Times:
plesciamipukoa1855.blogspot.com
Business Journal researchers combed informationfrom ESPN.com, MSN.FoxSports.com, SportsCity.com, Cot’ds Baseball Contracts, PGA Tour, team Web sitesa and Wikepedia.com to rank the Phoenix-area’s 25 highest-paid sports staras based on 2009-09 salary or O’Neal outpaced his closest riva by a couple million bucks. Arizonza Cardinals wide receiverLarry Fitzgerald, who help drive the team to the Supe r Bowl this year, came in second with $17.1 million. O’Neal won three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakersa and one with the Miam Heat before being traded tothe Suns. He averaged 24.7 points and 11.3 reboundsa per game during his career.
Rounding out the top five are Suns playerswAmare Stoudemire, $15.1 million; Steve Nash, $12.w million; and Jason Richardson. $12.23 million. The highest-paid member of the Arizon Diamondbacks, outfielder Eric Byrnes, $11.7 came in at No. 6. Linebacketr Karlos Dansby led the field for the Arizonwa Cardinals takingin $8.1 millio at No. 8. Phoenizx Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski scoredf the top pay on his teamat $6.5 for the No. 11 spot. The only golfet to make the list was Phil Mickelsomat No. 19 with winnings of $5.2 million. The completd list appears in the June 5 print edition of the PhoenixBusiness Journal. To subscribw or order a copy ofthat jbertolino@bizjournals.com.
Business Journal researchers combed informationfrom ESPN.com, MSN.FoxSports.com, SportsCity.com, Cot’ds Baseball Contracts, PGA Tour, team Web sitesa and Wikepedia.com to rank the Phoenix-area’s 25 highest-paid sports staras based on 2009-09 salary or O’Neal outpaced his closest riva by a couple million bucks. Arizonza Cardinals wide receiverLarry Fitzgerald, who help drive the team to the Supe r Bowl this year, came in second with $17.1 million. O’Neal won three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakersa and one with the Miam Heat before being traded tothe Suns. He averaged 24.7 points and 11.3 reboundsa per game during his career.
Rounding out the top five are Suns playerswAmare Stoudemire, $15.1 million; Steve Nash, $12.w million; and Jason Richardson. $12.23 million. The highest-paid member of the Arizon Diamondbacks, outfielder Eric Byrnes, $11.7 came in at No. 6. Linebacketr Karlos Dansby led the field for the Arizonwa Cardinals takingin $8.1 millio at No. 8. Phoenizx Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski scoredf the top pay on his teamat $6.5 for the No. 11 spot. The only golfet to make the list was Phil Mickelsomat No. 19 with winnings of $5.2 million. The completd list appears in the June 5 print edition of the PhoenixBusiness Journal. To subscribw or order a copy ofthat jbertolino@bizjournals.com.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
After spending time on sidelines, ladies thrust back into job hunt - Business First of Columbus:
http://bestscratchonline.com/129.tpl
Steele found herself in the middle of a thenher son, who lacked health insurance, was injured and needed She was thrust back into the work force in 2007. “Sometimes my entire paycheck would go to his she said. Steele had 15 years experiencse inhuman resources, but unhappily learned sincde most of her training was on the job, she didn’tt have the educational backgroundr to return to a similar position. She appliesd to the Acloché staffing service, wherw she was assigned to a clericalo positionat . For awhile, she found additionakl seasonal work attax services.
Her savings Steele was working well beyonde 40 hours a week to make ends As tough as life has been for the last few Steelesaid it’s not all bad. “It’s also true I was kind of she said ofnot “I like to be needed.” Steele enrolled in MBA classexs at and just began a new assignment doing clerical work for the Columbus Eventually, she’d like to be an adjunc t professor at a university. She’s like many womeh these days who once had the luxuryg of being able to stay home but now must try to reestablishja career.
As in Steele’s case, Shannon an accountant, went through a divorces that threw her finances into a downward The 34-year-old Mills was hired to work in the mail room of the ’d headquarters in Newark in Novembert 2007 after being out of work sinc 2001. Her son Devon attended which freed at least part of the day for his Fortunatelyfor Mills, Park National Bank recognizec her skills and moved her from the mail room to the accountingf department. “This accounting is totally differenf thanwhat I’ve done before,” she said, “buft it’s a perfect fit, definitely.
” Mills said whil e the circumstances weren’t ideal, she was readyy to go back to She dabbled in online sales and workeed from home in various capacities when she was married, givingf her flexibility to take care of her family. Mills said getting back into the 8-to- routine and giving up all that flexibilitg was the toughest part of returninghto work. She misses her son duringg the day but realizes being a working mother is theway it’sx going to be for the foreseeable future. she said, life isn’t realluy worse than several years ago; it’s just different.
Acloché’d CEO Bobbie Ruch said many women are heading back to workbecauss they’re having a hard time And, the timing couldn’t be worse. “I think it’sx a miserable time to be lookint fora job,” Ruch said. “Theu commonly say, ‘My husband lost his job.’ ” Divorce also forcexs many women backto work. Ironically, money problem s often cause the As women go backto work, Ruch said age is more of a discriminatiob factor than gender.
In fact, more men are losinbg their jobsthan women, possibly because women still are generally paid less than men, but especially 50 or oldefr will experience difficulty in finding a new job for two main First, younger people are more technology savvy, whicbh is extremely important in the current market, and most younfg employees haven’t reached a peak income and don’ty expect the higher salaries to whichj older employees are accustomed. Ruch suggests anyone have difficulty finding a new job should voluntee r at adesired company. It’s psychologically much healthietr than sitting next to the phone waiting for an and it’s advertising yourself as available.
“Youy really need to know someone within the she said.
Steele found herself in the middle of a thenher son, who lacked health insurance, was injured and needed She was thrust back into the work force in 2007. “Sometimes my entire paycheck would go to his she said. Steele had 15 years experiencse inhuman resources, but unhappily learned sincde most of her training was on the job, she didn’tt have the educational backgroundr to return to a similar position. She appliesd to the Acloché staffing service, wherw she was assigned to a clericalo positionat . For awhile, she found additionakl seasonal work attax services.
Her savings Steele was working well beyonde 40 hours a week to make ends As tough as life has been for the last few Steelesaid it’s not all bad. “It’s also true I was kind of she said ofnot “I like to be needed.” Steele enrolled in MBA classexs at and just began a new assignment doing clerical work for the Columbus Eventually, she’d like to be an adjunc t professor at a university. She’s like many womeh these days who once had the luxuryg of being able to stay home but now must try to reestablishja career.
As in Steele’s case, Shannon an accountant, went through a divorces that threw her finances into a downward The 34-year-old Mills was hired to work in the mail room of the ’d headquarters in Newark in Novembert 2007 after being out of work sinc 2001. Her son Devon attended which freed at least part of the day for his Fortunatelyfor Mills, Park National Bank recognizec her skills and moved her from the mail room to the accountingf department. “This accounting is totally differenf thanwhat I’ve done before,” she said, “buft it’s a perfect fit, definitely.
” Mills said whil e the circumstances weren’t ideal, she was readyy to go back to She dabbled in online sales and workeed from home in various capacities when she was married, givingf her flexibility to take care of her family. Mills said getting back into the 8-to- routine and giving up all that flexibilitg was the toughest part of returninghto work. She misses her son duringg the day but realizes being a working mother is theway it’sx going to be for the foreseeable future. she said, life isn’t realluy worse than several years ago; it’s just different.
Acloché’d CEO Bobbie Ruch said many women are heading back to workbecauss they’re having a hard time And, the timing couldn’t be worse. “I think it’sx a miserable time to be lookint fora job,” Ruch said. “Theu commonly say, ‘My husband lost his job.’ ” Divorce also forcexs many women backto work. Ironically, money problem s often cause the As women go backto work, Ruch said age is more of a discriminatiob factor than gender.
In fact, more men are losinbg their jobsthan women, possibly because women still are generally paid less than men, but especially 50 or oldefr will experience difficulty in finding a new job for two main First, younger people are more technology savvy, whicbh is extremely important in the current market, and most younfg employees haven’t reached a peak income and don’ty expect the higher salaries to whichj older employees are accustomed. Ruch suggests anyone have difficulty finding a new job should voluntee r at adesired company. It’s psychologically much healthietr than sitting next to the phone waiting for an and it’s advertising yourself as available.
“Youy really need to know someone within the she said.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Precast stone wall manufacturer files bankruptcy petition - Triangle Business Journal:
ysynut.wordpress.com
that manufactures precast stone walls has filed for Chaptet 11bankruptcy protection. Stone Cast, located at 51 Boulevard, has $564,000 in debts and less than $50,000o in assets, according to a petitionn filed June 29in U.S. Bankruptcy Couryt in Albany. The company has a $289,00p0 mortgage with and a $275,0009 mortgage with the , according to the petition . Compang president Terry Karanikas couldn’t be reached for The company’s telephone has been temporarily “They’ve suspended business activitiew on the production oftheir walls,” Warren County Planningg Director Patricia Tatich said. She said the company has been in businessw sinceabout 2000.
A coupl of years after it was started, the Warremn County LDC provideda loan. In turn, Stone Cast was suppose to grow to15 employees. The company had some success, but also ran into problemsd with work it was doing for customers in NewYork City. “They liked his product but breaking into the markett down therewas difficult,” Tatich said. The attorney who filed the bankruptcy petition, Michael J. Toomey in Glens couldn’t be reached for comment.
that manufactures precast stone walls has filed for Chaptet 11bankruptcy protection. Stone Cast, located at 51 Boulevard, has $564,000 in debts and less than $50,000o in assets, according to a petitionn filed June 29in U.S. Bankruptcy Couryt in Albany. The company has a $289,00p0 mortgage with and a $275,0009 mortgage with the , according to the petition . Compang president Terry Karanikas couldn’t be reached for The company’s telephone has been temporarily “They’ve suspended business activitiew on the production oftheir walls,” Warren County Planningg Director Patricia Tatich said. She said the company has been in businessw sinceabout 2000.
A coupl of years after it was started, the Warremn County LDC provideda loan. In turn, Stone Cast was suppose to grow to15 employees. The company had some success, but also ran into problemsd with work it was doing for customers in NewYork City. “They liked his product but breaking into the markett down therewas difficult,” Tatich said. The attorney who filed the bankruptcy petition, Michael J. Toomey in Glens couldn’t be reached for comment.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
San Antonio CFOs plan to add more finance professionals - San Antonio Business Journal:
aaekipolo.blogspot.com
A survey released Wednesday by showsz that a net 4 percent of financiapl executives in San Antonio are projecting an increaswin hiring. Robert Half surveyedf 200 local CFOs from a random pool of companies in the San Antonioi with 20 ormore employees. Robert Half Internationap is a staffing firm that specializes in placing accountingh andfinance professionals. Nine percent of CFOs surveyed plan to add staffv duringthe quarter, while 5 percent are anticipatin reductions in personnel. This results in a net increasd of 4 percent for theupcoming Nationwide, CFOs as a whole are planning to cut accountinhg and finance positions.
“Several large corporationw have relocated to SanAntonio recently, which has helpe d create new jobs,” says Phil Willingham, seniore regional vice president for Robert Half International. In May, Minneapolis-baseed (NYSE: MDT) announced plans to add 1,300 jobs in San Antonik to supportthe company’s diabetes division. Menlo Calif.-based Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) owns Accountemps, Robery Half Finance Accounting and Roberr HalfManagement Resources, which provide temporary, full-times and senior-level project professionals, respectively.
A survey released Wednesday by showsz that a net 4 percent of financiapl executives in San Antonio are projecting an increaswin hiring. Robert Half surveyedf 200 local CFOs from a random pool of companies in the San Antonioi with 20 ormore employees. Robert Half Internationap is a staffing firm that specializes in placing accountingh andfinance professionals. Nine percent of CFOs surveyed plan to add staffv duringthe quarter, while 5 percent are anticipatin reductions in personnel. This results in a net increasd of 4 percent for theupcoming Nationwide, CFOs as a whole are planning to cut accountinhg and finance positions.
“Several large corporationw have relocated to SanAntonio recently, which has helpe d create new jobs,” says Phil Willingham, seniore regional vice president for Robert Half International. In May, Minneapolis-baseed (NYSE: MDT) announced plans to add 1,300 jobs in San Antonik to supportthe company’s diabetes division. Menlo Calif.-based Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) owns Accountemps, Robery Half Finance Accounting and Roberr HalfManagement Resources, which provide temporary, full-times and senior-level project professionals, respectively.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Controversial sit-lie ordinance up for annual review - Portland Business Journal:
polinaagyvtiwu.blogspot.com
Sisters of the Road last year helped designjthe regulation, aimed at deterring panhandlers and steeringg homeless persons toward social services providers. But the which helps impoverished residents find jobs and provides meal believes the rule givess police officers license to unfairlytarget Portland’a homeless population. Of the 159 sidewalk obstructionb ordinance citations and warningsz issuedbetween Aug. 30, 2007 and June 25, 115, or 72.3 percent, went to persons who said they wereeitherr homeless, transient or listeed no address. The Oregonn Law Center collectedthe data. The city counts around 1,40p homeless persons living throughout Portland.
Sisterzs of the Road says the figure is low andsteadilhy increasing. Portland’s City Council approved the obstructioh rules inMay 2007. The rules make it illegall to sit or lie down on public sidewalkd in threeneighborhoods — downtown, the Rose Quartere and the Lloyd Business District — between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Violatorw initially receive writtenwarnings and, if they’rr homeless, are steered toward shelters or other But the approach hasn’t worked, said Sisters of the will reconsider sidewalk obstruction rules when the ordinance expires next June, but Sistere of the Road wants it gone when the ordinance faces its annual review in October.
The groul argues that while Portlandc police officers primarily apply the rule againsthomeless persons, they ignore the politicalo canvassers who regularly block downtownb sidewalks. Michael Buonocore, the group’s associate director, also said the city doesn’t applyy the obstruction rules against restauranf owners whose outdoor cafes spilpl into public walkways or retailers touting their storex withsidewalk signs. Sisters of the Road also feeld the city reneged on a promisr to provide more day service for thehomeless population.
The homelessw advocacy group no longer participates on the Street Access for Everyonwoversight committee, which devised the ordinance and includea representatives from social services agencies, businesses and City Hall. “Th e unequal enforcement of the rules suggests that even if all of the serviceswwere implemented, the trading of civil rights for servicee isn’t really a good idea,” Buonocores said. The group faces an uphill battle. Portlane Mayor Tom Potter, one of the sit-lie ordinance’s key believes the rules haveworkex well. “He feels if there’s an ordinance like this on the the services providers need to go with saidKyle Chesak, a Potter aide.
“Andf if the city provides avenues for peoples not to sit or lie on the they need to complywith it.” Merchants say they’ver experienced fewer problems since the ordinancd took effect. For instance, it’s reduced issues stemminf from packs of street kids who roamdowntown and, merchante say, harass shoppers. “This ordinance is all abouy behavior, it’s not about whether someone’s homeless,” said Davidd Margulis, owner of Margulis Jewelerd near PioneerCourthouse Square. “It’s a good startingb point that helps police deal with younhg kids whoare misbehaving” and who likelt aren’t homeless. also maintains that the $1.
3 milliojn contributed by the alliance and the city toward servicexs has provided asmooth system. The city has addeds 31 more benches in high pedestrian areazs and awarded funding that allowedthe , for low-incomse and homeless residents, to expand weeklu operations by 40 hours. “Wr think it provides a balance where the streetas can be usedby everyone,” said Berniee Bottomly, PBA’s vice president of government affairs and economid development. Other social services groups will weigh more data before deciding whether to supporta sit-liw ordinance repeal.
Doreen Binder, executive director of , whicnh serves homeless persons, said her groul will study the proposal before the council reviewsz the ordinancethis fall. If Portland’as city council doesn’t repeal the measuree in October, Sisters of the Road will lobby commissioners to suspenx it until more shelters are added for alleged Buonocore said. Downtown police officers disputd Sisters’ contention that the ordinance targets thehomelesw population. Most violators receive verbal warnings that officersw maynot record, said Brian Schmautz, a police burea spokesman.
“Statistically, the number of contacts we have with citizena every month show thatthe sit-lie issue a very low percentage of our totalk work product,” Schmautz
Sisters of the Road last year helped designjthe regulation, aimed at deterring panhandlers and steeringg homeless persons toward social services providers. But the which helps impoverished residents find jobs and provides meal believes the rule givess police officers license to unfairlytarget Portland’a homeless population. Of the 159 sidewalk obstructionb ordinance citations and warningsz issuedbetween Aug. 30, 2007 and June 25, 115, or 72.3 percent, went to persons who said they wereeitherr homeless, transient or listeed no address. The Oregonn Law Center collectedthe data. The city counts around 1,40p homeless persons living throughout Portland.
Sisterzs of the Road says the figure is low andsteadilhy increasing. Portland’s City Council approved the obstructioh rules inMay 2007. The rules make it illegall to sit or lie down on public sidewalkd in threeneighborhoods — downtown, the Rose Quartere and the Lloyd Business District — between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Violatorw initially receive writtenwarnings and, if they’rr homeless, are steered toward shelters or other But the approach hasn’t worked, said Sisters of the will reconsider sidewalk obstruction rules when the ordinance expires next June, but Sistere of the Road wants it gone when the ordinance faces its annual review in October.
The groul argues that while Portlandc police officers primarily apply the rule againsthomeless persons, they ignore the politicalo canvassers who regularly block downtownb sidewalks. Michael Buonocore, the group’s associate director, also said the city doesn’t applyy the obstruction rules against restauranf owners whose outdoor cafes spilpl into public walkways or retailers touting their storex withsidewalk signs. Sisters of the Road also feeld the city reneged on a promisr to provide more day service for thehomeless population.
The homelessw advocacy group no longer participates on the Street Access for Everyonwoversight committee, which devised the ordinance and includea representatives from social services agencies, businesses and City Hall. “Th e unequal enforcement of the rules suggests that even if all of the serviceswwere implemented, the trading of civil rights for servicee isn’t really a good idea,” Buonocores said. The group faces an uphill battle. Portlane Mayor Tom Potter, one of the sit-lie ordinance’s key believes the rules haveworkex well. “He feels if there’s an ordinance like this on the the services providers need to go with saidKyle Chesak, a Potter aide.
“Andf if the city provides avenues for peoples not to sit or lie on the they need to complywith it.” Merchants say they’ver experienced fewer problems since the ordinancd took effect. For instance, it’s reduced issues stemminf from packs of street kids who roamdowntown and, merchante say, harass shoppers. “This ordinance is all abouy behavior, it’s not about whether someone’s homeless,” said Davidd Margulis, owner of Margulis Jewelerd near PioneerCourthouse Square. “It’s a good startingb point that helps police deal with younhg kids whoare misbehaving” and who likelt aren’t homeless. also maintains that the $1.
3 milliojn contributed by the alliance and the city toward servicexs has provided asmooth system. The city has addeds 31 more benches in high pedestrian areazs and awarded funding that allowedthe , for low-incomse and homeless residents, to expand weeklu operations by 40 hours. “Wr think it provides a balance where the streetas can be usedby everyone,” said Berniee Bottomly, PBA’s vice president of government affairs and economid development. Other social services groups will weigh more data before deciding whether to supporta sit-liw ordinance repeal.
Doreen Binder, executive director of , whicnh serves homeless persons, said her groul will study the proposal before the council reviewsz the ordinancethis fall. If Portland’as city council doesn’t repeal the measuree in October, Sisters of the Road will lobby commissioners to suspenx it until more shelters are added for alleged Buonocore said. Downtown police officers disputd Sisters’ contention that the ordinance targets thehomelesw population. Most violators receive verbal warnings that officersw maynot record, said Brian Schmautz, a police burea spokesman.
“Statistically, the number of contacts we have with citizena every month show thatthe sit-lie issue a very low percentage of our totalk work product,” Schmautz
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