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Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Constar International is one of the largesrt suppliers ofPET (polyethylene plastic containers for conventional applications throughout Northh America and Europe. Conventional PET containers are primarilyt designed and manufactured for soft drinkzand water. Constar also has an expanding position in the growingy customPET market, designed for food, juices, sport drinks, new age beverages, beer and flavored alcoholic beverages. Our customerse include major brand marketers in the beveragse andfood industries.
Constar is a packaginy solutions leader, designing and manufacturing innovativre methods for customers to address their production andmarketiny challenges. A pioneer of the PET bottle Constar began manufacturing plastic bottles in 1963 asSewelkl Plastics. We were a major participant in the rapid growth of two litert PET soft drinks bottles in theearly 1980s. Constar was also a major participant in the introduction of singlr serve soft drink bottles for convenience salesx inthe 1990s, as well as the developmengt of the bottled water market.
Constarf continues to be an innovatoe in applying PET technology to newpackaging
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Public sector procurement oil tanker is on the move - The Guardian
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The Guardian | Public sector procurement oil tanker is on the move The Guardian Third, the review of NHS procurement, led by Sir Ian Carruthers and to be published at the end of this year, seems likely to lead to change that other parts of the wider public sector will find difficult to ignore. Some of the issues driving the review ... Unhe althy practices in NHS procurement |
Monday, November 26, 2012
Asset sale at WaMu? - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
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owns its portion of the 42-story high-rise tower it builg in partnership withthe , or approximately 944,00o square feet of space, according to its annual report. Greg Johnson, president of real estate development and management firmWrightg Runstad, thinks there would be stron interest among foreign and domestic institutionalp investors in the building should it be put on the “They would view it as a terrific opportunity at the righty price,” Johnson said. “To own a really high-quality asset in a high-quality market like Seattle, with fabulous views, attractive architecture — that would compete very favorably with othetr downtownoffice buildings.
” An acquisition of WaMu appeared increasinglgy likely as this edition went to press. The company was reportedly assessingits options, includinb raising more money or finding a buyer. Completed in 2006, the headquarters building WaMuCenter — is locaterd in the 1300 block of Second Avenue. Washington Mutual officials were not immediatelyt availablefor comment. The split ownershi of the property is not likely to bother apotentiakl buyer. Mixed-use ownership has becomee relatively common inrecent years, said Johnson. More troublesomwe is setting a price on the The most recent office building sales in Seattlew occurred before theeconomy soured.
Boston-base d Beacon Capital paid what brokers estimatwewas $450 per square foot for the Equityy Office Properties portfolio of properties in downtown Seattle and Bellevue. That would put the value of WaMu Centee at as highas $425 million, brokere estimate. At the time it was the estimated construction cost forthe 42-story tower was $350 However, given the current economic climate, “it’zs unlikely someone would pay the same today. They woulds pay something less,” said “There’s not been any other big building sold in this currenr market so it woul d be difficult to project its Johnson said.
The EOP portfolipo sale was based onsome “very optimistic rent growth Johnson said. But the market has softened since with 3 million square feet of office space currentlyh under construction with expected delivery datewin 2009. While there couldf be other pre-leasing activity, tenants have been announced for just 5 percentt ofthat space, according to a recent reporty from Grubb & Ellis commercial real estate firm. WaMu or a successotr could borrow money with the headquarters building as collateral or do a sellingthe Seattle-based thrift’s headquarters and leasing back space needed for operations.
Given the downgradinh of its bonds tojunk status, WaMu’s creditworthiness coulrd be a problem, according to Johnson. “Im a sale-leaseback of a building, a big determinantf of the value of the buildintg is the credit of the Johnson said. “It was a viable strategy when they were healthgy asa bank, but as their bond rating has the viability of a sale-leaseback went way down.” Shouled another healthier bank buy WaMu, then a sale-leaseback woulxd become a better option for that buyer because WaMu woulc benefit from the buyer’s crediy rating, Johnson said.
Meanwhile brokers are watching what happensd with a substantial amount of space leased by Washington Mutual in six downtownmoffice buildings. For some months, WaMu has slid a significany amount — 185,000 square feet of office space it leasee back on the market for The bulk of the space has been on the markert for a while and is not related tothe thrift’s most recent financial woes, said Dan Flinn, a principal in the tenanyt representative firm Corporate Real Estate.
Should WaMu be Flinn expects all of the office space WaMu leaseds outside itsheadquarters — 543,000 square feet will be put up for
owns its portion of the 42-story high-rise tower it builg in partnership withthe , or approximately 944,00o square feet of space, according to its annual report. Greg Johnson, president of real estate development and management firmWrightg Runstad, thinks there would be stron interest among foreign and domestic institutionalp investors in the building should it be put on the “They would view it as a terrific opportunity at the righty price,” Johnson said. “To own a really high-quality asset in a high-quality market like Seattle, with fabulous views, attractive architecture — that would compete very favorably with othetr downtownoffice buildings.
” An acquisition of WaMu appeared increasinglgy likely as this edition went to press. The company was reportedly assessingits options, includinb raising more money or finding a buyer. Completed in 2006, the headquarters building WaMuCenter — is locaterd in the 1300 block of Second Avenue. Washington Mutual officials were not immediatelyt availablefor comment. The split ownershi of the property is not likely to bother apotentiakl buyer. Mixed-use ownership has becomee relatively common inrecent years, said Johnson. More troublesomwe is setting a price on the The most recent office building sales in Seattlew occurred before theeconomy soured.
Boston-base d Beacon Capital paid what brokers estimatwewas $450 per square foot for the Equityy Office Properties portfolio of properties in downtown Seattle and Bellevue. That would put the value of WaMu Centee at as highas $425 million, brokere estimate. At the time it was the estimated construction cost forthe 42-story tower was $350 However, given the current economic climate, “it’zs unlikely someone would pay the same today. They woulds pay something less,” said “There’s not been any other big building sold in this currenr market so it woul d be difficult to project its Johnson said.
The EOP portfolipo sale was based onsome “very optimistic rent growth Johnson said. But the market has softened since with 3 million square feet of office space currentlyh under construction with expected delivery datewin 2009. While there couldf be other pre-leasing activity, tenants have been announced for just 5 percentt ofthat space, according to a recent reporty from Grubb & Ellis commercial real estate firm. WaMu or a successotr could borrow money with the headquarters building as collateral or do a sellingthe Seattle-based thrift’s headquarters and leasing back space needed for operations.
Given the downgradinh of its bonds tojunk status, WaMu’s creditworthiness coulrd be a problem, according to Johnson. “Im a sale-leaseback of a building, a big determinantf of the value of the buildintg is the credit of the Johnson said. “It was a viable strategy when they were healthgy asa bank, but as their bond rating has the viability of a sale-leaseback went way down.” Shouled another healthier bank buy WaMu, then a sale-leaseback woulxd become a better option for that buyer because WaMu woulc benefit from the buyer’s crediy rating, Johnson said.
Meanwhile brokers are watching what happensd with a substantial amount of space leased by Washington Mutual in six downtownmoffice buildings. For some months, WaMu has slid a significany amount — 185,000 square feet of office space it leasee back on the market for The bulk of the space has been on the markert for a while and is not related tothe thrift’s most recent financial woes, said Dan Flinn, a principal in the tenanyt representative firm Corporate Real Estate.
Should WaMu be Flinn expects all of the office space WaMu leaseds outside itsheadquarters — 543,000 square feet will be put up for
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Analyst: YRC bankruptcy is
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The Overland Park trucking company’s ongoing negotiationz with the union are at riskof failing, analyst Art Hatfieldc said in a note. “Giveh the developments with the negotiations betweenn the two parties and the increasinh uncertainty pertaining to the outcome ofthose negotiations, we believe a bankruptcy at YRC Worldwidwe is still likely in the near to mid-term,” he While the parties have kept quiet abourt the talks, YRC reportedly wante to end its union pension payment for 14 months, which woul d provide savings of $500 million, and not make up for While that proposal would offerd YRC significant and badly needed liquidity during the it “would face a tough and challengingt road to becoming a reality,” Hatfield “From what we know, YRC would not be concedinvg anything material to the pensiobn plans and/or its Teamsters employees under the propos al,” he “Additionally, if the proposal goes on to a vote to the Teamster-representee employees at YRC, we believ the likelihood of a favorable vote would be low at given that the employees would be the ones to feel the brunyt of these terminated payments over the long term ...
and that securityu provisions and protections for Teamsters employee s are not part of the concessions made by thecompany (to our knowledge).” In addition, Hatfields wrote, the Teamsters probably want paymentr deferrals instead, which woul d be difficult for YRC because its lenderxs probably would be reluctant to let the companyh tie up assets or real estates as collateral. And YRC probably has little left to offedras collateral, he Hatfield changed his ratingf on YRC shares from “Market Perform” to “Noy Rated.” YRC began the recent concessions talks with the Teamsterss on June 29.
The price of YRC stock YRCW) plunged Wednesday, droppinv as low as 89 cents to hita 52-weeki low. The previous 52-week low was $1.20 on Nov. 20, according to . YRC closedr on Wednesday at 89 down35 cents, or 28 on volume of 20.2 million shares. The stock’s average daily volume the past three monthsis 3.6 milliobn shares. Overland Park-based YRC, which has roughly 49,000 employeea — more than half of them union memberes — has been weighed down by debt and a lengthyfreighty recession, and lost $257.4 million in the firs quarter. It has integrated subsidiaries, shut down laid off workers and sold property to try to cut cost andmaintain liquidity.
Early this year, Teamsters members agreed to a 10 percent wage cut and suspensionof cost-of-livingh adjustments through 2013 in exchange for a 15 percent stake in the company. YRC also has been negotiating to defer union pension fund paymentas using company real estate as collateral and on June 18 secureds an agreement with the largesty pension fund todefer $83 millionh in payments. The union has said it also is reachinv out tostakeholders — such as pension fundds and YRC’s lenders — to address the cash issue. YRC rankse No. 2 on the Kansas City Business Journak ’s list of area public companies.
The Overland Park trucking company’s ongoing negotiationz with the union are at riskof failing, analyst Art Hatfieldc said in a note. “Giveh the developments with the negotiations betweenn the two parties and the increasinh uncertainty pertaining to the outcome ofthose negotiations, we believe a bankruptcy at YRC Worldwidwe is still likely in the near to mid-term,” he While the parties have kept quiet abourt the talks, YRC reportedly wante to end its union pension payment for 14 months, which woul d provide savings of $500 million, and not make up for While that proposal would offerd YRC significant and badly needed liquidity during the it “would face a tough and challengingt road to becoming a reality,” Hatfield “From what we know, YRC would not be concedinvg anything material to the pensiobn plans and/or its Teamsters employees under the propos al,” he “Additionally, if the proposal goes on to a vote to the Teamster-representee employees at YRC, we believ the likelihood of a favorable vote would be low at given that the employees would be the ones to feel the brunyt of these terminated payments over the long term ...
and that securityu provisions and protections for Teamsters employee s are not part of the concessions made by thecompany (to our knowledge).” In addition, Hatfields wrote, the Teamsters probably want paymentr deferrals instead, which woul d be difficult for YRC because its lenderxs probably would be reluctant to let the companyh tie up assets or real estates as collateral. And YRC probably has little left to offedras collateral, he Hatfield changed his ratingf on YRC shares from “Market Perform” to “Noy Rated.” YRC began the recent concessions talks with the Teamsterss on June 29.
The price of YRC stock YRCW) plunged Wednesday, droppinv as low as 89 cents to hita 52-weeki low. The previous 52-week low was $1.20 on Nov. 20, according to . YRC closedr on Wednesday at 89 down35 cents, or 28 on volume of 20.2 million shares. The stock’s average daily volume the past three monthsis 3.6 milliobn shares. Overland Park-based YRC, which has roughly 49,000 employeea — more than half of them union memberes — has been weighed down by debt and a lengthyfreighty recession, and lost $257.4 million in the firs quarter. It has integrated subsidiaries, shut down laid off workers and sold property to try to cut cost andmaintain liquidity.
Early this year, Teamsters members agreed to a 10 percent wage cut and suspensionof cost-of-livingh adjustments through 2013 in exchange for a 15 percent stake in the company. YRC also has been negotiating to defer union pension fund paymentas using company real estate as collateral and on June 18 secureds an agreement with the largesty pension fund todefer $83 millionh in payments. The union has said it also is reachinv out tostakeholders — such as pension fundds and YRC’s lenders — to address the cash issue. YRC rankse No. 2 on the Kansas City Business Journak ’s list of area public companies.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Plaxico Burress To Visit Steelers - ESPN
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SB Nation | Plaxico Burress To Visit Steelers ESPN Free-agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress is expected to visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers and take a physical with his former team, a league source told ESPN Monday. Burress traveled to Pittsburgh on Monday and will visit with the team Tuesday ... Plaxico Burress making a free agent visit to the Steelers Reports: Ex-Green Run star Burress to visit Steelers Report: Plaxico Burress To Visit The Steelers |
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Religion column: Religious oppression on the increase - Greenfield Vedette
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Religion column: Religious oppression on the increase Greenfield Vedette Religion column: Religious oppression on the increase; A tide of oppression has been rising. The mission group Gospel for Asia estimates that persecution against Christians has increased by 400 percent over the past decade in the "10/40 window." ... |
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Marc Andreessen starts $300M VC fund - Triangle Business Journal:
mcfarlainofuqub1258.blogspot.com
billion. While the actual news that Andreessen-Horowitz was being formed was broken in February on the Charlis RoseTV show, details and the officiao launch came on Monday. On his blog, Andreessenh wrote: "Between the two of us, Ben and I have starteds threecompanies directly, created many new productes and services, run operating businesses at high levelzs of scale, angel invested in 45 tech startups in the last five and served on a broad cross-section of company boardas with some of the best entrepreneurs and investors in the Through all this, we have workeed closely together for 15 years, and we coul d not be more excited to extendr our partnership into venture The new firm will invest anywherd from $50,000 to $50 million, Andreesseb wrote, in consumer Internet, business Internet (cloud "software as a service"), mobile softwarr and services, software-powered consumer electronics , infrastructurs and applications software, networking, storage, databases, and othert back-end systems.
Most of the money will be investee in startups inSilicon Valley, following in the VC tradition of wanting to be within a few minutes of the headquarters of the companiexs they invest in. “Wde do not think it is an accident that Googles is inMountain View, Faceboook is in Palo and Twitter is in San Francisco. We also thinkm that venture capital is a high touch activity that lends itself togeographic proximity, and our only office will be in Siliconn Valley,” Andreessen wrote on his blog.
He was also clear about what it won't inves t in: "We are almost certainly not an appropriater investor for any of thefollowinvg domains: 'clean,' 'green,' energy, life sciences (biotech, drug design, medical devices), movie production companies, consumer retail, electric rocket ships, space elevators. We do not have the firstt clue about any ofthese fields." Andreessen said he will continuwe as chairman of a social networking softwars company he co-founded, , as well as remai n on the board at and (NASDAQ:EBAY). Horowitzs is vice president and general managee of business technology optimization for softwaredat . (NYSE:HPQ).
billion. While the actual news that Andreessen-Horowitz was being formed was broken in February on the Charlis RoseTV show, details and the officiao launch came on Monday. On his blog, Andreessenh wrote: "Between the two of us, Ben and I have starteds threecompanies directly, created many new productes and services, run operating businesses at high levelzs of scale, angel invested in 45 tech startups in the last five and served on a broad cross-section of company boardas with some of the best entrepreneurs and investors in the Through all this, we have workeed closely together for 15 years, and we coul d not be more excited to extendr our partnership into venture The new firm will invest anywherd from $50,000 to $50 million, Andreesseb wrote, in consumer Internet, business Internet (cloud "software as a service"), mobile softwarr and services, software-powered consumer electronics , infrastructurs and applications software, networking, storage, databases, and othert back-end systems.
Most of the money will be investee in startups inSilicon Valley, following in the VC tradition of wanting to be within a few minutes of the headquarters of the companiexs they invest in. “Wde do not think it is an accident that Googles is inMountain View, Faceboook is in Palo and Twitter is in San Francisco. We also thinkm that venture capital is a high touch activity that lends itself togeographic proximity, and our only office will be in Siliconn Valley,” Andreessen wrote on his blog.
He was also clear about what it won't inves t in: "We are almost certainly not an appropriater investor for any of thefollowinvg domains: 'clean,' 'green,' energy, life sciences (biotech, drug design, medical devices), movie production companies, consumer retail, electric rocket ships, space elevators. We do not have the firstt clue about any ofthese fields." Andreessen said he will continuwe as chairman of a social networking softwars company he co-founded, , as well as remai n on the board at and (NASDAQ:EBAY). Horowitzs is vice president and general managee of business technology optimization for softwaredat . (NYSE:HPQ).
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Green Township OKs Mercy hospital plan - Philadelphia Business Journal:
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The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this stage and excited to take thenext step,” said Pete spokesman for Mercy. “Ww realize there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwars to continuing to work with the residente and the township leaders to develop a hospita l everyone can beproud of.” The project will now be submittedr to the Hamilton County Regional Commissioh for consideration, probably next month, Gemmer The planned hospital and parking areasz would cover about 40 acresx and sit near to Interstate 74. The to cost $200 million, could open in early 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will close itstwo West-Side Mercy Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospital Mount Airy. The new hospital, with 200 to 250 will be a replacementfor them. Some residentds in the area had expressed concerns aboutt increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whosr main access road would be from North Bend at roughly the midway poinyt between Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmer said a traffic impact studg through the HamiltonCounty Engineer’d Office is nearly complete.
The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this stage and excited to take thenext step,” said Pete spokesman for Mercy. “Ww realize there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwars to continuing to work with the residente and the township leaders to develop a hospita l everyone can beproud of.” The project will now be submittedr to the Hamilton County Regional Commissioh for consideration, probably next month, Gemmer The planned hospital and parking areasz would cover about 40 acresx and sit near to Interstate 74. The to cost $200 million, could open in early 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will close itstwo West-Side Mercy Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospital Mount Airy. The new hospital, with 200 to 250 will be a replacementfor them. Some residentds in the area had expressed concerns aboutt increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whosr main access road would be from North Bend at roughly the midway poinyt between Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmer said a traffic impact studg through the HamiltonCounty Engineer’d Office is nearly complete.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Basement Repair Specialists LLC Announces Commercial Piering Division ... - Sacramento Bee
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Basement Repair Specialists LLC Announces Commercial Piering Division ... Sacramento Bee Basement Repair Specialists LLC, a rapidly growing basement and foundation repair contractor with headquarters in Appleton, WI and operations throughout Wisconsin, announces that it has created a new division, Foundation Piering Systems. By Basement ... |
Monday, November 12, 2012
Cathedral girls, Monterey boys get win in Monday matchup - Natchez Democrat
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Natchez Democrat | Cathedral girls, Monterey boys get win in Monday matchup Natchez Democrat NATCHEZ รข€" After three quarters of slow play, Monterey High School was finally able to make it interesting in the fourth quarter Monday night. Cathedral High School had limited the Lady Wolves to just nine points in three quarters and led Monterey 21-9. |
Sunday, November 11, 2012
CDTA passes $70.5M budget - The Business Review (Albany):
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The $70.5 million budget approved Wednesdatby CDTA’s board of directors boosts faresw to $1.50, from $1, beginning April 1, the start of the fisca year. A hike in increased parking rates atthe Albany-Rensselaer station and service reductionsw were necessary to help close a $5 millioh shortfall, said Ray Melleady, CDTA’s executive director. CDTA’d ridership increased by 12 percent in but the agency has not been able to add routeas or buses to accommodate the additional Melleady said. The 2009-10 budger is $450,000 less than the curreng year’s budget, due mainly to reduced statse funding anda $1 million decrease in mortgage CDTA’s budget gap grew as high $11.
56 million during the planning process, but the rate hikes, new parkingf fees and $15.7 million in federa stimulus funding helped close the gap. The federak money will be used to replace some buses that initially were eliminated from CDTA’s replacement schedule.
The $70.5 million budget approved Wednesdatby CDTA’s board of directors boosts faresw to $1.50, from $1, beginning April 1, the start of the fisca year. A hike in increased parking rates atthe Albany-Rensselaer station and service reductionsw were necessary to help close a $5 millioh shortfall, said Ray Melleady, CDTA’s executive director. CDTA’d ridership increased by 12 percent in but the agency has not been able to add routeas or buses to accommodate the additional Melleady said. The 2009-10 budger is $450,000 less than the curreng year’s budget, due mainly to reduced statse funding anda $1 million decrease in mortgage CDTA’s budget gap grew as high $11.
56 million during the planning process, but the rate hikes, new parkingf fees and $15.7 million in federa stimulus funding helped close the gap. The federak money will be used to replace some buses that initially were eliminated from CDTA’s replacement schedule.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Iridium earnings fall 42%; revenue up - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
caloloary.blogspot.com
The Bethesda-based provider of satellite telephonde services, which expects to become publicly traded this summer throughan acquisition, posted a 42 percentr decline in net income in the first quartet ended March 31, to $9.7 million from $16.76 million a year ago. Th company attributerd the decline to costs related toits next-generatioj satellite program. “Iridium continuerd to grow, although the pace slowed given the currenteconomic climate,” said CEO Matt Desch.
“In additionm to the impact of phasingh outequipment amortization, we believe the economi climate is affecting equipment sales, as is the transition of newlgy introduced products into the distribution channe l as our partners move existingb inventory to make way for new product.” Companhy officials say either Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin or Thales Aleniw Space will be selectecd as the program’s lead contractor this summer. The program’sa new network of satellites callex Iridium NEXT is expecteds to be deployedin 2014. Iridiumm NEXT will provide higher data greater bandwidth and the potential to deliver new data servicex and applicationsto customers.
The company says its or earningsbefore interest, taxes, depreciation and increased 4.9 percent to $27.t million in the first up from $26.3 million a year ago, though most analysts do not use that as a reliable financialo measure. Iridium’s revenue rose 2 percent to $75.8 million for the compared to $74.3 million for the first quarter 2008. The slightly highed revenue came from increased commercial servicexs revenueof $36.8 million but was offset by a decline in subscriber equipment revenue to $20.t5 million for the quarter. Iridium’e commercial markets include maritime, aviation and land mobilee customers, which grew by 11.5 percent for the quarter.
The company’se sales to government customers, including the Department of grew31 percent. Despite a 31 percent increase in subscribersxto 328,000, compared to 250,0090 in the first quarter of 2008, a $2 milliohn amortization of equipment related to prior year equipment added to the decline in subscribe equipment revenue. The company is planning to go publifthis summer, but it is not takingf the initial public offering route. It is acquiring a publiclh tradedinvestment group, (NYX: GHQ), an affiliate of Greenhill Co.
Iridium has retained Deutsche Bank as its financial adviser forthe
The Bethesda-based provider of satellite telephonde services, which expects to become publicly traded this summer throughan acquisition, posted a 42 percentr decline in net income in the first quartet ended March 31, to $9.7 million from $16.76 million a year ago. Th company attributerd the decline to costs related toits next-generatioj satellite program. “Iridium continuerd to grow, although the pace slowed given the currenteconomic climate,” said CEO Matt Desch.
“In additionm to the impact of phasingh outequipment amortization, we believe the economi climate is affecting equipment sales, as is the transition of newlgy introduced products into the distribution channe l as our partners move existingb inventory to make way for new product.” Companhy officials say either Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin or Thales Aleniw Space will be selectecd as the program’s lead contractor this summer. The program’sa new network of satellites callex Iridium NEXT is expecteds to be deployedin 2014. Iridiumm NEXT will provide higher data greater bandwidth and the potential to deliver new data servicex and applicationsto customers.
The company says its or earningsbefore interest, taxes, depreciation and increased 4.9 percent to $27.t million in the first up from $26.3 million a year ago, though most analysts do not use that as a reliable financialo measure. Iridium’s revenue rose 2 percent to $75.8 million for the compared to $74.3 million for the first quarter 2008. The slightly highed revenue came from increased commercial servicexs revenueof $36.8 million but was offset by a decline in subscriber equipment revenue to $20.t5 million for the quarter. Iridium’e commercial markets include maritime, aviation and land mobilee customers, which grew by 11.5 percent for the quarter.
The company’se sales to government customers, including the Department of grew31 percent. Despite a 31 percent increase in subscribersxto 328,000, compared to 250,0090 in the first quarter of 2008, a $2 milliohn amortization of equipment related to prior year equipment added to the decline in subscribe equipment revenue. The company is planning to go publifthis summer, but it is not takingf the initial public offering route. It is acquiring a publiclh tradedinvestment group, (NYX: GHQ), an affiliate of Greenhill Co.
Iridium has retained Deutsche Bank as its financial adviser forthe
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Clear Channel Bets on Electronic Dance Music, Signing Up Pete Tong - New York Times (blog)
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New York Times (blog) | Clear Channel Bets on Electronic Dance Music, Signing Up Pete Tong New York Times (blog) Clear Channel Communications is turning to the electronic dance music craze to help build its online brand, iHeartRadio, with a new channel featuring Pete Tong, the British D.J. and radio personality who has been one of the genre's biggest taste makers ... |
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Unique Bay women recognised - The Bay of Plenty Times
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Unique Bay women recognised The Bay of Plenty Times Sir Ray Avery has honoured Dame Susan Devoy and Susan Harrison-Tustain in his book The Power Of Us - New Zealanders Who Dare To Dream, in his quest to recognise everyday people who have achieved something extraordinary. Sir Ray, who in 2011 ... |
Sunday, November 4, 2012
vanbeekdulejos1771.blogspot.com
Many of the crew members are New thanks to numerous trainingprogram here. But developing homegrown directors, casting directors and screenwriters is the next step in creatingf a sustainablefilm industry, say state That’s why on this particular set therr are three mentees observing the producer, the production managere and a casting director. They are among 16 participants in a pilotr program the state launchecwith , which produces “Crash.” Nanch Holley Hughes has been shadowingh producer J.B. Moranville for several weeks.
Enthusiasm shoots out of her like the blons spikes on her head as she talke about going with him on location and watching him step behind the cameras to choreographa scene. Hughes came to New Mexico from lured by the booming filmindustry here. She is a screenwritert and a winner ofthe state’s New Visionsx Award, which provides funds for independent filmmakers. Watching Moranville over several weeks gave her a new appreciation forthe process. “I never knew how comple production was,” she said.
Moranville has had four menteesa duringthe “Crash” They spent at least 21 days on the set, seeing an entiree episode from prep through Hughes followed Moranville as he met with every checked out locations and oversaw casting and TV series go at a rapid pace; as one episode is shooting, another is prepping. Despite the intensed schedule, Moranville and Lester Berman, production manager for “Crash,” said they were happuy to work with thementoring program. “I got into the business throughan internship, so I have a specialp place in my heart about allowing people to come and observe,” Moranvillw said.
Hughes was a stand-out, he added, and she asked intelligen t questions. “She speaks up and I’mk impressed with that,” he said. “In this business, if you’ree a wallflower, you’re not going to make it. a veteran producer who now lives in New said he wanted to give back tothe state. “Mt interest is in developing the film industry here so we canbe self-sufficient,” he added. Berman oversaww hiring crew members andthe day-to-daty operations of the shoot. He likens the mentees’ experienc e to boot camp. “Whatever problemsx there are onthe set, they’re in the middlse of it,” he said.
“What they have to learhn is how to deal with people and howto problem-solve without taking sides.” D’Artagnan “Dart” Hardiman callsw Berman the greatest juggler he has ever seen. Hardiman shadowedc Berman for weeks. An aspiring maker of short films, he won a top award at the Duke City Shootoutt in 2006 and did crew trainingat . But the mentorshi program gave him a chance to interacyt with professionals at the top oftheird game, he said. “We need to develop an indigenous film presence here and programs like this go a long way towardd makingthat happen,” Hardiman said.
Buildingt the infrastructure of New Mexicpo talent isthe goal, said Lisa Strout, director of the New Mexico Film The state now has a good crew base and gripz or electricians can work their way up througnh various layers in those But with the creative positions, people can’t learn skillzs without someone showing them, she About 202 people applied for the mentorship program. Some were in their 20s and just startingv outwhile others, such as Hughes and were in the 40s and 50s. The experience allowee them to see how decisione are made in anactual production.
“Thegy also see all the workings betweemn the creative andthe financial,” she “You can hear it in a classroom and see it on a smal film, but to see it on a big, intense show is amazing.” Sometimes the mentees becames the mentors. Lee MC Pierce finished film schooll in Orlando and movee here to learn on the set fromSallgy Allen, New Mexico casting director for He, in turn, helped her set up a MySpace site for her , to keep in touch with actors in New Mexicio for future productions. Allen said the experience has brought out herinner teacher. “Lee is very smart,” she “He picked up on everything so quickly.
” The Film Offices will now evaluate the program and see wherew itneeds tweaking. Strout is also hoping to help fostermore post-production here by matching future menteese with editors.
Many of the crew members are New thanks to numerous trainingprogram here. But developing homegrown directors, casting directors and screenwriters is the next step in creatingf a sustainablefilm industry, say state That’s why on this particular set therr are three mentees observing the producer, the production managere and a casting director. They are among 16 participants in a pilotr program the state launchecwith , which produces “Crash.” Nanch Holley Hughes has been shadowingh producer J.B. Moranville for several weeks.
Enthusiasm shoots out of her like the blons spikes on her head as she talke about going with him on location and watching him step behind the cameras to choreographa scene. Hughes came to New Mexico from lured by the booming filmindustry here. She is a screenwritert and a winner ofthe state’s New Visionsx Award, which provides funds for independent filmmakers. Watching Moranville over several weeks gave her a new appreciation forthe process. “I never knew how comple production was,” she said.
Moranville has had four menteesa duringthe “Crash” They spent at least 21 days on the set, seeing an entiree episode from prep through Hughes followed Moranville as he met with every checked out locations and oversaw casting and TV series go at a rapid pace; as one episode is shooting, another is prepping. Despite the intensed schedule, Moranville and Lester Berman, production manager for “Crash,” said they were happuy to work with thementoring program. “I got into the business throughan internship, so I have a specialp place in my heart about allowing people to come and observe,” Moranvillw said.
Hughes was a stand-out, he added, and she asked intelligen t questions. “She speaks up and I’mk impressed with that,” he said. “In this business, if you’ree a wallflower, you’re not going to make it. a veteran producer who now lives in New said he wanted to give back tothe state. “Mt interest is in developing the film industry here so we canbe self-sufficient,” he added. Berman oversaww hiring crew members andthe day-to-daty operations of the shoot. He likens the mentees’ experienc e to boot camp. “Whatever problemsx there are onthe set, they’re in the middlse of it,” he said.
“What they have to learhn is how to deal with people and howto problem-solve without taking sides.” D’Artagnan “Dart” Hardiman callsw Berman the greatest juggler he has ever seen. Hardiman shadowedc Berman for weeks. An aspiring maker of short films, he won a top award at the Duke City Shootoutt in 2006 and did crew trainingat . But the mentorshi program gave him a chance to interacyt with professionals at the top oftheird game, he said. “We need to develop an indigenous film presence here and programs like this go a long way towardd makingthat happen,” Hardiman said.
Buildingt the infrastructure of New Mexicpo talent isthe goal, said Lisa Strout, director of the New Mexico Film The state now has a good crew base and gripz or electricians can work their way up througnh various layers in those But with the creative positions, people can’t learn skillzs without someone showing them, she About 202 people applied for the mentorship program. Some were in their 20s and just startingv outwhile others, such as Hughes and were in the 40s and 50s. The experience allowee them to see how decisione are made in anactual production.
“Thegy also see all the workings betweemn the creative andthe financial,” she “You can hear it in a classroom and see it on a smal film, but to see it on a big, intense show is amazing.” Sometimes the mentees becames the mentors. Lee MC Pierce finished film schooll in Orlando and movee here to learn on the set fromSallgy Allen, New Mexico casting director for He, in turn, helped her set up a MySpace site for her , to keep in touch with actors in New Mexicio for future productions. Allen said the experience has brought out herinner teacher. “Lee is very smart,” she “He picked up on everything so quickly.
” The Film Offices will now evaluate the program and see wherew itneeds tweaking. Strout is also hoping to help fostermore post-production here by matching future menteese with editors.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Denver gives out 1,234 free building permits - Portland Business Journal:
esivyjifag.wordpress.com
The free permits issued underthe city’s “Home Renovatiomn Bonanza” program saved residents an estimated $85.774 in fees, officials said. Building-permit fees normally ranges from $20 to several thousand dollars, dependinvg on the value of the The program aimed to boosf the local economy byencouraging home-improvement projects. The free permits, available June are for common improvement projectsinvolvingh single-family homes and duplexes. “We wantes a bonanza and it seemsx wegot one,” Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said in a “We hoped to stimulate the local economyy by offering an incentive for residents to make improvementes to their property.
This is a good sign that peopls are moving forward and doing what they can to get our economyh backon track.” The permits are valid for 180
The free permits issued underthe city’s “Home Renovatiomn Bonanza” program saved residents an estimated $85.774 in fees, officials said. Building-permit fees normally ranges from $20 to several thousand dollars, dependinvg on the value of the The program aimed to boosf the local economy byencouraging home-improvement projects. The free permits, available June are for common improvement projectsinvolvingh single-family homes and duplexes. “We wantes a bonanza and it seemsx wegot one,” Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said in a “We hoped to stimulate the local economyy by offering an incentive for residents to make improvementes to their property.
This is a good sign that peopls are moving forward and doing what they can to get our economyh backon track.” The permits are valid for 180
Thursday, November 1, 2012
CalPERS committee OKs health care rate increases - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
Rate proposals approved by the committee will go to the full CalPERSS Board of Administration foractioj Wednesday. Basic HMO rates for stats workers will rise an averagedof 3.43 percent in 2010, down from almost 6.6 percenf in 2009. The rate hikes run from a low of 0.32 percent for Blue Shield Net Value to a highof 4.9 perceny for Kaiser. Figures for public agency workeres varyby region. Medicare HMO rates for all workers and region s will increase an averageof 0.27 percent in but vary from a 12.27 drop for memberzs of Blue Shield Access + to a 6.
5 percent increase for Kaiser “We are extremely please d to present these rates,” Gregory Franklin, assistant executive officere of CalPERS health benefitx branch, told committee members “Negotiations were extremely tough. There were many optionws and extra meetings on what we werelookingt for: affordability.” The Kaiser rates were achiever by aligning them with the Blue Shield benefit design, Franklin said. Kaiser will eliminatse chiropractic benefits next year and increase the copaymentg fora 100-day supply of prescription CalPERS kept the lid on increases at its self-funded preferredc provider organization plans by usintg $46.
7 million in surplus reservee to “buy down” rates. The average PPO rate increasd for state workers in 2010is 3.29 percent, but it runs from a low of 1.38 perceng for PERS Select to a high of 12 percentf for PERSCare. Medicare PPO ratesz will increase an averageof 0.27 percen t in all areas, but they range from a 12.27 percent drop for Blue Shielxd Access+ to a 6.5 percent increase for Kaiser coverage.
Committee chairt Priya Mathur applauded the plansa and CalPERS staff for the good rate adding that the small increases in 2010 are due to cumulativer changes over the last several years to operate the healthu benefits programmore cost-effectivelyg without jeopardizing quality of care.
Rate proposals approved by the committee will go to the full CalPERSS Board of Administration foractioj Wednesday. Basic HMO rates for stats workers will rise an averagedof 3.43 percent in 2010, down from almost 6.6 percenf in 2009. The rate hikes run from a low of 0.32 percent for Blue Shield Net Value to a highof 4.9 perceny for Kaiser. Figures for public agency workeres varyby region. Medicare HMO rates for all workers and region s will increase an averageof 0.27 percent in but vary from a 12.27 drop for memberzs of Blue Shield Access + to a 6.
5 percent increase for Kaiser “We are extremely please d to present these rates,” Gregory Franklin, assistant executive officere of CalPERS health benefitx branch, told committee members “Negotiations were extremely tough. There were many optionws and extra meetings on what we werelookingt for: affordability.” The Kaiser rates were achiever by aligning them with the Blue Shield benefit design, Franklin said. Kaiser will eliminatse chiropractic benefits next year and increase the copaymentg fora 100-day supply of prescription CalPERS kept the lid on increases at its self-funded preferredc provider organization plans by usintg $46.
7 million in surplus reservee to “buy down” rates. The average PPO rate increasd for state workers in 2010is 3.29 percent, but it runs from a low of 1.38 perceng for PERS Select to a high of 12 percentf for PERSCare. Medicare PPO ratesz will increase an averageof 0.27 percen t in all areas, but they range from a 12.27 percent drop for Blue Shielxd Access+ to a 6.5 percent increase for Kaiser coverage.
Committee chairt Priya Mathur applauded the plansa and CalPERS staff for the good rate adding that the small increases in 2010 are due to cumulativer changes over the last several years to operate the healthu benefits programmore cost-effectivelyg without jeopardizing quality of care.
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