Thursday, August 30, 2012

Adventurous appetites: Eclectic mix of treats at Dutchess County Fair - Poughkeepsie Journal

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Adventurous appetites: Eclectic mix of treats at Dutchess County Fair

Poughkeepsie Journal


Shown here is their lunch, clockwise from top left: Texas Parfait, Jalapeño Cheddar Cheese Dog, Veggie Spud, Mahi-Mahi, Spaghetti and Meatballs on a Stick and the Big Bear Bacon-wrapped Corn Dog make an impressive first course. The Texas Parfait is ...



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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Robyn Lawley is the latest 'plus-size' model sensation - New York Daily News

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New York Daily News


Robyn Lawley is the latest 'plus-size' model sensation

New York Daily News


Amazon Aussie Robyn Lawley is taking the plus-sized fashion world by storm, flaunting eye-popping curves with the smile of a supermodel. Last June, the 23 year-old Wilhelmina model made a splash when she appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia wearing ...


Robyn Lawley Considered Plus-Sized Model at Size 10

Gather Celebs News Channel



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Monday, August 27, 2012

Tropical Storm Isaac churns towards Louisiana, forcing Gov. Bobby Jindal to ... - New York Daily News

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New York Daily News


Tropical Storm Isaac churns towards Louisiana, forcing Gov. Bobby Jindal to ...

New York Daily News


Tropical Storm Isaac churns towards Louisiana, forcing Gov. Bobby Jindal to skip Republican National Convention in Tampa. Jindal was one of the heavy-hitters slated to speak at the RNC in support of Mitt Romney. By Corky Siemaszko / NEW YORK DAILY . ..


Tropical storm Isaac inches towards hurricane strength,  »

Sunday, August 26, 2012

California man dies in first fatal bear attack at Alaska's Denali National Park - Fox News

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The Guardian


California man dies in first fatal bear attack at Alaska's Denali National Park

Fox News


ANCHORAGE, Alaska â€" A hiker in Alaska's Denali National Park photographed a grizzly bear for at least eight minutes before the bear mauled and killed him in the first fatal attack in the park's history, officials said Saturday. Investigators have ...


San Diego man dies in Denali grizzly attack

Anchorage Daily News



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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Weekly Chart Notes: Taylor Swift 'Back' At No. 1 For The First Time - Billboard

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Business Recorder (blog)


Weekly Chart Notes: Taylor Swift 'Back' At No. 1 For The First Time

Billboard


Today on "The Beat," we have news on Taylor Swift's new single, Avril Lavigne's engagement, Dee Snider's drama with the GOP, Dinosaur Jr. and Marilyn Manson's latest videos, and more. /news/taylor-swift-tops-social-50-chart-while-1007887552.story ...


Taylor Swift's 'Never Ever' breaks records

Business Recorder (blog)


Taylor Swift makes history with latest track

Examiner.com


Taylor Swift's 'Never Ever' breaks music chart record

Stabroek News


Entertainment Weekly (blog) -New York Times (blog)


 »

Thursday, August 23, 2012

King Soopers, workers heading back to bargaining table - Washington Business Journal:

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The contract at hand involved an increaser inpreventative health-care programs and a wage as well as a decreas e in pension benefits, King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligaj said. However, workers had protested the pensionbenefiy cuts, with the United Food and Commercial Workers Unionm Local No. 7 warninv that some could lose $100,000 over the life of the and said the wage increases werenot “We are ready, willing and able to get back to the bargaininb table if the corporation is willing to meet us halfway,” King Sooperzs worker Julie Gonzalez said in a news releass put out by the union. “All we’re askingg for is a fair deal.
And we reallty hope they don’t lock us out for askingv for livable wages and a pension plan that recognizea our contribution tocompany profits.” About 17,000 union workers from the area’sz three largest grocery chains — King Soopers and — have been in negotiations with the groceres since April 9 on new five-year Safeway workers have voted to extende their contract until June 26, which Albertsons and King Sooperz employees currently are working without contracts. The rejectioj of the latest King Sooperas contract proposal came quickly after votingybegan Monday.
Workers in Colorado Springs, Longmont and Bouldef are voting today, while Pueblo workers are scheduleed to castballots Wednesday. King Sooperes spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said that the rejectioh of the deal will not have any tangible effect onstorse operations. King Soopers workers have not cast ballotwto strike. “We’re disappointed in the vote, but we look forwars to getting backto negotiations,” Mulligan said King Soopers is a unit of Cincinnati-based

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sheriff Arpaio: Wilcox investigation goes beyond airport leases - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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Arpaio said his office received information regarding the leasse and other business dealings and that his investigation is not relatede to disputes with Wilcoxover immigration. Wilcox and her Earl, own El Portal Restaurant in Phoenisx and has a concessions contract with the airport fora Chili’s Too franchise in Termina 4. The Maricopa County Sheriff’ws Office sent the Phoenix Aviationb Department a public records request June 11 askingthe city-rub airport to make available lease, sublease and contracting documents related to business entities owned by the Wilcoxes.
Wilcox did not respondx to requests for comment from the PhoeniBusiness Journal, but has told otherd media that Arpaio is going after her becaus e of her opposition to his immigration The sheriff’s office investigation of Wilcox is the latesr in a number of fights between Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorne Andrew Thomas and the Maricopa Counthy Board of Supervisors. Wilcox and Supervisor Don Stapley votedx Wednesday toblock $1.4 million in state money earmarked for Thomas’s office to enforcee immigration and human smugglingf laws. The board deadlocked at 2 to 2 on that vote stallintg thestate money.
Supervisor Max Wilson missef the vote because of illness and the mattetr couldbe revisited. Stapley and Wilcox earlier this year trieds toblock $1.6 million in state funding for Arpaio’sw immigration enforcement. Wilcox said the sheriff’s immigration sweepes and policies unfairlytargey Hispanics. Thomas and Arpaio secured indictments against Stapley last year charging that he failed to properly disclose businessw and real estatedevelopment deals. Stapley denies wrongdoing in that matter.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Greens put Country Liberals last for vote - ABC Online

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Greens put Country Liberals last for vote

ABC Online


Their first preferences are going to the Australian Sex Party, the First Nations Political Party or the Labor Party. The exception is in the tightly-contested Darwin seat of Nightcliff, where the Greens are giving their first preference to Independent ...



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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Conference Board's employment index dips - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):

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The index declined in June, but the declinre was only moderate, according to a releasr Monday. The index for June is 88.4, a decreases of 0.8 from the revised May numbe rof 89.1, and a decline of 21.6 percent from a year ago. “Comparer to the beginning of the the decline in the Employmenyt Trends Index hassignificantly moderated, and we thereforre expect job growth to resume arouns the end of the year,” Gad senior economist at The Conference Board, said in the “However, over the last month, leading indicatorxs of employment were mostly disappointing, suggestinb the Employment Trends Index is stil seeking a bottom.
” The Employment Trends Indexc aggregates eight labor-market indicators to show underlying trends more For the June index, the indicatoras that declined were the percentage of respondents who said they found “jobs hard to get,” the number of employees in the temporary-helop industry, industrial production, real manufacturing and tradw sales, and job openings. The othedr three indicators that make up theindexs are: initial claims for unemployment percentage of firms with positions not able to fill right now and part-timer workers for economic reasons.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Stimulus funds lag health woes - bizjournals:

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That’s the view of the eight-member panel of industryu and medical experts who were invited by the Soutgh Florida Business Journal to share their views of whatthe $787 billiohn federal stimulus package means to the health care What emerged was a broad discussion of how stimulus legislation is just one piecw of change needed in an industry that has run financiallyg amok due to an overreliance on specialists, shortfallss in information technology and patients who are undereducated. The Congressional Budgetr Office has projected that total national spending on healty care could hit 48 percent of gross domesticd product by 2050 ifleft unchecked.
To solve this problem will takemore though, in the short term. The Obamas administration’s $59 billion for healtbh care stimulus spendingincludes $19 billio for electronic health care records. Starting in doctors who can show meaningfuol use of electronic medicalk records will getincentivees – and those who don’t will get declining Medicare payments. But, the old-fashione general practitioner may also have abig role. Linda president of the , said health care reform legislation that coincides with the stimulus callws for individuals to have a home locatio n or a primarycare provider.
She said that allowws for “a community locatiom close to home and getting more done in a actually high clinicaltechnology setting.” That, in turn, will also translatwe into a less costly location, the panelists said. Rache l Sapoznik, CEO of , “The reason I believe in the last 25 yeares of seeing health care costs rise dramatically is we have moverd away from the primary care physician knowing the patientto specialists.” Patients go from specialist to specialistt to get each ailment but an overview of their condition and family histor is lacking.
George executive VP and chief administrative officerat , said: “Piggybackingv on primary care is absolutely All these specialties are adding thousands and thousands of One problem is that specialists tend to overdl tests because they are so worriexd about legal liability issues, he said. Dr. Tony a family practitioner and president of the Browardd CountyMedical Association, said reimbursemengt issues for tests done in his officre also frustrate him. A hospita l might get $2,000 for a test from but he can onlyget $200. “I don’ty think it’s anything that’s going to work unlessw we use some common he said.
Foyo said primary care physicians historically put an emphasiws on healthprevention efforts, but the lack of it thes days is contributing to an epidemid of diabetes and heart issues. Baptist which is well known for hospitals in Kendall and is pushing forward with outpatient centers and even venturing intoBroward County. One reason is emergency roomsare full, and providing care therse is more costly than at an outpatient center. “Rather than have patientw cometo us, the hospitals are going out to Foyo said.
Florida’s 51 nonprofit community health centers aregetting $28 millionn in competitive grants under the stimulus which will also keep patients out of expensiv e hospital settings for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi highlighted that duringh an April visit to a communityy health center in Hollywoor that will get $1.5 million to open a satellitre health center in West Park. One of the advantagesa for these types of centerw is that they are funded with the assumption that theit doors will be open to allwho come, whichb is important because of the number of uninsure d South Floridians, including undocumented foreigners, Quick Dr.
Welby, meet Bill Gatesd Mark Sterling, administrative partned at the law firm ofin Miami, said electronidc medical records (EMR) fall under the categoryy of “shovel-ready” projects in the world of stimulusa – meaning the technologyu exists and can be adopted rapidl y to put money in the Not everyone is totally gung-ho on paying $50,00o0 to install an EMR Prieto said: “I’d rathef have my old nurse that knew her rather than what her computert said.
” He’s 61 and realizes he would need an EMR system by “but I might retire by then,” he Family practitioners have been a dwindling breed in the era of Prieto said he saw one group shrink from havinb 20 to just three. “Thse bad news is doctors don’t want to go into primary care,” he said. And medical studentse don’t see it as lucrative as other Foyo said hehopes ’ds new college of medicine will focus more on primary care specialists.
But, even soon-to-retirse doctors like Prieto might want to put an EMR system in placer because it will increase the value of their practice, said Pete Martinez, chief technology and innovations officer for the Wellington-basede , which provides an EMR systej called PWeR. The short-term strategu will be to put moneyin doctors’ pockets to inves t in EMR systems, but quality of care is the long-terj payoff, said Andrew Carricarte, president of in Miami, whicjh also offers an EMR Disease management should be a majot beneficiary, since many doctors still use a manuall process to track diabetes and other Michael Kesti, CEO of , a Palmettp Bay health care management and marketing company, “The savings could be tremendous if it’s implemente correctly, if we look at reducing errorss and saving lives.
” There’s a trickle down to as well. If healthb care costs are reduced, that should push down insurance premiumds and leave more money in the hands of the employera whopay them. “Now, they got that savings, so now they can stimulat e growth and the entire Kesti said. Quantum and IOS are experiencingrapie growth, Carricarte said. IOS has hired 12 people in the past few monthse and is hiring 15 Jobs typicallypay $40,000 or more. who was previously ’s site manager in Boca said Quantum has doubled in size in the past andthat doesn’t include all the outlying serviced providers he is using.
Widely publicized reportds thatBritney Spears, Farra h Fawcett and “octomom” Nadya Suleman’s records were viewer by unauthorized medical workers are raising concerns aboutt just how well medical records are Proposed rules in the stimulus legislatiom would require notification to patients whose medical records were exposed. If 10 or more patients can’ft be notified, the provider must notifg the news media or put it on the home page of theidWeb sites. Sapoznik said patients already worryy that employers will see informationon Web-basecd systems.
“Employees are very concernec about putting theirinformation there, even thougjh it’s private information and the employer has no accesxs to it,” she said. “Fromk the insurance companies’ perspective, they feel theidr systems are controlled and protected for the Older patients are often stressed about goinv online to even look for a Sapoznik said. However, the hospital association’s Quickl said there are examples of systems working A local federation of community healtu centers can know abour a patient visiting two differenyt centers and what was donein each.
and Humana have linkw on their systems, but there’s no universa l access across abroader spectrum. Quico said the goal for healty care should be the type of portability found with ATM She said if she can go to a foreignh country and use herATM card, then why shouldn’tt she have access to prescription information and her lates t MRI in case she fallsw and bumps her head? Foyo “Ultimately, we have to creates a system that will allow the patient to have all that informationm available at a moment’s notice.” Sapozniok said personal responsibility as a consumer needs to be part of the “Should I have three MRIs in a year ?
Should I have a CAT scan, MRI and bloos tests?” She said consumers also need to gatherr information on whether they are choosing the right hospital and and understand their capabilities and the outcomes. Foyo said consumers need to understand the costs when they go toa “just like when you shop for a car, you can get a differengt price for every model in the Consumers will be able to choose becaus they will know the cost and the historyy of the outcome, he said. Physicians also need to be paid to keep you Martinez said.
He likened the currentf system to one where a mechanic is paid to work on a car on anunlimiteed basis, rather than being encouraged to do preventive maintenance. In response to continued privacy and securith concerns about the widespread adoption ofEMR systems, Martine z said it’s a misnomer that paper systems or PCs are more secure. Somebodgy might walk up to a paper systemm and pulla file, or a thied might steal a PC and get a wealth of patient he said. Martinez and Carricarte argue that data is safef storedon well-protected computer cloud networks. Among the factors are data physicallyimpregnable bunker-like data warehouses and firewall-encryptee systems.
Martinez said health care stands out as a laggare inadopting technology. “Ninety percent of the transactionw in this businessare phone, paper and fax in the 21st he said. “So, the fundamental transformation of this industry is basef onelectronic interchange.” Florida’s patchwork statr budget drew concerns from panelists about what will happe when stimulus money runs out. In one maneuver, the Legislaturde took $800 million in stimuluse fundsfor Medicaid, and then moved $800 millioh of state money to other parts of the budger – a “shell game” in the eyes of statew Sen. Nan Rich. Foyo said the tobacco tax willadd $2.
5 but the system already has a shortfall. “There is a cliffd at the end of threse years andwhat happens? All of this [stimulu money] goes away,” he said. Quickj said every extra 1 perceng of unemploymentmeans 100,000 peopler become eligible for Medicaid when their incomes fall low While federal funds used to be 50 percent of Medicaid, now it’s up to 56 But, just to fund the now-lower 44 percenft share, the state needs to increase taxes on cigarettes. The federalp money comes with strings to maintain Quick said.
“That’s a good thing because, every time we run short on Medicaid we start throwing people off the Kestisaid there’s whisperin g in the halls of Tallahassee abouft what will happen in three years. “What I thinkm we can all expect is additional taxese to support theMedicaid program,” he said. Hoganj & Hartson’s Sterling wasn’t so sure. “Ic the economy has improved inthat time, we will have less pressurd on the system,” he said. “If reform effortw are actually implemented in thattime – and are actuallyy successful during that time – we may see that cliffv put [further] out, or it’sz not as an abrupt of a cliff.
” THE DETAILS: Many of the panelistw say their companies are hiring. Baptis Health South Florida is lookin for as many as 100 registered as well as advanced nursde practitioners and licensedclinical professionals. Applicantsd need a year of acute care hospitakl experience and aFloridz license. It has 43 openingws for professional/clinical positions, most requiring a stat e license. Career opportunities also exist inthe pharmacy, rehabilitation, accounting, information technology and risk managementg areas. Sapoznik Insurance is hiring three to four licensed insurance agents with experience in groupo orindividual health, life, disability and other ancillary products.
It is also lookinbg for a group insurance quoting specialis t andaccount administrators. IOS Health Systems has been on ahiring spree, which is expectee to continue throughout the year. It expects to add six salesx positions, four software implementers and four software Most jobsrequire technical, project management and customer servicwe skills, but training in health care and health informatioj technology is provided.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Amgen Tour might move California races to May - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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The race is staged by AEG theLos Angeles-based entertainmengt and sports presentation company, and the companty says it is too early to comment on a date But VeloNews spoke with professional cycliste who have heard about the change — and who are excited aboug it. The past two years have seen inhospitablr weatherfor racing, including high winds and lots of It was raining two years ago as the race ended one of its legs in In this year’s Sacramento time trials opener for the race, racers and spectatorsx had to put up with a howling cold The weather is just annoyinvg to cyclists, but it likely keeps potentia spectators away from the race.
Even with some stretche s of nasty weather, hundreds of thousands of spectators linedsthe 750-mile route this With the move to May, the race also has the potentia to tackle some serious mountain climbinf that isn’t possible earlier because of snow in the Sierra.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Washington has third-highest internet use in U.S. - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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behind only Alaska and New according to information released Wednesday bythe U.S. Census. According to the Census, Alaska has the highestg rate ofinternet use, with 76.1 percent of its residents having access to the interneyt at any location, followed by New Hampshirde (74.6 percent) and Washington (73.4 percent). Mississippk has the lowest internet-usage rate (51.5 percent), followed by West Virginia (52.9 percent). The national average is 62.4 percent The Census said that 75.7 percent of Washington residents have accesss to the internet attheir homes, which is third again behind New Hampshire (82.6) and Alaskqa (78.5) percent, and well above the national averagwe of 67.1 percent.
“As accesx to high-speed connections have become more so too have the numbetr of people that connect to the internet at Thom File, a statisticia with the Census Bureau's Housing and Household Economidc Statistics Division, said in a statement Wednesday. internet use strongly correspondsto education. Eighty-seven percentg of people 25 and older with acollege bachelor’e degree used the internet in versus 74 percent for those with only some college, 49 percentr for those with only a high schoolp diploma and 19 percent for those who didn't finish high school.
Among age groupse nationwide, 73 percent of 18- to 34-year-oldws use the internet, 56 percentt of people 3 to 17, and 35 percent of peopls 65 and older. Among ethnic groups 73 percent of Asiamn Americans used the internetin 2007, 69 percent of 51 percent of blacks and 48 percent of Hispanics.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Restaurant Week set to begin in Dayton - Dayton Business Journal:

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More than 50 restaurants, up from abou t 40 in July, will take part in the biannuakl Eat, Drink & Be Carinb fundraiser, where patrons can purchase a three-course meal for with $1 from each meal being donatex to SICSAand Hannah’s Closet. The upcoming Restaurant Week runsSunday Jan. 25 to Saturdat Jan. 31. Samples at the preview will include participating restaurants Bahn MaiThai Cafe, , Bullwinkle’s, , , , , , and Sweeney’s Sample menus from January’s week long event includre McCormick and Schmick’s choice of tomatk bruschetta, mixed greens or wedge sala for an appetizer; choice of bay scallop and gulf shrimp fettuccine with alfredo sauce, parmesam crusted tilapia with a lemoj caper butter or grilled chicken breast with Michiganh BBQ sauce, gorgonzola cheese and walnute for an entree; and choice of cinnamohn bread pudding or vanilla creme brulee for Other menus a re available at Reservations at the variouzs restaurants are recommended as many sell out their seating capacityh during the event.
In July, more than 12,000 people dinedc out during summer restaurant week with 42 participating restaurantsa and morethan $240,000 generated in meals.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

American Tire unit sells Autotire centers - Charlotte Business Journal:

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Huntersville-based American Tire Distributors acquired the Autotire storews in December as part of its purchaswof Am-Pac, a California tire distributod with operations in 36 states. American Tire distribute tires toindependent suppliers. It says Am-Pacv is selling the Autotire centers becausse they compete directly withAmerican Tire’s customers. “We believe this businesa model differentiates us from many other companies that distribute tirea and related products in the saysWilliam Berry, chief executive of American “We want our customers to look at us as a valuede adviser and partner, not as a American Tire is one of the nation’es largest independent suppliers to the replacement-tire market.
The companyy has more than 2,200 employees across its nationwidwedistribution network, including 200 in its Charlotte-areaz field-support center, distribution center and regional hub. Monr Muffler, based in New operates 714 retail tireand auto-service storesz in 17 states under the names Monrok Muffler Brake, Mr. Tire and Treadquarters.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

NCO buying Atlanta collections agency for $118.8M - Kansas City Business Journal:

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million in cash. As part of the RMA and affiliates have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protectionhin U.S. Bankruptcy Court in The transaction is expected to close by the end of thethirdf quarter, and in the meantime, RMA has arrangedx for additional financing for its operations. NCO NCOG) is a debt collection and business process outsourcing firm basedin Horsham, Pa. The compangy said the acquisition is expected to be neutralk tothis year's earnings and to help annuall earnings after that. In a statement, Dennis the CEO of RMA, said that the company told employees, clients and investors earlier this year that itwas "explorinh strategic alternatives" for the business.
He said the Chaptee 11 process will be the easiest way for the company to sell He added it will also alloew thecompany "to entertain any higherd and better offers."

Friday, August 10, 2012

Wilkinson to chair Regional Arts Commission - St. Louis Business Journal:

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Wilkinson, president of consulting firm , has been an RAC commissionerr since 1992 and most recentlyy served asthe group's vice "Donna Wilkinson has been dedicated to supporting the arts in St. Louies throughout her career," Jill executive director of RAC, said in a statement. "Wew are thrilled to have a new chairmanj who has suchan in-depth understanding abour the critical role that culture and arts play in a thrivingb community." St.
Louis-based consultinb firm The Wilkinson Group LLC focusese on servicesfor not-for-profift organizations, institutions of higher education, private enterprise and governmental The Regional Arts Commission, located at 6128 Delmar in St. Louis, provides technical, promotional and other support for arts It is directed by a boarf of 15 commissioners appointeds by the chief executivesof St. Louis city and

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Logue elected to director of Boston Fed - Boston Business Journal:

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Logue replaces Lawrence chairman and CEO ofin Providence, whose term The Federal Reserve Act requirex that each Reserve Bank have nine Three Class A directors represent member banks in the three Class B directors and three Clasz C directors are selected with consideration to the interestes of agriculture, commerce, industry, services, labor, and Member banks elect Class A and Class B directors. The Fed's Boardc of Governors in Washington, D.C. appoints Class C and from this group designatesthe Chairman. owner Roberft Kraft was reelected to a threew year term as Class B Kraft also is chairman of the Harvardf Medical Schoolprofessor Dr.
Samuekl Thier was re-appointed to a three year term as a ClasswC director, and servesd as the Boston Fed's Thier is former CEO of Partners Healthcare Inc. Blenda Wilson, CEO of the Lisa a professor at the Fletcher Schookl of Law and Diplomacy at Orit chairmanof . in Bostonn Kirk Pond, chairman and CEO of in Maine; Peter Blyberg, CEO of Uniohn Bankshares in Ellsworth, Maine;• and James president of First National Bankof Suffield, Conn.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Starbucks makes food healthier - Washington Business Journal:

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The coffee giant says it has simplified recipes to includdemore high-quality ingredients like whole blueberries from Oregon and cherries from Michigan. “Starbuckw customers have been telling us that they want bettefr tasting and healthier food options when they visit our said Starbucks food categor vice president Sandra Stark in a news release announcing thenew “We answered their call with a deliciouw new menu of food made with real ingredientsz and more wholesome options.” New menu items includde a blueberry oat bar, a farmer’s market sala and banana walnut bread that Starbucksx says “is nearly 30 percent real banana.
” Starbuckws has been expanding its food menu in the last two years to entices customers to visit more and to spendc more per visit. The company was also among the firsf restaurant chains in the country to ban trans fat from its food and Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is closinf hundreds of locations and cutting thousandsd of jobs to trim expenses as revenue The company reported sales fell 8 percent last following a 9 percent decline in first quarter It is also facing pressure from McDonaldsa (NYSE: MCD), whose new coffee drinks are drivinfg sales higher.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Human Capital: People on the move, June 5 - Austin Business Journal:

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, a Boston-based technology company servinb students, educators and employers, added Ted Fischer as executivee vice presidentof sales, partnerships and strategic Fischer was previously a partned at . Sun Life Financial names Deschenesa senior VP and GM of its annuities divisionThe U.S. division of , baser in Wellesley, named Stephen Deschenez senior vice president and general managerd of itsannuities division. Deschenexs joins Sun Life from , wherer he served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the retirementincomew group.
Furman Gregory LLC adds Deptula as partnefr Furman GregoryLLC , a Boston-based corporated law firm now known as Furman Gregory added George Deptula as a partner. Deptula most recently practicedat Vena, Deptula LLP, and continues his practice in trial and appellate legal services, and mediation and ADR. William A. Berrh & Son promotes Corcoran as project designerWilliam A. Berrty & Son Inc. , a Danvers-based construction managemenr firm, promoted Josie Corcoran to projectg director.
She has served as a projecrt manager at the firm for the past nine Nixon Peabody's Milder electedf chairman of ; Braich nameds to firm's IP team Forrest Milder , a partnerr in the Boston officwe of Nixon Peabody LLP , was elected chairmanm of the American Bar Association ’s Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development for the 2009-20100 year. In other firm news, Nixon Peabody added Ravinderji “Ravi” Braich to its intellectual property department in the Boston offic e as apatent specialist.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Embarq, CenturyTel complete $11.6B deal - San Francisco Business Times:

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Buyer (NYSE: CTL) completed its $11.6 billion stock and debt purchasde ofEmbarq (NYSE: EQ), the companies announced early Wednesday. The combined company, , will be basedr in Monroe, La., and potentially have $8 billiobn in annual revenue. It has more than 2.1 millio broadband customers, 440,000 video subscribers and 7.5 millionh access lines in 33 states. Embarq shareholders are two-thirdse owners of the combined company, having received 1.37 CenturyTel shares for each Embara sharethey owned. The deal included CenturyTel assuming $5.8 billion in Embaraq debt. The two brandxs will be converted graduallytto CenturyLink, a process expecte to conclude later this year.
“Thw completion of this merger is a significanty event forour customers, communities, investors and employees,” CEO Glen Post III, who had been head of said in the release. “CenturyLink has the advanced the people and the financial stabilit y to deliver the reliable and innovative services that our customerws wantand need. We look forward to this exciting new chapter inour company’s history.” CenturyLini will keep “a significant presence” in the Overland Park though that location wasn’t among the regional operating headquarters listed: Las Vegas; Wentzville, Mo.; Fla.; Wake Forest, N.C.; and La Wis.
Embarq now employs about 2,80 in the area, down from 4,50o when it spun off from (NYSE: S) in 2006. That drop reflectds the sale of Embarq’s logistics unit earlier this year and continualp job cuts as the company has attemptefd to keep a lid on costs in anindustry that’d losing core customers to mobile phones. The recession has acceleratef that trend, and observers say that could mean deeper and faster cuts than originally anticipated as thecompaniesx integrate. By joining, the rural phoned companies expect to saveabout $400 millioh a year in operating and capital expensesd by 2011. They expect combined operating cash flow of morethan $4.
2 billionh and free cash flow of about $1.9 billion. CenturyTel expects to continue its currentr annual dividendof $2.80 a share. The combination is expected to add to free cash flow per sharesin 2010. Shares continue to trade under CenturyTel’ss ticker symbol. Embarq CEO Tom Gerke will servd as executive vice chairman of the CenturyLinj board and oversee regulatory and governmental relations and human Embarqranks No. 3 on the Kansas City Business Journal ’s list of area publixc companies.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Clary tops Lochte, wins gold in 200-meter backstroke - USA TODAY

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USA TODAY


Clary tops Lochte, wins gold in 200-meter backstroke

USA TODAY


They say he's like the second-best golfer in the world, and Tiger Woods is No. 1. That golfer better get used to finishing second. For so long, Clary has been finishing second or third. That's the problem when you're essenti »

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

First Data forms new company - Denver Business Journal:

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The new company, called Banc of Americs MerchantServices LLC, will sell credit, debit and prepaid cards. It will also marketr merchant loyalty, check and online payment services. Thomas chief strategy officer and president ofFirsr Data’s financial services business, will become CEO of the new which will be baseds in Atlanta. Greenwood Village-based First Data and Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America both will contribute existing employeee to staff thenew company, First Data spokeswoman Elizabety Grice said. Employee assignments into the join t venture will occur over the nextfew days. Firsg Data employs about 1,500 people in the Denved area andabout 26,000 around the world.
“Thee combination of First Data’ s world-class technology and industry experience with the powert of Bankof America’s brand and branchy referral channel will enhance Banc of America Merchany Services’ position as an efficient and innovativee player in the payments Bell said in a statement. Bank of America will contributeroughlyg 240,000 merchant clients and Firstf Data will contribute approximately 140,000 merchant clientsw to the new company. The combined entity will process more than 1 billion transactionsper month. First Data will own 48.5 percent of the new companyu and Bank of America willown 46.5 percent.
The remainintg stake will be held by RockmountInvestmentsa LLC. First Data Corp. was acquired by an affiliate of Kohlber KravisRoberts & Co. in Septemberf 2007, a year after it spun off consumere paymentsbusiness (NYSE: WU).