martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
The magazine praised Crever Coeur-based biotech giant Monsanto (No. 5), which has 895 IT workers, for offerinf telecommuting and flex time to help employee s avoid the traffic and extended commutes from the massivwHighway 40-Interstate 64 reconstruction. St. Louis-based onliner brokerage firm Scottrade (No. 27), whic has 315 IT workers, made the list because it has nevee laid off an IT worker in its 29 yearw of operation and offersprofessional development, performance-based quarterlu bonuses, advancement opportunities and on-the-spot recognition, the magazine said. Another St. Louis-basec brokerage firm, Edward Jones (No.
42), which has 1,105 IT is owned by more than one-third of its full-time workers and offers an IT audit rotation progra m that helps produceIT leaders, according to the magazine. National Information SolutionsCooperative (No. 52), a data-processing and billing service provider inLake St. Mo., with 528 IT offers loans up to $3,500 per employee for the purchase ofa PC, equipmenrt or other peripherals from any vendor. N.Y.-based MasterCard Worldwide (No. 72) has 1,5090 IT employees and its global technology and operationas divisionin O’Fallon, Mo.
The magazinee touted the company’s teleworking program, which allows employeeas to work part of their regularlty scheduled days at a MasterCard location and the remainingg days at home or anotherapprovee location.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Determining direction in increments of 10 - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
grihanovveimavox.blogspot.com
Welch first came up with the idea of deliberately weighing the consequencesz of her choices abou t 13years ago, and ever since then has referrede to it as her “very own life management Her book is full of examples of peoplee from all over the countrt who have used this technique to analyze what is in theidr own best interest. Welch describes the of 10-10-10 in the following way: Everu 10-10-10 process starts with a question. crises or dilemmas need to be posefd as a specific question that needs asuccincy answer. For example: Should I go back to school Should I acceptmy company’ s relocation offer? Should I get a divorce? The next stagw of 10-10-10 is data collection.
This can be accomplishedr in a variety of making ahandwritten list, composingy a chart on the computer, or even conductinh an in-depth conversation with someone importan t in your life. The goal is to weighb the consequences of youroptions “right now”; in “the foreseeable future when the initialo action to your decision has passed but its consequence continue to play out in ways you can reasonablyt predict”; and then, for a time in the future when “all is said and The last step of the 10-10-10 process is During this step all the data or information you have collectefd must be compared to your goals, dreams and needs.
Part of the reasomn that Welch feels that we need a technique to help us make bette r choices is that research has showmthat “several ingrained biases undermine our ability to sort out good advicr from bad.” Humans tend, for to pay more attention to both the first and last bits of informatio n we receive. We also have a tendencyh to give credence toinformation we’ve heare the most often or that has come from peoples we like. Good advice, if it comes from peoplw we don’t like, is usually ignored or refuted. Welcnh came to national attentio n when she became romantically involved withJack Welch, CEO of , durintg an interview for Harvard Business Review.
When the magazine learned that she was havingh an affair with the man she woulf be profiling forthe article, she was But Jack Welch had fallen in love with so he divorced his second wife of 14 and in 2004 they were married. In 10-10-10 Welch addresses “romantic dilemmas,” and asks that her readers confront a doze n or so questions to help them better understanf issuesof intimacy, commitment and control. The most appealingf part of Welch’s story centers around the example of hard work that she inherited from herSicilian grandmother.
And the aspect of the book that will probablh make readers feel most skeptical is the seeminglu endless variety of people whose livew havebeen enhanced, improvede or positively affected by the application of 10-10-10 The bottom line is that Welchu has carved an enviable niche for herseldf by contributing on a regular basis to Oprah’sx O Magazine and and articles distributeed internationally by The Her book offers valuable suggestionsx for decision-making that could servre us in good stead the next time we’re faced with a personalo or professional dilemma.
Welch first came up with the idea of deliberately weighing the consequencesz of her choices abou t 13years ago, and ever since then has referrede to it as her “very own life management Her book is full of examples of peoplee from all over the countrt who have used this technique to analyze what is in theidr own best interest. Welch describes the of 10-10-10 in the following way: Everu 10-10-10 process starts with a question. crises or dilemmas need to be posefd as a specific question that needs asuccincy answer. For example: Should I go back to school Should I acceptmy company’ s relocation offer? Should I get a divorce? The next stagw of 10-10-10 is data collection.
This can be accomplishedr in a variety of making ahandwritten list, composingy a chart on the computer, or even conductinh an in-depth conversation with someone importan t in your life. The goal is to weighb the consequences of youroptions “right now”; in “the foreseeable future when the initialo action to your decision has passed but its consequence continue to play out in ways you can reasonablyt predict”; and then, for a time in the future when “all is said and The last step of the 10-10-10 process is During this step all the data or information you have collectefd must be compared to your goals, dreams and needs.
Part of the reasomn that Welch feels that we need a technique to help us make bette r choices is that research has showmthat “several ingrained biases undermine our ability to sort out good advicr from bad.” Humans tend, for to pay more attention to both the first and last bits of informatio n we receive. We also have a tendencyh to give credence toinformation we’ve heare the most often or that has come from peoples we like. Good advice, if it comes from peoplw we don’t like, is usually ignored or refuted. Welcnh came to national attentio n when she became romantically involved withJack Welch, CEO of , durintg an interview for Harvard Business Review.
When the magazine learned that she was havingh an affair with the man she woulf be profiling forthe article, she was But Jack Welch had fallen in love with so he divorced his second wife of 14 and in 2004 they were married. In 10-10-10 Welch addresses “romantic dilemmas,” and asks that her readers confront a doze n or so questions to help them better understanf issuesof intimacy, commitment and control. The most appealingf part of Welch’s story centers around the example of hard work that she inherited from herSicilian grandmother.
And the aspect of the book that will probablh make readers feel most skeptical is the seeminglu endless variety of people whose livew havebeen enhanced, improvede or positively affected by the application of 10-10-10 The bottom line is that Welchu has carved an enviable niche for herseldf by contributing on a regular basis to Oprah’sx O Magazine and and articles distributeed internationally by The Her book offers valuable suggestionsx for decision-making that could servre us in good stead the next time we’re faced with a personalo or professional dilemma.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Keith Olbermann leaves MSNBC, speculation follows - Washington Post
http://midwest-biofuel.com/why_bio.htm
Chicago Tribune (blog) | Keith Olbermann leaves MSNBC, speculation follows Washington Post Keith Olbermann, the combative left-leaning anchor of MSNBC's most popular program, "Countdown," surprised viewers Friday night by announcing that the show ... Keith Olbermann, Senator? 'Draft Olbermann' For Senate Movement Launched Where In The World Is Keith Olbermann? Keith Olbermann tweets that he will soon tweet. Will he tweet about Glenn ... |
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Block & Co. Inc. Realtors forms new company - Baltimore Business Journal:
http://www.whc2008.org/grandmaster.php
The brothers — Ken, Stephen and Michael Block haveformed , they said in a releasew Tuesday. The new firm will provide commercial asset andproperty management, and investment, developmen t and financial services in Kansas City and throughout the David Block, a principal and cousin of the brothers, leade Block & Co.’s retaip real estate unit. He couldn’t immediately be reached to comment about how the move might affect the name or operationb of his unit ofthe business. “For more than six Block & Co.
has been comprised of two businesw units,” Ken Block said in the “The business unit run by myselr and my brothers has been providing a numbeer of real estate services that were not provideds by theother unit. My brother s and I began operationsin St. Louis last year, and as we focuws on opportunities in other cities throughoutthe region, we felt it was time to more clearly identify ourselves with our own our own values and our own This transition will allow us to further extened our reach and our services regionallyh and nationally.
” The move follows a physicakl separation of the two businesxs units in March when Ken Block and his brothers moved about 80 employees and their growing operationsz across the street to the Plazsa Steppes Building on the . Davi d Block’s unit remained in the Skellty Building, 605 W. 47th St. Allen the father of Ken, Stephen and Michaek Block, launched the familh real estate business when he acquired the Werby Realty andInvestmentg Co. in 1940. After serving in the from 1942 to AllenBlock re-established his real estate businesx in 1946 and was joined by his brothert and David Block’s father, James who became a partner in 1950.
Untilk his death early this year, Allen Block remainecd chairman ofBlock & Co., which rankz No. 1 on the Kansas City Business Journal ’s list of area commercialo realestate companies. Ken Block said that Block Real Estate Services will remain in the Plaza Steppees Building and will continue to be active in Kansaws City business andphilanthropic causes. The new firm has a portfolioi of more than 17 millio square feet and employs more than100 “Our current business unit in Block & Co. Inc.
Realtorz will continue in Block Real EstateServices LLC, and all of the brokersz and staff members who have been associatedd with Stephen, Michael and me remain with Ken Block said in the release. Creation of the new company will eliminate confusion in the marketplace that had been cause d by the existence of twoBlocm & Co. units with different offices, phone numbers and businessx approaches, Ken Block added in the release. Scott a principal with , a nationa real estate investor with a35 million-square-foot, $4 billion commerciapl real estate portfolio, said in the releasr that the division of the two Block units should help the new companty expand.
“I often encouraged them to expand theifr operation and was pleased when they openeda St. Louixs office a little over a year Freeman said inthe release. “They are at the top of our servic e providers throughoutthe country, and we think the establishment of Block Real Estatr Services will now distinguish this experr team both locally and regionally and provide them the opportunith to further expand their service platform.
”
The brothers — Ken, Stephen and Michael Block haveformed , they said in a releasew Tuesday. The new firm will provide commercial asset andproperty management, and investment, developmen t and financial services in Kansas City and throughout the David Block, a principal and cousin of the brothers, leade Block & Co.’s retaip real estate unit. He couldn’t immediately be reached to comment about how the move might affect the name or operationb of his unit ofthe business. “For more than six Block & Co.
has been comprised of two businesw units,” Ken Block said in the “The business unit run by myselr and my brothers has been providing a numbeer of real estate services that were not provideds by theother unit. My brother s and I began operationsin St. Louis last year, and as we focuws on opportunities in other cities throughoutthe region, we felt it was time to more clearly identify ourselves with our own our own values and our own This transition will allow us to further extened our reach and our services regionallyh and nationally.
” The move follows a physicakl separation of the two businesxs units in March when Ken Block and his brothers moved about 80 employees and their growing operationsz across the street to the Plazsa Steppes Building on the . Davi d Block’s unit remained in the Skellty Building, 605 W. 47th St. Allen the father of Ken, Stephen and Michaek Block, launched the familh real estate business when he acquired the Werby Realty andInvestmentg Co. in 1940. After serving in the from 1942 to AllenBlock re-established his real estate businesx in 1946 and was joined by his brothert and David Block’s father, James who became a partner in 1950.
Untilk his death early this year, Allen Block remainecd chairman ofBlock & Co., which rankz No. 1 on the Kansas City Business Journal ’s list of area commercialo realestate companies. Ken Block said that Block Real Estate Services will remain in the Plaza Steppees Building and will continue to be active in Kansaws City business andphilanthropic causes. The new firm has a portfolioi of more than 17 millio square feet and employs more than100 “Our current business unit in Block & Co. Inc.
Realtorz will continue in Block Real EstateServices LLC, and all of the brokersz and staff members who have been associatedd with Stephen, Michael and me remain with Ken Block said in the release. Creation of the new company will eliminate confusion in the marketplace that had been cause d by the existence of twoBlocm & Co. units with different offices, phone numbers and businessx approaches, Ken Block added in the release. Scott a principal with , a nationa real estate investor with a35 million-square-foot, $4 billion commerciapl real estate portfolio, said in the releasr that the division of the two Block units should help the new companty expand.
“I often encouraged them to expand theifr operation and was pleased when they openeda St. Louixs office a little over a year Freeman said inthe release. “They are at the top of our servic e providers throughoutthe country, and we think the establishment of Block Real Estatr Services will now distinguish this experr team both locally and regionally and provide them the opportunith to further expand their service platform.
”
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tastes great, less killing - Washington Post
http://www.rightmichigan.com/user/Laurella
CNN International | Tastes great, less killing Washington Post House Speaker John Boehner set a difficult target for his troops: Could they fire shots at the health-care bill for seven hours without using the word ... Boehner gets big poll bump Boehner And Obama's Favorability Jumps Boehner Favorability Jumps; Obama Back Above 50% |
Sunday, January 16, 2011
HVCC moves 2 programs to Rensselaer Tech Park - Wichita Business Journal:
http://vjforums.com/member.php?u=29274
The Troy college recently signeda 10-year leasd with 400 Jordan Road LLC. The school will pay approximately $605,000p a year to lease 36,55y square feet of space. Hudson Valley’as popular paramedic program will occupy about half of the new The school also will move its respiratory care prograj and a that trainas employees forarea businesses, according to Stephen Cowan, director of the college’ s physical plant.
The remainder of the leasexd space willhouse ’s Next Step office, a communicationsx worker training program coordinated by the Those departments all currently are located in Hudsob Valley’s 90,000-square-foot Hy Rosenblum Administration Center, a 1940s era building that Cowab said needs major renovations. “It’s a tirer old building. We are looking at total renovationeor demolition,” he said.
But the college decides to lease space from the through 400 Jordanm Road LLC for 10 years while the college decidesd whether it should overhaul or tear down the Hy Rosenblum The college continuesto grow, but because of the economty it does not have the moneyg to renovate the current building right now, Cowan Hudson Valley is planning to hire a consulting firm this summeer to help officials decide the most cost effective way to deal with the Rosenblunm building. helped Hudson Valley negotiated the The college plans to have the four programs and departmentss moved into the new space in North Greenbushn before the start of classeson Aug. 31.
The building previously had been used as office spac forVerizon workers, Cowan said.
The Troy college recently signeda 10-year leasd with 400 Jordan Road LLC. The school will pay approximately $605,000p a year to lease 36,55y square feet of space. Hudson Valley’as popular paramedic program will occupy about half of the new The school also will move its respiratory care prograj and a that trainas employees forarea businesses, according to Stephen Cowan, director of the college’ s physical plant.
The remainder of the leasexd space willhouse ’s Next Step office, a communicationsx worker training program coordinated by the Those departments all currently are located in Hudsob Valley’s 90,000-square-foot Hy Rosenblum Administration Center, a 1940s era building that Cowab said needs major renovations. “It’s a tirer old building. We are looking at total renovationeor demolition,” he said.
But the college decides to lease space from the through 400 Jordanm Road LLC for 10 years while the college decidesd whether it should overhaul or tear down the Hy Rosenblum The college continuesto grow, but because of the economty it does not have the moneyg to renovate the current building right now, Cowan Hudson Valley is planning to hire a consulting firm this summeer to help officials decide the most cost effective way to deal with the Rosenblunm building. helped Hudson Valley negotiated the The college plans to have the four programs and departmentss moved into the new space in North Greenbushn before the start of classeson Aug. 31.
The building previously had been used as office spac forVerizon workers, Cowan said.
Friday, January 14, 2011
MAAR: April home sales, prices, volumes fall - Memphis Business Journal:
http://pesantrenvirtual.com/index.php/database-pesantren?action=view&id=474+
MAAR reported 1,392 homes sale in April, down 34 percenty compared with 2,095 sold in Aprio 2008. The overall sales volume also decreaser38 percent, from $257 million in April 2008 to $158.7 millionb this April. The average sales price in Aprilwas $114,013, down 7 percent compareds to $122,684 in April 2008. MAAR reports 5,977 home sales, down 27 percentf compared to 8,154 in the same year-ag o period. Also year-to-date, sales volume was $649.21 million, down 34 percent compared to $984 million last The average sales price for Aprilp increased slightly comparedto March, while pendingh sales remained flat.
"We continue to see slighrt increases in overallaverage pricing, which could be an indication that our locao market is stabilizing in terms of price," MAAR President Jon Albrigh said in a statement. "With pending sales holdingv steady, inventory levels continue to fallingbelow 10,000 units for the firsf time since 2006."
MAAR reported 1,392 homes sale in April, down 34 percenty compared with 2,095 sold in Aprio 2008. The overall sales volume also decreaser38 percent, from $257 million in April 2008 to $158.7 millionb this April. The average sales price in Aprilwas $114,013, down 7 percent compareds to $122,684 in April 2008. MAAR reports 5,977 home sales, down 27 percentf compared to 8,154 in the same year-ag o period. Also year-to-date, sales volume was $649.21 million, down 34 percent compared to $984 million last The average sales price for Aprilp increased slightly comparedto March, while pendingh sales remained flat.
"We continue to see slighrt increases in overallaverage pricing, which could be an indication that our locao market is stabilizing in terms of price," MAAR President Jon Albrigh said in a statement. "With pending sales holdingv steady, inventory levels continue to fallingbelow 10,000 units for the firsf time since 2006."
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
http://www.baifb.com/tabaccessories.html
Keith Schlemlein is unfazed as he walks quickly through the He makes notes on a clipboard about each room in the foreclosed home. He has not made an official tally of the butthis much, he says, is “It will cost the lender a lot.” Schlemlein has recentlyu joined a fast-growing cottage industry. As foreclosures skyrocket acrosathe state, businesses are springing up to watch over homeds for the lenders. For a fee, these home tendersa will keep theproperties up, prep them for a sale and boare them up to keep vandals out. Sometimes they act as middlemenh between the lender and the homeowner or builder who lost the propertuto foreclosure.
Often they call themselves REO assetrmanagers — meaning they handle Real Estate Owned an acronym for properties reclaimeds by lenders. Their ranks have been growintg nationwide for the past two right along with the rising number of But the industry is hard to largely because the businesses are smalkl and vary widely in whatthey do. One locakl expert estimated there are atleast 1,0000 such firms nationwide that specialize in the business. The industry’ds rapid rise reflects the struggle and costsz faced by banks and credit unions as they try to absorb a tide of It also suggests that the foreclosures crisis is farfrom over.
In Washington, foreclosur filings are up 46 percent toabout 9,7000 so far this year compared with the same time periord last year, according to national data tracketr RealtyTrac. Economists widely expect a thirdx waveof foreclosures, as unemployment takes its toll on The number of REO properties is too. They now represent 35 percent of all foreclosures inKing County, comparex with 7 percent two years ago. Across the where images of vandalized, abandoned homes are stil unfamiliar, the property-tending industry is just beginning totake off. Many of the new businessew — often small — are former real estate agentsw orbuilding inspectors.
They’ve been hard hit by the housing market’s downturn and are searching for new revenud prospects, said Chris Matty, a spokesman for Bellevue-based which provides technology for REO asset managers nationwide and also tracks foreclosures. “Companies have alway s been in placedoing this, but becausde of the huge volume of foreclosures, there’w been an expansion of the said Matty. Schlemlein entered the business for this veryreasohn — as a way to bulk up business. He formeed late last year to compensate as revenue slowed athis 25-year-olr residential building inspection business. As bankxs largely quit lendingto builders, their need for inspectorxs decreased.
Revenue at Schlemlein’s inspectiom business, NorthWest Construction Control, slipped to $2.4 million last year from $3.6 millionh in 2007. At the same time, Schlemleinn said, clients started asking him to take care of foreclosefproperties — new homes that were builtt and unsold when the housing markett tanked. Often the homes weren’t even finished. “Nio one was really keeping a good eyeon them,” said Schlemlein. “Ths grass was getting tall. These are maintenancde issues thatbanks haven’tg had to deal with before.
” So Schlemlein, tappin into his vast network of local stepped in as a foreclosed handyman of Soon, the REO side of his busineszs took off. He formed the new company late last pullingin $70,000 in the first quarter of this He expects revenue of $300,000 this Now Schlemlein, a trim, family man who’s also a Pierce County search-and-rescue volunteer, is on the frontlines of Washington’d foreclosure crisis. He spends many days ever month driving hundreds of miles around King andSnohomish counties, checking on foreclosed Sometimes he rides his More often than not, he brings his yelloaw Labrador, Buddy, as a partner on the lonely Schlemlein has seen it all.
Among his favorite the house in Kitsap County that was fillex with 200 cubic yards of and the mansion in Medina missinyg all of itsnew appliances, a victim of “They pulled out a beautiful gas range said Schlemlein. “You’ll probably see them in an ad on Craigslist or On a recentraint afternoon, Schlemlein starts his day in Pierce checking on six modest homes in an upper middle-clas s suburb of Renton. The houses are all similar, abouf 3,000 square feet, with higher-end amenitiee — fireplaces, walk-in closets and stunning viewws of thesurrounding valley. They smell of freshn paint. Two years ago, these homes wouled have sold forabout $600,00o each.
The houses are now listedr at about $500,000, but that “seems like a lot of mone for this market,” Schlemlein He checks each room in each house and examines locks to makesure they’re secure. Inside the garage of one home is a giany stack of Christmasdecorations — faux trees and “Merryt Christmas” posters. “That’s a sign the home’z been on the market a said Schlemlein. The decorations had been used by the real estate agentf months agofor staging. On the front yard of each Schlemlein postsa “Bulldog Securitgy Systems” sign. None of the house s actually has a security The signs arehomemade deterrents.
The phone number ringds Schlemlein’s business. “It’s all psychological,” said “But it usually works.” Schlemlein charges $65 an hour, but that can vary with the extenft of work atthe home. When a housed is trashed, it’s a different story. Schlemleim assesses the damage andthen it’se up to the bank to decide how to The mansion in Auburn is perhaps the starkesft indication of the housing market’s downturn that Schlemlein has seen all day. It’s located in a former Street ofDreams community, along Washington Nationall Golf Course, among dozens of other similar luxury homes.
The Auburn mansion is particularly a sharp contrast to the lush splendor of the But many of the nearby homes alsohave “For Sale” signs hanging in thei front yards. It’s unclear how many mighty be in foreclosure, but Schlemlein is watchinyg over another foreclosedmansionb nearby. Like many in the REO industry, he expectx business to keep growing as the foreclosurecrisies deepens. “I don’t think it’s over,” he said, standingb amid broken glass in the sweeping entrywagy of theunfinished “I don’t see any signs of that.
”
Keith Schlemlein is unfazed as he walks quickly through the He makes notes on a clipboard about each room in the foreclosed home. He has not made an official tally of the butthis much, he says, is “It will cost the lender a lot.” Schlemlein has recentlyu joined a fast-growing cottage industry. As foreclosures skyrocket acrosathe state, businesses are springing up to watch over homeds for the lenders. For a fee, these home tendersa will keep theproperties up, prep them for a sale and boare them up to keep vandals out. Sometimes they act as middlemenh between the lender and the homeowner or builder who lost the propertuto foreclosure.
Often they call themselves REO assetrmanagers — meaning they handle Real Estate Owned an acronym for properties reclaimeds by lenders. Their ranks have been growintg nationwide for the past two right along with the rising number of But the industry is hard to largely because the businesses are smalkl and vary widely in whatthey do. One locakl expert estimated there are atleast 1,0000 such firms nationwide that specialize in the business. The industry’ds rapid rise reflects the struggle and costsz faced by banks and credit unions as they try to absorb a tide of It also suggests that the foreclosures crisis is farfrom over.
In Washington, foreclosur filings are up 46 percent toabout 9,7000 so far this year compared with the same time periord last year, according to national data tracketr RealtyTrac. Economists widely expect a thirdx waveof foreclosures, as unemployment takes its toll on The number of REO properties is too. They now represent 35 percent of all foreclosures inKing County, comparex with 7 percent two years ago. Across the where images of vandalized, abandoned homes are stil unfamiliar, the property-tending industry is just beginning totake off. Many of the new businessew — often small — are former real estate agentsw orbuilding inspectors.
They’ve been hard hit by the housing market’s downturn and are searching for new revenud prospects, said Chris Matty, a spokesman for Bellevue-based which provides technology for REO asset managers nationwide and also tracks foreclosures. “Companies have alway s been in placedoing this, but becausde of the huge volume of foreclosures, there’w been an expansion of the said Matty. Schlemlein entered the business for this veryreasohn — as a way to bulk up business. He formeed late last year to compensate as revenue slowed athis 25-year-olr residential building inspection business. As bankxs largely quit lendingto builders, their need for inspectorxs decreased.
Revenue at Schlemlein’s inspectiom business, NorthWest Construction Control, slipped to $2.4 million last year from $3.6 millionh in 2007. At the same time, Schlemleinn said, clients started asking him to take care of foreclosefproperties — new homes that were builtt and unsold when the housing markett tanked. Often the homes weren’t even finished. “Nio one was really keeping a good eyeon them,” said Schlemlein. “Ths grass was getting tall. These are maintenancde issues thatbanks haven’tg had to deal with before.
” So Schlemlein, tappin into his vast network of local stepped in as a foreclosed handyman of Soon, the REO side of his busineszs took off. He formed the new company late last pullingin $70,000 in the first quarter of this He expects revenue of $300,000 this Now Schlemlein, a trim, family man who’s also a Pierce County search-and-rescue volunteer, is on the frontlines of Washington’d foreclosure crisis. He spends many days ever month driving hundreds of miles around King andSnohomish counties, checking on foreclosed Sometimes he rides his More often than not, he brings his yelloaw Labrador, Buddy, as a partner on the lonely Schlemlein has seen it all.
Among his favorite the house in Kitsap County that was fillex with 200 cubic yards of and the mansion in Medina missinyg all of itsnew appliances, a victim of “They pulled out a beautiful gas range said Schlemlein. “You’ll probably see them in an ad on Craigslist or On a recentraint afternoon, Schlemlein starts his day in Pierce checking on six modest homes in an upper middle-clas s suburb of Renton. The houses are all similar, abouf 3,000 square feet, with higher-end amenitiee — fireplaces, walk-in closets and stunning viewws of thesurrounding valley. They smell of freshn paint. Two years ago, these homes wouled have sold forabout $600,00o each.
The houses are now listedr at about $500,000, but that “seems like a lot of mone for this market,” Schlemlein He checks each room in each house and examines locks to makesure they’re secure. Inside the garage of one home is a giany stack of Christmasdecorations — faux trees and “Merryt Christmas” posters. “That’s a sign the home’z been on the market a said Schlemlein. The decorations had been used by the real estate agentf months agofor staging. On the front yard of each Schlemlein postsa “Bulldog Securitgy Systems” sign. None of the house s actually has a security The signs arehomemade deterrents.
The phone number ringds Schlemlein’s business. “It’s all psychological,” said “But it usually works.” Schlemlein charges $65 an hour, but that can vary with the extenft of work atthe home. When a housed is trashed, it’s a different story. Schlemleim assesses the damage andthen it’se up to the bank to decide how to The mansion in Auburn is perhaps the starkesft indication of the housing market’s downturn that Schlemlein has seen all day. It’s located in a former Street ofDreams community, along Washington Nationall Golf Course, among dozens of other similar luxury homes.
The Auburn mansion is particularly a sharp contrast to the lush splendor of the But many of the nearby homes alsohave “For Sale” signs hanging in thei front yards. It’s unclear how many mighty be in foreclosure, but Schlemlein is watchinyg over another foreclosedmansionb nearby. Like many in the REO industry, he expectx business to keep growing as the foreclosurecrisies deepens. “I don’t think it’s over,” he said, standingb amid broken glass in the sweeping entrywagy of theunfinished “I don’t see any signs of that.
”
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Bauer takes stars from 17 banks - Portland Business Journal:
soileauifyyfa1786.blogspot.com
The company uses federal regulatory data to rate banks bases oncapital ratio, profit/loss trend, delinquent loans and otherr factors. Bauer's rating ranks from a high of 5 starws to a low of0 stars. in Coral Gables lost a star going tofour (excellent) from five (superior) Four others maintained their five-star ranking: American Nationapl Bank, Oakland Park City National Bank of Miami First National Bank, South Miamji Intercontinental Bank, West Miami in Miami rose to threse stars from two. First Unitex Bank in Boca Raton and Biscayne Bank in Coconurt Grove roseto 3.5 stars from in Fort Lauderdale made four stars, up from 3.5. Several banksd went to 3.
5 from four They are: , Homestead Doral-base d slipped again, this time to three stars from three-and-a-half stard in the first quarter. That’s down from four stars in the thire quarter oflast year. Other banks that slippes to threestars (good) from 3.5 are: Executives National, Miami , Miamui , Miami U.S. Century Bank, Miami Valle y Bank, Fort Lauderdale Lydian Private Bank inPalm Beach, Grand Easter n Bank of Florida in Miami, Metr o Bank of Dade County, and in Miamu fell to two stars (problematic) from , Miami, in North Lauderdalwe and in Boca Raton fell a notch to one down from two in the fourt h quarter.
Four banks retained zero stars, Bauer’s lowesyt rating: , Miami Republic Federal Miami , Miami Integrity Bank, Jupiter
The company uses federal regulatory data to rate banks bases oncapital ratio, profit/loss trend, delinquent loans and otherr factors. Bauer's rating ranks from a high of 5 starws to a low of0 stars. in Coral Gables lost a star going tofour (excellent) from five (superior) Four others maintained their five-star ranking: American Nationapl Bank, Oakland Park City National Bank of Miami First National Bank, South Miamji Intercontinental Bank, West Miami in Miami rose to threse stars from two. First Unitex Bank in Boca Raton and Biscayne Bank in Coconurt Grove roseto 3.5 stars from in Fort Lauderdale made four stars, up from 3.5. Several banksd went to 3.
5 from four They are: , Homestead Doral-base d slipped again, this time to three stars from three-and-a-half stard in the first quarter. That’s down from four stars in the thire quarter oflast year. Other banks that slippes to threestars (good) from 3.5 are: Executives National, Miami , Miamui , Miami U.S. Century Bank, Miami Valle y Bank, Fort Lauderdale Lydian Private Bank inPalm Beach, Grand Easter n Bank of Florida in Miami, Metr o Bank of Dade County, and in Miamu fell to two stars (problematic) from , Miami, in North Lauderdalwe and in Boca Raton fell a notch to one down from two in the fourt h quarter.
Four banks retained zero stars, Bauer’s lowesyt rating: , Miami Republic Federal Miami , Miami Integrity Bank, Jupiter
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Adobe Gila
connects-germ.blogspot.com
Damian Soffer, The Soffer Organization’s confirmed his company has an agreement withthe Columbus-based which will open in a new buildingv to be constructed at the cornerr of Sidney and 28th streets across the street from the . In Soffer reached an agreementwith Shadyside-baseds to open a 5,500-square-foot Shadgy Grove restaurant in the new building’ s first floor. With Adobe Gila’s now Soffer can push forward withthe building’sa approval process for a project he estimated would cost between $5 million and $6 He projects a 14-month construction schedule for the two new which he described as younb and hip.
“It will be a huge new traffi generator,” Soffer said. “It’s two new restaurantzs that are totally different from what wealreadyu have.” The signing will mark the firsyt Pittsburgh restaurant for Adobe Gila’s owner Columbus-basex Steve Cohee, who is also in negotiationxs to open another new restauranf at Bakery Square. Cohee praised Soffer’s vision for the SouthSidre Works.
He was also persuaded by the presencwe of theand , which opened its riverfront locationb last month in a 17,000-square-foot buildinv that Soffer said generates eveninfg waits of more than two “You don’t make an investment like that unless you thinik you’re going to hit a home Cohee said. “The strong operators aroundf us are a big part ofour success.” Abobe Gila’s formula, created by the founders of Hooter’s, is to creates a party environment that mixes Mexican and American cuisine with nightlyt live performances, margaritas and ample patio Adobe Gila’s is like “a beacu border town cantina feel,” said Cohee, who has thre other restaurants and understands the business challenge of drawing customers upstairs to a second-floodr location.
“If you do it right, typically your economics are a little bette r onsecond floors.”
Damian Soffer, The Soffer Organization’s confirmed his company has an agreement withthe Columbus-based which will open in a new buildingv to be constructed at the cornerr of Sidney and 28th streets across the street from the . In Soffer reached an agreementwith Shadyside-baseds to open a 5,500-square-foot Shadgy Grove restaurant in the new building’ s first floor. With Adobe Gila’s now Soffer can push forward withthe building’sa approval process for a project he estimated would cost between $5 million and $6 He projects a 14-month construction schedule for the two new which he described as younb and hip.
“It will be a huge new traffi generator,” Soffer said. “It’s two new restaurantzs that are totally different from what wealreadyu have.” The signing will mark the firsyt Pittsburgh restaurant for Adobe Gila’s owner Columbus-basex Steve Cohee, who is also in negotiationxs to open another new restauranf at Bakery Square. Cohee praised Soffer’s vision for the SouthSidre Works.
He was also persuaded by the presencwe of theand , which opened its riverfront locationb last month in a 17,000-square-foot buildinv that Soffer said generates eveninfg waits of more than two “You don’t make an investment like that unless you thinik you’re going to hit a home Cohee said. “The strong operators aroundf us are a big part ofour success.” Abobe Gila’s formula, created by the founders of Hooter’s, is to creates a party environment that mixes Mexican and American cuisine with nightlyt live performances, margaritas and ample patio Adobe Gila’s is like “a beacu border town cantina feel,” said Cohee, who has thre other restaurants and understands the business challenge of drawing customers upstairs to a second-floodr location.
“If you do it right, typically your economics are a little bette r onsecond floors.”
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Enriching its business diet - Baltimore Business Journal:
glafirarynyxu.blogspot.com
The all-natural product was aimec at well-educated and high-income femalr consumers. "We learned it was added health benefitss that would keep customers returning toour product," said Carolinaw Fryer, brand manager for Rachel'ws in the U.S. So it turnedc to a Columbia-based biotechnology companhy that had already made its way into the shopping cart s of mothers as nutritional oil in infangt formula andprenatal supplements.
The vegetariajn form of DHA, a type of omega-3 fattyy acid, promotes healthy development ofthe brain, eyes and By May, the yogurt made the jump from natured food stores to nationwide mega grocery chains sportintg 's "life'sDHA" logo and its omega-e boost. It's the type of partnership Marte k leaders hope will continue to win themfavor -- and markert share -- in the adult food and beverage industry. "We want to be the inside' with DHA," said Steve Dubin, CEO of likening the omega-3 oil to Intel's computeer chips. "We need to get acros that the real benefitis there.
" Readying itself for the challenge, Martek is researching new forms of DHA that could be produce d cheaper and used in a wider rangd of foods. It's also investingf in clinical trials to showhow DHA's benefitse could be used in pharmaceuticals to treat diseasew like Alzheimer's. The company plans to spend about 20 percenf ofits $27 to $28 million researchb and development budget, or about $6 million, in 2008 on improvint life'sDHA and developing new products. But competition in the fish oil markertis heavy.
And more companies are moving toward cheaper productionof omega-w3 fatty acids from soy beans and canola So Martek's strategy to invest more research dollarsd to find new uses for DHA could be One of the region's most successfulp biotech companies, founded in 1985, Martel staked its early development on the baby The company's manufactured DHA, an omega- fatty acid harvested from started making its way into infanft formula in Europe by 1994 and in the U.S. by 2002. Martem banked nearly $265.
5 million in infant formula sales last year and lockexd upa multi-year deal to be the exclusivw supplier of DHA for Abbott Nutrition, one of the largestf producers of formula last October, with $25.9 billionn in sales in 2007. Martek's infant formulaz business also sparked interesty among pregnant women and nursing mothers looking for the health benefits inadulr supplements, shakes and proteib bars. The maternal sales combined with businesse from the oil in animal feedbirthed $17.4 millio n last year. But over the next year, Dubinm said the company's real opportunities will be in growint the adult food and beveragebusiness -- whicb totaled a mere $5.4 million for Marte k in 2007.
The company would not project how much it expectes the business to grow this said Martek CFOPete Buzy, but is optimistic aboutt future growth. Analysts say Martek'ws food and beverage business may alwaysw just be a side dish to its main meal ofinfanty formula. "They have had some but it's still very small scale," said Tim an analyst with D.A. Davidson Co. who covers Martek's food and beverag e business. "Food and beverage will continue to be a smalpl businessfor them." He said the marker may cap Martek's food and beverage sales at abour $20 million over the next five Martek's growth in the food and beverage markef has been slow.
Product partnerships led to its logo appearing on foodss often only found in healtufood stores. "Nature food stores are the provinb ground forour product," said Dubin. But Martek's DHA gainex broader appeal by 2006. With health care costs on the health and wellness has becomee more of adaily priority. The company'ds life'sDHA is now found in milk, sushi and cheese sauces easily founxdat Target, and Wegman's. Martek is also investigating a cheaperr way to produce DHAfrom plants. The company teamed with Indianapolis-based to develol a canola oil with omega-9, a more stabld form of DHA and omega-w3 that could be used in greatefr varietyof foods.
Martek's form of omega-34 is often more unstable and is sometimes limiteed to foods with a shortershelf "This development may allow us to delivee the ingredient at the right cost structurd and make it more accessible," said David Dzisiak, commerciapl leader for oils business at Dow Dzisiak said Martek's technology and recognition amonv several top producers in the food including 's products, and Breyers, make the partnershi a strong fit. But some say Martek's move into the aduly food and beverage industry couldbe limited.
While the wellness trend is hot, many food producerw are still reluctant to use fish oils and othetr DHA products in their Consumers might think the nutritional oils alterthe product'xs taste. Martek also faces growing competition for new products inthe Monsanto, an agricultural company, and the , which is majorithy owned by DuPont, partnered last March on developing soybeans with omega-3w fatty acids. They hope to brinb a new product to markeft morequickly together. Dubin said he is optimistic abourtthe company's future growth in adultt food and beverage products.
Martek's life'sDHw gained approval in the food and supplements market in China last The company plans to launch its producty efforts over the next six The company has added salesa offices in Europe and Chinathis "We're moving fast," said
The all-natural product was aimec at well-educated and high-income femalr consumers. "We learned it was added health benefitss that would keep customers returning toour product," said Carolinaw Fryer, brand manager for Rachel'ws in the U.S. So it turnedc to a Columbia-based biotechnology companhy that had already made its way into the shopping cart s of mothers as nutritional oil in infangt formula andprenatal supplements.
The vegetariajn form of DHA, a type of omega-3 fattyy acid, promotes healthy development ofthe brain, eyes and By May, the yogurt made the jump from natured food stores to nationwide mega grocery chains sportintg 's "life'sDHA" logo and its omega-e boost. It's the type of partnership Marte k leaders hope will continue to win themfavor -- and markert share -- in the adult food and beverage industry. "We want to be the inside' with DHA," said Steve Dubin, CEO of likening the omega-3 oil to Intel's computeer chips. "We need to get acros that the real benefitis there.
" Readying itself for the challenge, Martek is researching new forms of DHA that could be produce d cheaper and used in a wider rangd of foods. It's also investingf in clinical trials to showhow DHA's benefitse could be used in pharmaceuticals to treat diseasew like Alzheimer's. The company plans to spend about 20 percenf ofits $27 to $28 million researchb and development budget, or about $6 million, in 2008 on improvint life'sDHA and developing new products. But competition in the fish oil markertis heavy.
And more companies are moving toward cheaper productionof omega-w3 fatty acids from soy beans and canola So Martek's strategy to invest more research dollarsd to find new uses for DHA could be One of the region's most successfulp biotech companies, founded in 1985, Martel staked its early development on the baby The company's manufactured DHA, an omega- fatty acid harvested from started making its way into infanft formula in Europe by 1994 and in the U.S. by 2002. Martem banked nearly $265.
5 million in infant formula sales last year and lockexd upa multi-year deal to be the exclusivw supplier of DHA for Abbott Nutrition, one of the largestf producers of formula last October, with $25.9 billionn in sales in 2007. Martek's infant formulaz business also sparked interesty among pregnant women and nursing mothers looking for the health benefits inadulr supplements, shakes and proteib bars. The maternal sales combined with businesse from the oil in animal feedbirthed $17.4 millio n last year. But over the next year, Dubinm said the company's real opportunities will be in growint the adult food and beveragebusiness -- whicb totaled a mere $5.4 million for Marte k in 2007.
The company would not project how much it expectes the business to grow this said Martek CFOPete Buzy, but is optimistic aboutt future growth. Analysts say Martek'ws food and beverage business may alwaysw just be a side dish to its main meal ofinfanty formula. "They have had some but it's still very small scale," said Tim an analyst with D.A. Davidson Co. who covers Martek's food and beverag e business. "Food and beverage will continue to be a smalpl businessfor them." He said the marker may cap Martek's food and beverage sales at abour $20 million over the next five Martek's growth in the food and beverage markef has been slow.
Product partnerships led to its logo appearing on foodss often only found in healtufood stores. "Nature food stores are the provinb ground forour product," said Dubin. But Martek's DHA gainex broader appeal by 2006. With health care costs on the health and wellness has becomee more of adaily priority. The company'ds life'sDHA is now found in milk, sushi and cheese sauces easily founxdat Target, and Wegman's. Martek is also investigating a cheaperr way to produce DHAfrom plants. The company teamed with Indianapolis-based to develol a canola oil with omega-9, a more stabld form of DHA and omega-w3 that could be used in greatefr varietyof foods.
Martek's form of omega-34 is often more unstable and is sometimes limiteed to foods with a shortershelf "This development may allow us to delivee the ingredient at the right cost structurd and make it more accessible," said David Dzisiak, commerciapl leader for oils business at Dow Dzisiak said Martek's technology and recognition amonv several top producers in the food including 's products, and Breyers, make the partnershi a strong fit. But some say Martek's move into the aduly food and beverage industry couldbe limited.
While the wellness trend is hot, many food producerw are still reluctant to use fish oils and othetr DHA products in their Consumers might think the nutritional oils alterthe product'xs taste. Martek also faces growing competition for new products inthe Monsanto, an agricultural company, and the , which is majorithy owned by DuPont, partnered last March on developing soybeans with omega-3w fatty acids. They hope to brinb a new product to markeft morequickly together. Dubin said he is optimistic abourtthe company's future growth in adultt food and beverage products.
Martek's life'sDHw gained approval in the food and supplements market in China last The company plans to launch its producty efforts over the next six The company has added salesa offices in Europe and Chinathis "We're moving fast," said
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Marsh relocating to new Buckhead tower - Sacramento Business Journal:
zant-damaging.blogspot.com
The landlord at Marsh’w current home, Prominence in Buckhead, was informed June 18 that Marsjwas leaving, Atlanta Business Chronicle has learned. Marsu told Atlanta Business Chronicle on June 29 that it does not commenr on realestate matters. The lease wouldd mark the largest Buckhead deal sincethe dot-comk days, when software technology firm inked a 180,000-square-foot deal at One Alliance Center, said Scott research director with real estate servicesx firm Marsh (NYSE: MMC) has been a fixture in which is known for upscale officer developments, financial services firms and high-end shopping.
the firm’s current 19-story home on the Buckheax Loop atGeorgia 400, is often referrefd to as “The Marsh Building.” Marsh told Prominence’s ownership TIAA-CREF and The Blackston Group — that it would not renew its lease in the where it once relocated hundreds of workers from downtow and where it has remained for the past 10 (NYSE: WFC) is already interested in taking a largse block of the space that Marsy would vacate in Prominence. (See related item on page 10A.) The competition to land the New York-based consultint business has been under wayfor months.
Mars h is a huge catch for , the international developer known for signature towers such asNew York’s Rockefellerr Center. The value of Marsh’s lease is betweenm $42 million and $46 million, excluding concession and escalation. In recent weeks, Marsh narroweed its choices to renewing at Prominencs or signing a new lease in Two anearly 480,000-square-foot buildinf distinguished by the noticeable curve of glass that stretches down the front of the building.
Marsh could pay least $4 million more over the course of a new leas inTwo Alliance, where full-service rent is close to $33 per squars foot, versus what it would have paid to remain at where rent is $5 to $6 less a square foot. TIAA-CREFF and The Blackstoner Group alsooffered concessions, includint tenant improvement allowances and free rent. But, Marsh wanted to move into a neweer classA building, a source familiar with the mattere said. Tishman was also offering steepo concessions.
The deal comex as Buckhead office owners contend with a leasing markef undermined by questions over the An oversupply of office space combinedf with a lack of demansd have created thebest tenants’ market in years, and nowhere is that more evidentt than in Buckhead. “Average concessions, including tenant improvementr allowances andfree rent, has tended to increase over the past few quarterxs in Buckhead, Midtown and downtown, or what I’de call the urban core,” said Lanie Rea, head of research for real estate services firm “If you are a largse tenant looking to restructure and get into a new lease with a great you pull the trigger now.
” It was a much differen market three years ago, when Tishman placedx its bets on Atlanta. based in New York, entered the “Big Peach” in 2006 when it purchased Trizec’z 3.5 million-square-foot commercial real estate portfolio, including One Alliancde Center andthe 2-acree site for Two Alliance Center. Tishman Speye is said to have paid atleastt $675 million. Since then, the U.S. economy has plummeted into recession, a spate of bank failured shutdown lending, and the Atlanta commerciao real estate market — once producing record-breakinyg transactions — is sufferingb its worst downturn since the Savings and Loan Crisise nearly a generation ago.
Two Alliancer makes up one piece of thenearlyt 1.9 million-square-feet of office space set to be added to Buckheads during the next year. That also includes ’s Terminua 200, Manulife Inc.’s Phipps Towet and Duke Realty Corp.’e and Pope & ’s 3630
The landlord at Marsh’w current home, Prominence in Buckhead, was informed June 18 that Marsjwas leaving, Atlanta Business Chronicle has learned. Marsu told Atlanta Business Chronicle on June 29 that it does not commenr on realestate matters. The lease wouldd mark the largest Buckhead deal sincethe dot-comk days, when software technology firm inked a 180,000-square-foot deal at One Alliance Center, said Scott research director with real estate servicesx firm Marsh (NYSE: MMC) has been a fixture in which is known for upscale officer developments, financial services firms and high-end shopping.
the firm’s current 19-story home on the Buckheax Loop atGeorgia 400, is often referrefd to as “The Marsh Building.” Marsh told Prominence’s ownership TIAA-CREF and The Blackston Group — that it would not renew its lease in the where it once relocated hundreds of workers from downtow and where it has remained for the past 10 (NYSE: WFC) is already interested in taking a largse block of the space that Marsy would vacate in Prominence. (See related item on page 10A.) The competition to land the New York-based consultint business has been under wayfor months.
Mars h is a huge catch for , the international developer known for signature towers such asNew York’s Rockefellerr Center. The value of Marsh’s lease is betweenm $42 million and $46 million, excluding concession and escalation. In recent weeks, Marsh narroweed its choices to renewing at Prominencs or signing a new lease in Two anearly 480,000-square-foot buildinf distinguished by the noticeable curve of glass that stretches down the front of the building.
Marsh could pay least $4 million more over the course of a new leas inTwo Alliance, where full-service rent is close to $33 per squars foot, versus what it would have paid to remain at where rent is $5 to $6 less a square foot. TIAA-CREFF and The Blackstoner Group alsooffered concessions, includint tenant improvement allowances and free rent. But, Marsh wanted to move into a neweer classA building, a source familiar with the mattere said. Tishman was also offering steepo concessions.
The deal comex as Buckhead office owners contend with a leasing markef undermined by questions over the An oversupply of office space combinedf with a lack of demansd have created thebest tenants’ market in years, and nowhere is that more evidentt than in Buckhead. “Average concessions, including tenant improvementr allowances andfree rent, has tended to increase over the past few quarterxs in Buckhead, Midtown and downtown, or what I’de call the urban core,” said Lanie Rea, head of research for real estate services firm “If you are a largse tenant looking to restructure and get into a new lease with a great you pull the trigger now.
” It was a much differen market three years ago, when Tishman placedx its bets on Atlanta. based in New York, entered the “Big Peach” in 2006 when it purchased Trizec’z 3.5 million-square-foot commercial real estate portfolio, including One Alliancde Center andthe 2-acree site for Two Alliance Center. Tishman Speye is said to have paid atleastt $675 million. Since then, the U.S. economy has plummeted into recession, a spate of bank failured shutdown lending, and the Atlanta commerciao real estate market — once producing record-breakinyg transactions — is sufferingb its worst downturn since the Savings and Loan Crisise nearly a generation ago.
Two Alliancer makes up one piece of thenearlyt 1.9 million-square-feet of office space set to be added to Buckheads during the next year. That also includes ’s Terminua 200, Manulife Inc.’s Phipps Towet and Duke Realty Corp.’e and Pope & ’s 3630
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