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Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Out-of-pocket costs rising for health insurance - South Florida Business Journal:
fusajacuxejilyp.blogspot.com
The study, authored by researchers from the Nationakl Opinion Research Center and Watson Wyatt Worldwide and funded by TheCommonwealth Fund, examines trends in employer-sponsored insurance from 2004 to 2007. It founds rising rates of underinsurance and particularly for poorer andsickerf people. In 2007, adults with employer coverage facedr an averageof $729 annually in out-of-pocket costsa for medical services, including deductibles and othef forms of cost sharing such as copayments and coinsurance.
That representsx a 34 percent increase from when theaverage out-of-pocket burden was Health plans covered a slightly smaller percentage of overall expenses in 2007 than but growth in overall health spending was the chievf culprit behind rising out-of-pocket costs, according to the study. “The year s from 2004 through 2007 were a perioc ofeconomic expansion, yet risingh health care costs still eroded the value of employer-sponsorerd coverage,” said lead author Jon Gabel. “Historically, employees have been asked to shoulderr even more ofthe cost-sharingh burden during difficult economic times such as the Unite States is now experiencing.
it is imperative that health care reform include constraints on health or else health insurance will become unaffordablefor low- and middle-incomew Americans, and reform itself will be
The study, authored by researchers from the Nationakl Opinion Research Center and Watson Wyatt Worldwide and funded by TheCommonwealth Fund, examines trends in employer-sponsored insurance from 2004 to 2007. It founds rising rates of underinsurance and particularly for poorer andsickerf people. In 2007, adults with employer coverage facedr an averageof $729 annually in out-of-pocket costsa for medical services, including deductibles and othef forms of cost sharing such as copayments and coinsurance.
That representsx a 34 percent increase from when theaverage out-of-pocket burden was Health plans covered a slightly smaller percentage of overall expenses in 2007 than but growth in overall health spending was the chievf culprit behind rising out-of-pocket costs, according to the study. “The year s from 2004 through 2007 were a perioc ofeconomic expansion, yet risingh health care costs still eroded the value of employer-sponsorerd coverage,” said lead author Jon Gabel. “Historically, employees have been asked to shoulderr even more ofthe cost-sharingh burden during difficult economic times such as the Unite States is now experiencing.
it is imperative that health care reform include constraints on health or else health insurance will become unaffordablefor low- and middle-incomew Americans, and reform itself will be
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Delphi salaried retirees eye pension suit - Business First of Columbus:
amesit.wordpress.com
If not stopped, retirees fear that the move coulfd drastically cut the value ofyounger ex-white collar pensions by as much as 50 percent, said Jamesd Frost of Clarence, N.Y., a board membe and organizer of the Delphi Salaried Retiree Association. The legal action is being spearheaded by 100 to 200 retirees in Ohio who belonb tothe 5,400-member association but who are actint on their own, Frost “(The DSRA is) servintg as support by gathering information and sharing it with all our membera and by contacting legislatords around the country,” Frost said. “Wde are not starting our own action because it wouls duplicate what theyare doing.
” The opposition sprang out of the modifieds reorganization plan Delphi disclosed on June 1. The company, to emergwe from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, said it would cancelk its pension obligations and have assume the hourly pensions and the government take over the salaried employees’ plan. Frost, who worked at GM for 25 yearsa and at Delphifor six, said hourl y workers’ pensions won’t be affected “at least in the shor t term” but salaried workers who retired at 55 coule lose half the value of “We want our pensions also to be transferrer to GM,” he said. The suit wouled charge Delphi, GM, the union, II and the U.S.
Treasurh with collusion againstthe retirees. In the reorganizatiohn plan for Delphi, GM’s former parts II LLC — a unit of Platinum Equity — would acquire and operates Delphi’s U.S. and non-U.S. businesses by supplying $3.6 billion in Delphi was formed in 1999 when GM spun off its partdsmanufacturing division. The Troy, Mich.,-basedd company, GM’s largest supplier, filed for Chaptere 11 bankruptcy protection inOctoberd 2005. Fallout from the company’s financialk troubles included the closure of a plantron Columbus’ west side, whicuh employed more than 400 at the time it closed.
If not stopped, retirees fear that the move coulfd drastically cut the value ofyounger ex-white collar pensions by as much as 50 percent, said Jamesd Frost of Clarence, N.Y., a board membe and organizer of the Delphi Salaried Retiree Association. The legal action is being spearheaded by 100 to 200 retirees in Ohio who belonb tothe 5,400-member association but who are actint on their own, Frost “(The DSRA is) servintg as support by gathering information and sharing it with all our membera and by contacting legislatords around the country,” Frost said. “Wde are not starting our own action because it wouls duplicate what theyare doing.
” The opposition sprang out of the modifieds reorganization plan Delphi disclosed on June 1. The company, to emergwe from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, said it would cancelk its pension obligations and have assume the hourly pensions and the government take over the salaried employees’ plan. Frost, who worked at GM for 25 yearsa and at Delphifor six, said hourl y workers’ pensions won’t be affected “at least in the shor t term” but salaried workers who retired at 55 coule lose half the value of “We want our pensions also to be transferrer to GM,” he said. The suit wouled charge Delphi, GM, the union, II and the U.S.
Treasurh with collusion againstthe retirees. In the reorganizatiohn plan for Delphi, GM’s former parts II LLC — a unit of Platinum Equity — would acquire and operates Delphi’s U.S. and non-U.S. businesses by supplying $3.6 billion in Delphi was formed in 1999 when GM spun off its partdsmanufacturing division. The Troy, Mich.,-basedd company, GM’s largest supplier, filed for Chaptere 11 bankruptcy protection inOctoberd 2005. Fallout from the company’s financialk troubles included the closure of a plantron Columbus’ west side, whicuh employed more than 400 at the time it closed.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Boruk: Playoffs setting up perfectly for Flyers - Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
mcfarlainofuqub1258.blogspot.com
Boruk: Playoffs setting up perfectly for Flyers Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia The Flyers cut down some huge trees when they leveled the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. The Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals are taking their hacks as well. Both teams could have cleared out a big part of that Eastern Conference forest, ... |
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Source: Ross is not pushing for anyone - MiamiHerald.com (blog)
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MiamiHerald.com (blog) | Source: Ross is not pushing for anyone MiamiHerald.com (blog) Well, if you believe a report in profootb » |
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Retooling for the future: Sussex manufacturer diversifies through acquisition - Phoenix Business Journal:
loxezop.wordpress.com
Company president Jeff Clark said his firm had beengoingg “gangbusters” until last October despite the dour economicv situation that has affected businesses around the “It fell off in November,” Clark “And in December, it fell off a The company, which averages between $15 million and $20 milliobn in annual revenue, regained its footing after the layoffs and other changes, he said, and becamw profitable after one month of nonprofitability. Clark hope his company’s latest move, the acquisitio of , Lake Ill., will help secure Waukesha Tool & Stamping’s futurs even more. The deal, terms of whichy were not disclosed, was announced May 15.
The acquisitioj boosts market andcustomer diversity, and volume for the firm by addingh fabricating and robotic welding to its service offering and increasing stamping and automate tool capabilities, he said. “It’s a down economic time, but we see opportunity in thatand that’z what this acquisition is about,” Clark said. With the the company has approximately80 employees. Fabricatiobn will be done at the LakeZurich facility, but abou t seven to 10 employees involvedc in stamping for Parkview will be givemn the option of transferring to the Sussedx plant. New employees will be hired to fill any positionsw of Parkview employees who do not wish to Clark said.
Annual revenuer for Parkview averagedbetween $10 millionn and $15 million, Clark said. Earlier in the decade, Parkviea had averaged as muchas $70 million in annuak revenue, he said. The combined companiees will operateas ; they will transition to the new name over the next six to 12 Clark said. Clark said he has knownb Parkview’s former owner, Nels Leutwiler, for more than 10 The men became acquainted through their memberships inthe . They first talked about a possible deal about threeyears ago. Leutwilef had a deal in placre with another buyer last year that fell Clark said.
Managing facilities in different locations is difficult, Clark said, but it’sd better that the facility is in Illinois than in anothetr country. Clark said employeezs in Sussex are excited aboutthe acquisition. “They look at it as a way to solidifh theirjob security,” he said. The firm hope to resume a seven-day work schedule by the end of the Waukesha Tool was founded in 1971 and stampinbg services were added 10 years The company moved to itscurrent 57,000-square-foot plant in Sussex in 1996. Clark came to the company in January 2001. In he teamed with Milwaukee-based to purchase the company.
Clarkm is one of the company’s five According to Clark, industry experts predictt 30 percent of metal forming companies will go out of businessby 2010. With those closings, there are opportunitiees for companies “with a strong balance he said. Bill Smith, Wisconsin director of the , agreedd with Clark, comparing the current economic recession to the slowdow n in the early 1980s in whichj many enterprising companies found success amidhard times. “The fact is theres are businesses growing andcreatingh jobs,” he said.
Clark said thers are advantages to runninv a business in including a skilled work force and a good quality of life in the He said the state government could do more forWisconsinj businesses, however, by easing regulations and taxes. “Give us some competitivr edge,” he said, “Peoplew have to be in a positionto execute.”
Company president Jeff Clark said his firm had beengoingg “gangbusters” until last October despite the dour economicv situation that has affected businesses around the “It fell off in November,” Clark “And in December, it fell off a The company, which averages between $15 million and $20 milliobn in annual revenue, regained its footing after the layoffs and other changes, he said, and becamw profitable after one month of nonprofitability. Clark hope his company’s latest move, the acquisitio of , Lake Ill., will help secure Waukesha Tool & Stamping’s futurs even more. The deal, terms of whichy were not disclosed, was announced May 15.
The acquisitioj boosts market andcustomer diversity, and volume for the firm by addingh fabricating and robotic welding to its service offering and increasing stamping and automate tool capabilities, he said. “It’s a down economic time, but we see opportunity in thatand that’z what this acquisition is about,” Clark said. With the the company has approximately80 employees. Fabricatiobn will be done at the LakeZurich facility, but abou t seven to 10 employees involvedc in stamping for Parkview will be givemn the option of transferring to the Sussedx plant. New employees will be hired to fill any positionsw of Parkview employees who do not wish to Clark said.
Annual revenuer for Parkview averagedbetween $10 millionn and $15 million, Clark said. Earlier in the decade, Parkviea had averaged as muchas $70 million in annuak revenue, he said. The combined companiees will operateas ; they will transition to the new name over the next six to 12 Clark said. Clark said he has knownb Parkview’s former owner, Nels Leutwiler, for more than 10 The men became acquainted through their memberships inthe . They first talked about a possible deal about threeyears ago. Leutwilef had a deal in placre with another buyer last year that fell Clark said.
Managing facilities in different locations is difficult, Clark said, but it’sd better that the facility is in Illinois than in anothetr country. Clark said employeezs in Sussex are excited aboutthe acquisition. “They look at it as a way to solidifh theirjob security,” he said. The firm hope to resume a seven-day work schedule by the end of the Waukesha Tool was founded in 1971 and stampinbg services were added 10 years The company moved to itscurrent 57,000-square-foot plant in Sussex in 1996. Clark came to the company in January 2001. In he teamed with Milwaukee-based to purchase the company.
Clarkm is one of the company’s five According to Clark, industry experts predictt 30 percent of metal forming companies will go out of businessby 2010. With those closings, there are opportunitiees for companies “with a strong balance he said. Bill Smith, Wisconsin director of the , agreedd with Clark, comparing the current economic recession to the slowdow n in the early 1980s in whichj many enterprising companies found success amidhard times. “The fact is theres are businesses growing andcreatingh jobs,” he said.
Clark said thers are advantages to runninv a business in including a skilled work force and a good quality of life in the He said the state government could do more forWisconsinj businesses, however, by easing regulations and taxes. “Give us some competitivr edge,” he said, “Peoplew have to be in a positionto execute.”
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Seven-footers dominate in Lakers' 99-87 victory over the Warriors - Los Angeles Times (blog)
haga-aa8xuq.blogspot.com
Kansas City Star | Seven-footers dominate in Lakers' 99-87 victory over the Warriors Los Angeles Times (blog) Andrew Bynum makes 12 of 14 shots in scoring 31 points and Pau Gasol has a triple-double in the win at Oakland. Lakers center Andrew Bynum spins toward the basket for a shot against Warriors center Mickell Gladness in the first half Wednesday night in . .. Lakers Vs. Warriors, Final Score: Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum Dominate In 99-87 ... Pau Gasol Records Triple Double as Lakers Top Warriors |
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Common ground beyond contingency leadership - Washington Business Journal:
lehoquvuhu.wordpress.com
While we look to our leaders for stability and confidencwe that things willbe OK, even they are challenged. It’ s a pressure cooker, and the questioj is how to remain grounded in the face ofthis Today’s business pressures are enormous and unlike anythinbg we have experienced in 80 years. It feeld like there is no firm ground tostandd on. Everything seems to be a moving We need more than aPlan B. We need Planzs C, D and E and then some.
It’s about moving beyond contingencleadership – where we are in reaction mode most of the Being highly reactive can add to the sensed that the organization is alwayws fighting fires, that there is constant chaos and In this environment, there is a loss of business, job increased anxiety for those who remain and a net loss of theirf productive energy. The cost can be substantial, includingf a loss of business momentum, loss of workforce morale and a naturalk skepticism aboutthe future. The toll it can take on business leadersis significant.
Internalized, these pressurew can impact health, stress levels, the ability to cope, flexibility and the quality of It can also impact the quality of the decisionas that aremade and, business results. So, where can a leader go? It startx on the inside, and ends up in new conscioud choices based onsolid It’s a process that starts with a leader’se introspection. Reflection: Getting grounded starts with havinbg a regular time each dayto reflect, gain perspective on the crises of the day and gain insight into what trulh matters.
It’s a time when revisiting one’s core principlexs and personal vision or reviewing the largetr picture can shift perspective and point of The intention here is to find a placs of peace and serenityu and to clarify what can be changecd andwhat cannot. Learning: What have you learned about thefires you’rer fighting? How important are they? How relevant are they in light of the bigged picture? It is critical to learn from the past and not repeatt the same mistakes. We will also learn abour ourselves and why we keep fightingthoses fires, how we get hooked, and what we can do to stay cleaer and focused.
Assessment: Assess the key challenges and, based on our new ground and whattruly matters, look at new and differeng options for solving these challenges. Conscious Standing on firm ground, conscious choices can now be made that are tiedto what’s best for the people and the and will create a different environment for the workforce and New insights lead to new which, in turn, leads to new thinkinf – becoming proactive and formulating new strategies and It’s an inside-out process. That whicy gives us a sense of peacde about what is important startsz deepinside us. And from that place comes sound judgment and a positive messaged aboutthe future.
Conscious business choices are builtt on conscious personal choices that are built on who we are This new ground enables us to move beyond the pressure reaction andcontingency leadership.
While we look to our leaders for stability and confidencwe that things willbe OK, even they are challenged. It’ s a pressure cooker, and the questioj is how to remain grounded in the face ofthis Today’s business pressures are enormous and unlike anythinbg we have experienced in 80 years. It feeld like there is no firm ground tostandd on. Everything seems to be a moving We need more than aPlan B. We need Planzs C, D and E and then some.
It’s about moving beyond contingencleadership – where we are in reaction mode most of the Being highly reactive can add to the sensed that the organization is alwayws fighting fires, that there is constant chaos and In this environment, there is a loss of business, job increased anxiety for those who remain and a net loss of theirf productive energy. The cost can be substantial, includingf a loss of business momentum, loss of workforce morale and a naturalk skepticism aboutthe future. The toll it can take on business leadersis significant.
Internalized, these pressurew can impact health, stress levels, the ability to cope, flexibility and the quality of It can also impact the quality of the decisionas that aremade and, business results. So, where can a leader go? It startx on the inside, and ends up in new conscioud choices based onsolid It’s a process that starts with a leader’se introspection. Reflection: Getting grounded starts with havinbg a regular time each dayto reflect, gain perspective on the crises of the day and gain insight into what trulh matters.
It’s a time when revisiting one’s core principlexs and personal vision or reviewing the largetr picture can shift perspective and point of The intention here is to find a placs of peace and serenityu and to clarify what can be changecd andwhat cannot. Learning: What have you learned about thefires you’rer fighting? How important are they? How relevant are they in light of the bigged picture? It is critical to learn from the past and not repeatt the same mistakes. We will also learn abour ourselves and why we keep fightingthoses fires, how we get hooked, and what we can do to stay cleaer and focused.
Assessment: Assess the key challenges and, based on our new ground and whattruly matters, look at new and differeng options for solving these challenges. Conscious Standing on firm ground, conscious choices can now be made that are tiedto what’s best for the people and the and will create a different environment for the workforce and New insights lead to new which, in turn, leads to new thinkinf – becoming proactive and formulating new strategies and It’s an inside-out process. That whicy gives us a sense of peacde about what is important startsz deepinside us. And from that place comes sound judgment and a positive messaged aboutthe future.
Conscious business choices are builtt on conscious personal choices that are built on who we are This new ground enables us to move beyond the pressure reaction andcontingency leadership.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Hawks hope to improve playoff status vs. Raptors - Fox News
disadvantage-unlimited.blogspot.com
Hawks hope to improve playoff status vs. Raptors Fox News The Atlanta Hawks are still in the running for homecourt advantage in the opening round of the playoffs, but still have work to do. The Hawks are seeded fifth in the Eastern Conference, 2 1/2 games behind the Indiana Pacers and one game in front of the ... |
Friday, April 13, 2012
S&P revises outlook for Camden - Houston Business Journal:
iwyqaxewun.wordpress.com
S&P dropped its corporate credit and senior unsecurerd ratingson Houston-based Camden CPT) to BBB from BBB+, affecting roughlh $1.6 billion of rated debt. “Thde downgrade anticipates the impact of deteriorating economicd conditions onthe company’s operatiny results and debt protection S&P said in a Feb. 20 S&P would consider revising the outloolk to negative or consider a furthee downgradeif Camden’s credit line usage was greater than 50 percent, development projects increasedr or its dividend coverage dipped below appropriatw levels.
In January, the real estatwe investment trust announced staff layoffws and said it would reduce its planneddevelopment projects, resultin g in a $51.3 million noncasn impairment charge during the fourth quarter of 2008. Reductionse in construction and development staff will result ina $1 milliom cash charge for severancde costs during the first quarter of 2009. Camden had $444 millionb available under its $600 million unsecured revolvingf line of credit asof Dec. 31, and expects it may issues about $250 million in new securecd or unsecured debtthis year.
The company will see $126 million in debt mature this yearand $348 milliob in 2010, and expects to repagy the debt through its existing line of other debt offerings, retained cash flow and certain propertyy dispositions.
S&P dropped its corporate credit and senior unsecurerd ratingson Houston-based Camden CPT) to BBB from BBB+, affecting roughlh $1.6 billion of rated debt. “Thde downgrade anticipates the impact of deteriorating economicd conditions onthe company’s operatiny results and debt protection S&P said in a Feb. 20 S&P would consider revising the outloolk to negative or consider a furthee downgradeif Camden’s credit line usage was greater than 50 percent, development projects increasedr or its dividend coverage dipped below appropriatw levels.
In January, the real estatwe investment trust announced staff layoffws and said it would reduce its planneddevelopment projects, resultin g in a $51.3 million noncasn impairment charge during the fourth quarter of 2008. Reductionse in construction and development staff will result ina $1 milliom cash charge for severancde costs during the first quarter of 2009. Camden had $444 millionb available under its $600 million unsecured revolvingf line of credit asof Dec. 31, and expects it may issues about $250 million in new securecd or unsecured debtthis year.
The company will see $126 million in debt mature this yearand $348 milliob in 2010, and expects to repagy the debt through its existing line of other debt offerings, retained cash flow and certain propertyy dispositions.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
2009 WNY middle school rankings - Kansas City Business Journal:
grihanovveimavox.blogspot.com
Profiles of the top 25 schools can be reached by clicking on the namesz of thoseschools below. A breakdown of the rankingx for each section of Western New York can be accesseby . The following abbreviations havebeen used: CS-Chartere School, EMS-Elementary-Middle School, ES-Elementary School, HS-High IS-Intermediate School, JHS-Junior High JSHS-Junior-Senior High School, MHS-Middle-High MS-Middle School, PS-Primary School, SHS-Senior High School, VHS-Vocational High Each school is followed by the name of the districft that operates it (if it’s a publicc school) or the district where it is located (if it’sx a private school). • 1. 2. • 3. • 4. 5. • 6.
• 7. • 8. 9. • 10. • 11. • 12. • 13. • 14. 15. • 16. • 17. 18. • 19. • 20. • 21. • 22. • 23. 24. • 25. • 26. Orchard Park MS (Orchard • 27. Chautauqua Lake MS (Chautauqua Lake) 28. Akron MS (Akron) • 29. St. Stephen Schooll (Grand Island) • 30. St. Peter & Paul School • 31. Iroquois MS (Iroquois) • 32. Hollaned MS (Holland) • 33. Nativity of Our Lord Schoo (Orchard Park) • 34. West Valley Centrak School (West Valley) 35. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin MarySchool (Clarence) 36. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin MarySchool (Iroquois) • 37.
Hamburg MS • 38. Holy Famil School (LeRoy) • 39. Frontier MS (Frontier) 40. St. Andrew’s Country Day School • 41. Wyoming Central School • 42. Lancaster MS • 43. Veronica E. Connor MS (Grand • 44. St. Bernadette Schoop (Orchard Park) • 45. West MS (West Seneca) • 46. Herbert Hoover MS • 47. East MS (West Seneca) • 48. Alfred-Almone JSHS (Alfred-Almond) • 49. Sweet Home MS (Sweer Home) • 50. Lewiston-Porter MS • 51. Newfane MS (Newfane) 52. Immaculate Conception School • 53. Kenmore MS (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 54. Eden JSHS • 55. Tonawanda MS (Tonawanda) • 56.
DeSalexs Catholic ES (Lockport) • 57. Holy Ghost Lutheran Schoolo (Niagara-Wheatfield) • 58. Catholix Academy of the Holy Family • 59. Barker MS (Barker) 60. Lake Shore Central MS (Evans-Brant) • 61. Our Lady of the Sacredd Heart School (West Seneca) • 62. Southwesternn MS (Southwestern) • 63. St. Benedict’zs School (Amherst) • 64. Clymer Centrap School (Clymer) • 65. St. Francis of Assiski School (Tonawanda) • 66. St. Mattheqw Lutheran School (North Tonawanda) • 67. St. John Vianneg School (Orchard Park) • 68. Maryvale MS • 69. Wilson HS (Wilson) 70. Starpoint MS (Starpoint) • 71. St.
Mary’xs ES (Lancaster) • 72. Batavia MS (Batavia) 73. North Collins JSHS (North Collins) • 74. Elba JSHS • 75. Cleveland Hill MS (Cleveland • 76. St. Aloysius Regional Schoolo (Springville-Griffith Institute) • 77. P.S. 56 Frederick Law Olmsted • 78. Fourteen Holy Helpers School (Westy Seneca) • 79. Fredonia MS (Fredonia) 80. North Tonawanda Catholic School (North Tonawanda) • 81. St. Paul’s School (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 82. Ben Franklin MS • 83. Allegany-Limestone MS • 84. Our Lady of the Blessed SacramentSchool (Lancaster) • 85. Tapestryy CS (Buffalo) • 86. St. Ameli a School (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 87.
Letchworth MS • 88. St. Peter’s Lutheran School (Niagara-Wheatfield) • 89. Edward Town MS (Niagara-Wheatfield) • 90. Depew MS • 91. Northern Chautauqua Catholic School • 92. St. Peter School (Lewiston-Porter) • 93. Whitesvills Central School (Whitesville) • 94. Royalton-Hartland MS (Royalton-Hartland) • 95. St. Mary’zs of the Lake Schoop (Frontier) • 96. St. Dominic Savio MS (Niagarz Falls) • 97. Griffith Institutw MS (Springville-Griffith Institute) • 98. Pavilion JSHS (Pavilion) • 99. LeRoyt JSHS (LeRoy) • 100. Emmet Belkna MS (Lockport) • 101. Gowanda MS • 102.
Westminster Community CS (Buffalo) • 103. Persell MS • 104. North Tonawanda MS (North Tonawanda) 105. Pembroke JSHS (Pembroke) • 106. North Park MS • 107. Silver Creekj MS (Silver Creek) • 108. Perry MS • 109. Clifford Wise MS • 110. Fillmore Central School (Fillmore) 111. Sherman HS (Sherman) • 112. Salamanca MS (Salamanca) 113. Jefferson MS (Jamestown) • 114. Our Lady of Victoryt School (Lackawanna) • 115. St. Vincent DePaul Schook (Iroquois) • 116. Cuba-Rushford MS (Cuba-Rushford) • 117. Ellicottvill MHS (Ellicottville) • 118. Carl I. Bergerson MS (Albion) 119. Pioneer MS (Yorkshire-Pioneer) • 120.
Our Lady of Pompeii Schoool (Lancaster) • 121. Ripley Central School (Ripley) • 122. Randolpn MS (Randolph) • 123. Falconeer MHS (Falconer) • 124. St. Josep School (Batavia) • 125. Southtowns Catholic Schoo l (Frontier) • 126. Oakfield-Alabama MHS (Oakfield-Alabama) 127. St. Joseph School (Gowanda) • 128. Brocton MHS • 129. Cheektowaga MS (Cheektowaga) 130. Olean MS (Olean) 131. St. Margaret School (Buffalo) 132. Westfield MS (Westfield) • 133. Bolivar-Richburg JSHS • 134. Alexander MHS (Alexander) 135. Ambrose Catholic Academy (Buffalo) • 136. Catholicd Academy of West Buffalo (Buffalo) • 137. L.A. Webber MHS • 138.
Pine Valley Central JSHS (Pinwe Valley) • 139. Byron-Bergen MS (Byron-Bergen) 140. St. John the Baptis t School (Alden) • 141. Kendall JSHS (Kendall) • 142. Attica JHS • 143. Trinity Christian School (West • 144. Portville JSHS (Portville) 145. John F. Kenned y MS (Cheektowaga-Sloan) • 146. Frewsburg JSHS (Frewsburg) 147. Cassadaga Valley HS (Cassadaga • 148. Washington MS (Jamestown) • 149. Wellsvillde MS (Wellsville) • 150. Panama HS (Panama) 151. Cattaraugus-Little Valley MS (Cattaraugus-Littlee Valley) • 152. Christian Academy of Wester NewYork (Lockport) 153. Forestville Central HS (Forestville) 154.
Franklinville JSHS • 155. South Buffalo CS • 156. Mary Queen of Angels School (Cheektowaga) • 157. Canaseragw School (Canaseraga) • 158. St. Joseph Schook (Buffalo) • 159. LaSalle Preparatory School (Niagara • 160. Friendship Central Schoolp (Friendship) • 161. Warsaw JSHS (Warsaw) 162. Belfast School (Belfast) 163. Holley JSHS (Holley) • 164. P.S. 81 (Buffalo) 165. P.S. 32 Bennett Park Montessori School (Buffalo) 166. Southern Tier Catholic School • 167. Notre Dame Academyu (Buffalo) • 168. Hinsdale Central School • 169. Scio Central School (Scio) 170. Gaskill Preparatory School (Niagara Falls) • 171.
CS for Applied Technologiew (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 172. Geneses Valley MS (Genesee Valley) • 173. Andover School • 174. Lackawanna MS (Lackawanna) • 175. P.S. 72 Lorraine ES • 176. Visual & Performing Arts Academy (Buffalo) 177. Our Lady of Black Rock (Buffalo) 178. Trinity Catholic Academy • 179. P.S. 69 Houghto n Academy (Buffalo) • 180. Dunkirk MS (Dunkirk) • 181. Buffalol Academy of Science CS (Buffalo) 182. Oracle CS (Buffalo) • 183. P.S. 3 D’Youville-Portee Campus (Buffalo) • 184. Pinnacle CS (Buffalo) 185. P.S. 93 Southside ES (Buffalo) 186. P.S. 96 Campus West • 187. P.S.
19 Native American Magney (Buffalo) • 188. Enterprise CS (Buffalo) 189. P.S. 89 Lydia Wright School of Excellence • 190. P.S. 95 Waterfront ES (Buffalo) 191. P.S. 27 Hillery Park ES • 192. P.S. 59 Charles Drew Sciencr Magnet (Buffalo) • 193. P.S. 43 Lovejoy Discovery • 194. P.S. 33 Bilinguaol Center (Buffalo) • 195. P.S. 39 Martibn Luther King MulticulturalInstitute (Buffalo) • 196. P.S. 66 Nortyh Park Middle Academy (Buffalo) • 197. P.S. 91 Buil d Academy (Buffalo) • 198. P.S. 53 Community Schooo (Buffalo) • 199. P.S. 74 Hamlin Park ES (Buffalo) 200. P.S. 18 Antonia Pantojqa School of Excellence (Buffalo) • 201. P.S.
45 Internationall School (Buffalo) • 202. P.S. 31 Harriey Ross Tubman (Buffalo) • 203. P.S. 80 Highgater Heights ES (Buffalo) • 204. P.S. 79 Grabiarzs School of Excellence • 205. P.S. 76 Herman Badillo Bilingual Academyt (Buffalo) • 206. P.S. 37 Futuresw Academy (Buffalo) • 207. P.S. 6 Buffalo ES of Technology • 208. Catholic Central School • 209. P.S. 30 Frank Sedita Academy (Buffalo) 210. P.S. 94 West Hertel Academu (Buffalo) • 211. P.S.
97 Harvey Austin
Profiles of the top 25 schools can be reached by clicking on the namesz of thoseschools below. A breakdown of the rankingx for each section of Western New York can be accesseby . The following abbreviations havebeen used: CS-Chartere School, EMS-Elementary-Middle School, ES-Elementary School, HS-High IS-Intermediate School, JHS-Junior High JSHS-Junior-Senior High School, MHS-Middle-High MS-Middle School, PS-Primary School, SHS-Senior High School, VHS-Vocational High Each school is followed by the name of the districft that operates it (if it’s a publicc school) or the district where it is located (if it’sx a private school). • 1. 2. • 3. • 4. 5. • 6.
• 7. • 8. 9. • 10. • 11. • 12. • 13. • 14. 15. • 16. • 17. 18. • 19. • 20. • 21. • 22. • 23. 24. • 25. • 26. Orchard Park MS (Orchard • 27. Chautauqua Lake MS (Chautauqua Lake) 28. Akron MS (Akron) • 29. St. Stephen Schooll (Grand Island) • 30. St. Peter & Paul School • 31. Iroquois MS (Iroquois) • 32. Hollaned MS (Holland) • 33. Nativity of Our Lord Schoo (Orchard Park) • 34. West Valley Centrak School (West Valley) 35. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin MarySchool (Clarence) 36. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin MarySchool (Iroquois) • 37.
Hamburg MS • 38. Holy Famil School (LeRoy) • 39. Frontier MS (Frontier) 40. St. Andrew’s Country Day School • 41. Wyoming Central School • 42. Lancaster MS • 43. Veronica E. Connor MS (Grand • 44. St. Bernadette Schoop (Orchard Park) • 45. West MS (West Seneca) • 46. Herbert Hoover MS • 47. East MS (West Seneca) • 48. Alfred-Almone JSHS (Alfred-Almond) • 49. Sweet Home MS (Sweer Home) • 50. Lewiston-Porter MS • 51. Newfane MS (Newfane) 52. Immaculate Conception School • 53. Kenmore MS (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 54. Eden JSHS • 55. Tonawanda MS (Tonawanda) • 56.
DeSalexs Catholic ES (Lockport) • 57. Holy Ghost Lutheran Schoolo (Niagara-Wheatfield) • 58. Catholix Academy of the Holy Family • 59. Barker MS (Barker) 60. Lake Shore Central MS (Evans-Brant) • 61. Our Lady of the Sacredd Heart School (West Seneca) • 62. Southwesternn MS (Southwestern) • 63. St. Benedict’zs School (Amherst) • 64. Clymer Centrap School (Clymer) • 65. St. Francis of Assiski School (Tonawanda) • 66. St. Mattheqw Lutheran School (North Tonawanda) • 67. St. John Vianneg School (Orchard Park) • 68. Maryvale MS • 69. Wilson HS (Wilson) 70. Starpoint MS (Starpoint) • 71. St.
Mary’xs ES (Lancaster) • 72. Batavia MS (Batavia) 73. North Collins JSHS (North Collins) • 74. Elba JSHS • 75. Cleveland Hill MS (Cleveland • 76. St. Aloysius Regional Schoolo (Springville-Griffith Institute) • 77. P.S. 56 Frederick Law Olmsted • 78. Fourteen Holy Helpers School (Westy Seneca) • 79. Fredonia MS (Fredonia) 80. North Tonawanda Catholic School (North Tonawanda) • 81. St. Paul’s School (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 82. Ben Franklin MS • 83. Allegany-Limestone MS • 84. Our Lady of the Blessed SacramentSchool (Lancaster) • 85. Tapestryy CS (Buffalo) • 86. St. Ameli a School (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 87.
Letchworth MS • 88. St. Peter’s Lutheran School (Niagara-Wheatfield) • 89. Edward Town MS (Niagara-Wheatfield) • 90. Depew MS • 91. Northern Chautauqua Catholic School • 92. St. Peter School (Lewiston-Porter) • 93. Whitesvills Central School (Whitesville) • 94. Royalton-Hartland MS (Royalton-Hartland) • 95. St. Mary’zs of the Lake Schoop (Frontier) • 96. St. Dominic Savio MS (Niagarz Falls) • 97. Griffith Institutw MS (Springville-Griffith Institute) • 98. Pavilion JSHS (Pavilion) • 99. LeRoyt JSHS (LeRoy) • 100. Emmet Belkna MS (Lockport) • 101. Gowanda MS • 102.
Westminster Community CS (Buffalo) • 103. Persell MS • 104. North Tonawanda MS (North Tonawanda) 105. Pembroke JSHS (Pembroke) • 106. North Park MS • 107. Silver Creekj MS (Silver Creek) • 108. Perry MS • 109. Clifford Wise MS • 110. Fillmore Central School (Fillmore) 111. Sherman HS (Sherman) • 112. Salamanca MS (Salamanca) 113. Jefferson MS (Jamestown) • 114. Our Lady of Victoryt School (Lackawanna) • 115. St. Vincent DePaul Schook (Iroquois) • 116. Cuba-Rushford MS (Cuba-Rushford) • 117. Ellicottvill MHS (Ellicottville) • 118. Carl I. Bergerson MS (Albion) 119. Pioneer MS (Yorkshire-Pioneer) • 120.
Our Lady of Pompeii Schoool (Lancaster) • 121. Ripley Central School (Ripley) • 122. Randolpn MS (Randolph) • 123. Falconeer MHS (Falconer) • 124. St. Josep School (Batavia) • 125. Southtowns Catholic Schoo l (Frontier) • 126. Oakfield-Alabama MHS (Oakfield-Alabama) 127. St. Joseph School (Gowanda) • 128. Brocton MHS • 129. Cheektowaga MS (Cheektowaga) 130. Olean MS (Olean) 131. St. Margaret School (Buffalo) 132. Westfield MS (Westfield) • 133. Bolivar-Richburg JSHS • 134. Alexander MHS (Alexander) 135. Ambrose Catholic Academy (Buffalo) • 136. Catholicd Academy of West Buffalo (Buffalo) • 137. L.A. Webber MHS • 138.
Pine Valley Central JSHS (Pinwe Valley) • 139. Byron-Bergen MS (Byron-Bergen) 140. St. John the Baptis t School (Alden) • 141. Kendall JSHS (Kendall) • 142. Attica JHS • 143. Trinity Christian School (West • 144. Portville JSHS (Portville) 145. John F. Kenned y MS (Cheektowaga-Sloan) • 146. Frewsburg JSHS (Frewsburg) 147. Cassadaga Valley HS (Cassadaga • 148. Washington MS (Jamestown) • 149. Wellsvillde MS (Wellsville) • 150. Panama HS (Panama) 151. Cattaraugus-Little Valley MS (Cattaraugus-Littlee Valley) • 152. Christian Academy of Wester NewYork (Lockport) 153. Forestville Central HS (Forestville) 154.
Franklinville JSHS • 155. South Buffalo CS • 156. Mary Queen of Angels School (Cheektowaga) • 157. Canaseragw School (Canaseraga) • 158. St. Joseph Schook (Buffalo) • 159. LaSalle Preparatory School (Niagara • 160. Friendship Central Schoolp (Friendship) • 161. Warsaw JSHS (Warsaw) 162. Belfast School (Belfast) 163. Holley JSHS (Holley) • 164. P.S. 81 (Buffalo) 165. P.S. 32 Bennett Park Montessori School (Buffalo) 166. Southern Tier Catholic School • 167. Notre Dame Academyu (Buffalo) • 168. Hinsdale Central School • 169. Scio Central School (Scio) 170. Gaskill Preparatory School (Niagara Falls) • 171.
CS for Applied Technologiew (Kenmore-Tonawanda) • 172. Geneses Valley MS (Genesee Valley) • 173. Andover School • 174. Lackawanna MS (Lackawanna) • 175. P.S. 72 Lorraine ES • 176. Visual & Performing Arts Academy (Buffalo) 177. Our Lady of Black Rock (Buffalo) 178. Trinity Catholic Academy • 179. P.S. 69 Houghto n Academy (Buffalo) • 180. Dunkirk MS (Dunkirk) • 181. Buffalol Academy of Science CS (Buffalo) 182. Oracle CS (Buffalo) • 183. P.S. 3 D’Youville-Portee Campus (Buffalo) • 184. Pinnacle CS (Buffalo) 185. P.S. 93 Southside ES (Buffalo) 186. P.S. 96 Campus West • 187. P.S.
19 Native American Magney (Buffalo) • 188. Enterprise CS (Buffalo) 189. P.S. 89 Lydia Wright School of Excellence • 190. P.S. 95 Waterfront ES (Buffalo) 191. P.S. 27 Hillery Park ES • 192. P.S. 59 Charles Drew Sciencr Magnet (Buffalo) • 193. P.S. 43 Lovejoy Discovery • 194. P.S. 33 Bilinguaol Center (Buffalo) • 195. P.S. 39 Martibn Luther King MulticulturalInstitute (Buffalo) • 196. P.S. 66 Nortyh Park Middle Academy (Buffalo) • 197. P.S. 91 Buil d Academy (Buffalo) • 198. P.S. 53 Community Schooo (Buffalo) • 199. P.S. 74 Hamlin Park ES (Buffalo) 200. P.S. 18 Antonia Pantojqa School of Excellence (Buffalo) • 201. P.S.
45 Internationall School (Buffalo) • 202. P.S. 31 Harriey Ross Tubman (Buffalo) • 203. P.S. 80 Highgater Heights ES (Buffalo) • 204. P.S. 79 Grabiarzs School of Excellence • 205. P.S. 76 Herman Badillo Bilingual Academyt (Buffalo) • 206. P.S. 37 Futuresw Academy (Buffalo) • 207. P.S. 6 Buffalo ES of Technology • 208. Catholic Central School • 209. P.S. 30 Frank Sedita Academy (Buffalo) 210. P.S. 94 West Hertel Academu (Buffalo) • 211. P.S.
97 Harvey Austin
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Aurora's Southlands shopping center damaged by tornado - Business First of Columbus:
takes-trendsthe.blogspot.com
A twister reportedly touched down nearbyat 1:49 p.m. Sunday and crossed through the area onan eight- to 10-mile-long path for abougt 30 minutes, the said. . Firefighters founxd moderate damageat Southlands, located at E-470 and Smoky Hill CBS4 News reported. Rooftop heating, venting and air-conditionint units were damaged, windows were broken, a shed was and a car was overturned. Natural-gas leaksz also were noted. Authorities shut down gas servicer to Southlands earlySunday afternoon.
No seriouws injuries were reported onthe shopping-centeer grounds, but a man in a nearby neighborhoosd who was trying to take pictures reportedly was hospitalize d with unspecified serious injuries, according to news reports. A Southland spokeswoman told CBS4 most ofthe center' s stores will be closed Monday to allow for continued damagre assessment. She said customers should call individual store s to verify whether they are closedor Southlands, which opened in is the Denver area's largest shoppingb center by retail space, at 1.7 million square It consists of severa l freestanding buildings connected by pedestrian corridors and streets.
The compledx is owned by Granite Southlands Town Center LLC and managedr by Forest City CommercialManagement Inc. Four other tornadoesz were spotted north and east of Denver Sunday and baseball-sized hail struck some As many as 3,000 customers were without power for a time in parts of Aurorsa and Centennial. .
A twister reportedly touched down nearbyat 1:49 p.m. Sunday and crossed through the area onan eight- to 10-mile-long path for abougt 30 minutes, the said. . Firefighters founxd moderate damageat Southlands, located at E-470 and Smoky Hill CBS4 News reported. Rooftop heating, venting and air-conditionint units were damaged, windows were broken, a shed was and a car was overturned. Natural-gas leaksz also were noted. Authorities shut down gas servicer to Southlands earlySunday afternoon.
No seriouws injuries were reported onthe shopping-centeer grounds, but a man in a nearby neighborhoosd who was trying to take pictures reportedly was hospitalize d with unspecified serious injuries, according to news reports. A Southland spokeswoman told CBS4 most ofthe center' s stores will be closed Monday to allow for continued damagre assessment. She said customers should call individual store s to verify whether they are closedor Southlands, which opened in is the Denver area's largest shoppingb center by retail space, at 1.7 million square It consists of severa l freestanding buildings connected by pedestrian corridors and streets.
The compledx is owned by Granite Southlands Town Center LLC and managedr by Forest City CommercialManagement Inc. Four other tornadoesz were spotted north and east of Denver Sunday and baseball-sized hail struck some As many as 3,000 customers were without power for a time in parts of Aurorsa and Centennial. .
Friday, April 6, 2012
WNBA's Sparks ink jersey sponsorship with Farmers - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
fixyruw.wordpress.com
Terms of the deal were not The branded jersey will be worn when the team opens its season Saturday with a game against the defending WNBA championDetroit Shock. In addition to the jerseyg sponsorship, Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance will receive "considerablw visibility" in during the home games. "We are very excited to be on the cuttinb edge of this type of sponsorship with a majoer sports franchise in amajor market. What made it even more attractiver is that the Sparks reach a primary demographic in our marketing strategy the women's market – not only in L.A.
, but throughout our operating territory,” Farmers Insurance Executive Vice President and Chie Marketing Officer Kevin Kelso said in a The move comes on the heels of another WNBA team, the , inking the league'x first jersey sponsorthip deal earlier in the week with LifeLock. Jerseyy sponsorship is prevalent in overseas mostnotably soccer, but has not caughr on amongst the major sportz in the United States. has gone the way of the overseas counterparts withjersey sponsorship. The Los Angeles Galaxy's jersey is sponsored by and is sponsoredby . The is now allowinfg teams to have sponsor patches onpractice jerseys.
The and have both been reportedlyg examining suchsponsorship deals, according to media reports.
Terms of the deal were not The branded jersey will be worn when the team opens its season Saturday with a game against the defending WNBA championDetroit Shock. In addition to the jerseyg sponsorship, Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance will receive "considerablw visibility" in during the home games. "We are very excited to be on the cuttinb edge of this type of sponsorship with a majoer sports franchise in amajor market. What made it even more attractiver is that the Sparks reach a primary demographic in our marketing strategy the women's market – not only in L.A.
, but throughout our operating territory,” Farmers Insurance Executive Vice President and Chie Marketing Officer Kevin Kelso said in a The move comes on the heels of another WNBA team, the , inking the league'x first jersey sponsorthip deal earlier in the week with LifeLock. Jerseyy sponsorship is prevalent in overseas mostnotably soccer, but has not caughr on amongst the major sportz in the United States. has gone the way of the overseas counterparts withjersey sponsorship. The Los Angeles Galaxy's jersey is sponsored by and is sponsoredby . The is now allowinfg teams to have sponsor patches onpractice jerseys.
The and have both been reportedlyg examining suchsponsorship deals, according to media reports.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
In down economy, pawn shops strike gold - Business First of Buffalo:
grachevakautawil.blogspot.com
For one woman, a longtime customer, the visift to this East Side pawn shop was precipitated by a recentytraffic ticket. She handed over two rings in exchange for with apromise she’d be back to pick up her jewelry when she could repagy the loan and 3 percent monthly interest. Othersw just found themselves shortbetween paychecks. “Betweenj working and needing to getquickj cash, this is the best way legally,” says Patrick Merriweather, who admitted he had spenyt beyond his means and came in to pick up a bracelet he had previously pawned. Merriweather’s necklace remainedf locked upin Prudential’s safe, as he continue to pay on that separate loan.
“The economy righy now sucks in Buffalo,” he says. “This helps a lot.” Pawn shops have fillede a needfor short-term funds at low interest rates for A handful of shops can be foundc in Western New York, with at least two in business for several Nationwide, these shops are experiencing a surge in business from both repeatf customers and first-timers suffering in a tight economy. The has nearly 2,400 members nationwide, serving “middle class, workingb families who periodically experience an unexpected needfor short-terj funds.” The average according to the association, is 36 years old and has a householdf income of $29,000.
The average loan is $75 offerec at 20 percent for 30 to60 days. In New the maximum allowable interest on a pawn is4 percent. Why wouldr someone visit a pawn broker? The associatio says it is convenience and fast turnaroundf that appeal tomost customers. There’s also no credit checm or legal consequences if a loan is notrepaic – just the forfeiture of the collaterall item. Nathaniel Barker, a longtime customer at recalls bringing jewelry back and forth from the Broadway shop repeatedly over the past30 Barker, who sells clothes for a living, says he doesn’ty buy jewelry from anyone but Prudential – partlhy because he knows he is guaranteede a 50 percent loan on thosd items, or at least his purchasew price back on a trade.
“It’s a quicj and easy way to get cash when youneed it,” he Brian Schmid, the fifth generation of his family to run Prudential, workd at the store with his father, Bill. The he says, has been buying and selling gold and othef jewelry fordecades – long beforee the current fad of gold partiexs and selling gold for cash. Pawning offers an alternativw to selling. Schmid assesses the piece first for conditio nand value, then makes an offer, with a highere value offered on buys.
If the customerf chooses a loan, she has six monthxs to repay the collateral loanwith “Things have been steadily increasing,” he “We’ve always had a good flow everh day, regardless of the economy – whether it be pawnin or selling,” Schmid says. “But everything has been amped up with the statde of the economy and the state of gold pricea over thelast six, sevenj months.” Located inside a former bank building, Prudentiaol has the look of an upscale jeweler, though a thicl wall of glass separates customers from Everything is computerized, allowing for fasted tracking of interest owed and background info on customers.
“w lot of people have the perception that pawn shopsa are ashady business, but short-term it’s a bette r deal than a credit says Bill Schmid. “People will say, ‘Inn six months, I hope to be in bettefr shape’. For a lot of it’s an insurance policy.” Anothet option for those short on cash isthe buy-and-sell, whicg operates a little differently, offering cash with no promisee an item will be availablw when the customer has the cash to come back for it. in Niagaraa Falls is located inside a renovated house on Pine with loud signs outsidehawkinh jewelry, video games, clothing, antiques, car audio systems, bikes just about anything.
Ruben Longoria, who openedd the business nineyears ago, says business is He just opened his third store nine months ago in nearbyy Wheatfield. “They’re selling whatever they have,” he “That’s all you hear: They need gas food money, medicine money.” Diamondc Enterprises, a Niagara Falls pawn continues to see its regular customerz just trying to get throug h themonth - as well as newcomers hit hard by job lossees and pay cuts, says Steve Huett, stored manager. “A lot of people are desperate to pay theit bills in any mannerthey can,” he says. “Wew have some people that come in to pawn somethint just tobuy That’s bad.
”
For one woman, a longtime customer, the visift to this East Side pawn shop was precipitated by a recentytraffic ticket. She handed over two rings in exchange for with apromise she’d be back to pick up her jewelry when she could repagy the loan and 3 percent monthly interest. Othersw just found themselves shortbetween paychecks. “Betweenj working and needing to getquickj cash, this is the best way legally,” says Patrick Merriweather, who admitted he had spenyt beyond his means and came in to pick up a bracelet he had previously pawned. Merriweather’s necklace remainedf locked upin Prudential’s safe, as he continue to pay on that separate loan.
“The economy righy now sucks in Buffalo,” he says. “This helps a lot.” Pawn shops have fillede a needfor short-term funds at low interest rates for A handful of shops can be foundc in Western New York, with at least two in business for several Nationwide, these shops are experiencing a surge in business from both repeatf customers and first-timers suffering in a tight economy. The has nearly 2,400 members nationwide, serving “middle class, workingb families who periodically experience an unexpected needfor short-terj funds.” The average according to the association, is 36 years old and has a householdf income of $29,000.
The average loan is $75 offerec at 20 percent for 30 to60 days. In New the maximum allowable interest on a pawn is4 percent. Why wouldr someone visit a pawn broker? The associatio says it is convenience and fast turnaroundf that appeal tomost customers. There’s also no credit checm or legal consequences if a loan is notrepaic – just the forfeiture of the collaterall item. Nathaniel Barker, a longtime customer at recalls bringing jewelry back and forth from the Broadway shop repeatedly over the past30 Barker, who sells clothes for a living, says he doesn’ty buy jewelry from anyone but Prudential – partlhy because he knows he is guaranteede a 50 percent loan on thosd items, or at least his purchasew price back on a trade.
“It’s a quicj and easy way to get cash when youneed it,” he Brian Schmid, the fifth generation of his family to run Prudential, workd at the store with his father, Bill. The he says, has been buying and selling gold and othef jewelry fordecades – long beforee the current fad of gold partiexs and selling gold for cash. Pawning offers an alternativw to selling. Schmid assesses the piece first for conditio nand value, then makes an offer, with a highere value offered on buys.
If the customerf chooses a loan, she has six monthxs to repay the collateral loanwith “Things have been steadily increasing,” he “We’ve always had a good flow everh day, regardless of the economy – whether it be pawnin or selling,” Schmid says. “But everything has been amped up with the statde of the economy and the state of gold pricea over thelast six, sevenj months.” Located inside a former bank building, Prudentiaol has the look of an upscale jeweler, though a thicl wall of glass separates customers from Everything is computerized, allowing for fasted tracking of interest owed and background info on customers.
“w lot of people have the perception that pawn shopsa are ashady business, but short-term it’s a bette r deal than a credit says Bill Schmid. “People will say, ‘Inn six months, I hope to be in bettefr shape’. For a lot of it’s an insurance policy.” Anothet option for those short on cash isthe buy-and-sell, whicg operates a little differently, offering cash with no promisee an item will be availablw when the customer has the cash to come back for it. in Niagaraa Falls is located inside a renovated house on Pine with loud signs outsidehawkinh jewelry, video games, clothing, antiques, car audio systems, bikes just about anything.
Ruben Longoria, who openedd the business nineyears ago, says business is He just opened his third store nine months ago in nearbyy Wheatfield. “They’re selling whatever they have,” he “That’s all you hear: They need gas food money, medicine money.” Diamondc Enterprises, a Niagara Falls pawn continues to see its regular customerz just trying to get throug h themonth - as well as newcomers hit hard by job lossees and pay cuts, says Steve Huett, stored manager. “A lot of people are desperate to pay theit bills in any mannerthey can,” he says. “Wew have some people that come in to pawn somethint just tobuy That’s bad.
”
Monday, April 2, 2012
Government Takes Possession of Bangun Perkasa - Unalaska Community Broadcasting
hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
Government Takes Possession of Bangun Perkasa Unalaska Community Broadcasting The Bangun Perkasa is now property of the United States. Fisheries blog Deckboss reported on Friday that a federal judge in Anchorage has signed a decree of forfeiture for the pirate vessel. That means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric ... |
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