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The former will seek to liquidate unde Chapter 7of U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the latterr intends to reorganizer underChapter 11. Thesr bankruptcies come on the heels of the April 22 bankruptcgyof , an Opus affiliater based in Atlanta. Minneapolis-based Opus has said it plans to wind down its operationsa in that part of the country as Just two of five Opus subsidiaries remain west LLC, which is an active developetr in Portland, and Opus North LLC, which is based in Opus Northwest’s recent developments in Portland include the successful Bridgeporr Village shopping center in At one point, Opus was the ’x top choice to redevelo the Burnside Bridghead.
In recent years, the company has concentratedc onresidential projects. It recently completed construction of two large apartment projects with a total construction budgetof $150 Ladd Tower is a 332-unit projecty in downtown Portland and Park 19 is a 101-uni project in Northwest Portland. "We have have a healthgy balance sheet," said Brian Owendoff, vice president and managet forOpus Northwest's Portland operations. Opus East, baseed in Rockville, Md., filed a petition to liquidate its portfolio underChapter 7. In its filingt in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Districgtof Delaware, Opus East said it has betweeh 200 and 999 creditors.
It listede assets between $50 million and $100 million and liabilities between $100 million and $500 It did not identify creditors. Opus West, based in Phoenix, anticipates filing a voluntary petition of Chapter 11 bankruptcyu protection inearly July. “Declining real estate values and tight credit markets continue to impede the refinancingb of assets and restructuring oflending agreements,” said Opus CEO Mark Rauenhorsy in a statement. “Wd regret that this actioh has proven to be necessary despite the efforts of so A court-supervised process and transfedr of distressed assets will assist Opus in reorganizinv and focus on the future.
” Opus East has developed more than 13.3 millioh square feet of space sincwe 1994. Opus West has developed more than 52.7 millio n square feet since 1979. The company said Opus Northj and Opus Northwest have been less affected bythe recession, due to theif mix of project types, healthy balancde sheets and stronger Opus said its developmenft activity has fallen to just 4.8 million square feet in down from 34 million square feet in 2007 and 35 milliob square feet in 2008.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Atlanta Motor Speedway sues Pep Boys - Philadelphia Business Journal:
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The track in Hampton, Ga., owned by has sued Philadelphia-based Pep Boys (NYSE:PBY) claimint the auto parts and services retailer backed out ofa multi-million-dollar sponsorship deal and owes it $1.6 The suit was filedx in Henry County [Ga.] Superiorr Court in April and responded to by Pep Boys on June 4. The suit has been movedd to U.S. District Court in Atlanta. Atlantqa Motor Speedway (AMS) inked the sponsorship deal in February giving Pep Boys the right to sponsor exclusivelyt the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup seriezs races at AMS in 2008and 2009.
Pep Boys also got a largde trackside billboard at AMS and inclusiojof “Pep Boys Auto 500” in ads and promotionall materials on AMS’ Web site and NASCAR.com. In Pep Boys agreed to pay AMS $3 million -- $700,009 due on May 1 and Sept. 1 and $800,000 due on Marcjh 1 and Sept. 1, 2009. AMS held the Pep Boys Auto 500 in Octoberr 2008 and was paid a totallof $1.4 million. In 2009, AMS told Pep Boys it wantes to hold its fall 2009 NASCAR race events on LaborDay Weekend. When Pep Boys failed to make its Marcuh1 $800,000 payment, AMS sent a default notice.
Pep Boys then sent a purportede notice of anticipatory breach of contracfto AMS, saying AMS faileds to comply with the sponsorship deal because it scheduled the 2009 fall NASCARd race “during the summer.” Pep Boys also said it was terminating the sponsorshipp agreement. AMS argues the termination is wrongful because the agreemenft does not mandate it hold the race on anyspecific date.
AMS noted the agreement states: “In the event the Eventr is rescheduled from itsoriginal date, both partiea to the Agreement will continude to be entitled to all rights and obligated to fulfilkl at [sic] the terms and conditionsx contained herein, with respect to such rescheduled In its counterclaim, Pep Boys asks for a jury triapl and claims the change in race date deprived it of a “substantiaol benefit of its bargain” and that was a “material breachj of the Agreement.” Pep Boys says in its responsr it was looking for opportunitiesd to boost sales in fall, when it typicalluy sees a slow down in business.
The fall timingt of the race was also attractivebecause it’se the “playoff season” for which attracts a big televisiojn audience. “By moving the race from fall to Speedway destroyed the importantg fall marketing boost for which Pep Boys had theretailer alleges. “The date change was also significanf because television viewership during the Labor Dayweekened is, because of holiday travel and outdoor typically substantially lower than the last Sunday in Octobe r in Pep Boys’ core markets. that total viewership is oftehn down as muchas 20%.
” Pep Boys furtherd claims it realized the 2007 race did not give it the benefitw it wanted and told AMS a year in advancer to find another sponsor for 2009. Pep Boys alleges AMS “disd not devote its best efforts” to find a replacement Pep Boys claims, “The few potentiao replacements that Speedway did identify were only willinh to act as a substitutes sponsor in exchange for onerous concessions fromPep Boys.” . . Pep Boys runs more than 560 storeds across theUnited States.
The track in Hampton, Ga., owned by has sued Philadelphia-based Pep Boys (NYSE:PBY) claimint the auto parts and services retailer backed out ofa multi-million-dollar sponsorship deal and owes it $1.6 The suit was filedx in Henry County [Ga.] Superiorr Court in April and responded to by Pep Boys on June 4. The suit has been movedd to U.S. District Court in Atlanta. Atlantqa Motor Speedway (AMS) inked the sponsorship deal in February giving Pep Boys the right to sponsor exclusivelyt the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup seriezs races at AMS in 2008and 2009.
Pep Boys also got a largde trackside billboard at AMS and inclusiojof “Pep Boys Auto 500” in ads and promotionall materials on AMS’ Web site and NASCAR.com. In Pep Boys agreed to pay AMS $3 million -- $700,009 due on May 1 and Sept. 1 and $800,000 due on Marcjh 1 and Sept. 1, 2009. AMS held the Pep Boys Auto 500 in Octoberr 2008 and was paid a totallof $1.4 million. In 2009, AMS told Pep Boys it wantes to hold its fall 2009 NASCAR race events on LaborDay Weekend. When Pep Boys failed to make its Marcuh1 $800,000 payment, AMS sent a default notice.
Pep Boys then sent a purportede notice of anticipatory breach of contracfto AMS, saying AMS faileds to comply with the sponsorship deal because it scheduled the 2009 fall NASCARd race “during the summer.” Pep Boys also said it was terminating the sponsorshipp agreement. AMS argues the termination is wrongful because the agreemenft does not mandate it hold the race on anyspecific date.
AMS noted the agreement states: “In the event the Eventr is rescheduled from itsoriginal date, both partiea to the Agreement will continude to be entitled to all rights and obligated to fulfilkl at [sic] the terms and conditionsx contained herein, with respect to such rescheduled In its counterclaim, Pep Boys asks for a jury triapl and claims the change in race date deprived it of a “substantiaol benefit of its bargain” and that was a “material breachj of the Agreement.” Pep Boys says in its responsr it was looking for opportunitiesd to boost sales in fall, when it typicalluy sees a slow down in business.
The fall timingt of the race was also attractivebecause it’se the “playoff season” for which attracts a big televisiojn audience. “By moving the race from fall to Speedway destroyed the importantg fall marketing boost for which Pep Boys had theretailer alleges. “The date change was also significanf because television viewership during the Labor Dayweekened is, because of holiday travel and outdoor typically substantially lower than the last Sunday in Octobe r in Pep Boys’ core markets. that total viewership is oftehn down as muchas 20%.
” Pep Boys furtherd claims it realized the 2007 race did not give it the benefitw it wanted and told AMS a year in advancer to find another sponsor for 2009. Pep Boys alleges AMS “disd not devote its best efforts” to find a replacement Pep Boys claims, “The few potentiao replacements that Speedway did identify were only willinh to act as a substitutes sponsor in exchange for onerous concessions fromPep Boys.” . . Pep Boys runs more than 560 storeds across theUnited States.
Friday, May 27, 2011
OU seeks state OK for IT fee - Business First of Columbus:
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Trustees on Friday also approved more than 200 other fees that fall outside of the tuition cap becausethey don’t applyg to every student, according to a release. The four-yea school in Athens wants to issuse $28.3 million in bonds to replacer its Student Information responsiblefor registration, financiakl aid, housing and several systemsz that make the university function, as well as general information technologh upgrades to increase speed and accesa along with security. The school went through several costlty data breaches starting abour fiveyears ago. Officials proposre paying half the debt service out of the general fund and supportinb half withthe fee, which is not to exceed $25.
It woul d be applied this fall if approved bythe . Many of the othetr fee increases cover specific course but some affectlarger groups. Among them: $26 added to the per-credit hour rate, for a totap of $426, for the master’s in financiao economics program offered at the Pickerington campus inCentrap Ohio. • 7 percent increase to student housing and 3 perceny fordining plans. • 5 percent increase in instructional fees and nonresident surcharge for the Collegs ofOsteopathic Medicine. Ohio University rankx fourth among the 13 public universities forannuao tuition, $8,907 for Ohio residents attendingh full-time at the main campus, wherr enrollment is 19,000.
The school has five regiona campuses. It’s followed by at Craig Cornell, vice provost for enrollmen management, told trustees that the state tuitiohn freeze, federal tax credits and lowered interesgt on studentloan programs, and the school’se own scholarship program promote affordability, the releaswe said. Still, he said schools Ohio University competes with are spendinv moreon scholarships, so he advocated increasing scholarshipxs paid from the genera fund, such as by keying them to a percentage of tuitioj and fees. To meet a shortfall for the upcominacademic year, the school has cut jobs, offered retiremenf incentives and entered purchasing collectives.
Trustees on Friday also approved more than 200 other fees that fall outside of the tuition cap becausethey don’t applyg to every student, according to a release. The four-yea school in Athens wants to issuse $28.3 million in bonds to replacer its Student Information responsiblefor registration, financiakl aid, housing and several systemsz that make the university function, as well as general information technologh upgrades to increase speed and accesa along with security. The school went through several costlty data breaches starting abour fiveyears ago. Officials proposre paying half the debt service out of the general fund and supportinb half withthe fee, which is not to exceed $25.
It woul d be applied this fall if approved bythe . Many of the othetr fee increases cover specific course but some affectlarger groups. Among them: $26 added to the per-credit hour rate, for a totap of $426, for the master’s in financiao economics program offered at the Pickerington campus inCentrap Ohio. • 7 percent increase to student housing and 3 perceny fordining plans. • 5 percent increase in instructional fees and nonresident surcharge for the Collegs ofOsteopathic Medicine. Ohio University rankx fourth among the 13 public universities forannuao tuition, $8,907 for Ohio residents attendingh full-time at the main campus, wherr enrollment is 19,000.
The school has five regiona campuses. It’s followed by at Craig Cornell, vice provost for enrollmen management, told trustees that the state tuitiohn freeze, federal tax credits and lowered interesgt on studentloan programs, and the school’se own scholarship program promote affordability, the releaswe said. Still, he said schools Ohio University competes with are spendinv moreon scholarships, so he advocated increasing scholarshipxs paid from the genera fund, such as by keying them to a percentage of tuitioj and fees. To meet a shortfall for the upcominacademic year, the school has cut jobs, offered retiremenf incentives and entered purchasing collectives.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wellington Row plan will get $2.5M lift, but also state review - The Business Review (Albany):
Fiber cement siding
million state grant was announced that will help pay for environmental cleanu of the dilapidated StatStreet buildings. The grant will go to the city of which must provide a 10 percenf match through a financialor in-kind Albany-based Columbia Development intends to purchase the five buildingsw that make up Wellington Row and another on Howard Streeyt from an overseas company, , which has been at odds with city officialsx over the deteriorating properties. Columbiaa expects to close on the purchase within the next two saidJoseph Nicolla, president.
It wants to demolisg most of the structures exceptf for thethree western-most facades and builde a 12- to 15-story tower and parkingv for up to 400 cars. The new, 250,000-square-foog building would have retailers on thegrouncd floor, three to four floorx of residential space and commercial tenants. Nicolla wouldn'g disclose the purchase but said the total project is valued atnearly $65 Gov. George E. Pataki announced the $2.5 milliob grant from the Restore NY programj alongwith $2.5 million in state transportationj aid to help pay for new medians, crosswalkk pavers and ornamental lighting on State Streegt between Broadway and Eagle Street.
The city is stil l working out the details of the street improvemente but the total cost couldhit $5 million, said Planning Director Michaeo Yevoli. Other sources of funding are being sought. Columbis has met with representatives of to discusdits plans. Preservationists say the developer should try to save more than just the facades of the formet at 136State St., the Elks Lodge and the . The thre buildings and two adjacent modified townhouses at 132 and 134Stat St. were designed or built at the turn of the 19th centuryg and are part of a state and nationaphistoric district. R.
Daniel Mackay, director of publifc policy at the Preservation League of New York said the inclusion of state grant money in the projecy means it must be reviewed by the statde Officeof Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation before demolition can proceed. He predicted the state agencg would not look favorably onthe "I think there's a lot more worth saving than the facade s of these [three] buildings," Mackay said. The Historix Albany Foundation advocates incorporating portions of the buildiny interiors into the newoffice tower, but Nicollsa said the concept isn't "financiall y feasible.
" "We would welcome them sitting down and working with us," Nicolla said. Albany Commissioner of Development and Planning Joe Rabitk said city officialsare "veruy confident the folks at [the state regulatoryt agency] will see the importance of the projecty as a whole." In the city's approved a separat plan to demolish the Elks Lodge and Berkshire but that project never moved forwarsd and the approval has since Yevoli said. "In essence, the whole processx has to takeplace again," Yevolui said.
million state grant was announced that will help pay for environmental cleanu of the dilapidated StatStreet buildings. The grant will go to the city of which must provide a 10 percenf match through a financialor in-kind Albany-based Columbia Development intends to purchase the five buildingsw that make up Wellington Row and another on Howard Streeyt from an overseas company, , which has been at odds with city officialsx over the deteriorating properties. Columbiaa expects to close on the purchase within the next two saidJoseph Nicolla, president.
It wants to demolisg most of the structures exceptf for thethree western-most facades and builde a 12- to 15-story tower and parkingv for up to 400 cars. The new, 250,000-square-foog building would have retailers on thegrouncd floor, three to four floorx of residential space and commercial tenants. Nicolla wouldn'g disclose the purchase but said the total project is valued atnearly $65 Gov. George E. Pataki announced the $2.5 milliob grant from the Restore NY programj alongwith $2.5 million in state transportationj aid to help pay for new medians, crosswalkk pavers and ornamental lighting on State Streegt between Broadway and Eagle Street.
The city is stil l working out the details of the street improvemente but the total cost couldhit $5 million, said Planning Director Michaeo Yevoli. Other sources of funding are being sought. Columbis has met with representatives of to discusdits plans. Preservationists say the developer should try to save more than just the facades of the formet at 136State St., the Elks Lodge and the . The thre buildings and two adjacent modified townhouses at 132 and 134Stat St. were designed or built at the turn of the 19th centuryg and are part of a state and nationaphistoric district. R.
Daniel Mackay, director of publifc policy at the Preservation League of New York said the inclusion of state grant money in the projecy means it must be reviewed by the statde Officeof Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation before demolition can proceed. He predicted the state agencg would not look favorably onthe "I think there's a lot more worth saving than the facade s of these [three] buildings," Mackay said. The Historix Albany Foundation advocates incorporating portions of the buildiny interiors into the newoffice tower, but Nicollsa said the concept isn't "financiall y feasible.
" "We would welcome them sitting down and working with us," Nicolla said. Albany Commissioner of Development and Planning Joe Rabitk said city officialsare "veruy confident the folks at [the state regulatoryt agency] will see the importance of the projecty as a whole." In the city's approved a separat plan to demolish the Elks Lodge and Berkshire but that project never moved forwarsd and the approval has since Yevoli said. "In essence, the whole processx has to takeplace again," Yevolui said.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Private sector firm helps locals track stimulus opportunity - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
cement board siding
With more than 12 years of experience in trackinggovernmenyt spending, Onvia (Nasdaq: is giving away a piece of its usually proprietary data to make the public aware of its information-gatheringg capabilities, said Nate spokesman for the Seattle-based “We launched recovery.org to show what we can Wilcox said. Nearly half of Onvia’s 170 employees are tracking the fundinb daily and on thelocap level, clipping news stories and collatinh information to build a database in an accessibl format. The signing of the American Recoverhy and Reinvestment Act in February prompted not only theObamza administration’s Web site recovery.
gov but also many civic and states sites such as Florida’s flarecovery.com. The appearancee of the sites focused on stimulus monety is the result of the growthu of Internet access since the 1990e and a recent emphasis on transparenc y infederal spending, observers said. Being able to access data on stimuluw spending whether through a private or publixc entity is an advantage tothe public, said Greg chief evangelist for the , a Washington-basec nonprofit dedicated to political “That’s the main point of the Web.
Anyone can participate,” Elin “You aren’t stuck with a single governmen organization or commercial vendor that has a monopol over a pieceof information.” The strengtj of recovery.org is its abilityh to track federal spending at the local level, which is a greater challenge than at the federa level, said Wilcox. Under the law, cities and countiezs that receive federal recovery funds are not required to reporyt tothe state, said Don special adviser to Gov. Charlie Crist for the implementatio of the federalrecovery act. The best way to obtaibn a comprehensive picture oflocal spending, therefore, is throughn the federal system. The hope for Flarecovery.
com is to take the informatiobn that goes into the federal reporting systems and develop ways to extract and displayu itthrough flarecovery.com, said Winstead. “We are every bit as interestefd because it means jobsfor Florida,” said Winstead. “We need to captur all of that.”
With more than 12 years of experience in trackinggovernmenyt spending, Onvia (Nasdaq: is giving away a piece of its usually proprietary data to make the public aware of its information-gatheringg capabilities, said Nate spokesman for the Seattle-based “We launched recovery.org to show what we can Wilcox said. Nearly half of Onvia’s 170 employees are tracking the fundinb daily and on thelocap level, clipping news stories and collatinh information to build a database in an accessibl format. The signing of the American Recoverhy and Reinvestment Act in February prompted not only theObamza administration’s Web site recovery.
gov but also many civic and states sites such as Florida’s flarecovery.com. The appearancee of the sites focused on stimulus monety is the result of the growthu of Internet access since the 1990e and a recent emphasis on transparenc y infederal spending, observers said. Being able to access data on stimuluw spending whether through a private or publixc entity is an advantage tothe public, said Greg chief evangelist for the , a Washington-basec nonprofit dedicated to political “That’s the main point of the Web.
Anyone can participate,” Elin “You aren’t stuck with a single governmen organization or commercial vendor that has a monopol over a pieceof information.” The strengtj of recovery.org is its abilityh to track federal spending at the local level, which is a greater challenge than at the federa level, said Wilcox. Under the law, cities and countiezs that receive federal recovery funds are not required to reporyt tothe state, said Don special adviser to Gov. Charlie Crist for the implementatio of the federalrecovery act. The best way to obtaibn a comprehensive picture oflocal spending, therefore, is throughn the federal system. The hope for Flarecovery.
com is to take the informatiobn that goes into the federal reporting systems and develop ways to extract and displayu itthrough flarecovery.com, said Winstead. “We are every bit as interestefd because it means jobsfor Florida,” said Winstead. “We need to captur all of that.”
Friday, May 20, 2011
Chatham creates School of Sustainability and the Environment - Business First of Columbus:
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The school is expected to provide undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to prepare students to identifyg and solve challenges relatesd to the environmentand sustainability. The Universit y will begin a search fora dean, and will house the new school'sd operations at its Eden Hall Farm Campuss in Richland, north of Pittsburgh. The administration anticipates that the programse offered through the School will both attract new studentsw and drive the Eden HallFarm Campus’ mastetr plan. The first program offered through the new school willbe Chatham'ws newest graduate program, the Master of Arts in Food Studies.
The degreed is designed to provide studentswith "a deep understandintg of the issues surrounding food such as the environmental costsa of food production and distribution, culturall issues, sustainability of and safety of the food according to a release from the Classes will begin in spring 2010 at the Eden Hall Farm campuzs and the Shadyside campus in Pittsburgh's East End, and will includde courses such as agricultural production food processing, industrialization and food, sustainability and health, and food and
The school is expected to provide undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to prepare students to identifyg and solve challenges relatesd to the environmentand sustainability. The Universit y will begin a search fora dean, and will house the new school'sd operations at its Eden Hall Farm Campuss in Richland, north of Pittsburgh. The administration anticipates that the programse offered through the School will both attract new studentsw and drive the Eden HallFarm Campus’ mastetr plan. The first program offered through the new school willbe Chatham'ws newest graduate program, the Master of Arts in Food Studies.
The degreed is designed to provide studentswith "a deep understandintg of the issues surrounding food such as the environmental costsa of food production and distribution, culturall issues, sustainability of and safety of the food according to a release from the Classes will begin in spring 2010 at the Eden Hall Farm campuzs and the Shadyside campus in Pittsburgh's East End, and will includde courses such as agricultural production food processing, industrialization and food, sustainability and health, and food and
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Natural Horizons Wellness Center Now Offers Huggins Protocol Mercury Amalgam ... - PR Web (press release)
avaohev.blogspot.com
Natural Horizons Wellness Center Now Offers Huggins Protocol Mercury Amalgam ... PR Web (press release) Seeking to fill a void in dental care, the integrative Natural Horizons Wellness Center medical clinic is offering removal of mercury amalgam fillings using the highly acclaimed Dr. Huggins protocol. I have always had the desire to help my patients ... |
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sapphire plans $100 million investment in green crude from algae - St. Louis Business Journal:
raisavydyexuwowi.blogspot.com
The San Diego-based startup plans to invest $100 million in a 300-acrse biofuel operation that will convert algae into gasolinee startingin 2011, the first such algae-based, commercial-scale biofuel production facility in the U.S. Once the site’ws commercial viability is demonstrated, plans call for it to expand to 1,200 acreas and produce more than 1 million gallons per day ofgreen crude, said Sapphire CEO Jason Pyle.
That would generatre a total investmentof $1 billiojn over the next eight “Green crude will replacd black crude right here in New Pyle said in a keynote addresx at the first annual conference of the Southwesterjn Biofuels Association in Albuquerque May “We’re looking at the next industrialp revolution.” Sapphire is not the only company planning a local biofuel but other companies want to make biodiesel, not and those methods use a variety of crops and Sapphire is unique because it has developed a proprietaryh process for turning oil from algae into renewable gasolin that is genetically identical to sweet crude pumped from the ground.
That means it can simplg replace petroleum as fuel for ground and air transport withouft any modificationto refineries, pipelines or vehicles, Pyle said. “Drop-im solutions that don’t require retooling the nation’s fuel deliverh system are the only way to make the biofuel industry successful,” said Pyle. “That’se the future Sapphire is workin gto build.” Major investors are betting heavily on The company formed in May 2007 and has raisedf more than $100 million in venture capital. Backers included financial powerhouses, such as , the Rockefellers’ , and an investment holding company owned by foundedBill Gates.
The companu has recruited top scientists andindustryu leaders. Refining’s former vice president, Cynthiqa Warner, became Sapphire’s president this year. Brian who led the team that conductefVirgin Galactic’s groundbreaking 747 flight in 2008 with is now Sapphire’s vice president of downstream “They have a phenomenal bank of technical peopl and team leaders,” said Lennt Martínez, Gov. Bill Richardson’s policy advisor for rural economi development. “Their project is technically very feasible.” Still, like all biofuelo startups, Sapphire faces majorr challenges.
Steve Loring, associate director of ’s Agricultural Experiment Station, said a lot of researc h is still needed to reachcommerciao viability, particularly in regard to water use, environmental impact and economic sustainability. In fact, NMSU is now conductin a study on biofuel production costs and potentiaol ways to profitably scalw up to commerciallevels (see related article on page 1). “It all has to be sustainablde environmentallyand economically, although I think thosd things can be addressed,” Loring said. “They’rre not show stoppers.
” Among the companiess pursuing biofuels, Sapphire has inspired more confidencrethan most, said Vaughb Gangwish, executive director of the Southwestern Biofuels Association. “Like all new technologies, biofuela must be proven, but I think Sapphire will meet its Gangwish said. “They’re clearly on the leadingt edge.” Sapphire has invested $8 millionb in a test-and-development facility that began operating in December at the West Mesa Industriaol Park inLas Cruces. The centerf experiments with algae seed varieties developedat Sapphire’s headquarterss in San Diego. The facility operatess nine algae production ponds to map growtgh rates andother characteristics.
It conducts wet and dry oil productivituy and processing testsin 15,000 square feet of lab said Operations Manager Bryn Davis. “We’re the boots-on-the-ground operatiohn for the science coming out of Davis said. Pyle said Sapphire’s planned 300-acre facility will be a pre-commerciakl demonstration site to provemarket viability. Sapphire has the money to builed thisfirst stage, but it needs a lot more capita to later expand to 1,200p acres. “If we’re going to generate more than $800 milliobn in new private investment, investors firstf need to be convincedd that the economics of the facilitygare guaranteed,” Pyle said.
Constructio n of the first stagwe will start in summer 2010 and conclude inearly 2011. It will emplohy at least 400 permanent workers, and thousandsx – if the facility’s expansion move s forward. The facility’s location has already been sited and but itremains confidential, Pyle said. U.S. Sen. Tom D-NM, announced in late February, that the Department of Energy approvedra $951,000 grant for a Sapphire Energy algae-to-fuel demonstrationb project in Portales.
The San Diego-based startup plans to invest $100 million in a 300-acrse biofuel operation that will convert algae into gasolinee startingin 2011, the first such algae-based, commercial-scale biofuel production facility in the U.S. Once the site’ws commercial viability is demonstrated, plans call for it to expand to 1,200 acreas and produce more than 1 million gallons per day ofgreen crude, said Sapphire CEO Jason Pyle.
That would generatre a total investmentof $1 billiojn over the next eight “Green crude will replacd black crude right here in New Pyle said in a keynote addresx at the first annual conference of the Southwesterjn Biofuels Association in Albuquerque May “We’re looking at the next industrialp revolution.” Sapphire is not the only company planning a local biofuel but other companies want to make biodiesel, not and those methods use a variety of crops and Sapphire is unique because it has developed a proprietaryh process for turning oil from algae into renewable gasolin that is genetically identical to sweet crude pumped from the ground.
That means it can simplg replace petroleum as fuel for ground and air transport withouft any modificationto refineries, pipelines or vehicles, Pyle said. “Drop-im solutions that don’t require retooling the nation’s fuel deliverh system are the only way to make the biofuel industry successful,” said Pyle. “That’se the future Sapphire is workin gto build.” Major investors are betting heavily on The company formed in May 2007 and has raisedf more than $100 million in venture capital. Backers included financial powerhouses, such as , the Rockefellers’ , and an investment holding company owned by foundedBill Gates.
The companu has recruited top scientists andindustryu leaders. Refining’s former vice president, Cynthiqa Warner, became Sapphire’s president this year. Brian who led the team that conductefVirgin Galactic’s groundbreaking 747 flight in 2008 with is now Sapphire’s vice president of downstream “They have a phenomenal bank of technical peopl and team leaders,” said Lennt Martínez, Gov. Bill Richardson’s policy advisor for rural economi development. “Their project is technically very feasible.” Still, like all biofuelo startups, Sapphire faces majorr challenges.
Steve Loring, associate director of ’s Agricultural Experiment Station, said a lot of researc h is still needed to reachcommerciao viability, particularly in regard to water use, environmental impact and economic sustainability. In fact, NMSU is now conductin a study on biofuel production costs and potentiaol ways to profitably scalw up to commerciallevels (see related article on page 1). “It all has to be sustainablde environmentallyand economically, although I think thosd things can be addressed,” Loring said. “They’rre not show stoppers.
” Among the companiess pursuing biofuels, Sapphire has inspired more confidencrethan most, said Vaughb Gangwish, executive director of the Southwestern Biofuels Association. “Like all new technologies, biofuela must be proven, but I think Sapphire will meet its Gangwish said. “They’re clearly on the leadingt edge.” Sapphire has invested $8 millionb in a test-and-development facility that began operating in December at the West Mesa Industriaol Park inLas Cruces. The centerf experiments with algae seed varieties developedat Sapphire’s headquarterss in San Diego. The facility operatess nine algae production ponds to map growtgh rates andother characteristics.
It conducts wet and dry oil productivituy and processing testsin 15,000 square feet of lab said Operations Manager Bryn Davis. “We’re the boots-on-the-ground operatiohn for the science coming out of Davis said. Pyle said Sapphire’s planned 300-acre facility will be a pre-commerciakl demonstration site to provemarket viability. Sapphire has the money to builed thisfirst stage, but it needs a lot more capita to later expand to 1,200p acres. “If we’re going to generate more than $800 milliobn in new private investment, investors firstf need to be convincedd that the economics of the facilitygare guaranteed,” Pyle said.
Constructio n of the first stagwe will start in summer 2010 and conclude inearly 2011. It will emplohy at least 400 permanent workers, and thousandsx – if the facility’s expansion move s forward. The facility’s location has already been sited and but itremains confidential, Pyle said. U.S. Sen. Tom D-NM, announced in late February, that the Department of Energy approvedra $951,000 grant for a Sapphire Energy algae-to-fuel demonstrationb project in Portales.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Starbucks adds
mooth35byh.blogspot.com
The coffee giant says it has simplified recipews to includemore high-quality ingredienta like whole grains, blueberries from Oregon and cherries from “Starbucks customers have been tellingb us that they want better tastingh and healthier food optionsd when they visit our stores,” said Starbucks food category vice presiden Sandra Stark in a news release announcing the new “We answered their call with a deliciouas new menu of food made with real ingredients and more wholesomse options.” New menu items include a blueberry oat bar, a farmer’s market saladc and banana walnut bread that Starbucks says “is nearlg 30 percent real banana.
” Starbucksd has been expanding its food menu in the last two yearws to entice customers to visit more and to spend more per The company was also among the first restaurant chains in the country to ban trand fat from its food and beverages. Starbucks SBUX) is closing hundreds of locations and cutting thousandsx of jobs to trim expensesd asrevenue falls. The company reported that sales fell 8 percentflast quarter, following a 9 percent decline in first quarter It is also facing pressure from McDonaldsw (NYSE: MCD), whose new coffee drinks are driving sales
The coffee giant says it has simplified recipews to includemore high-quality ingredienta like whole grains, blueberries from Oregon and cherries from “Starbucks customers have been tellingb us that they want better tastingh and healthier food optionsd when they visit our stores,” said Starbucks food category vice presiden Sandra Stark in a news release announcing the new “We answered their call with a deliciouas new menu of food made with real ingredients and more wholesomse options.” New menu items include a blueberry oat bar, a farmer’s market saladc and banana walnut bread that Starbucks says “is nearlg 30 percent real banana.
” Starbucksd has been expanding its food menu in the last two yearws to entice customers to visit more and to spend more per The company was also among the first restaurant chains in the country to ban trand fat from its food and beverages. Starbucks SBUX) is closing hundreds of locations and cutting thousandsx of jobs to trim expensesd asrevenue falls. The company reported that sales fell 8 percentflast quarter, following a 9 percent decline in first quarter It is also facing pressure from McDonaldsw (NYSE: MCD), whose new coffee drinks are driving sales
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Kendall
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million foreclosure lawsuit againsf the developer of theRivendell single-family home projecgt in West Kendall. The Miami-baserd bank filed the foreclosure action on June 9against Miami-basedd Crestview II, Marsol One LLC and managing member Marcial according to records. The complaint targets 28 unsolsd homes and home sites in which is along MillerDrive (Southwest 56th between Southwest 167th Avenue and the Miccosukee Golf and Countryg Club. After starting construction in Crestview II sold 103 homez in Rivendell from 2005 through the most recent sale in Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Charles Lichtman, who represents TotalBanmk in its demand for $12.
2 million on the outstandin g mortgage, did not immediately return a call seekingg comment. TotalBank reported having $86.4 million in late or unpaids loans, or nearly 6.5 perceny of its total loans, as of Marcu 31. In March, filed a foreclosure actioh against Crestview II and Solis overa $2.1 millionj mortgage.
million foreclosure lawsuit againsf the developer of theRivendell single-family home projecgt in West Kendall. The Miami-baserd bank filed the foreclosure action on June 9against Miami-basedd Crestview II, Marsol One LLC and managing member Marcial according to records. The complaint targets 28 unsolsd homes and home sites in which is along MillerDrive (Southwest 56th between Southwest 167th Avenue and the Miccosukee Golf and Countryg Club. After starting construction in Crestview II sold 103 homez in Rivendell from 2005 through the most recent sale in Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Charles Lichtman, who represents TotalBanmk in its demand for $12.
2 million on the outstandin g mortgage, did not immediately return a call seekingg comment. TotalBank reported having $86.4 million in late or unpaids loans, or nearly 6.5 perceny of its total loans, as of Marcu 31. In March, filed a foreclosure actioh against Crestview II and Solis overa $2.1 millionj mortgage.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mission not accomplished, but it is possible - Boston Herald
vickreyafolori1839.blogspot.com
Globe and Mail | Mission not accomplished, but it is possible Boston Herald Seems like years ago that Bruins [team stats] general manager Peter Chiarelli exhaled an awkward comment that, when placed under a microscope, sounded as though he'd be happy if the B's could just win the second round of the playoffs. ... Patrice Bergeron: Bergeron leaves game with possible concussion |
Friday, May 6, 2011
NM
zemlyanikiyri.blogspot.com
The stimulus package includes $4.4 billion to implemeny local smart grids, which rely on automated monitoring of electricity use andcomputerized supply-and-demand controls to reduce energuy consumption in residences and buildings. Gov. Bill Richardson’s administratio n has been working for nearlyg two years on blueprints fora comprehensive, statewid strategy to roll out the nation’s firs t fully modernized local grid. The plan calls for developmeny of a lot morerenewable energy, a massive transmission upgrade to distribute clean power, and an automated network backedd by the state’s supercomputer to effectively balancr supply and demand.
the ’s initial guidelines for biddint on grants outline a piecemeal approach to buildingsmart grids, said Tom Bowles, Richardson’s sciencw advisor on loan from and a key architect of the state’as smart-grid initiative. The DOE essentially wants states to concentratwe on individual components ofgrid modernization, such as installin g smart meters in homes and buildingzs to monitor energy use. “The initial guidelines limit the technologies and scopeof grant-funded projects,” Bowlexs said.
“You can’t get funding for multiple technologiews that cross over and merge but that’s exactly what’xs needed to manage all the differences in energy generation and consumption that exist between urbah and rural areas or among residential, commercial and institutionapl consumers.” In fact, the guidelinea originally set a $20 million cap on individualk smart-grid investment grants and $40 milliom for regional demonstration reflecting the scaled-down scope of the DOE Concerted lobbying by New Mexico officialsa and others contributed to a DOE decision in mid-May to increase the caps to $200 milliomn and $100 million, respectively.
However, the DOE won’gt release final grant guidelinesuntik mid-June, and unless there are more New Mexico’s integrated, multiple-projecft approach might not be fundable. “Thr scope of New Mexico’s smartt green grid will require hundreds of millioneof dollars, not tens of millions, so the increasr in grant caps was welcome,” Bowlews said. “But we still need to see how much flexibilitt the DOE will permit forintegrates smart-grid projects.” The initial guideline also include a mandate for 50 percen t matching funds from grantf recipients.
That could be even more limiting thanthe DOE’ws scaled-down approach to smart-grid construction, said Stephan who heads the Economic Development Department’s Offic e of Science and Technology. Helgesen has visited communitiee statewide todiscuss smart-grid projects and coordinatew grant proposals. “Everybody is enthusiastic about smart-gridd stimulus funding, but the municipalities say they don’t have matching funds,” Helgesenb said. “That could be a real deal breakerffor everybody.
” Still, state officials are encouraging utilities and municipalitie to send grant proposals anyway so whatever the final DOE guidelines, New Mexico will be readg to compete for funds. “If the DOE’z limited scope is unchanged, we’ll have to segmenft our efforts intosmaller parts,” Bowles “Some things will get funded and some In response, utilities and municipalities are scrambling to turn in Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in for example, wants funding to instalo more distributed solar energy, and to exten d broadband access to all of its 30,000 customers.
The broadbandd would enable needed energy monitoring and automation systems whilse connecting more peopleto high-speed Internet said CEO Luis Reyes. “The stimulus could be a shot in the arm to help builds an integratedsmart grid, and to lay the foundatio for more economic development,” Reyes said.
The stimulus package includes $4.4 billion to implemeny local smart grids, which rely on automated monitoring of electricity use andcomputerized supply-and-demand controls to reduce energuy consumption in residences and buildings. Gov. Bill Richardson’s administratio n has been working for nearlyg two years on blueprints fora comprehensive, statewid strategy to roll out the nation’s firs t fully modernized local grid. The plan calls for developmeny of a lot morerenewable energy, a massive transmission upgrade to distribute clean power, and an automated network backedd by the state’s supercomputer to effectively balancr supply and demand.
the ’s initial guidelines for biddint on grants outline a piecemeal approach to buildingsmart grids, said Tom Bowles, Richardson’s sciencw advisor on loan from and a key architect of the state’as smart-grid initiative. The DOE essentially wants states to concentratwe on individual components ofgrid modernization, such as installin g smart meters in homes and buildingzs to monitor energy use. “The initial guidelines limit the technologies and scopeof grant-funded projects,” Bowlexs said.
“You can’t get funding for multiple technologiews that cross over and merge but that’s exactly what’xs needed to manage all the differences in energy generation and consumption that exist between urbah and rural areas or among residential, commercial and institutionapl consumers.” In fact, the guidelinea originally set a $20 million cap on individualk smart-grid investment grants and $40 milliom for regional demonstration reflecting the scaled-down scope of the DOE Concerted lobbying by New Mexico officialsa and others contributed to a DOE decision in mid-May to increase the caps to $200 milliomn and $100 million, respectively.
However, the DOE won’gt release final grant guidelinesuntik mid-June, and unless there are more New Mexico’s integrated, multiple-projecft approach might not be fundable. “Thr scope of New Mexico’s smartt green grid will require hundreds of millioneof dollars, not tens of millions, so the increasr in grant caps was welcome,” Bowlews said. “But we still need to see how much flexibilitt the DOE will permit forintegrates smart-grid projects.” The initial guideline also include a mandate for 50 percen t matching funds from grantf recipients.
That could be even more limiting thanthe DOE’ws scaled-down approach to smart-grid construction, said Stephan who heads the Economic Development Department’s Offic e of Science and Technology. Helgesen has visited communitiee statewide todiscuss smart-grid projects and coordinatew grant proposals. “Everybody is enthusiastic about smart-gridd stimulus funding, but the municipalities say they don’t have matching funds,” Helgesenb said. “That could be a real deal breakerffor everybody.
” Still, state officials are encouraging utilities and municipalitie to send grant proposals anyway so whatever the final DOE guidelines, New Mexico will be readg to compete for funds. “If the DOE’z limited scope is unchanged, we’ll have to segmenft our efforts intosmaller parts,” Bowles “Some things will get funded and some In response, utilities and municipalities are scrambling to turn in Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in for example, wants funding to instalo more distributed solar energy, and to exten d broadband access to all of its 30,000 customers.
The broadbandd would enable needed energy monitoring and automation systems whilse connecting more peopleto high-speed Internet said CEO Luis Reyes. “The stimulus could be a shot in the arm to help builds an integratedsmart grid, and to lay the foundatio for more economic development,” Reyes said.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Work begins on apartments for seniors in Green Island - The Business Review (Albany):
http://dallashomesbyemail.com/news5.html
million housing project in the village of Greenb Islandfor low-income seniors. The Greebn Island Senior Housing DevelopmentFund Co. formed by the village for the and TaconicCapital Corp. of Albany are developingt the project, which will turn the formerd Saint Joseph's Elementary School at the corner of George and Swan streets into 13 The building is expected to open inthe spring. The fund will own and operateethe property. Management services for Green Island Senior Housingh will be subcontracted to the WatervlieytHousing Authority. Architecture Plus in Troy is the designef onthe project. Zandri Construction of Cohoes is theconstruction manager.
Asbestos remova has been completed, and bids are being reviewec from subcontractors for renovation andconstructionb contracts, said Jack Brown, director of community development for the Green Island Industrial Development Agency. The fund recentl y purchased the building from the Roman Catholiv Diocese of Albanyfor $65,000. The diocese demolishexd the adjacent building to provide parking space forthe Landscaping, sidewalk maintenance and snow and trasy removal will be providecd by the village Public Works Funding for the project was obtained from the New York statee Division of Housing and Community Renewalp through a $214,660 loan and from $1.
1 million in tax creditse through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Crediy Program. A Small Citiews grant of $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, awarded to the villagew in 1998, also will be used for the To be eligible for the seniors must be 60 or olderr and have a maximum yearly income of 60 percenft of the areamedian income, or $21,540 annually for individuals, $24,600 for couples. The 11 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments will be handicapped-accessible. An elevator, community tenant storage and laundry room will be availablse inthe building.
Services such as meals, counselinb and transportation will be provided by the Green Islands Senior Club at 89 Hudson a few blocks from theapartment building.
million housing project in the village of Greenb Islandfor low-income seniors. The Greebn Island Senior Housing DevelopmentFund Co. formed by the village for the and TaconicCapital Corp. of Albany are developingt the project, which will turn the formerd Saint Joseph's Elementary School at the corner of George and Swan streets into 13 The building is expected to open inthe spring. The fund will own and operateethe property. Management services for Green Island Senior Housingh will be subcontracted to the WatervlieytHousing Authority. Architecture Plus in Troy is the designef onthe project. Zandri Construction of Cohoes is theconstruction manager.
Asbestos remova has been completed, and bids are being reviewec from subcontractors for renovation andconstructionb contracts, said Jack Brown, director of community development for the Green Island Industrial Development Agency. The fund recentl y purchased the building from the Roman Catholiv Diocese of Albanyfor $65,000. The diocese demolishexd the adjacent building to provide parking space forthe Landscaping, sidewalk maintenance and snow and trasy removal will be providecd by the village Public Works Funding for the project was obtained from the New York statee Division of Housing and Community Renewalp through a $214,660 loan and from $1.
1 million in tax creditse through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Crediy Program. A Small Citiews grant of $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, awarded to the villagew in 1998, also will be used for the To be eligible for the seniors must be 60 or olderr and have a maximum yearly income of 60 percenft of the areamedian income, or $21,540 annually for individuals, $24,600 for couples. The 11 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments will be handicapped-accessible. An elevator, community tenant storage and laundry room will be availablse inthe building.
Services such as meals, counselinb and transportation will be provided by the Green Islands Senior Club at 89 Hudson a few blocks from theapartment building.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Bechtel Corp.
fixyruw.wordpress.com
billion in revenue for 2008. In 2007, the San Francisco companhy had $27 billion in revenue. In 2006, revenue was $20.45 billion. A description of the many projectws around the world that the business is involved in would be along indeed. The company leads teamx now managing both in New Mexico and in where research is done innuclear weapons, medicine and many other areas. In Wash., on the banks of the Columbiaz River, Bechtel is building a vitrification planft designed to process and burnradioactive waste, whicn is then mixed with glases to make it inert for long-terjm storage.
It is also working on plants to destroy chemica l weapons like mustard gas stored in both Coloradoand Overseas, Bechtel is working on renovations of three linesa — Jubilee, Northern and Picadilly of London’s Underground subway system under a 30-year It finished a project to improve traih service between London and Glasgow in 2008. Bechtelp is building highways in Romania and the mountainsdof Albania, and an airport in But last year the company also had to settlew legal claims related to Boston’s “Big Dig” project, wherew portions of a tunnelk collapsed.
The company, know for being privats with the press, didn’t give details of that The family of a womaj killed in the 2006 collapse settlerfor $28 million with severakl contractors involved in the one of which was Bechtel. Othef projects include clean coal power plants in Illinoiasand Indiana, work on copper mines in the mountainz of Chile, and an aluminum smelter in Oman. It is buildinf a nuclear power reactor in Tennessee wherthe (NYSE: TVE) stopped constructiob 20 years ago when electricithy demand fell.
In Texas, Bechtel is expanding a 106-year-old oil refineruy at Port Arthur, on the Gulf Coasty through a joint venturewith (NYSE: In the past it has built pipeliness in places like Thailand and the and is now working on one to connectg oil fields in Albertsa to U.S. refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma — that projecyt should be finishedin 2012. Bechtel is upgrading ’es (NYSE: T) wireless network in the United States, and it won a similarf project fromlast year. Riley Bechtel is chairman and CEO of the whichhas 44,000 workers. Bill Dudley is president and chiet operating officer and Peter Dawsonm is chieffinancial officer.
Bechtel starte d in 1898 and has done work on allseven
billion in revenue for 2008. In 2007, the San Francisco companhy had $27 billion in revenue. In 2006, revenue was $20.45 billion. A description of the many projectws around the world that the business is involved in would be along indeed. The company leads teamx now managing both in New Mexico and in where research is done innuclear weapons, medicine and many other areas. In Wash., on the banks of the Columbiaz River, Bechtel is building a vitrification planft designed to process and burnradioactive waste, whicn is then mixed with glases to make it inert for long-terjm storage.
It is also working on plants to destroy chemica l weapons like mustard gas stored in both Coloradoand Overseas, Bechtel is working on renovations of three linesa — Jubilee, Northern and Picadilly of London’s Underground subway system under a 30-year It finished a project to improve traih service between London and Glasgow in 2008. Bechtelp is building highways in Romania and the mountainsdof Albania, and an airport in But last year the company also had to settlew legal claims related to Boston’s “Big Dig” project, wherew portions of a tunnelk collapsed.
The company, know for being privats with the press, didn’t give details of that The family of a womaj killed in the 2006 collapse settlerfor $28 million with severakl contractors involved in the one of which was Bechtel. Othef projects include clean coal power plants in Illinoiasand Indiana, work on copper mines in the mountainz of Chile, and an aluminum smelter in Oman. It is buildinf a nuclear power reactor in Tennessee wherthe (NYSE: TVE) stopped constructiob 20 years ago when electricithy demand fell.
In Texas, Bechtel is expanding a 106-year-old oil refineruy at Port Arthur, on the Gulf Coasty through a joint venturewith (NYSE: In the past it has built pipeliness in places like Thailand and the and is now working on one to connectg oil fields in Albertsa to U.S. refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma — that projecyt should be finishedin 2012. Bechtel is upgrading ’es (NYSE: T) wireless network in the United States, and it won a similarf project fromlast year. Riley Bechtel is chairman and CEO of the whichhas 44,000 workers. Bill Dudley is president and chiet operating officer and Peter Dawsonm is chieffinancial officer.
Bechtel starte d in 1898 and has done work on allseven
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