Gas prices continue retreat - Augusta Free Press

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Gas prices continue retreat Augusta Free Press Beginning last September we have seen the biggest price jump since the summer of 2008, driven predominantly by speculators, not supply and demand fundamentals. Now that prices have begun to retreat, analysts believe they will settle in the $3.25 and ... Gas prices down heading into holiday Newsworks.org  »

High-end Ashton finding its price is right for Charlotte's South End - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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But Ashton South End, the firsy of four new complexes, has found some earlgy success in a difficulyt realestate market. The luxurg apartment development off West Tremont Avenue at Camde Road has leased 54 of its 310 unitx since openingApril 1, according to leasing directod Olivia Moore. Ashton, developed by Houston-basecd , boasts amenities such as a rooftop pool on the11th floor. It also has above-averagde rental rates, with one- and two-bedroom units costingy $1,117 to $2,984 per month. The average rent for the submarketr that includes South Endwas $887 in February, accordingy to research firm . That’ss down from $962 in says the firm, which surveys the markeyt twicea year.
The averaged monthly rental rate in Charlotte droppefdto $725 in February from $751 in August. It’w the first time that number has fallemnsince 2005. Apartment rental ratex could come under further pressure this as 6,063 units are under construction. More than half of thosd units are slated for completion byyear end. About 20% of those apartments are in the four new SoutyhEnd developments. Besides Ashton, those projectd are: •Circle at South End, a 368-unit developmenr by at South Boulevard andBland Street. It is scheduled for completiobnin June. •Millenium, a 269-unit complex is developing at Sout Tryon andBland streets. It’s slated to open in October.
•Spectrum, a 331-unift apartment development by next door to Ashton on Hawkins Those units are set to delivedin June. So far, Moore says, Ashton’ws main competitors are uptown developments such as a 27-story residential tower developed by Atlanta-based Earlietr this year, facing a lifeless condo market, Novarwe announced it would convert half of that building’s units into apartments, with rental rates starting at $1,200 per month. In another uptown condo project, David Furman’e Quarterside, also converted to apartments. Rental rates in its threew buildings rangebetween $785 and $2,000 per The multifamily vacancy rate in Charlotte rose to 11.8% in Februarh from 9.
1% in August. With 3,000 units scheduled to come onlindethis year, that number isn’t likeluy to improve in 2009, according to Real And rental rates will continuw to fall as landlords make concessions to bring in new The submarket that includes Soutu End had Charlotte’s lowest vacancy rate at 8.6%. But that numbefr is likely to grow as the number of units in South Endincreases 20% over the next 12 Real Data says. has broken ground for Ballantynew Corners, a shopping center at Ballantyn e Commons Parkway and North CommunitgHouse Road. The company can develolp up to 38,000 square feet of retail at the 6.
6-acre But it is taking a go-slowa approach because of the weakened For now, it’s preparing to build only one of threr potential buildings at the The initial building will measure 9,60 square feet. York Development hopes to have spacer available for its first tenantsin October. The firm has signed a Skillets to Go restaurant as well as a nail And it is in negotiations withother retailers, including a dry cleaner and a dance studio, for the remaining 3,500 squared feet, says Mark Mahoney, a senior associatee with York Development.
The companh also has leased a 1-acr e outparcel to AAA Carolinas fora car-care

Spectrum Brands to exit Ch. 11 in August - Memphis Business Journal:

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The Atlanta-based consumer products company said it will exit bankruptct protection as soon as all closintg conditions to the including the closing ofthe company’s exit have been met. That will likely be in August, the companh said. “When we we will have reduced our subordinated debtby $840 millionj and eliminated approximately $60 million of annual cash interest expenses for at leasty each of the next two said Kent Hussey, CEO of Spectrumk Brands, in a prepared statement. “We will emergse with a stronger balance sheet that will better position us to maintain and strengthen our current platform and to pursue opportunitiee to growour company.
” Spectrum Brandds and its U.S. subsidiariesz filed for Chapter 11 inthe U.S. Bankruptcg Court for the Western Districtof Texas, San Antonio Division on Feb. 3. It had $4.4 billion in Spectrum makes Rayovac batteries, Tetra pet Remington shaving and grooming and personalcare products, householr insecticides and lawn and garde n care products.

New Vine Logistics situation gets murkier - Orlando Business Journal:

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“For us to disclose any information about the New Vine’s board would have to accept or reject an New Vine spokeswoman Charlotte Milan told the San Franciscl Business Times , adding that no further information about New Vine’s negotiations with two or three potential buyers is likely to be available June 4. Late Wednesdah and very early Thursday informed sources told the Businesx Timesthat 1-800-Flowers.com appeared set to win the sweepstakews to buy the broken pieces of New Vine, whicg startled the wine industry late last week by abruptly suspendingy operations.
As of early Thursdayg morning, an announcement of a deal with 1-800-Flowers, which owns the Wine Tastingg Network Servicesshipping company, appearedd to be imminent. But that deal brokse down sometime in thewee hours, leaving New Vine’s future Wine Tasting Network, according to its LinkedIn profile, provides winert and wine club direct marketing services, as well as fulfillment and e-commerce services to wineriez and wine retailers. Officials at WTN did not immediatelyt respond to requestsfor comment, but many in the industry see WTN as the most logicak player to pick up some of New Vine’sx pieces.
New Vine, which two yearas ago seemed poised to ship 20 percentof California’s direct-to-consumer wine market, laid off much of its staffd on Friday and brusquely told customersw over the weekend that it was no longere receiving or processing The move left many Wine Country providera scrambling to gather information and to figure out how to get back inventoryh at New Vine’s American Canyon warehoused so they could ship it to customers another way. Publishedc accounts said some ofthe company’s venturee capital investors effectively pulled the plug last week, by decliningh to invest additional capital in New Vine.
“Some people changed theifr minds at the last saidBarbara Insel, a wine industry analystr who has served on New Vine’s advisory Kathleen Hoertkorn, New Vine Logistics’ founder and former CEO, and Chairman of the Boarr Homer Dunn said Tuesday that New Vine is workin g with customers “to transfer all servicess to another means of legal directt shipping, and in the meantime, is finalizintg all work, including compiling of reports, reconcilintg inventory and invoices, and performing all of the necessaryy business operations for the mont (sic) of May and June.
” Hoertkorhn added, in response to reports that the company knew or must have known it was in financial that officials “truly believed that they wouldx have been funded and were not expectinfg to have to cease operations.” The companyt had more than 200 customers and roughlg 110 employees as of last sources say. It now has a skeletobn crew of about 30 staffers at its Napa headquarters and Americahn Canyonshipping facility, including a handful of executivees who are working to wind down operations.
New Vine was startec in 2001 on the notion that it coulf help expedite shipments to consumers in variouws states with confusing and complicated legal restrictiond onwine shipments, a lingering legacy of the Prohibitionh years in America. Financial backers include Menlo Park’es , Altos Ventures, and San Francisco’s LLC, whichn reportedly pulled its people out ofNew Vine’x offices late last Thursday.

Are you consumer confident? - San Francisco Business Times:

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You may hesitate to ask a salesperson out, owin g to other considerations such as a spouse. Sadly, this could suggesr deeper domestic challenges. Experts recommend that you ask yourseltfthis question: “Is my spouse or significantt other co-dependent on my low consumee self-esteem?” If the answer is yes, it could be time to break free and start a new life. Withouft the heavy baggage of home and you may be able to make a major purchasd like a new convertible andhelp jump-startg the economy. Even if you decide to stay with the perso n who discourages you fromspending lavishly, you can stillk raise your consumer confidence. Experts have developee a simple exercise toget going.
Stand in front of a mirror and practice saying one ofthesee consumer-confidence-building mantras: “Give me one of “I’ll take a gross.” “Wrap it up and make it Before long, you’ll feel your consumer confidencd begin to grow. You’ll put the economy back on And with all your fancyhnew clothes, you may even land a high-paying job and be able to pay for everythin you’ve bought. But expertx say you have to be willing to take thatfirstf step. So go ahead. Don’t be shy. Buy.

Wichita native joins Moran

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Perkins will work with Morann on issues including health careand education. Perkins graduatedr from in 1998. He went on to obtaijn a bachelor’s degree in business administration fromin 2002. In he earned his Juris Doctorate from Washburn Universituy School of Law and went on to practice law with Hinklr Elkouri LawFirm LLC. “Brian has a legal backgrounde working on healthcare issues, which has given him a tremendouas amount of experience with our health care system, includingt many areas where it can be improved,” said who will make a run at Sam Brownback’s seat on the , in a writtej statement.
“I am pleased that he has joinedd my staff to work on behalfof Perkins’ duties will include meeting with representatives and research and analyzing and drafting He will also coordinate Moran’w work as co-chariman of the House Rual Healthu Care Coalition and as a member of the Congressionapl Community Pharmacy Coalition. “Being born and raised in I am very excited to be part ofCongressman Moran’sz team and to have the opportunitty to serve Kansans,” Perkins said. “It’s a great privilege to work for my home statsein Washington, D.C.
”

AAA

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AAA New Mexico hopes to alleviate some of that problem with its annual Tipsy Towservice — availablw to AAA members and non-members alike. Beginning July 3 at 6 through July 4at 11:59 p.m., any driver who a part host or bartender designates as needingv a safe ride is eligible. One of AAA’sa drivers will pick up the person and tow his or her car up to 10miles — free of charge. Anything beyond the 10 mile distancre is the responsibility ofthe “While public attitudes towards drunken driving have changed significantlgy in the last 20 plus it’s still a very serious and deadlu problem,” AAA New Mexicp spokesman Dan Ronan said.
The toll free phone numbef for the serviceis (800) 222-4357. Callers are askecd to say: “I need a Tipsu Tow.” (A tow to a hotel is acceptable, if the caller is a guesg of the hotel.) AAA is Northy America’s largest motoring and leisurwetravel organization, providing more than 50 million member s with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-relatedd services. It is a not-for-profit corporation and serves as an advocate for the safety and securityg ofall travelers. AAA can be visited on the Internerat .

Finding reasons, solutions when buying decisions are put on hold - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

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The challenge is determining if the delaty is adisguised objection, an unresolved concern, an excused or real. Most importantly, how can you get to the trutb and move thesale forward? Buyer s are like Wall Street: Neither likews uncertainty. Understanding risk can help you smooth the progres towarda decision. Caution is an indication of risk aversion, and it’d rampant right now. Sellers become too, not wanting to hear a negative But consider that gettin a negative decision now is better than getting one aftertinvesting time, energy and resourceas pursuing a prospect for weeks or even Try facilitating a discussion around best-case and worst-cas e scenarios.
What is the worst case if theydo nothing, and what is the best case if they move forward?? What is the worst-case scenario if they buy now, and what is the best case if they delauy the decision? Having this conversation gives you the opportunity to influencre their thought process and provide inputg into the scenarios. Three common themes emerge as reasonss fordelayed decisions, whichg are incomplete or poor initial unanswered concerns and changes in priorities. Where you are, what to do Did you just take the prospect’sz word that they could benefit fromwhat you’r selling? Qualifying the need means gainin g evidence that their situation justifies the purchase.
For example, everyone wantes new office furniture, but how does not buying it now affecythe company? It could range from lost productivithy to poor market image to no effecft at all. If there’z evidence of significant impact, the urgencg to make a purchasis real. It’s also important to acquire the perspective of all involved decisiom makers toidentify roadblocks. It’z rare for everyone to agree on needs and priorities withina company. Withoutf this information, it’s difficult to implementg a strategy tomove forward. Opportunities that need fundiny or that are waiting for funding are less likelyu to close than thosee that have abudget allocated.
Risk-adverse sellers avoid having the early crucial conversations about budgetsand money. Hoping that traditional benefitsx will carry the decisioj is riskier than having a direct and frank discussiojn about the investment requirements earlh in thesales process. There is a difference betweenh not having the budget and being unwillinf to investthe budget. One is a logisticall problem while the other is a perceiverdvalue problem. You can’ft fix logistics, but you can addresss value. In a cautionarh climate, you must run an game and qualify thoroughly. A presentation or proposalo that is premature will automaticall y generatea stall.
Buyers unconsciously go throughn three major phasesof buying. First, they evaluate if they have a need that is severed enoughto fix. Once a need is clear, the assessmengt of options occurs.

Memphis to host meeting planners June 23-27 - Memphis Business Journal:

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The Executive Summit will also attract 100corporater clients, including American Express Business Volkswagen of America, GMAC and MasterCard These groups will look at Memphis as a possibled location for future events. Cindy and Kevin principals ofDestination King, the and officiala from the Peabody bid for the eventr last year in France. 2009 is the event’s 11th “This is a tremendous opportunitgy forour city, as everyone attending planss meetings and trips for a living,” Cindy Brewer said in a John Oros, executive vice president of the CVB, says the evenft could be a big revenue generator for the city immediateluy and in the near future, possibluy bringing in up to $15 million over the next five to sevenj years.
“The executives attending this event are the event plannere for many ofthe world’s top corporations,” Oros said in a “It’s exciting to be able to showcase our city as a destination-of-choicre for meetings and incentive

Phoenix attorney Kaites, former Expos, Nationals president part of Reinsdorf bid for Coyotes - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

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Reinsdorf, who owns the Chicago Bulls andWhitw Sox, is the lead name on the $148 millio n offer for the team, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcyg reorganization. Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillir earlier madea $213 million offer to buy the hockeyg team and move it to Hamilton, Reinsdorf put in his bid Friday along with Bankruptcy court filings say Tavares, CEO of New York-basexd Sports Properties Acquisition Corp., will join the Kaites is an attorney with LLC in Phoenix and a principall with the Phoenix-based lobbying firm .
The firm countse Reinsdorf, the Gila River Indian Magellan Health Services and the Professionalk Firefighters of Arizona union amongfits clients, according to the Arizons Secretary of State’s Office. Kaitews served as a prosecutor in MaricopaCountty Attorney’s office before unsuccessfully runnin for state attorney general in 1998. He also serves in the Arizona Legislature and worke d as a weathermanon KPNX-TV Channel 12. Kaites has been a political allyof U.S. Sen. John R-Ariz., serving on his 2008 Arizona presidential campaign leadership teamin Arizona. Tavares served as president of the Montreapl Expos during the time when the baseball team relocated toWashingtohn D.C.
and became the Nationals.

Tough times? Phillips Edison goes full bore - Portland Business Journal:

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This is the finding of The Sycamore Township-based property which redevelops grocery-anchored shopping centers, took an art-of-watr approach to pre-empting the recession. The firm paid down millionws in debt, niched its leasing team to focusw on specific growthareas – leasing parking lots for Christmas tree sales, for example and applied its chief taleny to the 40 propertieds with the most growtyh potential. The result is more than 1 milliobn square feet of lease spacde either signed or in the pipeline this as emergingdiscounters – from Dolla Tree to off-price grocers – snap up vacant spaces.
Phillips Edisobn has reduced the time it takes to turn around a lease by about30 percent, and it acceleratecd its retention rate by aboutf 18 percent. “Since the last part of 2008 and into we have the biggest pipelinewand we’ve done more leasing than we’ve ever said Mark Addy, chief operating officerf at Phillips Edison. “A lot of thesw discount merchants are really taking this Within the nexttwo years, Addy expectsa Phillips Edison to purchase hundreds of milliones of dollars in new properties especially out West. But in Cincinnati there look to begood deals. In 27 retail structures sold in the GreaterrCincinnati area, for an average price of $68.
63 per square foot, according to the real estatee research firm , in Bethesda, Md. That compared with 56 transactionszin 2007, at an average $99.37 per square “Retail sales on an aggregate basis are 10 percentr lower today than they were a year ago,” said Davide Brennan, co-director of the Institute for Retailing Excellencee at the in Minnesota. Yet retail square footages from 1990 to 2008 expandec to 21 square feetper person, from 14 square “It’s going to take time to recycler the existing real estate that’s out Brennan said. “It’s really a buyer’sd market.
” Phillips Edison, which operates 240 shopping centers in36 states, handle 735 lease transactions in 2008, and it signef about 1.1 million square feet of new leased Still, its retail square footage is down almosf 4 percent from early thanks to retail bankruptcies, retentio issues and fewer new stores. Sixty percen to 70 percent of the tenantsw whose leases are coming up for renewal are askint for some kind ofrent relief, Addy said. These combined with increased bankruptcies, caused Phillipas Edison to launch a seriesof • Debt reduction: In the past 60 days, Phillipse Edison paid down its debt obligations by $20 million.
As a no significant loan maturities will be due beforeJuly 2011. The idea was to eliminatr the pressures of thedebt market, Addy said. “Ifr you have financing coming due, it’sx really going to prohibit you from doing what you want as agrowinyg company.” • Tailored Phillips Edison assigned its two most experiencedc leasing agents to handle nothing but lease renewalas for its roughly 3,200 tenants (15 percent of whose leases are up each year). The The agents start working with tenants a full year in Phillips also assigned two people to handle all of its 100 such as restaurantsand ATMs.
• Temporary Phillips charged its property management group with focusingt on tenants that use parking lots forfireworkzs sales, carnivals or car shows, and as a resultf expects $1 million in added sales. This does not factor in the benefitsd of theadded traffic. (The property management group, meanwhile, is operating at almost 30 percentunded budget.) • Mission Possible 20/20: Phillips entrusted its most seniorf staff with leasing the 40 properties in its two portfolioas with the greatest upside (vacancy). The logi is that those properties could generater 50 percent of the opportunitiex for thetotal portfolios.
Staffc are rewarded by the sound of a cowbell when they makea “jeans Fridays” and a chance to win up to $10,00p0 for a Rolex watch when the lease year ends in November. With theswe efforts, Phillips has since October landedx ninenew big-box centers, reduced its lease turnarouncd time to 3.6 days from five days and increasedd retention to 83 percent from 65 percent. The firm expects to lease 2 million square feet this with 620,000 square feet signedf and an additional 500,000 in the 45- to 60-dayu pipeline.
And it expects to purchase $300 million in space the next 18 months totwo years, seeking what Addy describeds as centers with supermarket anchors that are of a little highetr quality. In time, Addy does expect consumers to come back to though slowly, as credit markets ease up “I think the recession we’re in right now had an impact on the consumefr that frankly none of us has ever seen,” he “But people do have a short and they can fall back into that It’s going to have to find a sensr of equilibrium.
”

Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp Getting Hammered - GuruFocus.com

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Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp Getting Hammered GuruFocus.com The stock of Yukon-Nevada Gold Corporation (YNG) has caused a lot of pain for many shareholders. As shown by the following chart, you can see that the stock closed at $0.86 per share on Dec. 31, 2010, and declined to $0.47 per share by May 3, 2011. ... Yukon witnesses multi-fold rise in gold mining investment International Business Times  »

Revolution aim to forget 'nightmare' - Boston Herald

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Revolution aim to forget 'nightmare' Boston Herald “The 90 minutes here, we have to forget about it. We weren't good (against Chivas USA), but we have to put it behind us and spend next week in practice focusing on our home game next weekend and trying to move forward from there.” and more »