bierglassart.com

BUILDER UNMOVED BY FLIGHTY BUYERS

0 Comments | Palm Beach Post, Nov 11, 2007 | by Alexandra Clough

The buyers’ remorse crowd keeps growing.

The latest addition: Pre-construction buyers of the luxurious 2700 North Ocean Boulevard condominium being built on Singer Island.

Several buyers are making last-minute attempts to undo their million-dollar purchases just as the condo nears completion and closings are on the horizon.

Since the real estate market tanked, many condo buyers have turned to the courts to undo their pre-construction contracts so they do not have to complete their purchases. Often, these lawsuits hinge on a Florida law that allows a buyer to void a purchase contract if a developer make changes a buyer considers “material and adverse.”

But there’s a twist with 2700 North Ocean, being built by high- profile developer Dan Catalfumo.

In order to win Riviera Beach’s blessing for the 27-story, twin- tower project, Catalfumo had to make 100 of 242 units into hotel suites. When 2700 North Ocean sales first started a couple of years ago, some buyers complained they were not being told they were buying a hotel suite. Attorney Brad Eavenson, for instance, backed out of a reservation when he discovered the hotel disclosure buried in Exhibit F of a 61-page document.

“This guy called me up and told me he clearly told the sales agent he was going to live there full time,” said Juno Beach attorney Gary Nagle, who specializes in helping buyers undo purchase contracts. Nagle said his client recently realized he was buying a restricted hotel suite. A restricted suite means an owner cannot make the property a primary residence and apply for a homestead exemption.

Now this buyer – and six others – want out of their deals, Nagle said.

Nagle plans to file lawsuits this week seeking the cancellation of the purchase contracts and the return of the 20 percent-down deposits.

Easier said than done. Catalfumo is disinclined to let anyone out of the deal.

“Bring it on,” Catalfumo said in an interview last week. “I’ll see them at closing. They’re not getting out.”

Catalfumo said he’ll let his Greenberg Traurig attorneys worry about the legal stuff. But he added that all proper disclosures were made to buyers, and no changes were made to the condo that would fall under the Florida law.

It’s no surprise these issues are being raised just as 2700 North Ocean approaches its January completion
singer island real estate

IT’S OVER; 1.30am: Six-hour stand-off with police ends as gunman is shot; A gunshot, then theyleaptonhim; Wounded Moat taken to hospital in armed convoy

0 Comments | Daily Mail (London, England), The, July 10, 2010

Byline: Paul Sims, Stephen Wright, Chris Brooke and Paul Harris

RAOUL Moat was shot and injured early this morning after a six-hour stand-off with armed police.

The end to an astonishing week-long pursuit came as the fugitive gunman was surrounded by marksmen in the pouring rain.

Moat held a sawn-off shotgun to his head as dozens of armed officers closed in. Negotiators called out to the 37-year-old nightclub bouncer using his first name in an attempt to stop him using the weapon.

But shortly after 1am a shot was heard to ring out, followed by frantic shouting and the barking of police dogs. One witness Susan Ballantyne, who watched the scenes unfold from the window of her home – told how police then ‘crowded around Moat’ and ‘jumped on him’.

Paramedics rushed to the scene and police later confirmed that Moat had suffered a gunshot wound. No police officer was hurt.

Moat was taken to a hospital in Newcastle in an ambulance surrounded by a police convoy with wailing sirens.

A spokesman said he could not confirm whether the gunman had shot himself or been shot by a police officer.

Moat, who had vowed to kill police until he was dead, was finally cornered near a riverbank after an officer spotted him in the Northumberland village of Rothbury shortly after 7pm. Witnesses reported seeing the killer sitting beneath a tree with a sawn-off shotgun pointed at his head before lying down on his front.

Moat had become increasingly desperate after his two alleged accomplices were arrested and he had spent days fending for himsef on the run from scores of police officers who had descended on the village.

Incredibly, he was found near a house which he had apparently broken into and slept in earlier in the week, raising the possibility that he had been lurking under the noses of police throughout the multimillion-pound manhunt. He is wanted over three shootings, one of which claimed the life of his ex-girlfriend’s lover.

Police had brought in a childhood friend of Moat’s – named locally as Tony Laidler – in a bid to persuade the 37-year-old to give himself up
ballantyne

Know your leather before cleaning it

0 Comments | Winnipeg Free Press, Dec 21, 2008

Check to see if it has a sealed finish

111

ANSWER – Smart guy, it’s always best to know exactly what you are dealing with before applying cleaners. Top-finished leather is leather that has a sealed finish. To check if your couch is made of finished leather, lightly scratch it in an inconspicuous place — if the scratch is roughly the same colour as its surroundings, it’s finished leather. Typically, leather in cars and the majority of leather used on furniture is top-finished. (New Bothwell, MB)

QUESTION — How can I remove red wine from a light-coloured leather sofa? Please help! Winnipeg

ANSWER — The good news is that some stains disappear easily from leather and of course the bad news is that other stains are stuck for life. Since wine in itself was once used as a dye for fabrics, this may be a difficult challenge. Begin by mixing a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water. Swish to create a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam with a sponge. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. You may also opt for a commercial leather cleaner and conditioner or saddle soap to condition the leather after cleaning.

QUESTION – There is no way that I can spend several thousands of dollars draft-proofing my home even though I realize that it is necessary and will save me money over the long run. Can you advise me on where to start because I need to start small? Kendall, Winnipeg

ANSWER — For a house older than 15 years, draft-proofing can have many beneficial effects because of its year-round energy savings. However, depending on your situation, it is not necessarily the most effective thing that you can do. In other words what may be the best place to start for one home may not be the wisest way to make improvements for another home. You would be wise to have an energy audit done on your home by a qualified auditor. This person will evaluate the most effective steps for you to take to improve your home’s efficiency.

QUESTION — I have a lovely set of bathroom mats. However, over time, the rubber backing doesn’t keep them from being skid proof and they slip around and are dangerous. What can I do to keep them from slipping out from under me? Thanks so much, Celine, Ste. Agathe

ANSWER — To make your floor mats slip-proof once again, you can apply a liquid rubber backing available at most craft stores.

QUESTION — We have stippled ceilings throughout our entire home. Additionally, we have a ceiling fan in our kitchen and three bedrooms. Over time, dust collects on the stippled ceiling around where the fan blades rotate. We have tried vacuuming, gently dusting with a feather duster and we have sprayed with mild bleach and water. However, we can never get a thorough job done in removing the dust specks. Would you have any solutions for this problem? Becka, Winnipeg

ANSWER — Begin by determining if the stipple has previously been painted (sounds like yours has not). If the stipple was painted with an oil-based paint, paint over the oil with latex or oil. If the ceiling has never been painted spray it with the following all-purpose cleaner recipe: two cups rubbing alcohol, half a cup household ammonia, one teaspoon Dawn dish soap and enough water to fill the bottle. Spray, wipe and rinse (taken from Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets). If stains remain hide them by using shellac before painting. The shellac will seal the stain and prevent the stain from bleeding through. Or paint with an oil-based stipple paint, to harden the surface making it easy to wipe. Keep in mind that once stipple is painted it is extremely difficult to remove if you ever do decide to scrape it. Touching up stipple on ceilings can be difficult to colour-match; often the entire surface must be repainted. Other options in touching up stipple are to sponge on colour-matched grout or stipple fix which comes in a small container and is available at hardware stores.

QUESTION: Any ideas of how to loosen a stuck drain plug? Omra, Winnipeg

ANSWER — Drill a hole across the middle of the plug, stick in an Allen key and turn it. You may know but just in case, The Allen key is an everyday tool that goes by many names. Commonly known as a hex key, Allen wrench, zeta key, or hex head, the Allen key is a six-sided tool used as a driver for screws, bolts, and other fasteners designed to fit the tool.

FEEDBACK FROM READER: In a recent column someone was concerned about spiders on the siding of the outside of their house

Gem of a chance to engage with glamour

0 Comments | Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland), The, Nov 12, 2008

Byline: Shan Ross

AN ENGAGEMENT ring that belonged to the late, legendary Hollywood actress Deborah Kerr, left, is expected to fetch GBP 20,000-GBP 25,000 when it is auctioned next month.

The ring, right, from the Scots star’s first marriage, has three yellow diamonds. A 19th-century gold and turquoise serpent chain worn by Kerr on her wrist at the height of her career is also being auctioned by Bonhams.

Kerr, who was born in Helensburgh, starred in more than 50 films, including From Here to Eternity with Burt Lancaster, The King and I with Yul Brynner and An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant.

The gold chain with a detachable ribbon-bow pendant with a swing drop is expected to sell for GBP 2,500 and is among five Kerr items going under the hammer on 4 December.

The sale also features a 20th-century amethyst collar necklace with a fringe of seven amethyst drops, spaced by floral motifs, estimated at GBP 1,500-GBP 2,000; a 19th-century diamond ring at GBP 800-GBP 1,200; and a 1945 cultured pearl, emerald and diamond bracelet expected to fetch GBP 4,000-GBP 6,000.

yellow diamond engagement rings

Las Vegas' Top Resorts Make Bookings a Snap as Congress Sets out to Boost International Tourism

Las Vegas’ Top Resorts Make Bookings a Snap as Congress Sets out to Boost International Tourism

Market Wire, May, 2010

MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) ( www.mgmmirage.com ) – As our government ramps up promotion of U.S. travel to potential visitors abroad, non-English-speaking visitors need look no further than the Web sites of The Strip’s hottest resorts to research and book their ideal Las Vegas vacation. Offering multi-language Web sites and booking engines, the resorts of MGM MIRAGE are set to ensure overseas travelers practical trip planning, online in their own language with no interpreter needed.

While a few Las Vegas hotels offer Spanish versions of their site’s main pages, the MGM MIRAGE resorts offer guests the opportunity to research and actually book rooms online in a minimum of five languages, including Japanese, Italian, German, French and Spanish. Chinese is anticipated to be added this summer.

“Years ago MGM MIRAGE made a commitment to expand our Web offerings and make it convenient for non-English-speaking guests to book a stay at our resorts. Consequently we are light years ahead of the competition in the depth and breadth of our multi-language content and booking capabilities,” said Bill Hornbuckle, chief marketing officer for MGM MIRAGE.

With the recent Congressional approval of the Travel Promotion Act (TPA), the U.S. Travel Association predicts a nation-wide annual increase of as many as 1.6 million international visitors
vegas strip hotel

Smile at yourself.

Smile at yourself. Stand up taller, put a crown on your head. You are rich in every way when you believe in yourself.

This daily checking for physical evidence of weight loss success can make it easy to throw our hands up saying, “What’s the point? This isn’t working. I want a doughnut,” and whoosh, right back to old habits we go. Your body will make subtle changes which you may not notice at all for several weeks, so while you’re wanting proof right now, your body is doing everything it can to create better health and a better appearance too. Use gentle eyes when you look, and give yourself a boost toward lasting weight loss.

See yourself and soften your gaze. Be kind. When people meet you they aren’t being so harsh, so why are you? Don’t focus on what you do not like, instead find something you appreciate and focus on that.

Use Gentle Eyes When you See Yourself

Next time you check your reflection, look at yourself with gentle eyes.
generic buy

Burglary suspect has record?

0 Comments | New Haven Register, Jul 27, 2010 | by Luther Turmelle

By Luther Turmelle Register Staff lturmelle@newhavenregister.com

CHESHIRE –The muscular 37-year-old burglar who knocked down the door of a Tucker Road home Saturday and engaged police in a brief stand-off before being arrested has a lengthy criminal record.

Corey Little, of 86 Country Club Road, has a criminal record that dates back to 1990, according to court officials in Middletown. And Little, who is a personal trainer, also has one case currently pending from April in which Middletown police arrested him and charged him with assaulting his girlfriend and threatening to burn down her apartment.

Little has pleaded not guilty in that case. He was scheduled to be in court in Middletown Monday for a pre-trial hearing in the April 10 incident in which he was charged with disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, unlawful restraint and failing to comply with Middletown officers’ requests for fingerprinting.

But now Little, whose criminal record includes family violence- related arrests, as well as larceny, burglary, drug possession and assault charges — is also facing charges from Saturday’s attempted burglary in Cheshire. He was charged with third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, two larceny charges and interfering with an officer in Saturday’s incident, according to police.

Lt. Jay Markella, a Cheshire police spokesman, said Little arrived at 1160 Tucker Road at about 11 a.m. Saturday and walked around the house as if he were looking for somebody. When neighbors told him the homeowners weren’t home, Markella said Little, who has worked as personal trainer, lowered his shoulder and knocked down the front door.

Neighbors called police and when officers arrived, Little barricaded himself in the home. Markella said a Special Response Team, Cheshire’s version of a SWAT team, was summoned and neighbors were asked to leave their homes.

Once police removed Little from the home, they attempted to search him

Hazleton's Jobless Rate Highest

Hazleton’s Jobless Rate Highest

0 Comments | Republican & Herald; Pottsville, Pa., Jul 7, 2010 | by JIM DINO

HAZLETON – Hazleton has the highest unemployment rate of any city in Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Labor and Industry.

The state’s Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, which publishes monthly rates of the civilian labor force, lists Hazleton as having the highest rate for a city in June at 15.6 percent.

But it also regularly ranks in the top five in job placement among the state’s 67 counties.

William Sholly, the CWIA’s industry and business analyst, explained the city rate.

“This statistic is for municipalities with populations over 25,000, as well as major population centers located in the MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas), few of which have less than 25,000 people. Hazleton city falls in the latter category, as based on the 2000 Census, it had a population of 23,329.

Sholly said the figure is a little misleading.

“Bear in mind, the rate of 15.6 is the non-seasonally adjusted rate, which will not take into account expected yearly changes, such as the end of the school year in June or increased construction activity in the spring,” Sholly said.

Sholly said a good comparison for June’s rate is to compare it to last May’s rate, which was 13.5.

“You should also look at the number of people in the labor force. In May 2010, it was 11,000 while in May 2009, it was 10,900. There were fewer employed people in the city of Hazleton since last year, but more people are in the labor force and so the rate can increase quite a bit, based on the numbers.”

Elaine Stalfa, site administrator at CareerLink in Hazleton, said Hazleton and Luzerne County have always done well in placing people in jobs.

“When you compare the number of job orders versus the number of hires, Luzerne County is always one of the top five counties in the state,” Stalfa said.

Monica Takach, supervisor at the CareerLink, said the agency does not use the city figures because they are misleading.

“The city is too small,” Takach said. “Our employee base is all of this area, and that includes Hazle Township. You can’t get figures for Hazle Township, Sugarloaf Township or Conyngham. The city’s rate is not really true for the whole area. You need a larger MSA or a county rate.”

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta agreed the rate can be deceiving and said when the national economy recovers, the local job market will follow.

“Unemployment rates are high across all of Pennsylvania and the nation,” Barletta said. “All of Northeastern Pennsylvania has double- digit unemployment.”

In May, the rate in the 12-county area of Northeastern Pennsylvania – including the counties of Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming – was 10.1 percent.

In Schuylkill County, the unemployment rate hit 11 percent in May
business analyst jobs

CopperCom Completes First Round of Financing; Rounds Out Board and Management Team

Business Wire, April 29, 1998

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 29, 1998–CopperCom Inc., today announced that it has secured $3.6 million in a first round of financing. Principal investors include Intel Corporation, InveStar Capital, Kettle Partners LP, Volendam Capital Advisors, and Charlie Bass. CopperCom will use the funds to develop its first product line.

The company has also augmented its board of directors with the addition of John Cioffi, co-founder of Amati, a leading DSL chip manufacturer recently purchased by Texas Instruments. Cioffi joins board members Charlie Bass, co-founder of Ungermann-Bass and several other networking companies, and Ken Tai, co-founder of Acer Group.

“John’s experience in building a successful DSL start-up from the ground-up makes him a valuable asset to our team,” said Charlie Bass, chairman of CopperCom. “With his market and technical contacts, he’s the perfect fit for our board, and we’re very excited that he has chosen to be part of our team.”

Cynthia Ringo has been appointed CEO, president, and a board member of CopperCom. Ringo brings to CopperCom extensive senior management experience with high technology companies in emerging markets. “Cynthia brings a strong market-focus to CopperCom,” said Bass. “Cynthia’s track record for developing early stage companies with new product categories, combined with her experience of running much larger, more established, organizations, will bring a well-rounded perspective to CopperCom as it lays the foundation for sustainable growth.”

“I am pleased to join this dynamic company in the early days,” said Ringo. “CopperCom is an innovative, new company that will be leveraging the high-growth DSL market with compelling new services. With the completion of this round of financing, the addition of John Cioffi to our board, and the assembly of an excellent management team, we have the basis for a successful new company.”

Management Team

Cynthia Ringo — chief executive officer, president, board member — brings to CopperCom extensive senior management experience with high technology companies entering emerging markets with an emphasis on the creation of industry partnerships. Over the course of her career, Ringo has executed over $1 billion worth of transactions. Ringo joins CopperCom from Madge Networks, a $400 million multi-national data networking company, where she was senior vice president responsible for corporate development and most recently, general management of the product business units. Ringo devised the Multiservice Network corporate strategy designed to broaden the company’s business by capitalizing on the market trend of network convergence. To deliver on the strategy, Ringo forged several mergers, acquisitions, equity investments, and partnerships. Prior to Madge, Ringo was co-founder of Red Brick Systems, a data warehousing company, where she was vice president responsible for marketing, sales, support and business development. Ringo has also conducted her own strategic marketing business, and she began her career at MSA. She holds a JD from Emory University and a BS from Georgia State.

Martin Levetin — chief operating officer — is currently focused on business development for CopperCom. Levetin began his career as an engineer at Bell Labs in 1968 where he participated in the digitalization of the PSTN with the introduction of the 4ESS digital switch, digital radio products, and in establishing Quality of Service objectives for the PSTN. Levetin moved into Product Management in the mid-seventies working on video and audio teleconferencing products. During this period, he launched the first 1.5 Megabit video conferencing service. In 1980, Levetin joined AT&T International at its inception, and was responsible for launching products, including the International 5ESS, outside of North America
investar

Feud in Wake of Tycoon’s Death Cripples Myrtle Beach, S.C., Taxi Industry.

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, September, 2002

By David Klepper, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Sep. 5–Race Cab owner Rick Heuser came to Myrtle Beach with a plan to revolutionize the Strand’s cab industry. His death last March crippled it instead.

Heuser, a former Marine, NASCAR driver and convicted felon, said that if he could build cabs resembling stock cars, he could eventually franchise the idea throughout the country and build a cab empire. Myrtle Beach would be its head quarters.

“It was a great plan,” said cab industry veteran Bob Pikaart, who ran cabs on the Strand for 10 years before he partnered with Heuser
cab myrtle beach