Project renews pledge to keep murdered journalist's story alive
Thursday, December 31st, 2009Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. The IRE Journal, Jan/Feb 2008 by Grimaldi, James
By now you probably know the story of Chauncey Bailey, the editor of the Oakland Post, who was gunned down as he walked to work in August. Police believe he was murdered because of his investigation into a business called Your Black Muslim Bakery.
The parallels to the slaying of Don Bolles are chilling. Bolles was a founding member of IRE, and his murder by a car bomb in 1976 led to the Arizona Project, in which a team of IRE members from across the country continued and expanded his investigation into public corruption and organized crime.
Bob Greene, the Newsday investigative editor who led the team, called the Arizona Project an insurance policy: No journalist’s work could be stopped by a bullet or a bomb.
Every insurance policy has a premium. On Aug. 2,2007, that premium came due.
Two prominent Bay Area nonprofit organizations, New America Media and the Maynard Institute, sent out a clarion call for an array of journalists to continue Bailey’s work. The effort was borne out of a shock at the lack of coverage by national mainstream news outlets and calls for an investigation modeled after the Arizona Project.
The Chauncey Bailey Project is a clearinghouse for information and home for more than two dozen editors, reporters, students and news organizations. It is an unusual collaboration of journalists who are picking up where Bailey left off on the investigation of Your Black Muslim Bakery
arizona auto insurance company
DontDateHimGirl.com Offers Tiger Woods’ Wife Advice on Her Next Move in the Aftermath of His Alleged Affair
Thursday, December 31st, 2009Business Wire, Dec 04, 2009
Popular Dating Advice Portal Offers Elin Nodegren Advice on How to
Deal with the Aftermath of an Alleged Affair
MIAMI — As news of pro golfer Tiger Woods marital discord and alleged infidelity
continues to ignite a firestorm of controversy, DontDateHimGirl.com,
a popular women’s website focused on infidelity, gives Elin Nodegren and
other women like her three simple tips to deal with the aftermath of an
affair.
First, dont play the blame game, advises Tasha Cunningham, author of
the forthcoming self-help book DontDateHimGirl.com
Presents: So the Bastard Broke Your Heart, Now What? due out
from Polka Dot Press in April 2010.
Women in Elins situation who are facing a spouse or boyfriend that has
allegedly cheated, tend to immediate blame themselves for the affair and
wallow in self-pity as a result, said Cunningham. This is a crucial
misstep. Dont waste time focusing on whos to blame.
Instead, she advises, focus on the road ahead. Concentrate on your
relationship and what you want to do with it, said Cunningham
guy gets girl
Cancer aware
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Dec 2, 2009
A NORTH East MP is backing a service providing cancer awareness and early detection information.
Durham MP Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods is supporting the Talking about Cancer Service, which works with local communities, groups and health workers to raise awareness of cancer screening. The service has a team of 15 working across County Durham. They are supported by local volunteers who are trained to deliver cancer awareness messages in the community. More information about the service is available from Fiona McQuiston, Macmillan Information Manager and Health Improvement Lead (for Cancer) (0191) 587 4500.
Military Air Assets Exhibition Announces Conference Program
Monday, December 28th, 2009Business Wire, Dec 03, 2009
The new home for the Joint Military Aviation Community welcomes
high-level speaker faculty.
NEW YORK — The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement Exhibitions will
hold the inaugural Military Air Assets Exhibition and Conference (MAASEC)
in Jacksonville, Florida this upcoming March 29-April 1, 2010. This
premier event brings together senior military leadership from DoD and
DHS, program managers, acquisition executives, MRO experts and many more
to promote critical aviation objectives. MAASEC will deliver an
unprecedented combination of demonstrations, displays, exhibits,
education and information-sharing opportunities.
MAASECs
conference program focuses on the sustainability and future
development of aviation assets and technologies. In addition to
technological advancements, MAASEC also addresses important program
updates on fixed wing, rotorcraft, UAS / UAV assets, and the
latest strategies in maintenance repair and overhaul ( MRO ) and
performance based logistics ( PBL ).
The aim of MAASEC is to provide an opportunity for the joint services
as well as select international partners to come together in a CONUS air
event stated Michael Gallo, Managing Director of IDGA Exhibitions. The
speaking faculty in both the main conference and the workshops are
leaders in the military aviation community covering everything from
fixed wing and rotorcraft platforms to UAS and UAV
water damage jackson
Fitch: Braskem's Tax Liability Rescheduling Neutral to Credit Quality
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009Business Wire, Dec 01, 2009
SAO PAULO & RIO DE JANEIRO & NEW YORK — The ratings of Braskem S.A. (Braskem) and Braskem International Ltd.
(Braskem International) will not be affected by the announcement on Nov.
30, 2009 that Braskem has decided to include BRL1.9 billion of tax
contingent liabilities in the Brazilian Internal Revenue Service’s tax
rescheduling program ‘Programa de Recuperacao Fiscal’ (Refis). Fitch
currently rates Braskem as follows:
Braskem
–Foreign currency long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BB ‘;
–Local currency long-term IDR at ‘BB ‘;
–National long-term rating at ‘AA(bra)’;
–Unsecured senior notes due 2014, 2017, 2018 at ‘BB ‘;
–Unsecured senior perpetual bonds at ‘BB ‘;
–13th debenture issue, at ‘AA(bra)’.
Braskem International
–Unsecured senior notes due 2015 at ‘BB ‘.
The Rating Outlook for the corporate ratings is Stable.
While the rescheduling of the BRL1.9 billion in taxes will moderately
pressure Braskem’s free cash flow over the next 12 months, the company’s
strong existing liquidity position and cash generation should allow
Braskem to comfortably meet the rescheduled tax payments without
significantly weakening the financial profile and credit quality of the
company. In the last 12 months ended in September 2009, Braskem had
leverage as measured by net debt / EBITDA of 2.7 times (x). With the new
tax-related liabilities from the Refis program this figure should climb
to the 3.5x range, which is on the high end of the rating category. The
long-term debt profile of Braskem’s capital structure with a 10-year
average life is an important mitigating factor.
Given the short-term nature of the federal VAT IPI-related tax
disbursements (BRL1.1 billion of the total payable over the next 12
months), Fitch expects Braskem’s robust cash position to be the
immediate source of payment in 2010, which will tighten the company’s
liquidity position over the course of the year. As of Sept. 30, 2009,
Braskem had BRL3.1 billion in cash and marketable securities and BRL1.7
billion in short-term debt
personal planning
Lockerbie bomber wore body armour when freed
Friday, December 18th, 20090 Comments | AFP, December, 2009
LONDON (AFP) Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi wore body armour under his clothing when he left a Scottish jail to protect him from critics of his early release, a minister said on Tuesday.
Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill revealed the details while defending his decision to free Megrahi in August, saying the advice that the Libyan had only three months to live was “quite clear.”
Megrahi — the only man convicted over the December 1988 bombing of a Pan Am jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 270 people — was freed on August 20 because he has cancer and was given only three months to live.
He returned to Libya, where he remains alive more than three months later, fuelling criticism notably in the United States, where a…
The Hotel Bar Gets Shaken and Stirred: With Acoustic Sessions, Diva DJs and Sensational Sips, Aloft Hotels’ w xyz Bars Are Worth the Trip
Friday, December 18th, 2009Business Wire, Dec 02, 2009
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Check out has a new meaning for guests and locals alike at Aloft
Hotels w xyzSM bars as in, check out live acoustic
sets by up-and-coming bands; check out the Diva DJs spinning every
Thursday; and check out cool custom cocktails each night of the week.
From wake-up call to last call, Aloft is always on and w xyz is
always a-buzz.
Aloft Hotels is the much-talked-about new style-at-a-steal brand from
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT).
Alofts vibrant and social centerpiece is Alofts re:mixSM
lounge featuring the w xyz bar which morphs from a relaxed
hangout by day to an electric destination sensation every evening.
The space incorporates industrial design elements like exposed ductwork,
polished concrete floors and a bar-top of crushed glass backlit with
colored LCD lights. Theres no reason why a hotel shouldnt be as cool
as the people who stay there, said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice
President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. With w xyz,
were injecting the hotel bar with style, energy, and fun, all of which
have been in short supply in this category of hotel.
A smartly curated series of parties, events and cocktail specials keeps w
xyz in its own alluring groove seven nights a week. Among them:
-
Aloft A-List Access: Aloft brings whats new, whats
fresh to its w xyz bars. Currently, Aloft hotels across the
country are featuring live acoustic performances from up and coming
artists like Vedera and Lenka. Monday nights during football season at
Aloft Philadelphia Airport Hotel, Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver
DeSean Jackson is hosting the one-hour DeSean Jackson Show in front
of a live audience of Aloft guests and locals. Aloft National Harbor
featured a themed superstar event, Hey Girl Hey!, a night of fashion
and fun with DJ Roxy Cottontail. -
Lounge and Listen: Aloft guests and locals can get the
inside track on the latest and greatest in the music industry through
exclusive preview Lounge and Listen parties. Recently, select Aloft
hotels celebrated the highly buzzed about latest album from Shakira
entitled, “She Wolf” through exclusive listening parties in
partnership with Sony Music Entertainments Commercial Music Group. -
Spinstar: Every Wednesday, w xyz guests
have the chance to show off their talents as a DJ
melbourne australia hotels
NIAGARA POLICE & COURTS
Friday, December 18th, 20090 Comments | Buffalo News, Dec 5, 2009
Recommendation holds sway in DWI sentencing
LOCKPORT — Niagara County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III said Friday the prosecutor’s recommendation was a key factor in his decision to sentence a drunken driver to six months in the county jail instead of up to four years in prison.
“Another judge might not be so lenient,” Murphy warned Paul D. Frontuto, 40, of Oliver Street, North Tonawanda. “You just can’t drink alcohol
free dui lawyer
Has insurance coverage shrunk?
Friday, December 18th, 20090 Comments | Dayton Daily News, May 21, 2009 | by Laura A. Bischoff
COLUMBUS — Let’s face it: When it comes to auto insurance policies, nobody really reads all that fine print.
But it’s in the hardto-decipher clauses that Ohio’s insurance carriers are shrinking insurance protection, leaving drivers uncovered or under-covered in common accident scenarios, according to a report by the Ohio Association for Justice, a trade group of trial attorneys.
“Ohioans would be shocked to learn that their full coverage auto policy is often useless when they need it the most: after a serious accident to a family member or loved one,” the report said.
The association detailed how legislative changes and court decisions during the past eight years have favored the insurance industry.
“Consumers need to be aware that their full coverage policy is probably meaningless in a whole host of situations,” said Brian Wilson, an attorney in Canton. “They need to ask their agents some hard questions.”
Wilson estimated that fewer than 5 percent of consumers actually read and understand the fine print in insurance policies, which are typically mailed out weeks after they are purchased.
The Ohio Association for Justice focused on three common exclusions found in auto insurance policies that are designed to limit payouts on claims:
Family Exclusion: Relatives are barred from collecting money under the policy’s liability coverage if another family member is at fault. Example: Dad loses control of the car and seriously injures his wife and two children. Although their policy includes $500,000 in liability coverage and $5,000 per person in medical payments, the family can collect only $15,000 in medical payments.
Immunity Exclusion: Emergency vehicles responding to emergency calls are immune from liability under Ohio law. Example: You’re clobbered at an intersection by a fire truck with its lights and siren on and your family is seriously injured. You can’t sue the fire department and because of a 2007 court decision you can no longer file an uninsured motorist claim with your own carrier.
Non-Duplication Clause: Drivers may pay separate premiums for different coverage, such as liability, uninsured motorist and medical payments but that doesn’t mean they can collect on all three. Example: Jane is injured by an uninsured drunken driver and has $30,000 in medical bills. She bought medical payment coverage of $25,000 and uninsured motorist coverage of $50,000
commercial auto insurance
Chad Latz Joins Cohn & Wolfe as President, Global Digital Practice
Thursday, December 17th, 2009PR Newswire, Dec 1, 2009
NEW YORK, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Cohn & Wolfe, a leading communications agency, today announced the appointment of Chad Latz as President, Global Digital Practice. Latz will help lead the strategic development and growth of the agency’s worldwide digital and social media practice. His responsibilities include cultivating client relationships, providing senior counsel, new business development and managing a large team of professionals. Latz will report directly to CEO Donna Imperato.
“Digital and social media is the driving force in communications today, and Cohn & Wolfe is focused on building the best communications agency for our times,” said Donna Imperato. “Chad will be leading an extraordinary team of digital practitioners across our global network, which is already doing break-through work on behalf of our clients.”
Latz, with over 16 years in marketing and communications, joins Cohn & Wolfe from Ketchum where he helped lead the integration and establishment of Ketchum Digital, and provided ongoing leadership of digital and social media strategy for the agency’s consumer, employee, and B2B clients. During his 10 years with Ketchum, he directed digital initiatives for global clients such as FedEx, Kodak, Levi’s, Clorox, Geek Squad/Best Buy, Nokia, PepsiCo, Monster Worldwide, 7-Eleven and Cox Communications, a number of which have been recognized with some of the industry’s most prestigious awards.
Prior to Ketchum, Latz founded the Creative Design & Technology Practice of Stromberg Consulting & Communications which was later acquired by Ketchum in 2001. In 2004 he went on to become SVP, Group Director Interactive Strategy and Solutions for Ketchum Interactive where he helped develop the agency’s social media capabilities, offerings, and POV, and provided overall creative and digital strategy to clients. Prior to Stromberg, Latz was studio director for Chavin Lambert Advertising where he managed all activities in the agency’s creative department.
“Brand reputation is significantly influenced by the experiences and conversations that audiences have online. I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead a practice that has been a true pioneer in digital communications with some of the most recognized case studies in social media,” said Chad. “Cohn & Wolfe has an inspiring vision for the new digital world, and I’m excited about my role. I look forward to partnering with an incredible team of global talent to create the next generation of digital and social media solutions for a remarkable portfolio of clients.”
About Cohn & Wolfe
Cohn & Wolfe is a strategic public relations agency dedicated to creating, building and protecting the world’s most prolific brands. With offices around the world, the agency is committed to breaking new ground in the delivery of cross-channel media strategies, creative programming, and practice area excellence.
Cohn & Wolfe is recognized year after year by clients and the industry for excellence in creativity, client service, digital communications, media strategy, senior management and strategic counsel
melbourne relationship counselling