Tag Archives: employment

Business/Economics, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 01 February 2013: More proof there ain’t no economic recovery! No more Viking stoves? Obama/Romney Care causing even more layoffs!

Telecommunications company, Tellabs, will have to layoff at least 300 employees in 2013!  That’s because of $172 millin USD in losses for 2012. The Illinois based company already laid off 730 people in 2012!

Also in Illinois, two video rental stores shut down.  The owner of Video Villager said she got a sign: “Business has been very, very poor. This week, we didn’t get our new movies we were supposed to. We took that as a sign maybe it was time to close the doors.”-Sherry Reitzel

Stefanini, a Michigan based information technology company, lost their contract with Ford and is forced to layoff 107 employees! Ford outsourced their new IT staff.

In Connecticut, Harman International Industries said that sales for 2012 were so bad they have to layoff 500 employees! This is on top of the planned layoff of 500 people in their European operations!

In Mississippi, high end stove maker Viking Range to layoff 140 people!  They blame crashing sales.  But wait there’s more: Viking’s founder, Fred Carl Jr, is retiring after earlier saying he would stay on for several more years.  That’s because Viking is being taken over by a company called Middleby.  On top of that, Viking is closing two cooking schools, one in Mississippi, and the other in Tennessee.

Smith & Nephew Orthopedics laying off 100 people in Tennessee and Massachusetts.  They laid off 80 employees back in 2011, but this time they’re blaming the current round of layoffs on the new Obama/Romney Care excise tax on orthopedic device companies.

In Massachusetts, the D. Garbarino Company tobacco shop closed down. The family run business was 135 years old!

Pennsylvania based AmerisourceBergen closing down its New Jersey pharmaceutical distribution warehouse.  At least 72 people out-o-work.  Company officials refused to give a reason why.  The company did recently renew a contract with nursing home pharmacy PharMerica.  However, AmerisourceBergen is being investigated for possible kickbacks in several states, and facing a class action lawsuit by stockholders.

Advertising agency, Robinson Radio, now bankrupt.  The Virginia based company blamed it on “…overly aggressive investments in personnel and additional operating expenses just before the 2008 economic crash and the continuing challenges of the advertising marketplace in the four years since the start of the recession.”

Also in Virginia, AZZ Galvanizing in Benwood closed down without notice. 20 people out-o-work. Corporate owners gave no reason, and a now former office manager is pissed: “We showed up to work as though it were any other workday and they were waiting there to take our jobs and leave us with nothing but a final paycheck. No severance package, no nothing!”-Tiffany Beckett  (at least they got final paychecks, I didn’t even get that when my last employer, Metro Couriers, shut down)

Then there’s Impressions Plus Printing and Copying in Winchester, Virginia. They’ve shut down, 11 people laid off.  Owners of the 27 years old business blame declining sales on the internet.

In Arizona, used car company Aufmuth now bankrupt. It’s because of massive debt.  Officials with the 38 years old company hope the bankruptcy will let them re-group and continue business.

In Butte, Montana, Richards and Rochelle Men’s Store out-o-business. The clothing store first opened for business in 1915!   The current owner says he can’t keep the store going anymore, and will now work part time as a pharmacist (he remembers when men’s pants were only $1.00).

In California, the Fremont Theater shut down after 70 years of operations.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Sears Canada disapoints with lower than expected profits!

27 February 2013/16 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/09 Esfand 1391

More proof the main streamers were lying about the “increased” holiday sales. Today, Sears CAnada reported that their 2012 4th Quarter (which ended for Sears CA on 02 February 2013) holiday profits were down 5% from 4th Q 2011 (which ended on 28 January 2012).  Notice that 4th Q 2012 had 14 weeks compared to 4th Q 2011 which had 13 weeks.  Same store sales were down 3.8%.

Despite the fact that 4th Q 2012 had one more week in it Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was $62.4 million CAD (CAnadian Dollar). Now realize that the EBITDA for the 13 week 4th Q 2011 was $101.8 million.  That a $39.4 million drop in 2012!

It turns out that Sears CA claimed profits mainly because of voluntary buyouts of “post-retirement benefits” and the sale of a joint venture, it had nothing to do with selling products on their store shelves.

For the whole year Sears CA had a 6.9% drop in revenue, most of that because of same store sales declinations. Calvin McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, said most of the lack of sales were in their premiere brands like Crafstman, and other hardware, electronics and even appliances. Amazingly Sears CA had increased sales in clothing!

In the United States, Sears Holdings is expected to make public their 2012 results on 28 February 2013.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

Norovirus Update 26 February 2013: YMCA hit! Another study blames your veggies! United Kingdom hit hard!

26 February 2013/15 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/08 Esfand 1391

In Newark, New Jersey U.S.A., a YMCA day care center had two children test positive for norovirus.  Licking County Health Department investigated after there were calls about an outbreak at the center. Four other children and two employees are showing symptoms.  YMCA says they are cleaning everything in the center.

According to Canadian reports, health officials with Windsor Essex County Health Unit say that the number of norovirus cases in their area are about the same as last year.  But, they can’t tell you if it’s the new Sydney strain or not, because they do not do that kind of analysis.

In Bolivar, Tennessee U.S.A., the Pine Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center had an outbreak.  By the end of last week six residents were still sick. Also in Tennessee, the Union University was closed for two days because hundreds of students and staff were sick.

In Vancouver, Washington U.S.A., the Billygan’s Roadhouse restaurant was closed for one day, because 22 customers got sick.

In United Kingdom, the Sunningdale Court nursing home was closed to visitors for five weeks!  Relatives of residents are mad. The operators of the nursing home say it’s germ free now.  Also, today the operators of University Hospital of North Staffordshire are asking sick visitors to go away. Four hospital wards are now shut down because of the vomiting bug.  Other hospitals are having the same problem, such as the Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals.  Several wards in the Cheltenham General Hospital are now closed for the next 48 hours.

In Michigan U.S.A., health officials in Branch County reporting increased complaints of norovirus infections.

In West Newbury, Massachusetts U.S.A., 140 students got sick at Pentucket Regional High School. The school re-opened after massive decontamination efforts. The school superintendent inadvertently made a pun when describing the situation: “We had a steady flow of students during the course of the day….”-Jeff Mulqueen

Saint Luke’s Hospital in North Carolina, U.S.A., warning (with another pun) of increased outbreaks: “It’s explosive! It takes only about one to two days after being exposed before you develop diarrhea. It’s highly contagious, by the time you start seeing cases of the norovirus, there could already be an outbreak.”-Lori Rothell,  infection preventionist

On the United Kingdom “dependency” of Isle of Man, people were kept away from several care facilities, because of outbreaks of vomiting bug. Even people who were sick were told to go to a doctor’s office rather than a care facility. Noble’s Hospital, Grainagh Court and Ramsey & District Cottage Hospital are now re-opened.

In Scotland, eight wards are closed in the Liberton Hospital in Edinburgh: “We have taken the decision to temporarily restrict visitors in a bid to prevent the further spread of the infection and to ensure the hospital returns to normal working as soon as possible.”-Ingolfur Johannessen, National Health Service

Also, the vomiting bug is being blamed in part for Scotland’s accident and emergency (A&E) departments’ dreadful waiting lines: “There is no doubt that it was a busy winter with more emergency admissions than the same time last year and with the additional complexity of an early norovirus season.”-Alex Neil, Health Secretary

In Wales, at least 107 students were sick at the Dell Primary School in Chepstow.  They say the school has been hit two days in a row with the “sickness bug”. The school closed down for deep cleaning, and has re-opened.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studied food poisoning cases from 1998 to 2008.  They found that the top edible causing food poisoning, or stomach flu, is green leafy veggies! That’s followed by dairy products, fruits and chicken (contaminated chicken accounted for the most deaths).  Seafood accounted for only 3.4% of food poisoning cases! The number one reason for food poisoning is that most of the veggies, dairy, fruits and chicken were contaminated with norovirus (at one time called Norwalk virus).  This backs up a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report that had similar conclusions.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Michigan losing another Kmart! More signs that Sears is done!

“I see the situation just continuing to get worse. What are we doing to keep the jobs here?”-Tammy LaBouef, Gaylord resident bemoaning the continued job losses

26 February 2013/15 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/08 Esfand 1391

Only now is the news being reported in the media, but it was revealed last week: The Kmart in Gaylord, Michigan, will be shut down by May.  48 people out-o-work.

A recent Consumers Affairs survey showed that 86% of customers are not happy with Sears’ customer service: “Right now, it’s easier to steal something from Sears than to buy something. The lack of customer service is putting Sears in big trouble.”-Grant Cardone, customer service analyst

Sears also reported a $3.1 billion USD loss for 2012!

Here’s what one investment analyst recently said about Sears Holdings: “…this is perhaps the most overbought and oversubscribed stock in the market and I see no recovery anytime soon. One of the biggest problems facing Sears in my opinion is the simple lack of need for the company to exist…..Sears is working on its sixth straight year of declining revenue. By comparison, its competitors have gained healthy ground.”-Wall Street Artist

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), recently revealed Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 31 January 2013. No more Beer? Executive kills self because of bad economy! No more persrciption drugs? No more Coke? More reasons to “Cill My Landlord”!

In Wisconsin, Bentley World Packaging lost a major contract to operate a warehouse.  97 people out-o-work by the end of March.  Also, Coca-Cola announced its closing down its Sheboygan factory. 40 people out-o-work by the end of March.  The soda-pop maker did not give a reason why!

In Michigan, the Ferndale Schools Board of Education agreed to lay off two teachers, reduce one to part time, and use up the district’s rainy day fund.  They blame declining student enrollment.

Children’s clothing store, Little Colony Kids, out-o-business in Homewood, Illinois. The store had been in operation for 57 years, the owners blamed the closing on the bad economy.

Bridgeway Center, in Florida,  ending all inpatient services by the end of March!  The health care provider blames ridiculously low state reimbursements. Company officials say it costs them $516.58 per bed to operate the facility, but the state pays only $293.24 per bed.  The result is that their Crisis Stabilization Unit is shorted $3573.44 every day!    The problem is that state legislators have not adjusted their payments since 1993!  Bridgeway Center says Florida ranks 49th for the number of low income people without insurance, and 49th for state funding of mental health care.

Ohio based supplier of drugs and medical supplies, Cardinal Health, to layoff  180 people by June!  Company officials say they are trying to anticipate future supply demands and price expectations of customers (meaning they think both will come down).

In California, biopharmaceutical company Amgen to layoff 157 employees by April!  Last year the drugs company laid off 400 people! Company officials basically gave the same reason for the layoffs as Cardinal Health.

In Missouri, an iconic quilt shop for 34 years, now closed.  The owner of Patches said she needed “…to move on.”

In Virginia, after less than a year the Southern Estates Books and Antiques in Riverwalk Landing shut down. The Economic Development Authority had combined three stores into one, thinking it would be more successful, but instead they essentially destroyed three businesses.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, tech startup ecomom laid off almost all its employees. Four excecs are staying on at greatly reduced pay. It has something to do with the suicide of one of the co-founders, which is probably related to the bad economy. One of the remaining execs hinted to employees how bad the economy really is:  “There are financial stressors on the business that we are confronting and along with the board of directors, the executive team is moving forward with plans to restructure the business so that it may continue to be a place parents can rely on.”-Marcus Nucci, president

Utah based Associated Food Stores will close down two warehouses in Montana, by April. 106 people out-o-work!  Company officials say they are consolidating their warehouse system, which they hope will help them keep prices down for their grocery store customers.

In Tacoma, Washington, after nearly 60 years in business Meier’s House of Clocks is no more.  The owner said they have been struggling for years since the electronics revolution, but since 2005 business for them crashed.

In Alaska, the Black Market tobacco store closed down.  The owner retired after 40 years in business.

Another investment company going down: Wall Street Journal reported that LPL Financial has failed to meet expectations and that will result in some of their 2,900 employees losing their jobs in the next six months.

The Michigan Brewing Company now bankrupt. What was a homebrew success story (even supplying the brew for Kid Rock’s own brand American Bad Ass Beer) ended in tragic financial failure.  The family running the company admitted they screwed up, they’ve lost all the company’s money as well as their own. The question is, where did all the money go? Company records show that the brewer had record sales year after year! Also, the company constantly failed to pay debts and taxes! So where’s all the money? If you read the reports it turns out that this is a clear example of debt financing out-o-control.  The family has been financing the operations with loans from day one.  Then they started missing payments, resulting in legal actions, and assets being seized.  Still, they were able to get more loans, as their sales were always up.  The problem is that all their profits were going to try an catch up their debts, finally the creditors said no more, and called in their chips (known as deleveraging).

Remember Eddie Murphy’s Cill My Landlord bit on Saturday Night Live? If not watch the Pros & Cons skit here.  And for reasons to Cill My Landlord, read on…

In Anderson, California, the owner of Top`ings Yogurt has decided not to renew her $2000 USD per month lease.  The owner blamed the landlord: “I wasn’t happy with the lease agreement.”-Lindsey Kossol

In Florida, a birthday party center shut down.  The owners of Bounce U blamed their rent:  “Often I am told that this business must be a gold mine, and that we always seem so busy. Truthfully renting a facility of this size and maintaining the day to day expenses is much higher than many realize.”-The Armstrong Family

The Rain or Shine gardening store will close in March. The Portland, Oregon, store had been in business for 23 years.  The owner blamed the landlord’s high rent!

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, Technology

Once again people, no glass or styrofoam recycling in southeastern Idaho!

25 February 2013/14 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/07 Esfand 1391

This past weekend, while dropping off recycling at the Chubbuck, Idaho, dumpsters next to City Hall, I noticed they’ve put new signs up: No glass and no styrofoam!

Click pics to make bigger

Chubbuck officials are so upset about non-recylables being thrown into recycling containers that they will now fine anyone who puts non-recyclables into their residential recycling dumpsters.  City officials say the recycling company is taking those mis-filled dumpsters to the landfill, rather than spend the money on manpower to sort the contents.

I wrote about this more than two years ago, concerning the recycling dumpsters for the city of Pocatello.

Back then there were some glass and styrofoam recyclers in other parts of Idaho. I just checked the Department of Environmental quality’s web site, and I counted about 18 glass recyclers and one styrofoam recycler (however, just like two years ago, when I check that recycler’s web site there’s no mention of styrofoam recycling). None of those recyclers are in our southeastern Idaho area. The cost to transport such items out of the area will cancel any cost savings or revenue enhancements that cities are trying to achieve with their recycling programs.

Here’s why recycling glass is a waste of money, and does not help the environment: One of the fallacies in the argument for glass recycling is that recycling glass bottles uses 40% less energy than making it from new materials.  This argument does not take into account the increasing costs of transporting the old glass to the recycling centers, and then to the consumers, when you do it becomes more expensive.

According to the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, ever increasing costs of transportation actually makes glass recycling more costly than making glass from raw materials.  The ingredients of glass are soda ash, limestone and sand (silica).  None of these materials are in short supply, making them relatively cheap.

Next, the Michigan Technology University Institute of Materials Processing points out that the cost of employing people to handle the recycled glass also makes recycling more expensive than making glass from raw materials. Efforts are being made to convince buyers of glass to use mixed colored glass bottles, which would cut way back on the number of people needed to sort glass bottles at recycling factories.

Also, employees involved in glass recycling cost more to their employers because of insurance liability reasons, according to the Joint Service Pollution Prevention and Sustainability Technical Library.

In the parts of Idaho that do recycle glass, it is mainly for use in road construction, not for making new glass bottles. Studies show this type of use for recycled glass is the least costliest.  As is simply pulverizing the glass into powders that can be used in ceramics, plastics or brick making.

When it comes to the environment, we can go back to transportation issues.  Trucks create pollution by using up petroleum based fuels and oils. Another claim is that glass is hurting landfills, which is impossible because glass is the most inert product made by humans (only if you cut yourself with it, but who’s gonna go digging around in a landfill).

Another issue, glass from windows and mirrors can not be recycled. They can only be crushed into powder for possible use in construction. Also, according to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, less than 40% of a glass container can be recycled. And those Pyrex or Anchor Hawking brand glass kitchen utensils are not recyclable (they are treated the same way windows and mirrors are).

Not only can you not recycle windows and mirrors, but you can not use recycled glass to make new windows: “As it pertains to green programs, architectural glass currently has very little opportunity to take advantage of the use of recycled glass.”-Tracy Rogers, Technical Director for Edgetech IG

The reasons that new windows and mirrors are made from new materials are: The raw materials are cheaper (see above).  Glass making is a very specific process, what type of glass you want depends greatly on how you blend the ingredients (called Cullet), window glass is not the same as glass for bottles.

Even if you replace your old windows with new ones, the old glass can not be recycled into new windows, it typically goes into the garbage dump. The only other thing they can do is what the industry calls “down-cycling”, turning it into a lesser quality product for use in fiberglass or road construction (see above), but that is expensive because they must separate frames, spacers and even the laminate before down-cycling.

And, finally, glass that is already broken is not accepted, because the recycler can’t tell exactly what kind of glass they’re dealing with.

Now what about styrofoam? Recycling styrofoam (foamed or expanded polystyrene, the same plastic used to make model kits) is expensive because it does not break down as easily as other plastics. Also, since the invention of starch based ‘foams’ styrofaom is actually no longer needed. Starch based foams can be broken down incredibly cheaply and easily simply by soaking them in water.

I hate those styrofoam packing peanuts, but what can you do with them?  Some shipping companies will gladly take those packing peanuts you get with that latest order from Amazon or ebay.  In fact that seems to be the most effective way of recycling styrofoam packing peanuts.

As far as styrofoam containers, or boards or sheets, we model builders have been recycling them into diorama bases for years.  It’s also been used for architectural and railroad model building.  But we can’t use it all, and they don’t react well with oil based paints (you have to use a water based primer first).

Bottom line, recycling glass and styrofoam does not pay off, and stop throwing them into southeast Idaho recycling dumpsters!

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Hard hit Florida losing another Kmart! Add another Kmart to North Carolina’s growing list!

22 February 2013/11 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/04 Esfand 1391

A local TV report said the final Kmart in Escambia County, Florida, will closed for good in May. The store was the last of three Kmarts with a Pensacola address.  Liquidation sale begins in March. 73 people out-o-work.

In North Carolina, the Hendersonville Kmart will also close in May. Liquidation sales begins in March. It was the last anchor store in the Blue Ridge Mall. 58 people out-o-work.

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), recently revealed Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), recently revealed Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 30 January 2013. No more student loans? Fox & NBC merger? No more make up? More greedy landlords shut down businesses!

“It all comes down to finance and economics, what’s best for the company. It’s going to trickle down and hurt everybody, employees, residents, taxpayers, everybody is going to be affected.”-Linda Schwager, Mayor of Oakland, New Jersey, commenting on the never ending layoffs

In Florida, 79 cement company workers losing their jobs.  Mexican owned Cemex says their outlook for the economy is so bad, that they have to make these additional layoffs on top of those announced at the end of last year. The views of the Mexican company counter those of the Portland Cement Association, which expects an 8% increase in construction this year.

A state run toll road company, and a state run canal company, have finally released the number of employees they will layoff this year. New York State Thruway Authority will eliminate 192 jobs! Officials blame declining traffic (you see, ‘mericans are driving less and using less fuel!) and increasing costs of repairing the roads. Elected officials refused to increase the tolls (at the behest of constituents), so the company is forced to cut back.  New York State Canal Corporation will layoff 42 people. Unions are fighting the current round of layoffs, over the past several years hundreds of employees were already laid off.

Also in New York, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) laying off an undisclosed amount of employees.  ACS is owned by Xerox and processes student college loan applications. It doesn’t sound good for the current 800 employees. Local media says rumors of layoffs have been circulating since October 2012, and an official statement from company officials says all loans will be “cleared from their system” by August.  The layoffs will take place in two phases, in March and June.

In California, the South Pasadena Unified School District revealed that 32 teachers will be laid off in March. That is if local voters fail to extend the Measure S parcel tax. The school district has been relying on the temporary tax to maintain a 1 teacher to 20 student ratio, but it also shows that the district can’t manage its funding because teacher pay should be coming from the standard local property taxes/fees, as well as state and federal funds, not additional special taxes.

Also in California, the Cask & Cork restaurant in Fresno closed down.  It had failed after only eight months of operations.  The owners say they will try again in a different city.

New Hamshire’s Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene hospital eliminated 34 jobs. They’re trying to save $1 million USD, due to declining revenue and decreasing state and federal reimbursements (Obama/Romney Care).

More lay offs for Illinois.  Abbott Laboratories let go an undisclosed amount of employees.  The global health care company already laid off 700 people last year.  The company is “restructuring”.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, two local competing TV stations have merged.  The local KLRT Fox affiliate and KARK NBC station are now under one owner, resulting in 28 employees losing their jobs.   A similar thing happened here in East Idaho in 2010, when the KIFI ABC affiliate, and the KIDK CBS affiliate came under the single operation of Missouri based News-Press and Gazette (NPG).  NPG cornered the East Idaho/West Wyoming broadcast market by taking over Telemundo, CW, NOW and KXPI Fox affiliate (the Fox affiliation used to be handled by a former employer of mine, then KIDK & KXPI came under the ownership of Fisher Communications who then turned operations over to NPG).  By the way, it used to be illegal to corner local news media markets, but my former employer, and other media leaders, lobbied hard to change that! At the end of last year NPG paid $14.3 million to take over Santa Barbara, California’s KEYT ABC affiliate.

In Minnesota, Gerdau Steel laid off 31 employees.  The Brazilian based company blamed it on the bad economy, and said if it weren’t for the terms of a recent loan (which requires them to maintain a specific number of positions) they would have laid off even more employees!

Estee Lauder shutting down its Oakland, New Jersey, factory. 116 employees affected!  The cosmetics company is consolidating operations.

In Lewisville, North Carolina, a bicycle store named Neighborhood Transportation, shut down.  The owner blamed his bad health.

In Jackson, Mississippi, Haverty’s is closing down its only furniture store in the Magnolia State. Company officials said the landlord wanted to increase the rent.

67 years old Peschell’s Bakery shut down in West Haven, Connecticut.   The owners blamed the bad economy and competition from national chain stores.

63 people out-o-work in Decatur, Alabama.  The Eaton Manufacturing hydraulic cylinder factory is closing down. Company officials blame it on a decrease in demand (bad economy).

138 jobs lost in Maryland! A British Red Coat company (Cobham) is shutting down two electronics factories. Cobham makes its money off U.S. taxpayers, as it is a military contractor. They blame the layoffs on expected and drastic federal government spending cuts.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 14 – 16 February 2013. U.S. taxes paying to end opium production! 2014 pull out does not mean your tax money will stop flooding into Afghanistan!

16 February 2013/05 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/28 Bahman 1391

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen report several offensives. In Gerishk district, Shoraki region, Mujahideen have been harassing U.S./NATO efforts to withdrawal from an outpost.  Several U.S./NATO airstrikes have been called in.  Locals say civilians have been hit.  In Sangin district’s Majeed Chawk area, a U.S. led NATO patrol hit a landmine, destroying one armored vehicle. Mujahideen say they then engaged the patrol with heavy and light machine gun fire. At last report a witness said the patrol was still pined down.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has banned Afghan government forces from calling in U.S./NATO air strikes.  Apparently this is because some of the civilian deaths by U.S./NATO airstrikes were the result of Afghan forces requesting the airstrikes.

The order came after an Afghan investigation backs up claims that the United States recently killed 10 civilians in an airstrike in Kunar Province.  Five of those killed were children.

In Badghis Province, there are reports that Pakistanis are training Afghan Mujahideen.

U.S. Army General Raymond Odierno said that it is possible that the planned 2014 withdrawal will be stretched out, in order to keep costs to U.S. taxpayers down.

15 February 2013/04 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/27 Bahman 1391

In Saripul Province, Mujahideen say they repelled an offensive launched by 200 Arbaki (contracted cops/mercenaries) in the Sheram area.  Mujahideen said they caused heavy casualties for the Arbaki, and one Mujahid was killed.  Also, in Shekar area of Gosphandi district a U.S./NATO spy was assassinated.

In Kandahar Province, Panjawai district, a U.S. led NATO dismounted patrol was ambushed.  No word on casualties. In Spanzo area of Zangawat region, an Arbaki patrol hit a landmine, also no word on casualties. Also, reports saying U.S. led NATO forces abandoned their base in Khakrez district, Baghki area.

In Kunar Province, a former spy boss and another man was killed, one local cop wounded, in what looks like an assassination. A remote controlled bomb exploded as they went to Mosque.

According to Transparency International, United Kingdom branch, the Afghan National Army and National Police are too corrupt to take over when NATO supposedly pulls out at the end of 2014.

14 February 2013/03 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/26 Bahman 1391

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen say British Red Coats abandoned an outpost in Babaji district.

In Kandahar Province, Khakrez district, two people joined the Mujahideen (one was a former Arbaki).

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said billions of U.S. tax dollars will continue to flood into Afghanistan after the 2014 pull out: “The impending end of the combat mission in Afghanistan has led some to erroneously believe that the Afghan reconstruction effort is waning…..The Afghan government does not appear to have the capacity to manage the amount of funding envisioned……protect the American taxpayer.”-John Sopko

Speaking of tax money down the drain; the U.S. Embassy’s Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement Ambassador, Stephen G. McFarland, announced $18.2 million will be “awarded” to Afghan farmers who do not grow opium poppies.