DailyFinance http://www.dailyfinance.com DailyFinance http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.dailyfinance.com/media/feedlogo.gif DailyFinance http://www.dailyfinance.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Is New York really ready to put a suspected terrorist on trial?http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/19/is-new-york-really-ready-to-put-a-suspected-terrorist-on-trial/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/19/is-new-york-really-ready-to-put-a-suspected-terrorist-on-trial/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/19/is-new-york-really-ready-to-put-a-suspected-terrorist-on-trial/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As New York City copes with the knowledge that it will soon host the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, mastermind of the September 11 terror attacks, there is growing concern about the security of the city and its inhabitants.

The towering prison where Mohammed will be held and the courtroom where he will be tried are a short walk from the site of the Twin Towers and not far from Wall Street. It doesn't take Nostradamus to see how the combination of a prominent location, a showy trial and a bustling city could have terrorists licking their lips.

Continue reading Is New York really ready to put a suspected terrorist on trial?

Is New York really ready to put a suspected terrorist on trial? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>911air force oneAirForceOneHomeland SafetyHomeland SecurityHomelandSafetyHomelandSecuritykhalid Sheikh mohammedKhalidSheikhMohammedLocal Law 26LocalLaw26Mike PresuttiMikePresuttiNYPDpatersonSeptember 11September11Bruce WatsonThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:00 ESTWalmart to Amazon: You're going down!http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/19/walmart-to-amazon-youre-going-down/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/19/walmart-to-amazon-youre-going-down/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/19/walmart-to-amazon-youre-going-down/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The ongoing battle for internet bookselling heated up on Thursday. Walmart (WMT) CEO Raul Vasquez is trash-talking Amazon (AMZN) CEO Jeff Bezos (pictured), according to the New York Post: "If there's going to be a Walmart on the Web," Vasquez said, "it's going to be Walmart.com."

Oooh -- it's on.

The comment is the latest salvo in this fall's highly publicized pricing war between the titans. In October, Walmart.com dropped the price of 10 bestselling books to $10. Amazon followed suit; Walmart countered with $9, and Amazon followed. Walmart downed the ante to $8.99, and Amazon backed off -- only to see Target.com match Walmart.com, which ducked down to $8.98. Vasquez sums up his company's pricing strategy: "If they react and match our prices, we're going to continue to lower our prices."

Continue reading Walmart to Amazon: You're going down!

Walmart to Amazon: You're going down! originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Dean KoontzDeanKoontzHarper CollinsHarperCollinsin focusInFocusJames SurowieckiJamesSurowieckiJeff BezosJeffBezosJohn StrymishJohnStrymishNew England Mobile Book FairNewEnglandMobileBookFairRandom HouseRandomHouseRaul VasquezRaulVasquezSarah WeinmanSarahWeinmanStephen KingStephenKingUnder the DomeUnderTheDomeBruce WatsonThu, 19 Nov 2009 13:40:00 ESTCostco yanks Coca-Cola from its shelves, but don't cry for Cokehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/18/costco-yanks-coca-cola-from-its-shelves-but-dont-cry-for-coke/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/18/costco-yanks-coca-cola-from-its-shelves-but-dont-cry-for-coke/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/18/costco-yanks-coca-cola-from-its-shelves-but-dont-cry-for-coke/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Costco (COST) customers looking for "the real thing" now have to look elsewhere: The warehouse retailer said on Monday that it's no longer buying Coca-Cola (KO) products. Once stores run out of their dwindling supplies, they won't be restocking.

Costco is playing hardball; negotiations between the two companies to reach a recession-ready wholesale price have apparently broken down. Costco acknowledges this problem on its Web site: "Costco is committed to carrying name brand merchandise at the best possible prices. At this time, Coca-Cola has not provided Costco with competitive pricing so that we may pass along the value our members deserve."

Continue reading Costco yanks Coca-Cola from its shelves, but don't cry for Coke

Costco yanks Coca-Cola from its shelves, but don't cry for Coke originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>big-boxbig-box-storescoca-colacokecostcoretailwalmartwarehouseBruce WatsonWed, 18 Nov 2009 18:40:00 ESTDetroit stadium or New York studio? The Silverdome sells for $583,000http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/17/detroit-stadium-or-new-york-studio-the-silverdome-sells-for-58/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/17/detroit-stadium-or-new-york-studio-the-silverdome-sells-for-58/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/17/detroit-stadium-or-new-york-studio-the-silverdome-sells-for-58/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The town of Pontiac, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, sold the 80,300-seat Silverdome on Monday, along with 127 acres of nearby land. The massive stadium complex, which once hosted the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Pistons, and the Michigan Panthers, cost more than $55 million to build in 1975.

Its selling price in 2009? $583,000.

The Silverdome isn't just a stadium; it's a historical site. In addition to hosting two huge sports franchises, the Silverdome was also the site of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the first World Cup ever to be played indoors. It held numerous Cherry Bowl games, the 1979 NBA All-Star Game, and Superbowl XVI. It has hosted major cultural figures ranging from Michael Jackson to Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin to Pope John Paul II.

Continue reading Detroit stadium or New York studio? The Silverdome sells for $583,000

Detroit stadium or New York studio? The Silverdome sells for $583,000 originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Detroit LionsDetroit PistonsDetroit Rock CityDetroitLionsDetroitPistonsDetroitRockCitySilverdomeBruce WatsonTue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:00 ESTMicrosoft co-founder Paul Allen diagnosed with cancerhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/17/microsoft-founder-paul-allen-diagnosed-with-cancer/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/17/microsoft-founder-paul-allen-diagnosed-with-cancer/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/17/microsoft-founder-paul-allen-diagnosed-with-cancer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Earlier this month, Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder Paul Allen was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. According to a memo sent to Allen's staff by his sister Jody, he has begun chemotherapy and is optimistic about his chances of beating the disease.

This is not Allen's first experience with cancer: 26 years ago, he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. At the time, he was chief technical officer for Microsoft, which he founded in 1975 with high school friend Bill Gates. He left the software company to fight the disease, but ultimately decided not to return. While his $11.5 billion fortune, generated by his early investment in Microsoft, pales beside that of Gates, it has still been sufficient to land him the number 17 spot on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans.

Continue reading Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen diagnosed with cancer

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen diagnosed with cancer originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Experience Music ProjectExperienceMusicProjectPaul AllenPaul Allen cancerPaulAllenPaulAllenCancerScience Fiction Hall of FameScienceFictionHallOfFameSpaceShipOneBruce WatsonTue, 17 Nov 2009 12:30:00 ESTHoliday Inn's ultimatum to shabby hotels: Renovate or the Holiday's overhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/holiday-inns-ultimatum-to-shabby-hotels-renovate-or-the-holida/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/holiday-inns-ultimatum-to-shabby-hotels-renovate-or-the-holida/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/holiday-inns-ultimatum-to-shabby-hotels-renovate-or-the-holida/#commentsFiled under: ,

For Holiday Inn franchise owners, 2010 is starting to look a little bleak. At its annual meeting on Thursday, the chain's owner, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), told its American franchisees that, recession or no, they need to renovate. At the very least, every outlet has to install new lighting and signs, renovate its lobby, and buy new pillows, towels, and bedclothes. For older hotels, the changes will be more extensive.

Most of Holiday Inn's 3,300 hotels have already undergone these changes, but the owners of 300 have been dragging their feet. One large reason for their procrastination arises from the cost: The $150,000 to $250,000 renovations have to be financed by the individual outlets. In today's tight credit market, many franchisees are having a hard time raising the money.

Continue reading Holiday Inn's ultimatum to shabby hotels: Renovate or the Holiday's over

Holiday Inn's ultimatum to shabby hotels: Renovate or the Holiday's over originally appeared on DailyFinance on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>franchisefranchiseesfranchisesHoliday InnHolidayInnIHGIntercontinental Hotel GroupIntercontinentalHotelGrouprenovationsBruce WatsonMon, 16 Nov 2009 14:30:00 ESTIkea's heart of darkness: A tale of racism, lies and Swedish meatballshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/ikeas-heart-of-darkness-a-tale-of-racism-lies-and-swedish-me/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/ikeas-heart-of-darkness-a-tale-of-racism-lies-and-swedish-me/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/ikeas-heart-of-darkness-a-tale-of-racism-lies-and-swedish-me/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ikea looks like a model of openness and visibility. From its voluminous warehouse-size stores to its furniture's clean lines, the retailer presents a vision of honesty and total disclosure. Even founder and President Ingvar Kamprad (pictured) seems to be an open book: a simple farmer's boy from rural Sweden who overcame dyslexia and alcoholism to become one of the world's wealthiest men. Yet, even as he's risen to the top of the business world, he still has an old Klippan sofa and a Billy bookshelf in his living room, showing that he remains a humble, salt-of-the-earth type who hasn't forgotten his roots.

Not according to Johan Stenebo. Kamprad's former personal assistant, Stenebo reveals in a new book published in Sweden that the budget-furnishings monolith seems to have quite a few sordid secrets. The Truth About Ikea has yet to be translated into English, yet it's already sent ripples through the media, as Ikea fans learn that all may not be sunshine and meatballs at their favorite cheap, simple, eco-friendly big-box home-furnishings store.

Continue reading Ikea's heart of darkness: A tale of racism, lies and Swedish meatballs

Ikea's heart of darkness: A tale of racism, lies and Swedish meatballs originally appeared on DailyFinance on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>charitable trustCharitableTrustcharityforeignerGreenTechIkeaIngka foundationIngka HoldingIngkaFoundationIngkaHoldingIngvar KampradIngvarKampradJohan SteneboJohanStenebonaziniggerracistStichting IkeaStichting IngkaStichtingIkeaStichtingIngkatrustBruce WatsonMon, 16 Nov 2009 09:30:00 ESTHigh crimes: 10 military towns are among the country's most dangeroushttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/most-dangerous-military-towns/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/most-dangerous-military-towns/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/16/most-dangerous-military-towns/#commentsFiled under: ,

Military bases and the neighborhoods surrounding them often seem like the ultimate refuge of middle- American values. Run with military efficiency and discipline, the well-trimmed yards, cleanly-paved roads and orderly layouts convey an ideal image of life as it should be: safe, peaceful and friendly.

However, as the horrific shootings in Fort Hood demonstrate, this perception of structure and normalcy may be deceptive. According to a study by NeighborhoodScout, which offers neighborhood-by-neighborhood crime analyses, some of America's military towns have crime levels that place them among the country's most dangerous neighborhoods. While the danger in these areas is much more heavily skewed toward property crimes like vandalism and theft than violent crimes like murder or rape, the statistics are startling.

Continue reading High crimes: 10 military towns are among the country's most dangerous

High crimes: 10 military towns are among the country's most dangerous originally appeared on DailyFinance on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>AlabamaAndrew SchillerAndrewSchillerEngland AFBEnglandAfbfort hoodfort hood shootingFortHoodFortHoodShootingGrissom AFBGrissomAfbHuntsvilleinsuranceKaneohe StationKaneoheStationLockland AFBLocklandAfbMeridian StationMeridianStationmyrtle beachMyrtleBeachNeighborhoodScoutNeighborhoodScout.compresidioRedstone ArsenalRedstoneArsenalSchofield BarracksSchofieldBarracksBruce WatsonMon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 ESTBill Gates to Wall Street: You earn too much. America responds: No duh.http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/12/bill-gates-to-wall-street-you-earn-too-much-american-responds/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/12/bill-gates-to-wall-street-you-earn-too-much-american-responds/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/12/bill-gates-to-wall-street-you-earn-too-much-american-responds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bill Gates offered a revolutionary observation on Wednesday in Manhattan, during a discussion on philanthropy at the 92nd Street Y lecture hall. Wall Street pay, he says, is "often too high."

Gates's wisdom on Wall Street's compensation problem seems obvious enough, but his perspective on the theory is a little more inventive than most. The pay crisis, Gates says, is largely the result of a 1993 law that capped executive salaries: "It was a bad milestone in controlling executive salaries when that $1 million cap went on."

Continue reading Bill Gates to Wall Street: You earn too much. America responds: No duh.

Bill Gates to Wall Street: You earn too much. America responds: No duh. originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>92nd St Y92ndStYbill GatesBillGatesCEO payCeoPayKennedy tax cutsKennedyTaxCutstax increasestaxesTaxIncreasesBruce WatsonThu, 12 Nov 2009 14:40:00 ESTCVS, Rite Aid: Are sales of expired food and drugs a crisis or a stupid mistake?http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/11/cvs-rite-aid-are-sales-of-expired-food-and-drugs-a-crisis-or-a/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/11/cvs-rite-aid-are-sales-of-expired-food-and-drugs-a-crisis-or-a/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/11/cvs-rite-aid-are-sales-of-expired-food-and-drugs-a-crisis-or-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,

On Tuesday, CVS (CVS) drugstores agreed to pay the State of New York $875,000 to settle a case alleging that it sold expired food, over-the-counter drugs, and infant formula. This settlement follows a $1.3 million settlement between New York State and Rite Aid (RAD), suggesting that this crop of expired-product sales may be just the tip of the iceberg.

This isn't the first time CVS has been cited by New York's attorney general for selling expired items. In 2003, the chain handled the problem by signing an "Assurance of Discontinuance," stating that it would "refrain from selling expired OTC drugs" and would institute "procedures to ensure that OTC drugs were identified and removed from CVS stores and directing and training employees involved in stocking of OTC drugs in these procedures."

Continue reading CVS, Rite Aid: Are sales of expired food and drugs a crisis or a stupid mistake?

CVS, Rite Aid: Are sales of expired food and drugs a crisis or a stupid mistake? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Andrew CuomoAndrewCuomoattorney generalAttorneyGeneralcaliforniaCVS expired medsCvsExpiredMedsdrugsexpired medicationsExpiredMedicationsfdaNew York StateNewYorkStateotcover-the-counterpennsylvaniarite aidRiteAidvirginiaBruce WatsonWed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00:00 ESTMadoff's belongings up for auction: How much for Bernie's boogie board?http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/10/madoffs-belongings-go-up-for-auction-how-much-for-bernies-boo/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/10/madoffs-belongings-go-up-for-auction-how-much-for-bernies-boo/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/10/madoffs-belongings-go-up-for-auction-how-much-for-bernies-boo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Half the pain of selling keepsakes and mementos lies in the realization that one's life is worth only a fraction of "face value." But for Bernie Madoff, it looks like the opposite may be true.

On Saturday, the U.S. Marshal's office will be auctioning off approximately 200 pieces of Madoff's life in an attempt to raise money for his victims. The event will be held at the New York Sheraton Hotel and Towers, and registered bidders will also be able to attend through auctioneer Gaston & Sheehan's website.

Continue reading Madoff's belongings up for auction: How much for Bernie's boogie board?

Madoff's belongings up for auction: How much for Bernie's boogie board? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Bernie MadoffBernieMadoffGaston SheehanGastonSheehanMadoff auctionMadoffAuctionRuth MadoffRuthMadoffU.S. MarshalsU.s.MarshalsBruce WatsonTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTWalmart levies lifetime ban against gay couplehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/09/walmart-levies-lifetime-ban-against-gay-couple/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/09/walmart-levies-lifetime-ban-against-gay-couple/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/09/walmart-levies-lifetime-ban-against-gay-couple/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Walmart (WMT) may position itself as the store for the common man, but sometimes it can act downright elitist. In fact, it even goes so far as to issue lifetime bans on certain customers. The most famous recipient of the ultimate shunning is actress Megan Fox, who, according to some sources, was permanently banished from Wally World because of a shoplifting incident when she was a teenager. Now, thanks to a pack of lighters, two upset children and a ham-handed response from the store's employees, a Chicago-area gay couple, Joe Paolucci and Thomas Hitchcock, have also been blacklisted.

According to a report in the South Bend Tribune, the couple, both of whom are attorneys, were shopping at a Niles, Ill Mi. Walmart with their two adopted sons. Hitchcock shepherded the boys through a checkout line while Paolucci picked up a few last-minute items at a self-service register. Store video surveillance shows that Paolucci scanned all the items in his possession, put them in a grocery bag, paid and left. However, as he met up with Hitchcock and the boys on the way out of the store, the group was stopped by security. The in-store guards asked Paolucci if he had purchased a pack of lighters. Paolucci said yes, handed over the bag, and showed his receipt, the newspaper reported. Unfortunately, things didn't end there.

Continue reading Walmart levies lifetime ban against gay couple

Walmart levies lifetime ban against gay couple originally appeared on DailyFinance on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>customers banned from storeCustomersBannedFromStoreJoe PaolucciJoePaolucciMegan FoxMeganFoxThomas HitchcockThomasHitchcockWalmartBruce WatsonMon, 09 Nov 2009 17:30:00 ESTMore bad health care news: Half of American kids will use food stampshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/08/half-of-american-kids-have-been-on-food-stamps-at-some-point-st/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/08/half-of-american-kids-have-been-on-food-stamps-at-some-point-st/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/08/half-of-american-kids-have-been-on-food-stamps-at-some-point-st/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

half-of-american-kids-have-been-on-food-stamps-at-some-pointIn November, the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine published an article stating that, over the past thirty years, nearly half of all American children have been on food stamps at one time or another. The authors of the article, Mark R. Rank and Thomas A. Hirschl, are sociology professors at Washington University in St. Louis and Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., respectively. Their findings were based on the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), a long-term survey that has studied 9,000 "representative" American families from 1968 to the present day. Of the children analyzed by the study, 49 percent were on food stamps for at least part of their childhood. Ninety percent of black children and 37 percent of white children in the study used the program.

The Rank/Hirschl analysis undermines some powerful stereotypes about food stamps. While the families in the program were ethnically diverse, the long-term nature of the study automatically weeds out the waves of immigrants that, many critics claim, feed their families at the cost of American taxpayers.

Continue reading More bad health care news: Half of American kids will use food stamps

More bad health care news: Half of American kids will use food stamps originally appeared on DailyFinance on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent MedicineArchivesOfPediatricAndAdolescentMedicineFDAfood stampsFoodStampshealthcareMark R. RankMarkR.RankThomas A. HirschlThomasA.HirschlBruce WatsonSun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTThe goofy Galleon gang: Wacky hedgies play cops and robbers...with real cash!http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/06/the-goofy-galleon-gang-wacky-hedgies-play-cops-and-robbers-with/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/06/the-goofy-galleon-gang-wacky-hedgies-play-cops-and-robbers-with/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/06/the-goofy-galleon-gang-wacky-hedgies-play-cops-and-robbers-with/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As the full extent of the Galleon Group's insider trading comes to light, its story is starting to resemble something out of the movies. Although Raj Rajaratnam's house has already been compared to both The Sopranos and Goodfellas, the sad truth is that the real-life criminal ring lacks both the class of Tony Soprano's gang and the gravitas of Joe Pesci's. As details emerge, the whole mess seems to fall closer to the cartoonish excess of Animal House.

The central member of the gang -- the Otter, if you will -- may well be Zvi "The Octopussy" Goffer. Robert Khuzami, director of the Securites and Exchange Commission's Division of Enforcement, noted Thursday that Goffer got his James Bond-originated nickname "because of his reputation for having arms in so many sources of inside information." Goffer used his web of spies to cut trades both at Galleon and at his previous employer, the Schottenfeld Group.

Continue reading The goofy Galleon gang: Wacky hedgies play cops and robbers...with real cash!

The goofy Galleon gang: Wacky hedgies play cops and robbers...with real cash! originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>division of enforcementDivisionOfEnforcementgalleongalleon groupGalleonGroupin focusInFocusJames bondJamesBondoctopussyraj rajaratnamRajRajaratnamropes and grayRopesAndGraysecsecurites and exchange commissionSecuritesAndExchangeCommissionZvi GofferZviGofferBruce WatsonFri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 ESTSheldon Dorf, founder of sci-fi, fantasy convention Comic-Con, dieshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/sheldon-dorf-founder-of-sci-fi-fantasy-convention-comic-con-d/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/sheldon-dorf-founder-of-sci-fi-fantasy-convention-comic-con-d/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/sheldon-dorf-founder-of-sci-fi-fantasy-convention-comic-con-d/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sheldon Dorf, the founder of Comic-Con, an annual comic book, science fiction and fantasy festival held in San Diego, died of complications related to diabetes Wednesday. Dorf, who was 76, was also a freelance writer and a letterist, but was best known for founding the convention -- the largest such event in the Western Hemisphere, bested only by France's Angoulême International Comics Festival.

Spanning four days and attracting tens of thousands of attendees, Comic-Con was the second festival that Dorf created. When he was living in Michigan, he mounted the "Detroit Triple Fan Fair," a local gathering for comic book fans. The DTFF continued after Dorf left for California, but it never reached the level of pop-culture relevance attained by Comic-Con.

Continue reading Sheldon Dorf, founder of sci-fi, fantasy convention Comic-Con, dies

Sheldon Dorf, founder of sci-fi, fantasy convention Comic-Con, dies originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>comic-conforrest j. ackermanForrestJ.AckermanJack kirbyJackKirbyray bradburyRayBradburyscience fictionScienceFictionShel DorfShelDorfBruce WatsonThu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 ESTBlockbuster employee stabs himself to avoid getting firedhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/blockbuster-employee-stabs-himself-to-avoid-getting-fired/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/blockbuster-employee-stabs-himself-to-avoid-getting-fired/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/blockbuster-employee-stabs-himself-to-avoid-getting-fired/#commentsFiled under: , ,

blockbuster-employee-stabs-himself-to-avoid-getting-firedOn Monday, Aaron Siebers limped into his job at a Blockbuster (BBI) video store in Edgewater, Colo. Bleeding from a deep stab wound in his lower leg and superficial cuts on his face and body, he claimed that he had been assaulted by three "skinheads or hispanic males" who were "dressed in black."

Local law enforcement agencies sprang into action. Five area police and sheriffs' departments sent units to the scene and scoured the neighborhood in search of evidence. Deploying K-9 units and setting up a perimeter to catch potential suspects, they soon discovered that the local Target, near the scene of the assault, had a battery of surveillance cameras.

Continue reading Blockbuster employee stabs himself to avoid getting fired

Blockbuster employee stabs himself to avoid getting fired originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Aaron SiebersAaronSiebersBlockbusterEdgewater ColoradoEdgewaterColoradofiredin focin focusInFocInFocusselfstabstabbingBruce WatsonThu, 05 Nov 2009 18:30:00 ESTMickey Mouse gets a makeoverhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/mickey-mouse-gets-a-makeover/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/mickey-mouse-gets-a-makeover/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/05/mickey-mouse-gets-a-makeover/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Walt Disney Company (DIS) recently announced that it will be doing the unthinkable. It's tinkering with Mickey.

The most obvious step in the iconic mouse's makeover will be an upcoming video game. Titled "Epic Mickey," it presents a vision of Mickey that can be naughty or nice, cunning or playful. Rather than the stiff corporate logo of yesteryear, Epic Mickey will offer a character who is more multifaceted, flexible, and fun. Along with the game, Disney is also re-imagining everything about the character. The studio plans to tweak his clothing, personality, and home, presenting a fresh face to the Disney Channel, Disney World, and the internet.

Continue reading Mickey Mouse gets a makeover

Mickey Mouse gets a makeover originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>AladdinDisneyEpic MickeyEpicMickeyMickey makeoverMickey MouseMickeyMakeoverMickeyMousePETASteamboat WillySteamboatWillyToy StoryToyStoryBruce WatsonThu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:00 ESTSauvignon and Slurpees? 7-Eleven launches in-house brand of winehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/04/sauvignon-and-slurpees-7-eleven-launches-in-house-brand-of-wine/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/04/sauvignon-and-slurpees-7-eleven-launches-in-house-brand-of-wine/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/04/sauvignon-and-slurpees-7-eleven-launches-in-house-brand-of-wine/#commentsFiled under: ,

7-eleven-launches-in-house-brand-of-wineOn Wednesday, 7-Eleven (SVNDY) released its first in-house brand. This market segment, which has generally been dominated by grocery store brands like Walmart's (WMT) "President's Choice" or Whole Foods' (WFMI) "365 Everyday Value" lines, tends to focus on simple foods with mass appeal foods. However, for its first offering, 7-Eleven decided to raise the bar: It's going for wine.

The chain's new line, Yosemite Roads, will open with two basic offerings: a "fresh and zesty" chardonnay "with notes of apricot, peach and honey," and a "full-bodied cabernet sauvignon with juicy plum overtones." The 750-milliliter bottles will retail for approximately $3.99 apiece, and will be available in most of the company's 15,000 convenience stores, as well as Denny's restaurants, Shell Garden grocery stores, and several retail outlets in Japan.

Continue reading Sauvignon and Slurpees? 7-Eleven launches in-house brand of wine

Sauvignon and Slurpees? 7-Eleven launches in-house brand of wine originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>7 eleven7-117ElevenJohn WillumsonJohnWillumsonSeven 11Seven11Trader JoesTraderJoesTwo buck chuckTwoBuckChuckwineYosemite RoadYosemiteRoadBruce WatsonWed, 04 Nov 2009 17:30:00 ESTWalmart's nuclear blunder: Retailer mishandled radioactive exit signshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/03/walmarts-nuclear-blunder-retailer-mishandled-radioactive-exit/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/03/walmarts-nuclear-blunder-retailer-mishandled-radioactive-exit/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/03/walmarts-nuclear-blunder-retailer-mishandled-radioactive-exit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

walmarts-nuclear-blunder-retailer-mishandled-radioactive-exitOn Oct. 28, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission cited Walmart (WMT) for improperly disposing of nuclear material. The items in question were exit signs that contained tritium, a hydrogen isotope, and Walmart had apparently been lax in its removal of 2,979 of them. The massive retailer also neglected to hire someone to keep track of its radioactive signage, in direct contravention of the NRC's requirements.

The NRC could, if it wished, levy a $369,300 fine on Walmart; however, it chose to waive the fee because the chain quickly responded to the citation. Walmart tallied the tritium-based signs at its stores, cleaned up radioactive spills created by its broken signs, and eventually decided to switch from tritium-based signs to more conventional -- and nonradioactive -- signs.

Continue reading Walmart's nuclear blunder: Retailer mishandled radioactive exit signs

Walmart's nuclear blunder: Retailer mishandled radioactive exit signs originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bath and beyondbedglow in the darkglow-in-the-darkGlowInTheDarkhome depotHomeDepotisotopesnorthwest airlinesNorthwestAirlinesNRCnuclear regulatory commissionNuclearRegulatoryCommissiontritiumwalmartBruce WatsonTue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTIt's the end of the recession as we know it. Why don't we feel fine?http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/03/its-the-end-of-the-recession-as-we-know-it-why-dont-we-feel-f/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/03/its-the-end-of-the-recession-as-we-know-it-why-dont-we-feel-f/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/03/its-the-end-of-the-recession-as-we-know-it-why-dont-we-feel-f/#commentsFiled under: ,

The "Great Recession" is over -- at least officially. A recession, by definition, is two consecutive quarters of falling gross domestic product, and recent figures show that the GDP rose 3.5% in the third quarter this year. Phew.

So why don't we feel better? For too many of us, it feels like nothing has changed. The sunniest estimates predict unemployment staying over 9% for the next year, and many experts fear it could rise above 10% before it drops. And underemployment accounts for a further 8%. That means 17% of Americans are either out of work or doing jobs far beneath their training level. No wonder things don't feel normal yet.

Continue reading It's the end of the recession as we know it. Why don't we feel fine?

It's the end of the recession as we know it. Why don't we feel fine? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Glass SteagallGlassSteagallgreat depressiongreat recessionGreatDepressionGreatRecessionin focusInFocusNew DealNewDealrecessionTVABruce WatsonTue, 03 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST