| Knucklehead of the Week
C) A businessman had his briefcase stolen in Germany. Police found it ransacked but the thieves never noticed two envelopes tucked inside. A good thing. They contained more than $13,000 in cash. August 27, 2007
WINNER: B A) A North Carolina man is 93 years old and still hard at work. But cops aren't too keen on his profession. They nabbed him for dealing drugs and cocaine possession. B) A Massachusetts man made it really easy for police. He stole from a drug store then made a quick getaway. But he left his i.d.card at the counter. Cops tracked him down. C) A California man got hungry but when it came time to pay for his sandwich he slapped down some marijuana instead of money. Cops found him with more drugs and arrested him. August 20, 2007
WINNER: A A) A Georgia woman called police to complain about the $20 she spent on crack cocaine.
JCPenney store in downtown Coudersport slated for closure
COUDERSPORT — Downtown Coudersport could be facing a tough blow in February with the closing of the JCPenney store, an anchor tenant in the business district.Tim Lyons, public relations officer for the merchandising giant, confirmed plans by JCPenney corporate offices to close the store, eliminating 12 jobs. He described the closing as a "difficult business decision." Several efforts are under way by business leaders and government officials in Coudersport to save the store, but local leaders concede that the prospects are dim."Losing JCPenney could really hurt Coudersport," said Stan Swank, a vice-president with the Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. "People come to Coudersport to shop at JCPenney and then they stop at other businesses, which helps our economy."The Coudersport store has been at the same location since opening in 1930.
Businesses pledge price drops as loonie rises
Two of Canada's biggest retailers — Wal-Mart and Zellers — say they're lowering prices on some goods to better reflect the rapidly rising Canadian dollar that has gone past parity with U.S. currency. Zellers, a unit of Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), said Friday it would launch a special "price cut" promotion to allow Canadian consumers to "capitalize on the benefits of the rising dollar." It said it would cut prices on a range of items in all Zellers stores. "We understand that the rising Canadian dollar has led to a demand for lower pricing and this is our attempt to provide real savings for Canadian families," HBC president Rob Johnston said in a release. Recent price comparisons have shown identical items are often priced more than 20 per cent higher in Canada than in the U.S.
Costly road to citizenship
Tabios, who works a full-time job as a property manager at Bay View Vista Apartments in Vallejo and then goes to a retail job at a shoe store at night, said it is necessary if she is going to become a citizen and move family here from the Philippines. "I want to petition my brother (for permission to immigrate) but because fees have gone up so much, we can't afford it," Tabios said. "Life is hard in the Philippines, and we want my brother to come here for a better life." However, there is help available for families like these who can't afford to have their family join them in the land of opportunity. On Saturday, the California Human Development Corporation, a nonprofit that provides help with naturalization and immigration, is sponsoring a Free Citizenship Fair in Vallejo.
PR man's efforts boost Saks' charitable giving
Dave Dodge came from Boston in 2004 to work for Saks Fifth Avenue. Since then, his impact on the community has gone beyond the high-end fashion store. Dodge, 49, has worked tirelessly to connect Saks to the Valley community.
When he first arrived, the Phoenix store was involved with only three charitable events. The name Saks now is associated with more than 20 events, including the high-profile Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event.
"One of the most impressive things about Dave is that he is willing to give of his own time when he is not directly working with Saks to help several non-profit organizations raise valuable funds," said Larry Buchanan, general manager for Saks Fifth Avenue. "Nothing gives him more pleasure than to break a record for a non-profit in terms of fundraising." .
Hillary Stuns--Four Theories
Attention, Thomas O. Barnett: I went to Staples to buy a replacement cartridge for my HP printer. Usually I buy a "Staples" brand replacement--they're a little cheaper. But they were no longer on display. Only the pricier HP cartridges were for sale. I asked the store manager if this was because HP had sued Staples. No, she said--HP "paid us more" to carry only their brand. ... If true, isn't this a pretty clear antitrust violation? HP would seem to be trying to enforce a (presumably lucrative) semi-monopoly position in HP replacement cartridges. I don't think semi-monopolists can do that. Or am I misremembering antitrust law? ... Backfill: Business Week has covered this, and finds a prof who says there's no antitrust violation because "there are alternatives being sold at other office superstores, and other printer brands are being sold at Staples." Second opinion, please.
TCs unhappy with Paris meeting
The UN hopes these discussions, if productive, would help restore trust, improve the climate and pave the way for the eventual resumption of full-scale comprehensive negotiation for a settlement. CNA reports that Ibrahim Gambari, UN Undersecretary-General visited Washington this week for talks with State Department officials dealing with Cyprus. He saw deputy assistant Secretary of State Mathew Bryza, who plans to visit Cyprus in the spring. President Papadopoulos, who described the Paris agreement as an important step, will fly to Athens on Tuesday for consultations with the Greek government. A spokesman in Athens described the outcome of the Paris meeting as "a positive step in the right direction." It will be President Papadopoulos first meeting with new Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni, who was a staunch supporter of the Annan Plan but says now this is history.
Home Furnisher's Customers Warned
Domain has four Connecticut locations, in Farmington at Westfarms mall, and in Brookfield, Milford and Stamford.
Domain Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday. The company said in a statement that its 27 stores will remain open as the company searches for new investors. The statement also said the company could be sold or liquidated.
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