Providence Journal (Providence, RI) articles from November 2001

Providence Journal (Providence, RI) archives from November 2001

Providence, R.I.-Area Marketers Adjust Mailings.
November 1, 2001... Byline: Bob Wyss Nov. 1--With anthrax in the air, some people worry about the white powder. It's only talcum powder used by the direct-mail industry to help dry the ink on envelopes, but still people are nervous, says Gary Riendeau,...

Providence Journal, R.I., Earnings Column.
November 1, 2001... Nov. 1--PROVIDENCE GAS'S PARENT REPORTS $30.4-MILLION LOSS: Southern Union Co., the parent of Providence Gas, Valley Gas and Fall River Gas, yesterday reported a net loss of $30.4 million, or 58 cents a share for the first quarter ending Sept....

Rhode Island, Massachusetts Utilities Increase Security Measures.
November 1, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 1--Energy companies that serve Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts have stepped up security in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. That has added to their costs. But the companies say...

Rhode Island Workers to Pay More for Temporary Disability Insurance Tax.
November 1, 2001... Nov. 1--The maximum tax that most workers in Rhode Island pay under the state's Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program is going up by more than 12 percent, to $660 next year from $588 this year. The overall increase of $72 will work...

Verizon Communications Promotes Rhode Island Executive to Regional President.
November 1, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 1--Verizon Communications has promoted its top executive in Rhode Island to fill a newly created position that oversees operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Donna Cupelo, 44, who has been...

Providence, R.I.-Area Restaurant-Chain Owner Serves Up His Side of Story.
November 2, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 2--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Newport Creamery owner Robert Swain spent two hours yesterday explaining to creditors, and the independent trustee running the business, how the local restaurant icon ended up bankrupt and...

Despite Warning, Rhode Island Gas Firm Asks for Higher Rates.
November 2, 2001... Byline: Bob Wyss Nov. 2--WARWICK, R.I.--Only days after Southern Union Co. was bluntly warned to begin lowering gas prices, the company yesterday asked for more money from customers of Providence Gas and Valley Gas. The Austin,...

Nasdaq Delists Providence, R.I.-Based Internet Company.
November 2, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 2--Log On America, Rhode Island's only publicly held Internet company, has been delisted from the Nasdaq National Market. The company failed to meet several minimum standards that Nasdaq requires...

New Jersey Vendor Irked by ACLU Demo of Facial-Recognition Technology.
November 2, 2001... Nov. 2--BOSTON--In a demonstration set up yesterday by the American Civil Liberties Union, facial-recognition technology was only 60 percent sure that a reporter looking into a video camera was the same person photographed moments earlier and...

Providence Journal, R.I., People in Business Column.
November 3, 2001... Nov. 3--GLOBAL SPECTRUM: Katherine "Kara" Russo, of Narragansett, has been named director of sales and marketing at the new University of Rhode Island Convocation Center by Global Spectrum, which provides management services. She will be...

Rhode Island Boat Sales Grow.
November 3, 2001... Byline: Tom Meade Nov. 3--The boating business in Southern New England is still cruising along, despite a recessionary economy and the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Three boat shows that opened in September -- in...

Rhode Island Company Falls Victim to Americans' Fear of Travel.
November 3, 2001... Byline: Lynn Arditi Nov. 3--The phones are a lot quieter lately at Pearson Travel in East Providence. And so is the office banter. Since Sept. 11, the travel agency has shrunk from two offices with 15 employees to one with a staff of...

Providence Journal, R.I., Speakers' Table.
November 4, 2001... Nov. 4--TUESDAY The National Association of Insurance Women will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m. at the Providence Marriott, One Orms St. Cost: $22; free for members. Reservations must be received by Tuesday. For...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Notes Column.
November 4, 2001... Byline: John Kostrzewa Nov. 4--URI's business school may finally be getting back in business. The school's faculty, staff and students last December vacated Ballentine Hall, which houses URI's College of Business Administration. They moved...

Providence Journal, R.I., Incorporations Column.
November 4, 2001... Nov. 4--There were 4,681 companies that filed incorporation papers with the Rhode Island secretary of state's office as of Oct. 26. KEY: Director (D), Incorporator (I), President (P), Agent (A), General Partnership (GP), Limited Partnership...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
November 4, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 4--QUESTION: I've been taking the advice on the bonds, and, particularly, I've been buying Series I bonds. Can you tell us in the column something about the Series I bonds going down in value -- the percentage...

Providence Journal, R.I., Peter Phipps Column.
November 4, 2001... Byline: Peter Phipps Nov. 4--Me Inc. doesn't look so appealing these days. You'd think unions would be poised for a comeback. It's hard to imagine things could get much worse. Union membership has been falling for a generation and last...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
November 5, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 5--QUESTION: I had made contributions for my two kids (to Education IRAs) for the last three years, but have not made a contribution this year. . . I learned that these IRAs penalize you in the long run. When...

Demand Drops; So Does Price of Gas, Oil in Providence, R.I., Area.
November 6, 2001... Byline: Bob Wyss Nov. 6--Around the world and in Rhode Island, oil and gasoline prices are hitting lows that have not been seen for 18 months to more than two years. The average price of a gallon of heating oil in Rhode Island...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
November 6, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 6--Quick quiz: If you own an individual retirement account, who's your beneficiary? The question is important for millions of Americans. About 44 million U.S. households have some type of IRA -- whether...

Warwick, R.I., Software Company Faces Delisting from New York Stock Exchange.
November 6, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 6--The New York Stock Exchange recommended yesterday that BNS Co., the successor to Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Co., should be delisted from the exchange for falling below two NYSE standards. The...

Commission to Rule on Verizon's Plan for Long-Distance Service in Rhode Island.
November 6, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 6--The state Public Utilities Commission may decide as early as next week whether federal regulators should allow Verizon Communications to enter the long-distance business in Rhode Island. Verizon would...

Warwick, R.I., Company Finds Its Niche with Wineglasses.
November 6, 2001... Byline: Donald D. Breed Nov. 6--WARWICK, R.I.--In 1984, Tim Maher was a cheerful employee of the Gorham Division of Textron. He was vice president of marketing of the three units -- silverware, china and glass, and gifts -- and Gorham "was...

Even in Bad Times, Rhode Island-Based Lottery Operator Comes Up a Winner.
November 7, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 7--WEST GREENWICH, R.I.-- Looking at a nation wracked by layoffs, skittish consumers and free-falling stock prices, GTECH Holdings Corp. sees dollar signs. GTECH knows the power of the lottery. As the...

Providence Journal, R.I., Small-Business Briefs.
November 8, 2001... Nov. 8--VIDEO IN EDUCATION WORKSHOP: More than 100 technology leaders from New England's research, educational and medical communities will gather in Providence today to discuss using video technologies in the classroom. A demonstration of how...

Rhode Island Falls Behind with Women Seeking Venture Capital.
November 8, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 8--Rhode Island, where are your women entrepreneurs? Today, "Springboard: New England 2001," a venture capital forum for women, kicks off in Boston. Twenty-three New England-based female entrepreneurs,...

Rhode Island Leaders Discuss Attacks, Look to Rise from Hate's Rubble.
November 9, 2001... Byline: Ariel Sabar Nov. 9--A Muslim woman worried about being hated by her fellow Americans. A high school administrator wrestled with how to talk to students about the tragedy without stoking a desire for revenge. A Unitarian pastor...

Warwick, R.I., Firm Faces Scrutiny for Alternative Cable TV Service.
November 9, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 9--When is a company that delivers cable television service not really a cable television company? That may sound like a riddle, but that question is being asked about Starlight Communications, a tiny...

Rhode Island Economy Exhibits Growing Weakness.
November 10, 2001... Byline: Lynn Arditi Nov. 10--The Rhode Island economy sank deeper into recession in September, with growing signs of trouble in the labor market and a downturn in retail sales, according to a local economic index released yesterday. ...

Government Is Enlisting War Bonds for Fight against Terrorism.
November 10, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 10--CRANSTON, R.I.--In the early 1940s, actresses Dorothy Lamour and Carole Lombard and other movie stars toured the country to promote the purchase of government-issued savings bonds to help pay for the nation's...

Providence Journal, R.I., Speakers' Table.
November 11, 2001... Nov. 11--TUESDAY: THE SOCIETY of Governmental Accountants and Auditors will hold a breakfast meeting at 8 a.m. at The Pawtucket Country Club, 900 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket. Speaker: Ernest Alamonte, Rhode Island auditor general. Topic:...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Notes Column.
November 11, 2001... Nov. 11--PAPITTO NOT SHY, NOR RETIRING : Everybody thought Ralph Papitto was retiring after he sold AFC Cable to Tyco. But Papitto, 75, is back in business. He has taken over the management of Lynch Corp., moved its headquarters of the...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
November 11, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 11--QUESTION: I'm calling in regards to the article about the federal tax rebates. I did not pay income tax, but my husband and I both filed an income tax (return). We're retired and we have to take money out of...

Providence Journal, R.I., New Businesses Column.
November 11, 2001... Nov. 11--There were 4,802 companies that filed incorporation papers with the Rhode Island secretary of state's office as of Nov. 2. KEY: Director (D), Incorporator (I), President (P), Agent (A), General Partnership (GP), Limited Partnership...

Providence Journal, R.I., Peter Phipps Column.
November 11, 2001... Byline: Peter Phipps Nov. 11--With victory in hand, an Arizona Diamondbacks fan had the momentary good luck last Sunday to get on television with this sign: Diamondbacks = Future. Yankees = History. There's no question about...

Rhode Island to Deal with Poor Economic Outlook.
November 13, 2001... Byline: Lynn Arditi Nov. 13--A Rhode Island index of leading economic indicators released today shows that the recession will stretch into late next year, dashing any hopes of a turnaround before the third or fourth quarter of next year....

Rhode Island-Based Washington Trust Bancorp to Purchase First Financial.
November 14, 2001... Byline: Lisa Biank Fasig Nov. 14--In a move that will expand New England's oldest community bank north into central Rhode Island, Washington Trust Bancorp Inc. said it has agreed to buy First Financial Corp. in a deal valued at about $39...

Rhode Island Plans to Offer Motor Vehicle, License Services on State Web Site.
November 14, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 14--The state of Rhode Island will soon launch an Internet site to deliver services such as car registrations and driver's license records, plus easy access to other government information. It began...

Health System Board in Rhode Island Votes Against Chairman's Nomination.
November 15, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 15--Lifespan's board of directors has decided it wants a new chairman. The directors voted 12 to 8 on Tuesday evening not to support the nomination of Barnet "Bunny" Fain to serve as Lifespan's chairman...

Lights May Be Dimming in Housing Market.
November 15, 2001... Byline: Lynn Arditi Nov. 15--Until recently, economists looking for bright spots in this darkening economy were finding it in the housing market. Fueled by low interest rates and a tight supply, housing sales in Rhode Island, and...

Providence Journal, R.I., Incorporations Column.
November 15, 2001... Nov. 15--There were 4,912 companies that filed incorporation papers with the Rhode Island secretary of state's office as of Nov. 9. KEY: Director (D), Incorporator (I), President (P), Agent (A), General Partnership (GP), Limited Partnership...

Wal-Mart Opens Its First Store in Rhode Island Shopping Mall.
November 15, 2001... Byline: Lisa Biank Fasig Nov. 15--After decades of drawing crowds of shoppers to rural locations across America, of being the destination retailer that rarely needed the support of another store nearby, Wal-Mart is now opening stores where...

Rhode Island-Based Manufacturing Holding Company Donates Shares of Label Maker.
November 16, 2001... Byline: Lisa Biank Fasig and Bob Wyss Nov. 16--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Lynch Corp., a manufacturing holding company that recently moved its headquarters from Rye, N.Y., to Providence, has reported operational changes that significantly affected...

Verizon Gets Long-Distance Recommendation from Rhode Island Utility Group.
November 16, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 16--In a major decision that may lead to lower telephone rates, state utility regulators voted yesterday to recommend that Verizon Communications be allowed to offer long-distance service in Rhode Island....

Data-Storage Company Halts Plans for Office Complex in Bellingham, Mass.
November 17, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 17--BELLINGHAM, Mass.--EMC Corp. has canceled plans to develop a 1-million-square-foot office complex here, and is considering selling the 300 acres of land it purchased over the last two years. The...

New EMC CEO Blames Data-Storage Giant's Fall on Economy.
November 17, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 17--HOPKINTON, Mass.--It's amazing how much can change in a year. Last year, technology giant EMC Corp. was the untouchable king of the data storage hill with $8.8 billion in revenue, a 33-percent jump...

Group Wants to Buy Bankrupt Restaurant Operation in Rhode Island.
November 17, 2001... Byline: Andrea Stape Nov. 17--CRANSTON, R.I.--An investment group, including former gubernatorial candidate Myrth York, yesterday offered to buy bankrupt Newport Creamery Inc. for $570,000. Creamery Acquisition LLC -- made up of York,...

Providence Journal, R.I., Speakers' Table.
November 18, 2001... Nov. 18--TUESDAY: BUSINESS2BUSINESS WILL MEET from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at the Rue de l'espoir, Hope St. Providence. For information call 433-0045. THE ATTLEBORO CHAPTER of Business Network Int'l (BNI) meets weekly from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Notes Column.
November 18, 2001... Nov. 18--MORE PEOPLE HITTING THE ROAD THIS YEAR : The travel and tourism industry -- reeling after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- hopes more damage hasn't been done by Monday's crash of an American Airlines jet in New York. Before last...

Providence Journal, R.I., People in Business Column.
November 18, 2001... Nov. 18--AMICA MUTUAL INSURANCE: Peter Moreau, of Attleboro, Mass., has been named information systems officer. He began working for the company in 1985 as a programmer trainee in corporate information systems. PROVIDENCE BILTMORE: Shawn...

Providence Journal, R.I., Peter Phipps Column.
November 18, 2001... Byline: Peter Phipps Nov. 18--Another school of thought on the revival of Downcity With all this talk about renaissance, let's be clear about one thing: the city's colleges and universities saved downtown. Without them, people...

Rhode Island Cable Station to Carry Channel for Government, Education Programs.
November 19, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 19--Under pressure from state cable television regulators, Cox Communications has agreed to add a third statewide channel that will carry government and education access programming. Cox said the new...

Citizens Financial Group CEO Sees Recession into 2002.
November 20, 2001... Byline: Lisa Biank Fasig Nov. 20--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--It was an evening of deftness among fanfare. Of sensitivity with celebration. Of patriotism amid localism. In a year that will be remembered for the worst terrorist attack in U.S....

Providence, R.I.-Area Panel to Cut Cord from Narragansett Electric.
November 20, 2001... Byline: Bob Wyss Nov. 20--PROVIDENCE, R.I.- The Narragansett Bay Commission wants to snip the wire it receives from Narragansett Electric and generate its own power. No other large electricity customer has left the power grid. The...

Gas Prices Continue to Drop in Rhode Island.
November 20, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 20--Those traveling by car for Thanksgiving have one more thing to be thankful for -- lower gasoline prices. The cost for self-serve regular unleaded gas averaged $1.209 a gallon yesterday, the lowest...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
November 20, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 20--QUESTION: Can you get frequent flier miles or other benefits by using a credit card to buy savings bonds? A reader from Portsmouth says yes. I buy $10,000 worth (of Series I savings bonds with a credit...

October Unemployment Rate Increases to 4.1 Percent in Rhode Island.
November 21, 2001... Byline: Lynn Arditi Nov. 21--The Rhode Island unemployment rate last month ticked up to 4.1 percent, with most of the job losses in manufacturing and few, if any, in service industries typically affected by the events of Sept. 11. ...

Providence Journal, R.I., Speakers' Table.
November 25, 2001... Nov. 25--Monday --The American Society of Women Accountants will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Providence Marriott, Charles and Orms Streets. Speaker: Neal Hannon, CMA, of Bryant College and Institute of Management Accountants. Topic: XBRL:...

Providence Journal, R.I., Business Notes Column.
November 25, 2001... Nov. 25--BEAR NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET : The Dow Jones Industrial Average knocked on the door of 10,000 on Tuesday, closing at 9976.46. Some investors with rose-colored glasses calculated the Dow's 21-percent gain since its recent low on Sept....

General Dynamics' Connecticut Division May Benefit from Trident Sub Refit.
November 25, 2001... Byline: Bob Wyss Nov. 25--A plan to arm up to four Trident submarines that now carry ballistic missiles with conventional weapons is gaining ground in Congress in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Electric Boat, a division of...

Providence, R.I.-Area Lawyers Answer Questions Raised by Sept. 11 Attacks.
November 25, 2001... Byline: Jonathan D. Rockoff Nov. 25--Maybe you lost your spouse on Sept. 11, or your business hasn't been the same since. Perhaps you want to give money to a charity for the victims, or the Pentagon is calling you up for service. What to...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
November 25, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 25--IRS CAN TAKE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS, BUT RULES ARE STRICT: The Internal Revenue Service will soon start seizing Social Security benefits from retirees and others who are delinquent on their federal income...

Providence Journal, R.I., MoneyLine Column.
November 25, 2001... Byline: Neil Downing Nov. 25--QUESTION: I'm calling to ask if I can claim losses on Schedule D of my tax return for this year for unsuccessful investments that I made in new start-up businesses that failed. The businesses issued stock...

Providence Journal, R.I., New Businesses Column.
November 25, 2001... Nov. 25--There were 5,013 companies that filed incorporation papers with the Rhode Island secretary of state's office as of Nov. 16. KEY: Director (D), Incorporator (I), President (P), Agent (A), General Partnership (GP), Limited...

Jewelry Manufacturers Pin Hopes on Patriotic Products.
November 27, 2001... Byline: Sarah Sparks Nov. 27--Bloomingdale's fall catalogue came out the week before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. It included a charm bracelet with New York City icons -- a taxicab, the Statue of Liberty,...

Burger King Operator, Others Could Make Competing Bids for Rhode Island Chain.
November 27, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 27--Rhode Island's Burger King giant, Nicholas Janikies, and a group of past Newport Creamery managers may make separate, competing bids against the offer made by former gubernatorial candidate Myrth York for...

Rhode Island Realtors Decide to End Monthly Reports on Home Sales.
November 28, 2001... Byline: Lynn Arditi Nov. 28--If you want to know how many homes were sold in Rhode Island last month you'll have to wait until next year to find out. The Rhode Island Association of Realtors has decided to release home sales data on a...

Cox Communications Says Internet Service Should Remain Online.
November 29, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 29--Cox Communications said yesterday it is "highly unlikely" that its popular high-speed Internet service would shut down tomorrow. That is when a federal bankruptcy judge in San Francisco may decide...

New Drug-Making Facility Will Bring 350 Jobs to Rhode Island.
November 29, 2001... Byline: Andrea L. Stape Nov. 29--WEST GREENWICH -- When Edward Fritzky, chief executive officer of Immunex Corp., spoke yesterday it almost seemed like the country wasn't in a recession. Fritzky, here to officially break ground on...

Rhode Island Blue Cross, Blue Shield to Spend $2 Million Tracking Trends.
November 30, 2001... Byline: Felice J. Freyer Nov. 30--PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island plans to spend $2 million on a study to assess Rhode Islanders' health-care needs and the health-care system's ability to meet them over the next...

Study Finds Computer Ownership at 73.2 Percent for Rhode Island Households.
November 30, 2001... Byline: Timothy C. Barmann Nov. 30--Nearly three out of every four Rhode Island households now have a computer. And those on the lower end of the income scale are among the fastest growing groups of computer owners. A newly released...

Rhode Island Stores Adapt to Competition from Large Chains.
November 30, 2001... Byline: Lisa Biank Fasig Nov. 30--If only Apex had more shoppers like Nancy Callaghan. A true-blue customer since 1959, she was heartbroken when the chain closed two of its stores early this year. Unlike many other customers, she...