The Washington Times (Washington, DC) articles from July 2003

The Washington Times (Washington, DC) archives from July 2003

Meetings of Government, Health Officials Target U.S. Fat Increase.
July 31, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 31--The federal government met with health officials and scientists yesterday in an ongoing series of discussions on the best way for food companies and the public to combat America's obesity epidemic. ...

Washington, D.C.-Area Stores Make Tax Rebates Easy to Spend.
July 31, 2003... Jul. 31--Retailers are banking on consumers to turn their tax rebates into sales at the register. Industry giants like Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe's are offering cash-checking services to make the decision a little easier -- a gimmick...

The Washington Times On Technology Column.
July 31, 2003... Byline: Fred Reed Jul. 31--THOUGHTS TO STEER SCI-FI STYLE WHEELCHAIR: I'm charmed. I think. How could anyone not be charmed by a thought-controlled wheelchair that seems to actually work? To answer the obvious and reasonable...

U.S. Fares Poorly at WTO.
July 31, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 31--U.S. efforts to protect domestic industries are challenged more frequently and overturned more often than those of any other country at the World Trade Organization, the General Accounting Office said...

Maryland Airport Retailer to Open New Gift Shop for Women.
July 30, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 30--Melissa M. Fulton is taking her airport retail business to new heights. The president and chief executive officer of Regional Retail Concepts Inc., the Columbia, Md., parent company of Celebrate...

Blind High-School Students Test New Navigation Device on College Visit.
July 30, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 30--Blind high school students visiting Catholic University yesterday tested a new technology to help them navigate between campus buildings and the surrounding area. The shoulder-carried personal computers...

White House Expects Reconstruction of Iraq to Cost $7.3 Billion This Year.
July 30, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 30--Bush administration officials yesterday pegged this year's costs for relief and reconstruction in Iraq at $7.3 billion but refused to project expenses for the next fiscal year or further in the future....

Departure of Top Executive at Washington's NBC Affiliate Worries Staffers.
July 30, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 30-- Most television viewers in the Washington area have no clue who Robert L. Long is, but he has probably had more influence over what they see every day on the local news than anyone else. Mr. Long is vice...

Administration's Plan Would Force States to Form Amtrak Compacts.
July 29, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 29--The Bush administration announced details yesterday of its long-awaited plan to eliminate Amtrak's unprofitable long-distance routes and force states to pay more of the costs of intercity trains. The...

The Washington Times On Computers Column.
July 29, 2003... Byline: Mark Kellner Jul. 29--A fellow named Howard Dean recently used an Internet Web site to rake in a ton of money for his presidential campaign, much to the chagrin of some of his Democratic Party rivals. On the other hand, type...

Lawmaker Hits MCI with Call Diversion Questions.
July 29, 2003... Byline: Patrice Hill Jul. 29--A top lawmaker yesterday questioned whether WorldCom Inc. should continue receiving government contracts amid charges that the company diverted the telephone calls of critical government agencies to Canada...

The Washington Times Advertising & Marketing Column.
July 28, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 28--SPOTS TELL BLACKS OF LIFE SKILLS IN NAVY: Beginning today, the Navy is extending its "Accelerate Your Life" campaign, which was started in March 2001, to specifically target the black community with new...

Ice-Cream 'Sue Fat Movement' Leaves Washington-Area Consumers Cold.
July 28, 2003... Byline: Anna Bakalis Jul. 28--Some Washington-area residents think the new crop of lawsuits targeting the ice-cream industry is leaving out a key ingredient to junk-food consumption: personal responsibility. In fact, the latest step...

House's Top Tax Lawmaker Proposes Rewrite of Global Tax Rules.
July 26, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 26--The House's top tax lawmaker yesterday proposed a major rewrite of international tax rules and a new $120 billion, 10-year corporate-tax cut. The proposal follows a World Trade Organization ruling...

Top Manager at Washington's CBS Affiliate Quits to Take Job in Miami.
July 26, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 26--The top manager at WUSA-TV (Channel 9) resigned yesterday, ending a two-year stint in which the CBS affiliate made some ratings gains, but also experienced behind-the-scenes turmoil. Ardyth R. Diercks,...

Food Network Host Works Hours to Film 'The Best Of' Show.
July 25, 2003... Byline: Jamie Braun Jul. 25--Marc Silverstein is trying to tune out the sounds of the chatting customers, scraping spatulas and sizzling food of the Florida Ave. Grill. He is concentrating on arranging a plate of fried eggs and bacon...

Department of Energy Lifts Moratorium on Shipping Nuclear Waste.
July 25, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 25--The Department of Energy has lifted its moratorium on nuclear-waste shipments imposed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The routes no longer include plans for moving the shipments by rail through...

The Washington Times Property Lines Column.
July 25, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 25--VACANCY RATES FALL FOR AREA'S FLEX SPACE: Vacancy rates for the space fell, sublease space disappeared and more new space is being leased even before construction has been completed, according to a recent...

House Approves Trade Agreements with Chile, Singapore.
July 25, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 25--The House yesterday easily approved free-trade agreements with Chile and Singapore in a major victory for the Bush administration. The pacts are the biggest free-trade deals voted on by the House...

Frederick, Md., Cider Mill Moves beyond Apple Products.
July 24, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 24--McCutcheon's Apple Products Inc., 45 minutes northwest of Washington, is one of the few operating apple-pressing mills left in the state. The company, which makes mainly apple and fruit products,...

Insurers Spurn Medicinal Pot Use; Doctors May Incur Liability, Report Says.
July 24, 2003... Byline: Steve Sexton Jul. 24--Insurance companies are leaving doctors who prescribe marijuana to patients personally liable in malpractice cases involving their use of the drug, according to a report released yesterday. With some...

Federal Trade Commission Ironing Out 'Do Not Spam' Registry Details.
July 24, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 24--The Federal Trade Commission has told supporters of a national "Do Not Spam" registry that it is resolving many of the technical issues in creating such a list, including how to keep it secure. The...

The Washington Times On Technology Column.
July 24, 2003... Byline: Fred Reed Jul. 24--FREENET QUESTIONS REQUIRE ANSWER: The next phase has begun in the battle between the Recording Industry Association of America and people who exchange music over the Internet. The implications for society will...

The Washington Times Channel Surfing Column.
July 23, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 23--OFFICIALS PULL PLUG ON AIR AWARDS: That swoosh you hear is the sound of the AIR Awards deflating. The AIR Awards annual competition, also known as the Achievement in Radio Awards, honored excellence in...

California Official Sues Marketing Firm for Sending Unsolicited 'Junk Faxes'.
July 23, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 23--California's attorney general sued a fax-based marketing company yesterday, saying it illegally barraged consumers with millions of unsolicited faxes and prerecorded phone messages. The $15 million lawsuit...

Senators Question WorldCom's Lucrative Contract with U.S. Government.
July 23, 2003... Byline: Patrice Hill Jul. 23--Senators questioned yesterday whether the government has been too lenient with WorldCom Inc., awarding it lucrative contracts and allowing it to emerge from bankruptcy free of most debts despite its...

The Washington Times On Computers Column.
July 22, 2003... Byline: Mark Kellner Jul. 22--There are folks who can leave well enough alone -- and then there are guys like me. Among other computers in my home -- a friend asked, "Aren't you running out of users there?" -- is an old Apple Power...

Internet Scammers Steal Personal Information by Imitating Real Web Sites.
July 22, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 22--The FBI warned Internet users yesterday about a sinister new connection between e-mail spam and Web sites designed to steal personal information. The Federal Trade Commission and the FBI told reporters they...

Talk Radio Station WMAL-AM, Urban Music Dominate Ratings in Washington, D.C.
July 22, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 22--Talk radio station WMAL-AM (630) came back to life in the spring, especially during middays, when it zoomed into first place, according to Arbitron Inc. ratings released yesterday. As usual, urban music...

The Washington Times Advertising & Marketing Column.
July 21, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 21--LIPPMAN TO LEAD TEAM AT KPMG TAX DIVISION: Michael Lippman is taking over KPMG LLP's state and local tax practice at a time when a wave of corporate accounting scandals has prompted company finances to be...

Pentagon Rejects Northrop Grumman, Eyes Rivals for Stealth Ship.
July 21, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 21--The Pentagon has narrowed a list of companies vying to build an expensive stealth Navy ship, eliminating the nation's largest shipbuilder from contention and boosting the chances for two local defense...

Supplier at Odds with Baltimore Airport Proposal.
July 19, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 19--HMSHost Corp. is calling for a change in the Maryland Aviation Administration's request for a new retail and food developer at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Officials at the Bethesda...

Seattle School Board Targeted for Coke Pact.
July 19, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 19--Trial lawyers plan to target school board members in Seattle who voted to extend a soda-machine contract with Coca-Cola Co. in elections this fall. The board voted 4-3 Thursday night to approve a...

Fast-Food Suits Will Go On, Say Advocates.
July 18, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 18--A group of trial lawyers vowed that a Senate bill introduced yesterday won't end the momentum of the obesity-related lawsuits that are targeting fast-food giants, food manufacturers and public school...

Border Collies Herd Geese Guilty of Making Messes in Washington, D.C., Area.
July 18, 2003... Byline: Anna Bakalis Jul. 18--She's not a trained cop, but she chases perpetrators and protects private property. She can be on the job day or night. Cathy Fiddler and her squad of border collies are the Geese Police Inc. Their mission...

The Washington Times Property Lines Column.
July 18, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 18--OFFICE MARKET REMAINS VIGOROUS: The Washington area remained one of the best office markets in the country during the second quarter, due mainly to big leases from law firms and the stabilizing force of the...

Economy on Track Despite Growing Joblessness.
July 18, 2003... Byline: Patrice Hill Jul. 18--The official arbiter of recessions yesterday declared the recession over in a decision that relies heavily on reports showing uninterrupted economic growth since the end of 2001, despite a slump in...

Wal-Mart to Forgo 'Invasion of Privacy' Tracking Chips.
July 18, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 18--Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will not track inventory by selling products tagged with tiny computer chips, a technology that one day could allow retailers to "follow" merchandise from the store shelf into a...

Investigators Audit Expenses of Arlington, Va., Airport Security Contractor.
July 17, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 17--Federal investigators are auditing bills for luxury hotels and other expenses by an Arlington airport security contractor hired by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The inquiry was...

Maryland, Virginia, Delaware Beach Officials Hope for Last-Minute Travelers.
July 17, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 17--Hotel rooms and house rentals are still available at nearby beaches although the summer season is at its peak. But that's nothing new for beach officials, who have dealt with last-minute travelers for...

Proposed Senate Bill Would Prohibit Obesity-Liability Lawsuits.
July 17, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 17--A Senate bill to be introduced today would protect food manufacturers and sellers from obesity-liability lawsuits. It is the latest legislative attempt to ward off trial lawyers who are targeting...

The Washington Times On Technology Column.
July 17, 2003... Byline: Fred Reed Jul. 17--In the technical press, readers repeatedly run into the assertion that the European Central Bank is considering incorporating into the euro tiny electronic circuits. The chips would give each bill a unique,...

The Washington Times Channel Surfing Column.
July 16, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 16--NNAMDI VISITS THE BURBS FOR INSIGHT: Has Kojo Nnamdi taken a wrong turn off Brandywine Street NW? It is a Tuesday evening in early July, and Mr. Nnamdi is presiding over a taping of his WAMU-FM (88.5) talk...

Retail Spending News Bolsters Fed Chief's Prediction That Economy Will Improve.
July 16, 2003... Byline: Patrice Hill Jul. 16--The economy is on the verge of faster growth, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan testified yesterday, as a report showed that retail spending spurted last month even before getting an expected boost...

Bankruptcy of Pepco Power Supplier May Increase Washington-Area Electric Bills.
July 16, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 16--Mirant Corp.'s bankruptcy has fueled the chance of higher electricity bills in the Washington area. The Atlanta energy company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday night,...

WTO Case Seen as Chance to Reconsider U.S. Corporate Tax System.
July 16, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 16--A World Trade Organization decision is spurring a rewrite of U.S. international tax laws and heavy lobbying by companies trying to influence the way they pay billions of dollars in taxes every year. ...

Washington, D.C., Tourism Group Raising Funds to Promote New WWII Monument.
July 16, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 16--The Washington DC Convention & Tourism Corp. is spearheading efforts to raise $4 million for a summerlong promotion of the National World War II Memorial next year. The District group is searching for...

Transportation Security Administration to Hire 1,300 Part-Time Screeners.
July 15, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 15--The Transportation Security Administration plans to hire 1,300 part-time security screeners at 30 major airports, including all three in the Washington area. The part-timers will work only during peak...

House to Approve Economic Sanctions on Burma.
July 15, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 15--The House is set to approve economic sanctions against Burma today, legislation meant to squeeze the ruling military regime's business interests. The sanctions would ban imports from the southeast...

Some Find Nefarious Uses for Camera Phones.
July 15, 2003... Byline: Jennifer Harper Jul. 15--The world has yet to figure out whether camera phones are friends or foes. Mobile telephones that take and transmit digital photos are lauded by fans in love with their novelty and immediacy. Global...

The Washington Times On Computers Column.
July 15, 2003... Byline: Mark Kellner Jul. 15--Bluetooth, the "personal area network" technology promoted by Microsoft, Apple and several other companies, is maturing and -- if one might mix metaphors -- spreading its wings. One of the key technology...

Shares Rise for Baltimore Maker of Network Security Products SafeNet.
July 15, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 15--Strong second-quarter profits and increased government business at SafeNet Inc. encouraged investors this week, lifting the stock of the Baltimore maker of network security products. SafeNet shares...

Stock Market Posts Best Quarter since 1999.
July 15, 2003... Jul. 15--Investors are smiling for the first time in years when opening their financial statements this month, thanks to the best stock market performance since 1999. "This was a nice quarter for me. I'm hoping this is just the...

The Washington Times Advertising & Marketing Column.
July 14, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 14--AGENCY SHRUGS OFF LOSS OF AMTRAK: White & Baldacci is on the right track. Despite losing Amtrak's $27 million advertising account last month, the Herndon agency has been positioning itself for the past six...

SUV Supporters Answer 'What Would Jesus Drive?' Campaign.
July 14, 2003... Byline: Anna Bakalis Jul. 14--What Would Jesus Drive? Apparently a large SUV. The Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America is fighting back against a religious campaign with a tongue-in-cheek ad. "Most people think it's a...

Trial Lawyers Take Aim at Coca-Cola Vending Machines in Schools.
July 13, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 13--Local school systems are examining ways to offer more nutritious choices in their soda machines as a Seattle school board faces litigation over a soft-drink contract. New York and Los Angeles...

Commuter Editions Pit Journal Newspapers against Washington Post.
July 12, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 12--Journal Newspapers to The Washington Post: Drop dead. The publisher of the Journal, a newspaper chain in the Washington suburbs, said yesterday he was "astounded" to learn The Washington Post plans to...

Antispam Measures Face Opposition from Marketers, Providers.
July 11, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 11--Pressure from marketers and some Internet service providers is undercutting efforts by lawmakers to pass tough antispam legislation. Lobbies from Microsoft, America Online and other Internet companies have...

The Washington Times Entrepreneur Profile Column.
July 11, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 11--TENNIS, ANYONE? Stephan Schlagenhauff wants to teach the District how to master the art of spin. Top-spin and back-spin. Forehand and backhand. Mr. Schlagenhauff, 32, is a tennis instructor. With...

Greenspan Warns of Rising Natural Gas Prices.
July 11, 2003... Byline: Patrice Hill Jul. 11--High natural gas prices are here to stay, and will push up home heating bills this winter and cause further job losses as U.S. industries are forced to move overseas where gas is cheaper, Federal Reserve...

The Washington Times Property Lines Column.
July 11, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 11--DISTRICT LOOKS TO REBUILD 32 PROPERTIES: The District began a campaign this week to redevelop 32 properties across the city and create hundreds of new affordable-housing units. The Office of the Deputy...

Congress to Consider Proposed Trade Agreements with Chile, Singapore.
July 11, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 11--The Bush administration plans to send trade agreements with Chile and Singapore to Congress next week, and lawmakers in both chambers expect to vote on the pacts before their summer recess begins Aug....

Wireless Firms Raise Fees, Blame FCC Rules.
July 11, 2003... Byline: Michael Carney Jul. 11--Some wireless companies have begun charging users a monthly fee to pay for three new government regulations. Sprint PCS announced this week it will assess a monthly $1.50 fee to all its customers...

House Lawmakers Work to Combine Strengths of Anti-Spam Bills.
July 10, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 10--Lawmakers said yesterday they would try to combine the strengths of two antispam bills into a single piece of legislation that would allow consumers to opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial e-mail. ...

FDA Mandates Trans Fat Listing on Food Labels.
July 10, 2003... Byline: Marguerite Higgins Jul. 10--New federal government regulations will require food makers to tell consumers how much artery-clogging trans fat is in their french fries, doughnuts and snack foods. The Food and Drug...

Pets Can Now Play with Disney, Homer Simpson, and other Icon-Based Toys.
July 10, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 10--A 12-inch Homer Simpson doll and a squeaky Winnie the Pooh ball are fetching the attention of pet owners. Twentieth Century Fox and Walt Disney Co. are tapping into the $31 billion pet industry --...

The Washington Times On Technology Column.
July 10, 2003... Byline: Fred Reed Jul. 10--Today, a blue-sky column. Virtual reality. The phrase is often used but seldom defined. I'm using it here to mean the creation, through computers and allied technologies, of an entire physical setting -- a...

Airport Screeners' Union Prepares Lawsuit to Block Layoffs.
July 9, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 9--A labor union representing airport security screeners is preparing a lawsuit against the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to block thousands of layoffs. "We feel that their reduction in work...

The Washington Times Channel Surfing Column.
July 9, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 9--Susan Kidd was a young television anchorwoman in St. Louis when she came to WRC-TV (Channel 4) to interview for a job as the weekend news reader in spring 1983. During a tour of the NBC affiliate's...

Senator Urges Bush Administration Not to 'Kowtow' to European Union over Trade.
July 9, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 9-- A key Democratic senator on trade issues yesterday urged the Bush administration to stiffen its spine in trade disputes with the European Union. The United States and Europe have the world's largest...

The Washington Times On Computers Column.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Mark Kellner Jul. 8--When does a computing platform border on an addiction? When it's Apple's Macintosh. During the past several weeks, I have discovered even more reasons for keeping a Mac as my primary computer. One of the...

FCC Chairman Says There's No Guarantee for Future of Today's Telecom Giants.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 8--Technology is changing so quickly that there is no guarantee the nation's telecommunications giants will still be in business 15 years from now, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission said...

Shares Rise for Reston, Va.-Based Local Telephone Service Provider.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 8--Shares of Talk America Holdings Inc. climbed yesterday after the company announced it would exceed earnings estimates for the second quarter. The Reston provider of local telephone service said revenue would...

U.S. Textile Industry Wants Barriers to Chinese Products.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Jeffrey Sparshott Jul. 8--The U.S. clothing and fabric industries, under intense pressure from rising imports, are demanding that President Bush quickly and unilaterally throw up barriers to products from China. "If the...

Hacker Contest Leaves Little Damage.
July 6, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 6--A contest among hackers to deface Web sites around the world hit hundreds of unsecured Web sites yesterday, but most computer users were not affected. Internet security specialists said they saw a slight...

'Determined' Marketer Helps Fill Washington, D.C.-Area Historic Hotels.
July 6, 2003... Byline: Jamie Braun Jul. 6--Tinu Olayera-Osimokun is using nearly a decade of experience in sales and marketing to boost business at two of Washington's historic hotels. Classic Hospitality has named Mrs. Osimokun, 32, director of...

The Washington Times Retail and Hospitality Column.
July 6, 2003... Byline: Donna De Marco Jul. 6--JERRY'S SUBS ADDS CHICKEN TO ITS MIX: The owners of the Jerry's Subs and Pizza chain have their hands full with fried chicken. The franchiser for the Gaithersburg-based sub and pizza chain is also a...

Washington nears Decision on Developers for Old Convention Center Site.
July 5, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 5--D.C. planners have narrowed the list of development groups -- from four teams to two -- vying to build a large housing and retail complex at the old convention center site. A group made up of Charles E....

Cherry Hill, N.J.-Based Commerce Bank Scouts Washington Area for New Locations.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Chris Baker Jul. 4--Fast-growing Commerce Bank, which runs its branches more like retail stores than financial institutions, is shopping for space in the Washington area. The Cherry Hill, N.J., bank is working with a local...

Fourth of July is Make-or-Break Time for Downtown Washington Fireworks Vendor.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 4--On a firecracker-hot afternoon, Melinda Alvarado sells Fourth of July paraphernalia with one hand while holding her 8-month-old son on a hip with the other. For the last 14 of her 30 years, Mrs. Alvarado...

June Unemployment Rate Surged to 6.4 Percent.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Patrice Hill Jul. 4--The unemployment rate shot up to 6.4 percent last month as a surge of 611,000 workers looking for jobs met a drop in positions available, the Labor Department reported yesterday. As with the nearly...

Chantilly, Va., Company Sets Up Portable Potties for Washington Celebration.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Anna Bakalis Jul. 4--Fireworks, fun and food won't mean much today unless families have somewhere to "go." That's why trains of temporary bathrooms, or "johns," will be waiting along the National Mall for this year's Fourth...

The Washington Times Property Lines Column.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Tim Lemke Jul. 4--Efforts to preserve historic properties in the District, while frequently successful, have often been hindered by red tape, bureaucracy and financial complications. But for the individual who wants to lend a...

AAA Expects High Level of Travel for Independence Day Weekend.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Tom Ramstack Jul. 4--More than a half-million Washington-area residents are going out of town this weekend, according to the AAA, which estimates Fourth of July travel will be at its highest level in at least nine years. The...