Dallas Business Journal articles from December 2001

Dallas Business Journal archives from December 2001

Lights out for CoServ Realty: Struggle with CFC turns off spigot at state's biggest co-op real estate lender.(National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., commonly called CFC)
December 7, 2001... CORINTH -- CoSery Electric quietly entered the Metroplex real estate market in 1998 and, in four years' time, loaned $450 million for the development of upscale homes, offices, hotels and a golf course in the Metroplex. No more. The...

Ex-owner back after rollup wilts.(with Gerald Stevens gone bankrupt, local forist shops are back in the hands of independent owners)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... PRESTON CENTER -- Karen Akin is thrilled to be getting back to the business of running her Dallas floral shop, Apples to Zinnias. She's eager to call the shots -- from where to buy the flowers to what type of arrangements to sell. ...

Historic revival: Parkland gets serious about rehabilitating its old hospital in Oak Lawn.(Parkland Health and Hospital System, Texas)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... MEDICAL CENTER -- During its nearly 90 years, the historic "old Parkland Hospital" in Oak Lawn -- now called Woodlawn Hospital -- has served variously as a general hospital, a psychiatric institution, a jail and a makeshift homeless shelter....

CoServ co-op, lender battle in court over telecom cos.
December 7, 2001... CORINTH-Corinth-based CoServ's financial problems date to last spring and summer, when the electric cooperative told its lender it would be unable to meet the terms of its loan agreements. CoServ provides electric, gas and other "bundled"...

Texas HMO membership declining.(health maintenance organizations)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
December 7, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- HMO declines in Texas continue as enrollment figures for the first half of this year show a 5.7% drop, or a loss of 224,000 members, as more residents opt for less restrictive plans such as PPOs and a growing number do...

Dispute dismissed. (Insider Late-breaking news around town).(Texas Motor Speedway dismisses claims against Radio Shack Corp., Texas)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... DENTON -- Texas Motor Speedway on Dec. 5 filed a notice that effectively dismisses its claims against Fort Worth-based Radio Shack Corp. TMS sued Radio Shack in October alleging the electronics retailer had breached a contract to be title...

Leasing options. (Insider Late-breaking news around town).(Thrifty Car Rental to open 5-10 used car dealerships in the metro Dallas, TX, area)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... McKINNEY -- Thrifty Car Rental plans to open about five to 10 used-car dealerships in the Metroplex over the next several years. Jack Ellis Autogroup Inc. spent $2 million to convert an old El Dorado Chrysler Plymouth dealership in McKinney...

Heading this way. (Insider Late-breaking news around town).(Genpass Inc. moving Genpass Technologies' technology and operations center to space leased from Prentiss Properties in Irving, Texas,)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... IRVING -- Philadelphia-based Genpass Inc. said this week it's moving the. technology and operations center of its subsidiary, Genpass Technologies, to Irving. The company's new space is the former world headquarters of GTE and is owned by...

No longer calling FW home. (Insider--Late breaking news around town).(Verizon Wireless to close call center in Fort Worth, TX)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... FORT WORTH -- Verizon Wireless plans to close its Fort Worth call center and move most of its 126 employees to its Lewisville call center, according to a Verizon spokesperson. "We are offering opportunities for almost all of the employees...

Saying goodbye. (Insider--Late breaking news around town).(Mary Engelbreit Co. closing 10 stores)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- The Mary Engelbreit Co. is closing 10 stores that sell its brand of gift and home-decor products, including two in the Metroplex. The St. Louis-based company will continue to operate its flagship location in its...

Joining the group. (Insider--Late breaking news around town).(Fort Worth MedTech Center, business incubator, grows)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... FORT WORTH -- The Fort Worth MedTech Center, a privately funded business incubator for medical and technology startups, has added four firms to its group of service sponsors. They are law firm Haynes and Boone, accounting firm Ernst &...

Program gives home buyers free money: Homebuilder says it could transform the lending process.(Pulte Homes works with Nehemiah Corp., a faith-based nonprofit in Sacramento, Calif)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- One of the greatest barriers between a qualified buyer and home ownership is the down payment. Pulte Homes says it has found a way to leap that hurdle, giving it a competitive edge in the market. Pulte has tapped into...

D/FW jobs go as Gate Gourmet cuts back: Metroplex layoffs part of 30% nationwide staffing reduction. (News).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... D/FW INTERNATIONAL -- In the wake of Sept. 11 and Swissair's financial implosion, the carrier's catering subsidiary in the United States, Gate Gourmet Americas Division, has laid off 132 employees in the Metroplex. The 125,000-square-foot...

Alford files for Chapter 11 reorganization: Warehouse company's subsidiary also seeks bankruptcy protection. (News).(Alford Refrigerated Warehouses Inc.; Fort Worth-based Hilltop Acquisition Holding Co. also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... DALLAS -- One of the Southwest's largest public warehouse companies, Alford Refrigerated Warehouses Inc., has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Publicly held Alford, which traded over-the-counter under the symbol ALFOE,...

Steelcase to close Revest plant: Farmers Branch furniture remanufacturer to lay off 76 workers. (News).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... FARMERS BRANCH -- Michigan-based Steelcase Inc., the world's largest office furniture maker, is closing its Metroplex plant and laying off the 76 employees who work there. The plant is one of two in the United States that remanufacture...

Roy's brings Hawaiian flair to restaurant scene. (News).(Roy's Restaurant chain has rolled out restaurants offering Pacific Rim cuisine across the United States)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... PLANO -- Expect more local visits from celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi in the coming weeks. Yamaguchi is bringing his "Hawaiian fusion" cuisine to North Texas with the opening of a new restaurant in Piano. He'll be on hand for the debut and...

Historic park seen as 'gem' to lure groups. (News).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... FARMERS BRANCH -- City officials are joining with representatives from 12 local hotels to market Farmers Branch Historical Park for convention and group business. According to city officials, the park is a "hidden gem" - one that visiting...

Economy takes turn for worse in November: Production and employment among indicators that decline rapidly. (News).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... DENTON -- Despite hopes the Dallas-Fort Worth economy might be improving, indicators for November show it is contracting faster than it was in October, according to figures from a broad survey of local companies. The latest data reverse...

Federal contract program loses funding: Hubzone plan designed to spur economic development in low in come areas. (Washington Beat).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... WASHINGTON D.C. -- Congress has eliminated funding for the Hubzone program, which gives small businesses in low-income areas preferences for federal contracts. The $2 million Hubzone budget cut was part of an appropriations bill signed...

SBA: Budget cuts won't hurt core services: New budget includes some cuts. (News).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two months into its fiscal year, the Small Business Administration finally has a budget. An appropriations bill signed Nov. 28 by President Bush provides $768 million for the SBA -- $130 million less than last year but...

Parkland system ponders broadening health plan: Rising costs have pushed some group plans beyond reach. (News).(Parkland Health & Hospital System is considering expanding its subsidized health plan)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... MEDICAL CENTER -- Concerned about rising costs of health insurance premiums in Dallas County and' their impact on low- and middle-income workers, Parkland Health & Hospital System is considering expanding its subsidized health plan. ...

Renaissance Tower signs another law firm. (Real Estate).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Goins Underkofler Crawford & Langdon is the second law firm in recent weeks to take space in Renaissance Tower. The firm signed a 92-month lease for 16,000 square feet on the 48th floor. It joins God-win Gruber PC., which recently leased 87,000...

Snyder joins Crescent. (Real Estate).(David Snyder, Crescent Real Estate Equities Co.)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Business development guru David Snyder has landed at Fort Worth-based Crescent Real Estate Equities Co. as vice president in the investments division, working with divisional president Ken Moczulski. The move comes about a month after Snyder...

Trammell Crow Co. (Up the Ladder).(Susan Pausky promoted at Cushman and Wakefield)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Susan Pausky, a top producer at Cushman & Wakefield, has been promoted to executive director and will join the firm's national brokerage advisory board. Prior to joining C&W in 1991, Pausky leased property for Trammell Crow Co.

Frank May has joined the investment properties division of The Weitzman Group. (Up the Ladder).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Frank May has joined the investment properties division of The Weitzman Group as vice president. He will focus on the acquisition and disposition of income-generating properties for individual and institutional investors. May ran his own...

Jo Thompson is leaving Harry B. Lucas to join NAI/Stoneleigh Huff Brous McDowell as a senior director. (Up the Ladder).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Jo Thompson is leaving Harry B. Lucas to join NAI/Stoneleigh Huff Brous McDowell as a senior director. Thompson, who specializes in office and office/tech tenant representation, also was previously with Cushman & Wakefield.

Equity Residential Properties Trust. (Done Deals).(acquires Eastbridge development)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Eastbridge, a 169-unit luxury multifamily development in the Knox-Henderson area, has been sold to Equity Residential Properties Trust (NYSE: EQR). Dan Bryson of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler arranged the sale on behalf of the seller, Phoenix...

Ray Washburne has purchased a 225,000-square-foot warehouse. (Done Deals).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Private investor Ray Washburne has purchased a 225,000-square-foot warehouse at 4202 Dan Morton Dr. in Redbird Industrial Park from Clarion Partners. Tenants are U.S. Food Service and Leslie's Pool Supply.

Steven Michael Studios Inc. (Done Deals).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Steven Michael Studios Inc. has leased 48,300 square feet at 615 Regal Row in Dallas. Sheri Kuykendall of Graham Investments represented the landlord, and Rick Medinis of Robert Lynn Co. represented the tenant in the deal.

South Central Pool Supply has leased 25,200 square feet at 800 Industrial Blvd. (Done Deals).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... South Central Pool Supply has leased 25,200 square feet at 800 Industrial Blvd. in Grapevine. Ryan Keiser of Trammell Crow Co. represented the landlord, and Todd Lambeth of Robert Lynn Co. represented the tenant in the deal.

Face Time.(Andrew Lombard of AirBand Communications)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... A look at movers and shakers of the Metroplex -- and what makes them tick. Lombard, 37, is founder and CEO of AirBand Communications, a Dallas-based broadband Internet communications company. * Family: My wife, Lisa, and I have been...

Federal Reserve report paints bleak picture. (Banking & Finance).(for Dallas area)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Two weeks prior to each meeting of its Federal Open Market Committee, the Federal Reserve System releases a Beige Book report on regional economic conditions. Compiled from surveys by each of the 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks, November's...

Fannie Mae recently increased its loan limit for single-family mortgages. (Loose Change).(Federal National Mortgage Association)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Fannie Mae recently increased its loan limit for single-family mortgages to $300,700 for 2002. The company said the limit increase is attributable to the change in the average home price between October 2000 and October 2001, as published...

Brian D. Melton was recently elected president-elect of the Dallas Bar Association. (Loose Change).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Brian D. Melton was recently elected president-elect of the Dallas Bar Association, replacing immediate-past president Mark A. Shank and serving with current president Nancy A. Thomas. Melton practices commercial litigation at Shackelford,...

Cyneta Networks names chairman. (Collin County).(Matthew J. Desch)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Cyneta Networks, a Plano-based developer of hardware and software for wireless networks, named former Nortel executive Matthew J. Desch chairman. Desch currently is chairman of Airspan Networks, which deploys broadband wireless access systems....

Neiman Marcus reports profit drop. (Dallas County).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... Neiman Marcus Group's profits in its first quarter dropped 54% to $23 million, or 48 cents per share, from $50 million, or $1.05 per share, in the same period a year ago. Revenue for the quarter slipped 10% to $681.1 million from $757.2 million...

Kimberly-Clark closing five plants. (Dallas County).(four in Latin America, one in Vermont)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Kimberly-Clark Corp. will close five plants employing 1,400 workers, or 2% of its global work force, mostly in Latin America. The company said in a conference call Nov. 30 it will close four small plants in Latin America and a paper mill in...

Fossil to make Burberry watches. (Dallas County).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Fossil Inc.'s Swiss division has received a worldwide license to make watches for British designer brand Burberry. Under, the agreement, Richardson-based Fossil will design, manufacture, market, distribute and merchandise the new Burberry watch...

HTVN continues restructuring talks. (Tarrant County).(Hispanic Television Network Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Haltom City-based Hispanic Television Network will continue discussions with Spanish Network Partners over a letter of intent to restructure HTVN's financial position, including converting a large portion of the company's debt to equity. HTVN...

XTO says Enron exposure minimal. (Tarrant County).(XTO Energy Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Fort Worth-based XTO Energy Inc. said it should not be materially affected by transactions with Enron Corp. and its affiliates. XTO Energy has hedged about 80% of its 2002 gas production, and Enron is counterparty on about 15% of the hedged...

Ground broken for LaGrave Field. (Tarrant County).(for Fort Worth Cats baseball club)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... City officials and the Fort Worth Cats baseball club broke ground Dec. 3 to rebuild LaGrave Field, the old home of the Fort Worth team. The field will be home for the new Cats baseball team as well as host local college baseball games. The site...

Woodmont signs Rice Garden. (Hood County).(Chinese restaurant leases space at Avalon Towne Center)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... The Woodmont Co. recently completed a lease for Rice Garden, a 4,900-square-foot Chinese restaurant at Avalon Towne Center in Granbury. Woodmont associates Jason Cooper and Collin Lasater handled the transaction on behalf of Avalon Towne...

Baylor, doctor to pay $11 million settlement: Oklahoma family contends reaction slow to fetal distress. (News).(Baylor Medical Center, Erik Gunderson)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- Baylor Medical Center at Garland and a local obstetrician have agreed to pay an $11 million settlement to an Oklahoma woman and her disabled son, who claim negligence caused brain damage during his birth in 1999. Baylor...

Wireless incubator carries on as usual. (High - Tech).(Incucomm)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... It's been a tough year for incubators, but Incucomm is trying to make a go of it. Based in Richardson, Incucomm (www.incucomm.com) works in the wireless-telecommunications area, helping transform germs of ideas into real companies. The...

Year-end wrap-up. (High - Tech).
December 7, 2001... The final edition of the Corporate Technology Luncheon Series will examine what's popular, and not so popular, on Wall Street. Moderated by Custis Hoge of the financial-printing concern RR Donnelley Financial, the panel will examine...

And finally. (High - Tech).
December 7, 2001... By the time you read this, I will have been on vacation for one glorious week. Which is great, but here's the really good part -- I'm taking the rest of December off as well. So if you need to reach us about technology news, and you can't...

Survey: Execs optimistic about businesses. (Trade & Transportation).(Brief Article)(Polling Data)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... The Sept. 11 terrorism attacks haven't discouraged middle-market consumer and industrial product businesses, according to a new survey by global accounting firm Grant Thornton. The survey of more than 400 executives nationwide found firms...

Encore Wire Corp. (News Notes).(new production facility)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... In an $18 million investment, electrical wire manufacturer Encore Wire Corp. (Nasdaq: WIRE) has started construction of a new 160,000-square-foot facility at its existing location in McKinney. "This building is intended to allow enough...

ComCept Inc. has opened its 30,000-square-foot headquarters in the 223-acre Rockwall Technology Park. (News Notes).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Engineering and software development company ComCept Inc. has opened its 30,000-square-foot headquarters in the 223-acre Rockwall Technology Park. ComCept Inc. provides the defense industry with advanced communication systems. Rockwall...

Crossmark has broken ground on a 10,200-square-foot hangar at McKinney Airport. (News Notes).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Professional business services company Crossmark has broken ground on a 10,200-square-foot hangar at McKinney Airport to house the company's corporate aircraft fleet. The Piano-based company - which employs more than 9,000 in 61 offices in the...

Nelson Westerberg of Texas, one of the nation's largest corporate moving companies. (News Notes).(awarded 2001 Milton M. Hill Quality Award)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Carrollton-based Nelson Westerberg of Texas one of the nation's largest corporate moving companies has won the 2001 Milton M. Hill Quality Award, a distinguished performance award based in large part on customer feedback. Nelson Westerberg...

First Dallas Pei Wei opens in The Arbors. (Retail & Hospitality).(Pei Wei Asian Diners)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... The first of several Pei Wei Asian Diners planned for the Metroplex opened this week in The Arbors shopping center at Preston and Frankford roads in Dallas. The new-to-Dallas concept is a unit of Phoenix-based P.F. Chang's China Bistro...

Moving Out. (Retail & Hospitality).(J.C. Penney Company Inc. to close facility)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... I.C. Penney Co. Inc. is closing a receiving facility on Jupiter Road in Garland, consolidating that operation into a larger facility planned to open in Cedar Hill in January. A receiving facility takes items from suppliers and sorts them for...

Up for sale? (Retail & Hospitality).(Adam's Mark hotels)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... The parent company of Texas' largest hotel, the Adam's Mark in downtown Dallas, plans to sell several hotels in the aftermath of falling occupancy rates triggered by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to CEO Fred Kummer. St....

Genghis Grill and founder Jeff Sinelil have been honored with the No. 1 Spot. (Shopping Around).(Franchise Times award)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Genghis Grill and founder Jeff Sinelli have been honored with the No. 1 spot on the "Twenty to Watch" list for 2002 by industry publication Franchise Times. The Dallas-based company opened a fourth restaurant in Southlake this week. It began...

Romacorp Inc. the Dallas-based operator of Toy Roma's, has opened restaurants in four countries in the space of a week. (Shopping Around).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Romacorp Inc., the Dallas-based operator of Tony Roma's, has opened restaurants in four countries in the space of a week. The restaurants are in Canada, Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela. The company's affiliate, Roma Systems Inc., which handles...

Circa and Peacock Alley have opened a new store at 3000 S. Hulen St. in Fort Worth. (Shopping Around).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Circa and Peacock Alley have opened a new store at 3000 S. Hulen St. in Fort Worth. A portion of the proceeds from the store's opening reception benefited the Fort Worth YWCA. The store features home furnishings including art and lighting as...

White House/Black Market has opened in Preston Park Village in Plano. (Shopping Around).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... White House/Black Market has opened in Preston Park Village in Plano. The women's specialty retailer features clothing and accessories in shades of black and white as well as gifts and intimate apparel. Sandra West is team leader for the store....

Wingstop Restaurants. (Shopping Around).(two new locations open)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Dallas-based Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has announced two more locations for San Antonio, bringing that city's total to four locations. Another is planned to open there by the end of next year. The company has stores open or under development in...

Texas Restaurant Association. (Shopping Around).(scholarships available)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... The Texas Restaurant Association is offering scholarships to full-time students pursuing food-service programs at Texas colleges. That includes students studying food service and restaurant management, nutrition, food technology, health and...

Survey ID's hospital revenue generators. (Health Care).(physicians, cardiologists)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... On television, Ben Casey's medical expertise was priceless, and Marcus Welby's was considered equally invaluable. But what about the "real-life" lifesavers? In an effort to determine the average amount of inpatient and outpatient revenue...

In acquisition mode. (Health Care).(United Surgical Partners International Inc. will purchase San Carlos Hospital in Murcia, Spain)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International Inc. (Nasdaq:USPI) has signed an agreement to acquire The San Carlos Hospital, a 134-bed surgical hospital in Murcia, Spain. The deal is expected to close in the next few months. San...

In a squabble. (Health Care).(former admissions director Lisa Whitby sues Parker College of Chiropractic)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Parker College of Chiropractic is disputing a former employee's charges that she was fired because of racial discrimination. In a lawsuit filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court, former admissions director Lisa Whitby claims she...

Calendar.
December 7, 2001... A list of weekly professional meetings and events. Deadline for all materials is three weeks before publication. To list a business-related event, mail a news release to: Calendar, Dallas Business Journal, 10670 N. Central Expressway, Suite...

Delivering the goods: Even if the border with Mexico is liberalized as planned on Jan. 1, industry insiders believe it may do little to change the status quo. (International Trade Special Report).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- The controversy over liberalizing the border between Mexico and the United States in January may be much ado about nothing, according to industry insiders. Instead, the move intended to allow trucks to haul freight more...

Going global can bring small firms big rewards: Gaining access to world markets is well worth the effort involved, trade experts say. (Special Report).
December 7, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- The chance to gain exposure on the world stage is worth the anxiety some small companies experience when exporting goods, international trade experts say. The viability of exporting for small businesses is demonstrated...

Terrorism won't stop global trade growth: Law and business practices are already responding to post-Sept. 11 challenges. (Special Report).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- Despite recent events, the global economy continues to grow. More companies are going international, and it is clear most businesses must be global to compete in today's market. But globalization and worldwide trade and...

Metroplex Foreign Consulates: Listed Alphabetically By Country.(Directory)(Illustration)
December 7, 2001... METROPLEX FOREIGN CONSULATES LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY COUNTRY Country Telephone Contact/ Address Fax title Bolivia 214-571-6131 Maria Hensley...

Largest Metroplex Foreign - Owned Subsidiaries: Ranked By Number of Local Employees.(Directory)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... LARGEST METROPLEX FOREIGN - OWNED SUBSIDIARIES RANKED BY NUMBER OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES Number of ...

Busiest Metroplex Airports: Ranked By Number of Enplanements (1).(Directory)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 7, 2001... BUSIEST METROPLEX AIRPORTS RANKED BY NUMBER OF ENPLANEMENTS (1) Enplanements Deplanements Name Telephone in 2000/ in 2000/ Rank Address ...

People on the move.(appointments and promotions)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... ADVERTISING & MARKETING Blanchard Schaefer Advertising promoted Lynne Swihart to director of production services. ART & MEDIA Barbara Bernstein joined Southwest Gallery as director of new business development. BANKING &...

Starting small with 'free samples': The Adrenaline Vault gave away free tickets to its first cyber tournament and attracted the attention of potential sponsors. (Problem Solved).(Cyberathlete Professional League, computer game sports league)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... VALLEY RANCH -- Angel Munoz faced two major obstacles when he launched a professional sports league for computer garners in 1997 -- convincing both the players and sponsors such a league could work. To solve the challenges, he took a cue from...

'Credit Craze'. (Toolbox-Article).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Install a solar-heated spa. Hire an ex-con. Maybe even go on vacation. Then claim a tax credit. Forbes, Nov. 26, 2001, p130

Vcapital.com. (Toolbox-Websites).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Free registration for an online tool for matching entrepreneurs and venture-capital companies. Also includes resources for businesses looking for investors. www.vcapital.com

Society for Urban and Rural Enterpreneurship. (Toolbox-Websites).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... SURE educates and empowers people through research, consultancy and training, microenterprises, export promotion and banking. www.brain.net.pk/~sure

'Accountability Leadership'. (Toolbox-Books).(by Gerald A. Kraines, M.D.)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... By Gerald A. Kraines, M.D. Today's conventional wisdom says hierarchy is bad, and accountability is stifling at best. Managers are discouraged and confused about what to do. The answer is simple: Leadership is about leverage, and...

'Free Money from the Federal Government for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs'. (Toolbox-Books).(by Laurie Blum)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... By Laurie Blum Learn how to tap into the hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding available to entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Grants range from $5,000 to some in the six figures and, best of all, absolutely none of...

'First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently'. (Toolbox-Books).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... By Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman "Great managers are revolutionaries," the authors write. "This book will take you inside the minds of these managers to explain why they have toppled conventional wisdom and reveal the new truths they...

Mercury Sable LS Wagon: A station wagon that's cool? (Road Test).(Evaluation)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... Once the unhip choice of Chevy Chase and his celluloid Griswold family on their hilarious cross-country vacations, the station wagon has made a big comeback in recent years. Volkswagen and BMW especially have helped spur the trend,...

Stonebridge Country Club: No rest for the weary golfer. (Tee Time).(McKinney, Texas)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... MCKINNEY -- Golfers taking part in the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School at McKinney's Stonebridge Country Club late last month got a good glimpse at why the private club was rated one of architect Pete Dye's most diabolical...

Little miracles. (Top Tickets).
December 7, 2001... The Cara Mia Theatre Co. presents the 5th Annual Virgen Project featuring "Acoustic Milagritos," a performance composition with guitar, video and voices. The performance is adapted from the book "Woman Hollering Creek" by Sandra Cisneros. A...

Cutting-edge art. (Top Tickets).(gem carving by Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof)(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... The work of Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof, master gem carver, will be on display along with more than 120 sculptures, clocks and jewelry pieces at an exhibit this month. His work can be found in the homes of Malcom Forbes, Danielle Steele and the...

Cutting sport. (Top Tickets).(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... The "Celebrity Cutting 2001 Star-Spangled Round-Up" Is a mix of cowboy artistry and fund raising. Attendees will see cutting horse competition, a sport in which horses are used to separate one animal from a herd. Proceeds from the event benefit...

UT Dallas forms Canadian ties on nanotech frontier. (News).(University of Texas at Dallas )(Brief Article)
December 7, 2001... RICHARDSON -- The University of Texas at Dallas will be looking to America's northern neighbor for nan-otechnology answers. UTD will collaborate with the National Research Council of Canada and the University of Alberta on research...