Wichita Business Journal (KS) articles from August 2001

Wichita Business Journal (KS) archives from August 2001

Slow economy may dampen mood at NBAA.(National Business Aviation Association)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... "Cautious" is the word people are using in the business jet industry to describe what this year's National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting & Convention in New Orleans will be like. Despite reports from NBAA this week about...

PMM fights to control breath-taking growth rate.(Premier Maintenance Management Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Premier Maintenance Management Inc., a Wichita-based facility management provider, is poised to acquire Midwest-based janitorial businesses -- including a chemicals company, says PMM president David Key. The announcement comes after the...

Travel agents bemoan newest commission cuts.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Airfares in Wichita -- already the nation's seventh highest among major airports -- will be even higher because airlines are cutting commissions, local travel agents say. Travel agents are increasing their fees, they say, because airline...

It's not corny: We're all ears for this `a-mazing' Buhler story.
August 31, 2001... The good folks at Gaeggert Farms Corn Maze Inc. obviously have not taken a road trip with any of us here at the Briefcase desk. If so, they may have second thoughts about inviting us out to challenge their corn maze, which is now in its third...

Perhaps that's why it's called a `free country'.(progressive.com's survey about car thievery)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Every day in this great country of ours, 2,740 vehicles are stolen. That's 11 an hour, or for you math types, or more than 1 million vehicles a year. Yet, when it comes to protecting themselves from car thieves, Americans appear to be...

Forget vacation essentials? Survey says you're not alone.(National Research poll)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... You're racing out the door, prepared for your vacation. Or so you think. If you're normal, you've forgotten something. With all of the pre-vacation excitement and preparation, it is understandable why travelers forget to pack certain...

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS.(Correction Notice)
August 31, 2001... Corrections and clarifications will appear in this space. The Business Journal apologizes for any inconvenience caused by errors. Call 266-6184 if you see an error.

Wichita ITEC 2001 to showcase new technology, trends.
August 31, 2001... A who's who comprising 100 of the world's largest IT companies will exhibit to local businesses at an annual IT trade show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 4 at the Century II Convention Center. Now in its second year locally, Wichita...

Carpet Dog ready to expand scope.(glued carpet removing machine)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Keith Hanson knew there had to be a better way. Eight years ago, the advanced technology development analyst for Boeing Wichita was moonlighting pulling up carpet for an area commercial property manager. It was backbreaking work, he says,...

Precision Pattern sees strong market for aircraft interiors.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... If three- to four-year advance bookings are anything to go by, Precision Pattern can only expect to get busier. Joe Harris, vice president of manufacturing, says the Wichita company's biggest challenge will be romping-up capacity as airplane...

Metal-Fab Inc.'s revenues grow $42 million under Ken Shannon's watch.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Ken Shannon's favorite place to unwind is his vacation home along the banks of Table Rock Lake in southwestern Missouri. When the 46-year-old owner, president and CEO of Metal-Fab Inc. needs a break, he puts wife, Jan, and daughter,...

Migration to integrated voice/data networks on rise in Wichita area.(SKT Business Communication Solutions)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Wichita-based systems integrator SKT Business Communication Solutions has grown its staff from 21 to 35 in just a year while the industry was seeing a convergence of voice, data and video technology. Demand for multi-media convergence...

Chamber kicks off total resource campaign with $300,000 goal.
August 31, 2001... The Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce will kick off its 2002 Total Resource Campaign at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6 at the Wichita Marriott Hotel. The campaign goal is $300,000, says Suzie Ahlstrand, vice president of education and...

Drop in local air shipping business part of global trend, industry says.(Aviation Activity Report about Wichita Mid-Continent Airport)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 31, 2001... Air cargo traffic at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is down nearly 16 percent, according to the latest figures from the Wichita Airport Authority. The airport authority's Aviation Activity Report says air cargo shipped and received at...

Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates constructing a $1.5 million building.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Mid-Kansas Pediatric Associates PA is building a $1.5 million office on the west side of town that the founder says will allow the 19-year-old practice to grow its base of doctors. The 9,400-square-foot building, located at 6837 W. 37th...

Issues worth discussing turn up in WSU report on information industry.(Wichita State University)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... The report on the Wichita information industry prepared this month by the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University is interesting reading on many levels. There is plenty of potential, the report...

2002 Outlook on Oct. 17.
August 31, 2001... Now's the time to make plans to attend the 2002 Wichita Area Economic Outlook Conference. The annual event is set for Oct. 17 at the Wichita Marriott hotel. The Wichita Business Journal is one of the sponsors for the event. The Center...

Catholic Charities reaching out to families.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Did you know that Catholic Charities has 14 programs serving our community? Did you know that more than 50 percent of our clients are not Catholic? Catholic Charities' purpose is to serve all people and help renew lives. For more than 50...

The right solution.(new office building for Coalition Computing)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Coalition Computing looks forward to spreading wings in new location On Sept. 7, Jim Johnson, president of Coalition Computing, will break ground on a new $750,000 office in Lakepoint Office Park. It represents a milestone for...

Johnson makes excellence a habit.(Coalition Computing's Jim Johnson)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Jim Johnson has, on the desk in his office, a framed quote from Aristotle. It says "Excellence is not an act, but a habit." What that quote means to him, says Johnson, is "do your best." "We pride ourselves on integrity more than...

Innovative, fun approach makes would-be clients notice products.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... This e-mail arrived the other day: Dear Jeffrey, I follow-up all my "cold calls"... even the brush-offs... with a small box of jelly beans and my business card attached. They may not remember me, but they never forget the jelly...

Survey: Kansas economy is tops among Plains states.(Demographics Daily report)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 31, 2001... Most residents of America's Plains states know all about the national economic slowdown. They're living it. None of the section's six states earned an above-average score in Demographics Daily's economic ratings for August. Kansas, South...

Associated Advertising Agency Inc.(appointment of John Carsten)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... John Carsten has joined Associated Advertising Agency Inc. as public relations director.

The Kansas Aviation Museum.(appointment of Frank Chappell)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... The Kansas Aviation Museum board of trustees has appointed Frank Chappell to the position of executive director.

Becki Kitterman has joined Edward Jones.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Becki Kitterman has joined Edward Jones as an investment representative.

Access Group LLC.(David Worden receives American Production and Inventory Control Society certification)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... David Worden, sales consultant for Access Group LLC, received formal APICS, CPIM certification.

Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity.(Juliette Ast, travelling consultant)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Juliette Ast, daughter of Clem and Patty Ast, is one of seven college graduates selected to be a traveling consultant for Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity.

Charisma Salon.(appointment of Jennifer Erdmann)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Jennifer Erdmann has joined Charisma Salon as a massage therapist.

International Facilities Management Association.(Wichita chapter's 2001-02 board)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... The Wichita chapter of the International Facilities Management Association has announced its 2001-02 board of directors: Paul McKenzie, president; Ed Wirth, vice president; Andrea Gardner, treasurer and programs chair; Linda DeTienne,...

Star Electric Supply Inc.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Stowe Weeks has joined the corporate offices of Star Electric Supply Inc. as controller. Pat Hendryx has joined the Wichita branch of Star Electric in the position of inside sales and quotations.

Association of Kansas Hospices.(Donna Bales appointed to National Institutes of Health Advisory Board of Pain Bales Therapy and Palliative Care)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Donna Bales, president of the Association of Kansas Hospices, and project director of the LIFE Project (Living Initiatives For End-of-Life), has been named to the National Institutes of Health Advisory Board of Pain Bales Therapy and...

Grene Vision Group.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Dr. David M. Chacko, a retina specialist, has joined Grene Vision Group.

IMA.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... IMA announced that Tim Heffel has joined the company as an account executive.

Kansas Bar Association Family Law Section.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Julie Ariagno, was elected president of the Kansas Bar Association Family Law Section. Todd Tedesco was elected president of the association's Employment Law Section and Jeffrey Arbuckle was elected president of the association's Tax Law...

Hinkle Eldori Law Firm LLC.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Donna F. Bohn has recently joined Hinkle Eldori Law Firm LLC as an associate attorney.

Safelite Autoglass Corp.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Safelite Autoglass Corp. announced that Phillip Headrick has been promoted from shift supervisor to shift manager.

Wichita Art Museum.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Stephen Gleissner has been appointed chief curator of the Wichita Art Museum.

The Regional Prevention Center of Wichita/Sedgwick County.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... The Regional Prevention Center of Wichita/Sedgwick County board of trustees installed a new slate of officers at its annual meeting. New officers for the board of trustees are chairperson, Dr. Timothy Scanlan; vice chair, Gita Noble;...

Disabled American Veterans Thrift Stores Inc.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Disabled American Veterans Thrift Stores Inc. announced the promotion of Mary Bailey to manager of the west DAV Thrift Store.

1 -- Bankruptcies.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... The following bankruptcies were recently filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Kansas, Wichita Division. District of Kansas - Wichita Division Chapter 7 Chapter 7 is a "straight" liquidation bankruptcy involving an...

2 -- BUILDING PERMITS.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Newly issued building permits are collected from the county and city building inspection departments. The following information is included: contractor/owner, job site address, description, square feet (if available) and estimated value. ...

3 -- COURT JUDGMENTS.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Judgments filed with the District Clerk. Civil judgments filed against businesses for $5,000 or more are published in the following order: plaintiff name, defendant name, defendant address (if available), amount of judgment, prevailing party,...

4 -- MECHANICS' LIENS.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Mechanics' liens are fled with the District Clerk. Published are liens against businesses more than $5,000. The data appears in the following order: claimant, contractor, amount of lien, owner of property, property address, document number...

5 -- NEW CORPORATIONS.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... New corporations are filed with the state of Kansas. They are listed in ZIP code order and include the following information: business name, address, ZIP code. State of Kansas Osbeck LLC, William Kluge, 155 N. Market St. Suite...

6 -- NEW LAWSUITS.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... New litigation filed against businesses with the District Clerk; includes plaintiff, defendant, case number and date filed. Butler County Robert M. Holland v. Tim Bates dba Fiber Tech, case #01 SC 113, 07/23/01. Sharon K....

7 -- REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Real estate transactions are recorded with the Register of Deeds. Following are commercial transfers including: seller, buyer, buyer's address, property address and subdivision (if available), book/page number and date recorded. ...

8 -- STATE TAX LIENS.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... New liens filed by the state for unpaid income, sales and use, payroll or county taxes. These are recorded with the Register of Deeds. Published are liens against businesses for $5,000 or more. The data appears in the following order:...

9 -- STATE TAX WARRANTS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 31, 2001... New warrants filed by the state and recorded with the District Clerk Published are warrants against businesses for $5,000 or more. The data appears in the following order: taxpayer's name, address, amount of warrant, type of warrant (if...

Workplace fatalities down, except for Hispanic laborers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 31, 2001... The Department of Labor reports that 5,915 workers died on the job last year, 138 fewer than in 1999. Traffic accidents continued to be the leading cause of work-related deaths, but their number dropped last year for the first time since...

Looking abroad.(hiring employees from abroad)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... When hiring foreign employees, learn the basics and watch out for fraud Hiring a foreign employee can be a foreign task to employers who are unaccustomed to the process. Human resources officials say employers can learn the basics...

New businesses need to communicate benefits and compensation plan.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Providing anything beyond basic salaries is difficult for startup businesses that don't yet have a positive cash flow. So how do new business owners attract and keep valued employees? Experts say the first step is being up front about what...

Always check references, but be careful when asked to give them.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Whether checking up on a new applicant or giving information about a past employee, references are something that can make or break your hiring decisions. Wannabe employees can put down anyone they want as a reference. Talking to someone...

New women biz owners quick to hit $500,000 mark.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 31, 2001... Nearly 40 percent of women who started businesses within the past decade already have achieved $500,000 in revenue, about the same level achieved by their male counterparts, according to a new report by the Center for Women's Business...

NFIB: Small biz owners working more in tight labor market, slow economy.(National Federation of Independent Business)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... The economic slowdown has only slightly eased the tight labor market for small employers, according to a new survey by the NFIB Education Foundation. The survey, conducted in late spring, found that 71 percent of small businesses that...

PUBLIC COMPANIES.(Directory)(Illustration)
August 31, 2001... PUBLIC COMPANIES (Largest locally based ranked by 2000 revenue.) 2000 net income ...

THE MONEY PAGE.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 31, 2001... BORROWING RATES SBA Auto Personal Loan Prime Terms Terms Rate Pilot Financial Inc. ...

Japan-Midwest meeting nears.(Midwest U.S.-Japan Association)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Registration is still open for the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association meeting Sept. 9-11 in Wichita. Organizers say the purpose of the meeting, being held for the first time in Wichita, is to strengthen ties between Japan and Midwestern...

Breckco Construction at new location.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Breckco Construction Co. Inc. has moved to 1835 N. Wabash. The company's telephone number -- 264-8351 -- will stay the same.

Ann's Fashions moves to Normandie Shopping Center.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Ann's Fashions has moved from east Kellogg to Normandie Shopping Center at 6428 E. Central. Lisa Reiter and Dave and Glenda Betzen are the owners of Ann's Fashions. For more information, contact Reiter at 686-8673. Angela Pottebaum of...

Rickman Machine moving.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Rickman Machine is moving to a new location at 922 N. Santa Fe. The manufacturer of parts for the aircraft industry will have almost three times the amount of space it had at the previous location on east Ninth. There is additional space for...

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing opens in Wichita.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Richard Tade has opened Benjamin Franklin Plumbing at 1235 S. Washington in Wichita. The company offers after-hours emergency service until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Most work performed is warranted for...

Northcell Communications launches second location.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Northcell Communications is opening a second location at 219 N. West Street. The company is an authorized dealer for Cricket and VoiceStream Wireless, and provides cellular telephone customers with a variety of equipment, accessories and...

S & D opens new site.(S & D Equipment Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... S & D Equipment Inc., previously located at 219 N. West SWeet, has moved to 137 N. West Street. Michael Pottebaum of T.C.B. Enterprises handled both lease negotiations.

Sports doctor wins gold medal.(Dr. Kenneth A. Jansson)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Dr. Kenneth A. Jansson, orthopedic director of sports medicine for Via Christi, recently won a gold medal for the hammer throw and weight pentathelon. Jansson won the medal at the World Association of Veteran Athletes' international...

Area providers to offer free prostate cancer screenings.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Three area medical centers and other health care providers are offering free, community-wide prostate cancer screenings throughout September, which is designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Newton Medical Center, Wesley Medical...

Employee practices insurance.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... What is it? Do I need it? Question: We are a small business with 26 employees. We feel we have the entire primary areas of insurance covered (i. e. property, liability, work comp, group health & dental, etc.). The other day I heard...

Did you witness a traffic accident?(liability and insurance)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: I am 22 year old with incredibly high insurance due to a recent wreck that I received blame for. Had a witness of the accident stopped to offer a statement, the outcome of who was at fault may have been different. Incidentally, the...

Keeping a hardwood floor.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: We have pulled out all of the carpeting on the main floor of our house. The original floor is hardwood. We have decided that it may be neat to refinish the original floor as it is in relatively decent shape, although there are some...

VERY PRIVATE.(personal advice column)(Brief Article)(Column)
August 31, 2001... For a better, happier, more intimate relationship. Dear Jacqui, My boyfriend and I have been living together a few years. Recently he has started to show a lot of jealousy. We get along well except for these unexpected bouts of...

Used cars from the flood.(vehicle background checks)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: Recently we heard about used cars arriving at dealers' lots in the Wichita area from places that flooded in Texas. I'm sure enough ruckus was raised that most car buyers checked before they bought. However, this is one of the few...

Converting a garage.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... How to do it without looking like you did Question: We need more living space. It appears our only answer is converting our garage. Is it possible to do so without it still looking like a garage from the outside? Can it blend seamless...

Will we still have Medicare?(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: My husband and I are in our mid 40's. We have our own business. We buy our own health insurance. Like a lot of people, we're concerned about the future of Medicare. Will it be available to us when we need it, and if so, how much are...

Different kinds of grass growing?
August 31, 2001... Question: I have a very large patch of grass in my yard that looks different from the rest. It's spreading and getting larger. My neighbor says it is a different type of grass than the rest. What can I do to solve this problem and have all...

The 12 steps in buying a home.
August 31, 2001... Question: Our son and his wife are wanting to buy a home. They have 3 children ages 4, 6 and 9. The decision of course needs to be theirs but we were wanting to see if there were any guidelines for new home buyers that might assist them. Can...

No feel for putts?(improving putting stroke)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... "Heel... toe... do-si-do..." Question: I've been putting for years with a very light blade putter, and I recently bought a high-tech putter that is heavily weighted on the heel and toe. I get a better roll from the new putter, but I...

Heaven doesn't sound like all that much fun.
August 31, 2001... Question: The other day my friend and I were talking about `Heaven' and what it will be like. She said you praise and honor God all day. It's difficult for me to understand how that's all one will do... and do it forever. I have an even...

On-line banking.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: We recently updated our computer system at home. We now have two of them connected on a LAN. The kids use one and we use the other. We also changed our Internet access to a much faster speed. We would like to investigate on-line...

The right health club.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: I've finally decided to get fit... or at least more fit than I am. I'm looking for a health/fitness club, but I don't want to have to deal with a whole lot of people who look a lot better than I, nor do I want to be yelled at if I...

Heat pumps.(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: We bought our house about 5 years ago. According to the records, the air conditioner is about 7 years old. We are not experiencing any problems with it. The furnace, however, is a different story. As best as we can tell, the furnace...

TQ LTC policies.
August 31, 2001... Question: My mother is 84 and lives alone. I am single and work full time. She has a tax-qualified, long-term care policy. Recently she fell and fractured her left leg. She needs assistance with everyday activities while her leg mends. The...

What are our options?(seniors housing)
August 31, 2001... Question: My parents are in their mid 80s. Their house is valued at over $150,000. They have no mortgage. Although they continue to take care of each other, we know the time is quickly approaching where this will not be the case. They do not...

Settling estate problems.
August 31, 2001... Question: My two sisters and I don't agree on a timetable to settle dad's estate. My sister Doris is the court appointed executor of dad's will. My other sister, Lucy, has many thousands of dollars in her account that dad put there before his...

Take your health to heart.(heart murmurs and cardiac irregularities discussed)(Brief Article)
August 31, 2001... Question: I am a 23-year-old female who was diagnosed with a heart murmur at birth. Recently, I have noticed palpitations during periods of high caffeine intake or stress. Could these things or others be in any way related to these...

Damaging loud noises.
August 31, 2001... Question: How damaging are loud noises, such as stereos, gunshots or lawnmowers, to your hearing? What are some of the best ways to counteract this? Answer: We seem to be living in a society that gets louder and louder. Every loud sound...