The Business Review (Albany, NY) articles from December 2001

The Business Review (Albany, NY) archives from December 2001

IHOP balances happy memories and current trends.(International House of Pancakes )(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... It's no surprise that International House of Pancakes restaurants serve more than 500 million pancakes and 300 million cups of coffee per year--but they also sell 3.5 million pounds of T-bone steak. And not all of the steaks are part of...

Fisher parlays NFC past into plum Texas job.(National Finance Corp. )(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... A Texas technology group's nationwide search for a new executive director has lead it to Tony Fisher. Fisher was the man who led the troubled National Finance Corp. through its attempt to reorganize under a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Court...

ETEC co-founder Nguyen buys out Bantz and other partners.(Tom Nguyen)(William Bantz)(William J. Bantz)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Tom Nguyen didn't like where his computer training company was headed--which included the board's decision to remove, him from the CEO slot. So, he bought out his three ETEC partners in October. The company's board of directors and its...

Small businesses all over the map as far as fast track goes.(small businesses' opinions of Trade Promotion Authority law vary)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... For small businesses, Trade Promotion Authority is: (A) Good because it will make it easier to export goods and services to other countries. (B) Bad because it will allow foreign competitors to gain ground in the United States. ...

Altes chamber legacy: robust achievements. (Up Front).(Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce executive leaves)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Wallace Altes, president-of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce is leaving office Jan. 11, having guided the organization over the last decade of its first century. When he took over as president in 1990, the Capital Region's...

Marketing firm moves to Troy. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Smith & Jones Marketing Communications has left its longtime home in the country for new quarters in the city. The advertising, public relations and media firm moved from 2,800 square feet in a renovated garage on Route 43 in West Sand...

Clough Harbour expands again; buys L.I. landscape architecture firm. (In Brief).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... Clough Harbour & Associates LLP, the Capital Region's largest engineering firm, has again expanded its reach by buying a Long Island landscape architecture firm. Clough Harbour, of Colonie, did not disclose how much it paid for Landtech...

Church ponders uses for office building in downtown Albany.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Two developments this year in the downtown Albany real estate scene--St. Peter's Church's purchase of a next-door office building and the opening of the new 15-story New York state comptroller's office across the street--may appear...

Recession is bad news, but some businesses weather the storm.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Conventional wisdom says the companies that will continue to thrive in a recession are the ones that offer basic goods and services--or inexpensive self-indulgences. Hair and nail salon Scissors III does both. "Nobody's buying new cars...

Troy landmark building is purchased.(Furniture store in Troy, New York sold)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Less than six months after being vacated by one of Troy's last furniture stores, a landmark building on River Street has been purchased by a Connecticut investor. John Crowley, of Darien, paid $200,000 for the three-building complex at...

Apprenticeship program bill awaits Pataki's nod.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... A bill mandating contractors to have state-approved apprenticeship programs--using state construction contracts as a carrot--has reached Gov. George Pataki's desk for him to sign or veto. The governor must act on the measure by Dec. 19....

Senate adds Hubzone money; GSA IT pact set.(General Services Administration finances small business development program)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... The embattled Hubzone government contracting program won victories on two fronts Dec. 7: The Senate added $2 million for the program to the $317 billion defense appropriations bill, and the General Services Administration announced plans to...

Cohoes IDA votes Dec. 31 on proposed hydro plant agreement.(Cohoes Industrial Development Authority)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... The city of Cohoes will receive more than $24 million over the next 20 years if a proposed settlement of its assessment battle with the, owner of the School Street hydroelectric plant is accepted by the Cohoes Industrial Development...

Tech Valley Communciations ties knot with Mid-Hudson Communications.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Tech Valley Communications and Mid-Hudson Communications have signed a merger agreement. The new company, which is awaiting Federal Communications Commission and state Public Service Commission approvals, will operate under the Tech...

Region is nice slice of business for gourmet bread companies.(Albany, New York, Capital Region)(Panera Bread Co.)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... When many companies were reporting greater than expected losses due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Panera Bread Co. announced better than expected results--earnings of 20 cents per share--for its third quarter ended Oct. 6. Bakery-cafe...

3rd-quarter bankruptcy filings up; 2001 filings on pace to break record.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... A total of 359,518 new bankruptcy cases were filed in the third quarter of 2001, up 16.5 percent over the same period a year earlier. Bankruptcy filings this year are on pace to break 1998's record of 1.44 million. "Hangover consumer...

Tech industry wins on trade vote despite Democratic defections.(political aspects of international trade and commercial treaties for high technology industry)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... It's easy to see why a technology giant like Intel supports Trade Promotion Authority, which would allow the president to negotiate trade deals and then bring them back to Congress for an up or down vote, with no amendments. Exports...

PSINet's Japanese operations will be bought by C&W unit. (In Brief).(Cable and Wireless P.L.C. acquires Japanese subsidiary of PSINet Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... British telecom giant Cable & Wireless says it will pay $10.2 million through a subsidiary to buy PSINet's Japanese operations. Ashburn, Va.-based PSINet filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, under the weight of $3 billion in...

SEMI equity index rises 13.5%. (In Brief).
December 17, 2001... The SEMIndex, a marketweighted equity index of 47 U.S.-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment and materials, rose 13.57 percent this week, rising from 176.77 to 200.76. By comparison, the Nasdaq Composite Index increased by more...

Biopure delays FDA filing. (In Brief).(Biopure Corp.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... Cambridge, Mass.-based Biopure Corp., which manufactures blood substitutes, said it delayed filing for U.S. approval of its products for six months because it must build up its manufacturing capacity. In August, the company said it...

Game PR firm prez returns to region. (Techbiz).(Online Marketing and Public Relations president Doug Mealy opens office in Stockade, North Carolina)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... The founder of a California-based public relations firm that handles some of the biggest names in the software gaming industry returned to the area to take care of his mother and found that he can do business here a lot cheaper. Doug...

Austin firm gets game to market. (Techbiz).(BroadJump Inc. to market NC Soft online video game)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Austin, Texas-based BroadJump Inc. will provide a new method for gaming company NC Soft to market its online game "Lineage: The Blood Pledge" to broadband users. BroadJump develops software that enables people to install broadband...

Ambanc Holding shareholders approve merger into HRB. (In Brief).(Ambanc Holding Co. Inc., Hudson River Bancorp Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... Shareholders of Ambanc Holding Co. Inc. (Nasdaq: AHCI) have given their approval to the Amsterdam company's plan to merge into Hudson River Bancorp Inc. Hudson-based Hudson River (Nasdaq: HRBT) will pay $21.50 a share in cash, or a total...

Plug Power Inc. dismisses PricewaterhouseCoopers. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Plug Power Inc. has hired KPMG LLP as its independent accountant after dismissing PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "We felt that the cost benefit analysis favored the...

CEG aaas nine to board of directors at annual meeting. (In Brief).
December 17, 2001... Nine members were added to the board of directors of the Center for Economic Growth. Inc. at its annual meeting Dec. 6. New to the board are: Nicholas D'Ambrosio, Scott Donnelly, Richard Honen, Greg Moran, Kevin O'Connor, Deborah Onslow,...

$4.65M in funding for CommerceHub. (albany.bcentral.com).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... CommerceHub has landed $4.65 million in venture funding and expanded its relationship with QVC Inc. Clifton Park-based CommerceHub, a developer of supply chain software, received the funding from Interactive Technology Holdings LLC of...

Arenafootball2 team unveils name, logo. (albany.bcentral.com).
December 17, 2001... The Capital Region's newest professional sports team, the Albany Conquest, will be represented by a helmeted Roman soldier in navy blue, cardinal red and gold. The Arenafootball2 team introduced its name and logo Dec. 5 at the Armory...

Breslin vetoes Albany County's 2002 budget. (albany.bcentral.com).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... For the first time in his seven years as Albany County executive, Michael Breslin has vetoed the 2002 budget passed by the county legislature. Breslin rejected the measure because it contained $3.5 million more in appropriations than the...

Breslin signs courthouse project guaranteeing work for unions. (albany.bcentral.com).(Albany County Executive Michael Breslin )(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Albany County Executive Michael Breslin has signed the county's first project labor agreement for a public construction project, guaranteeing a portion of the work to union contractors, in exchange for concessions. Breslin says the...

RPI, Silverman team up to create $14M biotech initiative. (albany.bcentral.com).(Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute(RPI))(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy has received a $7 million grant from local philanthropist Morris "Marty" Silverman to help advance biotechnology research in the Capital Region. At a Dec. 11 press conference, university President...

Retail Council: Snow helped put shoppers in holiday buying mood. (albany.bcentral.com).(Retail Council of New York State)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... The first snowstorm of an unseasonably warm and dry fall helped push up holiday season sales statewide. According to the Retail Council of New York State, sales for Dec. 3 to Dec. 9 were up 1 percent to 2 percent compared with the same period...

40 Under Forty. (Publisher's Notebook).
December 17, 2001... Last May, The Business Review's 40 Under Forty luncheon drew more than 700 people who applauded the achievements and promise of some of the brightest young members of the Capital Region business community. That is one of the biggest turnouts...

Capital Region has opportunity. (Comment).
December 17, 2001... Astute businesspeople recognize that a temporary downturn in the economy can represent an opportunity to improve one's competitive position in the market. While competitors retreat, great advantages can be had by maintaining marketing...

Area's Largest Public-Sector Employers.(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... AREA'S LARGEST PUBLIC-SECTOR EMPLOYERS (Ranked by Number of Employees) Rank Name FTE (2) Last Address Employees/ Payroll/ Rank (1) Telephone (Fax) (Year...

It's a gas: Proposed energy project would be a boon for HVCC. (Focus On Troy).(Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... Hudson Valley Community College is on the verge of picking a developer for a long-envisioned power plant that will be fired by methane gas from the city of Troy's inactive municipal landfill. The cogeneration project will supply the school's...

Residents, visitors stroll through Troy's streets, shops at annual event. (Focus on Troy).
December 17, 2001... Troy had the opportunity to show off its merchants, restaurants, architecture and entertainment during the 19th annual Troy Victorian Stroll, held Dec. 2. The event creates a windfall for businesses, drawing thousands of people to Troy who...

Chamber president loves a challenge. (Focus on Troy).(Rensselaer County cahmber of commerce president, Linda Hillman)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Want a business challenge? Try expanding a company where your customers routinely experience pain and anxiety when they visit. To most, that sounds like a marketing nightmare, but to Linda Hillman, it was one of the things she loved thinking...

Troy's steadily improving bond rating does little to silence Pattison's critics. (Focus on Troy).(Troy, New York; mayor Mark Pattison)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... What does a bond rating do? A good one, or a rising one like Troy's, should make it easier for a municipality to borrow, but the Collar City, which has been working its way out of a fiscal crisis since 1995, will not be able to issue its own...

Have 'dozer will travel. (Strategies).(profile of BCI Construction Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... BCI Construction Inc. opened in 1993 in a crowded and competitive Capital Region construction market. From the start, BCI pursued government contracts, especially public housing construction and rehabilitation. "It's the safest, soundest...

Value those employees who deliver what is expected and get things done. (Hr by Design).(employee selection technique)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Often, new managers have trouble selecting the right person to do a job. After all, when your staff do their jobs well, you have more time to do yours. What can you do to find the right person to get things done for you? Here's a checklist of...

It's budget time, marketers--step up, build a good case and get your share. (Hard Sell and Soft Soap).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... The winter holiday season is here. For most of us, that means traffic headaches, shopping lists and celebrations of miracles. For many marketers, it also means that it's budget season. One of the keys to achieving marketing success is...

People: Heidi Weber. (Dingbats & Bullets).(media relations specialist at UAlbany)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... People: Heidi Weber is now a media relations specialist in the media and marketing office at UAlbany, moving over from Smith & Jones. Weber earned her bachelor's degree from the state University at Albany and a master's degree from NewYork...

Clients: Communication Services. (Dingbats & Bullets).(hired by Unity House of Troy)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Clients: Communication Services is selected by Unity House, a community services agency based in Troy, to plan and implement its marketing and fund-raising strategies and to conduct public relations activities. JAY SILVERMAN, a former...

Rueckert Advertising and Public Relations. (Dingbats & Bullets).(provides pro bono services for New York State Research and Development Authority campaign)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Rueckert Advertising and Public Relations is providing a television spot, radio public service announcements and direct-mail pieces, posters and public relations services for the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)...

Christine Masi-Layden. (Dingbats & Bullets).
December 17, 2001... freelance artist Christine Masi-Layden donated the illustration for this year's holiday card from the Northeast Parent and Child Society. JAY SILVERMAN, a former advertising and public relations executive.

Honors: Libby Post, president of Communication Services, presented a seminar, "When to Say What to the Press,". (Dingbats & Bullets).
December 17, 2001... Honors: Libby Post, president of Communication Services, presented a seminar, "When to Say What to the Press," at the 2001 Vital Signs statewide Emergency Medical Services conference sponsored by the NYS Department of Health JAY...

Smith & Jones is a finalist in both the 2001 Global, Awards competition for health care communications and the 2001 New York Festivals new media competition. (Dingbats & Bullets).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Smith & Jones is a finalist in both the 2001 Global, Awards competition for health care communications and the 2001 New York Festivals new media competition. The Global Awards honor was for a 30-second TV spot created for Vassar Brothers...

Calendar: the American Marketing Association. (Dingbats & Bullets).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Calendar: the American Marketing Association luncheon meeting at the Century House on Jan. 10 features Citibank creative director Florence Haridan. The cost is $20 for members, $30 for others. JAY SILVERMAN, a former advertising and...

Tips on investing (or not investing) in mutual funds that are closing. (Investor's Notebook).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... If a mutual fund that's been outperforming its peers vows to close in 30 days, should you hurry to buy? The answer depends on a variety of factors--the portfolio manager's record, for example. But investors should be aware that the...

Good News. (Investor's Notebook).(money supply significantly up)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... "We've tracked all 320 three-month periods back to 1974," says Investech Mutual Fund Advisor (2472 Birch Glen, Whitefish, MT 59937). 'Today's money growth ranks in the top 3 percent of all those periods. What's more, whenever the money...

Tiger Fund. (Investor's Notebook).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Liberty Newport's Tiger Fund takes a rigorous top-down approach to picking Asian stocks. It grades countries on their leadership, political stability, legal infrastructure and the liquidity of their capital markets. This overview has enabled...

REITs. (Investor's Notebook).(Forbes/Lehmann Income Securities Investor predictions for real estate investment trusts)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Many real estate investment trusts, which trade like stocks on the major exchanges, commanded large premiums to the Liquidation value of their assets just last year. Now worries about the slowing economy have turned these premiums into...

High Earnings and High Profit Margins. (Investor's Notebook).(Standard and Poor's recommends high-revenue growth rate companies)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 17, 2001... To avoid stocks that are pursuing higher earnings growth at the expense of profit margins, Standard & Poor's Outlook (55 Water St., New York, NY 10019) recently screened for those whose five-year revenue growth rates were at least 14 percent,...

Stock Fund Tips. (Investor's Notebook).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Don't automatically sell a stock fund just because it has switched managers, cautions Christopher Traulsen of Morningstar Mutuals (225 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606). "Selling a fund not only has tax. consequences, but can also be...

Site of the WWWEEK. (Investor's Notebook).(www.b4utrade.com)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... www.b4utrade.com is designed to give serious traders an institutional advantage. It acts as a checks-and-balances service, offering streaming real-time quotes, news and data. Tools include an Institutional Piggyback utility, which reveals...

Marketplace.
December 17, 2001... MARKETPLACE LOCAL STOCKS Ticker Closing Price Company(Exchange) Symbol 12/11 Albany International Corp.(NYSE) AIN 20.93 Albany Molecular...

Taking Stock.(Authentidate Holding Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... A weekly report compiled from the proxy statement and annual report of a publicly held company based in the Capital Region or of major interest to Capital Region investors. Authentidate Holding Corp. (Nasdaq:ADAT) Authentidate...

People on the Move.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... ACCOUNTING Bollam Sheedy Torani & Co. LLP CPAs of Colonie has hired Darlene Chesky as a manager in its tax department and Wendy Fisher as a senior analyst in its valuation and litigation services group. Chesky previously worked for...

Awards & Achievements.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... The Executive Women's Golf Association recognized its Albany/Capital Region Chapter with a Membership Award at the EWGA Annual Conference and Championship in Palm Desert, Calif. The Capital Region chapter was in the top 10 of 99 chapters with...

Calendar.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Dec. 18: The Albany County Electrical Contractors Association Inc. will hold its monthly membership meeting at 2 p.m. at the Electrical Contractors Center, 16 Wade Road in Latham. Call 785-5876. Dec. 19:The Southern Saratoga Chapter of...

Earnings & Dividends.(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Mechanical Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTY) of Albany reported a net loss of $4.7 million, or 13 cents a diluted share, on revenue of $1.7 million, for the fourth fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30. This compares to a net loss of $7.7 million, or 22...

The United Way of Northeastern New York and Bruegger's Bagel Bakery are sponsoring the "Cool Gifts, Warm Hearts" program to benefit children served by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, Girls Inc. (Gifts & Donations).
December 17, 2001... The United Way of Northeastern New York and Bruegger's Bagel Bakery are sponsoring the "Cool Gifts, Warm Hearts" program to benefit children served by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, Girls Inc., CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services and the...

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has donated $10,000 to the Center for the Disabled in Albany. (Gifts & Donations).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has donated $10,000 to the Center for the Disabled in Albany. The grant will help support St. Margaret's Center, an extension of the Center for the Disabled. The grant. part of the company's Community...

BBL Construction Services LLC of Albany donated $1,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York. (Gifts & Donations).(Brief Article)
December 17, 2001... BBL Construction Services LLC of Albany donated $1,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York. The funds will be used to support the foundation's mission of helping children with life threatening illnesses to fulfill their dreams.

KeyBank N.A. donated $1,500 to the Wildwood Foundation and $1,000 to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. (Gifts & Donations).
December 17, 2001... KeyBank N.A. donated $1,500 to the Wildwood Foundation and $1,000 to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The Wildwood donation will be used to support the foundation's efforts to raise funds for its programs for youngsters and...

Seminars & Workshops.
December 17, 2001... Dec. 18: The School of Business at the state University at Albany will host an information session on its full-time, evening and weekend MBA, master of science in accounting and master of science in taxation programs at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219...

Region bucks downward employment trend: State jobs, schools, health care industry, GE cited.(Capital District)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 10, 2001... The Capital Region has so far fended off the job losses and mounting unemployment seen in most other parts of New York state. In October it was the only metropolitan area to see both the number of jobs rise and the unemployment rate fall...

Laid-off high-tech workers pin hopes for new jobs on area's robust technology sector.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Miki Bucher got the bad news 10 days before Thanksgiving. She was being laid off from PowerAdz.com of North Greenbush along, with 10 other local workers. It was just two months before PowerAdz planned to launch its latest product, which...

Capital Bank shareholder will mount proxy war.(Leslie Apple)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Leslie Apple, the Albany attorney who has been involved in some high-profile local bank battles, now is planning a proxy fight against Capital Bank & Trust Co. Apple, who has been a shareholder in Colonie-based Capital Bank (OTC: CBTI)...

SBA contract program for low-income areas loses funding.(Small Business Administration)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 10, 2001... 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 Nov. 28 by President...

Scotia glass factory manager determined to measure up prospective employees. (Upfront).(branch manager Greg Way finds tests educational skills using ruler test)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... In the past few years, AFGD Inc. branch manager Greg Way has interviewed scores of young men at his Scotia glass fabrication plant for shop-assistant openings, only to later learn that some lacked a basic skill: They could not even read a...

Manufacturers say they still can't find enough skilled workers. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Manufacturing has been in a recession for a year, but this battered sector of the economy still faces a skilled worker shortage despite widespread layoffs. Eighty percent of manufacturers surveyed by the National Association of...

Spooner is RPI associate dean of IT. (In Brief).(David Spooner named Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute dean of information technology)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... David Spooner, acting chair and professor of computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named RPI associate, dean for information technology. Spooner will evaluate and refine the school's bachelor's and master's...

Colonie venture fund admits no wrongdoing in SEC proceeding.(PriorityAccess Inc. securities law violation)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... PriorityAccess Inc., a Colonie venture investment fund, settled a case in October with the Securities and Exchange Commission in which the company was found to have violated securities law by sending bulk e-mail to potential investors in the...

SBA web site offers gateway to small-biz regs.(Small Business Administration introduces online services)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... A new Web site, www.BusinessLaw.gov. offers small businesses a gateway for finding, understanding and complying with federal, state and local regulations. The Small Business Administration launched the site as part of the Bush...

As digital age nears, TV stations play game of musical chairs.(Federal Communications Commission deadline approaching for televisition stations to start broadcasting in digital)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... The rapid approach of digital television in the Capital Region has some broadcasters scrambling to find a channel to call home. The Federal Communications Commission has set this May as the deadline for local television stations to begin...

SBA grants aid low-income entrepreneurs.(Small Business Administration )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 10, 2001... The Small Business Administration has awarded grants to 69 organizations that will offer training and technical assistance to low-income entrepreneurs. The grants are part of the SBA's new Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs,...

No business like snow business.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Too much snow is a problem even for businesses that depend on winter weather, but no hint of winter and no snow also is a problem for ski resorts and winter retailers. But with winter weather in the forecast, retailers and resorts say they...

Kids' radio shows slated for WGNA AM.(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... After years in its sister's shadow, WGNA, 1460 AM is about to break out with a new owner and a format aimed at the youngest listeners. ABC Radio has agreed to purchase the 5,000-watt station from Regent Communications Inc. for $2 million....

Ruling pushes Lowe's back to square one.(at Latham Circle Mall)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Plans to build a 140,000-square-foot Lowe's home improvement store at Latham Circle Mall have been dealt a significant setback. Last month, the Town of Colonie Zoning Board of Appeals decided that an existing variance cannot be applied to the...

U.S. DOT official says Congress should have say in Amtrak's fate.(Department of Transportation deputy assistant inspector general mark Dayton)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... The U.S. Congress should be given more say in deciding Amtrak's fate, said a top official at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Finding a way to get the passenger railroad free of federal subsidies should remain a priority, said Mark...

Three University Heights members sharing cost of security services.(Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Law School and Sage Colleges Albany)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 10, 2001... When six colleges and health care facilities in Albany's University Heights section banded together in 1996, their goal was to share more than New Scotland Avenue addresses. Clustered within a 30-acre area between Holland Avenue and...

New Fleetboston CEO intends to increase return for shareholders.(Chad Gifford to replace Terry Murray)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Chad Gifford will become CEO of FleetBoston Financial Corp. (NYSE: FBF) Dec. 31, upon the retirement of Terry Murray. That date was set in October 1999, when Fleet Financial Corp., where Murray was CEO, merged with the Gifford-led Bank-Boston...

NMS completes acquisition of Lucent voice-enhancement unit. (In Brief).
December 10, 2001... Framingham, Mass.-based NMS Communications Corp. has completed the acquisition of the voice enhancement and echo cancellation business of Lucent Technologies. Under the sales agreement, which was announced Oct. 1, NMS paid $60. million...