December trade activity index slips
The seasonally adjusted trade activity index (TAI) that measures current trade conditions, slipped by 7 points to 42 in December 2011. The non-seasonally adjusted TAI was 39 in December 2011 compared to 53 in November 2011.
The TAI usually reflects lower volumes of business-to-business activity in December, but the current level of 39 is exceptionally low.
Sacci said sales volumes, new orders as well as inventories declined substantially during December 2011 while the lower trade activity also resulted in fewer supply deliveries.
“The seasonally high number of 60 for the sales volume index in November 2011 decreased significantly by 20 points in December 2011. The employment index was the only component of the trade activity index that remained unchanged at 46 in December 2011,” it said in a statement.
“In December, the TEI exceeded its average of 55 for the second half of 2011, achieving a strong 59. At 58, the average TEI for 2011 was 4 points below its average of 62 in 2010. At the height of positive trade expectations, the TEI measured 67 in 2006. The December 2011 outlook for all components of trade, over the next six months, is significantly better than the average for these components in the latter half of 2011.
“The current sales price index was 6 points higher on average in 2011 than in 2010 while the average input price index increased by 7 index points from 2010 to 66 in 2011,” the chamber said.
The breaching of the upper range of the inflation target towards the end of 2011 and the much higher producer price inflation are evidence of the stronger inflationary pressures as reflected by the Trade Conditions Survey.
In conclusion, the chamber said the six month outlook for sales and input prices continued to remain high as the respective indices measured 70 and 75 respectively in December 2011.
“With inflationary expectations remaining high due to increased input costs, businesses’ profit margins will continue to be squeezed in 2012. Nominal interest rates are likely to remain unchanged in the first half of 2012 thereby supporting improved trade conditions.”
Brickapalooza: Half off LEGO-themed play, classes, and after-school programs …
Learning through building for LEGO-loving kids
Childhood hobbies often develop into lucrative careers in adulthood, like Warren Buffets teenage investments in pinball machines, or Tina Feys early obsession with playing dress up as high-profile female politician. Foster your little ones love for LEGO with todays kids deal from Brickapalooza in Tyngsborough:
1) $25 for a punch card valid for five drop-in play sessions (worth $50)
2) $20 for two LEGO building classes (worth $40)
3) $480 for four sessions of after-school creative building for up to 20 children (worth $960)
Some hobbies more than money pit
Story last updated at
3:52 PM on
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Some hobbies more than money pit
While standing in line for my morning coffee a few months ago, I overheard a conversation between two women. The portion Im about to share obviously stayed with me longer than the coffee. Apparently the two friends hadnt seen each other for some time. The brief delay in their day offered an opportunity to catch up. There was talk of busy schedules, kids, the weather and, finally, spouses. Woman No. 1: So, whats your husband up to? Woman No. 2: Hes working on the boat. Long pause. Woman No. 2: Why is it Im feeling guilty about the cost of my favorite coffee when every time he works on the boat it costs thousands of dollars? Both women and every other woman within earshot including myself laughed. A knowing, inside-joke kind of laugh. I recalled that exchange recently after renewing a childhood interest in knitting and falling completely in love with the crafts many aspects. The patterns. The textures. The sound of needles clicking together. The rhythm. The colors and smells of different types of yarn. The company of other knitters. The thrill of creating something. The joy of making items for family and friends. As a result, in the last two months I have accumulated a small, but growing collection of yarn, needles and patterns. Ive bookmarked websites where I can find free patterns. Ive made notes of what I made and for whom so I dont repeat myself. Ive put post-it notes in books, marking designs Im eager to try. Just before Christmas, when scarves, hats, headbands and washcloths Id made for gifts were stacking up and more ideas were popping into my head and I found it difficult to sleep for the excitement of getting everything done, but still needing a skein of yarn for this and a different sized pair of needles for that, it hit me: guilt. Sure, I was making things for others. Yes, I was eliminating a lot of shopping. And everything I made that had to be mailed was light so it would require less postage. But and heres the big but I was having way too much fun. Did that mean I was being selfish? Had knitting become more than a hobby? Did it border on an obsession? Was I on the brink of trading the family fortune for a treasure trove of needles and patterns, only to find we were no longer able to pay for electricity or heating oil? Would I begin letting dirty dishes stack up in the sink? Laundry remain unfolded? The cats litter box in desperate need of cleaning? It was at that point the conversation between the two women came back to me and a mental image flashed through my mind of my husbands beautiful 41-foot sailboat that has carried him on many an adventure. The same boat that sat on land for nearly a year while it was having its electrical system redone, its water tank replaced, its fuel tank fixed, its lines restrung. The boat that except for those months onshore occupies a rented slip in the harbor, ready in case we want to go sailing, which we did all of twice last summer. The boat that must be winterized, kept warm and snow-free. To my husbands credit he has never complained while stepping over balls of yarn to get from one room to another or having to be careful where he sits so as to avoid the pointed ends of needles. Wondrously and without any prompts from me, he has actually noticed new patterns Ive tried and complimented me on items Ive made. He even bless his heart wears the hat I made for him. He knows because Ive pointed it out at the price per skein of yarn, Id have to do a whole lot of knitting to ever match the constantly increasing price tag hanging on the boat. On the other hand, I recognize you cant sail a skein of yarn on Kachemak Bay, much less across the Pacific Ocean. Then again, it might actually be possible. With very small needles and just the right kind of yarn, a leak-proof result might be achievable. With my husbands boat as a model and the yarn requirements of my last six-foot-by-six-inch scarf as a go-by, I should be able to mathematically determine how many skeins it would take to create a 41-foot hull with a 13-foot beam. The sails are simple triangles. Masts and keel might be a bit tricky, but not unsolvable. Oh, yes, this just might work. If not, the attempt will make a good story. Some might even call it a yarn. McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben. jackinsky@homernews.com.
Start a Business for Under $500
Do you like organizing cluttered garages? Do you make mouth-watering cakes? Do you love to make jewelry? Are you good at planning special events? If youve been thinking about starting a business as your next career, now could be a great time to turn one of these hobbies into a thriving small business — even on a bare-bones budget.
Read the story on SecondAct
Starting a business on the side is a smart way to get your feet wet as an entrepreneur. Look first at the services and goods you already provide for free to friends and family. The best way to start a business for less than $500 is to figure out how to get paid for what you love to do, says Clyde Anderson, a financial lifestyle coach and CNN contributor in Atlanta. Its crucial for anyone whos looking to start a business to determine what gifts and talents they already have and to convert them into an actual business.
Here are 7 cool businesses to start on a shoestring.
1. Baker
Cakes and cupcakes are the highlight of any party, and reality foodie shows such as Cupcake Wars have made baking a popular new business idea. Brooklyn blogger and cupcake expert Nichelle Stephens says you can start a cupcake business for $500 or less, as long as you arent trying to open a storefront. You spend more time than money when starting a baking business, says Stephens, who shares baking and business tips on her blog. You need to find a neighborhood where there is a limited number of baked goods available and identify your niche. Once you get your mixer, the next expense is quality baking pans and cooling racks. Use your co-workers as your test market and promote your business in the groups you belong to, especially if you have children. Other parents are a great potential customer base. Keep in mind its illegal in most jurisdictions to bake and sell food from your home. Heres a website where you can research commercial kitchens in your area.
Related: Are You a Connector?
2. Mobile Notary Public
Despite technological advances, documents such as property deeds, wills and loan papers still require an official signature and stamp by a notary. Some banks and real estate agents have a notary license, but the current trend is using notaries who come to your home or business on call. Setting up this kind of business has strict rules: Most states require you to take a course to learn the notary business and pass an exam, and all require a state license. Check with your state for regulations and costs, and visit the National Notary Association for materials and more information. Its important to put out the word to friends, family and co-workers about your new notary business. Set up a professional website with search engine optimization so that your business can be found locally. Pick a niche, says Dany Victory, owner of mobilenotarypublic.com in Southern California. I specialize in loan documents, and its helped me earn referral customers such as realtors and title companies. As a mobile notary, your costs are low and there are fringe benefits: You can drive around, meet interesting people and charge a premium for providing door-to-door service. My income is higher because I charge travel fees on top of the standard notary charge of $10 per signature, says Victory.
3. Personal Trainer
Many peoples New Years resolution is to lose weight, and many of these same individuals are looking for professional help to shed those unwanted pounds. If you are a fitness buff or avid runner, you may be able to make a living by teaching others what youve learned. You can be a general fitness instructor or specialize in marathon prep, yoga or Zumba. The first step in launching a fitness business is to become certified as a personal trainer. You also may need some basic equipment such as a portable CD player, exercise ball, stair step and mats. To launch your training business, start by telling your own weight loss story. Dont be afraid to share your before and after pictures on your website and Facebook page. To find clients, try to build relationships at the gym you already attend. Inquire about becoming a trainer on staff to learn the business. Reach out to friends and colleagues who either dont have time to go to a gym or feel embarrassed in a room full of people running on treadmills. Fitness enthusiast John Leber of Paramus, NJ, became a trainer in retirement. Leber studied, took a workshop and an exam, and within months got his personal trainer certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). I worked for a large fitness chain gym for 18 months, and it was like your first job out of college, but after I left that company, my old clients started calling me for services, says Leber, who is 63. He specializes in working with clients 50+ and with people recovering from injuries. Heres more on how to become a personal trainer.
4. Personal Organizer
Clutter is stressful for everyone, and you can make a living helping people get their homes, offices and lives in order. Professional organizing is a perfect business for people with a knack for neatness and developing systems. You can charge hourly or set half-day and full-day flat rates for your time. Not all clutter is the same, so its a good idea to choose an area of specialization, such as cleaning out garages, helping people plan for moving or downsizing, or assisting professional women with busy lives. Devise a system for how you will approach new client projects. Some organizers interview prospects; others ask for a tour of the space that needs organizing; some just throw everything on the floor and start from there. Philadelphia-based professional organizer Debbie Lillard, author of Absolutely Organized, wanted to work part time after years as a stay-at-home mom. She launched her business by contacting old friends who were stressed by the disorganization in their lives. She created business cards and flyers and distributed them in grocery stores in affluent neighborhoods. I wrote a sales letter explaining who might need an organizer and sent it to everyone I knew, which landed me my first clients; from there, it was all word-of-mouth referrals, Lillard says. Within a few months, she also launched a do-it-yourself website. Lillard went on to write two books about getting organized and shared organizational tips during media appearances, which helped her business grow. Collecting before and after pictures and client testimonials are good ways to promote a business as a professional organizer. For people interested in this business, consider joining the National Association of Professional Organizers, which provides education and training for new business owners in the field.
5. Social Media Marketing Assistant
The social media world is growing, and most business owners dont have time to keep up. You can create a business as a social media marketing assistant or strategist if you have strong writing skills and a working knowledge of the major social media networking sites. Copy editing skills also are in demand for customers with blogs. Prior experience in public relations and marketing can also set you apart from those who just know social media tools. This business involves helping clients develop a social media strategy, build blogs, and set up Facebook Fan Pages, Twitter accounts, LinkedIn profiles and Google+ accounts. lf you know how to set up and maintain WordPress websites (theyre free), you can specialize in that service and charge a higher hourly rate. Cathy Larkin of Web Savvy PR in Aston, Pa., shows her small-business clients how to make social media marketing less intimidating. She provides strategies and shortcuts to keep her clients up to date online. The first thing I did was learn the tools; then I picked a niche for the kind of customers I wanted, Larkin says, Be willing to work for free at first, just to prove you know what you are doing and get some references. A low-cost way to quickly sharpen your social media skills is to attend a social media conference such as a PodCamp, which are held all over the country. The key to being successful as a social media marketing assistant is keeping your skills updated and making sure you stay on top of the constantly changing features on the social networking sites.
Related: Best Second Act Awards: Winners
6. Jewelry Designer
People like handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and this hobby is a good choice for a home-based business. Settle on your signature style or specialty — whether youll create pieces with bead design or design molds for silver and goldsmithing or stainless-steel items. Then you need to name your business, create samples, produce high-quality photos and start developing marketing materials. Patricia Miller, owner of the Velvet Box in Flint, Mich., got hooked on the craft while helping a friend with her holiday jewelry orders. Miller launched her own business with small orders for bracelets, and then she began doing home shows. Later she created an online shop at Etsy.com, which makes it simple for crafters to display and sell handmade goods. Ninety-eight percent of my business has come from repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals, says Miller. Jewelry sellers also should look into setting up booths at craft fairs, flea markets and community events. Try partnering with local art galleries, hospitals and boutiques to sell higher-end pieces in your catalog. Dont forget to wear your own jewelry everywhere you go — you are your best advertisement.
7. Image Consultant
Are you the person everyone stops and says, Wow, you look great! Can you go shopping with me? You are not just a trendsetter; you also may have the skills to be an image consultant or visual branding specialist. Both women and men need to present their very best to the world. I help people reinvent and update their look, says Tracey Reed, who runs a Philadelphia image consulting firm, Tracey Evelyn Beautiful You. I do everything from color analysis to make-up lessons and personal shopping. If you want to start a business as an image consultant, you need to have an understanding of color basics, textiles and clothing silhouettes. Reed, who has a masters degree in theater make-up and costume design, suggests taking courses in color theory and retail merchandising to sharpen your skills. She started out in the beauty business as a licensed aesthetician and later expanded her services to include wardrobe and image consulting. Potential clients include professional women too busy to shop, brides-to-be who want makeovers, and men who want to sharpen their images to get ahead at work. Having a personal network is key to building your initial clientele. Set up a blog to share style tips, and then use Facebook and other social media to attract new customers. You also can use your website to post special packages, share testimonials and feature before and after photos of clients. It could be your best sales tool.
Related: Top Workplace Trends for 2012
All of these are great businesses to start, but keep in mind that you still need a marketing plan and business plan to get your fledgling enterprise on track. Start with a free version of business plan software at enloop.com to get rolling and later invest in a business plan course at a small-business development center or local community college. Business plans help make sure your budget and costs are something you can measure as your new business grows.
Related: 12 Tips for Trading Places in 2012
Braga edges Sporting for fourth straight win
Braga, Portugal Helder Barbosa and Lima scored early in the 1, at Estadio Municipal on Sunday for its fourth straight win in the Portuguese Liga.
Barbosa opened the scoring after 51 minutes and Lima followed in the 64th, and Sporting could only pull one goal back through Andre Carrillo in the 74th.
Braga jumped Sporting for third place, and remained within eight points of the summit. Sporting sits fourth, 11 off the pace.
Benfica maintained its place atop the standings with a 4-1 win over Setubal on Saturday as Oscar Cardozo scored a brace before being sent off. Benfica has 12 wins and three draws after 15 games.
James Rodriguez scored a brace as FC Porto also stayed unbeaten and within two points of Benfica with a 2-0 victory over Rio Ave on Saturday. FC Porto has 11 wins and four draws.
Feirense tied Gil Vicente 0-0 in Saturdays other game, while Baba Diawara had a late goal to give Maritimo a 1-1 draw at Pacos Ferreira on Friday.
Also Sunday, Rui Duarte scored the game-winner for Olhanense in a 2-1 win over Beira-Mar, Dejan Skolnik scored in the 81st as Nacional tied Uniao Leiria 2-2, and Guimaraes beat Academica 2-0.
Cosnumer Outlook and Employment Improves
(Source Consumer Reports) Januarys Consumer Reports Index, a measure of overall consumer financial health, showed that the consumers outlook is improving. Sentiment and employment numbers have climbed, stress levels have diminished, financial difficulties have moderated compared to past months, and the strong retail performance of the holiday season is an important marker that Americans may be willing to engage and spend once again.
Januarys Consumer Reports Sentiment Index, which measures how consumers are doing financially versus a year ago, was up from last month (45.4) to 48.2. The most optimistic consumers were ages 18 to 34, and households earning $100,000 or more. The most pessimistic consumers were those in households earning less than $50,000 and people ages 65 and older.
The Consumer Reports Employment Index moved back into positive territory, recovering to 50.6 from 49.6 last month, with past 30-day job gains (6.1%) outpacing job losses (4.8%). However, the improvements in employment were not broad-based. Women, those over the age of 34, and lower-income Americans, in households earning less than $50,000, have lost more jobs than they have gained.
The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index addresses both the proportion of consumers that have faced difficulties, as well as the number of hurdles they have encountered. This Index has remained virtually unchanged for the fourth straight month registering at 50.4 compared to 49.9 in December. Despite stability in the index overall, compared to last month, the proportion of Americans reporting that they have been unable to afford medical bills or medications in the past 30 days was up substantially to 15.7% from 12.8% last month.
Despite a better economic outlook overall, the strong retail activity this holiday season may lead to a January hangover, with planned spending down from last year, said Ed Farrell, director of the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Though retail was strong this holiday season, December was a disappointment, with activity lagging last year. The early start of the season by retailers stole December sales and moved them into November.
The Past 30-Day Retail Index for January, reflecting December activity, was 15.0, up from 13.9 last month and on par with this time a year ago. The Next 30-Day Retail Index, reflecting planned spending for January was down to 7.9 compared to 12.7 last month due to the post-holiday slump. Decembers retail growth was led by strong sales in personal electronics at 35.8%, up from 31.4% last month.
The Consumer Reports Index report, available at www.ConsumerReports.org, comprises five key indices: the Sentiment Index, the Trouble Tracker Index, the Stress Index, the Retail Index and the Employment Index. Here are the key findings:
Consumer Reports Sentiment Index: 48.2*
Consumer Reports Sentiment Index for January (48.2) was up from last month (45.4). Though still in negative territory, there is reason to believe with continued improvement in employment that it will break through to positive territory (above 50) within the next couple of months.
Respondents age 18-34 and households with income of $100K or more remained the most optimistic consumers, while the most pessimistic consumers were households with income less than $50,000 and respondents age 65 and older.
Ages 18-34 were up slightly (55.2) from the previous month (54.5).
Households with income of $100,000 or more (57.9) were up for a second straight month from 56.1 in December and 52.8 in November.
Households with income less than $50,000 (42.9) rose from 40.3 the prior month.
Those who are age 65 and older (40.9) were up from 36.3 in December.
* The Consumer Reports Sentiment Index captures respondents attitudes regarding their financial situation, asking them if they are feeling better or worse off than a year ago. When the index is greater than 50, more consumers are feeling positive about their situation. When it is below 50, more consumers are feeling worse. The Sentiment Index can vary from a high of 100 to a low of 0.
Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index: 50.4*
The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index at 50.4 remained virtually unchanged from 49.9 the prior month. Despite the stability in the index overall compared to last month, the proportion of Americans reporting they have been unable to afford medical bills or medications in the past 30 days was up substantially to 15.7% from 12.8% last month, which in turn was the most prevalent consumer trouble in January.
Lower-income households, earning less than $50,000 a year, have been disproportionately affected. In the past 30 days: 22.7% were unable to afford medical bills or medications; 15.0% missed payment on a major bill (not a mortgage); and, 11.9% lost or reduced health-care coverage.
* The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index focuses on both the proportion of consumers that have faced difficulties as well as the number of negative events they have encountered. The negative events include: the inability to pay medical bills or afford medication, missed mortgage payments, home foreclosure, interest-rate increase, penalty fees, reduced lines of credit or other changes in credit-card terms, job loss or layoffs, reduced health-care coverage or the denial of personal loans. The Consumer Reports Trouble Tracker Index is then calculated as the proportion of consumers that have experienced at least one of the negative events comprising the index multiplied by the average number of events encountered.
Midas Green Tech Will Convert Customer Activities Into Cash Using Transverse’s …
This innovative Austin-based company will consolidate CRM, billing and accounting processes into one integrated solution that can meter and charge for virtually any type of usage and activity in its data center.
Austin, TX (PRWEB) January 17, 2012
Staying Cool is easy for Austin-based Midas Green Tech, which has reduced data-center operating costs with a groundbreaking technique of immersing servers in mineral oil to reduce the costs and carbon footprint of typical data-center air handling and cooling. In the vein of cool, Midas Green Tech has chosen Transverses TRACT Dynamic Revenue Management – the only all-in-one activity-based rating, billing and subscription commerce platform.
Midas Green Tech will now be able to meter and charge for power consumption, throughput, time, CPU usage and other variables using TRACT. Additionally, the company will eliminate double entry in multiple systems, replacing its CRM system and automating its accounting and billing capabilities. This will take place with minimal data migration costs or integration headaches thanks to TRACTs on-demand environment.
Pay-as-you-go with TRACT
Midas Green Tech will also benefit from TRACTs innovative pay-as-you-go pricing, which frees Midas Green Tech from never-ending start-up, licensing and maintenance fees. As a company leading the green revolution in IT, the flexibility to pay only for what we use will insulate us from the possible fluctuations in the market. TRACT gives us a way to scale up and down with market trends without having to invest in enterprise software for carrier-grade rating, charging and billing platforms, said CTO Chris Boyd.
Transverse splits the risk with its customers, explained Transverse CEO James Messer, referring to the fact TRACTs pricing is proportionate to customers volume commitments in terms of gross billings.
In the same way that Midass customers no longer need to worry about raised floors, air conditioning, fans and the myriads of equipment typical in data centers, TRACT customers avoid unnecessary billing infrastructure cost and risks by leveraging TRACTs SaaS environment.
Our clients on-board customers, process orders, provision and activate services, charge, bill and process payments through what we call the Order-to-Cash cycle, as well as further expand the number of revenue streams per customer through robust subscription and activity management, entitlements and personalization capabilities available with TRACTs Activity-to-Cash capabilities, added Messer. The combination of the two is what we call Dynamic Revenue Management, the ability to generate combined revenue streams from each customer by managing and monetizing the ways in which they actually use your services.
To find out more, request a demo.
Contact:
Susana Schwartz
sschwartz(at)gotransverse(dot)com
+1 (607) 674-6890
# # #
For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/1/prweb9113757.htm
Energy, Metals, Mining and Telecommunications Industries Lead Growth in U.S. …
DENVER, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. have been on the rise since 2010, and RGL Forensics’ valuation and corporate finance group believes that 2012 will likely be another solid year for deals.
Matt Morris, director of Corporate Advisory Services for RGL, said 2010 represented a significant rebound in U.S. mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity and this strong growth continued through 2011, particularly in certain commodity markets. Having shored up their balance sheets and lined up low cost capital, many companies shifted their focus to looking for growth through acquisition. A continuing stabilization of the U.S. economy also contributed to this activity and provides generally positive signs for 2012.
Energy, metals & mining and telecommunications were among the top industries for M&A activity in 2011, Morris noted, with an emphasis on larger transactions than in the recent past.
While the uptick in activity and market valuations have demonstrated the willingness of capital markets to provide financing, there is an increased focus on a deeper, more nuanced understanding of target companies. An emerging trend in this due diligence is retaining forensic, valuation and strategy experts to look behind the numbers for latent issues that may influence value. Diligence efforts are increasingly focused on quantitatively evaluating customer relationships to predict and, if possible, curb post-closing revenue declines.
Valuation and M&A Outlook for 2012
“The good news is that capital continues to be deployed in an economy hungry for investment,” said Morris. “As we’re seeing the credit markets gyrate, debt and equity investors are increasingly concerned with the quality and resourcefulness of front-end analysis and due diligence. Outside experts of all types, forensic accountants, valuation professionals and strategy authorities, are being retained to analyze and determine the true value and risk of potential M&A targets.”
Morris predicts the following for 2012:
Flat to Moderately Higher M&A Markets in the US: “Financial experts are still biased towards conservatism but capital momentum has returned from the nadir of 2008 to 2009,” Morris said. “As leveraged loan markets continue their uncertain path, private equity transactions will likely remain inconsistent, with a trend toward smaller deals, with the larger transactions reflecting the vertical or horizontal ambitions of strategic buyers.”
International Deals Remain Slow: With continued volatility in the European market, international deals are showing increasing signs of risk. This uncertainty will alter the valuations for foreign companies and may discourage international M&A activity and US transaction activity if ripple effects are felt. In addition, international investors are looking to minimize exposure to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement, further slowing the growth in cross-border deals.
More and Deeper Due Diligence: Continued caution in 2011 caused investors to look for outside, non-biased evaluation of transaction targets even as due diligence budgets came under additional pressure. In 2012, Morris predicts this trend will continue, noting that the incremental diligence expenses are trivial as compared to the costs of doing a bad deal.
About RGL Forensics
RGL Forensics is an international firm of accounting, valuation and corporate finance professionals who are specially trained in discovering and defining financial value. The firm establishes relevant facts and reliable figures for corporate, legal, insurance and public sector clients and has done so for more than 30 years. For more information about RGL Forensics, please visit
www.rgl.com .
SOURCE RGL Forensics
Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
Sporting chance of games returning
A popular community sports festival could be revived.
Seaford Community Partnership is behind the plans to bring the Seaford Games Tourney back to the town in 2013.
After a meeting with sporting and voluntary organisations and Seaford Town Council, Keith Blackburn, the chairman of the group, said people were keen to talk about ways in which their activity or
organisation could be involved in the ten day sports and games festival.
Mr Blackburn said: “It would provide everything from taster sessions to participant activities to team competitions.
The festival would aim to be as inclusive as possible and involve schools, seniors, novices and skilled and those with disabilities.”
The Seaford Games Tourney was originally started by Seaford Urban District Council in the 1960s and included tennis, bowls, golf and athletics. It had entries from all over England.
It survived local government reorganisation but records show enthusiasm faded in the 1980s.
A date is yet to be set for the 2013 event although organisers are hopeful to hold it over two weekends in May.
It would include tag rugby, skateboarding and tennis in Salts Park, kayaking and sailing in the sea and health walks in the surrounding countryside.
The next meeting of the partnership on April 4 at 5.30pm in Seaford Baptist Church will set up a management group.
For more details call 01323 893172 or email keithrblackburn@live.co.uk.
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Staveley MWFC To Hold Inaugural Sporting Dinner
Tuesday 17th January 2012
Former Nottingham Forest and Scotland hard man Kenny Burns will be the guest speaker at the first-ever sporting dinner hosted by Staveley MWFC, on Monday, February 6th (7pm for 7.30pm start).
Burns (left) will be recounting some amusing anecdotes from his playing career, during which he won an array of domestic and European honours at Forest under legendary Manager, Brian Clough.
Entertainment will be provided by zany comedy-magician Billy Flywheel with Sky Sports reporter, Nick Johnson acting as MC.
There will also be an auction of sporting memorabilia.
The event has been organised to help fund the development of the Inkersall Road ground, with plans for a new 250-seater south stand and improved changing room and wash room facilities.
Were really looking forward to our inaugural dinner and hope its the first of many, said Staveley chairman Terry Damms. Were planning to organise regular sporting dinners in our clubhouse, featuring well-known names from the sporting world.
Tickets for the mixed event are priced at pound;30 each, which includes a three course meal and tea/coffee. To book, please contact Ele on 07530 055849.
