January 14, 2013

Former Hostess workers scramble following job loss

Losing a job just 10 days before Thanksgiving was a hard blow for Rick Marzuco and his family. But what’s been even more frustrating? The truck driver blames his former employer, Hostess Brands, for undermining his job search.
Before hiring a commercial truck driver like Marzuco, a company needs to obtain and review drug and alcohol test records from the former employer. That’s required under federal law.

Since he was laid off, Marzuco has applied for 10 jobs that require a commercial drivers license and landed three interviews. Marzuco, 54, has been told by prospective employers that Hostess, his employer for a dozen years, hasn’t promptly responded to requests for his records.

“I had a job offer seven days after Hostess closed, and they had to fill the position with someone else,” said Marzuco, who lives in Granite City. “I have a perfect driving record and never failed a drug screen, and I haven’t been able to get a job because they’re not returning background checks.”

Much more at link

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/d237d746-e680-5285-90e8-84820dbef3d6.html

January 10, 2013

Target Sales Flat Amid Retail Gains & Family Dollar Cites Weak Holiday Sales

Apparently the Holidays were not that good to these two Retail Chains.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. here conceded on Thursday that its same-store sales in December were “essentially flat,” but confirmed that its profit projections for the fourth quarter were still on track.

The report came amid what some said was a strong late-season comeback for retailers, after consumers appeared to temper their spending. Overall comparable-store sales were up about 4.5% among retailers reporting December results on Thursday — led by Costco Wholesale Corp.’s 9% increase.

Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/target-sales-flat-amid-retail-gains#ixzz2HZJZlb86

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Rapid increases in the mix of consumables and tobacco are coming along with greater pressure on profits for Family Dollar Stores, which on Thursday said it was reducing its earnings forecast for the fiscal year after posting disappointing first-quarter results and lower-than-expected holiday sales.

Net earnings of $80.3 million for the first quarter, which ended Nov. 24, decreased by 0.1% from last year’s first quarter despite a 12.7% increase in net sales to $2.4 billion, and a 6.6% comparable-store sales increase. Quarterly gross margins as a percent of sales tumbled by 112 basis points, reflecting the greater percentage of low-margin consumable items making up the sales mix, including food and tobacco.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/family-dollar-cites-weak-holiday-sales#ixzz2HZJjTJCa

January 10, 2013

United Natural Foods Inc Back in Mediation With Teamsters

AUBURN, Wash. — United Natural Foods Inc. was in discussions Tuesday with Teamsters Local 117 in an effort to end the strike at its warehouse here, the company said.

As previously reported, the union local launched a strike against the Providence, R.I.-based wholesaler in early December, citing unfair labor practices during negotiations on a new contract. The Teamsters local had previously called off the strike, but resumed it after it said some striking workers had been terminated.

The union said in an online post Tuesday that is was back in federally mediated talks with UNFI, scheduled to take place Tuesday and Wednesday.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/unfi-back-mediation-teamsters#ixzz2HZI5LebF

January 10, 2013

Supervalu to Cut 117 at Wisconsin Distribution Center

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Supervalu will lay off 117 workers at a distribution center here beginning in March, according to local reports.

The Minneapolis-based company previously announced plans to sell the facility to Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer, which is planning to expand in the region. Supervalu said it would supply customers in the area from its Green Bay warehouse instead.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Supervalu filed a notice with the state that said layoffs would begin March 9, with plans to close the Pleasant Prairie operation by May 1. Other employees working in the regional offices at the center will be relocated, the Journal Sentinel reported.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/supervalu/supervalu-cut-117-wisconsin-dc#ixzz2HZHM5enL

January 10, 2013

BROOKINGS, Oregon C&K Market Drops Plastic Bags

BROOKINGS, Ore. — C&K Market here said it will no longer offer plastic bags at its checkouts, effective Jan. 14 — a change the company said is a response to its "renewed commitment to be a leader when it comes to responsible, sustainable practices regarding plastic bag waste."

C&K will offer customers free paper bags or 99-cent reusable bags; customers can also get a 5-cent refund for bringing their own bags to use, the company added.

"By making this change we hope to make a positive impact on each community we serve," Greg Sandeno, president and chief executive officer, said. "We hope other retailers in our area will join us in this initiative."


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/sustainability/ck-drops-plastic-bags#ixzz2HZGUNe2J

January 10, 2013

The Audubon Center at Riverlands, West Alton, MO

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January 9, 2013

Be careful to prevent indoor plants from browning

The browning of tips or margins of the leaves of indoor plants usually indicates unresolved stress due to mechanical injury, unfavorable environmental conditions or toxicities and their interactions.

Such plant stresses may arise from any one or a combination of the following factors: low humidity, excessive fertilizer, fertilizer imbalance or other soluble salts, poor water quality, unfavorable soil pH, overwatering, underwatering, physical injury, pesticides or direct sunlight. A consequence of uncontrolled plant stress is attack by disease organisms or insects. Take a look at indoor plant environments to see how stress management can work in your favor to correct houseplant damage.

The main environmental factors affecting the foliage of indoor plants are light, temperature and relative humidity.

Plants have a tremendous ability to adjust to varying light conditions, providing these conditions do not vary widely from day to day. Any changes of indoor locations involving significant changes in plant light levels should be made in stages to allow for proper acclimatization. Improper adaptation may produce symptoms that can be confused with disease or pest attack, such as leaf drop, leaf tip browning and the like.

A lot more at:

http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/life/be-careful-to-prevent-indoor-plants-from-browning/article_2c0707bd-bab6-55ec-9871-6f519695b617.html

January 9, 2013

Former students accused of stealing computers from North St. Louis County school

Some good advice regarding the recording of the serial numbers of your electronics at the end of this article. Something that I will be rechecking myself today

FLORISSANT (KMOV.com) – Two men were charged with second degree burglary and stealing after police say they attempted to steal computers from a school.

18-year-old Justin Wilson and 20-year-old Daryl Greer are accused of stealing nine iMac computers from the Mark Twain Student Support Center, which is in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

Police tell News 4 thieves covet electronics because they are easy to sell and are easy to give as a gift. The Florissant Police Chief also said newer electronics are even more attractive to criminals.

“The desktop computers are a lot smaller. The monitors are a lot smaller, thinner. They are a lot more portable and lightweight for people to carry out and walk away with.,” Andy Haarmann said.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Two-men-accused-of-stealing-computers-from-North-St-Louis-County-school-186112802.html

January 9, 2013

Former students accused of stealing computers from North St. Louis County school

FLORISSANT (KMOV.com) – Two men were charged with second degree burglary and stealing after police say they attempted to steal computers from a school.

18-year-old Justin Wilson and 20-year-old Daryl Greer are accused of stealing nine iMac computers from the Mark Twain Student Support Center, which is in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

Police tell News 4 thieves covet electronics because they are easy to sell and are easy to give as a gift. The Florissant Police Chief also said newer electronics are even more attractive to criminals.

“The desktop computers are a lot smaller. The monitors are a lot smaller, thinner. They are a lot more portable and lightweight for people to carry out and walk away with.,” Andy Haarmann said.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Two-men-accused-of-stealing-computers-from-North-St-Louis-County-school-186112802.html

Some good advice regarding the recording of the serial numbers of your electronics at the end of this article. Something that I will be rechecking myself today

January 9, 2013

January 9, 2007 The first iPhone is announced by Steve Jobs

The iPhone (retroactively labeled the original iPhone, iPhone 1 or iPhone 2G) is a smartphone that was designed and marketed by Apple Inc. It is the first generation of iPhone and was announced on January 9, 2007[10] after months of rumors and speculation.[11]
It was introduced in the United States on June 29, 2007. It featured quad-band GSM cellular connectivity with GPRS and EDGE support for data transfer.
On June 9, 2008, Apple announced its successor, the iPhone 3G. The original iPhone no longer receives software updates from Apple; its final official firmware version was iPhone OS 3.1.3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_(original)