Archive for December, 2009
Lawsuit Targets Allegedly Fraudulent Houston Towing Companies
by admin on Dec.31, 2009, under Uncategorized
PR Newswire, Dec 16, 2009
Filing Focuses on Family of Alleged Fraudsters
HOUSTON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Three family members operating Houston automobile towing, storage and repair companies lead a list of seven defendants accused of over-charging for routine tow services and disassembling vehicles belonging to unsuspecting Harris County accident victims.
The charges are laid out in a lawsuit filed Wednesday by Allstate Insurance Company in Harris County – alleging fraud and false representation involving more than 100 Houston area motorists. The lawsuit is seeking actual and exemplary damages totaling more than $180,000.
The suit alleges the defendants intentionally overcharged Allstate Insurance Company and falsely claimed “tear downs” of some vehicles in their possession were authorized by the vehicle owners – further escalating charges to the insurer.
Allstate filed the suit in Harris County state District Court against individual business owners, Faraj “Sam” Said, Ghassan “Gus” Said, Ibrahim Said, and Patrick Green, their corporate entities and their related towing, storage and repair companies.
The lawsuit was filed following an extensive investigation by Allstate’s Special Investigative Unit and seeks reimbursement of monies Allstate has paid in alleged overcharges.
“Phony insurance claims take an extra $200 to $300 out of every consumer’s pocketbook annually in the form of higher premiums,” says Jim Murray, Allstate assistant vice president in charge of the company’s Special Investigative Unit. “Allstate has no tolerance for this crime, and we will continue to fight insurance fraud on behalf of our policyholders and consumers in general.”
False Representation
The lawsuit alleges the defendants engaged in conduct intentionally designed to defraud Allstate by falsely representing the “true nature and origin of their services.” The City of Houston and Harris County strictly regulate the amount automobile towing and storage companies can legally charge in any “non-consent” tow, which is often initiated by a police officer at the scene of an accident. The lawsuit alleges in many cases, the defendants falsely represented that their towing and storage services were requested or initiated by the vehicle owner. The lawsuit alleges the defendants then charged significantly higher rates for their services than allowed for “non-consent” towing and storage services.
Vehicle in Pieces
The lawsuit also contends the defendants falsely claimed that “tear down” of the vehicle in their possession was authorized by the vehicle owner. Tear down is a process used by body shops to evaluate damage to vehicles and estimate repair costs – leaving the car or truck in pieces and more difficult to move to a repair facility potentially preferred by the vehicle owner.
The Defendants
The defendants named in the lawsuit include Faraj “Sam” Said, Ghassan “Gus” Said, Ibrahim Said, Patrick Green, Noor Said Enterprises Inc. (aka Noor Enterprise Inc.), Budget Collision Inc. and National Auto Collision, Inc. The lawsuit identifies several businesses operated by the named Defendants, including National Auto Collision, Budget Auto Collision, Holmes Road Storage, South Loop Storage amongst others.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate[R]” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow
indiana auto insurance
Arista Networks Expands Portfolio With New Gigabit Ethernet Switch Integrating Citrix NetScaler VPX
by admin on Dec.19, 2009, under Uncategorized
Business Wire, Dec 01, 2009
LAS VEGAS — Arista
Networks today announced an innovative data center class Gigabit
Ethernet switch positioned for server access in the leaf layer of the
network. The new Arista
7048 is a wire-speed multi-layer switch with forty-eight RJ-45
Gigabit Ethernet ports and four 1/10Gb Ethernet uplinks delivering up to
40 gigabits of interconnect capacity to the spine of the network.
Running the Arista
Extensible Operating System (EOS), the Arista 7048 is the first
switch to integrate Citrix
Systems NetScaler VPX load balancing and application security
software. Uniquely, the Arista 7048 switch offers very large buffering
capability on every port in combination with a purpose-built
architecture for congestion management.
“As traffic loads increase, Gigabit Ethernet switches require more
buffering and non-blocking performance between the leaf and spine, said
Doug Gourlay, Vice President of Marketing at Arista.”The Arista 7048
has been purpose-built to handle high traffic loads within the switch
and with Citrix NetScaler VPX integration, load balancing across servers
within a rack is now much simpler. Joining forces with Citrix has
enabled Arista to set a new standard for data center class networking.
“Advanced load balancing and traffic management are critical services
within any cloud data center,” said Klaus Oestermann, group vice
president and general manager of the Networking and Cloud Group at
Citrix. “Integration of NetScaler VPX and Arista 7048 switches makes
NetScaler’s market leading load balancing, acceleration and security
functionality immediately available to any application connected to an
Arista network.”
Cloud Networking designs have been pioneered by Arista for 1/10GbE
two-tier leaf and spine architectures. These can now be built on a
combination of Arista 7048 and 7100 series switches providing
non-blocking multi-terabit capacity and high-density configurations
delivering from 1000 to over 10,000 server ports. The high throughput
and bursty traffic patterns of storage, video, market data feeds, and
Web 2.0 applications require the network to cope with speed mismatches
and reliably manage congestion with consistent performance. The Arista
portfolio is optimally designed to provide a smooth migration to next
generation two-tier cloud designs with predictable latency, non-blocking
capacity and wire speed multi-layer capabilities.
The Arista 7048 is based on EOS, a purpose-built data center network
operating system already shipping on the Arista 7100 Series of 1/10GbE
switches. EOS offers open access to Linux tools, extensible network
services and allows easy integration with 3rd party
applications such as Citrix NetScaler VPX. EOS provides a single
system-image across all Arista networking platforms delivering mission
critical data center features such as Stateful Fault Repair and
In-Service Software Upgrades.
The Arista 7048 switch is available now
tony robbins seminar
SED International Names Ronell Rivera General Manager of Colombia Operations
by admin on Dec.17, 2009, under Uncategorized
PR Newswire, Dec 1, 2009
TUCKER, Ga., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — SED International Holdings, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SECX) , a multinational supply chain management provider and distributor of leading computer technology, wireless communications, consumer electronics and small appliances, today announced the appointment of Ronell Rivera to the position of General Manager of SED Colombia, effective immediately. He will report to Yvonne Portuondo, Vice President of SED Latin America.
SED Colombia, a subsidiary of SED International, is a leading distributor of computers, printers, networking equipment, consumer electronics, and other finished goods to resellers in Colombia. Major vendor lines for the division include HP, Acer, Epson, Dell, 3COM and Microsoft.
Rivera rejoins SED after five years at Lexmark International where he was responsible for developing small/medium business and supplies for the Latin American region. He had previously served in various capacities for SED over an eight-year period, including Vice President of Sales, Vice President of Latin America Division and President of SED Brazil. While responsible for the Latin America Division, Rivera was instrumental in the creation and launch of SED Colombia in 1997.
“Ronell is a dynamic sales and marketing executive who has 20 years of Latin American IT industry experience,” said Jonathan Elster, SED President & COO. “We are very pleased to have Ronell back with the SED family, where he can help us continue growing and serving a diverse and loyal base of customer and vendor partners in this important region.”
ABOUT SED INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Founded in 1980, SED International Holdings, Inc. is a multinational, preferred distributor of leading computer technology, wireless communications, consumer electronics and small appliances. The Company also offers custom-tailored supply chain management services ideally suited to meet the priorities and distribution requirements of the e-commerce, Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer markets. Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia with business operations in California; Florida; Georgia; Texas; Bogota, Colombia and Buenos Aires, Argentina, SED serves a customer base of over 10,000 channel partners and retailers in the U.S. and Latin America. To learn more, please visit http://www.sedonline.com/; or follow us on Twitter @SEDIntl.
Statements made in this Press Release that are not historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements.” These statements often can be identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believes,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximate” or “continue,” or the negative thereof
appliance factory seconds
Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. (XPO) to Present at Lambert, Edwards & Associates SMID-West Stock Conference
by admin on Dec.16, 2009, under Uncategorized
Business Wire, Dec 01, 2009
SAINT JOSEPH, Mich. — Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. (XPO) is pleased to announce that
they will be presenting information to investors and analysts at the
Lambert, Edwards & Associates fifth annual SMID-West Stock Conference to
be held on December 10, 2009 at The Allerton Hotel on Michigan Avenue in
Chicago.
SMID-West 2009 is an invitation-only event that will introduce
professional investors from the buy-side and sell-side to the management
teams of top-performing small- and mid-cap (SMID) companies in a
one-on-one and small-group meeting format. For more information
regarding the conference, please contact Amanda Passage at (616)
233-0500 or apassage@lambert-edwards.com.
Lambert, Edwards & Associates, a leading Midwest-based investor
relations firm, is hosting SMID-West 2009 in partnership with PR
Newswire, Cision, BDO Seidman, Barnes & Thornburg, Chorus Call,
Roadcast and Vintage Filings.
About Express-1 Expedited Solutions
Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. is a non-asset based services
organization focused on premium transportation through its business
segments, Express-1, Inc. (Buchanan, Michigan), Concert Group Logistics,
Inc. (CGL) (Downers Grove, Illinois), and Bounce Logistics, Inc. (South
Bend, Indiana). These segments are focused on premium services that
include same-day, time-sensitive transportation and domestic and
international freight forwarding. Serving more than 2,000 customers, the
Companys premium transportation offerings are provided through one of
five operations centers; Buchanan, Michigan; South Bend, Indiana;
Downers Grove, Illinois; Rochester Hills, Michigan and Tampa Florida.
The operations are handled by experienced inside sales staff using the
latest operational software. The Companys expedited ground coverage
includes all of North America. The Company provides freight forwarding
services with global coverage including air and ocean container freight
services. The Companys operating model can be described as non-asset or
asset light, as independent contractors and capacity through brokerage
agreements fulfill the trucking services for most of its shipments.
Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc
boutique hotel sydney
SoCal MAC Cosmetics Artists Trade Makeup Brushes for Aprons To Give Back on World AIDS Day
by admin on Dec.16, 2009, under Uncategorized
PR Newswire, Dec 1, 2009
Local volunteer team is part of a 24-country initiative of Hundreds of MAC employees extending the work of the MAC AIDS Fund
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Keeping true to the company’s long-standing dedication to HIV/AIDS, makeup artists in the Los Angeles area will roll up their sleeves and take off their brush belts to participate in volunteer efforts today, in a company-wide effort to commemorate World AIDS Day. The volunteer initiative — part of a worldwide effort including hundreds of makeup artists in 56 North American cities and 24 countries — is being organized to complement the artists’ commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS and to strengthen their connection to the company’s philanthropic arm, the MAC AIDS Fund (MAF), and its grantees.
MAC artists from the Los Angeles area are donating their time and skills at Project Angel Food and the AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, local organizations dedicated to providing nutritious hot and frozen meals on a daily basis to people living with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses. Artists will chop carrots, peel onions and deliver homemade meals to people living with HIV/AIDS. Project Angel Food and the AIDS Services Foundation Orange County have prepared and delivered more than 5.7 million meals to Southern Californians, and the MAC AIDS Fund has supported both programs since 1999 with grants totaling more than $2.8 million.
“Volunteering and giving back to the HIV/AIDS community has always been a source of pride at MAC,” said Gregory Arlt, MAC Director of Makeup Artistry. “Today’s company-wide volunteer day is allowing us to match our everyday fundraising through the sale of our Viva Glam products, which benefit HIV/AIDS programs, with hands-on work at organizations in our community that are making a difference.”
The volunteer effort will be complemented by a one-day in-store promotion at the Mission Viejo and Plaza El Segundo stores, where 100 percent of the sales for all Viva Glam lipstick and lipglass, which retail for $14, will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the MAC AIDS Fund
black lip stick
Dealers take on more space
by admin on Dec.16, 2009, under Uncategorized
0 Comments | Birmingham Post (England), The, Dec 10, 2009
A Midlands car dealer has taken on a new premises as part of expansion plans.
Rybrook has taken up a lease at the Heathcote Industrial Estate, in Warwick, which was the previous site of The Spa and Warwick Timber Company.
Having completed the deal, with the help of commercial property specialists EHB Commercial, the company plans to turn the 8,800 sq ft warehouse and office space into a delivery inspection centre for BMW cars.
The site will be used for vehicle preparation as well as carrying out minor repairs to the body and paintwork of vehicles before they are distributed to Rybrook’s retail dealerships across the region – including the company’s Warwick centre, located less than one mile away on Heathcote Lane.
Peter Hemus, property director for Rybrook, said: “The facilities are much better than anything we had previously and there is significantly more storage capacity at this site, which was a big factor in our decision to locate here.”
Eight people will be employed at the Harriott Drive site once it is up and running.
Pets and The Holidays: When Finding Alternative Housing for Your Pet
by admin on Dec.15, 2009, under Uncategorized
0 Comments | U.S. Newswire, Dec 1, 2009
To: NATIONAL EDITORS
Contact: Dr. Susan Nelson of K-State University, 1-785-532- 5690, snelson@vet.k-state.edu, http://www.k-state.edu/media/ mediaguide/bios/nelsonbio.html
MANHATTAN, Kan., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — When you leave home for the holidays, it’s important to choose the best housing option to ensure your pet’s well-being, a Kansas State University veterinarian said.
“It can be very stressful for some pets to be away from their owners,” said Dr. Susan Nelson, assistant professor of clinical sciences at K-State. “This stress also may be intensified if the time away is spent in unfamiliar surroundings, so try to prepare in advance in order to make your pet’s holiday time as stress-free as possible.”
Nelson said the primary options for pet care are a kennel or a pet sitter. Kennels are a good option for sociable animals that don’t stress about leaving the house, and pet sitters are a good option for animals that are more at ease at home, especially cats. She said it’s important to consider your pet’s behavior before hiring a sitter.
“It’s best to know whether your pet will be OK staying at home by itself and if it would let a stranger into the home while it’s alone,” Nelson said.
Some territorial and aggressive dogs don’t respond well to a stranger in the home and won’t allow someone unfamiliar to enter. Additionally, Nelson said dogs with extreme separation anxiety are best not left at home alone but instead taken to a kennel if there are no other options.
“These are the dogs that when left alone bark all day or have accidents in the house,” she said. “They may exhibit destructive behavior and even injure themselves. Some pet sitters will watch your pet in their home, so this may be a more suitable option for certain pets.”
To help pets adjust to temporary holiday housing, owners should help prepare their pet beforehand. If hiring a pet sitter, owners should schedule a greeting time when the sitter can meet and play with the pet.
“When the sitter comes to meet your pet, don’t be in the house so that you’ll find out how your pet will react to a stranger without you there,” Nelson said.
If your pet isn’t used to you being gone, you should leave the pet alone at home for short periods of time to prepare for a longer absence. Nelson said owners shouldn’t emphasize leaving and greeting their pet when they return, because this can reinforce its anxiety.
For pets going to the kennel, Nelson said owners can help their pet adjust to living in a smaller space by purchasing a crate for the home.
“You can get your pet used to the crate by having it stay in the crate a couple minutes at a time at the beginning and then slowly increasing that time,” she said. “It’s also helpful to feed pets when they’re in the crate so they get used to confinement during a low-stress time.”
To help ease your pet’s anxiety at the kennel, you can arrange play dates so your pet becomes used to being around other animals, Nelson said. Owners also can bring the animal’s favorite toy or something that smells like home, such as a T-shirt, to the kennel.
When choosing a pet sitter, Nelson suggests finding a family member, a friend or a professional. If hiring a professional pet sitter, pet owners should ask about the sitter’s training and experience, check for proof of insurance and ask for references. She also suggests that owners have professional sitters provide a written contract of their fees and services and ask what extra services they offer, like playing with the pet. If your pet has special needs or takes medication, make sure your pet sitter will be comfortable performing those tasks.
For kennels, Nelson said it’s important to reserve a spot early in the holiday season. When choosing a kennel, owners can visit the facility and see how it looks and smells. They also can see what kind of safety and security the kennel has, such as video surveillance, fire alarms and sprinkler systems
san diego mold
Recent restaurant reviews
by admin on Dec.07, 2009, under Uncategorized
0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 4, 2009 | by Anonymous
The following are shortened versions of recent full-length restaurant reviews. The date the original review ran and its overall rating is in parentheses. If there are more stars than dollar signs, consider it a good value.
AMERICAN
900 Grayson, 900 Grayson St., Berkeley. 510-704-9900. Concealed in a little red building is casual dining with an oasis of scrumptious breakfast and lunch fare. Classic American fare meets pizazz (buttermilk waffles topped with spicy fried chicken and cream gravy) and a few sophisticated touches (salad with omelet). Exquisite soups and salads blend fresh ingredients and new dimensions of texture. Despite a laid-back vibe and harried service during rush periods, the food shows a refined hand in the kitchen. $$. (HHH on 11/14/08)
Most Recent Articles
Most Popular Publications
Most Recent Publications
Burgermeister, 2319 Central Ave., Alameda. 510-865-3032. Burgers at this family-owned restaurant are the real deal. Here, you will find all-natural, high-quality Niman Ranch beef, cooked to order. Customized toppings include Applewood smoked bacon and sauteed mango, but the classic cheeseburger remains the most popular choice. The MeisterBurger is a megameal. Even the non-burger BBQ chicken sandwich is done up right. Milkshakes are made from Tucker’s Ice Cream, a beloved Alameda institution. It’s definitely a high-end burger joint, so expect a hefty tab. $. (HH 1/2 on 3/6/09)
The Cheesecake Factory, 1181 Locust St., Walnut Creek. 925-952- 8451; www.thecheesecakefactory.com. This popular chain restaurant has found an excellent corner spot in downtown, with seating indoors and out. Every hallmark of the franchise is seen here, from the warm Venetian-style decor to the menu brimming with options. Wait times at this location aren’t as long as at other Cheesecake Factories in the Bay Area. If you want the great food without the wait, try the Curbside to Go. Portion sizes are huge, so expect to go home with leftovers. The cheesecakes and other desserts are incredible, so consider splitting an entree or ordering from the small plates. $$. (HHH on 06/05/09)
Chow, 445 Railroad Ave., Danville. 925-838-4510. Versatility is key for both decor and the restaurant overall, as if the goal is to create a place that feels welcoming to all types at all times. The space is perfectly suitable for a big rowdy group, but equally comfortable for a single diner. Chow’s straightforward comfort food menu is conceptually strong. With more snacky items and appetizers, the Danville Chow varies a bit from the one in Lafayette. Pastas and salads fare particularly well in this kitchen. $$. (HHH on 11/07/ 08)
City Bistro, 30162 Industrial Parkway, SW, Hayward. 510-429- 8600
sydney kitchen design
Board Director Compensation at Young Companies Tops the Charts
by admin on Dec.07, 2009, under Uncategorized
Business Wire, Dec 01, 2009
Introduction Phase companies have highest board compensation
and percent increase year-over-year
Overall board compensation increases by approximately 6%
CHICAGO — BDO Seidman, LLP, one of the nations leading accounting and consulting
organizations, released the findings of its annual board compensation
study which tracks board compensation by business life cycle, revenue
segments and industries. The study found that compensation at
introduction phase companies is on the rise despite the difficult
economy. Introduction phase companies are also offering higher
compensation than all other business life cycles at $96,405 per year.
The introduction phase is classified as a company that has
recently completed an IPO or restructured. Other business life-cycles
measured include: growth, mature and decline stage
companies.
In order to reach the introduction phase in the current economy,
a company must be nearly fiscally flawless, said Randy Ramirez,
Regional Practice Leader in the Compensation and Benefits practice at
BDO Seidman. The introduction phase companies that survived this
year had an advantage over companies in other life-cycles. Remaining
insulated from the financial meltdown, they were able to lure and retain
top board directors by using more attractive compensation plans.
These findings are from the most recent edition of The BDO 300:
2009-2010 Survey of Board Compensation Practices of 300 Mid-Market
Public Companies which examined the director compensation
practices of publicly-traded companies with annual revenues below $1
billion in the energy, financial services, manufacturing, real estate,
retail and technology industries.
Some of the major findings of The BDO 300 Mid-Market Board
Compensation Study:
-
Mature and Decline Stage Companies Decrease Compensation.
In contrast to the increases found in introduction and growth
phase companies, mature and declining companies
decreased compensation mostly as a textbook response to the economic
crisis
workers compensation lawyers sydney
Merseyside drugs baron gets 13 years for pounds 1m plot
by admin on Dec.07, 2009, under Uncategorized
0 Comments | Daily Post; Liverpool (UK), Dec 4, 2009 | by BEN ROSSINGTON
CURTIS WARREN was last night starting a 13-year jail term for masterminding a pounds 1m cannabis smuggling plot.
The sentence, only a year less than the maximum tariff, was passed down by former High Court judge Sir Richard Tucker at Jersey’s Royal Court yesterday.
Toxteth-born Warren was not in court to hear his sentence. Instead, events were relayed to him via videolink to a room at top security HMP Belmarsh.
Dressed in a polo shirt and Adidas tracksuit bottoms, Warren showed absolutely no interest while the cases were being put to the court, preferring to read a book.
When the sentence was passed, he gave only a smirk before leaving the room.
Most Recent Articles
Most Popular Publications
Most Recent Publications
Warren was moved to Belmarsh amid police fears of a plot to spring him from Jersey’s cliff-top prison.
In October, “Cocky” and five others were convicted by a jury of scheming to import up to pounds 1m of cannabis from mainland Europe to Jersey.
It was alleged Warren used his underworld contacts in Holland to set up the deal for longtime Liverpoolborn friend John Welsh, a drug dealer who has lived on Jersey for more than 20 years.
Sentencing Warren, Judge Tucker said: “We do not sentence him because of his record or notoriety. Nevertheless, he has been shown to be the mastermind behind the planned importation, he provided contacts in Holland and was the source of supply.
“We recognise he has been in prison for a long time, but regret to note that very shortly after being released he embarked on another very substantial drug trafficking enterprise.”
Those acting for Warren suggested he was too big a criminal to get involved in such a “laughable and hopeless” plot
embroidered polo shirt
Looking for something?
Use the form below to search the site:
Still not finding what you're looking for? Drop a comment on a post or contact us so we can take care of it!
Visit our friends!
A few highly recommended friends...
Archives
All entries, chronologically...
