Author: Serkadis

  • General Employment Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2009 Results

    General Employment Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE Amex: JOB) reported consolidated net revenues for the fourth quarter of the company’s 2009 fiscal year.

    The quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009 of $2,515,000, which were down 33% compared with consolidated net revenues of $3,760,000 reported for the same period last year.

    Contract service revenues for the quarter were $1,847,000, up 2% from the same period last year.

    Placement service revenues of $668,000 decreased 66% from last year.

    The Company had a net loss of $69,000 or $.01 per share, in the fourth quarter of this year, compared with a net loss of $474,000, or $.09 per share, in the fourth quarter last year.

    Commenting on the Company’s performance, Salvatore J. Zizza, CEO said, “It was an extremely challenging environment in the staffing industry, particularly for full-time placement services. Employment conditions in the United States continued to deteriorate during the quarter, as 700,000 Americans lost their jobs and the national unemployment rate rose to 9.8%.”

    Mr. Zizza continued, “Despite the 33% decline in consolidated net revenues, we were able to reduce the quarterly net loss by 85% by controlling costs. On July 1st we implemented a major restructuring of corporate and field operations, and throughout the fourth quarter we continued to take actions to reduce and control our cost structure.

    As a result, we reduced our selling, general and administrative expenses by 56% from the same quarter last year. As a result, we were able to reduce the quarterly net loss to $69,000.”

    Fiscal Year Results

    For the year ended Sept. 30, 2009, the Company had a net loss of $4,228,000, or $.58 per share, compared with a net loss of $1,806,000, or $.35 per share, for the same period last year.

    Consolidated net revenues for the year were $10,394,000, down 32% compared with $15,235,000 last year.

    During the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded additional compensation expense of $1,070,000 under a consulting agreement with the Company’s former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (the “former CEO”) that became effective on July 1, 2009.

    Under the consulting agreement, the former CEO resigned from those positions and his employment agreement with the Company was terminated, and the Company became obligated to make monthly payments over a five-year period and to issue 500,000 shares of common stock to the former CEO.

    The additional compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. The results for the year also include a provision for the cost of closing branch offices of $330,000.

    During the period, the Company consolidated ten branch offices in four metropolitan areas.

    Excluding the provision for additional compensation and the provision for the cost of closing branch offices, the Company’s net loss for the year was $2,828,000, or $.39 per share.

    Business Information

    General Employment provides professional staffing services, and specializes in information technology, accounting and engineering placements.

    The Company’s business is highly dependent on national employment trends in general and on the demand for professional staff in particular. Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company’s business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or by extrapolating past results.

    Some of the factors that could affect the Company’s future performance include, but are not limited to, general business conditions, the demand for the Company’s services, competitive market pressures, the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified personnel for regular full-time placement and contract assignments, the possibility of incurring liability for the Company’s business activities, including the activities of contract employees and events affecting its contract employees on client premises, and the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified corporate and branch management.

                          GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
                          ------------------------------------
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          ------------------------------------
                            (In Thousands, Except Per Share)
    
                                     Three Months            Year
                                  Ended September 30  Ended September 30
                                  ------------------  ------------------
                                   2009       2008     2009        2008
                                  ------     ------   ------      ------
        Net revenues:
          Contract services       $1,847     $1,811   $6,280      $7,476
          Placement services         668      1,949    4,114       7,759
                                  ------      -----  -------     -------
    
        Net revenues               2,515      3,760   10,394      15,235
        Cost of contract services  1,281      1,221    4,374       5,037
        Selling, general and
         administrative
         expenses(1)(2)            1,303      2,986   10,198      12,041
                                  ------      -----  -------     -------
    
        Loss from operations         (69)      (447)  (4,178)     (1,843)
        Investment income (loss)       -        (27)     (50)         37
                                  ------      -----  -------     -------
    
        Net loss(3)                 $(69)     $(474) $(4,228)    $(1,806)
                                  ======      =====  =======     =======
    
        Average number of shares
         -basic and diluted       13,369      5,165    7,232       5,163
                                  ======      =====  =======     =======
    
        Net loss per share -
         basic and diluted         $(.01)     $(.09)   $(.58)      $(.35)
                                  ======      =====  =======     =======
    
        (1)  During the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded
             additional compensation expense of $1,070,000 under a consulting
             agreement with the Company's former Chairman, Chief Executive
             Officer and President (the "former CEO") that became effective on
             July 1, 2009.  Under the consulting agreement, the former CEO
             resigned from those positions and his employment agreement with the
             Company was terminated, and the Company became obligated to make
             monthly payments over a five-year period and to issue 500,000
             shares of common stock to the former CEO.  The additional
             compensation expense is included in selling, general and
             administrative expenses for the twelve months ended September 30,
             2009, and it is comprised of a liability for the future payments in
             the amount of $790,000 and additional common stock in the amount of
             $280,000.
        (2)  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve
             months ended September 30, 2009 include a provision for the cost of
             closing branch offices of $330,000.  During the period, the Company
             consolidated ten branch offices into four branch offices in four
             metropolitan areas.
        (3)  There were no credits of income taxes as a result of the pretax
             losses during the periods, because there was not sufficient
             assurance that future tax benefits would be realized.
    
                          GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
                          ------------------------------------
                    NON-GAAP RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND RECONCILIATION
                    -------------------------------------------------
                            (In Thousands, Except Per Share)
    
        The Company's results of operations, excluding the additional compensation
        expense under the consulting agreement and excluding the provision for the
        cost of closing offices from selling, general and administrative expenses,
        are shown in the table below. Management believes that this information
        provides a meaningful measurement of the results of operations on an
        ongoing basis, without the one-time charges.
    
                                      Three Months               Year
                                   Ended September 30      Ended September 30
                                   ------------------      ------------------
                                    2009      2008          2009        2008
                                    ----      ----          ----        ----
        Net revenues:
          Contract services        $1,847    $1,811        $6,280      $7,476
          Placement services          668     1,949         4,114       7,759
                                    -----     -----       -------     -------
    
        Net revenues                2,515     3,760        10,394      15,235
        Cost of contract services   1,281     1,221         4,374       5,037
        Selling, general and
         administrative
         expenses(4)                1,404     2,986         8,798      12,041
                                    -----     -----       -------     -------
    
        Loss from operations         (170)     (447)       (2,778)     (1,843)
        Investment income (loss)        -       (27)          (50)         37
                                    -----     -----       -------     -------
    
        Net loss                    $(170)    $(474)      $(2,828)    $(1,806)
                                    =====     =====       =======     =======
    
        Average number of shares -
         basic and diluted         13,369     5,165         7,232       5,163
                                   ======     =====       =======     =======
    
        Net loss per share -basic
         and diluted                $(.01)    $(.09)        $(.39)      $(.35)
                                   ======     =====       =======     =======
    
        (4) A reconciliation of selling, general and administrative expenses
            is as follows:
    
                                            Three Months          Year
                                        Ended September 30  Ended September 30
                                        ------------------  ------------------
                                         2009       2008      2009       2008
                                         ----       ----      ----       ----
    
        Non-GAAP expenses               $1,404     $2,986    $8,798    $12,041
        Additional compensation under
         consulting agreement              (55)         -     1,070          -
        Provision for cost of closing
         offices                           (46)         -       330          -
                                        ------     ------   -------    -------
    
        As reported                     $1,303     $2,986   $10,198    $12,041
                                        ======     ======   =======    =======
    
                            GENERAL EMPLOYMENT ENTERPRISES, INC.
                            ------------------------------------
                     SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
                     -------------------------------------------------
                                       (In Thousands)
    
                                                      September 30  September 30
                                                          2009         2008
                                                      ------------  ------------
        Assets:
          Cash and cash equivalents                       $2,810       $4,165
          Other current assets                             1,287        1,627
                                                          ------       ------
    
             Total current assets                          4,097        5,792
          Property and equipment, net                        570          791
          Other assets                                         -          419
                                                          ------       ------
    
          Total assets                                    $4,667       $7,002
                                                          ======       ======
    
        Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
          Current liabilities                             $1,488       $1,507
          Other liabilities                                  575          419
          Shareholders' equity (5)                         2,604        5,076
                                                          ------       ------
    
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $4,667       $7,002
                                                          ======       ======
    
        (5)  During the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded
             the sale of 7,700,000 newly-issued shares of common stock to PSQ,
             LLC for $1,925,000 in cash, pursuant to a Securities Purchase and
             Tender Offer Agreement that had been entered into by the Company on
             March 30, 2009.  The net proceeds to the Company from the share
             issuance , after deducting related costs, were $1,384,000.
    


  • Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver dated for US

    It’s been a long wait, hasn’t it? No matter, that DS of yours better be in good shape ’cause it’s gonna get some serious playtime. The much-awaited remakes of Pokemon Gold and Silver are finally dated for

  • Blake Lively Esquire February 2010

    Blake Lively graces the Feb. 2010 issue of Esquire Magazine, available Jan. 19. While the leggy blonde may play glamorous Manhattan socialite Serena on The CW soap Gossip Girl, her next role finds Lively a world away.

    “It was crazy,” Blake says of the Ben Affleck-directed crime drama The Town, in which she plays a cash-strapped woman who is the victim of a sexual assault.

    “I have a sex scene in this film and that’s never comfortable,” she tells Esquire. “You think, ‘Oh, this is going to be so awkward.’ But this scene isn’t supposed to be a steamy one – it’s sort of tragic. … I’m pretty much crying in it.”

  • Virtify Reports $15M in A Round

    Virtify logo
    Ryan McBride wrote:

    Virtify, a provider of Web-based document management software for life sciences firms, has secured $15 million in an offering of Series A convertible preferred stock, according to an SEC filing.

    There are eight investors in the round, according to the filing, but the Cambridge, MA-based firm hasn’t yet identified them, and neither company CEO Satish Tadikonda nor executive chairman Michael Webb could be immediately reached for comment this morning. A previous investor in the firm is Tudor Ventures, the Boston venture arm of Greenwich, CT, hedge fund Tudor Investments. Michael Stansky of Tudor Investments and Bob Forlenza of Tudor Ventures are both listed as Virtify directors.

    Virtify is providing technology to help mid-sized life sciences companies reduce the high costs and paper shuffling required to advance drugs through clinical trials. The firm’s SaaS software enables drug developers to track and manage compliance documents, including those sent to regulatory agencies such as the FDA to support applications to enter clinical trials or bring a new product to market. The tall stacks of documentation needed to support applications for new drugs and other regulatory requirements are a notorious bugaboo for the life sciences industry.

    It’s not clear how much money Virtify has raised to date. The business has been around for at least a few years, according to press releases on its website. We’ll provide more details as we get them.







  • BMW Grows 10 Percent in December, Drops Just as Much in 2009

    The last month of 2009 proved to be much better than the entire year for most carmakers, as nearly all posted increased sales over the rest of the year. Even if this growth can be easily explained by the fact that December 2008 marked the begging of the decline for the auto industry, the fact that the "+" sign now sits in front of the sales reports can do nothing but please carmakers and leave room for hope.

    The Germans from BMW reported a 10 percent increase in sales i… (read more)

  • Applications For TechStars Boston Close Tonight

    Today is the last day to apply for the TechStars Boston 2010 program.  If you want a flavor for where the program is held, Bill Warner (one of the founders of TechStars Boston) has a fun post up titled Lifestyles of The Future Rich and Future Famous: A Look Inside the TechStars Boston (Actually Cambridge) Penthouse.

    I lived in Boston from 1983 to 1995 (actually Cambridge from 1983 – 1987 but I consider Boston and Cambridge to be inexorably linked.)  During the time I was in Boston there was a thriving entrepreneurial community around software and – in the early to mid-1990’s – Internet.  While there was plenty of activity around Route 128 and 495, I always felt like the heart of it was in Cambridge in Kendall Square (near MIT) and Central Square (between MIT and Harvard).  At least that’s where I hung out – Main Street, Mass Ave, Rogers Street, Binney Street, First, and Third Street.  So – when we started TechStars Boston, it was inevitable that it would be in the heart of Cambridge.

    Recently, a number of the Boston-area VC firms started migrating to Cambridge.  When I was in Boston, most were located in downtown Boston, near Rt. 128, or in Cambridge.  Over the years many of these firms decamped to Mount Money in Waltham which was very disconnected from where all the “young people lived.”  While downtown Boston wasn’t the heart of Cambridge, at least it was only a 15 minute ride by T.  Waltham – well – that could have been Mars as far as a recent MIT grad starting a new company concerned.

    Apparently a bunch of Boston-area VC firms agree.  Bessemer Venture Partners is now hunting for space in Cambridge (relocating from Wellesley), Greylock recently announced they were moving to Harvard Square and will be near General Catalyst who moved there a while ago, and Polaris’ Dogpatch Labs opened in Cambridge last year just down the street from Venrock and Avalon.  And there continue to be plenty of VC firms a short T ride away in Boston, such as Spark Capital and Flybridge.

    There is an entrepreneurial renaissance happening in Boston (and Cambridge).  If you are starting a software or Internet company, spend 15 minutes applying to the TechStars Boston program.  In addition to being in the heart of Cambridge, you’ll be surrounded by some incredible mentors as you work to get your business off the ground.


  • Covilhã – City of Portugal

    Covilhã is a Portuguese city, the gateway to the mountain of Estrela, with about 34 700 inhabitants.

    -Central Region
    -Sub-region Cova da Beira
    -Castelo Branco District

  • Cute Cube: A Socket For Squares [Concepts]

    As chargers and power adapters—and the number of gadgets we carry—become ever more unwieldy, a solution like the Cute Cube is going to be less a luxury than a necessity. A necessity that is just adorable!

    It’s just a concept for now, but it’s a Red Dot Design Award-winning concept, which will hopefully help give it some legs. The Cute Cube has rotatable jacks that can accommodate up to six chargers or plugs of any shape, along with indicator lights that tell you which plugs are occupied. Having just spent a week battling with power strips in a far off land, I’m more than ready to get cubed. [Red Dot Design Awards via Oh Gizmo!]







  • Rumor Has It: New Parts and Supplier Details Emerge for Apple Tablet

    Everything’s beginning to come together for the launch of Apple’s tablet — quite literally, in fact, as Apple’s suppliers for the device begin to ship component parts or are ramping up for production in the near future. That’s according to a report issued by news service Reuter’s Friday afternoon.

    Two Taiwanese companies are cited in the report as having received the contracts for the aluminum casings and the touchscreen panels that the upcoming Apple slate will use in its construction. If true, this means that the tablet will indeed sport an aluminum enclosure, and I’d expect something akin to the unibody construction process used in the MacBook Pro casing to be applied here. Imagine the build quality of that machine, without a hinge as a point of weakness. It’ll be quite hardy.

    AVY Precision Technology is said to be the supplier for the cases. The company manufactures covers for various electronic devices. The cases haven’t yet begun production, though they will very soon, according to Reuters’ sources:

    “Production of the cases will begin in February, so everything points to a second-quarter launch right now,” said one of the sources. “It doesn’t take that long for the company to assemble the PC together, but a second-quarter shipment date is what we’re looking at now.”

    As for the touchscreen panels, the sources cite TPK Solutions as yet another supplier for that component of the devices. It joins Wintek, which is reportedly already producing panels for the tablet, too. Apple seems to be preparing for a fairly ambitious initial production run. The panels have reportedly already begun shipping.

    The timing of the orders and shipments implies a second-quarter 2010 launch for the device.

    I’m of the opinion that this new rumor is fairly reliable, for a few reasons. First, at CES last week, many manufacturers took the opportunity to try to steal some of Apple’s tablet thunder by unveiling slate-type computers and media devices themselves, Microsoft and HP being the most notable among them. Second, in the wake of the Mac Observer piece by a former Apple marketing manager revealing the internal workings of and purposes behind Apple’s intentional leaks, this latest rumor seems to fit the bill pretty well.

    Stoking the rumor fires with relatively inconsequential information about parts suppliers manages to draw some of the attention back to Apple and away from competitors, while not really revealing any major new details about the upcoming device — except for the aluminum casing thing, which could actually be pretty cool.

  • Would you like this as your girlfriend?

    Celebrate, lads. All your problems are solved!
    :shifty:

    Quote:

    In what is billed as a world first, a life-size robotic girlfriend complete with artificial intelligence and flesh-like synthetic skin was introduced to adoring fans at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas on Saturday (local time).

    "She can’t vacuum, she can’t cook but she can do almost anything else if you know what I mean," TrueCompanion’s Douglas Hines said.

    "She’s a companion. She has a personality. She hears you. She listens to you. She speaks. She feels your touch. She goes to sleep. We are trying to replicate a personality of a person."

    Roxxxy stands five feet, seven inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, "has a full C cup and is ready for action", according to Mr Hines, who was an artificial intelligence engineer at Bell Labs before starting TrueCompanion.

    The anatomically-correct robot has an articulated skeleton that can move like a person but cannot walk or independently move its limbs.

    Robotic movement is built into "the three inputs" and a mechanical heart that powers a liquid cooling system.

    Roxxxy comes with five personalities. Wild Wendy is outgoing and adventurous, while Frigid Farrah is reserved and shy.

    There is a young, naive personality along with a Mature Martha that Mr Hines described as having a "matriarchal kind of caring". S & M Susan is geared for more adventurous types.

    Aspiring partners can customise Roxxxy features, including race, hair colour and breast size. A male sex robot named Rocky is in development.

    People ordering the robots online detail their tastes and interests much like online dating sites but here, the information is used to get the mechanical girlfriend in synch with her mate.

    "She knows exactly what you like," Mr Hines said of Roxxxy, noting that Rocky will also come with personalities.

    "If you like Porsches, she likes Porsches. If you like soccer, she likes soccer."

    Roxxxy versions are priced from $US7,000 to $US9,000 ($7,500 to $9,700) depending on features.

    The sex robot is available in Europe and the United States and will eventually be available globally.


    http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2…10/2788991.htm

  • Chicago “The Bachelor” Performance Tonight

    Legendary rock ban Chicago will perform ”in a very romantic and very unique location” outside Palm Springs for pilot Jake Pavelka and his date on ABC’s The Bachelor tonight.

    ”We’ve performed in many different spots over the past 43 years, but this is really different,” according to band manager Peter Schivarelli.

  • 2011 Toyota Sienna Auto Access Seat Debuts at NAIAS

    At this years NAIAS, Toyota is debuting their new Auto Access Seat, designed for the 2011 Sienna minivan. This will make Toyota the first carmaker in North America to offer a factory-installed, rotating, power ascending/descending lift-up seat, for those who may need assistance getting in or out of a vehicle.

    The Auto Access Seat features a seat-mounted ingress/egress switch and a wireless remote control that allows for easy and flexible seat operation. The seat rotates 90 degrees… (read more)

  • Audi Surpasses 2009 Sales Target

    In a type of announcement we don’t get to see every day, German carmaker Audi stepped in and told the world that it has exceeded the sales forecast for 2009 (after it upgraded it in mid year) and sold 949,700 cars worldwide last year. This means Audi sales dropped only 5.4 percent on the 2008 record figure (1,003,469 vehicles).

    We are making a lively start 2010 and aim to deliver one million cars again, upert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi said in a release. … (read more)

  • Scratching the surface: DJ’ing with your Mac

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    It’s Saturday night and you’re out and about painting the town red, or whatever color it is that towns are painted these days. Whether you end up at a night club, a lounge or a bar, there’s a good chance there’s going to be a DJ spinning up some tunes at the venue. And there’s a good chance that you’ll see a glowing Apple in front of the DJ, as said DJ may be accompanied by a MacBook or MacBook Pro. If you’ve ever looked into doubling your Mac as a virtual turntable, then this post may help you scratch the surface — err, vinyl.

    At the top of my list for DJ apps is Serato Scratch Live, commonly known just as “Serato”. Although the software-hardware combination of Serato is also compatible with Windows-based machines, most DJs that I know, and most of the DJs in the venues I’ve been to, outfit their Serato setup with a Mac. Here’s what’s in a typical Serato DJ config:

    1. There’s Serato Control Vinyl. Although it looks and feels like a traditional vinyl record, Serato Control Vinyl doesn’t have any pre-recorded music on it. Instead, the record contains a control signal that allows Scratch Live (the software on your computer) to track the motion of the record — allowing you to control and scratch the the MP3s or AACs on your computer. The price for Serato Control Vinyl records ranges between USD $10 and $20.
    2. Scratch Live, which is the software that’s installed on your computer.
    3. To bridge the digital world (Scratch Live and your digital music) and the vinyl analog world, you’ll need to use special hardware: either Rane’s SL 1 or SL 3 audio interfaces. These breakout boxes connect to your computer via USB. Audio is passed to the breakout box by connecting your left and right turntables’ respective RCA cables to Serato’s inputs, and likewise Serato’s outputs to your mixer.

    While you can purchase Serato Control Vinyl and a Rane SL 1 or SL 3 box separately, they can can also be purchased as packages. For example, a package with Scratch Live, two Serato Control Vinyl records and the Rane SL 1 box is usually priced at about USD $540.

    Similar vinyl-based digital solutions are also offered by Stanton’s Final Scratch, Native Instruments’ Traktor Scratch, and Torq DJ.

    But if you’re just looking to get your feet wet without the need for expensive hardware, there are software-centric options to tickle your beat matching and vinyl scratching fancy. Here, instead of using digital vinyl, you’ll be using your Mac’s trackpad and some keyboard combinations to perform your mixing trickery. Of the paid-for options available, I’ve found algoriddim’s Djay (USD $49.95) to offer the best balance of simplicity and ease-of-use for novices, as well as providing some advanced features for the more seasoned DJ.

    Like a traditional DJ setup, DJay’s interface presents dual virtual turntables to the user. Playing a song on one of the turntables is as simple as dragging and dropping songs from your song library (which is very nicely integrated with iTunes) to the desired turntable. Besides EQ, gain level, record speed and mixer controls, you can also set looping and cue points. To facilitate your workflow and mixing, the app features an “analyze library” feature that analyzes your songs and provides the beats per minute (BPM) of them. But if you’re feeling lazy and not in the mixing mood, you can choose the app’s “Automix” option. As implied in its name, the feature puts DJay on autopilot and automatically mixes your music for you. While DJay is suitable for use without any special hardware, Vestax has developed Spin, a USB controller that provides for more physical, turntable-like control. Spin is available at the Apple Store for USD $249.95.

    Advances in technology have changed DJ’ing, as the sight of seeing DJs carrying in large carrying cases and milk crates full of 12″ records has become less frequent. Serato and DJay represent two DJ’ing offerings available on the Mac, but by no means are they the only options. Readers, we’d like to hear some of your recommendations to the aspiring DJ or the mixmaster in all of us.

    TUAWScratching the surface: DJ’ing with your Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • 2010 Detroit: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible hangs out with Chrysler

    2010 Detroit: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible

    • Key Competitors: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, Bentley Continental GTC.
    • Power: 4.7L V8 producing 440-hp/361 lb-ft.
    • Transmission: 6-speed automatic.
    • Performance: 0 to 62 mph 5.4 seconds. Top speed 176 mph.
    • Pricing: TBA.

    Taking up very little space at Chrysler Group LLC display here at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible made its stateside debut earlier today.

    Sales of the 2010 GranTurismo Convertible will begin in spring 2010. Stay tuned for pricing and other details.

    Hit the jump for the high-res image gallery.

    2010 Detroit: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible:

    2010 Detroit: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible 2010 Detroit: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible 2010 Detroit: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible 2010 Detroit: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible

    All Photos Copyright © 2009 Stephen Calogera – egmCarTech.

    – By: Stephen Calogera


  • Detroit 2010: Next-gen Ford Focus a C-segment savior

    Filed under: , , , , ,

    Next-gen Ford Focus live unveiling – Click above for high-res image gallery

    It’s taken far too long, but an all-new Ford Focus has arrived and we just saw it in the metal at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Complete with a new platform, new engine, some shapely sheetmetal and a host of tech, this new Focus that we’ll finally be sharing with Europe and the rest of the world is about to set a new bar for the small car C-segment.

    The Focus will initially be available in the U.S. in both four- and five-door hatchback body styles, with a three-door hatch and coupe likely in the works as well. A new 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque will be the only engine at launch, but buyers will have a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and Ford’s new six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

    Ford also confirmed during its press conference this morning that a Focus Electric is due to arrive in 2012, with a hybrid version arriving the next year – both of which will be built in Michigan.

    For all the details, hit up our deep dive of the next generation Ford Focus after checking out our first live shots from the Detroit Auto Show in the gallery below.

    Detroit 2010: Next-gen Ford Focus a C-segment savior originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Rod Blagojevich “Blacker Than Barack Obama”

    In an expletive-ridden chat in the Feb. issue of Esquire Magazine, ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich rants about his upcoming trial on felony corruption charges and charges that he’s “blacker than Barack Obama.”

    Referring to the president as “this guy,” Blagojevich says Obama was elected on a platform based simply on hope.

    “This guy, he was catapulted in on hope and change, what we hope the guy is. What the fuck? Everything he’s saying’s on the teleprompter. I’m blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in a black community not far from where we lived. I saw it all growing up,” Blagojevich scoffs in the story, which hits newsstands Jan. 19. “I saw it all growing up.”

    The White House has refused to comment.

    The twice-elected Democrat was impeached and removed from office last year after federal prosecutors arrested him on corruption charges that included trying to sell Obama’s old U.S. Senate seat. Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty.

    In the meantime, Rod is busy getting ready for his big reality TV debut. The former politician and his neatly-combed coiff willl appear on the third season of NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice in March.


  • Detroit 2010: Next-gen Ford Focus a C-segment savior [w/video]

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    Next-gen Ford Focus live unveiling – Click above for high-res image gallery

    It’s taken far too long, but an all-new Ford Focus has arrived and we’ve just seen it in the metal here at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Complete with a new platform, new engine, some shapely sheetmetal and a host of tech, this new Focus that we’ll finally be sharing with Europe and the rest of the world promises to set a new bar for the small car C-segment.

    The Focus will initially be available in the U.S. in both four- and five-door hatchback body styles, with a three-door hatch and coupe likely in the works as well. A new 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque will be the only engine at launch, but buyers will have a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and Ford’s new six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

    Ford also confirmed during its press conference this morning that a Focus Electric is due to arrive in 2012, with a hybrid version arriving the next year – both of which will be built in Michigan.

    For all the details, hit up our deep dive of the next generation Ford Focus after checking out our first live shots from the Detroit Auto Show in the gallery below. Hit the jump to watch video of the 2011 Ford Focus live reveal.

    Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

    Follow our coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show live all day on Twitter at http://twitter.com/therealautoblog

    Continue reading Detroit 2010: Next-gen Ford Focus a C-segment savior [w/video]

    Detroit 2010: Next-gen Ford Focus a C-segment savior [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Detroit 2010: LaHood says Volt “obviously the kind of green car Americans are looking for”

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    The 2010 Detroit Auto Show kicked off this morning with a positive little speech by United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Speaking about the coming electrification of the automobile, he said that “this is what the American people want.” When asked how much money the government would pay over the next decade for a plug-in vehicle infrastructure, all he would say is that the costs would be shared between industry and government.

    LaHood also praised the assistance that Obama gave to the domestic automakers, especially General Motors and Chrysler, calling it a lifeline that was very much needed. When LaHood visited Detroit last October, he spend half-days with each of the Big Three, and came away from GM with the impression that the
    Chevrolet “Volt is obviously the kind of green car Americans are looking for.” So says the guy who works for the government that owns 60 percent of the company that will sell the Volt.

    The new CAFE standards were a major achievement for the Obama Administration, especially since they came so early in the administration. LaHood said he doesn’t expect any push back from the automakers on higher standards in the future, since they were present with Obama when he made the announcement and worked together on the details. That initial agreement also began what LaHood called a “special relationship” between the government and the auto industry, one that he promised would be “long lasting.”


    Follow our coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show live all day on Twitter at http://twitter.com/therealautoblog

    Detroit 2010: LaHood says Volt “obviously the kind of green car Americans are looking for” originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Chicago Police Union Endorses Berrios for Assessor

    The Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge #7 today endorsed Joseph Berrios for Cook County Assessor in next month’s Democratic Primary.

    With this endorsement, the Fraternal Order of Police joins more than 75 organizations and elected officials who are supporting Berrios in his run for assessor.

    “The Fraternal Order of Police is proud to endorse Joe Berrios for Cook County Assessor. His public service record has been dedicated to protecting the working men and women of Chicago,” FOP President Mark Donahue said today.

    “We believe that as assessor Joe will continue to fight property tax hikes and be a strong advocate for taxpayers.”

    FOP Chicago Lodge #7 represents the city’s more than 13,000 officers.

    “I am honored to have the backing of these fine men and women,” said Berrios.

    “I look forward to representing them as Cook County Assessor, making taxpayers my number one priority.”

    Other groups who have endorsed Berrios are: Advocate Society, AFSME, Association of Polish-American Attorneys, Chicago Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, Cook County Democratic Party, Hispanic American Labor Council, Journeymen Plasterers’ Protective and Benevolent Society of Chicago, Local No. 5, Local Union 597 Chicago Pipe Fitters, Operating Engineers Local 150 and United Hellenic Voters of America.

    Elected officials who have endorsed Berrios include: Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White; State Senators John Cullerton, James DeLeo, Ricky Hendon, Martin Sandoval and Louis Viverito; State Representatives Edward Acevedo, Maria Berrios, Daniel Burke, Marlow Colvin, John D’Amico, Anthony DeLuca, Mary Flowers, Esther Golar, Greg Harris, Joseph Lyons and Kevin McCarthy;

    Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart; Cook County Board Commissioners Jerry Butler and Deborah Sims; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners Frank Avila, Gloria Alitto Majewski, Kathleen Therese Meany and Mariyana Spyropoulos;

    Chicago Aldermen Thomas Allen, James Balcer, Walter Burnett Jr., George Cardenas, Vi Daley, Sharon Dixon, Brian Doherty, Pat Dowell, Toni Foulkes, Margaret Laurino, Patrick LeVar, Lona Lane, Freddrenna Lyle, Richard Mell, Frank Olivo, Toni Preckwinkle, John Pope, Bernard Stone, JoAnn Thompson and Michael Zalewski;

    And Cook County Committeemen Maggie Crotty, Wilbert Crowley, Patricia Cullerton, Charles Hernandez, Jesse Juarez, Steven Landek, Lou Lang, Michael Looney, Robert Lovero, Robert Martwick, Terry Matthews, Brian McPartlin, Antonio Munoz, Mary O’Connor, Barrett Pedersen, Bill Powers, Robert Rita, Tom Sharpe, Samuel Simone, Edward Smollen, Rocco Terranova and Frank Zuccarelli.

    The Democratic Primary is scheduled for Feb. 2 and the General Election set for Nov. 2.

    Berrios has been a commissioner on the Board of Review since 1988. Prior to being elected five times to that post, he served three terms as an Illinois state representative.

    He is chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party and Committeeman of the 31st Ward.

    Berrios was the first Hispanic elected chairman of the party, a commissioner to the Board of Review and to the Illinois General Assembly.