Author: Serkadis

ABU DHABI, April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Rapid urban growth in emerging nations has rarely been accompanied by foresight and planning. As economies expand, sucking more and more people
into towns and cities in search of jobs and prosperity, the up-shot has too often been uncontrolled development, scant regard for building standards and an ugly urban sprawl.

But in Abu Dhabi, one of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and home to its capital city, municipal authorities are showcasing their vision for a future marked by structure and enlightened regulation, underpinned by quality municipal services.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs and the emirate’s three municipal authorities at Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region will be unveiling 30 projects at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2010.

Primary among these are new building codes demanding improved construction standards across the emirate, creating more cost effective structures of greater longevity and higher energy efficiency.

The codes are supported by a new addressing system for the city of Abu Dhabi, providing new, clear and concise street signage for the expanding capital, while a new Municipal Spatial Solutions Infrastructure (MSSI) has been commissioned to collate geospatial data.

Municipal services focused on enjoying enhanced urban living include the addition of a further 12 parks in Abu Dhabi during 2010 as well as the Corniche water front development, offering public beaches and leisure facilities.

In Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s second city, new roads, parks, city centre landscaping and the addition of 132 public toilets conforming to the highest international hygiene standards are planned.

In the country’s Western Region, new designs for a full range of family facilities at Delma Beach join plans for new public parks including the Zayed Park at Liwa, a landmark development aimed at giving this desert area a sustainable, high-quality green space.

The new projects and services will be exhibited at a state-of-the-art stand. Themed on a membrane allowing external influence while protecting the culture and well-being of those the municipality system serves, the stand includes a 4D virtual theatre allowing visitors to swoop across the region, gaining a panoramic view of Abu Dhabi’s future.

“We are tremendously proud of our achievements so far in establishing Abu Dhabi as a great emirate in which to live and work,” said H.E. Rashid Mubarak Al Hajeri, Chairman of Department of Municipal Affairs. “Cityscape and the high-tech stand we have created will allow visitors from across the region and the world to come and see what we have done and what we intend to do in the most exciting way possible,” he added.

About Department of Municipal Affairs:

The Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) commenced operations in May 2007, following the Abu Dhabi Executive Council’s decision to integrate the Emirate’s municipal system. As a new government entity, the Department of Municipal Affairs was created to lead, coordinate and oversee three municipalities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. The DMA has a regulatory role while the service delivery and operations are at the
municipality level.

On the 5th of May 2008, the Department of Municipal Affairs along with the Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality and Western Region Municipality embarked upon a new municipal services journey, with the signing of the historic Municipal Charter which aligns the DMA and three municipalities towards greater collaboration and cooperation.

For further information, please contact:

Department of Municipal Affairs
Mrs. Amal Al Jarwan
Tel: +971-2-4030311
Email: [email protected]

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Engineers from General Motors’ Dept. 180 are back once again and this week they are telling us how they put the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox through a parade of punishments including harsh weather, terrain and durability tests.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

Check out the latest Dept. 180 video after the jump.

Click here for our review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT:

– By: Kap Shah

IRVING, Texas, April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Murray R. McClean, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) announced today the appointments of Joseph Alvarado as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CMC and Tracy L. Porter as Vice President of CMC and President of the CMC Americas Division.

Alvarado will begin his new role with CMC on April 30, 2010.  In this capacity, he will be responsible for the direction and coordination of CMC’s two operational divisions, the CMC Americas Division and the CMC International Division.  During his career, Alvarado has held many leadership positions within the steel industry, including Ispat International N.V. (prior to its acquisition by Arcelor Mittal), Birmingham Steel and Inland Steel.  Most recently he served as President of U.S. Steel’s Tubular Products Division, and prior to that as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lone Star Technologies (prior to its acquisition by U.S. Steel).  Alvarado holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Notre Dame and a MBA from Cornell University.

McClean said, “With Joe’s extensive steel industry knowledge, both in the U.S. and internationally, he will make a tremendous contribution to CMC, and we are pleased to welcome him to CMC.”

Porter, who has been with CMC for nineteen years, has held numerous positions within the Company.  He began his career at the Seguin, Texas minimill, later became General Manager of the CMC Steel Arkansas/CMC Southern Post unit in Magnolia, Arkansas, and headed CMC’s Rebar Fabrication Division within the CMC Americas Division prior to his most recent role as Interim President of the Division.  Porter received his BBA in Accounting from Texas State University.  His appointment in this new capacity is effective April 19, 2010.

“Tracy has done an outstanding job as the Interim President of the CMC Americas Division over the past three months,” McClean said, “and he has proven he is the right person for this position. I am very confident that both Joe and Tracy will make major contributions to CMC’s short-term and longer-term business success and further strengthen our already strong leadership team.”

Commercial Metals Company and its subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and market steel and metal products, related materials and services through a network including steel minimills, steel fabrication and processing plants, construction-related product warehouses, a copper tube mill, metal recycling facilities and marketing and distribution offices in the United States and in strategic international markets.

SOURCE Commercial Metals Company

http://www.cmc.com

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Subaru says that it plans to increase production capacity at its Indiana plant by 40 percent this year to meet high demand for the Outback and Legacy. The move comes as owner Fuji Heavy Industries targets U.S. sales of 230,000 vehicles for 2010.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Subaru Outback.

Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant currently has the capacity for 100,000 vehicles annually, but the company wants to increase output to 140,000. Subaru did not say whether it would add a line, increase the speed of production or take capacity that it is currently allocating to Toyota’s Camry.

Subaru’s sales goal represents a 6 percent increase over the 216,652 vehicles it sold in 2009.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for a $670 million Mississippi River bridge connecting Illinois and Missouri Monday, April 19, 2010, in St. Louis. Construction is being paid for by a mix of state funds and $239 million in federal cash for the four-lane bridge which is expected to open by 2014 and carry about 40,000 vehicles a day. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)” width=”164″ height=”240″ />

Dignitaries, from left to right, Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for a $670 million Mississippi River bridge connecting Illinois and Missouri Monday, April 19, 2010, in St. Louis. Construction is being paid for by a mix of state funds and $239 million in federal cash for the four-lane bridge which is expected to open by 2014 and carry about 40,000 vehicles a day. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Top politicians from Missouri and Illinois joined the nation’s transportation chief in ceremoniously breaking ground Monday on the first new Mississippi River bridge at congestion-plagued St. Louis in some four decades.

Monday’s event largely was anticlimactic: Construction on the main span of the $670 million project got under way weeks ago after a ground-breaking ceremony first planned in February was foiled because dignitaries from Washington were snowed in and couldn’t make it to St. Louis.

But given another chance, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood heralded the new span as vital in easing snarls at one of the nation’s busiest crossings — and proof that two neighboring states, despite years of bickering over financing that delayed the project, ultimately could make it happen.

“It takes a long time to get big things done,” LaHood said during the pomp staged at the state line on the Eads Bridge, where a dump truck from each state flanked dignitaries including Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Republican Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri and Rep. Jerry Costello, a Democrat from nearby Belleville, Ill., widely considered the project’s catalyst.

LaHood said he hoped the event illustrates “that when people put down their agendas and put aside their egos and do what the people want, great things can happen.”

Scheduled for completion in the middle part of this decade, the four-lane, cable-stayed bridge will divert Interstate 70 traffic from an existing bridge that’s one of just two in the nation that accommodate three freeways. The plan also allows for the bridge, designed to be two lanes in each direction, to be expanded by a lane each way.

The project, meant to relieve the 47-year-old Poplar Street Bridge now used by more than 120,000 vehicles daily, is being funded by a mix of state funds and the $239 million U.S. taxpayers are kicking in.

Until both states struck a deal in early 2008, the project was consistently downsized and stalled by chronic haggling between Illinois and Missouri over financing even as traffic across the river continued to mushroom.

In the early 2000s, the new span was conceived to be eight lanes, cost $1.6 billion and be named the Ronald Wilson Reagan Memorial Bridge, ideally becoming a “signature bridge” and possible tourist draw near St. Louis’ towering Gateway Arch.

That price tag later got chopped to $910 million, but the project still got snagged because of Missouri’s insistence that it be a tollway — something Illinois flatly rejected as potentially onerous on the tens of thousands of Illinois residents who commute daily to work in St. Louis and its Missouri suburbs.

Illinois later proposed a sister bridge to an existing span between the states, calling it affordable at half the price at as much as $450 million. That structure would carry four lanes of traffic — all westbound — after crews turned all lanes on the existing bridge to eastbound ones.

Missouri panned that as no long-term solution.

Both states ended the impasse in February 2008, announcing a $640 million compromise after Missouri relented on the tolls. The cost has since grown to $670 million because bids came in higher than expected.

The new bridge is expected to carry about 40,000 vehicles a day initially, up to 55,000 vehicles daily by 2030.

Mississippi River Bridge Project, http://www.newriverbridge.org

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

We found an email in our inbox today that should make a lot of long-term plug-in vehicle fans happy. For the first time in about forever, a major OEM is taking orders on an all-electric passenger vehicle. Yes, Nissan is about ready to take your money in exchange for a purchase or a lease on the new Leaf, starting Tuesday. That’s when Nissan will open the doors to accepting refundable $99 reservations from people who signed up on NissanUSA.com. Once these hand-raisers are taken care of, anyone interested can send in the reservation money. Actual pre-orders for the Leaf begin in August.

We did notice something interesting. In our email, the image announcing the reservation fee was divvied up into two parts, with our specific reservation time listed separately:

Did anyone get a different time? Maybe Nissan is staggering the reservations a bit? In any case, weʻre getting close to a time when all of the prognostications weʻve heard about this car (it’ll flop! it won’t!) will be firmly locked in the past. Either people will want to drive the Leaf or they won’t. The time for proof is (almost) here. Official press release after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Officially Official: Nissan sending out Leaf registration emails, will take money Tuesday

Officially Official: Nissan sending out Leaf registration emails, will take money Tuesday originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CHICAGO, April 19 /PRNewswire/ — Harris today announced its support of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s annual Money Smart Week, a series of free classes and activities designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. From April 17 to 24, Money Smart Week events take place locally in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

Last year, Harris helped increase the number of Money Smart Week events in the Chicago suburbs. This year, Harris is participating in more than 65 events, and with the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit expiring soon, many of Harris’ sponsored sessions offer tips for prospective homebuyers. Other classes will help consumers understand credit and credit scores, avoid identity theft, prevent foreclosure, and increase their knowledge of money matters.

“This economy proves the importance of sharing our expertise as bankers to help strengthen the financial literacy of individuals we serve,” said Judy Rice, senior vice president of Community Affairs and Economic Development. “Informed, empowered consumers make our communities healthier and more successful, and that’s a goal we can all support.”

For a full list of workshops and activities during Money Smart Week, visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Web site at chicagofed.org.

About Harris

Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1.2 million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing and wealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.

Harris® is a trade name used by various financial service subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Banking products and services are provided by Harris N.A., The Harris Bank, N.A. and their bank affiliates, Members FDIC. Brokerage products are offered through Harris Investor Services, Inc. (HIS), a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC-registered investment adviser. Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Investment banking services are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCM), a registered broker dealer and member NYSE, FINRA and SIPC. HIS, HBIS and BMOCM are affiliated companies and are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Products offered by HIS, HBIS and BMOCM are Not Insured by the FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by Any Bank or Bank Affiliate, May Lose Value. The purchase of insurance or an annuity is not a condition to any bank loan or service. Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser. Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc. Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Investment advisory services to institutional clients are provided by Harris Investment Management (HIM), a SEC-registered investment adviser. Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

WASHINGTON, April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Eighteen Members of Congress, from both parties, expressed “concern over continuing reports of abductions, forced marriages, and exploitation of Coptic women and girls in Egypt”.

Writing on the 16th of April to Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, Director of the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Office, the Members noted that they had received disturbing reports documenting “a criminal phenomenon that includes fraud, physical and sexual violence, captivity, forced marriage, and exploitation in forced domestic servitude or commercial sexual exploitation, and financial benefit to the individuals who secure the forced conversion of the victim.”  

The Members concluded by urging the TIP Office to “investigate whether the cases of abduction, forced marriage, exploitation and other financial benefit to individuals who secure a forced conversion should be included in the forthcoming 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report.”

The Congressional appeal follows publication of several reports documenting this element of human trafficking in Egypt. Among them is The Disappearance, Forced Conversions, and Forced Marriages of Coptic Christian Women in Egypt by Christian Solidarity International (CSI) and the Coptic Foundation for Human Rights. (csi-int.org/pdfs/coptic_report_master-final_report_pdf.pdf)

The pioneering report documents 25 cases, including that of a 15-year old Christian victim, identified as “M” for security reasons. M was drugged and raped in her hometown of El Menya, after which she gave birth, was forced to marry an older Muslim man, was physically scarred, converted to Islam, and forcibly prostituted.

In his Preface to this report, Dr. John Eibner, CEO of CSI-USA, called on human rights institutions, especially those whose mandate includes women’s rights and trafficking in persons, to undertake further research into gender and religious-based violence against Coptic women and girls in Egypt.

Addressing reports of the disappearance, forced conversions and forced marriages of Coptic women, the late Grand Shiekh Sayyed Al-Tantawi of Cairo’s prestigious Al-Azhar University, Egypt’s highest Islamic authority, stated that “these actions are contrary to Islam and we hope to receive more information concerning alleged kidnappings and would like to have an open dialogue with our Christian brothers and sisters in this country.” (http://bikyamasr.com/?p=5694).

Emanating from the office of Congressman Frank Wolf (R-Va), the Congressional letter to Ambassador CdeBaca was additionally signed by the following Members of the House of Representatives: Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Leathin (R-FL), Donald Paine (D-NJ), Dan Burton (R-IN), Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Joseph Cao (R-LA), Aaron Schock (R-IL), Bob Inglis (R-SC), Michele Bachman (R-MN), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), and Ted Poe (R-TX).

Media contact: Elliott Daniels  919-440-9729 [email protected]

SOURCE Christian Solidarity International

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Alfa Romeo, Racing

A couple of weeks ago, we reported that Zagato was planning to unveil a new Alfa Romeo at the upcoming Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Now the stoic Italian carrozzeria has released the first teaser image (above) and initial details of what it has in store for us.

The TZ3 Corsa follows in the footsteps of the original Alfa TZ and TZ2, drawing on some 90 years of collaboration between the two companies and commemorating Alfa’s centenary. It’s based on a carbon fiber tubular chassis overlaid with a lightweight aluminum body. But instead of a show car like the Pininfarina 2uettottanta and the Bertone Pandion that bowed in Geneva, the TZ3 Corsa is a full-on competition machine, commissioned by an unidentified German gentleman racer.

The overhead view looks strikingly similar to the 8C Competizione upon which it’s based, and Zagato has released a handful of images of its historic Alfa racers – which you can view in the gallery below together with the press release after the jump – to mark the occasion. The most prestigious of open-air auto shows takes place this year from April 23-25, so stay tuned for more details.

[Source: Zagato]

Continue reading Zagato teases Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa ahead of Villa d’Este

Zagato teases Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa ahead of Villa d’Este originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

That was quick.

After Friday’s selloff, pretty much everyone and their mother announced the beginning of a new correction.

Well, it didn’t happen.

Join the conversation about this story »

Proposes Annual ‘Say-on-Pay’ Vote on Executive Compensation

WASHINGTON, April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — In an independent proxy solicitation at Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: PNK), the AFL-CIO urged shareholders to vote for a proposal urging that the Board of Directors adopt an annual advisory vote by shareholders on executive compensation. Shareholders will vote on the AFL-CIO’s “Say-on-Pay” proposal at Pinnacle Entertainment’s annual shareholder meeting on May 11, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, “We believe that CEO pay should not reward underperformance.  But at Pinnacle Entertainment over the past two years, former CEO Daniel Lee received millions of dollars in pay and severance while the company lost hundreds of millions.  An annual Say-on-Pay vote will give shareholders a valuable opportunity to signal their executive pay concerns to the Board of Directors.”

The AFL-CIO’s proxy statement notes that Pinnacle Entertainment lost $258.3 million in 2009 while its former CEO received $4.5 million in total compensation, including $2.8 million in severance.  In 2008, Mr. Lee received $5.5 million in total compensation when the company lost $322.6 million.  Pinnacle Entertainment’s stock has underperformed the Dow Jones US Gambling Index by 26 percent over the past five years.

In addition to calling for a “Say-on-Pay” vote, earlier this year the AFL-CIO submitted proposals to Pinnacle Entertainment urging the establishment of an independent Board Chairman, majority vote director elections, and a ban on tax gross-up payments to executives and directors.  The AFL-CIO withdrew these three proposals after the Board of Directors substantially implemented these reforms on March 29, 2010.

Shareholders can vote for the AFL-CIO’s “Say-on-Pay” proposal by voting the AFL-CIO’s blue proxy card or Pinnacle Entertainment’s white proxy card.  A copy of the AFL-CIO’s proxy statement is available by contacting the AFL-CIO’s Office of Investment at (202) 637-3900.

SOURCE AFL-CIO

http://www.aflcio.org

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A Inc., announced today that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 9,400 2010 Lexus GX 460 luxury SUVs to update software in the vehicle’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. Toyota said that no other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.

The VSC system helps control a loss of traction in turns as a result of front or rear wheel slippage during cornering.

“Toyota’s objective is to provide a high level of safety and quality, while meeting or surpassing governmental regulations,” Toyota said in a statement. “Our engineers have conducted tests to confirm the VSC performance issue raised by Consumer Reports, and we are confident this VSC software update addresses the concern,” said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.

Toyota said that all Lexus dealers will have the VSC software update by the end of April. Once the software update is available at dealerships, vehicle owners are encouraged to bring their Lexus GX 460 to a dealer at their earliest convenience for the update. The fix will take approximately one hour depending on the dealers’ work schedule.

“From the moment we heard about this issue, Lexus and our dealers acted quickly to resolve the situation. Our dealers will now personally reach out to customers to set up appointments to make this modification. Lexus has always been about providing exemplary customer satisfaction and this will be another opportunity to demonstrate that,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.

– By: Omar Rana

Company attributes growth to great customer service and independent agents

LANSING, Mich., April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Auto-Owners Insurance Company, a multi-line property-casualty and life insurer, moved up 58 spots to No. 418 on the annual FORTUNE 500 list of America’s largest corporations. The new ranking makes Auto-Owners the 16th largest Michigan-based company on the FORTUNE 500 list.

With $5.017 billion in revenue for 2009, Auto-Owners remained the second largest property-casualty mutual insurance company in the nation. This is the eighth straight year Auto-Owners has appeared in the FORTUNE 500 list.

“Ascending the ranks as a FORTUNE 500 company is a tribute to the people of Auto-Owners, their commitment to excellence and providing our policyholders with the best customer service in the industry,” said Auto-Owners Insurance Company Chairman & CEO Ron Simon. “The strength and value of our company comes from our associates living up to our core values; from our independent agents and our relationships with them; and from our focus on a safe, sound, secure investment policy.”

Auto-Owners Insurance Company has earned some of the industry’s highest rankings for its exceptional financial strength and stability. Auto-Owners Insurance Group is one of only 10 groups of insurance companies to be rated A++ by A.M. Best, a nationally recognized rating agency for insurance companies.

Auto-Owners employs more than 3,600 associates and writes more than 4.9 million policies annually, in 26 states, exclusively through local Independent Agents. Auto-Owners was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Lansing, Michigan.

~ SERVING OUR POLICYHOLDERS AND AGENTS FOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS ~

WWW.AUTO-OWNERS.COM

SOURCE Auto-Owners Insurance Company

http://www.auto-owners.com

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

NEW YORK, April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Morgans Hotel Group Co. (Nasdaq: MHGC) (“MHG”) today announced the opening of its acclaimed SKYBAR, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  The Las Vegas outpost of the renowned nightlife brand joins legendary SKYBAR destinations SKYBAR at Mondrian in Los Angeles and SKYBAR at Shore Club in Miami Beach. The Hard Rock venture released the following announcement:

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Morgans Hotel Group elevate the Las Vegas pool scene with the opening of SKYBAR. As part of the $750 million property expansion, the sophisticated lounge offers guests a new level of social relaxation.

Perched above the HRH Beach Club, the day-to-night pool deck creates an exclusive, chic atmosphere that SKYBAR is known for – a lifestyle experience and icon. The perfect complement to the all-new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, sun-seeking guests enjoy the upper deck by day, while partygoers can escape the club scene to lounge under the stars by night.  The intimate daytime pool setting and sophisticated evening environment overlooks the glittering expanse of the Las Vegas Strip.

“The new SKYBAR is the ultimate blend of Morgans Hotel Group’s history of refined socializing and the evolution of the new Hard Rock,” said Phil Shalala, CMO of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “It is a continuation of the premier service and unparalleled atmosphere that we are known for.”

SKYBAR features a distinctive acrylic-edged pool with three peek-a-boo cutouts in the floor that act as skylight windows to the lower HRH Beach Club. Guests can lounge on the plush bar seating, custom daybeds, couches and banquettes that pepper the teakwood plank floored area. The lower SKYBAR pool features 14 luxurious cabanas surrounding a circular infinity wading pool.  The cabana menu showcases the HRH Beach Club Bar & Grill including HRH Cheeseburger Sliders, Crispy Shrimp, Chilled Fruit Skewers, a variety of platters for sharing and much more.  SKYBAR features premium spirits, bottle service and signature cocktails such as the Manhattan LV, SKYBAR Margarita, Strip Cleanse and SKYBAR Smash.  SKYBAR and HRH Beach Club nearly double the overall size of the hotel’s pool area and offer guests a high-end and tranquil desert escape.

“SKYBAR has been a staple in the Los Angeles social scene for the past 14 years, entertaining celebrities from film, fashion, art, music, LA notables and hotel guests alike. We are looking forward to expanding our vision, brand and experience to yet another iconic property. The new HRH Tower is the perfect spot to further SKYBAR’s legacy.” Kendra Cole, SKYBAR in Los Angeles.

Achieving a little R&R will be easier than ever beginning April 19, which marks the first RELAX Monday at SKYBAR. Created as a means to pay tribute to the local industry crowd, RELAX is the hottest spot for the Vegas elite to congregate and unwind.  Various guest deejays will be spinning a variety of remixes, jungle and house music. 

During the day, SKYBAR will be open daily from noon – 8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Nighttime hours will be 8 p.m. – midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is complimentary for HRH Hotel guests and $20 for the public. Upscale beach attire is strictly enforced.

Boasting some of the finest views in Los Angeles, SKYBAR at Mondrian is an open air, ivy-covered pavilion located above the pool and outdoor living room. It has been the spot for the hottest Los Angeles nightlife from the day it opened.  SKYBAR at Shore Club, spans through the intense, electric, cobalt blue walls, fountains and pergolas, matching any mood and entertainment at any time within the deeply sensual background of the colorful tropical gardens.  

About Morgans Hotel Group

Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) is widely credited as the creator of the first “boutique” hotel and a continuing leader of the hotel industry’s boutique sector.  Morgans Hotel Group operates and owns, or has an ownership interest in, Morgans, Royalton and Hudson in New York, Delano and Shore Club in South Beach, Mondrian in Los Angeles and South Beach, Clift in San Francisco, Ames in Boston, and Sanderson and St Martins Lane in London. Morgans Hotel Group and an equity partner also own the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and related assets. Morgans Hotel Group also manages hotels in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  Morgans Hotel Group has other property transactions in various stages of completion, including projects in SoHo, New York and Palm Springs, California. For more information please visit www.morganshotelgroup.com.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the operating performance of our investments and financing needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” “believe,” “project,” or other similar words or expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to economic, business, competitive market and regulatory conditions such as: a sustained downturn in economic and market conditions, particularly levels of spending in the business, travel and leisure industries; continued tightness in the global credit markets; general volatility of the capital markets and our ability to access the capital markets; our ability to refinance our current outstanding debt and to repay outstanding debt as such debt matures;  our ability to protect the value of our name, image and brands and our intellectual property;  risks related to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; hostilities, including future terrorist attacks, or fear of hostilities that affect travel;  and  other risk factors discussed in MHG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and other documents filed by MHG with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.  All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based upon information known to management as of the date hereof, and MHG assumes no obligations to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show that indicated results or events will not be realized.

SOURCE Morgans Hotel Group Co.

http://www.morganshotelgroup.com

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

PHILADELPHIA, April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — The clock is ticking for companies wishing to take advantage of the Pennsylvania Tax Amnesty Program (“Program”).  Companies can file within the Program’s 54-day grace period, which begins on April 26, 2010.  Organizations that comply with the Program’s requirements and pay their past amounts can avoid penalties and one-half of the interest owed on back taxes.

“This is a very complex program, and companies that wish to take advantage of the amnesty period should already be working with experts to evaluate the potential savings,” said Dennis J. Kolumber, Jr., Principal at Ryan.  ”Companies should also note that participating in the Program can limit their ability to obtain a refund for overpayment of taxes and abandons their opportunity for appeal.”

“The amnesty covers more than 30 different types of taxes covering dozens of industries. However, the Program includes new penalties for companies that have an outstanding tax liability and do not take advantage of the Program,” said Mr. Kolumber.  ”For all non-participants, at the conclusion of the tax amnesty period, a 5% non-participation penalty will be imposed on unpaid liabilities not paid in full during the tax amnesty period.”

According to the tax amnesty legislation, an eligible tax liability is any tax that is administered by the Department of Revenue and is delinquent as of June 30, 2009.  Among the categories of taxes eligible for the Program include:

• Corporate net income tax
• Employer withholding tax
• Fuel use tax
• Gross receipts tax
• Hotel occupancy tax
• Sales and use tax

The Program also includes a provision to require repayment of the amount forgiven in the amnesty period if the taxpayer becomes delinquent again.

“Amnesty programs have been successful in other states,” said Mr. Kolumber. “An amnesty program in New Jersey reportedly generated more than $600 million in additional revenue for the state.”

With state taxes becoming more complex, and collection efforts more aggressive as the states struggle with declining tax revenues, it’s important for companies to avoid both interest and penalties by ensuring they are compliant with the myriad of state tax laws.

About Ryan

Ryan is the leading tax services firm in North America, with the largest transaction tax practice in the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides a comprehensive range of state, local, federal, and international tax advisory and consulting services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including audit defense, tax recovery, credits and incentives, tax process improvement and automation, tax appeals, and strategic planning. With a multi-disciplinary team of more than 800 professionals and associates, Ryan serves many of the world’s most prominent Fortune 1000 companies.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

G. Brint Ryan

https://profnet.CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=30518

SOURCE Ryan

http://www.ryanco.com

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — The Pennsylvania Department of Banking is warning consumers about a new wave of misleading marketing tactics designed to entice homeowners into refinancing their mortgages.

The department’s Office of Consumer Services says some homeowners are receiving letters that appear to be from their own lender or from the federal government and make reference to their home mortgage. In some cases, these letters have been sent from a company whose name is mentioned only in fine print on the letter. The homeowner may call the telephone number on the letter thinking they are contacting their own lender or a federal agency only to learn that they are calling a company competing with their lender for business.

“These communications are brazenly misleading and intended to frighten and confuse consumers,” says Secretary of Banking Steve Kaplan. “We are contacting the offending institutions as well as their marketing companies and ordering them to put an end to this practice.”

The Department of Banking urges consumers to “do their homework” before entering into business with any financial company, especially companies offering loan modifications or refinancing. 

Consumers can ask about financial transactions as well as learn about companies licensed or chartered by the Department of Banking at www.banking.state.pa.us or by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS.

Media contact: Ed Novak, 717-783-4721

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Banking

http://www.state.pa.us

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

Bob Roberts Reporting
CHICAGO (WBBM) – The train was loaded and ready to go at the 95th Street Red Line terminal at 7:30 a.m., but the brakes refused to release on the third car of the eight-car train. As a gaggle of workers from the CTA and manufacturer Bombardier tried to troubleshoot the problem, everyone was ordered off the new train and onto a train of older cars built in the 1980s.

After a delay of 10 minutes, the new train was underway. A number of riders commented on the smoother acceleration and braking, one of the benefits of switching to alternating current motors.

Another problem developed on the first southbound trip, when a pair of doors on the front car failed. This time, after trying to get it to work at several stations, workers slapped an “out of order” sign on the uncooperative doors.

CTA spokesperson Wanda Taylor called the problems minor, and said that is why the cars will continue to be tested in service until next spring, before the final go-ahead is given to build the rest of the 406 new ‘L’ cars.

Taylor said each of the 10 cars recently delivered to CTA will be tested on all eight of its rapid transit lines. Changes will be made to the cars as needed, and the changes will be incorporated in the rest of the production run for the new cars.

Because the cars remain officially “in testing,” Taylor said they will continue to carry additional personnel. In addition to the operator, an instructor will ride at first to make sure the operators understand how to operate the train. It’s different from anything else CTA owns.

And she said that representatives from Bombardier will be aboard throughout the testing to monitor how the trains run and troubleshoot any glitches that occur.

The capacity of the cars, said to be 123 including standing riders, did not get a workout on the first northbound trip because of the problems getting underway. But heading southbound from Howard at 9 a.m., the train was jammed with late rush-hour riders.

Riders were split on the New York-style seats. Most riders on the new cars face each other and the windows, instead of facing the front or back of the car. Some complained of not having enough elbow room. Others said they like the new arrangement because it allows them to stand up and walk off without having to ask anyone on the outside to move.

Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

JOHANNESBURG, April 19, 2010 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ –

Following recent press reports of rumours of an attempted coup in
Madagascar, former President Marc Ravalomanana wishes to make the following
statement:

“I firmly deny any involvement in an attempt to bring the political
crisis to an end through undemocratic means. Any rumours suggesting otherwise
are completely untrue. I have always supported a democratic resolution to the
crisis as the only solution and I continue to do so. To suggest otherwise for
political purposes is cynical and potentially destabilising.

“We cannot jeopardise the path to democracy with so much at stake. Only
democratic elections will give us the stability we need to get back on the
right track. I condemn any military coup- I believe the people should be
allowed to choose their President in free and fair elections. We cannot allow
these rumours to be used as an excuse to delay the return of the free and
fair elections that the Malagasy people so desperately need.

“My position remains the same as it has always been- let the people
decide.”

SOURCE Marc Ravalomanana

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services

– Data suggest that majority of oncology indications addressable through BiTE antibody approach –

BETHESDA, Md., April 19 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Micromet, Inc. (Nasdaq: MITI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of next-generation antibodies for the treatment of cancer, today announced that results from studies highlighting pre-clinical advances with its proprietary BiTE antibody technology were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.  

The Company and its collaborators reported pre-clinical data characterizing new BiTE antibodies targeting 11 tumor-associated antigens, including CEA, EGFR, IGFR-1, cMet and FAP-alpha.  The data demonstrate that BiTE antibodies can be generated to target a wide range of tumor antigens of highly different function, size and molecular composition, illustrating the wide applicability of the BiTE antibody technology for the treatment of diverse cancer indications.

“Data presented at AACR this year demonstrates the versatility of the BiTE antibody platform,” said Patrick Baeuerle, Ph.D., Micromet’s Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer. “The breadth and potency of product candidates developed utilizing our next-generation technology give us confidence that BiTE antibodies have the potential to significantly impact the way cancer is treated.”

Researchers will present additional preclinical data on programs utilizing the Company’s BiTE technology during the course of the meeting.

Abstracts can be accessed through the AACR website, www.aacr.org. All posters will be accessible from Micromet’s website at www.micromet-inc.com after they are presented.

About BiTE Antibodies

BiTE® antibodies are designed to direct the body’s cytotoxic, or cell-destroying, T cells against tumor cells, and represent a new therapeutic approach to cancer therapy. Typically, antibodies cannot engage T cells because T cells lack the appropriate receptors for binding antibodies. BiTE antibodies have been shown to bind T cells to tumor cells, ultimately inducing a self-destruction process in the tumor cells referred to as apoptosis, or programmed cell death. In the presence of BiTE antibodies, T cells have been demonstrated to serially eliminate tumor cells, which explains the activity of BiTE antibodies at very low concentrations. Through the killing process, T cells start to proliferate, which leads to an increased number of T cells at the site of attack.

About Micromet

Micromet, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. Its product development pipeline includes novel antibodies generated with its proprietary BiTE® technology, as well as conventional monoclonal antibodies. Two of Micromet’s BiTE antibodies and three of its conventional antibodies are currently in clinical trials.  Micromet has collaborations with a number of leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including sanofi-aventis, Bayer Schering Pharma, Merck Serono, MedImmune and Nycomed. Additional information can be found at www.micromet-inc.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Any statements contained herein which do not describe historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential applications for our BiTE antibody technology and its use in the treatment of cancer. You are urged to consider statements that include the words “ongoing,” “may,” “will,” “believes,” “potential,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include the risk that our preclinical data is not confirmed in clinical trials with our product candidates. This factor and others are more fully discussed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.  We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Micromet, Inc.

http://www.micromet-inc.com

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services