MANASSAS, Va., May 18, 2012 -- Family-Owned Recycling Businesses Providing Thousands of Jobs are Under Direct Attack by Proponents of a Misguided Ohio Bill That Would Open Up Salvage Pools and Auctions

MANASSAS, Va., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) and the Ohio Auto and Truck Recyclers Association (OATRA) have decried the cynical attempts by lobbyists for the insurance industry to diminish the vital role played by local Ohio automotive recycling companies. The two organizations, on behalf of the 794 licensed automotive recyclers in Ohio and the thousands of men and women they employ, are outraged at the brazen attacks that occurred this week upon small businesses that help make up the backbone of today's economy in Ohio, which has been hard hit by the economic downturn in America.

Ohio's professional automotive recyclers came under heavy fire during testimony on Tuesday in support of Ohio Senate Bill 273, a highly controversial piece of legislation that would enable unlicensed in-state and out-of-state buyers to purchase vehicles from Ohio salvage pools and auctions. One insurance industry lobbyists dismissed concerns expressed by Ohio state legislators that the bill could kill Ohio recycling jobs, asserting that "insurance jobs are better jobs for this state."

Representative Ross W. McGregor, who represents a district that is home to nine recycling operations, vigorously challenged that claim. Skeptical legislators also pointed out that they shouldn't be forced to create more insurance jobs at the expense of putting automotive recyclers out of business. They also pushed back at the ridiculous suggestion that automotive recyclers were somehow less civic-minded than other Ohioans, and policymakers also noted that many Ohio communities that are currently home to automotive recycling operations are not likely to add insurance jobs today or in the future.

In recent weeks, the ARA and OATRA have expressed their concerns to Ohio legislators over the draft bill, which would threaten Ohio jobs, eliminate important consumer protections in the current law and allow unlicensed individuals to put unsafe vehicles back on Ohio's highways. Automotive recyclers in Ohio have engaged in discussions with their elected representatives, yet the bill was passed by the Ohio Senate despite various serious concerns expressed by the industry.

In a reckless display showcasing how the insurance companies are prepared to shamelessly smear all companies who oppose the bill, their lobbyist used the occasion not to testify on the merits of a bill they support, but to instead deride the LKQ Corporation.

OATRA President Jim McKinney called it "a cheap political trick that aimed to hijack the hearing into a referendum on a single company and distract from the most important and unavoidable fact, which is that this bill will kill Ohio jobs." ARA CEO Michael E. Wilson stated: "The discussion of this bill should not be about attempts to vilify a single company when there are nearly 800 recyclers in the state of Ohio who are united in their opposition to a bill that directly threatens their industry. That is an insult to the local Ohio companies, many of which are second-, third- and fourth-generation shops that account for over 93 percent of the recycling business in the state."

The ARA and OATRA look forward to the opportunity to continue reaching out to Ohio's lawmakers to raise their concerns about the bill. The groups plan to emphasize the far-reaching negative impacts that the legislation will have on Ohio's recyclers, the general public and the environment. However, the groups prefer to provide their perspective in a dignified manner that focuses on the facts.

For almost 70 years, the Automotive Recyclers Association ("ARA") has represented an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of "green" automotive parts, and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA members provide consumers with quality, environmentally friendly, low-cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts. Today, ARA represents the interests of over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. For more information on green recycled parts, please visit http://www.greenrecycledparts.com.

SOURCE Automotive Recyclers Association

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/18/4499498/ara-and-oatra-decry-the-cynical.html

JEFFERSON CITY • As runners in the 1,600 relay headed for the finish line Saturday, Tony Jeffery’s eyes were glued to the track.

“I was holding my breath,” said the Cleveland NJROTC coach, whose team was in a dogfight with Lamar for first place. “We were scared half to death.”

Lamar trailed Cleveland by seven points and needed a second-place finish in the relay — the day’s final event — to edge Cleveland for the Class 2 title. But by the slimmest of margins — one-tenth of a second — Lamar finished third, and the Commanders had their first ever championship.

“I’m so relieved to win this,” Cleveland senior Dominic Ball said. “I was jumping up and down for joy. I didn’t know what to do.”

Cleveland finished with 51 points to Lamar’s 50. Fatima (45) was third, and Herculaneum (30) finished fourth.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Lamar and coach Rodney Baldridge.

“We knew after the triple jump results exactly where we stood,” Baldridge said. “The kids fought hard but came up a little short.”

The Commanders got first-place finishes from Michael Wells in the 100, Dominic Ball in the 110 hurdles and the 400 relay team of Wells, Ball, Devonta Kazee and Diamond Hodge.

They also picked up second places from Wells in the 200 and their 800 relay team and a fifth place finish from Hodge in the triple jump.

Ball was the most relieved of the Commanders for good reason. He was favored in the 110 hurdles but needed a late push to beat O’Fallon Christian’s Stephen Hedlund. Ball finished in 14.89 seconds. Hedlund was right behind at 14.92.

“He got me at districts,” Ball said of Hedlund. “(Today) I started off a little frustrated, because they took too long to start the gun. … I saw that he was ahead of me, and that’s what made me run harder at the end. I wasn’t sure at all. I thought he had me.”

Hedlund did come back to get Ball in the 300 hurdles. Ball fell at the last hurdle and finished last (eighth). But that was good for one team point, which made a huge difference.

“He got a little tired, and he kicked a hurdle,” Jeffery said of Ball. “It was tough on him this week, because it was graduation. … he only had one day of practice this week. All of that game into play.”

Wells, who tied a state record in the 100 meters (10.74) during the preliminaries on Friday, was hoping to break it in the finals. He still ran a 10.75.

Wells also came within a split-second of winning the 200. That went to Metro’s Antonio Marcano Jr., who won it in 21.87 seconds.

“I didn’t think he would go out like he did in the first 100,” Marcano said. “We were tied most of the way until I dipped my head at the end.”

Principia, which finished fifth with 27 points, edged strong teams from Cleveland and Maplewood-Richmond Heights to win the 800 relay. The foursome, in order, included Eddie Bargmann, Conrad Bollinger, Richard Bonsi and Isaiah Laster.

“Our first three legs have always been strong,” Laster said. “We beat those teams all year long, so we just had to come out here and do what we always do.”

Bollinger had to take a break near the final jumps of a tight vaulting competition to run in the relay. He finished second to Monroe City’s Mike Grinde, who won with a vault of 15 feet. Bollinger’s best was 14-9.

“I was a little worried about him, because at sectionals he was really, really tired after the vault,” Laster said. “He kept trying to get more and more jumps in. Today he came over and told me he was good, and I had faith in him, so it was OK.”

Bollinger cleared 13-9 before heading to run in the 800 relay. He said he’s done it so long that going from one event to another isn’t a big deal.

“I was definitely disappointed to miss 15 (feet),” Bollinger said. “But I guess coming from the 800 relay, it’s alright to jump 14-9.”

Christian’s Hedlund, who headed to graduation right after his 300 hurdles, had a nice ride back to O’Fallon.

“I knew (Lamar’s Nick) Jeffries could win it, and I was really concerned about my competition,” he said. “It’s an incredible feeling to be able to finish on a high note in my last high school race.”

Article source: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/boys-track/ball-cleveland-narrowly-hold-off-lamar-for-first-state-championship/article_572acefc-a1c9-11e1-b80b-0019bb30f31a.html

Several national groups have lauded the NAACP for its board decision in Miami Saturday to support gay marriage as a civil right:

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

WASHINGTON, May 19 — The board of directors of the NAACP, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, today voted to endorse marriage equality. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the NAACP have worked together on issues related to racial and economic justice, LGBT rights and marriage equality, among others. NAACP leaders Julian Bond and Ben Jealous have each also spoken at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change, the largest convening of pro-LGBT rights supporters in the country.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

“This is truly a historic moment as the NAACP — the nation’s oldest civil rights organization — takes an official and unequivocal stand for marriage equality. As the country’s oldest national LGBT rights group, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force could not be more thrilled.

“We are also not surprised by the leadership exhibited once again by the NAACP. Just a few months ago, NAACP President Ben Jealous stood before 3,000 LGBT rights activists at our Creating Change Conference and spoke powerfully and poignantly about the ties of conscience and courage that bind us. ‘The NAACP and the LGBT movement have fought together for social justice since Bayard Rustin planned the March on Washington in 1963,' he told the crowd. ‘He was a black gay hero who wrote the textbook on mobilizing the masses for jobs and freedom.’ 

“We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the NAACP working together on the many issues that affect all of our lives. Whether it be fair access to education and jobs, an end to voter suppression and racial profiling, the right to love and be who we are free of discrimination — these issues affect all of us, our families and our country. Today the NAACP did what it does so well — inspires and affirms our common humanity.”

HRC, Human Rights Campaign:

WASHINGTON – On the heels of President Obama’s historic support for marriage equality and subsequent polling on the issue among African-Americans, the NAACP Board of Directors today endorsed marriage equality.

“We could not be more pleased with the NAACP’s history-making vote today – which is yet another example of the traction marriage equality continues to gain in every community,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “It’s time the shameful myth that the African-American community is somehow out of lockstep with the rest of the country on marriage equality is retired - once and for all. The facts and clear momentum toward marriage speak for themselves.”

Half of African-Americans, according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll conducted earlier this month, back marriage equality.  The Journal reported, “Almost every demographic slice was more in favor of gay marriage than it had been in 2009.”   

Following President Obama’s historic endorsement of the issue also this month, attitudes within the African-American community become even more positive.  A Washington Post poll showed that 54 percent of African Americans backed the President’s statement. A Public Policy Poll also taken after the President’s announcement reflected an 11-point increase among African Americans in North Carolina who support either marriage or civil unions for committed gay and lesbian couples.

Months ago, HRC unearthed secret internal memos by the so-called National Organization for Marriage which admitted in stark terms its racial strategy. One memo to its Board of Directors stated NOM would drive a “wedge between gays and blacks.”

“NOM has pursued ugly racial politics seeking to divide people, but what is becoming crystal clear is that its strategy is not working,” said Solmonese. “Americans from all walks of life are uniting to support love, commitment, and stronger families.”

Freedom to Marry:

NEW YORK -- Today the Board of Directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) endorsed same-sex couples' freedom to marry, stating that it was "consistent with equal protection."  Below is a statement from Freedom to Marry's founder and President Evan Wolfson:

"The NAACP has long been the nation's conscience and champion for an America where all share equally in the promise of liberty and justice for all.  Today the NAACP resoundingly affirmed that the freedom to marry is a civil right and family value that belongs to all of us, and that discriminatory barriers to marriage must fall.  The toxic tactics of anti-gay groups like NOM to 'drive a wedge between blacks and gays' will be washed away in the wave of righteous affirmation."

Center for American Progress:

Today the NAACP, an organization that has long been against efforts to discriminate against the LGBT community, endorsed marriage equality. Aisha Moodie-Mills, Advisor to the Center for American Progress on LGBT Policy and Racial Justice issued the following statement:

The NAACP has long been a staunch defender of justice for all people and their resolution today is a continuation of that legacy. Marriage equality is the defining civil rights issue of our time, and I applaud the NAACP for their vote today, and for their past opposition to efforts to codify discrimination against gay and transgender Americans into the law.

GLAAD:

"For more than 103 years, the NAACP has been a leading advocate and a voice for members of marginalized communities. Today’s announcement represents their continued stance against the discrimination that LGBT families face. We applaud President Ben Jealous and the NAACP Board of Directors for their leadership on this issue," said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. "Across races, faith traditions, and political persuasions, a majority of our culture recognizes that denying gay couples the chance at happiness that comes with being married is unfair and un-American.”

Article source: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2012/05/national-groups-laud-naacp-for-national-board-decision-in-miami-to-support-marriage-equality.html

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ara-and-oatra-decry-the-cynical-attempts-by-the-insurance-industry-to-diminish-the-role-of-ohio-automotive-recyclers-2012-05-18

According to police, the victim, who was staying at Hotel Maurya, was molested by Pomersbach when they were partying in her room. When her fiance Sahil Pirzada (32) intervened he too was boxed by Luke, said cops. A case was registered at the Chanakyapuri police station and both the victim and Sahil were rushed to Primus Hospital on Friday morning.

Officials at the hospital said that Sahil's condition is stable, but serious. "Sahil was brought to the hospital at 7.30am and admitted to casualty. He complained of bleeding from the left ear lobe and drowsiness. On examination, his vitals were found normal but a CT Scan was conducted to rule out head injury. He has been shifted to the ICU for observation but is stable and there is no danger to his life. There is impaired hearing on the affected ear," said Dr. DK Baluja, executive director of Primus Hospital.

Sahil is being attended by a team of four doctors including a neurosurgeon. Officials said that he appeared to be in an inebriated state at the time of admission.

Meanwhile, the US national has claimed that Pomersbach "tagged along" with them after a party and insisted on having drinks with her and her fiance, according to PTI.

"I am not sure about his full name. But he tagged along with us after the party and (insisted) that we have few drinks with him. He told something to my fiance and I did not like. Then we left for our room and we thought he had gone to his room but he came upstairs tagging along with us. He asked us to help him around and telling my fiance that lets go and have drinks," the victim told reporters.

"I got molested by a cricket player and fiance was beaten up. Obviously, he is a very critical condition right now. I come here often to visit my friends and my fiance.... I was here to see him. I was hanging out with him. He lives in Mumbai," she said.

"He (fiance) is a nice guy and he did not want to say No. He just said fine, but....," she said.

"Then we left for our room and we thought he had gone to his room but he came upstairs tagging along with us. He asked us to help him around and telling my fiance that lets go and have drinks," she said.

Speaking to the media, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya, said: The RCB is aware of the incident involving one of our players. RCB will offer full cooperation to the authorities. Till the time he is cleared, Luke Pomersbach will not be part of RCB."

Pomersbach made his international debut when he played for Australia's Twenty20 side in Perth in December 2007. Officials say that he has a history of misbehaviour under the influence of alcohol.

In 2009, after two hit-and-run incidents, Pomersbach was arrested and charged by police for driving with a blood alcohol level in excess of permissible limits, failing to stop and accompany police and escaping legal custody.

He pleaded guilty and was fined and had his driver's license cancelled. The Western Australian Cricket Association suspended him indefinitely. He returned from his ban in January 2010.

Pomersbach also played for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL in 2008-09 season and made 152 in five innings, only once being dismissed.

Shukla, meanwhile, said that it was "an individual misbehaviour of an individual player".

IPL authorities sought to distance themselves from the incident with chairman Rajiv Shukla saying the event had nothing to with this because it did not happen in any party organised by it.

"Let the law take its course," he said. Denying the charge that IPL was full of controversies, Shukla said IPL 4 and 5 were free of controversies till now.

However, BJP MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad alleged that the IPL "has given rise to many unsavoury things. Today's attempt to rape is one such (incident)".

He said foreign players were taking advantage of the conditions in India.
Dr D K Baluja of Primus Hospital, where the victim's fiance has been admitted, said there was bleeding from his left year and he was in drowsy condition.

"The vital parameters of the patient -- blood pressure, pulse, oxygen level in blood, cardiac and abdominal condition -- were all normal.

"Since the patient complained of delusion and there was injury to the ear, a CT scan was done immediately and the report said that there was no deep head injury," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)

Article source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Molestation-case-US-national-says-IPL-player-tagged-along/articleshow/13252375.cms

It’s mid-May and that means it’s time for the 20th annual North Olmsted Parks Recreation Ice Show. This year’s theme is a “Ticket to Hollywood.”

More than 200 local skaters will demonstrate their talent and skills during the show. Participants will include children from the learn to skate program, Cleveland Edges Synchronized Skating Club and the North Olmsted Hockey Club.

Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 and are on sale at the recreation center, 26000 Lorain Road.

PLANT SALE — Fairview Park Garden Club will have a one-of-a-kind plant and garden sale 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the Dunson Community Room at Fairview Park City Hall, 20777 Lorain Road.

There will be a variety of more than 1,000 locally grown plants, including perennials, vegetables and herbs, garden accessories — both decorative and functional — raffle prizes and members will provide gardening advice. Raffle prizes will include two large, custom-designed planters created by members who design the hanging baskets for Lorain Road, and a hand-painted rain barrel designed by another club member.

POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK — This is Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Week and a variety of events are planned.

The Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society will honor and remember fallen officers from Northeast Ohio during its annual parade and services Friday. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Lakeside Avenue from East 12th Street to West 3rd Street. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a memorial service at the Police Memorial Square in Huntington Park, at the corner of Lakeside and West 3rd.

There will be a Public Safety Fair and Expo 1-6 p.m. Saturday on East 6th Street between Lakeside and Rockwell avenues. There will be demonstrations; children and adults can check out safety forces’ equipment and ask questions. Concession stands will offer food and beverages.

Highlighting the week will be the Cleveland International Tattoo, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Public Auditorium, 500 E. Lakeside Ave. This year’s performers will include the pipes and drums bands from the New York City Police Department, , Cleveland, Ottawa and Ontario police, Cuyahoga and many other local pipes and drum bands. The Marine Corps band from Cherry Point, the Army “Old Guard” Drill Team, Royal Canadian Air Force 17 Command Band, Singing Angels, Scottish Highland Dancers and Murphy’s Irish dancers will be featured.

For ticket information, visit tattoocleveland.com. For more information on the memorial society, visit policememorialsociety.com.

MILITARY TIMELINE Frostville Museum will have a military timeline 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the museum complex, 24101 Cedar Point Road, in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks.

Tom Dubowski of the Olmsted Historical Society said all military re-enactors are invited to attend. The museum buildings will be open and food is available. There will be Ray Kling weapons presentations, military museum exhibits and President Abraham Lincoln is expected to speak.

A re-enactment of the French and Indian War is scheduled for 2-2:30 p.m. Saturday, with the encampment on Sunday.

Visit olmstedhistorialsociety.org or contact a-bell@roadrunner.com for more information.

OPEN HOUSE — The Rev. Dan Sewell, pastor of New Hope Church (and Fairview Park’s 2012 Citizen of the Year), tells me there will be an informal pre-construction open house 1-3 p.m. Sunday at the church’s new facility, 22960 Lorain Road, Fairview Park.

Sewell said the event is open to anyone who is curious about the current space and upcoming project, which includes remodeling the property and providing space for the Fairview Park Hunger Center.

TRASH AND TREASURES — Calling all bargain hunters! Angels on the Avenue will have their annual Trash and Treasure Sale 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of St. Augustine Manor, 7801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland.

Admission is free; hot dogs and soft drinks will be available, as well as a bake sale. Vendors are invited on a first-come, first-served basis for $20 per table. Set-up is at 8 a.m. The sale features clothes, candles, knick-knacks, household items and more. Proceeds will benefit the organization’s efforts to aid residents at St. Augustine Health Campus.

Call Mani Istok, (216) 633-5392 for more information or send email to Joe Dailey, jdailey@ppg.com.

LADIES DAY — Chris Young of Different Things Gallery invites the community to a Ladies Accessory Show 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Shopping Center, 21849 Lorain Road, Fairview Park.

She said there will be games and drawings for prizes from artists and vendors, homemade jewelry, baked goods, handbags, purses, unique fragrances and more. Those attending also can sign up for jewelry-making parties or classes.

COME ON, GET HAPPY — North Olmsted Senior Center, 28114 Lorain Road, will feature Jim Smith, happiness coach, at 12:15 p.m. today for a free, inspirational talk. All are invited; no reservations are required.

APPRECIATION WEEK — Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is over and Sabrina Gorbett, president of Parkview PTA in Fairview Park, said it was a big success.

Activities at the Early Education Center at the Parkview Building included decorating teachers’ doors, presenting teachers with flowers, a breakfast buffet, a thank-you assembly, gifts and a teacher’s survival kit.

SPECIAL HONOREES — All North Olmsted Senior Center members who are age 90 or older and two guests are invited to a special program honoring them noon to 2 p.m. May 23 at North Olmsted Community Cabin, 28114 Lorain Road,

Festivities will include a catered lunch and each honoree will receive a certificate from Mayor Kevin Kennedy. For more information or to reserve a spot for the event, contact Beth Reitz, (440) 716-5434.

THE GIFT OF LIFE — The North Olmsted campus of Remington College will host a blood drive 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. The campus is at 26350 Lorain Road. For more information, call (800) 448-6405, or visit 3Lives.com.

FEATHERS AND FEDORAS — This speakeasy-style benefit for the May Dugan Center will be 6-9 p.m. today at Saigon Plaza, 5400 Detroit Ave., Cleveland.

Tickets are $50 per person, $100 for two; $200 for patron tickets. Call the center, (216) 631-5800 or visit maydugancenter.org for information or to purchase tickets.

The 1920s-themed event will include live entertainment by cabaret singer Lounge Kitty, cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Roaring ’20s attire is optional, but encouraged. Proceeds will benefit the center, which provides food, clothing, furniture and free mental health counseling to some of Cleveland’s neediest residents.

PERENNIALS FOR SALE — St. Richard Parish will have its annual perennial plant sale 9 a.m. to noon Saturday on the parish grounds, 26855 Lorain Road North Olmsted. The event will take place rain or shine, said Karen Gelmas of the St. Richard Garden Club.

MASTERSON MEMORIAL FUND — Tina Siegel is competing in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Sunday and will be raising funds for the Philip M. Masterson Memorial Fund, which will benefit Cornerstone of Hope, a Christian-based organization in Independence.

Masterson, who was hoping to join the Cleveland Fire Department, was killed last Labor Day weekend. Survivors include his parents, Dr. Kevin, a family practitioner who had offices in West Park for many years before moving to Fairview Park, and Georgeann, and siblings Mark, Matt, Molly and Jimmy. The family lives in Westlake.

Siegel, a longtime family friend, is accepting donations until Friday. Make checks payable to Cornerstone of Hope and mark Philip M. Masterson Memorial on the memo line. Mail checks to Tina Siegel, 1320 Bobby Lane, Apt. 201, Westlake, OH, 44145. Donations also can be made by credit card on the Cornerstone of Hope website, cornerstoneofhope.org. Mark Philip M. Masterson Memorial in the comment section.

She said there will be a thank you celebration for donors after the marathon, beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday at P.J. McIntyre, 17119 Lorain Ave., in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood.

SHOWTIME — Cliff LaRocque of the West Park Kiwanis Club, extends an invitation to all Kiwanis members and friends to attend “Nunsense” at 2 p.m. Sunday at Huntington Playhouse, 28601 Lake Road, Bay Village.

Refreshments and snacks begin at 1 and also will be served at intermission.

Tickets are $20 per person. To reserve a seat, contact Marilyn Valentino, club president, at (216) 671-6080, or LaRocque, (671) 319-1309. Tickets also will be available at the door.

RELAY BENEFIT — Pepper’s Italian Restaurant, 12401 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, will host a benefit for the Lakewood Relay for Life 5-9 p.m. Sunday.

Barb Skonce Buck tells me that all server tips and 10 percent of dine-in and carryout sales will be donated to the Blue Goobers team in memory of Donna Sheetz, mother of Cayla, a server at Pepper’s.

For more information, call (216) 226-6191.

INFORMATION, PLEASE — A Place in the Sun includes news and information about people, places and things in Cleveland’s West Park area, Fairview Park and North Olmsted. Submit column items to ckovach@sunnews.com, fax them to (216) 986-2340, Attention: Carol Kovach, or mail them to me at 5510 Cloverleaf Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44125.

Article source: http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2012/05/citys_annual_ice_show_will_giv.html

Article source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/16/us-usa-wildfire-arizona-idUSBRE84F0XJ20120516

ACORD LOMA INSURANCE SYSTEMS FORUM, ORLANDO, May 16, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Informatica Corporation /quotes/zigman/64584/quotes/nls/infa INFA -4.33% , the world's number one independent provider of data integration software, today announced the immediate availability of two data integration capabilities of special relevance to the insurance industry: XMap and HParser. Working alone or in concert, the improved capabilities enable insurance organizations to more effectively address the opportunities and challenges around ACORD insurance standards and big data.

In a recent customer-hosted benchmark, XMap and HParser were used in the processing of three gigabytes of proprietary insurance XML on Amazon Elastic MapReduce (Amazon EMR). The entire XML processing took only 50 seconds on a 16-node Amazon EMR cluster.

"Eighty percent of ACORD data adheres to XML standards and anything that eases and speeds XML mappings and transformations can have a hugely positive impact on insurance operations," said Ash Kulkarni, senior vice president and general manager, B2B and Messaging, Informatica. "The XMap and HParser capabilities in Informatica 9.5 are setting the standard in terms of solutions needed for insurance IT organizations - the former for how it enables the most complex ACORD XML schemas to be mapped with ease and the latter for how it efficiently executes XML transformations natively on Hadoop clusters for cost-effective, high-performance processing of big insurance data."

Together, XMap and HParser empower insurance organizations to maximize their return on big data by lowering the costs of mapping, transforming and processing big insurance data. In addition, this offering is increasing the value of the data through improved business access to information, more efficient data-driven business processes and the ability to engage in big data analytics.

XMap - enterprise-class XML mapping

Embeddable in any enterprise architecture, Informatica XMap is designed specifically to handle the complexities of ACORD XML schemas. With XMap, users leverage a visual drag-and-drop design environment to:

        
          -- Visually create XML mappings that can be interactively iterated and
             enhanced over time.
          -- Easily map the most intricate LAH, PCS and RLC schemas, with built-in
             debugging.
          -- Use standard XPath v2 language to express mapping logic, enabling reuse
             of existing XPath skills and the wealth of XPath materials available
             online.
        
        
        

HParser - big data processing of ACORD XML

Informatica HParser 9.5 is the latest version of Informatica HParser, the first data transformation environment optimized for Hadoop and endorsed by such big data processing leaders as Amazon EMR, Cloudera, EMC Greenplum, Hortonworks and MapR. With HParser 9.5, Informatica introduces the ability to:

        
          -- Execute logic natively on Hadoop to take advantage of Hadoop performance
             for a variety of formats, including ACORD XML, DTCC, AL3 and EDI.
          -- Run on Amazon EMR in the cloud to reduce start-up costs, provisioning
             only the Hadoop nodes required for a specific job.
        
        
        

As with XMap, HParser users leverage a visual design studio for creating custom transformations and executions, and can access a portfolio of building block for creating complex transformations. HParser is designed to be distributed across multiple nodes of an Hadoop cluster, where HParser transformation read data from the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) and deliver results transparently to MapReduce logic.

Tweet this: XMap HParser capabilities in @InformaticaCorp 9.5 Accelerate Processing of High Complex #ACORD XML Volumes http://bit.ly/MkT1MP #ACORDLOMA

Availability

Both XMap and HParser are available in Informatica 9.5, as part of the Informatica B2B Data Exchange family.

About Informatica

Informatica Corporation /quotes/zigman/64584/quotes/nls/infa INFA -4.33% is the world's number one independent provider of data integrationsoftware. Organizations around the world rely on Informatica for maximizing return on data to drive their top business imperatives. Worldwide, nearly 5,000 enterprises depend on Informatica to fully leverage their information assets residing on-premise, in the Cloud and across social networks. For more information, call +1 650-385-5000 (1-800-653-3871 in the U.S.), or visit www.informatica.com . Connect with Informatica at http://www.facebook.com/InformaticaCorporation , http://www.linkedin.com/company/informatica and http://twitter.com/InformaticaCorp .

###

Note: Informatica, PowerCenter, Informatica XMap and Informatica HParser are trademarks or registered trademarks of Informatica Corporation in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other company and product names may be trade names or trademarks of their respective owners.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Informatica Corporation

        CONTACT: Deborah Wiltshire
        Informatica Corporation
        +1 650 385 5360
        mobile/+1 650 862 8186
        dwiltshire@informatica.com
        Shira Frantzich
        Informatica Corporation
        +1 650 385 5674
        sfrantzich@informatica.com
        

(C) Copyright 2010 GlobeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.

/quotes/zigman/64584/quotes/nls/infa Add to portfolio INFA /quotes/zigman/64584/quotes/nls/infa Add to portfolio INFA

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/informatica-provides-coverage-for-big-data-in-the-insurance-industry-2012-05-16

Ohio cities want this.

Later tonight, to some glitz and fanfare, my humble home state will begin its big economic bet. Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, the first of four gaming sites authorized by voters in 2009, will open. When it does, it will quickly become one of the largest employers in the city—probably why voters there approved the gambling bill, overwhelmingly.

The Ohio casinos, plopped down in the center of the struggling swing state’s largest cities, are the most fascinating example of the emerging urban turn to gaming. As a new development, the overall impact of these land-based casinos is frighteningly untested. Any predictions of what the casino will do to Cleveland are just that.

But the expected impact on neighboring Detroit is crystal clear. And it is not good.

The AP writes up a McKinsey report on the coming fiscal drain from the new casinos down south:

Detroit’s hard-pressed treasury can expect to take another hit as Ohio opens four casinos that’ll be in direct competition with three in the Motor City, according to a consulting company.

The treasury stands to lose up to $30 million in annual casino tax revenue by 2015 as some gamblers switch to the neighboring state’s casinos, says a report from the global management company McKinsey Co. Detroit already has lowered casino revenue estimates for the coming fiscal year.

…About $177 million of Detroit’s $1.2 billion general fund budget in the last fiscal year came from taxes on the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity and Greektown casinos, which get 80 percent of their revenue from people living within 150 miles.

“Detroit’s casinos will no longer be the obvious gaming choice for day-trippers,” the McKinsey report said, singling out Toledo’s casino as particularly detrimental to Detroit’s gambling revenue.

That $30 million loss would be around 12 percent of the city’s gaping budget deficit. Not insignificant. And the loss of destination gamblers would likely hurt businesses and pull down other retail tax streams in the Motor City. One convincing claim about casinos is that they cannibalize away other entertainment dollars. By shrinking other spending, they may actually lessen public tax benefits as well. A 2009 paper on Detroit’s three gambling sites rebuts that:  for businesses in a 5-mile radius, the Detroit casinos bumped up property values. (I haven’t digested the paper as well as I should; so I’m skeptical of the counterfactual.) If that’s true, then the opposite may be too. A decline in the casinos could drag surrounding businesses down.

Detroit is actually expanding as a casino market—the American Gaming Association bumped it up to fourth in a 2011 top gaming city index. But the city also demonstrates how gambling, as a business and source of revenue, tends to plateau. I went back eleven years, when the third Detroit casino, Greektown, broke ground, and plugged in the total revenues of each site:

Sure, they’re rising. But the revenues seem to peak then sizzle, pointing to the saturation question that looms over the gaming industry: Only so many people will come somewhere to gamble. Those people in Michigan and Ohio probably go to Detroit. If a casino opens up closer to them, they will probably go there instead. And that’s why the Toledo casino, set to open on May 29, is projected to steal away 5 percent of Detroit’s total casino cash. Naturally, that possibility has the city asking questions about how to fill its budget silo reserved for gaming cash.

That’s the sort of question Cleveland should be prepared to ask itself eventually. Perhaps, very soon.

Photo:  cc/Caveman Chuck Cocker

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/markbergen/2012/05/14/cleveland-makes-opening-bid-on-the-city-casino-gamble/

Article source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/15/us-alzheimers-plan-idUSBRE84E05020120515