| Caribbean island of Curacao is making a push for U.S. tourists
Born in Argentina, Nolo Ambrosi was vice president of an oil services company in Oklahoma when he chucked it all and moved his family to Curacao. ''I'm Argentinian by birth, Italian by blood and American by choice,'' Ambrosi said. ``We came here in `96 on our 20th wedding anniversary and we liked the island. I quit my job cold turkey.'' What attracted the Ambrosi family to Curacao is not obvious at first glance. The island's beauty is deeper, literally. Curacao is in the southwestern Caribbean, 35 miles north off the coast of Venezuela, and is a commonwealth of the Netherlands Antilles. Curacao and its sister islands of Aruba and Bonaire are known as the ABCs. Before Aruba gained its independence in 1986, the three islands were funded by Holland.
Sun spoils Bird’s homecoming
Sue Bird's return to the state of Connecticut and the Seattle Storm lineup was upstaged Friday by the guards of the surging Connecticut Sun. Lindsay Whalen scored 19 points and Katie Douglas added 18 as Connecticut defeated the Storm, 76-58, on Friday night in Uncasville, Conn. The Sun (11-11) have won five in a row and six of seven. Asjha Jones had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Connecticut, which held All-Star Lauren Jackson to four points in the second half. Jackson scored a game-high 19 points for the Storm (11-11). "You'd have to say that Lauren is the best player in the world right now, but Asjha's really battled her," Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. "We gave her a lot of different looks." Bird, who played college basketball at Connecticut, missed five games after having surgery on her left knee two weeks ago to remove a torn meniscus.
Authority rules vibrator not a legitimate office expense
An office manager who allegedly spent $32,000 of company money on personal items, including a home theatre system and a vibrator, has been ordered to repay the money. The Employment Relations Authority said it was difficult to see how the $24 sex aide, cosmetics, sunglasses, lounge suite, washing machine and alpaca cardigan "could in any way benefit" Paania Paki's former employer, Panel Holdings. Ms Paki worked for the Huntly company for 15 years and resigned last November. In a decision released yesterday, authority member Dzintra King ordered Ms Paki to reimburse Panel Holdings $32,713.68. Ms Paki did not attend the hearing, which heard allegations that she had spent more than $10,000 of company money on Trade Me. The Herald could not contact her yesterday.
FTSE firm
Leading shares have retained much of their earlier gains in London, so that by lunchtime the FTSE 100 index was sporting a 72.7 point gain at 6,261.8. Mid-cap stocks also attracted bargain hunters, and the FTSE250 index was up 213 points at 11,212. Trading volume was relatively strong at 1.58bn, given the absence of many players away for holidays. .
Parents: Is Your College Student 'Jonesin' for a Car or Truck? It's Time to Have 'The Talk,' Says AWARE
With approximately 7.5 million students exchanging the comforts of home for the freedom and responsibility of living on their own at college campuses, AWARE, a consumer education non-profit specializing in auto finance education, reminds parents to have "the talk" with their kids. College students should be reminded to be safe and responsible with their credit -- particularly if they're thinking about buying a car or truck in the future. "The decisions young college students make today will affect the rate at which they can finance a car or truck tomorrow," said Eric Hoffman, spokesman for AWARE. "Today's financial decisions will also affect the amount of credit a finance company will extend to a borrower. Because credit history plays such an important role in determining the annual percentage rate of any form of credit, demonstrating responsibility with credit as a freshman or sophomore says an awful lot to a financing company when the time comes to buy a vehicle." AWARE says those who've not yet established a credit profile should focus on paying their bills on time and not spending more than they have.
Ford Surprises Wall Street With 1st Profit in 2 Years
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford surprised Wall Street Thursday by posting its first quarterly profit in two years. Then it spoiled the party by warning investors that it still expects big losses in the next two quarters and no return to full-year profitability until 2009.The $750 million second-quarter earnings, fueled by cost cutting, higher net pricing on its vehicles, slimmer losses in North America and better sales overseas, was viewed by Wall Street as good news.Still, President and Chief Executive Alan Mulally said investors should not think that Ford has turned the corner to consistent profitability."These accomplishments are something to be proud of, but we are not ready to declare victory," he said, predicting losses in the second half of the year due to traditionally lower sales volume.The company also said the sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries was probable, and Ford said its U.S.
Colorado business news roundup
Guidance Corporate Realty Advisors was recently formed to serve tenants and buyers of commercial real estate. The firm has offices in Denver and Boulder. DigitalGlobe, a Longmont- based provider of high-resolution satellite imagery and geospatial information, announced the addition of Geoimage Pty Ltd of Brisbane, Australia, to its network of distribution partners. ING announced a multiyear sponsorship agreement with the Denver Marathon - the largest marathon in Colorado - to be held Oct. 14. Heli-Support, a Fort Collins-based helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, announced that it has been awarded full factory approval for overhaul and repair of the Turbomeca Arriel 1 aircraft. Health Quotes of Colorado Springs has launched a new short-term health insurance website, eShortTermHealth.com.
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