Hyper Local News Pages

Thursday, August 30, 2007

12/13/06 - Archive - News Reports

Toughest hole on tour in '06

Source: San Jose Mercury News (Bay Area Sports)

At long last, the secret to winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is revealed. Forget about the narrow fairways of Spyglass Hill, or the tiny greens of Pebble Beach. The key is the fifth hole at Poppy Hills.

Considered by many to be the easiest of the three AT&T courses, it turns out Poppy has teeth. According to PGA Tour statistics, the 426-yard par-4 fifth hole at Poppy Hills was the toughest hole on tour for 2006. Tougher than any hole at Winged Foot or Augusta National.

'We are significantly proud that it is a difficult golf course,' General Manager Tyler Jones said. 'We have that 18-hole ranking posted at the golf counter.'

The fifth hole played nearly a half-stroke over par (4.492) this year, making it considerably tougher than the next hardest hole, No. 11 at Augusta (4.474).

Jones said the back-right hole location turned the fifth into a beast.

'That hole is not that difficult,' Jones said. 'But when they put it back right, you have to go over water to get there.'

Poppy Hills was also the 26th-toughest course on the PGA Tour this year, which put it behind Pebble Beach (No. 19) but ahead of notoriously tough Spyglass (No. 31).

Jones said that although he's pleased with the attention the ranking brings, he also wishes that the course was set up a bit easier for the AT&T.

'I would like to see it a little more defenseless,' Jones said. 'We don't need people walking off here upset because they couldn't score here.'

At this year's tournament, eventual champion Arron Oberholser parred the fifth at Poppy during a first-round 65, but Rory Sabbatini, who finished second, had a double-bogey at the fifth during his second-round 69. Sabbatini finished five strokes behind Oberholser.

Overall, Poppy Hills played about a third of a stroke over par (72.302) to finish far behind the toughest course of the year: Winged Foot Golf Club, the site of this year's U.S. Open. Winged Foot played nearly five strokes over par (74.993) and featured three of the top-six toughest holes on tour.

Golf Digest named Callippe Preserve Golf Course in Pleasanton as one of the best new courses in the United States.

Callippe, designed by Brian Costello, was ranked ninth among public courses with greens fees under $75. King Carter Golf Club in Irvington, Va., was the top course in the category.

A dual legend effort produced the best new private course. Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin teamed up to design The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.

Osprey Meadows in Donnelly, Idaho, was the best new course over $75, and The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn., was the best new remodel.


Retail Sales in U.S. Rise for First Time Since July on Holiday Discounting

By: Joe Richter
Source: Bloomberg

Retail sales in the U.S. rose for the first time since July as shoppers took advantage of early holiday discounts, increasing the odds the economy will withstand the slump in housing.

Sales jumped 1.0 percent last month, more than forecast, after a revised 0.1 percent drop in October that was less than previously estimated, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. Purchases excluding motor vehicles rose 1.1 percent, the most since January.

Consumers, buoyed by an expanding labor market and rising wages, are keeping the economy growing at the moderate pace predicted by the Federal Reserve. Consumption accounts for about 70 percent of gross domestic product, dwarfing real estate and manufacturing. The dollar rallied and bond yields climbed.

``The consumer appears to be riding to the rescue, just when it appeared that housing and manufacturing would steal the economy's holiday joy,'' said Stephen Stanley, chief economist at RBS Greenwich Capital in Greenwich, Connecticut. ``Feels like the fourth quarter may not be so weak after all, even with the twin drags of autos and housing.''.........


CNBC Mad Money Host Jim Cramer to Appear on ''Corporate Strategies...

Source: Biz.yahoo.com

... Corporate Strategies Business Talk Radio Show which may be heard on KSEV AM 700 in Houston, Texas, WGCH AM 1490 in Greenwich, Connecticut, WSBR AM 740 in Boca Raton, Florida, WSMN AM 1590 in Nashua, New Hampshire, KVWM AM 1450 in Show Low, Arizona, ...


Trade of The Year

Source: Under the Counter

... gunslinger was fresh off an amazing year in which he created an estimated $800 million in profits for his Greenwich, Connecticut, employers, earning himself some $100 million in the process. Nothing seemed to sate Hunter's appetite for betting on ...


Lash: Time to talk redistricting

By: Michael Dinan
Source: Norwalk Advocate

First Selectman Jim Lash yesterday called for Greenwich public education officials to decide which elementary schools to close and when, saying failure to address declining student enrollment hinders classroom diversity and wastes taxpayers' money.

'Very unpopular subject. It was a very unpopular subject the last time we went through it. It, in effect, means redistricting and there's nothing that towns like less than redistricting,' Lash told more than 70 residents, officials and nonprofit agency leaders gathered in a Town Hall meeting room.

'Either we have to lop off some schools or we have to substantially raise the cost per student of providing education in Greenwich. We already have if not the highest this year, then one of the top four or five per-student spending rates in the state, so our issue is not whether we're spending enough.'

He spoke during an annual legislative forum sponsored by the United Way of Greenwich, a nonprofit organization. The 90-minute event featured Lash and Greenwich's representatives in the General Assembly talking about affordable housing, human services, traffic and other topics.

Public schools officials re-sponded to Lash's comments by saying that redistricting is a last resort and that they're working on alternative solutions to problems caused by declining enrollment. A policy is being developed now and should be completed by next September, Board of Education Chairwoman Colleen Giambo and Superintendent of Schools Betty Sternberg said.

'We're certainly on top of and aware of the issue of declining enrollment,' Sternberg said.

Greenwich spends more than $14,000 per year per student, according to Lash. The figure doesn't include taxpayer dollars spent on school construction projects.

Total enrollment at Greenwich elementary schools has been falling since 1999, and is expected to drop by another 127 students --AOEto about 8,827 total children -- in the 2007-08 academic year.

Three of the town's 11 elementary schools --AOEGlenville School, Parkway School and Old Greenwich School --AOEare projected to sink below 70 percent use by next academic year, according to public schools officials. It's projected to continue falling for at least the next decade, according to Greenwich Public Schools' projections.

Under school policy, if an individual school's use falls below 70 percent and 10 percent below the townwide average, officials will consider closing it. Projections show that Parkway School will meet that criteria as early as the 2008-09 academic year............


Wreaths Across America rolls through

Source: Norwalk Advocate

... Yesterday, more than 40 motorcycles, a dozen cars and several police vehicles from Stamford, Darien and Greenwich provided a first-ever escort for the wreaths as they made their way through Fairfield County on a donated tractor-trailer. In ...


Uma Thurman flick shoots at Round Hill

Source: Stamford Advocate

... but they also needed a church to use for the wedding. With Connecticut's rebate in mind, location scouts searched Greenwich to find a church that fit the profile of Emma, who the storyline says grew up in Great Neck, Long Island. Some aspects of the ...

12/05/06 - Archive - News Reports

World Class Retail Developer Sheldon Gordon Brings His Innovative...

Source: Hotels

PRNewswire/ -- Regarded as one of the most daring and innovative developers in the retail and entertainment industry, Sheldon Gordon, the pioneering force behind Gordon Group Holdings ...

Tepid response to Fareri apt. plan

By: Hoa Nguyen
Source: Norwalk Advocate

Vince DiMarco held up two drawings showing what a proposed 96-unit apartment building on the Post Road would look like at last night's Pemberwick Community Association meeting. The first reaction were murmurs about how the structure resembled a hotel.

'That would make a great hotel,' someone said.

'That's what I said,' piped in another person.

Reactions continued spiraling downward as the nearly two dozen homeowners debated the prospects of the apartment building coming to their end of town. Several homeowners are clearly opposed to building such a large residential structure even if it would replace a half-excavated construction site commonly referred to as 'the hole.'

'I don't like it,' Dan LaRusso said of the proposed apartment building.

'It should be in New York City or something,' said another Pemberwick resident Michael Morganti. 'I say put the rocks and dirt back in.'

Greenwich resident and developer John Fareri wants to build the four-story apartment building with more than 200 underground parking spaces at 644 W. Putnam Ave. In exchange for building a 42,000 square-foot structure, which is bigger than what is typically allowed on the 1.6 acre lot, Fareri promises to rent 20 of the 96 unts to tenants who must meet moderate-income guidelines. Under the guidelines, tenants, such as a single person who earns $72,054 or less or a two-person family with earnings of $90,067 or less, would pay a monthly rent of $1,200. ,,,,,,,


Global Gold Announces Exercise of Warrants by Firebird Funds

Source: MacReport.net

Global Gold Corporation (OTC BB:GBGD.OB - News) (http://www.globalgoldcorp.com/) today announced Global Gold Corporation sold $2,250,000 in common shares, pursuant to exemptions from registration requirements of the Securities Act. The transaction closed on December 1, 2006 and involved the exercise of warrants originally issued on November 4, 2004. Global Gold issued 3,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.75 per share in accordance with the warrants. The purchasers and corresponding shares issued are: Firebird Global Master Fund, Ltd, 1,500,000 shares; Firebird Avrora Fund, Ltd. 750,000 shares; and Firebird Republics Fund, Ltd. 750,000 shares.

To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, including statements as to revenue projections, business strategy, outlook, objectives, future milestones, plans, intentions, goals, future financial conditions, future collaboration agreements, the success of the Company's development, events conditioned on stockholder or other approval, or otherwise as to future events, such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Former Soviet country estimations are presented for historical reporting and to provide a basis for assessing Global Gold's choices for its business activities and not to be understood as indicating the existence of reserves or resources.

Global Gold Corporation is an international gold mining, development and exploration company with mining properties in Chile and Armenia. Global Gold Corporation is located at 45 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830. The main phone number is 203-422-2300. More information can be found at http://www.globalgoldcorp.com/.


Prosecutors claim Greenburgh cop crossed the line in the dominatrix case

Source: The Journal News

... her if she would satisfy his urge for croprophilia, and she agreed to go with him to a nearby nature preserve in Greenwich, Conn. Ward said they only left the parking lot because Pane began to feel uncomfortable. He said he drove into the woods at ...


Make A Difference

Source: WTNH-TV New Haven

... a reality in a day. Teen-ager donates money to Boys & Girls Village (Milford-WTNH, Oct. 26, 2006) _ A Greenwich teenager is doing her part to make a difference in the lives of others. (Fairfield-WTNH, Oct. 20, 2006 6:12 PM) _ If you want ...


Investment fund oversubscribed

Source: The Plain Dealer

... distribution and, of course, manufacturing companies." Key Principal Partners has hired a professional for its Greenwich, Conn., office to originate deals for the new fund, Desai said. The firm also has five investments for its latest fund under ...


Sex culture of domination glimpsed in Greenburgh misconduct case

Source:The Journal News

... process." In the Greenburgh case, Pane alleges that Ward, 32, instructed her to defecate while he masturbated in a Greenwich, Conn., nature preserve. Pane said she believed Ward could have marijuana possession charges against her dismissed. Ward ...


Welcome the new big guy on the block

Source: The Journal News

... small businesses in the area. "The big banks, you get less there. You're a statistic," said Paul Kelly, manager of Greenwich Furniture Inc., with shops in Mamaroneck and Mount Kisco. "Chase is just going to make things even worse." Kelly said his ...


John Hearst Herndon, 1961-2006: 'Big guy with heart to match'

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

John Hearst Herndon, whose middle name reflected his connection to media magnate William Randolph Hearst, attended schools in Europe, spoke at least five languages and worked as a photographer for the Seattle P-I.

Herndon, who died Friday in his home near Snohomish, also loved to fix up cars, grow vegetables, cook for friends and collect Grateful Dead memorabilia

But his most memorable act might have been the round-the-clock care he gave Mary Peters, a friend shot point-blank in the face in July 1999.

Herndon was 45. His manner of death was determined to be natural, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office said Monday

"He was a big bear of a guy with a heart to match," said former P-I reporter Mary Lynn Lyke, who wrote about Peters' struggle to recover from her wounds. "He was very generous."

P-I photographer Grant Haller, who kept in touch with Herndon over the years, said his friend "didn't suffer fools" easily but showed another side with Peters.

"His efforts at taking care of Mary Peters were incredible," Haller said.

Herndon was born June 29, 1961, in Santiago, Chile. His mother, Joanne Hearst Castro, is a niece of William Randolph Hearst. The P-I is a Hearst newspaper.

He attended schools in Switzerland, England and Greenwich, Conn., and graduated from high school in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. His experiences in Europe helped him learn French, Italian, German and Spanish; he also knew Farsi........

12/04/06 - Archive - A Daughter's Tribute

A Daughter's Tribute

Source: The Emory Wheel

... but trying to educate Emory." Rosengarten's father was diagnosed the same year she was born. She grew up in Greenwich, Conn., with two older sisters and her mother. Her mother had her tested for AIDS for years, even though the disease is normally ...

12/04/06 - Archive - News Reports

Connecticut firm buys Greenleaf & Crosby

Source: Palm Beach Daily News

A.E. Betteridge, an estate jewelery firm in Greenwich, Conn., bought Greenleaf & Crosby last week.

Midnight Pass Joins APPMA

Source: Clickpress.com

Midnight Pass, direct marketer and online retailer of innovative pet products, becomes the latest new member of APPMA

Midnight Pass, providers of innovative and exclusive pet products to thousands of customers worldwide, has recently become a member of the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association, Inc. (APPMA) located in Greenwich, CT.

Midnight Pass is a direct marketer and online retailer with corporate headquarters in Marshfield, Mass. APPMA is the leading not-for-profit world wide trade association made up of over 900 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and suppliers. Membership consists of a diverse group representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises worldwide. APPMA's mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership in the pet products industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper.

Midnight Pass will be exhibiting and introducing new products at the APPMA Global Pet Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL during February 22-24, 2007........


Just be happy Club hopes to spread good cheer through good deeds

Sorce: Stamford Advocate

... says Glass, who developed the teen club with Stone after their mothers read a Sept. 6 article in The Advocate and Greenwich Time about the Happiness Club for adults in Fairfield. That organization, founded by Fairfield resident Lionel Ketchian, has ...


World Class Retail Developer Sheldon Gordon Brings His Innovative Style to the Poconos

Source: Biz.yahoo.com

... indirect jobs, making the Pocono Manor Resort & Casino the second largest employer in the region. Headquartered in Greenwich, CT, Gordon Group Holdings, LLC is recognized as one of the leading specialty retail and entertainment development firms in ...


After 40 years, DaVinci's serves its final meal

By: Michael Dinan
Source: Stamford Advocate

DaVinci's Ristorante was a year-old, failing, 40-seat pizza place on a corner of downtown's main two-way street, Greenwich Avenue, when newlyweds Lisa and Tony Vitiello began renting the space in 1966.

The couple started a family as they took over the restaurant, and Tony took up extra work as a chef in Stamford to help pay the bills and keep their business going.
'We were like any young couple starting out,' Lisa recalled yesterday as loyal customers filed into the beloved restaurant, now 125 seats with an extensive menu of Italian cuisine, for the last time.

'Leaving these people is harder than anything. I could have left the day after my husband died 11 years ago. But these people --AOEI don't want to call them 'customers,' because I don't think of them that way --AOEthey started out as strangers who came here for the food, and they've become friends.'

A Greenwich institution The Avenue and East Elm Street, known for its veal parmesan served on the bone, homemade gnocchi and fresh seafood, DaVinci's closed its doors after four decades. A bank will begin renting space in the three-story building that the Vitiellos bought 20 years ago, and could open as soon as next summer.

'It's not that we're leaving out of failure, but at the height of success,' Vitiello said as her long-serving staff uncorked bottles of wine in a bustling, elegant dining room, where natural light brings out the walls' Renaissance Era-like frescoes. 'From a business standpoint, I'm extremely comfortable with the offer we got. But from a personal standpoint, it's more emotional.'

An Italy native who grew up on an island off the coast of Naples and moved to the United States at age 9, two years after her mother died, Vitiello says she'll miss the restaurant's frequenters and staff. But she wants to spend more time with her four kids and six grandchildren: Anthony, 17, Victoria, 13, Joey, 8, Ariana, 7, John, 4 and Sofia Alexandra, three weeks.


Christmas windows brighten downtown

Source: Greenwich Time - Southern Connecticut

If the window displays of Greenwich businesses don't get you in the holiday spirit this year, it's not for lack of effort.

12/03/06 - Archive - Greenwich wins with 21 points in 2nd half

Greenwich wins with 21 points in 2nd half

Source: Stamford Advocate

... the season. The final two were, no doubt, the most dominating. In a wild and often bizarre span of 21U2 hours, the Greenwich High School football team realized its season-long dream and secured a lifelong legacy. Second-seeded Greenwich overcame ...