Ellerine drops bottom out of interest rates May 28, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - African Bank Investments Limited (Abil) is now applying its low-cost borrowing model to its Ellerine furniture acquisition, offering an interest rate of 15 percent to its least risky customers. (Business Report, South Africa)
Sales of basic food prop up Tiger May 26, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Sales of basic groceries, such as canned foods and sandwich spreads, outperformed the market in the downturn, but growth in discretionary foods, such as sweets, slowed "dramatically", Tiger Brands said last week. (Business Report, South Africa)
Damen takes 70% share of Farocean May 16, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - The world's largest privately owned support ship builder, Damen Shipyards, has bought a 70 percent stake in local builder Farocean Marine, a vote of confidence in the revival of the local industry. (Business Report, South Africa)
Reduced consumer spending dents retail sales in March May 15, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - The total retail sales for March had fallen by the most in more than six years, Statistics SA said yesterday. (Business Report, South Africa)
Black middle class lifts Spar earnings May 15, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Spar's first-half revenue was up 21. (Business Report, South Africa)
Fitch flags rise in Woolies bad debt Apr 21, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Fitch was ''concerned'' customer bad debts at Woolworths had deteriorated further in the three months to February, the ratings agency said yesterday, but nevertheless it affirmed the retailer's credit rating. (Business Report, South Africa)
Higher food prices 'are here to stay' Apr 14, 2008
Business Report - Higher food prices 'are here to stay. Online Edition Powered By IOL. (Business Report, South Africa)
Pioneer's plan to list in turbulent times will test producer's ability to digest extra debt Apr 14, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Pioneer Foods is under pressure to raise as much as R1. (Business Report, South Africa)
Back to roots Mar 27, 2008
Web search powered by YAHOO. Last Update: 10:33 PM. (Anchorage Daily News)
Polytrack virtues, faults are debated at meeting Feb 21, 2008
On the racing secretary's panel, Del Mar's Tom Robbins said: In my over 25 years at Del Mar, in terms of the lowest number of catastrophic and noncatastrophic injuries, 2007 was the best year ever. Our average field size increased as the meeting went along, which is almost unheard of, and with the low attrition rate, we sent a lot more horses on to race at the Los Angeles-area tracks later in the year. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
My Budget: Arthur Kamp, economist, sanlam Investment Management Feb 21, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Arthur Kamp said while he would appreciate a tax cut from the finance minister, Trevor Manuel, he thought this was an unrealistic expectation given that economic growth was likely to slow. (Business Report, South Africa)
Cyclical retailers forecast to recover lost ground this year Feb 20, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Fund managers favour general retailers, such as furniture and clothing chains, in the industrial sector over the next 12 months as they bet that interest rates will fall in the second half of the year, according to a survey by Merrill Lynch. (Business Report, South Africa)
Shoprite beats expectations Feb 20, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Shoprite beat profit expectations as it benefited from smoother staff relations and controlled expenses, but the supermarket group cautioned yesterday future profit growth would "not be immune" to the economic downturn. (Business Report, South Africa)
Shoprite feasts on pricy food Feb 19, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Shoprite's surprisingly strong profit growth had probably been largely a result of food price increases outstripping the rise in the supermarket group's monthly expenses, analysts said yesterday. (Business Report, South Africa)
Shoprite to grow furniture space Feb 19, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Shoprite Holdings will continue to open new furniture stores at a steady pace despite slowing growth that could lead to cost-cutting in the sector. (Business Report, South Africa)
Shootings prompt college prospects to ask about security Feb 16, 2008
"I think we all realize the true expanse of the tragedy," said Boston University Police Chief Tom Robbins. "Here at BU, we look at everything we can to prevent a tragedy. But campuses, as we all know, remain an open environment.". (Boston Globe)
SA fires burn $15m hole in Sappi's books Feb 5, 2008
By Tom Robbins Cape Town. The damage from last year's local forest fires, the worst in Sappi's history, cost $15 million (R111 million) after insurance recovery, the world's biggest maker of glossy magazine paper said yesterday. (Business Report, South Africa)
Entertainment guide Jan 28, 2008
TOM ROBBINS: opening Friday; on display through February, STAR Gallery, second-floor, The Mall at Steamtown. DEIR EL-BAHRI: paintings by Dan Curry, opening reception Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.; through March, Sense dipity Gallery ng Center, Dushore. (Scranton Times, PA)
Weekend entertainment guide Jan 24, 2008
TOM ROBBINS: opening Feb. 1; on display through February, STAR Gallery, second-floor, The Mall at Steamtown. DEIR EL-BAHRI: paintings by Dan Curry, opening reception Feb. 1, 3 to 5 p.m.; through March, Sense dipity Gallery ng Center, Dushore. (Scranton Times, PA)
Foschini weathers tough trading conditions Jan 12, 2008
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Foschini's first-half profit fell as expected and turnover growth has remained ''challenging'', warned the fashion retailer yesterday. (Business Report, South Africa)
Giuliani's claim of transparency contradicted by record Dec 24, 2007
When Village Voice reporter Tom Robbins sought expense records for a city housing agency headed by the son of one of Giuliani's closest political advisers, he was told they had been lost. Finally released to the Voice more than a year later, after Giuliani left office, the documents led to an investigation that ended with the guilty plea of Russell Harding, who embezzled more than $400,000 in city funds to finance a personal spending spree and download child pornography onto his computer. (USA Today)
Morford: The Great Teddy Bear Blasphemy of 2007 Dec 6, 2007
Pascal: "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction." Twain: "Man is kind enough when he is not excited by religion." Tom Robbins: "A sense of humor, properly developed, is superior to any religion so far devised." Salud, gentlemen. I think of the eternal chicken-and-egg debate, modified: Which came first, the radical fundamentalists who can't walk and chew deep theology at the same time, or the overeager commercial media, ever in need of tales of... (San Francisco Chronicle)
* Airborne ski vacation Dec 5, 2007
By Tom Robbins THE OBSERVER Wednesday, Dec 05, 2007, Page 13. Riksgransen, Sweden, with its one hotel doesn't feel like the typical ski resort, but it does offer inexpensive heliskiing and a season that lasts into June. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Shooting Star lands at mall Nov 16, 2007
On Saturday, the gallery will hold an official grand opening at the space from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Works from all 11 of the group s member artists will be on exhibit, including Simona Gavern (mixed media), Mark Ciocca (printmaking/pen and ink), Maureen Duffy (jewelry design), Ruthanne Jones (photography), Tom Robbins (photography/oils), Bob Slachta (photography), Gerald Stankiewicz (portraits), Teresa Velardi (pottery), Jack White (cut paper), Judy Youshock (batik) and Donna Doherty (who along... (Scranton Times, PA)
Energy sector needs to refine bidding process Nov 12, 2007
With contributions by Ingi Salgado and Tom Robbins. BUSINESS SERVICES. (Business Report, South Africa)
Dark comedy 'Wristcutters'' takes a sweetly grim road trip through Limbo Nov 3, 2007
With the arrival of a charlatan rival guru named Messiah (comedian Will Arnett), "Wristcutters" devolves into hectic noise; the final scenes play out like a muffed version of a lesser Tom Robbins novel. Yet the air of weary benevolence hangs on. (Boston Globe -- Living)
Schools To Get Face-Remembering Cameras Nov 3, 2007
The reporters, Tom Robbins and Jerry Capeci, former colleagues at the New York Daily News, had interviewed mob moll Linda Schiro 10 years ago for a book that was never published. During the interview, they asked her some questions that were very similar to the ones she was asked on the witness stand over the last few weeks in the trial of ex-FBI supervisor Roy Lindley DeVecchio. (CBS News -- Evening News)
Judge: FBI Made "Deal With The Devil" Nov 3, 2007
Once she finished her first day of testimony, veteran reporter Tom Robbins came forward with tapes made in 1997, when he and fellow journalist Jerry Capeci interviewed Schiro for a never-published book. "A guy was facing prison for life over this, over her testimony, and I didn't see how I could sit silent," Robbins told CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor. (CBS News -- US)
High-profile corruption case against ex-FBI agent is dismissed Nov 2, 2007
Once she finished her first day of testimony, Village Voice reporter Tom Robbins came forward with tapes made in 1997, when he and fellow journalist Jerry Capeci had interviewed Schiro for a never-published book. The tapes contradicted her sworn testimony against DeVecchio. (Boston Globe)
Murder charges dropped against ex-FBI agent Nov 2, 2007
Tom Robbins, the reporter, who works for The Village Voice, said he had struggled with his decision to come forward. "I did not know what else to do," Robbins said, adding that he had chosen to disclose the tapes after hearing the testimony this week and its role in the case. (International Herald Tribune)
Kagiso deal to lift clients BEE Nov 2, 2007
Business Report - Kagiso deal to lift clients BEE. Online Edition Powered By IOL. (Business Report, South Africa)
Official: Agents charges to be nixed Nov 1, 2007
Differing accountsThe interviews were conducted by reporters Tom Robbins and Jerry Capeci, with Robbins revealing their existence in a piece for the Village Voice published Wednesday. One thing is clear: What Linda Schiro is saying on the witness stand now is not how she told the story 10 years ago concerning three of the four murder counts now at issue, Robbins wrote in a story headlined Tall Tales of a Mafia Mistress. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Sources: Stunning collapse for mob FBI case Nov 1, 2007
The delay was called to allow prosecutors and defense attorneys time to examine tapes made by journalists Tom Robbins and Jerry Capeci during their interview with Schiro in 1997 in preparation for a potential book deal which never materialized. During a brief hearing before Reichbach Wednesday, assistant district attorney Michael Vecchione stated that if the tape recordings confirmed the substance of a Village Voice story, which contradicted Schiro's testimony, that his office was prepared to... (Newsday -- New York City)
Brooklyn DA Expected To Drop Murder Case Against FBI Agent Nov 1, 2007
The veteran reporter, Tom Robbins of the Village Voice, said Schiro, the girlfriend of murderous mobster Greg "The Grim Reaper" Scarpa, never told him DeVecchio was involved in three of the murders. But on the stand, Schiro testified this week DeVecchio was involved in the killings. (WNBC.com, NY)
Plastic shortfall to shrink soon Oct 26, 2007
The manufacturer also had to contend with high prices for oil and gas, which are used in the manufacture of ploymer - Tom Robbins. BUSINESS SERVICES. (Business Report, South Africa)
Wellco books give auditors a headache Oct 11, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Deloitte e, the auditors of anti-hangover pill maker Wellco Health, yesterday expressed "significant doubt" about the company's ability to continue as a going concern. (Business Report, South Africa)
Fragile careers and lessons learned Sep 10, 2007
"Philosophers may have argued about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but materialists have always known it depends on whether they are jitterbugging or dancing cheek to cheek." Tom Robbins. True story. (Boston Globe)
'An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England' by Brock Clarke Sep 2, 2007
As Sam sets out to find out who, in copycat style, is burning down (or trying to burn down) homes of famous American literary figures, including Frost, Twain and the more obscure Edward Bellamy, Clarke is flashing elements of more contemporary American writers -- writers like Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut and Tom Robbins. Perhaps he's most like Tom Robbins, except that Clarke is his own man, to be sure. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Read More... Aug 31, 2007
Disinformation :: Tom Robbins: Obama Time ... Tom Robbins: Obama Timeposted by alex on Aug 31, 2007 - 05:41 AM. (Disinformation)
Trainer: West format makes for terrible 2s Aug 29, 2007
"Other trainers just have to sit and wait to see if they have horses that want to go a distance of ground at Del Mar. But Tom Robbins, Del Mar's racing secretary, defends his program."We could write those races earlier in the meet," said Robbins of the distance races, "but, at the same time, we're trying to not interfere with our 6- and 6 1/2-furlong races. We're trying to produce winners in those races to get into the Debutante and Futurity at the end of the meet. (North County Times)
Loosen up your credit model, Woolies advised Aug 27, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Woolworths needed to adopt a more aggressive approach to its underperforming consumer finance business to improve profitability, Renaissance Specialist Fund Managers executive director Nothando Ndebele said last week. (Business Report, South Africa)
Woolworths feels the pinch in consumer finance profitability Aug 24, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Profitability fell at Woolworths' consumer finance business as expenses grew faster than revenue. (Business Report, South Africa)
Venues: Giant Panda Guerilla... Aug 9, 2007
The band's name comes from the title of a book by author Tom Robbins, he said. "The audience always ends up dancing as much as they can from the first note to the last note," Searl said. (Daily Collegian, PA)
An inside look at Great River Shakespeare Festival Aug 7, 2007
Up until Sunday afternoon when William Cope Moyers of the Hazeldine Clinic and author of the book, Broken, confirmed he would be our guest on July 20, 2008, other notable guests to whom we have extended invitations to join us on the porch (Bill Moyers, Jane Alexander, Joan Baez, Village Voice columnist Tom Robbins among them) have been genuinely interested but as yet unable to accept. When Gerson spoke on Sunday afternoon, the room was tense, intent and electric. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Adding Pep to Generations script breaks advertising mould, says marketing expert Jul 25, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Branded entertainment, such as that used by retailer Pep, has an advantage over traditional advertising in that it has greater credibility with consumers, according to BrandMetrics head Roger Sinclair. (Business Report, South Africa)
What do objects want? LIC exhibit seeks answers Jun 8, 2007
In reflecting on the show, I was reminded of Tom Robbins' novel "Skinny Legs and All," with its walking, talking object characters named Bean Can, Conch Shell, Dirty Sock and Painted Stick, or Michael Pollan's "The Botany of Desire," in which he theorizes that plants use their intoxicating properties to entice humans in order to further their own survival, or even intelligent-life-on-other-planets beliefs. This idea won't go away, the idea that human consciousness isn't the be-all and end-all,... (Bayside Times, NY)
Foschini's bad debts get easy ride despite interest rate hikes Jun 1, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - Foschini was weathering the higher interest rate cycle well, with net bad debts from customers rising only marginally, the credit retailer said yesterday. (Business Report, South Africa)
Steinhoff, JD Group give up on merger May 30, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Death of R15 billion acquisition is victory for shareholders opposed to the deal. (Business Report, South Africa)
A true triple threat May 26, 2007
Loyola Academy s Tom Robbins and Geneseo s Dan Chenoweth gave it a distinctive Ivy League feel ... Tom Robbins (Sr), Wilmette Loyola Academy, DNS. Mark Sulkin (Sr), Elmhurst York, DNS. Class AA 800 Meter Run Prelims Heat No. 3 1, Mat Smoody (Jr), Palatine, 1:54 ... Class AA 1600 Meter Run Prelims Heat No. 1 1, Tom Robbins (Sr), Wilmette Loyola Academy, 4:10. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
High style in the Alps May 13, 2007
Heidi wouldn't recognise the place - today even Alpine supermarkets are at the cutting edge of design, writes Tom Robbins ... Observer Escapes Tom Robbins has skiied everywhere from Greenland to Russia ... Tom Robbins abandons cheese fondue for Cristal champagne and the Pussycat Dolls in the Austrian village of Ischgl, party capital of the Alps. (Guardian Unlimited -- Travel)
Tony Blair's Tuscany from 15 a night May 5, 2007
Tom Robbins hits the road in search of La Dolce Vita. . (Guardian Unlimited -- Travel)
SAA flights to Port Elizabeth will stay May 5, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - SAA would cancel flights to unprofitable international destinations but hold on to its marginal service to Port Elizabeth, the loss making airline said yesterday. (Business Report, South Africa)
The priory that offers a natural high Apr 22, 2007
Tom Robbins rushed to Italy to check it out ... Tom Robbins hits the road in search of La Dolce Vita. (Guardian Unlimited -- Travel)
Gold Fields has a lot to answer for on Pastorini bid leak Apr 18, 2007
With contributions by Justin Brown, Thabiso Mochiko and Tom Robbins. BUSINESS SERVICES. (Business Report, South Africa)
Bain wraps up Edcon takeover Apr 17, 2007
- With additional reporting by Tom Robbins. BUSINESS SERVICES. (Business Report, South Africa)
Slow boat to Shannon Apr 15, 2007
Owen Sheers wanted to do a Rick Stein-style food cruise - in Ireland. Cue laughter from Irish friends. (Guardian Unlimited -- Travel)
Basque in calming spa waters Apr 15, 2007
Tom Robbins tests the water ... Tom Robbins rushed to Italy to check it out. (Guardian Unlimited -- Travel)
Credit act likely to stir up litigation Apr 14, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. Cape Town - JD Group expected a slew of litigation before credit provision precedents were established under the National Credit Act, the furniture retailer said yesterday. (Business Report, South Africa)
Del Mar changes the stakes, slightly Apr 9, 2007
"That will be our special Breeders' Cup preview day," said racing secretary Tom Robbins. The Pacific Classic, Mile and O'Brien will all be part of the new Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" program. (North County Times)
20 Great designer villas Apr 8, 2007
Tom Robbins picks the best flights and resorts for maximum time on the slopes with no more than a day off work. January 9 2007. (Guardian Unlimited -- Travel)
Lord it up on a country house weekend Apr 1, 2007
Can Tom Robbins convince his girlfriend he is to the manor born even though he's on a pauper's budget ... Tom Robbins got a preview. (Guardian Unlimited -- Travel)
Moon Madness Mar 21, 2007
Tom Robbins, author, from Still Life With Woodpecker. Every one is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Sasol windfall tax report causes numbers to crunch, teeth to grind Mar 5, 2007
Online Edition Powered By IOL. A lot of number crunching has followed the recent report by the task team investigating a windfall tax on producers of synthetic fuel, as analysts scramble to assess the impact on Sasol's bottom line. (Business Report, South Africa)
Nestl unit sweetens to Beacon integration Mar 1, 2007
Business Report - Nestl unit sweetens to Beacon integration. Online Edition Powered By IOL. (Business Report, South Africa)
Are we there yet, Dad? Feb 18, 2007
Tom Robbins explores its empty beaches aboard a five-star houseboat. February 18 2007. (Guardian Unlimited)
