Archive for June 2011
FEMA grant to help Des Moines repair sewers
Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin announced that a nearly $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency will help pay for completed and pending repairs to the city of Des …
Read MoreHabitat Blitz Build slated for Arts Festival
The Des Moines Arts Festival is partnering with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and Hy-Vee Inc. to construct a 1,100-square-foot house in Western Gateway Park for a refugee family from Sudan. From June 24-26, …
Read MoreSixth-largest investor ‘on the way out’ at RIM
The sixth-largest investor in BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) has sold more than half of its holdings in the company as rivals such as Apple Inc. continue to carve out a larger share …
Read MoreGUEST OPINON: Longer lives call for better plans
In 1900, the average life span in the United States was 47 years. Today, life expectancy is approaching 80. Every day, 8,000 people turn 60. When Social Security was established in 1935, people older than …
TRANSITIONS: Ready for our close-up
Republican political consultant Mike Murphy was on to us in Time magazine recently, writing that Iowa is reaping a financial windfall with the caucuses every four years.
“Candidates may go to Iowa thinking they are …
Read MoreStart writing right now
More than a celebration of achievement, I am celebrating the MILESTONE of my 1,000th weekly column. Milestones are NOT goals; they’re journeys. Mine started on March 22, 1992.
HERE’S THE SECRET: There is no secret. …
Read MoreWhere does your company brand live?
When we talk about a company’s brand, in most cases people’s minds jump immediately to the logo. No argument – a logo is a vital element of how you communicate your brand. But your logo …
Controversial PennyMac is a better bet than Zipcar
Dear Mr. Berko:
I have a new young broker, and I’m not confident that he is giving me good advice. I’m 70 and have an IRA worth $163,000, a joint account valued at $106,000 and …
Read MoreQualified Plan Consultants keys on 401(k) trends
When small business owners learn about the financial benefits they can gain by optimizing their companies’ retirement plans, it can be quite eye-opening, say Mick Fouts and Tom Lastuvka, co-owners of Qualified Plan Consultants LLC. …
Read MoreA helping (corporate) hand in disaster’s wake
It’s a given that human services organizations such as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army will be among the first on the scene when disasters strike. But a number of Greater Des Moines …