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Business/Economics

“….all companies need to create real business.” Too Big to Fail banks killed by Oil Industry! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 14 – 20 December 2015

Prestigious France based Le Cordon Bleu shutting down all 16 schools in the United States! In the past decade graduates have been accusing the 115 years old cooking school of ripping them off, saying school recruiters lied about how much a cook can be paid after graduating. The U.S. Department of Education agrees and is ending federal student loan funding for Julia Child’s alma mater.

Arizona: Phoenix based The Room Store now bankrupt busted and will conduct mass layoffs by February 2016.  At least 10 stores could be shutdown, it’s blamed on crashing sales.

Arkansas: In Little Rock, the Brown Sugar Bakery shutdown, the owners said brick-n-mortar stores don’t work anymore and will try running a bakery out of a food truck.  After 30 years Silvek’s European Bakery shutting down in March 2016.   Sweet Love Bakery shutting down in January 2016, the owner blames lack of holiday sales: “Normally December we make enough money to float us through that slow time. This year we just weren’t seeing the same orders.”-Kelli Marks (normally they have 6-hundred cookie/cupcake orders for December, but this year only about 1-hundred orders were placed!)

California:  Texas based Halliburton laid off 16 more Bakersfield oil industry workers.  In San Francisco more evidence the internet is not recession proof, internet furniture seller One Kings Lane laid off 89 employees.  Administrators said it was the only way they “…can further accelerate the pace at which we innovate and execute on behalf of our customers and vendors while continuing to meet our financial goals.”

Connecticut:  In Manchester, after 67 years the Optical Style Bar shutting down after Xmas.  The retiring owner said his three adult children are not interested in taking over the business.  What housing market recovery?  Stamford based Seaboard Properties now bankrupt busted after two of the owners discovered their books were being cooked: “Recent events caused …..to become increasingly concerned that the operations and finances of the company were not as they had been represented…..”-company statement

Florida:  In Tallahassee, Proof Brewing shutting down their Tennessee Street location, the owners want to focus on just one brewing operation at a time.  So much for ObamaCare; health insurance company Preferred Medical Plan issued a layoff WARN saying they lost so many customers that they must now eliminate 162 jobs in February 2016!  In Port Saint Louis, Teacher’s Pet and More education supply store shutting down due to nobody wanting to take over the 30+ years old business.

Illinois: In Chicago more evidence the internet is not recession proof, internet advertising company Centro laid off 29 employees.   CEO Shawn Riegsecker admitted corporate America is bullshitting everybody about profits and said “We’re at a moment where all companies need to create real business.”  The company that owns The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus newspapers is moving printing ops to Iowa, at least 18 jobs lost.

Iowa: In Des Moines more evidence the internet is not recession proof, electronic payment company Dwolla eliminated 12 jobs, and like most corporations, said it’s necessary for “growth”.   Farm vehicle maker Deere (John Deere) continues to kill jobs, this time 45 people in Waterloo will be let go in January 2016.  In Boone, after 116 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Eckstein’s Jewelry shutting down after Xmas.  The current owners blame crashing sales.  In Newton, Don’s Town & Country appliance repair shop shutdown after more than 40 years of service.

Kansas: In Hillsboro, Nancy’s Fashions shutdown after 27 years.  The Kansas Aviation Museum is drastically reducing operating hours for 2016, resulting in at least two people losing their jobs.   Wichita based Spirit AeroSystems is bribing its Kansas and Oklahoma employees to quit or retire early.  Administrators would only say it’s necessary “…to meet the current needs of our business.”

Kentucky:  In Saint Matthews, The Feed Bag shutdown after 28 years of yummy Reubens.  The property was sold, the owner said it was time to try something new.  In Louisville, after 35 years the Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too shutting down in 2016, blaming crashing sales and skyrocketing operating costs.

Maine: In Augusta, Stacy’s Hallmark gift store shutting down after 43 years.  The family owners revealed sales have been crashing and burning for several years now.

Massachusetts:  24 years old Nantucket based Island Airlines shutdown without warning.   In Ware, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Saint Mary’s School after 91 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) of education.  It’s blamed on what I call The Rapture, I mean what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome (they’re down to just 32 students).

Michigan:  East Jackson School District announced they must layoff six teachers due to unexpectedly low student enrollment.

Minnesota: In Aurora, Zup’s Food Market forced to shutdown in January 2016, the owner Jim Zupancich bemoaned the crashing mining industry “We did everything we could. We’ve really been fighting this since May…..      ……a bundle of things that led to the closing, including LTV Mining near Hoyt Lakes shutting down in 2000/2001, with 1,500 employees losing their jobs. Then about a year ago, Mesabi Nugget shuttered for at least two years if not permanently. Meanwhile, now only half of the six taconite mines on the Range are operating, and about 2,000 mine workers are unemployed!” 

In Winona, the 65 years old West End Bait shop shutting down after Xmas, the property was sold-off.

Nebraska: In Fremont, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ First Christian Church after 125 years of service (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions).  The property is for sale and there are indications that competition from other churches done them in (so much for ‘christian’ charity and brotherly love).

New York: Community Papers now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, it affects 21 newspaper operations across The Empire State!  Too Big to Jail Citigroup will begin eliminating at least 2-thousand jobs in January 2016!  The latest reports blame huge money losses from loans to the oil industry! The town of Hamburg eliminating 29 jobs and blaming it on ObamaCare!  ObamaCare (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) resulted in jacking up healthcare costs for the city so much that the only way they can pay for it is to eliminate jobs!

North Carolina: In Asheboro, after 43 years Southern Wholesale shutting down before Xmas.  In Elkin, after 25 years Carol’s Wedding Shop shutting down after Xmas, due to the owner’s health problems.

North Dakota: Yet another Fargo business going down, Garden Hut shutdown, the owner blamed climate change (mild winters & major flooding in Spring) for destroying his sales.

Ohio: In Dayton, the Denny’s restaurant shutdown without warning, the administrators were not happy with the lack of sales.   In Windham, after 35 years the Sparkle Market grocery store shutdown, the owner blamed declining local population for his declining sales.  What automotive industry recovery? Titan Tire (GoodYear) issued a layoff WARN saying at least 130 employees will become unemployed by February 2016!  Administrators say the outlook for industrial tire sales in 2016 is bad!  The city of Lorain eliminating 40 jobs, mainly cops and firefighters.  City administrators blame crashing tax revenues for a $2.3-million USD shortfall, the crashing tax revenues are the result of major employers conducting mass layoffs/shutdowns.  In Colerain Township, the Big Lots overpriced discount store shutting down.  Their lease is expiring and they weren’t able to find a better location so they’re shutting it down.   In BeaverCreek, Stride Rite shutting down their Greene Town Center shoe store by March 2016.  In Findlay, after 60 years Groman’s Music shutting down, the owner lamented “The world has changed, and I haven’t changed with it.”  Lakewood Hospital Foundation shutting down their Thrifty Peddler resale shop after Xmas.  Administrators said “circumstances change”.

Oklahoma: Tulsa based oil company New Gulf Resources now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Pennsylvania: What automotive industry recovery, what construction industry recovery? In McConnellsburg, construction vehicle maker JLG notified 55 contracted employees of layoffs in January 2016.  It’s connected to parent company Oshkosh’s declining sales.  North Carolina based truck maker Mack will eliminate 4-hundred Lower Macungie Township jobs in January 2016!  In DuBois,  after more than 50 years Ben Rossi Jeweler shutting down after Xmas.  Trib Total Media shutting down newspapers The Valley Independent and The Daily News after Xmas, 87 jobs lost.  In Dickson, the Ethan Allen furniture store shutting down in February 2016.

South Carolina: Century Aluminum continues to kill jobs, this time their Berkeley County potlines being shutdown, resulting in an undisclosed number of layoffs right before Xmas.

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Christian Center School (after 35 years of service) at the end of this school year.  Administrators would only say to news media that they prayed a lot.

Tennessee: In Knoxville, after 34 years The Lunchbox restaurant shutdown.  In Union, Deb ‘n Heir kids clothing store shutting down after 55 years.  When asked why he didn’t have barcodes on his merchandise the owner proved the new tech age is actually dumbing people down when he responded “Most of it I just kept in my head.”

Texas:  Irving based oil company Magnum Hunter Resources now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, claiming $1.4-billion USD of debt!  Houston based oil industry tool maker Cameron International issued a layoff WARN saying 55 people will be let go by February 2016.

Virginia: Coal mining giant Alpha Natural Resources continues killing jobs, this time 138 people in Raleigh and Boone counties learned they were being laid off right before Xmas!  British empire based U.S. tax-sucking BAE laid off 160 people at its Norfolk shipyard!  Last month BAE laid off 185 people.  In Lynchburg, the Odd Fellows retirement home shutting down due to violations of state licensing standards.

Wisconsin: In Madison, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ British empire based Salvation Army Thrift Store.  Administrators said it was not worth it to renew the lease.

12-13 December 2015:  oil industry is full of shit, hands out $100,000 bonus to all employees! 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

Proof the oil industry is full of shit, oil company hands out $100,000 bonus to all employees! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 12 – 13 December 2015

In France, the evil COP21 resulted in an agreement touted as saving the environment.  If you read the fine print it’s really about forcing the general public to buy the new Rockefeller controlled ‘alternative’ energy products.  For proof the COP21 deal is False ask yourself why both pro-climate change and anti-climate change activists were outside the convention protesting the deal?  (yeah, the mainstream news media never showed you that)

Alabama:  Birmingham based steel company O’Neal Manufacturing Services shutting down its Birmingham operations, 180 jobs lost!  They’re moving operations to North Carolina.

Arizona: In Phoenix, restaurant operator Gallagher’s now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, five restaurants threatened.

California:  In San Diego, Connecticut based tax-sucker United Technologies issued a shutdown WARN , 31 jobs lost by the end of January 2016.  In Rancho Cordova, medical device maker Volcano began another round of layoffs, 60 people now unemployed.  News reports said at one time there were almost 7-hundred Volcano employees, but estimates it’s now less than 1-hundred. In San Jose, North Carolina based communications company CommScope issued a shutdown WARN, 90 jobs lost by February 2016.   In Mountain View, computer security company Symantec continues to kill jobs, this time they laid off 44 employees.   In Los Angeles, P.F. Chang’s Bistro issued a shutdown WARN, 86 jobs lost in January 2016. Also in Los Angeles, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center issued a layoff WARN, 57 jobs lost by February 2016.  Schneider National Carriers issued layoff and shutdown WARNs saying 75 Californians will lose their jobs by February 2016.  Santa Fe Distributing finally issued three shutdown WARNs for their shutdown of operations back in November, at least 63 jobs lost.

Connecticut: Administrators of Hartford based taxpayer rapist United Technologies warned employees that they will cut $1.5-billion USD in costs in 2016 (meaning jobs).

Delaware: Wilmington based DuPont revealed it will eliminate 5-thousand jobs right before its merger with Dow Chemical!

Illinois: What housing market recovery?  In Geneva, after 40 years home improvement store The Country Store shutting down, the owners indicated that ever since the 2008-09 crash sales never recovered.

Indiana: Indianapolis based drugs pusher Eli Lilly announced it will charge $11-thousand 430 USD per month for its new cancer drug, so much for ObamaCare!

Maryland: News reports say that so far for December announced layoffs in the state are at 3-thousand 277!

Michigan: Detroit Public Schools selling off 16 schools and eliminating bilingual jobs!  News reports indicate that the elimination of bilingual personnel could led to students being taken out of school, which will further reduce funding for the dip-noodle school district.   Evil Detroit based Ford is already jumping in-line with the new COP21 agreement and will spend $4.5-billion USD on producing 13 different electric vehicles which you will be forced to buy in 2020.  Restaurant Taylor Amigo’s shutting down after Xmas, the owner said the lease was up and the building was too big for the amount of business he does.

Minnesota: In Minneapolis, after 26 years Origami restaurant shutting down two days before Xmas.  After six years Loring Kitchen & Bar shutting down this week.  After 11 years Franklin Street Bakery shutdown.

Nevada:  In Las Vegas, White Cross Market shutting down this week.  The current owners said they tried to bring the iconic grocery store back from the dead, but the economy won’t allow it.

New York: In Syracuse, Danzer’s Restaurant shutting down before Xmas, an employee said it’s because of the owners bad health.

Tennessee: Clothier Gap shutting down their Mall at Johnson City store in January 2016.

Texas:  Houston based oil company Hilcorp Energy just proved the whole oil industry shutdown and masses of layoffs are bullshit; they gave everyone of their employees a $100-thousand USD bonus!  Why?  Administrators say their company is making BooKoo bucks off their doubled oil output, while other companies slashed production!

Vermont: Waterbury based coffee roaster Keurig Green Mountain has been sold-off, for $13.9-billion USD.  The new owner, JAB, could eliminate even more jobs.

West Virginia: Martin’s Food & Drugs shutting down three stores as soon as their leases expire sometime in 2016, 357 jobs lost!  This is telling because local news reports say Martin’s is the top grocery store, for sales, in West Virginia.

11 December 2015: “It’s going to be devastating…” Federal court rules Idaho hospital illegal! “I hate to close….but what can you do?” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“It’s going to be devastating…” Federal court rules Idaho hospital illegal! “I hate to close….but what can you do?” : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 11 December 2015

Alabama:  In Tuscaloosa, after 24 years Rug Gallery shutting down, the owner said under these economic conditions “…it’s the right thing to do.”  

California:  Los Angeles based clothier Kitson shutting down all 17 stores in California, Nevada and Oregon!  Also in Los Angeles, Runway Two Five claims they’re temporarily shutting down in January 2016, 73 jobs lost.    In Costa Mesa, 3M division Ceradyne shutting down in February 2016, 65 jobs lost.  In City of Industry, Bay Valley Foods issued a shutdown WARN, 62 jobs lost in February 2016.  In Pleasanton, YP Advertising issued a layoff WARN, 68 jobs lost in February 2016.  Oil service company Brinderson revealed it eliminated 207 jobs last week!

Delaware: In Newark, after 65 years Abbott’s Shoe Repair up for sale.  The owner lamented none of his heirs wanted to learn the craft, he also joked about being a slave laborer for his father: “Back then, there were no child labor laws about a father paying his son. He could pay me whatever he wanted, and if you weren’t his son, you made a dollar an hour.”-Phil Abbott

Florida:  34 years old Miami based gun dealer Samco Global Arms now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and liquidating.  Too Big to Jail American Express issued a WARN for its Saint Petersburg insurance ops, 124 jobs lost in February 2016!

Idaho: College of Southern Idaho revealed that 30% of its student body are still in High School!  The imbecilic Idaho Board of Education realizes that it’s a sign of a ‘significant’ change in college student body demographics (you think?).  What this really shows is a mass exodus of traditional college age students from Idaho!  A federal court has ordered the sale of Saltzer Medical Group.  Corrupt Boise based Saint Luke’s Health System took over Nampa based Saltzer, but a federal judge ruled the takeover violated anti-trust laws.  Saint Luke’s has 12 months to sell-off Saltzer.   New York (get a rope!) based New Media Investment Group has taken over the Idaho Business Review.

Illinois: US Steel eliminating 2-thousand jobs as it idles its Granite City foundry after Xmas!  Administrators blame unfair competition in the global economy.  Food giant General Mills shutting down their West Chicago factory, 444 jobs lost by Summer 2016!  Gate Gourmet lost its contract with United Airlines at O’Hare International Airport, 821 jobs affected!  Black Hawk College warned it must eliminate jobs to cover a $1.5-million shortfall.

Maryland: Calvert Investments eliminating 41 jobs just so it can double its assets over the next five years.

New York:  God refuses to stop ‘his’ College of Saint Rose from laying off 23 people after Xmas.  NYC based Allure magazine warning its employees of pending layoffs. Publics New York (formerly Kaplan Thaler) warned employees of layoffs to hit right before Xmas. Administrators said they’ve had a “good year” but admitted they think the U.S. economy is only getting worse, thus the layoffs.  In Utica, Too Big to Jail Bank of America issued a WARN for its Shared Service Operations Unit, 234 jobs lost by July 2016!  Too Big to Jail Morgan Stanley issued a mass layoff WARN for all its New York locations, 358 jobs lost starting in March 2016!  Capsys issued a shutdown WARN for its
Brooklyn Navy Yard ops, 54 jobs lost in March 2016. In Batavia, the Müller Quaker Dairy shutdown and sold-off, 2-hundred people laid off!  Local news sources hope the new owner (Dairy Farmers of America) will get operations going again soon.

Pennsylvania: In Pottstown, after 94 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) The Very Best hot dogs-hamburgers-steaks  joint shutdown.  In Sharon, after 70 years the Army-Navy surplus store shutdown.  In Carmichaels, oil company Halliburton laid off 21 people.  FMC eliminating 74 jobs in Erie, administrators blame the petroleum industry.  After 20 years, Mapes Manoa Hardware shutting down by the end of January 2016: “I hate to close. It’s a nice area, nice people. I was happy, but what can you do? It’s not profitable.”-J. Raymond Benner

Utah: In Logan, Sports Authority shutting down the day before Xmas.  It’s part of the company’s plans to shutdown dozens of stores across the U.S.

Virginia:  In Bluefield, Mitt Romney co-creation Staples shutting down, mayor Don Harris bemoaned “It’s certainly going to make an impact on the whole area. It’s going to be devastating for us. Hopefully, somebody else might move in.”

Washington: In Seattle, Aramark Sports & Entertainment issued a shutdown WARN, 71 jobs lost after Xmas.

Wisconsin: Iconic Harley Davidson motorcycles laying off 250 people by the end of the month!  It’s blamed on the suck-ass economy.  Mil-3 Precision Machining being liquidated, the last of the employees were laid off in November.  Owner Rich McNett blames the suck-ass economy: “There was just no way I could even make break even anymore…It just got slower and slower and slower…”

09 -10 December 2015: “We’re leaving because we have to.” Internet company loses “90% of our revenue”! 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

God bankrupt! Charities forcing taxpayers to ‘donate’! ObamaCare fails to rape-in the profits! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 07 – 08 December 2015

California: El Segundo based children’s computer tablet maker Fuhu now bankrupt busted and being sold-off to rival Mattel.

Florida:  Fast food chain Bojangles shutdown all eight Sunshine State locations!  Local news reports say the franchise owner suddenly ‘bailed’!  In West Palm Beach, non-profit Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League Thrift Store shutting down because next door construction is consuming the only parking lot!  In Miami, PCH Communications (formerly Commonground/MGS) laid off at least 62 employees without warning.  The Illinois based company was forced to shutdown by “…Circumstances beyond the agency’s control, namely the adversarial relationship between the holding company, PCH Communications, and their lender Fifth Third Bank have caused this major disruption. The entire agency was completely surprised by the bank’s actions.”

Idaho:  Some good news that’s actually bad news; Corporation for National and Community Service ranks Idaho in 2nd place in the country for volunteerism.  Why is that bad?  Because it’s a freakin’ sign of how many people are suffering you Gem State rock heads! 68% of Idahoans help their struggling neighbors through ‘informal volunteering’!   (Blind Bat News is brought to you by such informal charity by a tiny number of Idahoans, because Blind Bat News makes no money from advertising, and nobody wants to use the ‘donate’ button for some reason. If you guys donate maybe Blind Bat News could become a real threat to mainstreamer news sources.)

Illinois: Rock Valley College eliminating 30 jobs due to the failed state ‘lawmakers’ failing to come up with a budget.  In Quincy, after 12 years Roly Poly sandwich shop shutting down after Xmas, no reason given.

Iowa: Insurance company Transamerica warned of mass layoffs in 2016.  It’s part of their ongoing consolidation operations.  They’ve already consolidated 14 division into two, eventually there will be only one!

Michigan:  Health insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield warned of massive layoffs across the state.  The insurance industry created ObamaCare is failing to rape-in the profits because smart and healthy ‘Mericans who don’t need health insurance know it’s a fucking ripoff and are protesting with their wallets by refusing to sign up!  Blue Cross Blue Shield says as a result they must cut $300-million USD in Michigan jobs by 2018! 

Minnesota: The Christian God is weaker than the God known as Money as the Catholic Diocese of Duluth now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Of course it doesn’t help that its godly priests were caught raping children!!!  The Christian God must now fork over $8.4-million USD to settle sex crimes lawsuits, and of course that money is actually coming from the stupid blind faith sheeple of the wolf in sheep’s clothing church.

Montana: After 62 years Hi Line Cleaners in Chester shutdown.

New York: Too Big to Jail Morgan Stanley killing at least 1-thousand 2-hundred jobs in 2016!  Also in NYC, ancient internet company AOL eliminated 1-hundred jobs due to its takeover of evil cell phone company Verizon!  Reports say more AOL-Verizon layoffs are in the works.  PCH Communications (formerly Commonground/MGS) laid off at least 28 employees without warning.  The Illinois based company was forced to shutdown by “…Circumstances beyond the agency’s control, namely the adversarial relationship between the holding company, PCH Communications, and their lender Fifth Third Bank have caused this major disruption. The entire agency was completely surprised by the bank’s actions.”

North Carolina:  Philips shutting down their Henderson light bulb factory, 50 jobs lost by September 2016. Local news reports say it’ll be the second Philips factory to be shutdown in North Carolina.

Ohio: In Columbus, after 28 years the Wall Street Nightclub shutting down after Xmas, blaming “Financial stress from declining business and deteriorating building conditions were compounded by the loss of parking with condo development in the neighborhood and the loss of third party production companies.”

Pennsylvania: Another false ‘charity’ in money trouble, Easter Seals laid off 22 HQ employees because the state ‘lawmakers’ failed yet again to come up with a taxpayer funded budget.  A true charity doesn’t rely on forcing taxpayers to ‘donate’ by asking ‘lawmakers’ to rape taxpayer funding!  In Richland Township, Concurrent Technologies laying off 30 people after Xmas.  Company administrators say it’s the only way they can stay “competitive” in this suck-ass global economy.

Tennessee:  An eight years old tax-sucking company with an evil sounding name that might possibly be involved in smuggling Afghan heroin, Vanquish Worldwide, eliminated ten administrative jobs. They blame the loss of a major government contract (U.S. Central Command’s National Afghan Trucking [NAT] logistical support contract, now you see the heroin trafficking connection).  Vanquish administrators admitted they were billing U.S. taxpayers $25-million USD every year for their Afghan trucking ops: “This is part of the government contracting process…..especially with large contracts and NAT is the largest ever in Afghanistan….!”-Dawn White, marketing manager

In Nashville, after 19 years Noshville Delicatessen shutting down after Hanukkah. The entire city block has been taken over by an evil property developer.

Washington:  Seattle Weekly laid off six people.  Because of the suck-ass economy they’re contracting out (freelancing) their jobs.

West Virginia: In Morgantown, after 20 years Jane V. Jewelers shutting down after Xmas.

Wisconsin:  The Gap clothing store in the Fox  River Mall shutting down in January 2016.  After 55 years Edwardo’s Ristorante di Pizza shutdown, when asked why he gave no explanation the owner would only say “I didn’t want to discuss night after night why we were closing.” 

05 -06 December 2015: “…sales are down to 2005 levels…costs are at 2015 levels.” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“…sales are down to 2005 levels…costs are at 2015 levels.” More ‘green’ energy shutdowns! Novartis caught illegally pushing drugs in Idaho, again! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 05 – 06 December 2015

Alabama: In Trussville, ObamaCare administrators have cut off funding for the Golden Living Center, forcing it to shutdown after New Year’s Day, at least 111 jobs lost!  In Opelika, cafe The Overall Company shutdown, word is that a temporary coffee shop will take its place while the building is being re-purposed.

Arizona: After 42 years the Harkins Camelview 5 movie theater in Scottsdale shutting down next week.  The Fashion Square 7 movie theater already shutdown.  Both owned by the same company who swears they will build an even bigger “luxury” movie theater to replace the two old theaters.

California: San Francisco’s iconic Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. The dip noodle administrators blame it on their expansion creating the Magnolia Dogpatch & Smokestack BBQ restaurant.  Gee if only individuals could file bankruptcy on the grounds of being stupid.  In Santa Rosa, after 23 years the privately run animal shelter and children’s summer camp McDonald Ranch shutting down because evil A-hole city administrators revoked their license to operate.  The owners are looking for homes for everything from guinea pigs to horses.  They’re now forced to sell the property.

Florida: In Longwood, VIP Petcare issued a WARN saying 12 people will be laid off by the end of January 2016.

Georgia: Macy’s shutting down their North DeKalb Mall store by the end of January 2016.

Idaho: Switzerland based drugs maker Novartis paid $390-million USD to settle U.S. charges of kickbacks to pharmacies that pushed Novartis’ drugs into Medicaid and Medicare patients.  This is just a slap on the wrist as the money has to be split between at least 40 states.  For The Gem State a piddly $52-thousand will come from that pot.  By the way, this isn’t the first time Novarits got caught being a criminal in Idaho, back in 2010 they paid the state $350-thousand for basically the same thing, bribing healthcare providers for pushing their drugs!  Idaho ‘lawmakers’ continue to rape taxpayers, and again it involves lawsuits but this time the tax payments came from an little known fund.  The Legislative Legal Defense Fund has shelled out more than $275-thousand over the past three years to hire private attorneys to fight cases involving sage grouse and ObamaCare.

Kansas: Spain based renewable ethanol refiner Abengoa suddenly shutdown their Hugoton operations, laying off 50 people without warning.  Abengoa is now bankrupt busted, considered the biggest bankruptcy in Spain’s history!

Michigan:  Detroit Medical Center eliminating at least 125 jobs!  Administrators blame ObamaCare for forcing them to “achieve efficiencies across our system”.  They laid of 127 people last year.  Kent City Community Schools shutdown their elementary school, blaming water service problems.  In Grand Rapids, Montello Meat Market shutting down their two years old Downtown location.  No reason given.  After 14 years Monte’s Lounge shutdown, the property is being re-purposed.   Farm industry company GSI Manufacturing announced they will shutdown their Calhoun County factory in March 2016, the new owners are moving operations to Illinois, 70 jobs lost.  In Howell, after at least 90 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) clothier Swann’s shutting down as soon as the inventory is gone: “There’s more going out than coming in, and you can’t run a business if you can’t make a profit.”-Pam Shaw, owner

New Jersey: In Edison, Cosmetic Essence issues a WARN saying 1-hundred people will become unemployed by the end of January 2016!  It’s all thanks to their “technology innovations” at their distribution center.

New York: More proof the internet is not immune to shutdowns, NYC based free music site Songza being shutdown in January 2016 by its new owner Google Play.  In Pleasantville, after 41 years mom-n-pop Try and Buy toy store shutting down on Xmas Eve: “Our sales are down to 2005 levels and our costs are at 2015 levels.”-Barry Schwartz, co-owner

North Carolina: The Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts shelling factory shutting down by February 2016, at least 81 jobs lost.  The owner, Archer Daniel Midlands, blames the suck-ass economy (“market conditions”).

Oregon: In Portland, after two years Levant restaurant shutting down after the Gregorian New Year’s.

Pennsylvania:  Food service contractor Sodexo issued a WARN saying 72 people in Wilkes-Barre will become jobless by July 2016.  In Duryea, Nanny Rose Day Care shutdown without warning.  News reports say parents had to suddenly leave work to pick up their kids.  However, local news media discovered that parents had filed a complaint with state regulators saying the day care op was not feeding their children.  Employees said they were straight up threatened by an attorney: “The phone just rang and they stood there with the phone, and that was a lawyer, and they said that if we say anything this is going to go further. I was shaking. I really was. I’m just shaking.”-employee I won’t name

Texas: In Fort Worth, Trinity Bicycles shutdown without warning.  News media discovered the popular shop had been shutdown the week before the U.S. Thanksgiving.  The owner is refusing to comment.  Giant corporation General Electric is demanding local taxpayers kickback some money for the GE Manufacturing Solutions train factory in Fort Worth, under the Triple Freeport Exemption which burdens those who do pay taxes!  The vacant ACH Child & Family Services property is now for sale.  California based cookware and furniture seller Williams Sonoma shutting down their Arlington upholstered furniture factory in January 2016, 85 jobs lost.  Rush Overland shutting down their Abilene factory, blaming the oil industry, 50 jobs lost after Xmas.  British empire Canada based oil company Flint Energy shutting down ops in Kilgore and Victoria after Xmas, 86 jobs lost. 

Vermont: In Burlington, after 23 years Bella Boutique shutdown, the owner said she’s pursuing a different business venture.

Washington DC: After only one year Native Foods Cafe shutdown both their DC locations, administrators refused to say why.  Maybe it’s ’cause they’re ‘vegan’.

West Virginia: In South Charleston, Saint John Heart and Hand Day Care shutdown blaming “government regulations and the economy”.

04 December 2015: “THIS CONSTRUCTION HERE JUST SLAUGHTERED US…!” “…WE HAVE NOT MADE ONE PENNY OF PROFIT…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

“This construction here just slaughtered us…!” “…we have not made one penny of profit…” : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 04 December 2015

California: In San Francisco, Roosevelt Tamale Parlor shutdown due to the owner’s “health issues” (so much for ObamaCare).  In Mission Viejo, five years after making a “comeback” Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour shutting down after the Gregorian New Year’s Day.

Georgia: In Decatur, after two years Sobban restaurant shutting down so the owner can focus on his restaurant in Atlanta.

Hawaii:  The Children’s Place in the Windward Mall shutting down after Xmas.  No explanation by administrators, but it’s a clothing store so it should be obvious.

Illinois:  The Sugar Mama Bakery shutting down their Bloomington store, to “be more efficient”.  Japan based train maker Nippon Sharyo eliminating an additional 60 jobs in February 2016.  They already killed off 181 jobs due to problems with their prototype!  In Lakeview, after 39 years The Alley counterculture store shutdown, the pissed-off owner Mark Thomas says “This construction here just slaughtered us….somebody walked in and made an offer I just could not say no…”

Iowa: The Gap, GapKids and babyGap stores in the Kennedy Mall shutting down after Xmas.  They’re clothing stores, so it should be of no surprise.  What automotive industry recovery? Commercial Vehicle Group shutting down their Edgewood factory and moving production to Mexico.

Maryland: Giant Food shutting down their prescription drugs distribution center, 90 jobs being lost to a contractor.

Michigan: Bain Capital affiliated Toys R Us shutting down their 45 years old Southfield store after Xmas.

Minnesota: In Saint Cloud, SNAP Fitness shutting down after Xmas.

Nebraska: In Lincoln, after 23 years music venue Knickerbockers shutting down, the owners blaming it on a property development conspiracy by city administrators: “…we kind of got the impression the city was very interested in this happening.”-Chris Kelley, co-owner

New Jersey: After 70 years Mattson’s Family Market shutdown, the owners blamed competition by corporate grocery stores.

New York:  In Ulster, Sports Authority shutting down the day before Xmas.  Local news media said administrators refuse to explain, it’s a sportings goods store so it should be obvious.  In Ridgewood, after 17 years 1/2 Price Kids clothing shop shutting down after Xmas.  After 57 years the suck-ass economy killing-off Slaterville Volunteer Ambulance Service.  It will cease ops after Xmas due to lack of volunteers. In Glen Falls, after only one year Rare Earth Wine Bar shutting down after Xmas because “…we have not made one penny of profit and it’s simply time to throw in the towel.”

Oregon: After 14 years Hood River Sewing & Vacuum shutdown: “I would have liked to have sold, but I put the word out and in the industry the consensus is that stores like this, unless they’re a lot bigger, just don’t sell. Based on talking to vendor reps and other owners I know, I decided to close.”-Eileen Utroske, co-owner

Pennsylvania:   Strawberry Patch Hallmark card store shutting down after Xmas.  Woods n Water furniture and pool store shutting down next week, due to the owner’s health problems.

Tennessee: Dupont shutting down the last of their Chattanooga  factories after Xmas.

Virginia: Taxsucker Newport News Shipbuilding laying off an additional 7-hundred people in February 2016, blaming decreased spending by a broke U.S. government!

Wisconsin: After 132 years (surviving The Great Depression and several recessions) Ashland Jewelers shutting down after Xmas.  Bank Mutual shutting down four locations, as well as suspending its employee retirement plan!  Administrators say the economy is so bad they need to cut costs by at least $1-million USD per year!   

01-03 December 2015:  “Before Christmas…we’re all going to lose our jobs!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“Before Christmas…we’re all going to lose our jobs!” Evil Mormon MTC kicked out of Washington? Cabela’s for sale? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 01 – 03 December 2015

 

Georgia:  Savannah based (and owned by tax-sucking General Dynamics) aircraft maker to the elites Gulfstream eliminating 1-thousand 1-hundred jobs across the U.S.!  Administrators said it was the result of their “evaluations” of where the U.S. economy is heading (down the shit-hole).

Idaho:  Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the average income for Idahoans is crashing and burning!  The U.S. Census Bureau also reports an increase in poverty in the State nicknamed The Gem State!   

According to the Idaho Department of Education more than 60 school districts saw decreasing enrollment, even though the overall statewide enrollment levels were up from last year.  For unknown reasons School District 2 (West Ada) is seeing the lion’s share of enrollment increase, far outpacing the next four districts with the top enrollment.

In Nampa, after 28 years the facility for ‘troubled girls’ Syringa House shutting down because the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare stopped sending them ‘troubled girls’.

 The idiot ‘conservative lawmakers’ screwed over the taxpayers again!  The Idaho Supreme Court has ruled that taxpayers must pay the Coeur d’Alene Tribe about $57-thousand USD concerning competition from Round Eye operated horse racing casinos.  An earlier court ruling shut those equine gambling ops down.

Illinois:  Richland Community College laying off staff and refusing to pay MAP grants to students, blaming the failed state ‘lawmakers’ for failing to come up with a budget!

Iowa: Alliant Energy shutting down its Dubuque power plant by June 2017.

Massachusetts:  3D Systems shutting down in the Boston Weak state and eliminating 85 jobs, calling it a “strategic decision”.  After 40 years popular Yenching restaurant shutdown without warning, no explanation just a ‘thank you’ note taped to the door.

Nebraska: Sterling based outdoor adventure store Cabela’s is looking for a new owner, reports say a major stockholder (Elliott Management) is disappointed in continued declining sales and wants to bail.

Nevada: Las Vegas based comic publisher and toy maker Wizard eliminating much coveted jobs with its Wizard World convention ops!  Administrators say the suck-ass economy is forcing them to run their conventions as “efficiently as possible”.

New Mexico: In the city who has the most corrupted cops (according to the U.S. Department of Justice), the Albuquerque Journal eliminated eight customer service jobs, that’s just over half of the customer service positions.  Kroger shutting down their Smith’s grocery store in Socorro, 66 jobs lost in January 2016.

New York:  What construction industry recovery?  Pre-fab building maker FC Modular issued a WARN warning that they might shutdown their Brooklyn Navy Yard ops in February 2016, 194 jobs could be lost!  Too Big to Jail Sterling National Bank issued a layoff WARN,  nine people losing their jobs by March 2016.

Ohio: Zanesville based recycler Axion International chapter 11 bankrupt busted and selling its assets.  In Eldina,The Master’s Touch Floral shutting down after Xmas.  The owner admitted she doesn’t have enough sales to hire more employees, which would make her job much easier, so she’s giving up after 18 years.   Chester Packaging issued a shutdown WARN, 79 jobs lost by April 2016.

Pennsylvania:  Drugs pusher Philidor Rx Services finally revealed to state administrators that they shutdown, back on 23 November, 262 jobs lost!  Bemis Healthcare Packaging shutting down in January 2016, no job numbers given.  Illinois based food maker Mondelēz International issued a WARN for their Philadelphia ops, 251 jobs to be lost!  Food maker Cargill issued shutdown WARNs for three operations in Lititz, 125 jobs lost in January 2016!  At the end of November train car maker ACF issued a WARN saying 181 people will lose their jobs, now local news reports say it’s actually more than 3-hundred jobs being eliminated sometime in January 2016!  PA Media group eliminated seven jobs, blaming grocery chain stores for ending their Sunday Edition advertising.

Texas:   In Fort Worth, Forest Park Medical Center chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale.  After eliminating more than 10-thousand oil field jobs this year, Houston based Schlumberger warned that 2016 will be just as bad saying more jobs will be lost due to “expected reduced activity”.  In El Paso, after 123 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Union Fashion shutting down after Xmas.  It’s blamed on the suck-ass economy.

Virginia: What automotive industry recovery?  Sweden based Volvo announced it will eliminate 734 jobs at their truck factory in Dublin, starting in February 2016!  Local news report said that back in September Volvo execs promised the gov’na they would be hiring more people!

Washington:  The evil Utah based Mormon for profit “facilities” operator Management & Training Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for its Sedro Woolley op, 90 evil taxpayer funded jobs lost at the end of January 2016 (good riddance!).  Redmond based Microsoft eliminating 60 jobs in Israel, claiming it will bring those jobs back home to the U.S. of A.

Washington DC:  More proof ObamaCare (Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act) is a big fail; yet again the cost of paying for healthcare went up, to a record $3-trillion USD in 2014!

West Virginia: In Wierton, the Ponderosa Steakhouse shutting down before Xmas, 30 jobs lost due to new property owners: “I love my job here, and I love my customers. Before Christmas, you know, we’re all going to lose our jobs!”-Shari Stillwagoner, employee

Wisconsin: D&S Manufacturing laid off 26 people, blaming the suck-ass global economy: “In the industry we serve, there’s competition from all over the world now. It’s global, there’s no question … It’s very competitive and it’s getting more challenging.”-John Barkley, vp

28-30 November 2015: More ‘Green’ companies bite the eco-dust! More taxpayer rip-off artists!

U.S. Food Crisis, November 2015: “I sit at night and I worry that…this time somebody got shot…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

More ‘Green’ companies bite the eco-dust! More taxpayer rip-off artists! No more free money for Too Big to Jail banks? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 28 – 30 November 2015

California:  After only 17 months in office The Golden State’s Gas Supervisor for the Conservation Department Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources resigned after being accused of using state resources to find out if gov’na Jerry Brown’s ranch had any sizable oil deposits!  In Bakersfield, oil field company Brinderson announced they will eliminate 329 jobs between now and February 2016!

Connecticut: In Branford, after 43 years Mario-Joseph’s Men’s Clothing Store shutting down in December, the owners are retiring.

Delaware: Wilmington based chemical company Chemours continues eliminating jobs, this time 4-hundred people globally, blaming continued sales declines.

Idaho:  Administrators in Burley warn that the J.R. “Jack” Simplot Airport could shutdown in 2016, if it doesn’t get more help from impoverished federal and state taxpayers.   The Federal Aviation Administration says the small and deteriorating airport will be shutdown due to its short runways.  The only way to save it is to move it to a new location, but so far every possible location has brought up new legal issues.  In Boise, desperate gov’na Butch Otter met with administrators of the Central Asian country of Azerbaijan.  No details were publicised about what was discussed.  For proof the state government has failed with its SNAP (food stamps) allocations, fuel station Stinker Stores donated $20-thousand USD to the Idaho FoodBank, along with $50-thousand from customers of Stinker Stores.   The League of Women Voters of Idaho is demanding a reduction in state sales tax.  They’ve launched a ballot initiative to drop it by 1%, from 6% to 5%.  Gee, when I first moved to Idaho in the late 1990s it was 5%.  I remember when the state ‘elected’ lawmakers told us the increase to 6% was “temporary”, then suddenly it became permanent.  In Idaho Falls, the Guns and Gear store reports increased training of individuals for the state concealed carry license: “The concealed-carry class is getting busier and busier. I’ve been doing three a month here at the store. I usually run anywhere from 12 to 15 students. In the last two weeks we’ve filled all the courses.”-Pete Italiano

Illinois:  Yet again farm equipment maker Deere & Company (John Deere) eliminating hundreds of jobs.  An additional 220 people will be let go from the Deere factory in Moline, starting in February 2016!  Administrators continue to blame crashing sales to farmers.

Louisiana: Flint Energy Services eliminating 55 jobs in Haynesville.   What recovery from Hurricane Katrina? In New Orleans, Jacobs Technology/NASA eliminating 195 jobs at its Michoud Assembly Facility!

Maryland: In Hagerstown, after more than 80 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Superior Ice Cream and Snack Bar shutting down after Xmas.  The current owner blames financial reasons.  After 61 years Bel Air Bakery shutting down in December saying they need “more time to care for ourselves”. 

Massachusetts: Baystate Health eliminating as many as 40 jobs and consolidating inpatient care, blaming ObamaCare.

Minnesota: In Baxter, after 36 years the Bonanza Steakhouse (I worked at one in Abilene, Texas, back in the 1980s before they switched to all-u-can eat buffet, and the management were idiots! they begged me not to quit because they knew the majority of their employees were lazy asses!) shutting down right before Xmas, 35 jobs lost.  

Mississippi: Merit Health Natchez laid off 13 people.

Montana: The Whitehall gold mine suddenly laid off 135 employees!   The mine is owned by British empire Canada based Barrick Gold Corporation, which blamed crashing gold prices.

New Jersey:  Saint Mary’s General hospital laid off an undisclosed number of employees, blaming ObamaCare (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) on greatly reducing overnight customers.

New York:  In Lake Grove, Service America Corporation issued a shutdown WARN affecting their Centerplate-John Harvard’s Brew House restaurant ops, at least 56 people unemployed by February 2016.  Yet another law firm goes down, in NYC Jaffe & Asher issued a layoff WARN saying at least 75 people will become unemployed by February 2016.  Too Big to Jail Morgan Stanley will eliminate 25% of its bond and currency trading jobs!   Despite getting a four years local taxpayer funding deal to prevent layoffs it’s been revealed that government contractor Advanced Energy Systems, in Medford, actually eliminated at least 15 jobs in 2014.

Oregon: Yet another alternative energy company fails, Klamath Basin Geopower now chapter 7 bankrupt busted.  Local news reports say company administrators are ignoring their phone calls.

Pennsylvania: After 11 years the Flashpoint Theatre Company shutting down in 2016, due to crashing sales.

Texas:  Bowie Memorial Hospital has ceased to exist after cash strapped taxpayers voted down a funding initiative.  138 hospital employees and another 336 ‘outside’ jobs lost!     In the Houston area, Sulzer Pumps shutting down its Brookshire plant and moving to Oregon, 115 jobs lost!   Switzerland owned oil service company Noble Corporation eliminating up to 130 jobs due to lack of oil rig contracts!

Washington: Without warning recycler JACO Environmental laid off 154 people at two locations!  A WARN was given to the state the day after the layoffs began.  According to American Metal Market, JACO is now defunct.  A news report out of Rhode Island confirms JACO suddenly ended its recycling ops, and says people who were expecting $50 recycling checks in the mail for their old refrigerators will get diddly squat instead!  JACO has operations around the U.S. so I expect their shutdown to be nation wide.

Washington DC: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is threatening the halt the merger between Office Depot and Mitt Romney created Staples.  The FTC wants “concessions” to prove the merged companies will not create a monopoly.  Rest assured this will not delay the ongoing store shutdowns.  The Federal Reserve (government created ‘jewish’ run central bank) ended its free money ‘lending’ program for Too Big to Jail banks!

26-27 November 2015: “I feel sick.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

U.S. Food Crisis, November 2015: “I sit at night and I worry that…this time somebody got shot…”

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of November, 2015: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

British empire Canada based Tim Hortons shutting down dozens of restaurants in Maine and New York.  News reports out of Maine said employees were shocked as two restaurants have already shutdown, without warning before the official announcement was made.

I have noticed a growing number of mainstream news articles praising corporations for “spreading the wealth” by donating food to the underemployed.  You need to really pay attention to those articles because it’s not actually the ‘corporations’ that are doing the donating!  Most of those food donations are being done by the EMPLOYEES of the corporations, or even by the general public when an employee of a specific corporation goes out asking for donations.  Stop praising the elites who’ve caused our economic downfall!

The American Farm Bureau Federation reports record high prices for turkeys, blaming the bird flu outbreak.  However, you consumers should be aware that almost all the turkeys packaged for this year’s Thanksgiving season were done so by March of this year, before the bird flu outbreak.  In other words there is no shortage of packaged turkeys to justify jacking up the prices.  The bird flu decimated millions of turkeys scheduled for packaging for the 2016 Thanksgiving season.

Recent studies prove that decades of federal government dietary advice pushing for high carb diets is making people fatter and fatter. One study showed that ‘Mericans are even fatter now that when the government started pushing those eating rules.  Another study, used by the Wall Street Journal to blast ‘The Food Police’ in the White House, concluded that it is precisely the high carb guidelines that are making people fat.  An article by Foreign Policy pointed out that Austrians eat more than ‘Mericans yet are nowhere near as fat.

A USA Today report found that most restaurant managers believe it is against the law to donate uneaten food.  Wrong!  In 1996 the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act made it legal to do so.  I’ve worked for the restaurant industry many times in-between ‘real jobs’ and my experience is that it’s not really a legality issue but an evil attitude by corporate administrators.  And it applies to other areas of the retail sector.  That corporate attitude is that if you giveaway unwanted stuff then eventually your main customers will just wait around ’till you’re ready to throw the stuff out, instead of paying for it.  While working at the Pine Ridge Mall I often saw clothing/shoe retailers and book retailers throwing away perfectly good products.  They even went to great lengths to destroy those products before inserting into the massive trash compactors.  When we mall rat employees asked why, every store manager gave us the same answer; it was corporate policy.  The manager of the now defunct American Eagle even went as far to admit that the company got a tax write off whether they donated it or threw it away, and since the corporate execs were opposed to donations for fear it would actually reduce sales, it went into the trash!  (This was how I knew decades ago that our economy was heading down the shit-hole.  Every month I’d observe retail operations throwing away tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, every month! LITERALLY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH, PER RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT,  EVERY MONTH!)

Alabama: Cool Beans Cafe + Bistro shutdown, the owners are moving ‘north’.

Arizona:  In Phoenix, Paz Cantina being shutdown by property developers who want to build an apartment complex.

California:  Because of covert austerity measures by state governments, non-profit food banks are struggling to keep up with the increasing number of people losing SNAP (food stamps), but now a University of San Diego Caster Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research study blames the growing lines of hungry people on those stretched thin food banks!  The study basically says non-profit food banks are not efficient! No shit sherlock! They are not making profits doing this and most of the food bank workers aren’t even paid, it’s 100% donations!  It just shows you how screwed up the U.S. has become.      An algae bloom has killed the Dungeness crabbing industry.  The algae makes the crabs poisonous to eat.  In West Hollywood, iconic Dominick’s restaurant shutting down after Xmas.  News reports said the elites of Hollywood entered through the back, anybody who came in through the front door was kicked out.  In Pleasanton, Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN, another 31 people being let go after Xmas.  West Sacramento based grocery store Raley’s announced it will shutdown its Sacramento and Stockton stores, 114 jobs lost by December!  In Los Angeles, Napa Valley Grill shutting down before Xmas, 86 jobs lost, the operator claims it’s temporary.  Florida based General Mills Restaurants suddenly shutdown their San Diego Yard House restaurant, 110 people jobless!  In Costa Mesa, after publicly blaming the greedy landlord Scott’s Restaurant finally issued a shutdown WARN saying 106 people will become unemployed by the beginning of January 2016! In Studio City, Grill Concepts restaurant is shutting down by January 2016, 49 jobs lost, however the operators claim it will be temporary.  In Los Angeles, restaurant Greystone Manor issued a shutdown WARN saying 61 people will become unemployed by January 2016, however they claim it’s temporary.  In Carlsbad, after 27 years the Armenian Cafe shutdown by a property developer who wants to build a hotel. 

Colorado:  Broomfield based Noodles & Company shutting down 16 restaurants! The ‘fast-casual’ ramen eatery lost $9.8-million USD in its 3rd quarter of 2015.

Connecticut:   After 65 years Chick’s Drive Inn Seafood Restaurant shutting down as requested by the now deceased owner. 

Florida:     Planet Hollywood issued a shutdown WARN for its Disney Springs location, 468 people out-o-work by mid-January 2016!  However, the overrated restaurant company claims the layoffs are temporary as they plan to build an expensive new restaurant inline with the new Downtown Disney attraction ( I don’t think those 468 employees can wait that long).  West Palm Beach based ‘clean technology’ fertilizer maker BioNitrogen now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The company hasn’t even finished construction on its first clean fertilizer factory!  The company lost a $1.4-million lawsuit over unpaid debts.

Georgia: In Decatur, after 69 years Evans Fine Foods restaurant shutdown.  After 12 years a greedy landlord shutdown the Bhojanic restaurant: “Unfortunately, our lease at this location has come to an end and we could not come to terms on a lease extension.”-Bhojanic facebook post

Idaho:  Evil property renters are jacking up rents on farmers!  The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Survey says the cost to rent non-irrigated farmland in The Gem State has gone up to $158 USD per acre (0.4 hectare), a 5% increase from 2014 to 2015.   Irrigated farmland hit $208 per acre, an 8% increase!  However, it was revealed that rent for farmland with a pivot irrigation system and strong water rights access was going for as much as $350 per acre!  Here’s another whammy against farmers; the USDA said many of the current rental contracts were signed when commodity prices were high, this means farmers are actually paying rent so they can lose even more money for what they grow!  In Pocatello, the Idaho FoodBank enlisted the help of police to control traffic.  The number of hungry families in the area is so high this year that the Food Bank created its first ever drive-thru operations, which caused traffic problems.  Local TV station KPVI described “Hundreds of cars were wrapped around South First Street and East Halliday…”  Idaho FoodBank administrators said besides food they also gave out 1-thousand 5-hundred food vouchers in one day!   For more proof the state government has failed with its SNAP (food stamps) allocations, fuel station Stinker Stores donated $20-thousand USD to the Idaho FoodBank, along with $50-thousand from customers of Stinker Stores.   

Illinois:   Yet again farm equipment maker Deere & Company (John Deere) eliminating hundreds of jobs.  An additional 220 people will be let go from the Deere factory in Moline, starting in February 2016!  Administrators continue to blame crashing sales to farmers.  Food packager Tyson shutting down their Chicago hospitality food packaging plant saying the plant is too old and sales too slow to justify spending the money to update it. 480 jobs lost between now and October 2016!   In Highland Park, after 30 years Ravinia BBQ & Grill shutdown.  In Willowbrook, after 29 years Phillies Pizza shutdown.  In Winnetka, after 24 years O’Neil’s Restaurant shutting down by January 2016.  The owner is focusing on his other two restaurants because “We tried remodeling O’Neil’s and changing the menu but…it just ran out of gas.” 

Indiana: The Hoosier State has adopted Idaho’s policies regarding SNAP (food stamps) and unemployment assistance.  You can now lose your food assistance if you don’t meet requirements for unemployment assistance.   News reports say an estimated 18-thousand 3-hundred people will lose their SNAP! Non-profit food banks are now saying what Idaho food banks said years ago, they won’t be able to handle the massive increase in people coming to them for food help: “We’re seeing 1,200 households a month, and if it goes up 50 families a month, that’s still 50 more jars of peanut butter.”-Elizabeth Kestler, Love Chapel food bank

Iowa:  In Davenport, after 66 years Riefe’s Family Restaurant shutting down right before Xmas, 55 jobs lost.  After 50 years the last Family Foods grocery store shutting down.  Don Goetz, the co-owner of the Anamosa store, said “We hung on as long as we could, but we lost money for the last four or five years.”

Maryland: In Hagerstown, after more than 80 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Superior Ice Cream and Snack Bar shutting down after Xmas.  The current owner blames financial reasons.  After 61 years Bel Air Bakery shutting down in December saying they need “more time to care for ourselves”.

Massachusetts: In Somerville, after seven years Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project shutdown, the owners saying only “it’s time to draw the curtains and head off to a new adventure.”

Michigan:  In Grand Rapids, a TGI Fridays restaurant was suddenly shutdown.  In Howell, The Candy Bar shutting down in February 2016.  The property owner refused to renew the lease, yet, local news reports say the property owner has no plans for the building.

Minnesota:  In Baxter, after 36 years the Bonanza Steakhouse (I worked at one in Abilene, Texas, back in the 1980s before they switched to all-u-can eat buffet, and the management were idiots! they begged me not to quit because they knew the majority of their employees were lazy asses!) shutting down right before Xmas, 35 jobs lost.   In Minneapolis, after 17 years Chiang Mai Thai restaurant shutting down right before Xmas.  The owners did not want to renew the lease.  In Saint Paul, the Glockenspiel restaurant shutdown: “At no surprise to us, we received a notice on 10.29.2015 from our Landlords the CSPS SOKOL MN that they will not renew our current lease that expires 12.31.2015. …Our last full day of business is today 11.22.2015.”

Nevada: In Fallon, after 26 years Country Health store shutdown.

New Jersey:  In Montvale, after 90 years the DePiero family says they were forced by skyrocketing operating costs to sell-off their farm to evil property developers.

New York:   In Maryknoll, Sodexo issued a shutdown WARN saying it lost the contract for the Dining Services at Catholic Foreign Mission ops, 38 people unemployed by January 2016.    In Glen Cove,  after 96 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) restaurant Stango’s shutting down on New Year’s Eve.   In Brighton, Mario’s Italian Restaurant shutting down before Xmas, blaming ongoing property development by commercial property developers.  In Hamburg, Tina’s Italian Kitchen shutting down before Xmas.  In Saratoga Springs, after 41 years Lillian’s restaurant shutting down after Xmas, the property is up for sale.

North Carolina:  Piggly Wiggly shutting down their grocery store in Stantonsburg after Thanksgiving, blaming years of decreasing sales and increasing costs.  After 18 years Tír na nÓg pub shutdown.

North Dakota:  In Fargo, after 13 years Monte’s Downtown restaurant shutting down after Xmas, blaming competition.

Ohio: After 25 years the last Ponderosa Steak House in the Dayton area shutdown.  The Texas based company told local news that if they recover financially then maybe they’ll return.  One of three Servatii deli and bakeries being shutdown in December.  Unnamed employees said the lease was not renewed.

Pennsylvania:  Pittsburgh based Warren Buffett & 3G Capital owned Kraft Heinz shutting down 10 food factories in North America and killing off an additional 2-thousand 6-hundred jobs!     The 2-thousand 6-hundred jobs reported as being lost must be ‘low balled’ because news reports out of Wisconsin say the Kraft-Heinz factory shutdown there will kill 1-thousand  2-hundred jobs!   Sharon based NASCAR themed restaurant chain Quaker Steak & Lube bankrupt busted and being sold off at a loss for only $25-million USD. Court documents say the new owner will be TravelCenters of America.  After 29 years Distelfink Bakery shutdown without warning: “We were struggling, and thought we had come to an agreement with attorneys and with the landlord, to stay current … plus pay the back rent.  In the meantime, they went to court and got a judgment against us.”-Kate Berger, co-owner

After 37 years the owners of Mandy’s Place pizza joint blamed escalating crime for why they shutdown: “I sit at night and I worry that if that phone rings, this time somebody got shot…..Nobody held the meeting! They [mayor’s office] went on media and said they would and it never happened.”-Steve Negri, owner

Rhode Island: In Providence, after eight years Mediterreneo Restaurant shutdown, the corporate owners admitted they were made an offer for the property which they could not refuse.

Tennessee:  Maryville based Ruby Tuesday announced it is selling eight Lime Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants, and shutting down another eleven!  Administrators say the economy is forcing them to focus on their namesake brand.

Washington:    In Gig Harbor, Sariah Spices & Teas shutting down after Xmas.  The owner blames the A-hole city council which forced her to move her store’s signage, resulting in an immediate 10% reduction in business! She says she now doesn’t make enough money to justify renewing the lease.

Wisconsin:   In Fon Du Loc, after only nine months Three Guys and a Grill shutting down.  The owners said at first businesses was good then it suddenly stopped, no matter how many promotions they tried.  News reports say the location (a former church) has established a bad reputation due to a string of failed restaurant attempts.  Food packager Tyson shutting down their Jefferson pepperoni and salami packaging plant, saying the plant is too old and sales too slow to justify spending the money to update it.  At least 4-hundred jobs lost between now and October 2016!   In New Richmond, after five years Brady’s Brewhouse shutdown: “A business has to close when there is not as many sales as there are expenses. It is a bummer that we can’t keep going. We just didn’t have enough sales or customers to keep us open.”-Chris Polfus, owner

Local news reports say the Warren Buffett shutdown of the Kraft Heinz Oscar Mayer meat factory will kill 1-thousand 2-hundred jobs!  Doug Leikness, the president of the employees’ union, stated “We’re doing very well…..Didn`t see it coming. We`ve increased productivity in this plant. We`ve done it with less workers, and now we`re getting the carpet pulled from underneath us. We just feel a big sense of betrayal from this company.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, October 2015: “Oh my Gaawwdd!” “…30% of operators are insolvent.” “…I have to destroy the most important thing in my life.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“I feel sick.” Economy so bad people stealing sperm! Buy Idaho is Big Fail! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 26 – 27 November 2015

I have noticed a growing number of mainstream news articles praising corporations for “spreading the wealth” by donating food to the underemployed.  You need to really pay attention to those articles because it’s not actually the ‘corporations’ that are doing the donating!  Most of those food donations are being done by the EMPLOYEES of the corporations, or even by the general public when an employee of a specific corporation goes out asking for donations.  Stop praising the elites who’ve caused our economic downfall!

California:  In Carlsbad, after 27 years the Armenian Cafe shutdown by a property developer who wants to build a hotel.  More proof the internet is also getting hit hard by the bad economy; San Francisco based music streamer Rdio issued a shutdown WARN, 123 people out of a job right after Xmas!  In Bakersfield, Construction Specialty Service laying off 61 employees in January 2016, blaming the oil industry.  Grocery store operator Albertsons-Safeway laying off another seven people in Pleasanton by the end of January 2016.  Redwood City based Oracle Corporation announced it will eliminate 150 jobs in Germany as part of a plan to consolidate IT jobs to Romania! Since 2002, Oracle has eliminated about 1-thousand 3-hundred jobs in North America and Europe!

Georgia: The Bank of Georgia failed and was seized by the FDIC.  Assets turned over to Fidelity Bank.

Idaho: State government created (by current gov’na Butch Otter) non-profit Buy Idaho revealed to be Big Fail after 29 years!  Back in October they held their 29th statewide trade show in Boise, but just recently released the attendance data; a whopping 20 Idaho businesses showed up with just over 170 people in attendance (wu-who!!!).    Hey why don’t you Buy Me a Job, gov’na of Idaho, then maybe I could afford to spend 100-bucks on your ‘Idaho businesses’! 

 School District 151 is now suddenly short $15-million USD after convincing taxpayers to issue new bonds!  District administrators blame an architect from the School District 25 area for grossly under-budgeting new construction projects!  That architect admitted as much adding that “I feel sick.”  

This’ll make you sick, in the Twin Falls area a ranch hand was arrested for stealing elk sperm!  He was paid $3-thousand USD by a competing elk ranch to steal the sperm!  A sure sign the economy in Idaho is in desperate straights.

 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics claims The Gem State’s new jobs grew by 3.8% from October 2014 to October 2015, but, as I pointed out in a previous posting the American Staffing Association says the majority of Idaho’s new jobs are part time and temporary only.

Indiana: In Terre Haute, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ John Paul II Catholic High School.  The school was opened in 2000 and cannot generate enough cash to continue operating.  (so money is the true god?)

Iowa: In Norwalk, after 28 years grocery store Scott’s Food shutting down in January 2016, the owner blames competition.

Minnesota: Red Wing Pottery shutting down the day before Xmas.  The current owners bought the store in 2013 and say the local community has hit them with hostility and violence ever since, the store has been vandalized several times.

Missouri: In Florissant, after 30 years Bridal Connections shutdown, the owner sounded schizophrenic: “Just listen to your inner voices. That’s my best piece of advice.”-Nancy Wisneski

Ohio: Yet another jewelry store going down.  In Springfield, Ridgewood Jewelers shutting down right before Xmas.  The owner said it’ll be the first time in years that he’ll have Xmas day off.

Tennessee: Community Health Alliance being forced by state ObamaCare administrators to stop issuing health insurance, 148 jobs lost this month!  ProNova Solutions eliminating 2-hundred jobs at their new Blout County facility!   They blame construction delays caused by government permits.  Rocore shutting down their Forks of the River Industrial Park ops after Xmas, at least 50 jobs lost.  Also in December,  The Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud shutting down, 115 jobs lost! 

Vermont: Waterbury based coffee roaster Keurig Green Mountain lived up to its forecasting and saw a 14% drop in sales.  They’re preparing to conduct more layoffs despite already eliminating 2-hundred jobs! 

Washington:  Hometown National Bank failed and was seized by the FDIC.  Assets turned over to Twin City Bank.

24-25 November 2015: “Essentially, we’re kicking ourselves out.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”