Tag Archives: oil

Business/Economics

Economic War on ‘Fat’ People! Federal Reserve says college does not pay-off! Zulily has been sold! : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 18 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: News media in The Golden State are finally starting to question the unAmerican corporate America excuse that there aren’t enough qualified techies in the U.S. for offshoring such jobs to places like India.  This after massive layoffs announced over the past few months by California tech companies such as Qualcomm (who refuses to give exact layoff numbers).

Illinois: Deerfield based but Switzerland owned Walgreens Boots Alliance eliminating 370 jobs, 270 just within Illinois the other 1-hundred will take place across 20 U.S. states! It’s a direct result of the merger between Walgreens and Boots Alliance.  In Elizabeth, clothing store Something Special announced it will shutdown after Xmas.  What automotive industry recovery? Moline based farm vehicle maker Deere (formerly John Deere) shutdown their Tianjin, China, ops as a result of last week’s 21-thousand metric tons explosions that rocked the port city. It’s still not know what sparked the earthquake causing blasts.

Massachusetts: In Cambridge, after 35 years Berk’s Shoes shutdown, the general manager blamed the suck-ass economy and never ending local road construction: “…the climate in the country makes it really difficult for small business, local business, independent business to survive. It’s a sad day for us…”-Mickey Holland

Michigan: Grand Rapids Board of Education voted unanimously to layoff seven teachers. For every student the district loses it also loses $7,391 USD in funding.

Minnesota: Restaurant Zen Box shutdown their skyway location last week.  

Missouri: A new study by the Federal Reserve Bank‘s Saint Louis regional office has concluded that getting a college degree does not do anything to improve your financial position, at least not if you’re ‘black’ or ‘hispanic’!    

Montana: Stillwater Mining laid off 119 employees! Back in July they laid off 11, it’s blamed on crashing prices of platinum and palladium.

New Hampshire: Macy’s shutting down another store, this time in Bedford, just in time for Thanksgiving.  It’s part of the retailer’s plan to eliminate 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs by the end of the year!

New York: NYC based Harper’s Magazine revealed that college edumacation is a economic ripoff (How College Sold its Soul).

Ohio: God’s ‘christian’ president of Ashland University eliminated 23 faculty positions despite strong student enrollment numbers and a $3-million USD surplus at the end of the 2014 school year!  The Cleveland Clinic announced it is kicking McDonald’s out of its food court, as part its new War on Fat People.  To show you how a-feared people are of the Anti-Fast Food Police State a technician at the clinic was caught by news media eating a Mickey D’s meal and he wimp assedly confessed “Every now and again I stray just a little. I don’t eat too much of it. I just wanted it right now.”   I don’t like McDonald’s but you better not come here to Idaho and try and take away my Carl’s Junior!!!

Pennsylvania: In State College, gas station-convenience store Sheetz shutdown on East College Avenue. Administrators indicated that food and beverage sales were too low.  Finland based mining equipment company Metso announced that it will shutdown its York factory, 80 people will become jobless by March 2016. And as more proof that your average ‘Merican employee doesn’t pay attention to economic news, one Metso employee said “I feel like I was on a 10-foot ladder and got knocked down. It’s a shock.” 

Washington: More proof the internet is not recession proof; the 3-thousand employees of shopping network Zulily are demanding to know what’s going on as their boss announced the surprise sale of Seattle based Zulily to Pennsylvania based QVC.   The CEO of five years old Zulily bold faced lied and said “This acquisition is not about cost savings”, my decades of experience with unAmerican corporate America is that such sales or mergers are precisely about “cost savings” (job cuts), and that managers are not above bold face lying about job security to the faces of their employees!

17 August 2015:“everything is on the table”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“everything is on the table” “It takes a lot of money to pay the bills.”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 17 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

“…Biopharmas are already in consolidation mode, and they will cut jobs and curtail operations more and more as they struggle to recoup the costs of associated with a wave of mergers and acquisitions.

Between January and July of this year, pharmaceutical employers announced the elimination of 6,334 jobs—up 1% from the same period in 2014….”–JobWatch: More Layoffs Loom as M&A Zooms

Alabama: US Steel announced it will shutdown their Fairfield blast furnace, 1-thousand 1-hundred jobs lost!  Administrators say the U.S. economy is so bad that “everything is on the table”!

Arkansas: In Redfield, Entergy Arkansas said it’s not worth it to upgrade their White Bluff coal fired power plant because it cannot afford to meet new EPA emission standards.  The upgrade is estimated to cost $1.1-billion USD, the shutdown will affect at least 110 employees!

California: Los Gatos based Netflix announced it will shutdown its last brick-n-mortar data center.  Netflix will now put customers’ data on the publicly accessed ‘cloud’.  As is typical with tech news, no mention of the location of the data center or how many humans (jobs) will be affected.  In La Quinta, psychedelic Rock ’N’ Roll MiniGolf shutting down by the end of the month, the owner said sales are not enough to pay the rent.

Florida: After 51 years the Paradise Palms Inn shutdown, and is being torn down.  News reports say a new hotel will take its place by 2017.

Illinois: After more than 20 years the Royal Appointments gift shop shutting down due to the property owner selling-off the building. Eastern Illinois University began eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs. It’s partly blamed on the Failed State ‘lawmakers’ who’ve failed to come up with a budget for the new fiscal year.   In Forest Park, after 12 years the Flavour (note incorrect British empire way of spelling Flavor) Cooking School shutting down by the end of the month.  The owner admits “…the business has been struggling for some time now.”

Maryland: What home construction industry recovery? After 27 years American Home Interiors shutdown: “Not very many new homes are being built and there’s more competition than there was in 1988 when Harry Hammond and I opened American Home Interiors.”-Harry Brown, owner

Minnesota: After more than 40 years the Golden Valley VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) shutdown.  The management admitted that due to crashing membership they sold-out to a property developer.

Mississippi: The Pisgah Headstart Center shutdown.  Parents are being told to send their kids to other Headstart education centers even though other Headstart ops are shutting down as well.  Many single parents relied on Headstart to watch their kids while they went to work, now they say they’ll have to quit their jobs because their jobs don’t pay them enough to afford child daycare.  In Jackson, a Piggly Wiggly grocery store on McDowell Road is shutting down.  Local news says it’s the second grocery store in the area to shutdown this year.

Missouri: It’s been discovered that Springfield based Bass Pro Shops actually eliminated 5-hundred jobs across the U.S., in July!  And if you remember my Job Loss report for 24 July, Bass Pro administrators told local news media it was less than 60!

Nebraska: In Hastings, after 31 years Moore Music shutting down by the end of the month.

Nevada: 86 years old casino Las Vegas Club was shutdown, the property was sold to a competitor.

North Carolina: After 25 years Tony’s Furniture Outlet now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and being liquidated.  A Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Wilson is shutting down, 30 jobs lost. Officially it’s blamed on low sales.

Ohio: After 98 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Tom’s Cigar Shop shutdown.  The owner blames increased competition and the city of Cincinnati for trying to force him to put a new $60-thousand USD roof on his shop: “It takes a lot of money to pay the bills.”-Joe Wright

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, after 20 years the Prairie Star Gallery shutdown.

Texas: In Austin, music venue Red 7 shutting down a month earlier than originally planned because the multiple owners “…unfortunately, none of them really get along…” 

14 – 16 August 2015: “You’re creating parameters under which I can’t possibly succeed.” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“You’re creating parameters under which I can’t possibly succeed.” Mass grocery store shutdowns!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 14 – 16 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: The Prescott Valley Events Center now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

California: Haggen Foods announced it will shutdown six San Diego County grocery stores!  Haggen will shutdown four stores in Orange County, local news reports say more shutdowns are in the works!  In Bakersfield, Haggen shutting down their Stockdale Highway store in time for Thanksgiving! Administrators implied that all the Albertsons-Safeway stores they took over are losing money! A Los Angeles Times report says Haggen incorrectly overpriced 1-thousand items and at the same time underpriced other items, resulting in loss of business and revenues.  San Jose based Extreme Networks laid of 20% of its employees, due to crashing revenues since 2013.

Florida: Motorola issued a WARN saying 198 people in Plantation will be laid off in time for Thanksgiving!   It’s been revealed that Broward Clerk of Courts laid off 17 people and forced another 14 to resign.  News reports say over the past two months 88 positions have been eliminated due to lack of taxpayer funding.  Alumni Research now bankrupt busted after the state Attorney General launched an investigation into the company.  Customers claim they have yet to get the products they’ve paid for.

Hawaii: Ohio based Macy’s shutting down their Windward Oahu store saying it was not worth renewing the lease.  70 jobs lost by the beginning of 2016.

Illinois: More proof the internet is not recession proof;  Chicago based Groupon announced that it will eliminate 20% of its restaurant software jobs.  It’s connected to the job cuts at New York based Ideel.  Groupon took over Ideel in 2014.  Lincoln-Way District 210 decided to shutdown their Lincoln Way Community High School North.  They say that even with the 5% property tax hike each year for the next two years they still won’t have enough money!

Iowa:  Chicken giant Tyson shutdown their Denison beef slaughter house, 4-hundred jobs lost! Administrators blame the drought in the western U.S. for causing a lack of cows for the food market.

Kentucky: Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples is shutting down their Owensboro store in September.

Maine: In Portland, after 28 years Videoport shutdown.  18-thousand videos being donated to the local library.

Minnesota: Blue Point Restaurant shutdown both their seafood joints, one in Wayzata and one in Bloomington.

Mississippi: In Tishomingo, the only Headstart education program shutting down apparently due to lack of funding (local news say Headstart administrators refuse to comment).  This pisses off many parents as they say “We worked hard to keep this place open. We volunteered hours and hours of our time, and our effort, and our money to keep this Headstart going!”-Santanna White

Nebraska: Omaha based Union Pacific railroad eliminated “hundreds” of managment jobs, blaming a 26% crash in coal shipments.

New Jersey: After allowing ‘his’ Saint Michael’s Medical Center to go chapter 11 bankrupt, God made it official and allowed administrators to issue a mass shutdown WARN, saying 1,445 people will become jobless by October!  The city of Trenton warned 64 firefighters of layoffs.

New Mexico: Freeport-McMoRan warns that it could conduct mass layoffs at their Tyrone and Chino mine operations.

New York: In North Tonawanda, after almost 20 years Hodepodge Gifts and Home Decor shutting down by the end of the month.

North Carolina: In Blowing Rock, Hatchet Jack’s Trading Post shutting down as soon as the inventory is sold: “I want to change up and do something different.”-Jack Hall

Ohio:  In Columbus, after 45 years Ron’s Furniture shutting down in October.   The new property owners are selling the building.  The furniture store owner says they’re not giving him enough time to get out: “Thirty days isn’t enough time to liquidate inventory, I can’t do that!”-Ron Weyer

Oklahoma: In Norman, after ten years Dreamer Concepts art gallery shutdown due to “Failure to secure sustainable financial support…”.  Oil industry company Samson Resources now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, claiming they can’t pay their debts.

Pennsylvania: The Nemacolin Post Office shutdown without warning, supposedly due to toxic black mold.  Residents must now drive 12 miles to the nearest post office.

Tennessee: In Memphis, corporate relocation company Cartus shutting down, 61 jobs lost in time for Xmas.

Washington: Restaurant Gastropod and brewery Epic Ales shutting down in September.  China (Taiwan) based tech company HTC laid off 47 people in Bellevue and Seattle, without warning.  It’s blamed on crashing international sales of ‘smart’ cell phones and tablets. Bellingham based Haggen Foods announced it will shutdown at least 27 grocery stores across the western U.S.  Analyst blame it on the sudden take over of 146 Albertsons-Safeway stores: “The requirements of the deal almost made it impossible for them to succeed. If you tell me that I’ve got to drive my car from Portland to Connecticut, but you’ve got to do it in four days, going no more than 50 miles per hour……You’re creating parameters under which I can’t possibly succeed………Haggen is lucky if they get out of this with the 18 stores they started with.”-Kevin Coupe

Wisconsin: Plastics company ACS Group laid off as many as 35 employees, no reason given.

13 August 2015:A “major economic engine” conducts mass layoffs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

A “major economic engine” conducts mass layoffs!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 13 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California:  Chevron laid off another 56 people in San Joaquin Valley, that’s on top of the 1-thousand 2-hundred people laid off since the end of 2014!

Connecticut: ObamaCare forced Colorado based AxisPoint Health to issue a WARN saying 45 people in Wallingford will become jobless in September.  College student loan provider Higher One laying off 29 people by March 2016.  Noank Community Market shutdown.

Florida: At the Tampa International Airport, food service company HMS Host Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for October, 796 jobs lost due to loss of contract!

Illinois: In Chicago, Motorola laid off 5-hundred people!  At one time Obama regime stooge Rahm Emanuel called Motorola Chicago’s “major economic engine”.

Iowa: In Windsor Heights, after 30 years Golf Headquarters announced they will shutdown, hoping to find a new location with better lease rates.   The Rookie baseball card shop, Maria Grocery and Gift, and Fitness Sports being kicked out by the end of September due to the building being demolished.

Maryland: After seven years Baltimore Sun Media Group gave up on its free newspaper –b-.

Massachusetts: In Pittsfield, Madeleine’s Patisserie & Cafe shutting down after less than two years. It’s blamed on the greedy landlord.

Michigan:  After 17 years the Village Pharmacy II in the Maple Village Shopping Center shutdown without warning.  The business was sold to Walgreens who bought it just to shut it down (they don’t like competition).  The coal fired electricity maker Eckert Power Plant shutting down in less than four years .

Montana: In Great Falls, grocery store Vans’ IGA shutting down by the end of September.  It’s blamed on the greedy property owner.

Nebraska: God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 47 years old Christ Child Society Center, blamed on The Rapture, I mean declining enrollment.

New York: Warren Buffett revealed that he will shutdown the Tarrytown Heinz food factory, 149 people to become jobless between now and Thanksgiving!  It’s a result of the merger with Kraft.

North Carolina: Warren Wilson College promoted two people and created three new jobs at the expense of laying off seven people.

Ohio:  Target shutting down their store on Soldano Boulevard in Columbus.  Local news reports say it’s the third “major retailer” to leave the area.

Oregon: Albertsons-Safeway announced the NE 181st Avenue Safeway grocery store in Portland will shutdown before the end of the month.  It’s blamed on the fact that 25% of the people who live in the area are paupers.  It was pointed out that the area has “…lost four grocery stores over the last 20 years. And the access to food is poor already and getting worse.”  But guess what?  It was revealed that Albertsons-Safeway will continue paying the rent on the property for the next five years: “…Safeway signed a five-year lease earlier this year with California-based developer Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation (ROIC)….they will continue to pay rent for the space rather than lease it to another grocer.”–The Skanner News 

Rhode Island: Providence based Too Big to Jail, and proven thief, Citizens Bank eliminating as many as 150 U.S. jobs in time for Xmas, by shipping those jobs off to India!

South Dakota: In Rapid City, after 31 years Shotgun Willies shutdown.  The owner blames the hypocritical religious prudes who rule Rapid City.

Texas: Houston based Hercules Offshore claiming chapter 11 bankruptcy to justify radical reorganization (job cuts).

Virginia:What automotive industry recovery?  Despite reporting increased revenues Roanoke based Advanced Auto Parts announced it will shutdown 50 stores across the U.S., as well as eliminate 1-hundred corporate level jobs!  In King George, 38 years old grocery store Dutch’s Mart shutting down in September, blaming lack of sales: “…it is what it is. We have a very loyal following, but you still need certain numbers.”-David Clare, owner

Washington: So much for legalized marijuana, the city of Tacoma announced they plan to shutdown 48 out of 60 marijuana shops.   

Wisconsin: It’s been revealed that Warren Buffett is shutting down the Kraft-Heinz owned Oscar Mayer meat plant in Madison, 165 factory worker jobs lost, another 147 corporate positions lost!

12 August 2015: Warren Buffett slaughters more Heinz jobs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“We…ran out of funds.” No more Sunny D? It ain’t ketchup! Warren Buffett slaughters more Heinz jobs!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 12 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Warren Buffett co-owned Kraft-Heinz announced it will eliminate another 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs in Canada and United States!   Apparently most of the new layoffs will affect corporate level employees in Illinois and Pennsylvania, and jobs considered redundant as a result of the merger between Kraft and Heinz.

More evidence the internet is not recession proof:  After raising $5.5-million USD, and in a span of 24 hours “the secret weapon of successful people” Zirtual shutdown and told 4-hundred employees they were not needed, then Startups.com announced “We’ve acquired Zirtual and we’re excited to bring it to new levels. With that being said, we’d like to invite you back.”   No word on what will happen to the Zirtual employees.  Some news reports said work for Zirtual suddenly slowed down with no explanation.

More evidence the internet is not recession proof:  Reports that the newly merged Razorfish-Rosetta has resulted in an undisclosed number of layoffs, at least 20 in New York City and Atlanta, Georgia.

Arkansas: After 27 years of yummy peaches Collins Round Mountain Orchard shutdown for good due to climate change: “Unfortunately, the weather has not been in favor of our crop……

….the fruit just will not produce this summer. With that being said, Collins Orchard is officially closed permanently.” 

California: God refuses to stop ‘his’ 82 years old Ventura based Gospel Light Publications from going chapter 11 bankrupt busted and being put up for sale. Administrators partly blamed God’s financially scandalous Family Christian retail chain (For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10).

Colorado: What housing market recovery?  Former contractor to Bank of America Home Loans, Urban Fulfillment Services, eliminating 265 jobs!

Florida: In Pensacola, after 30 years Chan’s Nightclub shutdown.  In Orlando, ObamaCare medical device tax forced Rotech Oxygen and Medical Equipment to issue a WARN saying 90 people will become unemployed in October.

Iowa: In Mason City, employees of Warren Buffett have gone to the local news media to report mass layoffs at the local Kraft plant.

Massachusetts: In Littleton, Sunny Delight Beverages shutting down their Harvard Road factory in December.  Sunny D has been laying off Littleton employees since 2014.  As with other corporations Sunny D is consolidating operations, and selling off their Littleton juice factory.  Vermont based Champlain Cable Corporation shutting down their Northampton factory by October.  Production being moved to Texas.

Michigan: The East China School District announced that Eddy Elementary school will shutdown for the 2016-17 school year.  Apparently the school needs to be refurbished but the district doesn’t have the money.  In Grand Rapids, after less than a year the Memphis Smokehouse restaurant shutdown, due to a death in the family.  God refuses to stop ‘his’ Battle Creek Evangelical Friends Church from shutting down their Little Friends Child Care Center.  However, it’s not due to a loss of members but an explosion of church members requiring the use of the space taken up by the child care center.  ObamaCare forcing non-profit Kandu to shutdown due to funding cuts for Ottawa County Community Mental Health: “It has become evident that current public policy and funding levels will not sustain our model now, nor in the foreseeable future:”-Tom Vreeman, ceo

Mississippi:  Isle of Capri Casinos shutting down its Natchez casino due to declining revenues.  The non-gambling assets are being sold-off for $11.5-million.

New Jersey:  ObamaCare forced three hospitals in Hudson County (Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center) to layoff less than 80 employees.

New York:More evidence the internet is not recession proof; in NYC, internet shopping site Ideel issued a layoff WARN saying 39 people will be laid off in time for Xmas.

Ohio: The new owner of the Telling Mansion branch library shutting it down in September, the financially desperate county sold it off in 2013 claiming it had become a maintenance money pit.

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, Pro Image Sports shutdown their Promenade Mall store.

Pennsylvania: God refuses to stop ‘his’ British empire founded Salvation Army from restructuring their Ellwood City service center from paid employees to unpaid volunteers.  Universal Well Services issued a WARN saying they shutdown their Bradford ops, 85 jobs lost.

Washington: In Bellingham, the Firehouse Performing Arts Center close to shutting down, the owners had it up for sale since April 2014, but so far no interested buyers.  In Seattle, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 33 years old Zion Preparatory Academy. At one point the school had 6-hundred students, but because of the bad economy people can’t afford to pay for private school: “We just basically ran out of funds.”-Doug Wheeler, owner

Wisconsin: The Oilgear Company issued a shutdown WARN for its Milwaukee building, 70 jobs lost by October.

11 August 2015: “We get sued by so many people we can’t keep track.” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“We get sued by so many people we can’t keep track.” Idaho republicans rip off taxpayers, again! “…it’s left us with basically nothing.” 28,500 jobs on the chopping block!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 11 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

More proof the internet is not recession proof: New York and California based StumbleUpon is out of money and laying off 70 of its 1-hundred employees!  The problem with major internet operations is that they are 100% debt financed, and rarely do they make enough money from actual sales to operate without debt financing.  StumbleUpon administrators admitted they were unable to raise enough money in their latest attempt at debt financing.

Arkansas: The largest Humane Society in the state, Sebastian County Humane Society, is warning that it will shutdown due to lack of funding: “We have been getting by every month really just with donations, and with donations being down, and none coming in, it`s left us with basically nothing.”-Tonya Rogers

California: Sears Holdings announced the 25 years old Los Banos Kmart will shutdown in November, 67 jobs lost.

Florida: ObamaCare forcing Corizon Health to layoff 64 people in Naples, by the end of September.

Georgia: In Atlanta, two music venues shutdown;  The Masquerade and Smith’s Olde Bar.  It’s blamed on greedy property developers.

Idaho: Once again the ‘conservative’ republican leaders of Idaho are screwing over the state taxpayers, to the tune of between $900-thousand to $1-million USD!  This time taxpayers will pay for failed lawsuits brought by republican state ‘lawmakers’ against the federal government.  The repeat offender, I mean 3rd term gov’na Butch Otter was at a loss to explain it, but also admitted the dumb state republican leaders get sued all the time, saying “You’re going to have to ask the lawyers why we’re losing……We get sued by so many people we can’t keep track.”

Illinois: After eliminating more than 1-thousand jobs, Obama regime stooge Rahm Emanuel wants to get rid of more than 450 Chicago public School jobs!  In Des Moines, after 48 years popular Mr. Filet Steakhouse shutting down by the end of the week because the city administrators have decided the building must be torn down in the name of progress. What housing market recovery?  Century Tile and Carpet shutting down their ten years old Joliet store, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.

Main: After 25 years the largest independent craft store, Craft Mania, is shutting down.  15 jobs lost: “Sales were down….the reality is that enough of my customers have gone elsewhere that it’s no longer viable for us to stay open.”– Lee Duguay, co-owner

Maryland: British empire United Kingdom owned Lorch Microwave eliminated 10% of its Salisbury employees due to crashing sales.

New Jersey: The bankrupt busted Montvale based A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) grocery chain notifying (for legal reasons) all 28-thousand 5-hundred employees of possible layoffs!   ObamaCare forces God’s Saint Michael’s Medical Center into chapter 11 bankruptcy, threatening 1-thousand 4-hundred jobs!  It’s been up for sale but republican Chris Christie’s minions are interfering: “We’ve done everything the state has asked us to do. After two and a half years, it would appear we’re no further along than when we started.”-David Ricci, ceo

New York: After decades of trapping people into music-movies by mail subscriptions, iconic Columbia House now bankrupt busted and up for sale.

North Carolina: Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant shutting down their Cary location, they plan on renting the space out to another eatery.  The 18 years old franchised Sears Hometown store in Lexington shutting down by the end of the month. News reports said the franchise owner refused to explain why.  The Beaufort County Board of Education laid off 16 teacher assistants due to lack of local tax funding.

Oklahoma: After 60 years, the non-profit Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League shutdown due to “lack of funding”.

Pennsylvania: In Penn Township, after five years Work Zone Fitness shutdown, the owner admitting the local population, and economy, isn’t big enough to support fitness centers.

South Dakota: Sears Holdings announced the Sturgis Kmart will shutdown in November, 57 jobs lost.  In Spearfish, both Cellar Chics and Base Camp Adventure Sports shutting down. The owner of Cellar Chics blames health problems, the owner of Base Camp Adventure Sports blames “many factors”.  What construction industry recovery? The Ziegler Building Centers in both Rapid City and Spearfish shutting down after a fire destroyed one of the locations: “It was the fire. It’s the insurance.”-Jon Ziegler, owner

Tennessee: In Memphis, restaurant ¡Chiwawa! shutdown after two years, the owner claims he’ll open a new place as soon as he figures it out.  Can’t trust him ’cause the sign on the door says “Closed for Repairs”.

Texas:  The Texas Horse Racing Commission is shutting down due to “the agency will no longer be able to pay its employees or its rent”, blaming state ‘lawmakers’ for playing politics.

West Virginia: After 60 years the Workman’s IGA shutting down their Chapmanville grocery store: “We hate it most for our top notch team of employees. We hate it for the community as well because competition keeps prices where they should be….Because federal, state, and local governments are so overbearing with laws and regulations, it is hard for small businesses to exist. Workman’s IGA is closing…because running a small business, especially a grocery store, is just no fun anymore.“-owners

Wisconsin: In Appleton, after 16 years Sai Ram Indian Cuisine shutdown, the owner’s sons claiming that “It’s been hard to find employees.”  The owners are planning on spending more time back in India.

10 August 2015: Google rips off taxpayers!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

New Race War killing mom & pops! Proof Google rips off taxpayers!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 10 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Redlands, after ten years Treasures Antiques shutdown.  Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, this time 37 people to be unemployed in September. ObamaCare forcing nursing home operator Hank Fisher Properties to layoff 242 people between September and December!  ObamaCare forced Abbott Vascular to layoff 244 Californians!  In Paso Robles, the SPS Distribution Center will shutdown in September. In Ripon, Ruan Transportation is shutting down by September, 78 jobs lost.  In San Juan, Armstrong Growers shutting down in September, 56 jobs lost.  In Salinas, Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates shutting down in September, 38 jobs lost.  In Los Angeles, Turf Terminators laid off 94 employees.  In Santa Monica, Buca Restaurants 2 issued a shutdown WARN for September, 61 jobs lost. In Trona, CR Briggs laying off five employees in September.  In San Diego, United Technologies issued a shutdown WARN for September, 21 jobs lost.  Boston Scientific announced they’re shutting down their Fremont and San Jose operations in October, 455 jobs lost!  In Mountain Pass, Molycorp Minerals laying off 474 people by the end of the month!  In Oakland, Owens-Brockway Glass Container shutting down by October, 202 jobs lost! The Hilton San Francisco Union Square laying off 78 people in October.  In Orange, Binder & Binder shutting down in September, 70 jobs lost.  Bankrupt busted Anna’s Linens announced they’re shutting down their Costa Mesa store in September, 29 jobs lost.  It’s part of their plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores across the U.S.

Massachusetts: In Boston Weak, after 96 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Quinzani’s Bakery shutting down next week, and being sold-off, 90 jobs lost.  Local news reports say the area has become a revolving door of failed businesses (“rapidly gentrifying”).

Michigan: According to local news reports dozens of protestors accuse the administrators of Saginaw of skin colorism after several ‘black’ owned businesses were suddenly shutdown!  Lonnie’s Lounge and Terry’s Place were shutdown after a triple shooting that took place in the same neighborhood.  Security camera video shows the bars were already closed for business when the shootings happened! Protestors say city administrators made the decision in secret: “I understand the police and the city have the right to shut down businesses, but I feel it shouldn’t be a closed session. There should be something more public and more people should have a say.”-Tobias Young

In addition access to a popular gathering spot, Ojibway Island, has been blocked by police after 16:00 hours: “It seems like we are being profiled and grouped together as violent and disrespectful, and I feel there are more of us that are tax-paying citizens than the few bad apples…..They are subconsciously telling African Americans that they are not welcome on the island….”-Irie Sample

New Mexico:  The administrators of Google aren’t that smart after all, they just have too much money to play with.  Google suddenly pulled its Titan Aerospace solar powered drone program from Moriarty Airport, the problem is that state taxpayers shelled out $955-thousand USD upgrading the airport just for Titan Aerospace.  State administrators claim they’ve successfully forced Google to pay back the “economic assistance funds”.  Yeah, like Google needs economic assistance?

New York: What housing market recovery?  In Geddes, after 45 years Jerry’s Carpets shutdown.

North Carolina:  What automotive industry recovery? In Raleigh, Advanced Auto Parts laid off 50 former General Parts International employees.  In Durham, the Foster Street Daisy Cakes bakery shutting down next week, supposedly a popular donut shop is moving into the shop sometime this winter.

Ohio: In East Cleveland, Too Big to Jail KeyBank shutting down their office on Euclid Avenue, by November.  It’s part of their plan to shutdown 30 offices across the U.S.

Oklahoma: ObamaCare forcing residents of Broken Arrow to choose between the city’s new subscriber only LifeRide emergency medical services or paying outrageous ambulance fees.  City administrators say forcing residents to pay a “subscription” for ambulance service is the only way they can address skyrocketing costs.  Most residents will be automatically forced to subscribe as part of their city utilities service, while others have until the end of the month to “opt out” and hope they never need an ambulance.

Virginia: What automotive industry recovery?  Roanoke based Advanced Auto Parts laid off 50 corporate level employees, and will begin eliminating certain store “projects”.  It’s blamed on their take over of General Parts International.

08-09 August 2015:“…like chopping off the finger….”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“…like chopping off the finger….” National Guard shutdowns! “We are reducing…to reflect the new reality…”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 08 – 09 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In San Jose, after ten years “ultra lounge” Fahrenheit shutdown. The operator blames the property owner for jacking up the rent, saying the cost to do business in San Jose is “on a more rapid upswing”.

Kentucky: In Louisville, after five years Hillbilly Tea shutdown without warning.

Louisiana: After promising to hire 8-hundred people in exchange for $20-million USD in state tax breaks, Monroe based cable-phone-internet service provider CenturyLink announced they will eliminate 1-thousand jobs across the U.S., administrators blame crashing profits, partly caused by ObamaCare: “CenturyLink’s results for the second quarter were below our forecast and Street consensus, primarily due to continued pressure on wholesale revenues and higher employee and benefit costs.”

Mississippi: Oregon based ESCO laid off 56 people at their Newton ops: “Despite the continuous best efforts of those in Newton, and the Mining Division in general, demand for mining products has not resumed to a level that will support ESCO’s current manufacturing capacity levels.”

New Hampshire: God refuses to stop ‘his’ 50 years old Pelham Saint Patrick Catholic School from shutdown. It’s called The Rapture, I mean enrolment has crashed to just 32 students! (I call it Disappearing Students Syndrome)

North Carolina: The 352 years old (surviving French-n-Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War 1, Great Depression, World War 2, Korean conflict, Vietnam conflict, Desert Storm, War on Terror)“Relevant since 1663” state militia has shutdown and sold two National Guard armories to local municipalities on orders from the federal National Guard Bureau: “It’s kind of like chopping off the finger of a community. But that’s just the realities, the Army is getting smaller and we are getting smaller.”-Mike Waite, National Guard Association

Texas: In San Antonio, after 37 years the small amusement park Malibu Grand Prix & Castle shutting down in September.  The operators blame the property owner for jacking up the rent.

West Virginia: The 113 years old Kanawha Manufacturing Company revealed they’ve been eliminating jobs, and blame the crashing coal mining industry: “We are reducing and reforming our operations to reflect the new reality of the markets we serve.”

Wisconsin: In Columbus, Hydro Street Brewing & Eatery shutdown after failing to pay back a taxpayer funded loan.  In Oshkosh, Packers Pub, known for making customers “feel at home”, shutdown after 38 years of serving drinks to locals.

07 August 2015:“We’re in a dire state!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“We’re in a dire state!” “…we just couldn’t do it anymore.” Code words used for coming Depression!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 07 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Money manager at Janus Capital Group, Bill Gross, warned of coming Depression using code: “…dangerously close to deflationary growth.” 

California: In San Francisco’s South Park, Jeremys department store shutdown.  The owners blame a bad mix of technology and demographics: “We found that the technology demographic doesn’t really shop as much at Jeremys as the more creative types that used to live in South Park when we started.”-Jeremy Kidson, founder

Georgia: Toys R Us is shutting down their 19 years old Buckhead store, in September.  In Decatur, after almost three years Paper Plane bar and eatery shutdown, the owners didn’t say why, but tried to fool their fans by saying they had been taken over by Walmart.

Illinois: Gov’na Bruce Rauner wants to layoff 33 Conservation Police, unions say 34 counties will be without an officer.  The oldest executive outplacement firm in the U.S., Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said there were at least 105-thousand layoffs in July, the most monthly layoffs in the past four years!

Indiana: After 40 years the Wadesville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) shutdown: “We didn’t have enough members actively participating. We’ve kept it going for a long time with a bare minimum of people and it got to the point where we just couldn’t do it anymore.”-Jim Tomes

Kansas: The Clarette Club shutting down in favor of a chain restaurant called The Peanut.

Kentucky: After 30 years non-profit Kentucky Harvest warned they’ll be no more food for the poor: “We’re in a dire state! We’re inside four months operating cash left before we have to cease operation.”– Brent Smith, chairman

News reports indicate that donations to Kentucky Harvest are down partly because one of the founders is now in federal prison for stealing donations!

Nebraska: Julio’s Old Market restaurant shutdown because the property owner sold the building.

New York: Rumors are building that the Food Emporium on Greenwich Street in NYC is shutting down due to jacked up rent. The store manager is reported to have said “That’s news to me.”  That Which Cannot Be Named refuses to stop ObamaCare from forcing Menorah Licensed Homecare from laying off 63 people in Getzville, by September. In North Syracuse, hotel chain Ramada issued a shutdown WARN, 81 jobs lost in September.

Pennsylvania:Too Big to Jail Bank of New York Mellon issued a mass layoff WARN, 280 people to become jobless in Philadelphia!  Illinois based Atkore International announced it is shutting down its steel fence framework and sprinkler pipe products maker Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation in Philadelphia. They issued a shutdown WARN for October, 217 jobs lost!  Another 1-hundred Atkore jobs will be eliminated across the U.S.!  In Dubois, Fezell’s Sandy Township Shop N Save issued a shutdown WARN for October, 50 jobs lost.  In Delano, Leggett & Platt issued a shutdown WARN for October, 61 jobs lost.  In Williamsport, Universal Well Services finally notified state employment administrators that they shutdown back on 31 July, 77 jobs lost.

Texas:  In San Antonio,  Big Easy Cafe being forced to shutdown and look for a new home.  In Mineral Wells, NOV Fiberglass shutting down, 110 jobs lost in time for Xmas! Local news reports say most employees have already been let go, city administrators say they had no warning: “We had no advanced knowledge of this. Certainly any kind of closure is extremely undesirable.”-Lance Howerton, city manager

Virginia: A 26 years old locally owned Roanoke Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown due to crashing sales.

06 August 2015:Robots killing jobs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”

Kit Bashing

Model-land ‘deaths’, 2013-15!

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Incomplete list of hobby shop shutdowns.

California: After 67 years a hobby shop I loved to check out whenever I was forced to visit my child hating Oma, Dave’s Hobby Central, in Santa Barbara closed down: “It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I must to tell you that today we have closed the doors for good! After a long and fruitless year I have no choice but to fold up the doors.”-store statement on Facebook

Hawaii: Toys N’ Joys shut down after 30 years in business.

Idaho:

The original 1990s Dapco Hobbies location in Pocatello, on Garret Way, vacant for several years since Dapco moved to Chubbuck in the early 2000s.

In Chubbuck, at the end of 2014, and after 23 years the iconic local Dapco Hobbies went up for sale.  Employees said the current owner was selling everything off and wants out of the hobby business.  But at the beginning of 2015 Dapco Hobbies relocated to a much, much smaller place in Pocatello (across the street from Bamboo Garden Chinese buffet), apparently to pleas from customers (and the employees) that it not shutdown.  Dapco Hobbies was originally located on Garrett Way in Pocatello (according to the Better Business Bureau, that was beginning in 1991).  After Corey & Melia took over, Dapco relocated to Chubbuck around 2007-08.  For a very brief time Dapco Hobbies had a shop in Ammon, then Idaho Falls (apparently they left about the same time the ‘big box’ Hobby Town left Idaho Falls), and they even had an internet website.  Dapco Hobbies started out focused on trains, then shifted to RC when that got big.  I went there for the plastic model kits (and I still do, unfortunately they got hit by RC burglars right after they moved into their current Pocatello location off Yellowstone Avenue).

Illinois: Plastic model kit company Testors laid off 107 employees at its Rockford plant!  Testors has operated out of Rockford since 1929, they also make paint and other model building supplies.  Company officials say the bad economy is forcing them to eliminate some of their model supply brands.  This means closing their 84 years old Blackhawk Park Avenue building, and moving operations into a smaller building.

Kentucky: In Louisville, model train store L&N Trains and Things shut down after 32 years. The owner blames health problems (just in time for Obama Care).

New York:   In Fairpoint, after 30 years Toy Soldier shutdown.   In Farmingdale, Model Power, a major internet model railroad retailer, is being killed off by Too Big to Jail banks: “After nearly 50 years serving the hobby industry, our 3rd generation family business will be closing effective immediately to the public. We will be reaching out to our clients over the next few weeks to settle any demand needs that they may have.

In 2007, our banks began an aggressive deleveraging process. They no longer approved of a profitable and paying client such as ours, which had been reliant on inventory. This is why one of the industry’s most extensive lines, had begun to see much of its products unavailable on the market. Now it will no longer be seen at all.

During these past 7 years, we had made changes to the business in order to accommodate and adjust to the changing nature of the business relationship with our lenders. We had offered multiple solutions to our lenders in order to ‘fix’ our situation, all were rejected, came with different restrictions, or offered too little too late. In all our efforts, no arrangements by our lenders would allow for Model Power to arrive at a position in which we could get back to fill our customer needs.

We would like to take the time to thank all of those whom we have worked with the past 50 years. To our customers and competitors within the industry, we thank you.

Sincerely,
The Model Power Family”

I’ve been reporting on the deleveraging conspiracy by the Too Big to Jail banks, read the articles and weep: De-leveraging will continue until the economy improves, and that means you!,  it’s called Deleveraging and it’s a sign we’re in a “Terminal Downturn”!, 4,000 people stranded when….airline is suddenly deleveraged, All part of the IMF’s orders to deleverage!, IMF pushes for U.S. consolidation, code for even more drastic deleveraging!

Ohio: In Lakewood, after 67 years Wings Hobby Shop shutdown.  The owner blames lazy young people: “We peaked out, volume-wise, in 1995.  Little by little it started to go away, because we weren’t getting any young people……Society has evolved into a mode of instant gratification…….They want to have a collection to look at, but they don’t want to build anything. “-Al Cicerchi

Wisconsin: In Wausau a 50 years old hobby store shutdown.  The owner of Pope’s Hobbyland said it was time he retired.   After 50 years iconic Greenfield News and Hobby store shutdown.  The store was up for sale, with no luck.   “A lot of kids aren’t picking up these hobbies either because they’re being priced out … or because they’d rather go to online or home video games, and it’s hard to counteract that.”-Jeff Reich, editor of Model Retailer,  Kalmbach Publishing

Obama regime using 2011 financing order to shut down successful ebay model kit sellers! 

If you like building model planes, then you are a terrorist! 

Styrofoam containers, boards or sheets, we model builders have been recycling them into diorama bases for years. 

Hot Wheels, Matchbox & other toy cars are the new way to protest your corrupt local government!

Iran to display life size model of U.S. Stealth Drone, sends Obama a smaller hot pink version 

Kit Bashing & Education Reform: Idaho Students Building Model Kits