Tag Archives: unemployment

“…the entire retail node has experienced a decline.” “There are different seasons in our lives and this season is over.” Obama ‘home’ state suspends lottery payments! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 01 September 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: In Scottsdale the Los Sombreros Mexican Restaurant shutdown.  In Mesa, the Lo Fi Coffee shop shutdown.

California: The U.S. Postal Service shutting down their Bakersfield mail processing plant: “The only reason they haven’t done it yet is because they need congressional approval.”-John Flores, American Postal Worker’s Union

Colorado: Wisconsin based Quad Graphics shutting down their Loveland operations by the end of October, 137 jobs lost! Administrators blame the bad economy, but is it really because Quad Graphics failed in its takeover bid of rival Courier Corporation?

Connecticut: In Milford, after 14 years Loading Dock Wine & Spirits shutdown, the family owners blame the evil ‘lawmakers’ for “the ever changing CT. Liquor laws favoring large non-family owned businesses”.

Florida: In Miami Beach, after 11 years Mansion Nightclub shutting down next week.  The corporate owners have been shutting down and selling off their nightclubs in The Sunshine State because they can make more money selling the property.  Virginia based tax-sucker Orbital ATK shutting down its Clearwater operations by Spring 2016, blaming reduced military spending, at least 99 jobs lost.  In Boca Raton, the Cheese Course restaurant shutdown.  In Fort Lauderdale, the Chow Sushi & BBQ shutdown.

Illinois: Chicago based nuclear power company Exelon warned of “potential position reductions at the executive level and below” blaming skyrocketing operating costs and revenues that can’t keep up.   What construction industry recovery?  The Quincy Lighting & Home Center shutdown after 67 years of sales.  Apparently a new business is moving in.   Recently announced layoffs at farm vehicle maker Deere (at their Davenport Works and Harvester Works) has the operators of Riverbend Foodbank scrambling: “The increase in request for food in our community has definitely happened.We know that in order to feed every individual in our community  who are going hungry we actually need to triple the number of meals that we provide…”-Nancy Renkes, director

In Normal, the Naturally Yours Grocery store shutdown: “We just weren’t getting enough business and are disappointed.”-Donna Dierks, manager

 In the homie state of Barack Obama, lottery winners are now being given IOUs instead of their cash winnings. The latest victims are a husband and wife who won $250-thousand USD with a scratch-off ticket.  Instead of getting cash they got a letter from the Illinois Lottery saying they’ll be paid as soon as the state ‘lawmakers’ can create a budget for the new fiscal year: “Due to the ongoing budget situation in Springfield, some lottery winner payments have been delayed. All winners will be paid in full as soon as the lottery and the Illinois comptroller have the legislative authority to do so.” 

Indiana: In Fort Wayne, Darlington Holiday Warehouse shutting down its seasonal flagship Airport Expressway store.  Despite forcing loyal southside customers to drive the nearest store on the northside, administrators said shutting down the southside Airport store would “make a better shopping experience for everyone.” 

Kentucky: In Louisville, after 97 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) The Vernon (aka Vernon Lanes) bowling alley shutting down after Halloween.  The bowling alley was put up for sale in April, but so far no takers.  “October 31 is going to be the last day. It’s going to be a big party. Kentucky Blues Society is going to come down. We’re gonna blow it out!”-Scottie Lawler, assistant GM

Maine: After 46 years Goff’s Hardware shutdown.  The owner is funding his retirement with the sale of the property, lamenting “Most of these mom-and-pop places have gone by the wayside. Everybody wants bigger. More.”

Massachusetts:  Brigham and Women’s Hospital eliminating 1-hundred jobs as Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is expected to cause them to lose $10-million this year!  ACA is causing operating cost to go up 4% while revenues barely went up by 1%.  In Westford, printer Courier Corporation shutting down, 2-hundred jobs lost!  Is it connected to the $216-million takeover by rival RR Donnelley?

Minnesota: Minneapolis based retailer Target eliminated even more jobs, this time 235 tech jobs gone without warning this morning, 35 open jobs closed, and 40 international jobs eliminated!  News reports said that the CEO said last month that future job cuts would not be “huge”.

Mississippi: The police state city leaders of Columbus want to crack down on crime by forcing convenience stores and grocery stores to close early.  Here’s an idea; how about create high paying jobs to keep people with too much time and not enough money busy?  Police statists always go with draconian measures that actually push the economy further down the death spiral!

Missouri: In Kansas City, Poco’s restaurant shutdown after a short run.  Local news reports say the property, across the street from a Costco, has become a revolving door for failed restaurants.  Natasha’s Mulberry & Mott shutdown, but the owner swears she’ll return. After only two months Texas Tom’s shutdown, but critics said the food was terrible.  After three years Empire Deli & Pizza was evicted by the city of Saint Louis.  Also in Saint Louis, the Queen of Sheba restaurant and Stefano’s Restaurant shutdown.

New Jersey:  Hunterdon County shutting down their county jail, due to lack of taxpayer funding. Instead county leaders will pay neighboring Somerset County $90 per day for each Hunterdon inmate they house.

New York: For the second year in a row Ithaca College has to layoff employees due to Disappearing Students Syndrome.  At least 40 jobs will be eliminated this school year.  The Big A-hole, I mean Big Apple New York Shitty, I mean City shutting down seven pre-kindergarten schools days before school starts! City administrators admitted the schools violated health codes, and claim they will place the children of the 175 families affected into other schools!  Interestingly three of the shutdown schools are Christian and one is Muslim.

Texas: The Sam Houston Race Park shutdown due to arguments by state ‘lawmakers’ as to how to force taxpayers to fund the gambling operation.  Houston based oil company ConocoPhillips announced they will eliminate about 1-thousand 8-hundred jobs, more than 5-hundred jobs in The Lone Star State will be targeted!  Does it have anything to do with reports that Warren Buffett wants to buy the Phillips 66 spinoff?  In Austin, the non-profit Ecology Action of Texas recycling center shutting down two weeks ahead of schedule, in order to give themselves plenty of time to vacate the premises.  In El Paso, Houchen Community Center shutting down their Child Care Development Center in Segundo Barrio by the middle of September, blaming “a lack of income and increasing costs.”  Local news reports say tax filings from the past few years show Houchen Community Center is losing money.

Virginia: In Gloucester, Cox Communications shutting down their The Cox Solution Store due to lack of sales, saying that location sees only 15% of the customers that their other Solution Stores see.  In Culpeper, after three years Apple’s Closet clothing consignment store shutdown: “There are different seasons in our lives and this season is over.”-Bridgette Williams, owner

Wisconsin: Electronics retailer Best Buy continues to shut down stores, this time their Fond du Lac store, 60 jobs affected by the beginning of November!  Best Buy reps told local news that it was because they see no recovery in the economy: “We chose not renew the lease at this location in part because the entire retail node has experienced a decline.”-Megan Boyd

31 August 2015: Property speculators massacring mom & pops! 

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.”

Property speculators massacring mom & pops! More successes equaling failures! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 31 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Florida: After 28 years Jacksonville’s Maritime Museum shutting down after Xmas. It’s blamed on crashing donations.  In Palm Beach the owners of Blondies, a restaurant known for serving ‘breakfast’ for ‘dinner’, shut it down after four successful years blaming the greedy landlord.  In Miami Beach, the operators of restaurant Piola South Beach say they’re being shutdown by the greedy landlord, after 15 years: “There was no form of negotiation nor effort made from the other party to come to a civilized agreement amongst partners who had been together for over a decade.”-Angelo Angiolliori, manager

The South Florida Business Journal also blamed greedy landlords: “Investors are having to justify their record-high purchases with record-high rents. And it’s becoming increasingly difficult for restaurants and independent companies to make a profit while paying more than $300 per square foot….”

Idaho: Taxpayers are funding $467,435 USD in utility connections for the new Inn at 500 Capitol in Boise.  As usual the taxpayer funding is going to a ‘foreign’ outfit, Obie Development Partners in Oregon.  What’s really interesting is how news outlets in Boise can’t seem to get the story right; in March, Boise Weekly said it’s a ten story hotel with 180 rooms.   But then in April, Boise Weekly said it was a seven story hotel with 104 rooms.  The latest Idaho Business Review report says it will have 113 rooms.  The new hotel, partially funded by local taxpayers, isn’t expected to be completed until December 2016.  Also in Boise, the taxpayer owned 8th and River streets property will be developed into a condominium (“Prices will start in the high 200s [that’s $200-thousand], he said, and escalate from there.”)  The property is owned by taxpayer funded Capital City Development Corporation, the condominium (to be called The Afton) will be built by Mike Hormaechea who refuses to say how much it will cost (he also claims to already have buyers for the condos).  The first phase might be finished by early 2017.

Illinois: In Shiloh, after six years Lacefield Music store shutdown. The owners say they are forced to look for a new location, but will continue to teach piano in the meantime.  Farm and construction vehicle maker Deere (John Deere) notified employees at their Davenport Works and Harvester Works of impending layoffs due to crashing sales.  180 jobs lost by the beginning of October (that’s on top of the 1-thousand 5-hundred Deere employees already laid off).  Deere administrators also forecasted that sales would crash another 21% before the end of 2015, directly blaming a lack of recovery in the construction industry: “We thought construction would be up, but that hasn’t happened, yet.”-Ken Golden

Louisiana: Oil services company Baker Hughes issued a layoff WARN for 28 employees in Shreveport.

Maine: Lincoln Paper & Tissue shutting down one of three tissue machines, eliminating 25 jobs.  The shutdown will take place over the next few days.  The tissue is made for napkins, towels, table covers and health care products.

Maryland: Gaithersburg based Hudson Trail Outfitters announced it is shutting down all stores after almost 50 years of sales, blaming the crashing economy: “The retail landscape has changed so much within the last 36 months and the company has decided that the time has come to begin to ‘wind down’ all company affairs.”-Sandy Cohan, ceo

Massachusetts: Electronics retailer Best Buy continues to shut down stores, this time their Hampshire Mall and Berkshire Mall stores. 127 jobs affected by the end of October!

Mississippi: Electronics retailer Best Buy continues to shut down stores, this time their Jackson store on Ridgewood Court shutting down by the end of October, 61 jobs affected.

New York: Bankrupt Coyne International Enterprises issued a shutdown WARN for all four of their Commercial Laundry Services, 150 jobs lost by the end of October!  Despite the Affordable Care Act, taxpayer funded disabled persons’ care home Broome Developmental Center being shutdown in 2016, patients being forced into privately run care centers.  One percenter former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg to eliminate an additional 80 jobs at his Bloomberg news media ops, by Labor Day.  God refuses to stop ‘his’ College of Saint Rose from instituting layoffs and program cuts due to a $9.3-million USD shortfall caused by The Rapture, I mean what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome: “Like many institutions across the country, enrollment at the College of Saint Rose has declined….”-Lisa Haley Thomson

North Carolina: In Burlington, after two years Verona Italian Restaurant shutdown.  In Greensboro, Graffiti’s Bistro shutdown due to the owners realizing they can make more money selling it off.  In Eden, after five years 912 Bethlehem Restaurant shutdown “for personal reasons”.

Pennsylvania: Stupid state ‘lawmakers’ have contracted with evil Too Big to Jail US Bank to provide debit cards for residents who meet strict qualifications as being ‘officially’ unemployed.  Redner’s Warehouse Market grocery store in Trexlertown shutting down, 74 jobs lost by the end of September.  It’s blamed on too much competition.

Texas: It’s been revealed that California based Hewlett Packard (HP) has been eliminating jobs in Houston since May!   In total 70 people will be jobless by the end of the week.  They’re getting severance so they won’t be counted as unemployed.

Virginia: In Richmond, after almost ten years successful doggy treat store Three Dog Bakery shutting down.  Despite being a successful operation the operators haven’t been able to raise the funding necessary to become a full franchise store, as required in their license agreement with Missouri based Three Dog Bakery.

Washington DC: After seven years the Crime Museum shutting down due to the greedy landlord: “The Crime Museum’s landlord has decided to execute their rights under the lease agreement and request that we vacate the premises.”-Janine Vaccarello, coo

30 August 2015:  “You are firing the wrong people here!”

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.”

Syria dumps $50-million! ‘Humanitarian’ NGOs join Islamic State!

31 August 2015 (05:17 UTC-07 Tango 01)/09 Shahrivar 1394/16 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1436/18 Jia-Shen (7th month) 4713

On 25 August 2015, the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) issued a sell order for $50-million USD.

The reason is that CBS administrators see signs of a rebounding Syrian economy and even growth in their exports, despite the evil U.S.-EU-Saudi-Israeli led civil war ravaging their country.  They want to flood Syrian banks, businesses and consumers with U.S. cash in preparation for a spending onslaught.

This is in part due to the nuclear agreement between Iran and the European Union and United States.  Iran will ask the Syrian government to hold new elections and will greatly increase oil shipments through Syria.

However, this does not apply to DAIISH (DA for al-DAwla, I for al-Islamiya, I for al-Iraq, SH al-SHam [al-Sham=Syria]) aka Islamic State controlled areas of Syria.  The evil U.S.-EU-Saudi-Israeli created speed freak genocidal maniacs incorrectly called Islamic State are intentionally destroying local economies.  Even the so-called humanitarian NGOs in those areas seem to be part of the economic conspiracy: “Why are the relief people denying us aid? Don’t they have any mercy? In the end, they refused to provide us with anything!”-Umm Muhannad, sons found jobs paying a combined $14 per week, but NGOs still refuse to help

In fact, a report out of Indonesia says DAIISH (Islamic State) is actually recruiting members by claiming they will be conducting humanitarian work: “I accepted the offer to go as I had incurred a debt of nine million rupiah which I borrowed as capital to start my meatball business. When I got there, I was paid only US$50 a month. I made more money back home. I could earn at least 3.5 million rupiah a month.  I was very disappointed as the reality was not what I had been promised.”a slightly built, young father of four to The Straits Times, and please note that Islamic State was paying him with U.S. dollars

NATO ground forces defend Islamic State!

“You are firing the wrong people here!” Economists suspect mass exodus of workers! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 30 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In San Francisco, restaurant Bugaloo’s shutdown by “whacked out Valencia Street rent”, the tiny location is now available to anybody who is stupid enough to shell out $17,500 per month.  Too Big to Jail Bank of America essentially admitted to ripping off employees of overtime pay when it made the biggest overtime settlement ever; $36-million USD!  It involves employees of BofA’s LandSafe Appraisal, which is now being sold-off.

Connecticut: “Under a cloak of secrecy, the university’s board of trustees approved a spend-heavy budget. This was an irresponsible move, and it adds justification to calls to bring transparency to the budget process.”-rep-am.com, concerning the 50 layoffs at University of Connecticut

Florida: Local news reports say the state unemployment fund is running out of money, and might have to borrow money from Uncle Sam: “Florida has a poorly financed program and one of the strictest programs in the country.”-Rick McHugh, National Employment Law Project

Idaho:   According to the Idaho State Journal, many of southeast Idaho’s school districts have shifted to a four day week realizing a huge savings in school bus transportation costs.  However, a study done by the Rural Opportunities Consortium of Idaho says that overall costs to taxpayers actually went up: “Contrary to expectations, some districts saw their costs rise as a result of the need for additional enrichment activities and after-school snacks during the extended day.” 

Indiana: In Clay County, employers and state unemployment administrators are confused as the unemployment rate is going up despite increased hiring.  All the industry and employment ‘experts’ can do is speculate that what jobs that are available are not jobs that people are willing to take: “We see those numbers, they tend to have us look internally as to what could we be doing more to be attracting people that may be looking for work.”-Jeff Deaton, administrator with Great Dane who claims they need 150 laborers

Kansas: Economists at Wichita State University might have discovered the true reason why overall unemployment rates are going down; mass exodus of workers from the U.S. market.  Economists say recent data actually conflicts concerning whether employment is going up or down, and that it seems more and more people are working more than one job and that more newly unemployed people are not registering as unemployed: “….there is still something going on. You look at it, and it just doesn’t make sense. The question is, why did it happen all of a sudden in Kansas?”-Jeremy Hill, WSU economist

“Because most of the people surveyed are leaving employment but not entering unemployment, it appears they are leaving employment for personal reasons….choosing not to work”-Justin McFarland, Kansas Department of Labor

Kentucky: In Louisville, after 52 years the Fern Valley Hotel and Conference Center shut down due to numerous “fire safety issues, electrical and plumbing violations, and general sanitation and plumbing violations.”  The current owners took over in 2011 and refused comment to local news media

Maryland: “These are very capable people being shown the door. You are firing the wrong people here!”-Peter Franchot, state comptroller concerning the recent layoffs of dozens of prison employees

Missouri: Local news reports say only one fifth of the 179,058 people counted as unemployed are getting unemployment assistance!  Despite that state ‘lawmakers’ are trying to cut back on unemployment assistance even more, the gov-na recently vetoed a bill that would limit assistance to just 13 weeks!

Montana: In Bozeman, outdoor sports store Northern Lights Trading Company shutdown, the Babcock Street location sold-off.  The remaining brick-n-mortar stores will focus on water sports only.

New York: In Canton, North Country Neighbors Too flea market shutting down in September due to the greedy property owner selling the building.  In Troy, The Grocery store shutdown, the owner admitted to a lack of focus saying “It evolved into an ineffective sandwich shop. It’s not working out.”  Supposedly the location will now become a cafe.  In Fishkill, after 22 years of providing landscaping material the Plant Depot shutdown: “It’s an intense business. It takes a lot of out you. We’ve been here seven days a week for the last 22 years. It’s just time for a break.”-Lou Paggiotta, co-owner

Ohio: Too Big to Jail Fifth Third Bank shutting down two Butler County offices, as part of their plan to shutdown 130 offices by the end of the year.

Rhode Island: “I sadly inform you that the District’s financial position may force us to layoff all of our firefighters because we will be unable to pay them.  A collective bargaining meeting is scheduled with the union at 6:30 PM on Monday, August 31st.  If this last ditch effort is unsuccessful, layoffs will be discussed….”Coventry Fire District

The non-profit mental illness Oasis Wellness & Recovery Center laid off seven employees and cut operating hours due to the loss of a state grant for “The peer support model”.   (don’t be surprised if there’s an increase in mass shootings in Rhode Island)

Tennessee: In Green County, contractor Renfrow Brothers suddenly lost their US Nitrogen contract, 350 jobs lost! Apparently the new contractor is not hiring on any of the Renfrow Brothers employees.  US Nitrogen administrators issued this statement “Changes to US Nitrogen’s contractor levels are a necessary and planned step in the complete of its state-of-the art facility.”  Local news reports make it sound like it was a surprise to Renfrow Brothers.  I’ve also discovered that US Nitrogen is fighting multiple lawsuits.  One plaintiff stated to news media that “They simply came on our land and proceeded to dig……The No Trespassing signs were removed by the workmen.”

Texas: Irving based animated pizza joint Chuck E. Cheese’s shutting down their Kingston, Ontario, Canada restaurant.  In 2014 Chuck E. Cheese’s was taken over by Apollo Global Management.  Administrators with Apollo Global told Canadian news media that the Kingston shutdown was the result of a “period of growth.”

Wisconsin: Johnson Controls halting Project Unity and eliminating 197 jobs in October!  In New Berlin, The Sportsman’s Channel laying off seven people in October.

29 August 2015: “…had to sell our three horses and three pigs, next it will be the Harley.” 

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.”

Where are they going? U.S. citizens invading Palestine! ‘Christians’ tempting Fate by tempting their God!

30 August 2015 (11:26 UTC-07 Tango 01)/08 Shahrivar 1394/15 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1436/17 Jia-Shen (7th month) 4713

“I think it’s dangerous and it’s immoral. It’s turning a national conflict into a religious war between the Judeo-Christian world and Islam, and a religious war is the most dangerous one.”-Rabbi Ehud Bandel, International Council of Christians and Jews

“Come and see what is going on, and that your support of the settlements is making people suffer. Your contribution is causing suffering, and that’s not Christian.”-Reverend Fadi Diab, Saint Andrews Church in Ramallah, to U.S. ‘Christian’ supporters of illegal settlements

Israeli news media has revealed that 60-thousand U.S. citizens are taking part in the illegal land stealing in West Bank, Palestine.   It’s now estimated that a total of 170-thousand U.S. citizens have moved to Israel.

Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered that the majority of U.S. citizens who left for “…the occupied territories hold PhDs, they’re upwardly mobile…..politically active in the leftist social movements in the U.S…..and voted for the Democratic Party….”

It’s been known for decades that right wing ‘christians’ in the United States actively support Israel and the policy of land stealing, in the false belief that it will speed the ‘Second Coming’ of their lord.  They obviously never read the warnings in their own Bible about doing such a thing:  “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.”-Deuteronomy 6:16

“Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”-Matthew 4:7

“And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”-Luke 4:12

Where are they going?  elitist British-Jewish empire investors are destroying your country! 

Where are they going? South of the border is the number one destination, just ask Jesse Ventura! 

Once again, Palestinian girls have more ‘balls’ than most ‘men’!

30 August 2015 (10:52 UTC-07 Tango 01)/08 Shahrivar 1394/15 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1436/17 Jia-Shen (7th month) 4713

Unarmed Palestinian girls, and women, ‘man upped’ and kicked the ass of an armed Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldier who was in the process of kidnapping a boy with a broken arm!

Many humanitarian organizations have documented decades of kidnappings of Palestinian males by Israelis, under the guise of preventing future terrorism.   On 28 August 2015, IDF personnel attacked Palestinians in the West Bank for protesting yet more illegal land stealing.  As is the SOP, the IDF began targeting males for kidnapping, including boys.  But when an IDF soldier targeted a boy with a broken arm the women and girls went nuts!

Pics show that as he tried to ‘arrest’ the boy the unarmed Palestinian females swarmed him and kicked his ass, rescuing the boy!

Related: 14 years old Palestinian girl has more ‘balls’ than most ‘men’!

AGOSTO-12: Mexico’s oil industry turns to China for help!

30 August 2015 (09:46 UTC-07 Tango 01)/08 Shahrivar 1394/15 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1436/17 Jia-Shen (7th month) 4713

Petróleos Mexicanos (PeMex) is about to take possession of the latest offshore gas compression rig, built in China.  The rig will be used in the Gulf of Mexico to compress gas at a rate of 61 million cubic meters (200 million cubic feet) per day, at a time when U.S. oil companies have killed off more than 100-thousand U.S. jobs.

AGOSTO-12 is said to be able to handle category 3 hurricanes and will reduce environmental pollution by recycling and reinjecting unused gasses into the Cantarell oil fields. It’s expected to operate for at least 25 years.

Fracking causes Oklahoma quakes, ironically shuts down oil wells!

Saber Rattling against China about huge oil reserves underneath China! It’s why China is on the warpath against Uygur Muslims! 

“…access to food is poor…getting worse.” “There is no option to press forward.” There’s no bread? : U.S. Food Crisis August 2015

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of August, 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.

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.

Alabama: Food Outlet shutting down their 27 years old Jacksonville grocery store. Administrators say new competition has “split our customer base in half”, combining that with increasing costs of operations it just wasn’t worth while to continue.

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: Grocery store Raley’s announced it will eliminate 29 jobs from their West Sacramento HQ and their Natomas warehouse.  Company administrators are excited about killing off so many jobs because it makes them feel “…optimistic about the future and we continue to hire in areas to support future growth.”  Raley’s also revealed they’ve leased out their Winnemucca store to Idaho based Ridley’s Family Markets, affecting 50 Raley’s employees.  The Winnemucca store is the fourth Raley’s to shutdown this year. Washington based Haggen Foods issued mass shutdown WARNs for the following locations; 2 stores in Simi Valley, 2 stores in Tustin, 2 stores in Chula Vista, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Santa Clarita Valley, La Mesa, San Marcos, San Ysidro, Bakersfield and Los Osos, 620 jobs lost by October!   Haggen 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.   Albertsons-Safeway issued another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, this time 37 people to be unemployed in September.  Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, and a shutdown WARN for their Walnut Creek grocery store, 1-hundred jobs lost by October!  Delivery drivers for Albertsons and Vons grocery stores reporting mass layoffs and work hour cutbacks as a result of the Cerberus owned Albertsons takeover of Safeway: “I have a wife and three kids, and we live on a half acre of horse property in Mira Loma. We just had to sell our three horses and three pigs, next it will be the Harley.”-Jeff Dean, driver who had his hours reduced from full time to part time

Kroger owned Ralph’s issued shutdown WARNs for their following grocery stores; Hermosa Beach, Santa Ana and Pico Rivera, 210 jobs lost by October!   A company that claims to be “…the largest supplier of botanical ingredients in the U.S., for use in dietary supplements, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care…”, BI NUTRACEUTICALS, issued layoff WARNs for Emeryville and Santa Clara, 79 jobs lost by September.  In Salinas, Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates shutting down in September, 38 jobs lost.  In Santa Monica, Buca Restaurants 2 issued a shutdown WARN for September, 61 jobs lost. 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”.  And mom & pop Paolo’s Italian restaurant shutdown by the landlord.  The property owner is getting more money by turning the location into a cafeteria.  San Francisco based food delivery internet company Good Eggs ending operations in all cities except San Francisco, 140 jobs lost!  In San Diego, after one year Table No 10 shutdown without warning, local news sources could not find out why. After 100 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) gourmet grocer A.G. Ferrari Foods shutdown its Castro location.  Since bankruptcy in 2011 the gourmet grocery chain has dwindled from 13 stores to five.    It’s estimated that the drought will kill-off $2.75-billion USD in 2015 revenues for the huge California ag industry! Thousands of agriculture jobs lost!  In Petaluma, after eight years the Come Home to Cooking School forced to shutdown by A-hole city administrators who refuse to renew the license to operate!   In Emeryville, after almost 30 years Bucci’s restaurant shutting down at the end of September.  The owners said they are retiring, but local news reports point out that the city recently jacked up the minimum wage and Bucci’s tried to compensate by charging a $2.50 per person service charge.  In Oakland, British empire style pub The Growlers’ Arms shutdown, some locals speculated that people didn’t like the British style food.  In Arroyo Grande, after 42 years The Girl’s Restaurant shutting down in September, the owners blaming a massive rent increase, from$1.18 a square foot to $3, and that does not include the common area.  Washington based Starbucks is shutting down about 22 “popular” La Boulange bakery stores across The Golden State, in September. One San Francisco TV news source said many La Boulange employees are rebelling against Starbucks by rejecting job offers to work directly for the evil corporate coffee chain store.  In San Francisco, after 37 years Ino Sushi shutdown.  And restaurant Bugaloo’s shutdown by “whacked out Valencia Street rent”, the tiny location is now available to anybody who is stupid enough to shell out $17,500 per month.

Colorado: In Denver, after three and a half years River North Brewery shutting down their Blake Street location, blaming greatly increased competition in the past couple of years.

Connecticut:  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!  After 42 years the Wine & Cheese Gallery shutdown, their letter implied there was too much competition compared to when they first opened in 1973.  In the Miami metro area the Oolite restaurant shutdown without warning, despite being voted best on South Beach.  Gastropod restaurant shutdown.  Food critics were surprised when Pubbelly Boys’ L’Echon Brasserie shutdown.  The L’Entrecote de Paris shutdown as well.  In Fort Lauderdale, Taps Restaurant, Bar and Lounge and Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill both shutdown.  In Latana, Pizzeria Oceano shutdown.  In Orlando, after five years restaurant Mi Tomatina shutdown.   In Palm Beach the owners of Blondies, a restaurant known for serving ‘breakfast’ for ‘dinner’, shut it down after four successful years blaming the greedy landlord.  In Miami Beach, the operators of restaurant Piola South Beach say they’re being shutdown by the greedy landlord, after 15 years: “There was no form of negotiation nor effort made from the other party to come to a civilized agreement amongst partners who had been together for over a decade.”-Angelo Angiolliori, manager

The South Florida Business Journal also blamed greedy landlords: “Investors are having to justify their record-high purchases with record-high rents. And it’s becoming increasingly difficult for restaurants and independent companies to make a profit while paying more than $300 per square foot….”

Georgia:   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. 

Hawaii: No more dinner cruises?  After a month of being idle 102 employees of Roberts Hawaii were laid off with only three days warning!  #Roberts Hawaii No Aloha

Idaho:  In Boise, Supervalu grocery store announced they will shutdown in October, 115 jobs lost!  The Idaho Wheat Commission is reporting that the density of wheat recently harvested is down, averaging 55 pounds per bushel.  Weight below 60 pounds per bushel  will reduce the amount of money farmers are paid for their crop.  Low density of grains is caused by hot temps and dry conditions.   Northern Idaho pea farmers report crashing yields due to lack of water, however, eastern Idaho farmers who have access to water from the Snake River are reporting bumper yields.  The bad news is that transportation costs, and the high cost of seed, are holding back many eastern idaho farmers from growing for the pea market.  In Ada County, a potato farm has been hit by a disease that causes a condition known as Zebra Chip.  It’s been two years since that last case, but this time University of Idaho Ag specialists say the plants showed none of the typical symptoms above ground, it was discovered only after they dug up the spuds. It was also alarming because Idaho spud farmers have spent a lot of money this year spraying chemicals to prevent crop destroying diseases.

Illinois: After 15 years the Lincolnwood Produce & Grocery store shutting down, the property up for sale.  It’s the last grocery store in Lincolnwood, news reports say the store owner refused to explain why he had to shutdown.  In Forest Park, after 12 years the Flavour Cooking School shutdown, the owner admits “…the business has been struggling for some time now.” Chicago based Groupon eliminated 20% of its restaurant software jobs.  In Des Moines, after 48 years popular Mr. Filet Steakhouse shutdown because the city administrators have decided the building must be torn down in the name of progress. McDonald’s will eliminate 135 jobs from its Oak Brook HQ despite mega-profits!  90 McDonald’s corporate jobs will also be eliminated overseas.  These layoffs are on top of the 128 corporate job cuts made since December 2014!  Administrators blame ongoing sales crash, however, it should be noted that in their last quarter they reported a $1.2-billion USD profit!  The layoffs can only mean that McDonald’s administrators do not see any economic recovery in the future, they actually see things getting worse. In Carol Stream, after less than a year the Butera Market grocery store is shutting down (it was formerly a Piggly Wiggly which didn’t even last a few months).  News reports indicate the property has a history of revolving door grocery store ops, analysts blame intense competition because the area has a lot of grocery stores compared to the population density.   Taffies Restaurant shutdown: “We just need to find a new location. This restaurant has been here for 35 years. It’s a leased building. We’ve put more money into it than we’re making.”-Angela Van Matre

After six years restaurant Browntrout shutdown because sales suck: “We just can’t seem to hold it together….It’s drying up on us…It’s so erratic. What’s really stopping us now is we can’t make payroll…..I can’t keep a Band-Aid on it.”-Sean Sanders, owner

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.   In Windsor Heights,  Maria Grocery and Gift being kicked out by the end of September due to the building being demolished.  In Mason City, employees of Warren Buffett have gone to the local news media to report mass layoffs at the local Kraft plant.  In Ainsworth, after 56 years the Four Corners Restaurant shutdown.  It’s been sold-off, the family owners blamed lack of customers.  Food giant Cargill shutting down its Animal Nutrition customer service and sales office in Coralville blaming crashing sales, 15 to 28 jobs affected.

Kansas: After 11 years Sutera’s Restaurant & Bar shutdown.  In Topeka, Aussie themed Florida based Outback Steakhouse shutdown with little notice, 60 jobs lost.  The manager hinted that profits have crashed, but refused to give a specific ‘official’ reason to local news media.  After less than ten months Take Five Coffee + Bar shutdown due to the lack of customers: “We don’t have a choice. There is no option to press forward.”-Lori Chandler, co-owner

Kentucky: In Mount Sterling, after 55 years Jerry’s Restaurant shutdown.  Kroger shutting down their Lexington grocery store in September, 103 jobs lost!   In Louisville, after five years Hillbilly Tea shutdown without warning.  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!

Maine: In Freeport, S&S Seafood shutdown due to a crash in supplies of clams.  At one time they were handling more than 1-million pounds per year, but now barely 300-thousand pounds are brought in.  The owner sold the property and is moving to Florida.  After 70 years Nicely’s Market shutting down due to “Mom is retiring, and I have other ventures going on.”-Kyle Nicely

Massachusetts: In Pittsfield, Madeleine’s Patisserie & Cafe shutting down after less than two years. It’s blamed on the greedy landlord.  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. In Boston Weak, after 96 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Quinzani’s Bakery shutdown, being sold-off, 90 jobs lost.  Local news reports say the area has become a revolving door of failed businesses (“rapidly gentrifying”).  After 56 years The Beachcomer shutdown and was sold-off.  The new owner says it will be torn down, and maybe a new ‘high-end’ restaurant will be built.  Cupcake Town shutting down in Mansfield.

Michigan: In Grand Rapids, after less than a year the Memphis Smokehouse restaurant shutdown, due to a death in the family.   Bagger Dave’s restaurants shutdown in Grandville and Holland, no warning or explanation given.  In Niles, God refuses to help ‘his’ British empire founded Salvation Army Food Pantry stay open.  The local Salvation Army Major blames a decrease in donations and a steady increase in poor people: “We have been seeing for the last three or four years a lot of new folks that we’ve never seen before.”-Major William Walters

Minnesota:  Blue Point Restaurant shutdown both their seafood joints, one in Wayzata and one in Bloomington. Restaurant Zen Box shutdown their skyway location.  The Lowery Cafe and Ancestry Books being forced to shutdown their brick-n-mortar ops by a Snidely Whiplash landlord: “…our landlord…abruptly and we believe arbitrarily removed the management at The Lowry Cafe and closed it down…our landlord has neglected to give us a new written lease, which has placed us in a month to month as of June 1st. These grievances and the vulnerable position we are left in are our reasons for closing Ancestry’s physical location.”-Chaun Webster and Verna Wong

Mississippi:   Isle of Capri Casinos shutting down its Natchez casino due to declining revenues.  The non-gambling assets (like food service) are being sold-off for $11.5-million.   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.  After ten years Kostaki’s Pizzeria shutdown, the owners said they’d rather spend time with family.

Missouri: Farmers are reporting wheat with wet feet, which is a bad thing.  A long run of rain has caused an outbreak of fungus and other diseases that attack wheat.  The result is the quality of wheat harvests went down the toilet, many farmers report they got only $1 to $3 per bushel when they normally get $4 to $5.

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

Nebraska: Julio’s Old Market restaurant shutdown because the property owner sold the building.  Farm vehicle maker CNH (Case New Holland) Industrial eliminating 70 jobs at its Grand Island factory, in October.  One reports said CNH laid off 136 workers in February 2015, and more than 2-hundred in August 2014!  It’s blamed on a 40% crash in farm equipment sales,  according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.  Those sales are down because farmers are losing their financial ass in the commodity markets: “The state of the Ag economy right now is in trouble. I’m in the red….I’m losing money at the current market values.”-Miles Ramsey, farmer

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 across the U.S. of possible layoffs!  Specifically, Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (aka A&P) notified 8,662 New Jerseyians that they will become unemployed by Thanksgiving!  That’s on top of the 871 New Jersey A&P jobs being eliminated by September!  A&P is shutting down or selling off their New Jersey stores, including its Super Fresh, Pathmark and Food Basics stores.  In Jersey City the Thessalonians Community Outreach Church’s food pantry losing its lease.  It feeds at least 2-hundred people per month (open twice per week), it’s hoped they can find a new location.  In Parsippany, cereal maker Post Foods issued a WARN saying 48 people will become jobless by the end of September.

New York:  In Sunnyside, the Bliss Street Station Irish pub shutdown.  Turns out it’s been for sale for several years, finally somebody bought the property.  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. 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.”  In Greenport, after 15 years Cuvee Bistro and Bar shutting down in September.  Family health problems are blamed.  The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (aka A&P) issued a mass shutdown WARN for all their Empire State grocery stores, 13-thousand and 97 jobs lost in time for Thanksgiving!  Restaurant Associates lost their contract with Too Big to Jail Capital One, 37 jobs lost by October.  In Allentown, after ten years outdoor La Tee Da Cafe shutdown, the owners said “…we’re ready to do something else.” In Ogdensburg, 11 jobs lost suddenly after the eight years old A&W-Long John Silver’s restaurant on Champlain Street shutdown without warning: “The owner said they aren’t making enough to keep things open.”-Josh Hitsman, manager

North Carolina:  Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant shutting down their Cary location, they plan on renting the space out to another eatery.  In Durham, the Foster Street Daisy Cakes bakery shutdown, supposedly a popular donut shop is moving in sometime this Winter.  A Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Wilson shutdown, 30 jobs lost. Officially it’s blamed on low sales.  Divine Wine and Beer shutdown, the owner blames it on his wife who became the new pastor of the Church of Asheville.  In Greenville, only four years after a grand re-opening Lowes Foods shutting down in September, 45 jobs lost.  Administrators said it’s part of their plan to stay viable, but is it possible the new owners of the Lynncroft Shopping Center wanted more rent money?  It’s been revealed that the shutdown of popular restaurant Greek Isles was due to the greedy landlord jacking up the rent after the 11 years lease expired. The restaurant operators are hoping to find a new ‘home’.   In Burlington, after two years Verona Italian Restaurant shutdown.  In Greensboro, Graffiti’s Bistro shutdown due to the owners realizing they can make more money selling it off.  In Eden,after five years 912 Bethlehem Restaurant shutdown “for personal reasons”.

North Dakota: In Fargo, farm vehicle maker CNH (Case New Holland) Industrial launched a fourth round of layoffs since last year, this time 34 people will become jobless in September, bringing the total layoffs to almost 2-hundred since November 2014!  Also in Fargo, Country Hearth Bread on South University Drive shutdown without notice. Local news report said the corporate owner refused to explain why.  North Dakota State University claims to have developed a new durum wheat that can handle extreme weather conditions, it’s called Joppa.  Farmers are reporting at least two bushels per acre more yield than the previous durum they’ve been growing, even with extreme rain.

Ohio: 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.”    In Huber Heights, after six years Granny C’s Bakery shutting down due to skyrocketing operating costs: “A lot of my good friends, who’ve worked for me and who are still here are going to be jobless. We’ve never made money……When I get to the point where I don’t have any more money in my personal fund to switch over into the bakery funds to pay salaries to pay ingredient costs, I can’t go any further.”-Rebecca McDaniel

Oregon: Wheat yields vary greatly within the state; on the western side of Umatilla they’re down more than 50%, in Wasco and Sherman counties and in Pendleton and Walla Walla average yields were reported, it’s blamed on the radical weather.  After more than 12 months the anti-GMO Moreland Farmers Pantry shutdown, according to local news reports it has something to do with the owner also being anti-homosexual marriage. The Fenrir restaurant shutdown. News reports claim the owners are looking for a new location.  After three years the Jamison restaurant shutdown.  The owners blamed escalating operating costs. 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 

In Saint John’s Bar, The Central Hotel restaurant and bar shutdown, 11 jobs lost.  The property owner is selling it to a property developer.   The restaurant operator also admitted they never had any intention of running a restaurant anyway: “…we ended up taking over the restaurant, which is never something that we planned on doing. We just kind of said, ‘Why are we killing ourselves to do this financially?’….it has been a huge financial strain.”-Risa Davis, co-owner

Pennsylvania:  In Dubois, Fezell’s Sandy Township Shop N Save issued a shutdown WARN for October, 50 jobs lost.   More proof robots are taking your jobs; Amoroso’s Baking told 2-hundred Philadelphia employees that many would be laid off as the company is moving to a new automated location in New Jersey.  It’s the result of their merger with Ginsburg Bakery.  In State College, gas station-convenience store Sheetz shutdown on East College Avenue. Administrators indicated that food and beverage sales were too low.   In Philadelphia County, the Department of Labor & Industry published a mass shutdown WARN for A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) grocery stores, without revealing how many people will be laid off.

South Carolina: Greer based restaurant food supplier Ovation Brands was taken over by Texas based Food Management Partners (FMP).  As a result an undisclosed number of Ovation employees were laid off without warning: “FMP offered zero severance to the laid-off employees. No advanced notification was given either.”-unnamed former employee

The takeover of Ovation Brands will affect restaurant chains Ryan’s, Fire Mountain, Country Buffet, Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet and Tahoe Joes Famous Steakhouse.

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”.  In Nashville, reports say the Granny White Market (aka Purple Cow) is being forced to shutdown by the greedy property owner who suddenly told the store owner he had six weeks to vacate: “After 19 years he tells me we need to close the doors. It just makes you sick.”-Dan Smith, Purple Cow owner 

Texas: In San Antonio,  Big Easy Cafe being forced to shutdown and look for a new home.  In the Cincinnati Entertainment District in West El Paso yet more shutdowns, including the Cincinnati Bar and Grill and the Corner Tavern.  Local news reports blame high rents and low sales.  Silverleaf Resorts issued a WARN saying 203 people across the Lone State State will become jobless by the end of September!  45 years old Stanley’s BBQ shutdown.  Two years ago it was sold to a family that tried to keep it alive but failed, blaming crashing sales.   In San Antonio, The Monterey restaurant shutting down in November, despite five years of successful sales: “The Monty was a much bigger success than we ever expected it to be, but it was never expected to be an economic success. It was a laboratory, but we didn’t really even have a plan when we first started.”-Chad Carey, founder

Vermont: Waterbury based coffee roaster Keurig Green Mountain announced it will eliminate 2-hundred jobs due to expected future drop in sales!

Virginia: In Appomattox, the employees and customers of Huddle House restaurant were shocked at the sudden shutdown. Employees claim the management used the excuse that a freezer was broken to send everybody home one night, then the next day the place was shutdown, and the employees are still waiting for their final paychecks. Local news media say the corporate HQ in Georgia is ignoring their inquiries.   A 26 years old locally owned Roanoke Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown due to crashing sales. 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:In West Seattle, after six years The Feedback lounge shutdown.  In Seattle, Vespolina Italian restaurant shutdown, the owners blamed insufficient sales.  Hommage restaurant shutdown.  Restaurant Gastropod and brewery Epic Ales shutting down in September.   Bellingham based Haggen Foods will shutdown at least 27 grocery stores across the western U.S.  Haggen Foods announced they will shutdown their Spanaway grocery store in October, 62 jobs lost.  Analyst blame it on the fact that Haggen might have been tricked into taking over of 146 Albertsons-Safeway stores almost overnight: “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 

Washington DC: Riyad Market forced to shutdown in November by the property owner and the federal Attorney General. The Obama regime used a 2014 drug bust at the store as the reason.

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: 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!  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.  In Columbus, Hydro Street Brewing & Eatery shutdown after failing to pay back a taxpayer funded loan. Ramen noodle joint Tochi shutdown in Shorewood due to problems with the new lease.  The owner is hoping for a new location.  In Stevens Point, restaurant @1800 shutdown without warning by the property owner, apparently because the owners of the Sentry Insurance building say they must remodel the entire building.

Wyoming: After 20 years of ethanol production Wyoming Ethanol shutting down their Torrington plant, 23 jobs lost. They can’t compete against lower oil prices. Mayor Mike Varney said the shutdown will directly affect local corn growers: “It`s going to hurt us…..our farmers that have raised corn for ethanol production, that’s going to be a real blow to them…”

“We’re going to go down.” U.S. Food Crisis, July 2015 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

“…had to sell our three horses and three pigs, next it will be the Harley.” More Albertsons bullshit! : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 29 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: Copper miner Asarco shutting down Pinal County mining operations, 211 jobs lost by the end of October!  It’s blamed on copper prices crashing by 40% since 2011.

California: Washington based Starbucks is shutting down about 22 “popular” La Boulange bakery stores across The Golden State, in September.  One San Francisco TV news source said many La Boulange employees are rebelling against Starbucks by rejecting job offers to work directly for the evil corporate coffee chain store.   Delivery drivers for Albertsons and Vons grocery stores reporting mass layoffs and work hour cutbacks as a result of the Cerberus owned Albertsons takeover of Safeway: “I have a wife and three kids, and we live on a half acre of horse property in Mira Loma. We just had to sell our three horses and three pigs, next it will be the Harley.”-Jeff Dean, driver who had his hours reduced from full time to part time

Colorado: Texas based EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel laid off 12 people at their mill in Pueblo.

Florida: Fuel delivery company Bunkers International now chapter 11 bankrupt busted after Too Big to Jail PNC Bank cut off debt financing (a move known as De-leveraging).

Iowa: Food giant Cargill shutting down its Animal Nutrition customer service and sales office in Coralville blaming crashing sales, 15 to 28 jobs affected.

Kansas: What automotive industry recovery?  Changes being made at GM’s (General Motors) Fairfax Malibu car factory will result in 380 parts suppliers losing their jobs; Inteva Products 180 jobs and  Woodbridge Sequencing Center 2-hundred jobs!

Massachusetts: In Worchester, iconic 32 years old Bicycle Alley shutting down soon, the owner wants to retire and said “This was planned for awhile.” 

New Mexico: Gold and copper miner Freeport McMoRan reducing output at its Tyrone Mine, 210 jobs lost between now and 2016!

New York: Proof of a bad economy and mass exodus from The Empire State, as Westchester County reports a $6-million USD drop in sales tax revenues for the first six months of 2015! In typical failed state flailing county administrators are not only going to deal with it by jacking up taxes, but they’re laying off hundreds of employees!  158 county employees were bribed into voluntarily quitting (buyouts), but administrators warn that if tax revenues continue to crash more employees would be let go!  In Allentown, after ten years outdoor La Tee Da Cafe shutdown, the owners said “…we’re ready to do something else.”   In Ogdensburg, 11 jobs lost suddenly after the eight years old A&W-Long John Silver’s restaurant on Champlain Street shutdown without warning: “The owner said they aren’t making enough to keep things open.”-Josh Hitsman, manager

Ohio: CVS Pharmacy eliminating 232 Ominicare jobs starting at the end of October!  It should be noted that Omnicare got a 2011 tax incentive in exchange for promising to create 630 jobs by 2022.   After 57 seasons taxpayer owned Huntington Playhouse in Bay Village shutting down right after Xmas.

Washington: After 16 years Edmonds Maytag Laundromat shutdown by the greedy property owner of the Salish Crossing: “I could see the writing on the wall and knew these changes were coming, but I really didn’t expect things to move so fast.”-David Kenyon, given 30 days to clear out “…76 washers, dryers and other machines, get customers to pick up their finished jobs…”

Washington DC: Riyad Market forced to shutdown in November by the property owner and the federal Attorney General.  The Obama regime used a 2014 drug bust at the store as the reason.

28 August 2015: Restaurant shuts down with no warning, takes employees’ paychecks.

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.”

Restaurant shuts down on employees & customers, keeps employees’ final pay! : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 28 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: The non-profit animal rescue operation Humane Society of West Alabama shutting down its main source of funding, the Humane Society Flea Market: “We don’t get any local or government funding at all so everything we have is 100% through fundraising and donations, so this is going to be difficult for us to come back from, as far as  having to close the place.”-Anita Smelley

Arizona: Phoenix based copper and gold mining company Freeport-McMoRan announced it will eliminate 10% of its jobs and reduce output by 20% in 2016.

California: In San Francisco, after 37 years Ino Sushi shutting down next week.  In Laguna Beach, after surviving The Great (deflationary) Depression the only movie theater, South Coast Cinemas, shutdown without warning.  The owners blame the greedy landlord for refusing to agree to a new long term lease.

Connecticut: In West Hartford, after 44 years Herb’s Sport Shop shutting down in October: “Essentially, it’s an expensive place to rent. At one time, it was a very popular, active, profitable location doing very well, but there’s very little foot traffic nowadays…..the parking is a pain.”-Andrew Sheintop, owner

Delaware: Affordable Care Act forcing Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to “streamline our operations” and layoff 12 employees.

Florida: In Orlando, after five years restaurant Mi Tomatina shutdown.  In Miami, after several decades the Giveaway Discount Drugs store suddenly shutdown.  A man who was hired to clean out the store said the aged owner is suffering health problems.

Georgia: Bankrupt Hutcheson Medical Center shutting down their Labor and Delivery Services to “provide cost saving measures.”

Iowa: The Lodge Hotel & Conference Center shutdown with little notice and is being sold-off.  It’s blamed on necessary building repairs that are too expensive to justify.

Kansas: After 11 years Sutera’s Restaurant & Bar shutdown.

Kentucky: Kroger shutting down their Lexington grocery store in September, 103 jobs lost!

Massachusetts: In Boston Weak, sexist Simmons College shutting down their women’s only MBA program, blaming increased competition.  You know the saying; “If you can’t stand the heat……”

Michigan: Affordable Care Act forcing MidMichigan Health to shutdown its Hemlock operations in September.  Administrators blame lack of business.

New York: Too Big to Jail Bank of New York Mellon eliminating an additional 280 jobs at its Market Street offices, by October! Bookseller Barnes & Noble shutting down two brick-n-mortar stores, one in Forest Hills and one in Queens.

North Dakota: In Fargo, Country Hearth Bread on South University Drive shutdown without notice. Local news report said the corporate owner refused to explain why.

Pennsylvania:  FTS International shutdown their Lycoming location, 52 jobs lost.  Macy’s shutting down their Pittsburgh store in September.

Texas: In Corpus Christi, after 80 years Carl’s Flowers shutdown. 

Virginia: In Appomattox, the employees and customers of Huddle House restaurant were shocked at the sudden shutdown.  Employees claim the management used the excuse that a freezer was broken to send everybody home one night, then the next day the place was shutdown, and the employees are still waiting for their final paychecks. Local news media say the corporate HQ in Georgia is ignoring their inquiries.

Wisconsin:  Wood products company Georgia-Pacific shutting down its Philips factory, 60 jobs lost in October.

27 August 2015: “…the number of business closings nearly tripled…”

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.”