Walmart U.S. Posts Best Ever Black Friday Events

Nov 26, 2012 No Comments

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Walmart U.S. has reported its best ever Black Friday events. The retailer saw larger crowds than last year and a huge response to its first ever one-hour guarantee on key electronic items. “I’m so proud of what our more than 1.3 million associates have done to prepare and [...]

Read more

Three Ag Industry Veterans to be Honored at Nov. 29 Industry Forum

Nov 23, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. – The San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association has announced that Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to L. Peter Christensen, Ron Metzler and Gary Wilson at the 2012 Winegrape Industry Forum on Nov. 29, 2012, at Pardini’s in Fresno.   Now in its 10th year, the Annual Meeting and Industry Forum is the [...]

Read more

Mortgage Rates Hover Near Record Lows

Nov 23, 2012 No Comments

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Mortgage rates continue to hover near record-low territory. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell one basis point over the past week to 3.53 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s (NYSE: RATE) weekly national survey. That is just one basis point higher than the record low that was set in [...]

Read more

Economy Posts Gains, but Fiscal Uncertainty Poses Significant Challenges to Outlook

Nov 22, 2012 No Comments

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity accelerated in the third quarter, but data continue to show a sluggish recovery overall, according to Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economic & Strategic Research Group. Since its low point in 2009, U.S. gross domestic product has climbed 7.2 percent, compared with an average growth of 16 percent for [...]

Read more

Fresno SBA Seeking Nominations for Small Business Week Awards

Nov 22, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. –  Each year during National Small Business Week, the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognizes outstanding small business owners for their contribution to the American economy and society. The dates for National Small Business Week 2013 will be officially announced by President Obama. SBA is currently accepting nominations for several SBA awards [...]

Read more

PG&E Offers Energy Saving Tips For The Holiday Season

Nov 21, 2012 No Comments

SAN FRANCISCO, CA  - Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season tomorrow, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers the following energy-saving tips to help customers save energy and money.   No-cost Energy Saving Tips: When using your furnace, set your heating thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the day, health permitting. Set your thermostat at [...]

Read more

Physician Income Up Slightly in 2012, Risk of Fiscal Cliff Poses Worrying Signs

Nov 21, 2012 No Comments

NORWALK, Conn., Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Physician income increased modestly in 2012, with slightly higher percentages of doctors reporting incomes in the highest brackets, according to Physicians Practice’s 2012 Physician Compensation Survey. Yet doctors also report higher practice overhead; consequently, physicians are more likely to say that their personal income is down this year [...]

Read more

World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp Announce Agricultural Scholarship

Nov 21, 2012 No Comments

TULARE, Calif. – World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up for the seventh year to provide the “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, created to support agricultural education. High school seniors from Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties are encouraged to apply by Jan. 18, 2013 to be considered. Two $10,000 scholarships [...]

Read more

Tulare County Farm Bureau Awards $8,000 in Garden Grants to Local Schools

Nov 20, 2012 No Comments

TULARE, CA – Every year, Tulare County Farm Bureau’s education committee accepts applications from area schools that want to create or maintain gardens on their campuses. This fall, the education committee awarded grants to 22 schools throughout Tulare County. Schools may apply for a $250 renewal grant if they have an existing garden, or for [...]

Read more

Fresno Nurse Describes 2012 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway Winning Experience

Nov 20, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, CA – Fresnan Brenda Lincoln had all her attention fixed on her TV Sunday, Nov. 11 when the prizes for the 2012 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway were being announced on KMPH FOX 26. Lincoln had purchased a $100 raffle ticket at the insistance of her daughter, and hoped to win one of the [...]

Read more

Consumer Reports Reveals Annual Naughty & Nice List

Nov 19, 2012 No Comments

NEW YORK, NY Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) rose sharply in October, primarily due to the second consecutive and significant increase in new home prices. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending[i]. “The housing market appears to be recovering after bottoming out, while [...]

Read more

Fresno Food Expo to Boost International Participation

Nov 19, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, CA – The 2013 Fresno Food Expo season was kicked off at the Valley Lahvosh Baking Company in downtown Fresno Friday morning, with the third edition of the Expo on March 14 of next year set to greatly increase the number of international buyers. The first Fresno Food Expo was held in 2011, and [...]

Read more

Bank of the West Extends Sponsorship of Pac-12 Conference

Nov 19, 2012 No Comments

SAN FRANCISCO, CA /PRNewswire/ – Bank of the West today announced it has extended its sponsorship of the Pac-12 Conference for two years, maintaining its position as an official sponsor and the official banking partner of the Conference. The bank has been a Pac-12 sponsor since 2010. Along with public engagement through on-site branding, experiential marketing and social [...]

Read more

Deloitte Consumer Spending Index Moves Up Sharply in October

Nov 19, 2012 No Comments

NEW YORK, NY Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) rose sharply in October, primarily due to the second consecutive and significant increase in new home prices. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending[i]. “The housing market appears to be recovering after bottoming out, while [...]

Read more

Top 25 Team Rankings of the Harris Interactive College Football Poll

Nov 18, 2012 No Comments

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Today’s Harris Interactive College Football PollSM shows theTop 25 results compiled from rankings submitted by the Harris Interactive panel of former coaches, players and administrators, and current and former members of the media.  Notre Dame took over the top spot in the rankings and is the only undefeated team in the HICFP Top 25.  Losses by Oregon and Kansas [...]

Read more

Hostess Brands to Wind Down Company After Union Strike Cripples Operations

Nov 16, 2012 No Comments

IRVING, TX – Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Hostess Brands Inc. today announced that it is winding down operations and has filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking permission to  close its business and sell its assets, including its iconic brands and facilities. Bakery operations have been suspended at all plants. Delivery of [...]

Read more

Boys & Girls Clubs Hosting Coats Drive

Nov 15, 2012 No Comments

Fresno, Calif. – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County are now accepting new or slightly used jackets, hoodies and sweaters to be distributed Dec. 15 to many of its young members. The clothes items are available for drop-off at the clubs’ main office, located at 540 N. Augusta in Fresno.  A special curbside [...]

Read more

U.S. Local Online/Interactive/Digital Ad Revenues to Reach $38.1B in 2016

Nov 15, 2012 No Comments

CHANTILLY, Va., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — BIA/Kelsey, advisor to companies in the local media industry, expects the overall U.S. local media market to grow moderately through 2016, at a 2.1 percent compound annual growth rate. In the fall update to the firm’s U.S. Local Media Forecast (20011-2016), the firm forecasts total U.S. local media [...]

Read more

Caution Lingering Among Long-Term Investors Four Years After 2008 Financial Crisis

Nov 14, 2012 No Comments

BALTIMORE, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Four years after the 2008 global financial crisis, the onset of a severe economic recession, and ongoing market turbulence, a lack of faith in equity investing appears to be lingering, even for long-term investors who say that saving for retirement is their top financial priority.  In an online survey of [...]

Read more

Adventist Medical Center – Selma Emergency Services Honored

Nov 14, 2012 No Comments

Selma, Calif. – The Adventist Medical Center – Selma Emergency Department received a CEP America Distinguished Site Award for excellent performance, high patient satisfaction scores and low wait times. Additionally, Selma hospital ER Nurse Practitioner Dennis Levine, CFNP, received the Lead Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award and the CEP 10-year Service Award. CEP America [...]

Read more