| Open sesame for China's Web king
On the eve of Alibaba.com's $1.7 billion stock offering - the biggest Internet IPO since Google went public in 2004 - friends of founder Jack Ma warned that he was in for a harrowing ordeal. "People said, 'Jack, you better get ready,' " Ma recalls. " 'You're going to have to see so many people, answer so many questions. You're going to have to talk and talk and talk.' " But in early November, two days after China's leading online commerce site floated 17 percent of its shares in Hong Kong, Ma is the picture of serenity. Settling into a large chair at company headquarters in Hangzhou, the elfin entrepreneur smiles as he describes his state of mind during the 10-day, six-city investor road show that preceded Alibaba's offering. "It was the most relaxed I've been in 10 years," he says.
Challenging year means tax plan complications
NEW YORK � Many small-business owners meeting with their accountants this month and next may find that year-end tax planning and projections for 2008 are a little more complicated than usual because of the uneasy economy. "We're finding a lot of clients due to the economy aren't doing as well as they've done in previous years," said Jeffrey Berdahl, a certified public accountant with Berdahl & Co. in Center Valley, Pa. "We're not seeing as much of top-line revenue growth." .
A vision for the future of Barrow
I WAS wondering what I could write about this week as it is a bit of a struggle in the close season when everyone is taking a well-earned rest. I needn't have worried, because during my nightly ritual of reading the Evening Mail on Thursday, there on page 48 were a couple of responses to my shared stadium column. First of all, many thanks for your responses on the concept of ground-sharing and, although I obviously don't agree with your opinions, at least you demonstrate your passion for the football club, which is to be applauded. “Victorian" Vic's letter was very funny and shouldn't be taken too seriously. But I thought I would take this opportunity to respond to the points raised in Vic's letter. Vic lad, I hope your opinions are of the minority because it's those opinions that make people like me do what we do and try and improve the standard of facilities in professional sport in the town, whether football or rugby.
Tax planning, projections may be more complicated this year
Many small-business owners meeting with their accountants as the year draws to a close may find that tax planning and projections for 2008 are a little more complicated than usual because of the uneasy economy. "We're finding a lot of clients due to the economy aren't doing as well as they've done in previous years," said Jeffrey Berdahl, a certified public accountant with Berdahl & Co. in Center Valley, Pa. "We're not seeing as much of top-line revenue growth." .
Federal Effort Reaps Tampa Bay Reward
Twenty years ago, many of the nation's great freshwater-fed bays were on the brink of collapse. Victimized by decades of pollution, once-bountiful oyster and crab fisheries were dying, sea grasses were receding and multimillion-dollar seafood-based economies were at risk. State and local governments cried out for help in cleaning up these vital waters, and Congress responded by creating the National Estuary Program in 1987. Since then the program, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has forged partnerships with hundreds of state and local governments, including the members of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. By almost every measure, the program has been successful. From Casco Bay Estuary, Maine, where the lobster industry is rebounding, to Sarasota Bay, which has seen a resurgence of 25 fish species, national estuary partners are improving water quality.
Business events calendar
Thursday ORMOND BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ribbon-cutting ceremony, 4:30 p.m., Tradewinds Grille, 1425 Hand Ave., suite N., Ormond Beach. Information: (386) 677-3454. Friday PORT ORANGE/SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ribbon-cutting ceremony, 9 a.m., Beville Dental Care, 911 Beville Road, suite 1, South Daytona. Information: (386) 761-1601. Daily SCORE 87 -- COUNSELORS TO AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESS, free startup business counseling by appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Continuing counseling for existing businesses on Tuesdays. Two hour free workshops on Fridays in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Orange City, and Palm Coast. Spanish available. For more information or appointment call (386) 255-6889 or email score87@earthlink.net or visit the Web site at score87.org.
'Hero to Hero' Boosts Troop Morale
Over the years, many have answered the call to support the troops serving overseas. Now a national organization is putting that call out to first responders. Hero to Hero is literally asking first responders for the shirts off their backs. The group wants those first responders to sign or write message on t-shirts, hats, sweats even jackets that bear their department logos. Those will then be sent to troops who have signed up to take part and are stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. “It means the world to them. That's their little piece of home. When you're out in the desert fighting a war not knowing what's going on, that's their piece of home," said Donna Schaertl, organizer. “It means we've not forgotten them and what they're doing is worth their time and energy." The organization tries to match the troops with the shirts from their hometown.
Osage Singapore
This week in Arts Arena, join me Shereena Sajeed as we find out more about Osage Singapore, an art gallery that recently opened here. Osage is an international gallery group with exhibition spaces in various parts of Asia. The galleries are dedicated to the exhibition, promotion and development of contemporary Asian artists, art and ideas. Osage Singapore is the largest dedicated contemporary art space in Singapore and it is located at Mount Sophia. The opening of this art gallery is set to enhance Singapore�s growing contemporary art scene Agnes Lim, director of Osage gives us some background information about the gallery. AL: In 2004, I initiated a group of galleries and we started in Hong Kong and now we have galleries in Beijing, and Shanghai and now this latest addition in Singapore.
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