Palm Beach Business.com archives

Mortgage rates keep tumbling down

Montague resigns from Delray commission

DELRAY BEACH — Vice Mayor Brenda Montague will resign as a member of the Delray Beach City Commission effective at the end of business on July 18 for family reasons. READ MORE.

Couture Cakes has sweet opening

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com Staff

DELRAY BEACH — Couture Cakes officially is open for business. READ MORE.

Mystery market potential tenant for Old School Square garage

DELRAY BEACH — A mystery candidate has emerged as a candidate to fill the city commission’s craving for a really great sandwich shop in the downtown. READ MORE.

Dockerty Romer arranges Delray Industrial Park refinancing

DELRAY BEACH — Joe Hepp of Dockerty Romer & Co. has arranged refinancing for the Delray Industrial Park. Americo Life Inc. provided the loan. READ MORE.

Deal for free Internet service dies; City holds line on parking fees

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — So much for free wireless Internet service in the downtown, at least for now.

The Delray Beach City Commission Tuesday agreed to terminate a contract with E-Path Communications, the Tampa-based firm that was supposed to wire Atlantic Avenue and provide the free service. READ MORE.

Local builders to take part in Habitat home construction "blitz"

DELRAY BEACH — Local builders and other industry professionals are joining Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County to raise the roof on two homes in Delray Beach as part of the Habitat for Humanity “Home Builders Blitz” 2008 taking place May 31 to June 7. READ MORE.

archived Nov. 24

The news release

By TINA L. PUGLIESE, APR, Pugliese Public Relations

A news release is a condensed article that is written in a journalistic style. It is not a sales document, resume, or an advertisement. The purpose of the news release is to highlight what is interesting and newsworthy about your company or organization. This can include announcing new products, new services, or major changes within your market. READ MORE.

Delray to stick with Glatting Jackson on Old School Square

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — One more chance to get it right. And the work will be on their tab. READ MORE.

32 East is the scene of gathering for Delray Chamber leads groups

DELRAY BEACH — Tuesday evening was a celebration of sorts for the four leads groups of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. READ MORE.

Gas prices resume decline

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Fuel prices resumed their downward march this week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, but the cost of gasoline remains far from a bargain locally. READ MORE.

The news release

By TINA L. PUGLIESE, APR, Pugliese Public Relations

United Way: New system for Medicaid aid hurting disabled

BOYNTON BEACH – United Way of Palm Beach County is speaking out, and encouraging others to do the same, on behalf of hundreds of people with disabilities whose Medicaid benefits are being cut by the state. READ MORE.

La Cigale hosts Delray Beach Chamber members and guests

DELRAY BEACH — Membership services Director Suzy Sims called it the biggest turnout for a business card exchange in months as Delray Chamber members and guests packed — literally packed — La Cigale a Taste of the Mediterranean, 253 SE 5th Ave., Thursday evening. READ MORE.

Bankrate survey: Slow economy helps push mortgage rates south

NORTH PALM BEACH — Economic worries pushed mortgage rates down again, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 6.55 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders. READ MORE.

Being a YESer

By NANCY PROFFITT, President of Proffitt Management Solutions and Proffitt Management Leadership Institute

Being a “YESer” doesn’t mean being a “yes man” or “yes woman.” It doesn’t mean going along to get along, or saying yes and meaning “maybe,” “no,” or “over my dead body.” And it doesn’t mean nodding your head up and down incessantly like the toy dog in the back window of an old sedan. READ MORE.

Gasoline prices level off

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Gasoline prices continue to fall, according to the Energy Information Administration, but not as sharply as it has over the past six weeks or so. READ MORE.

Mortgage rates continue to slide but direction remains unclear

NORTH PALM BEACH — Mortgage rates fell for the second week in a row, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 6.60 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders. READ MORE.

NCCI proposes to cut workers comp insurance premiums

By Palm Beach Business.com

BOCA RATON — Workers comp insurance rates are heading down for the sixth consecutive year. READ MORE.

Confidence jumps in Florida, U.S.

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com

The Conference Board index

DELRAY BEACH — The worst might be over. Emphasis on might.

Consumer confidence in Florida and the U.S. jumped in August but still remains near historic lows, according to separate reports released Tuesday. READ MORE.

Fuel prices continue to fall; Palm Beach still highest in Florida

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — The cost of a gallon of gas continued to fall over the past week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. READ MORE.

The power of the news article

By TINA L. PUGLIESE, APR, Pugliese Public Relations

There are two ways to get into the local newspaper — by paying for an advertisement or by having a news article about you or your business appear in the local media. READ MORE.

Florida requests aid to recover from Tropical Storm Fay

By Palm Beach Business.com

TALLAHASSEE — At the request of Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation has asked the Labor Department for $20 million in emergency aid in response to Tropical Storm Fay. READ MORE.

Mortgage rates slip slightly, but remain higher than exected

NORTH PALM BEACH — Mortgage rates retreated, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 6.66 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders. READ MORE.

Delray commissioners OK office building in Old School District

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — History literally will be making way for modernity in the city’s Old School Square Historic District. READ MORE.

archived Oct. 5, 2008

Delray Chamber members, guests network at Old School Square

DELRAY BEACH — If anyplace can be considered is the heart of Delray City, it’s Old School Square. READ MORE.

Crepes by the Sea officially opens

DELRAY BEACH — For Bettina and Jason Seifts, their restaurant is their second career. READ MORE.

Oil slides, boosts stocks; Pediatrix helps lift South Florida

The market for Aug. 15

DELRAY BEACH — Stocks finished mostly up Friday as oil dropped to its lowest point in three months. READ MORE.

Florida's jobless totals surge; Palm Beach rate nears 7.0%

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Bech Business.com Staff

TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s economy is rapidly turning from recession to depression for more and more workers as the state’s unemployment rate soared to its highest level in more than 13 years. READ MORE.

Getting it right before retirement: Roth IRA 101

By DEBRA TARGETT, First Vice President-Investment Officer, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member SIPC.

Did you know that many people spend more time planning their vacation than planning for retirement? Although there are many ways to save for your retirement, if you are like most people, you aren’t taking full advantage of them. For example, do you understand the basics of a Roth IRA? If not, here’s a little Roth IRA 101. READ MORE.

Hydro dynamics: Delray Beach to raise water, sewer rates

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Water is about to become more expensive for a rather unlikely reason:

We’re using less. READ MORE.

Gas prices continue to fall

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Gasoline prices dropped by about eight cents over the past week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Monday. Local prices, however, remain far from a bargain. READ MORE.

Entrepreneurs gather at Blue Fish for TED Center networking

DELRAY BEACH — Business people from throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties gathered Friday at the Blue Fish Japanese Restaurant in Delray Beach for the TED Center's monthly networking event. MORE PICTURES.

The media relations campaign

By TINA L. PUGLIESE, APR, Pugliese Public Relations

At its core, a media relations campaign centers on creating relationships with exactly the journalists, producers, or editors who can tell your story to the right audiences. It can get a new product or service off to a successful start or even breathe life back into an established business that is floundering. Media relations coverage often has greater credibility with target audiences than advertising, so when used consistently, media relations can be an invaluable component of your company's marketing communications strategy. R EAD MORE.

Weak economy, Fed move push rates higher, Bankrate finds

NORTH PALM BEACH — Mortgage rates posted a modest advance, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate hitting 6.74 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large lenders. READ MORE.

A cheap rate not always a bargain with credit card processing fees

By BARRY GODOFSKY, Automated Merchant Solutions Inc.

(Editor's note: This is the first of two columns on credit card processing fees.)

Has this happened to you? You thought you negotiated a really good rate on your credit card processing. But lo and behold, you find you’re paying much more than expected! What happened? READ MORE.

Take advantage of a soft market.

By NANCY PROFFITT, President of Proffitt Management Solutions and Proffitt Management Leadership Institute

Today we hear a lot of business leaders commenting (or complaining) about slow business. Let them complain while YOU take advantage of the situation because your greatest opportunities exist right now. READ MORE.

Office Depot continues back to school backpack tradition

By DAVID SEDORE

DELRAY BEACH — Office Depot Foundation presented 6,000 backpacks to 16 South Palm Beach County groups, Wednesday, continuing a tradition that began in 2001. READ MORE.

Mackenson Bernard selected to Delray Beach City Commission

By DAVID SEDORE, Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Mackenson Bernard, an attorney and city resident since 1986, has won a seat on the Delray Beach City Commission, replacing Brenda Montague, who resigned in July. READ MORE.

Fed holds on interest rates

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve continued its juggling act between encouraging economic growth while discouraging inflation Tuesday, keeping the short-term federal funds rate at 2 percent. The rate is key for consumers who have home equity lines or credit cards indexed to the rate. The Fed statement.

Fuel prices continue to drop

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Gasoline prices continued to drop over the past week, down about 7 cents over the past week. READ MORE.

archived august 28, 2008

Bankrate profit falls on soft ad market

By Palm Beach Business.com

NORTH PALM BEACH — Bankrate saw revenue soar during the second quarter ended June 30, while profit fell. READ MORE.

WCI Communities goes Chap. 11

By Palm Beach Business.com

BONITA SPRINGS — The downturn in the housing market has claimed a major victim.

WCI Communities Inc., one of the largest home builders in Palm Beach County, has gone Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to restructure debt and capital. READ MORE.

Worker confidence index hits new low in July, Spherion survey finds

By Palm Beach Business.com

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Spherion Employee Confidence Index dropped 0.9 point to 45.2 in July, decreasing to a new low since tracking began in June 2004. READ MORE.

FPL Group posts earnings dip

By Palm Beach Business.com

JUNO BEACH — FPL Group reported Thursday that profit for the second quarter dropped by nearly half compared to the same period a year ago. READ MORE.

Consider a money manager for your portfolio

By DEBRA TARGETT, Financial Advisor, First Vice President-Investment Officer, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member SIPC

So far, you’ve developed a successful investment strategy that has helped you reach many of your financial goals. While you’ve been pleased with your portfolio’s performance over the years, you may find yourself needing the advice and care that a professional can provide. In order to apply more sophisticated investment techniques – such as risk management and style selection – consider the expertise of a money manager. READ MORE.

Ultimate Software sinks S. Fla.; Wall Street posts strong gains