Londonderry New Hampshire News Center

Getting organized with Nancy Black

BEVERLY — After 25 years as a professional organizer, Nancy Black doesn't hear, "You're a what?" nearly as often as she used to. Skepticism toward professional organization services has decreased as the piles of papers beside computer printers and fax machines grow, she said.

Ford, Toyota U.S. sales fall in July

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors, Ford, Toyota and other automakers said Friday that their United States sales fell by double-digits in July as they struggled to keep up with consumers' growing demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Revere begins foreclosure action against dog track

REVERE (AP) — A dog racing track in Revere faces foreclosure proceedings for allegedly failing to pay its taxes.
The city's finance director told The Boston Globe that Wonderland Greyhound Park owes about $789,000 in back taxes over the last two years, along with more than $16,000 in overdue water and sewer bills.

Dunkin' Donuts to offer healthier menu items

NEW YORK (AP) _ Looking to entice those hungry for a healthier option, Dunkin' Donuts will begin offering a new slate of better-for-you offerings in August.
The menu, which will debut in stores Aug. 6, will feature two new flatbread sandwiches made with egg whites. Customers will be able to choose either a turkey sausage egg-white sandwich or a vegetable one. Both will be under 300 calories with 9 grams of fat or less, the company said.

Auto Scanner: Ford's tapping valve sounds like trouble

Q: We have a 1992 Ford Tempo V6 with 76,000 miles that we purchased new. It is used only as a second car locally and currently driven about 1,000 miles annually. It's in good condition except for one noisy valve lifter. The oil has been changed every three months, except for the last year, when we changed it twice annually due to diminished use. I have added CD2 additive for the last three years, which has helped quiet the lifter but has not been effective lately when driving just a few miles. Cold weather makes it worse. However, when we drive it for several miles, the noise disappears completely but raps again at the next start up. The Ford dealer advised us that correction measures or replacing lifters is not the type of work they do and to continue with additive. Internet sites advised flushing while others advise this could dislodge sludge; still others advise the only correction is replacement. I would appreciate any advice.

Business Briefcase

Milestones
Orthopaedics Plus has been selected for the 2008 Best of Beverly Award in the Physical Therapists category by the U.S. Local Business Association.
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Susan Jacobs, associate editor of the Jewish Journal Boston North in Salem, was given the American Jewish Press Association's Simon Rockower Award for excellence in journalism, for a story about Salem artist Valerie Rosenberg.

In vitro fertilization device maker uses Beverly as its incubator

BEVERLY — The founders of BioXcell, a Cummings Center medical device startup, say many people mistake the small, curved clear plastic device they make for a salt shaker. It's anything but.
The makers of the Invocell device say it could help simplify in vitro fertilization by bringing part of the process inside the prospective mom. Eggs and sperm are combined in the Invocell then placed within a woman's vaginal cavity for three days. In effect, a woman's body takes the place of a lab.

State agency can't provide private college loans

BOSTON — A state lending authority that provided more than $500 million worth of college financing last year said Monday it won't be able to offer the bulk of its loans this year because of turmoil in the financial markets.

Mass. home sales down in second quarter

WALTHAM — Spring brought no reawakening for the housing market in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors said Monday that sales of single-family homes fell 13.7 percent in the second quarter of 2008, while condominium sales fell 23.6 percent from the same April-June period a year ago.

New online estimator for Social Security benefits

People planning for retirement got a new tool this week: a fast and easy online estimator for their Social Security benefits.
The Social Security Administration unveiled its new retirement estimator on its Web site yesterday. It takes just a few points and clicks and some personal information to produce benefit estimates within a few minutes.

Latest foreclosures

Number of foreclosures on homes in the last 180 days
Beverly 30
Boxford 11
Danvers 17
Hamilton 4
Ipswich 14
Manchester 3
Marblehead 15
Middleton 11
Peabody 74
Salem 88
Swampscott 25
Topsfield 5
Wenham 2

Auto Scanner: When sun shines in, AC shuts off

Q: I have a 2000 Mercury Sable wagon with 75,000 miles on it. For several years now, on hot days if the car is parked in the sun, I have a problem with my air conditioner. Generally the AC works fine, but after sitting in the sun, when I get into the car and start it up, the AC will work for less than a minute and then it will blow very hot air and short out the radio and clock. The unit that houses the AC/heat control is one panel that also houses the radio/CD/tape and clock. When the AC is not working that whole panel shuts off, meaning I have no radio, no clock and I can't control the fan or turn off the hot air blowing out at the maximum fan speed. Once the car is parked in a cooler spot and it has cooled down, the AC is fine. The dealer has replaced the panel twice and also replaced sensors for the AC, but more than $1,000 later, it still happens sporadically. If I use the auto setting for the climate control the AC works fine and I don't have this issue at all. Any suggestions?

Business Briefcase

New Businesses
Bevtown Gallery, a fine arts gallery run by Nichelle Whalen, recently opened at 197 Cabot St. in Beverly.
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LeTip International Inc., a business networking organization, is opening a new chapter in Peabody that will meet initially every Wednesday in Danvers at the EXIT Reliance Realty building.

Giblees to move next door, add women's clothing

DANVERS — Customers of upscale men's clothing store Giblees will not have far to go when the store moves on Sept. 1.
That's because the store is moving about 25 steps west in the same plaza to an adjacent location that once housed In Home Furnishings.

Nonprofits fear disappearing donations

NEW YORK — Charities are bracing for a decline in donations as the faltering economy takes its toll on pocketbooks nationwide.
Nonprofit leaders are fretting over donor lists to figure out how they will find the money to run educational programs, deliver food to the needy and pay basic expenses such as health care and mileage reimbursements for employees. Many are creating alternate budgets to account for a lower level of donations they expect this year.

Mass. unemployment rises to 5.2 percent in June

BOSTON (AP) _ Unemployment in Massachusetts has risen again.
The state said Thursday that the unemployment rate rose from 4.9 percent in May to 5.2 percent in June. Massachusetts' unemployment rate remains below the national average, which was steady at 5.5 percent in June.

Business Briefcase

New Businesses
Dragon Within Mixed Marital Arts recently opened at 26 Howley St. in Peabody, where they offer instruction in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing and street-oriented self-defense.

Convicted Enterasys exec takes step to settle civil charges

Robert Barber, a former executive at Cabletron Systems and Enterasys Networks, agreed on Tuesday not to engage in future securities fraud nor contest allegations of past fraud in what appears to be a... ...

Minimum wage rises to $7.25 Sept. 1

The second, and more substantial, increase this year in the minimum wage goes into effect in New Hampshire on Monday, Sept. 1. ...

Southwest to cut Manchester flights

Southwest Airlines has announced plans to cut three flights at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport as part of a company-wide plan to trim 190 flights from its schedule. ...

GT Solar revenues soar

GT Solar Inc. reported strong earnings in its first financial report as a public company and predicted it will finish with an even stronger year. ...

Pennichuck hires in-house counsel

Pennichuck Corp. has named Roland E. Olivier, a longtime corporate attorney, to a new position of general counsel to guide the company in its eminent domain fight with the city of Nashua. ...

Unitil makes switch to NYSE

Unitil Corp. stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange last week, a move that its chief executive says will usher the Hampton-based utility into a "new era." ...

'Idea man' to keynote manufacturing summit

Inventor Doug Hall, the man Inc. magazine has hailed as "America's No. 1 new product idea man," will be the keynote speaker at the sixth annual Governor's Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology... ...

Future N.H. construction contracts slow in July

Nonresidential construction was the lone bright spot in data showing future contracts for New Hampshire in July. ...

N.H. fertility rate the nation's lowest

New Hampshire has the lowest fertility rate in the country, according to a report issued by the U.S. Census Bureau. ...

Boston sports station to air in Keene

A Keene station will be the first local affiliate market in New Hampshire to be added to the Boston-based WEEI Sports Radio syndicated sports talk network. ...

Hamel named director of MicroCredit-NH

David Hamel, who has managed MicroCredit-NH's South Central region for the past two years, has been named the Concord-based organization's new director. ...

Pre-buy oil law should keep N.H. consumers warmer

While there have been incidents of oil companies suddenly going out of business or otherwise not honoring commitments to fill customers' tanks, New Hampshire law aims to protect consumers from being... ...

StockerYale sticks with Virtek bid

StockerYale Inc. announced last week it will continue in its attempt to take over Virtek Vision International, despite the Canadian company's repeated stand against any such... ...

Report: N.H. foreclosures skyrocket 80% in July

Foreclosures in New Hampshire jumped nearly 80 percent in July, according to a new report. ...

Dems taking care of business: The pro-business agenda has had a positive impact on the N.H. economy

It was a cause for celebration in Colebrook in June when North American Equipment Upfitters opened a new plant there, expanding its Hooksett-based business by taking advantage of the new Coos County... ... - By Deborah Reynolds

Bentley spin-off reports a loss for second quarter

CPEX Pharmaceuticals reported Thursday a net loss of $1.7 million during the last quarter before it spun off from Bentley Pharmaceuticals, but the loss appears to be primarily due to the cost of spin... ...

Some Dems want a school-funding solution: Our system is broken and needs fixing

John Lynch will be New Hampshire's governor for at least one more term. No one, Democrat or Republican, has the slightest doubt. ... - By Burt Cohen

The power of positive answers: How saying 'yes' yields great results

Just say yes. It's a simple concept, but one so powerful and uplifting that its results can't be debated. What would happen if everyone viewed the world through this prism and set out to approach all... ... - By Paul S. Boynton

Massachusetts real estate transers

AMESBURY
27 Adams Court Unit 27: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to Steven H. Smith, $84,000
13 Ash St.: Stephen C. Mambuca and Countrywide Bank to Countrywide Bank, $267,325
46 Fern Ave.: Donna L. Marquis to Kenneth Surette, $50,000

Tell us: How is the economy affecting you?

As bad economic news continues to mount, some experts say we are either in a recession or hurtling toward one. For many people, it's a technical question, since they are cutting back on their budgets already due to high gasoline and home heating oil prices, crippling credit card debt, high mortgages and car payments, and the rising cost of all kinds of food and other necessities.

New Hampshire real estate transers

ATKINSON
Dearborn Ridge Road, Peter & Jeanne Schipelliti to Silvia Beuttler, $274,000
7 Little Rob Road, Paul & Krysten Magoon to Christian J & Amy L Patrissi, $469,000
0ne Rocky Point Lane, Rohwedder/Armstrong Family Trust to Mary E & Russell G Kinnear, $650,000

I-93 interchange project gets new life New exit would allow for business expansion

ANDOVER — The proposed Interstate 93 interchange appears to be on the fast-track, as state and local officials are making progress on the $80 million to $150 million project that would expand development opportunities in Ballardvale, Tewksbury and Wilmington.

Motor Mouth: Plush new Hyundai Genesis breaks many rules

This summer's introduction of the new Hyundai Genesis is the most significant automotive event this year. That's saying a lot because 2008 could yet see a bankruptcy filing from automotive giants Ford or General Motors. Both companies are limping painfully from costly mistakes, and while bankruptcy remains very remote, some business analysts are floating the possibility.

Auto Scanner: Bad ground could cause bad bearing

Q: I recently had the left front hub assembly replaced for the fourth time in three years. It is acting up once again after just one week. What happens is as soon as I put the car in gear, the low track off and anti-lock brake lights come on after dinging three times. Do you have any idea what might be causing this? This started last fall and when the cold weather came it did not do it again until the warm weather again. Also the battery light comes on, dings three times and then goes off. This only happens after the car has sat for a few hours. It only does this when I have driven about a hundred yards. I just replaced the battery as I was told the battery was only working on 50 percent power. What could the matter be? We are really baffled over these problems.

Auto Scene: Amesbury Chevrolet moves Mrs. Massachusetts

Jessica Plante, this year's Mrs. Massachusetts International, may have had to walk the Yankee Homecoming Parade if Dan Matranga hadn't acted very fast. After receiving a last-minute call that Plante needed an open car for the annual Newburyport event, Matranga loaned her a 2008 Volkswagen Eos convertible.

Apple still working out iPhone's bugs

The question is whether it's more fun to write about Apple's new iPhone 3G itself or about the woes surrounding it.
The iPhone is a very clever way to put a cell phone, music player, handheld computer, electronic organizer, digital camera, game console, and various other things into one compact unit. Its touch-screen design is a brilliant innovation that is influencing the design of other computers, and its interface is a model of easy navigation.

A retrospective look at selling ... today

I just bought an interesting auction lot consisting of two oddball items related to Babe Ruth and, of all things, milk.
The first item is a rare 1924 milk salesman's manual that features Babe Ruth. The manual is loaded with data on milk designed to educate the milk salesman on all he needs to know to master the dairy product for house-to-house (milk route) selling. For example, did you know that a sheep will return only 2.6 pounds of edible food solids, while a dairy cow returns 18.1 pounds? You get the idea.

Your Briefcase

ANDOVER — Anthony Giordano, CFP, financial consultant at RBC Wealth Management in Andover, has earned the educational designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. Giordano has been with RBC Wealth Management for the past 27 years. Prior to joining the firm, he spent 10 years as an IRS agent.

Swimming pools, leasing cars and sky-high insurance rates

We're thinking about adding an in-ground swimming pool. We have no debt, two kids and we make about $58,000 a year. The pool will cost $32,000, and we have $53,000 in cash savings. We don't know what it will do for the value of our home, but it's currently worth about $180,000. Do you think we can swing it?

BizNorth Planner

EDITOR'S NOTE: The BizNorth Planner is a calendar of business-related workshops, seminars, fairs and other events. To be included, send a brief notice with basic information about the event and whom to contact. The service is free, but it is not an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit the copy so it complies with our newspaper's guidelines. Send news by mail to BizNorth, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; by fax, 978-687-6045.

Your Briefcase

ANDOVER - Anthony Giordano, CFP, financial consultant at RBC Wealth Management in Andover, has earned the educational designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. Giordano has been with RBC Wealth Management for the past 27 years. Prior to joining the firm, he spent 10 years as an IRS agent.

BIZNorth Briefcase

SALISBURY BEACH — Shihan Larry F. Giordano, chief instructor of Giordano Family MKA, hosted the annual summer beach training at Salisbury Beach Reservation on June 3. More than 100 students attended, along with 20 Black Belts. MKA Beach training is open to all staff and students.

Investigation shows real-estate appraiser regulation is a failure

As soaring home prices set the stage for America's great housing meltdown, a critical step in making sure those home sales were a fair deal — the real estate appraisal — was undermined from within.

Couple duped by false appraisal

HOPE MILLS, N.C. — After 25 years as a doorman on Manhattan's Upper East Side, Carl Petrone was ready to retire from the cold winters and his daily commute.
Petrone and his wife, Marie, wanted a home someplace warm, and found it in North Carolina — a red-brick tri-level on a quiet, tree-lined street. It was bigger than their tiny place in New York and came with the right price.

Motor Mouth: Subaru Forester grows a larger following

When Subaru redesigned its Forester wagon for 2009, it transformed the fearless, spunky hauler from purely practical to assertively stylish. That's a big change for a model that once looked as if appearance was the last value its creators considered. As if, after so carefully crafting the vehicle's go-anywhere, all-wheel-drive power system, and its plucky, through-the-muck platform, engineers covered the workings with any old body that fit.

Auto Scanner: Technicians needed in today's economy

Q: Just a general question about learning more about careers as a trained auto service technician. I've been reading for years about the major automakers trying to address a continuous shortage of trained technicians. Are there Web sites I can visit to learn more about how one would approach this?

Auto Scene: Regan Ford spotlights new Flex crossover wagon

Ford Motor Co. sent representatives to Regan Ford in Haverhill Aug. 7 to help officially launch the car maker's new Flex crossover utility vehicle. The technical and marketing experts from Ford conducted training sessions for Regan personnel during business hours. Later, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Flex team welcomed Regan customers and guests to a public launch party for the vehicle.

Cheap ride: Gas prices have more people using golf carts to get around

With two GEO Trackers, a Lexus and a pickup truck, retired coal miner Bob Woll has many ways to zip around his southern Illinois town to visit friends, the fairgrounds or the frozen custard stand. These days, he prefers his electric golf cart.

Highway crashes kill more than 41,000 in 2007

WASHINGTON — Traffic deaths in the United States declined last year, reaching the lowest level in more than a decade, the government reported Thursday.
Some 41,059 people were killed in highway crashes, down by more than 1,600 from 2006. It was the fewest number of highway deaths in a year since 1994, when 40,716 people were killed.

Take the Gas Saving 101 quiz

BETHESDA, Md. — If your son or daughter is driving back to college in the next few weeks, now's the time to test their knowledge about how to get the best gas mileage while away from home. The Car Care Council's short Gas Saving 101 Quiz is a reminder to students, as well as all motorists, that the number of miles per gallon a car gets is directly related to driving behavior and vehicle maintenance.

Little value seen in mileage boosting gadgets

Every time there's a spike in gas prices, consumers want to know: Do mileage boosters work?
"No," says Dale Kemery, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection. "The EPA has tested over 100 of these gadgets, and they don't work. You are better off buying yourself a tire gauge."

Your Briefcase

ANDOVER — Helium Inc. in Andover has added three industry veterans to its team.
Peter Newton, who most recently served as Monster.com's senior vice president and GM of Monster's media alliances, has been named Helium's vice president of business development. Joining the Helium board of directors is former president of Monster Steven Pogorzelski, and joining the Helium board of advisors is former executive vice president of The Boston Globe Alfred S. Larkin Jr.

Sales Moves: It's election time, and your customers are voting

I wish I had a dollar for every salesperson who bragged to me about how great their relationships are with their customers, and then lost a sale because they weren't the lowest price or lowest bid.
I would be a multimillionaire.

BizNorth Planner

EDITOR'S NOTE: The BizNorth Planner is a calendar of business-related workshops, seminars, fairs and other events. To be included, send a brief notice with basic information about the event and whom to contact. The service is free, but it is not an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit the copy so it complies with our newspaper's guidelines. Send news by mail to BizNorth, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; by fax, 978-687-6045.

Dave Says: Crisis looming; trailer purchase a bad idea

I lost my job a few months ago. My wife works, but she doesn't make much money, and we also have three kids. I'm still trying to keep up my credit card payments, but next month I know I'll be late and they'll start adding fees. In all, I have about $60,000 in debt, and that includes payments on a $20,000 car. I don't know how to handle the situation anymore.

Wall Street caps volatile week

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed mixed yesterday after playing out a now familiar scenario: Upbeat sentiment about falling oil prices flagged amid ongoing concerns about weak credit markets and the economy. The major indexes also turned in a mixed performance after another volatile week.

BIZNorth Briefcase

NORTH ANDOVER — Through its Charitable Foundation, Stoneham Savings Bank has pledged $15,000 to the Stone Zoo's Black Bear Exhibit campaign fund. The contribution will be paid over three annual installments. The exhibit which is the new home to two adolescent black bears from Tennessee, named Smokey and Buba, will be opened year-round.

BizNorth Planner

EDITOR'S NOTE: The BizNorth Planner is a calendar of business-related workshops, seminars, fairs and other events. To be included, send a brief notice with basic information about the event and whom to contact. The service is free, but it is not an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit the copy so it complies with our newspaper's guidelines. Send news by mail to BizNorth, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; by fax, 978-687-6045.

Rich begin feeling the pain in down economy

The rich are sharing your financial pain — and contributing to it.
It may have taken longer and it may not be as acute, but there are early hints that the economic slump is crimping the lifestyles of the wealthy.

Giant online security hole getting fixed, slowly

A giant vulnerability in the Internet's design is allowing criminals to silently redirect traffic to Web sites under their control. The problem is being fixed, but its extent remains unknown and many people are still at risk.

Sales Moves: Sales skills touch every facet of small business

Small businesses comprise more than 99 percent of all businesses in America, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The success of a small business rests on the owner's ability to sell. Business owners have about 50 different hats to wear, but sales is the biggest hat an entrepreneur wears. Actually, without the sales hat, the other hats are useless.

Borrowing money from family a bad idea

My husband works very hard, and he makes $25,000 a year. We've got $21,000 in credit card debt, plus ongoing medical bills for our special needs child. Right now, we're living in an old trailer. My father told us he's willing to help us pay down some of the debt and get us moved into a house if we'll attend financial counseling. Do you have any better ideas?

JD Power dependability rankings

J.D. Power and Associates last week released its annual survey of vehicle dependability based on questionnaires sent to owners of 2005 model-year vehicles.
The list includes the top performers and runners-up in each category. An MAV, or multi-activity vehicle, refers to sport utility vehicles and crossovers.

Auto Scanner: Piling on the miles may negate repair warranty

Q: I had the 60,000 mile service for my Toyota Tacoma done at a local dealership recently, and had the timing belt and water pump replaced at the same time. Right after having the service, I left on a long trip. While away, I noticed that I now have an oil leak from the front end; there was no such leak before this service. It is not enough to lose more than a quart over about 4,000 miles, but it is enough to wet the entire bottom of the oil pan and drip oil. (It made a mess on my father's driveway, and he was not amused.) Because I drove about 4,000 miles since the service, will the dealership have an excuse NOT to fix what I think is their doing? The leak seems to be from the front seal, which they should have replaced during the service. Also, will this have caused the new timing belt to become oiled, and if so, should it be replaced? Thank you for any advice you can give.

Motor Mouth: New Jetta wagon feeds VW's big ambition

To find a car company that's feeling more ambitious than Volkswagen you'll have to look very hard. At this moment VW is introducing a new breed of clean-running diesel engines in the United States, even though we Yanks have demonstrated time and again that we're not big fans of diesels. The company also just brought out a new compact crossover wagon. Called Tiguan, the petite utility vehicle enters a market that is already crowded with competing vehicles. What's more, the popularity of crossovers has trended downward these last few months, even though car companies have attached so much hope to these scaled-down SUVs.

Auto Scene: Rockingham grows with Toyota program

Personnel at Rockingham Toyota Scion Nissan Honda take the Japanese concept of continuous improvement very seriously. The Salem, N.H., dealership is preparing to enter its third year as a Toyota Signature Dealer. The initiative aims to streamline dealer practices and procedures in ways that promote customer satisfaction.

Tips for hybrid vehicle repair

More drivers are switching to hybrid vehicles to get better fuel efficiency but, like all other cars, they require regular maintenance and repairs. You can take them to a regular mechanic for routine work, but hybrid-certified mechanics are essential for more extensive work, especially related to the high-voltage electrical system.

Uncle Sam loves his cars, all 642,233 of them

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans love their cars, and so apparently does Uncle Sam. He's got 642,233 of them.
Operating those vehicles — maintenance, leases and fuel — cost taxpayers a whopping $3.4 billion last year, according to General Services Administration data obtained and analyzed by The Associated Press.

BizNorth Planner

EDITOR'S NOTE: The BizNorth Planner is a calendar of business-related workshops, seminars, fairs and other events. To be included, send a brief notice with basic information about the event and whom to contact. The service is free, but it is not an advertisement. We reserve the right to edit the copy so it complies with our newspaper's guidelines. Send news by mail to BizNorth, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; by fax, 978-687-6045.

Your briefcase

NORTH ANDOVER — Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate, has named John Myers as regional director. Myers is the New England regional manager for LaSalle's Project and Development Services group. He serves on an executive committee charged with managing 1,200 project managers nationally, and leads the Development Practice for LaSalle in the Americas. He has extensive experience as a real estate executive in development and project management, with expertise in development, site strategy, permitting and approvals, design, construction, tenant fit-out, valuation, and contract negotiation.

New Hampshire real estate transfers

ATKINSON
Unit B Cogswell Farm: Brian K & Corrine J Cobb to Kelly Riley, $455,000
Unit A Cogswell Farm: Douglas A & Carole A Hamilton to Lawrence R Palmisano, $407,500
Unit 47 Wright Farm: Kelly A Cruise to Vedanta Dumas-Griffith, $285,000

Massachusetts real estate transfers

AMESBURY
4 Adams Court Unit 4: Alex Christine Copans and US Bank to US Bank, $141,207
14 Adams Court Unit 14: Jeanne L. Smith and Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., $87,420

The fog is beginning to lift on Wall Street

The results for July are in, and investors are almost exactly where they were at the end of June. Despite a few brief rallies, July ended with a whimper, precipitated by the continuance of the twin shocks of high petroleum prices and the sorry state of the banks and brokers.

Motor Mouth: Nissan Sentra stands with tall rivals

It is no exaggeration to say that both the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla enjoy iconic status among U.S. automobiles. Neither model is particularly showy or striking. But they both win high praise and admiration because they have both remained so popular for so long.

Auto Scene: Commonwealth Motors mechanics earn Master certification

Jim Taylor, Honda service manager of Commonwealth Motors, Lawrence, announced that American Honda Motor Co. recently certified three Commonwealth mechanics as Master Technicians. To earn the distinction, Paul Hamel, Kurt St. Jean and Tim Sampson completed more than 300 classes, Taylor said.

Auto Scanner: Turning car off at lights puts strain on starter

Q: In the interest of improving my gas mileage on my 2001 Toyota Sienna (six cylinder), I am employing some of the methods of the hyper miler, but not to any great extreme. I do have a question that I thought you could answer from a practical standpoint rather than theoretical. If I am waiting at a stoplight that has just turned red, is it more efficient to turn the engine off or simply wait with my engine running? Do I use more fuel in the restarting process than I save by turning the engine off for a minute or so? There must be some point at which shutting the engine down becomes efficient when compared to leaving the engine running other than in my driveway. Is there some hard and fast rule involved here, or are there too many variables? Thanks again for your anticipated help in my attempt to keep my carbon footprint as small as I can.

New disability regulations prompt chorus of concern

WASHINGTON — Thousands of gallons of water pulse through cascading waterfalls and rapids at Adventure Mini Golf in Lake Worth, Fla. The course, which covers about an acre, features different elevations, with two sets of stairs connecting them.

Sales Moves: Negotiating is a losing proposition

Help! I need to get better at negotiation!
Eh, no Sparky, you need to get better at everything else so that you never have to negotiate — or at least negotiate 90 percent less.
Negotiation is for people who are lousy at selling, don't understand buying motives, haven't provided value, are unable to differentiate themselves from the competition, can't build trust, and have utterly failed at building relationships.

Teen in stolen car dies in crash refused to stop for state police

LAWRENCE | An 18-year-old Lawrence man drove a stolen car, refused to stop for state police, then crashed the vehicle into the side of a rooming house and died early yesterday, authorities said.
"That impact knocked me out of bed and knocked items off my shelves," said Norman Coffey, a resident of the Deacy House at 32 Lawrence St.

Atkinson: Brush burning has some residents all choked up

ATKINSON | No thunderstorms and little humidity prompted some senior citizens at Settler's Ridge to open their windows last week. But instead of fresh air, the breeze blew smoke into their apartments.

School looks to rec leagues to help repair fields

SALEM, N.H. — School officials are trying to figure out how to address several athletic fields that are in "deplorable" condition.
The varsity football field, varsity soccer field and two other soccer fields are in bad shape, and the high school is in jeopardy of not being eligible to host meets if its track it is not resurfaced soon, according to Superintendent Mike Delahanty.

Derry woman struck by side car mirror

DERRY — A pedestrian was struck in the leg by the passenger side mirror on a car driving next to her on Warner Hill Road yesterday afternoon.
Margaret Morse-Barry, 52, was walking along the side of the road with her bicycle when the side mirror of a 2004 Honda Civic struck her leg, causing a minor injury, police Lt. Keith Marshall said.

Clinton salutes Obama, rips McCain

DENVER — Hillary Rodham Clinton summoned millions of voters who supported her in the primaries to send Barack Obama to the White House last night, declaring in a Democratic National Convention speech that the man who defeated her "is my candidate and he must be our president."

Parents upset at North Andover school chief over delay

NORTH ANDOVER — Superintendent James Marini said he was never trying to deceive anyone when he held off telling the public about North Andover High School's newest accreditation warning.
While Marini received notice that the high school was back on warning status by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in late May, he didn't present the School Committee with the information until its Aug. 19 meeting.

Actors Church, Shue star in movie 'Don McKay'

ANDOVER — The film crews were busy setting up their tripods, wires and boom mikes, so no one noticed as Cindy McKallagat smuggled some photographs of her children behind the pharmacy counter.
The Letourneau's Pharmacy owner wanted to make sure her loved ones had a cameo in the latest film to hit the Merrimack Valley — "Don McKay".

Teen crash victim 'lucky to be alive'

SALEM, N.H. — The first thing 18-year-old Orlando Rivas-Bernard recalled after crashing into a tractor-trailer on Interstate 93 was a firefighter speaking to him while he was trapped inside his sport utility vehicle.

Gov. Patrick addresses Dems in Denver

DENVER (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, speaking to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, said the nation must renew its commitment to education and community.
Speaking last night, Patrick said Barack Obama is the person to lead the nation to "renew the American dream."

Lawrence store suffers second break-in in four months

LAWRENCE | Burglars smashed in the glass front door of the Broadway Minimart and escaped with cash and cigarettes, police said.
Hitesh Khambhati, 39, who operates the store owned by his uncle, said he got a call from his alarm company about 11 p.m. Monday alerting him to the break. It was the second time the store had been hit in four months, he said.

Late-morning fire damages three-family home

LAWRENCE — Firefighters believe a cooking source was to blame for a late morning fire that ripped through an Osgood Street apartment yesterday.
Everyone was out of the house and no one was injured when fire broke out on the top floor of a three-family home at 84 Osgood St. around 11:30 a.m.

Officer injured in training exercise

METHUEN — Police Officer Ronald Valliere was injured during a training exercise in which police simulated a school shooting, police Chief Katherine Lavigne said yesterday.
Valliere was the suspect in the exercise, which was meant to train officers how to apprehend a school shooter as quickly and efficiently as possible. Valliere's shoulder was injured when Sgt. Larry Phillips subdued him, Lavigne said. The chief said she believes the incident was an accident, and Phillips is still on the job. Valliere is receiving medical services, she said.

Councilor thwarts cleanup

HAVERHILL — City Councilor James Donahue blocked his colleagues last night from approving the use of city money to clean stairwells in the Merrimack Street garage covered deep with bird and bat droppings.

Correction

The Armenian church at Hye Pointe in Ward Hill recently held its annual food and music festival at the Legion Farm in Haverhill. Last year the event was funded in part by a grant from the Lawrence Cul

Car show canceled for this year

ATKINSON — Anyone anticipating the annual car show in Atkinson on Labor Day weekend will have to wait another year. The event will not be held this year, due to construction in the area of the fire station.

Man's body found in river in Haverhill

HAVERHILL SEmD Passing fishermen spotted a man's body on the shore of the Merrimack River about 1/4-mile upstream from the Rocks Village Bridge Monday afternoon, police said.
Police say the body of Alfred Dodier, 69, was found in a remote area of the river. Detective Captain Al Ratte said the body did not appear to have been in the water very long.

Superintendent Bach gets strong evaluation

ANDOVER — Superintendent Claudia Bach received a strong evaluation from the School Committee last night and drew praise from parents for her accessibility.
School Committee members gave their individual evaluations to Chairwoman Deb Silberstein before the meeting, which she would not make public. A composite evaluation was then presented.

Man sentenced for Salem bank robbery

CONCORD — A man in prison since 2005 began serving a 12 1/2-year sentence yesterday for robbing a Salem bank.
Talbot "Timmy" Curtin, 39, of Fremont was sentenced in U.S. District Court yesterday on a single count of bank robbery.

Captain Red to get legacy on his river

HAVERHILL | The large family of Captain William "Red" Slavit served split duty last night.
Four of Slavit's nine children attended the City Council meeting with two of his young grandchildren to watch councilors approve a request from Mayor James Fiorentini to name new downtown boat docks after the city's longtime harbormaster and local maritime legend.

Keeping mum on warning has school chief questioning decision

NORTH ANDOVER — Superintendent James Marini said he was never trying to deceive anyone when he held off telling the public about North Andover High School's newest accreditation warning.
While Marini received notice that the high school was back on warning status by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in late May, he didn't present the School Committee with the information until its Aug. 19 meeting.

Poverty rates lowest in NH

New Hampshire will hold onto its bragging rights as the state with the lowest poverty rate in the country, with Rockingham County helping to lead the way.
The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2007 report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage yesterday. But despite New Hampshire's high ranking, the outlook isn't that rosy, according to state officials.

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