Archive for the ‘Business News’ Category.

Mixed reaction from patrons of Idaho Aquarium

  • Idaho Aquarium

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    BOISE — For years developers of a local aquarium have been pre-selling season passes and asking supporters to sponsor animals, all while promising buyers the attraction would open soon. After years of waiting season pass holders are getting their first look at the Idaho Aquarium today. Some of these season pass holders have been waiting three and a half years. While some were excited by what they saw, others we talked to weren’t so sure. Several sites were considered for the aquarium before those behind the project settled on a 10,000 square foot warehouse at the corner of Cole and Franklin roads in Boise. Although the space is large, exhibits only fill a small portion of the aquarium.  Ammon Covino with the Idaho Aquarium says exhibits are being built as funds become available. “There’s a few animals that aren’t in,” said Covino. “The big octopus is not in yet and he comes in next week. The eel tanks and lion fish are not in yet. But there are a handful of exhibits that aren’t in and ready but they will be soon.” Friday evening those who purchased a season pass got their first glimpse of the aquarium before it opens to the public next week. Some, like Wendy Griffith who purchased a family pass back in May 2008, were expecting a bit more, while others loved what they saw. “We were expecting to see shark tanks, puffins,” said Griffith. “On their website they had more exhibits listed.” “I can’t wait to see the shark exhibit and the sea otter exhibit and the seal, but you know for what it’s worth they are doing a great job,” said Gina Johnson. Covino says larger exhibits like a shark tank and otter exhibit are still in the works. The Idaho Aquarium officially opens its doors to the public on Dec. 16.

    Some tips to reduce your chances of finding a tenant from hell

    finding a tenantWhen the house is spotless, you painted the walls and cleaned the carpets, the really hard part comes. You need to find a tenant who will pay the rent in time and not cause you some terrible problems. Also if you rent an apartment and have to move out because of some emergency circumstances then you need to find a tenant who can take over your lease. A good tenant find service can be very helpful in a number of situations.

    If you want to run business on your own, the most difficult, scary part of the rental of your home is to choose a tenant. The good resident can make next years go quickly and cost effectively. The bad resident may be a nightmare. Here are some tips to help reduce your chances of such a nightmare.

    You should hire a reliable letting agency or tenant find service. Read full article…

    Report: Facebook acquires location app Gowalla

    Facebook has acquired location based services app Gowalla, according to a report by CNNMoney citing an anonymous source close to Gowalla.

    Facebook and Gowalla could not immediately be reached for comment.

    Austin, Texas-based Gowalla was a competitor to check-in app company Foursquare but never took off and eventually revamped, recasting itself as a travel-oriented guide app. Gowalla had an emphasis on design with intricately designed interfaces and badges. But Foursquare had many more users.

    Hamilton Co. apartments on way to Downtown Crossing

    The Hamilton Co. has started converting a Downtown Crossing office building into apartments.

    The Allston real estate company said today that it expects to start renting its moderately priced units in July, following an interior renovation of the 12-story building at 8 Winter St.

    The 50,000-square-foot property is located at one of the four corners of Downtown Crossing.

    We are strong proponents of the mayors efforts to improve the Ladder District and are convinced this additional housing will add vibrancy to the neighborhood, said Hamilton Co. president Carl Valeri, in a statement.

    The project will maintain the first-floor retail space and create 40 one-bedroom units and eight studio apartments renting for 1,950 and 1,650, respectively with hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances.

    The Hamilton Co., owned by Harold Brown, controls about 5,000 housing units in Greater Boston along with 3 million square feet of commercial space.

    Brown bought 8 Winter St. in 1982 for 6.5 million.

    Read full article…

    Using Funds from Roth IRA

    roth iraOnce one is eligible to withdraw qualified funds from Roth IRA accounts, they can use them for investing in higher return schemes, since they are not taxed when used. Schemes like mutual funds and stock trading are better when one wants to get more returns in short durations, but there is risk associated with mutual funds and stocks. Mutual funds that have lesser risk compared to other counterparts and must be the choice of a person, who does not want to be on loosing side, when market fluctuations have a bad effect. Apart from charges to invest in mutual funds, one may have to bear with commissions and other types of fee in order to maintain Roth IRA accounts. This is best checked on roth-ira.org, to get accurate details.

    Roth IRA accounts are great, to have liquid cash readily available for emergencies of future. Read full article…

    Google improves search results

    Google has announced that its search results will now give greater priority to recent events and hot topics.

    The company is responding to the increasing use of Twitter and Facebook as a source of breaking news. It says that around 35 per cent of searches will be affected, and results will now include pages that are just minutes old if the companys algorithm detects that the most recent information is the most relevant.

    Writing on the Google Search Blog, the companys Amit Singhal said that Given the incredibly fast pace at which information moves in todays world, the most recent information can be from the last week, day or even minute, and depending on the search terms, the algorithm needs to be able to figure out if a result from a week ago about a TV show is recent, or if a result from a week ago about breaking news is too old.

    The aim is to return information about what users are actually searching for, rather than necessarily what they have typed in. Singhal writes that For recent events or hot topics that begin trending on the web, you want to find the latest information immediately.

    Read full article…