| Biz Buzz: Stocks falter
Stocks opened lower today as Wall Street absorbed a gloomy outlook for the banking sector and anticipated bleak news from the National Association of Homebuilders. Setting the tone was Goldman Sachs' downgrade of large banks, and its estimate that Citigroup would have to write down $15 billion due to its exposure to risky debt over the next two quarters. The worry on Wall Street is that the housing market is getting so weak that it will crimp consumer spending, which until now has helped keep the economy afloat. Ahead of the holiday shopping season, any signs that Americans are pulling back could prevent a December rally. --Associated Press Celgene to buy Pharmion for $2.9 billion Celgene will buy the Colorado biotech Pharmion for $2.9 billion, further bolstering its blood-cancer drug franchise.
Regional arts and entertainment events
Sunday This joint is jumpin' The incandescent Melba Moore stars in Ain't Misbehavin,' a show based on the music of Fats Waller, at 3 p.m. today at the Prince Music Theater, and continuing on a Tuesday-through-Sunday schedule to Dec. 31 (no show Dec. 25, added shows Dec. 31). Tickets are $30 to $55 ($75 on Dec. 31). Call 215-569-9700. Holiday spirit The Blind Boys of Alabama bring the gospel and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band provides the soul (with a Katrina-influenced take on Marvin Gaye's classic album What's Goin' On) at 8 p.m. at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tickets are $35 to $60. Call 215-893-1999. Monday Magnificent mezzo Finnish mezzo-soprano Monica Groop has a beautifully rich tone and a subtle approach. She performs an eclectic recital of works by Schubert, Clara Schumann, Mahler, Bartok, Grieg and Schoenberg at 8 p.m.
Mortgage payoff for Dixie paves pathway for renovations
STAUNTON � Judy Mosedale traced the beam of light from her flashlight along the teal plaster molding winding its way up the walls of the Dixie�s main theater. �Behind that sheetrock is where the compass rose is,� she explained, shining the spot of yellow light up at a worn, taupe-colored rectangle framed by the molding.
The compass rose Mosedale, the acting executive director of the Staunton Performing Arts Center, refers to is a stamp of the 1936 renovation of the theater after a fire in the building. The original renaissance style interior of the three-story structure, constructed in 1912, was destroyed when the roof caved in on the theater.
Two of the painted compasses rest high on the theater walls framing each side of the building. They are now separated by a wall slicing the theater in half.
Mad Men: Doublemint Don
City Without Walls, Newark's long-running art institution devoted to emerging artists, opened its season this week with two exhibitions devoted to new technologies in art: The first unveils a project of executive director Ben Goldman's to mainstream the purchase of digitalized art prints, and the second is the unveiling of the environment for a new video game designed by CWOW artist Heidi J. Bolsvert and six Newark high school students. The video allows you to virtually explore an American air base in Iraq. It's hard to imagine two shows that propose more radical changes in the way contemporary art products are distributed and used. Continue reading "Artfully geared for mass market" » .
Lion takes stroll through state park
Crappie action has been limited to only two areas Kono Tayee and Shag Rock. The problem is that both areas have been wall to wall with boats, especially Kono Tayee. In fact, there have been so many boats pushing up against the private docks that local dock owners are starting to get mad. One dock owner said he tried to fish from his dock but boats completely surrounded it and some were actually tied up to his dock. He said he counted more than 20 boats jammed together in one small area during one particular day. The law says you can fish near a dock but you can't touch it or tie up to it without the owner's permission. The docks are considered private property. Upper Blue Lake will be stocked with trout this week. The water is exceptionally clear, so the best action is trolling a Kastmaster or Cripplure in the center of the lake.
Walnut Creek police arrest Benicia man in homicide earlier this week
WALNUT CREEK -Police have arrested a Benicia man on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of a man whose body was found earlier this week behind a Walnut Creek restaurant, police said. Jonathan Carroll Marvin, 34, is suspected of killing Pittsburg resident Eric James Martin, 30, whose body was discovered in his car early Monday. Martin had been shot multiple times. Marvin was booked into County Jail early this morning and is being held without bail, jail staff said. Lt. Steve Skinner said Marvin was arrested on a warrant late Thursday night. Skinner said he expects to release more details about the case against Marvin this evening. Friends described Martin as a successful drywall installer who bought and sold cars. He was the father of an infant boy. A worker on Corkaerts Road, a dead-end, commercial back street in downtown Walnut Creek, called 911 about 5 a.m.
Gallery showcase for students' work
WIRRAL sixth-formers have launched a high street art gallery that will showcase student talent and the work of local artists. The Black and White Community Gallery in Liscard Road, Wallasey, will be run as a money-making business by 13 sixth-formers from Calday Grange Grammar School, as part of the nationwide Young Enterprise programme. It was opened last week by Wirral Cultural Ambassador and photographer Mike McCartney at a ceremony attended by civic and business figures, teachers, parents and students. Young Enterprise is a national charity that forges links between schools and industry by inspiring and equipping young people for entrepreneurship. More than 5,000 schools take part in the annual initiative that includes a competition to identify the nation's top student business project.
An early look at Cunard's Queen Victoria
ABOARD THE QUEEN VICTORIA -- Okay, so you've seen my rant on the new Queen Victoria's cabin decor. What's my take on the rest of the ship? In short: It's charming. Smaller than Cunard's much-ballyhooed, four-year-old Queen Mary 2, the 90,000-ton Victoria has an intimacy and feel much more reminiscent of the soon-to-retire Queen Elizabeth 2, something that surely will please long-time Cunarders who found the 150,000-ton QM2 a tad too big and impersonal. The 2,014-passenger Victoria, to be christened later today by the Duchess of Cornwall, also is elegant. Cunard president Carol Marlow tells us the line looked to the great Cunard liners of the past to set the tone, with classical motifs mixed with art deco and nouveau touches that evoke the golden age of ship travel.
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