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Tighe & Bond Gets Kudos for Work Environment |
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On: 11:34PM / Wednesday October 12, 2011 |
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WESTFIELD, Mass. — Tighe & Bond has been recognized once again as one of the best civil engineering firms to work for in the nation.
ZweigWhite, the publisher of CE News, named the firm as at its annual Best Firms to Work for Summit in San Diego at the end of September. The New England-based Tighe & Bond ranked second among mid-size firms and eighth overall.
ZweigWhite sponsors the event that celebrates the winners of its Best Firms To Work For competition and offers engineering and architecture firms a place to share strategies, successes and industry news. The yearly competition is based on business practice data collected from numerous participating firms across the country, including feedback solicited through an employee survey.
The competitive ranking that results is based on evaluations of factors such as firm culture and workplace practices, employee benefits, career development and growth opportunities, compensation, performance and recognition, as well as recruiting and retention rates. All firms that apply for this ranking and recognition are evaluated against each other, not a set standard. The ranking also classifies firms by size categories.
"This is the second time that we have been honored with this recognition as a best firm and we are thrilled. However, the tribute is especially meaningful this year since it dovetails with the celebration of our 100th year anniversary and a century of dedication to our clients," said David E. Pinsky, president of Tighe & Bond. "This recognition verifies once again that we are on the right track. Our hard-working employees are the key to our success and we are committed to their wellbeing and development so that they can continue to provide the high-quality, responsive services that our clients deserve."
Tighe & Bond was founded in 1911 and now has offices in Westfield, Worcester and Pocasset; Middletown and Shelton, Conn.; and Portsmouth, N.H. Engineering News Record annually ranks Tighe & Bond among the top design and environmental engineering firms nationally. The firm provides engineering and environmental services for clients in government, industry, health care, education, real estate and water/wastewater markets. It has worked extensively with local municipalities and other organizations in Berkshire County.
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Great Barrington Potter Featured in Anthropologie |
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Staff Reports On: 10:47PM / Wednesday October 12, 2011 |
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 GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Local potter Daniel Bellow is being featured in the new Anthropologie catalog.
Bellow says he made some 1,600 pots (and mugs and bowls) and packed them off this summer for sale through the high-end chain's website and stores. Bellow is one of five featured artists on Anthropologie's online catalog and has a "full-page spread" in the paper version.
The former journalist was entranced with ceramics as a youth and returned to his passion nearly a decade ago, setting up shop in a carriage barn (as Daniel Bellow Porcelain). He exhibits and sells locally and still does some freelance writing on the side.
In an email missive announcing the availability of his kitchen-worthy work, Bellows thanks Anthropologie and "the studio crew, you know who you are, Sheffield Pottery, Stockbridge Gas and the art department at the South Kent School. And to my family, who put up with me doing my best work between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m."
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Cosmetics Maker Iredale Featured on White House Blog |
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Staff Reports On: 10:53PM / Tuesday October 11, 2011 |
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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Cosmetics entrepreneur Jane Iredale was featured on the White House blog on Tuesday in support of President Obama's American Jobs Act.
South County's Iredale was one of a half-dozen small-business owners and entrepreneurs featured on the blog, which also included veterans, teachers, the unemployed and others rolled out as examples of how the ambitious bill would help create jobs.
According to Iredale, the proposal to pump $447 billion into the economy will put more money into her 160 workers' pockets. "Cutting my company's payroll taxes in half will allow me to put those gains back into the company to aid with growth," she says on the blog.
Said the White House, "By understanding the power of proper marketing, Iredale pitched and sold her products to dermatologists, plastic surgeons and skin care specialists who understood its value. This innovative thinking and business-savvy resulted in skyrocketing sales, both in the U.S. and overseas. In addition to providing jobs for her 160 full-time employees, Iredale’s business invigorates the economy throughout the Berkshires in Massachusetts, as over 1,000 people visit her offices for meetings and trainings each year."
While Iredale's expansion into the old Bryant schoolhouse was applauded throughout Berkshire County, the president's having a tougher time getting his creation through Congress. Late Tuesday, Senate Democrats failed to break a filibuster delaying debate on the measure. It's expected to be an even harder sell in the Republican-controlled House.
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Friendly's Files Chapter 11; Local Restaurants Stay Open |
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Staff Reports On: 09:57AM / Wednesday October 05, 2011 |
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Friendly Ice Cream Corp. of Wilbraham has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The move has been expected for weeks as the 76-year-old chain has struggled with rising costs and the economic recession.
The company's closed 63 "underperforming" restaurants across the Northeast, Virginia and Florida as part of the restructuring. However, local restaurants in North Adams (State Road), Pittsfield (Dalton Avenue and Elm Street), Lee (Housatonic Street), Lenox (Route 20), Great Barrington (Stockbridge Road) and Bennington, Vt. (South Street), will remain open. Also remaining open is the Friendly's at the bottom of the Mohawk Trail in Greenfield although a second Greenfield restaurant on Federal Street will close. Two in Albany, N.Y., on Wolf Road and Western Avenue, will also close.
"We have embarked on an aggressive campaign to enhance restaurant operations, improve the guest experience, strengthen our team and expand the company's successful retail ice cream business," said Harsha V. Agadi, chairman and CEO of Friendly's in a statement.
The company faced significant financial challenges, Agadi said. "This was exacerbated by the weak economy and rapidly rising commodity costs that have impacted the entire restaurant industry."
Read the full press release here.
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