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KING OF PRUSSIA — GVF is pleased to announce that KSK Architecture, a Philadelphia-based architecture, planning and historic preservation firm founded in 1966, has joined GVF’s 100-plus partners dedicated to decreasing congestion and increasing mobility throughout the region.

“All of us at GVF are looking forward to working with KSK. They do a great job working with local communities on some very creative and visionary projects. We are very pleased that they decided to join GVF,” said Rob Henry, GVF executive cirector.

KSK’s architecture practice comprises historic preservation, affordable housing, educational and cultural facilities, religious properties, and streetscape design. The firm’s planning and urban design work encompasses neighborhood revitalization, transit-oriented downtown development, and regional growth management and transportation planning. Community outreach is a major component of KSK’s approach. The historical services group is responsible for historic research, historic building restorations, and historic rehabilitation tax credit certifications.

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These days, no matter what job you have, or what industry you work in, you have to always remain aware that your job is not guaranteed. Years ago, people entered an industry, and as long as they kept their noses clean they could more or less presume that they would have a job for life. Unfortunately, over the years, plenty of things have happened to mean that life is just not like that any more. More and more people are constantly on the lookout for an improved position, and also more and more people get laid off, normally through redundancy.

Redundancy can be a good thing for some people. If you have been working for a company for fifteen or twenty years, you may find that your potential redundancy pay off is quite large, given that most redundancy payments are based on the number of years served. That being said, as you would imagine, if you have only just got the position, or if you have only worked there for a year or two, it is not going to be worth much more than a week or two’s wages to you.

In this situation it is important that you are covered for this sort of eventuality. Read more…

For about six hours Thursday, motorists near Orlando International Airport could finally see the prices charged at the most expensive gas station in the country.

The owners of Sun Gas didn’t give up their long-running fight with City Hall and post their $5.79-a-gallon price — an Orlando artist did it for them.

Performance artist Brian Feldman, known for off-the-wall art, spent nearly six muggy hours in front of the station. Around his neck hung a gas station-style sign with Sun Gas’ current prices for a gallon of regular, mid-grade and premium.

“This is an art installation, and I am playing the role of the sign. Hopefully, they’ll do the right thing and post their prices. But if they don’t, I’ll do my best to make sure they get the attention they deserve,” said Feldman, who was alternately cursed and praised by passing motorists trying to puzzle out his connection to the station.

Some gave a thumbs-up, and one woman called him a good Samaritan. B Read more…

You may or may not believe me, but even though I blog daily about money I only check my investment portfolio balances every few weeks. It’s part of my selective information restriction diet. I found it curious that the S&P 500 is now at ~1350. This reminded me of this earlier about how long-term savers actually haven’t done all that poorly over the last decide. Their example is a young worker starting investing in 2000, investing regularly, and taking advantage of the 401(k) match from their employer amongst other stated assumptions:

Since the article was published, the S&P 500 is up nearly another 8%. Of course, if you invested in bonds for that decade you’d be even better off, but seriously who was 100% bonds the entire time. I know I wasn’t, but I was invested in some bonds, so I get some comfort that my personal return is a bit better. I’m relatively at peace with my investments, other than being a bit nervous after seeing the S&P so high without any proof of improved economic stability.

Just under a million Vodacom customers were disconnected on Friday after failing to meet the Rica deadline, the service provider said.

“Some of those people would have come in this morning [Friday] to register,” said spokesperson Richard Boorman.

He said there were no penalties for late registration and therefore no need to panic. South Africans were given until midnight on Thursday to Rica their sim and data cards to avoid being disconnected.

“If you take your relevant documentation to a Rica station or Vodacom-approved outlet, you can get back on the network.”

The provider said it had over 170 000 Rica agents across the country available to assist cut-off customers.

However, reactivation may take up to 24-hours.

Contract customers who had not registered and had their sims locked would still be liable for their contractual payments.

8ta had registered all of its customers by Wednesday, while MTN and Cell C were still busy collating figures.

MTN spokesperson Bridget Bhengu said they were pleased with the progress so far.

“By Friday morning, MTN was still collating and reconciling the number of customers who have been cut off, but initial indications are that the numbers are not significant.”

She said customers who registered after the deadline might have to wait a short while before they are reconnected. Read more…

From left, Phillies fans Mary Cappelletti, Loretta Gauger, and Lisa Cappelletti anxiously await their chance to chat with former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton and have him sign their baseballs.

Photos by Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury Pourhouse employee Matt Cappelletti gets a box of baseballs autographed for his grandchildren by former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton, also pictured at bottom left, Thursday.

daulton1.jpg Former Phila. Phillies catcher Darren Daulton was all smiles as he greeted his fans at the Pourhouse in Pottstown. hoffman photo.

Former Philadelphia Phillies catcher Darren Daulton greeted fans and signed baseballs at The Pourhouse in Pottstown on Thursday.