“Text Size - Chicago Tribune” plus 2 more

Text Size - Chicago Tribune
GPS antennas suit M2M telematics apps - Electronic Engineering Times
China Bank donates P1M for Ondoy and Pepeng victims, launches donation ... - Business World

Posted: 12 Oct 2009 05:10 AM PDT

TERROR ON THE RAILROAD The Illinois Railway Museum hosts its annual haunted event, Terror on the Railroad, Oct. 16 and 17, 23 and 24 and 30 and 31. Participants must be at least 13 and in good health. The event will run from 7 to 11 p.m. all eight nights. Tickets, available only at the gate, are $12. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

FAMOUS GHOST HUNT Wheels Rallye Team presents The Famous Ghost Hunt Halloween rallye Oct. 17. Dig up your friends and visit new haunts on the rallye that starts with registration at 6 p.m. at Woodfield Mall parking lot, in Schaumburg, just west of the Firestone Tire Center at Light Pole B-2. A beginner's school will be held at 6:45, and the cars head out at 7:10. Fee is $15 per vehicle, with proceeds benefiting MS research. Visit www.wheelsrallyeteam.com or contact Dennis at 847-446-2904 or roadrallye@aol.com.

LAPPING SESSIONS The Chicago Alfa Romeo Owners Club is sponsoring its Fall Challenge, timed lapping sessions, at Road America Oct. 17 and 18. The event at the Elkhart Lake, Wis., track is open to all makes. Touring sessions are available during lunch. Lapping fees start at $365 and touring at $75. Visit www.caroc.com or call Don Brubaker at 847-550-8422.

TOYS FOR TOTS CRUISE Volo Auto Museum hosts its 8th annual Toys for Tots Cruise Oct. 18. Lineup begins at 9 a.m. at the Bristol 45 Diner, 8321 U.S. 45, Bristol, Wis.; Frame Up Wheel Works, 39108 Green Bay Rd., Waukegan; and at the corner of Kirchoff Road and Meadow Drive in downtown Rolling Meadows. Participants will cruise to the museum and are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys--no stuffed animals, please. Visit www.volocars.com or call 815-385-3644.

GHOST TRAIN The Monticello Railway Museum hosts its Ghost Train Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30 and 31 in Monticello, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. The trains, with a Haunted Boxcar, run every half hour from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31. The run on the half hour from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25. Tickets are $6 for ages 2 and older. Visit www.mrym.org.

AIRLINE COLLECTIBLES The Chicagoland Airline Collectibles Fall Show is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village. It will include models, post cards, dining-service items and more. Admission is $5 with kids younger than 12 free. Visit www.graylandstation.com or call Steve Mazanek 773-775-5623.

LOOOONG RACE The Chicagoland Sports Car Club hosts the 39th annual Loooong Race Oct. 24-25 at Blackhawk Farms in Rockton. Visit www.cscc-racing.com.

TRICK OR TREAT TROLLEY Tricks and treats await you at every stop on this spooky and kooky trolley ride at the Illinois Railway Museum Oct. 24 and 25 and 31. Kids in costume get a free prize. Hours at the museum in Union are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fares are $12 for adults, $8 for kids or $45 for families. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

SKIP'S SWAP The 17th annual Skip's Auto and Truck Parts Swap Meet is set for Nov. 1 at the new Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. The meet and sale for collectible and performance vehices is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $2 for kids 6-11. Vendor fee is $35 and cars for sale $25. Visit www.skipsusa.com or call 630-340-4744.

SLOT CAR SHOW The Midwest Slot Car Show is set for Nov. 8, at Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St., Highland, Ind. The show, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature slot cars in HO, 1:32 and 1:24 scale along with aaccessories. Admission is $5 for adults with children younger than 16 free. Vendor fee is $30. E-mail Mikedore@go.com or call 815-233-6541.

POLAR EXPRESS The Polar Express pulls into the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Nov. 27, 27 and 29 and Dec. 4, 5 and 6. The annual trip to the North Pole will be made at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. each day and include a dramatic reading of the Christmas story about a boy who is not sure whether he believes in Santa Claus. Standard class fares are $12 for adults and $8 for kids 2 through 12. Fares in premium class--a restored 1950s streamline buffet-lounge-observation car, are $25 for lounge seating and $18 for table seating. Reservations are required. Call 920-437-7623, ext. 10, or visit www.nationalrrmuseum.org.

THE POLAR EXPRESS The Monticello Chamber of Commerce hosts Lunch with Santa on the Train Dec. 4 and 5 at the Monticello Railway Museum, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. The journey, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., leaves the Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello and includes a reading of the story. Tickets are $20 per person. For information, visit www.polarexpressride.com or call 877-762-9011. For tickets, visit www.mrym.org.

LUNCH WITH SANTA The Monticello Railway Museum hosts the Polar Express Nov. 27 and 28 and Dec. 5 and 6 in Monticello, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. Departures are 10 a.m. and 1, 2:15 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 and 2:30 p.m. Dec 6. Tickets are $11 per person. Visit www.monticellochamber.org.

HAPPY HOLIDAY RAILWAY Take a train ride through holiday light displays and visit with Santa Claus and his elves at the Illinois Railway Museum Dec. 5 and 6, 12 and 13 and 19 and 20. Children on Santa's "good" list will recieve a gift. Trains run every two hours at the museum in Union. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

TOYS FOR TOTS The 32nd annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at Dan Ryan Woods, 85th Street and Western Avenue, Chicago. The parade will proceed up Western to the Marine Reserve Center at Foster Avenue and Troy Street. Participants can gather at 8 a.m. and should bring an unwrapped new toy or game -- but no plush toys. Visit www.chicagolandtft.org or call 773-866-TOYS (8697).

BOAT SHOW The 80th annual Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show sails into McCormick Place North Jan. 13 - 17. Hundreds of the latest product s and accessories will be featured along with the Huck Finn Trout Pond and gree boating zone. Hours are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Jan 13, 14 and 15; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Jan 16 and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Jan 17. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for kids 13-15 and free for those 12 and younger. Seniors 65 and older will get $2 off Jan. 13. Visit www.ChicagoBoatShow.com .

STRICTLY SAIL Strictly Sail Chicago will be held Jan. 28 – 31 at Navy Pier. The event will include the latest sailboats and products, along with seminars and a kids activity center. Hours are 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Jan 28 and 29, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Jan. 31. Adult admission is $12 Jan. 28 and 29 and $15 Jan. 30 and 31. A two-day adult pass is $24. Children 15 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Visit www.StrictlySailChicago.com.

Having a public event? Rides would like to list it. Please send the information--event name, time, place, admission/fees and contact information--to What's up, Rides, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 or e-mail to transportation@tribune.com at least two weeks before the event. Submissions will be accepted in writing only.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

GPS antennas suit M2M telematics apps - Electronic Engineering Times

Posted: 11 Oct 2009 09:29 AM PDT

Taoglas has developed the SGP series of first SMT GPS antenna products guaranteed to pass final device product certification for reflow solder profile tests, device environmental tests (temperature, humidity etc) and mechanical testing (shock, vibration etc.) for machine-to-machine (M2M) telematics devices.

With the SGP line, M2M manufacturers now have a GPS antenna that is delivered via tape and reel and can be mounted during the standard reflow process. Automatic assembly brings many efficiency savings including quicker and more accurate assembly and consistency of electrical connection. In this unique patent-pending design, Taoglas has taken the traditional patch antenna technology, mounted the antenna onto a PCB and delivered the feedpoint out to the side of the patch without exposing the feedline. While current market antenna feedpoints crack during high temperature and vibration tests because of exposed feed lines, the SGP antennas are durable and resilient enough to withstand temperatures of -40°C to +105°C, and vibrations of 20G for cars and motorcycles. SGS certification has been made for these results.

There are four sizes offered; 25mm x 25mm x 5mm, 18mm x 18mm x 5mm, 15mm x 15mm x 5mm and 12mm x 12mm x 4.5mm. Future products in the series will be; 25mm x25mm x 2.8mm and 18mm x 18mm x 2.8mm for lower device PCB profile.

"All of the best solutions are simple, and this is the case with the surface mount SGP," said Dermot O'Shea, director, Taoglas. "Because this antenna is mounted onto a PCB, there is no pin sticking out. For the first time, the antenna and module can now be mounted on the same side of the board, freeing up valuable real estate on compact mobile devices. Components can be placed directly on the other side of the board from the patch antenna. Pads are used for soldering the antenna to the board keeping it stable and enabling it to withstand high temperature, humidity and environmental tests. Following on from design wins in the OEM automotive area, we anticipate a high degree of interest from the M2M market for this ground-breaking design."

GPS patch antenna technology has been proven across the industry to be the best antenna technology for receiving GPS signals. It offers high gain, a narrow bandwidth and can be right-hand circularly polarized, matching the characteristics of the actual signal itself. With the new generation of receivers, patch antennas can also pick up signals even when placed upside-down, in effect making them preferable to the much inferior gain of linear polarized chip, helix, and PIFA antenna solutions.

- Henri Arnold
EE Times Europe

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

China Bank donates P1M for Ondoy and Pepeng victims, launches donation ... - Business World

Posted: 11 Oct 2009 08:39 AM PDT

Monday, October 12, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Corporate Bulletins

In response to the recent calamities, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, China Bank has an on-going donation drive to benefit the victims of the said typhoons.

The Bank is donating P1 million to support the relief operations of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). In addition, the Bank is also accepting cash or check donations for typhoon victims though the China Bank Calamity/Disaster Fund: Savings account no.: 203-365071-3. Inter-branch transaction fees are waived for all the donations to the said fund. The proceeds of the Bank's donation drive will likewise be turned over to PNRC.

Aside from the efforts to help the general public, China Bank also has a relief program for its own employees who were adversely affected by the typhoons. A similar donation drive has been set-up with the employee-victims as beneficiaries. Donations to this fund may be deposited to China Bank Relief Effors: Savings account no.: 203-363941-7. The relief goods donated by employees were distributed to the Bank's agency personnel ? security guards, drivers, messengers and janitors. The Bank is also providing employee-victims with calamity loans of up to P200,000 at only 3% interest, a one time cash gift of P5,000 (on top of the proceeds of the donation drive), and other benefits.

The information contained in this email message is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and other parties authorized to receive it. Confidential or legally privileged information may be contained in this message. If you are not the intended recipient of this email and its attachments, you may not use, copy, distribute or deliver to anyone any part of this message or take any action or reliance on it. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of China Banking Corporation. China Banking Corporation is neither liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication nor for delay in it's receipt.

GfK Philippines Shifts Gear to Automotive

GfK Philippines (GfK PH) has entered the tire market as a strategic move to expand its panel and channel reach in the market. Last July 2009, GfK PH has officially launched its initial activities to officially start auditing the passenger car tire retail market. Based on this activity, GfK PH identified the significant channels to be tire specialists and fast fitters or shops/garages offering minor services. However, other channels will also be included in the retail audit as long as these shops are carrying brand new passenger car tires such as garage workshops, spare parts shops, and tuning shops. Our first phase for the automotive panel is to focus in the metropolitan area or NCR and later expand to other key cities and provinces as we progress. Based on our retail census, more than 85% of retailers are independent or small retailers while the remaining piece of the market is the big chains. This will be a very challenging endeavor for us as this is outside our traditional retail audit business, according to Jake Savellano, GfK Philippines General Manager.

GfK PH sees the area of concentration in the Manila, Makati, South Manila (comprising Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa areas), Pasig, and Quezon City areas. GfK Philippines Business Development Manager for Automotive, Ron Arambulo said, The passenger car tire tracking have already started in other GfK Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Korea. We started off with NCR since it accounts to 40-50% of the total Philippine retail tire market.

The pragmatic approach of tire consumers has made tire retailers to be more aggressive in addressing the needs and wants of consumers. Discounts, bundling promos, freebies, print ads, and other below-the-line activities dominate the retail tire market scene. This is based on the initial activities done by GfK PH to jumpstart its automotive panel. Consumer tend to buy replacement tires that are either cheap thus, the influx of China-brand tires or just buy the kind of brand currently mounted on their vehicles. Consumers are very cautious in shifting brands and would prefer not to switch to avoid vehicular glitches. This reflects the local sentiments of retailers in recommending brands to retailers.

The tire market is evolving especially with China brands gaining traction in the local market. Despite the slowdown in car sales, we are optimistic that the automotive industry will gain its momentum and when this happens, we will be there to provide manufacturers and retailers with significant, accurate, and up-to-date retail market data and insights to help them become more competitive, added Ron Arambulo.

The GfK Group

The GfK Group, founded in Germany and with its Philippine office located in Makati City, is the fourth largest market research company in the world. We specialize in retail sales tracking of consumer goods with data from retailers and resellers in more than 100 countries worldwide. For more information, visit our website at www.gfkrt.com or call +632 889 6764 local 105.

BMW Z4 Roadster launched in RP

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the exclusive distributor of BMW cars and motorcycles in the Philippines, celebrates 75 years of the BMW Roadster with the launch of the new BMW Z4 Roadster.

A fascinating milestone in automotive technology, the new BMW Z4 Roadster is the only vehicle in its segment to combine classic roadster proportions with a seating position close to the rear axle, rear-wheel drive and a fully-automatic retractable hardtop.

The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by — and driving with the hardtop closed, it provides all the comfort of a premium sports coupé. With this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 represents the re-birth of the roadster.

"In a nutshell you can describe BMW's new sports car as the fast, beautiful and reliable car bound to give the ambitious sports driver one exhilarating experience after the other," said Jay Cruz, sales director of ACC.

The design of the new Z4 is characterized by classic details interpreted in a new and contemporary style. The appeal of this two-seater lies in its unique combination of elegance, agility, and supreme comfort.

The aluminum shells of the two-piece lightweight hardtop come to rest in the roof compartment, thereby maximizing space. Even with the roof closed, the new Z4 retains the proportions typical of a genuine roadster. With these features, the new model is the successor to both the BMW Z4 Roadster and the BMW Z4 Coupé.

Anyone who appreciates the open-air feeling characteristic of a BMW convertible can look forward to the new BMW Z4, which is now available at BMW dealers.

To learn more about the new BMW Z4, contact any of the authorized BMW dealers, Autohaus BMW (Libis) at 638-0734; Autozentrum BMW (Alabang) at 772- 6021 to 24; Klassik BMW (San Juan) at 722-2555; Performance Auto BMW (Cebu) at +6332 231 9791; Premier Cars BMW (Pampanga) at +6345 963 7777; and Prestige Cars BMW (Makati) at 892- 8127.

Pharmaceutical firm supports La Mesa Watershed project

Holding true to its commitment of making a positive difference in the lives of Filipinos, Otsuka (Philippines) Pharma-ceuticals, Inc. (OPPI) recently initiated an environmental project in collaboration with ABS-CBN's Bantay Kalikasan, called Adopt a Hectare.

The fund donated by OPPI will be used to finance the expenses to maintain one hectare in three years, which includes securing the perimeter from squatters, and to finance the caretaker of the area who takes care of the trees planted.

Employees were also one with the companies' vision as they trooped to the site to show support for the project. They participated during the ceremonial tree planting activity to symbolize the launch of the commitment.

Adopt a Hectare is another milestone added to the numerous corporate social responsibility projects undertaken by Otsuka. "We have done projects like helping streetchildren, bloodletting, and sponsoring the education of underprivileged kids. Now, we feel that this is the better time to do something for the environment, and this is the perfect venue for us," shared Pol Dimerin, president of OPPI.

The La Mesa Watershed is the last forest of its size in the metropolis.

The concentric expansion of human population in Metro Manila affected the forest. The inadequacy of watershed protection led to the former natural forest's cover to dwindle.

Bantay Kalikasan of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. started a reforestation program in the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed in 1999. By rehabilitating and managing the La Mesa watershed as a nature park, the following values would be enhanced: watershed protection; education; recreation-aesthetics; wildlife; and research, to name a few.

"This partnership with Bantay Kalikasan does not only help address the environment concerns we are currently facing. This is more than planting new trees at the site. The sustainability of the project is a factor that needs to be highlighted," Mr. Dimerin explained.

He added, "Otsuka's promise is to improve the quality of life of its community. We are already seeing the effects when we take advantage of the environment and through the Adopt a Hectare, we hope to educate the public and generate awareness on what should be done so that future generation can still enjoy Mother Earth's beauty and gifts to men."

Conference slated

The Philippines will host the 15^th Asian-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC15) which will tackle the latest developments and new ideas on corrosion control and conservation of material resources in the region. To be held in the country for the first time, the three-day conference will run from Oct. 18 to 21 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City and is being organized by the Philippine Corrosion Society Inc. (PhiCS) with plenary sessions that will feature leading international experts on corrosion. With over 100 delegates from 15 countries already confirmed, the conference will also showcase 40 scientific papers on corrosion in the chemical processing, semiconductor, oil and gas, nuclear power, utilities, construction, and medical industries. For more information, contact Fairs & More Inc. at 845-1324 or 759-6680 and look for Zai Tan-Perez or e-mail to: apccc@fairsandmore.com.ph; contact APCCC Secretariat Annalyn Wong at 392-5545 or 0917-8976357.

ATR KimEng receives best domestic broker award

FinanceAsia, Asia's leading financial print and online publishing company, has announced that ATR KimEng Securities, Inc., the stock brokerage subsidiary of the ATR KimEng Group, was chosen Best Domestic Broker in its 2009 Country Awards for Achievement, an annual look at the best financial services firms in each country around the region. In photo during the awards gala dinner is ATR KimEng Securities chairman and president Lorenzo Roxas (center) receiving the award from FinanceAsia.com editor Anette Jonsson (left) and FinanceAsia and AsianInvestor publisher Jonathan Hirst.

Alphaland opens in Southgate Mall

Rick Santos, CB Richard Ellis chairman, joins Mario Oreta, president of Alphaland Corp., Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Roberto Ongpin, chairman of Alphaland Corp. at the Southgate Mall opening ceremonies on the corner of Pasong Tamo and EDSA in Makati. The tower's 40,000 square meters of office space atop the new mall is scheduled for turn over in November. Facilities will be managed by CBRE.

BPI recognized as best asset management firm

BPI Asset Management has been named as Best Asset Management Company, Philippines in The Asset Triple A Investment Awards 2009.

BPI Asset Management retains a dominant market share of the asset management business in the Philippines, managing over P380 billion in assets, representing 22% industry share among 38 market players as of June 30.

Its vast pool of institutional and retail clients consists of 835 institutional accounts, including several government institutions and top corporations in the Philippines and 46,000 individual clients.

BPI Asset Management's industry leadership is backed by the complete line of trust products and services it offers, highly experienced pool of investment and trust practitioners and state-of-the-art system infrastructure.

BPI Asset Management has a long history of experience in money management and has the prestige of being the only local bank qualified to be a third party custodian on the strength of its CAMELS rating of 4.

The Asset Triple A Investment Awards comes on the heels of recognition earlier this year from the Reader's Digest Asia's Trusted Brands where BPI Asset Management won Gold for the third straight year.

The Asset Triple A Investment Awards is Asia's defining recognition for excellence for the leading investment companies in the Asia-Pacific. The Triple A Awards methodology adopts a rigorous approach to the selection of the best institutions and products throughout the region. After detailed analysis of the submissions, point scores for both quantitative and qualitative factors are combined in the determination of the winners.

The Asset is the leading finance publication for Asian corporates and global investors active in the region. The magazine specializes in providing analysis and insight into how Asia's leading companies raise and manage their capital, as well as the buying behavior of global investors active in Asia's markets.

The Asset is published by Asset Publishing and Research Ltd.

Filipina is 100^th cadet pilot in Etihad flying program

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has welcomed the 100^th cadet pilot to its innovative and expanding flying program.

Filipina-Emirati Shareefa Al Bloushi from Abu Dhabi, whose mother is a Filipina, is a member of Etihad's tenth group of cadets which recently started the 18-month training program at the Horizon Flight Academy in Al Ain. She is also the sixth female Emirati cadet pilot to join the program, and eighth female overall.

The Etihad Airways cadet pilot program was launched in June 2007 with the first group of cadet pilots, who graduated from the course in February 2009, now training and flying aboard the airline's Airbus A320 fleet.

"The recruitment, training and development of cadet pilots is of the utmost importance to Etihad Airways and an integral part of maintaining our position as a leading global airline," Captain Richard Hill, Etihad Airways' chief operations officer.

"To reach the milestone of 100 cadet pilots is a great achievement and we offer Shareefa, our 100th cadet pilot, and her new colleagues our best wishes as they start training."

Shareefa Al Bloushi is a member of Etihad's expanding female pilot community which currently includes 15 female first officers and cadet pilots within its ranks. This figure is expected to double during the next 12 months.

"I am extremely proud to be a part of the Etihad Airways female pilot community and to be learning alongside other women pilots from across the world," Ms. Al Bloushi said.

"While the program is rigorous and demanding it will ensure that I have the best training and development for when I graduate and become a fully-qualified Etihad pilot."

In order to gain the Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL) the cadet pilots have to complete 750 hours of classroom tuition and 205 hours flight training in single and multi-engine aircraft.

During this time they also have to pass the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority's theoretical knowledge and flying exams.

Back to top

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.