The Courier News :: Business ::

Regina's offers regional Italian in a cozy atmosphere

By JEANIE MAYER For The Courier News — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

For an authentic Italian dining experience that's as comfortable as your own table at home, make plans to visit Regina's Via Trent Uno in West Dundee. The interior of Regina's is warm and inviting and makes you feel like you have entered the home of owners Philip and Regina Campanella.

Top Dish

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

VITELLA ALLA MASCARPONE (VEAL MASCARPONE): Veal medallions sauteed with mushrooms in a sweet marsala wine sauce served with side pasta. $17.95

Nearly half-million jobs lost so far in '08

By JEANNINE AVERSA The Associated Press — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

The nation lost jobs for a sixth month in a row in June, a storm of pink slips drenching this year's July Fourth holiday for more than 60,000 Americans and leaving thousands more worried about the future.

Utah is going to a 4-day workweek

By MIKE STARK The Associated Press — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

SALT LAKE CITY -- Starting next month, it will be "TGIT" for Utah state employees. As in: "Thank God It's Thursday."

Americans begin to embrace coupons

BY DAN SEWELL — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

With household budgets tightening, some Americans are making couponing both a part-time job and a sport. As gas and food prices soar, and job security weakens, couponing is regaining popularity. ''That lackluster economy brings out the couponing tendency in all of us,'' said Sharon Baker, executive director of Shortcuts.

Far-flung 'burbs fork over more for gas than city folk

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Living in the far-flung suburbs of McHenry and Kane counties may give you a bigger lawn than living in Chicago. But the bucolic life has gotten more expensive because of high gas prices, according to a recent study. Since 2000, average gas costs in the Chicago area have risen from about $1.99 a gallon to $4.24 a gallon.

Oil prices near record $146

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Oil prices neared $146 a barrel Thursday for the first time ever on reports of declining U.S. stockpiles and the threat of conflict with Iran.

Vegetarian mom saves money on food

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Toby Singer, 39, of Edgebrook, is a stay-at-home mom with two daughters, Emma, 8, and Anna 5. Her husband, Jeff, is a project manager for Chicago's 311 service. She tells how she saves money: I am a vegetarian, so I do not buy meat. Veggies are a lot cheaper and healthier.

Microsoft goes subscription route

The Associated Press — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Microsoft Corp. will begin selling its Office programs to consumers on a subscription basis starting mid-July, in a bid to reach thrifty PC buyers who would otherwise pass on productivity software.

Employers cut jobs for sixth straight month

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

WASHINGTON---- Employers cut payrolls by 62,000 in June, the sixth straight month of nationwide job losses, underscoring the economy's fragile state. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.5 percent.

Stocks end mixed following jobs, services data

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Study: U.S. ranks last among world's largest economies

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

BERLIN---- The U.S. has done the least among the world's eight biggest economies to address global warming, a study released Thursday found.

Movie productions keep rolling despite uncertainty

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

LOS ANGELES---- On-location movie shoots are on the rise in Los Angeles, despite repeated warnings from Hollywood studios that the possibility of an actors strike had stalled moviemaking, a permitting group said Wednesday.

Jobless lines growing longer

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

WASHINGTON---- The number of newly laid off people signing up for unemployment insurance rose sharply last week.

Swiss free disputed funds for Motorola

AP — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- Switzerland's highest court has ruled that Motorola Inc. will receive disputed funds the former owners of the Turkish telecom company Telsim had deposited in Swiss banks.

She saves $35,000 a year

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Sandra Guy: Marsha Flood learned to squeeze every penny after she decided to stay home to raise three children. Flood, 57, of Geneva,made do on half of the family's previous income, survived her husband's year-long layoff and ended up cutting the family's expenses by $35,000 a year while maintaining a middle-class lifestyle.

Toy story: A plush deal

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

David Roeder: Itasca-based Enesco LLC said Tuesday it bought the GUND line of plush toys, its biggest acquisition since emerging from bankruptcy in early 2007. The deal points to Enesco's strategy of building a portfolio of brands in gifts, collectibles and home decor products, said Matthew Bousquette, executive chairman of Enesco. Bousquette said that by consolidating a fragmented business, Enesco has gone from $200 million in annual sales before the bankruptcy to more than $300 million.

Factory orders post modest 0.6 percent gain in May