Business

Marco Community Bancorp Inc. launched a private placement offering Thursday for its preferred stock and warrants to purchase its common stock.
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Beginning Wednesday, a trip to the newsstand will require a jingle of quarters in the pockets of some news junkies. The Marco Eagle will be charging $.50 for single copy pick up in vending machines and at participating stores, after having been a free paper for about two years. Home delivery, to both single family homes and condominiums on Marco, Goodland and Isles of Capri, will still be free, said Eagle General Manager Bob Sandy. Full story »

The noble idea to host a community Thanksgiving dinner for families in need and those without relatives in the area appears to have come from humble beginnings. Directors of the civic group, Christmas Island Style, and owners of The Chef’s Express, a restaurant nestled in the Shops of Olde Marco, have joined together to host a Thanksgiving dinner for people in need on Marco Island. Full story »

Have you recently opened your brokerage statement and experienced sticker shock, especially if you own bonds? If so, I’d like to use the following example to help explain a few things about bond prices and valuations.
While generally much less volatile than bonds, determining property values in the residential real estate market is similar to determining bond valuations. Property valuation factors for your home or homes in your neighborhood include: (1) What a seller would like to receive and (2) What a buyer is willing to pay.
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I know you rely upon, “Peak Your Profits” to help you drive: Relationships, results and revenue; as well as, offer an ongoing dose of knowledge and inspiration. Yet, on your journey of growth and prosperity, (especially in challenging times), you can once again benefit from P.I.T. Stops.
A “P.I.T. Stop” is a: Provocative or playful ... Inspirational or informational ... Thought or theory.
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A new comprehensive dental service; a little more Oktoberfest in November, and financial tips in the face of possible job loss are some of this week’s topics Full story »

Marco Community Bancorp Inc. narrowed its losses in the third quarter. Full story »

Marco Island’s Area Association of Realtors welcomed a batch of new members at its latest general membership meeting, held Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Marco Island Yacht Club.
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Oktoberfest in November, a seminar to plan how to combat the economic woes, and a local bank steps up to provide bedding and clothes for needy children of migrant workers. These are some of the stories percolating to the top this week Full story »

Two simple words. They can bring the promise of a new tomorrow. A fresh start. A bright beginning. They are words that work.
They helped get Barack Obama elected, the 44th President of the United States.
He proved, thankfully, anything is possible!
This is not a political message. It’s a business message. Full story »

They’re baaaack! Thanksgiving is on the horizon and we’re starting to welcome our friends from the cold white North back to Paradise signifying the start of “season.” Full story »

Writing this column is fun. Even more fun is consulting with column readers to solve their real-life family and tax problems. When a reader consults with me, I ask him/her to send some basic data including a copy of their current estate plan. Recently, a small parade of readers have asked me to review or give a second opinion on what I call “Johnny-one-note estate planning.” Full story »

Holiday gifts from home are a big morale boost for military service members stationed around the world. To help the families and friends of military personnel, the Postal Service is offering a discount on its largest priority mail flat-rate box, according to a prepared release Friday by Yvonne Kelley of the U.S. Postal Service. Full story »

Scripps Southwest Florida Group met with employees Thursday to say it is eliminating 34 positions, about 10 percent of its workforce.
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While having dinner with new friends the other night I had a flashback of a high school class we had each week called “PIWA,” which stands for Politics, Investments and World Affairs. I’m sure that the teacher from all those years ago would be pleased to know that he I had indeed been paying attention those years ago. Full story »