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Saint Louis News - "All the news that is Saint Louis"
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Gov Holden Promotes Technology At Festus Elementary School ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), March 25, 2001 - Missouri Governor Bob Holden visited with students in classrooms at Festus Elementary School Friday, calling attention to the need for students to become proficient with the latest technology. Holden received a student demonstration of the e-MINTS technology program in Mrs. Tambra Ibaviosa's third grade class. Festus Elementary has the only eMINTS classrooms in Jefferson County. The eMINTS (enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies) Project was launched to encourage teachers to use high-speed connection of the Internet in their classrooms to improve the way they educate students. Preliminary results for pilot schools in the program have been so successful in raising student achievement and strengthening parental involvement in their children's education that Missouri's Commissioner of Education has launched a statewide initiative. "Our administration wants to integrate the latest technological tools into the education of Missouri's children so they will have the job skills to succeed in this new century economy," Holden said. Holden is recommending that the Missouri General Assembly increase the state's $16.7 million investment in technology grants from the primary grades to the postsecondary level by $4 million. He also has called for $2.5 million to be used as the first funding specifically targeted at training instructors in how to teach their students computer skills. Holden also visited the fourth grade students of Mrs. Laura Lewis, who watched him read "The Little Engine That Could" March 2 on the Internet during Read Across America week. In addition, he helped fifth graders Brittany Sinclair and Josh Long begin the day with an all school recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Festus Elementary School was a 1999 Missouri Gold Star and National Blue Ribbon School.  SAVVIS Reaches Payment Agreements With BRIDGE, WorldCom, Sprint HERNDON, Va.,(BUSINESS WIRE), March 25, 2001 - SAVVIS Communications Corp. has reached a settlement agreement with Bridge Information Systems Inc. (BRIDGE) which provides for continued payments by BRIDGE to SAVVIS for networking services. In conjunction with this agreement, SAVVIS has resolved its payment disputes with WorldCom, Inc. and Sprint Corp. The stipulation was agreed to by all parties and the order was signed by Judge David McDonald in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis. Motorola Takes Further Steps to Cut Costs SCHAUMBURG, IL,(BUSINESS WIRE), March 25, 2001 - Motorola, Inc. has announced additional efforts to reduce costs and position the company for long-term growth. The company will reduce its workforce worldwide by approximately 4,000 positions within its Networks Sector across its three businesses: the Commercial, Government and Industrial Solutions Sector (CGISS); the Global Telecommunications Solutions Sector (GTSS); and the Broadband Communications Sector (BCS). Motorola expects to record a charge against first- and second-quarter earnings, reflected as a special item, as appropriate according to generally accepted accounting practices. "Motorola is making tough but deliberate and strategic business decisions in order to remain competitive in the slowing economy. Unfortunately, reductions have been necessary for us to improve financial performance, and this is something that we will have to continually evaluate as we monitor market and economic conditions," said Edward D. Breen, president of Motorola's Networks Sector. "The Networks Sector is committed to strengthening its position as a global leader in communication and information solutions and to providing customers with compelling new products and technologies that make things smarter and life better." Since December, Motorola has announced plans to eliminate 22,000 positions through a combination of internal restructurings and divestitures of some operations from a global workforce of 147,000. Small Towns and Villages Appeal to US Travelers ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), March 25, 2001 - A special Travel Poll by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) indicates dining out (70%) and shopping (58%) top the list of activities by travelers to small towns or villages.
Other popular activities include going to a beach, lake, or river (44%), visiting historical sites (41%), fishing, hunting, or boating (32%), and attending a festival or fair (29%). One in four travelers go bike riding or hiking (24%) or attend a religious service (23%). About one in five travelers go camping (21%) or participate in a sporting event (18%). Smaller numbers of travelers visit a winery, working farm, or orchard (15%), go gambling (12%), or visit a Native American community (11%). "These numbers show there is definitely a market for rural attractions," said William S. Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America. "Small-town America appeals to many travelers because of its unique charm, in addition to the wide variety of activities and history. The quiet pace is an alternative to the hustle and bustle of larger cities." Baby Boomer travelers seem to find rural travel especially appealing, as this age group is more likely than younger or older travelers to visit small towns or villages for reasons other than visiting friends and relatives. Not surprisingly, Generations X and Y and Baby Boomers are more likely than Matures to go to a beach/lake/river or go fishing/hunting/boating while visiting a small town or village. They are also more inclined to participate in outdoor activities, such as bike riding, hiking, camping or attending a sporting event. On the other hand, historical sites are more popular among Baby Boomers and Matures. In general, rural travelers most often stay at a hotel or motel (42%) or at a friend's or relative's home (36%). Some stay in a camper, trailer, RV or tent (7%) or a cabin, condominium, or vacation home (6%). Only one percent of rural travelers stay at bed and breakfast establishments. Nine percent of visits to small towns or villages are day trips. Younger travelers generally have less income, so it's not surprising that Generations X and Y (51%) are much more likely than Baby Boomers (28%) or Matures (30%) to stay with friends or relatives on this type of trip. According to The Mature Traveler, 2000 Edition, many more domestic trips are taken by Mature travelers who have completed college, have an annual household income of $75,000 or more and who are more technologically savvy than five years ago. And theyÕre spending more money too, with the average spending on a trip rising 10 percent to $431 (excluding transportation to destination), up from $390 in 1994.
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