Economic optimism grows, but risks remain
Jacobs Realty Group of Radnor, Pa., has seen two dithering clients lose out on office building purchases to other buyers in the past two weeks — a phenomenon that hadn't occurred in about four years.
And in the past month, six customers of Maykus Custom Homes have signed letters of intent to buy newly built houses in the Fort Worth area. The previous average: one a month — maybe.
STORY: Weekly unemployment claims fall againFour years after the recession officially began in December 2007, economists, businesses and consumers alike have expressed a growing optimism about the recovery in recent weeks. The more confident, if still tempered, outlook is taking shape as the nation seems to be navigating past some big stumbling blocks — such as high gasoline prices — that have impeded growth most of this year. Some recent encouraging signs:
Most encouraging: Much of the hiring appears to be by small businesses, which typically fuel job growth in a recovery. •The housing market, though still anemic and weighed down by foreclosures, is showing small signs of life. In October, pending home
Brett Nicholas Richard Kuzimski, shaven-haired with a menacing presence, chose to boast of his shocking sins after carefully asking if the conversation was confidential and being assured it was. However, the experienced but rattled prison worker
The three Ds fuel Gurinder Dhillon's income. “Debt, divorce and plain dumb,” the 43-year-old Londoner says. Mr Dhillon, who has a refined British accent, a smooth-shaven head and a silver-grey sharp suit, is an aircraft repo man
It's a little like shaving in the rear-view mirror while you're on your way to work. If you're driving a lethal weapon, you need to pay attention to what you're doing on the road, first and foremost. Everything else is not so bloody important that it
His interest, however, started a life of woodworking. Now, at 32, Hollerud's artistic ability with wood fuels another art, music. Though he's employed as a cabinet worker in Austin, his current pastime is fixing violins violas, cellos, basses and other
