FAC1932

The following statistics in a graph from US Census Bureau points out one of the long term issues to get solved by the USA and especially US corporations.

Wikipedia is defining Mardi Gras as follows: The terms “Mardi Gras” (mär`dē grä) and “Mardi Gras season“, in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. From the French term “Mardi Gras” (literally “Fat Tuesday”), the term has come to mean the whole period of activity related to those events, beyond just the single day, often called Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday. The season can be designated by the year, as in “Mardi Gras 2008″.

US President B. Obama signed a $ 787 bn recovery package into law on last Tuesday. His main aim is to grow the US economy. The package aims to create or save 3,5 million jobs over the next two years. $ 150 bn will get spent on infrastructure projects and $ 43 bn is earmarked for green technologies to double output in three years. Also “Buy American” is included in the package - at least Brazil, India and China would be subject to some restrictions.

The challenge is huge with trade deficit ($ - 677,1 bn in 2008), mills working on 50% capacity utilization, nonfarm payroll employment falling in January by 598,000 persons, and the unemployment rate rising from 7.2 to 7.6 percent. Payroll employment has declined by 3.6 million since December 2007; about one-half of this decline occurred in the past 3 months. In January, job losses were large and widespread (Bureau of  Labor Statistics).All together around 3,6 million jobs have been lost since December 2007.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Chinese President Hu Jintao has exchanged views with his US counterpart Barack Obama by phone and other means after he took office, reaching consensus on further promoting Sino-US relations in the new era. He said Chinese government has valued relations with the United States, and as the largest developing country and the largest developed one, China and the United States should and are able to establish a “long-term, stable, healthy and developing relations.” Clinton was scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and State Councilor Dai Bingguo later Saturday. She will also visit a clean thermal power plant built with U.S. and Chinese technology, which Clinton hailed as “an example of the kind of  job-creating, bilateral, public-private collaboration that we need so much more of.” (by China Daily)

FAC1932 Wine Tasting with Beverage Partners Finland Oy in Helsinki on February 26th, 2009 at 5:30 pm (17:30). The cost is 20,- euro per person - MUST be paid onto our account number 800011-00103143 at Sampo Bank until February 21st., 2009! Welcome!

Location: Beverage Partners Finland Oy, Kaikukatu 3 A, 00530 HELSINKI
P. 040 7788 663 and 09- 622 919 32

Please, any questions per clicking the letter sign below.

The Finnish-American Club 1932 wishes all its members and friends a happy and joyful Valentine’s Day!

Our wine tasting event on Feb. 26th is fully booked and will be a success! Welcome!

Finnish composer, pianist and jazz legend Heikki Sarmanto on solo piano at the Salmagundi Club on Thursday, February 12, 2009 @ 7pm. Join us for this early Valentine’s Day celebration in the handsome parlor of the Salmagundi Club. Bring your sweetheart, or a friend, and listen to Heikki’s inspirational tunes!
Composer and pianist Heikki Sarmanto, a leading figure in Finnish jazz, has been internationally acclaimed for his symphonic, orchestral and jazz ensemble works, as well as numerous, distinctively personal mixture of idioms from jazz, classical and ethnic music.

Suggested donation: $10 at the door.
*Drinks* available (soft drinks, wine, champagne) at cash bar downstairs.
*Dinner* available downstairs in the restaurant until 9pm; the menu includes “Swedish meatballs”, (same as Finnish meatballs), also now available Simo’s Nordic Rye bread! And for dessert chocolate cake - reservations strongly recommended 212 255-7740 or email //info@finlandcenter.org/ <http://finlandcenter.pmailus.com/pmailweb/ct?d=HGPBIwAEAAEAAAW0AAKDRA>
/Address: 47 Fifth Avenue @ 12th St. Subways to Union Square./