Business memo 01/17/05

Westfield Group donates $1 million to Asia relief

As part of its own global initiative to help the victims of the tsunami disaster in South Asia, the chairman of the Westfield Group, Frank Lowy, has announced that Westfield would donate $1 million to the relief effort. Additionally, more than 60 Westfield Shoppingtowns in the United States will integrate with the relief efforts of Save the Children, serving as donation collection sites in support of Save the Children's Asia Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund.

Locally, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park will accept donations at its Shopping Concierge Center until Saturday.

Search begins for state's outstanding older worker

The Missouri Senior Employment Coordinating Committee, which helps promote the hiring of older workers, is looking for the state's most outstanding older worker.

To qualify for Missouri's 15th annual Outstanding Older Worker Contest, a nominee must be 55 or older, employed in and a resident of Missouri, and have a completed nomination form with a narrative listing contributions to the company. The nomination forms must be postmarked by March 11. Events for the winner are planned for April.

Entry forms may be obtained by contacting Gretchen Morse, Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri, Marquette Tower, 338 Broadway, Suite 500, Cape Girardeau, Mo., or by calling 334-0090, extension 258. Forms may be downloaded at www.job4you.org.

Local firm receives J.D. Power award

ERA Real Estate, of which ERA Cape Realty is a part, was the recipient of the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Award for "Highest Overall Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms." This marks the first time ERA Real Estate has received this distinction.

The J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 4,977 home buyers and sellers.