Business - Nation/World

The Culinary Institute of America, Greystone announced today that Randall Grahm, founder and President-for-Life of Bonny Doon Vineyard, will be among the 2010 inductees for the annual Vintners Hall of Fame. The C.I.A. Hall of Fame, established in 2007, honors California vintners, past and present, who have made significant contributions to the wine industry. Grahm, an iconoclastic and at times contrarian vintner based in Santa Cruz, was taken aback by this honor. “It is more than a bit surreal to find myself here in Napa Valley acknowledged for my vinous achievements. While deeply moved by this unexpected honor, I do feel a bit out of place, not unlike a cru bourgeois amongst the first growths,” said Grahm.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Pamela Hyde as Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS.

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) announced their opposition to the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” released this week by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Additionally, while Senator Reid pushes ahead to finalize sweeping healthcare legislation in order to extend coverage to the uninsured and control increasing healthcare costs, the AANS and CNS cannot ignore several key issues which are vital to any overhaul plan and are missing from this bill including: concrete options for proven medical liability reform and protections to ensure patient choice of physician, including the right of patients to privately contract with their physicians.

Notice is hereby given that Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP has filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of a class consisting of all persons or entities who purchased the securities of SunPower Corporation (“SunPower” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:SPWRA; SPWRB) between April 17, 2008 and November 16, 2009, inclusive (the “Class Period”).

CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) will be participating in the Wedbush 10^th Annual California Dreamin’ Conference on December 9, 2009. Details are as follows:

CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) announced today that the Company will release its results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, after market close.

Roman Polanski has learned of many press reports relating the pending case in California and to the extradition proceedings in Switzerland which contain statements by lawyers in France. These statements were not authorized by Mr. Polanski. The French lawyers do not represent him in the case and do not speak for him about it. The lawyers representing Mr. Polanski in the California criminal proceedings and in the California Court of Appeal are Douglas Dalton, Bart Dalton, and Chad Hummel. Dr. Lorenz Erni represents Mr. Polanski in Switzerland. Only these lawyers and, of course, Mr. Polanski himself are authorized to speak on his behalf with respect to the pending matters. Any statements made in the press to the effect that Mr. Polanski will not accept lawful orders of the courts, including relating to extradition, are not true. The questions about whether the criminal case in California should be dismissed because of misconduct by the court and the prosecution, relating to any further sentencing, and concerning the legality of the extradition request are being addressed in court. Mr. Polanski and his counsel will make his legal positions and their views on these subjects known there. If Mr. Polanski and his legal team determine that it is appropriate to provide public statements, they will be issued by Douglas Dalton, Bart Dalton, Chad Hummel or Lorenz Erni.

Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP has been appointed as Co-Lead Counsel in the securities class action against Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. (“Skilled Healthcare” or the “Company”) (NYSE:SKH), certain of the Company’s executive officers, and certain underwriters of the Company’s May 2007 initial public offering (“IPO”), currently pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California -- Shepardson v. Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc., et al., No. CV 09-5416-DOC (RZx).

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to the proposed initial public offering of shares of its Class A common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (Seattle Bank) today announced the results of its recent Board of Directors elections for member directors in Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah and for two independent director positions.

With the holidays around the corner, the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (www.nafcu.org) is offering these tips to help folks avoid the holiday budget hangover.

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2e479d/pittsburgh_breast) has announced the addition of the "Pittsburgh Breast Imaging" training to their offering.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCBB: FMBL) today announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $21 per share and a special cash dividend of $25 per share on the Bank’s common stock. Both dividends are payable on December 15, 2009 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2009.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ABILIFY^® (aripiprazole) for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, including symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009: Community Foundation of Central Florida Unveils New Web Site with Detailed “Portraits” of Charitable Organizations in Central Florida; Transparency Expected to Stimulate Nonprofit Marketplace and Change Giving