Tattoos crawl under the workplace's skin
Tattoos have moved beyond peace signs adorning hippies, hearts on sailors and skulls on bikers. But is corporate America ready for skin art?
Once in vogue with bikers and sailors, tattoos achieved mainstream popularity a decade ago, adorning the skin of celebrities, models and professional athletes.
( BY GREGORY SCHMIDT, gschmidt@herald.com, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

'Best Business Stories' well worth the read
Editors Andrew Leckey and Jack Bogle offer a wellbalanced representation of some of last year's best writing on the subject.
The Best Business Stories of the Year - 2004 Edition. Andrew Leckey, Jack Bogle (editors). Vintage Books. 496 pages. $15. Maybe I'm a masochist, but I enjoy reading business books. Invariably, when I tell people that I review them on a weekly basis, I receive an unbelieving eye-roll or a semi-sympathetic smile of pity. But the fact is, the subject of business encompasses nearly every aspect of human activity, so if you're a curious person and have the time, you can learn a lot.
( BY RICHARD PACHTER, rpachter@herald.com, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

SUNSHINE INDUSTRIES | MARKETING
All in la familia: CSA Marketing woos giants well
As the executive vice president of a small but fast-charging marketing and promotions company in Doral, Jorge Fusté is unafraid to stalk the halls of corporate giants like Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble to solicit new business. But when the time comes to close a deal, he brings in a secret weapon, his business ace-in-the-hole: his 68-year-old mom, Martha Mestril, the founder and president of their 10-year-old firm, CSA Marketing.
( BY D. E. LéGER, dleger@herald.com, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

Spicing up the sweepstakes
Targeting the Hispanic market for Dentyne Fire gum, CSA Marketing will place nine winners at the lunch table with singer Chayanne.
In 2003, Dentyne hired CSA Marketing to pump up the connection between its spokesperson, Puerto Rican singer Chayanne, and its new spicy cinnamon gum.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

INTERNATIONAL
Exports helped turn Everglades steel into major player
To understand Everglades Steel, it's important to note what it isn't. It is not, for instance, a steel company in the strictest sense.
( BY GREGG FIELDS, gfields@herald.com, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

CHATROOM
A digital jukebox for that lost salt shaker
Think of these machines as ATMs that dispense tunes instead of cash. Ecast, based in San Francisco, has a network of 1,800 digital jukeboxes nationwide The music machines, which take coins or credit cards to play out your favorite songs, have a hard drive that holds 300 tunes and a touch-screen for making selections.
( BEA GARCIA, bgarcia@herald.com, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

It's a gem of a job
For jeweler Allen Shapiro, working with precious metals and stones provides a creative outlet and guarantees job security in an age of growing mechanization.
Second generation jeweler Allen Shapiro never forgot what his dad, George, told him 25 years ago: Work with your hands and you will always have a job. It seems that George, who worked as a jewelry polisher, had the right idea.
( BY WENDY DOSCHER--SMITH, Special to The Herald, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

ASK DOCTOR LAW
Unhappy buyers protected by warranty law
Q: I bought a laptop computer from a national dealer, but I've had nothing but problems with it. Bottom line: It doesn't work the way it should, and I want my money back. Problem is I never registered the purchase card that came with it, and the seller says because of that I have no legal rights and refuses to give me a refund or replacement. This sounds unfair to me. What can I do?
( MARTIN E. SEGAL, askdoctorlaw@herald.com, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

INTERNATIONAL
Price bubble on property grows in Spain
(AFP) -- Spanish property prices raced ahead 15.8 percent in 2003 to climb to an average price of 1,931 euros (1 euro = $1.28) per square meter, according to a study released last week.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

Few tax changes expected for 2004 -- at least for now
For business owners, this year will be a simpler tax year because some computations aren't as complicated as they were in 2003.
While 2003 brought many tax law changes affecting small businesses, it looks as if 2004 might be quieter -- unless the Bush administration and Congress, mindful that it's an election year, decide to tweak the laws a little further.
( BY JOYCE M. ROSENBERG, Associated Press, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

In 1954, TV dinners were big news
To read The Wall Street Journal of 50 years ago is to enter a quainter world of business journalism.
''There's just too much oil,'' complained a senior executive of an energy company, as a world-wide glut lowered gasoline and home-heating prices. Meanwhile, a special Senate subcommittee convened to investigate the malfeasance behind ''sky-high'' coffee prices.
( BY CYNTHIA CROSSEN, The Wall Street Journal, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

REAL ESTATE
Sunshine Briefs
Carson Realty Group offers one-stop shop for condos If you're having trouble keeping up with all of the new condominium projects being announced, you're not alone. Even those of us paid to track them occasionally get our Jades mixed up with our Onyxs.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

Letters to the editor
GINGRICH STARTED COMMON GOOD It should not be so easy to invent controversy. The article ''Critics seek to curb huge contingency fees'' (Jan. 4 by Patrick Danner) is a perfect example of big-business spin disguised as a news story. The entire article is based on the false premise that there is a consumer advocacy group involved that is concerned with contingency fees. This group called Common Good is actually the opposite.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

Movers
ACCOUNTING Jose L. Urrechaga has established an office and formed an association with the firm of Marcos A. Guerra. The office is located at 3663 SW Eighth St., Miami. The phone number is 305-446-1427. Urrechaga was a founding partner of Grau & Co. CPAs before retiring as the firm's president emeritus.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

BANKRUPTCIES
Chapter 7: Debtor sells assets in return for discharge of debts. Chapter 11: Debtor company reorganizes under court supervision. Chapter 13: Debtor arranges plan to repay debt.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS AGENDA
BROWARD Florida Department of Revenue: Intangible tax seminars; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Hollywood Beach Cultural and Community Center, 1301 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood Beach; free. Alberto Collazo at 954-967-1821.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SALES
EMERALD HILLS STORES PURCHASED Location: 4000 to 4016 NW 46th Ave. Seller: Roho Emerald Woods and ESQ Park, whose officers include Barry Ross and Alan Gross.
( MICHAEL Y. CANNON, 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

ANALYSTS' ACTIONS
Analysts changed ratings or began coverage on these Florida stocks. Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (NABI) was rated new ''outperform'' in new coverage by analyst Mark Schoenebaum at Piper Jaffray & Co. The 12-month target is $18 per share.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)

THE WEEK AHEAD
MONDAY Treasury bill auction. TUESDAY Nothing scheduled. WEDNESDAY Commerce Department reports on international trade for November.
( 01/12/2004 03:01 AM EST)