Today's Number: 17.8 million

       Expected number of bales of cotton to be produced in the United States this year, down 12 percent from last year's record 20.3 million, the U.S. Agriculture Department estimated.

— Bloomberg News

Today's Mover

        Gerald L. Patterson has been named senior property accountant with Eagle Realty Group. Mr. Patterson has been with the company since 1999. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and administrative management from the University of Cincinnati.

— Shirley Dees

Today's Career Talk

       When it comes to making promises, nobody is more important than you are, says Linda Berman Fortgang, author of Living Your Best Life: Discover Your Life's Blueprint for Success. “It is to ourselves that we must first begin to give our word and keep it,” she says. “Breaking your own promises to yourself erodes your self-esteem. It deafens you to wisdom.”

— John Eckberg

Today's Money Tip

       If you have to choose between saving for your retirement or your child's college education, be selfish. Your child has other education options: Scholarships, student loans, assistance grants, work-study programs. But there's no financial aid for retirement. Run out of money in retirement and you could be a bigger burden on your children than not footing the bill for all four years would have been.

— Amy Higgins

Today's Company: Estate Entries

        Door Store: Jeff Goyer and Patrick Lowndes teamed up a year ago to sell and install distinctive residential doors. Their concept: to provide a wide selection of upscale main entry doors, and then to provide custom finishing and installation. Estate Entries' customers come from throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

        Custom Looks: The Sharonville company sells wood, fiberglass and steel doors, most of which have beveled glass inserts. Customers specify the finish and may order custom designs. Estate Entries' owners say a distinctive door adds curb appeal and can increase the value of a home.

        Getting Noticed: The company is installing a door in one of this year's Homearama homes and recently began advertising with Gary Sullivan on his home improvement radio show.

— Jenny Callison

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Industry notes: Manufacturing
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