BOSTON -- Circles, the concierge service company that plans to bring 330 jobs to Chelmsford, said yesterday that it has been acquired by Sodexho Alliance, a French-based global provider of food and facilities management services. Terms were not disclosed. The move is not expected to affect Circles' plans to open an office at 300 Apollo Drive in Chelmsford, as Sodexho said Circles would operate as a freestanding, indirect subsidiary and remain in the Bay State. In June, Chelmsford Special Town Meeting approved a property-tax exemption that could total as much as $139,000 if the company stays 13 years. Circles creates and delivers concierge, personal assistant experience and event programs.

Campanini is on newspaper board

LOWELL -- Sun Editor Jim Campanini of Lowell has been elected to a three-year term on the Board of Governors for the New England Society of Newspaper Editors. Campanini was elected last week during the board's annual conference at the Boston Harbor Marriott Quincy. He fills a spot vacated by Hartford Courant

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Editorial Page Editor Bob Schrepf, who recently retired. Other board members are: Karen Bordeleau, Providence Journal; Jon Kellogg, Waterbury (Conn.) Republican; Leah Lamson, Worcester Telegram & Gazette; Ray Lamont, Westerly Sun; Len Levin, Quincy Patriot Ledger; Gary Witherspoon, The Boston Globe; Ginger Kozlowski, New Hampshire weeklies; Maria Archangelo, Stowe (Vt.) Reporter (president); Brett Rhyne, Salem State journalism professor; and Eric Conrad of the Kennenbec Journal/Morning Sentinel.

AS&E to serve Beijing Olympics

BILLERICA -- American Science & Engineering Inc. said yesterday that it has landed a contract to supply 15 of its Gemini Parcel Inspection Systems to safeguard checkpoints at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed. AS&E, which employs about 300 people locally, makes a variety of X-ray detection systems for inspection and security applications at airports, border control sites, shipping ports and special events. The company's backscatter technology detects organic materials such as illegal drugs, plastic explosives, and plastic weapons. In its most recent fiscal year, which ended in March, AS&E posted sales of $153.2 million.

Lowell Five offers prize packages

LOWELL -- The Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank is offering customers and others the chance to win tickets to each of the five remaining shows comprising 2007-08 Performing Arts Series at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Opportunities to win can be found at each of the Lowell Five's 13 branch offices. The prize package includes two tickets and VIP passes to a pre-show reception. The Performing Arts Series, which began last night with the showing of "Rain, the Beatles Experience," is co-created and sponsored by the bank. Other shows include "Evita" on Jan. 10; "Chicago" on Feb. 7; "Blast" on March 6; "Movin' Out" on March 28; and "The Producers" on April 10.

Millipore posts solid Q3 earnings

BILLERICA -- Shares of Millipore Corp. moved up in after-hours trading last night after the company announced third-quarter results that beat analyst estimates. For the three-month period ending Sept. 30, Millipore reported net income of $36.3 million (66 cents a share), more than double the $14.8 million (27 cents a share) earned a year previous. Without one-time charges, earnings were 83 cents a share, 7 cents ahead of Wall Street estimates. Revenues increased 12 percent, to $371.2 million. Analysts expected $368.5 million. Millipore officials said growth in the company's Bioscience Division keyed the results. Millipore employs more than 1,000 people at facilities in Billerica and Bedford.