extrarealty: December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Konica Minolta to Support 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships

Award-Winning bizhub MFPs to Support Extensive Printing Operations in Greensboro, NC from January 23-30, 2011.

Ramsey, NJ (Vocus) December 3, 2010

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U. S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that the company is an official patron sponsor of the 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships. Taking place January 22-30, the 98th Annual U. S. Championships will be held at Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The U. S. Figure Skating Championships, held annually since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event and one of the most-televised and most-watched annual sporting events in the country. The nine-day event anticipates approximately 250 skaters from across the United States to compete in novice-, junior - and senior-level competition, with the event crowning 12 national champions in ladies, men's, pairs and ice dancing at all three levels. Past champions include Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, Kristi Yamaguchi, Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen.

“We are delighted to have Konica Minolta join our sponsorship team,“ said Hill Carrow, Chairman of the 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships. “Activities at the U. S. Championships move at warp speed and the management, administration, and media operations have extensive needs critical to the success of the event. With Konica Minolta’s bizhub products and support, we feel very comfortable that those needs will be met and exceeded.”

Konica Minolta will provide award-winning bizhub® multifunctional products (MFPs – print, copy, fax, and scan all in one system) to support the extensive printing operations of U. S. Figure Skating, the Local Organizing Committee, and the media corps during the 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships.

"The U. S. Figure Skating Championships is an important part of our portfolio of sports sponsorships throughout the year and one that is rich in nearly 100 years of history and tradition," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U. S.A., Inc. “As an official patron sponsor, Konica Minolta is pleased to support this event with the necessary digital imaging technology and reach our customers on a new level to further increase our brand awareness. We remain committed to ensuring that all customers across a broad range of industries can count on Konica Minolta for all their digital imaging needs.”

For ticket sales or more details on the 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships, please visit http://www. NorthCarolina2011.com.

About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U. S.A., Inc. is a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop. For the third consecutive year, Konica Minolta was recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys. For more information, please visit http://www. CountOnKonicaMinolta. com and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook (@Konica Minolta Business Solutions U. S.A), YouTube (@KonicaMinoltaUS), and Twitter (@KonicaMinoltaUS).

About U. S. Figure Skating
U. S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U. S. Figure Skating is made up of 743 member, collegiate and school-affiliated clubs and more than 990 Basic Skills programs representing approximately 176,000 members. U. S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.

About North Carolina 2011
North Carolina 2011(NC 2011) is the local organizing committee for the 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships to be held in Greensboro, N. C. NC 2011 encompasses a collaborative team consisting of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the Greensboro Sports Commission, the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, North Carolina Amateur Sports, Sports & Properties, Inc., and North Carolina Figure Skating. The 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships are sponsored locally by Lowes Foods and VF, Local Presenting Sponsors; and by Local Official Sponsors: Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Visitnc. com, Graphic Visual Solutions, Moses Cone Health System, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, BEM Interactive, Vela Strategic Marketing and Public Relations, Annese Public Relations, BB&T, Risport, the Cemala Foundation, Ice Rink Events, Hagan Davis, Joshua Jewel, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Exact Target, LSK Enterprises/Olympia, HKS World Events, Rice Toyota, Krispy Kreme, Skyline Exhibits & Events, The Greensboro Partnership, and Konica Minolta. Local Media & Marketing Partners for the 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships include Diamond Partners The News & Record, Capitol Broadcasting Company, WGHP-TV Fox 8, and Fairway Outdoor Advertising; and Local Official Partners Clear Channel Radio, Our State Magazine, Guilford Woman Magazine and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. For more information on North Carolina 2011 and the 2011 U. S. Figure Skating Championships, visit http://www. northcarolina2011.com.

Konica Minolta Contact
Rachel Reed
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U. S.A., Inc.
Rachel(dot)reed(at)kmbs(dot)konicaminolta(dot)us

Konica Minolta is a trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. bizhub is a registered trademark of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

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As Temperatures Rise, BenefitsCheckUp&#174; Helps Low-Income Older People Stay Cool

As Temperatures Rise, BenefitsCheckUp® Helps Low-Income Older People Stay Cool

It's another hot summer and many older people are trying to figure out how to pay for air conditioning, food and medicine.

Washington, D. C. (PRWEB) July 28, 2008

Throughout most of the country, it's another hot summer and many older people are trying to figure out how to pay for air conditioning, as well as food and medicine. And when the seasons change, millions of these same seniors will probably need help staying warm, with home heating oil costs expected to reach record highs.

For many older people this can be a life or death issue. This was tragically revealed during the heat wave of 1995, when 485 people died in a major Midwestern city in one week, the vast majority of whom were poor older people who could not afford to pay the utility bills to cool their apartments or were without air conditioning altogether.

BenefitsCheckUp® can help seniors with their energy costs (http://www. benefitscheckup. org/moreprograms. cfm? partner_id=0). Developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is a free online service that helps older Americans find and enroll in benefits programs that help with vital needs including heating bills, housing, prescription and medical costs, meal programs and tax relief. By simply visiting www. BenefitsCheckUp. org, seniors with limited means can find out if they are eligible for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (http://www. benefitscheckup. org/moreprograms. cfm? partner_id=0), which helps people with limited income and resources pay for their utilities, and get help applying for the program.

"Older people are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures, making both adequate air conditioning and heat critical," said Stuart Spector, NCOA Senior Vice President. "Millions of older Americans on fixed incomes qualify for energy assistance and are not taking advantage of LIHEAP. BenefitsCheckUp can help seniors find out if they're eligible for this essential help."

According to findings of a comprehensive survey in 2005 by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), 92 percent of the elderly consider LIHEAP very important to helping them meet their energy costs. Today, with costs escalating on all fronts, the urgency for LIHEAP is growing, with members of Congress calling on President Bush to release funds for the program.

BenefitsCheckUp is free and confidential and can be used by seniors, their adult children, caregivers or local organizations to determine their eligibility for LIHEAP and get assistance in applying - all by filling out a simple questionnaire online. Since its launch in 2001, BenefitsCheckUp has helped more than two million seniors and those who care for them find more than $6 billion in benefits. The free online service has more than 1,550 public and private benefits programs from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

About NCOA
Founded in 1950, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a non-profit organization with 3,700 members, and a national network of some 14,000 organizations and leaders. Our programs help older people stay healthy and independent, find jobs, access benefits programs, and discover meaningful ways to continue contributing to society.

Contact:

Georgiana Bloom
202-609-6935
Georgiana. bloom (at) ncoa. org

This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www. HRmarketer. com) on behalf of the company
Listed above.

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Monday, December 28, 2009

Site Offers Retirement Information and Strategies for Older Boomers, Seniors and Retirees

The best destination for older boomers, seniors and retirees has been updated to offer information on finding a job and funding retirement.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) May 30, 2007

The best destination for older boomers, seniors and retirees has been updated to offer information on finding a job and funding retirement.

More and more Americans are finding the soaring costs of health care in their retirement years is forcing them to continue working longer than they anticipated, whether it be a part-time, full-time, or temporary job or project assignment.

The nonprofit Employee Benefit Research Institute has put the cost of health care during retirement for a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2006 at $444,000 if they live to be 90.

Other estimates show an average expenditure of $242,000 during the remainder of their lifetimes. Few retirees have planned for this expense and must either find a job to supplement their income or substantially reduce their planned retirement lifestyle.

"Retirees and people approaching retirement need to plan. Factors like retirement age, lifestyle, future health care needs, life expectancy and inflation should all be taken into account," said Art Koff, author and retirement expert. "UltimateRetirementUniversity. com provides excellent information for both funding retirement as well finding employment."

The book "Invent Your Retirement: Resources for the Good Life" provides information in a number of areas concerning retirees, including discounts for seniors, memory loss, purchasing prescription drugs, continuing education, starting a business, living longer and better, assisted living and long-term care insurance, housing options, and how and where to volunteer.

For online seminars covering funding your retirement and finding employment and a free copy of "Invent Your Retirement: Resources for the Good Life," visit http://www. UltimateRetirementUniversity. com (http://www. UltimateRetirementUniversity. com).

About
Ultimate Retirement University located in Chicago, Ill., was established to help those planning their retirement and retirees by providing information on a wide variety of subjects of interest to older Americans. Founder/author Art Koff delivers retirement strategies and provides sound reference materials of great value to older boomers, seniors and retirees.

Optimization for press release by Xeal Inc. (http://www. xeal. com)

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

NSight Adds Sales Executive for Communications Staffing Solutions

Tim Duffy Will Introduce Boston Area Businesses to Benefits of Expert, Temporary Communications Staffing

Burlington, MA (PRWEB) June 2, 2010

nSight Inc., a content development and communications services firm, today announced that Tim Duffy has joined its expanding staff as a sales executive for staffing services. nSight has been providing pre-screened, specialized communications professionals to Boston area businesses for 28 years.

Duffy brings to nSight more than 12 years of success in the recruiting and staffing solutions business, most recently with Corporate Technologies Inc. in Burlington, where he developed the company’s professional services business and managed the staffing solutions team for both sales and recruiting.

For almost eight years, Duffy worked for Darwin Partners in Wakefield, rising from lead technology recruiter to sales director for the high-tech sales channel, and then to practice director for infrastructure technologies. In that capacity, Duffy led a team of IT recruiters and collaborated with Darwin’s sales channels to customize staffing solutions to address unique client needs.

“We are very pleased to welcome Tim to nSight’s growing staffing services team,” said Tess Kastning, vice president of staffing services. “Demand for contract staffing services and solutions has increased significantly since the economy began to rebound. Tim will help us meet that demand for nSight’s staffing niche, which consists of writers, editors, designers, multimedia producers, and other communications specialists.”

Duffy is committed to introducing area businesses to the benefits of temporary short - and long-term staffing arrangements—and of using nSight to fill any holes associated with content development. “As in all recessions, the departments that get cut back first and hardest are marketing, communications, documentation, and training,” he said. “When companies start recovering, those same departments need to ramp up quickly to develop and execute programs. nSight offers exactly what they require to get them over that hump: just-in-time resources when needed, for as long as they’re needed.”

A graduate of Springfield College, Duffy began his career with Health Development Corp., managing operations and renovation projects for subsidiaries in Wellesley and Lynnfield. Eight years later, he made the move to the staffing business, initially in IT staffing.

He lives in Winchester with his wife and two daughters.

About nSight
NSight, Inc. (www. nSightWorks. com) is a content development and communications services firm that specializes in learning and information products—and the people who create and produce them. Founded in 1982, nSight offers a flexible combination of consulting, project outsourcing, staffing, and training services to provide customized solutions for any content development, management, or publishing need. nSight’s full-time staff of 40 and deep network of content and communications professionals serve clients of all sizes that understand quality content establishes brands and sustains growth and success. Some of the world’s leading companies rely on nSight, including Microsoft, Pearson, HP, Fidelity Investments, and FedEx.

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Ex&#235;vo Proud to be First Global Market Research Firm to Earn ISO 20252 Certification

Exëvo Proud to be First Global Market Research Firm to Earn ISO 20252 Certification

Exëvo, one of the leading Market Research Outsourcing (MRO) firms today announced to be the first global market research firm based in Asia Pacific region to achieve the ISO 20252:2006.

New Delhi, India (PRWEB) March 30, 2008

exëvo, one of the leading Market Research Outsourcing (MRO) firms today announced to be the first global market research firm based in Asia Pacific region to achieve the ISO 20252:2006. It is amongst the handful of market research companies across the globe to have successfully achieved this Certification. With this certification exëvo is the only MRO to have all the three quality certifications -- ISO 20252:2006, ISO 270001:2005 and ISO 9001:2000.

Exëvo's international clientele and global experience of research and consulting made it possible to achieve this certification. Accomplishment of ISO 20252:2006 Certification is just one step further in this direction, as Mr. Alok Tayal, CEO of exevo puts it "ISO 20252 Certification will help us delivering high quality, global integrated and cost effective research to the world fuelling significant lower time to design product and services and its delivery to market and consumers. Credit must be given to our valuable clients who expect us to produce highest quality of research. Our employees are a strong team of achievers and possess the drive to constantly surpass our client's expectations."

ISO 20252:2006 represents the international quality standard for Market, Opinion and Global Research Services. The certificate has been awarded by SAI Global ltd (Ticker SAI) a public listed firm based out of Australia. With expanding business intelligence and market research opportunities, it is essential for research agencies to have the ability to provide accurate and credible services in a professional manner and in accordance with internationally recognized codes of conduct. The Certification assesses measures on quality, cultural environment, integrated management system, and information security. It is this comprehensive process that has enabled only a few companies across the globe to receive this coveted certification.

About ISO 20252:
The new standard ISO 20252 International Market, Opinion and Global Research was published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in May 2006, is specific to the market research industry and covers all stages of a research study, including proposals, questionnaire design, field, data analysis and final presentation of results to clients. Furthermore, it sets the standards for the quality management system as well as for the co-operation between a company and its various clients.

Driven by the global research industry including European Society for Opinion and Market Research (ESOMAR) and Market Research Quality Standards Association (MRQSA), the ISO 20252 provides an internationally recognized framework for market researchers. Cultural, social and behavioral differences between countries make conducting, monitoring and relying upon international research very difficult and the implementation of a management system based on ISO 20252 enables organizations to regulate these challenges and carry out cross-border, multi-country research studies with greater assurance.

About exëvo:
Exëvo currently services clients across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific ranging from boutique Research and Consulting agencies to the Global top 50 Research firms. It is today one of the leading companies with specialization in IT, Financial, Healthcare, Retail, Telecommunications, and Automobile verticals. With its significant experience and expertise in market research exëvo conduct the research in 90 countries with expertise in 17 international languages. exëvo provides comprehensive survey programming, data collection, data processing, data analytics and business research services to Market Research and consulting organizations globally.

Please visit our website at www. exevo. com to learn more about how we can help your company to achieve higher levels of performance and turn your expenditure into profits.

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Saturday, December 26, 2009

Exciting New Gap Year Destinations with United Planet in Asia, Africa and the Pacific

United Planet launches four new gap semester or year destinations in South Africa, Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia

Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 25, 2010

United Planet is pleased to announce four new gap semester or year destinations, including South Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. All of these destinations offer affordable volunteering opportunities for six months to one year. Two start dates are offered each year in both January and September to accommodate school and university schedules. However, United Planet gap year volunteers come from all age groups and walks of life. For $231 per week, United Planet provides full training, volunteer support, housing, food, and insurance coverage.

A long-term volunteer experience is vastly different from a backpackers' tour of distant continents, a structured work experience, or a study abroad program. This is a great opportunity for North Americans to discover the world and immerse in a new way of life. Volunteers gain unique perspective through full immersion in a host family and local work experience.

Sarah McPhillips, who spent six months on a gap year program with United Planet in 2009 after graduating high school, says her time in Ecuador was "a life changing experience. Living and working there gave me purpose and I walked away from this experience with so much more understanding and confidence." Sarah volunteered in a small village about an hour outside of Quito at a children's orphanage and daytime drop in preschool.

"The people I met including host family, friends and students were all so loving and encouraging that it was impossible to not feel like I had a second home. United Planet and all the staff were so supportive from beginning to end to try and find the best program. I definitely chose the right one," added Sarah.

A United Planet Gap Year Program

Partnering with the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, United Planet creates customized volunteer abroad trips including home stays, language immersion, and valuable work experience in over 30 countries from six months to one year. Founded after World War II as part of an international reconciliation program between the United States and Germany, ICYE is well established in the field of cultural exchange.

South Africa

From world-famous vineyards to miles of coastline, bustling cosmopolitan cities, desert, mountains, wildlife parks and more, South Africa draws visitors to a wide variety of locations. While South Africa's economy is booming from wine and gold exports, high poverty levels and AIDS infection rates still plague the nation. As a volunteer in South Africa, you can support health and education initiatives aimed at raising the local standard of living.

South Africa's first Volunteer Centre (originally Voluntary Aid Bureau) started in Cape Town in 1979, as a project of the International Year of the Child. This office opened in 1980 and was at first run entirely by volunteers. Placements are located in and around Cape Town, South Africa. For example, at the Heaven Night Shelter in Cape Town, South Africa, volunteers assist in vocational training (such as computer skills) and workshops for the homeless. The project runs and sells products from their organic garden and sewing or candle making projects.

Australia

A multicultural society, Australians are also well known for their quality of life. 60% of its 22 million residents live in large seaside cities and many Australians consider surfing a national hobby. Join us for sun, sand, surf, seismic waves, wine, wallabies, the wild outback and more. As a volunteer in Australia, you'll gain an insider's perspective of the culture.

ICYE's Australia office was recently opened by Michelle Bateman, a long time former Director of ICYE NZ who has moved to Perth. Michelle is excited to start receiving volunteers in projects around Perth. Volunteer placements include human rights projects working with local indigenous community and immigrant families or projects conserving Australia's unique wildlife. In Ningaloo Turtle Program in Exmouth, Western Australia, volunteers work to help preserve marine turtles habitats and to educate visitors and public on conservation efforts.

Philippines
Known as a top diving destination, the Philippine archipelago encompasses over 7,000 islands and an abundance of wildlife. With 87.6 million citizens divided into over a hundred ethnic groups, the Philippines is amazingly diverse. From diving to wildlife spotting, colonial history and more, the Philippines has much to offer the visitor. By volunteering in the Philippines you can experience its legendary hospitality and many cultural, culinary and coastal delights.

Volunteer placements include resource centers which serve to grant low-income children access to quality reading materials and education activities not available to them in the public schools. Volunteers take part in various reading programs, art workshops and storytelling sessions designed to equip the children with life skills and values formation.

Indonesia
Spices, sun, stunning vistas and an abundant variety of cultures, religions and languages make Indonesia soul food for the senses. The largest archipelago country and the most culturally diverse, Indonesia's national motto is "Unity in Diversity." By volunteering in Indonesia, you can experience the many intricacies that make this country unique.
Placements include volunteering at a rural government funded health center which supports family health or assisting teachers at special schools for children with disabilities. These students usually have few to no chances to meet and live with people from other cultures.

For more information on all of United Planet's gap year destinations, please visit: www. unitedplanet. org/gap-year (http://www. unitedplanet. org/gap-year)

About United Planet
United Planet is an international non-profit organization with 501(c) 3 status, based in Boston, MA, which offers volunteer abroad programs from one week to one year in over 40 countries worldwide. To learn more, please visit us at: http://www. unitedplanet. org (http://www. unitedplanet. org)

Contact:
Amanda Massello
Marketing and Communications Manager
United Planet
Media (at) unitedplanet (dot) org
1-800-292-2316

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$2.5 Million to Assist Homeless Pets in 2008

The 2007 Tree of Hope fundraiser, hosted by PETCO and the PETCO Foundation, generated more than $2.5 million from donations given by the company’s customers, vendors and associates.

San Diego (Vocus) January 4, 2008

The year begins on a high note for thousands of animal shelters nationwide that will receive donations from the 2007 Tree of Hope fundraiser, hosted by PETCO and the PETCO Foundation.

The 36-day campaign generated more than $2.5 million from donations given by the company’s customers, vendors and associates.

“Tree of Hope has not only helped sustain the lives of animals in need of care and compassion, but also helped nourish the spirit of hope that defines the PETCO Foundation. We are so thankful to everyone who contributed and hope that they all know that they helped to make this world a kinder, safer, and happier place to be for the wonderful animals so near to our hearts,” said PETCO Foundation Vice President Paul Jolly.

Each PETCO store selected local animal welfare groups, and collected donations on their behalf, so the money raised stays in the local community and region. Additionally, customers were able to donate online at PETCO. com and PETCO’s pet insurance partner, PetCare Pet Insurance Programs (http://www. petco. com/Content/PetcareInsurance. aspx? PC=petcareinsurance&Nav=156&cm_ven=pr&cm_cat=TOHwrap&cm_pla=010408&cm_ite=petcareinsurance) – offered and owned by Pethealth Inc. – contributed $5 for each PetCare pet insurance policy activated during the fundraiser.

Through donations, animal welfare groups are able to invest in making surrendered animals more adoptable. In addition to hosting several fundraisers throughout the year, PETCO’s commitment to animal welfare is highlighted through adoption events held in PETCO stores, special Adoption Gift Booklets with up to $150 in savings for adopting pet parents and Think Adoption First resource centers located in PETCO stores.

PETCO encourages customers to consider adoption before the purchase of any companion animal – even if it’s one of the birds, reptiles or small animals currently offered at PETCO.

To get the latest news on anything and everything PETCO – from updates about the company to incredible acts of animal kindness, visit the company’s blog at www. petconews. com].

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 850 stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www. petco. com]. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $37 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support more then 4,700 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 animals every year.

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Friday, December 25, 2009

Coupon Cravings Shares 6 Ways to Get Free Food

Free coupons and email offers make it easy to get free food, like free desserts, appetizers and even entrees.

Ashburn, VA (PRWEB) June 11, 2009

We all want free stuff, and free food is at the top of many lists. Fortunately, snagging free food is often as easy as having an email address or a birthday. Coupon Cravings (http://www. couponcravings. com), a leading personal finance blog that shares the best grocery and restaurant deals, offers six easy ways to get free food tonight.

"In today's economy, many families are opting for home-cooked meals, and so restaurants are pulling out all the stops to get hungry eaters in the door," said Erin Gifford, founder of Coupon Cravings. "It's easier than ever to get free appetizers, desserts and even entrées if you know where to look."

1) Sign Up for Mailing Lists. Many of your favorite restaurants have e-clubs you can join to get coupons and discounts in your inbox. Just for signing up, many will give you free coupons (http://www. couponcravings. com/2009/06/tgi-fridays-buy-one-get-one-free-coupon. html) for food as a thank you. For example, sign up for Best Friends of Friendly's and get a free 3-scoop sundae with any entrée purchase. Or, get a free taco from California Tortilla when you sign up for Taco Talk.

2) Look Out for "Free Food Days." To draw in customers, many restaurants and snack shops now have "Free Food Days." Stop by Tropical Smoothie Café on National Flip Flop Day (June 19) to get a free 24 oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie. Or, head to TCBY on Father's Day (June 21) to get free cup or cone of frozen yogurt for your dad.

3) Get Free Food on Your Birthday. Before you head out to celebrate, hit FreeBirthdayTreats. com to search for local eateries that offer free food (http://www. couponcravings. com/2009/06/carrabbas-italian-grill-free-appetizer. html), like appetizers, desserts and even free entrées on your birthday. You'll find free birthday goodies for your dog or cat on this site too.

4) Go Where Kids Eat Free. If you're taking the kids out to eat, check out KidsMealDeals. com first. Search restaurants near you and the site will tell you those that offer "kids eat free" deals as well as on what day(s) of the week and whether an adult meal purchase is required.

5) Become a Mystery Shopper. Try your hand at being a mystery shopper and you can get an entire restaurant meal for free. You pay for the meal up-front but get reimbursed in full once you file a brief report on the restaurant's food and service.

6) Sign Up for Free Food Samples. Keep your eyes open on the web and even in magazines for free food sample offers. Many times when brands want consumers to try new products they'll offer free samples (http://www. couponcravings. com/2009/06/freebies-round-up-crest-pro-health. html) in hopes you'll like it enough you'll want to buy it on your next shopping trip.

About Coupon Cravings
Coupon Cravings is a personal finance blog dedicated to sharing the smartest grocery, drugstore, restaurant and retail deals, as well as the latest freebies. Coupon Cravings received over one million visits in May 2009 and can be found on the web at http://www. couponcravings. com (http://www. couponcravings. com).

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Is Network Marketing the Answer to Financial Freedom and Job Security?

In 2004, there were 98 billion in sales and 53 million people in Network Marketing worldwide. Is this the answer many Americans are looking for?

(PRWEB) August 19, 2005

How secure do you feel about your job? How are your paychecks? Is your 401K and your plan for retirement secure? Are you like millions of others relying on social security?

Today these are important questions to think about. Corporate America is aggressively changing everyday. Companies are downsizing, closing their doors and issuing lay-offs. Factories have also increased outsourcing to foreign countries for more affordable labor. This unfortunately contributes to people loosing their retirement funds, early retirements being forced and social security becoming questionable and uncertain to the baby boomer generation who thought retirement was secured. It's clearly becoming harder and harder for families to make ends meet. The future dependant on the current Â“job securityÂ” options is uncertain.

In response to the instability of Corporate America, many have taken advantage of the opportunity that Network Marketing Companies or MLMs (Multi-level Marketing) have to offer. In the last few years Network Marketing has exploded with companies emerging with the prospect of offering individuals to run their own home business. These companies have benefits such as:

Become your own boss, president of your company Work the hours you want to work Work with the people you enjoy and want to work with Make the income you desire, whether it be $300 extra income you need, or $25,000 a month, the potential is unlimited, six digits can be made Have the life style you desire No more hours like 9-5 and sitting in traffic Have job and income security Have that challenge to build your very own business Have great tax deductions Vacations paid by the company Car Bonus Plan Have the freedom of time other jobs can't offer you Independence and flexibility Work at home Residual income

In 2004, there were 98 billion in sales and 53 million people in Network Marketing worldwide. Is this the answer so many of us are looking for? There are many Americans that have already immersed themselves in an MLM that say it's working for them.

Rena Fischer, owner of her own Network Marketing Company (http://e-optimalhealth. com/business-opportunity (http://e-optimalhealth. com/business-opportunity)) says Â“The time is right to take control of your financial situationÂ”, and is confident that Network Marketing will play a big part of many Americans financial success in the future. With the many positive reasons and multitude of success stories, not only Americans will be jumping in and making the switch from employee to self-employed and taking advantage of a new age.

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

LifeTips Featured in New York City as Top Publisher at Book Expo of America

LifeTips. com will join hundreds of online, print and broadcast publishers from around the nation at the Book Expo of America Conference June 1-3, 2007.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 3, 2007

LifeTips. com is bringing its quality content and publicity services to the thousands of book publishers and authors to this year's Book Expo of America conference in New York City from June 1-3. The three-day conference will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and feature LifeTips in booth #656 as one of the conferences' cutting edge companies in online publishing.

LifeTips Publishing, which was launched in January 2007, is the publisher for the LifeTips 101 Book Series. The series currently features 15 books in its lineup, and is available on Amazon. com, BarnesAndNoble. com and through retailers. Its unique business model and content design sets the company apart from the other companies offering online publishing services (http://www. lifetips. com/services/service-on-demand-book. html), and bridges the gap between print and online media.

"Becoming one of the top publishers online is no easy task, but our original content and focus on helping the consumer with tough everyday decisions has propelled LifeTips to new levels," said Melanie Nayer, Editor of LifeTips. com, LifeTips Publishing and the LifeTips 101 Book Series. "Just three months out of the gate, LifeTips Publishing has released 15 books, with dozens more in production. Our LifeTips 101 Book Series gives experts a way to publish their tips and expertise, and readers can keep these handy tip books nearby for quick and easy reference."

This year at the Book Expo of America, LifeTips will host a book signing at Booth 656 featuring some of the authors (http://www. lifetips. com/guru/expert-writers. html) in the LifeTips 101 Series network. The following authors are scheduled to sign books in New York: Heidi Splete, LifeTips 101 Marathon Tips and LifeTips 101 Sports Apparel Tips; Michelle Katz, LifeTips 101 Health Insurance Tips; Lynda Moultry, LifeTips 101 Plus-Size Women's Clothing Tips, and more to come.

For more information on how you can become a LifeTips guru (http://www. lifetips. com/guru/become-a-guru. html) and be part of the LifeTips 101 Book Series program, and learn about ways to add your expertise to the millions of LifeTips readers, stop by the LifeTips booth in New York City from June 1-3. You can also contact one of our company representatives for more information.

About LifeTips. com
LifeTips creates and delivers content solutions (http://www. lifetips. com/services/web-content-development. html) and link building strategies that become powerful assets for clients. Our project-based services and staffing services connect clients with our pool of over 500 expert writers. Writers so great-- they're Gurus! With an engaging voice and infectious enthusiasm, our freelance writers, editors, SEO specialists and engineers can take the complexity of any business writing assignment and create informative content that connects with readers, earns trust and drives traffic and sales. From SEO assignments to brochure writing to on-demand book printing (http://www. lifetips. com/services/service-on-demand-book. html), our solutions are working for H&R Block, LowerMyBills, Merck, One Hanes Place, Office Depot, The Company Store, Verizon Wireless and Yankee Candle.

With proper attribution and a link to the appropriate page at LifeTips, media representatives are free to use any of the 96,000 tips at LifeTips.

For more information:
Melanie NayerLifeTips. com
877-454-3384
Http://www. lifetips. com (http://www. lifetips. com)

This press release distributed by PRWeb, the official newswire of LifeTips. com.

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

1st Annual Betty T Wooten Breast Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament

Join us as we play a round of golf at Glenn Dale Country Club in Bowie, MD in support of all women and men in America diagnosed with and fighting breast cancer. There will be a 1PM Shot Gun start, free giveaways, a Hole in One contest for a free car and other prizes, an award ceremony and dinner. All proceeds will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation.

Bowie, MD (PRWEB) April 15, 2009

Join Us As We Play a Round of Golf on April 24, 2009 in Support of the 2.4 Million Women Across America Fighting Breast Cancer. The 1st Annual Betty T Wooten Breast Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament will be Held at the Glenn Dale Country Club Located at 11501 Old Prospect Hill Road, Glenn Dale, MD 20769. (www. bettywooten. com)

In January of this year, our community lost one of its pillars, Mrs. Betty T Wooten of Accokeek, MD, to breast cancer. The Betty T Wooten Foundation and the 1st Annual Betty T Wooten Breast Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament were established to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Wooten and to support the 2.4 million women in America fighting breast cancer.

Betty T Wooten's pursuit to improving and enriching her community were demonstrated by her service in many capacities, including twenty years as a nurse and educator at both the University of the District of Columbia the University of Maryland, and her positions as Director of Employee Health at the DC Department of Health and Human Services and Nursing Coordinator at the University of the District of Columbia.

Like too many women in our community, Mrs. Wooten lost her life to her fight with breast cancer. However, her family, friends, co-workers and church members are dedicating to continuing her life-long commitment to health and education.

Join us, as we remember Mrs. Betty T Wooten, and support the 2.4 million women in America living with breast cancer. The Tournament will have a Shot Gun start at 1PM to be followed by the start of the Card Tournament for all non-golfers. There will be free giveaways, a Hole-In-One Contest for a free car and other prizes, an Award Ceremony and dinner. Registration is $100/golfer and participants are encouraged to register their foursome by April 21, 2009. All proceeds will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation.

For additional information, please contact Carisa Stanley at 202.997.7570.

Contact:
Carisa Stanley, Chairperson
Betty T Wooten Foundation
202.997.7570

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

New Methods Developed That Accurately Predict Antibiotic Resistance and Identify Novel Antibiotic Resistance Genes

The University of Rochester seeks alliance partners to license recently patented technology

(PRWEB) June 7, 2004

ROCHESTER, NY (PRWEB) June 7, 2004 Â– Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed two breakthrough tools to be used in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Both tools have been featured in the May 2004 issue of Nature Reviews Microbiology and one is the subject of a recently issued U. S. patent.

The first tool, the Barlow-Hall In-Vitro Evolution Method (U. S. Patent 6,720,142), accurately predicts in a laboratory how antibiotic resistance, which is caused by special "resistance genes," will naturally evolve to resist antibiotic drugs.

The second tool, GeneHunter (patent application pending), is a method that can identify unknown resistance genes. GeneHunter can be used to screen bacteria for the presence of "silent," or cryptic, genes that may also increase antibiotic resistance.

As reported in the May 2004 issue of Nature Reviews Microbiology, the "...global antibiotic market is now estimated at more than U. S. $25 billion annually." Yet, many drugs in that market are increasingly ineffective at controlling bacterial infections because some bacteria have evolved to become resistant to these drugs. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, has stated that antibiotic resistance is increasing health care costs, the severity of diseases, and mortality rates resulting from certain infections.

In addition, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, also part of the National Institutes of Health, recently cited the importance of the Barlow-Hall In-Vitro Evolution Method in justifying its FY2004 budget request saying the method "...will help to prevent the failure of antibiotic medicines in real-life use."

In the near future, the Barlow-Hall In-Vitro Evolution Method and GeneHunter tools may be used to predict antibiotic resistance in order to develop new drugs to which resistance develops very slowly, if at all, and to predict and identify mutated resistance genes. Those genes could be used as targets for drug development, even before such mutation occurs naturally.

Key Benefits

Barlow-Hall In-Vitro Evolution Method Â– As discussed in the May 2004 issue of Nature Reviews Microbiology, the key benefits of this tool are its relative ease of implementation and use, the accuracy of the results, and its potential applicability to various types of resistance genes and bacteria.

GeneHunter Â– Also, as discussed in the May 2004 issue of Nature Reviews Microbiology, this tool allows researchers to efficiently target disease-causing bacteria for genes that may cause antibiotic resistance. This tool could also reduce the time and costs associated with determining the potential for resistance in new classes of antibiotics, such as aminomethylcyclines (AMCs).

Technical Information

For additional scientific and technical information regarding the Barlow-Hall In-Vitro Evolution Method and GeneHunter, please see the Available Technologies section of the University of RochesterÂ’s Office of Technology Transfer website available at http://www. rochester. edu/ott/ (http://www. rochester. edu/ott/).

Commercial Opportunity

For further information on this technology transfer opportunity with the University of Rochester, please contact Mark Coburn, Associate Provost and Director, Office of Technology Transfer, at (585) 275-5370 or email Mark at response@ott. rochester. edu.

About the Office of Technology Transfer

The University of Rochester's Office of Technology Transfer on its River Campus is responsible for the management of the intellectual property resources of the non-medical center colleges, schools, departments, centers and laboratories of the University of Rochester. Its goal is to pursue innovative strategies to help translate scientific progress into tangible products, while returning income to the inventor and the University to support further research and education. OTT facilitates the licensing of technology to companies, encourages new faculty startup ventures, works with publishers and distributors of software, and supports the transfer of research materials to other universities, research institutes and companies. For more information about the Office of Technology Transfer, visit http://www. rochester. edu/ott/ (http://www. rochester. edu/ott/).

NEW AUTHOR HELPS ANYONE TO UNDERSTAND EMOTIONS

For the first time, author makes information about emotions accessible to individuals of all ages, genders, and culture. Critics predict this book will revolutionize the way the world Â“feelÂ” about themselves and others.

(PRWEB) August 3, 2003

Now individuals across the globe can understand emotions at last with a book that offers simple, easy-to-understand emotions available on the market today.

Until now, feelings have been often complicated to deal with due to society requirements, and believe system issues. Â“Everything You Need To Know About EMOTIONSÂ” overcomes these obstacles by using information as a sort of ownerÂ’s manual of a personÂ’s emotional being.

For the first time everyone can learn how EMOTIONS can be enjoyed without the fear, insecurity and skepticism most of us learn to have from childhood emotional traumas.

Some of the benefits of Everything You Need To Know About EMOTIONS include:

Â• Learn how to let go of negative patterns

Â• Know what emotions are and how to use them as tools

Â• Discover how emotions operate

Â• Learn how to function emotionally successful and healthy

Â”Everyone has the power of emotions, unfortunately very few of us know how to use it to our advantage!Â”

This book is the result of over 50 years lifetime experience and 7 years in research and development by Lygya Maya (former Barreto) one of dedicated healers in the field of Alternative Methods. Hundreds of Early-Students have successfully used her D. E.A. R. (Deep Emotional Alternative Release) technique.

Â“I believe this book will revolutionize the way the world sees emotions,Â” states Lygya, Â“And realistic information-rich, inexpensive and easy-to-use emotional exercises will set the standard in emotional health at last.Â”

For details visit: http://www. dearemotions. com (http://www. dearemotions. com)

About the author:

Lygya Maya (former Barreto), Ph. D., is a Certified Hypnotherapist, N. L.P., Karuna Ki & Reiki Master, Vital Energy, Deep Emotional Release Bodywork & Shaman. Author of many articles on the subject of emotions and a dynamic speaker, she created D. E. A. R. (Deep Emotional Alternative Release) technique for empowerment of her clients and students. She has been in Hawaii, Korea and Egypt where her spiritual approach has been enhanced.

Contact:

Lygya Maya

Http://www. dearemotions. com (http://www. dearemotions. com)
1(718)222-9049

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Pending Court Case Could Affect Advertising & Entertainment Industries

Electronic Retailing Association Convenes Panel to Discuss Celebrity Product EndorsersÂ’ Roles, Responsibilities and Potential Personal Liability Pending Court Case Could Affect Advertising & Entertainment Industries The Electronic Retailing Association (ERA), an international trade association of companies that use the power of electronic retailing to sell direct to consumers, recently hosted an industry roundtable to explore the changing roles and responsibilities of celebrity product endorsers. In its mission to create a climate in which electronic retailers can operate with consumer confidence, the ERA asked meeting participants to comment on the future of celebrity endorsements in both infomercials and general advertising.

(PRWEB) May 16, 2002

(May 13, 2002 Â– Washington, DC) The Electronic Retailing Association (ERA), an international trade association of companies that use the power of electronic retailing to sell direct to consumers, recently hosted an industry roundtable to explore the changing roles and responsibilities of celebrity product endorsers. In its mission to create a climate in which electronic retailers can operate with consumer confidence, the ERA asked meeting participants to comment on the future of celebrity endorsements in both infomercials and general advertising.

The meeting was prompted, in part, by pending Federal Trade Commission (FTC) litigation against Steve Garvey, co-host of an Enforma infomercial, and GarveyÂ’s management company. (The FTCÂ’s case against Enforma Natural Products and others, over dietary supplements Fat Trapper and Exercise in a Bottle was previously resolved with a stipulated final order and a payment of $10 million for consumer redress.) This case is only the fourth time the FTC has filed suit against a celebrity in the past 24 years, and it punctuates the FTCÂ’s commitment to broadening the relief it seeks against advertisers and those who assist them. Recently, FTC Commissioner Sheila F. Anthony called on the dietary supplement industry to institute more and better self-regulation and called on media companies to take responsibility not to run ads containing unsubstantiated and fraudulent claims.

On Aug. 31, 2000, the FTC sued baseball star Steve Garvey, his management company and others involved in the Enforma infomercial. The FTC charged that Garvey and his management company were liable for the commercialÂ’s misleading claims because he personally made deceptive claims when he knew or should have known the claims were false or misleading, and because he endorsed the product. Garvey also accepted payment based on sales of the advertised products. Garvey denied the FTC claims and the case went to trial in March. A decision is expected in a few months.

The outcome of the Garvey case is being closely watched in the entertainment, advertising, media and retail sectors. If Garvey loses, some believe that the FTC will have a precedent that may impact the future of celebrity endorsement advertising.

ERA president and CEO, Elissa Matulis Myers noted, Â“Out of enlightened self-interest, we take an active role in helping the industry regulate itself. Good companies want happy customers as much as the federal government does.Â” As spokesperson for the electronic retailing and DRTV industries, the ERA strongly advocates industry self-regulation and wants to find common ground between the FTC, industry players and consumers. Additionally, the ERA plans to conduct consumer research to determine what influence celebrity endorsers have on purchases and how consumers react when they see claims made by celebrities in an advertising context.

The roundtable was convened and hosted by Stephen Breimer, Beverly Hills entertainment attorney and ERA Board Member. Ed Glynn, trade regulation attorney and counsel to Steve Garvey and Garvey Management, and Elaine Kolish, associate director-division of enforcement for the FTCÂ’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, presented a history of the issue and their respective positions on the Garvey case. Other meeting attendees included media companies, entertainment lawyers, and representatives from the Screen Actors Guild and several large talent agents.

"The Federal Trade Commission, as well as state and local law enforcement officials, appear to be widening their net in seeking to hold, not just primary marketers, but others involved in the marketing effort, accountable for misrepresentations or other problems that may arise in commercial marketing messages," said Breimer, Chair of the ERA Task Force on Shared Liability.

Â“Talent rarely has any control over the total script or commercial,Â” stated Glynn. In the Steve Garvey case Glynn pointed out that many of the claims in dispute were made as a Â“voice overÂ” to the commercial, added when Garvey wasn't present. Additionally, in response-driven or interactive advertising, it is common for all involved to be paid based on product sales. An upfront or flat fee is almost always too small to enable the endorser to hire subject-matter experts and extract verification of the claims made in advertising about the products. Â“The fact that an actor is paid on a Â‘royaltyÂ’ basis in the form of an ongoing fee based on the success of the show is not evidence that the actor has any ownership or control over the project.Â”

Kolish noted that the FTC wants to prevent endorsers from misleading consumers and impress upon them their Â“duty to make reasonable inquiriesÂ” about whether appropriate substantiation exists for the claims they make.

The FTC took action in the Garvey case because it claimed he had requisite knowledge of the productsÂ’ alleged unsubstantiated claims. According to the FTC, Garvey Â“personally participatedÂ” in the deception by making deceptive claims about the product. Although Garvey said he tried the product and lost weight, Kolish said, Â“for health and safety claims, itÂ’s not sufficient to base claims of efficacy on the celebrityÂ’s personal use.Â” She expressed the FTCÂ’s stated crackdown on dietary supplement advertising. Â“A growing concern we have is that advertisers are using endorsements to make claims they donÂ’t have substantiation for.Â”

Kolish added, when endorsers are paid based on product sales, Â“they become far more like a principal or co-venturer. Giving celebrities a total pass would be inappropriate. They would benefit from their involvement in ads but would take no responsibility.Â”

KolishÂ’s participation in the roundtable was tempered with a presentation of her suggestions of minimum requirements for celebrity endorsements.

Always make sure there is substantiation appropriate to the claim. If the claim states Â“tests prove,Â” ask to see the tests. If the claim involves consumer health or safety, tests should be scientific.

Make sure substantiation is not obviously defective. Endorsers have no general duty to do independent testing or statistical analyses, but they cannot ignore contrary evidence or obvious inconsistencies. If the celebrity is asked to endorse a dietary aid with a recommended dosage of 10 milligrams and clinicians distributed 100 milligrams to test patients, Â“you donÂ’t need to be an expert to know that may be a problem,Â” Kolish said.

An endorserÂ’s experience, education and background also will be a factor in determining whether he or she has the ability to detect study inadequacies. Both celebrities and manufacturers should be sensitive to this.

About the Electronic Retailing Association:

Founded in 1990, the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) is a trade association representing the $125 billion electronic retailing industry. It is comprised of more than 450 member companies and subsidiaries worldwide that use the power of electronic retailing to sell direct to consumers via television, radio, Internet, and wireless media. The ERA also hosts several major conferences and exhibitions, the largest of which is held in Las Vegas each October. More information is available at www. retailing. org.

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GoHealth. org is Your Source for Diet/Weight Loss Information

Mae Blanchard is a Certified Health Advisor with Take Shape For Life, a subsidiary of Medifast, Inc. Mae, as a Health Advisor with her www. goHealth. org team, provides weight loss and disease management solutions.

(PRWEB) June 26, 2005

Mae's own words explain why she is so committed to the Medifast program:

"I lost 65 pounds in 5 months! I went from a size 18-20 to a size 6!"

What is Medifast?

Medifast with Take Shape for Life, features high quality Medifast meal replacement products that address various wellness issues including weight management, disease management, weight maintenance, diet for diabetics, and sports performance. The Medifast philosophy is Meal Replacement. The more meals you replace, the more weight you lose.

A Complete Program

Dieting alone is not the answer for long-term weight management. That is why www. goHealth. org incorporates three key components making this a life long solution. First we offer great tasting, clinically proven MedifastÂ® meal replacements. Second we provide medical-supervision through the Take Shape For Life program Virtual Clinic and third we provide free support and behavior modification provided by Mae and her team at www. goHealth. org.

Medifast foods have been clinically proven to help you lose weight by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and have been recommended by 15,000 physicians and used by over 1 million people!

In the study conducted by Dr. Cheskin and Dr. Crowell at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, males lost an average of 67.41 pounds and females lost an average of 47.5 pounds over a sixteen-week period.

If you could lose 3-5 lbs per week, how motivated would you be to stay on your diet? Remember, nothing tastes as good as thin feels! Try Medifast today available at www. goHealth. org.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Humane Pigeon Control Honors History of Pigeons

Pigeons played an important role in two world wars and saved thousands of lives. Though pigeon control remains an important consideration for property owners, humane pigeon control is favored over the destruction of pigeons.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 17, 2006

Pigeons can cause health risks, property damage and be an overall nuisance for property owners around the world. As property owners look to for ways to solve their pigeon problem (http://www. pigeonoff. co. uk/prices. htm#polycarbonate), many are seeking humane pigeon control in recognition of the history of pigeons, as well as the desire to humanely treat other animals.

“People sometimes forget that carrier pigeons played an important role during war time and other stages of history,” David Jones, Deterapigeon. com, states. “Pigeons were directly responsible for saving thousands of lives and though many believe pigeons have outlived their usefulness, we should not forget their history,” Jones explains.

The destruction of pigeons through poison, slaughtering and other such means has become a serious problem in recent years as property owners hire pest control companies that violently or inhumanely destroy pigeons as a means of pigeon control (http://www. pigeonoff. co. uk/spike_questions. htm).

“Too many companies are quick to destroy the lives of other animals through sometimes violent and horrific means,” Jones explains. “At Deter-a-Pigeon, we take great pride in offering human pigeon control through the use of pigeon spike,” Jones states.

Many property owners take their responsibility for protecting their property seriously. These same property owners, however, all take their responsibility towards other life seriously and that means using humane techniques to control pigeons.

In towns and cities around the globe property owners are turning towards pigeon spikes and other humane ways (http://www. pigeonoff. co. uk/prices. htm#steel) of controlling the pigeon population and protecting their property.

The history of pigeons and their relationship to man is one filled with great mutual benefit. Though modern technology has led some to believe pigeons have outlived their usefulness, they are far outnumbered by those who believe man should treat all animals humanely and that includes pigeon and in using humane pigeon control.

About Jones and Son (http://www. pigeonoff. co. uk/index. htm):

As a company we know that not everybody likes pigeons namely building owners upon whose properties the pigeons choose to roost and local authorities who have to clean up after them. It is these people we are targeting, our pigeon spikes prevent pigeons from landing on property without hurting them.

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Bay Area Employee Benefits Consultant &#194;– LYNN GREENE &#194;– JOINS JENKINS/ATHENS SACRAMENTO OFFICE-- MOVE CREATES A BENEFITS TEAM WITH OVER 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Bay Area Employee Benefits Consultant Â– LYNN GREENE Â– JOINS JENKINS/ATHENS SACRAMENTO OFFICE-- MOVE CREATES A BENEFITS TEAM WITH OVER 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Athens Benefits, the eighth largest Benefits Consulting Firm in the San Francisco Bay Area representing more than 400 public and private sector employer groups, relocated Vice President, Lynn Greene a well respected health benefits professional to the Sacramento area.

SACRAMENTO, CA (PRWEB) August 1, 2004

Athens Benefits Insurance Services, Inc., a division of The Jenkins Athens Group, announced today that it has relocated a Vice President from the corporate headquartersÂ’ office to their regional office in Sacramento.

Athens Benefits (www. athensbenefits. com) is the eighth largest Benefits Consulting Firm in the Bay Area representing more than 400 public and private sector employer groups. This move will round out the current Athens Benefits Sacramento team and enhance Athens Benefits presence in the Sacramento Valley.

Commenting on the move, John Connell, President - Athens Benefits, stated: Â“Her background includes 16 years in employee benefits specializing in containing healthcare costs and providing innovative approaches to offering employee benefits. Her product knowledge combined with her industry expertise has made her a leading health care resource. In addition to healthcare issues, she specializes in COBRA and HIPAA issues in relation to employee benefits. Our core mission blends well with LynnÂ’s expertise, reputation and 10 years at Athens Benefits.Â”

About Jenkins Athens Group

Jenkins Athens Group is one of the largest privately held brokerage and consulting firms in the United States. The group has over 60 years of experience with over 200 specialists in all areas of insurance Â– Employee Benefits and Claims Management, Human Resources, 401(k), Property & Liability Risk Management, WorkersÂ’ Compensation Management and Claims Administration. Jenkins Athens Group consists of Jenkins Athens Insurance Services, Athens Benefits Insurances Services, Inc., Athens Administrators, and Diversified Claims. The group is Head Quartered in Concord, California with offices in Sacramento.

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Dog and Cat Owners File California-Wide Class Action Lawsuit Over Pet Food Poisoning

California pet owners file state-wide class action lawsuit against Menu Foods, Nutro Products, and PETCO for manufacturing and selling contaminated pet food.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) March 28, 2007

Class counsel, Helmer Friedman LLP and Schonbrun De Simone Seplow Harris & Hoffman LLP, announced today that Lois Grady of Sacramento, California, and Kaye Steinsapir of Los Angeles, California, have filed a California-wide class action lawsuit against the international pet food company Menu Foods of Ontario, Canada, Nutro Products, Inc., and PETCO for allegedly manufacturing and selling pet food contaminated with aminopterin - a highly toxic rat poison. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and assigned case number BC368561.

Ms. Grady and Ms. Steinsapir allege that each of their cats became extremely ill as a result of eating cat food manufactured by Menu Foods. Defendant Menu Foods has recalled over 60 million cans and pouches of wet, or "cuts and gravy" style, dog and cat foods sold under popular brand names such as Iams, Eukanuba, Nutro Natural Choice, Nutro Ultra, Special Kitty, Loving Meals, Winn Dixie, Science Diet.

The Complaint alleges that "although Menu Foods has issued what is purported to be one of the largest, if not the largest, recalls of products in the pet food industry's history, countless pets have died, experienced kidney failure and/or suffered other serious adverse health consequences as a result of eating the contaminated food." The Complaint also alleges that the defendants knew or should have known that the pet food was defective and posed an unreasonable safety risk to the safety of animals who would consume itand that the defendants concealed from members of the consuming public the nature and scope of the product defect.

"Pet owners should immediately go to the Menu Foods website -- http://www. menufoods. com/recall/ (http://www. menufoods. com/recall/) -- to see if their pet food has been recalled," warned class counsel Michael D. Seplow. "The list of recalled pet food not only includes 42 lines of cat food and 53 lines of dog food under many different brand names such as Nutriplan, Iams, Hy-Vee, America's Choice, but also many different private label or grocery store brands such as Food Lion, Publix, Schnucks, Stater Bros., Save-A-Lot, Winn Dixie, Wegmans, and Tops."

Gregory D. Helmer, counsel for plaintiffs, advised: "If your pets have suffered symptoms of contaminated pet food, immediately take them to a veterinarian. Do not discard the unused pet food; instead mark it in indelible ink with the words 'Do Not Eat,' 'Poisoned,' or 'Contaminated' and make certain to store it in a safe place that is beyond the reach of pets and children. Later, the pet food can be tested for the presence of aminopterin and other contaminants. In addition, pet owners should save their receipts from where they purchased their pet food, save any veterinary bills and burial bills, locate photographs of their pets while they were alive, take a photograph of their deceased pets, and journal the loss of their pets to establish pain and suffering from the death of their pets."

Pet owners with animals injured or killed by the pet food poisoning who wish to learn more about the lawsuit and report their experiences to plaintiffs' counsel should contact attorneys Gregory D. Helmer/Andrew H. Friedman (http://www. helmerfriedman. com (http://www. helmerfriedman. com)) at 310-396-7714 or Michael D. Seplow/Michael Morrison (http://www. sdshh. com (http://www. sdshh. com)) at 310-396-0731.

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Monday, December 14, 2009

APR Energy Donates Medicine and Medical Services to Community of La Esperanza

APR Energy (APR) recently donated medicines and medical supplies to the Municipality of La Esperanza during a Free General Health Campaign co - sponsored by APR, the Municipality of La Esperanza, Caja Municipal and Huggies. The donation was part of APR's ongoing goal of giving back to the communities where they build, own and operate plants globally. The Free General Health Campaign was targeted at benefiting the areas surrounding APR's Trujillo Power Project located in the Trujillo province of northwestern Peru.

Trujillo, Peru (PRWEB) November 30, 2009

As part of APR Energy's (APR) (http://aprenergy. com/default. aspx) continuing goal to give back to the communities that it inhabits, APR recently donated much needed medicines and medical supplies to the Municipality of La Esperanza, in the Trujillo province of northwestern Peru.

The donation was part of the Free General Health Campaign co-sponsored by APR, the Municipality of La Esperanza, Caja Municipal and Huggies. The event provided generic medicines and routine medical treatments to impoverished children and families as well as physically handicapped individuals in the area. Twenty - five types of medicines ranging from over - the - counter pain relievers to antibiotics and the syringes to administer them were donated by APR, with workers from the Municipality of La Esperanza performing health check-ups and routine medical treatments during the event.

"APR recognizes that a reliable supply of electricity is not all that the people of Trujillo need," said Eric Sean Kennedy, Senior Vice President of APR. "As a member of the community we are dedicated to helping however we can to improve the quality of life of those in need."

More than 200 families were able to benefit from the Free General Health Campaign.

"This massive health campaign was aimed at tackling seasonal diseases in areas where access to medical attention is almost impossible for those living on less than $3 per day", said Mery Muñoz, Trujillo Power Project Administrative Assistant and Translator.

The Free General Health Campaign is part of a larger campaign by APR to further benefit the communities (http://aprenergy. com/temporary_power_projects. aspx) where APR builds, owns and operates plants all around the world.

About APR Energy:
APR Energy specializes in the sale of reliable and efficient electricity through the rapid deployment of Customized Turnkey Power Solutions (http://aprenergy. com/technology. aspx). APR's power generation solutions combined with comprehensive operation and maintenance services and flexible commercial terms have established APR as a leader in the temporary emergency rental power industry.

APR Energy Trujillo Power Project Administrative Assistant and Translator, Mery Muñoz contributed to this release.

Press photos of APR Energy's community service projects in Peru can be downloaded from the APR website at: www. aprenergy. com/pressphotos. aspx (http://www. aprenergy. com/pressphotos. aspx)

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Trivani International Raises Close to $2 Million in Humanitarian Aid

Nearly $2 million raised by Trivani International for charitable projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the U. S.

Springville, UT (PRWEB) April 23, 2010

Trivani International (http://www. trivani. net/ (http://www. trivani. net/)), the world’s first purpose-driven network marketing company, is close to raising $2 million dollars for the company’s charitable causes around the world. The money, generated by the sales of Trivani’s line of toxin-free personal care and nutritional products, will support projects like building schools in Kenya and providing low-cost surgeries for children in the Philippines.

“For us to raise such a large amount for impoverished people—in the midst of an economic recession, no less—shows that even when money is tight, people want to help, even if they’re across the planet,” says Dee Mower, President of Trivani International and the company’s sister non-profit organization, the Trivani Foundation (http://www. trivanifoundation. org/index. php (http://www. trivanifoundation. org/index. php)). “Our unique system allows people to help just by brushing their teeth with Trivani tooth gel and shampooing their hair with Trivani’s safe shampoo. They don’t need to change their budget to be able to provide substantial help. All they have to do is ‘switch stores’ and use Trivani products.”

The Trivani Foundation partners with almost a dozen charities to undertake humanitarian projects in Uganda, Kenya, Cambodia, Nepal, the Philippines and Mexico. Trivani also uses Facebook and other technologies to connect donors with the villages and individuals they sponsor. The Trivani Rescue Initiative (http://www. rescueinitiative. org/ (http://www. rescueinitiative. org/)) allows companies and organizations to sponsor an entire village, working closely with country managers on the ground to set goals that will help the village become completely self-sufficient.

Kelsey Thompson from Colorado, says, “I share Trivani with others, not just because I believe in the products, but because it gives me the chance to become directly involved in charitable work. I love connecting with the villagers from the places I’ve donated to and hearing them tell me that they love their new school or medical center or clean water well.”

About Trivani International
Trivani is the world’s first Purpose Marketing® company, using the power and profit of network marketing to provide ongoing humanitarian aid around the world. Trivani’s unique business model consists of two distinct but closely intertwined entities: Trivani International and the Trivani Foundation. This business model helps Trivani fulfill its humanitarian goals through three main missions: Purpose, Health, and Prosperity.

Persons interested in learning more about the company can go to http://www. trivani. com (http://www. trivani. com). Persons interested in the Trivani Foundation, a non-profit organization, and its humanitarian projects can go to http://www. trivanifoundation. org (http://www. trivanifoundation. org).

Leslie Deeanne Mower is available for media interviews and special speaking engagements.

For more information contact:
J. Michael Palka
619-977-5022

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Sunday, December 13, 2009

For a Breath of Fresh Air

Air purifiers are relatively simple machines which can be installed (or easily plugged in), in a room of your home, office, school, or workplace to clean the air of dust and other pollutants like chemicals and air-born allergens. For reliable and helpful information about all aspects of air purifiers, visit http://www. AirPurifiersAlert. com

(PRWEB) July 9, 2005

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) as many as 40 percent of the world's buildings pose a serious health threat in the form of indoor air pollution. From toxic carpet vapors to dangerous paint fumes, we are exposed to many indoor environmental dangers. Air purifiers, used correctly, can help keep our indoor air dangers to a minimum. Air purifiers kill germs, viruses, molds and bacteria; remove pet dander and dust mites; destroy cigar and cigarette smoke; and eliminate odors and vapors. Air purifiers come in a wide array of brands, styles and models making them affordable for nearly every budget.

For a person with chronic allergies, asthma or any other respiratory difficulties, air purifiers are more than a luxury--they can often be literal lifesavers, making daily living more comfortable and enjoyable.

A word of caution--make sure you are aware of the chemicals that are used in the system itself. Ozone, particularly, is a common chemical used in some so-called air "purifiers," that is actually a toxic gas. Several government agencies, including the EPA, have established rules to limit human exposure to ozone. Go online, read the EPA's pamphlets on air purifiers and the potential dangers of ozone before making your purifier purchase.

For a wealth of additional tips, suggestions and advice about indoor air pollution and air purifiers, simply visit http://www. AirPurifiersAlert. com (http://www. AirPurifiersAlert. com).

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Friday, December 11, 2009

You Work Hard Enough, Delegate! Delegate Source Launches Its Innovative Service

The launch of Delegate Source, a concierge and work-life balance company designed to help busy professionals attain a healthy work-life balance, is set for March 9, 2009 in the Denver area.

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) March 9, 2009

When it comes to services, look to Delegate Source first. Delegate Source is a concierge and work-life balance company designed to help busy professionals attain a healthy work-life balance. They allow members to DELEGATE tasks like errands, housekeeping, grocery shopping, cooking, dog walking, babysitting, in-home elder care (Home Health Services), and so much more. The launch is set for March 9, 2009 in the Denver area. These services will soon be available in Chicago and Boca Raton, Florida in the next few months.

Delegate Source is a membership-based service that aims to be the personal assistant, concierge, and master vendor for its clients. The service is easily accessible through the Delegate Source website at www. delegatesource. com or through their toll-free number at (888) 775.DS. IT (3748). Busy professionals can simply register online indicating their desired tasks and Delegate Source will take care of it. They have an eager team of delegates ready and waiting to fulfill any requests.

Corporate clients can make use of Delegate Source in reducing absenteeism and improving productivity. Employees will appreciate the benefit that Delegate Source provides in keeping them focused on their work instead of life's errands. In a time of reduced benefits due to economic challenges, Delegate Source provides a low-cost and high ROI benefit that employers can use as a retention and morale tool.

Of those interviewed, the majority said, "A lot of people will benefit from this service and finally, there is an alternative to dealing with the multitude of vendors that an individual or household uses." "It is a one-stop-shop for services." Delegate Source helps streamline and balance lives in an affordable way through its proprietary technology and processes without compromising the customer service that can only come from high quality people. Its core competency in Human Resources allows it to have the best people providing services for its membership. Delegate Source's long-term goal is to have services on the ground in every major city worldwide for the benefit of its members when they travel. Visit www. delegatesource. com to learn more.

About Delegate Source:
Delegate Source is a concierge and work-life balance company that is designed to help busy professionals attain a healthy work-life balance. Members can DELEGATE tasks like errands, housekeeping, grocery shopping, cooking, dog walking, babysitting, in-home elder care (Home Health Services), and so much more. Everyone has different needs, so service is customized for each member. Delegate Source is a member of the International Concierge and Errand Association (ICEA). Learn how Delegate Source can help streamline your life. Do the things you want to do, let us do the rest. Visit www. delegatesource. com.

Contact:
Nicole Tady
Customer Service Manager
Delegate Source
1-888-775-(DS. IT)3748 ext. 704
Email: NTady(at)delegatesource. com
Www. delegatesource. com

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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Angelman Syndrome Foundation Takes Major Step Toward Furthering Research Efforts

The Angelman Syndrome Foundation, www. angelman. org, announced the formation of the Angelman Treatment and Research Institute (ATRI), which will direct the organization's rapidly increasing research funding. The ATRI will also serve as a hub for more than 30 organizations, researchers and scientists worldwide to share discoveries and treatments for this neuro-genetic disorder. The announcement of the ATRI was made during the Angelman Syndrome Foundation's biennial conference in Orlando, Fla.

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) August 6, 2009

News Facts Related to Angelman Syndrome and the ATRI:
Angelman Syndrome (AS) occurs once in every 15,000 live births and exhibits symptoms such as: developmental delay; lack of speech; seizures; inappropriate laughter; and walking and balance disorders.

ATRI will realize the Angelman Syndrome Foundation's "scientific roadmap," which will help direct its aggressive funding of AS research.

Short term focus of the roadmap is to fund research that finds treatments that may cure symptoms of AS while continuing ongoing research and clinical trials involving UBE3A, the abnormal gene in AS patients.

Research funding will also focus on new therapies for symptoms, pharmaceuticals, biological agents, adaptive devices, surgical and diagnostic procedures.

An emphasis on adult AS patients will extend the scope of clinical trials to include a wide age group and investigate and advance life and self-help skills, vocational training, and access to community programs and health services.

ATRI will allow scientific members to conduct Web-based meetings and symposiums, and convene as necessary to discuss research progress and activities.

Since AS shares symptoms with several other disorders, including autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Rett Syndrome, and Prader-Willi Syndrome, any progress toward treating and curing symptoms has the potential to positively affect more than 12 million people.

Quotes Attributed to Michael D. Ehlers, M. D., Ph. D., Department of Neurobiology at Duke University Medical Center:
"The creation of the Angelman Treatment and Research Institute is exciting and timely. "The priorities as established by the ATRI are right on in recognizing the continued need for expanding our fundamental knowledge of UBE3A and its role in brain development and function." "The Angelman Syndrome Foundation is to be applauded for having the vision to recognize the critical importance of basic research and in setting this research on a trajectory toward a cure." "I see a future of great opportunity and advance in neurodevelopmental disorders with Angelman Syndrome and the ATRI leading the way."

Quotes Attributed to Eileen Braun, Angelman Syndrome Foundation Executive Director
The Angelman Syndrome Foundation is committing $125,000 in seed funding to start ATRI with an ultimate goal of raising $2 million within two years. Funding will be used to implement program goals while the Angelman Syndrome Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee will continue administering grant reviews and making funding recommendations for innovative research.

Related Links:
Angelman Syndrome Foundation Web site (http://www. angelman. org/)
Researcher Endorsements of the ATRI (http://www. angelman. org/press-room/endorsements-of-the-atri/)
Angelman Syndrome Foundation Videos (http://www. youtube. com/AngelmanSyndromeFdn)

About Angelman Syndrome:
Identified by Dr. Harry Angelman, AS occurs once in every 15,000 live births and exhibits symptoms such as: developmental delay; lack of speech; seizures; inappropriate laughter; and walking and balance disorders. It is a life-long neuro-genetic disorder usually identified in patients between two and five years old. AS is often misdiagnosed as autism and a cure has not yet been developed.

About Angelman Syndrome Foundation:
The Angelman Syndrome Foundation, the leading resource for AS information, support and AS research funding was founded more than 20 years ago with the mission of advancing the awareness and treatment of AS through education and information, research and support for individuals with AS, their families and other concerned parties. Since 1996 the Angelman Syndrome Foundation has funded 51 research grants totaling over $2.5 million. The Angelman Syndrome Foundation has awarded a majority of these funds ($2.2 million) beginning in 2005. In November 2008, the Angelman Syndrome Foundation received Charity Navigator's 4-star rating for sound fiscal management. Only a quarter of all charities evaluated by Charity Navigator receive this distinction of demonstrating the ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.

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Disaboom Expands Parkinson's Disease Resource Section

Online Community Provides Information on the Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment for Parkinson's, One of the Most Prevalent Diseases in the U. S.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) May 6, 2008

Disaboom, the leading online community designed for people with disabilities and their friends, family and caregivers, today announced the expansion of its Parkinson's disease resource center (http://www. disaboom. com/Health/ParkinsonsDisease/Default. aspx). The newly expanded online resource provides information and community around the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease.

More than 50,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease are diagnosed each year, making the disease one of the most common debilitating diseases in the country, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. However, misdiagnosis is a recurrent concern with Parkinson's disease. According to the National Parkinson's Foundation, roughly 25% of patients treated may not even have Parkinson's. Even more troubling is there are likely tens of thousands of people in the United States who suffer without a diagnosis. Communication and access to information is essential.

"Parkinson's disease directly affects a person's ability to control their movements, turning every day activities into difficult tasks," said Dr. Glen House, founder of Disaboom. "Knowing and recognizing the symptoms is crucial so patients, families, and caregivers can take advantage of all the advances in Parkinson's disease research and care."

Visitors to www. disaboom. com's newly expanded Parkinson's disease resource (http://www. disaboom. com/Health/ParkinsonsDisease/Default. aspx) section have access to detailed information covering symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and medical specialists. Disaboom also provides a social platform where people with Parkinson's disease can interact with one another to share information, offer support or chat online.

Launched in 2007, Disaboom (http://www. disaboom. com/info/education/) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people touched by disabilities. To visit Disaboom's comprehensive Parkinson's disease resource center (http://www. disaboom. com/Health/ParkinsonsDisease/Default. aspx) visit disaboom. com.

About Disaboom
Disaboom, Inc. was founded to develop the first interactive online community dedicated to constantly improving the way people with disabilities or functional limitations live their lives. It will also serve as a comprehensive online resource not only for people living with such conditions, but also their immediate families and friends, caregivers, recreation and rehabilitation providers, and employers. There are more than 54 million American adults living with disabilities or functional limitations today in the United States alone. Founded and designed by doctors and fellow disaboomers to meet this community's specific needs, disaboom. com brings together content and tools ranging from specialized health information to social networking to daily living resources, in a single interactive site.

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Quixtar Introduces New Ribbon Gift and Incentive Program

Quixtar announces the new Ribbon Gift & Incentive Program, launching this May. With up to 40 options in each of the 21 gift collections, customers can be sure that their recipient feels appreciated and gets a gift they will truly enjoy.

Ada, MI (PRWEB) April 6, 2007

Quixtar (http://www. quixtar. com/about/) announces the new Ribbon Gift & Incentive Program, launching this May. The program is a perfect balance of convenience and customization. With up to 40 options in each of the 21 gift collections, customers can be sure that their recipient feels appreciated and gets a gift they will truly enjoy.

Ribbon Gift & Incentive Program is available exclusively through Quixtar Independent Business Owners in the United States and Canada or online at www. quixtar. com. The program has been in the business of making people happy for more than 30 years. It empowers Quixtar business builders by offering affordable, appealing, practical gifting options that give customers the gift of choice.

Ribbon starts with a collection of 21 gift cards and albums filled with name brand products ranging in value from $25 - $750. Collections are organized by themes targeting a variety of age and interest groups, so there is always something for everyone.

With the Ribbon Gift and Incentive Program, ordering the gift of choice is easy. The recipient browses their online gift collection at www. ordermygift. com and selects the gift of his or her choice. Using the new gift card, which features an exclusive redemption code, the recipient completes the order online and the gift is delivered free-of-charge right to his or her home. For friends and family who are especially hard to buy for, these collections eliminate last-minute shopping in search of the perfect gift.

The Ghirardelli® collection is the ideal choice for your favorite chocolate lover. Even picky teens will find something to love in the new Sweet! collection of gifts. And, as this collection is only available online, gift options for teens are easily updated with ever-changing trends.

The average American spends more than $100 a month on gift giving. With so many amazing choices and personalized options, along with free shipping and no hidden costs, the new Ribbon Gift Cards and Albums is the perfect gift and a perfect value.

About Quixtar
Quixtar Inc. (http://www. quixtar-inc. com), a subsidiary of Alticor Inc., is a business opportunity (http://www. thisbiznow. com) company that offers entrepreneurs the ability to have a web-based business of their own. Through Quixtar's Independent Business Ownership Plan, individuals are rewarded for product sales resulting from their business-building efforts.

Since 1999, Independent Business Owners powered by Quixtar have generated more than $6.8 billion in sales, earning in excess of $2.2 billion in bonuses and other incentives. Their efforts have made Quixtar the number one retailer in the online Health & Beauty category based on sales, and 20th among all e-commerce sites, according to Internet Retailer's "Top 500 Guide."

Based near Grand Rapids, Mich., Quixtar currently supports independent businesses in the U. S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and various trust territories and independent island nations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and Caribbean Sea. Quixtar Canada Corp. headquarters are located in London, Ont., Canada.

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

THE SUN AND YOUR SKIN LAUNCHES CAREER WEBCASTS

Each week we will be showing a new webcast on a career in health, science or education at http://www. yourskinandsun. com.

(PRWEB) October 14, 2003

Citrus Heights, CA, October 14, 2003--Each week we will be showing a new webcast on a

Career in health, science or education at

Http://www. yourskinandsun. com (http://www. yourskinandsun. com). The videos are short. For instance, the first video about skin care specialists is less than 2 minutes long.

"They are fun to watch and informative," says Diana Clarke, founder and editor of The Sun and Your Skin. "Viewers can see what workers actually do in their prospective occupations and also learn about any educational or licensing requirements."

The videos are developed and distributed under a grant from the US Department of Labor (USDOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

The School and

Careeers section also features the following

Resources:

_ Talk shows

_ Virtual science labs

_ Webcasts about becoming a scientist

_ Webcasts presented by small business experts

_ College entrance exams

_ Career tests

Howard Hughes Medical Institute has a stunning collection of

Animations and webcasts to learn about subjects, such as the biological

Clock and neurology. Ever wondered what it would be like to work in a

Lab? Visit the medical institute's four virtual labs: Cardiology,

Immunology, Neurophysiology, and Bacterial Identification Lab to

Experience what the scientist does through step by step interactive animations.

Visit The Sun and Your Skin http://www. yourskinandsun. com (http://www. yourskinandsun. com) to learn more.

The Sun and Your Skin provides information on sun protection,

Skin care and skin disorders and features topics in the fascinating field

Of photobiology. Also covered are news and information on the sun

And benefits of light.

For more information contact Diana Clarke at dianaclarke2001@yahoo. com.

Free Veterans Law Online

Free online Veterans Legal and Benefits information.

(PRWEB) January 14, 2005

Veteran's Resource Network - http://www. valaw. org (http://www. valaw. org) provides free Veterans Legal and Benefits information. The valaw. org internet project takes on the for profit Legal companies like: LexisNexis; West law, and others by giving veterans a "no-cost" alternative.

Http://www. valaw. org (http://www. valaw. org) lists Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, Veterans Court, VA General Counsel, VA Manuals, and more in an easy to search database.

While high priced legal information companies ask for $12 per case cited; or access by the month for $100, the valaw. org projects offers public domain information free to help all veterans and their families obtain their earned benefits.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) oversees delivery of Veterans benefits to an estimated 26,549,704 veterans, and their dependents. Veterans Claims once filed are adjudicated at Regional offices which are located in every State, and in some overseas locations. (Official VA website: http://www. va. gov (http://www. va. gov))

The VA pays Compensation for service connected disability, and VA pension to Wartime veterans with total disability and low income levels. The claims process often takes years to complete and VA adjudication of claims is weighted against a fair and speedy decision for veterans.

The veteran must either file claims for themselves, or rely on overworked service representatives from non-profit groups like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, or one of hundreds of other groups. And veterans are prevented by law from hiring an attorney until they have a final decision from the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington, DC.

The claims process is often confusing and made so by the legal foot-dragging by the VA, and the limited free information available to veterans. The Veterans Resources Network: http://www. valaw. org (http://www. valaw. org) provides free veterans legal and benefits information in an easy to access database.

Some veterans are also eligible for health care; VA guaranteed home loans, vocational rehabilitation, and other services. In addition some veterans dependents may be eligible for VA benefits as survivor of a service connected disabled veteran. Veterans and their dependents can obtain the latest in VA legal and benefits information from Veterans Resources Network http://www. valaw. org (http://www. valaw. org).

Manager http://www. valaw. org (http://www. valaw. org)
Ray B. Davis, Jr., Manager/Editor

Manager@valaw. org

P. O. Box 68

East Flat Rock, NC 28726

USA

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Saturday, December 5, 2009

ProPublica Announces More Staff Additions; Newsroom Will Include Seven Pulitzer Winners

ProPublica, a non-profit newsroom producing journalism in the public interest, today announced six additions to its initial news staff. Charles Ornstein and Tracy Weber, metro investigative reporters for the Los Angeles Times, are joining ProPublica as senior reporters. Marcus Stern, news editor of the Copley News Service in Washington, DC, Chisun Lee, counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, and Mosi Secret of the Independent Weekly in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina are joining ProPublica as reporters. Thomas Detzel, investigations editor of the Oregonian of Portland, Oregon, becomes editor at ProPublica. Separately, Michael Webb, deputy director of communications & strategy at the Brennan Center, is joining ProPublica as director of communications.

New York, NY (PRWEB) July 10, 2008

Paul E. Steiger, editor-in-chief of ProPublica, said, "We couldn't be more pleased. With these stellar staff additions, ProPublica's initial news staff of 28 will include seven Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters and editors."

ProPublica has the largest news staff in American journalism devoted solely to investigative reporting. ProPublica is supported entirely by philanthropy and will provide the articles it produces, free of charge, both through its own Web site and to leading news organizations selected with an eye toward maximizing the impact of each article.

Stephen Engelberg, managing editor of ProPublica, noted, "We've nearly completed our recruiting, with only a senior researcher and a web producer yet to be hired. The quality of the staff we've been able to attract gives us lots of potential--and the responsibility for living up to that potential. We're determined to do just that."

Charles Ornstein and Tracy Weber were the lead reporters on a series of articles in the Los Angeles Times titled "The Troubles at King/Drew" hospital that won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the Sigma Delta Chi Award for public service in 2005. Ornstein has reported for the Times since 2001, in the last five years largely in partnership with Weber. Earlier, Ornstein spent five years as a reporter for the Dallas Morning News. He is vice president of the Association of Health Care Journalists and a former Kaiser Family Foundation media fellow.

Weber has reported for the Los Angeles Times from 1994 to 1999 and again beginning in 2003. Previous to her-prize winning collaborations with Ornstein, Weber spent a year reporting from inside California's juvenile court system, prompting reforms in state law. Earlier in her career she reported for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and the Orange County Register.

Marcus Stern had worked for Copley News Service in Washington, D. C. since 1983. In 2006, he shared the Pulitzer Prize and George Polk Award for his role in breaking the story of former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham's wide-ranging corruption. Stern has also, in recent years, reported extensively from Iraq and other conflict zones. He spent most of the 1990's covering immigration issues for Copley.

Chisun Lee is counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. A graduate of Harvard Law School and a former Knight Journalism Fellow at Yale Law School, she served as a law clerk for a federal district judge in New York, and was formerly a staff writer for the Village Voice. Her reporting earned a Crystal Gavel Award from the New York State Bar Association in 2003 and a 2004 New York Press Club award.

Mosi Secret has been a staff writer for the Independent Weekly in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina since 2005, while also working for the last two years as a stringer for the New York Times. Earlier, he worked at the Houston Press and the Columbia Journalism Review. Secret won the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism for distinguished coverage of children and families in both 2007 and 2008 and the North Carolina Press Association Award for Investigative Reporting in 2007.

Thomas Detzel has been an editor at the Oregonian since 1995, and has been the newspaper's investigations editor since 2004, reporting to Mr. Engelberg until the latter joined ProPublica in January of this year. Work to which Mr. Detzel and his team of reporters contributed was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News and the George Polk Award for National Reporting, both in 2007. Earlier in his career, Detzel spent 16 years as a reporter and editor at smaller newspapers in Oregon, including 12 years at the Register-Guard in Eugene.

Michael Webb has been deputy director of communications & strategy at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law since January 2007. Prior to that, Webb served as publicity & syndication director for The Nation magazine, and in various roles for a number of elected officials. Earlier in his career, Webb held marketing and promotion jobs in the music industry.

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