Friday, February 18, 2005

Dining Together - The Key to Raising Happier Children

Dining Together - The Key to Raising Happier Children

We’re all aware that communication is key to all relationships, but according to one parent coach, it’s actually a lot simpler than that. Although talking is definitely important in creating healthy, happy kids, another joint activity is no less important: eating.

North Wales, PA (PRWEB) February 3, 2006

We’re all aware that communication is key to all relationships, but according to one parent coach, it’s actually a lot simpler than that. Although talking is definitely important in creating healthy, happy kids, another joint activity is no less important: eating.

“Families who eat together, stay together,” says Terri Levine, a personal coach who has been helping stressed parents for more than twenty-five years. ‘When you sit down to dinner as a family, you create a unique setting in which nothing else concerns you, you have a communal understanding and you get time to talk to your children as well. It’s no coincidence that the happiest children I’ve seen all have dinner with their parents at the family dinner table at least once a week.”

And it’s not just the eating that’s important, says Terri. If the family can also cook and clean up together, that’s even better.

“The more things you do together as a family, the more successful you will be in raising happy children,” she declares.

Although eating together provides the greatest combination of benefits from planning the meal through chatting to doing the washing and drying, other joint activities can also be very effective. Long walks, church-going and singing all help in raising happy children.

For more information and for a fun, informative interview, call Terri Levine at 215-527-0634.

# # #

Leading Food Industry Economist Jean Kinsey to Address Soyfoods2010

Leading Food Industry Economist Jean Kinsey to Address Soyfoods2010

Soyatech, LLC, the leading soyfoods industry intelligence resource, announced today that economist Jean Kinsey, a professor at the University of Minnesota and director of The Food Industry Center, will deliver a keynote address at Soyfoods2010: Anticipating Potential for Growth. Soyfoods2010 will be held in conjunction with Nutracon and SupplyExpo on March 10-11, 2010 at the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, California.

Southwest Harbor, ME (PRWEB) January 19, 2010

Soyatech, LLC, the leading soyfoods industry intelligence resource, announced today that economist Jean Kinsey, a professor at the University of Minnesota and director of The Food Industry Center, will deliver a keynote address at Soyfoods2010: Anticipating Potential for Growth. Soyfoods2010 will be held in conjunction with Nutracon and SupplyExpo on March 10-11, 2010 at the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, California.

Dr. Kinsey will open the Wednesday afternoon session of Soyfoods2010 with a keynote presentation, “Meeting the Demands of a Rapidly Changing Retail Marketplace,” focusing on how trends in the U. S. and global food industry will continue to have an impact on manufacturers and marketers of soy-based and other healthful foods.

Dr. Jean Kinsey is a Professor in the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, where she has been on the faculty since 1976. She is also the Director of The Food Industry Center, a University-wide center funded by the Sloan Foundation. She has served on boards of the American Council on Consumer Interests, the American Agricultural Economics Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, among others. Dr. Kinsey co-authored the 1991 book Food Trends and the Changing Consumer.

Other sessions planned for Soyfoods2010 will address topics such as:
 determining how consumer trends are influencing the U. S. soyfoods market;  understanding and communicating the realities of the link between soy and health – and how this affects market demand;  identifying opportunities for growth of the non-dairy and meat alternatives categories;  anticipating supply and demand trends in organic and non-GMO soybeans, and  evaluating the role that soy plays in developing new solutions in world nutrition.

The program for Soyfoods2010 is specifically designed for soyfoods manufacturers and marketers; manufacturers of healthful food ingredients; nutritionists and dieticians; retail food buyers; healthful foods’ manufacturers and marketers and food processing equipment manufacturers.

Speakers and other program participants at Soyfoods2010 include:

 Bob Burke, President, Natural Products Consulting;  Dan Burke, President, Pacific Soybean & Grain;  Rhonda Cole, Director of Grain and Oil Sales, SunOpta Grains & Foods Group;  Philippe de Lapérouse, Managing Director of Global Food, Agribusiness and Biofuels, HighQuest Partners;  Shawn Edwards, Director of Consumer Insights, WhiteWave Foods Company;  Dave Ellis, President, Sports Alliance, Inc.;  Jim Hershey, Executive Director, World Initiative for Soy in Human Health;  Joe Jordan, Content Director, Soyatech LLC;  Stacey Krawczyk, Research Dietician, National Soybean Research Laboratory;  Suman Lawrence, Living Well Business Manager, Market Street/United Supermarkets;  Suley Muratoglu, Vice President – Market and Product Management, Tetra Pak;  Martin Schweizer, Vice President – Technical Development, Burcon NutraScience  Steve Walton, General Manager, HealthFocus International;  Megan Westgate, Executive Director, The Non-GMO Project and  Patricia Williamson-Hughes, Nutrition Scientist, ADM.

For more information about Soyfoods2010 or to register, call 800-424-SOYA or visit: http://events. soyatech. com/conferences/SF2010.htm (http://events. soyatech. com/conferences/SF2010.htm). The early bird registration deadline is February 5, 2010, and special regular rates apply for not-for-profit organizations and universities.

About Soyatech, LLC

Soyatech (www. soyatech. com) is a global media, marketing, and event company that helps companies and investors in the food, oilseed, agribusiness, and agri-transportation sectors to assess and develop market opportunities through its publications, conferences, webinars, and widely used internet platform. Founded in 1985, the company publishes the annual Soya & Oilseed Bluebook, the industry’s leading source of information on oilseed and agribusiness companies and products, an industry-focused email newsletter (in daily and weekly editions), and Soyatech. com, the award-winning business-to-business online resource for the industry. Soyatech’s information services are referred to by tens of thousands of the world’s leading commodity, food and biofuels companies in over 100 countries every week. Soyatech, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HighQuest Partners.

# # #

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

ICC "Plunges" Into First World Plumbing Day

ICC "Plunges" Into First World Plumbing Day

ICC supports World Plumbing Day on March 11 and other initiatives that help communities protect the environment and natural resources.

Whittier, CA (PRWEB) March 3, 2010

Everyone in the building industry knows that plumbers play a huge and critical role to protect public health and safety. But many consumers take for granted what the plumbing industry does to provide ever-better plumbing solutions, while being mindful of conserving resources.

The World Plumbing Council seeks to change that. March 11 has been officially designated World Plumbing Day. Construction professionals, the public and even schoolchildren around the globe are banding together to learn how the plumbing industry continually improves the products and services the industry offers for both commercial and residential projects. A huge part of their efforts and education program includes conserving resources and reducing the environmental footprint, along with other important work conducted by the plumbing industry, as well as the entire building industry.

The International Code Council works with organizations like the World Plumbing Council to build upon each other’s expertise and strengths to advance these goals faster and more effectively. In fact, the Code Council is highly engaged in helping communities large and small to implement ever-better plumbing applications that are more effective, while always being mindful of the environment. The March 15 release of the Public Version of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is perfectly timed to coincide with World Plumbing Day.

With the possible exception of environmental organizations, the plumbing industry understands first-hand the need to continually develop ever-better solutions for water conservation without sacrificing convenience and safety.

The IGCC does just that and so much more. Of course, this highly-anticipated new code meets rating systems such as LEED and Green Globes. But it also offers a tremendous range of green building applications for every industry, a large portion of which covers plumbing provisions that focus on conservation of water and other resources, without compromising efficiency, quality, cost and safety.

The Code Council’s involvement with water-related issues goes well beyond offering superior codes. The organization is also using its extensive expertise to help global organizations in their efforts to provide access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation, working towards the ultimate goal of eradicating illness and death caused by waterborne illnesses.

Help spread the word about the important contributions the plumbing industry makes towards protecting public health and safety, and helping to conserve our natural resources. Support World Plumbing Day in any way you can. Log onto www. worldplumbingday. org to learn more.

The International Code Council (ICC) publishes building safety, energy efficiency and fire prevention codes that are used in the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Most U. S. cities, counties and states choose the I-Codes based on their outstanding quality. The ICC’s Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) Group is devoted exclusively to providing PMG products and support to jurisdictions and construction industry professionals across the country and around the globe, with one or more PMG code adopted in 49 states. The over 200 superior products and related services were developed specifically by and for plumbing and mechanical professionals. Contact the PMG Group for additional information at 1-888-ICC-SAFE, x4PMG, PMGResourceCenter@iccsafe. org, or visit iccsafe. org (http://iccsafe. org).

###

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Dr. Robert N. Butler Appointed to Board of Directors of BioTime, Inc

Dr. Robert N. Butler Appointed to Board of Directors of BioTime, Inc.

BioTime, Inc. (OTCBB:BTIM) announced today that Robert N. Butler, M. D., has been elected to BioTime’s Board of Directors. Dr. Butler is the founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the International Longevity Center-USA, a non-profit international research, policy, and education organization formed to educate individuals on how to live longer and better, and advise society on how to maximize the benefits of today's age boom. Dr. Butler received his B. A. degree from Columbia College in 1949 and a M. D. Degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in 1952. He was the founding director of the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, and from 1975-1982 he led that institute educating the nation about the need for innovative therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. At the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, he founded the nation’s first department of geriatrics where he is Professor of Geriatrics and Adult Development. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and of the National Academy of Social Insurance. He was a member of the Physician Payment Review Commission, an agency of the U. S. Congress, from 1986-89. He is a founding Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society and vice chairman of the Alliance for Aging Research. He served as Chair, Advisory Committee, 1995, for the White House Conference on Aging. He was a member of the Advisory Committee for the Project on Death in America by the Open Society Institute. He has been a consultant to the U. S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, the Commonwealth Fund, the Brookdale Foundation, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and numerous other organizations. He has served on the National Advisory Committees of the Physicians for Human Rights, the National Women's Health Resource Center and the Mildred and Claude Pepper Foundation, among other organizations. He also served as medical editor-in-chief of Geriatrics, a journal for primary care physicians, for 14 years and has authored approximately 300 scientific and medical articles. Dr. Butler won the Pulitzer Prize for his book Why Survive? Being Old in America. His latest book is The Longevity Revolution.

ALAMEDA, Calif. (PRWEB) August 6, 2008

"The aging of the baby boom generation is the most significant demographic trend of our time," said Michael D. West, Ph. D., BioTime's Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward in working with Dr. Butler in focusing the emerging technologies of regenerative medicine on the large and growing markets in age-related degenerative disease."

Dr. Butler said, "It is exciting to be elected to the board of BioTime, an innovative company built for this era of longevity."

About BioTime, Inc. (BTIM. OB):

BioTime, headquartered in Alameda, California, develops blood plasma volume expanders, blood replacement solutions for hypothermic (low temperature) surgery, organ preservation solutions, and technology for use in surgery, emergency trauma treatment and other applications. BioTime's lead product Hextend is manufactured and distributed in the U. S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ Corp. under exclusive licensing agreements. BioTime has recently entered the field of regenerative medicine through its wholly owned subsidiary Embryome Sciences, Inc. where it plans to develop new medical and research products using embryonic stem cell technology. Additional information about BioTime can be found on the web at www. biotimeinc. com. Hextend®, PentaLyte®, HetaCool®, EmbryomicsTM, ESpyTM, and ESpanTM are trademarks of BioTime, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development and potential opportunities for the company and its subsidiary, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates,") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

To receive ongoing BioTime corporate communications, please click on the following link to join our email alert list: http://www. b2i. us/irpass. asp? BzID=1152&to=ea&s=0 (http://www. b2i. us/irpass. asp? BzID=1152&to=ea&s=0)

Vocus Named to Software Magazine's 25th Annual Software 500

Vocus Named to Software Magazine's 25th Annual Software 500

Leading On Demand Public Relations Management Company Named One of the World's Largest Software Companies for 8th Consecutive Year

Lanham, MD (Vocus) October 10, 2007

Vocus, Inc., (NASDAQ: VOCS) a leading provider of on-demand software for public relations management, today announced that for the 8th consecutive year it has been included on Software Magazine's Software 500 ranking of the world's largest software and service providers, now in its 25th year.

"We are honored the Software 500 has recognized our growth for the eighth consecutive year," said Bill Wagner, chief marketing officer at Vocus, Inc. "As one of the early pioneers of the SaaS model, our continued growth validates our vision to create the first on-demand solution designed specifically to meet the growing demands of the PR industry (http://www. vocus. com/content/productsservices. asp)."

"The 2007 Software 500 results show that growth in the software and services industry was healthy from 2006 to 2007, the ranking year," says John P. Desmond, editor of Software Magazine and Softwaremag. com. "The top four business sectors this year are System Integration Services/IT Consulting, Application Development, Financial Applications and Security Tools/Systems.

Vocus' PR management platform optimizes the way organizations communicate with the media and the public. Its on-demand solution enables PR professionals to create targeted media lists, distribute press releases and news, monitor and analyze coverage and manage PR efforts from one application.

The Software 500 is a revenue-based ranking of the world's largest software and services suppliers targeting medium to large enterprises, their IT professionals, software developers and business managers involved in software and services purchasing. The ranking is based on total worldwide software and services revenue for 2006. Visit www. myswmag. com to subscribe to digital Software Magazine and be among the first to see the 2007 Software 500 and get additional details regarding the ranking.

About Digital Software Magazine, the Software Decision Journal, and Softwaremag. com
Digital Software Magazine, the Software Decision Journal, has been a brand name in the high-tech industry for nearly 30 years. Softwaremag. com, its Web counterpart, is the online catalog to enterprise software and the home of the Software 500 ranking of the world's largest software and services companies, now in its 25th year. Software Magazine and Softwaremag. com are owned and operated by King Content Co.

About King Content Co. and the Software Marketing Perspectives Conference & Expo
King Content Co., owner of Software Magazine, is holding a one-day Software Marketing Perspectives Seminar & Expo at the Hyatt Regency Austin on Town Lake, on Oct. 23, 2007. To register, go to www. smpevent. com. The event offers a spin-free zone where VPs and directors of technology product management, primarily from the software industry, can share experiences and network with each other.

The fourth annual Software Marketing Perspectives Conference & Expo will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, Calif., from May 7-9, 2008. Watch the event Web site for program information.

About Vocus, Inc.
Vocus, Inc. (NASDAQ: VOCS) is a leading provider of on-demand software for public relations management. Our web-based software suite helps organizations of all sizes to fundamentally change the way they communicate with both the media and the public, optimizing their public relations and increasing their ability to measure its impact. Our on-demand software addresses the critical functions of public relations including media relations, news distribution and news monitoring. We deliver our solutions over the Internet using a secure, scalable application and system architecture, which allows our customers to eliminate expensive up-front hardware and software costs and to quickly deploy and adopt our on-demand software. Vocus is used by more than 2,000 organizations worldwide and is available in five languages. Vocus is based in Lanham, MD with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information please visit www. vocus. com or call 800.345.5572.

###

Monday, February 14, 2005

NCQA Awards BlueCross MCO Accreditation Status of Excellent

NCQA Awards BlueCross MCO Accreditation Status of Excellent

Accreditation Fulfills TennCare Bureau Mandate for all MCOs

Chattanooga, Tenn. (Vocus) December 22, 2006

Volunteer State Health Plan (VSHP), a licensed HMO affiliate of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc. (http://www. bcbst. com/ (http://www. bcbst. com/)), announced today it has been awarded an accreditation status of 'Excellent' from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, non-profit organization that assesses and reports on the quality of the nation's managed care plans.

VSHP's accreditation status of Excellent - the highest possible level - is based on a voluntary review of how a health plan ensures that its members are receiving high quality care. VSHP scored 93.20 out of a possible 100.00 points. The accreditation is valid through Feb. 11, 2009.

"Our MCO has always strived to provide the highest-quality clinical care and member satisfaction to those Tennesseans relying on us for Medicaid services, and this NCQA accreditation validates those efforts," said VSHP Vice President Sonya Nelson. "The confirmation of our excellence is good news for not only us, but also our members."

The achievement meets the TennCare Bureau's NCQA accreditation requirement for any managed care organization participating in the TennCare program. TennCare is the first Medicaid program in the nation to adopt such a mandate.

"Achieving an accreditation status of Excellent is a significant achievement for a health plan," said Margaret E. O'Kane, president of NCQA. "It is only awarded to those plans that meet or exceed NCQA's rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement and have HEDIS results in the highest range of national performance."

The NCQA accreditation survey process includes on and off-site evaluations of over 60 standards and selected HEDIS performance measures conducted by a team of physicians and managed care experts. A committee of physicians analyzes the team's finding and assigns an accreditation level based on the performance level of the plan being evaluated to NCQA's standards.

The NCQA accreditation process evaluates how well a health plan manages quality throughout every part of its delivery system - physicians, hospitals, affiliated providers, and administrative services - to continuously improve health care for its members.

VSHP, a licensed HMO of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., was the first managed care organization to commit to Tennessee's Medicaid program (TennCare) in 1993. Through its BlueCare and TennCare Select programs, VSHP serves more than 600,000 TennCare beneficiaries. Services provided include claims processing, care coordination, disease management and case management.

Contact:

Mary Thompson

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc

423-535-7694

Http://www. bcbst. com/ (http://www. bcbst. com/)

###

Simplicity is the Key to Improving Health and Energy Levels

Simplicity is the Key to Improving Health and Energy Levels

Readers who learn to Touch Life will improve their general well being, according to author Craig Blewett

Durban, South Africa (PRWEB) November 19, 2006

Author Craig Blewett's new book, Touch Life, is both a word of warning and a life-changing inspiration. Based on a realization that adults frequently use sight, hearing, taste, and smell but overlook their sense of touch, Blewett's theory encourages readers to revert back to their barefoot days of finger food and watch their energy and happiness skyrocket.

Blewett defines touch as anything that is "basically physical." Exercise falls under the touch category; so does walking in the rain, gardening, or simply eating outside. Children naturally "touch life" in these ways, exploring their sense of touch to the fullest. Adults, however, need a little help, especially in this day and age of climate control, comfort, and convenience. In the book, Blewett suggests activities to assist readers with returning to a fuller experience of their own lives.

Touch Life encourages not the elimination of technology and convenience in daily life but the reintegration of physical experience. Its goal encompasses physical and mental health by means as simple as getting readers to turn off the computer, remove their shoes, and take their fast food outside for a lunch break on the grass.

For more information or to request a free review copy, please contact the author at craig@touch-life. org. Touch Life is available for sale online at Amazon. com, Borders. com, and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.

About the Author

Working in information technology for 20 years makes Craig Blewett no stranger to the world of modern convenience. However, his own children and the young people he works with in university and youth camp settings have inspired him to learn to "touch life" again. A public speaker, teacher, and writer, Blewett has published several books in the IT genre, won awards for academic writing, and is certified in True-Colors personality assessment. He lives in South Africa with his wife and three children.

About BookSurge

BookSurge LLC, an Amazon. com company, is a pioneer in self-publishing and print-on-demand services. Offering unique publishing opportunities and access for authors, BookSurge boasts an unprecedented number of authors whose work has resulted in book deals with traditional publishers as well as successful authorpreneurs who enhance or build a business from their professional expertise.

###