Laurel Springs School Hosts Virtual Open House for Families Interested in Online Education for Elementary, Middle and High School Students

Laurel Springs School Hosts Virtual Open House for Families Interested in Online Education for Elementary, Middle and High School Students

Laurel Springs Virtual Open House focuses on 21st Century Learning - What You and Your Child Need to Know.

Ojai, CA (Vocus) November 10, 2009

Laurel Springs School, the accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, hosts a virtual open house on November 11, 2009 at 10:00 am Pacific Standard Time. The focus of the Virtual Open House is 21st Century Learning - What You and Your Child Need to Know.

Laurel Springs School poses the question: How can we help students to be successful in a complex, interconnected, and constantly changing world? Our world is changing rapidly, and so is the world of education. New technologies are affecting how we live our lives and how our children learn. This transforming world, and how to thrive in it, will be discussed at the Virtual Open House on November 11, 2009.

"I can’t wait for the this open house, when we’ll discuss the 21st Century skills our students need to succeed in their careers, in college, and as involved citizens," said Marilyn Mosley Gordanier, founder and executive director of Laurel Spring School.

The Laurel Springs School Virtual Open House will inform families about homeschooling their own students through a distance learning program. Parents will be able to ask questions directly to the staff from the comfort of their own homes with a computer and Internet connection. Mosley Gordanier added, “Our last Virtual Open House was so inspiring. It allowed us to connect with families all over the United States and as far away as Amsterdam, the Dominican Republic, and Hong Kong. It was so exciting to talk about the history of Laurel Springs, our philosophy, learning team, teacher services, college prep program, and the learning styles approach to education – all the elements that make Laurel Springs School so special.”

Laurel Springs School helps families who are looking for an alternative to the traditional classroom setting. Laurel Springs offers online, text-based, project-based, and customized courses for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Students can mix and match courses according to the mode of delivery, learning styles preferences, and the appropriate grade level in a given subject. Laurel Springs emphasizes a mastery-based learning philosophy that emphasizes complete proficiency at every stage of the process. Laurel Springs School is accredited by the national accreditation body called the Western Association of Colleges and Schools (WASC).

Laurel Springs Virtual Open House participants will learn about:
 Technology for learning  Safe social networking  Helping students become global citizens  Teaching creativity, innovation, and flexibility  Laurel Springs Community  Parent Support & Resources

Sign up now for the Laurel Springs School Virtual Open House (http://familycenter. laurelsprings. com/virtual-open-house. html)

Event Details:
November 11, 2009 at 10:00am Pacific Standard Time.

For more information, please visit our Family Center or email us at parentsupport(at)laurelsprings. com

About Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School, founded in 1991, is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Located in Ojai, California Laurel Springs serves students across the United States and in 43 countries. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience. Laurel Springs offers gifted and talented students an alternative to traditional schools and an opportunity to become part of a thriving online community.
Http://www. laurelsprings. com (http://www. laurelsprings. com).

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Liberation for One in Ten Women

Liberation for One in Ten Women

Houston, Texas, Sunday June 13th, 2010 — PCOS Foundation's first-ever, fun-filled, one-day symposium on understanding and controlling the effects of PCOS

Houston, TX (PRWEB) June 10, 2010

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects 5-10% of women of childbearing age, with 30% of women having some PCOS symptoms. Over 75% of women with PCOS are undiagnosed: that’s an estimated 9 million women in the U. S alone.

Its causes are unknown. Its symptoms are misunderstood. Its diagnosis is difficult. Its numbers are staggering. And its worse case scenario is death. Yet little is being said or done about this life-threatening, life-altering condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. The PCOS Foundation of Houston wants to change all that.

Their free, one-day symposium will take a light-hearted, energetic approach at educating women about small steps they can take to control PCOS symptoms and prevent potential long term health effects. Topics will include Hormonal Aspects of PCOS, Infertility & PCOS, Heart Disease & Metabolic Disease, Alternative Treatments for PCOS and Simple Exercise Techniques.

For one in every ten women, symptoms like obesity, excessive hair on the face and body, thinning hair on the head, acne, a lackluster sex drive, and the inability to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy is cause for embarrassment, depression and hopelessness. It dramatically increases a women’s risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and endometrial cancer. Yet PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder occurring in women of child-bearing years and a leading cause of infertility.

Although there’s no known cure for PCOS, its symptoms can be controlled, allowing women to become pregnant, deliver healthy babies, and live a full, happy, healthy life. Through interactive education PCOS Foundation founder, Lisa Benjamini, and other experts in the field will partner with Houston area women to let them know they’re not alone in combating the devastating effects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS Foundation is the largest Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Referral Center in Texas, treating patients from all over the world.

Learn more about the 2010 PCOS Symposium June 13 at: http://pcosfoundation. org/ (http://pcosfoundation. org/)

Learn more about PCOS symptoms at: http://pcosfoundation. org/index. php? option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=40 (http://pcosfoundation. org/index. php? option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=40)

RSVP to Jilian Ryan at PCOS Foundation 713-467-4488 ext. 233
Hilton Houston Post Oak Ballroom C
2001 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, Texas

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FUN FRIENDS CREATE BUZZ AT ANNUAL SHAQTACULAR CHARITY EVENT

FUN FRIENDS CREATE BUZZ AT ANNUAL SHAQTACULAR CHARITY EVENT.

FUN FRIENDS PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL SHAQTACULAR EVENT

(PRWEB) October 9, 2003

October 7, 2003, Sarasota, FL – Fun Friends joined the Shaqtacular VIII event once again, in Santa Monica, California, to help support this internationally renowned charity benefit, which promotes mentoring and educational programs for over 25,000 youth annually.

Shaqtacular featured an eclectic lineup of comedians, pop, R&B, rock and rap recording artists and an all-star list of celebrity presenters such as Shaquille OÂ’Neil (host), Jessica Simpson, Boyz II Men, George Lopez, and Method Man to name just a few.

As part of a day filled with events, exhibits and entertainment, Fun Friends received an overwhelming response as they distributed a variety of their plush cell phone covers to attendees. These furry phone companions were a hit among children and celebrities alike. “This event is a great way for us to promote our new line of collectible characters and put a smile on everyone’s face”, says President Julian Parry.

Your Secret to Customer Loyalty, BridgeFront's New Customer Communications Courses

Your Secret to Customer Loyalty, BridgeFront's New Customer Communications Courses

BridgeFront announces its new Customer Communication Skills library consisting of 17 online courses. Courses are designed for those who work directly with customers or patients, whether they are face-to-face, on the phone, emailing or instant messaging.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) January 28, 2010

BridgeFront announces its new Customer Communication Skills library, designed to increase customer and patient satisfaction, and an employee's communication skills. These courses will help organizations train all levels of staff - front office, technical, administrative and management. Topics include phone etiquette, customer service recovery and coaching skills.

"I have to say after 11 years, I have finally been given educational assignments that were challenging, engaging and enjoyable," said Caroline Cooper of CHRISTUS Health. "Thanks BridgeFront!"

BridgeFront's Customer Communication Skills courses are internet-based, streaming audio and video. Individuals can access the courses as many times as they'd like and can start or stop as often as needed, using the course bookmark feature. A "Certificate of Mastery" is provided upon successful completion.

"An organization's competitive advantage is its people," said Kent Lane, COO of BridgeFront and 20-year customer service veteran. "These are some of the best courses I've seen on customer communication skills. They teach individuals how to handle the barrage of communications they face daily, while responding to and resolving issues quickly and professionally."

Each course is offered for individual purchase or a part of one of the following series: Quick Start for Entry Levels (9 courses); Continuing Education for Intermediate Levels (6 courses) and Leadership for Senior Levels (2 courses). Modify any course with organization-specific policies and procedures. You can add links to documents, add or remove a course page, and add test questions.

Introductory discounts are available through February 26, 2010. Volume discounts are also available for non-profits and organizations with 15 staff members or greater.

BridgeFront's online courses include chapter self-checks, post-tests, certificates of mastery and administrative monitoring features. With BridgeFront's administrative features, you can track student progress, print transcripts, edit courses, build new courses and even set competencies inside your organization.

For more information, visit http://www. bridgefront. com/solutions_education_communications. php (http://www. bridgefront. com/solutions_education_communications. php) or call (866) 447-2211.

About BridgeFront:
Rated a top-tier provider by its clients, BridgeFront provides innovative online education for healthcare, government, business and education. Its hosted learning management system, allows organizations to take any online course as-is, to modify our courses or build their own. We provide expertise in compliance, revenue cycle, clinical and customer service communications. BridgeFront is a leader in client responsiveness. Learn more by visiting http://www. BridgeFront. com (http://www. BridgeFront. com).

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Marketworks Connects with QuickBooks Using Atandra’s T-HUB

Marketworks Connects with QuickBooks Using Atandra’s T-HUB

Marketworks customers can now easily transfer order sales and inventory data to QuickBooks using Atandra’s T-HUB Order Manager Solution.

Atlanta (PRWEB) June 12, 2007

Marketworks, a multi-channel e-commerce software solutions provider, has partnered with Atandra, a software manufacturer that delivers affordable and easy to use solutions that improve productivity and operational efficiency, to offer QuickBooks integration to its customers, it was announced today. Marketworks customers can now easily transfer order sales and inventory data to QuickBooks using Atandra’s T-HUB Order Manager Solution.

“A significant percentage of our customers rely on QuickBooks to manage their business finances and we are excited to make it easier for these customers to transfer order and inventory data directly into QuickBooks using Atandra’s T-HUB desktop software,” said Doug Hadaway, CEO Marketworks. “With this integration, it is no longer necessary to export orders from Marketworks and then import them into QuickBooks. T-HUB does it for you automatically.”

Supporting the latest QuickBooks versions, T-HUB imports online orders into QuickBooks at the click of a button, creating the sale in QuickBooks as a sales order, sales receipt or invoice. This ensures an automatic update of inventory in QuickBooks so you have accurate information when you need it. T-HUB eliminates manual data entry from e-commerce to QuickBooks.

“Atandra and Marketworks is a logical solution for small and mid-sized businesses,” said Atandra founder, Manish Jha. “The T-HUB automation removes the possibility of accounting errors due to manual data entry while saving business owners valuable time better spent focusing on their growth.”

T-HUB Pro also includes integration with major shipping providers such as UPS, USPS or FedEx. Orders are pulled from Marketworks into T-HUB where users can print postage or shipping labels. Order details are then sent to the user’s QuickBooks account to update sales and inventory records.

“We are extremely excited about this integrated solution,” stated long time Marketworks customer, Russell Kovner, President of Malibu Wholesale. “This will save us up to 10 hours a month which will make us a lot more productive.”

Marketworks offers one of the most comprehensive e-commerce solutions available in the market today, including:
•Providing channel management (http://ww2.marketworks. com/marketplaces. php) and sales automation to the Internet’s most popular shopping channels
•Central inventory management and dashboard to monitor sales across all sales channels
•A web store solution that comes standard with their software or an optional Premium Web Store designed for more sophisticated online sellers
•Search Engine marketing services including Pay-Per-Click (http://ww2.marketworks. com/pdf/marketworks_sem_ppc. pdf) (PPC) and Search Engine Optimization (http://ww2.marketworks. com/pdf/marketworks_sem_seo. pdf) (SEO)
•Award-winning design team for web stores and marketplace listing templates
•Full customer training and education programs

“Marketworks allows you to manage your e-commerce business and marketplaces—such eBay, Amazon and Overstock Auctions—as well as your web store sales with a single, high performance solution. T-HUB has all the features you need to handle e-commerce and yet retain QuickBooks in your operations,” Hadaway continued. “Together, we are a powerful combination for streamlining e-commerce operations.”

For more information on Marketworks, visit http://ww2.marketworks. com/quickbooks. php (http://ww2.marketworks. com/quickbooks. php).

About Marketworks
Marketworks is a technology and marketing services company that empowers businesses to implement and successfully manage a multi-channel online business (http://ww2.marketworks. com/overview. php). Through major marketplaces, shopping comparison sites, search engines and storefronts, Marketworks delivers unparalleled automation and expertise so merchants can sell to more than 400 million shoppers each month. From its offices in the U. S., U. K., Germany and Australia, Marketworks powers more than 4,000 businesses in 37 countries. Atlanta-based Marketworks lists more than eight million items each month to all marketplaces and facilitates more product listings than any other provider on eBay. The company holds eBay’s 2005 Star Developer Award.

About Atandra
Located in Maplewood, NJ, Atandra provides software solutions for small businesses that improve productivity and operational efficiency. Atandra’s goal is to make systems integration easy enough for business owners to tackle themselves with solutions that are easy to use and affordable.

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Electronic Voice Phenomena: Voices of the Dead, or Just So Much Static?

Electronic Voice Phenomena: Voices of the Dead, or Just So Much Static?

Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are enjoying a boost in popularity from the new film, "White Noise." But there are a number of common - if little-known - factors that may explain these "messages from beyond."

Amherst, NY (PRWEB) January 6, 2005

Electronic voice phenomena (EVP), the alleged attempts of the dead to contact the living through recorded media, have long been popular with the paranormal crowd. EVP were featured in the 1999 film The Sixth Sense, and serve as a plot hook in the movie White Noise, which premieres in theaters this Friday. But experts at the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) say there's little evidence to support claims of EVP.

"Serious parapsychologists today show virtually no interest in EVP, and modern reports in the parapsychological literature find no evidence of anything paranormal in such recordings," says James Alcock, CSICOP Fellow and professor of psychology at York University in Toronto. "That does not deter the devoted; it is claimed that there are more than 50,000 sites on the Web devoted to EVP."

Proponents claim that electronic voice phenomenon (also known as "Raudive voices," after Latvian psychologist and EVP researcher Konstantin Raudive) are a type of interference in recorded media, created by the spirits of the dead in order to communicate with the living. EVP are usually produced by making recordings of an empty room, though sometimes participants will pose questions to any spirits that may be present. The recording is played back and analyzed for speech samples - speech samples that weren't heard during the recording process. Many of the results are indistinct at best; the use of headphones is recommended, and multiple attempts may be required to make out words.

Since the rise of Spiritualism in the nineteenth century, there have been many scientific researchers (including noted inventor Thomas Edison) who dabbled in "spirit communications" while also engaging in scientific study. One such dabbler was Friedrich Jürgenson (1903-1987): philosopher, archaeologist, linguist, singer, court painter to Pope Pius XII, documentary filmmaker, recording artist-and a pioneer of EVP recording.

After recording birdsongs with a tape recorder, Jürgenson heard human voices on the tapes, even though there had been no one in the vicinity. He began to study recordings specifically made with no one around. He published two books on the subject, Voices from Space (1964) and Radio-link with the Dead (1967). His work brought him into contact with the Latvian psychologist Dr. Konstantin Raudive (1906-1974). Raudive would spend the last ten years of his life studying EVP, making over 100,000 audiotapes and writing about his findings in the 1971 book Breakthrough.

There are several non-supernatural phenomena, known to "play tricks" on people's perceptions, which may be responsible for EVPs, Alcock says.

The mechanical phenomena include cross-modulation, where electronic devices accidentally pick up transmissions on other frequencies. Mental phenomena include pareidolia and apophenia, perceptual mechanisms that cause people to see images where none exist (such as Rorschach inkblots) and to think they hear distinct sounds in white noise patterns (like "hearing" the doorbell or the telephone while one is in the shower).

An over-active imagination may also play a role in "finding" EVP. In fact, Raudive comments in Breakthrough that reading Voices from Space left him with "a very definite impression of the author (Jürgenson) as a highly sensitive and susceptible man. Many of his ideas seemed to me to have been formed by a vivid imagination; the kind that could conjure up pictures in an empty room or voices out of the stillness."

Alcock explains that EVP can be simulated in a laboratory setting. If the test subject is given an expectation of what they will "hear," and if the cadence of those words matches the cadence of the white noise, "then the brain will turn those sounds into those - now clearly discernible - words."

"Given that we can routinely demonstrate this effect, it is only prudent to suggest that what people hear with EVP is also the product of their own brains, and their expectations, rather than the voices of the dearly departed," Alcock comments.

However, Alcock recognizes that many people who report success with EVPs are "reporting an experience that was highly meaningful and perhaps highly emotional - not something that is easily challenged by logic." As a matter of fact, Raudive and Jürgenson both had intensely personal experiences with EVPs: Jürgenson thought he heard his dead mother calling him by his pet nickname; Raudive thought one of the voices talked about the recent death of a friend.

Hollywood - and audiences - love a good ghost story, but skeptics want to remind the public that films like White Noise and Ghostbusters are still just fiction.

CSICOP is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization, founded in 1976 by Paul Kurtz, Isaac Asimov, Carl Sagan and other prominent academics, scientists and writers. CSICOP encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a responsible, scientific point of view.

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Moms Make The Grade! Go Mom!® Tips For Back to School Success

Moms Make The Grade! Go Mom!® Tips For Back to School Success

Organize and plan now to help you achieve back to school success with the least amount of stress. Molly Gold provides solid tips to help you enjoy the rest of your summer, while preparing for that all important school year.

Apex, NC (PRWEB) August 1, 2008

Today, GO MOM!® INC shares its newest ideas to help families make this year's return to school a huge success. "For many Moms, the start of the new school year has a greater impact to their household than the New Year, so late summer is brimming with opportunities to get organized and start fresh," states Molly Gold, Founder of GO MOM!® INC. "At the same time, the lazy days of summer demand our attention as each day that passes takes us one step closer to school and that much farther from the pool." Try these steps to help your family strike a balance between summer and the quickly approaching school year:

Take Time To Plan: If you have school aged children, you are likely somewhere between "I really want to go to the pool today" and "We have to buy school supplies before Meet the Teacher tonight." This year, give yourself the gift of time and use August to plan ahead. Starting August 1st, block one hour each day to tackle back to school tasks. If you think this is too much time to prepare, you are in denial Mom! Consider how long it may take to sort through current clothing with each child to see what fits and what doesn't before purchasing new items…not to mention shopping with your children for any replacements due. Consider how long it can take to inventory current homework station and project supplies before purchasing new items while also tackling each child's school supply list of items to bring on the first day. And finally, remember that once you start clearing closets out, you'll be cleaning up rooms and donating old items no longer needed…all of which takes time, albeit well spent. So, block those hours now so you can tackle things one day at a time and you'll find you'll not only be ready, but you'll be relaxed too.

Take Time to Save: Unfortunately, families nationwide are facing financial challenges and with the average back to school spending reaching close to $600 per child, parents are squeezing out every penny they can to keep tight budgets in check. To ease your bank account, include your children by discussing how important it is to be cost conscious and challenge them to be a part of researching the lowest prices ahead of store visits for any items in need. First, make the most of tax free weekends your state may offer at this all important time of year. Many states now include furniture and computers under certain price points as well as school supplies and clothing, all in high demand. Next, make the most of deep discounts when you find them, stocking up on glue sticks for the year when you find them for a nickel or plenty of pencils and crayons when they are just 25 cents a box. Visit manufacturers and retailers websites alike for coupons and watch the sale flyers all month to maximize your savings in the end. Also, when it comes to clothes, go discount retailer and resale whenever you can. Especially for brand conscious teens, you are likely to find an abundance of labels they love at a fraction of the cost and more importantly, this step will stretch your dollar. And one last note, after the school year gets underway, visit resale shops specializing in sports equipment and music supplies to satisfy any extra-curricular needs which can come with participation fees and physicals as well as the new gear in tow.

Take Time to Share: Now that you've cleaned and donated things you no longer need, take a closer look to see what more you can do. First, before you purchase anything this month, see if you can find it either on freecylce. com or at craigslist. com. While one is free, assuming you have posted an item to give previously, and the other is for sale, both are great ways to find unique items at a greatly reduced to no cost price point, and that works great for me. Next, consider ways that you can share your resources this fall, both personally and as a family. Our time is priceless and also completely free, so look at how you can help your school by volunteering in ways that work for you. Choose simple things, like collecting Box Tops for Education or lead the way by organizing an eco-friendly fund raiser from companies like Green Students Fundraising, Ltd. Both these steps are valuable and needed in your school community. And finally, if your budget will allow, consider donating non-perishable food items to a local food bank and school supplies to fellow classmates or organizations that will help disadvantaged students get the food and supplies they need. This is a teachable moment to include your children and open their eyes to how blessed they really are, no matter how modest, to be provided for, safe and secure.

GO MOM!® INC helps mothers make positive mothering a daily reality through the platform GO MOM!® Schedule. Organize. Grow.®. GO MOM!® INC is located in Apex, NC and promotes the use of the GO MOM!® product line which is based on unique scheduling solutions for everything family. The GO MOM!® product line is produced via license partnership with Mead Westvaco Consumer and Office Products and sold at most Office Max stores nationwide.

GO MOM!® INC Founder, Molly Gold, is a 42-year-old mother of three and the creator of The GO MOM!® product line. Gold is known for her keen insights into Family Scheduling and has been featured both in print and on air media alike. She is a Family Balance Contributor and Blogger at www. PreciousMoms. com as well as Family Scheduling Expert at www. BlueSuitMom. com. She was a featured Family Time Management Expert for Time Makeover on Fine Living Network, www. FineLiving. com and served as the 2007 Home Management Expert on Kenmore. com. Gold's work has most recently been featured in print in Scholastic Parent & Child, Pregnancy & Newborn, Pregnancy, Family Circle, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Cooking Light, Parents, Women's Health, and Family Fun Magazines, on air with NBC's Today Show Weekend Edition and Good Morning America, and a contributing author in The Experts Guide to the Baby Years, Ettus.

To learn more about GO MOM!® INC, visit http://www. gomominc. com (http://www. gomominc. com). For interviews with Molly Gold, you can e-mail her directly at mgold@gomominc. com.

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