A-Pro Home Inspection Adds Eight New Franchise Owners To Its National Team

A-Pro Home Inspection Adds Eight New Franchise Owners To Its National Team

A-Pro Home Inspection Services, one of the nationÂ’s leading providers of residential and light commercial property inspections, is proud to announce the addition of eight new business owners to its fast-growing national team.

NEW ORLEANS, LA (PRWEB) July 7, 2005

A-Pro Home Inspection Services, one of the nationÂ’s leading providers of residential and light commercial property inspections, is very pleased to announce the addition of eight new franchise business owners to its fast-growing national team.

The new inspectors include Phil Dingley (Sarasota, FL), Lee Felder (Elkridge, MD), Lex Hudson (Brentwood, TN), Donald Jones (Palm City, FL), Christos Hantzidiamantis (Long Island, NY), Christopher De Marco (San Antonio, TX), Adam Sherako (Melbourne, FL) and John Fabacher (San Antonio, TX).

“We’re extremely proud to welcome this talented group of professionals to the A-Pro family,” said A-Pro president & founder Greg Mangiaracina, “and are looking forward to working closely with them to ensure that they quickly become leaders in their respective markets. Our national support staff will provide them with the tools, support resources and warranty protection necessary to serve their clients with professionalism, confidence and – most importantly – integrity.”

All eight new business owners have successfully completed intensive training and certification courses at A-ProÂ’s Inspection Training Institute in New Orleans under the auspices of A-Pro Education Director Bill Springer, PE, and are expected to launch their businesses shortly. Each will practice their trade under the strict Standards of Practice set forth by the International Society of Home Inspectors (ISHI), which exceed all other national organization requirements for excellence in home inspection.

About A-Pro

Founded in 1994, A-Pro Home Inspection Services provides homebuyers, sellers and real estate agents with prompt, fair and accurate inspections, standing behind their services with an ironclad 90-day warranty/guarantee clearly stating “If We Don’t Report It, We Repair It.” To locate the ISHI-certified A-Pro inspector nearest you, or to inquire about franchise opportunities, call 1-800-793-APRO (2776), or log onto www. a-pro. net.

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Public/Private Partnership Equips Teachers to Prepare Students for the 21st Century

Public/Private Partnership Equips Teachers to Prepare Students for the 21st Century

Central Methodist University and Inovatia Laboratory are presenting Energizing Math, Engineering, Technology and Science (METS or STEM) for the Middle Grades to four teacher workshops this summer. Teachers from every corner of the state will meet to equip themselves how to better prepare students for the challenges of finding a job in the 21st Century.

Fayette, MO (PRWEB) July 1, 2009

A $335,043 congressionally-directed grant from the U. S. Department of Education, and facilitated by Congressman Sam Graves, will fund a joint public/private program aimed at equipping 104 Missouri teachers with the skills to prepare their students for 21st Century jobs. The program, entitled Energizing Math, Engineering, Technology and Science (METS or STEM) for the Middle Grades is being presented by Inovatia Laboratories and Central Methodist University, both located in Fayette.

The week-long programs will take place in four locations, including Chillicothe High School from July 6-10, Bonne Terre at North County High School from July 20-24, Fayette at Central Methodist University from July 27-31, and Poplar Bluff at Three Rivers Community College from August 3-7.

The program targets 6th to 8th grade teachers and will be conducted by Dr. James "Tiger" Gordon, CMU professor of chemistry and division of mathematics and science chair; Dr. Larry Peery, CMU professor of physics; and J. B. Waggoner, managing partner at Inovatia Laboratories.

"American students have fallen further behind the rest of the world in math and physical sciences, so the need to improve in these areas cannot be understated" says Gordon. "Conceptually, this began 15-years ago when Larry and I saw a need to better equip teachers in the physical sciences. METS will attempt to equip teachers to bridge that gap."

"We are targeting grades 6-8 because the middle grades are incredibly important," says Peery. "Studies have shown elementary students score just as well as their counterparts overseas in the METS areas. Beginning in middle school and junior high, those scores drop off, making this the most critical area to focus our efforts on." In addition to issues inside the classroom, Peery would like to see a wholesale change in attitude toward math and science.

"It's not just the attitudes of kids we need to change; we need to change the attitude of parents as well," says Peery. "Parents get excited when their children score a touchdown or hit a home run. But, they should be even more excited when their children take first place in the science fair or win the math bowl. That is a critical attitude change that must take place."

Education is not the sole goal of this program. "I have attempted to make the argument that teachers are economic developers," says Waggoner. "The jobs of the future, without question, will be technology based. Currently, the U. S. is lagging behind many other countries, when it comes to producing graduates trained in the METS disciplines. We need to remedy this very disturbing trend."

During each workshop, participants will experience activities, problems and demonstrations designed to challenge students at varying levels of difficulty. In addition to curriculum topics, there will be special instruction on classroom use of Texas Instruments Calculator-Based Laboratory systems (a sensor-based technology) and Lego Mindstorm robotics. Each participant will receive the equipment for the calculator-based lab and a Mindstorm robot for their classroom, along with three hours of credit from CMU and a $750 stipend.

Dr. Gordon says, "We have a long-standing relationship with Inovatia Laboratories. This program is a continuation of that relationship which we hope will provide a model for other public/private ventures of this nature."

Founded in 1854, Central Methodist University hosts a faculty of teachers, mentors, and scholars dedicated to providing extraordinary attention to the individual learner. With offerings ranging from high-school dual credit to graduate studies, and a total enrollment of more than 4,500, its liberal arts and pre-professional programs are centered on a character core that has twice brought Central Methodist national recognition for its leadership in character education.

Inovatia Laboratories is an independent contract research organization (CRO) providing research, analysis, consultation and technology development services to public and private entities world-wide. Inovatia's core competencies reside within the field of analytical chemistry and its related materials and instrumentation. These competencies are applied to a number of industries including chemical development and manufacturing, pharmaceutical research, and environmental monitoring and remediation.

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Food Science Grant Awarded to The University of Maine

Food Science Grant Awarded to The University of Maine

The University of Maine was recently announced as the second recipient of the METTLER TOLEDO Food Science Education Grant. The grant, which honors Dr Erhard Mettler -- founder of part of the corporation known today as METTLER TOLEDO, consists of analytical equipment and accessories, balances, software and a PC to establish or enhance the education in current and future collegiate food science programs.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) July 5, 2006

The University of Maine was recently announced as the second recipient of the METTLER TOLEDO Food Science Education Grant. The grant, which honors Dr Erhard Mettler -- founder of part of the corporation known today as METTLER TOLEDO, consists of analytical equipment and accessories, balances, software and a PC to establish or enhance the education in current and future collegiate food science programs. The University of Maine was chosen by the METTLER TOLEDO Food Science Grant review board over numerous applicants belonging to educational institutions in the United States and Canada that award degrees up to the Ph. D. level and provide or intend to provide education in the food sciences.

The University of Maine Food Science and Human Nutrition department offers Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Food Science, Human Nutrition or Food Management. The graduate program offers a Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition, a combined Master of Science and Dietetic Internship and a Ph. D. in Food and Nutrition Sciences. The baccalaureate degree program has been accredited by the Institute for Food Technologists (IFT). The department is additionally involved in several Food Science research projects in Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Product Development and Sensory Science.

Dr. Alfred A Bushway, Project Director and Professor of Food Science, is no stranger to IFT or the Food Science community. In 2003 Dr. Bushway was bestowed the IFT award for Humanitarian Contributions which includes teaching and service. The award is given yearly by the 2,500-member IFT board. The Department has also been represented on IFT’s Executive Committee and one of the Department’s graduate students was recently President of the IFT Student Association.

“The University of Maine Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is thrilled to be the recipient of the 2006 Food Science Education Grant from METTLER TOLEDO,” stated Dr. Bushway, “In a small department such as ours, this generous equipment and training package will impact every student and every faculty member. This grant will allow for curriculum updates that further the development of our Food Science students by ensuring their professional capabilities with modern analytical tools routinely used in both public and private industry. The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is grateful to METTLER TOLEDO for providing this important award -- an award that ensures the viability of Food Science programs at institutions large and small and maintains the relevance of a Food Science degree.”

The grant package, estimated to be worth in excess of $60,000, includes one potentiometric titrator, a volumetric Karl Fischer titrator, refractometer, bench-top pH meter, analytical balance, top loading balance and bench-top personal computer containing LabX Titration software. In addition to the equipment, the University of Maine will also receive software installation and training. The METTLER TOLEDO Food Science Grant is awarded yearly. Qualified organizations are welcome to submit applications for the 2007 Food Science Grant starting in January.

METTLER TOLEDO is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and is the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications. The Company also is a leading supplier of several related analytical and measurement technologies. METTLER TOLEDO Direct Laboratory Service supports a worldwide customer base in more than 100 countries.

Additional information about METTLER TOLEDO can be found on the company website www. mt. com.

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Parental Liability and Underage Drinking - Free Article from Chicago Personal Injury Attorney

Parental Liability and Underage Drinking - Free Article from Chicago Personal Injury Attorney

Clifford Law Offices has made available information on parental liability for underage drinking. This article, based upon real-life alcohol liability cases, is now free to view for educational purposes.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 12, 2007

Clifford Law Offices has made available information on parental liability for underage drinking. This article, based upon real-life alcohol liability cases, is now free to view for educational purposes. An excerpt follows:

Parents Can Be Liable For Their Kids' Drinking

For two weeks Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell became household words in Chicago. They are the Deerfield couple who were convicted of endangering the life of a child and lying to police investigating a fatal car crash involving teenagers in an underage drinking party at their home.

During the six-day trial, some of the teens who attended the party testified that they saw Jeffrey Hutsell, the father, in the basement with beer clearly evident. Mom and dad testified that they were upstairs watching a baseball game, and were unaware of any drinking.

Two 18-year-old party guests were killed when the car they were in crashed into a tree at the end of the Hutsell's driveway as they returned to the party.

The 18-year-old driver's blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. The couple will be sentenced this month. The maximum penalty for the misdemeanor is a year in jail, probation, and a fine of $2,500.

Want to learn more about parental liability and underage drinking? Click here (http://www. cliffordlaw. com/news/attorneys-articles/parents-can-be-liable-for-their-kids2019-drinking)

"We want to get useful legal information out to the public because we think this helps people understand their options under the law," says Robert A Clifford, Founder, "We intend to continue to reach out to the public by providing more information on a regular basis."

Other articles are available at the Chicago Law Bulletin website
Click here (http://www. chicagolawbulletin. com)

About Clifford Law Offices
Clifford Law Offices is ranked one of the top Chicago personal injury law firms. The staff includes experienced medical malpractice lawyers, medical malpractice attorneys, Chicago medical malpractice attorney, Chicago medical malpractice lawyers, and more.

Toll Free: (800) 899-0410
Phone: (312) 899-9090
Fax: (312) 251-1160
Email: TKP @ CliffordLaw. com
Http://www. cliffordlaw. com (http://www. cliffordlaw. com)

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Unsuspecting Public May Be Drinking In Doses Of Pharmaceuticals From Contaminated Water System, Says Doctorsolve

Unsuspecting Public May Be Drinking In Doses Of Pharmaceuticals From Contaminated Water System, Says Doctorsolve

Few solutions exist to the growing problem of widespread environmental contamination from disposal of prescription drugs.

Vancouver, B. C. (PRWEB) May 16, 2006

It's no secret that the American public is taking more prescribed medication. According to a study by the Columbia University, between 1992 and 2002, the number of prescriptions written for controlled drugs increased 154 percent. But what is a little-known fact is that these widely prescribed drugs are making their way into our rivers, streams and drinking water.

“Millions and millions of patients are taking these drugs; most of them have more than one prescription. The drugs enter the environment either by natural excretion or by disposal into sewage or trash,” says Dr. Paul Zickler of DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions (www. doctorsolve. com), an online pharmacy service. “Sewage treatment plants are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals, so many of these drugs are not completely eliminated.”

Pharmaceuticals have been identified in surface waters, groundwater, marine systems, and to a lesser degree, in drinking water. There is concern that the presence of multiple drugs, however low, could lead to harmful effects through long-term exposure.

“We are talking about synthetically produced chemicals that not only impact on the health of human beings, but also compromise the health of water inhabitants, which eventually make their way into the food chain,” states Zickler. “Even though many of the drugs move through the human body first, they are still highly toxic. Between 50 - 90 percent of active ingredients in drugs are not absorbed, and are excreted.”

A number of governments including the United States, Canada and the European Union have begun attempts to determine what must be done to address this very real environmental threat, but they are far from the point of legislation and regulation. For the time being, public education on preferred methods of disposal, and pharmaceutical take-back programs seem to make the most sense. Currently, drug disposal rules vary across the states, and drug take-back programs are difficult to initiate, which is why there are so few of them. A law enforcement agency would need to be involved to ensure that hazardous pharmaceuticals are properly disposed of according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

“One common consensus however is that flushing medications down the toilet is no longer recommended,” says Zickler. “Patients with unused or expired drugs should first ask their pharmacist to take the medications back. If that is not an option, enquire about a local household hazardous waste facility, which may accept medications for incineration. A last resort, which is by no means preferable but is less harmful to the environment, is disposing of pharmaceuticals in the trash.”

For those who must take their drugs to the curb, Zickler recommends they keep these tips in mind:

Keep the drugs in their original packaging with child-proof lids attached Obliterate the names on the labels for privacy protection Place liquids in a plastic sealable bag to prevent leakage Add a nontoxic spice such as cayenne pepper to make the drug unpalatable to humans as well as animals who may accidentally get into them Place the meds in discreet durable packaging Put trash out as close to garbage pick-up time as possible

DoctorSolve, a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37), offers lower cost, long-term prescriptions. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best online pharmacies by PharmacyChecker. com. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U. S. prescriptions.

For more information, call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www. doctorsolve. com (http://www. doctorsolve. com)

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Introducing Gnaana. com: A New Line Of Developmental Toys And Cultural Educational Material For Children Of The South Asian Diaspora

Introducing Gnaana. com: A New Line Of Developmental Toys And Cultural Educational Material For Children Of The South Asian Diaspora

Gnaana. com offers busy families a way to incorporate elements of South Asian languages, traditions and histories into their everyday lives.

Philadelphia, Penn. (PRWEB) September 24, 2009

Gnaana. com, a new retail website and online community center, is unveiling a new line of eco-friendly developmental toys and educational material to teach kids about South Asian cultures. The products, which range from alphabet blocks in 5 regional Indian languages (Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu), to puzzles, musical CDs, a recipe collection and child-sized aprons available for personalization in Indic fonts, are designed to inspire children to take interest in learning about one of the world's ancient civilizations. The products are geared towards children from birth to 12 years of age.

"We believe young children can benefit tremendously from being exposed to elements of the South Asian culture," says Aruna Hatti, founder of Gnaana. "This is a living culture which is over five thousand years old and infinitely rich in philosophy, science, literature, religion and art. There is a lot of ancient wisdom that's being lost between generations. I think that's a shame."

Hatti, an attorney who practices in commercial real estate and environmental law, was living in Bangalore, India when she came up with the idea for Gnaana. "I was pregnant with my son, and I looked all over India for toys and material that could help my children learn about and appreciate our Indian heritage. I found a few books and DVDs - but they were geared towards older children, and most were of poor quality. There was nothing that babies, toddlers or young children could relate to. I was very surprised."

Gnaana's products are inspired by the Montessori Method. The Montessori educational philosophy is built upon the idea that children are naturally curious and when given age-appropriate materials, absorb and learn from the things in their environment. The method emphasizes early learning - stressing that a child's mind is most receptive to learning specific skills and knowledge (such as languages) before the age of 6.

Although the initial launch of products focuses mainly on India, the company plans to soon have items that are relevant to the other South Asian countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal) and also the region's various religions (Islam, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism). "Part of our mission is to broaden children's cultural perspective, and you can't do that by limiting offerings that focus on just one country or religion," says Hatti.

In addition to the retail site, Gnaana. com features resources, links and a blog about the joys and challenges of raising multi-cultural children. The company also sends a monthly newsletter to subscribers with tips and ideas for simple, culturally-relevant projects to do with kids.

"We're providing a fresh new way for young children to connect with South Asian cultures," says Hatti.

For more information, contact the Press Department via email (buzz(at)gnaana(dot)com) or telephone (800-516-7794 ext. 3), or visit the company's website at www. gnaana. com.

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Sarasota County School District to Install Interactive Whiteboard Technology in 3,300 Classrooms

Sarasota County School District to Install Interactive Whiteboard Technology in 3,300 Classrooms

Interactive Whiteboard Technology: The largest installation ever in the USA, the Activboard+2 will be implemented in 3,300 classrooms in Sarasota County throughout 2007.

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) December 12, 2006

Sarasota County School District in Florida voted unanimously last week to implement Promethean's new "Activboard+2" in all of the district's 3,300 classrooms. This will be a mainstay in NeXt Generation Learning through the 2007 school year, and as part of an overall equity initiative in classroom technology.

The new Activboard+2 consists of an interactive whiteboard, short-throw projector (a projector requiring only three feet of throw distance), an adjustable mount and integrated software programs enabling the delivery of hundreds of thousands of digital learning resources to each classroom. Because the Activboard+2 does not require ceiling-mounted projection equipment, implementing the all-in-one system is quicker and cheaper on the school district than traditional systems.

"We wanted a system that provides our teachers with state-of-the art technology and that works with our curriculum," said Mike Horan, Sarasota County Curriculum Director. "Our teachers are thrilled."

The Sarasota County School Board voted to implement the new Activboard+2's in phases starting with 1,050 classrooms immediately in Phase One, with two additional phases scheduled next year. Logical Choice Technologies, Inc, an authorized reseller for Promethean, provided the district with a comprehensive installation and professional development plan. Promethean's Teaching and Learning Consultants, who worked as K-12 classroom teachers in the past, will help with classroom, video, and online instruction.

Promethean President Mark Elliott applauded the Sarasota County School investment. "Their students now truly have the best teaching and learning technology available."

The Activboard+2 offers teachers two choices of lesson development software: Activstudio or Activprimary, a program designed specifically for early learners. Each solution interfaces with the internet and includes a built-in resource library containing thousands of images, interActive lesson Activities, maps, sounds, and lesson plan templates. Both software solutions have been proven to make lesson development quick, easy and multimedia-rich. Sarasota teachers will also have access to thousands of ready-made lesson plans, aligned to state education standards, in a searchable database at Promethean's user community and online resource center, Promethean Planet (www. prometheanplanet. com).

In contrast to traditional projection systems, Promethean's Activboard+2 includes an integrated short-throw projector co-developed exclusively for Promethean by Sanyo, the Japanese electronics company. The projector is mounted to the board by a strong steel arm positioned three feet away from the interactive whiteboard, operated by remote-control. The height can be adjusted to appropriate heights for users including those with disabilities. The projector also dramatically reduces the "shadow effect" that can distort content images on the board. A connections module allows teachers to link their computers to the board via serial or USB ports, or wirelessly using Bluetooth technology.

About Promethean

Developed by and for educators, Promethean is recognized in over 70 countries as a global leader in interactive learning technology. Its award-winning products help teachers prepare digital lessons quickly and with greater ease. This technology enables educators to integrate text, web, video and audio content, so they can easily capture students' attention and accommodate different learning styles. Promethean USA is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with flagship headquarters in Blackburn, UK. For more information on its major products visit www. prometheanworld. com.

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AgentsofAmerica. ORG, InsuranceLeads. com, Team Up on Helping Agents

AgentsofAmerica. ORG, InsuranceLeads. com, Team Up on Helping Agents

Bringing the Best Together, AgentsofAmerica. Org and Insurance Leads. com are partnering on an exciting initiative to increase insurance agencies revenues.

Las Vegas, Nevada (PRWEB) November 1, 2010

As insurance agents look for more opportunities to secure consumers’ business, InsuranceLeads. com and AgentsofAmerica. ORG (AOA) are partnering on an exciting initiative.

“InsuranceLeads. com is one of the largest insurance lead aggregators in the United States. It’s a company that delivers real prospects, with real interest in insurance, in real time at a reasonable price and with great expectations,” said Angelo Gioia, executive director for AOA.

AOA has structured a relationship with InsuranceLeads. com where all of its members are entitled to receive a 15 percent discount on the base price of leads on top of any other promotion for all lead types.
Http://www. insuranceleads. com/Agents-of-America

As part of the arrangement:

AgentsofAmerica. ORG will also provide content for the IL Academy section on the InsuranceLeads. com Web site;
InsuranceLeads. com will work to provide relevant content on AOA’s site;
InsuranceLeads. com will provide free integrations to all AOA members for leads delivery;
Each company will provide web links to one another;
InsuranceLeads. com will work to accommodate the delivery of its real-time leads in any format requested by AOA members.

“We at InsuranceLeads. com are proud to engage in a cross marketing partnership with AOA, America’s premier Insurance marketing and support organization,” said Eric Oster, president and CEO of InsuranceLeads. com. “This venture is a win-win-win opportunity for all; InsuranceLeads. com, AOA and insurance agents we all serve.”

About InsuranceLeads. com
InsuranceLeads. com has the largest and fastest growing network of loyal individual insurance agents, small, medium and large insurance sales organizations and major insurance companies. Many of them are reporting higher closing ratios and ROI with the leads provided by InsuranceLeads. com compared to other major competitors. InsuranceLeads. com spends more than a million dollars monthly to generate Internet leads through a combination of SEO and SEM, capturing hundreds of thousands of prospects who actively shop for insurance online. The company’s proprietary online management system gives insurance professionals total control of their account and their leads 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. InsuranceLeads. com has helped transform many small local insurance agencies to multistate, multiline insurance sales organizations. InsuranceLeads. com is the only leads vendor who delivers Hot-Transfers of targeted, verified and interested prospects, along with the lead's data, for all lines of insurance. For more information, visit InsuranceLeads. com.

About AgentsofAmerica. ORG
AgentsofAmerica. ORG is an Insurance Agent's Association and indispensable resource for news, products, services, education, and industry information throughout America. The organization's mission is to deliver the BEST people, products, information, and services to agents all designed to help them manage and grow their business and provide ongoing value to their clients. Our motto is "Bringing the BEST Together". AgentsofAmerica. ORG is offering a FREE MEMBERSHIP and FREE EBOOK to anyone interested in learning about the valuable benefits the new organization offers. All members are eligible for additional discounts and access to an extensive array of other membership programs. Visit http://www. AgentsofAmerica. org for more information.

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Background Check Company Announces Expansions For Pre-Employment Screening Services

Background Check Company Announces Expansions For Pre-Employment Screening Services

As employers begin to recognize the advantage of background screenings, DataCheck Inc., a popular comprehensive background investigation service, expands its corporate office, doubling in size to better serve its clients.

San Juan Capistrano, CA (PRWEB) November 28, 2007

From small family owned businesses to fortune 500's, many employers are turning to background checks to obtain valuable information to help make accurate decisions in the hiring process. To enhance security and safety in the workforce or to uncover untruthful resumes and falsified employment applications, pre-employment screenings have become widespread among businesses.

In today's day and age it's critical for a company to understand whom they are hiring to prevent major problems in the future. In checking the background of a potential employee, DataCheck's searches cover a wide variety of areas including reference checks with personal and business acquaintances, criminal records, driving records, and credit reports (http://www. datacheckinc. com/Credit-Report. asp). Since most employers do not have the time or resources to complete thorough background checks, it is important to gain peace of mind and hire a background - screening firm.

"With a steady increase in the number of companies now routinely doing background checks (http://www. datacheckinc. com/) on prospective employees, DataCheck Inc. is making various changes to better serve our clients," says Beth Miller, President of DataCheck Inc.

The company's recent move has allowed DataCheck Inc. to streamline a variety of daily operations, including handling a higher volume of business, providing more efficient customer service and the ability to meet the demands of new and existing clients at a faster rate.

"Companies who thoroughly pre-screen job applicant's past employment work history, education, and check for criminal records, have reduced employee turn-over in the workforce and helped avoid negligent hiring lawsuits, thus saving thousands of dollars," says Miller.

Since 1996 DataCheck Inc. has helped protect businesses all over the country. The pre-employment background checks the firm provides have saved small and large companies time and money. As the market grows for pre-employment screenings, DataCheck Inc. continues to expand its services.

Company Information:
DataCheck Inc. is a full service background screening (http://www. datacheckinc. com/pre-employment-background-screening. asp) company dedicated to customer service and specializes in obtaining relevant information through background checks on a statewide and national level. DataCheck, Inc. is a founding member of NAPBS, the National Association of Pre-Employment Background Screeners and is an authorized affiliate of NBD, National Background Data.

Their services include past employment and education history information, background investigations for driving history, credit reports, drug screening, social security trace, criminal records and many more services. The company has been assisting a wide array of business sectors, such as manufacturing, medical, mortgage, retail, executive staffing, financial, hospitality and the food service industry.

For more information and price quotes on services please visit, www. datacheckinc. com

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Florida Formally Designates March 2004 as "Endometriosis Awareness Month"

Florida Formally Designates March 2004 as "Endometriosis Awareness Month"

HR 9023 is Second Such Recognition by State

(PRWEB) March 20, 2004

The Endometriosis Research Center is extremely pleased to announce the passage of HR 9023, a House Resolution formally recognizing the need for awareness concerning the disease, Endometriosis.

Co-sponsored by Representatives Stacy Ritter (D-Broward) and Rene Garcia (R-Dade), HR 9023 formally "recognizes the worthy efforts of the Endometriosis Research Center and declares March 2004 as Endometriosis Awareness Month." HR 9023 is the second such Resolution passed by the Florida House of Representatives, following HR 9007 in 2003. Florida joins Michigan, Pennsylvania and California as states that continue to support Endometriosis awareness through the passage of formal legislation. Additionally, the ERC previously announced the passage of H. Con. Res 291, the first-ever National Endometriosis Awareness Resolution, unanimously passed by the 107th Congress of the United States.

Endometriosis is a painful reproductive disease afflicting over 7 million women and teens in the United States alone, with an estimated 80 million more worldwide. The disease is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for nearly half of all hysterectomies performed in the United States annually. Often minimized as simply "killer cramps," recent studies have shown an elevated risk of certain cancers in women with Endometriosis, as well as malignant changes in the disease itself. With Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found implanted in other areas of the body. These implants still respond to hormonal commands each month and break down and bleed. However, unlike the lining of the uterus, which is normally shed during menstruation, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The result is internal bleeding, inflammation of the surrounding areas and formation of painful scar tissue. Depending on the location of the growths, interference with - and even obstruction of - the bowel, bladder, intestines or surrounding organs can occur. Though less common, Endometriosis can also be found on areas like the lungs and sciatic nerve.

Endometriosis can only be diagnosed through surgery like the laparoscopy, though emerging research holds promise for future non-invasive diagnostic techniques. Symptoms include painful pelvic cramping with or without menses, pain associated with sexual activity, backache, urinary tract symptoms, bowel symptoms, recurrent pregnancy loss, and infertility. Endometriosis can affect females of all ages, including adolescents and post-menopausal women. Treatments include medical, surgical and alternative therapies, but there is no definitive cure. The disease is often misdiagnosed, particularly in younger women and teens, and remains widely misunderstood by many in the medical and lay communities.

The ERC has traditionally celebrated March as Endometriosis Awareness Month since the organization was founded by Executive Director Michelle E. Marvel in early 1997. By sponsoring several educational, legislative and fundraising events throughout the entire month of March, the organization hopes that such awareness activities and legislation like HR 9023 will help educate the public about Endometriosis and encourage additional research, more effective treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

The ERC is an established 501(c)3 non profit organization which was founded to address the growing International need for Endometriosis research, education, awareness and support. To learn more about the disease, the ERC's legislative awareness efforts, Endometriosis Awareness Month and much more, please contact the Endometriosis Research Center at 800/239-7280 or via the web at endocenter. org.

Related Links:

Http://www. endocenter. org (http://www. endocenter. org)
Http://www. myfloridahouse. gov (http://www. myfloridahouse. gov)

Endometriosis Research Center

A 501(c)3 tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization

Internet: http://www. endocenter. org (http://www. endocenter. org)
International Headquarters: 630 Ibis Drive | Delray Beach, FL 33444 | USA

Phone: (561) 274-7442 | Toll Free (800) 239-7280 | Fax: (561) 274-0931

XMaLpha Technologies Acquires XML Planning Group

XMaLpha Technologies Acquires XML Planning Group

As part of its ongoing expansion into specialized practice areas, XMaLpha Technologies, a full-service consulting and training company, today announced the acquisition of XML Planning Group. XML Planning Group has provided vendor-neutral analysis, design, education, systems integration, and implementation of solutions that employ structurally-rich XML documents, primarily in the US State Legislative marketplace. XMaLpha Technologies is a successful premier provider of full-scale, XML solutions for a variety of private and public clients. [http://XMLPlanning. com

(PRWEB) April 14, 2005

(http://XMLPlanning. com (http://XMLPlanning. com))

As part of its ongoing expansion into specialized practice areas, XMaLpha Technologies, a full-service consulting and training company, today announced the acquisition of XML Planning Group. XML Planning Group has provided vendor-neutral analysis, design, education, systems integration, and implementation of solutions that employ structurally-rich XML documents, primarily in the US State Legislative marketplace. XMaLpha Technologies is a successful premier provider of full-scale, XML solutions for a variety of private and public clients.

XMaLpha Technologies, formerly having a 1/3 interest in XML Planning Group, and considerable experience in Legislative automation of its own, will continue to offer services with a focus on authoring, storage, legacy conversion, XML encoding, engrossment, and multi-channel publishing of complex legal and legislative documents. The acquisition will provide Legislative clients with complete access to XMaLpha Technologies' extensive resources in the areas of. NET, Java, and other interoperable technologies.

Devan Shepherd, CEO and Chief Technical Officer for XMaLpha Technologies, had this to say about the acquistion, "The 'X' in XML stands for eXtensible, and this is an example of our own extensibility. Today, we are extending XMaLpha to further develop our existing Legislative practice area."

About XMaLpha Technologies (http://XMaLpha. com (http://XMaLpha. com)):

XMaLpha Technologies has extensive experience in XML automation, Web Services, systems integration, and the development of robust, industrial-strength, applications. As experts in analysis, design, and implementation, the talented consultants at XMaLpha understand data integration using XML. XMaLpha can show you how XML can provide a totally extensible, easy-to-learn, and richly featured universal format for structuring data and documents that can be exchanged efficiently over the Web using. NET, Java, and other interoperable technologies. Whether your needs call for business-to-business solutions, sophisticated Web Services, Content Management Systems, end-to-end integration with legacy data, structured dynamic content generation, or training on the latest XML technologies, XMaLpha can help.

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Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Institute Announces Premier Event on Corporate Governance in New York

Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Institute Announces Premier Event on Corporate Governance in New York

Making Corporate Governance Work in the Real World - Certificate in Corporate Governance (CCG).

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 12, 2006

On May 11-12, 2006, in midtown Manhattan, the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Institute will be conducting an intimate and exclusive high-profile, executive-level charter event as part of its "Beyond SOX" series of Corporate Governance activities. The goal is to provide education on key and current corporate reforms that are taking place in the global Corporate Governance arena, and to glean lessons from them that current and aspiring Board and Committee Members, Independent Directors, Senior Executives, CxOs (CEOs, CFOs etc.), Company Secretaries, Financial and Management Analysts, lawyers, policymakers, academicians, and other industry leaders can apply in their day-to-day roles at their corporations.

Keynote speakers:

Mr. Sanjay Anand, Founder and Chairperson of the SOX Institute (opening keynote) Ms. Nell Minow, Editor and Co-Founder of The Corporate Library (closing keynote)

Subject Experts:

Alfonzo Alexander, Vice President - Development, NASBA Center for Public Trust Larry Bridgesmith, Member of Board of Directors, NASBA Center for Public Trust Michael P. Cangemi, Former Preseident, CEO, Director, Etienne Aigner Group, Inc. Scott Green, Chief Administrative Officer, Law Firm of Weil, Gotshal and Manges Prof. Clifford G. Holderness, Prof. of Finance, Boston College; Visiting Prof., MIT Guy P. Lander, Senior Partner, Davies, Ward, Phillips and Vineberg; NYSBA chair Arlene E. Mirsky, Corporate, Securities, Banking; Sills, Cummis, Epstein and Gross

Topics Include:

Sarbanes-Oxley: Coerced Collaboration Duties and Responsibilities of Directors Maximize Effectiveness of Company Boards Audit Functions and Audit Committees Developments with Large Shareholders Balanced Scorecard for Board Decisions Corporate Ethics and Social Responsibility

More Information:

Visit www. soxinstitute. org/governance. htm (http://www. soxinstitute. org/governance. htm ) Call +1.212.626.9016 or 1.888.SOX. GCGI

About SOX Institute:

Established just months after the passing of the SOX Act, the Institute is committed to establishing and encouraging best practices for SarbOx compliance, professionalism, knowledge, expertise and ethics. With thousands of subscribers on all five continents, representing such diverse backgrounds as finance, accounting, IT, law, ethics and audit, the Institute is one of the largest and most active Sarbanes-Oxley communities.

Contact:

Dennis O'Connor

SOX Institute

Phone: +1.508.650.0100

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KenMark Office Systems Joins Elite Konica Minolta Dealer Channel

KenMark Office Systems Joins Elite Konica Minolta Dealer Channel

Massachusetts-based company to offer award-winning lines of Konica Minolta MFPs, production print systems, printers, and software solutions

Ramsey, NJ and Mashpee, MA (Vocus) September 16, 2009

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 KenMark Office Systems (KenMark) of Mashpee, Massachusetts, has joined Konica Minolta’s dealer channel. Founded in 1983, Ken Pedicini and Mark Braison established the company to provide everyday office needs to companies across Cape Cod and The Islands, as well as southeastern Massachusetts. KenMark will now offer Konica Minolta’s complete line of award-winning office systems, production print systems, printers, as well as its extensive portfolio of document management and workflow solutions.

KenMark, which recently celebrated its 25th year in business, currently services a large variety of area business including multiple educational and healthcare institutions. KenMark’s leaders have established themselves as a premier provider of solutions designed to meet the needs of their clients’ in document imaging, creation, storage, management and distribution.

“To continue to grow as a world-class leader in the digital imaging industry and expand our market presence, we continue to establish relationships with innovative dealers across the United States,” said Alan Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Dealer Sales and Administration, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U. S.A., Inc. “KenMark shares the Konica Minolta vision and is committed to delivering the best quality products and services to its customers.”

“We wanted to partner with Konica Minolta due to the high caliber of the company’s management team, products and service,” said Ken Pedicini, President, KenMark Office Systems. “As a full-fledged dealer, we are excited about our ability to provide our customers with exceptional products and solutions from Konica Minolta, which will boost our competitive edge even further.”

KenMark Office Systems is located at 340 Main Street in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and can be reached at 800.273.6012 inside Massachusetts or 508-539-8800 out of state.

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 second 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.

Konica Minolta Contact
James Norberto
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U. S.A., Inc.
+1 201.825.4000

KenMark Office Systems Contact
Ken Pedicini
KenMark Office Systems
+1 800.273.6012

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

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Cenero Achieves InfoComm International Diamond AVSP Level Designation

Cenero Achieves InfoComm International Diamond AVSP Level Designation

Cenero has qualified as an InfoComm International Diamond AudioVisual Solutions Provider (AVSP). This designation recognizes that a percentage of the company's sales, customer service and technical staff have achieved and maintained individual InfoComm Certification and have completed relevant coursework from the InfoComm Academy.

Malvern, PA (PRWEB) August 4, 2010

Cenero has qualified as an InfoComm International Diamond AudioVisual Solutions Provider (AVSP). This designation recognizes that a percentage of the company's sales, customer service and technical staff have achieved and maintained individual InfoComm Certification and have completed relevant coursework from the InfoComm Academy.

InfoComm awards individual Certification to audiovisual professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and comprehension of the science and technology used in communications including audio, video, display and systems. Technicians, engineers, designers, salespeople, customer service personnel, managers and executives are eligible to take the individual certification test.

"An AVSP designation gives AV companies a competitive advantage in the marketplace," said Randal A. Lemke, Ph. D., InfoComm International's executive director. "Customers of audiovisual communications and presentation systems can be confident of professionalism and an aspiration to excellence when working with these companies that have invested in education and training to stay current on the latest AV technologies and techniques."

The company-level AVSP recognition program is the only such program available for the commercial audiovisual industry. In addition to confirming that a percentage of the company's employees are InfoComm certified and have completed important coursework, the Diamond AVSP designation means that Cenero has agreed to comply with 10 Standards of Excellence developed in collaboration with industry experts to emphasize the best practices of audiovisual businesses.

The Standards of Excellence are a guidepost for audiovisual companies and professionals who place the customer first and offer quality audiovisual solutions. They include the commitment to provide complete customer satisfaction with audiovisual solutions that provide value to the client. They convey the importance that audiovisual solutions providers place on their own skills development through continuing education. They also cover the critical role that audiovisual professionals play as partners with IT specialists, architects, building managers and others.

ABOUT CENERO

Cenero is a privately held service-focused audio visual and conferencing solutions communications company located in Greater Philadelphia. Cenero helps organizations gain a competitive edge by leveraging audio visual and conferencing technology as productive tools. Cenero provides systems design, installation, managed services and event services for organizations throughout North America. Cenero's extensive knowledge of audio visual systems, video conferencing and network infrastructure delivers solutions that improve communication and drive efficiency throughout an organization. For more information regarding Cenero's products and services, call (610) 344-7007 or visit their website at http://www. cenero. com (http://www. cenero. com).

ABOUT INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL

InfoComm International is the industry leader in certification for AV communications professionals. InfoComm's Certified Technology Specialist and Certified Technology Specialist - Installation are the only audiovisual certification programs accredited by the International organization for Standardization's (ISO) United States representative, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).. Also recognized by the U. S. National Certification Commission and accepted by the U. S. Veterans Administration for reimbursement under the Montgomery G. I. Bill, InfoComm certification programs are designed to establish and maintain widespread credibility for the audiovisual industry and the professionals who perform the work. The company-level AVSP designation recognizes professionalism and expertise achieved through professional development, training, and commitment to the certification of employees.

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Treering Earns Tech & Learning’s 2010 Award Of Excellence

Treering Earns Tech & Learning’s 2010 Award Of Excellence

TreeRing Corporation, a company that creates yearbooks for the Internet generation, today announced that it won Tech & Learning’s 2010 Award of Excellence. Tech & Learning magazine annually names the best education technology products as winners in its prestigious 28-year-old recognition program. A panel of more than 30 educators, who tested more than 140 entries, chose the winners.

Redwood City, CA (PRWEB) November 29, 2010

TreeRing Corporation, a company that creates yearbooks for the Internet generation, today announced that it won Tech & Learning’s 2010 Award of Excellence for its customizable yearbook product. Tech & Learning magazine annually names the best education technology products as winners in its prestigious 28-year-old recognition program. A panel of more than 30 educators, who tested more than 140 entries, chose the winners.

Tech & Learning's Awards of Excellence program has been recognizing outstanding education technology products for nearly three decades. With a solid reputation in the industry as a long-standing, high-quality program, the AOE recognizes both the "best of the best" and creative new offerings that help educators in the business of teaching, training and managing with technology. All entries are given a rigorous test-driving by qualified educators in several rounds of judging. Products are also carefully screened by the T&L editorial team. Evaluation criteria include the following: quality and effectiveness ease of use, creative use of technology, and suitability for use in an educational environment.

Brady McCue, TreeRing Co-Founder, said, “It’s a huge honor to be recognized by such a prestigious award. Our goal when we started the company was to provide a way for student’s to better capture their memories and remove the yearbook financial burden for schools. We still have a lot of work to do to make the product even better, but this is a great recognition of our progress so far.”

About TreeRing
TreeRing creates yearbooks for the Internet generation. The Silicon Valley, CA based company combines the efficiency of just-in-time digital printing and the collaborative power of online social networks to create personalized printed yearbooks that commemorate each child's unique school experience. The process reduces the yearbook creation and financial burdens for schools and invests in our planet's future by planting a tree for every yearbook printed. For more information, visit http://www. treering. com.

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Author Against AIDS

Author Against AIDS

Self-published Author Caroline McGill Pens A Dollar Outta Fifteen Cent and Joins the S. O.S. HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign to help educate and awaken the minority communities nationwide. Safe Sex message written throughout the pages of urban fiction novel with the authors mission to decrease the numbers of African American Women infected with the HIV/AIDS virus.

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) May 25, 2005

Author and Publisher Caroline McGill releases her first novel and joins the Saving Our Selves AIDS Awareness Campaign to help confront and educate the black community about the alarming HIV/AIDS epidemic. By penning this semi-autobiography, A Dollar Outta Fifteen Cent on Synergy Publications (ISNB:0-9752980-3 $14.95), McGill shares the harsh realities of discovering the deadly AIDS virus in your own backyard. “We as African American women are too smart and too beautiful to be ignorant about the risk of unprotected sex. We must be educated and get tested,” states Caroline McGill

A passage from the book reads: Portia kept up with the news, so she knew that all across the world, young black women were dying from AIDS faster than any other demographic. Afraid of becoming a statistic, she went ahead and did it. In the last eight months, she and Jay got tested twice, and each yielded a negative result, thank God.

As a divine sisterhood black women need to start speaking up and speaking out on HIV/AIDS. We must protect our lives and to do this, we have to use protection EVERY time we’re involved with a man sexually. It’s not about letting it slide this one time, nor is it about “ the feeling” either because every time we’re intimate with someone, we put ourselves at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. It’s crucial that we hold one another accountable for getting tested. I commend Caroline McGill on taking the initiative. I hope other woman of color will follow suit and become involved in educating our children and community about HIV/AIDS awareness,” exclaims Hardy founder of the S. O. S. AIDS Awareness Campaign

About A Dollar Outta Fifteen Cent

When self-serving affairs threaten to ruin treasured relationships in the lives of Portia, Simone, Fatima and Laila how will these women find the moral and spiritual strength to accept their destinies?

In an effort to score some extra cash for school Portia trades in her southern church roots to enter the XXX nightlife as the South’s hottest known female stripper-Mystique. Clad in mocha brown silky smooth skin, and not too much of anything else Portia Lance is a 5’5 hourglass shaped vixen captivating the hearts and loins of many men. Her street savvy and textbook intellect made her privates easy targets. The hood respected her and the men in suits lusted for her. Portia could make the strongest man-cry “ooohhahhhh, Mommy!” She was a conniving sex kitten who had a gift for gab that made men unconsciously separate with their cash continuously –until Jay. Jay, a thorough Brooklyn hustler delights in his late night sex-on-demand romps with Portia. He respects her mind and her talent for getting money. Somewhere along the way while running his east coast narcotics empire-Jay falls for Portia. Can Portia leave the nightlife and build something better with the top dog in town? Can Jay accept the challenge of making Portia his lady?

Simone Benson is enjoying the trips, jewelry and extended lunches - perks from playing in the sheets with her married boss. When she learns that her supervisor turned sugar daddy Kyle has a deadly secret can Simone cope with the discovery?

Laila Atkins, the meek and wise married mother of two feels her spouse Khalil is mentally and physically slipping away from their wedded union. He is aloof and comes home late smelling of liquor and god knows what other sour stenches. How will she salvage her relationship? Or is he even worth it? Fatima Sinclair, a verbose control freak becomes panic stricken after taking her first HIV/AIDS test.

About S. O.S.-Saving Our Selves AIDS Awareness Campaign

S. O.S. is an AIDS awareness campaign created by founder Dawn Hardy to increase awareness, HI? AIDS education and testing in the black communities nationwide. The S. O.S. AIDS Awareness Campaign wants to encourage black men, women and young adults to be tested annually for HIV AIDS. S. O. S. will launch the first annual Saving Our Sisters National Week of AIDS Testing targeting African American Women Coming in 2006.

For more information about the Saving Our Sisters National Week of AIDS Testing log onto www. dreamrelations. com

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Anglian Home Improvements Donate Computers to Norwich Based High School

Anglian Home Improvements Donate Computers to Norwich Based High School

Broadland High School in Hoveton, Norwich has added significant IT resources to their art department with the introduction of nine new computers, donated by local double glazing business Anglian Home Improvements.

Norwich, Norforlk, UK (PRWEB) May 30, 2009

Broadland High School in Hoveton, Norwich has added significant IT resources to their art department with the introduction of nine new computers, donated by local double glazing business Anglian Home Improvements.

The school, recognised as a specialist Maths and ICT institution will use the computers to develop the pupils' artistic talents, allowing them access to the Internet and other arts based programmes for inspiration and research purposes.

Head teacher at the school, Carol Dallas, said: "As a maths and computing college we always look for ways of increasing our use of ICT across the curriculum. We want and need, to use technology creatively to enhance learning at both Key stages. The generous donation of resources from Anglian Home Improvements has provided an invaluable contribution to creative activities within the Arts.
"The students are always looking for imaginative ways to record their thoughts and represent their ideas whilst also researching other artists and themes. We are keen to improve our use of digital imaging, and where these computers will really make a huge difference is in our photography capabilities, specifically the use of Photoshop."

"What's more, in our quest to enhance our work with the local community having additional ICT resources will enable us to offer activities such as adult education classes, allowing the school to become an integral part of the community."

Head of Marketing at Anglian Home Improvements Melanie Russell said: "We are delighted to have been able to support Broadland High School and enhance the school's facilities for the benefit of all pupils. Anglian's philosophy is shaped around making and improving communities and we hope that our work with the school, both now and in the future, will enable Broadland and its pupils to thrive."

Anglian Home Improvements, formally known as Anglian Windows has been supporting your community since 1966. For more information on their range of products including conservatories and energy saving double glazing please visit www. anglianhome. co. uk

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Colorado's Bioscience Industry Leaders and Legislators Focus on 2010 Initiatives At the Annual CBSA 'Bioscience Day at the Capitol'

Colorado's Bioscience Industry Leaders and Legislators Focus on 2010 Initiatives At the Annual CBSA 'Bioscience Day at the Capitol'

The second annual "Bioscience Day at the Capitol," being held Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 - 10 a. m., will allow bioscience industry leaders and state legislators to discuss the industry and thoughts on the year ahead. The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) will also present its legislative initiatives for 2010 to the group.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) January 25, 2010

The second annual "Bioscience Day at the Capitol," on Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 to 10 a. m., will allow bioscience industry leaders and state legislators to discuss the industry and thoughts on the year ahead. The announcement is made by Leah Kientz, Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) Director of Public Policy and Programs, who says "This event brings the industry together to discuss ideas to help Colorado bioscience companies grow and prosper, while also providing a forum for legislators to discuss their views on the industry and the legislative session ahead."

The day begins with the CBSA describing Senate Bill 90, which involves creation of the Colorado Capital Investment Bulletin Board sponsored by Senator Mike Johnston (D-Denver) and Representative Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley). SB 90 will provide bioscience and clean technology start-up companies the opportunity to post investment information on a virtual bulletin board through the State of Colorado website. The effort will help investors to locate and view all possible investment opportunities within the two industries in one location.

"With the growing number of start-up companies spinning out of Colorado's research institutions, the Capital Investment Bulletin Board will allow Colorado to showcase the vast amount of technology and innovation being conducted here. The website will also drive more investors to opportunities in Colorado, thereby assisting participating companies to grow their businesses and remain in the state," Kientz explains.

The CBSA "Bioscience Day at the Capitol" will also welcome back Patrick Kelly, Vice President for State Government Relations and Alliance Development for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) who will present "Federal Issues Impacting the Biosciences." He will discuss the current healthcare debates in Washington and also the various policy items each state is facing.

This year's legislative initiatives and policy priorities for the CBSA include:
Tax Policy - Track the tax incentives and credits that are most important to the bioscience industry, and take action to protect those assets.

Higher Education - Continue to support efforts to properly fund higher education in Colorado.

Health Care Reform - Respond to various proposals to reform Colorado's health care system.

Prescription Drugs - Advocate for rules and regulations that protect patient access to needed therapies, diagnostics and devices including biologics.

Bioscience Companies - Respond to proposals that would impact pertinent information including prescription and research data. Ensure that companies in the state are implementing ethical marketing practices, training and the distribution of samples.

Economic Development - Respond to proposals that would impact Colorado's image as a business-friendly state.

Erin Silver, MPH, principal at Denver's Boyle, Silver & Weist Policy Strategists, Inc. has served as the CBSA's contract lobbyist since 2005. Through Erin's commitment and leadership, the CBSA has successfully passed each legislative initiative put forth to the state's General Assembly during this period. Silver received the CBSA Chairman's Award at the annual CBSA Awards Dinner held at the 2009 BioWest Conference & Expo. For more information, visit http://rbwpolicy. com (http://rbwpolicy. com).

Join the CBSA on January 27th at 7:30 a. m. in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the State Capitol to learn more about these initiatives and how you can become involved. To register for "Bioscience Day at the Capitol," please visit https://events. cobioscience. com/index. cfm? action=event&eventid=260 (https://events. cobioscience. com/index. cfm? action=event&eventid=260).

About the Colorado Bioscience Association

The CBSA is a not-for-profit corporation providing services and support for Colorado's growing biosciences industry. With more than 400 members, CBSA actively works to promote the growth of the industry by working for a better business environment, grow the state's biotech workforce, fight for policies that support a strong bioscience industry in the state and speak with a single voice on behalf of the industry. For more information, visit http://www. cobioscience. com (http://www. cobioscience. com).

Contacts:

Leah Kientz, Director of Public Policy and Programs, Colorado BioScience Association - http://www. cobioscience. com (http://www. cobioscience. com) - 303-592-4088

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Absolutely PR - http://www. absolutelypr. com (http://www. absolutelypr. com) - 303-984-9801

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SmartDraw Unveils Built-in Animation Feature to its Software at PowerPoint Live Conference

SmartDraw Unveils Built-in Animation Feature to its Software at PowerPoint Live Conference

SmartDraw's new built-in animation feature for graphics-to-PowerPoint marks the end of the boring PowerPoint presentation.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 21, 2008

SmartDraw, the world leader in visual productivity software, today unveiled an exclusive key feature of its SmartDraw 2009 edition--its seamless PowerPoint integration and built-in animation capabilities. The announcement was made at the opening night reception of the PowerPoint Live conference, held September 21-24, 2008 in San Diego.

PowerPoint presentations are typically thought to be interesting at best, or boring, gratuitous and confusing at worst. Many presenters either take the path of least resistance (endless bullet points and too much text) or they try too hard, resulting in a PowerPoint using every piece of animation and sound effects possible. The results can be equally bad: death by PowerPoint boredom or distraction to the point of no return.

SmartDraw 2009 easily turns an unfocused, boring or "busy" presentation into one that captures attention. With just one mouse click, SmartDraw transfers a graphic into a PowerPoint® slide with built-in, sequential animation that is controlled by the presenter. SmartDraw applies these animation cues automatically and preserves them when the graphic is moved into PowerPoint®. The result is a more compelling and memorable presentation, allowing presenters to show graphical ideas in a logical sequence to help audiences relate to an idea before the presenter moves on. As the audience is fully focused on each step, presenters can build up to the "punch line" of the PowerPoint's grand finale idea or concept while garnering everyone's attention.

SmartDraw, the first program that empowers ordinary computer users to create presentation-quality business graphics in minutes, is the only software of its kind with this level of integration with PowerPoint®.

"SmartDraw is very good at creating charts, graphs, forms and diagrams, and even better at integrating into a presentation. I am flattered that SmartDraw has chosen our conference to announce the software's newest presentation features," said Rick Altman, author of "Why Most PowerPoint Presentations Suck" and host of PowerPoint Live.

About SmartDraw. com
SmartDraw is the world leader in visual productivity software, creating the first program that empowers ordinary computer users to create presentation-quality business graphics in minutes. Realizing that a "picture is worth a thousand words," more than three million people annually install and use SmartDraw to help improve communications, better organize ideas, refine operations and simply work smarter. In addition to SmartDraw 2009 for general business, education and home use, the company also offers SmartDraw Healthcare and SmartDraw Legal editions which include graphics and applications unique to their respective fields. The company's loyal customers include more than half of the members of the Fortune 500, nearly 2,000 K-12 schools and universities, and thousands of law firms, police departments, health systems and private enterprises. Founded in 1994, SmartDraw. com is privately-held and based in San Diego, CA. For more information on the company or to download a free trial of SmartDraw, please visit www. smartdraw. com.

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Louisiana State University System "Geauxs" With Gilsbar for FSA Administration

Louisiana State University System "Geauxs" With Gilsbar for FSA Administration

Louisiana State University System selects Gilsbar, Inc. for administration of its Flexible Spending Account Administration Services

Covington, Louisiana (PRWEB) August 16, 2009

Gilsbar, Inc., a national leader in health benefits management, will begin performing Flexible Spending Account (FSA) administration for a majority of Louisiana State University System campuses. Gilsbar provides the capacity and structure necessary to facilitate seamless integration of FSA services for the System's thousands of employees in various locations. Gilsbar performs FSA administration, along with a full array of other benefit management services, for corporate entities and academic institutions nation-wide.

Hank Miltenberger, Gilsbar's President & CEO, says, "We welcome the opportunity to work with our state's premier academic institutional system in its effort to provide comprehensive benefits and reimbursement account administration for its employees. We plan to continue to invest heavily in our human capital and technology to remain a pace-setter in the national benefits management industry, and bring thought-leading solutions to our clients nation-wide."

About LSU
The LSU System is a wide-ranging enterprise with over 29,000 employees at 11 institutions statewide. Each institution within the LSU System plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and new technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers are working on developing innovations that increase the national prominence of the university system. LSU medical education and healthcare delivery institutions are improving the quality of life in Louisiana with disease management and advanced medical treatments.

About Gilsbar
Recognized as a pacesetter in the health benefits industry, Gilsbar holds solid partnerships with brokers and employers across the nation. Gilsbar's comprehensive and thought leading benefit solutions, employee engagement strategies, and commitment to client satisfaction are some of the many qualities that set Gilsbar apart. Benefit advisors, employers, affinity groups, insurance carriers, and individuals trust Gilsbar to provide market driven benefits and risk mitigation solutions. Visit http://www. gilsbar. com or call 1-800-445-7227 to find out how Gilsbar's 360° Benefit Plan Management can transform your organization.

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Tasa Graphic Arts, Inc. Releases New Educational Science CD-ROM: "Earth's Atmosphere and Its Seasons"

Tasa Graphic Arts, Inc. Releases New Educational Science CD-ROM: "Earth's Atmosphere and Its Seasons"

Earth's Atmosphere and Its Seasons is an educational software program that explores weather and climate. Intended for grades 5-12, the CD-ROM helps students investigate Earth's atmosphere, the seasons, and Earth-Sun relationships.

Taos, NM (PRWEB) April 11, 2005

Tasa Graphic Arts, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its newest product: EarthÂ’s Atmosphere and Its Seasons CD-ROM. Written by Ed Tarbuck and Fred Lutgens, EarthÂ’s Atmosphere and Its Seasons CD-ROM is an educational software program that explores weather and climate and how they affect our lives.

Intended for grades 5-12, the CD-ROM helps students investigate and understand the conditions and influences of EarthÂ’s atmosphere. Through colorful animations and video clips, clearly narrated explanations and lab activities, students examine the causes of the seasons, Earth-Sun relationships, solar radiation, and much more. EarthÂ’s Atmosphere and Its Seasons is easy to navigate and includes a visual index, clickable glossary, and review questions and activities which make it appropriate for students to use on their own or for classroom use by instructors.

Tasa Graphic Arts, Inc. produces interactive, educational CD-ROMs emphasizing visual-aided learning, helping students grasp difficult concepts and encouraging them to learn even more about Earth science. In addition to weather and climate, Tasa Graphic Arts, Inc. has published CD-ROMs covering plate tectonics, rocks & minerals, planetary geology, the processes that shape Earth's surface, and more. Our programs align with National Science Education Standards. Our web address is: www. TasaGraphicArts. com.

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Motivational Sales Training & Personal Growth Program Wins Another Award at BookExpo America in New York - "ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award"

Motivational Sales Training & Personal Growth Program Wins Another Award at BookExpo America in New York - "ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award"

"As motivational sales tools go, this one is better than most... It's as easy listening as a John Denver CD and as useful a motivational tool as the Bible." - J. Peter Bergman audiobookcafe. com

Hooksett, NH (PRWEB) June 20, 2005

In today's hectic, competitive workplace it's difficult to have a realistic day-to-day game plan that motivates you. It's hard to find the time to make personal and financial goals, much less exceed them. And with employees leaving cities for the suburbs in droves, much valuable time is wasted in travel to and from the office -- not to mention the time it takes to get from account to account.

To deal with these trends, Dan Collins and the team at Collins Educational have developed the award-winning Sound Selling Audiobook. It's an easy-to-follow program that will help everyone who has something to sell achieve their goals, work more effectively day-to-day to accomplish their game plan, and make their time on the road more productive.

Those who use this program will develop the clarity to set goals and see results, be they entrepreneurs, business owners, executives or sales professionals. Collins Educational has taken the numerous paths that successful salespeople follow and condensed them into a series of fifteen keynotes, ranging from "Discover Your Customer's Needs" to "Assume the Sale" to "Ask for Referrals". These keynotes create a foundation for a new level of assurance in professional selling and a new level of sales success.

The Sound Selling Audiobook offers a unique blended-learning method for bringing a salesperson, sales manager, sales team, or other growth-oriented businessperson closer to their goals -- and then beyond. All it initially requires is time to listen - anytime or anyplace that's convenient. The learning is accomplished by positive affirmations, and it works without all the over-sensationalized effort and stress that is commonly associated with sales training. Musical interludes -- proven to aid retention -- are peppered throughout and offer time for reflection. It's all part of helping those in sales to improve their personal effectiveness.

Four Facts that Support the "Sound Selling" Program

1. The famous twenty-year study of Harvard graduates that demonstrated the power of goal setting: Researchers found that only 3% of the graduating class had clearly written goals. Twenty years later they documented that this group of goal-setters had more wealth than the other 97% combined.

2. Changing how your sales force sells is the most difficult endeavor your company could undertake. Investing in a sales training program will not by itself get you the results you seek. Studies have shown that adults forget 87% of what they learn in a classroom if, once the class is over, there's no reinforcement or review of skills learned, and no measurement of success.

3. Dr. Howard Gardner of the Harvard Graduate School of Education -- the father of "Multiple Intelligences" -- suggests that individuals perceive the world in at least eight different, equally important ways. Research suggests that the more senses we use, the deeper and broader the degree of learning. The Sound Selling Audiobook applies musical, intrapersonal, kinesthetic, interpersonal, auditory and visual learning styles to supplement the learning experience.

4. According to a survey by the U. S. Dept. of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average driving time per day for all drivers in America is one hour and fourteen minutes. This translates into over 440 hours a year in available driving time -- the equivalent of eleven 40-hour workweeks! So use the Sound Selling Audiobook to make your travel time productive.

About Collins Educational
Founded in 2002, Collins Educational is focused on serving the growth-oriented, "sales-driven" marketplace. Their purpose is to inspire driven people to learn in a comfortable, yet motivational environment.

About Dan Collins
Dan Collins graduated from Florida International University and began his career in sales during the pre-construction phase of the Atlantis mega resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas. Twelve years later, as regional account executive for Discover Network, he has earned numerous awards, including the Sales Excellence Award (three years in a row), Diamond Ring Award, the President Plate (twice), and the Raymond A. Kennedy Award (the company's highest honor). He is currently completing an MBA in Hospitality Marketing at Southern New Hampshire University, and resides in Hooksett, New Hampshire, with his wife and three children.

Collins believes in working smarter, not just working harder -- and he believes tools such as the Sound Selling Audiobook will enable others to do just that.

Pub-Date: September, 2004  Business / Personal Development $49.50 ISBN: 0-9746871-2-X
Available from Amazon. com, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, AtlasBooks and CollinsEducational. com

Contents: Enhanced CD ROM (run-time over one hour), unabridged 21-page 20 MB ADOBE. pdf workbook, notebook, and pencil -- plus free online resources including a Sales Plan, Game Plan, and the sales competency evaluation, "Professional Sales IQ"

For information on volume discounts and custom facilitator guides, contact Dan Collins at 877.479.6060 or Dan@CollinsEducational. com

To schedule an interview with Dan Collins or to arrange for him to speak to your company, class, or organization, please contact Dan Collins at 603.479.6060 or Dan@CollinsEducational. com.

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A Delicious Hot Food Trend: Use Chile Peppers To Spice Up Your Favorite Dish

A Delicious Hot Food Trend: Use Chile Peppers To Spice Up Your Favorite Dish

For busy cooks looking for savory dishes with a little adventure, it’s easy to create distinct southwestern fare by featuring a hot new trend – Chile-fired sauces that use your favorite peppers and easy-to-make salsas from Mrs. Wages.

Saint Louis, MO (PRWEB) March 15, 2010

For busy cooks looking for savory dishes with a little adventure, it’s easy to create distinct southwestern fare by featuring a hot new trend – Chile-fired sauces.

“We took some common dishes including nachos and rellenos and developed wholesome entrees that feature Chile peppers including jalapeno, chipotle and pablano varieties,” says Chef Joe Cottage, Mrs. Wages test kitchens.

“Everywhere you look, Chile peppers and sauces are becoming a popular menu and ingredient item because you can be adventurous and still control their heat.” Flavor & the Menu Magazine named Chile-fired sauces a top food trend for 2010.

Nacho Chicken & Penne, Chipotle Cheddar Creamy Polenta, and Chicken and Corn Stuffed Pablano Peppers also owe their flavors to Mrs. WagesTM all natural pre-mixed and measured salsa blends that not only feature classic salsa, chipotle and garlic or jalapeño spices, but some of America’s favorite peppers.

Nacho Normal Chicken & Penne (http://e-presscenter. com/mrswages/2010/03/nacho-normal-chicken-penne/) - a flavorful hot dish that tastes like chicken nachos, but is served on penne pasta instead of corn chips. It features Mrs. Wages Classic Salsa mix along with pickled jalapeno slices, olives and white wine.

Chipotle Cheddar Creamy Polenta and Pork Tenderloin (http://e-presscenter. com/mrswages/2010/03/pork-tenderloin-and-chipotle-cheddar-creamy-polenta/) each share the same southwestern seasoning. Says Chef Joe Cottage: “We crusted the tenderloin and seasoned the polenta with Mrs. Wages Chipotle and Garlic Salsa for a southwestern bridge that brings your side and the pork together. The result is a creamy cheesy side dish that complements the bitterness of the seared pork seasonings.”

Chicken and Corn Stuffed Pablano Peppers (http://e-presscenter. com/mrswages/2010/03/chicken-and-corn-stuffed-pablano-peppers/) is a baked version of the popular stuffed pepper usually served breaded and fried. “We blend the Mrs. Wages Jalapeno Salsa mix with corn, chicken and pepper jack cheese and then stuff the mixture into the milder pablano pepper,” adds Chef Cottage.

Photography and Images
Hi-resolution stock photography of a variety of peppers, entrees and pasta images are available from the Mrs. Wages Online Press Room. Hi-resolution. jpg files of the Mrs. Wages logo can be found in the Images section of the Mrs. Wages Online Press Room.

Additional Digital Resources/Story Angles
We’ve found a number of additional information and resources to help you with any of a number of angles should you choose to report about this hot new food trend. Links to these resources can be found at
The Mrs. Wages Online Press Room (http://e-presscenter. com/mrswages/).

Those story angles include:
  Is it “chile,” “chili” or “chilli”? In fact, it can even be “chillie” (among six or seven different spellings).   More on the entymology of the word “chili” (no matter how you spell it), as well as its history as the first known spice used by humans.   If you must know more about chile peppers, there’s one source you must visit … The Chile Pepper Institute at new Mexico State University. It’s an educational institution that offers a degree you can sink your teeth into (as well as a gift catalog full of books, plants and more).   Just how “hot” does a pepper get? That question was answered in 1912 by Wilbur Scoville, a chemist working for Parke-Davis pharmaceuitcal. The “Scoville Organoleptic Test” now ranks peppers from a score of 0 (for the Sweet Bell) to over 1,000,000 (for the Naga Jolokia a. k.a. the “Gost Pepper”). Pepper spray ranks in the 2-3,000,000 range.   We see it on menus all the time – but we hear it pronounced differently depending on where we are in the country. Just how do you say the word “chipotle?” (There IS a correct answer.)   The hottest food trends for 2010. (Among other hot trends: Blue-plate specials and signature sausages.)   Eating chili peppers really is good for you. The ingredient that makes the “hot” is called Capsaicin – a substance that is currently being studied for its affect on arthritis.

About Mrs. Wages (http://e-presscenter. com/mrswages/about/)
Mrs. Wages is a division of Precision Foods Inc. Mrs. Wages believes it should be easy for every cook to create and preserve great food with a homemade taste. We offer a variety of salsa, dip, salad dressing, sauce, fruit preservers and pectin as well as unique home-canning mixes for the home and food service categories. For more information and recipes, visit http://www. mrswages. com (http://www. mrswages. com)

Precision Foods, Inc., is a dry blending and packaging food company specializing in providing finished products for customers in the foodservice, industrial and consumer products industries. Visit our corporate web site at: http://www. precisionfoods. com (http://www. precisionfoods. com)

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Brick House Realty Joins Forces with TheKnot. com

Brick House Realty Joins Forces with TheKnot. com

Brick House Realty, one of the most innovative RE firms has joined with TheKnot. com to help Massachusetts brides and grooms with their home buying and selling.

Holliston, MA/Boston, MA (PRWEB) January 31, 2005

One of Massachusetts most innovative real estate firms, Brick House Realty, officially announced today that it is joining forces with TheKnot. com.

Brick House Realty has expanded its home buying and selling workshops to include a special workshop for brides and grooms. Partnering up with TheKnot. com by advertising on their site is part of the plan to attract this target audience.

According to founder and broker, Maria LC Salomão-Schmidt who is also a recent newlywed, “Our research shows a large number of people who are engaged automatically want to buy a home but don’t know where to begin. Our workshops and tools were developed with the vision of taking real estate to a new level of customer service.”

Brick House Realty simplifies and electrifies the home buying and selling process for professional women and their families. Its agents serve home buyers and sellers all over Massachusetts including communities like Boston, Framingham, Newton, Saugus, Peabody, Natick, Cambridge, Back Bay, Worcester, Harvard, Springfield, Chester, Hudson, Clinton and Chatham. Because one of its main goals is being an educational resource, Brick House Realty focuses on leveraging the latest technology and simplifying it for the consumer.

Brick House Realty is a socially responsible company that donates 5% of its profits to local charities. To find them on the web go to www. BrickHouseRealty. com

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Kutztown University Offers New Online Courses

Kutztown University Offers New Online Courses

In response to online training course demand, Kutztown University’s Center for Lifelong Learning and Professional Development has partnered with Gatlin Education Services to provide new programs in healthcare, business, construction, Internet -- design and technical, video game design and development, and Microsoft certification.

Allentown, PA (PRWEB) January 28, 2006

In response to online training course demand, Kutztown University’s Center for Lifelong Learning and Professional Development has partnered with Gatlin Education Services to provide new programs in healthcare, business, construction, Internet -- design and technical, video game design and development, and Microsoft certification.

The new online training courses are designed for individuals looking to switch career paths, obtain advanced training and certifications, or for first-time job seekers who need specialized training. The courses are all open enrollment and self-paced, and students are paired with a personal instructor. Online training courses take an average of 90 days to complete and provide training for entry-level positions.

Job seekers can be trained in these occupations by taking online courses offered through the Center for Lifelong Learning and Professional Development via Gatlin Education Services. They offer certification programs in the fields mentioned above, as well as many other high interest areas.

Established in 1989, Gatlin Education Services is the largest provider of Web-based, instructor-supported training to colleges and universities.

For program and course descriptions, go to www. gatlineducation. com/kutztown (http://www. gatlineducation. com/kutztown). For enrollment information, contact Raymond Campbell at the Center for Lifelong Learning and Professional Development at (610) 683-1382 or campbell@kutztown. edu. Direct online course media inquiries to Chambre Riegel at (972) 934-2850 ext. 102.

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Union Bank of California Chooses The Edcomm Group To Deploy Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Training

Union Bank of California Chooses The Edcomm Group To Deploy Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Training

Union Bank of California has selected The Edcomm Group to create a custom compliance module, focusing on the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1996, for the bankÂ’s International wing. The new program will add onto Focus on Compliance, an Edcomm program already established at Union Bank of California.

(PRWEB) January 15, 2005

Union Bank of California has selected The Edcomm Group to create a custom compliance module, focusing on the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1996, for the bankÂ’s International wing. The new program will add onto Focus on Compliance, an Edcomm program already established at Union Bank of California.

More than 170 crimes are listed in the United States’ federal money laundering statutes. “Financial institutions must educate their employees and have systems and procedures in place to distinguish normal transactions from suspicious activity, and that is where Edcomm comes into play,” said Dr. Linda Eagle, President of The Edcomm Group.

EdcommÂ’s compliance course, Focus on Compliance, provides education and motivation for the entire bank. It educates employees about banking regulations, provides reference tools, assists with documentation of compliance training efforts, reduces risk, and most importantly impresses the examiners. The program is computer-based, self-paced, and distance learning. It can be delivered via Internet, Intranet, or CD ROM.

The fourth largest commercial bank in California, Union Bank of California is one of the 35 largest banks in the U. S., with assets of over 46 billion, 298 branches and 21 international offices. Founded in 1864, the bank offers investment and financial management, trust services, private banking, insurance services and global custody services.

The Edcomm Group has had the privilege of assisting many distinguished clients with business solutions in the form of classroom instruction, print publication, video production, online documentation, interactive web systems and multimedia programs. In addition to the development of customized programs, The Edcomm Group offers many industry specific off-the-shelf products that have proven themselves effective in organizations around the world.

The Edcomm Group is an 18-year-old multimedia education and communication product and consulting firm specializing in the development of creative business solutions that improve productivity, customer service, and market share - providing bottom-line results.

The Edcomm Group (www. edcomm. com) (www. bankersacademy. com) is headquartered in New York City with an Advanced Design Center located in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

For more information, please contact:

Linda Eagle

President, The Edcomm Group

1-888-4EDCOMM

Linda. eagle@edcomm. com

Lauren Tosti

Public Relations, The Edcomm Group

1-888-4EDCOMM

Lauren. tosti@edcomm. com

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Stuckey & Company Introduces Online Insurance Application for Architects and Engineering Firms

Stuckey & Company Introduces Online Insurance Application for Architects and Engineering Firms

Stuckey’s niche insurance program for architects and engineers is designed for firms with less than $1,500,000 in annual revenue. The new online application allows architects, engineers and other planning professionals to apply for both Professional Liability and a Business Owners Policy.

Lake Saint Louis, MO (Vocus) March 1, 2010

Stuckey & Company, the managing general agent for the Aspire A&E insurance program (http://stuckey. com/products/professional/architecture-engineering-insurance. html), has introduced an online application that makes it easier than ever for small architectural and engineering firms to apply for and receive appropriate insurance coverage from their local agents. The online insurance application (http://www. stuckey. com/forms/contact_info. php) takes about 15 minutes to complete and is all the information that Stuckey & Company needs to prepare a detailed quote proposal. The application can be used for Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions) insurance and/or Business Owners Policy (BOP) coverage.

According to Dwight Stuckey, president of Stuckey & Company, the online application streamlines the quoting process, and allows Stuckey & Company to quote online in real time. “This is especially helpful for local agents who may not be completely comfortable with the unique risks faced by architects and engineering firms,” he says. “Our online application is quick and easy, but it’s comprehensive enough that we can confidently quote these small firms in one easy step.” For businesses that prefer to submit a written application, there is also a downloadable application (http://www. stuckey. com/assets/pdf/Aspire_Appv1.pdf); Stuckey & Company turns around quotes for hardcopy apps in 24 hours or less.

Aspire A&E is underwritten by an A+ XV Rated Carrier and is available with annual premiums as low as $500 and deductibles as low as $1,000, including first dollar defense, worldwide coverage, defense outside the limits, and/or aggregate deductibles.

Stuckey says in the architectural and engineering (A&E) field, approximately 87% of firms in the $11 billion industry generate $1.5 million or less in annual revenue. During the past two years, as larger firms laid off employees, many professional architects and engineers formed small consultancies or pursued work as independent consultants. In response to the unique risks these firms face, Stuckey & Company introduced Aspire A&E in April 2009. It is a specialized, clearly defined Professional Liability insurance program that addresses the risks commonly faced by architects and engineers. Since it was introduced, over 250 A&E firms have chosen Aspire A&E.

The quote proposals include the price quote, the policy that would be issued, and a partially complete application that is ready to be signed and dated for binding. “A&E clients have choices when it comes to insurance coverage, and we believe this convenient online application, combined with superior coverage and service, represents the best value in the marketplace,” Stuckey says.

As the industry evolves, Stuckey & Company has adapted Aspire A&E coverage to better address the needs of A&E firms. In addition to Professional Liability, the Aspire A&E policy includes Electronic Media and Network Operations Security, Computer Products and Computer Services, including coverage for Business Information Modeling (BIM) and Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CAD). Other coverages offered by Stuckey & Company include Property, Liability, Workers Comp, Commercial Auto, Employment Practices Liability and more.

Firms that should apply for Aspire A&E include businesses with $1.5 million or less in revenue located in any state, except Alaska and Hawaii. Covered engineering disciplines include: acoustical engineering, architecture, civil engineering, computer engineering, land surveying, master planning, electrical engineering, forensic consulting, HVAC, interior design, communications engineering, landscape architecture, construction management “agency,” mechanical engineering, software engineering and traffic/transportation engineering. Restricted disciplines include: construction management “at-risk,” environmental engineering, biomedical engineering and geotechnical engineering. The Stuckey & Company web site includes a full list of covered disciplines (http://www. stuckey. com/agentalert/2010/02/aspire-ae/).

The direct underwriting staff at Stuckey and Company has over 70 combined years of experience in professional liability and commercial lines underwriting. “The A&E industry is under-served by providers with an efficient process,” Stuckey says, “because there are few products that combine tailored coverage and ease of doing business. We created Aspire A&E to meet those needs, and we’ve streamlined the application and renewal process so small business owners can focus on what they do best while we focus on their insurance needs,” he concludes.

About Stuckey and Company
Stuckey & Company is a specialty insurance provider based in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. For 20 years, Stuckey has offered commercial, professional and personal lines of insurance. Stuckey & Company’s network of more than 8,000 licensed agents has the knowledge and experience in dealing with specific coverage not typically covered under standard policies. As one of the fastest-growing specialty insurance providers in the U. S., Stuckey & Company offers E&O coverage to over 150 classes in sectors that include technology and IT consulting, accounting and financial services, government services, media, laboratories and education. Coverage limits are available for many risks up to $5 million. It also offers a variety of standard policies. For information on Architecture & Engineering Insurance from Stuckey & Company, call 1-800-828-3452 and ask for Dwight Stuckey.

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BenefitsCONNECT® Announces Real-Time Integration with Colonial Life's Harmony® Platform

BenefitsCONNECT® Announces Real-Time Integration with Colonial Life's Harmony® Platform

Transcend Technologies Group (dba benefitsCONNECT®), a leading provider of online software applications for the health and benefits industry, now offers real-time integration of benefitsCONNECT® with the Colonial Life Harmony® enrollment system. With a few clicks, employees can seamlessly enroll in a broad range of Colonial Life's insurance products--including life, disability, cancer, critical illness, hospital confinement, and accident insurance--from within benefitsCONNECT®.

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) October 26, 2009

Employers can save time and money with a new seamless enrollment system for core and individual voluntary benefits enrollments. Transcend Technologies Group (dba benefitsCONNECT®), a leading provider of online software applications for the health and benefits industry, now offers real-time integration of benefitsCONNECT® (http://www. benefitsconnect. net (http://www. benefitsconnect. net)) with the Colonial Life Harmony® enrollment system. With a few clicks, employees can seamlessly enroll in a broad range of Colonial Life's insurance products--including life, disability, cancer, critical illness, hospital confinement, and accident insurance--from within benefitsCONNECT®.

Employees start in benefitsCONNECT® where they verify eligibility and census information. After this information is saved, they are directed through their benefits selection, including any Colonial Life benefits being offered, which are embedded within benefitsCONNECT® through Colonial Life's Harmony® enrollment system. After completing all elections, employees may review their election details, which are displayed in a convenient and understandable format.

"We are pleased to partner with Colonial Life to help facilitate an employee enrollment process that not only streamlines enrollment, but also reduces the administrative burden for employer groups," says Troy R. Underwood, President and CEO of Transcend. "Being able to integrate enrollment for benefit offerings from other carriers further extends the functionality of benefitsCONNECT®, which is changing the way brokers and employer groups deliver benefits."

"Through the integration of our Harmony® enrollment system, brokers and employers who are already familiar with benefitsCONNECT® can now offer Colonial Life benefits via a seamless enrollment process," says Ryan Stribling, Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Technologies at Colonial Life. "This partnership combines the leading-edge technology of both companies with Colonial Life's nationally certified benefit counselors."

BenefitsCONNECT® is an advanced Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that automates and simplifies online benefits enrollment and increases efficiency through agency management, making both processes painless. EDI (electronic data interchange) services guarantee that carriers receive and process enrollment information electronically to save time and money. In addition, benefits communication tools help employer groups communicate the value of their employee benefit offerings and increase overall company satisfaction.

The benefitsCONNECT® system enables brokers to upgrade their employee groups to a powerful, streamlined, web-based enrollment and administration system that reduces Human Resources labor costs and provides a barrier-to-entry for competing brokers.

About Transcend Technologies Group, Inc.:
Founded in 2001, Transcend Technologies Group, Inc. (dba benefitsCONNECT®) is a privately held company that specializes in Internet-based software applications for the health insurance and benefits industry. Transcend licenses benefitsCONNECT® for online enrollment and benefitsCONNECT® agencyMANAGER for benefits administration, and has established clients in 43 states who entrust their book of business to benefitsCONNECT® products. For additional information, visit http://www. benefitsCONNECT. net (http://www. benefitsCONNECT. net), or contact Sales at 916-421-4000 or sales (at) benefitsCONNECT. net.

About Colonial Life:
Colonial Life is the marketing brand of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, a market leader in providing insurance benefits for employees and their families through their workplace, along with individual benefits education, advanced yet simple-to-use enrollment technology, and quality personal service.

Colonial Life offers disability, life and supplemental accident and health insurance policies in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Similar policies, if approved, are underwritten in New York by a Colonial Life affiliate, The Paul Revere Life Insurance Company. Colonial Life is based in Columbia, S. C., and is a subsidiary of Unum Group. For more information about Colonial Life's benefits communication and enrollment capabilities, products, or services, call (803) 798-7000 or visit http://www. coloniallife. com/ (http://www. coloniallife. com/).

For editorial information, contact:

Michele Rubin
BackBone, Inc. (for Transcend)
Micheler (at) backboneinc. com
860-887-5589
Http://www. backboneinc. com/ (http://www. backboneinc. com/)

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