Fun Workshops Fill Jewish Deaf Congress Conference Schedule

Fun Workshops Fill Jewish Deaf Congress Conference Schedule

“Oy! Treasures of Judaism Oy!,” the 2005 Jewish Deaf Congress conference July 3-10 in Tampa Bay, Fla., is offering a unique conference schedule that includes wine-tasting, learning the Hebrew alphabet, and even an “Extreme Makeover” presentation.

Tampa Bay, FL (PRWEB) March 19, 2005

“Oy! Treasures of Judaism Oy!,” the 2005 Jewish Deaf Congress conference July 3-10 in Tampa Bay, Fla., is offering a unique conference schedule that includes wine-tasting, learning the Hebrew alphabet, and even an “Extreme Makeover” presentation. “We decided that having a really diverse list of workshops would be beneficial to attendees,” said Debi Meranski, conference co-chair.

“We also want to include workshops that always prove to be valuable, such as youth maintaining their Jewish identities, Judaism education by parents, and other Jewish-oriented workshops,” she added. “These workshops are equally beneficial, but it’s good to have some fun involved, too.”

This year’s workshop presenters were invited to present, rather than submitting proposals to present at the conference. “This is the first time that the Jewish Deaf Congress has used this format for presentations, and it’s proving quite successful,” said Meranski. “With this approach, we are able to offer a wide gamut of workshops, many being offered for the very first time. People are already intrigued about how we can offer such classes in a large setting, yet maintain a sense of togetherness. And this will be accomplished without a doubt.”

One of the many presenters will be a representative from Abarbanel, a prominent Jewish kosher wine company in New York. Abarbanel has donated wines for the second time to the conference and the representative will conduct a wine-tasting class. Other presenters include Sarina Roffe, a professional genealogist and a mother of a deaf son who will teach the participants how to trace their family roots; Dr. Simon Carmel, a renowned award-winning deaf magician who will teach grandparents and friends Jewish magic tricks to show their children and grandchildren; and Charisse Heine, who will offer a unique class in alternative kosher cooking.

“We will also hold Orthodox and Reform/Conservative services on Saturday morning, and have a Sabbath luncheon after that,” said Jon Ziev, conference co-chair. “Saturday night, we’re very excited about Deaf magicians Steven Longacre and Greg Koppel doing their Deafinitely Magic! show. We know children and adults alike will be thrilled by the magic they see on stage. The magicians often throw in humor which never fails to bring a laugh or two, so it’ll be a great and fun experience for all involved.”

Updated and further information on conference activities are posted on the website at www. jdc2005.com. Registration may also be completed online.

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Labeling is Disabling:Achieving Congruent Communication (a sample article from Hodu. com-- Your Communication Skills Portal)

Labeling is Disabling:Achieving Congruent Communication (a sample article from Hodu. com-- Your Communication Skills Portal)

The time has arrived for parents and teachers to unlearn the language of rejection. This is a sample article from Hodu. com--Your Communication Skills Portal, and was written by the site's creator, Azriel Winnett. This increasingly popular Web destination helps people enhance their communication and relationship skills on all levels, in their business and professional lives, on the family front and on the social scene.

(PRWEB) January 29, 2004

A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by a town council of seven or eight members. The council normally met once a week. One member - let's call him Bill - would invariably stroll into the council chamber exactly ten minutes after the time scheduled for the meeting.

For Bill's fellow councilors, this seemingly inconsiderate practice was very disruptive. At first, since Bill was known to be an extremely busy professional, they were prepared to assume that he had been unavoidably delayed. But when history repeated itself meeting after meeting, they began to wonder..

Then one day, the sleepy little town was overtaken by a crisis, and the mayor asked his councilors to attend an emergency session - at 7 the following morning. And you guessed it - Bill turned up at 7:10 precisely.

This seemed to confirm the mayor's suspicion's that something more than unavoidable circumstances lay behind Bill's habitual latecoming. After the meeting he called over the offending councilman for a private chat.

To the mayor's surprise, Bill accepted the rebuke with good grace. Punctuality had never been his strongest point, he pleaded, and it had never dawned on him that his bad habit was upsetting everybody so. But from this point, he assured the mayor, he was a reformed man...

The day of the next council gathering came around, and sure enough, Bill was among the first to arrive.

"What's the matter Bill?" jeered one of his colleagues "Is your watch half an hour fast?"

"Surely, you were locked out of your house!" added a second, in a somewhat derisive tone.

Right until the end of his term of office, Bill was never on time for a council meeting again.

  *********

This is a story that actually happened, although I have changed some of the details.

Three or four decades ago, an educational psychologist by the name of Haim Ginott caused quite a stir when he suggested to parents and teachers that they try a new way of communicating with children. He urged them to unlearn the language of rejection - blaming and shaming, ridiculing and belittling, threatening and bribing - and to learn a new language of acceptance.

In his bestselling books, Ginott repeatedly wrote about the need for "congruent communication." By this, he meant that the way we communicate should be congruent, or consistent, with our objective.

What a pity that so much of our communication isn't!

We see this clearly from our story. Had his colleagues given Bill some badly needed encouragement in breaking a difficult habit, everybody would have come out a winner. But instead of drawing him near, they pushed him away.

Before taking up psychology, Ginott had been an elementary school teacher, first in Israel and then in the USA. But he was not happy, for he realized that his professional training had not equipped him well for the cold realities of the classroom. "I tried to teach my students to be polite," he complained, "and they were rude; to be neat, and they were messy; to be cooperative, and they were disruptive!"

What, then, was the problem?

Could it be, he apparently asked himself, that he was the problem?

Was he relating to his young charges correctly? Or was he, quite unwittingly, pushing them into them into the same corner into which Bill had been pushed by his colleagues on the town council?

How, he asked himself further, does a teacher react if a guest comes to her classroom and forgets her umbrella? Does he run after her and say: "What's the matter with you? Every time you come to visit you forget something. Next time, you'll forget your head! Why can't you be like your sister? She's a responsible person.."

For sure, he will say nothing more than "Here's your umbrella." That's it. But nobody knows why a teacher (or a parent) has to assume the role of a judge, or a prophet, when he or she is addressing a child.

A wise person knows that to label a person is to disable him. This applies especially in the case of young children, whose minds are like wet cement. The diagnosis may become the disease. A child may often live up to his parent or teacher's negative prediction.

But that's not all.

What do you do when feel you're the target of verbal abuse? Normally, you answer back. You give as good as you get. But what if you're powerless to defend yourself against one who insults or belittles you? At the very least, you'd try to immunize yourself against any further verbal barbs and stings. You'd begin to seal off your mind.

Labeling, or any kind of negative name-calling, is not only a way to make personal enemies. It is one of the deadliest enemies of communication itself. Through it - and I am choosing my words carefully - parents or teachers could lose their children forever.

We want to place our children in at atmosphere in which learning can thrive and creativity can flourish. We want them to prepare themselves for mature and responsible adulthood. We dare not shut the door in their faces.

"Fine," you might say, "but how do we do things the right way?"

It's a complex subject, but here's a simple

Illustration to keep you going.

In the best of schools, it sometimes happens that two classmates insist on striking up a conversation precisely when their teacher needs their undivided attention - for example, when he is about to assign homework. Here are two short sound bytes from two different schools.

Teacher A: "Shut up - or else! You guys belong in a reformatory."

Teacher B; "I need to assign homework now. I cannot do it unless there is absolute quiet!"

Who is the more effective communicator? You be the judge!

 ******

Copyright © 2004 Azriel Winnett

To use this article in your publication, please contact info@hodu. com for permission. This will usually be granted immediately.

For articles on building effective communication and relationship skills in everyday life, visit:

Http://hodu. com/effective-communication-skills-menu. html (http://hodu. com/effective-communication-skills-menu. html)

In this section of our site, instructive, high quality articles can be found in the following categories:

Assertiveness Skills Communicating With Your Children Enhancing Your Marriage Interpersonal Relationships Speaking Skills Writing Skills

For information about Azriel Winnett's popular

And provocative e-book: "How to Build Relationships That Stick", see:

Http://hodu. com/book. html (http://hodu. com/book. html)

Azriel will be happy to provide further information about his site and his writing and coaching activities.

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First and Only Free Contract Management Solution on the Web to be Released by WhyAbe. com at the Institute of Supply Management Conference in Las Vegas

First and Only Free Contract Management Solution on the Web to be Released by WhyAbe. com at the Institute of Supply Management Conference in Las Vegas

WhyAbe. com users now have free access to RFx, Reverse Auction and Contract Management.

Willow Grove, PA (PRWEB) April 18, 2007

As the first and the most respected supply management institute in the world, the Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is hosting the 92nd Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit in Las Vegas from May 6th to May 9th in Las Vegas. Source One in support of the ISM, is participating as a silver sponsor of the event. Source One will present its Contract Management enhancement to WhyAbe. com in the exhibit hall, booth 511.

WhyAbe. com offers free electronic commerce tools for buyers and sellers. With the addition of Free Contract Management users can now create a database of all of their active and expired contracts. New features allow the tracking of supplier information, contract amount, contract start and end date as well as the ability to add comments. The executed contract can be uploaded and attached to the contract summary data to provide the ability to access all relevant information about the contract in an instant. Ten different reports are provided so users can view active and expired contracts sorted by different variables.

With Contract Management, WhyAbe now has a complete suite of sourcing and management tools for procurement professionals. Users can manage their RFx's, conduct Reverse Auctions and track Contracts all on a single hosted web site. Extensive on line help is provided throughout the site as well as free live support.

On Monday, May 7th, Source One will host a dessert reception and will be speaking with procurement professionals that want to find out more about strategic sourcing services such as category management, spend consolidation, statements of work, alternate supplier identification, market and supply research, RFP management, price negotiations, and E-enablement (www. WhyAbe. com).

Source One has been at the forefront of supply chain transformation and enablement for the past 15 years assisting companies in strategic sourcing as a Procurement Service Provider. "During our history we have developed subject matter expertise and sourced over one hundred categories" said Steven Belli, CEO of Source One.

A small sampling of the categories that Source One has successfully sourced include: Advertising, Benefits, Chemicals, Direct Materials, Freight, Hardware, Insurance, Material Handling, MRO, Packaging, Small Parcel, Software, Telecommunications, Travel, Treasury Services, Uniforms, & Utilities. Clients average 18% savings across all product and service categories. In order to best service their clients, Source One provides flexible fee options for their consulting services. Clients can choose between contingency (gain sharing) based, fee for service or a hybrid. For more information, visit www. SourceOneInc. com or call 215-902-0200.

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ECELA Spanish School in Argentina Offers Students Opportunity to Work in Buenos Aires Free Health Fair

ECELA Spanish School in Argentina Offers Students Opportunity to Work in Buenos Aires Free Health Fair

Beginning in June 2010, ECELA will be offering its students the one-of-a-kind opportunity to participate in a Buenos Aires Health Fair while learning Spanish. This program will enable students interested in becoming health care professions to get hands-on experience in a Spanish-speaking environment while providing much-needed medical services to local residents.

(PRWEB) February 23, 2010

ECELA Spanish school in Argentina has announced a trailblazing program that will benefit not only its Spanish immersion students, but also Buenos Aires citizens who are in need and have not had the opportunity to receive proper medical attention and advice. Organized jointly with local community centers, the roving health fair will be in a different under-resourced barrio (neighborhood) each week, providing visitors free health education as well as screenings for potential medical issues like diabetes, skin cancer, and glaucoma.

Accepted participants will learn Spanish in Buenos Aires (http://www. ecela. com/loc_bsas. php) during the morning session and volunteer at the health fair in the afternoons. The month-long program, limited to 24 nursing, premed, and medical students, debuts in June 2010, with a second group of students in July. The fair offers ECELA Spanish students a rare opportunity to attend a Spanish school in Argentina while assisting impoverished Argentines with their medical needs. While ECELA (http://www. ecela. com/) is located in the posh, tree-lined Recoleta neighborhood, the fair will focus on the under-resourced industrial belt, a grim, low-income area which tourists normally only see from a comfortable taxi on the way to the airport.

In addition to the volunteer health care students, several Argentine medical professionals and students will be on hand. ECELA Regional Director Cecilia Quezada stated, “We are really looking forward to the cultural exchange that will be taking place at our health fair. This is an ideal opportunity for two communities to come together to support a common goal.”

Students will be able to get hands-on experience as they participate in providing the medical screenings to Buenos Aires residents. While ECELA has been offering clinical shadowing at its language schools for several years, the new program offers students a deeper level of immersion in the medical community while they learn Spanish in Buenos Aires. Ken Ingraham, President of ECELA, addressed the global benefits of the program, “We are excited about the health fair because we are not only providing to the local community here in Buenos Aires, but we are also helping the often overlooked Latin communities in the States. Students who take part in the program will go home prepared to converse with Spanish-speaking patients in emergency rooms, delivery rooms, and many other clinical situations.”

While this year's pilot program has a limited number of spots at the Spanish school in Argentina (http://www. ecela. com/loc_bsas. php), ECELA will expand the health fairs in 2011 to its locations in Chile and Peru. For information on how to apply for a spot in the Buenos Aries health fair, contact healthfair(at)ecela(dot)com.

About ECELA
ECELA operates Spanish schools in the South American countries of Argentina, Chile and Peru. ECELA instructs over 2000 students per year and the program’s students originate from over 30 countries. With 20 hours of small group classes per week, cultural activities and excursions, and the advantages of living in a Spanish-speaking environment, immersion students advance very rapidly. To learn more about ECELA’s programs visit the ECELA website. (http://www. ecela. com)

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Regent Releases Regent Enterprise Multi-Enrollment Version

Regent Releases Regent Enterprise Multi-Enrollment Version

First online delivery solution to automate financial aid management for multi-enrollment enterprises

Frederick, Maryland (Vocus) June 11, 2009

Regent Education, the leading provider of financial aid management (http://www. regenteducation. com/solutions) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for higher education institutions, today announced that its Regent Enterprise (RE) Financial Aid Management Solution now provides institutions with a single platform for processing all financial aid to support both multiple enrollment and payment periods.

"As a career college with 6 campuses and 3 individual PELL IDs, we have always struggled to find a financial aid solution that would allow us to effectively manage our nontraditional calendar," said Miria Batig, Corporate Director of Financial Aid for The Ohio and Illinois Centers for Broadcasting. "Regent Enterprises' multi-enrollment capabilities provide cohesiveness and clarity over our entire enterprise, allowing us to provide our term and non-term students with a solution that will eliminate the headaches and confusion of multi-enrollment financial aid packages."

Today, over 70% of undergraduate students take classes online, and with the growth in demand for online courses, every institution will now have the administrative capability to open and manage an online division and the ability to support unlimited starts and enrollments. Additionally RE provides support for cross registration. RE will evaluate and automatically apply the best financial aid package when federal rules allow flexibility over which year's estimated family contribution can be used.

"Over the past several years the proliferation of online delivery and other nontraditional initiatives has reinvented higher education," said Michael Ratti, Regent's CEO. "The innovation gap for admitting students has been a material barrier for institution's ability to deliver and manage nontraditional programs where every student enrollment represents a unique enrollment period. With Regent Enterprise, institutions now have the administrative backbone to support the delivery of any and all types of programs."

Key benefits include:
 Program specific definition - Ability to define program costs, length and academic requirements and associate it with a cohort of students based on their start date.  Multiyear packaging - Ability to view projected aid for an entire program of study.  Multi-enrollment processing in a single product - Whether students are non-term or a combination of term and non-term, financial aid can be processed on one platform.  Automatic term dates with crossover support - Completely automated progress monitoring and projections for term adjustments, including crossover support.  Guided R2T4 and automated re-entry - R2T4 "wizard" guides staff through the refund process, virtually eliminating compliance risk.

About Regent

Named Firm of the Year by the Tech Council of Maryland and a 2008 and 2009 CODiE Award Finalist for Best Postsecondary Enterprise Solution, Regent is a leading Software-as-a-Service provider of financial aid management software solutions with more than 30 years of industry experience. The company's web-based, easy-to-use solutions interoperate with any established student information system. Regent provides institutions with improved efficiencies, fewer errors, and enhanced services for students, equaling a positive return on investment within the first year.

Regent's management solutions are designed and built by and for members of the financial aid and enrollment management communities. Regent enables institutions to better craft and execute financial aid strategies. With its Student Self Service Portal, the company also offers 21st century access for students seeking financial aid information anytime, anywhere, from any device, in any language. For more information, visit: www. regenteducation. com.

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Free Online Courses For Nonprofit Professionals Offered

Free Online Courses For Nonprofit Professionals Offered

The International Alliance of Grant Writers and Nonprofit Consultants (IAOGWANC) announced today the availability of a series of nonprofit management courses that allows individuals to study at home, at their own pace.

(PRWEB) May 4, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free Courses For Nonprofit Professionals Offered By Alliance Of Grant Writers And Nonprofit Consultants

WASHINGTON D. C. -- (PRnetwire) -- May 3, 2001 -- The International Alliance of Grant Writers and Nonprofit Consultants (IAOGWANC) announced today the availability of a series of nonprofit management courses that allows individuals to study at home, at their own pace.

Because the program is new, the Alliance is offering the general public a chance to test a sample course free of charge. Access to all courses is available for a $25 membership fee, plus cost of the study guide. Instruction is provided until a passing grade is given on the module.

"The first step is free, fast, and individuals can study from their own homes," said Mike Parker, Alliance director. "The courses are taught using a voice lecture technique and study guides and case studies are also available for most of the courses."

AVAILABLE ONLINE COURSES INCLUDE:

CNC Designation, which includes profit planning, nonprofit law, marketing, board and public relations, financial and human resources management, and more. CGA Designation, which includes finding and writing grants, desktop publishing and writing styles, nonprofit ethics, and more. Employee communications -- external communications, public relations, program management, marketing, ethics, grant reviewing, letters of support, and web-based funding sources, among others A telecourse on A-21: An Office of Management and Budget Circular is also offered.

Several Nonprofit Management University Certificate Programs are also offered, including:

The Certificate in Grantsmanship, which has a national focus featuring successful writers and foundation representatives as presenters. A Certificate in Nonprofit Entrepreneurship. A Certificate in Volunteer Leadership and Administration. Development Director Certificate.

"We are excited to be able to offer such a wide range of courses and certification programs," said Parker. "The Alliance provides support for grant writers, consultants and the independent sector. Its goal is to lead grant writers, nonprofit consultants, nonprofit organizations, employees and volunteers in providing top-notch services"

"This is the perfect opportunity for consultants and grant writers to educate themselves in all aspects of the nonprofit sector. These are also great refresher courses for those who are already working in a nonprofit capacity."

ABOUT THE IAOGWANC

The International Alliance of Grantwriters and Nonprofit Consultants (IAOGWANC), formerly known as the National Association of Grantwriters and Nonprofit Consultants or NAOGWANC, is an international support network for grantwriters and nonprofit consultants.

Our mission statement is to represent all grantwriters and nonprofit consultants, large and small; those well-established and those just starting up; as well as those in all fields of the nonprofit effort: social service, education, and health.

More information on the courses can be found online at http://www. iaogwanc. org (http://www. iaogwanc. org)

CONTACT:

Michael Parker, CEO IAOGWANC

Mike@iaogwanc. org

202-777-2643 EXT 4867

Url: www. iaogwanc. org

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Laurel Springs School Virtual Open House: Building a Strong Foundation for a Successful School Year

Laurel Springs School Virtual Open House: Building a Strong Foundation for a Successful School Year

Laurel Springs hosts Fall 2009 Virtual Open House for families interested in online learning for kindergarten through high school

Ojai, CA (Vocus) September 10, 2009

Laurel Springs School, the accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, hosts a virtual open house on September 16 and again on October 21, 2009 at 5pm Pacific Standard Time.

The Laurel Springs School Virtual Open House (http://familycenter. laurelsprings. com/virtual-open-house. html) will inform families about homeschooling their own students through a distance learning program. Parents will be able to ask questions directly to the staff from the comfort of their own homes with a computer and Internet connection. Marilyn Mosley Gordanier, founder and executive director of Laurel Spring School said, "We'd like to help families build a strong foundation for a successful school year. Whether a student is a college-bound highschooler or a grade school student, a Laurel Springs virtual open house will answer all your questions about homeschooling through our accredited distance learning program."

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

Laurel Springs Virtual Open House (http://familycenter. laurelsprings. com/virtual-open-house. html) participants will learn about:
The Laurel Springs Philosophy & Mastery-based Learning How Distance Learning Works Laurel Springs Teacher Services Student Learning Styles Laurel Springs College Prep Curriculum College Placement Services Our Learning Management System - Aurora Parent Support & Resources Laurel Springs Community

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

Event Details:
September 16 and again on October 21, 2009 at 5pm Pacific Standard Time.

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

About Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School, founded in 1991, is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Located in Ojai, California Laurel Springs serves students across the United States and in 43 countries. Current enrollment is 3,000 students, with more than 2,000 students enrolled in the online college prep high school program. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience. Laurel Springs offers gifted and talented students an alternative to traditional schools and an opportunity to become part of a thriving online community.
Www. laurelsprings. com

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ACW Insurance Group Announces the Launch of New Digital Marketing Campaign

ACW Insurance Group Announces the Launch of New Digital Marketing Campaign

ACW Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency located in Honolulu, Hawaii, is proud to announce the launch of their new website and digital marketing campaign.

Honolulu, Hawaii (PRWEB) January 15, 2010

ACW Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency located in Honolulu, Hawaii, is proud to announce the launch of their new website and digital marketing campaign.

ACW Insurance Group has partnered with Astonish Results, LP, a digital marketing and training company for the insurance industry, to create a new online marketing campaign. The Astonish Results marketing strategy has been implemented by ACW Insurance Group to help the agency find and keep new customers. Featuring a "Virtual Insurance Office" and "Virtual Insurance Agent", ACW Insurance Group is confident that its new system will better meet the needs of its clients.

ACWhawaii. com was created to make the online experience of insurance shopping easier. The site is divided into clear categories, making it simple for an insurance shopper to visit ACWhawaii. com, find the type of insurance they are looking for, and gain a better understanding of their policy options. If you have questions about the type of insurance you may need, ACWhawaii. com has a "Frequently Asked Questions" page you can visit for answers. ACW Insurance Group's new site even offers a "Free Online Rate Quote" form that the insurance seeker can fill out in just a few moments of their time.

ACW Insurance Group provides customers with various lines of both personal and business insurance coverage in Honolulu, Oahu and all of the Hawaiian Islands as well as many Western States including California, Arizona and Nevada. Their new virtual insurance office, aims to provide easy and secure insurance shopping. ACW Insurance Group believes that "Protecting Your Future" should be one of the most important factors in your insurance decisions. It is ACW Insurance Group's hope that the new ACWhawaii. com will provide its clients with an entertaining, educational and enjoyable insurance shopping experience.

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"Andy's Amazing Ambulance Ride" Thrills Kids, Combines Safety Education With Interactive Fun

"Andy's Amazing Ambulance Ride" Thrills Kids, Combines Safety Education With Interactive Fun

"Andy's Amazing Ambulance Ride" Thrills Kids, Combines Safety Education With Interactive Fun Community Safety Net Funding, Volunteer Efforts Bring "Andy" To Life

Williams County, OH (Vocus) April 25, 2009

Ambulances are usually associated with emergency response, not prevention. But thanks to full-time Emergency Medical Technician Mike Fox and his sidekick — a little robot named "Andy" — it's the other way around for kids in Williams County, Ohio.

Five years ago, a community effort enabled the Williams County EMS to purchase an educational robot from a specialty robotics manufacturer in Utah. The unit was further customized, and “Andy The Ambulance” was born. Its main goal is to visit schools and educate kids on topics like bicycle safety, swimming, and especially seatbelt safety.

While many safety educators are hard-pressed to keep the attention of young children during a basic lecture, "Andy" has no such problem. Thanks to his flashing lights and sirens, moving eyes, motion, and ability to speak in a modulated voice, "Andy" captivates youngsters wherever he goes. A backstage operator using a lined in microphone can actually let "Andy" interact with his audience in a fun and engaging fashion.

The robot's growing popularity led Mr. Fox to the idea of building a larger model that would allow kids to actually climb in through Andy's back door and pretend they're an EMT driving an ambulance. Armed with funding support from Community Safety Net, Mike and a team of volunteers set out to construct a bigger version of "Andy".

The finished product is nearly the size of a real ambulance and can hold up to eight children. It consists of a tubular frame and a form fitting cover designed to look like the original "Andy" robot. The new model has a back door that opens, as well as seats with seatbelts, steering wheels, and a radio. A 42-inch flatscreen television represents the windshield and is used to display short videos that feature an animated version of "Andy" delivering safety tips, plus a simulated driver's viewpoint. The ride's platforms is fitted with springs and an automatic vibrator synched with the videos to replicate vehicle movement.

"Andy's Amazing Ambulance Ride" was unveiled last fall at the local county fair to rave reviews. Hundreds of kids got to experience the ride, and also received a gift bag containing safety-related coloring books and stickers. Some parents even sat in and learned about the job of an EMT. While the ride's video focuses on the role of an Emergency Medical Technician, the theme will be rotated over time, to keep the ride fresh for repeat visitors.

The ride is showcased at county fairs, in school classrooms, and at regional shopping malls. "Little Andy" hasn't been forgotten, either. The original robot is utilized alongside the bigger version, to maximize the number of kids who can participate at a time.

"I'm a paramedic and I love my job, but I like to expand and do some other things, too. We see a lot of preventable incidents out there. If you can reach one kid and help prevent one injury because they listened to you and took your advice, then that makes it all worthwhile," said Mr. Fox. "The new Andy robot has been very helpful in reaching children, and I'm very appreciative toward Community Safety Net for the generous funding they provided to help me and my team of volunteers complete this rewarding project."

"It's individuals like Mike who make this world a better place. His dedication to helping keep children safe is truly commendable and we are very proud to have helped support him in this worthwhile project. 'Andy the Ambulance' is a wonderful tool for educating kids, and we at CSN are very pleased to have Mike and the Williams County EMS as a partner in safety," said Corey DesJarlais, National Safety Director at Community Safety Net.

Community Safety Net is a family-run, values-oriented publisher that produces a series of highly regarded safety resources created especially for kids. To date, more than three million children in Canada and the U. S. have benefited from CSN materials. To reach CSN, please call 1.800.665.4878.

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The Kazakhstan Investment Forum 2008--"The Gateway to Investing in Central Asia"

The Kazakhstan Investment Forum 2008--"The Gateway to Investing in Central Asia"

The Forum, organized by Institutional Investor, is a continuation of the popular country meetings we are regularly asked to produce. With our sponsors and partners we shall bring together US investors and Kazakhstan's prominent politicians to discuss the offerings this resource rich country has.

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 16, 2008

* The Kazakhstan Investment Forum, organized by Institutional Investor, promises to be another influential information gathering event for US investors. With H. E. Karim Massimov, Prime Minister or the Republic of Kazakhstan opening the Forum via live video conference and BTA bank, one of the future eastern investment banks looking to capitalize on the recent void created on Wall Street, giving a press conference and 1-1 interviews, the forum brings together Institutional Investors and Government officials to shed light on the best opportunities available.

For more information please visit http://www. iiconferences. com/KIF. html (http://www. iiconferences. com/KIF. html) or contact Julian Johnson at 212.224.3004 or jjohnson @ iiconferences. com.

Sponsors for the events include:

Forum Partners:
Embassy of Kazakhstan, USA
BTA Bank
Lancaster Group
Visor Capital

Forum Co-Sponsors:
Bracewell & Giuliani
Capital Partners

On Thursday, September 18 at 9:15 am, Institutional Investor will be organizing a special press briefing entitled, Reality Beats Rumors, focusing on the financial/banking sector in Kazakhstan and how the leading Kazakh banks have been reacting to the credit crisis. With the briefing moderated by Marilen Cawad, News Editor at Institutional Investor magazine, top executives from BTA Bank will be available to take questions from the attending press and offer insight into how BTA Bank and its competitors are handling the current crisis.

The Forum features Kazakhstan's most prominent government and regulatory officials, financial intermediaries, and industrialists. To mention a few, the official Kazakh delegation to the Forum includes

Featured Kazakhstan Government Speakers:
H. E. Karim Massimov, Prime Minister, Republic of Kazakhstan
Erlan Idrissov, Ambassador to the United States, Republic of Kazakhstan
Danica R. Starks, Senior Desk Officer/Policy Advisor, Caucasus and Central Asia, U. S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Market Access and Compliance Unit, Office of Russia, Ukraine & Eurasia, U. S. Department of Commerce
Gulmira A. Makhmutova, Chief Executive Officer, Samruk Invest
Erlan Idrissov, Ambassador to the United States, Republic of Kazakhstan
Galymzhan Pirmatov, Vice Minister of Economy and Budget Planning, Republic of Kazakhstan
Arken Arystanov, Chairman, Regional Financial Centre of Almaty City
Galymzhan Pirmatov, Vice Minister of Economy and Budget Planning, Republic of Kazakhstan
Murat Daribayev, Chairman, Committee of Industry, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Republic of Kazakhstan
Aygul Amirzhanova, Head, Directorate of Investment Policy, Department of Innovative Investment Policy, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Republic of Kazakhstan
Asem Nusupova, Vice Minister of Health, Republic of Kazakhstan
Alzhan Braliev, Vice-Minister of Environment Protection, Republic of Kazakhstan

Featured US Private-Sector and Government Speakers:
Alan Glatt, Partner, Alpha Equity Management, LLC
Gary Mueller, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, tInstitutional Investor
Sarjeev Singh Sidhu, Global Head of Emerging Markets, Aegon USA
Yusuf Sarimsakci, Managing Director, Capital Partners
The Honorable Bijan R. Kian, Member, Board of Directors, Export-Import Bank of the United States
Ariel Cohen, Ph. D., Senior Research Fellow, International Energy Security/Russian and Eurasian Studies, The Heritage Foundation
Dr. Vladimir Kvint, President, International Academy of Emerging Markets, Chair, Department of Financial Strategy, Moscow State University, Member, Bretton Woods Committee, Author, The Global Emerging Market: Strategic Management and Economics
Ayuhan Nogayev, Chairman, Kazakhstan Engineering
George R. Hoguet, CFA, FRM, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager and Global Investment Strategist, State Street Global Advisors
Nurlan Kapparov, Chairman, Lancaster Group
Roman Solodchenko, tChairman of the Management Board, BTA Bank
Gregory J. Vojack, Managing Partner, Central Asia, Bracewell & Giuliani
Roman Solodchenko, tChairman of the Management Board, BTA Bank
Don Elefson, Portfolio Manager, Harding Loevner
Anvar Saidenov, Chairman, National Bank of Kazakhstan
John B. Chambers, CFA, Managing Director, Chairman, Sovereign Ratings Committee, Standard & Poor's
Robb L. Tretter, Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani
Yusuf Sarimsakci, Managing Director, Capital Partners
David E. Short, Senior Counsel, Trade & International Affairs, FedEx Express
Robert Parisi, General Manager, GE Transportation
Askar Zhumagaliev, Chief Executive Officer, Kazakh Telecom, JSC
Gani Uzbekov, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Kazyna
Siddique Khan, President, Lancaster Infrastructure
Michael Carter, Chief Executive Officer, Visor Capital
Jason Hurwitz, Director, Financial Sector Research, Visor Capital
George Iosifyan, Member of the Board, BTA Bank
Roman Solodchenko, Chairman of the Management Board, BTA Bank
Anvar Saidenov, Chairman, National Bank of Kazakhstan
Alan Glatt, Partner, Alpha Equity Management, LLC
Anvar Saidenov, Chairman, National Bank of Kazakhstan
Atul Patel, Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer, Compass Asset Management
Jonathan P. Gill, Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani
Rodney Lake, Investment Analyst, Office of the Chief Investment Officer, George Washington University
Maksat Kabashev, Chief Executive Officer, Investment Fund of Kazakhstan
Darius Daubaras, Fund Manager - Private Equity, Tau Capital plc
Nurlan Kapparov, Chairman, Lancaster Group
Siddique Khan, President, Lancaster Infrastructure
Jeffry R. Haber, Ph. D. , Controller, Commonwealth Fund
Leila Kulbayeva, Senior Analyst, Mining Sector, Visor Capital
Erlan Sagadiev, Chairman, Zere Group of Companies, President, University of International Business
Erlan Kozhasbay, President, Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The Kazakhstan Investment Forum, with its theme "The Gateway to Investing in Central Asia," is to be attended by over 250 international direct and portfolio investors Topic headlines include "U. S. Government Support for Doing Business in Kazakhstan", "Identifying and Analyzing the Opportunities: Kazakhstan's Investment Climate and Economic Prospects", "The Evolution of Kazakhstan's Financial Sector and Capital Markets" and "A Sectoral Review of the Opportunities in Kazakh Industry -- An Emphasis on Diversification", "The Role of the Domestic and Global Private Markets in Kazakhstan" and "The Continuing Jewel in the Crown: The Extractive Industries".

Organized by Institutional Investor Conferences, The Kazakhstan Investment Forum is a continuation of the in depth country analysis meetings we are regularly requested to arrange.

For more complete information on the conference, visit us online at http://www. iiconferences. com/KIF. html (http://www. iiconferences. com/KIF. html).

Journalists wishing to attend should contact Julian Johnson at 212.224.3004 or jjohnson @ iiconferences. com.

About Institutional Investor Conferences
Institutional Investor's conferences and membership organizations offer the best-known and most highly respected professional programs for senior executives in the world today.

With audiences drawn from the upper echelons of management at the world's leading corporations, financial institutions, pension funds, non-profit organizations and government agencies, the programs provide uniquely effective forums for professional education and business development worldwide and excellent opportunities to increase contact with professional peers.

The company has been organizing meetings for more than 30 years and each year manages more than 50 events in countries around the globe. The full-time staff of more than 50 people represents one of the largest organizations dedicated solely to developing, organizing and conducting conferences, meetings and tours.

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Oahu Native Receives National Medical Research Fellowship

Oahu Native Receives National Medical Research Fellowship

Oahu native and Harvard medical student Kara Wong received one of five Satcher Research Fellowships to research obesity in Native Hawaiians. Wong describes her research and discusses her plans for the future.

Washington, D. C. (PRWEB) October 4, 2006

Satcher Fellowship recipient and Oahu, Hi. native Kara Wong, 23, has been busy since she won her fellowship. Wong and four other Student National Medical Association medical student members received grants to research obesity or other ethnic health disparities in line with former Surgeon General David Satcher, M. D.’s “Healthy People 2010” initiative established in 2000. Since Satcher’s announcement, SNMA and Pfizer have partnered to fund the Satcher Fellowship, which provides a stipend to SNMA members who wish to research ethnic health disparities and who applied for the fellowship.

Wong, a Kaneohe native, is a second year student at Harvard School of Medicine. Wong returns home during breaks in school, and plans to return to Hawaii permanently after graduation to practice medicine. Wong won the research fellowship by presenting a proposal to research the environmental factors affecting obesity in Native Hawaiian communities.

Wong’s research focus is to discover why Native Hawaiians as an ethnic group are prone to disproportionately high rates of obesity. Wong’s research investigates three different communities on the island of Oahu; one with a high Native Hawaiian population and two others with moderate and small Native Hawaiian populations.

“This research project has been really good for me because it suits what I would like to do with my life after medical school. I plan to return to Hawaii to continue work on issues affecting Native Hawaiian health,” Wong said.

Wong hypothesizes that in communities with a high Native Hawaiian population, environmental factors, in this case limited access to exercise facilities and an over abundance of fast food outlets is contributing to Native Hawaiian obesity.

Dr. Marjorie Mau, Chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health at the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, is Wong’s mentor as she researches in Hawaii.

“Dr. Mau has helped me design my research protocol,” Wong said. “We meet regularly to discuss my progress.”

Wong will present her research at Student National Medical Association’s 42nd Annual Medical Education Conference, April 4-8, 2007 in San Francisco, Calif. The theme of this year’s conference is “Achieving Wellness: Building Bridges to the Future”.

For more information about Wong’s research or the Satcher Fellowships, please contact Melanie Sollid at (202) 882-2881.

About the SNMA:

Founded in 1964 by medical students from Howard University School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College, the Student National Medical Association is the nation’s oldest and largest, independent, student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Organized with more than 130 chapters across the nation, the SNMA membership includes more than 6,000 medical students, pre-medical students and physicians. Visit www. snma. org for more information.

Contact:

Melanie Sollid

Student National Medical Association

Publications & Marketing Manager

(202) 882-2881

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Shopping with Kids this Holiday Season? Read These Safety Tips from Wander Wear Before You Go

Shopping with Kids this Holiday Season? Read These Safety Tips from Wander Wear Before You Go

Child Safety Expert Provides Vital Tips for Holiday Season When Shopping and Traveling with Children in Public Places - Survey Reveals that Children Accidentally Wander Most Frequently at Malls and Stores

Ashland, MA (PRWEB) December 22, 2006

Wander Wear Inc. (www. wander-wear. com), a parent-run company focused on education and products that prevent children from getting lost, announces practical, informative tips when shopping this holiday season.

As any parent knows, it only takes the few seconds during a stressful holiday mall visit for your child to wander off while you hand the sales clerk your debit card. It is frightening for both parent and child even if it is only for a few minutes. Wander Wear Inc. has developed the following tips garnered from years of research, survey results, and work with police departments and agencies. The tips are easy for parents to keep children safe this busy holiday season:

1. Make sure each child has your cell phone number on them in a visible, secure place - It is too hard for little ones to remember and find a meeting place in a big mall. Putting your cell number in a visible place makes it easy for someone to contact you to reunite you if you do get separated.

2. Teach children to seek out another mommy if they need help - Mommies are easy to find and are eager to assist. Even children as young as 2 can identify another mommy.

3. Dress kids in bright yellow or green - You'll be able to see them more easily in crowded place. Other people can more easily help you if needed.

4. Carry a recent photo of each of your children - On the back, put the child's height, weight, hair and eye color. Note any distinguishing marks, if they are one of multiples, or if the child has any special needs.

5. Remind children not to wander off; Congratulate them if they do well - You can practice this every time you go out -- whether out to the supermarket or mall -- positive reinforcement is the best teaching tool.

6. If you lose a child, find a store employee immediately - Many stores have a specific lost child procedure. If you suspect the child is in danger, call 911.

7. Celebrate a reunion - Don't yell at the child if they get lost because if it happens again, the child may choose to stay lost -- it's better than being yelled at again.

Wander Wear conducted a survey of parents regarding their experiences with accidental wandering. The survey revealed that parents recall an episode of temporarily losing their child in a mall or store more often than any other venue (45%) - places where droves of families will be visiting this holiday season. The Wander Wear survey also found that most parents don't do anything to prepare themselves or their children for the chance of an accidental wandering incident when they visit a crowded venue such as a mall (43%). Despite expert advice from agencies specializing in child safety to include a safe form of contact information or ID on a child, only 9% of parents indicated that they do this.

Wander Wear CEO and founder, Alyssa Dver, noted, "When a child gets lost, even for a few seconds, parents and children panic and do not think clearly. The child will seldom remember a specific phone number or any other information that can be used to assist them. Typically, the parent runs around screaming the child's name. This not only prevents the parent from hearing the child, but it also broadcasts the child's name and the fact the child is lost to potential nearby child predators. Using our tips, parents can easily educate themselves and their children so they can be reunited quickly and safely."

While holiday shopping is stressful enough, shopping with kids can be the ultimate scary experience. Seven out of ten children will get lost at least once in their lives and parents report that the mall is the most common place1. When a child wanders off, they can be injured, traumatized, or in the worst case, abducted. With so much to think about and do during the busy holiday season, these tips can help give you at least a little peace of mind.

About Wander Wear

Wander Wear™ Inc.'s (www. wander-wear. com) mission is to prevent children from getting lost. With over 90% of families affected, Wander Wear strives to keep families safe when visiting public places such as malls, amusement parks, beaches and airports. As a parent-run company, Wander Wear offers affordable and easy-to-use accessories and apparel that support expert tips and advice for effective lost child prevention.

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Mr. Bones Featured on National Geographic Channel's DogTown, Now Starring Member of Maryland Family

Mr. Bones Featured on National Geographic Channel's DogTown, Now Starring Member of Maryland Family

Here's a different kind of Veteran's Day story. Perfectly wonderful old dogs are turned into shelters every day for being "too old," or they lose their home another way and are overlooked for adoption in favor of puppies. But at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, there has been evidence of a heartening trend which seems to be sweeping the nation: more and more 'senior citizen" dogs and cats are getting adopted as people realized the many advantages of adopting a senior pet. Here is one such happy story. Thanks to a featured role in the hit National Geographic Channel series, "DogTown," an elderly dog who could not get along with dogs -- or any other animals -- finds true love and a home of his own after 13 years at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Kanab, Utah (Vocus) November 10, 2008

For 13 years Mr. Bones was a legendary figure at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, but he couldn't persuade anyone to take him to a home to call his own. After one night of fame, however, he finally found a family that loved his "goofy grin" and wanted to share their lives with him.

Sharon Sowada of Ellicott City, Maryland, saw Mr. Bones in episode of "DogTown," the National Geographic Channel television series that chronicles Best Friends' work with abused, neglected and homeless dogs. She and her sister came to visit the sanctuary and made a point of meeting Mr. Bones. She had no idea she'd fall head over heels in love with the guy.

Sharon considers herself a cat person, but Mr. Bones changed all that with the first sleepover. From the moment she met him, she was smitten. She said there was something about the goofy grin he gave her. Her original plan was to take a different dog each night on a sleepover, but that's not how it worked out. By the end of her stay, she knew she wanted to adopt him.

"I told him I was coming back in October and he was coming home with me," Sharon said.

October is an auspicious month in Mr. Bones' life. He came to Best Friends in October 1995 from Puerto Rico. An undercover DEA agent saw a stray female dog sharing what little food she had with a bone-thin dog. Seeing this act of kindness touched the agent so much that she decided to trap them both. She called the skinny dog Bones, and the female dog, Negrita.

The agent called Best Friends for help. There happened to be a rare opening at sanctuary, located in sourthern Utah, and soon the pair of pups were living happily at Best Friends. Negrita settled in just great before finding a home, but Mr. Bones started to become aggressive toward other dogs, even Negrita. He had to live alone, away from other dogs.

Throughout the years, however, Mr. Bones' popularity grew. He was declared the sanctuary's Sleepover King because visitors loved taking him on overnight stays.

Unfortunately, it wasn't easy for him to find a permanent home because he couldn't get along with other animals.

Sharon has both cats and dogs, but after falling in love with Mr. Bones she returned to Maryland and totally renovated the the top floor of her home. Mr. Bones lives upstairs, the other animals are downstairs. He will never have contact with them, not even when he goes on walks.

When the time finally came to take Mr. Bones home, Best Friends caregivers and fans were excited. The "Jersey Girls," a group of three women from the Garden State who each year visit Best Friends, have always made Mr. Bones their number one stop. They even have T-shirts with his picture on them that say, "Mr. Bones fan club." Wanting to help Mr. Bones get started in his new life, the ladies decided set up a donation fund and within 28 days raised $3,150 for him.

By the time Sharon rolled out of town, she had come to realize just what a celebrity she had adopted. There were congratulatory signs everywhere. "Mr. Bones has left the building!" was a favorite.

The best, though, happened as Sharon and her sister tried to leave town. They stopped for lunch in Best Friends' hometown of Kanab, where random strangers already knew all about Mr. Bones and were thrilled to learn he'd been adopted. On the way to his new home, Mr. Bones was perfect. Now, Sharon says she and her husband can't imagine how they ever got along without him, and quickly adds, "You can't have him back."

Best Friends Animal Society: A better world through kindness to animals.

Contacts:
Barbara Williamson (435) 644-2001 ext. 4808 or 435-689-0200 (cell), barbara @ bestfriends. org

John Polis 435-644-2001 ext. 4858 (office) or 435-817-2980 (cell), johnp @ bestfriends. org

About Best Friends Animal Society

Located on 3,700 acres in Kanab, Utah, Best Friends Animal Society operates the country's largest sanctuary for homeless animals and is home, on any given day, to about 2,000 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. Best Friends works globally with animal shelters and rescue groups to bring about a time when there will be no more homeless pets. Best Friends advances initiatives nationwide that promote community approaches to making the world a better place through kindness to animals, which includes adoption, spay-neuter, and humane education programs. Best Friends is the home of DogTown, a National Geographic Channel television series that chronicles the society's ongoing work with dogs.

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ICOGNITO RAISES $3.1 MILLION TO EXPAND ITS NEXT GENERATION CONTENT FILTERING SOLUTIONS GLOBALLY AND RECRUITS VETERAN EXECUTIVE ISABEL MAXWELL AS CEO

ICOGNITO RAISES $3.1 MILLION TO EXPAND ITS NEXT GENERATION CONTENT FILTERING SOLUTIONS GLOBALLY AND RECRUITS VETERAN EXECUTIVE ISABEL MAXWELL AS CEO.

ICognito raises $3.1 million, in a round led by Bumberg Capital, to expand its operations and enhance r&d of its next generation dynamic internet content filtering solutions.

(PRWEB) September 15, 2003

Company will use funds to expand sales and marketing activities in the U. S. and Europe as well as to enhance R&D operations.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA and PETAH TIKVA, ISRAEL – September 15, 2003 -

ICognito, a leading Internet content filtering provider that sells its unique Artificial Content Recognition (ACR) solutions in the Enterprise, Education and ISP markets, announced today that the company has completed a round of new financing led by Blumberg Capital and including Garage Technology Ventures and a strategic investment from Hitachi Ltd.Â’s Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) unit.

"iCognito’s next generation dynamic content filtering solutions clearly trump existing database products", said Bruce Taragin, Partner at Blumberg Capital. "iCognito’s PureSight ™ product line is much easier to maintain, delivering lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) with greater accuracy than existing solutions. In addition, we are pleased that Isabel Maxwell has joined as CEO, bringing her knowledge and successful experience building enterprise software companies.”

ICognito's PureSight™ products dynamically classify the ever-changing Internet in real-time, enabling corporations to quickly increase employee productivity and schools and parents to easily define and manage Internet access policies. PureSight is available as packaged software or integrated with leading networking and security appliances through partners and resellers worldwide. Key partnerships include: France Telecom, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, and Sun Microsystems. Leading ISPs in Europe and North America also provide PureSight as a “parental control” feature including: iVillage Access in the U. S., 1 & 1 in Germany, and France Telecom and IONET in France.

SC Magazine has awarded Puresight its highest honor, calling it an “amazing product. . .With intelligent content filtering and sophisticated bandwidth management. . . ,” The editors gave Puresight top scores for ease of use, performance, documentation, support and value for money, earning it the coveted “Best Buy” rating in March 2003.

"iCognito's new investors bring valuable support and contacts to the company, and I appreciate their vote of confidence in me to help take iCognito to the next level" said Isabel Maxwell, CEO of iCognito. "The secure content management market is proven and growing rapidly worldwide, and I believe iCognito is now well positioned to compete hard and win."

For more information on iCognito and its solutions, please visit http://www. icognito. com (http://www. icognito. com)

About Blumberg Capital

Blumberg Capital is a classic, early-stage venture capital firm in Silicon Valley investing in enterprise software and security infrastructure companies. Blumberg Capital invests in entrepreneurs with original ideas that are founded on deep technology expertise that enhance enterprise productivity. Blumberg Capital is an active investor and strives to create long-term value through its investments.

About Garage Technology Ventures

Garage Technology Ventures, formerly Garage. com, is a venture capital investment bank that provides private placement and advisory services for high technology companies and investors. Garage Technology Ventures serves companies in the telecommunications, semiconductors, infrastructure, software, and wireless sectors that seek to raise between $2 million and $15 million in a first or second institutional financing round. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Garage Technology Ventures maintains corporate offices in Boston, MA and Herzelia, Israel. In the Southeast, Garage works in alliance with Lanta Technology Group, LLC of Atlanta, GA, and has representatives in other locations, including Seattle, WA, Southern California, and Austin, TX.

About Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 340,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2002 (ended March 31, 2003) consolidated sales totaled 8,191.7 billion yen ($68.3 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services.

About iCognito

ICognito, Inc. is a leading provider of advanced Internet filtering management solutions for the Enterprise, Education and ISP markets, enabling a more productive and safer Internet experience.

ICognito minimizes the total cost of ownership for its customers by eliminating the need for costly database subscription fees. The Company’s flagship family of products, PureSight™, features proprietary technology, Advanced Content Recognition (ACR™), that dynamically analyzes and classifies Internet content in real-time to ensure complete coverage of the constantly changing Internet environment. PureSight is available as packaged software or integrated with leading networking and security appliances through partners and resellers worldwide. Key partnerships include: Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Sun Microsystems, and leading ISPs in Europe and North America including, France Telecom, iVillage Access and 1&1.

For more information about iCognito, please visit www. icognito. com

Or e-mail info@icognito. com.

ICognito and iCognito Technologies and the iCognito logo are registered trademarks of iCognito Inc. iCognito, PureSight and ACR are trademarks of iCognito Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

U. S. Contact: ZeÂ’ev Rozov, email: zeev. r@icognito. com, tel: +1/415 271-5520

International Contact: Sheryl Sitman, email: sheryl. s@icognito. com, tel: +972/ (0)3 921-9838

"Groove in the Grove" Free Public Concert and Gala to Benefit AIDS Memorial Grove

"Groove in the Grove" Free Public Concert and Gala to Benefit AIDS Memorial Grove

Many musicians are coming together in San Francisco to raise funds and public awareness about the fact that AIDS is still a problem. There is an urgent need to educate young people about AIDS given the fact that over fifty percent of new HIV infections occur in people under the age of 25--half of these cases are the result of heterosexual contact. Many AIDS service organizations still desperately need volunteers, donors, and help getting information out to the public, in spite of a huge cut in funding. The AIDS Memorial Grove's two day event

(PRWEB) May 16, 2004

Media Contacts:

Gina Gatta, 415.577.0404

Maria Moyer-Angus, 510.384-4604

Materials and photos available at www. aidsmemorial. org

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The National AIDS Memorial Grove will present its spring fundraising gala, Groove in the Grove, on Friday evening, May 21, 2004 from 7:00 to 11:00p. m.

The event will be held under a tent erected for the occasion, in The Meadow at the seven-acre memorial in Golden Gate Park. Roberta Gonzales of CBS 5 will emcee the evening’s activities, which include a silent auction of donated items from local designers including a smoky topaz necklace by Federico de Vera and performances by Lori Carsillo and The Nick Rossi Set, and featured performer––talented singer, songwriter, and pianist, Spencer Day.

In keeping with the Grove’s tradition of creating a unique atmosphere for its annual gala, this year’s Groove in the Grove will use music and décor to transport guests to a jet-set supper-club in the sleek, post-modern sixties, where the style of James Bond meets Austin-Powers mod.

Grove in the Grove continues on Saturday, May 22, 2004, with a free public concert in

The Grove from 11:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. featuring Jacqui Naylor (last month's Vogue magazine called her "the new voice of jazz-pop" and JazzTimes called Jacqui "the next big thing. . with electricity and songwriting that is Joni-Mitchell good"). Top Bay Area performers, will

Provide a mix of todayÂ’s best (Jazz, Pop and R&B) sounds. Also performing are Shotgun

Wedding, Katie Jay and Eoin Harrington. Local AIDS service organizations will be onsite at

Saturday’s concert with information about their programs and volunteer needs. Saturday also marks the public “unveiling” of the Grove’s first permanent educational feature––an AIDS timeline recently installed at the new Belvedere Overlook. Funding for the Belvedere Overlook was provided by Macy’s Passport ’02, American Express Company and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. “The timeline sets the social and political context while the AIDS epidemic developed and it helps ensure that lessons learned, as a result of this tragedy, are not lost to future generations,” says executive director Rick Pavich. In contrast, he adds, “. . . this gala and concert helps us remember the laughter and joy our loved ones

Brought into our lives and not just sadness surrounding their deaths.”

The National AIDS Memorial Grove honors all those whose lives have been touched by AIDS. The project strives to provide a positive focus for grief and promote peace of heart; to provide means for the community to recognize the enormity of the AIDS crisis; to create a

Place for remembrance, hope and renewal; and to restore, through community participation in

The public-private partnership, a historic site of outstanding beauty in Golden Gate Park.

Tickets for FridayÂ’s Groove in the Grove are $150 per person. To purchase tickets, get

More information about this event, or for general information about the National AIDS

Memorial Grove please call 415-750-8340.

Information and a mail-in ticket purchase form are also available on the GroveÂ’s website at www. aidsmemorial. org. All proceeds from the event

Will benefit the National AIDS Memorial Grove, a project of the Tides Center, and will be used

For the ongoing care and maintenance of the Grove.

Special thanks to Event Underwriter, Wells Fargo, and to our Media Sponsors CBS 5, the San Francisco Chronicle, and A&U Magazine for their generous support of Groove in

The Grove.

Written Materials and photos are available at www. aidsmemorial. org

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Enagic USA Launches New Corporate Website

Enagic USA Launches New Corporate Website

In response to growing demand for Enagic's proprietary Kangen Water®, Enagic USA has officially released a new corporate Enagic USA website.

Havelock, NC (PRWEB) February 16, 2010

In response to growing demand for Enagic's proprietary Kangen Water®, Enagic USA has officially released a new corporate website at http://www. enagic. com (http://www. enagic. com). The website comes as part of expanding marketing efforts for Kangen Water®. Using state-of-the-art internet technologies, the high-end website will help maintain the high standards that Enagic is known for. Features include search engine friendly marketing, global accessibility, cross-platform compatibility and ease-of-use. The site includes detailed information about Enagic USA, the benefits of Kangen Water®, technological data, and an online store.

Kangen Water®, known for its health benefits, is produced through advanced water ionization machines developed by Japanese scientists at Enagic International. The machines are widely used throughout homes in Japan, as well as in Japanese hospitals, where Kangen Water® is officially recognized as a medical device. Made with the highest-quality components, Kangen Water® machines filter toxic contaminants such as lead and chlorine out of drinking water, without losing healthy minerals like calcium. The machine also ionizes water through the use of titanium electrode plates dipped in platinum. The ionization process creates highly alkaline Kangen Water®, which counteracts the effects of too much acidity in the modern diet. Kangen Water® is a powerful antioxidant, and is used both in fighting disease and in improving general health. Because of the significant health benefits of Kangen Water®, Enagic machines are growing quickly in popularity in North America.

North American growth has been assuered through the efforts of My Kangen Power, Enagic's distributor support system in the United States. The new website for Enagic USA was developed by Flying Man Productions, the creators of https://mykangenpower. com (https://mykangenpower. com). My Kangen Power provides support for thousands of North American distributors. MyKangenPower. com offers marketing assistance through personalized lead generation websites, educational websites, a virtual back office, and business training. My Kangen Power also offers award-winning customer service.

Enagic's new corporate site will be updated regularly with new information. Check http://www. enagic. com (http://www. enagic. com) for updates and more company and product information.

John C. Stevenson
Http://www. mykangenpower. com (http://www. mykangenpower. com)
718-784-2110

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Black Conservatives Praise Bill CosbyÂ’s Remarks on Parenting

Black Conservatives Praise Bill CosbyÂ’s Remarks on Parenting

ComedianÂ’s Comments Over Past Few Months Has Done More for Black Families Than Years of Black PoliticiansÂ’ Blustering, Say Project 21 Members

(PRWEB) September 12, 2004

Members of the black leadership network Project 21 applaud comedian Bill Cosby for his continued and steadfast demands for better parenting in the black community. The entertainer began his current criticism of modern childrearing in Washington, D. C. in May during an observance of the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education court decision. He most recently spoke up on September 8 during a panel discussion on education hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

In his September 8 remarks, Cosby criticized parents who believe children “can be managed by cell phone… My call is for more, tighter reins. Know what your children are doing.” Dispelling popular excuses of racism and hardship, Cosby added “there is nothing that will defeat parenting” and “I know a victim when I see one… but some victims you can look at and say ‘Get up.’”

“Cosby's comments amount to plain and simple common sense,” said Project 21 member Michael King. “While parents have a responsibility, too many have shirked it, leaving television, school teachers and the streets to raise their youngsters. Thanks to popular culture, we have more violent and more disrespectful children who have never learned what my own parents called ‘home training.’ Our so-called leaders are reluctant to say anything about this until now because they are obviously more concerned with their own self-aggrandizement. After all, it's so much easier to say nothing than take the harder road and do what's necessary to move everyone forward.”

After Cosby’s remarks in May, Project 21 member Kevin Martin and research associate Tom Florip co-authored a commentary praising Cosby’s willingness to challenge the black establishment. “Bill Cosby, You Say the Darndest Things,” which can be found at http://www. nationalcenter. org/P21NVMartinCosby604.html (http://www. nationalcenter. org/P21NVMartinCosby604.html), points out how black comedians — by being blunt about the problems in the black community — are doing more to promote positive change through comedy than black leaders. Martin and Florip wrote: “By abdication, it has fallen to comedians to hold a mirror to our black communities. By refusing to acknowledge real problems, the ‘leaders’ dropped that mirror, shattering the dreams of many still trapped — by choice or circumstance — and unable to take advantage of the benefits past civil rights leaders won for them.”

Project 21 member Wendell Talley said: “Cosby brings to the forefront an issue no politician will touch. With more black men seemingly matriculating through the penal system than the education system, I sincerely hope the Congressional Black Caucus uses his remarks as a spur to honestly address the horrendous condition of the black family, with an eye towards promoting individual accountability instead of playing the blame game.”

Project 21, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, has been a leading voice of the African-American community since 1992. For more information, contact David Almasi at (202) 371-1400 x 106, e-mail Project21@nationalcenter. org or visit Project 21's website at http://www. project21.org/P21Index. html (http://www. project21.org/P21Index. html).

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The Garret Introduces 'On-demand' for Business Publications

The Garret Introduces 'On-demand' for Business Publications

The Garret has today launched a service to reduce the cost and risk of producing business publications. The London-based company provides editorial and design services combined with advanced publishing and print on-demand technology to deliver an end-to-end production and fulfilment solution.

(PRWEB) March 18, 2006

The Garret has today launched a service to reduce the cost and risk of producing business publications. The London-based company provides editorial and design services combined with advanced publishing and print on-demand technology to deliver an end-to-end production and fulfilment solution. The service allows organisations to ensure that their materials are always up-to-date and only printed and delivered when required. The service is available immediately for the UK, with US and European capabilities to follow shortly.

“The value of many business publications begins to diminish as soon as they are printed. In areas where things change frequently -- such as training and education or software development -- printed material can become obsolete quickly leaving the organisation with unwanted stock,” says Iain Plunkett, marketing director of The Garret. “By creating publications on-demand, we allow them to be updated as required. There is no need to take a risk on inventory so you can make more of your publications budget.”

The company provides a range of services enabling organisations to select only services they need or to outsource the entire publication process. These include:

Editorial and copywriting services Graphic design services Production and publishing services On-demand printing and fulfilment Ecommerce and transaction management services

Integrated publishing and ecommerce engines are at the heart of The Garret’s service. The publishing engine creates templates -- uniquely designed for each client -- to develop and deliver a wide range of corporate, academic or professional publications. The ecommerce engine can deliver a new channel to market that can be integrated with an organisation’s own website to produce a seamless customer experience.

The Garret is one of the first organisations to employ print on-demand technology to deliver an end-to-end publication service to businesses. By offering a complete creation, print and fulfilment solution, the company allows organisations to outsource their requirements while retaining control of quality and cost.

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VisionEdge Marketing Celebrates its Ten Year Anniversary with Ten Hours of Free Access to its Searchable TIPS Database

VisionEdge Marketing Celebrates its Ten Year Anniversary with Ten Hours of Free Access to its Searchable TIPS Database

To commemorate its 10 year anniversary, VisionEdge Marketing, the data-driven, metrics-focused strategic and product marketing firm opened its searchable TIPS database that contains thousands of items covering numerous marketing topics on Monday, June 15th. For 10 hours, all registered users of the website, even those without a TIPS membership, were given free access. VEM hopes their tools such as TIPS and their workbooks will help marketers offset the findings from the annual Marketing Performance Measurement study which continues to find that executives and marketing professionals remain dissatisfied with marketer's abilities with data analytics, measurement and process skills. VisionEdge Marketing was founded in 1999 firmly committed to honing the skills of marketers, particularly in the areas of marketing measurement, effectiveness, and accountability, and to enhancing the discipline of marketing.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) June 15, 2009

Sunday, June 14, marked VisionEdge Marketing's (VEM) 10 year anniversary, and to commemorate the milestone the data-driven, metrics-focused strategic and product marketing firm opened its searchable TIPS database that contains thousands of items on numerous marketing topics on Monday, June 15th. For 10 hours, all registered users of the website, even those without a TIPS membership, received access.

"Our eighth annual marketing survey continues to show that both management and marketers are not satisfied with competencies essential to improving marketing performance, namely data analytics, measurement and process skills. Making the database available is completely in line with our company's commitment to honing the skills of marketers, particularly in the areas of marketing measurement, effectiveness, and accountability, and to enhancing the discipline of marketing," said Laura Patterson, president, VisionEdge Marketing. "We hope people who accessed the database found at least one good idea to put into practice right away that will help them be more successful in their careers and their marketing endeavors."

It is this commitment to the discipline that sparked the idea for conducting research in the area of marketing measurement and effectiveness. For the past 8 years VisionEdge has brought to the industry its annual Marketing Performance and Measurement Report, which when first launched filled the void in the area of marketing metrics and analytics. The ongoing research provides insight into trends and best practices. To further knowledge sharing and best practices, VisionEdge also has an open database of case studies and published works offered at no charge.

The company has published three books over the past 10 years. The first book, Gone Fishin' (2001) was a huge success, and to keep up with demand was converted to an eBook and can be purchased in the VEM Store. Measure What Matters (2004), VEM's second book subsequently sold out after being called "a gem every marketing CEO and professional should have on their bookshelf."

The third book, Marketing Metrics in Action: Creating a Performance-Driven Marketing Organization (2009), enables any company to commence a marketing measurement initiative or take an existing effort further. In keeping with the organization's philosophy of improving marketing, Laura Patterson participates in numerous educational conferences and seminars across the country. Most recently, she spoke about how to effectively communicate the value and impact of your Marketing effort and measure the impact strategy is having on the organization, at MarketingProfs' Annual Business-to-Business Forum in Boston.

Over the last 10 years VisionEdge has helped countless organizations make their marketing more effective, measure the impact of their marketing on the organization, and enabled enterprises to make better fact-based decisions. One of the things VEM customers greatly appreciate is it takes an analytical and fact-based approach to marketing that is grounded in well-defined, repeatable methodologies that produce measurable results. Notable clients include: Southwest Airlines Cargo, BAX Global, ING, Motion Computing, Tektronix and many more. Customers rely on VEM for aligning sales and marketing to improve opportunity development and management, defining new product/service strategies and market segments designed to attract, retain and grow the value of customers, developing and implementing marketing effectiveness and measurement programs that connect marketing to the business and transform it into a performance-driven organization.

Please see the VisionEdge Marketing site, www. visionedgemarketing. com, to see a more complete list of customers, to access articles and case studies, to order Gone Fishin' or Metrics in Action and to become a TIPS member.

VisionEdge Marketing is a certified National WBE and Texas HUB.

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Luxury Real Estate Firm in Cambria California

Luxury Real Estate Firm in Cambria California

Luxury Real Estate Firm in Cambria California joins the growing Sotheby's International Realty® Franchise Network - Barnes & Associates Real Estate Affiliates with Luxury Real Estate Organization -

Parsippany, NJ, and Cambria, CA (PRWEB) October 8, 2007

Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates, Inc. today announced that Barnes & Associates Real Estate in Cambria (http://cambriaestate. com) has joined the Sotheby's International Realty® luxury network. The firm, which will now do business as Barnes & Associates Sotheby's International Realty, will have access to exclusive marketing products and business resources designed to help market their clients' properties to a global audience of well-qualified buyers. The firm is based in Cambria, Calif., and is owned by Michael R. Barnes.

"California continues to be a highly desired place for Sotheby's International Realty clientele and we are pleased that our services will be offered in Cambria and surrounding areas of the central coast," said Michael R. Good, president & CEO of Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates, Inc. "Michael Barnes is an extremely talented broker and the luxury real estate services that his firm provides are a great addition to our growing international network."

"Our firm strives to provide the best possible results for our clients, and this affiliation will help us provide an even higher level of service," said Michael Barnes. "We now have access to additional resources to attract more buyers to our clients' properties, and the prestigious Sotheby's International Realty name will help generate more listings for our agents. Our local real estate market attracts many clients from outside the area, and this affiliation is a tremendous competitive advantage."

Sotheby's International Realty® brokers benefit from networking and referral opportunities with other affiliates located in more than 300 offices around the world. The network's inventory of property listings, currently comprised of more than 13,000 properties, are each advertised with the Sotheby's International Realty® name and marketed on the sothebysrealty. com global Web site.

Barnes & Associates Sotheby's International Realty is located at 743 Main Street in Cambria. The firm specializes in finer homes of many California central coast communities, including Cambria, San Simeon, Cayucos, Morro Bay and other areas within San Luis Obispo County. For additional information, visit the firm's Web site at basothebysrealty. com or call (805) 927-1200.

About Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates, Inc.
Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby's International Realty® network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. In February 2004, Realogy Corporation (then Cendant Corporation), the world's leading real estate brokerage franchisor, entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BID; LSE: STBA). The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty® name and the development of a full franchise system by Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates, Inc., a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation (NYSE: H), the world's largest real estate franchisor. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates, Inc. supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable, 260-year-old Sotheby's auction house. For more information, visit sothebysrealty. com.

Barnes & Associates is proud to feature the 6 bedroom, 6 bath, 10,000 sq. ft. Cambria luxury estate; The unique Leffingwell Ranch Estate of Cambria:
The extraordinary Victorian Estate is perfectly situated on a unique 142 acre parcel. The home affords 180 degree views of the Pacific Coast in San Luis Obispo County and is set on top of a hill and blanketed with a forest of Monterey Pines. The land is rich with history and the estate epitomizes California coastal living at its finest.
Kitchen (http://cambriaestate. com/kitchen. php) | Privacy (http://cambriaestate. com/privacy. php) | Loft (http://cambriaestate. com/loft. php) | Stairs (http://cambriaestate. com/stairs. php) | Amenities (http://cambriaestate. com/amenities. php) | Elegance (http://cambriaestate. com/elegance. php)

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Pinching Pesos in the Riviera Maya: Top Tips for Budget Travelers from MayanHoliday. com

Pinching Pesos in the Riviera Maya: Top Tips for Budget Travelers from MayanHoliday. com

The editors of MayanHoliday. com offer their suggestions for the top inexpensive ways to get the most out of a vacation to Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and the Riviera Maya.

Playa del Carmen, Q. Roo, Mexico (PRWEB) February 17, 2006

Traveling on a budget? The editors of MayanHoliday. com, a news and information site covering Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, have put together a list of the area's top free and fun activities.

The first tip is to take advantage of the free salsa dancing lessons offered at the La Bodequita del Medio restaurant in the Paseo del Carmen Mall, on the southern edge of the town square in Playa del Carmen. A few blocks south of the mall, and along the beach, are the Xaman-Ha Mayan ruins. They are easily accessible from the road or the beach and they are free to explore.

A great activity for families on any beach vacation is to build a sandcastle. For families visiting the Riviera Maya, this traditional activity can take on a fun twist by building castles in the shape of Mayan ruins. The pyramid of Chichen Itza is a great model to follow, with its pyramid shape and tiny steps going up the sides.

Nature lovers will want to take special note of the next two tips. The first one is to get up early to watch the sun rise over the Caribbean. Some people like it even more than watching a sunset and since the beaches of the Riviera Maya face east, it's your best chance for taking pictures of the sun just above the Caribbean. Another good natural activity is to walk along the interpretive nature trail at the back of the parking lot of the Las Palapas hotel, located at 38th Street and the beach, also in Playa del Carmen. On the way back to town, stop by the park across from the municipal building and learn to count in Mayan from the educational displays along the walkway.

At meal times, travelers are reminded to take advantage of the free appetizer/drink coupons offered by many restaurants along Quinta Avenida in downtown Playa del Carmen. After dinner, don't miss the chance to watch the fire dancers perform their nightly show on the beach of the Blue Parrot bar at 11pm or at the next-door El Pirata bar at midnight.

One of the editors' favorite tips is to join the locals for a street party in Cozumel, complete with live music, which is hosted each Sunday evening in the island's town square.

For the complete list, check the Mayan Holiday website located at http://mayanholiday. com (http://mayanholiday. com).

About MayanHoliday. com:

MayanHoliday. com is a leading provider of online news, travel tips and reservations for investors, vacationers and destination enthusiasts. It covers the area's hotels, restaurants, nightlife, tours and recreation.

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Indebted Americans Spend 3.5 Hours a Day Worrying About Debt

Indebted Americans Spend 3.5 Hours a Day Worrying About Debt

10% of Those in Debt Expend 10+ Hours Per Day Worrying About Repayment.

Norwalk, CT (PRWEB) June 29, 2010

Forty-five percent of Americans claim they are in debt -- and those in debt worry about repayment 3.5 hours a day, on average. In fact, 10% claim they worry about debt 10 or more hours every 24 hours. The results are from the U. S. Consumer Study on Debt (http://www. debtplan. com/media/docs/Debt%20Report. pdf)* commissioned by DebtPlan. com and fielded by Survey Sampling International.

When asked: "On average, how many hours per day do you spend worrying about debt?" the results are as follows:

10 hours or more 10%
4-10 hours 11%
1-3 hours 54%
Zero hours 25%

The study also revealed that of those in debt, just 47% choose one of the following options to indicate they have a plan to get out of debt:
 I am working with a financial advisor on the best way to get out of debt.  I am enrolled in a program that sets up a plan to get out of debt.  I created a household budget myself and have built a plan to get out of debt.  I am working with a debt consolidation/management/settlement program to get out of debt.

According to Carrie Coghill, Director of Consumer Education for DebtPlan. com, "Debt can freeze you in your tracks. It's an emotional, consuming issue -- where many consumers don't know what to do or where to start. If a person can afford to make minimum payments to creditors, they can plan their way out of debt. It won't be painless and easy, but it can be done."

Ms. Coghill advises consumers in debt to consider every option before using methods like debt consolidation, debt settlement or bankruptcy. These methods can severely damage your credit report and score. (http://www. freescore. com)

Plus, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing remains on your credit record for 10 years, making it difficult to get credit. It can also affect your ability to get a job. A 2009 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 60% of employers check credit histories for at least some of their job candidates.**

About DebtPlan. com

DebtPlan. com (wwwDebtPlan. com) is a secure, personalized online debt management tool to help you manage and reduce debt. With DebtPlan. com, you control debt rather than debt controlling you. DebtPlan’s Personal Debt Wizard creates a custom plan in minutes to shorten payoff time, reduce interest paid, and start tracking progress as you pay down debt. DebtPlan. com shows you how to become debt free with your current income. Unlike other debt options, DebtPlan. com does not damage credit. DebtPlan. com is a service of FreeScore LLC. For more information, go to www. DebtPlan. com, or call toll-free at 1-800-211-3096.

*The data for The U. S. Consumer Study on Debt were collected and analyzed in April/May 2010 through Survey Sampling International in Shelton, Connecticut. Results have a margin of error +/- 5%.

**In November 2009, SHRM conducted a comprehensive survey that looked at background checking on job candidates. The survey explored the primary reasons that organizations conduct background checks, the categories of job candidates that organizations conduct background checks on, and other related topics. http://www. shrm. org/Research/SurveyFindings/Pages/default. aspx (http://www. shrm. org/Research/SurveyFindings/Pages/default. aspx)

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M. V.Diabetes Specialities Centre

M. V.Diabetes Specialities Centre

M. V.Diabetes Specialities Centre (P) Ltd, was inaugurated on September 1, 1991, india, chennai, Our hospital motto towards excellence in diabetes care, advanced research in diabetes and diabetes treatment

(PRWEB) July 23, 2003

M. V. diabetes hopital is the best diabetes hospitals in india and provide the total diabetic care, diabetes education in india,

Diabetic treatment and also we are the world's first ISO 9002 certified diabetes centre.

Dr Mohan and Dr Rema Mohan felt the need for an exclusive diabetes research foundation to do original research work with the excellent infrastructural facilities, this resulted in the setting up of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in the heart of the city

NLBWA - Atlanta Encourages Latina Entrepreneurs to Shatter the Glass Ceiling

NLBWA - Atlanta Encourages Latina Entrepreneurs to Shatter the Glass Ceiling

The National Latina Business Women Association (NLBWA) - Atlanta Chapter invites Latina entrepreneurs and other interested individuals to their inaugural Taste of Success Breakfast Series sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, on Thursday, January 22, 2009, from 7:30 - 9:00 AM at LIME Taqueria & Tequila Bar in Smyrna. Atlantans will have the opportunity to get first-hand information on success from Natalia Franco, Vice President, Global Marketing and Innovation with The Coca-Cola Company, The McDonald's Division.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 21, 2009

The metaphorical glass ceiling is still a reality. Statistics regarding women in business have not changed much in 30 years and women account for only 15.4 percent of Fortune 500 corporate officers; 14.6 percent of Fortune 500 board members; furthermore, 8 percent of those in top-paying corporate jobs, according to Susan Colantuono, mentor, development coach, and founder of Leading Women.

The Atlanta Chapter of NLBWA is launching the first of their quarterly "Power Breakfasts" on January 22, 2009 and will feature guest speaker, Natalia Franco, Vice President, Global Marketing and Innovation with The Coca-Cola Company, The McDonald's Division. Franco joined The Coca-Cola Company in August 2006 coming from a very successful career at General Mills. With no working knowledge of the beverage business, Natalia has quickly built alliances with key McDonald's and Coca-Cola executives to drive alignment behind Marketing and Innovation areas of strategic focus for both companies to drive future growth.

"We are excited to have Natalia Franco share her success story with NLBWA. Each woman who has struggled to shatter the glass ceiling and succeeded offers not only hope to other women, but valuable insight into strategies and tactics for success that work," said Lily Z. Winsaft, Chairman of the Board for the NLBWA - Atlanta Chapter.

Online registration for the NLBWA Power Breakfast featuring Natalia Franco is open to all; members may attend this event at no charge and non-members for $25.00. Attendees may register at the door, if space permits, but pre-registration is recommended.

In addition to the Taste of Success Breakfast series, the NLBWA will launch their Think-To-Inc.® workshop series, a step-by-step analytical approach to critical business planning. The workshop will consist of six consecutive three-hour sessions highlighting important considerations when starting a new business. For more information about upcoming events and programs with the NLBWA, interested persons may visit the association's website at http://www. nlbwaatlanta. com (http://www. nlbwaatlanta. com).

The National Latina Business Women Association is a non-profit organization whose mission it is to promote, develop, and support the rapid growth of Latina business owners and professionals through education and networking. All meetings are open to the public. NLBWA - Atlanta mailing address: 860 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 140-207 Atlanta, GA 30342.

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Formerly Homeless, Magician on A Mission to Motivate

Formerly Homeless, Magician on A Mission to Motivate

Homeless and broke in 1990, Richard Saldan slept on beaches and in boiler rooms. Now a motivational speaker and master magician, Saldan takes his “Motivational Magic” programs to associations, corporations and colleges. “These programs literally change lives,” says Saldan. “When people see doves appearing a few feet in front of their eyes, you have seized their attention and they want to listen to everything you have to say. By using magic as a teaching tool, I can effectively sell the action steps I want them to take to improve their circumstances in life.”

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 5, 2006

Homeless and broke in 1990, Richard Saldan lived in constant fear, turmoil, and hopelessness. He slept on beaches and in boiler rooms. Each day was a struggle for survival, not only for food and shelter, but for emotional well-being and personal dignity. By 1998, Richard had completely turned his life around and was hired by a New York-based financial firm to create a technology education department from scratch. Once penniless, he began earning a six-figure income.

Now a motivational speaker and master magician, Saldan created, “Motivational Magic”, a program that combines motivational teachings with professional stage magic and illusions. Saldan takes his Motivational Magic to professional associations, corporations and colleges. When traveling, he looks for homeless shelters and nursing homes in the area, and offers to come bring his programs there for free to inspire their residents.

“These programs literally change lives,” says Saldan. “When people see doves appearing a few feet in front of their eyes, you have seized their attention and they want to listen to everything you have to say. By using magic as a teaching tool, I can effectively sell the action steps I want them to take to improve their circumstances in life.” Saldan states he customizes his presentation for his corporate clients, gearing the messages to inspire the audience to take steps that will help managers achieve monthly goals. “For some companies, they bring me in to influence their sales force to be out making more cold calls. For other companies, they want an inspirational message on teamwork.” He uses his stage magic in all of his presentations.

In his various roles as a trainer or speaker, Saldan has received excellent ratings and feedback from employees at Prudential Insurance, AT&T, Peco Energy, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Prime Bank, the City of Philadelphia, Lord Abbett, Magee Rehabilitation Center, Neumann Hospital, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises and others.

Saldan states he has one of the world’s largest motivational websites. It offers more than 8,000 articles on leadership, communication and other inspirational topics. It has a chat room, an ebook library, motivational e-cards, news feeds, and a collection of motivational books and tapes.

Learn more about Motivational Magic online at: www. MotivationalMagic. com

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