Entertainment & Media News

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Texas Rolls Out the Silver for New Mexico's Largest Winery

The 2008 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ International Wine Competition has awarded Southwest Wines (formally known as New Mexico Wineries Inc.) an amazing 10 Silver medals for the New Mexico winery in one competition. The fifth annual International Wine Competition tastings were held in November and featured wines from Texas, across the United States, and around the world. The Roundup and Best Bites Wine awards were presented on Presidents Day evening, Monday, Feb. 18th on the floor of the legendary Reliant Astrodome in Reliant Park.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) February 19, 2008

When Baron Philippe de Rothschild famously said, "To develop character, great wines must go through great hardship.... there must be suffering to produce it," he was not thinking of Southwest Wines vineyards in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Yet the high altitude summer sun of the Winery's 180 acres would do the Baron proud. The grapes' suffering is tempered by the cool New Mexico nights... Florent Lescombes, vice president of the family-owned Southwest Wines, that runs the St. Clair Winery and tasting room east of Deming, NM, says, "The main thing I've learned about grapes in 25 years is that vines are like people, they like the heat but also like to have some cool downtime."

Southwest Wines produces multiple brands and won the following Silver medals in this years competition: DH Lescombes - 05 Cabernet Sauvignon and Imperial Kir (Natural Raspberry infused sparkling wine), with 'Special Awards' in Silver category: DH Lescombes 06 Chenin Blanc (Silver Reserve Medal) and DH Lescombs 06 Chenin Blanc (Silver Reserve Champion). The St. Clair brand won Silver awards for the 06 Petit Verdot, 06 Reserve Mourvedre, and Bellissimo. The Blue Teal brand won a Silver award for its 06 Muscat Canelli. Southwest Wines also produces what they call their "fun wines" which also took Silver award medals for the Plum Loco and Summer Peach wine brands.

"Receiving acknowledgements for our wines in competitions like this show distributors and large retailers that wines from New Mexico have come a long way in recent years... the most common comment we get at tastings and large events now is 'Wow, this wine is from New Mexico? It's delicious!'" says Sarah Hixon, sales representative at Southwest Wines.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c-3) charity, benefiting youth, supporting education and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions, support and presentation. Since 1932, the Show has committed more than $220 million to Texas youth! The support of the community, including media outlets in Houston, is a major reason for its success in helping Texas young people. Southwest Wines is proud to help support their efforts.

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

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Easter Seals Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day, Hosting Series of Community Forums to Identify Needed Services and Supports for Families

Easter Seals is shining the spotlight on its services for individuals living with autism, and sharing the results of Easter Seals Living With Autism Study to provide a roadmap for the services and supports that families living with autism desperately need.

New York, NY (Vocus) April 2, 2009

Easter Seals (http://www. easterseals. com) is shining the spotlight on its services for individuals living with autism, and sharing the results of Easter Seals Living With Autism Study (http://www. easterseals. com/site/PageServer? pagename=ntlc8_living_with_autism_study_home&autologin=true) to provide a roadmap for the services and supports that families living with autism desperately need.

"World Autism Awareness Day provides Easter Seals with an opportunity to help raise awareness about autism services and treatments available to families today and a forum for sharing what we knows about effective interventions with others in countries around the globe," says James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. "There are a number of wonderful organizations researching and seeking a cause and cure for autism. Easter Seals is unique as the nation's leading provider of services and support for children and adults living with autism."

Parents of children with autism are struggling with a host of worries that impact every aspect of their lives, and are particularly fearful that their family will lack the life-long supports needed to address the significant challenges of autism, according to a new study released in December 2008 by Easter Seals and made possible by MassMutual Financial Group.

Autism is a growing public health crisis, with families desperate for solutions and resources. Easter Seals and others in the autism community are doing their best, but current systems, structures and resources to help people with autism and their families do not adequately meet the growing need, especially for adults with autism.

Easter Seals Living With Autism Study Confirms Parents Fears
Easter Seals' Living with Autism Study results reveal parents raising children with autism are very concerned about the future independence of their children. In fact, they're far more concerned than parents of typically developing children - nearly 80 percent say they're extremely or very concerned about their children's independence as an adult, compared to only 32 percent of other parents. This is especially true when it comes to their financial independence, quality of life, social and inter-personal connections, and employment and housing opportunities - and with good reason.

"The study quantifies what we've heard anecdotally over the years," says Patricia Wright (http://autismblog. easterseals. com/posts-by-author-do-not-delete/?author_id=10), Ph. D., MPH, Easter Seals national director, autism services. "The one consistent message Easter Seals hears from the families we serve - after the initial apprehension and anxiety of learning their child has autism - is an overwhelming concern about the life-long supports their child with autism may need."

Over the last 20 years, Easter Seals has seen a dramatic increase in the number of children and adults with autism the organization serves. Today, as many as one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism* - that's a new diagnosis every 20 minutes - making autism more prevalent than Down syndrome, childhood diabetes, and childhood cancer combined.

Critical Need for Services (http://www. easterseals. com/site/PageServer? pagename=ntlc8_whyES)
Every family living with a person who has autism faces unique challenges. Early detection and intervention are the essential first steps.

"There is an urgent need for increased funding and services - especially for adults with autism," adds Williams. "We want to help change all of this and make a difference for families living with autism today."

Autism Is Treatable
While autism is a lifelong disability, it is treatable. "People living with autism--at any age--are capable of making significant progress through personalized interventions and therapy; and, can and do lead meaningful lives," says Wright.

A basic rule for treating autism is the earlier the intervention, the better. If parents are worried their child may have autism, they should follow their instincts, share their concerns with their pediatrician, contact their early intervention system, get a diagnosis, and seek help from service providers such as Easter Seals. Autism is a lifelong spectrum disorder that affects each individual differently and in varying degrees - getting the right help at the earliest stage of life can help a child gain the skills he or she needs to be successful.

Easter Seals + Autism
More than a generation ago, Easter Seals was front and center during the polio epidemic, working tirelessly to help children and adults with polio gain the skills necessary to live independently. And now, Easter Seals is working internationally to provide help, hope and answers to families living with autism today by delivering personalized services and treatments, as well as advocating with government to encourage financing for research and improved access to services and supports for people with autism.

Visit www. actforautism. org to learn more about autism, read the findings of Easter Seals Living with Autism Study, and find services at an Easter Seals near you. Help Easter Seals change the lives of people living with autism by becoming a donor or volunteer.

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For nearly 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www. easterseals. com.

About Ability First Australia
Ability First Australia was formed in 2002 when the following state-based organisations agreed to join forces to better meet the needs of children and families living with disability. The founding organizations are Cootharinga Society of North Queensland, MontroseAccess, Queensland; Northcott Society of New South Wales, Novita Children's Services, South Australia; Rocky Bay Inc, Western Australia; and St. Giles Society, Tasmania. Member organisations offer an impressive profile of services, supporting 47,000 Australians with a disability and their families nationwide. A combined workforce of 3,000 employees and annual combined operating costs in excess of $82 million support the complex needs of the individuals who receive services from Ability First Australia members. In addition, more than 3,000 Australians volunteer their time and expertise each year to assist member organisations to achieve their goals. Visit http://www. abilityfirstaustralia. com. au (http://www. abilityfirstaustralia. com. au) to learn more.

About Easter Seals Canada
Easter Seals Canada has served Canadians with disabilities for more than eighty years. More than 100,000 Canadians and their families annually access programs and services provided by Easter Seals organizations across Canada. Easter Seals services include summer camp and active living programs, respite facilities, and the provision of specialized mobility and access equipment. For more information: www. easterseals. ca

*United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007

Contact:
Kristen Barnfield, Easter Seals
312-551-717

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Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba Receives Diversity Award

The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) has been recognized for its achievements in workplace diversity. Last night, the WCB was awarded a Silver HR Leadership Award by the Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba (HRMAM) that recognizes the organization’s work in order to “successfully promote cultural awareness, employment equity, and multiculturalism.”

Winnipeg, MB (PRWEB) March 18, 2006

“The WCB strives to have our workforce reflect the cultural makeup of the province we serve,” says Rob Campbell, Director of Human Resources. “We support diversity through a number of ongoing projects, such as holding cultural awareness workshops, and having a dedicated Diversity Specialist on staff.”

The HR Leadership Awards are designed to showcase companies that have successfully demonstrated leadership in HR programs or service by creating, developing and implementing initiatives that have resulted in significant and measurable benefits to the organization.

The WCB has undertaken a number of measures that support the goal of having an open-minded and diverse workforce. Primary among these was the creation of a joint Employment Equity committee which has developed education and communications strategies, launched an accessibility audit, and conducted a workforce survey to determine additional opportunities.

“This award is an endorsement of the WCB’s diversity initiatives, and the steps we have taken, and continue to take, to become a community leader,” says Doug Sexsmith, President and CEO. “Supporting a diverse environment at the WCB compliments our vision and supports the WCB’s five-year stewardship goal of providing a safe, healthy, respectful and diverse workplace.”

Along with Diversity, the awards ceremony, which took place at the Delta Hotel, recognized best practices in a number of other categories, including Organizational Development, Employer of Choice, Business Impact, and Innovation. In receiving an HR Leadership Award, the WCB was honoured along with other industry leaders from the public and private sector.

The HRMAM Excellence in Leadership Awards were announced at a ceremony on March 15, 2006 at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel.

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Quantum Receives $1 Million from the U. S. Department of Education to Develop Artificial Intelligence Tutoring and Assessment Software for Science

Quantum Simulations, Inc., a developer of artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, assessment and professional development software has received a $1 million grant from the U. S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to develop new tutoring and assessment software for chemistry.

PITTSBURGH, PA (PRWEB) March 14, 2007

Quantum currently offers 14 software modules covering introductory chemistry and applied mathematics. The additional grant funding will allow Quantum to develop additional new tutoring and assessment modules and further expand its content offering for high school, AP and college-level students.

"Building a solid foundation in the core sciences is crucial for careers in the scientific, medical and technical fields and helps students develop the critical problem solving skills needed in all areas of learning," states Dr. Benny Johnson, Quantum's President and CEO.

Scientifically proven to increase test scores by as much as 50 percent, the Quantum Tutors are accessed over the Internet and allow students to receive one-on-one tutoring when an instructor isn't available to help or answer questions. Just like working with a human tutor, students can receive help on ANY problem, ask questions, view detailed explanations of each step in a problem and request hints.

With the Quantum Assessment Advisors, students have access to comprehensive self-assessments with drill-down detail and tutoring instruction on the specific skills and concepts needed to improve future test scores. For the teacher, the Advisors eliminate the administrative time, human error and fatigue associated with grading homework, tests and quizzes by hand while receiving in-depth analysis and reporting on class performance and actual student work.

"As the former Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U. S. Department of Education, the cognitive learning approach of the Quantum Tutors is by far one of the most advanced and effective educational tools I've seen for self-directed tutoring, homework help and test preparation," comments Susan Patrick, President and CEO, North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL).

With the development of these new Tutors and Assessment Advisors, now students and instructors will have the tools they need to see immediate results in comprehension, problem solving skills and test scores. Quantum's AI technology creates a collaborative learning environment for teachers and students where there is unlimited opportunity for both struggling and advanced students to learn and have a greater appreciation for science and mathematics.

ABOUT QUANTUM

Quantum Simulations, Inc. develops artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, assessment and professional development software that empowers teachers and inspires students from middle school through college to improve their knowledge and appreciation for the sciences and mathematics. Teacher tested and approved by educators across the United States, Quantum's AI software is proven in research studies to improve comprehension, problem solving skills and test scores by as much as 50%. Quantum's intelligent tutoring engines are integrated with existing web-based learning products, providing a strong competitive edge for distributing partners. A "technology think tank," Quantum is funded and supported by the U. S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit www. quantumsimulations. com.

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Thursday, April 5, 2007

Voyetra Turtle Beach Sponsors Modern Warfare 2 Online Tournaments via 360igame. com and ps3leaderboard. com

Worldwide PS3®, XBOX® single-elimination bracket competitions begin today

Elmsford, N. Y. (PRWEB) December 14, 2009

Turtle Beach®, the leaders in premium XBOX 360® headsets, announced it is sponsoring two online competitive video game tournaments on 360igame. com and ps3leaderboard. com that run between December 14, 2009 and January 30, 2010. More than 500 gamers will participate in single-elimination bracket competitions for teams (4v4) and individuals on the popular Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 title on the PS3 and XBOX platforms.

“The popularity of online tournament play and the chance to work with 360igame and ps3leaderboard makes this a great opportunity for us to connect with and support the competitive and casual gaming communities,” says Peter Ronick, Director of Marketing, Turtle Beach. “Once they experience our Ear Force headsets for XBOX and PS3, we are confident these gamers will want to take our gear into battle.”

Turtle Beach’s latest gaming headsets include the Ear Force X41, Ear Force X31 and Ear Force XLC for XBOX and the Ear Force P21 for PS3.

360igame. com, created by Delta Beta Lambda Fraternity, the world’s first video game fraternal organization, is a social network developed by gamers for gamers to enhance the online gaming experience. Ps3leaderboard. com is the leading independently-owned online battles site on the Web. The tournaments are part of the organization’s “Let The Kids Play Games” multiphase fundraising campaign for its technology and educational initiatives.

“We are very pleased to have the support of Turtle Beach, premier maker of video game headsets for all gaming platforms, and look forward to a great partnership for years to come,” said Eric Whiteside, Project Manager, Delta Beta Lambda Fraternity.

About Turtle Beach
Voyetra Turtle Beach (www. turtlebeach. com ) designs and markets high-quality audio peripherals for PC and video game platforms under the Turtle Beach brand, including its growing line of Ear Force gaming headsets and headphones for XBOX, PS3 and Nintendo game consoles and for personal computer games. Turtle Beach, with headquarters in Elmsford, New York, is a brand of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. which has been at the forefront of music and audio technology for more than three decades and is recognized as a pioneer of today’s PC audio and gaming headphone industry. Turtle Beach, Voyetra, Ear Force and Chat Boost are trademarks or registered trademarks of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. XBOX is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Corp. Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Labs. All other trademarks are property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

About Delta Beta Lambda and Let The Kids Play Games Campaign
Delta Beta Lambda Fraternity (www. deltabetalambda. com) is a registered South Carolina charitable organization that provides positive experience for children participating in online games and is the world’s first video game fraternal organization. The organization seeks to expand to local colleges and universities recruiting the top technology students as members to support their community service initiatives. The organization further seeks to provide technology access programs to DepriTech youth, a term created by the organizations sister organization Delta Beta Lambda Foundation (www. technologykids. org) which translates to” Deprived of Technology: any individual, social class or economic class of individuals who are deprived of technology in such a manner that it may inhibit the personal, business, or professional growth or advancement of the individual or class of individuals”. The organization will start this year “The Let the Kids Play Games Campaign Phase I” which will be a continued multiphase fundraising drive to raise needed funds for the organizations initiatives.

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Obesity In Children And Teens - A Growing Problem

Inner Harbour for Children and Families, a non-profit residential treatment center that provides behavioral health programs and educational services for children, treats too many obese children too often. The holidays are over and the reality now sets in that there is a real problem, and it is becoming evident in many medical treatment facilities around the nation that treat these troubled teens.

Douglasville, GA (PRWEB) February 9, 2007

The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.

1. What is obesity?

A few extra pounds do not suggest obesity. However they may indicate a tendency to gain weight easily and a need for changes in diet and/or exercise. Generally, a child is not considered obese until the weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for the height and body type. Obesity most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of five and six, and during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.

2. What causes obesity?

The causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors. Basically, obesity occurs when a person eats more calories than the body burns up. If one parent is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that the children will also be obese. However, when both parents are obese, the children have an 80 percent chance of being obese. Although certain medical disorders can cause obesity, less than one percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems. Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to:

poor eating habits overeating or binging lack of exercise (i. e., couch potato kids) family history of obesity medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems) medications (steroids, some psychiatric medications) stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves, deaths, abuse) family and peer problems low self-esteem depression or other emotional problems

3. What are risks and complications of obesity?

There are many risks and complications with obesity. Physical consequences include:

increased risk of heart disease high blood pressure diabetes breathing problems trouble sleeping Child and adolescent obesity is also associated with increased risk of emotional problems. Teens with weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less popular with their peers. Depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder can also occur.

4. How can obesity be managed and treated?

Obese children need a thorough medical evaluation by a pediatrician or family physician to consider the possibility of a physical cause. In the absence of a physical disorder, the only way to lose weight is to reduce the number of calories being eaten and to increase the child's or adolescent's level of physical activity. Lasting weight loss can only occur when there is self-motivation. Since obesity often affects more than one family member, making healthy eating and regular exercise a family activity can improve the chances of successful weight control for the child or adolescent.

5. Ways to manage obesity in children and adolescents include:

start a weight-management program change eating habits (eat slowly, develop a routine) plan meals and make better food selections (eat less fatty foods, avoid junk and fast foods) control portions and consume less calories increase physical activity (especially walking) and have a more active lifestyle know what your child eats at school eat meals as a family instead of while watching television or at the computer do not use food as a reward limit snacking

Obesity frequently becomes a lifelong issue. The reason most obese adolescents gain back their lost pounds is that after they have reached their goal, they go back to their old habits of eating and exercising. An obese adolescent must therefore learn to eat and enjoy healthy foods in moderate amounts and to exercise regularly to maintain the desired weight. Parents of an obese child can improve their child's self esteem by emphasizing the child's strengths and positive qualities rather than just focusing on their weight problem.

When a child or adolescent with obesity also has emotional problems, a child and adolescent psychiatrist can work with the family physician to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Such a plan would include reasonable weight loss goals, dietary and physical activity management, behavior modification, and family involvement.

Headquartered in Douglasville, GA, Inner Harbour for Children and Families is a non-profit residential treatment center for troubled children and their families, helping those in Georgia and communities throughout the nation for 45 years. Its primary service area is metro-Atlanta, including Fulton, Dekalb, Douglas and Cobb counties.

A safe haven for children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral difficulties, Inner Harbour works with patients to build upon their strengths and overcome life's most difficult challenges. Inner Harbour's range of programs and services are specifically tailored for patients' needs. The programs include inpatient treatment, day treatment, community-based group homes, juvenile offender programs, after-school programs, emergency shelters and an outpatient center. For more information on Inner Harbour for Children and Families, please visit www. innerharbour. org.

Contact:

Cynthia Odom, Media Relations Contact

4685 Dorsett Shoals Road

Douglasville, Georgia 30135

(770) 942 2391

Www. innerharbour. org

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Monday, April 2, 2007

Vivek Y. Reddy, M. D., Joins The Mount Sinai Medical Center as Director of Electrophysiology Laboratories

Vivek Y. Reddy, M. D., one of the nation's leading cardioelectrophysiologists, has joined The Mount Sinai Medical Center as Director of Electrophysiology Laboratories.

New York, NY (Vocus) May 6, 2009

Vivek Y. Reddy, M. D., one of the nation's leading cardioelectrophysiologists, has joined The Mount Sinai Medical Center as Director of Electrophysiology Laboratories. His appointment becomes effective July 1.

Dr. Reddy leads a team of physician-scientists who are developing definitive therapies for cardiac arrhythmias - including atrial fibrillation, the most common abnormal heart rhythm affecting millions of Americans, and ventricular tachycardias, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death - with the intent of eliminating the need for chronic medications. Dr. Reddy's efforts include fundamental research on the role of imaging modalities (MRI, CT, Ultrasound) to guide cardiac electrophysiology procedures.

"Mount Sinai Heart is committed to developing groundbreaking therapies for cardiac patients. The appointments of Dr. Reddy and his team demonstrate that we will continue to seek out the greatest talent available to improve our services," said Valentin Fuster, M. D,. Ph. D., Director of Mount Sinai Heart.

Dr. Reddy's team specializes in cutting-edge clinical and translational research and have conducted many "first-in-man" studies of novel technologies, including the first use of a balloon cryoablation catheter to treat atrial fibrillation, and the first use of an endoscopic balloon ablation catheter to visually guide ablation of atrial fibrillation. In 2003, he led the team that performed the first image-guided-therapy procedures in cardiac electrophysiology, using pre-acquired three-dimensional CT/MR images of the heart to guide catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

He has published numerous articles, most famously a seminal multi-center clinical trial on ventricular tachycardia ablation. Known as SMASH-VT (Substrate Mapping and Ablation in Sinus Rhythm to Halt Ventricular Tachycardia), the study examined the use of prophylactic catheter ablation to prevent shocks in patients receiving defibrillators. The findings from SMASH-VT were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Reddy was most recently Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. There he helped build a world-class cardiovascular team specializing in heart rhythm disorders. Prior to that, Dr. Reddy worked at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for seven years, serving as Director of the Experimental Electrophysiology Laboratory. Since 2001, he also served as Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Reddy has received numerous honors including the Center for Minimally Invasive Therapy Fellowship and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholarship. Dr. Reddy's team includes Andre d'Avila, MD, PhD, and Srinivas R. Dukkipati, MD, who will also be joining Mount Sinai.

Dr. Reddy has also served since 2005 as a Co-Director of the Annual Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium, and he founded and has directed since 2006 the Annual International Symposium on Ventricular Arrhythmias. Dr. Reddy has been the Director of Experimental Electrophysiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

About The Mount Sinai Medical Center
The Mount Sinai Medical Center encompasses The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the nation's oldest, largest and most-respected voluntary hospitals. Founded in 1852, Mount Sinai today is a 1,171-bed tertiary-care teaching facility that is internationally acclaimed for excellence in clinical care. Last year, nearly 50,000 people were treated at Mount Sinai as inpatients, and there were nearly 450,000 outpatient visits to the Medical Center.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine is internationally recognized as a leader in groundbreaking clinical and basic science research, as well as having an innovative approach to medical education. With a faculty of more than 3,400 in 38 clinical and basic science departments and centers, Mount Sinai ranks among the top 20 medical schools in receipt of National Institute of Health (NIH) grants.

Contact:
Mount Sinai Newsroom
212-241-9200

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