Building With The Best

Building With The Best

Recognizing the “best,” the National Business Association (NBA) is proud to feature designing, building and remodeling small business-The Burke Company.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) August 3, 2006

The National Business Association (NBA) today announces that “The Burke Company” would be featured on its website (www. nationalbusiness. org) as its “Member of the Week.” A featured “Member of the Week” reaps the benefit of being listed on its home page, electronic newsletter and member mall (www. nationalbusiness. org/mall (http://www. nationalbusiness. org/mall)). The NBA Member Mall gives members the opportunity to promote commerce between themselves and consumers of the Internet community.

The Burke Company works with homeowners to bring new life to outdated or underutilized residential spaces. We bring together a highly creative team to design, build, and remodel entire homes, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, family rooms, dens, game rooms – whatever the desires, The Burke Company can create alongside the client. Whether the home’s transformation is small and subtle or major and grand, it’s exciting and satisfying to create with our clients. When the home’s new life is actually ready to unveil, that’s pretty exciting and satisfying as well.

Being raised in an entrepreneurial family, and having a father and two uncles in the residential construction business, made it natural for Pat Burke to enter into the design, build, remodel career that has become “The Burke Company”. The Burke Company has been designing, building, and remodeling homes in the Dallas, Texas area for nearly 50 years. With an eye toward design ingenuity, this company is an award winning remodeling firm employing only the most demanding of craftsmen, designers, and project managers.

The Burke Company (www. theburkecompany. com) will be featured on the association’s home page from 08/04/2006 through 08/10/2006 located at www. nationalbusiness. org.

About the National Business Association

The National Business Association (www. nationalbusiness. org) is a not for profit association, specifically designed and actively managed to assist the self-employed and small business community in achieving their professional goals. The NBA continuously strives to provide its members with vital support programs, cost and time saving products and services in the areas of Business, Lifestyle, Education, and Health. Members enjoy an array of benefits including access to health insurance coverage through a highly rated insurance company (www. whataquote. com), networking opportunities (www. nationalbusiness. org/mall (http://www. nationalbusiness. org/mall)), free financial software, internet marketing (www. nbausa. com), and discounts from nationally known companies.

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Sanctband's New Cost Effective, Low Powder, Low Protein Natural Latex Exercise Band is Now Available at OPTP!

Sanctband's New Cost Effective, Low Powder, Low Protein Natural Latex Exercise Band is Now Available at OPTP!

Less Mess, Odor Free, Comfortable to Handle and Use Exercise Band is Available at OPTP.

Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia (PRWEB) July 28, 2009

Sanctband's new high quality, very Low Powder, Reduced Protein latex-resistive exercise band is available through OPTP. Sanctband resistance exercise bands provide both positive and negative force on muscles, enhance strength, increase range of motion and promote cooperation of muscle groups.

Sanctband Resistive Exercise Bands offer:
 Low powder  Non-stick handling/usage  Reduction in skin irritation and discomfort  No odor  Long lasting usage Sanctband Exercise Band (http://www. sanctband. com/aboutus. htm) is specially treated to remove most of the proteins found in latex and it is washed to remove the excessive powder on the band. This process reduces the possibility of the powder acting as a transporting agent of proteins onto the skin of users, making this band more comfortable to handle and use.

When asked why this product was added to their catalog, an OPTP (http://www. optp. com/) spokesperson stated: "We felt it was important to offer the Sanctband because it's a cost effective band and an exceptional alternative for our customers who suffer from skin irritation, when handling and using conventional resistance bands."

This exercise band is designed to maximize comfort while handling, reduce the mess conventional powdery bands leave behind, and address concerns for latex allergy when using latex exercise bands (Note: powder is used to prevent the tackiness of the latex).

The Sanctband can be found moderately priced at OPTP (http://www. optp. com/Departments/Resistance-Exercise/Sanctband-Exercise-Band-and-Tubing. aspx) in six resistance levels.

About OPTP
OPTP is the premier provider of quality fitness and rehabilitation products. Over the past 30 years we've built a worldwide reputation for providing excellent personal service, as well as the cutting edge tools and knowledge resources that health and fitness professionals require to succeed.

If you would like more information on Sanctband, or a free OPTP catalog, please see our website: www. optp. com. Or contact us at: OPTP P. O. Box 47009 Minneapolis, MN 55447
Toll-free: 800-367-7393 Phone: 763-553-0452 Fax: 763-559-5230

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INTERCEPTCS™- A Revolutionary New Product for the Prevention of Cold Sores--Shoppers Drug Mart Exclusive

INTERCEPTCS™- A Revolutionary New Product for the Prevention of Cold Sores--Shoppers Drug Mart Exclusive

First Product for the PREVENTION of herpes simplex virus-1. This revolutionary product does not just "treat" cold sores it prevents them. This product will revolutionize cold sore management.

Markham, Ontario (PRWEB) April 12, 2006

The Gibson Group is pleased to announce the launch of interceptCS, an innovative device that completely revolutionizes the management of cold sores (herpes simplex -1). In contrast to other available therapies such as topical or oral antiviral medications, interceptCS doesn’t ‘treat’ cold sores – it prevents them before they start.

Grant Gibson, President of the Gibson Group states, “in all our years in healthcare marketing we have rarely seen a product that has an “approved” prevention claim. interceptCS will revolutionize this category. This will be a significant breakthrough for the 5 to 10 million Canadians who suffer from recurrent cold sore outbreaks (HSV-1). Now, many of these patients can look forward to a lifetime without cold sores.”

InterceptCS is a unique personal medical device that utilizes precisely targeted Thermal Defence Technology to stimulate the body’s cellular immune response. Patients use the interceptCS Cold Sore Prevention System as soon as they feel the characteristic tingling sensation that indicates a cold sore is about to emerge. interceptCS is quick, painless and convenient to use – just three 30-second treatments safely and effectively prevents the cold sore from developing.

The launch of interceptCS will consist of a national radio campaign, web advertising, and a Pharmacist education program.

The interceptCS Cold Sore Prevention system is available exclusively through Shopper’s Drug Mart/Pharmaprix.

With interceptCS, Feel the tingle. Stop your cold sore.™ For further information on interceptCS, call Allison Boyd of The Gibson Group at 905-475-0371 or visit: www. interceptCS. com.

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Will Organic Food Only Be For The Rich?

Will Organic Food Only Be For The Rich?

Is organic food only going to be affordable for the rich and famous? Growing demand on suppliers and increasing land values could create a major increase in the price we pay for our organic products. What would you be prepared to pay?

(PRWEB) September 7, 2005

Organic food sales are growing at a phenomenal rate according to a leading health food expert Brett Ellis. One in four shoppers now put at least one item of organic food into their shopping cart. Ellis who runs the website http://heathyfoodsforliving. com (http://heathyfoodsforliving. com) predicts sales to increase dramatically in the very near future.

The question is, will we be able to afford to buy what's available and will the supply keep up with growing demand? Their has been a dramatic increase in younger families choosing organic creating higher demands on local producers. Once they start on organic foods for their young children, they find it very hard to go back to the standard super-market fare.

Growing demands on local producers is being stretched as volume increases and land values put pressure on farmers. The big question is, says Ellis, is will the property developers take over to much fertile land. And if the farmers get shuffled further away from their markets, how wiil the rising cost of fuel affect transportation costs?

This leaves us in a very prequarious position says Ellis. Demand outstripping supply once again. How will the organic movement cope? Only over the last five years has organic food become readily available to the masses and it could be in short supply again. Maybe it's time you got that overgrown garden in the backyard composted and replanted.

For more information about organic food and how you can learn more about it, and to get his free newsletter contact Brett Ellis at http://www. healthyfoodsforliving. com (http://www. healthyfoodsforliving. com)

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Operational Risk Management Market to Grow to $1.38bn by 2010

Operational Risk Management Market to Grow to $1.38bn by 2010

The worldwide operational risk management (ORM) market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.7% to $1.38bn by 2010 (Financial Services sector only). ORM software market will experience continued merger and acquisition activity and will have a steady growth rate of 7.7% CAGR, growing to $219m by 2010.

London, UK (PRWEB) May 17, 2006

According to Chartis Research’s latest report on Operational Risk Management Systems, the worldwide operational risk management (ORM) market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.7% to $1.38bn by 2010 (Financial Services sector only).

The ORM software market will continue to grow at a steady 7.7% compound annual rate – estimated to be $163m in 2006, growing to $219m by 2010. “The growth in the operational risk management market is fuelled by replacement spend and new demand from the insurance and fund management sectors” said Helen Townsley, Director of Research at Chartis, “we are also seeing increased demand from the emerging markets such as Asia-Pacific, Middle-East and Eastern Europe”. However, Chartis forecasts that the overall market will not be big enough to justify the existence of the current number of niche software vendors.

ORM related consulting services will continue to grow at a healthy 10.2% compound annual rate. Again, this will be fuelled by Sarbanes-Oxley, Basel II and other risk or governance regulations. As the second wave emerges, we expect systems integrators to increase their activity in this area and derive increased revenue from it.

Further consolidation expected in the ORM software market

According to Chartis the consolidation trend will continue in the ORM software market with several vendors suffering from cash-flow and sustainability problems. Recent moves in the ORM software market including i-flex’s acquisition of ORTOS, FRS’ acquisition of Providus, Financial Objects’ acquisition of Raft have shown that this market is still immature and fragmented.

Overall ORM software market standings by vendor

SAS held on to its top ranking while making significant product enhancements and market penetration Algorithmics held on to its second place ranking, with the FIRST database driving its market share. Ci3, Methodware and OpenPages make significant progress to be included in the top 5. Agena, Horizon, SAP and Cognos exit the top 15

About Chartis Research - http://www. chartis-research. com (http://www. chartis-research. com)
Chartis Research is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global market for risk technology. Our goal is to support enterprises as they drive business performance through better risk management, corporate governance and compliance. Chartis analyses the systems, products, vendors, applications and trends in the risk technology marketplace. This analysis is published in our flagship industry reports, white papers and research articles. Areas of focus include:

Credit Risk Management Systems Operational Risk Management Systems Fraud Management Systems Enterprise Risk and Compliance Management Systems Corporate Governance and Risk Management Methodologies and Best Practices

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September 2008 is Atrial Fibrillation Month Focusing on Life-Threatening Irregular Heartbeat

September 2008 is Atrial Fibrillation Month Focusing on Life-Threatening Irregular Heartbeat

Atrial fibrillation patient resource, StopAfib. org, proclaims September 2008 as Atrial Fibrillation Month to raise awareness of this life-threatening irregular heartbeat that is a growing threat to baby boomers. Once considered benign, this cardiac arrhythmia can lead to congestive heart failure, and one-third of atrial fibrillation patients will have a stroke. After mini maze surgery cured her atrial fibrillation, award-winning author Mellanie True Hills couldn't just stand on the sidelines and watch others suffer like she had, so she founded www. StopAfib. org to raise awareness and help atrial fibrillation patients. It is the #1 Arrhythmia site and bears HON Code Certification as a trustworthy health web site.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) August 25, 2008

Atrial fibrillation patient resource StopAfib. org (http://www. stopafib. org) declares September as Atrial Fibrillation Month to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation, a life-threatening irregular heartbeat.

Commonly known as afib, atrial fibrillation is a misfiring of the electrical signals of the heart involving rapid or irregular heartbeats or quivering of the heart's upper chambers. Once considered benign, this cardiac arrhythmia can actually lead to congestive heart failure or stroke. One-third of atrial fibrillation patients will have a stroke, and afib is responsible for 105,000-140,000 strokes per year in the United States. Stroke, the #3 killer, takes at least one person every hour and is the #1 cause of permanent disability. Learn more about stroke risks from afib (http://www. stopafib. org/stroke. cfm).

Mellanie True Hills, heart health expert, speaker, and author of the award-winning book, A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life: The HEART Program for Health and Longevity, had a brush with death in emergency heart surgery followed by a near-stroke from atrial fibrillation. Life with atrial fibrillation was paralyzing and terrifying. Learn more about Mellanie True Hills' afib experience (http://www. stopafib. org/mellanie. cfm).

"Over five million Americans now suffer from atrial fibrillation, where the heart goes out of control with little warning and for no apparent reason," says Hills. "It's a frightening occurrence that will impact millions more as atrial fibrillation overtakes aging baby boomers. The Mayo Clinic estimates that by 2050 at least 16 million Americans will have it."

The impact of afib on a patient's quality of life is often underestimated by doctors. Once a new minimally-invasive mini maze surgery (http://www. stopafib. org/mini-maze. cfm) cured her afib, Hills couldn't just stand on the sidelines and watch others suffer from the huge physical, emotional, and financial toll that afib has on patients and families. Thus it was natural that she would start and become CEO of the American Foundation for Women's Health and StopAfib. org, a non-profit web site for atrial fibrillation patients.

About StopAfib. org and the Atrial Fibrillation Blog

The mission of StopAfib. org--for patients by patients--and the companion Atrial Fibrillation Blog is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families, support the doctor-patient relationship, and decrease afib-related strokes. It provides information about symptoms, causes, risks, and afib treatments, atrial fibrillation resources, the latest atrial fibrillation news and videos, tools to stimulate discussions, and a newsletter of what's new in atrial fibrillation information.

"The goal of StopAfib. org is to be one of the most trusted communities for atrial fibrillation patients," says Hills. "StopAfib. org is the #1 Arrhythmia site on the Internet, and in the Top 20 Heart Disease sites."

The Atrial Fibrillation Services Locator is one of the site's most popular destinations and features more than 175 hospitals, arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation centers, electrophysiologists, cardiologists, and surgeons that specialize in treating atrial fibrillation patients.

According to Hills, "StopAfib. org has received HON Code Certification from the Health on the Net Foundation, signifying credible and trustworthy health and medical information."

Hills and StopAfib. org have been featured at FOXBusiness. com and MSNBC. com, and in Better Homes & Gardens and Heart-Healthy Living magazines.

What You Can Do in September for Atrial Fibrillation Month

During Atrial Fibrillation Month, StopAfib. org asks you to:

1. Listen to your heart for racing, palpitations, or an irregular heartbeat.
2. Learn about atrial fibrillation (http://www. stopafib. org/what. cfm) and sign up for the newsletter.
3. Learn about afib causes and risk factors (http://www. stopafib. org/causes. cfm), which may include existing heart disease or obstructive sleep apnea.
4. If you suspect atrial fibrillation, ask your doctor to check you out.
5. If you have atrial fibrillation, learn how to treat and manage afib (http://www. stopafib. org/managed. cfm).
6. Ask family and friends to learn more at StopAfib. org.

If you provide atrial fibrillation services, please join us to support patients by:

1. Linking to StopAfib. org to provide patients with credible afib information
2. Requesting to be added to the Atrial Fibrillation Services Locator--click "List your Afib services" on the US map on our home page to find out more

For more information, contact Mellanie True Hills at 940-466-9898 or at the Contact Us at StopAfib. org (http://www. stopafib. org/contact. cfm)

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Valencia, California, Plastic Surgeon Weighs in on Silicone Breast Implants – 3 Years After FDA Approval

Valencia, California, Plastic Surgeon Weighs in on Silicone Breast Implants – 3 Years After FDA Approval

Nearly three years ago, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of silicone implants for breast augmentation procedures in women over the age of 22, and breast reconstruction procedures for patients of any age. The FDA’s decision capped a controversy that spanned more than a decade, and one plastic surgeon in Valencia, California says, while silicone implants are safe, there are still disadvantages.

Valencia, CA (Vocus) November 13, 2009

In 1991, the FDA pulled silicone breast implants off the market for further study of their safety. Over the next 14 years, the implants would become the subjects of intense research, clinical trials, and fierce controversy. In 2006, the FDA approved them for use, and plastic surgeons across the country have experienced an uptick in procedures involving silicone breast implants, as opposed to their saline counterparts.

Dr. Marc Lussier is the medical director of Town Center Surgery, a practice in Valencia, California offering plastic surgery to Bakersfield and the surrounding region. He says, although the ratio between silicone and saline breast implant procedures he performs is about even, the demand for silicone implants at his Valencia Bakersfield area breast augmentation practice is increasing – possibly due to the fact that silicone offers a softer, more natural feel and appearance. “Saline is more artificial-looking, not as soft. I tend to use saline in younger women who haven’t had children. I use more silicone in women who have had children and/or need breast lifts.”

Dr. Lussier says he believes silicone breast implants are safe; however, there are some disadvantages. “In terms of systemic disease, ‘silicone breast implants’ are very safe. In terms of local complications, there is a higher incidence of capsular contracture, more frequent operations, more costs. With saline implants, patients are more comfortable with this product due to the bad press silicone has had over the years.”

Capsular contracture is the formation of scar tissue around the implant, resulting in a hardened feel and appearance. The condition can be treated with surgery. Dr. Lussier performs a number of different plastic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, breast implant revision and he says, with any surgical procedure, there are risks of complications – and that includes breast implants of both types. Dr. Lussier says the best thing for patients to do is to have thorough and detailed conversations with their plastic surgeon, exploring all aspects of procedures and getting all of their questions answered so they can make the most educated decision about what’s right for them.

In terms of preference, Dr. Lussier says he has treated patients who have had revision breast augmentation surgery and replaced their original saline breast implants with silicone, which gives them a unique perspective to be able to compare both types of implants. “They much prefer the silicone if there are no problems with capsular contracture.”

Dr. Lussier says the main problem he’s seen with silicone implants is when to exchange them. He says patients should pay attention to the implant manufacturer’s warranty and also follow up periodically with their plastic surgeon. “I usually advise patients to get an MRI at 9 years because this is within the warranty period of the manufacturer. They should plan to exchange them in 10-12 years ‘after implantation,’ pending more information ‘from the FDA’.”

Overall, Dr. Lussier says that silicone breast implants get a satisfactory response from his patients, particularly those who have experienced both silicone and saline implants. But Dr. Lussier says there are still disadvantages to silicone, and patients should always weigh those along with the potential benefits. “’Silicone implants’ are an excellent and perhaps better option, but they are more costly, and have a higher maintenance cost. In automotive terms, it is the difference between a nice car and a sexy sports car. The latter is more expensive to drive, but it’s more fun.”

About Dr. Marc Lussier
Marc Lussier, MD, FACS is certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Lussier is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is the Medical Director of Town Center Surgery in Valencia, California, a fully equipped plastic surgery facility certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

For more information on breast enlargement and breast implant procedures at Town Center Surgery, the practice can be reached at 24510 Town Center Drive, Suite 180, Valencia, CA, 91355 – (661) 260-3021 – http://www. lussiermd. com.

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2005 Rough Year For Working Class America

2005 Rough Year For Working Class America

Working Class America is experiencing turmoil in 2005. With price hikes on everything from gasoline to healthcare most consumers aren't seeing a light at the end of the tunnel for years to come.

Cherry Valley, IL (PRWEB) September 18, 2005

During this time of a slow economy, we are seeing prices climbing thru the roof on gasoline, energy, healthcare, and childcare for working class America and if we were to look in our little crystal ball right now and see what the future may hold, many would say the future does not look much better for years to come.

Along with the continued rise in the cost of living we are noticing a rise in children being left behind. Parents want to be able to protect and nurture their children, yet many are having to work multiple jobs to keep food on the table. What is a parent to do? You want to protect your children and provide for them.

More and more you see working class moms not wanting to take maternity leave from their jobs due to employers looking down on them for not being committed to their companyÂ’s financial goals & future. At the same time they think that if they take a leave of absence from work they will put at risk there future increases in wages, therefore not being able to provide for their family in years to come due to the increase costs of living expenses.

Many working class Americans are seeking refuge in working with home businesses online. As a result of working from home, parents are saving money by not having to commute to work. In addition, they are able to watch their children and not worry about the costs associated with daycare. The other benefits of home based businesses can include setting your own hours and having the freedom to drop everything if need be, to tend to your childrenÂ’s needs.

At http://www.2ndincome4u. com (http://www.2ndincome4u. com) we have many opportunities to make a living from the comfort of your own home. We offer a directory of reviewed and ranked legitimate work at home jobs to jumpstart your transition to your own home based business. Now you can be there for your family and still generate an income!

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"Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence?" Your Thoughts Aired on Social Radio Network BlogTalkRadio

"Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence?" Your Thoughts Aired on Social Radio Network BlogTalkRadio

Dialogues w/Kim tackles Domestic Violence live on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at10am CST/11am EST.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) October 15, 2008 -

The question "Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence?" will be the focus of BlogTalkRadio's Dialogues w/Kim (http://blogtalkradio. com/kimdialogues (http://blogtalkradio. com/kimdialogues)) with host Kim Harris on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 10:00am CST (11am EST). The show will feature an expert in the area of domestic violence and welcome calls from listeners.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this show will raise awareness and invite callers to join the conversation by calling (347) 826-9330. The live, Internet talk-radio show will stream from the host page at http://blogtalkradio. com/kimdialogues (http://blogtalkradio. com/kimdialogues).

"America has an increased concern over the increase of domestic violence. The challenge then becomes raising awareness and providing solutions in the legal system and in our communities," says Kim Harris, host of the program and domestic violence advocate. Our knowledgeable guest will welcome ideas and discussion from listeners during the live show. An archive will be available at the same link immediately following the show or listeners can subscribe to the archives via the RSS feed located on the host page. Read more about the host and the discussion on Dialogues w/Kim blog at http://kimdialogues-talkradio. ning. com (http://kimdialogues-talkradio. ning. com).

About "Can We Talk? Domestic Violence in America".
"Dialogues w/Kim" is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on hot health topics. Host Kim Harris explores various issues that face America today. Callers are encouraged to call (347) 826-9330 to listen or ask questions. The stream and archives are available at http://www. blogtalkradio. com/kimdialogues (http://www. blogtalkradio. com/kimdialogues). The show is live every 1st and 3rd Saturday at 10am CST/11am EST. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio.

About BlogTalkRadio:
BlogTalkRadio is a free, web-based platform which allows any user with a phone and a computer to host a live, interactive Internet broadcast. Hosts call into the service by phone, managing callers on the web-based host dashboard. Shows stream live directly from the host's BlogTalkRadio web page with archives available for all past shows. BlogTalkRadio has been featured on ABC News, The Washington Post, Portfolio, Talkers Magazine, and TheStreet. com. The citizen broadcasting network can be found at http://www. blogtalkradio. com (http://www. blogtalkradio. com).

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Survey Results Show Long-Term Care Providers Wary about Healthcare Reform

Survey Results Show Long-Term Care Providers Wary about Healthcare Reform

Budget Concerns, Understaffing and Lack of Established Best Practices and Clarity in the Stimulus Bill Cited by Providers as Barriers to Short-Term Success

Stamford, CT (Vocus) June 12, 2009

While more than one-third of home health care and nursing home organizations said they expect the government's economic stimulus package to increase use of healthcare information technology, another 52% said the stimulus package will have little or no impact on their businesses, according to a recent survey by IVANS, Inc. (http://www. ivans. com/)

"Home health and nursing home care is expected to be one of the fastest growing provider segments over the next several years," said Clare DeNicola, IVANS President and CEO. "IVANS analysis reveals that while providers are optimistic about reform's ability to improve patient outcomes, budget concerns, understaffing, and the lack of clarity in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act regarding stimulus funding for long-term care has them concerned."

Providers Looking to Electronic Health Records to Improve Patient Care
According to the survey, nearly 70% of home health care and nursing home organizations say that electronic health records (EHRs) will have a positive impact on their businesses, and 56% of respondents have begun or plan to implement EHRs within the next year. Other key technology priorities for long-term care facilities include implementation of wireless networks, solutions to provide electronic documentation at point of care, and business continuity planning, the survey shows.

When it comes to sharing data outside the organizations, survey respondents were not as positive. More than 70% of respondents said they have no plans to participate in a Health Information Exchange (HIE). Experience with failed efforts in the past, lack of an immediate driver to move forward, and no standards were all noted as barriers to implementation of HIEs.

The survey, conducted by IVANS among 500 healthcare providers in May 2009, drew responses from more than 300 home health care and nursing home organizations, whose specific survey responses are reflected in this release. In addition, IVANS conducted in-depth interviews with selected long-term care organizations. This survey is one part of a series of initiatives to address the technology issues surrounding healthcare reform and how providers are responding. For a summary of the survey results across all healthcare provider segments, please contact Cecile Locurto of IVANS, Inc. (http://www. ivans. com/)

About IVANS
IVANS Inc. provides the property/casualty insurance and healthcare industries with fully managed network, electronic data interchange (EDI) and agency-company interface solutions to help solve complex business issues. Headquartered in Stamford, Conn. and a CMS approved vendor, IVANS serves over 600 insurance and healthcare organizations, more than 30,000 independent agents and 135,000 healthcare providers. With over 25 years of experience successfully managing networks, the company also offers its clients relentless customer service, security solutions, reliable and accessible technical helpdesk support and expert enablement. IVANS, which was formed by 21 insurance companies, also has offices in Tampa, Fla. and Cincinnati, Ohio. For information, visit www. ivans. com.

Contact: 
Cecile M. Locurto
IVANS, Inc.
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
203-698-7218 
Cecile. Locurto(at)ivans. com

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NASA Scientist: Lightning Studies May Give Early Indication of Possible Tornadoes

NASA Scientist: Lightning Studies May Give Early Indication of Possible Tornadoes

(PRWEB) April 27, 2000

It's been a year almost to the day, but NASA researcher Dr. Steve Goodman still hasn't forgotten May 3, 1999.

On that date, more than 50 tornadoes cut a killer swath across the Great Plains of Kansas and Oklahoma. Property damage was estimated at $1.2 billion. More than 40 people died.

In hope of avoiding another May 3, 1999, Goodman and other scientists at the Global Hydrology and Climate Center, managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., are studying new methods of predicting severe storms.

And they believe another dangerous element of severe weather may be the key.

Using a combination of ground and space-based weather monitoring equipment, Goodman and colleagues at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington, D. C., and at MIT Lincoln Laboratories in Lexington, Mass., have documented nearly a dozen cases in which lightning rates increased dramatically as tornadic storms developed.

"Our studies show a very big spike in the lightning's flash rate prior to formation of a tornado," Goodman says. "It's an early clue for weather forecasters to take a more detailed look at other storm characteristics with radar. And perhaps a chance for them to get warnings out earlier, saving more lives."

Goodman's team will present its research to scientists, meteorologists and emergency management officials from around the country at the "National Symposium on the Great Plains Tornado Outbreak of 3 May 1999," which opens April 30 at the Westin Hotel and Resort in Oklahoma City.

Spotting the telltale lightning flashes isn't as easy as keeping an eye on the sky from your front porch. According to Goodman, the type of lightning NASA is researching occurs within clouds, invisible to the naked eye by day. To properly monitor this type of lightning takes special equipment like NASA's Lightning Imaging Sensor, an instrument flying aboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite launched in 1997. The sensor tracks worldwide lightning strikes and their relationship to storm centers.

Theories linking in-cloud lightning and tornadic storms have been debated for many years, according to Goodman. For decades, meteorologists and scientists pondered the connection. "But they lacked the ability to properly document and map in-cloud lightning," he says. "With the technological advances we've made in recent years, we can see what they couldn't."

Goodman is realistic about the work that remains ahead. "We don't have enough data yet to say how often the high flash rate precedes tornado formation," Goodman says. "But looking at this lightning signature can help pinpoint storms that are likely candidates, and that can make a big difference."

That difference would provide earlier warnings to increase citizens' chance of reaching shelter, and would likely reduce the number of false alarms that go out every year.

"Lead time for tornado warnings is better than it's ever been," Goodman says. "It's gone from eight to 12 minutes nationally. But the false-alarm rate hasn't changed. Only 30 percent of rotating storms ever make a tornado. That leads to a lot of false alarms lulling the public into ignoring the threat."

"It's a question of accuracy," he adds. "The more accurate we are, the more people take the proper response. That's what this research is all about."

Goodman's presentation, "May 3 Tornadic Supercells Viewed from Space During an Overpass of the NASA TRMM Observatory," will be May 1 at 4:10 p. m. CDT. The Great Plains Symposium runs through Wednesday, May 3 -- the anniversary of last year's devastating tornado outbreak.

The Global Hydrology and Climate Center is a joint venture between government and academia to study the global water cycle and its effect on Earth's climate. Funded by NASA and its academic partners and jointly operated by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the Center conducts research in a number of critical areas. Satellite tracking of hurricanes promises to improve global severe-weather forecasting capabilities; research into lightning activity is providing new insight on tornado formation; and NASA remote sensing technologies explore new ways to improve the health of our cities, aid farm productivity and identify outbreaks of disease.

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The Villa Group Rebrands Spa in Nuevo Vallarta

The Villa Group Rebrands Spa in Nuevo Vallarta

Tatewari Spa reflects region and its Mexican Indian influences.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) October 31, 2007

Long known for its upscale resorts on the best beaches in Mexico's most popular resort destinations, The Villa Group (www. VillaGroupResorts. com) is gaining notoriety in the spa arena. With remarkable weather, abundant recreational diversions, superb regional cuisine and rich culture, Nuevo Vallarta has yet another draw with The Villa Group's rebranding of the Tatewari Spa at Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa.

An intimate spa experience designed in European-Mexican style, the 17,000 sq. ft. Tatewari Spa serves as the resort's centerpiece surrounded by the beauty of mountains and the magnificent Banderas Bay. With its distinctive architectural design and trained wellness professionals, this unique healing sanctuary for body, mind and spirit takes a holistic approach through its regional influences, serene ambience and healing treatments.

The Villa Group based its decision to rebrand the two-year-old spa so that the company can more accurately portray its focus on the unique history and culture reflective of the Vallarta region. Boasting an indulgent array of signature treatments and specialties, the themed facility is designed to appeal to the sophisticated spa consumer and neophytes as well.

"We are pleased to bring into the Tatewari Spa the flavor of this remarkable region and its Mexican Indian influences," remarked Carlos Aquino, Corporate Director for The Villa Group in Vallarta. "The spa focuses on sharing culture and traditions through its design, treatments using plants and fruits of the area, state-of-the-art services and a tranquil atmosphere."

A rich tradition of the Mexican Indian, Tatewari is a deity related to spiritual growth and a state of extreme peace and relaxation. Hidden away from the modern world for centuries, these special people performed the ancient Tatewari water ritual to heal the Earth and keep nature balanced. Today, the healing tradition lives on in practice and philosophy at the Tatewari Spa.

To set the perfect mood for each treatment, spa visitors are taken to generous men's or women's hydrotherapy centers where they are immersed in a soothing Jacuzzi that promotes healing through the power of water. The senses are then invigorated with a refreshing cold plunge, followed by a deep cleansing in a choice of relaxing sauna or steam rooms. The final touch of this Tatewari reawakening ritual is the cascading shower utilizing falling water and multiple side jets rejuvenate the body and spirit.

For individual therapy sessions, visitors are taken to one of the spa's 14 indoor treatment suites or two exclusive VIP treatment suites with private Jacuzzi and shower. The facility also features a spa retail shop, full-service beauty salon and fitness studio. Those up for the ultimate can enjoy beachfront treatments or therapies provided in the privacy of their suite.

"We've taken the Tatewari influences beyond the décor and into an overall philosophy that's expressed in our new signature treatments as well," remarked Aquino. Aquino noted that the spa has incorporated the Repechage line of skin care products in its treatments and therapies. A French word meaning "to rescue" or "to give a second chance," Repechage includes products based on the wonders of seaweed and the best botanicals the Earth has to offer.

Tatewari Spa has also introduced a series of "Wellness Week" events, bringing to Nuevo Vallarta experts in the areas of dermatology, stress management, weight control, orthopedics, cardiology, internal medicine, holistic healing and culinary arts. "We've found that many travelers will plan their vacations around health and wellness events," Aquino remarked. "We've received extremely positive remarks on our inaugural event held in September, and plan to continue these on a regular basis."

The Tatewari Spa is one of several upscale amenities offered to guests of The Villa Group's Villa del Palmar Flamingos and the adjacent Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa. Upon the completion of Villa La Estancia's final phase in the summer of 2008, Villa Group Resorts' two Nuevo Vallarta properties will collectively offer 520 suites, deluxe studios and penthouse suites.

Villas and penthouse suites include complete kitchens, separate living/dining areas, private terraces or balconies, air conditioning with individual climate control, in-room safes, ceiling fans and satellite TV. Guests of the two luxury properties may choose from upscale and casual dining options, including theme night buffets with live entertainment. An adjacent shopping plaza is home to the Palmita Market and an Internet café.

For more information or reservations, call toll free from U. S. & Canada (877) 845-5247 or visit www. VillaGroupResorts. com.

About The Villa Group
The Villa Group is one of Mexico's leading privately owned hotel, resort and real estate development companies. Their portfolio includes beachfront destination resorts, exclusive fractional and full ownership luxury real estate developments, and a secluded mountaintop boutique retreat. The collection includes: Cabo San Lucas - Villa La Estancia, Villa del Arco, Villa del Palmar and Hotel Santa Fe; Puerto Vallarta - Villa del Palmar and Villa del Mar; Nuevo Vallarta - Villa del Palmar Flamingos and Villa La Estancia; Sierra Madre Mountain Range - Sierra Lago Resort & Spa. Additionally, Villa del Palmar and Villa La Estancia multi-property developments are scheduled to open in Cancun (2008) and Loreto (2008). For more information or reservations, call toll free from U. S. & Canada (877) 845-5247 or visit www. VillaGroupResorts. com.

Media Contact:
Schindler Marketing Group
TVG(at)schindlermg. com
619.299.7900 x14

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British Breakthrough Highlights Nanotechnology Policy Gap

British Breakthrough Highlights Nanotechnology Policy Gap

An urgent need for new nanotechnology policy is highlighted by breakthrough results from a recent British government funded project. For the first time ever, a group of high-level scientists assembled for the purpose of inventing something as close as they could get to the long-sought nanotechnology goal of building precise products atom by atom. The remarkably advanced projects those scientists produced suggest that the era of molecular manufacturing -- with its tremendous potential benefits and potentially grave dangers -- could arrive far more swiftly than previously imagined.

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 26, 2007

An urgent need for new nanotechnology policy is highlighted by breakthrough results from a recent British government funded project. For the first time ever, a group of high-level scientists assembled for the purpose of inventing something as close as they could get to the long-sought nanotechnology goal of building precise products atom by atom. The remarkably advanced projects those scientists produced -- which they hope to complete in three to five few years -- suggest that the era of molecular manufacturing could arrive far more swiftly than previously imagined.

"What this shows, even more strongly than before, is the critical necessity of additional work on implications and policy," said Mike Treder, Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN). "Existing nanotechnology policies, and most proposed policies, do not address huge new areas of concern raised by tomorrow's revolutionary manufacturing potential. That gap could be calamitous."

Nanofactories will use vast arrays of tiny machines to fasten single molecules together quickly and precisely, allowing engineers, designers and potentially anyone else to make powerful products at the touch of a button. In a single week of intense interdisciplinary work, an "IDEAS Factory on the Software Control of Matter" produced three ground-breaking research proposals that bring the nanofactory concept closer to reality. The project was sponsored by the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), a national science agency that also will fund the proposals.

"If, as expected, nanofactories can be used to build more nanofactories, then the impacts on society may be extreme," said Treder. "From remarkable advances in health care, environmental repair and poverty reduction, to severe economic disruption, political upheaval and the possibility of a new arms race: all these implications and more must be understood. Now it appears that our time to prepare is getting shorter."

The goals of the IDEAS Factory project were audacious: to make progress toward the vision of a "matter compiler" that could build atomically precise products under computer control. The forward-looking proposals coming from the IDEAS Factory should expand expectations as to what's possible at the nanoscale, and hold the potential to accelerate the development of nanofactory systems.

"This shows that molecular manufacturing, which has been considered a far-future result of nanotechnology, is now a fruitful topic for current scientific attention," said CRN Director of Research Chris Phoenix. "We expect that the IDEAS Factory will be a trend leader, inducing other nanoscientists to use molecular manufacturing as an inspiration and target for their work."

Participants in the IDEAS Factory designed research projects using an innovative process in which scientists from many different fields work together to bypass the conventional limitations of their fields. The three proposals they developed are expected to accomplish in just a few years what might have taken twenty with traditional approaches. Funding has already been assured by the EPSRC and experimental work will begin shortly.

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Web 2.0 Technologies the Future of Customer to Insurance Agency Communication

Web 2.0 Technologies the Future of Customer to Insurance Agency Communication

Summary: Founder and president of First Choice Insurance Agency (http://www. fcinsuranceagency. com) sees the future of customer interaction in web 2.0 and other highly interactive technologies. He says a recent study by IBM has important information for insurance agents wanting to insure the younger demographic.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) September 2, 2007

Jack Morgan wasn't surprised to see that a study by IBM of over 3,000 Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance policy holders found, "younger policyholders are increasingly price sensitive and technology-savvy, and are more likely than other demographics to access a variety of distribution channels including the internet and Web 2.0 technologies such as mobile text and instant messaging."

"Many young health insurance consumers ask to receive quotes via instant message" Morgan went on to say, "At the moment it may only be the occasional consumer who wants to receive a quote via instant message, but insurance agents need to be aware that this is how many younger consumers prefer their communication. Those who are prepared for this change will be the ones that succeed."

Whether it is Property and Casualty insurance or health insurance, the younger demographic does not want to jump on the phone to get information that they expect to be at their fingertips twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. This may be a problem for many independent agents who have traditionally served their customers one at a time over the phone or in their offices.

Morgan said, "I doubt most insurance agencies are ready for this change. Only 25% of major health insurance agencies in Oregon, for example, have an interface for those seeking an online quote. When it comes to individual insurance agencies it is probably closer to 5 percent."

That's why First Choice Insurance Agency is pouring resources into its website where consumers can get online quotes 24 hours a day. According to Morgan this will help consumers come out on top.

"Sure the convenience of hopping online getting a quote and applying for insurance is nice, but when you do that with a lead generation site or an individual insurer, you never hear about plans with lower rates."

An individual insurance agency that embraces web 2.0 technologies gives consumers the best of both worlds, instant quotes and an advocate who looks out for their best interests.

Visit First Choice Insurance Agency at: http://www. fcinsuranceagency. com (http://www. fcinsuranceagency. com)

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Two Newly Published Articles Explain how Health Plans can Stop Hemorrhaging Money and Maximize their Generic Drug Savings

Two Newly Published Articles Explain how Health Plans can Stop Hemorrhaging Money and Maximize their Generic Drug Savings

This article summarizes two newly published articles that reveal how PBMs are stuffing their clients’ contracts with ambiguous provisions that enable PBMs to rob their clients of a large portion of their generic savings. Also summarized are the two articles' recommendations about how PBM clients can change their PBM contract terms to ensure clients obtain all generic savings. The articles were written by an industry expert, the President of Pharmacy Benefit Consultants, Linda Cahn.

Morristown, NJ (PRWEB) December 14, 2010

According to two recently published articles written by an industry expert, PBMs are stuffing their clients’ contracts with ambiguous contract terms that enable PBMs to rob their clients of a large portion of generic drug savings.

The articles were written by Pharmacy Benefit Consultants' President Linda Cahn, and published serially in the highly regarded magazine, Managed Care. The articles detail the contract ploys that PBMs use to keep a large portion of clients' generic drug savings, and explain exactly what health plans must do to change their contracts, end PBMs’ practices and ensure that health plans retain all available generic drug savings. 

The initial article focuses on PBM’s manipulation of “brand drug” and “generic drug” contract definitions. In the article, Linda Cahn explains that most PBMs purposely write ambiguous contract definitions that enable PBMs to mis-categorize “brand drugs” as “generics”, and “generic drugs” as “brands”, depending on which categorization best suits PBMs’ interests.

For example, when invoicing clients, PBMs categorize numerous “generics” as “brands”, which enables PBMs to provide far weaker discounts to clients when invoicing for millions of generic drug prescriptions. However, when calculating the amount of rebates owed to clients -- or the PBMs’ generic dispensing rates -- PBMs categorize numerous “brands” as “generics”, which enables PBMs to decrease their rebate payments to clients, and inflate their generic dispensing rates.

To end PBMs’ practices, Linda Cahn urges all health plans to demand entirely different definitions in their PBM contracts. "Write airtight definitions for 'brand drug' and 'generic drug in your PBM contracts", says Cahn, "and you'll take the first step toward maximizing your generic drug savings." Cahn's initial article, which can be read here, details exactly how to write different definitions for both contract terms. 

In a second article in Managed Care magazine, Linda Cahn explains additional contract terms that payers must demand to ensure payers obtain all their generic drug savings. Cahn urges payers to require pass-through pricing for all brand and generic drugs -- whether dispensed from retail or mail pharmacies -- meaning that PBMs will have to invoice payers using PBM's actual cost for each retail and mail generic drug dispensed. Cahn also says clients must undergird the contract's pass-through pricing provisions with airtight contract guarantees to ensure the PBM's pass-through pricing will be marketplace competitive.

The article explains that PBM clients should include at least 18 different retail and mail contract guarantees in their PBM contracts, including three generic guarantees in each of the three basic pharmacy channels (retail, retail 90 and mail). The three generic guarantees should be for (i) all generics that are within the 180 day exclusivity period; (ii) all generics that are not within the 180 day exclusivity period; and (iii) an "all-in" generic guarantee for all drugs that are defined as “generic drugs”. Cahn explains that the above guarantees will enable payers to eliminate all “MAC” (maximum allowable cost) terms from their contracts -- which is imperative says Cahn -- since MAC is nothing but a “mousetrap” that PBMs use to charge whatever they want for generic drugs. 

Cahn’s second article, which can be viewed in its entirely by clicking on this link, contains many other generic savings suggestions, including advice to create "maximum per unit costs" for commonly used generics that are the heart of savings programs, and methods to ensure that clients receive the lowest available costs for newly available generic drugs. 

Cahn makes clear why all PBM clients should act now: "In these tough economic times, no health plan can afford to hemorrhage money and squander potential savings from generic drugs," says Cahn. "We urge every health plan to take advantage of the detailed advice provided in these free articles -- by reading the articles, examining your contract to determine which weaknesses it contains, and thereafter demanding entirely different contract provisions from your PBM, either in direct contract negotiations or in PBM RFPs.”

Cahn adds: "RFPs are the single best method to force PBMs to stop stuffing their contracts with ploys that drive up client costs. However, clients must use the RFP's leverage to extract better contract terms from PBMs, rather than simply getting answers to consulting firm questionnaires. Otherwise, RFPs will prove worthless, and clients will end up with yet another contract at the end of their RFPs that is stuffed with loopholes that will drive up their costs." 

To talk with Linda Cahn about the substance of her articles, call Pharmacy Benefit Consultants at 973 975-0900, or go to the firm's website at http://www. PharmacyBenefitConsultants. com and send in your questions using the contact form.

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Kids Award-Winning Eco-Friendly Skincare Line, TruKid, Launches Non-Toxic Hair Care and Bath Products

Kids Award-Winning Eco-Friendly Skincare Line, TruKid, Launches Non-Toxic Hair Care and Bath Products

Award winning skincare company, TruKid is happy to announce the launch of its all natural hair care line. This new line features fun and fabulous products such as Silly Shampoo, Cool Conditioner, Dancing Detangler and Bubbly Body Wash.

Oakland, Ca (PRWEB) April 23, 2008

Award-winning skincare company TruKid is happy to announce the launch of its all natural hair care line. This new line features fun and fabulous products such as Silly Shampoo, Cool Conditioner, Dancing Detangler and Bubbly Body Wash.

Made with all natural, soothing ingredients such as pro-vitamin B5, aloe and scented with beneficial, essential oils, there's no doubt TruKid is created with love. TruKid founder Jennifer Adams Bunkers says, "All of my products are made with kids in mind. My kids don't like the herbal smell that usually comes with being an 'all-natural' brand, so I made sure all TruKid scents were fun, light and most importantly, kid-approved."

As a mother of six, Ms. Adams Bunkers has a commitment to parents and children. All of TruKid hair care products are light and non-greasy so they don't weigh hair down. Ms. Adams Bunkers jokes, "My kids don't dye their hair, they don't need a shampoo with the chemical strength to keep color on a rainbow. I like all of my products to be chemical free so that my kids are as toxin-free as possible. Besides, I use this shampoo everyday too--it leaves my hair bouncy and soft, the way it should be because there's no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) to dry it out."

Ms. Adams Bunkers explains, "We think of our skin as a line of defense against toxins and pollution in the environment, but that is not the case. Our skin is a gateway for everything going into our bodies and blood stream. All TruKid products are free of toxins such as parabens, (SLS), phthalates and synthetic fragrances because skin absorbs a big percentage of everything we put on it."

One more perk is that these products won't have you digging deep into your pockets just to buy one. That's because with the commitment of chemical free products comes affordable prices. All products of the new hair care line are about $10 or less and come in 8 oz and travel sizes.

Don't forget to try the TruKid's Healthy Habits Pack that recently won the iParenting Media Award for one of the best products in 2008. Establishing a unique learning system for kids to develop healthy habits has made this company truly original. Products are color-coded and have easy to read symbols for body, face, and hair so kids can recognize each product and its use.

Look for the TruKid Smart Label™ seal of approval that assures parents that all products are safe, non-toxic and all natural.

TruKid products are available online at www. TruKid. com.

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Nationwide Student Community Service Project Turns Disaster Into Thanksgiving Opportunity

Nationwide Student Community Service Project Turns Disaster Into Thanksgiving Opportunity

Students across the country sold tickets, cooked Thanksgiving meals and served dinners to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The World's Largest Thanksgiving Dinner is an annual community service project designed to help encourage a culture of citizenship and responsibility in young Americans.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 25, 2004

From the Bronx, New York to Pocatello, Idaho and from Riverside, California to Bay City, Texas, students across America gave of their time and energy to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. America’s All Stars and Youth Service America, two national youth-development nonprofit organizations, joined forces to sponsor the “World’s Largest Thanksgiving Dinner” which occurs annually the Thursday before Thanksgiving. This student-run, community service project took place in school cafeterias across the country; and all the effort the students invested in selling tickets, cooking dinners, and serving meals to the general public has created a great deal of excitement. As Brian Roquemore, the founder of America’s All Stars, puts it, “We are eagerly awaiting to hear from schools across the nation regarding the amount of money contributed to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. We know for example that Waddell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina raised $ 2,000 with 400 people in attendance and Norte Vista High School in Riverside, California raised $516.88 and is putting together Thanksgiving baskets of food for needy families. Stockbridge High School in Georgia donated $ 600.00 and 14,000 canned goods.

Over 100 schools signed up to hold the World’s Largest Thanksgiving Dinner to help the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund which aids the victims of the recent hurricanes as well as thousands of other disaster victims around the country. “Schools that get involved in this project,” says Roquemore, “see the importance of giving. America’s All Stars’ motto is ‘building character through community service.’ Giving is key. People who learn how to give live better lives. The students who were involved in these dinners did give of their time and energy and that’s the true success of this event. These young Americans were able to help others and, at the same time, gain a great deal themselves.”

Community-service builds strong, positive character in young people, which is the goal of AmericaÂ’s All Stars. For more information, please visit http://www. forallstars. org (http://www. forallstars. org) or call 888-782-5578.

Youth Service America is a national nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations committed to strengthening the youth service movement. YSAÂ’s programs, services, and annual National Service Day, the largest service event in the world, help to strengthen the effectiveness, sustainability, and scale of the youth service and service-learning fields on a local, national and global level. YSA continually works to build a powerful network of organizations committed to making service and service-learning the common expectation and common experience of all young people. A strong youth service movement will create healthy communities and foster citizenship, knowledge, and the personal development of young people. For more information, visit: http://www. ysa. org (http://www. ysa. org).

AmericanÂ’s All Stars is dedicated to building and strengthening character in America's youth. This is accomplished by creating various programs and services that serve to challenge millions of young people nationwide. In addition to building and strengthening character, these programs and services help youth better understand the work ethic and the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. For more information, visit: http://www. forallstars. org (http://www. forallstars. org).

About The American Red Cross American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of the recent hurricanes and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Donations are being accepted at Coinstar machines at select grocery stores across America. To find the nearest Coinstar machine, visit www. findcoinstar. com. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www. redcross. org (http://www. redcross. org)

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RFID Journal, GS1 Canada Announce Keynote Speaker and New Content Focus for RFID Journal LIVE! Canada

RFID Journal, GS1 Canada Announce Keynote Speaker and New Content Focus for RFID Journal LIVE! Canada

The 4th annual event will feature a keynote address by Keith Sheardown, general manager for technology solutions at Bombardier Transportation, and new tracks focused on traceability and health care solutions.

New York/Toronto (PRWEB) June 25, 2009

RFID Journal, the world's leading media and events company covering radio frequency identification (RFID), and GS1 Canada, a not-for-profit, vendor-neutral, user-driven organization supporting the adoption of Electronic Product Code (EPC) and other supply chain standards in Canada, announced today that Keith Sheardown, general manager for technology solutions at Bombardier Transportation, will deliver the opening keynote address at RFID Journal LIVE! Canada 2009, the fourth annual conference and exhibition, to be held on Oct. 5-6, 2009, at the Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto, Canada. The two companies also announced that a key theme of this year's event will be supply chain traceability and sustainability.

In addition to Sheardown, confirmed speakers also include:
David Smith, VP of retail strategy and sustainability, Sobeys, Gabriele Fusco, president, PeakWorks Bill Hardgrave, director, University of Arkansas' RFID Research Center Pankaj Sood, founder and manager, McMaster RFID Applications Lab Katie Dainty, Director, Centre for Health Services Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Dr. Merrick Zwarenstein, Senior Scientist, Centre for Health Services Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Dr. Dan Zikovitz, Centre for Health Services Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Amninder Singh Randhawa, Technical Director, RFID Centre of Excellence

"RFID Journal LIVE! Canada has emerged as an opportunity not to be missed by Canadian organizations of all sizes," said Art Smith, president and CEO of GS1 Canada. "Attendees will gain a more in-depth understating of standards and technologies, and also build key business relationships to improve efficiencies with their trading partners along the supply chain. The current economic environment makes it imperative for companies to reevaluate their business processes. An opportunity exists to implement leading traceability technologies to track a product along the supply chain, thereby improving efficiencies, reducing costs and enhancing consumer confidence."

As in the past, RFID Journal LIVE! Canada will feature end users from Canada, the United States and Europe presenting real-world case studies. The event will feature four conference tracks:

Achieving Internal Efficiencies Enhancing Traceability Improving Supply Chain Efficiencies Advancing Health Care

"RFID technologies and solutions have matured a great deal over the past two years, and many companies have deployed solutions that deliver a return on investment in less than a year," said Mark Roberti, founder and editor of RFID Journal. "This is the only event where Canadian companies can learn how to take advantage of a very powerful technology with proven benefits."

"I attended RFID Journal LIVE! Canada in 2007, and although we had no plans to use the technology, l found it a very valuable experience," Sheardown stated. "Listening to one of the speakers, I realized the solution his company had deployed in another industry could also be applied to a track-safety issue we were struggling to address."

For more information about RFID Journal LIVE! Canada, visit www. rfidjournalevents. com/livecanada (http://www. rfidjournalevents. com/livecanada).

About RFID Journal
RFID Journal is the leading source of news and in-depth information regarding radio frequency identification and its many business applications. Business executives and implementers depend on RFID Journal for up-to-the-minute RFID news, in-depth case studies, best practices, strategic insights and information about vendor solutions. This has made RFID Journal the most relied-upon and respected RFID information resource, serving the largest audience of RFID decision-makers worldwide--in print, online and at face-to-face events. For more information, visit www. rfidjournal. com.

About GS1 Canada
GS1 Canada is a vendor-neutral, not-for-profit, user-driven organization that promotes and maintains global standards for the identification of goods, locations and related e-commerce communication, and provides education and awareness of these global standards. Learn more at www. gs1ca. org.

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Stowe's Most Historic Inn Offers Room Giveaway to Launch Celebration of 175th Anniversary

Stowe's Most Historic Inn Offers Room Giveaway to Launch Celebration of 175th Anniversary

Green Mountain Inn's properties are listed as 13 and 14 on the National Register of Historical Places, and to celebrate they are offering room giveaways and deals for trips.

Stowe, VT (PRWEB) January 25, 2008

To kick off a year-long celebration of their 175th anniversary, the Green Mountain Inn will surprise their 175th guest in January and June with accommodations on the house. Upon check-in, the lucky guest will receive their stay for free (maximum of two nights) as compliments of the inn and as gratitude for their patronage.

The Green Mountain Inn was built as a private dwelling house in 1833 but was later traded for a farm and turned into a hotel complete with a dance hall, called the Mansfield House. It was renamed the Brick House in the late 1800s, and then renamed again by owner Mark Lovejoy who gave the property its now famous name, the Green Mountain Inn.

Over the years the inn has hosted many famous visitors, including Lowell Thomas, who made regular broadcasts from the inn, President Gerald Ford, who stayed at the inn as a student on a modeling assignment for Look Magazine, and President Chester A. Arthur, who acted in a theatrical production at the inn. There have also been many innkeepers over the years, including the famous Parker Perry, who owned the Stowe mountain resort for more than 35 years.

In 1982 the inn was purchased by Marvin Gameroff, a Canadian visitor to Stowe who fell in love with the property and began a massive restoration project including the additions of the Mansfield and Mill House. In 2008, the Stowe mountain resort is celebrating a milestone of 175 years in existence, with properties that rank at the top of the National Register of Historical Places

In addition to the room giveaways and special events, additional celebrations and deals on trips are scheduled throughout the entire year including:
> January and June: 175th person checking in receives their lodging for free
> February and December: 17.5 percent off all items in retail cabinet
> March and April: chowder supper and Stowe Lantern Tour for $17.50 every Thursday night
> May and August: Whip entrée specials for $17.50 every Tuesday night
> July and October: Walton Blodgett Green Mountain Inn summer or winter print for $17.50
> September and November: $1.75 crème brulee with purchase of entrée.

Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-253-7302 or online at www. GreenMountainInn. com

About the Green Mountain Inn:

The Green Mountain Inn, originally built in 1833, began as a coaching inn for 19th century travelers located in the heart of Stowe village. Stowe's original inn retains much of its antique charm, offering 104 rooms, suites and apartments. Guests enjoy two acclaimed restaurants, the Whip Bar & Grill and the Main Street Dining Room, specialty shops, a year-round heated outdoor pool, afternoon tea and cookies, health club facility, massage services and more.

Contact:
Www. greenmountaininn. com
Stowe, Vermont 05672

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Human Cloning Foundation Praises Baltimore Mayor for Supporting Stem Cell Research

Human Cloning Foundation Praises Baltimore Mayor for Supporting Stem Cell Research

The Human Cloning Foundation praised Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley for pushing for state funding of stem cell research.

Roseville, IL (PRWEB) October 16, 2005

The Human Cloning Foundation today praised Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley for pushing for state funding of stem cell research.

The Associated Press said Mayor O'Malley made the comments last week and quoted the Democratic gubernatorial candidate as saying that "we must move forward to promote stem cell research that will find cures for diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and juvenile diabetes."

According to AP, Mayor O'Malley also decried the fact that Baltimore has fallen behind states like California and Massachusetts in enacting legislation that will provide funds for stem cell research, "despite having leading institutions like John Hopkins University, the National Institute of Health and the University of Maryland."

Henry Eawell, a spokesman for Baltimore Governor Robert Ehrlich, told AP that the governor is also committed to supporting stem cell research and "is considering ways right now to empower the Maryland medical community to research potentially life saving medicines," but that there is "considerable debate underway if funding and regulation are best done at the state or federal level." Eawell told AP that the governor has not taken a position on whether he would support state funding for stem cell research at the 2006 legislative season.

Supporters of stem cell research in Baltimore are already trying to build support for bills they will introduce in January to provide aid to research institutions, AP reported.

Contact: Mr. David Madrigal

Spokesman, Human Cloning Foundation

Www. humancloning. org

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PGD Test Fails to Deliver Accurate Results

PGD Test Fails to Deliver Accurate Results

A new fertility test is being touted as the lastest & greatest. But what many couples need to know before they spend an extra $5,000.00 is that the test is not needed and can be very inaccurate.

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) March 4, 2005

For millions of Americans having a family is a life-long dream come true. But for Laguna Niguel resident Sian Shook, and her husband Paul, dreaming of one day raising a family of their own seemed to be just that, a dream. After trying to become pregnant for over a year, Sian 35, finally sought out guidance at a local fertility clinic. There, the doctor insisted that in addition to In Vitro Fertilization the ShookÂ’s spend an extra $5,000.00 to undergo Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). PGD is a test where one cell is removed from an embryo and tested for its genetic contents prior to transfer back into the uterus.

“The Shook’s were misled into thinking that the PGD test was a necessity,” says Robert Anderson, M. D., founder and medical director of the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine. “What they (and millions of women) didn’t know was how inaccurate the PGD test really can be.”

According to Dr. Anderson PGD is used to detect genetic diseases and chromosomal abnormalities in early embryos. When used correctly, it can identify diseases such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, Tay-Sachs, muscular dystrophy and many chromosomal abnormalities such as DownÂ’s Syndrom. Confusion arises, however, because doctors can only identify 9 out of the 23 chromosomes that comprise genetic make-up. That leaves14 chromosomes that may have abnormalities, that would be undetected. Recently it has been shown that as many as 50% of abnormalities come from these untested chromosomes. Additionally, research has show that up to 40% of embryos may have more than one genetic cell line, further adding to the confusion.

In Sian ShookÂ’s case, after having the PGD test the doctor told her that only 2 of her 9 eggs were viable and that she could not conceive without the use of an egg donor.

Sian decided to obtain a second opinion and sought out the expert advice of leading fertility specialist, Robert Anderson, M. D. After meeting with Dr. Anderson, he recommended that there was no indication for PGD and advised that to prevent potential damage to any normal embryos from the embryo biopsy procedure, the ShookÂ’s undergo InVitro Fertilization without PGD. After only one attempt of IVF, Sian became pregnant. Sian is now 15 weeks pregnant with her own healthy child and is due to deliver her baby in March 2005.

Dr. Anderson added that routinely using PGD is just another example of some doctorÂ’s using advancements in science in ways that are ethically questionable. Because of the inaccuracies in interpreting the test and the damage that can be done to otherwise normal embryos, he feels that PGD should not be used on a widespread basis. There are limited instances when he recommends patients to have the test. For example, when a woman continually has miscarriages caused by a demonstrated chromosomal abnormality or has a history of a certain genetically transmissible disease in the family, PGD may be of value.

“Although this test is helpful in some situations, the science behind it is still very premature,” commented Anderson. “Until we refine this test, I recommend most patients to spend the extra $5,000.00 on their newborn child!”

BIO: Board-Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Robert Anderson, M. D. is the founder and director of the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine and the Southern California Institute for Reproductive Sciences with locations in Newport Beach and Aliso Viejo, California. For over 16 years, Dr. Anderson has been helping couples with fertility problems realize their dreams of becoming a family. He has spent his career incorporating the latest and safest developments in reproductive medicine into his practice. Dr. Anderson is a leader in the field of reproductive endocrinology and fertility and has pioneered many techniques that are now common practice including; transferring embryos by transvaginal ultrasound, assisted hatching prior to the transfer of every embryo and blastocyst culturing. A graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Anderson also completed his Internship/Residency and Fellowship at the University of Chicago Hospitals and the University of Southern California respectively. Visit www. socalfertility. com

To interview Dr. Anderson and Sian Shook, contact The Professional Image, Inc. (949) 760-1522 or tpi4pr@theprofessionalimage. com.

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CDPHP Named First Capital Region Health Plan to Receive Diabetes Incentive Program Endorsement

CDPHP Named First Capital Region Health Plan to Receive Diabetes Incentive Program Endorsement

The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) has named CDPHP one of the first health plans to achieve its new Diabetes Incentive Program Endorsement. As a central component of the Foundation’s New York State Diabetes Campaign, NYSHealth’s Diabetes Policy Center, along with national partner Bridges to Excellence, created the endorsement program to promote financial incentives to providers that drive excellence in diabetes care and outcomes. Only two other health plans serving New York have received this endorsement to date.

Albany, NY (Vocus) January 15, 2010

The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) has named CDPHP one of the first health plans to achieve its new Diabetes Incentive Program Endorsement. As a central component of the Foundation’s New York State Diabetes Campaign, NYSHealth’s Diabetes Policy Center, along with national partner Bridges to Excellence, created the endorsement program to promote financial incentives to providers that drive excellence in diabetes care and outcomes. Only two other health plans serving New York have received this endorsement to date.

“As a community health plan committed to wellness, CDPHP is pleased to be the first Capital Region health plan recognized for its diabetes initiatives,” said John D. Bennett, MD, president and CEO, CDPHP. “We will continue to design and implement innovative programs that help our members address and manage their health issues.”

CDPHP has been recognized for demonstrating excellence by offering personal health coaches and classes to members with diabetes, and supplying providers with comprehensive reports on diabetes measures that allow for comparison with colleagues.

The endorsement program is designed to help consumers, providers, and employers identify the health plans that encourage the best diabetes care by offering the most effective incentive and reward programs, as well as helping health plans make improvements to their existing programs.

“Many of the devastating complications diabetes patients suffer from—like heart disease, kidney failure, and loss of limbs—can be prevented with proper treatment. Unfortunately, not enough New Yorkers with diabetes are getting the care they need,” said James R. Knickman, president and CEO of NYSHealth. “Our Diabetes Policy Center established this endorsement program to encourage health plans to reward providers for helping their patients achieve better outcomes. We’re proud to announce that CDPHP has answered that call.”

About NYSHealth
The New York State Health Foundation is a private Foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers. NYSHealth has a three-part mission: expanding health insurance coverage, increasing access to high-quality health care services, and improving public and community health by educating New Yorkers about health issues and empowering communities to address them.

About the New York State Diabetes Campaign
The New York State Health Foundation established the $35 million, five-year New York State Diabetes Campaign to reverse the diabetes epidemic in New York and significantly improve the health outcomes of New Yorkers with diabetes. The Campaign works to improve clinical care among primary care providers, mobilize communities, and promote policies that will sustain high-quality clinical care and healthy environments.

About CDPHP®
Founded in 1984 as a physician-founded and guided health plan, CDPHP and its affiliates currently serve members in 29 counties throughout New York state and seven counties in Vermont. The affiliated companies of CDPHP include a family of products: Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc.—HMO, Healthy New York, Medicare Choices (HMO), Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus; CDPHP Universal Benefits,® Inc.—PPO, High Deductible PPO, EPO, and Medicare Choices (PPO); and Capital District Physicians' Healthcare Network, Inc.—self-insured plans. Visit CDPHP (http://www. cdphp. com/).

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Ozarks Capital Funding Announces New Medical Receivables Factoring Program

Ozarks Capital Funding Announces New Medical Receivables Factoring Program

Ozarks Capital Funding, LLC, a Springfield, Missouri based financial services company, has announced an expansion of its traditional accounts receivable factoring and working capital products by providing such services for healthcare providers nationwide.

Springfield, MO (PRWEB) September 12, 2006

Ozarks Capital Funding, LLC has added a factoring product for the healthcare industry. According to Kent Harlan, a Certified Public Accountant since 1984 and owner of OCF, "the healthcare industry has a need for these products to allow hospitals, clinics, and individual practices to thrive and grow. A fast-growing healthcare provider often finds it difficult to acquire much-needed capital because of the complexities of third party billing. Banks are leery of loaning money to physicians for that reason". The medical A/R factoring program is not a loan to the provider. The factoring company advances 75%-85% of the accounts receivable third-party billings that are submitted for funding. When the bills are paid by the insurance company or the government, the remainder is remitted to the provider less the factoring fee (typically 2%-3%).

"We're excited to offer these products because it compliments our existing product line of equipment leasing, commercial factoring, and asset based lending", added Harlan. "Factoring helps stabilize cash flow and allows providers peace of mind, especially when they don't have to wait 30 to 60 days to collect their money."

Candidates for funding include hospitals, surgery centers, labs, medical staffing companies and other related medical organizations. "Unlike many companies that provide this service, we are able to include chiropractors in the funding process."

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ESF to Host Second Annual Proud Hearts Reach Out Day of Service

ESF to Host Second Annual Proud Hearts Reach Out Day of Service

The Empowering Spirits Foundation will hold its annual Proud Hearts Reach Out service events in conjunction with Coming Out Day across the nation October 9, 2010.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 17, 2010

The Empowering Spirits Foundation (http://www. empoweringspirits. org/) (ESF), a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization will hold its “Proud Hearts Reach Out” service events across the nation on October 9, 2010 as a pre-kick off to National Coming Out Week.

For Proud Hearts Reach Out 2010, ESF has collaborated with the Department of Defense Federal Globe (http://www. dodfedglobe. com/) (DOD FED Globe), Habitat for Humanity, TexTango (http://www. textango. com/), MyOutSpirit. com (http://www. myoutspirit. com. s93653.gridserver. com/), and Equality Alabama (https://http://www. equalityalabama. com); to once again participate in a day of service-oriented events designed to allow LGBT individuals to work side-by-side with their non-LGBT counterparts.

The goal of ESF’s Proud Hearts Reach Out is to open and develop channels of communication between both communities.

The events will take place between 9am and 4:30pm in cities throughout the US. Such events include but are not limited to assisting the San Diego Park and Recreation Department restore Gonzalez Canyon in Del Mar, CA; assisting Habitat for Humanity start construction of a new home for the Flamen family in Birmingham, AL; assisting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee serve the hungry in Nashville, TN; assisting the DuMond Conservancy for Primates and Tropical Forests in Miami, FL, and assisting the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and Partnerships for Parks to help restore a park in Manhattan, NY.

“ESF is proud to be working with various organizations to address many of the major issues facing Americans today; affordable housing, inadequate healthcare, and a lack of funds for neighborhood revitalization,” said A. Latham Staples, ESF President and CEO.

“These issues affect people of all sexual orientations,” said Staples. “This year’s day of service is not only a great opportunity to help those in need, but to also work side by side with non-LGBT individuals in a non-partisan manner in an effort to engage in dialogue, promote understanding and equality.”

"Any time we build coalitions through mutual efforts with the greater society, huge strides are made in educating the public,” said Lisa Kove, Executive Director of DOD FED Globe. “Once those that might not have previous exposure to, or understanding of the LGBT community, find themselves in a situation where they’re working alongside us, barriers and misconception are broken down.”

Said TextTango Vice President Rudy Camacho, “TexTango’s decision to partner with ESF was a no-brainer. As a mobile advertising company, our goal is to bring brands and consumers together. On a more humanistic scope, we also embrace opportunities to connect people supporting the greater good, regardless of sexual orientation or sexual identity.”

Volunteers are asked to visit http://www. empoweringspirits. org (http://www. empoweringspirits. org) to R. S.V. P. For more information on this and other events please visit http://www. empoweringspirits. org (http://www. empoweringspirits. org), or call (858) 523-8201.

About the Empowering Spirits Foundation, Inc.

The Empowering Spirits Foundation, Inc. (ESF), a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, is a non-partisan civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality through community service activities. Since its inception ESF has been taking the struggle for LGBT equality into the next era by fostering non-confrontational dialogue with individuals and institutions that may have not previously supported LGBT populations. Instead of attempting to change laws ESF strives to change the hearts and minds of those who are generally ignored by existing LGBT organizations.

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SheKnows and Pregnancy&Baby Launches a New and Improved Pregnancy Calendar and Offers Pregnancy Timeline Tips

SheKnows and Pregnancy&Baby Launches a New and Improved Pregnancy Calendar and Offers Pregnancy Timeline Tips

SheKnows. com, one of the fastest growing online destinations for women, and the SheKnows-owned PregnancyandBaby. com a site focusing solely on pregnancy and babies, recently launched a new and improved comprehensive daily Pregnancy Calendar that now delivers more information, countdowns and personalization than ever before.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) September 4, 2009

sheknows, one of the fastest growing online destinations for women, and the SheKnows-owned pregnancyandbaby. com a site focusing solely on pregnancy and babies, recently launched a new and improved comprehensive daily Pregnancy Calendar that now delivers more information, countdowns and personalization than ever before.

The new Pregnancy Calendar was created especially to suit the need-to-know mindset of expectant parents, the free PregnancyAndBaby. com daily Pregnancy Calendar offers three to five news bites of information for each day, customized for each stage of pregnancy.

"When you're carrying a baby for nine-plus months, you can get pretty obsessed with time," says SheKnows Founding Editor Nancy J. Price. "You are always thinking about how far along you are, when you will reach certain date-related milestones, and how much longer you have to wait to meet this baby!"

To that end, every page of the calendar reports how many days and weeks have passed, baby's gestational age, a countdown of days remaining, as well as a pie chart graphic showing the progress through pregnancy. Other tools include: due date and conception date calculators as well as a prenatal appointment timelines, are also available on the PregnancyandBaby. com site.

Membership is free and optional, but by registering on the day-by-day pregnancy calendar, the system will save the user's date information, provide customized entries and offer other perks, such as printable calendar pages.

To get a personalized pregnancy calendar, visit pregnancyandbaby. com (http://www. PregnancyAndBaby. com/calendar)

PREGNANCY TIMELINE TIPS

1. A quick way to figure out your due date: Add 7 to the number (date in the month) of the first day your period started, then subtract three months and add a year.

2. Due date calculations are typically based on the average 28-day menstrual cycle. However, if your periods are irregular (for example, your cycles vary in length a few days or a week or more) your due date could possibly be off by an equal amount of time.

3. Always remember that a due date is an estimate only, as every baby -- like every human -- is an individual. (Think of it this way: Did you have a growth spurt or start your period at exactly the same time your friends did?)

4. In reality, only about five percent of babies are born on what is technically considered their due dates. Most babies are born anywhere between two weeks before and two weeks after that date -- and they're perfectly term and healthy.

5. Week 1, when talking about the typical 40 weeks of pregnancy, starts on the first day of your period. Even though you're not actually pregnant yet, most caregivers count everything from this date. The number of weeks passed, based on the 40 week term from your last menstrual period (also known as your "LMP" date), is called "menstrual age."

6. Two weeks after your term officially begins, when -- and if -- one of your eggs is fertilized, "gestational age" starts to mark time since baby's conception. This term lasts about 38 weeks, which is the amount of time your baby is actually developing.

7. Knowing how your ovulation date coincided with the potential for conception may give you a hint as to the sex of the baby you're carrying. The reasoning behind what's called the Shettles Method is that "female" and "male" sperm actually behave differently: Female sperm are slower but live longer, while male sperm move faster and die younger.

About SheKnows:
Getting to the heart of what it really means to be a woman, sheknows. com attracts more than 24 million unique visitors. With editors dedicated to providing daily content for women seeking advice, information and a fresh fun take on life, the site is the authoritative source for women ages 18 to 54. The SheKnows audience gains access to exclusive content on entertainment, parenting, health and wellness, money and career, dating, beauty and style and more, and are offered a stimulating, well-rounded online experience enhanced with a vibrant message board community, free games and activities, and captivating blogs.

As one of the fastest growing destinations on the web, SheKnows is consistently one of the top 10 properties for women, generating over 150 million page views each month. For advertisers, opportunities for sponsorship and creative integration go well beyond the banner and make marketing messages an uninterrupted part of the user experience. The company is based in Los Angeles with offices in New York, Scottsdale and Chicago. SheKnows is part of atomiconline. com, a diversified online media company.

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Sunless Tanning Company Ensures All That Glitters is Bronze at This Year's EMMY Awards

Sunless Tanning Company Ensures All That Glitters is Bronze at This Year's EMMY Awards

Infinity Sun, Hollywood's most high profile spray tanning company, announces their new sunless tanning line will be available in time for this year's EMMY Awards

Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) September 17, 2009

Infinity Sun, based in Beverly Hills California today announced that Infinity Sun's sunless tanning and skin enhancement product line will be ready in time for this year's EMMY Awards.

Founder and CEO of Infinity Sun, Veronique Munro stated that "after years of research and development, we have finally completed the formulation of some of the most skin-nourishing sunless tanning products ever to hit the market". "Our goal was to have them ready in time for the EMMYS this year and now that we reached our deadline, we have decided to officially launch the entire line at two of the most high profile EMMY gifting suites here in Beverly Hills, GBK's 'Luxury Bazaar for the Senses' and WOW Creations Celebrity Suite".

Infinity Sun will be offering Airbrush spray tans to all the presenters and nominees of this year's EMMY awards, as well as providing them with exclusive access to the full line, including Infinity Sun's Non abrasive pineapple enzyme Exfoliant, Grapefruit Extender, Cucumber Extender with shimmer and both Glow on the Go Sunless Tanning products.

Infinity Sun Exfoliant is designed to remove dead skin cells at the end of their lifecycle with a non abrasive cream, unlike traditional methods of exfoliation. It contains a pineapple enzyme that leaves the skin surface unflawed and ready for an even absorption on the outer layers of the skin.

Infinity Sun Extenders contain galactoarabinan, a skin conditioner that reduces transepidermal water loss that keeps the skin hydrated. Additional plant extracts, emolients and humectants are added to prolong the life of the skin cells, ensuring the sunless tan lasts longer on the skin. DHA and eythrulose deposit additional color, reviving color before it begins to fade.

Infinity Extend with shimmer contains mica particulates which produces a radiant shimmering effect.

Infinity Sun's "Glow On the Go" is an Eco-Friendly Sunless Tanning aerosol, made with 7 essential oils, Vitamin A, E and vanilla aromatherapy. It is the only spray tan in a can that does not use propellants and alcohol, that keeps the skin soft and hydrated, while creating a sumptuous glow that lasts for up to 7 days.

Infinity Sun is the first and only Carbon Neutral Company in the tanning industry and all Infinity Sun products contain organic ingredients.

Some of this year's EMMY Awards presenters include Patricia Arquette, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Some of the TV shows nominated this year include 30 Rock, Grey Gardens, Mad Men, Dancing With The Start and American Idol.

Infinity Sun develops state-of-the-art Airbrush spray tanning technology and beauty products for consumers, health and beauty related businesses, entrepreneurs and mobile spray tanners.

Infinity Sun's Celebrity clientele includes: Brooke Burke, winner of "Dancing With the Stars", Jessica Alba, Giselle Bündchen, Paula Abdul, Adrien Grenier, Mandy Moore, David Beckham and many more. Infinity Sun is featured prominently on many hit TV shows, including Millionaire Matchmaker, Entourage, Sunset Tan, The Style Network's "Style Scenes", E! Entertainment's Academy awards "48 hour make-over", Dr 90210 and many others. Infinity Sun was also the Official Spray Tanning system on the Britney Spears Circus Tour.

For more information about Infinity Sun's new Sunless Tanning enhancement product line, please visit http://www. infinitysun. com (http://www. infinitysun. com).

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Stevia-Sweetened Sodas Are A Natural Winner

Stevia-Sweetened Sodas Are A Natural Winner

Fresh Ingredient Soft Drinks Are Easy-To-Make, Healthy And Cost Pennies Per Glass. Here is a recipe for 100% Natural Lo-Cal Ginger Ale. This homemade soda requires only five ingredients and takes five minutes to make. Sweetened with Stevia Extract In The Raw, the finished result is a fresh, thirst-quenching soda that is only 5 calories per serving.

New York (PRWEB) June 11, 2009

Who says that "soda" by definition is a store-bought, syrup-y sweet drink made from ingredients that are difficult to pronounce and impossible to find in nature? Do-it-yourselfers (DIY), the people who consistently create products that outperform and save money are now giving store-bought sodas a run for the money.

Homemade sodas can be easy to make, low in calories and great tasting when fresh all natural ingredients are in the mix. To make a thirst-quenching low calorie Ginger Ale, all it takes is five ingredients and five minutes. The following recipe uses fresh lemon and ginger root, vanilla extract, seltzer water and Stevia Extract In The Raw™. The stevia adds just the right touch of sweetness without adding calories, and best of all it's 100% natural.

Lo-Cal Ginger Ale

2 liters plain seltzer water
1 tablespoon pressed fresh ginger juice
1 fresh squeezed lemon (medium-sized)
5 packets Stevia Extract In The Raw
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Yield - 2 Liters, approximately 8 servings) Only 5 calories per serving

Instructions: Cut small pieces of peeled ginger root and place in a press (like the kind used for garlic). Press ginger root to produce 1 tablespoon of juice and place in small bowl. Add lemon juice, vanilla extract and Stevia Extract In The Raw. Stir to combine. Open 2-liter bottle of seltzer and pour out 1/2 cup to make room for soda flavor mixture. Using a funnel, pour mixture into soda bottle and quickly screw on cap. Careful! The carbonated water will react "explosively" with the natural ingredients in flavor mixture. Allow for ingredients to mix with water and for some gas to be released from bottle prior to uncapping - by unscrewing cap just a small amount to hear "hissssss". Pour over ice and enjoy!

"Consumers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of low calorie, stevia-sweetened sodas," says Mike Decker, Marketing Director at Cumberland Packing Corp., the maker of Stevia Extract In The Raw. "It dawned on us, that by combining carbonated water, fresh natural ingredients and Stevia Extract In The Raw, we'd not only have an alternative to store-bought soda, we'd have a healthier, cleaner-tasting version of the traditionally favored soft drink."

About Stevia Extract In The Raw
Stevia Extract In The Raw is a 100% natural zero calorie sweetener. Its sweetness is derived from Rebiana (aka Reb-A) -- an extract from the Stevia plant. Stevia Extract In The Raw is manufactured by Cumberland Packing Corp., the company that produces Sugar In The Raw natural cane turbinado sugar. For more information and stevia-sweetened recipes, visit www. steviaextractintheraw. com.

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