New Zealand businesses have raised $1 million for victims of the Canterbury earthquake.
Celebrities and business figures were out in force at last night's Canterbury Benefit Dinner at Auckland's Sky City.
Prime Minister John Key helped raise funds, with opportunities to dine with him fetching over $70,000 combined in the fundraising auction.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker attended the event and thanked New Zealanders for their generosity.
All the proceeds will go to the Canterbury Mayoral Fund.
It was a Who's Who of New Zealand celebrities and business figures who pulled their wallets out at the dinner.
One of the people up for auction took time out of a busy schedule to be there.
With the Bathurst 1000 roaring into action this weekend, Greg Murphy is hard at work but a few laps with Murph was snapped up for $10,000.
Murphy said he is a proud Kiwi and knows a lot of people in Christchurch. He guaranteed the winning bidder would have a good time but warned that he "doesn't do soft rides".
Musician Gin Wigmore said she only had a dollar to her name, but supported the event by performing.
Two VIP tickets to next year's first Bledisloe Cup test were also in demand and raised $9000, as did two premiere tickets to a Glee concert in Los Angeles.
The night was expected to provide a significant boost to the Christchurch relief fund and a morale boost for the residents of Canterbury.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Monday, October 04, 2010
Modified Chopsticks Wins Invention Competition
An 18-year-old Taiwanese girl who invented a pair of modified chopsticks has become the youngest medalist this year at one of Asia's largest invention shows that ended Sunday in Taipei.
Hsu Wei-ju won a bronze medal and two special awards in the categories of female inventor and young inventor at the Taipei International Invention Show and Technomart, the organizers announced Saturday.
"The award took her by surprise and it is her first invention, " said her mother, who received the awards on her daughter's behalf.
"It took her six months to produce the chopsticks," she added.
The prize-winning chopsticks are made of medical-grade stainless steel, while most other metal chopsticks are made of industrial stainless steel. In addition, her mother said, most telescopic chopsticks on the market are inconvenient to wash, but Hsu's design improves on this flaw, making them easier to clean.
A total of 962 entries from 18 countries took part in the competition, with 832 entries from Taiwan and 130 entries from other countries, featuring more than 2,000 new inventions and technologies.
Hsu Wei-ju won a bronze medal and two special awards in the categories of female inventor and young inventor at the Taipei International Invention Show and Technomart, the organizers announced Saturday.
"The award took her by surprise and it is her first invention, " said her mother, who received the awards on her daughter's behalf.
"It took her six months to produce the chopsticks," she added.
The prize-winning chopsticks are made of medical-grade stainless steel, while most other metal chopsticks are made of industrial stainless steel. In addition, her mother said, most telescopic chopsticks on the market are inconvenient to wash, but Hsu's design improves on this flaw, making them easier to clean.
A total of 962 entries from 18 countries took part in the competition, with 832 entries from Taiwan and 130 entries from other countries, featuring more than 2,000 new inventions and technologies.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Blood Diamond Controversy with Charity
Jeremy Ratcliffe, the former head of Nelson Mandela’s charity who admitted receiving uncut diamonds from model Naomi Campbell, was charged in a Johannesburg court this week.
Ratcliffe was charged on Sept. 28 with possession of uncut diamonds under the Contravention of Diamonds Act, Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, said in a phone interview from Johannesburg today.
On Aug. 5, Campbell told the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor that two strangers gave her some “dirty looking stones” after a 1997 dinner at the home of then South African president Mandela. She testified that she handed the diamonds to Ratcliffe, who was chief executive officer of Mandela’s charity at the time. Ratcliffe handed the diamonds to South African police on Aug. 6 after Campbell’s testimony.
Ratcliffe wasn’t asked to plead when he appeared in the Wynberg magistrate court this week, Mhaga said. The case was postponed until Oct. 27 to give Ratcliffe time to make representations to the head of the prosecuting agency, he added.
The Johannesburg-based Saturday Star, which reported today on Ratcliffe’s court appearance, said the charges carry a 10- year jail sentence.
Calls to the Johannesburg office line of Bridget Masango, spokeswoman of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, weren’t answered today.
Taylor is facing charges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, including enlisting child soldiers, murder and sexual slavery during the 1991-2002 civil war in the West African country, which claimed as many as 250,000 lives. He has denied the charges, as well as allegations that he provided weapons to fighters in the Revolutionary United Front, a Sierra Leone rebel movement, in exchange for diamonds.
Ratcliffe was charged on Sept. 28 with possession of uncut diamonds under the Contravention of Diamonds Act, Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, said in a phone interview from Johannesburg today.
On Aug. 5, Campbell told the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor that two strangers gave her some “dirty looking stones” after a 1997 dinner at the home of then South African president Mandela. She testified that she handed the diamonds to Ratcliffe, who was chief executive officer of Mandela’s charity at the time. Ratcliffe handed the diamonds to South African police on Aug. 6 after Campbell’s testimony.
Ratcliffe wasn’t asked to plead when he appeared in the Wynberg magistrate court this week, Mhaga said. The case was postponed until Oct. 27 to give Ratcliffe time to make representations to the head of the prosecuting agency, he added.
The Johannesburg-based Saturday Star, which reported today on Ratcliffe’s court appearance, said the charges carry a 10- year jail sentence.
Calls to the Johannesburg office line of Bridget Masango, spokeswoman of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, weren’t answered today.
Taylor is facing charges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, including enlisting child soldiers, murder and sexual slavery during the 1991-2002 civil war in the West African country, which claimed as many as 250,000 lives. He has denied the charges, as well as allegations that he provided weapons to fighters in the Revolutionary United Front, a Sierra Leone rebel movement, in exchange for diamonds.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Celebrities Support Aids Charity
With only one month to go, pregnant Alicia Keys could be forgiven for wanting to stay home and put her feet up.
But the passionate star was dressed to the nines last night to host the annual Black Ball for her charity Keep A Child Alive in New York.
This year A-listers such as Beyonce and husband Jay-Z, Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Hudson braved the high winds to raise funds for HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
The 29-year-old dazzled in a strapless grey lace Dolce & Gabbana gown with her hair elegantly swept up. She kept her footwear sensible though, in a pair of glittering flat sandals.
But he may want to watch out for notorious charmer Usher, who also sezied his chance to pose with the beautiful mother-to-be. The singer flirted and kissed a blushing Alicia, who looked thrilled by the extra attention.
And while Alicia looked picture perfect on the red carpet, her big name attendees did not manage the same dignified entrance.
Celebrities like Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson, actress Jane Krakowski, Whitney Houston and Sade almost got blown away by the incredible 50mph winds, that left them struggling to keep their hair and couture downs in place.
But the passionate star was dressed to the nines last night to host the annual Black Ball for her charity Keep A Child Alive in New York.
This year A-listers such as Beyonce and husband Jay-Z, Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson, Whitney Houston and Jennifer Hudson braved the high winds to raise funds for HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
The 29-year-old dazzled in a strapless grey lace Dolce & Gabbana gown with her hair elegantly swept up. She kept her footwear sensible though, in a pair of glittering flat sandals.
But he may want to watch out for notorious charmer Usher, who also sezied his chance to pose with the beautiful mother-to-be. The singer flirted and kissed a blushing Alicia, who looked thrilled by the extra attention.
And while Alicia looked picture perfect on the red carpet, her big name attendees did not manage the same dignified entrance.
Celebrities like Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson, actress Jane Krakowski, Whitney Houston and Sade almost got blown away by the incredible 50mph winds, that left them struggling to keep their hair and couture downs in place.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Charity for Children
BROOKSVILLE — Monster Transmission and Performance started eight years ago as a small family business. Since then, the business has outgrown two buildings and moved to its third facility six months ago, next to the Hernando County Fairgrounds. It now boasts about 25 employees.
To thank the community and raise money for children's charities, Monster has teamed up with its neighbors at the fairgrounds and will present the first Monster Auto Show and Children's Charity Event on Saturday.
The daylong event will include a car, truck and bike show, an all-day truck pull, a truck tug-of-war, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and a large kids area with bounce houses, inflatables, face painting and balloons.
Music will be provided by various bands throughout the day, with Thunderstruck, an AC/DC tribute band, headlining.
"We've done (community) projects in the past, but nothing of this magnitude," said Achilles Thomas, the owner of Monster Transmission. "It's coming along surprisingly well, considering this is our first time."
Thomas said the Speed Channel's Two Guys Garage show, with hosts Bryan Fuller and Kevin Byrd, will be filming Saturday morning at Monster Transmission, then throughout the day at the fairgrounds.
"They should be at the fairgrounds around noon," Thomas said, "and will be signing autographs and taking footage."
The car, truck and bike show is expected to be large. More than $10,000 will be awarded in cash prizes and giveaways. Entry fees are $20 for cars and trucks and $15 for bikes; registration can be done in advance or at the show.
Thomas said about 100 vehicle owners have already registered, and he expects many more to register at the event. "They're coming in droves," he said.
Also joining forces with Monster's event is the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, which has organized an art contest for Hernando County students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Entries will be accepted through noon Saturday at the event, or can be dropped off today at Monster Transmission. Judging will be at 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded, and winning works will be displayed at Monster.
To cap the day's events, there will be a fireworks display at approximately 8 p.m. The show will be provided by Zambelli Fireworks, a national company that has provided fireworks displays at Walt Disney World.
"There's going to be a ton of things going on," Thomas said. "It's all coming together really nicely."
Proceeds from the day's events will benefit several children's charities, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Children's Home Society of Florida.
To thank the community and raise money for children's charities, Monster has teamed up with its neighbors at the fairgrounds and will present the first Monster Auto Show and Children's Charity Event on Saturday.
The daylong event will include a car, truck and bike show, an all-day truck pull, a truck tug-of-war, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and a large kids area with bounce houses, inflatables, face painting and balloons.
Music will be provided by various bands throughout the day, with Thunderstruck, an AC/DC tribute band, headlining.
"We've done (community) projects in the past, but nothing of this magnitude," said Achilles Thomas, the owner of Monster Transmission. "It's coming along surprisingly well, considering this is our first time."
Thomas said the Speed Channel's Two Guys Garage show, with hosts Bryan Fuller and Kevin Byrd, will be filming Saturday morning at Monster Transmission, then throughout the day at the fairgrounds.
"They should be at the fairgrounds around noon," Thomas said, "and will be signing autographs and taking footage."
The car, truck and bike show is expected to be large. More than $10,000 will be awarded in cash prizes and giveaways. Entry fees are $20 for cars and trucks and $15 for bikes; registration can be done in advance or at the show.
Thomas said about 100 vehicle owners have already registered, and he expects many more to register at the event. "They're coming in droves," he said.
Also joining forces with Monster's event is the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, which has organized an art contest for Hernando County students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Entries will be accepted through noon Saturday at the event, or can be dropped off today at Monster Transmission. Judging will be at 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded, and winning works will be displayed at Monster.
To cap the day's events, there will be a fireworks display at approximately 8 p.m. The show will be provided by Zambelli Fireworks, a national company that has provided fireworks displays at Walt Disney World.
"There's going to be a ton of things going on," Thomas said. "It's all coming together really nicely."
Proceeds from the day's events will benefit several children's charities, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Children's Home Society of Florida.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Gates and Buffett Meet Chinese Power Brokers
Warren Buffett said the meeting he and Bill Gates had in Beijing with 50 Chinese leaders in business and philanthropy “was a complete success,” according to a release from the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation.
“We had a terrific exchange of views, and learned a great deal about the good work that is already underway,” Buffett said, according to the e-mailed release. “Today’s generation of successful entrepreneurs has the chance to lead and inspire giving for generations to come.”
Buffett, 80, is depleting his fortune, estimated by Forbes magazine at $45 billion, through donations. He has pledged the bulk of his wealth to the Gates Foundation and makes annual gifts to charities seeking to ease hunger, boost education in the U.S. and promote access to abortions. He joined Bill Gates to start the Giving Pledge initiative to elicit greater gifts from billionaires.
Buffett said this month that he wasn’t going to China to pressure people to make donations. The billionaire said in a letter that he didn’t know if the Giving Pledge was the right approach for Chinese philanthropists. Some wealthy Chinese declined an invitation to attend a private gathering with Gates and Buffett in Beijing, Chinese-language newspaper Economic Observer reported.
Buffett, chairman of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc., said yesterday that China will have to find its own approach to large philanthropy. Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft Corp., thanked attendees for their time, candor and insights.
The 90 minute meeting yesterday evening at the Chateau Lafitte hotel was moderated by Yang Lan, a Chinese talk show host, and was fllowed by a reception. The foundation won’t make the guest list public, according to the release.
“We had a terrific exchange of views, and learned a great deal about the good work that is already underway,” Buffett said, according to the e-mailed release. “Today’s generation of successful entrepreneurs has the chance to lead and inspire giving for generations to come.”
Buffett, 80, is depleting his fortune, estimated by Forbes magazine at $45 billion, through donations. He has pledged the bulk of his wealth to the Gates Foundation and makes annual gifts to charities seeking to ease hunger, boost education in the U.S. and promote access to abortions. He joined Bill Gates to start the Giving Pledge initiative to elicit greater gifts from billionaires.
Buffett said this month that he wasn’t going to China to pressure people to make donations. The billionaire said in a letter that he didn’t know if the Giving Pledge was the right approach for Chinese philanthropists. Some wealthy Chinese declined an invitation to attend a private gathering with Gates and Buffett in Beijing, Chinese-language newspaper Economic Observer reported.
Buffett, chairman of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc., said yesterday that China will have to find its own approach to large philanthropy. Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft Corp., thanked attendees for their time, candor and insights.
The 90 minute meeting yesterday evening at the Chateau Lafitte hotel was moderated by Yang Lan, a Chinese talk show host, and was fllowed by a reception. The foundation won’t make the guest list public, according to the release.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
New Product for Plastics Industry
American Nano Silicon Technologies, Inc. (ANNO 2.00, 0.00, 0.00%) ("ANNO" or "the Company"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of micro nano silicon based products, announced today that the Company plans to launch its new product offering - non-halogen phosphate flame retardant additive for plastic industry. The new application of micro nano silicon developed by the Company's R&D center has passed the stringent flame retardancy standard test and the Company is designing a production line that will ultimately yield production of approximately 30,000 tons per year. The first of these production lines, which will immediately yield up to 5,000 tons of production capacity, will begin construction in October 2010 with the remainder expected to be completed by the summer 2011. The Company expects that upon completion the 30,000 ton production line will yield $35 MM in revenue with $12 MM in net profit annually.
In 2009, the annual global production of plastic material was over 300 million tons with an annual demand for flame retardant additives in excess of 24 million tons. When exposed to flame, the Company's non-halogen phosphate flame retardant product is a shown to be comparatively less toxic, with lower smoke density and minimally invasive odor when compared to its competitor's products. Additionally, the Company's non-halogen phosphate flame retardant additive features a lower specific gravity, lower loading levels and non-blooming help to exemplify the overall cost savings that benefit the user from importing products.
"The introduction of this non-halogen phosphate flame retardant additive once again reinforces our Company's commitment to technological innovation," Mr. Pu Fachun, the CEO of the Company commented, "being applied as a non-halogen phosphate flame retardant additive creates another commercial performance advantage for micro nano silicon as an ultra fine crystal structured chemical material. We believe American Nano has the potential to become the industry leader in high performance flame retardant additives. " Mr. Pu continued, "We are committed to protecting the environment by developing environmentally friendly products. All of our products are based on emerging technology and are an important contribution to improving consumer safety while being environmentally friendly."
About American Nano Silicon Technologies, Inc.
American Nano Silicon Technologies, Inc., through its 95%-owned subsidiary, Nanchong Chunfei Nano Silicon Technologies Co., Ltd., is engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing micro-nano silicon based products. While the Company's micro nano silicon based products are focused on the concrete and non-phosphate detergent industries, micro nano silicon (TM) is adaptable to and widely used in many consumer and industrial products, including: laundry detergent, petrochemical, plastics, rubber, paper, ceramics and water treatment materials.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of American Nano Silicon and its subsidiary companies, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the continued demand for American Nano Silicon Technology, Inc.'s products, American Nano Silicon Technology Inc.'s ability to sustain growth for the balance of the year, and its ability to generally meet all of its objectives. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including all business uncertainties relating to product development, marketing, and concentration in a small number of customers, raw material costs, market acceptance, future capital requirements, and competition in general as well as other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in the Company's filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, American Nano Silicon Technology, Inc. will not update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In 2009, the annual global production of plastic material was over 300 million tons with an annual demand for flame retardant additives in excess of 24 million tons. When exposed to flame, the Company's non-halogen phosphate flame retardant product is a shown to be comparatively less toxic, with lower smoke density and minimally invasive odor when compared to its competitor's products. Additionally, the Company's non-halogen phosphate flame retardant additive features a lower specific gravity, lower loading levels and non-blooming help to exemplify the overall cost savings that benefit the user from importing products.
"The introduction of this non-halogen phosphate flame retardant additive once again reinforces our Company's commitment to technological innovation," Mr. Pu Fachun, the CEO of the Company commented, "being applied as a non-halogen phosphate flame retardant additive creates another commercial performance advantage for micro nano silicon as an ultra fine crystal structured chemical material. We believe American Nano has the potential to become the industry leader in high performance flame retardant additives. " Mr. Pu continued, "We are committed to protecting the environment by developing environmentally friendly products. All of our products are based on emerging technology and are an important contribution to improving consumer safety while being environmentally friendly."
About American Nano Silicon Technologies, Inc.
American Nano Silicon Technologies, Inc., through its 95%-owned subsidiary, Nanchong Chunfei Nano Silicon Technologies Co., Ltd., is engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing micro-nano silicon based products. While the Company's micro nano silicon based products are focused on the concrete and non-phosphate detergent industries, micro nano silicon (TM) is adaptable to and widely used in many consumer and industrial products, including: laundry detergent, petrochemical, plastics, rubber, paper, ceramics and water treatment materials.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of American Nano Silicon and its subsidiary companies, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the continued demand for American Nano Silicon Technology, Inc.'s products, American Nano Silicon Technology Inc.'s ability to sustain growth for the balance of the year, and its ability to generally meet all of its objectives. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including all business uncertainties relating to product development, marketing, and concentration in a small number of customers, raw material costs, market acceptance, future capital requirements, and competition in general as well as other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in the Company's filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, American Nano Silicon Technology, Inc. will not update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Mesa Arizona Gets $3 Million for Education
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded Mesa a $3 million grant to boost the community’s low college completion rate.
Mesa is one of just four cities to get the funds, along with New York, San Francisco and Riverside, Calif.
Locally, the city and educators are working on how they can double the number of low-income youths who get a college degree within a decade. Only 8 percent of low-income residents in Mesa have a degree by age 26. The effort is headed by the city, Mesa Community College and the Mesa Unified School District.
Mesa has higher high-school graduation rates than the state or nationwide average, said Joe O’Reilly, the director of student achievement support research and evaluation for Mesa schools. But more and more jobs require a college degree or other training.
“Just getting them out of high school isn’t enough,” O’Reilly said.
While 86 percent of students surveyed say they’ll attend college, only 56 percent actually do. Educators also want to reduce the number of students who quit college for various reasons.
The United States has fallen behind other countries, even some developing nations, in terms of college education, said Shouan Pan, president of Mesa Community College.
“If America wants to be a superpower so to speak, maintain our leading status or even our daily quality of life, we have to dramatically increase the proportion of citizens who have post secondary education,” Pan said.
The city, MCC and Mesa schools have worked for the Gates Foundation grant since 2008. The city got a $250,000 grant in October to start developing a plan. That effort resulted in this grant, which will span three years.
The city has worked for two years with Mesa Community College and the Mesa Unified School District to get more low-income youths in college — and to stay until they get a degree.
Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said the plan involves targeting specific demographics and focusing efforts on those least likely to attend college.
The weak economy won’t prevent the effort from working, Brady said, because it should involve less money than it does a change in how the community approaches youths.
“It’s more about the choices they make and why they make them,” Brady said.
Mesa sees the grant as a potential boost to economic development. The city is trying to recruit colleges, and higher numbers of college-bound students will make the area a more attractive market.
With college graduates making almost twice the income of high school-only graduates over a lifetime, they’ll pay more taxes and be more likely to invest in the city’s aging neighborhoods.
“These are the people who, if we don’t give them the tools to get post-secondary education, they become a burden to the city,” Pan said.
Mesa is one of just four cities to get the funds, along with New York, San Francisco and Riverside, Calif.
Locally, the city and educators are working on how they can double the number of low-income youths who get a college degree within a decade. Only 8 percent of low-income residents in Mesa have a degree by age 26. The effort is headed by the city, Mesa Community College and the Mesa Unified School District.
Mesa has higher high-school graduation rates than the state or nationwide average, said Joe O’Reilly, the director of student achievement support research and evaluation for Mesa schools. But more and more jobs require a college degree or other training.
“Just getting them out of high school isn’t enough,” O’Reilly said.
While 86 percent of students surveyed say they’ll attend college, only 56 percent actually do. Educators also want to reduce the number of students who quit college for various reasons.
The United States has fallen behind other countries, even some developing nations, in terms of college education, said Shouan Pan, president of Mesa Community College.
“If America wants to be a superpower so to speak, maintain our leading status or even our daily quality of life, we have to dramatically increase the proportion of citizens who have post secondary education,” Pan said.
The city, MCC and Mesa schools have worked for the Gates Foundation grant since 2008. The city got a $250,000 grant in October to start developing a plan. That effort resulted in this grant, which will span three years.
The city has worked for two years with Mesa Community College and the Mesa Unified School District to get more low-income youths in college — and to stay until they get a degree.
Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said the plan involves targeting specific demographics and focusing efforts on those least likely to attend college.
The weak economy won’t prevent the effort from working, Brady said, because it should involve less money than it does a change in how the community approaches youths.
“It’s more about the choices they make and why they make them,” Brady said.
Mesa sees the grant as a potential boost to economic development. The city is trying to recruit colleges, and higher numbers of college-bound students will make the area a more attractive market.
With college graduates making almost twice the income of high school-only graduates over a lifetime, they’ll pay more taxes and be more likely to invest in the city’s aging neighborhoods.
“These are the people who, if we don’t give them the tools to get post-secondary education, they become a burden to the city,” Pan said.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Charity Football Game
George Steinbrenner was probably smiling down over the New Meadowlands Stadium Saturday.
The scrumptious smells of tailgating - everything from burgers to jumbo shrimp - in the parking lot led to thousands packing the new stadium to see Morgan State blast Howard University, 20-3, in the 39th annual New York Urban League Football Classic.
The Football Classic was the brainchild of Steinbrenner and legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, who created the annual game as a charity for disadvantaged students.
The Football Classic debuted at Yankee Stadium in 1971 and was played there till 1986, before changing venues to Giants Stadium. As legend has it, sustained damage to Yankee Stadium's field one year prompted the change. But the move wasn't a bad thing for the Football Classic, as it added the popular tradition of tailgating to the annual event.
The nonprofit New York Urban League continued Saturday what Steinbrenner and Robinson first developed, with Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Mary J. Blige honoring 20 scholarship winners during halftime. "I never got a chance to go to college, so to have me say, 'Finish school, go to college' and have me be the poster child for that, I'm so cool with that," Blige said. "I love that. It's a beautiful (stadium) ... look at this place."
Reshaude Miller returned an 89-yard interception for a touchdown to give Morgan State a 17-0 lead with 4:03 remaining in the second quarter. Howard managed only a field goal before halftime and Morgan State never looked back. "We tried to get the players into the stadium (Friday), so they could get it all out of their system," Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley said about dealing with his team's excitement of playing at the new home of the Giants and Jets. "Then that night we chastised them and told them they're not here to look at the walls or number of TVs."
It worked. The Bears' 17-3 halftime lead sent many ticket-holders to the parking lot to indulge in the tailgating. From the looks of several empty sections in the stadium during the second half, there were more people partaking of the tailgating than in their seats for the remainder of the game. "When people see enough of the game, they tend to take advantage of the other aspects of the Football Classic - whether it be tailgating or our vendors," said NYUL president & CEO Arva Rice. "Whether it be the attendance, Mary J. Blige's appearance, the bands, we couldn't be happier."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2010/09/26/2010-09-26_urban_league_scores_a_td.html?r=sports#ixzz10gGSPEuT
The scrumptious smells of tailgating - everything from burgers to jumbo shrimp - in the parking lot led to thousands packing the new stadium to see Morgan State blast Howard University, 20-3, in the 39th annual New York Urban League Football Classic.
The Football Classic was the brainchild of Steinbrenner and legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, who created the annual game as a charity for disadvantaged students.
The Football Classic debuted at Yankee Stadium in 1971 and was played there till 1986, before changing venues to Giants Stadium. As legend has it, sustained damage to Yankee Stadium's field one year prompted the change. But the move wasn't a bad thing for the Football Classic, as it added the popular tradition of tailgating to the annual event.
The nonprofit New York Urban League continued Saturday what Steinbrenner and Robinson first developed, with Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Mary J. Blige honoring 20 scholarship winners during halftime. "I never got a chance to go to college, so to have me say, 'Finish school, go to college' and have me be the poster child for that, I'm so cool with that," Blige said. "I love that. It's a beautiful (stadium) ... look at this place."
Reshaude Miller returned an 89-yard interception for a touchdown to give Morgan State a 17-0 lead with 4:03 remaining in the second quarter. Howard managed only a field goal before halftime and Morgan State never looked back. "We tried to get the players into the stadium (Friday), so they could get it all out of their system," Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley said about dealing with his team's excitement of playing at the new home of the Giants and Jets. "Then that night we chastised them and told them they're not here to look at the walls or number of TVs."
It worked. The Bears' 17-3 halftime lead sent many ticket-holders to the parking lot to indulge in the tailgating. From the looks of several empty sections in the stadium during the second half, there were more people partaking of the tailgating than in their seats for the remainder of the game. "When people see enough of the game, they tend to take advantage of the other aspects of the Football Classic - whether it be tailgating or our vendors," said NYUL president & CEO Arva Rice. "Whether it be the attendance, Mary J. Blige's appearance, the bands, we couldn't be happier."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2010/09/26/2010-09-26_urban_league_scores_a_td.html?r=sports#ixzz10gGSPEuT
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Car Auction for Charity
The second 2011 model Chevrolet Camaro Convertible to roll off the production line was auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction in Las Vegas on the afternoon of Friday, September 24. Because General Motors has yet to reveal the 2011 Camaro Convertible to the public, the 2007 Camaro Concept is the actual car on display at the auction block.
Barrett-Jackson indicates the sale price of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible at $225,500 and includes the buyer’s commission from the auction sale. Another Camaro at the sale brought a lot excitement to the auction, a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe with 650hp. It sold for $385,000 with proceeds going to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
The winning bidder will receive the second sample produced for consumer sale (General Motors will keep the first sample product for its historical collection). The winner of the auction will become the first consumer to own a 2011 Camaro Convertible, months before it arrives at dealerships and before it is even shown to the public. This means they will have the added pleasure of being able to personalize the car to their unique requirements.
The soft-top Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will be available at car dealerships a few months from now, right before the production year 2011.
General Motors and local dealer Greg Heinrich, owner of Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, will donate auction proceeds to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.
The Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction opened on Thursday, September 23 and will run for three days, to Saturday September 25.
Barrett-Jackson indicates the sale price of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible at $225,500 and includes the buyer’s commission from the auction sale. Another Camaro at the sale brought a lot excitement to the auction, a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe with 650hp. It sold for $385,000 with proceeds going to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
The winning bidder will receive the second sample produced for consumer sale (General Motors will keep the first sample product for its historical collection). The winner of the auction will become the first consumer to own a 2011 Camaro Convertible, months before it arrives at dealerships and before it is even shown to the public. This means they will have the added pleasure of being able to personalize the car to their unique requirements.
The soft-top Chevrolet Camaro Convertible will be available at car dealerships a few months from now, right before the production year 2011.
General Motors and local dealer Greg Heinrich, owner of Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, will donate auction proceeds to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.
The Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction opened on Thursday, September 23 and will run for three days, to Saturday September 25.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Help Selling Your Home
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Auction.com, the global leader in real estate auctions, is set to launch a unique California homeowner program that will change the real estate sales process forever. For the first time, homeowners can sell their house on Auction.com and pay only a 1% listing broker commission upon sale. This innovative opportunity opens first in San Diego on September 25, 2010. Auction.com receives millions of online visitors, the most in the nation, and over 20,000 homes on Auction.com sold in the last year alone. The high online traffic of Auction.com dramatically increases the opportunity for homebuyers to sell their property in 90 days or less – half the time of a traditional 180-day listing contract.
Drew Lieberman, a former eBay Vice President, is heading the new real estate auction model with Alex Davis, a prominent multi-million dollar Beverly Hills broker.
“We’ve created a new platform for sellers to sell their houses faster, easier and achieve market pricing with lower fees and complete control,” says Davis, Auction.com’s Managing Director.
Once the online listing is created, Auction.com incorporates important elements of the traditional real estate sales method such as broker commissions, open houses and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), coupled with the innovative elements of the online format.
Additionally, Auction.com leverages its massive international marketing campaigns to drive qualified buyers globally. This program creates an opportunity for multiple buyers to set a fair market value by bidding for properties up to their highest potential.
“Nothing like this has ever been done before,” Davis says. “This is the future of the Real Estate industry as it integrates social media, global outreach, and the power of competitive bidding.”
Auction.com
Established in 1990 as REDC, the company pioneered the model for modern real estate auctions and transformed into the comprehensive real estate services company. Auction.com established industry dominance by selling over $8 billion in real estate assets at auction since 2007. The company’s success is based on the aggregation of real estate assets that are marketed and sold in large format auctions across the country and online. Auction.com is headquartered in Irvine, California.
Drew Lieberman, a former eBay Vice President, is heading the new real estate auction model with Alex Davis, a prominent multi-million dollar Beverly Hills broker.
“We’ve created a new platform for sellers to sell their houses faster, easier and achieve market pricing with lower fees and complete control,” says Davis, Auction.com’s Managing Director.
Once the online listing is created, Auction.com incorporates important elements of the traditional real estate sales method such as broker commissions, open houses and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), coupled with the innovative elements of the online format.
Additionally, Auction.com leverages its massive international marketing campaigns to drive qualified buyers globally. This program creates an opportunity for multiple buyers to set a fair market value by bidding for properties up to their highest potential.
“Nothing like this has ever been done before,” Davis says. “This is the future of the Real Estate industry as it integrates social media, global outreach, and the power of competitive bidding.”
Auction.com
Established in 1990 as REDC, the company pioneered the model for modern real estate auctions and transformed into the comprehensive real estate services company. Auction.com established industry dominance by selling over $8 billion in real estate assets at auction since 2007. The company’s success is based on the aggregation of real estate assets that are marketed and sold in large format auctions across the country and online. Auction.com is headquartered in Irvine, California.
Friday, September 24, 2010
DMV Cited for Excellent Website
MVD Online, New Mexico's Web site for the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), was selected by the Center for Digital Government as one of the nation's top Web sites, receiving a Digital Government Achievement Award for utilizing best practices in the government-to-citizen category.
Each year the Center for Digital Government's Digital Government Achievement Awards recognize outstanding agency and department Web sites and projects at the application and infrastructure level. This is just one way the organization continues its work as an international research and advisory institute on the use of information technology in government.
"The MVD Online represents the best in government-to-citizen state Web sites," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. "Each year, state and local governments continue to make strides towards implementing better access and more efficient Web delivery of public services."
"We're pleased with this Award that recognizes our continued commitment to improve customer service and provide easy and practical online options to our customers," said Michael Sandoval, Director of the Motor Vehicle Division.
The MVD was honored for providing a comprehensive online resource for citizens, including features to improve their experience while conducting business with the MVD:
-- Citizens can renew vehicles online and save a trip to a local office.
-- "Fill, Print and Go" forms are available that can be completed online and taken to a local office to expedite their service.
-- Visual images of acceptable documents are displayed to properly prepare for a visit to an office.
-- Maps that direct citizens to field offices as well as other MVD-related locations.
-- Wait times can be viewed to know when shorter lines are available.
These services were developed through a major Web site redesign that aimed to assist customers both online and at local field offices. The response to the new site has been outstanding; the number of visitors to MVD Online, www.mvd.newmexico.gov has more than doubled since it was launched in December.
About MVD.NewMexico.gov
MVD.NewMexico.gov is the official Web site of New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Division. The collaborative effort between New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Division and New Mexico Interactive provides online services and improves public access to government information. New Mexico Interactive is part of eGovernment firm NIC's /quotes/comstock/15*!egov/quotes/nls/egov (EGOV 7.98, -0.09, -1.12%) family of companies.
About NIC
NIC Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!egov/quotes/nls/egov (EGOV 7.98, -0.09, -1.12%) is the nation's leading provider of official government portals, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. The family of NIC companies provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,000 federal, state, and local agencies that serve 98 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.nicusa.com.
SOURCE: New Mexico Interactive
Each year the Center for Digital Government's Digital Government Achievement Awards recognize outstanding agency and department Web sites and projects at the application and infrastructure level. This is just one way the organization continues its work as an international research and advisory institute on the use of information technology in government.
"The MVD Online represents the best in government-to-citizen state Web sites," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. "Each year, state and local governments continue to make strides towards implementing better access and more efficient Web delivery of public services."
"We're pleased with this Award that recognizes our continued commitment to improve customer service and provide easy and practical online options to our customers," said Michael Sandoval, Director of the Motor Vehicle Division.
The MVD was honored for providing a comprehensive online resource for citizens, including features to improve their experience while conducting business with the MVD:
-- Citizens can renew vehicles online and save a trip to a local office.
-- "Fill, Print and Go" forms are available that can be completed online and taken to a local office to expedite their service.
-- Visual images of acceptable documents are displayed to properly prepare for a visit to an office.
-- Maps that direct citizens to field offices as well as other MVD-related locations.
-- Wait times can be viewed to know when shorter lines are available.
These services were developed through a major Web site redesign that aimed to assist customers both online and at local field offices. The response to the new site has been outstanding; the number of visitors to MVD Online, www.mvd.newmexico.gov has more than doubled since it was launched in December.
About MVD.NewMexico.gov
MVD.NewMexico.gov is the official Web site of New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Division. The collaborative effort between New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Division and New Mexico Interactive provides online services and improves public access to government information. New Mexico Interactive is part of eGovernment firm NIC's /quotes/comstock/15*!egov/quotes/nls/egov (EGOV 7.98, -0.09, -1.12%) family of companies.
About NIC
NIC Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!egov/quotes/nls/egov (EGOV 7.98, -0.09, -1.12%) is the nation's leading provider of official government portals, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. The family of NIC companies provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,000 federal, state, and local agencies that serve 98 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.nicusa.com.
SOURCE: New Mexico Interactive
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Ecommerce Solutions Company Gets New Software
CAMPBELL, Calif., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Rainmaker Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMKR), a leading global provider of ecommerce solutions and telesales services that drive more revenue for clients and their channel partners, today announced the signing of a one-year agreement for training with a new client, Splunk, a leading provider of operational intelligence software used to search, monitor, and analyze live streaming IT data as well as terabytes of historical data.
Under the program, Rainmaker will deploy its ViewCentral SaaS ecommerce solution for selling and managing customer education revenue to support all aspects of Splunk's customer training programs in North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
Rainmaker's CEO Michael Silton commented, "We are delighted that Splunk has chosen to deploy our industry leading ViewCentral SaaS ecommerce solution to support their education initiatives. ViewCentral automates the online sales, marketing and administration of classes, helping our clients maximize their revenue and profits from the sale of paid customer education programs."
About Splunk
Splunk is the world's leading Operational Intelligence software used to monitor, report and analyze live streaming IT data as well as terabytes of historical data – located on-premise or in the cloud. Almost half of the Fortune 100 and more than 1,800 enterprises, service providers and government organizations in 70 countries use Splunk to improve service levels, reduce IT operations costs, mitigate security risks, and drive new levels of operational visibility. For a new approach to IT, visit http://www.splunk.com, or visit http://www.splunk.com/download to download a free copy.
About Rainmaker
Rainmaker Systems, Inc. is a leading global provider of ecommerce solutions and telesales services that drive more revenue for clients and their channel partners. Rainmaker provides subscription and service contract renewals, robust ecommerce solutions, lead development, training sales, and call center services. Rainmaker provides these services on a consistent, global basis supporting multiple currencies and language capabilities. For more information, visit www.rmkr.com or call 800-631-1545.
NOTE: Rainmaker Systems, the Rainmaker logo, and Sunset Direct are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other service marks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to Rainmaker as of this date and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results could differ materially from current expectations. Among the important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are our client concentration, as we depend on a small number of clients for a significant percentage of our revenue, the possibility of the discontinuation and/or realignment of some client relationships, general market conditions, the current difficult macro-economic environment and its impact on our business, as our clients are reducing their overall marketing spending and our clients' customers are reducing their purchase of services contracts, the high degree of uncertainty and our limited visibility due to economic conditions, our ability to execute our business strategy, our ability to integrate acquisitions without disruption to our business, the effectiveness of our sales team and approach, our ability to target, analyze and forecast the revenue to be derived from a client and the costs associated with providing services to that client, the date during the course of a calendar year that a new client is acquired, the length of the integration cycle for new clients and the timing of revenues and costs associated therewith, our ability to expand our channel hosted contract solution and drive adoption of this solution by resellers, potential competition in the marketplace, the ability to retain and attract employees, market acceptance of our service programs and pricing options, our ability to maintain our existing technology platform and to deploy new technology, our ability to sign new clients and control expenses, and the financial condition of our clients' businesses, and other factors detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
Under the program, Rainmaker will deploy its ViewCentral SaaS ecommerce solution for selling and managing customer education revenue to support all aspects of Splunk's customer training programs in North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
Rainmaker's CEO Michael Silton commented, "We are delighted that Splunk has chosen to deploy our industry leading ViewCentral SaaS ecommerce solution to support their education initiatives. ViewCentral automates the online sales, marketing and administration of classes, helping our clients maximize their revenue and profits from the sale of paid customer education programs."
About Splunk
Splunk is the world's leading Operational Intelligence software used to monitor, report and analyze live streaming IT data as well as terabytes of historical data – located on-premise or in the cloud. Almost half of the Fortune 100 and more than 1,800 enterprises, service providers and government organizations in 70 countries use Splunk to improve service levels, reduce IT operations costs, mitigate security risks, and drive new levels of operational visibility. For a new approach to IT, visit http://www.splunk.com, or visit http://www.splunk.com/download to download a free copy.
About Rainmaker
Rainmaker Systems, Inc. is a leading global provider of ecommerce solutions and telesales services that drive more revenue for clients and their channel partners. Rainmaker provides subscription and service contract renewals, robust ecommerce solutions, lead development, training sales, and call center services. Rainmaker provides these services on a consistent, global basis supporting multiple currencies and language capabilities. For more information, visit www.rmkr.com or call 800-631-1545.
NOTE: Rainmaker Systems, the Rainmaker logo, and Sunset Direct are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other service marks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to Rainmaker as of this date and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results could differ materially from current expectations. Among the important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are our client concentration, as we depend on a small number of clients for a significant percentage of our revenue, the possibility of the discontinuation and/or realignment of some client relationships, general market conditions, the current difficult macro-economic environment and its impact on our business, as our clients are reducing their overall marketing spending and our clients' customers are reducing their purchase of services contracts, the high degree of uncertainty and our limited visibility due to economic conditions, our ability to execute our business strategy, our ability to integrate acquisitions without disruption to our business, the effectiveness of our sales team and approach, our ability to target, analyze and forecast the revenue to be derived from a client and the costs associated with providing services to that client, the date during the course of a calendar year that a new client is acquired, the length of the integration cycle for new clients and the timing of revenues and costs associated therewith, our ability to expand our channel hosted contract solution and drive adoption of this solution by resellers, potential competition in the marketplace, the ability to retain and attract employees, market acceptance of our service programs and pricing options, our ability to maintain our existing technology platform and to deploy new technology, our ability to sign new clients and control expenses, and the financial condition of our clients' businesses, and other factors detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tigers Filmed at High Altitude
LONDON — A television crew filmed a "lost" population of tigers living at a higher altitude than any others known, raising hopes of linking isolated groups of the big cats across Asia, the BBC said Monday.
The cats were spotted roaming in the hills in the remote Himalayan nation of Bhutan by a conservationist and a team from the BBC's Natural History Unit at a height of 4,100 metres (13,450 feet), said the broadcaster on its website.
"Tigers are thought of as jungle creatures and there is pressure on their habitats from all sides. Yet we now know they can live and breed at this altitude which is a safer habitat for them," said tiger expert and conservationist Alan Rabinowitz, who led the expedition.
The team set up hidden cameras wedged into gullies and trees for six weeks to capture the first hard proof that the animals could live at such high altitude, following earlier anecdotal evidence, the BBC said.
The footage shows a male tiger and a female tiger at 4,100 metres and other tigers living at 3,000 metres, it added. Colour footage shows one tiger sniffing the air, while a night shot shows one of the animals prowling.
The female is lactating, suggesting they are breeding, said BBC cameraman Gordon Buchanan, who set up the camera traps that automatically filmed any creature that moved in front of them.
He said he was "convinced that there must now be cubs somewhere on this mountain."
"This is such a significant discovery for tiger survival," he said. "The fact they can live here is just so important, for tigers in the wild, for their future."
Rabinowitz said the discovery would boost an ambitious plan for a "corridor" across Asia in which tiger populations are safe from humans.
"Bhutan was the missing link in this tiger corridor," he said.
Conservation group WWF says numbers of tigers have plunged to fewer than 3,200 from 100,000 over the past century.
Thirteen "tiger-range" countries are to meet in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in November to discuss plans to double the number of wild tigers by 2022.
The cats were spotted roaming in the hills in the remote Himalayan nation of Bhutan by a conservationist and a team from the BBC's Natural History Unit at a height of 4,100 metres (13,450 feet), said the broadcaster on its website.
"Tigers are thought of as jungle creatures and there is pressure on their habitats from all sides. Yet we now know they can live and breed at this altitude which is a safer habitat for them," said tiger expert and conservationist Alan Rabinowitz, who led the expedition.
The team set up hidden cameras wedged into gullies and trees for six weeks to capture the first hard proof that the animals could live at such high altitude, following earlier anecdotal evidence, the BBC said.
The footage shows a male tiger and a female tiger at 4,100 metres and other tigers living at 3,000 metres, it added. Colour footage shows one tiger sniffing the air, while a night shot shows one of the animals prowling.
The female is lactating, suggesting they are breeding, said BBC cameraman Gordon Buchanan, who set up the camera traps that automatically filmed any creature that moved in front of them.
He said he was "convinced that there must now be cubs somewhere on this mountain."
"This is such a significant discovery for tiger survival," he said. "The fact they can live here is just so important, for tigers in the wild, for their future."
Rabinowitz said the discovery would boost an ambitious plan for a "corridor" across Asia in which tiger populations are safe from humans.
"Bhutan was the missing link in this tiger corridor," he said.
Conservation group WWF says numbers of tigers have plunged to fewer than 3,200 from 100,000 over the past century.
Thirteen "tiger-range" countries are to meet in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in November to discuss plans to double the number of wild tigers by 2022.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
New Drug Under Development
LITTLETON, Colo., Sep 20, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Zynex, Inc. (ZYXI 0.47, -0.03, -6.00%) , a provider of pain management systems and electrotherapy products for medical patients with functional disability, announces that its newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary, Zynex Monitoring Solutions Inc., is developing a device for monitoring of central blood volume for use in operating rooms, detecting blood loss during surgery and detecting internal bleeding in the recovery room. A provisional patent has been filed for this unique application, which could serve a currently untapped market of safer surgeries and safer monitoring of patients during recovery.
Thomas Sandgaard, Zynex's CEO, comments: "We already have data confirming the conceptual design and our on-going engineering and prototyping efforts are showing very promising progress. At this early stage, we are also finding that this technology can be used for other applications in cardiac monitoring, and we will continue to explore those options, as stand-alone devices or combined with the blood volume monitoring. We will continue to increase the staff and resources in Monitoring Solutions in order to launch an exciting line of products as soon as possible. We hope to add other complementary technologies, while we initially share some resources with the existing business of electrotherapy products in Zynex Medical, such as clinical research, quality assurance, accounting, purchasing, etc. We are very excited that our initial development effort is showing such positive progress and look forward to further developing a line of products and a strong organization for Monitoring Solutions."
About Zynex
Zynex, Inc. (founded in 1996) engineers, manufactures, markets and sells its own design of electrotherapy medical devices in two distinct markets: standard digital electrotherapy products for pain relief and pain management; and the NeuroMove(TM) for stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Zynex's product lines are fully developed, FDA-cleared, commercially sold, and have been developed to uphold the Company's mission of improving the quality of life for patients suffering from impaired mobility due to stroke, spinal cord injury, or debilitating and chronic pain. Zynex has also announced the development of two new business units, Zynex Monitoring Solutions and Zynex NeuroDiagnostic.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking" and as such are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly from the results expressed or implied in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the need to obtain additional capital in order to grow our business, our ability to engage additional sales representatives, the success of such additional sales representatives, the need to obtain FDA clearance and CE marking of new products, the acceptance of new products as well as existing products by doctors and hospitals, larger competitors with greater financial resources, the need to keep pace with technological changes, our dependence on the reimbursement from insurance companies for products sold or rented to our customers, acceptance of our products by health insurance providers, our dependence on third party manufacturers to produce our goods on time and to our specifications, implementation of our sales strategy including a strong direct sales force, the uncertain outcome of pending material litigation and other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of our 10-K Report for the year ended December 31, 2009.
SOURCE: Zynex, Inc.
Thomas Sandgaard, Zynex's CEO, comments: "We already have data confirming the conceptual design and our on-going engineering and prototyping efforts are showing very promising progress. At this early stage, we are also finding that this technology can be used for other applications in cardiac monitoring, and we will continue to explore those options, as stand-alone devices or combined with the blood volume monitoring. We will continue to increase the staff and resources in Monitoring Solutions in order to launch an exciting line of products as soon as possible. We hope to add other complementary technologies, while we initially share some resources with the existing business of electrotherapy products in Zynex Medical, such as clinical research, quality assurance, accounting, purchasing, etc. We are very excited that our initial development effort is showing such positive progress and look forward to further developing a line of products and a strong organization for Monitoring Solutions."
About Zynex
Zynex, Inc. (founded in 1996) engineers, manufactures, markets and sells its own design of electrotherapy medical devices in two distinct markets: standard digital electrotherapy products for pain relief and pain management; and the NeuroMove(TM) for stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Zynex's product lines are fully developed, FDA-cleared, commercially sold, and have been developed to uphold the Company's mission of improving the quality of life for patients suffering from impaired mobility due to stroke, spinal cord injury, or debilitating and chronic pain. Zynex has also announced the development of two new business units, Zynex Monitoring Solutions and Zynex NeuroDiagnostic.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking" and as such are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly from the results expressed or implied in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the need to obtain additional capital in order to grow our business, our ability to engage additional sales representatives, the success of such additional sales representatives, the need to obtain FDA clearance and CE marking of new products, the acceptance of new products as well as existing products by doctors and hospitals, larger competitors with greater financial resources, the need to keep pace with technological changes, our dependence on the reimbursement from insurance companies for products sold or rented to our customers, acceptance of our products by health insurance providers, our dependence on third party manufacturers to produce our goods on time and to our specifications, implementation of our sales strategy including a strong direct sales force, the uncertain outcome of pending material litigation and other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of our 10-K Report for the year ended December 31, 2009.
SOURCE: Zynex, Inc.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Raising Money by Fishing
The Lady Bass Anglers Association's Main Street Mission Charity Team Tournament today on the waters of Arkansas' Lake Dardanelle was a huge success as 19 boats participated in this fundraiser for Russellville's Main Street Mission. This inaugural LBAA Charity Tournament raised $1835 plus numerous canned goods donations for the Main Street Mission.
Pam Duvall, public relations director for the Main Street Mission said, "Anytime an organization does this for us, we are so appreciative of it. Thank you all so much." Today's check for $1835 was the largest charitable contribution ever given to the Main Street Mission.
Now, turning to the fishing side of Saturday's activities Lady Bass Anglers Association (LBAA) pro's Robin Babb and Sheri Glasgow combined their efforts to bring in a five fish limit weighing 14.87 pounds. Their catch netted them a $1,000 first place prize. Babb and Glasgow also picked up another $200 as they were the highest placing team with a woman angler.
"The fish right now are relating to the main lake," Glasgow commented. "There are some areas that we had on the main lake that had little flats of grass that had pods of grass in them. We would get in those areas and throw the frogs around the mats."
"We came and practiced a few weeks ago together, so I felt I knew what she (Glasgow) would do," Babb added. "We were just very fortunate, and I want to say a special thank you to each and every person who came out and fished with us today. We wanted to fish with you and we're so thankful that you came and wanted to fish with us."
Babb and Glasgow's limit came on the River 2Sea's Bully Wa frog.
Wayne Dixon and Jared Allen also brought a limit to the scales and their bass weighed 14.04 pounds and secured second place for them. LBAA pro's Debbie Kemp and Gail Wood came in third with a limit weighing 13 pounds. Kemp, only 24 hours earlier was crowned the Champion of the LBAA 2010 Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament.
Taking fourth was Lad Shannon and Kevin Hartman with five bass weighing 12.58 pounds while Donnie Cobb and Von Kensey had five bass weighing in at 12.32 pounds that gave them fifth.
The father and son team of Tim and Dillon Davis earned $200 for being the highest placing team with a youth under 12 years of age.
The Main Street Mission is located at 1110 E. Second Street, in Russellville and for more information call them at is 1-479-968-8303.
Host lodging for the LBAA Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament has been provided by the Best Western Inn located at 2326 N. Arkansas Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72802-2218. Phone 1-479-967-1000.
Partners with the Lady Bass Anglers Association for the Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament are: Russellville Tourism and Visitor's Center, Sure Life, Kick'n Bass, Rayjus, Castaway Graphite Rods, West Kentucky LED, Nite Owl Media Productions, River Runner Baits, Moors Resort and Marina, Ray Barga and Associates Inc., Sportsmen's Edge Triton Boat dealership, SHE Outdoor Apparel, Todali Lures, Necessity Jigs, Triton Boats, Dave Stewart's Big Bass Guide Service, North Texas Marine Triton dealership, Legend Boats, Bass Cat Boats, Phoenix Boats, Skeeter Boats, Arkansas Tournament Fishing, and Fleck's Hand Poured Baits.
Pam Duvall, public relations director for the Main Street Mission said, "Anytime an organization does this for us, we are so appreciative of it. Thank you all so much." Today's check for $1835 was the largest charitable contribution ever given to the Main Street Mission.
Now, turning to the fishing side of Saturday's activities Lady Bass Anglers Association (LBAA) pro's Robin Babb and Sheri Glasgow combined their efforts to bring in a five fish limit weighing 14.87 pounds. Their catch netted them a $1,000 first place prize. Babb and Glasgow also picked up another $200 as they were the highest placing team with a woman angler.
"The fish right now are relating to the main lake," Glasgow commented. "There are some areas that we had on the main lake that had little flats of grass that had pods of grass in them. We would get in those areas and throw the frogs around the mats."
"We came and practiced a few weeks ago together, so I felt I knew what she (Glasgow) would do," Babb added. "We were just very fortunate, and I want to say a special thank you to each and every person who came out and fished with us today. We wanted to fish with you and we're so thankful that you came and wanted to fish with us."
Babb and Glasgow's limit came on the River 2Sea's Bully Wa frog.
Wayne Dixon and Jared Allen also brought a limit to the scales and their bass weighed 14.04 pounds and secured second place for them. LBAA pro's Debbie Kemp and Gail Wood came in third with a limit weighing 13 pounds. Kemp, only 24 hours earlier was crowned the Champion of the LBAA 2010 Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament.
Taking fourth was Lad Shannon and Kevin Hartman with five bass weighing 12.58 pounds while Donnie Cobb and Von Kensey had five bass weighing in at 12.32 pounds that gave them fifth.
The father and son team of Tim and Dillon Davis earned $200 for being the highest placing team with a youth under 12 years of age.
The Main Street Mission is located at 1110 E. Second Street, in Russellville and for more information call them at is 1-479-968-8303.
Host lodging for the LBAA Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament has been provided by the Best Western Inn located at 2326 N. Arkansas Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72802-2218. Phone 1-479-967-1000.
Partners with the Lady Bass Anglers Association for the Lake Dardanelle Kickoff Tournament are: Russellville Tourism and Visitor's Center, Sure Life, Kick'n Bass, Rayjus, Castaway Graphite Rods, West Kentucky LED, Nite Owl Media Productions, River Runner Baits, Moors Resort and Marina, Ray Barga and Associates Inc., Sportsmen's Edge Triton Boat dealership, SHE Outdoor Apparel, Todali Lures, Necessity Jigs, Triton Boats, Dave Stewart's Big Bass Guide Service, North Texas Marine Triton dealership, Legend Boats, Bass Cat Boats, Phoenix Boats, Skeeter Boats, Arkansas Tournament Fishing, and Fleck's Hand Poured Baits.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Indian Works to Cure Baldness
MUMBAI: A medical couple in Hyderabad, Debraj Shome and Rinky Kapoor, claim that their home-grown invention, QR 678, could arrest the most stubborn cases of hairfall. Balding could be a thing of the past, says Dr Kapoor, a dermatologist attached to Apollo Hospital.
The couple say their invention required four years of research, passing through various stages of development in the laboratories of the Tata Memorial Hospital, IIT Mumbai and Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad. "If there is no research paper on it yet," says Dr Shome, "it is only because we have still not patented the molecule, which is basically a mix of many growth factors."
Each of the doctors' 700-odd patient pool underwent five to eight shots priced at of Rs 5,000 each. Indipop singer Anaida is one of the Mumbai celebrities who zips down to Charminar city every three weeks for a shot. Haircare is big business in India. Plastic surgeon Dr S Keswani says hair transplant is the fastest growing sector, second only to liposuction, in India's cosmetic surgery charts.
Dermatologist Dr Satish Bhatia, who practises out of his Cooperage clinic, started the European treatment around three months ago. " Stem cells are known to take on the role of skin, bone and muscle. We use stem cells derived from fatty tissues that already know their role and won't grow into tumours," he says. His concoction is imported from Italy, costing Rs 25,000. "If the patient wants own stem cells to be derived from own fat cells, then cost goes up four times," he adds.
Dr Bhatia believes growth factors and stem cells are the next big things in hair care. "People are sick of hair transplants, which have a bushy appearance and look artificial. One of 10 persons undergoing a transplant complains of side-effects such as swelling and infection. So stem cell injections that cause local swelling and redness for only 48 hours are welcome," he adds.
Read more: At Rs 5000 a shot, QR 678 helps lost hair grow back - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/At-Rs-5000-a-shot-QR-678-helps-lost-hair-grow-back/articleshow/6581995.cms#ixzz0zwtnht6Q
The couple say their invention required four years of research, passing through various stages of development in the laboratories of the Tata Memorial Hospital, IIT Mumbai and Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad. "If there is no research paper on it yet," says Dr Shome, "it is only because we have still not patented the molecule, which is basically a mix of many growth factors."
Each of the doctors' 700-odd patient pool underwent five to eight shots priced at of Rs 5,000 each. Indipop singer Anaida is one of the Mumbai celebrities who zips down to Charminar city every three weeks for a shot. Haircare is big business in India. Plastic surgeon Dr S Keswani says hair transplant is the fastest growing sector, second only to liposuction, in India's cosmetic surgery charts.
Dermatologist Dr Satish Bhatia, who practises out of his Cooperage clinic, started the European treatment around three months ago. " Stem cells are known to take on the role of skin, bone and muscle. We use stem cells derived from fatty tissues that already know their role and won't grow into tumours," he says. His concoction is imported from Italy, costing Rs 25,000. "If the patient wants own stem cells to be derived from own fat cells, then cost goes up four times," he adds.
Dr Bhatia believes growth factors and stem cells are the next big things in hair care. "People are sick of hair transplants, which have a bushy appearance and look artificial. One of 10 persons undergoing a transplant complains of side-effects such as swelling and infection. So stem cell injections that cause local swelling and redness for only 48 hours are welcome," he adds.
Read more: At Rs 5000 a shot, QR 678 helps lost hair grow back - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/At-Rs-5000-a-shot-QR-678-helps-lost-hair-grow-back/articleshow/6581995.cms#ixzz0zwtnht6Q
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Yahoo Introducing New Products
Yahoo, in the midst of a corporate turnaround effort, is planning to speed up the pace of new product and feature rollouts, pledging an accelerated roadmap that will see rapid iterations to its core services, including search andemail.
Blake Irving, who recently joined Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) as chief product officer, spoke of the company's evolving strategy at an event this week Yahoo dubbed "Product Runway." Irving touted Yahoo's global computing infrastructure that supports the massive traffic to the company's content and services, reminding his audience that Yahoo remains one of the premier brands on the Web.
He also noted the strong ties between Yahoo's research labs and product divisions, explaining that Yahoo benefits from healthy collaboration between the two sides of the house, which in many IT firms effectively operate as silos.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Yahoo needs to do more, both to impress its advertisers and retain consumer loyalty with a swifter pace of innovation and more relevant, personalized content.
"With great technology and great technologists and great labs, you know, there's an opportunity for us to do things better, frankly," Irving said.
"You're going to see things from us over the course of the next year -- course of the [next] year and a half, three years, five years -- that are going to feel a little different to you. We're going to be iterating much more frequently than we do today."
Those changes will begin this fall, with Yahoo detailing plans for upgrades to its core search and email platforms.
In search, Yahoo is billing the fall rollout as one of the "most significant updates" to its search service, which has seen its market share erode in recent years. By one analyst firm's measure of U.S. search queries, Microsoft's search engine eclipsed Yahoo for the first time last month
Yahoo plans to stock its search results for popular or trending queries with a variety of content formats presented in a streamlined, easily navigable layout. Searches for popular entertainment topics or individuals will present results organized by images, news stories, videos, tweets and other types of information, presenting users with an array of one-click bars to display the results in the format of their choosing. Yahoo will offer a similar presentation for news items.
Those new features will roll out as Yahoo continues to transition its search-engineering operations over to Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) technology as part of a long-term revenue-sharing agreement between the two companies. Yahoo has sought to defuse speculation about its exit from the search market through the partnership, explaining that it will continue to innovate and improve the user-facing layer of its search engine, even if it no longer has a hand in maintaining the underlying infrastructure.
Yahoo is also planning a redesign of its email service, which currently serves some 281 million global users. Later this fall, Yahoo expects to release a beta version of a new, streamlined inbox, boasting a faster response time and new integrations with social services Facebook and Twitter.
The company is also planning to roll out new advertising formats that enable marketers to customize their creatives with messages more precisely tailored to users. A crucial pillar of the company's efforts on the advertising front will be to glean more information about its users' interests and preferences.
Currently, roughly half of the 600 million monthly visitors to Yahoo are logged in when they visit one of the company's sites, Irving said. Yahoo is now "striving for 100 percent authentication," he said, explaining that the company will begin accepting login credentials from Facebook, Twitter and other open ID schemes.
"The vision is bringing personal meaning to the Web," Irving said. "Using insights and data, we're going to understand what brings personal meaning to individuals on the Web. And that doesn't just mean owned-and-operated sites. It means across the Web."
Kenneth Corbin is an associate editor at InternetNews.com, the news service ofInternet.com, the network for technology professionals.
Blake Irving, who recently joined Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) as chief product officer, spoke of the company's evolving strategy at an event this week Yahoo dubbed "Product Runway." Irving touted Yahoo's global computing infrastructure that supports the massive traffic to the company's content and services, reminding his audience that Yahoo remains one of the premier brands on the Web.
He also noted the strong ties between Yahoo's research labs and product divisions, explaining that Yahoo benefits from healthy collaboration between the two sides of the house, which in many IT firms effectively operate as silos.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Yahoo needs to do more, both to impress its advertisers and retain consumer loyalty with a swifter pace of innovation and more relevant, personalized content.
"With great technology and great technologists and great labs, you know, there's an opportunity for us to do things better, frankly," Irving said.
"You're going to see things from us over the course of the next year -- course of the [next] year and a half, three years, five years -- that are going to feel a little different to you. We're going to be iterating much more frequently than we do today."
Those changes will begin this fall, with Yahoo detailing plans for upgrades to its core search and email platforms.
In search, Yahoo is billing the fall rollout as one of the "most significant updates" to its search service, which has seen its market share erode in recent years. By one analyst firm's measure of U.S. search queries, Microsoft's search engine eclipsed Yahoo for the first time last month
Yahoo plans to stock its search results for popular or trending queries with a variety of content formats presented in a streamlined, easily navigable layout. Searches for popular entertainment topics or individuals will present results organized by images, news stories, videos, tweets and other types of information, presenting users with an array of one-click bars to display the results in the format of their choosing. Yahoo will offer a similar presentation for news items.
Those new features will roll out as Yahoo continues to transition its search-engineering operations over to Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) technology as part of a long-term revenue-sharing agreement between the two companies. Yahoo has sought to defuse speculation about its exit from the search market through the partnership, explaining that it will continue to innovate and improve the user-facing layer of its search engine, even if it no longer has a hand in maintaining the underlying infrastructure.
Yahoo is also planning a redesign of its email service, which currently serves some 281 million global users. Later this fall, Yahoo expects to release a beta version of a new, streamlined inbox, boasting a faster response time and new integrations with social services Facebook and Twitter.
The company is also planning to roll out new advertising formats that enable marketers to customize their creatives with messages more precisely tailored to users. A crucial pillar of the company's efforts on the advertising front will be to glean more information about its users' interests and preferences.
Currently, roughly half of the 600 million monthly visitors to Yahoo are logged in when they visit one of the company's sites, Irving said. Yahoo is now "striving for 100 percent authentication," he said, explaining that the company will begin accepting login credentials from Facebook, Twitter and other open ID schemes.
"The vision is bringing personal meaning to the Web," Irving said. "Using insights and data, we're going to understand what brings personal meaning to individuals on the Web. And that doesn't just mean owned-and-operated sites. It means across the Web."
Kenneth Corbin is an associate editor at InternetNews.com, the news service ofInternet.com, the network for technology professionals.
Friday, September 17, 2010
U.S. Census Reports 7 Million Lost Health Care
The U.S. Census Bureau today indicated that 7 million Americans last year lost health insurance that they'd received through their employment.
Employer-sponsored plans are the No. 1 source of health insurance in the nation.
Census data released today said 50.7 million Americans lacked health insurance in 2009, from 46.3 million in 2008. That was the highest number of uninsured since the bureau began collecting such information in 1987.
The decline in employer-based health insurance use is primarily due to job loss during the recession.
Employer-sponsored plans are the No. 1 source of health insurance in the nation.
Census data released today said 50.7 million Americans lacked health insurance in 2009, from 46.3 million in 2008. That was the highest number of uninsured since the bureau began collecting such information in 1987.
The decline in employer-based health insurance use is primarily due to job loss during the recession.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Students Were Creative During Summer Vacation
Commonwealth Elementary School students were able to utilize their creative skills over the summer as they became inventors of fantasy creatures, games, and other items through a week-long enrichment program called Camp Invention. The program promotes life-skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on creativity and is geared for students entering grades 1-6. One of the most popular stations for students was “I Can Invent III,” which allowed them to break apart machines to see how gears, magnets and other components work inside.
Students then used those items and other recycled material to produce a new invention that created a chemical reaction when completed.
Students then used those items and other recycled material to produce a new invention that created a chemical reaction when completed.
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