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Injuries to North Shore L.I. Patients from Data Breach Investigated by Weitz and Luxenberg

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 22, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Personal records and insurance information on 18,000 North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System patients were compromised by a data breach that occurred last year in Texas but went undisclosed for many months, and now Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is considering filing negligence, economic injury and failure-to-warn claims against Dallas-based Global Care Delivery, the law firm today announced.

The patients affected by this data breach may have legal rights to compensation from Global Care Delivery, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

For example, if leaked confidential records end up in the hands of identity thieves, Global Care Delivery could be liable for unauthorized credit purchases billed to the patients, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

Global Care Delivery would likely be ordered by a court to pay the victimized patients an amount equal to that of the unauthorized purchases, the firm explained.

There would be grounds as well for other damages and additional compensation, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

Weitz & Luxenberg said it is currently meeting with victimized North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System patients to explore their rights to recovery from Global Care Delivery.

Patients whose confidential information was compromised in this data breach may contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of their legal rights. The firm said patients may arrange for this evaluation by calling (212) 558-5786 or by submitting an online form at www.weitzlux.com.

Five Stolen Laptops Held North Shore's Data:

The data breach was discovered to have taken place sometime around Sept. 2, 2014, but victimized patients were unaware of it until after North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System was notified in May 2015, according to Long Island Newsday.

The confidential patient information was compromised when five laptop computers were stolen from the offices of Global Care Delivery, Newsday reported.

Global Care Delivery had possession of the patient data because the company was under contract to North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System for the processing and collection of insurance payments, Newsday said.

According to Newsday, the data contained in the stolen lap tops included patient names, addresses and Social Security numbers, but no credit card account information or other financial secrets.

"Even though credit card information was allegedly absent from the compromised records, the other information contained within the stolen laptops would have provided identity thieves with enough confidential and private details to perpetrate fraudulent credit transactions in the victims' names," said Robin L. Greenwald, who heads the Weitz & Luxenberg Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection litigation unit.

To access the data contained on the stolen laptops, identity thieves would first have to crack the system passwords designed to thwart prying by unauthorized eyes, Newsday reported.

However, "unless the passwords were very strong, experienced hackers would likely have little difficulty breaking them," said Weitz & Luxenberg associate attorney James Bilsborrow, also of the Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection litigation unit.

Were the passwords cracked and the laptops' contents laid bare, the hackers would find the data awaiting them to be unencrypted, meaning they would encounter no obstacle to harvesting and exploiting the information, Newsday said.

Identity Thieves May Have North Shore Patient Data:

Newsday notes that Global Care Delivery did not delay calling police to report the theft of the laptops - which remain missing - but waited until May 11, 2015, to notify North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, which in turn informed patients by mail.

Bilsborrow said that, considering the number of patients affected by the data breach, it is possible that individual victims could suffer financial harm running into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars each.

Added Greenwald, "One source of loss would be money spent on the credit-protection services victims might choose to sign up for in order to protect themselves against criminal misuse of the stolen records."

"It is very fortunate that these data-breach victims can turn to the law for help," she said. "Just because a company was careless with confidential data is no reason that the patients and their families should have to suffer."

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury and consumer protection law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, products liability, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of consumer fraud are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenberg's more than 25 years of experience handling such cases. You can contact the firm's Client Relations department at 800-476-6070 or at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.

More information: http://www.weitzlux.com/.

Twitter: @WeitzLuxenberg

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/injuries-to-north-shore-li-patients-from-data-breach-investigated-by-weitz-and-luxenberg-2015-0622-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Weitz and Luxenberg P.C. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival Celebrates Local and Diverse Food and Beverages: Special Discount until July 4

CHICAGO, Ill., June 22, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Every Chicago Festival needs the right food to complement the entertainment, and to satisfy every taste. Jeff Fest 2015 features the best of local neighborhoods and offers a wide range of culinary delights for everyone. "Jeff Fest is known for its food and its arts and music. We are kicking up the food a few notches this year, and have a broader assortment than ever before," says Amie Zander, Executive Director of the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce.

The 2015 Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival runs July 24-26 and is presented by the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Jefferson Memorial Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Park District, along with media partner 104.3 K-HITS Chicago.

A special discounted ticket offer is available at http://www.JeffFest.org/ before July 4. For $12, you can enjoy admission, two beers, one ear of corn, and a reusable mug that will get you $1 off on beer refills.

Here's the food and beverage rundown:
* Gale Street Inn, 4914 N. Milwaukee Avenue, will serve up grilled corn on the cob as well as the popular ribs that have helped make Jefferson Park famous for 52 years.
* Leadbelly Burgers is a new addition to the Fest, and has quickly become part of the community, serving up one-of-a-kind burgers at two locations, 5739 W. Irving Park and 5691 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
* Chicago-style hot dogs with all the fixin's from Smilin Dawgs will be served for the first time. Smilin Dawgs operates a popular food truck that is a staple at summer fairs and festivals.
* Fest food favorites will be back:
o Caponies Food Truck: fresh pizza
o Chicago Cupcake: unique and flavorful cupcakes
o Creative Cooking: funnel cakes
* Lake Shore Beverage (Bud Light and Goose Island) and Lagunitas Brewing are providing the variety of beer this year.
* Brugal Rum is new to the Fest and will be serving special tropical fruit drinks.

The popular three-day Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival runs Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2015 and takes place on the grounds of Jefferson Memorial Park and includes a family-picnic area to enjoy the neighborhood food favorites. There are also two stages, a designated Kid's Zone, art to purchase, and a juried photo art competition. Festival tickets can be bought at http://www.jeffersonpark.net/.

The weekend is packed with music, too. Saturday's headline act is Jonathan Jackson + Enation, an anthemic Alt / Rock / Pop three piece from Nashville, Tenn. The band recently released their fourth studio album, "Radio Cinematic," through Loud & Proud Records. Rolling Stone says "Radio Cinematic" is "Filled with electric guitars, chest-beating vocals and swirling synths." Billboard Magazine calls Jonathan Jackson + Enation a "rock band on the rise." Their Emmy-Award winning frontman is also a well-known actor. Jonathan's acting credits include "Tuck Everlasting," "General Hospital," "Insomnia," and "Nashville," in addition to many other TV and films.

Friday kicks off with some "heavy metal" sound from Eliminator and Blackened, and Sunday features JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound (JCBUS). JCBUS call Chicago its home, and has toured North America and Europe, including playing at Lollapalooza.

2015 Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival Music Line-Up:

Friday, July 24, 2015:

Eliminator (7 - 8 p.m.)
Blackened (8:30 - 10:30 p.m.)

Saturday, July 25, 2015:

Leonum (4 - 5 p.m.)
The Empty Pockets (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
Jonathan Jackson + Enation (7 - 9 p.m.)
The Student Body (9 - 10:30 p.m.)

Sunday, July 26, 2015:

Pirates over 40 (3 - 4 p.m.)
Shagadelics (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound (6 - 8 p.m.)

Jefferson Memorial Park is located at 4822 N. Long Avenue, just west of Milwaukee Avenue. Fest-goers are encouraged to take public transportation, as the Jefferson Park Metra and CTA Blue Line transportation hub is just a block from the festival grounds. Plenty of bike racks also will be available. Road closures: Linder Avenue and Long Avenue will be blocked off between Higgins and Lawrence Avenue for the three-day festivities.

The fee for admission is $5 per person. It is free for children ages 12 and under, and adults older than 65. And if your name is Jeff, show an ID for free admission. Coolers and liquor are not permitted. Festival hours are Friday, July 24 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, July 25 from Noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday, July 26 from Noon to 8 p.m. Lawn chairs welcome.

For more information, go to http://www.JeffFest.org/. Be sure you are the first to hear of announcements and plans for Jeff Fest and follow @JeffFestChicago on Twitter and Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival on Facebook.

For media queries, please contact: Laura Gale, crossmedia451@gmail.com, or 773-318-3293.

* LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0505-jeff-fest-300dpi.jpg

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/jeff-fest-arts-and-music-festival-celebrates-local-diverse-food-beverages-special-discount-until-july-4-2015-0622-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

From Yard Waste to High Fashion: St. Pete Artists Save Florida Landfills ‘One Accessory at a Time’

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 18, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Inspired by environmental sustainability, Scott Durfee and George Medeiros of Spathose will showcase the latest installment of their work with palm spathe in their upcoming show "Spathe" at Cory Allen Contemporary Art's The Showroom next week.

"At first, Scott and I had to go out and look for spathe. Now, people are bringing it to us and even suggesting ideas for the pieces they've collected," said George Medeiros.

Spathe, the remnants discarded from palm trees and most commonly referred to as yard debris, has been the primary medium of Scott and George's work in many different forms over the last decade. Not only artists, they are activists in the environmental sustainability movement and hope to shed light on recreating beauty from what most people abandon simply as trash.

"We have a vision for every piece we do and the natural form of the spathe collected helps guide us to that piece," said Scott Durfee. "We found a way to create stand-alone to functional sculptures, which wearable sculptures has become our primary focus."

Initially creating stand-alone sculptures to be displayed for eyes only, Scott and George wanted more functionality from their work and began creating wearable sculptures. Their wearable sculptures, men's ties, purses, arm bands, necklaces, and now in their latest show, masks, have given them prominent success in the media for their distinctive vision.

"People throw spathe away and we want them to wear it," said George Medeiros. "We are saving Florida landfills one accessory at a time."

Spathe is a truly indigenous, sustainable material that evokes the essence of Florida. Mostly known for their blend of fine art and fashion with their wearable sculptures, Scott and George will be displaying their latest work, as well as, some of their previous work that has been featured in many publications; most recently Handmade Business.

"Spathe" will open to the public at CACA's The Showroom, the world's first public relations gallery, located in the Warehouse Arts District in St. Petersburg, Fla. on June 25, 2015.

For more information, contact Cory Allen at 727-365-0254 or visit either http://www.spathose.com/ or http://www.cacanet.com/.

* PHOTO/IMAGE for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0618-Spathose-Spathe-CACA-300dpi.jpg

* Caption: "Spathe" by Scott Durfee and George Medeiros. (Photo by Lola Portraits.)

Twitter: @coryallenCACA and @Spathose

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/from-yard-waste-to-high-fashion-st-pete-artists-save-florida-landfills-one-accessory-at-a-time-2015-0618-06.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Cory Allen Contemporary Art :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Proto Plastics Utilizes Conair ResinWorks Drying System

TIPP CITY, Ohio, June 17, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Conair ResinWorks(TM) system offers a new level of manufacturing efficiency for plastic injection molding operations at Proto Plastics, of Tipp City, Ohio.

The drying system consolidates resin handling and pre-conditioning into a central area, allowing material changes to take place quickly, cleanly, and safely away from the processing machine.

"The ResinWorks system allow us to dramatically decrease the amount of time it takes to dry the materials we use in the injection molding process," says Dave Gagnon, Director of Operations at Proto Plastics. "This means we're able to move through molding jobs faster due to less time spent on the drying that happens between molding operations."

The simplified resin dehumidification is the heart of the ResinWorks system, where multiple hoppers are supplied on a common pre-plumbed, pre-wired sled, and connected to a dehumidifying dryer to provide superior drying and maximum productivity. Individual sleds are connected to form an efficient, centralized resin drying area supplying Proto Plastics's injection molding machines, with a wide array of dried resins.

"There are cost savings benefits to this for sure," says Gagnon. "We now have one dryer for 4 hoppers, so the ResinWorks drying system eliminates the use of 3 individual dryers, saving energy and money."

Plastic injection molding is an extremely competitive industry, so cost savings that can be passed along to the customer are essential to business growth. The drying system which went online in May, has already begun delivering benefits from its introduction within the Proto Plastics injection molding operation.

About Proto Plastics:

Proto Plastics was formed in 1969 as a plastic injection molder and mold builder serving a small group of customers in the business equipment market. Today, Proto Plastics is a full-service contract manufacturer of custom plastic injection molded parts and assemblies, specializing in technically demanding, close tolerance parts required in a wide variety of industries. Proto Plastics services manufacturers in the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus Ohio region and beyond.

For more information about Proto Plastics visit: http://protoplastics.com/ .

Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protoplastics .
Twitter: @protoplastics - http://twitter/protoplastics .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/proto-plastics-utilizes-conair-resinworks-drying-system-2015-0617-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Proto Plastics :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Wigglebutts Uncorked Fundraising Gala for Second Chance Rescue

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 17, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Wigglebutt Warriors(R), the fundraising arm of canine-centric digital magazine Fidose of Reality, is excited to announce Wigglebutts Uncorked, a pet-friendly fundraising gala to benefit Second Chance Rescue.

On the heels of 2013's Wigglebutt Wedding and 2014's Wigglebutts Go Hollywoof, Fidose of Reality founders Carol and Darlene Bryant are once again rolling out the red carpet for rescue dogs. The Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, New York will host the event in The Grand Monarque Hall, an early 19th-century building with towering ceilings and antique wrought-iron chandeliers - under which there will be hors d'oeuvres, a dinner buffet, dancing, prizes, a silent auction, and the first-ever Wigglebutts Got Talent Show.

An open call went out in March seeking a U.S.-based 501(c)3 dog rescue group as the benefactor of Wigglebutts Uncorked. "We closely read through the stories of dogs in need of forever homes," says co-founder Carol Bryant. "In a perfect world, Wigglebutt Warriors would fundraise for all dogs in need. It was no easy task, but ultimately we are happy to report that the group who will benefit from Wigglebutts Uncorked is Second Chance Rescue."

Jennifer Brooks founded Second Chance Rescue in 2009 on the firm belief that all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. Their mission is to rehabilitate and re-home animals that have been abandoned or neglected by their former owners - many of which have serious medical issues and/or are on "death row" at municipal shelters - and are 100 percent not-for-profit.

Adds Bryant, "We are so excited to work with this dynamo who loves dogs!"

"We are so honored to have been chosen out of the many other wonderful rescue organizations as the recipient of the Wigglebutt fundraiser," says Jennifer Brooks, president and founder of Second Chance Rescue NYC. "It is our hope to raise much needed funds to continue our endeavor in saving many deserving animals - as well as use this opportunity to spread awareness and educate the public on the plight of animals in this city, let alone the country. This will be a beautiful and historical evening."

Wigglebutts Uncorked will take place on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 6-10 p.m. The attire is dressy and well-behaved dogs are welcome. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit http://fidoseofreality.com/ or visit: http://fidose.com/1IKz3XG. Local group rate on hotel accommodations are available.

About Wigglebutt Warriors:

Wigglebutt Warriors(R) is the fundraising arm of FidoseofReality.com. Founders Carol and Darlene Bryant have raised over $40,000 for homeless cocker spaniels to assist with medical, food, and basic needs until they find their forever homes. Along with their cocker spaniel, Dexter, they are crusading to save dogs' lives.

About Second Chance Rescue:

Second Chance Rescue is a New York-based 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to facilitate the adoption of animals that have been abandoned by their former owners. They protect and ensure the long-term well-being of rescued animals by placing them in foster homes or private boarding facilities where they are rehabilitated and cared for until a permanent home is found. Learn more at: http://www.nycsecondchancerescue.org/ or on Facebook page: Second Chance Rescue NYC dogs, at https://www.facebook.com/SecondChanceRescueNycDogs.

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0617-grandsalon-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: The Grand Monarque Hall.

TWITTER: @nycscr

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/wigglebutts-uncorked-fundraising-gala-for-second-chance-rescue-2015-0617-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Wigglebutt Warriors :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

World’s First Postal Mail Elimination System, Aims to Save Millions of Tax Dollars While Improving Security

TAMPA, Fla., June 16, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- SmartKiosk today announces their new technology designed to reduce the cost of incarceration. Tax payers across the country are spending Billions of dollars annually to house and provide services to incarcerated people in U.S. jails and prisons. Little has been done to find ways to reduce those costs and still maintain the security that is necessary. The problems are complex and the solutions have been few.

Drugs and other contraband smuggled through the postal mail has hit epidemic levels. Letters, envelopes, stamps, photos and all other items mailed, are soaked in odorless, colorless, highly potent drugs and poisons. Unable to detect drug tainted mail, it is hand delivered by Deputies to inmates much like dealers on the street. Maintaining security and control is beyond challenging and expensive.

SmartKiosk announces their no cost solution. The world's first patent pending, postal mail elimination system for corrections. SmartKiosk has been a pioneer in the corrections industry, implementing the first two-way email system ever used in a county jail. The latest addition to their multifunction SmartKiosk system is aimed to save millions in tax dollars, by allowing inmates postal mail to be delivered electronically as a copy through the SmartKiosk system.

Eliminating staff from sorting and hand delivering each piece of mail, while also eliminating contraband sent in the postal mail from ever reaching the inmate. Mail is processed by SmartKiosk at their regional receiving hubs and is instantly delivered to the inmates through the kiosk system inside the correctional facility, completely removing the task of mail from the agency. Large Department of Corrections such as Florida with 140 facilities, can deliver mail electronically to all locations, eliminating daily staff labor with postal mail at 140 facilities, saving millions of tax dollars each year.

Jon Logan, founder of SmartKiosk says "We are very excited about this new patent pending technology and the savings it will bring to every correctional agency at zero cost."

He adds, "This system will eliminate tons of daily labor for agencies, document a searchable record of all postal mail, offering new monitoring tools as well as completely eliminate contraband from entering the facility by mail. Every governor and county sheriff could implement this technology at no cost and tighten up security while saving their tax payers millions."

SmartKiosk is a Tampa, Florida based corporation formed in 2009, showing strong growth. The company specializes in innovative no cost corrections technology, designed to reduce operating cost by streamlining communications and leveraging technology to add efficiencies in daily operations.

More information on their solutions can be found at http://www.smartkioskcompany.com/.

SmartKiosk has a patent pending on the postal mail system they believe will revolutionize the Department of Corrections.

Reducing costs and improving security are top priorities of every state and county agency. This technology hits the mark for achieving both goals, all at no cost.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/worlds-first-postal-mail-elimination-system-aims-to-save-millions-of-tax-dollars-while-improving-security-2015-0616-02.shtml.

Opinion: The Failure of Medicine and Opioid Addiction

CORTE MADERA, Calif., June 15, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- "Giving voice to a growing public health problem," notes Dr. Don Harte, Marin County straight chiropractor, "a recent cover of TIME magazine bears a picture of a fishhook, with a pill as 'bait.' That cover proclaims 'They're the most powerful painkillers ever invented. And they're creating the worst addiction crisis America has ever seen.' No kidding!"

"Over the last couple of decades, Medicine and Big Pharma have been upping the ante on pain pills," explains Dr. Harte. "Government agencies had the brakes on opioids for a long time. Then came the 'cox 2 inhibitors,' Vioxx and Celebrex. Vioxx was taken off the market in 2004, after killing more people than we lost in Vietnam. Now the brakes are off the opioids, including Opana and Oxycontin."

"Over the last couple of decades," Dr. Harte goes on, "orthopedists have gotten into extremely aggressive marketing with spinal surgery. The top operation now, in this country, is spinal fusion." He goes on, "With the possible exception of unstable fractures and cancerous bone tumors, back surgery, especially spinal fusion, is barbaric. Patients end up worse, often far worse. Often, one surgery leads to the next. This is a major gateway to long-term opioid prescriptions, and then, addiction. They, the surgeons, are the cause of these drastic pain increases, and, therefore, they are the cause of the current widespread drug dependence." He emphasizes, "People in pain go to orthopedists for relief. Their patients end up worse, with untold damage to the nervous systems."

Dr. Harte explains. "Millions suffer from chronic neck and back pain, as well as pain of the hips, knees, shoulders and wrists. They go to the orthopedist for help. At best, nothing is accomplished, since, in Medicine, no one deals with causation. Only symptoms are dealt with."

He adds, "More commonly, suffering people end up with more suffering, and sicker, overall. More and more end up drug-addicted. But, then, Medicine has specialists for that, too. What a racket!"

People in pain ask Dr. Harte what they can do that is safer and more effective. "Straight chiropractic," he advises. "Not your typical pain-treating, white coat-wearing excuse-for-chiropractic care. Real chiropractors look for the cause, and then, seek to correct it, through gentle, specific, scientific chiropractic adjustments. Not only does pain typically lessen or disappear, but a person's body becomes free to function at a higher level. Overall health improves, because the nervous system is free from interference."

Dr. Harte explains that people have a choice. "You can go for 'what's accepted,' get doped up and cut up, and maybe addicted. Or, you can correct the cause, giving your body a chance, not only for pain relief, but to be well."

Dr. Don Harte, former medical student, is a straight chiropractor serving Marin and the Greater Bay Area since 1981. He is an activist in the struggle for free speech for chiropractors. Dr. Harte was named 2006 "Chiropractor of the Year" by the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). He has served on the Boards of the WCA and the Council on Chiropractic Practice. His articles have been published in OMNI magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Chiropractic Journal and Journal of the California Chiropractic Association.

Contact: Dr. Harte
o: (415) 460-6527
c: (415) 847-9678
harteofchiropractic@gmail.com

More information: http://www.chirodrharte.com/.

The Harte of Chiropractic, Prof. Corp., 21 Tamal Vista, Suite 170, Corte Madera, CA 94925. (415) 460-6527.

Twitter: @drdonharte

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/the-failure-of-medicine-and-opioid-addiction-2015-0615-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Dr. Don Harte :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

From Pooper-Scoopers to Business Owners, Young Entrepreneurs Purchase Local Doggie Daycare Franchise

FARMINGDALE, N.Y., June 12, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Young entrepreneurs Jennifer Jung and Candice Vogel recently took the big leap from employees to business owners to seize opportunities in the booming pet care industry. Jennifer and Candice began as entry-level kennel workers at Long Island-based Hounds Town USA, a fully interactive doggie daycare and pet care franchise.

Jennifer, a 26-year-old Long Islander and volunteer EMT with the Massapequa fire department, and Candice, 25, joined forces with Hounds Town customer Maria Gillen, who saw a great business opportunity.

"The emotional bond between our customers and their dogs made it clear to me that pet care is my passion," says Jennifer. "Watching pit bulls play with poodles made me realize we have something unique here and I wanted to be part of something different."

Candice adds: "When the opportunity to purchase the franchise came I couldn't resist turning my passion into a career."

Former customer Maria Gillen says: "I loved the concept when I heard about it. After bringing my dog to daycare as a customer and seeing how much she loved it, I was sold. You wouldn't realize how vital doggie daycare is to working people, and now I get to bring my dog to work with me."

Hounds Town - one of Long Island's first fully interactive doggie daycares - was founded in 2001 by Michael S. Gould, former Commanding Officer of the Nassau County Police Canine Unit and a military veteran. Michael brings 35 years of commercial canine experience to the private pet care industry. "Our honest and straightforward approach to pet care is a refreshing experience in an industry that is inundated with many so-called professionals that are inexperienced at best, and exploitive at worst," says Michael.

As a small business, Hounds Town brings to the table a unique experience for animals and their humans. "We offer an expertise in caring for live animals that no corporate pet care facility can duplicate," says Michael. "It is a perfect franchise model."

Unlike most other pet care facilities in the nation, Hounds Town does not breed discriminate. Since 2001 Hounds Town USA has hosted almost 500,000 canine visitors at their three Suffolk County locations. Hounds Town is positioned to expand to Nassau County and Queens, and a fourth location in Nassau County is in development.

In addition to offering daycare, boarding, grooming, and training, Hounds Town also works with local shelters and rescue groups through its non-profit Hounds Town Charities to rehabilitate dogs deemed potentially dangerous and that are at risk of being euthanized.

For more information on Hounds Town USA, Michael Gould, and Hounds Town Charities, visit http://www.houndstownusa.com/, http://www.michaelsgould.com/ and http;//www.houndstowncharities.org/.

Hounds Town USA
Contact: Jackie Bondanza
631-873-9486

Video: https://youtu.be/UrWhHOIuvVo

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/from-pooper-scoopers-to-business-owners-young-entrepreneurs-purchase-local-doggie-daycare-franchise-2015-0612-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Hounds Town USA :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Uproar Entertainment Announces New Comedy CD by Brett Riley

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 11, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Uproar Entertainment is pleased to announce the release of Brett Riley's first comedy CD, "I'm An Idiot." Riley's signature impersonations, witty observations, and colorful stories incite bouts of laughter from the start. "I'm An Idiot" was recorded at The Comedy Underground in Seattle, Wash. and is Riley's first recording for Uproar Entertainment.

Brett Riley is not a fish out of water; he's his own portable aquarium and the contents of this aquarium are colorful and plentiful. An accomplished comedian and vocalist with an endless grab bag of stories, observations, opinions, and impersonations, Riley is a crowd favorite in every kind of comedy and entertainment venue.

Believing he was born to entertain, Riley accepted a scholarship to Oklahoma City University for Music Theatre. He quickly realized that he was indeed meant to perform, just not music theatre. After sneaking into comedy clubs with fake IDs, getting booked as the house emcee, and winning Wichita King of Comedy 2004, it became obvious that he needed to hit the road and take it to the next level. That meant jumping right into the big time - L.A.! Riley didn't waste any time proving himself there, claiming the Funniest Comic in the City 2007 title within 6 months of his arrival in the big city, thus leading to his appearance on Judge Joe Brown to collect the prize money.

After a car accident almost claimed his life in September 2008, Riley quickly bounced back to claim the title at the Roc Da Mic Comedy Competition Compton, Calif. 2009. Most recently named "Best of Fest" at the San Luis Obispo, Calif. Comedy Festival, Riley's performance was also featured on Sirius/XM Raw Dog Radio 2013 and on Hulu under CandorTV.

A farm boy from Wichita, Kansas with the heart of a soul singer, Riley is one of the most original fresh faces to come to light in the comedy world. With the swagger of a rock front man and the likeability of a college drinking buddy, this walking "series of unfortunate events" takes the audience on a personal tour of the Brett Riley view on everything from pop-culture, relationships, family, and advice on how to mess with people, and couples it with the ability to sing well enough to make your mom forget the other stuff that comes out of his mouth.

"Brett Riley is a classic example of 'don't judge a book by its cover.' You think you know him until the first words come out of his mouth. Multi-talented, intelligent and drop dead funny - he's a force to be reckoned with in the comedy world," says David Drozen, President Uproar Entertainment.

"Forget the formula," says Brett Riley.

About Uproar Entertainment:

Uproar Entertainment is committed to recording and promoting today's most talented comedians. Under the helm of David Drozen, the man who discovered Richard Pryor in early 1970, signed him to his first recording contract, and produced 12 of his albums for the legendary comedy label Laff Records, Uproar nurtures, supports and develops the best comedic talents of our time.

With an unparalleled ear for undiscovered talent, Mr. Drozen is responsible for discovering many of today's comedy greats, producing their very first comedy albums and igniting their comedy careers. Under his leadership Uproar Entertainment is "makin' comedy happen!"

"I'm An Idiot" is available on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/im-an-idiot/id998731205 .

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/NW8pMupy_Y8

Uproar Website: http://www.uproarcomedycd.com/

Official Website: http://brettriley.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrettRileyComedian

Twitter: @brettriley

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mrbrettriley

For promotional copies, interviews, or for additional info, contact: Ashley Beck, Director Social Media Marketing and PR; 818-723-2648 UproarComedyPR@gmail.com.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0609-imanidiot-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Cover, "I'm An Idiot" by Brett Riley.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/uproar-entertainment-announces-new-comedy-cd-by-brett-riley-2015-0611-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Uproar Entertainment :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Eastern Pennsylvania Now Sports Latest in Tattoo Revisions

WILKES-BARRE, Pa., June 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Rejuvatek Medical, Inc., Sandy, Utah, announced the opening of their latest Tatt2Away(R) center in Eastern Pennsylvania at Marc's Tattooing & Body Piercing. Tatt2Away offers a patented, innovative alternative to laser tattoo removal that is less painful, less costly, and more effective at removing all tattoo colors of pigment.

Marc's Tattooing & Body Piercing, with 4 locations covering the Eastern region of Pennsylvania, has been the area's industry trusted name in professionalism and artistry for over 25 years. Over that time, Steve Gulbin and Jon Owens, partners of Marc's Tattooing, have witnessed thousands of piercing and tattoo jobs through their doors, and noticed an increase in much of their business was clients exploring ways to cover up or re-imagine a current tattoo.

"We really wanted to find an easy, less expensive way to remove or enhance some of this unfortunate work," says Gulbin. "Jon and I were on the hunt for a cutting-edge technique that was an alternative to laser removal and offered us full control over the creative process. I'm ecstatic to offer a removal solution like this at our shops!"

While 65 million Americans sport a tattoo, 11 percent of them are getting - or have had - one removed. Although the laser has been the go to method of removal, its lack of efficacy, coupled with pain and cost, have not made it an attractive value proposition. Marc's Tattooing plans on capitalizing on the newest alternative to laser tattoo removal.

Owens added, "Not only is this THE solution for those that want a full tattoo removal, but it will also make a cover up session more tolerable and less costly for our clients."

To book a consultation for a Tatt2Away treatment, call Steve or Jon at 570-235-1484 or visit http://marcstattooing.com/.

Tatt2Away is placing only a few systems per city, offering a limited exclusivity to those studios that see the opportunity first and act on it. For more information, go to http://www.Tatt2Away.com/ or contact Jack Savage, Rejuvatek Medical, Inc. 855-252-2929 jacksavage@Tatt2Away.com

TWITTER: @tatt2away

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/eastern-pennsylvania-now-sports-latest-in-tattoo-revisions-2015-0605-04.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Rejuvatek Medical, Inc. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

D-Link India signs MoU with Telangana government for collaboration to develop local IT industry and cultivate local talent

TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Driving forward with their local India presence, D-Link signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government to bolster the local IT industry by improving network infrastructure, investing in the region, and developing new talent.

As part of the collaboration, D-Link will work together with the state government to provide public Internet access by deploying Wi-Fi hotspots that will provide wireless access to all citizens and institutions. D-Link will also upgrade government networking infrastructure to meet the latest security standards, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks.

Additionally, D-Link will increase investment in the area, expanding their Hyderabad offices, establishing a global R&D centre, and creating a network training centre. Through this academy, D-Link is looking to grow local talent and create jobs through education, recruitment, and training of local personnel.

"In 1990, D-Link entered the Indian market, and in 2001, we were listed on the NSE. Now, we have over 80 distribution channels and more than 2,000 sales partners in India. India's potential as an emerging market is immense, and Hyderabad is quickly becoming a major tech hub. By supporting its growth and fostering talent, we believe we can open up new opportunities for both India and D-Link, creating a win-win situation," D-Link CEO Douglas Hsiao said.

About D-Link:

D-Link(R) is the global leader in connectivity for home, small business, mid- to large-sized enterprise environments, and service providers. An award-winning designer, developer, and manufacturer, D-Link implements and supports unified network solutions that integrate capabilities in switching, wireless, broadband, storage, IP Surveillance, and cloud-based network management. For more information visit http://www.dlink.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0605-d-link-signing-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @Dlink

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/d-link-india-signs-mou-with-telangana-government-for-collaboration-to-develop-local-it-industry-and-cultivate-local-talent-2015-0605-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE D-Link Corporation :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Griffin Pest Solutions Named A Top 100 Company

KALAMAZOO, Mich., June 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Kalamazoo-based Griffin Pest Solutions (www.griffinpest.com) ranked 79th on the 2015 Pest Control Technology magazine Top 100 List, an annual compilation of the leading pest management companies in the United States. The list was included in the magazine's May issue (www.pctonline.com).

Griffin, a family-owned company, is part of a nationwide industry that generated an estimated $7.4 billion in revenue in 2014 - a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year - and that has experienced consistent growth over the last five years.

The company provides vital pest management services to both residential and commercial clients in Michigan, northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. It operates service centers in Kalamazoo, Dexter, Livonia and Wyoming, Michigan.

Griffin's residential services protect customers' homes from potentially destructive pests including carpenter ants, and annoying and potentially threatening pests including ants, stinging insects, rodents, cockroaches and bed bugs.

The company's commercial services safeguard leading food processing, healthcare, hospitality, education, agriculture, education and multi-family housing facilities from an array of pests including rodents, cockroaches, nuisance birds, stored product pests, and flies.

"Being named to the PCT Top 100 List is a testament to the passionate dedication of our team and validates the business model we have followed of delivering quality, dependable and innovative service to commercial and residential clients," says Pam Blauvelt, vice president of operations for Griffin Pest Solutions.

About Griffin Pest Solutions:

Griffin Pest Solutions ( http://www.griffinpest.com/ ), founded in 1929, delivers innovative integrated pest management solutions to commercial and residential pest management clients in Michigan, northern Indiana and northwest Ohio.

*IMAGE for media (logo): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0605-griffin-pest-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @GriffinPest

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/griffin-pest-solutions-named-a-top-100-company-2015-0605-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Griffin Pest Solutions :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Victoria Jackson Cosmetics Re-Launches VJCosmetics.com

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 2, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Victoria Jackson Cosmetics is proud to announce an exciting brand refresh. Known as The Original "No Make-up, Makeup"(R), Victoria Jackson Cosmetics has re-launched its website at vjcosmetics.com with a brand new look and new products. Victoria's favorites and tried and true products are still available like her "No Make-up" Foundation Duo, Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, Universal Brow Pencil and the Victoria Jackson Survival Kit(R).

Entrepreneur, infomercial pioneer, best-selling author and philanthropist, Victoria Jackson has achieved tremendous success with her multifaceted career. Starting off as a makeup artist on the sets of Hollywood television shows and films, Victoria has grown her eponymous cosmetics line to achieve sales in excess of a billion dollars and a loyal following of over two million customers worldwide. This revitalization will focus on the same great products her loyal customers have come to know and love, plus a new generation of products that provide the same "No Make-up, Makeup"(R) look that the brand is known for.

Victoria Jackson has shown millions of women how to achieve inner confidence by enhancing their own natural beauty. This core value remains truer than ever and the line will continue to create products with this concept in mind. "We're excited about the future of Victoria Jackson Cosmetics. We look forward to continuing to make timeless products for the everyday woman to feel her most beautiful, confident self," says Jackson.

Learn more at: http://www.vjcosmetics.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0602-vjackson-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Victoria Jackson (left) demonstrates her makeup collection.

*VIDEO: https://youtu.be/aa2YNURmOEk.

Instagram: @VJCosmetics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriajacksoncosmetics

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/vjcosmetics.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/victoria-jackson-cosmetics-re-launches-vjcosmetics-com-2015-0602-005.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Victoria Jackson Cosmetics :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

New Research Exposes Folly of Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage Repeal Proposal

MADISON, Wis., June 2, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Just completed research by Colorado State University Economist Kevin Duncan and Smart Cities Prevail Researcher Alex Lantsberg reveals that Wisconsin's proposed prevailing wage repeal (AB 32) will cost the state nearly 9,000 jobs, $1.2 billion in economic output, $77 million in tax revenue, and will export an estimated $500 million in construction investments out of state.

The report, entitled "How Weakening Wisconsin's Prevailing Wage Policy Would Affect Public Construction Costs and Economic Activity," is the latest in a series of studies completed by Duncan and Lantsberg that model the effect of prevailing wage policy changes on the economies and construction industries of states where such changes are under consideration.

Read the Economic Impact Report on Repeal of Wisconsin's Prevailing Wage Policy Here (PDF): http://goo.gl/4LjeiS.

Wisconsin's proposed prevailing wage repeal, AB 32, passed out of the Assembly Labor Committee last week, and Governor Scott Walker - who is also widely expected to formally launch a bid for the Presidency in 2016 - has said he will sign the measure.

"There is a lot of misinformation out there, and up until now, study of the economic impact of these policy changes has been scarce," Duncan said. "There is a reason why prevailing wage policies have long been embraced by leaders in both political parties - including Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan and neighboring GOP Governor Rick Snyder - and our goal is to ensure that policy makers have the facts they need to cut through the overheated political rhetoric and make informed decisions."

The study uses data from the Economic Census of Construction and industry standard IMPLAN software to compare and model spending shifts in public construction that occur in prevailing wage and non-prevailing wage states. Factors include the economic ripple effect that wages have on spending, job creation, and tax revenue; industry responses to wage rates in terms of workforce productivity and worksite efficiency; and rates of in-state vs. out-of-state contracting on public works.

"The data clearly shows that repealing prevailing wage in Wisconsin will have no effect on project costs - but it will eliminate thousands of jobs across all economic sectors, suppress economic output, necessitate millions in cuts to other public services, lead to reduced productivity and efficiency at the job site, and export hundreds of millions of construction dollars out of state," said Lantsberg. "Repeal is not sound economic policy, and the only taxpayers AB 32 will benefit are those who live in states other than Wisconsin."

In their research, Lantsberg and Duncan devote an entire section to debunking the myth of cost savings by repeal proponents, noting that lower wage standards will deprive Wisconsin of favorable industry responses from prevailing wage standards. In Wisconsin's case, this includes a 7 percent increase in worksite productivity and 2 percent reduction in materials and fuels usage rates that come from employing higher skilled, local workers.

"These factors would, by themselves, more than exhaust any savings realized from imposing lower wages - especially since labor (wages and benefits) comprise less than 20 percent of the total cost of any public construction project," Duncan added. "Ultimately, over ten years, this measure will not save money, but it will reduce real income to Wisconsin families by $5.1 billion, shrink Wisconsin's economy by another $12 billion, and degrade the quality of construction on highways, schools, hospitals, and other public works. The facts are clear-repeal of prevailing wage in Wisconsin is just bad policy."

Kevin Duncan, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized economist specializing in labor and regional economics. Dr. Duncan works as a Professor of Economics in the Hasan School of Business at Colorado State University - Pueblo and Senior Economist at BCD Economics, LLC.

Alex Lantsberg is a researcher with Smart Cities Prevail specializing in economics, land use, and urban planning. Mr. Lantsberg holds a Master's Degree in City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley and an undergraduate degree in finance from Northern Illinois University.

Smart Cities Prevail is a leading construction industry research and educational organization, specializing in studying the costs and benefits of prevailing wage policies. Learn more at http://www.smartcitiesprevail.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/smartcitiesprevail.

*LOGO (web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0602-smart-cities-500x375.jpg

Twitter: @CaCitiesPrevail

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/new-research-exposes-folly-of-wisconsin-s-prevailing-wage-repeal-proposal-2015-0602-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Smart Cities Prevail :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Weitz and Luxenberg Exploring Southern California Oil Spill Victims’ Claims

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 21, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Weitz & Luxenberg P.C., today announced it is investigating claims from members of the fishing industry, property owners and others harmed by an oil spill that began Tuesday and blighted the shoreline just north of Santa Barbara, California.

California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in response to the oil spill.

NBC News reported the spill dumped about 105,000 gallons from a break in a 2-foot-diameter pipeline that runs through the northern part of Santa Barbara County.

Oil from the pipeline rupture flowed to the beach where it then entered the water and created 9-miles of oil slick in the ocean, affecting 4 miles of beach, CNN said.

Santa Barbara Oil Spill Causing Harm:

According to news reports, popular beaches and campgrounds in the affected area were ordered evacuated, and officials said that some beaches would be closed for Memorial Day weekend.

"California's coastal region is home to a rich and diverse habitat and is a vital part of the state's economy because of the variety of businesses supported by those Pacific waters - chief among them fishing and tourism," explained Robin Greenwald, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg's Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection Unit.

"Memorial Day weekend is typically a three-day period when local businesses expect some of their biggest economic gains of the year," she indicated. "Because of the oil spill, those gains may not materialize this year."

"The full extent of the spill is yet to be determined, but fishermen and coastal property owners will likely suffer economic harm, too, by this spill," Greenwald added.

Greenwald said Weitz & Luxenberg is no stranger to aiding businesses and property owners who suffer economic harms from oil spills.

Beginning in 2010, the law firm represented fishermen, businesses and individuals who suffered losses after the oil giant BP's offshore drilling rig exploded, spewing millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, she said.

Weitz & Luxenberg, joined by other law firms, convinced BP to enter a massive financial settlement. The settlement compensated hundreds of thousands of fishermen, businesses and individuals whose livelihoods and/or property were damaged in the course of the spill, said Greenwald, a key player in the settlement negotiations.

Money May Be Owed to Santa Barbara Oil Spill Victims:

The flow of oil from the burst pipeline eventually was stopped, the Coast Guard said.

However, the news media raised the possibility that the pipeline owner - Houston-based Plains All American Pipeline - may have allowed the leak to continue for hours before shutting off the flow.

Weitz & Luxenberg said that under California law, the pipeline owner had a duty to exercise reasonable care in preventing this kind of disaster from occurring.

"The company created an unacceptable risk of economic harm to innocent people and businesses," said Greenwald.

Santa Barbara oil-spill victims who contact Weitz & Luxenberg are eligible for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of their legal rights against the oil company

To obtain the free consultation, oil-spill victims can reach the law firm toll-free at (800) 476-6070 or online at www.weitzlux.com, Greenwald said.

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury and consumer protection law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, products liability, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of consumer fraud are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenberg's more than 25 years of experience handling such cases. You can contact the firm's Client Relations department at 800-476-6070 or at clientrelations@weitzlux.com.

More information: http://www.weitzlux.com/.

TWITTER: @WeitzLuxenberg

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/weitz-luxenberg-exploring-southern-california-oil-spill-victims-claims-2015-0521-02.shtml.

5 Bars announces Bruce Banigan as Vice President

IRVINE, Calif., May 20, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- 5 Bars(TM), a leader in wireless technology solutions, announced the appointment of Bruce Banigan as Vice President. 5 Bars is a premier neutral host provider of indoor/outdoor distributed antenna systems, Wi-Fi and small cells networks.

The 5 Bars team designs, builds, operates and maintains wireless systems and also has a full suite of managed service offerings for complex Wi-Fi, DAS and wireless systems. The team has designed and developed over 500 wireless projects worldwide.

As a 20-year technology veteran, Banigan has an extensive wireless background that includes experience working with large enterprise customers.

Banigan will lead the 5 Bars Business Development team focusing on building DAS, Wi-Fi and small cell deployments worldwide.

"I am honored to join the 5 Bars team. Being afforded the opportunity to contribute to the phenomenal growth of this organization is fantastic," said Banigan.

Banigan has had a successful technology career and held several leadership positions with tier 1 telecom companies overseeing senior sales teams. In that capacity he deployed numerous enhanced wireless coverage solutions for large venues and enterprise customers. Additionally, Banigan has been the lead strategist for telematics deployments with several large OEM's. Banigan has been extremely successful in all his challenges and is excited to leverage his expertise at 5 Bars.

"Banigan's background extends beyond providing technology solutions. His diverse experience in both business and the military provides us with a unique perspective in continuing to build a culture of results, discipline and excellence. Bruce has seen success in every venture of his life and we look forward to him building on his outstanding track record of achievement," said 5 Bars CEO, John Clarey.

Banigan is also a decorated USMC aviator who served with distinction in combat as well as at the White House where he piloted Marine One for two US Presidents.

About 5 Bars:

5 Bars(TM) is headquartered in Irvine, California and is a premier provider of indoor and outdoor distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cell and Wi-Fi networks. Venues that carry the 5 Bars(TM) certification possess the highest standards of wireless connectivity. 5 Bars specializes in Sports, Master Plans for Communities, Real Estate and Media.

For more information about 5 Bars, please visit http://www.5bars.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0520-banigan-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Bruce Banigan II.

Media Contact:
5 Bars(TM)
(949) 933-8137
info@5bars.com

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/5-bars-announces-bruce-banigan-as-vice-president-2015-0520-01.shtml.

Former VMware Global VP Dane Smith Joins Civic Resource Group International as President

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 19, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Civic Resource Group Intl. (CRGI) is pleased to announce that Dane Smith has joined the company as President. Mr. Smith comes to CRGI from On-Ramp Wireless, an IoT technology provider. In his role, Mr. Smith will be responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Company by working with the CRGI Executive Team, their Advisory Board, and community leaders to establish long-term goals, strategies, plans, and policies for implementing successful Smart City campaigns globally. Mr. Smith will be providing the overall growth strategy, business vision, and marketing leadership to support CRGI's significant global expansion.

A proven leader and IT industry veteran, Mr. Smith will be formulating and implementing CRGI's strategic plan for developing of all aspects of direct and indirect sales of the Company's broad portfolio of CivicConnect(TM) product line, as well as overseeing and expanding CRGI's national and international sales channel ecosystem. In his role, Mr. Smith will also be advising on introduction of new sales and marketing programs and will be responsible for evaluating the new initiatives' performance and ROI. Mr. Smith is taking his role as President at a critical time for CRGI as it establishes itself as the leading Mobile/Cloud/Data solutions provider for the broad public sector around the globe.

"We are delighted to have Dane Smith join Civic Resource Group as President," said Gregory Curtin, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of CRGI. "He is an experienced, talented, dynamic business leader and has an excellent track record of devising and executing highly successful strategies that show measurable results for the public sector. He understands the unique needs of government clients and has proven time and again that he will do what it takes to serve them ethically. I am personally looking forward to working with Dane as he and I share our passion about the positive changes that the Internet of Things is bringing to the quality of people's lives and their communities"

"I believe in and commend Civic Resource Group's approach of matching their cutting-edge solutions for public sector with the needs of what we now call 'Mobile Citizenry,' whose demand for faster, easier government and public services is immensely influenced by today's fast changing environment, where Mobile, Cloud, Data within the Internet of Things are the key 'agents of transformation,'" said Mr. Smith. "I'm excited to be a part of company, whose mission, 'Fulfilling the Promise of Technology' has stayed true since 2000, as the Company has demonstrated through positive results its significant contribution in helping to improve the quality of citizens' lives."

Mr. Smith joins Civic Resource Group from On-Ramp Wireless, an Internet of Things technology provider where he was Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing and was responsible for growing the company's global M2M footprint in smart meter and Digital Oil Field applications. Prior to On Ramp, Mr. Smith was a key member of the executive team at SmartDrive where he was instrumental in growing the company from a late stage startup into a leading global cloud mobile application platform. Prior to SmartDrive Mr. Smith was SVP Sales, Marketing and Business Development at hydrogen fuel cell pioneer ClearEdge Power, Inc.

Previously, Mr. Smith was Vice President of Americas Sales at VMware and later the Global Vice President of Systems Integration and Outsourcing, and was a key member of the executive team behind that company's 2007 record setting IPO, playing a decisive role in the development and valuation of one the fastest growing software companies in history. He also spent nearly 13 years in various management roles at Sun Microsystems, including Vice President of Western Area Sales and Field Operations.

In his spare time, Mr. Smith is involved in various non-profit initiatives that focus on children's issues globally, including his current role as a Producer of the recently released documentary film "The Drop Box." Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University.

About Civic Resource Group International (CRGI):

Civic Resource Group International (CRGI) is one of the world's leading providers of digital government solutions. The Company provides highly secure Mobile/Cloud/Data solutions that touch every facet of citizens' lives. Since 2000, CRGI has been "Fulfilling the promise of technology(TM)" for clients in the broad public sector, helping them to harness digital advances to effectively connect with their target audiences.

By leveraging the award-winning and first-of-a-kind CivicConnect(TM) Mobile/Cloud/Data platform and deep domain expertise, CRGI has delivered impactful, engaging and cutting-edge solutions that facilitate openness, transparency, safety and efficient service delivery for external and internal users alike. CRGI is a new breed of Company with a new approach, blending the best of technology, design and communications in the digital age to support Sustainable Communities, Efficient Public Services, Engaged Citizens and Better Quality of Life.

Visit the company's website at http://www.civicresource.com/ or contact CRG at info@civicresource.com.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0519-Dane-Smith-300dpi.jpg
*PHOTO Caption: Dane Smith joins CRG International.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/former-vmware-global-vp-dane-smith-joins-civic-resource-group-international-as-president-2015-0519-07.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Civic Resource Group International :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

SecuGen Hamster Pro 20 Fingerprint Reader Receives IP65 Certification

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 19, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- SecuGen Corporation is pleased to announce that the Hamster Pro 20(TM) fingerprint reader has been certified IP65. The SecuGen Hamster Pro 20 has successfully passed tests for both dust and water ingress. These tests were performed by third party testing organizations in South Korea.

The Hamster Pro 20 is an ultra-compact, highly precise, rugged and yet very affordable fingerprint reader. SecuGen fingerprint readers have been widely deployed around the world in remote and challenging environments. In addition to being FBI certified as meeting FAP 20 image quality requirements for use with the U.S. government's PIV applications as well as being STQC certified for use in the Indian Aadhaar program, the Hamster Pro 20 stands head and shoulders above the competition, now with IP65 rating, allowing it to be used in tough environments where water- and dust-resistance are necessary.

"Our engineering teams have done a remarkable job with the Hamster Pro 20," stated Dan Riley, SecuGen's Vice President of Engineering. "Achieving an IP65 rating was beyond our initial design goals for this product. This is a clear benefit for SecuGen resellers around the world."

Won Lee, CEO of SecuGen added, "Our goal is and has always been to manufacture high quality fingerprint products at affordable prices. This is in the best interest of our global partners to supply the kind of rugged and reliable biometric devices demanded by their end-users. We are very pleased to add IP65 rating to the already impressive list of features of the Hamster Pro 20."

About SecuGen:

SecuGen Corporation (www.secugen.com) is the world's leading provider of advanced, optical fingerprint recognition technology, products, tools and platforms for physical and information security. SecuGen designs and develops FBI-certified fingerprint readers and OEM components, developer kits and software, including NIST/MINEX-compliant algorithms.

Known for high quality, ruggedness, and performance in a wide variety of applications and environmental conditions, SecuGen products are used by world-leading financial, medical, government, educational and corporate institutions and are sold through an extensive network of reseller partners including original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors and system integrators around the world.

SecuGen is a registered trademark of SecuGen Corp. in the United States and other countries.

TWITTER: @SecuGenCorp

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/secugen-hamster-pro-20-fingerprint-reader-receives-ip65-certification-2015-0519-06.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE SecuGen Corporation :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC expands Employee Benefits Practice with the acquisition of Executive Financial, Inc. in Southern California

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 18, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it has acquired Executive Financial, Inc., an employee benefits consulting firm specializing in executive benefits, life, and disability insurance strategies.

Founded in 1995 by Peter Lizotte, Los Angeles, Calif. based Executive Financial will considerably broaden the specialized brokerage and consulting services available to EPIC clients across the country and position the company for significant growth in the Executive Benefits segment.

"Peter and his team have built a terrific firm and practice," said Jim Gillette, EPIC Managing Principal in the Southern California Region. "Their addition is an exciting development in the continuing growth of EPIC. Our clients benefit significantly when we add top professionals with a unique and highly specialized practice who bring depth and expertise to our brokerage and consulting platforms."

Added Peter Lizotte, "As a part of EPIC, we now have access to best in class compliance, communication and wellness services, not only to support our existing clients but also to successfully compete for new business. Additionally, we are very excited about the opportunity to significantly expand our proprietary Executive Disability Income and Life insurance programs under the EPIC brand."

Since The Carlyle Group became the firm's major investment partner in December 2013, EPIC has completed nine strategic acquisitions/purchases, adding nearly 400 team members in multiple locations across the United States.

Peter Lizotte can be contacted at:
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants
Address: 4601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
Phone: (323) 965-6408
Email: plizotte[at]executivefinancial.com.

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $5 million to $160 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital.

To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

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NEWS SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Former FBI Agent Turns Back the Clock with Release of ‘784 Broadway’

BOSTON, Mass., May 14, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- James Ring, author of the 5-star terrorist thriller "Necessary Assets," has shifted genres with his second book, "784 Broadway" (ISBN: 978-1506164182), where he brings to life his immigrant Italian heritage by recounting summer visits to his family's small greengrocer store in New York's Hudson Valley, Omni Publishing Company announced today.

"784 Broadway" has been described as a "northern version of 'Huckleberry Finn' and just as enchanting."

Ring's stories, rich with humor and wisdom, span nearly three decades and are an impressive chronicle of small-town life in the iconic Hudson Valley.

As Ring tells it, these annual visits to his family's greengrocer located at "784 Broadway" in Kingston, N.Y., since 1894, had a profound role in shaping his character and guiding him from childhood into adulthood - even influencing his career as an FBI agent. A gifted storyteller, Ring's characters and stories are equally unforgettable.

Ring is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent who investigated the American La Cosa Nostra and the Sicilian Mafia in New England. After retiring from the FBI, Ring founded a business information and investigative service within a major Boston law firm. Ring of Boston and South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, now devotes his full time to writing, and is currently working on a sequel to "Necessary Assets."

Visit http://www.jamesring.com/ for more information or to contact author James Ring directly.

James Ring on Twitter: @NecessaryAssets - https://twitter.com/NecessaryAssets

BOOK SUMMARY:
Book: "784 Broadway"
Price: $9.95 Trade Paperback-Amazon (ISBN: 978-1506164182)
Price: $3.95 eBook Kindle
Published by Omni Publishing Company
Author: James A. Ring

For more information on Omni Publishing Company, visit: http://omni-pub.com/ .

OMNI PUBLISHING COMPANY, PO Box 640, Wareham, MA 02571.

*PHOTO for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0514-784broadway-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption, book jacket for "784 Broadway" by James A. Ring.

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NEWS SOURCE Omni Publishing Company :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

L.A. Celebrates the 71st Anniversary of D-Day, 70th Anniversary of VE Day, and 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 13, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Celebrated philanthropists Jane and Bert Boeckmann of Galpin Ford and the Heritage League of the Second Air Division, announced today they have joined forces again to honor WWII Veterans at the 71th Anniversary D-Day Luncheon at The Proud Bird, 11022 Aviation Blvd, in Los Angeles, on Saturday, June 6. This year the luncheon will also celebrate the 70th Anniversary of VE Day, and the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. All WWII and Vietnam Veterans, as well as their friends and family, are encouraged and invited to attend.

Led by Master of Ceremonies and "Glee" star, Bill A. Jones, the program includes WWII Jewish-French spy and author of Behind Enemy Lines, Marthe Cohn, among other notable dignitaries.

The event commemorates the 71th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, when American and British forces attacked German-occupied France during World War II on June 6, 1944. Fourteen B-24 bomb groups of the Second Air Division, along with the B-17's of the First and Third Bomb Divisions of the 8th Air Force, dealt a crippling blow to the German military-industrial complex.

Although the war would continue, the D-Day invasion marked the downfall of Germany's 'Thousand Year Reich' and the beginning of the victory for the Allies in Europe. Nazi Germany surrendered less than a year later.

The event also commemorates the 70th Anniversary of VE Day, marking the end of World War II, and the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

For more information, and to purchase a luncheon ticket, please contact D-Day Event Chairman Peggy Learman at (818) 366-6972 or via email at whiteplains38@aol.com. Additional information can also be found by visiting the event's website at http://www.ddayanniversaryla.com/.

About The Heritage League:

The Heritage League (or HL) was established in 1987 by its parent organization, the Second Air Division Association (or 2ADA). The HL mission is educating following generations about the sacrifices of our forbears of the Bomb and Fighter Group Second Air Division in WW II. We do this through informative publications, presentations, our website and a host of other social and educational programs.

We actively support related efforts such as the "living legacy" Second Air Division USAAF Memorial Library, in Norwich, England, The 8th AF Historical Society, and the Mighty Eighty Air Force Heritage Museum near Savannah. Our mission is big, challenging, and exciting. We want your energy, vision and talent. The Heritage League is a 501(c)3 nonprofit org. More information: http://www.heritageleague.org/.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/la-celebrates-the-71st-anniversary-of-d-day-70th-anniversary-of-ve-day-and-50th-anniversary-of-the-vietnam-war-2015-0513-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Heritage League of the Second Air Division :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

SecuGen Releases the U20-WR, a Water Resistant, FAP 20, PIV Fingerprint Sensor

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 12, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- SecuGen Corporation is very pleased to announce the release of the U20-WR, a water resistant optical fingerprint sensor that is FAP 20 Mobile ID and PIV certified. The U20-WR captures very high quality images, is ultra-compact, rugged, and truly affordable. This new product is available immediately.

SecuGen products are well known for capturing high quality images in a wide range of rugged environments, as well as being affordable for use in large deployments. The FBI has certified the core of this fingerprint sensor, the U20, as meeting both PIV image quality specifications and FAP 20 Mobile ID requirements. The ultra-compact design of the U20-WR will allow it to fit easily into devices where space is limited, as well as access control devices, safes, kiosks, ATMs or virtually any other hardware device, at an affordable price. Now with the water resistant U20-WR, manufacturing an IP65-rated fingerprint enabled device has never been easier.

The U20-WR works with SecuGen's Software Developer Kits (SDK) to enable developers to quickly and easily embed the use of the U20-WR into their hardware devices. All of SecuGen's 1:1 SDKs are completely free. The benefit to hardware OEMs of these free SDKs along with a high quality, ultra-compact and affordable fingerprint sensor cannot be overstated.

Dan Riley, Vice President of Engineering for SecuGen said, "Our engineering team did an amazing job in the initial creation of a sensor that is very small yet meets the rigorous FAP 20 Mobile ID and PIV specifications. Now our team has made an important incremental improvement, water resistance."

Won Lee, CEO of SecuGen added, "We are very pleased about the release of the U20-WR. The small size has to be seen to be appreciated. Water resistance was a response to input from our partners. We are always looking for ways to provide our partners with state of the art products and tools. We are very pleased to be able add water resistance to this compact and high quality fingerprint."

About SecuGen:

SecuGen Corporation (http://www.secugen.com/) is the world's leading provider of advanced, optical fingerprint recognition technology, products, tools and platforms for physical and information security. SecuGen designs and develops FBI-certified fingerprint readers and OEM components, developer kits and software, including NIST/MINEX-compliant algorithms. Known for high quality, ruggedness, and performance in a wide variety of applications and environmental conditions, SecuGen products are used by world-leading financial, medical, government, educational and corporate institutions and are sold through an extensive network of reseller partners including original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors and system integrators around the world.

SecuGen is a registered trademark of SecuGen Corp. in the United States and other countries.

TWITTER: @SecuGenCorp

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EPIC Strengthens Auto Dealer Programs with the acquisition of Sorci Insurance Brokerage Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 12, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it has acquired Sorci Insurance Brokerage, Inc., a specialist in providing comprehensive Workers' Compensation Insurance services to New Car Auto Dealers in California.

Founded in 1979 by Tom Sorci, Los Gatos, Calif. based Sorci Insurance Brokerage will further broaden the specialized Workers' Compensation Insurance consulting services available to EPIC clients, particularly new car auto dealers - a long time area of expertise and focus for the firm. EPIC has been the licensed broker providing Workers' Compensation Insurance and Employee Benefits Programs to members of the California New Car Dealers Association since 2011.

"The addition of Tom and his team is an exciting development in the continuing growth of EPIC," said Curt Perata, EPIC Regional Director of Property & Casualty in Northern California. "Our clients benefit significantly when we add top professionals like the Sorci team with unique and highly specialized consulting skills and experience."

Tom Sorci added, "We are very proud of the fact that we have always adhered to the simple philosophy of doing what's in the best interest of the client, and extremely pleased that this philosophy aligns with EPIC's culture. As part of EPIC, we will have access to more resources, experienced professionals in multiple disciplines, and extensive insurance company relationships - all of which will benefit our clients."

Sorci went on to say, "The Sorci Insurance team has been together for more than twenty-five years and we are all very pleased that we will remain together as we join EPIC. Now united, the best is yet to come."

Since The Carlyle Group became the firm's major investment partner in December 2013, EPIC has completed eight strategic acquisitions/purchases, adding more than 300 team members in 14 new locations across the United States.

Tom Sorci can be contacted at:
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants
15495 Los Gatos Blvd. #7, Los Gatos, CA 95032
877-356-3399
tom.sorci[at]epicbrokers.com.

About EPIC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $5 million to $160 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, and remains a fixture on the insurance industry's "Best Places to Work" lists. Its strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital. To learn more, visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

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Arkansas Mutual to Join Constellation

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 8, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company announced today that it will be joining Constellation, a mutual holding company, and its family of companies. Arkansas Mutual is a provider of medical professional liability insurance for physicians, located in Little Rock; it will be the third Constellation member company, joining MMIC and UMIA. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Corey Little, Arkansas Mutual's President and CEO, said: "We're excited to join Constellation. Arkansas Mutual's policyholders will benefit from a larger, well capitalized company that has a similar physician-focused culture, and from resources such as patient safety programs, physician support programs, and health IT services. And Arkansas Mutual's established network in Arkansas will help the two companies expand more quickly in this state."

Combined, MMIC, Arkansas Mutual and UMIA insure more than 20,000 health care providers in 16 states. All three serve the entire health care spectrum: physicians, clinics, large hospitals and health systems, and outpatient and long-term care facilities.

"A partnership between Arkansas Mutual and Constellation will provide benefits for both sides," said Bill McDonough, President and CEO at Constellation. "By helping Arkansas Mutual expand, we will be able to offer more financial and risk management services in support of the health care community. Together we can create stronger systems and processes, and drive efficiencies."

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015 and is subject to customary due diligence, regulatory approvals and Arkansas Mutual policyholder approval.

The map illustrates the expanded reach of the newly combined companies (see image).

About Arkansas Mutual:

Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company provides stable, long-term professional liability insurance to enhance the strength of the health care community. We help protect the assets, financial integrity and reputation of our member policyholders. Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company is a physician owned and physician governed mutual insurance company that places its members' best interests first. Visit http://www.arkansasmutual.com/ .

About Constellation:

As a mutual holding company, Constellation offers the opportunity for policyholder-owned insurers and other organizations to band together for mutual advantage. Members and owners of Constellation can secure their future and long-term ability to serve policyholders and the medical community. Alternatively, companies may take advantage of Constellation network benefits through a contractual affiliation.

Visit http://ConstellationMutual.com/ or call 888-965-0503

*IMAGE (web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0507-constmap-500x375.jpg

TWITTER: @ArkansasMutual

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/arkansas-mutual-to-join-constellation-2015-0508-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

County Awards Contract to CARR for Development of Assisted Living Facility Rating System

SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services awarded Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) a fixed price contract for a pilot project to create a rating system for the County's assisted living facilities, and to develop a consumer-friendly website to display the ratings and facility information. The pilot program is a six-month effort with a current contact value of $50,000.

Demonstrating the Board of Supervisor's commitment to providing a trusted information source about senior care for residents of San Diego County, the contract terms allow additional funding for up to 3 follow-on years.

This award results from a competitive procurement authorized by the County Board of Supervisors in December 2014. This contract is the first step in the initiative launched by Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox in spring of 2014 to create a rating system for local assisted living facilities.

The rating system relies on voluntary participation by facilities. The UTSanDiego's extensive expose of problems related to state oversight of assisted living facilities was the impetus for the Board's initiative.

The goal of the County program, the first of its kind in California, is to help seniors and their families find a safe assisted living facility to provide necessary care and assistance.

"CARR is honored to be the County of San Diego's vendor entrusted with developing a fair rating system deserving the confidence of the public and providers," said Chris Murphy, CARR's Executive Director. "We hope its introduction will raise the bar for all assisted living facilities operating in San Diego County, while providing consumers and allied professionals with an additional tool for making care placement decisions."

Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) is a San Diego-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization specializing in public document research (http://www.rcfereform.org/) on assisted living facilities, and the state's oversight of the industry.

TWITTER: @RCFEreform

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/county-awards-contract-to-carr-for-development-of-assisted-living-facility-rating-system-2015-0505-07.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival Announces Three-Day Musical Lineup Featuring Jonathan Jackson + Enation, July 24-26, 2015

CHICAGO, Ill., May 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- How do you celebrate summer in Chicago? With Jeff Fest, the premier neighborhood event on Chicago's Northwest side. This year's headlining music act is Jonathan Jackson + Enation, an anthemic Alt/Rock/Pop three piece from Nashville, Tenn. The band recently released their fourth studio album, Radio Cinematic, through Loud & Proud Records.

Rolling Stone says Radio Cinematic is "Filled with electric guitars, chest-beating vocals and swirling synths" while Billboard Magazine calls Jonathan Jackson + Enation a "rock band on the rise." Their Emmy-Award winning frontman is also a well-known actor. Jonathan's acting credits include "Tuck Everlasting," "General Hospital," "Insomnia," and "Nashville," in addition to many other TV and films.

Chicago neighborhood Jefferson Park plays host to this popular three-day Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2015. The festival takes place on the grounds of Jefferson Memorial Park with two stages, a designated Kid's Zone, art to purchase, a juried photo art competition, and beer from sponsors Lake Shore Beverage (Bud Light and Goose Island) and Lagunitas Brewing. In addition there is a family-picnic area to enjoy neighborhood food favorites from Gale Street Inn, Fischman's, Smilin Dawgs, Leadbelly Burgers and much more. Online ticket sales for the Festival begin May 11, 2015.

"We're proud of the musical line-up at this year's Jeff Fest," says Amie Zander, Executive Director of the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce. "We put effort into getting top name musical talent such as Jonathan Jackson + Enation, and JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, plus we are bringing back some of the attendees' favorite entertainment such as the John Yost Drum Circle."

The weekend is packed with music in addition to Saturday's headline act of Jonathan Jackson + Enation. Friday kicks off with some "heavy metal" sound from Eliminator and Blackened, and Sunday features JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound (JCBUS). JCBUS call Chicago its home, and has toured North America and Europe, including playing at Lollapalooza.

2015 Jeff Fest Arts & Music Festival Music Line-Up:

Friday, July 24, 2015:

Eliminator (7:00 - 8:00 p.m.)
Blackened (8:30 - 10:30 p.m.)

Saturday, July 25, 2015:

Leonum (4:00 - 5:00 p.m.)
The Empty Pockets (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
Jonathan Jackson + Enation (7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)

Sunday, July 26, 2015:

Pirates over 40 (3:00 - 4:00 p.m.)
Shagadelics (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.)

Online ticket sales start May 11, 2015.

Jefferson Memorial Park is located at 4822 N. Long Avenue, just west of Milwaukee Avenue. Fest-goers are encouraged to take public transportation, as the Jefferson Park Metra and CTA Blue Line transportation hub is just a block from the festival grounds. Plenty of bike racks also will be available.

Road closures: Linder Avenue will be blocked off between Higgins and Lawrence Avenue for the three-day festivities.

The fee for admission is $5 per person. It is free for children ages 12 and under, and adults older than 65. Coolers and liquor are not permitted. Festival hours are Friday, July 24 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m, Saturday, July 25 from Noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday, July 26 from Noon to 10 p.m. Lawn chairs welcome.

Presented by the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Jefferson Memorial Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Park District, along with media partner 104.3 K-HITS Chicago.

For more information, go to http://JeffFest.org.

Be sure you are the first to hear of announcements and plans for Jeff Fest and follow @JeffFestChicago on Twitter and Jeff Fest Arts and Music Festival on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Fest-Arts-Music-Festival/96599731822 .

* LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0505-jeff-fest-300dpi.jpg

TWITTER: @JeffFestChicago

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GAME: A NEW concept Sports Bar opening yards from Ravens Stadium and Oriole Park in South Baltimore

BALTIMORE, Md., April 29, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Look out Baltimore, There's a new "GAME" in town. Located at 1400 Warner Street, GAME sits in the shadows of the World Champion Baltimore Ravens stadium and is only a short walk from the AL East Champion Orioles at Camden Yards.

Grand Opening Friday May 15 at 5 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

GAME is a 10,000 square foot Sports Bar and Game Room with an incredible sound system, and great lighting. GAME features music, food, sports and old-school games like ping pong, pool, air hockey and foosball to go along with our huge media wall, interactive trivia and 30 additional TV's -- not a bad seat in the house.

Perfect setting before, during or after a Ravens game, an Oriole game or just Uber on over for a great Party. We have plenty of free parking so come in and get your GAME ON!

Contact Ellen for VIP tickets to the private event held Saturday, May 9, at 443-829-4325

Learn more at: http://Gamebaltimore.com/ .

*LOGO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0429-GAME-300dpi.jpg .

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Energy Optimizers, USA, vice president to participate in advocacy trip to Washington, D.C.

TIPP CITY, Ohio, April 28, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- This month, Tipp City-based Energy Optimizers, USA, will have a voice in Washington, D.C., to promote the economic benefits of clean energy and other environmentally sustainable government policies.

On April 28 and 29, Vice President of Lighting Services Doug Trimbach will join a national delegation of independent business leaders in Washington, D.C., to advocate for clean energy policies and programs. The timing for the trip is critical as Congress considers a number of policies related to the climate, energy and transportation.

The advocacy trip is organized by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a nonpartisan community of business leaders who promote the business perspective on environmental issues. While in Washington, D.C., the delegates will:
* Promote clean energy policies and programs in upcoming energy bills and tax reform.
* Support and defend the implementation of policies to reduce greenhouse gases in an economically beneficial way (Clean Power Plan).
* Advance a new transportation bill that prioritizes innovation, lowers environmental impacts and increases economic efficiency.

"Energy efficient standards and advances in clean energy are not only important for the health of our communities, they are also opening up new business opportunities," Trimbach said. "In Ohio, industrial energy efficiency could significantly boost manufacturing in our state, but there are no state policies to help drive this form of business. We need thoughtful policies that make investment in clean energy viable for consumers, businesses and public entities, and that help create market consistency to protect these same stakeholders."

Trimbach added that ultimately, sound environmental policies promote a better economy.

"Energy Optimizers, USA, is in the business of helping education and government organizations spend fewer tax dollars by improving their energy efficiency," Trimbach said. "But without the backing of clean energy policies, such as tax incentives, their ability to invest in renewable energy and efficiency improvements can be limited."

According to the E2 website, over the last four years, wind generation has doubled and solar capacity has grown by a factor of five, reducing costs by close to 40 percent. The site also notes that on average, every $1 of federal investment in clean energy yields $3-$5 private sector dollars.

Judging by the company's substantial growth, the market would agree that energy efficiency is a priority. The Tipp City-based energy management company has a presence in six states and has delivered more than $20 million in vendor-neutral energy savings projects since it was founded in 2009. It is ranked as the fastest growing company in the Dayton region and placed in the Top 500 of Inc. Magazine's list of 5,000 fastest growing companies in the United States.

Trimbach is an Asheville, N.C. resident and is volunteering his time for the advocacy mission, as are all other business leaders who are participating. The trip is nonpartisan, and delegates will meet with a variety of staffers and legislators on both sides of the aisle.

More information about Energy Optimizers, USA, can be found at http://energyoptusa.com/. More information about E2 can be found at http://www.e2.org/.

About Energy Optimizers, USA:

Energy Optimizers, USA works with educational, governmental, commercial and industrial customers to implement energy savings opportunities to reduce operational costs, including lighting retrofits, renewable energy projects (wind and solar), HVAC retrofit projects, building automation retrofits and energy education programs. The company is ranked in the Top 500 of INC. Magazine's list of 5,000 fastest growing companies in the U.S. (2014), was named the Fastest Growing Company in the region for two consecutive years by the Dayton Business Journal (2013, 2014), and was named a BBB Eclipse Integrity Award Finalist (2012). To learn more about Energy Optimizers, USA, visit their website at http://energyoptusa.com/ or call them at (937) 877-1919.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/energy-optimizers-usa-vice-president-to-participate-in-advocacy-trip-to-washington-d-c-2015-0428-10.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Energy Optimizers, USA :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn Selected to Showcase in Southern Food and Beverage Museum

OWENSBORO, Ky., April 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn was recently selected to be part of a permanent exhibit, Trail of Smoke and Fire, in the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans. Pappy Bosley's cleaver and butcher knife, and an original menu from 1963-1965 accompanied by historical photos will be part of the installation.

The Bosley family has owned the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn for more than 50 years.

"We are the state's authority, and will continue to advise the museum and help develop the Kentucky exhibit," Patrick Bosley, a manager of the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn and also the youngest grandson of Pappy, says.

So, exactly what makes these selected pieces museum quality? The cleaver and butcher knife were wielded by Pappy from 1963 through 2013. It is conservatively estimated that he butchered nearly a quarter million mutton carcasses, helping to build the Inn's reputation for serving the best barbecued mutton in Kentucky, and perhaps the nation.

In fact, one of the most iconic meals one could order from the menu was the Mutton BBQ sandwich and a bowl of Burgoo, a traditional stew that has been the backbone of Kentucky food for the last 150 years.

Additionally, prior to World War II, the knives were forged from American virgin steel cutlery by The Village Blacksmith Company and serve as fine examples of the skilled craftsmanship occurring during that era.

Bosley is thrilled that the director of the International Barbecue Association connected them with the museum's curator, Steven Raichlen.

"The rest is history, and one that will now be well preserved," Bosley says.

About Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn:

Over the last 50-plus years, the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn has remained a family-owned and run business. Multiple generations continue to work together to keep things going and growing. What started as a roadside retreat of 30 seats, now boasts a staff of more than 120, 350 seats, a USDA-inspected processing plant, and an extensive catering and wholesale division.

For more information, visit: http://www.Moonlite.com/.

About the Southern Food and Beverage Museum:

The Southern Food and Beverage Museum is a nonprofit living history organization dedicated to the discovery, understanding and celebration of the food, drink and related culture of the South. It first opened its doors in 2008 and has recently relocated to accommodate its growth.

For more information, visit: http://www.southernfood.org/.

Photos for media:
* Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0427-pappy-cleaver-300dpi.jpg
* Caption: Pappy's butcher knife and cleaver.

* Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0427-pappy-teaching-300dpi.jpg
* Caption: Pappy teaches the next generation.

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NEWS SOURCE Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Laguna College of Art and Design Announces Jonathan Burke Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Celebration of 35th Anniversary

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., April 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) announced the Jonathan Burke Endowed Presidential Scholarship commemorating Burke's 35 years with the college.

"In my experience, LCAD is the finest of any and all art schools in offering the depth and meaning of representational and figurative art," said American Figurative Painter Jerome Witkin. "This is Jonathan Burke's monument and great gift to our culture."

Named by NIKE as one of the top three design schools in the world, LCAD is closely partnered with Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation, DreamWorks, FOX, Hurley International, VANS, Warner Brothers Animation and more.

"LCAD has grown in large part due to Jonathan," said F. Scott Hess, American representational painter and LCAD Fine Art faculty member. "He had the foresight and stubbornness to hang onto representational art when it wasn't popular, and it has paid off."

From 1985 to 2011, Burke was dean of fine arts, co-vice president of Academic Affairs and gallery director at LCAD. Burke oversaw the donation of the Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers to LCAD in 2011, which is now available online through Project Gado. In 2013, the Suzanne Chonette Senior Studios opened as state-of-the-art workspace for seniors.

"Everyone should realize that we live in an environment created by artists, whether its products we use, what we see at the movies, what's on our computer screens or art in galleries and museums," said Burke. "Artists are there to make the world a more interesting and beautiful place."

Burke holds a B.F.A. degree in painting from Kansas City Art Institute and M.F.A. degree in painting from Boston University, with post-graduate studies at Skowhegan and New York Studio School. Additional information about the Burke 35th Celebration may be found at http://www.lcad.edu/.

About Laguna College of Art and Design:

Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is one of the top art and design schools in the nation. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Design + Digital Media, Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting), Game Art and Illustration, as well as Master of Fine Art degrees in Game Development, Drawing and Painting. For more information about LCAD visit http://www.lcad.edu/. Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/laguna-college-of-art-and-design-announces-jonathan-burke-endowed-presidential-scholarship-in-celebration-of-35th-anniversary-2015-0427-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Laguna College of Art and Design :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Homecare-Friendly Long-Term Care Plans from ACSIA Partners Let Seniors Continue Living at Home and Save Money Too

KIRKLAND, Wash., April 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Many people envision long-term care insurance as a means of paying the bills when they move into a care facility. If you're one of them, "You should widen your vision," says Denise Gott, CEO of ACSIA Partners, an industry leader. "LTC insurance also pays for care in one's own home. But some policies do a better job of it than others." Today ACSIA Partners announces a campaign to promote Homecare-Friendly LTC plans.

Gott points out that long-term care insurance comes in many forms, not all of them ideal for home care. "There are two broad categories of policies," she says, "reimbursement policies and cash policies. With a reimbursement policy you submit bills for approval and subsequent payment, which is usually made to an institution. With a cash policy you get monthly benefit checks that you can use however you wish, giving you great freedom in hiring whatever services whenever you want."

People who prefer to "age in place" (at home) may be better off with a cash policy, according to Gott. But reimbursement policies have their advantages, and some are more friendly to home care than others. "With our approach, we guide clients to the most suitable policies from multiple leading carriers," says Gott.

Receiving care in one's own home is not only preferred by many; it can also be easier on the pocketbook, Gott points out. According to the Genworth 2015 Cost of Long-Term Care Survey, the national average cost of a private room in a nursing home is now $91,250 per year, up 4.17% from 2014. Assisted living facility costs now average $43,200 per year, up 2.86% from last year, according to the study. Serious money.

By contrast, care services provided in the home or community can be relatively modest if used judiciously. Homemaker services are now $20 per hour, up 2.63% from 2014. Home health aide services are also $20 per hour, up 1.27%. Adult day care center costs now run $69 per day, up 5.94% from 2014.

At $20 per hour, in-home care services would run $20,800 per year if utilized 4 hours per day 5 days a week. Adult day care services would run $17,940 per year if utilized 5 days a week.

With lower anticipated costs, a less expensive LTC policy might be appropriate. "Our agents serve all kinds of needs of individuals and organizations," says Gott. "If a client prefers in-home care, a Homecare-Friendly plan will be recommended."

ACSIA Partners includes a few hundred state-certified agents covering all parts of the country. To get in touch with one, just go to the company's website -- http://www.acsiapartners.com/ -- and submit an inquiry form.

ACSIA Partners LLC (in California, xACSIA Partners Insurance Agency LLC) is one of America's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance solution agencies. The company is also a co-founder and sponsor of the "3in4 Need More" campaign, run by the 3in4 Association, which encourages Americans to form a long-term care plan.

*PHOTO (web): send2press.com/mediaboom/14-0827-denise-gott-500x375.jpg

*Photo Caption: ACSIA Partners CEO Denise Gott.

*LOGO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-1119-ACSIA-Partners-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @AcsiaPartners

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/homecare-friendly-long-term-care-plans-from-acsia-partners-let-seniors-continue-living-at-home-save-money-too-2015-0427-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE ACSIA Partners LLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Mountain Home Care Adds Nursing Services to In-Home Care, Addresses Gap in Patient Needs

ENKA, N.C., April 21, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- What happens when an aging individual needs more in-home care than Medicare or insurance provides? The recent addition of licensed nursing services by Mountain Home Care addresses the existing and widening gap between patient needs and the amount of skilled care insurance providers cover.

The addition of a professional nurse to a family's care giving efforts can make all the difference in managing the demands of in-home care, according to Lana Wilde, owner of Mountain Home Care. The addition of nursing services adds depth to the licensed service provider's ability to provide quality professional services at home, where clients feel safest and happiest.

"We know this is a way to help some individuals stay in their homes and live independently for a longer period of time," she says. "We support that effort."

In 1997, the Institute of Medicine released a landmark report, suggesting elders do not receive the care they need, calling for reform. In 2011, the IOM issued a benchmark survey, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health," identifying "significant gaps in care" across nursing settings. Most recently, a 2014 research group found those gaps were widening, identifying what patients need most: support care from trained caregivers.

Since opening its doors more than 12 years ago, Mountain Home Care has always maintained registered nurses to perform assessments and to be on-call at all times. Today, in-home nursing services are a welcome addition to its client care-giving options, and are provided under a doctor's written order. The referring physician also supervises the nurses and gives directions for their patients, says Wilde.

"This allows us to help the client who is no longer eligible for home health care under their insurance, yet who remains unable to provide for their needs on their own," says Lesley Bratro, registered nurse and agency director.

For example, an individual with a wound that is progressively healing may find that Medicare won't cover costs for someone to come to their home to do a simple dressing, even if they cannot do it themselves.

"Who is going to do that for them?" asks Bratro. "We can now help them with that."

Similarly, an individual whose medication needs were formerly met by a home health provider may find themselves without assistance when their home health care benefits are no longer in effect. By comparison, the Mountain Home Care client who receives nursing services will be able to ask their nurse to fill medication organizers, monitor for errors, and make certain medications are taken on time and correctly. These measures add up to reduced risk for emergency room visits, especially for elderly patients.

"Many family caregivers also have jobs or children making it difficult for them to be with a loved one as often as needed," says Wilde. "Knowing a well-qualified professional is handling those types of details takes worry away and provides peace of mind for the family."

As the health care community and services change to meet current needs, increasing amounts of care is required to be done at home by nurses, says Wilde, who sees nurses as leaders in the "continuum of care" clients deserve.

"We're not trying to take the place of home health care. We can't. But we can fill the gap they cannot."

Since 2003, Mountain Home Care, Arden, remains the leading provider of private home care, geriatric care management and skilled nursing services in western North Carolina. Download your copy of the free "Home Care Guide" at http://www.mountainhomecare.com/ .

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0421-Lesley-Bratro-300dpi.jpg

* Photo caption: Lesley Bratro, R.N., Mountain Home Care director of nursing, sees in-home nursing services as a vital addition to patient support, closing the gaps between payment and care settings, and improving quality of life.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/mountain-home-care-adds-nursing-services-to-in-home-care-addresses-gap-in-patient-needs-2015-0421-05.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Mountain Home Care :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Civic Resource Group International Makes Cloud-based CivicConnect Water Conservation Platform Available to Cities, Water Agencies in Drought-Stricken California, Nationwide

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 16, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Civic Resource Group International (CRG) today announced immediate availability of its award-winning CivicConnect(TM) Water Conservation and Drought Management Platform to all the Cities and Water Agencies throughout California.

As Governor Brown has officially mandated water restrictions/conservation throughout the State of California, CRG is proactively stepping up its efforts to raise the awareness of availability of its CivicConnect(TM) Water Conservation and Drought Management Platform primarily in drought-stricken State of California. In the near future the Solution will be made available to the states also affected by the drought - Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming among them.

The first release of CivicConnect(TM) Water Conservation and Drought Management Solution was pioneered in California. The application was originally developed with support from the California Department of Water Resources and Federal Bureau of Land Management. This project represented a groundbreaking approach to Water Conservation on a regional basis, and was awarded the California Internet Project of the Year. Today the Solution is in full production in a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model for the City of San Diego.

The new cloud-based version is deployable in rapid and cost-effective manner, without traditional investment in new hardware. Most importantly, the cloud-based nature of the Solution allows for easy replication for virtually any interested customer.

Built on the first-of-a-kind CivicConnect(TM) Mobile/Cloud/Data Platform 3.0, CivicConnect(TM) Water is a comprehensive online water conservation/management system. The system includes a unique GIS Landscape Area Measurement (LAM) Tool which allows agencies to create accurate measurements of customer sites for water budgeting and tracking purposes. The system integrates the consumption and billing data with sophisticated infrared imagery for classifying vegetation, satellite imagery for viewing/validating, parcel data layers, and real time evapotranspiration data from State managed CIMIS stations and sensors throughout the county to automatically create a range of water budget targets, reports, and analyses for individual business and residential customers as well as the agency.

The system utilizes cloud applications, big data, analytics, and can be utilized horizontally across any given city government or water agency to connect data/service offerings between agencies' personnel and consumers of water resources through online and mobile services.

About Civic Resource Group International:

Civic Resource Group International (CRGI) is one of the world's leading providers of digital government solutions. The Company provides highly secure Mobile/Cloud/Data solutions that touch every facet of citizen's lives. Since 2000, CRGI has been "Fulfilling the promise of technology(TM)" for clients in the broad public sector, helping them to harness digital advances to effectively connect with their target audiences. By leveraging the award-winning and first-of-a-kind CivicConnect(TM) Mobile/Cloud/Data platform and deep domain expertise, CRGI has delivered impactful, engaging and cutting-edge solutions that facilitate openness, transparency, safety and efficient service delivery for external and internal users alike.

CRGI is a new breed of Company with a new approach, blending the best of technology, design and communications in the digital age to support Sustainable Communities, Efficient Public Services, Engaged Citizens and Better Quality of Life.

Visit the company's website at http://www.civicresource.com/ , contact CRG at info@civicresource.com.

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Mountain Home Care Launches Free ‘Home Care Guide’ Publication to Assist Families with Aging Issues

ARDEN, N.C., April 15, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Mountain Home Care founder Lana Wilde knows that when families need help with home care matters, a source of reliable information can be difficult to find. That's why the leading private home care agency in western North Carolina today launched the publication of its "Home Care Guide."

The "Home Care Guide" is a no-cost, high value e-book publication to assist individuals and families with the information about managing the impact of aging on their loved ones.

"Too often, people wait until they need a solution before they look for one," says Wilde. "We want to get the information for good, solid decision making into their hands sooner than later."

The "Home Care Guide" focuses on the core knowledge sought by hundreds of families in thousands of conversations the Wilde family and their highly qualified staff had over the past decade. The book's contents are informed by an intimate knowledge of best practices in the field, current changes in health care practice, and families' most frequent questions about paying for care.

Readers will appreciate the common sense approach to establishing priorities which reflect their real life experiences and questions. Those who download the e-book - at http://www.mountainhomecare.com/ - will:
* Learn the difference between home care and home health care;
* Discover ways to pay for the care their loved one needs;
* Assess when it's time for the idea of in-home care to become a reality;
* Know what type of care giver is needed for one's family situation;
* What to look for when caregiver assistance is needed for a loved one to remain at home;
* And more.

The "Home Care Guide" is designed like a workbook, says Jeremy Wilde, vice president. Family decision-makers may take advantage of the checklists, work sheets, and how-to guidelines to focus thought processes - and share their thinking with one another, he explains.

"We designed the 'Home Care Guide' to be a living document, one which actually has real value and use," he says. "Our desire is to be of true service to those who need good, solid advice, a place to capture their thinking within context."

What emerges is an understanding of next steps on the journey of caring for those we love who are dealing with the realities of aging, he says.

Families in need of additional assistance or insights will also be able to request a personal conversation with Jeremy Wilde to hone in on their more specific questions.

"We're a family business, and we're dedicated to helping families," he says. "That's what's important."

Since 2003, Mountain Home Care, Arden, remains the leading provider of private home care, geriatric care management and skilled nursing services in western North Carolina. Download your copy of the free "Home Care Guide" at http://www.mountainhomecare.com/.

TWITTER: @mtnhomecare

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/mountain-home-care-launches-free-home-care-guide-publication-to-assist-families-with-aging-issues-2015-0415-07.shtml.

Hogs N’ Hops BBQ Grand Opening in Scottsdale

PHOENIX, Ariz., April 15, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Joey and Cristina Maggiore's family has been servicing the Valley in delicious dining for more thirty years with their fine Italian dining; Cuttlefish Scottsdale being the most recent. Now the start of summer brings the announcement of their new barbecue concept - Hogs N' Hops BBQ. Hogs N' Hops is regional, traditional style BBQ with the Maggiore spice thrown in.

In the past two weeks Hogs N' Hops has proven themselves to be the BBQ answer foodies have been craving.

Saturday, April 18, 2015 brings the grand opening to the Scottsdale location. The event will have a live DJ, prizes, and plenty of food and drink specials.

When asked about the new menu Cristina Maggiore said, "Joey's ribs and sauces were award winning in Southern California, so we are more than excited to bring that quality and taste to the Scottsdale area."

The grand opening of Hogs N' Hops BBQ will be taking place this Thursday, April 16 at their new location at the Shops at Gainey Village, 8777 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale AZ 85253.

For more information, visit: http://hogsnhopsbbq.com/ .

Twitter: @HogsnHopsbbq

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/hogs-n-hops-bbq-grand-opening-in-scottsdale-2015-0415-05.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Hogs N Hops BBQ :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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