Tag Archives: Send2Press Newswire

Aspen Art Gallery Emerging Artist Program, part of Flight to Luxury Charity Event, benefits Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver

Emerging Artist Program

DENVER Colo., Feb. 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Aspen Art Gallery is happy to announce the creation of a new Emerging Artist Program designed introduce new and talented artists, and give them a chance for national recognition as well as a gallery showcase. As a Diamond Sponsor of the annual Flight to Luxury Hangar Event, presented by Cuvee Escapes, Aspen Art Gallery and its group of represented artists have donated art works to be auctioned at the event, with all proceeds given to Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver.

This year, owner Damian Guillot is rolling out something new - a chance for any artist, from anywhere to have a chance to submit their work to be considered by a panel of judges, and gain a chance to participate in the event as an exhibitor. The selected winners will have a showcase exhibiting with Aspen Art Gallery.

Any artist can submit their works through the Aspen Art Gallery website, or Facebook Fan page. Artist need to submit a high resolution image of the piece to be considered, a description of the work and its details (including size, materials, process, and unique characteristics). A written bio and picture of the artist will also need to be provided. The judging panel, composed of 3 judges, will select the top 100 art pieces to be shown at the Flight to Luxury Annual Hangar Charity Event.

The Artists piece will be donated and featured in the auction as a showcase exhibitor. All proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver. At the event, the art work will be auctioned. Damian Guillot will choose the top three of the applicants and offer a chance to have their very own solo exhibition at Aspen Art Gallery as a showcased artist.

This will be a unique opportunity for artists everywhere to receive national attention, and gain immediate exposure, as well as contribute to a worthwhile cause. In the highly competitive art market, a chance to showcase your artwork in such a recognized public event is rare, and even more coveted, is the chance to become an exhibiting artist in a well-known and highly recognized art gallery, such as Aspen Art Gallery.

"This is a great opportunity to give artists who have been looking for a way to break in the industry, a chance to get the attention to their works that they hope for - and at the same, participate in a great public charity event," stated Damian Guillot, owner of Aspen Art Gallery, and Diamond Sponsor of the Flight to Luxury Hanger Event. "By giving artists a chance to showcase their work, we can not only discover some amazing new talent, but also help the event, and its work with Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver."

Any artist who submits their work, and is accepted into the top 100, does so with the understanding that their work will be showcased as part of the charity auction, and the proceeds will go directly to the charity. The top 100 winners will be notified no later than July 31, 2015, and the Top 3 will be chosen at the event by Damian Guillot, owner of Aspen Art Gallery, and will be announced in both the Flight to Luxury website and communications, as well as on Aspen Art Gallery Site.

Aspen Art Gallery is the inspired creation of Colorado resident and entrepreneur, Damian Guillot. After Hurricane Katrina, Damian moved to Aspen, Colorado, to setup his own gallery specializing in contemporary, modern, and fine art. His passion and savvy for selecting eclectic and beautiful pieces has led to one of the most successful gallery collections in the country, internationally known for its one of a kind offerings.

This success has led to the recent opening of a second Aspen Art Gallery location in the heart of the Cherry Creek shopping district, near downtown Denver. This location now allows Aspen Art Gallery to spread its artistic flair deeper into the local Denver community, and in many cases, provide great exposure and opportunities for Denver's local artists as well.

The annual Flight to Luxury Hanger Party is held by Cuvee Escapes, and showcases custom-couture private villas by Cuvee, elite jets, exotic cars, and live entertainment. To learn more about the event itself, visit http://www.flighttoluxury.com/flight-to-luxury/the-event/ .

About Aspen Art Gallery:

Aspen Art Gallery is now located in two locations in Colorado: its original home located at 228 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611, and its newer Denver location, located in the heart of Cherry Creek, at 2910 E 3rd Ave, Denver, CO 80206. Both locations offer a variety of fine art, modern art, and contemporary art with artists from around the globe.

To learn more, visit http://www.aspenartgallery.com/ - or contact Operations Manager, Devenie Adams, of Aspen Art Gallery, at 970-544-6655.

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To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/aspen-art-gallery-emerging-artist-program-part-flight-luxury-charity-event-benefits-boys-girls-club-metro-denver-2015-0227-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Aspen Art Gallery :: 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®.

MeetingOne Offering Audio and Web Conferencing Services Free for the Next 30 Days to U.S. Businesses affected by Snowstorms

Web Conferencing

DENVER, Colo., Feb. 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- With snowstorms all across the United States, getting to the office has proven to be difficult and treacherous, says teleconferencing expert MeetingOne. With the roads becoming unmanageable, employees are working from home to wait out the storm. Breakdowns in communication with clients and co-workers will become challenging for many, along with delays in work productivity.

MeetingOne is allowing businesses to take back their workday by offering audio and web conferencing services, FREE to any U.S. business for the next 30 days so that employees can continue to work from home, safely and efficiently.

To get your free web and integrated audio trial, go to http://www.meetingone.com/IntegratedTrial/ and fill out the form. Within minutes you will receive your free 30 days via email.

We encourage all business owners and employees affected by the storms to take advantage of this offer to help keep their business and work projects afloat by using our web and audio conferencing services on virtually any device.

Web and Audio Conferencing Products:

Adobe(R) Connect(TM) is a web conferencing platform for web meetings, eLearning, and webinars. It powers mission critical web conferencing solutions end-to-end and enables organizations to fundamentally improve productivity. Adobe Connect allows invitees to easily attend your meetings from the desktop without requiring a client download, and offers complete mobile-to-mobile collaboration capabilities to address the realities of today's business environments, where employees and customers are on the move worldwide.

AudioOne is an industry leading, full-service audio conferencing and integration solution providing the ability to highly control and manage audio for all of your conferencing needs. Whether you need an audio conferencing solution, traditional telephony, or an additional option for VoIP, MeetingOne has you covered.

MeetingOne(R) is a Global full service audio conference and web conferencing, eLearning, event solution and consulting services provider. Since 1999, MeetingOne has enabled businesses, educational and governmental institutions around the world to communicate and collaborate more effectively, by using a combination of powerful proprietary technologies, personalized services and partners' best of breed products such as AudioOne and Adobe(R) Connect(TM). MeetingOne is headquartered in Denver, Colorado with international locations in France and Belgium.

For more information please contact:
Brittany Gunter
MeetingOne, Inc.
501 S. Cherry St., Suite 500
Denver, CO 80246
Phone: 303-953-4932
Email: bgunter@meetingone.com

*IMAGE for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0227-meetingone-300dpi.jpg .

(Offer subject to change: offer being made during Feb./March, 2015; check website for current offer availability.)

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/meetingone-offering-audio-web-conferencing-services-free-next-30-days-us-businesses-affected-snowstorms-2015-0227-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE MeetingOne 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®.

Weitz & Luxenberg’s Anthem Data Breach Lawsuit Helps Kids, Too

Consumer Protection lawfirm

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 25, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Anthem Inc. data breach class action lawsuit brought this month by Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. seeks to protect tens of millions of children - and not just adults - affected by the health insurance giant's massive loss of sensitive confidential records, the New York-based law firm today announced.

Children - whose parents are among the estimated 80 million Anthem customers victimized by the data breach - stand to lose potentially far more than the adults as a result of the mid-December 2014 computer break-in, the firm said.

"The children of Anthem policy holders may be the most vulnerable victims," said Robin L. Greenwald, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg's Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection Unit.

Time to Act Against Anthem Is Now:

Many parents erroneously assume their children are not in harm's way because of an absence of indications that the youngsters have been targets of identity theft, the law firm said.

However, Weitz & Luxenberg warned it may be years or decades before it becomes evident that an Anthem policy holder's child has been financially damaged, possibly severely.

By then it may be too late to exercise legal rights against Anthem through the mechanism of Weitz & Luxenberg's class action lawsuit, the firm indicated.

Consequently, "the time for parents to join the class action lawsuit against Anthem to hold that corporation responsible for allowing the data breach to occur and for what may happen in the future as a result is now," said Greenwald. It is critical to understand the full extent of the breach of all family members' personal information.

The firm clarified that it is unnecessary for an Anthem policy holder or beneficiary to have yet suffered financial harm from the data breach in order to participate in the class action lawsuit.

As long as someone was or is an Anthem customer, that person may be entitled to join the lawsuit as a plaintiff and exercise legal rights, the firm indicated. Past and current policy holders who are concerned about this violation of their rights are also invited to contact Weitz & Luxenberg.

Anthem Data Breach Hurts Kids Most:

According to information security experts, the Anthem data breach hackers struck gold when they burrowed into the health insurer's computer systems and extracted the confidential records of the sons and daughters of policy holders.

"That fact is, parents suffer over and above their own identity theft when their children's private information is stolen; such information is often said to be more coveted by identify thieves than the information of adults," Greenwald explained.

The reason has to do with credit histories. "A child likely has no credit history, which makes it very easy for identity thieves to create a false persona to apply for credit cards and loans," she said.

She said the task of inventing a false identity becomes easier still if the thieves have the child victim's Social Security number and medical records, all of which the Anthem data breach exposed.

But the real damage accrues when thieves simply pretend to be the victim, she said.

"Criminals can use the child's stolen information to obtain expensive medical services not covered by insurance, or to gain prescriptions for medications that they then sell on the black market, while the victim's parents could be stuck with the bill," Greenwald explained.

"It can take years for any such activity to be discovered by the victim," she said. "But seeking to hold Anthem accountable for the harm is something all victims can do right now."

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents 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/.

@WeitzLuxenberg

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/weitz-luxenberg-anthem-data-breach-lawsuit-helps-kids-too-2015-0225-002.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®.

Weitz & Luxenberg to Probe Lenovo Superfish Malware Damage Claims

Toxic Tort

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 24, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A security expert's discovery last month that certain Lenovo laptop computers were shipped with well-concealed malware giving hackers easy access to users' most confidential information has led Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. to announce an investigation into potential legal claims against the hardware manufacturer and against the malware vendor, Superfish, the law firm today disclosed.

Weitz & Luxenberg said it plans to talk to as many Lenovo users as possible about their legal rights to compensation from both Lenovo and Superfish.

Weitz & Luxenberg said users of certain Lenovo laptops sold in the last five months could be harmed by the malware - a commercial product called VisualDiscovery - via "man-in-the-middle" attacks.

In such an attack, a hacker lurking on the Lenovo user's Wi-Fi network hijacks the laptop's internet browser to steal bank credentials, passwords and any other valuable data that might be stored on the laptop, the firm explained.

Hackers could also potentially use the laptop's own security key to certify imposter HTTPS websites - a practice known as "spoofing" - that masquerade as Bank of America, Google or any other secure destination on the Internet, Weitz & Luxenberg warned.

Superfish Creates Lenovo Super-Vulnerability:

According to a report in The New York Times published this week, Superfish's VisualDiscovery software could enable hackers to monitor and exploit everything a Lenovo user does while online.

"The tragedy is that Lenovo users have been led to believe the data they're storing on their laptops are safe and secure, when those data are anything but safe and secure," said Robin L. Greenwald, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg's Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection Unit.

Security experts who have looked into this situation contend that only by fully wiping out the memory of a vulnerable Lenovo laptop and then installing a non-Lenovo version of Windows can a user be assured of closing the security hole created by the Superfish VisualDiscovery software.

Some computer experts said taking such a step may expose users to still more harm since fully erasing a computer's factory-installed memory and replacing it opens the door to potentially unforeseen performance glitches.

In the worst cases, these glitches can destabilize a system to the point that the user can no longer rely on it and may need to replace the entire machine, experts caution.

Slate Magazine called Lenovo's decision to pre-install the Superfish software a betrayal of its customers. Slate quoted one expert as saying he "cannot overstate how evil [Lenovo's action] is."

Weitz & Luxenberg points to other computer experts as saying that when Lenovo added the Superfish product it knew a significant security hole would be created, making the laptops easy prey for hackers.

Nine Lenovo Laptop Models Affected:

Affected are Lenovo G, U, Y, Z, S, Flex, MIIX, YOGA, and E series laptops sold between last September and this month, according to news reports.

Lenovo, the news reports continue, admits to having shipped those models with the Superfish product installed.

Slate asserts that Lenovo should have known about the problem as early as Jan. 21 when a user who discovered the vulnerability reported it to a Lenovo forum.

Greenwald said Lenovo since that time has failed to take appropriate steps to eliminate the problem.

Weitz & Luxenberg said harmed Lenovo users may be able to pursue legal action by claiming the consumer protections offered through various federal and state statutes, plus civil law.

"Consumers who have been harmed have a right to be fully compensated for their injuries," said Greenwald. "We intend to help see that justice is done for them."

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents 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.weitzluxenberg.com/ .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/weitz-luxenberg-to-probe-lenovo-superfish-malware-damage-claims-2015-0224-007.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®.

iFOS Awarded EPA Grant Monitoring and Technical Assistance 5-Year Contract

iFOS LLC

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 24, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- iFOS today announced it has received award notification to conduct Grant Monitoring Reviews and Technical Assistance at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The contract is a firm fixed price contract with a five-year performance period.

iFOS will perform nationwide on-site administrative, financial management and accounting reviews and technical evaluations of selected grantees.

"We are elated about the opportunity to support EPA in its monitoring and oversight of grantees receiving Federal assistance for vital environmental initiatives," says Tawanda M. Smith, CEO, iFOS.

"This work not only expands on our specialization in grants management but also adds to our growing clientele seeking additional support for implementing provisions of the new Super Circular - OMB A-87. Our CPAs are fully committed to supporting the EPA technical staff in its compliance activities," Smith added.

About Intelligent Fiscal Optimal Solutions (iFOS)(R), LLC:

iFOS Managing Consultants, LLC is fast-growing firm specializing in Federal financial management services. iFOS' Financial Management Division services both regulatory agencies and global communities in complying with fiscal transparency and accountability requirements.

The company is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland. For more information, visit: http://www.ifoscorp.com/ .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/ifos-awarded-epa-grant-monitoring-and-technical-assistance-5-year-contract-2015-0224-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Intelligent Fiscal Optimal 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®.

Pre-fab Cabin Kits Are Designed Around Century-Old Construction Techniques

pre-fabricated cabin

SOUTH LONDONDERRY, Vt., Feb. 23, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Jamaica Cottage Shop, Inc., values tradition. As a result, its pre-fabricated cabins, tiny houses and storage shed kits are designed to be constructed based on techniques learned from previous generations.

Domenic Mangano, owner, Jamaica Cottage Shop, says that one of its most popular and substantial floor plans is the 20 x 30 cabin kit. It's a large post and beam cabin that comes with a variety of design options to suit multiple needs. For example, it can be used for cold storage, as a livestock barn, or for a year-round, 1,200 square-foot living space.

"Our cabin kits are designed to meet tough building standards, and we use materials traditionally used by farmers - materials that are rugged and bug resistant," Mangano says.

The 20 x 30 cabin kit features heavy 8 x 8 post and beams and the timber frame allows for endless customizations. And, like all of their cabin kits, the 20 x 30 pre-fab cabin plans feature locally sourced, hemlock timber frame construction with true mortise and tenon joinery. All of the necessary oak pegs, fastening materials, insulated windows and doors and step-by-step DIY-plans are included.

Mangano adds that these cabin and storage shed kits are the most affordable on the Internet. And, Jamaica Cottage Shop ships all over North America; shipping is free in the continental U.S.

For current promotions, visit: http://jamaicacottageshop.com/ .

About Jamaica Cottage Shop, Inc.:

In business for 20 years, The "Jamaica Cottage Shop" name derives from the tiny New England town of Jamaica, Vermont where the company had its humble beginnings in 1995. Today, the company is based in Londonderry and produces a full line of outdoor storage shed kits, tiny houses, outhouses and green living cabins. Hand-crafted by Vermont artisans, these buildings are as durable as they are attractive and are built in the post and beam tradition.

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

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

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/pre-fab-cabin-kits-are-designed-around-century-old-construction-techniques-2015-0223-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Jamaica Cottage Shop, 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®.

PDC CEO Emilio N. Francisco Announces $45 Million Capital Raise for Clear Currents

Emilio N. Francisco

COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 20, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Emilio N. Francisco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of private equity firm PDC Capital Group, announced that PDC is raising $45 million in EB-5 immigrant investor funds to assist biodegradable organic chemical products firm Clear Currents, Inc. The Dana Point, Calif.-based green technology company, which makes environmentally-safe and nontoxic agricultural products and industrial cleaners, will use the funds to assist with expanding its operations and entering foreign markets including the European Union, the Middle East, Africa and Brazil.

Populations worldwide are grappling with drought, declining food production, contaminated water supplies and overworked soil. At the forefront of the global green revolution, Clear Currents' range of SeaStar and EcoStar products deliver innovative natural solutions that create healthier crops, improve food quality, and repair soil damaged by toxic chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Clear Currents recently completed extensive multi-year testing of several innovative products in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture in China. The company has gained traction within several provinces where this testing was performed, generating contingent order commitments in the $200M range. Poised for growth, the company is preparing for expansion and has elected to pursue registration as a public company.

Emilio N. Francisco, CEO of PDC Capital Group, said, "We are very pleased with this opportunity to assist Clear Currents with their public company ambitions and expect a straightforward process."

"We are also gaining significant traction with the upcoming deployment of our highly effective cleaning products here in the U.S. and look forward to expanding our reach into foreign markets," said Chris Fox, Chief Operating Officer of Clear Currents.

About EB5 Investment:

PDC Capital Group is a private equity firm specializing in EB5 immigrant investor projects. The EB5 immigrant investor visa is a federal program launched in 1990 that allows foreign nationals to apply for permanent residency in the U.S. in exchange for investing a minimum of $500,000 in a U.S. business. For more information about the EB-5 immigrant investor program, go to http://www.uscis.gov/eb-5/ .

About Clear Currents, Inc.:

Clear Currents is a green technology company dedicated to promoting a healthier, more abundant food supply through innovative natural solutions. The Clear Currents' mission is to be a leader in providing innovative green solutions that replace toxic chemicals and other environmentally harmful products used by agriculture and industry. For more information, please visit http://www.clearcurrents.com/ .

About PDC Capital Group:

PDC Capital Group, LLC, is a private equity firm specializing in EB-5 investment projects. In identifying and executing new projects, PDC Capital Group's goal is success for three groups: success for investors, success for the community where the project is located, and success for its project partners. For more information, please visit http://www.pdccapitalgroup.com/ .

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmilioPDC .

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

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/pdc-ceo-emilio-n-francisco-announces-45-million-capital-raise-for-clear-currents-2015-0220-003.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE PDC Capital Group 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®.

Anthem Data Breach Sparks Class Action Lawsuit, Weitz & Luxenberg Announces

class action lawsuit

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 18, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., today announced the filing of a class action lawsuit against the nation's second-largest health insurer, Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc., following disclosure earlier this month that the private information of 80 million Anthem customers was stolen in a massive online data breach.

Over a six-week span beginning in mid-December, hackers siphoned from Anthem's computers a wealth of customer personal information, including names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, employment records and income data, the law firm said.

Security experts believe devastating financial losses may loom for Anthem customers as identity thieves use the ill-gotten information to ransack checking and savings accounts, abscond with tax refunds, and apply for credit cards, mortgages and bank loans in their victims' names, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

"Already, victims of the data breach are being targeted with email phishing scams from criminals sending fake but real-looking official Anthem correspondences," said Robin L. Greenwald, who heads Weitz & Luxenberg's Environmental, Toxic Tort & Consumer Protection Unit.

Details of the Anthem Data Breach Lawsuit:

Weitz & Luxenberg's class action alleges Anthem was negligent and in violation of California consumer protection laws.

"We intend to hold Anthem responsible for neglecting to do what was reasonable and prudent to safeguard its customers' personal information," said Greenwald.

The complaint asks the court for an order forcing Anthem to take all necessary steps to prevent future data breaches and for an unspecified amount of monetary compensation to make up for the financial losses members of the class suffer as a result of the data breach.

The class action was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The lawsuit names a Santa Clarita, California, mother of two as its representative plaintiff. She has been an Anthem customer for 10 years.

According to the filing, data thieves pilfered personal information on all 37 million of Anthem's current policy holders as well as the private data on some 43 million former customers - a total of 80 million consumers.

"This theft is the result of Anthem's failure to implement cyber security measures commensurate with the duties it undertook by storing vast quantities of sensitive customer data," said Greenwald.

"Every business that collects and stores sensitive information about its customers has a duty to safeguard that information and ensure it is secure and remains private," Greenwald added.

"The data collected and stored by health insurance companies are among the most highly sensitive personally identifiable information," she continued. "Health insurance companies, in turn, bear the crucial responsibility to protect this data from compromise and theft."

Anthem Data Breach Exposed Social Security Numbers:

The theft of Social Security numbers is profoundly worrisome because they may be used by identity thieves to engage in a wide range of financial transactions in the name of unsuspecting others, Greenwald explained.

Worse, unlike the process of canceling and replacing a stolen credit card, blocking the use of a stolen Social Security number by an identity thief is no simple matter, she said.

On the list of crimes that may be committed with a stolen Social Security number is tax fraud.

This possibility prompted the head of one state's tax-collection agency to recommend that Anthem customers not postpone filing their taxes for 2014, lest fraudsters beat them to it and snatch away their refunds, said Greenwald.

Anthem insurance plans are sold under various banners. They are Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Amerigroup, Caremore, Unicare, Healthlink and DeCare.

Individuals who now are or once were holders of one of these brands' policies are urged to contact Weitz & Luxenberg for information about how to participate in the class action lawsuit against Anthem.

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents 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.weitzluxenberg.com/.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/anthem-data-breach-sparks-class-action-lawsuit-weitz-luxenberg-announces-2015-0218-007.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®.

Hair Extensions Undetectable by Sight or Touch: ‘Hair Blending Extensions’ from Dream Hair Blending adored by European Women

Dream Hair Blending

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 18, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Sevlor, Co., announced that Dream Hair Blending, EU Hair Extension and Hair Reconstruction Awards winner in 2013, has introduced to North America its undetectable and completely non-damaging hair blending extensions. Known in Europe for their natural and undetectable hair replacement and hair extension technology "Hair Blending Enhancements & Extensions(TM)," the company's R&D team is credited with creating an innovative alternative to salon, clip-in and wire hair extensions.

Founder August DiChristina explains: "We received many requests from women in America and Canada for our hair blending extensions, while they were only available in Europe. Salon hair extension wearers are concerned about scalp and hair damage experienced with glues and bonds, and high maintenance costs. Clip in and wire extensions are less expensive options, but have obvious drawbacks. Hair blending extensions were created based on my experiences, and those of our clients. Our technology ensures a flawless, secure fit that does not burden hair with glues, bonds, clips or wires. Undetectable by sight or touch, women won't suffer embarrassing noticeable sewn-wefts, bonds, tapes or clips, which are typical of other hair extensions."

Watch the Dream Hair difference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvVi167BxBQ .

Klaus Miller, industry expert recommends Dream Hair Blending to salons and medical community specializing in alopecia, hair thinning, and traction alopecia resulting from hair extensions. Miller notes a lack of will by the industry to address critical issues of hair extensions, including damage, comfort, bulk and attachments difficulties. Citing Dream Hair Blending's technology as "impressive," he describes their approach as "out of the box," focused on the user's perspective instead of traditional cheap, fast, and high profit manufacturing, which dominates the industry.

About Dream Hair Blending:

In 2007, Dream Hair Blending began offering their wig alternative, Hair Blending Enhancements. Through on-going R&D, the company has helped women worldwide with hair loss issues and lack of length or volume. Hair Blending Extensions(TM) offers daily wear or semi-permanent options and styling versatility, including up-do's and high ponytails. Available in several colors and densities, the company's proprietary design ensures easy blending with wearer's own hair.

Website: http://www.dreamhairblending.com/ .

Contact Details:
Phone: 503-854-4138
Contact: August DiChristina
Email: info@dreamhairblending.com

* PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0218-dream-hair-300dpi.jpg .
* Dream Hair Blending Extensions & Enhancements.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/hair-extensions-undetectable-sight-touch-hair-blending-extensions-dream-hair-blending-european-women-love-them-2015-0218-004.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Sevlor, Co. :: 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®.

Scorpion Mezcal Silver 4-Pack Sampler Gift Box wins Gold Medal

Scorpion Mezcal Silver Sampler

CHICAGO, Ill., Feb. 17, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Caballeros Inc. today announced that the Beverage Testing Institute's Tastings 2014 International Review of Spirits Packaging Competition has awarded Scorpion Mezcal's(R) 4-Pack Silver Sampler Gift Box several Gold awards and runner-up status for "Best Gift Box."

The attractive box is decorated with rustic artwork featuring an ancient still and stylized agave, with the top of the box showing the agave plants for each of the four varietals.

Awards:
Gold Medal - Creativity Category
Gold Medal - Graphic Design Category
Gold Medal - Form Category
Best Gift Box Runner Up.

Scorpion Mezcal's(R) award winning sampler gift box contains four 200ml bottles of Scorpion Mezcal(R) Silver. Each of the four bottles contains a different variety of 100 percent de agave Mezcal so that the consumer can experience, appreciate and become familiar with each of the varietals' unique flavor.

The four agave varietals in the box are:
1) Tobala (Estate Grown)
2) Espadin
3) Barril
4) Blue Weber (grown in Oaxaca).

Two award-winning silvers included in the box are: Scorpion Mezcal(R) Tobala and Scorpion Mezcal(R) Espadin. Scorpion's Tobala Mezcal received 97 Points and a Platinum award from The Beverage Testing Institute. It also won Best of Show at The Spirits of Mexico competition. Scorpion Mezcal(R) Espadin has won several awards, among them: 96 Points with a Gold Medal from The Beverage Testing Institute and Best Mezcal from Food & Wine Magazine.

Suggested retail for the 800ml box is $80; alc/vol 40 percent; each bottle is a different 100 percent agave varietal.

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

Imported by Caballeros Inc., Oakton, Va., leading importers of award winning 100 percent agave Mezcals. Produced and distilled by Scorpion Mezcal SA de CV Oaxaca, Mexico. In 2015, master distiller, Douglas K. French is celebrating his 20th anniversary as an agave/maguey grower in Oaxaca. He planted his first espadin agave crop in 1995 with 2500 agaves/magueys on his ranch in San Felipe del Agua, Oaxaca. Since then he has planted maguey every single year and has about 50 acres of maguey plantations.

For further information contact: Barbara Sweetman, VP Caballeros Inc., Phone/Fax: (914) 921-6988 or barbara@scorpionmezcal.com.

Twitter: @scorpionmezcal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scorpion-Mezcal/185126041557986 .

Caballeros Inc., 2911 Hunter Mill Road, Suite 303, Oakton, VA 22124.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0217-mezcal-300dpi.jpg .

*Photo Caption: Award winning 4-pack box/packaging for Mezcal(R).

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NEWS SOURCE Caballeros 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®.

Economic Recovery Contributes to Increase in Renovations: Bathrooms and Kitchens Remain Favorite Remodeling Projects

Remodel or Move

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 11, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The latest US Remodeling Sentiment Report from Remodel or Move (remodelormove.com) indicated that the continued economic recovery has favorably affected homeowners. Homeowner respondents report their average home equity is now over $165,000, up from $115,000 in 2013, which combined with continued low interest rates and pent-up demand for home repair and improvements, is fueling growth. The size of an average remodel has gone up from 3.4 rooms in 2013 to 5.3 rooms in 2015.

"Bathroom and kitchen remodels remain the most popular improvements homeowners intend to make this year, but in stark contrast to previous years, the number of other rooms that homeowners plan to add or remodel has grown significantly," said Dan Fritschen, principal report author at remodelormove.com.

"The dramatic increase in home equity and consumer confidence combined with the projects that homeowners postponed during the recession has fueled a move toward remodels and home additions that are of larger scope and scale than in past years."

Even with the significant increase in the size of remodels - the DIY spirit is strong with close to 60% of homeowners planning to do some of the remodeling work themselves. The increase in home equity creates a wealth affect that drives the percent of homeowners who report they will use expensive materials up to 23% of respondents from a low of 10% in 2010 at the depths of the recession.

First published in 2005, the US Remodeling Sentiment Report is published by the popular website remodelormove.com. The report has 10 years of data containing millions of data points from U.S. homeowners, which are used to document and project homeowners remodeling preferences.

http://www.remodelormove.com/ has provided the information homeowners need to make savvy remodeling and moving decisions, reduce stress and get more for the money they invest in - remodeling their current home or moving to a home that better meets their needs.

Specific findings from the Spring 2015 US Remodeling Sentiment Report:
Average Home Equity:$165,000
Average Value of Home Before Remodel:$353,000
Average Estimated Cost of Remodel:$151,000
Average Number of Rooms to be remodeled or added:5.3
Percentage of Homeowners who report they will:
Do a lot of the work themselves20%
Do a little of the work themselves39%
Do none of the work themselves41%
Use Expensive materials23%
Use Economy Materials5%

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/economic-recovery-contributes-increase-renovations-bathrooms-kitchens-remain-favorite-remodeling-projects-2015-0211-004.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE ABCD Publishing 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®.

Weitz & Luxenberg’s Relkin Appointed to Xarelto MDL Leadership Team

mass-tort litigations

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Ellen Relkin, of counsel attorney with Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., has been named to the plaintiffs' steering committee created by judicial order to facilitate lawsuits against the makers of the anticoagulant drug Xarelto, the personal injury and mass tort law firm today announced.

The Hon. Eldon E. Fallon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana selected Ms. Relkin along with 11 other attorneys to serve on the committee. They are tasked with helping ensure that the many Xarelto lawsuits heard by Judge Fallon proceed with optimum efficiency, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

Those lawsuits were already on track to receive efficient handling - late last year they were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation, the firm noted.

The litigation since then has been officially known as In Re: Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Products, MDL No. 2592. Ms. Relkin will serve on the plaintiffs' steering committee for at least a one-year term, according to the judicial order.

Ms. Relkin was chosen to serve on the committee in part because of her past proven strong leadership skills; in other mass-tort litigations she has served or continues to serve on plaintiffs' steering committees or in the role of liaison counsel, Weitz & Luxenberg indicated.

Xarelto Side Effects:

Xarelto became the subject of a large number of lawsuits because some patients who take it suffer potentially dangerous side effects, such as the risk of unstoppable bleeding, the firm said.

Anticoagulant Xarelto may be prescribed to reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, especially following knee or hip replacement surgery. Xarelto may also be prescribed to prevent strokes and other clotting events related to atrial fibrillation, Weitz & Luxenberg explained.

Ms. Relkin has been at the forefront of the firm's actions against the makers of Xarelto, which positions her to understand the many intricacies of these cases, the firm said.

As a member of the MDL plaintiffs' steering committee, Ms. Relkin will help conduct all pretrial discovery, coordinate trial team selection, explore all settlement options, and keep the plaintiffs' attorneys who are not on the steering committee apprised of developments in the MDL, the judicial order specified.

Experienced Litigator:

Ms. Relkin began the practice of law in 1984, following completion of legal studies at Rutgers University Law School. She is admitted to practice law in four jurisdictions: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. In New Jersey, Ms. Relkin holds state Supreme Court-issued certification as a Civil Trial Attorney, the firm reported.

Weitz & Luxenberg said the focus of Ms. Relkin's practice is pharmaceutical/medical-device product liability and environmental toxic torts. Ms. Relkin has amassed many honors over the years, including designation as both a New Jersey and New York "Super Lawyer."

Ms. Relkin, the firm said, is a member of many prestigious organizations for attorneys and serves in leadership positions within several of them. Most notably, she holds a post on the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Association for Justice.

Ms. Relkin also is a coveted speaker at professional gatherings of attorneys. She has authored and co-authored a number of law journal articles and treatise chapters, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., is among the nation's leading and most readily recognized personal injury law firms. Weitz & Luxenberg's numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, consumer protection, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents 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.weitzluxenberg.com/.

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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®.

Mark and Jan Hilbert of the Hilbert Collection Donate Rex Brandt Watercolor to Laguna College of Art and Design Permanent Collection

Mark and Jan Hilbert

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Feb. 10, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) announced that Mark and Janet Hilbert of The Hilbert Collection donated "Evening Rendezvous" (Watercolor on Paper, 10 x 14 inches, 1960) by acclaimed California watercolorist Rex Brandt. The iconic watercolor will be part of the college's permanent collection, which also includes The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Archives housed in the Dennis and Leslie Power Library on the college's Main Campus.

LCAD will install "Evening Rendezvous" in the administrative building on Main Campus at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

"Rex Brandt is a seminal figure in our college's history and we are honored by Mark and Janet's gift of this beautiful painting," said President Jonathan Burke. "Our permanent collection of fine art instructs and inspires our students and arts scholars to celebrate the accomplishments of master painters and sculptors."

"Evening Rendezvous" was also one of 12 pieces from the The Hilbert Collection that was part of LCAD's summer exhibition celebrating Brandt's centennial birthday.

Mark Hilbert recalled meeting Rex Brandt by chance at the dentist's office over 30 years ago. When he approached the painter, he was invited to visit Brandt's home to see his studio.

"With Hollywood demands for production designers, painters and illustrators from the 1930's to 1950's, there were more working artists in Los Angeles, California than anywhere else in the world at one time," Hilbert said. "Rex was one of the great ones among the California artists of that period. Although he trained more than 5,000 students over a 40-year period, he continued to push himself artistically and his later works are just as strong as his earlier watercolors. He has left a great body of work."

Hilbert was drawn to Brandt's work because of his mastery of pigmentation and light. "Few watercolor artists can manipulate colors the way he did," Hilbert said. "He was also a very rare watercolorist in that he was always willing to take risks with his work."

In 1962, Brandt was involved in designing the first two college art studios for what was then Laguna Beach School of Art (today known as Laguna College of Art and Design). With fellow painter Phil Dike, Brandt taught a workshop for the school and in 1978, he served on the school's Advisory Board and its Endowment Fund campaign. Brandt served as head of faculty for the school's summer class curriculum in 1963.

Joan Scarboro and Shelley Walker, daughters of Rex Brandt and his wife, Joan Irving Brandt, donated the Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Archives to LCAD in 2011.

Presently, selections from LCAD's The Brandt Archives are on loan to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California exhibition, "From the Archives Reaching for Water: Rex Brandt and Metropolitan." The exhibition will be on display in the South Gallery public space next to the building's lobby entrance for the next two years at Metropolitan Water District headquarters, 700 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2944.

Brandt was a beloved resident of Corona del Mar, CA where he and his wife taught classes at their home and studio, which they named, "Blue Sky." His design for the city seal of Newport Beach is still in use today.

Through a partnership with Project Gado, LCAD's archive of Brandt's sketchbooks, photographs and archival materials now appear on Getty Images at: http://bit.ly/rexbrandtlcadgado/ .

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 Arts degrees (MFA) in Drawing and Painting. Named by NIKE as one of the top three design schools in the world, LCAD is closely partnered with industry leaders. These partnerships have resulted 90% employment rate for LCAD's visual arts graduates. Blizzard Entertainment, Disney Animation, DreamWorks, FOX, Hurley International, NIKE, VANS, Warner Brothers Animation and more employ LCAD visual arts alumni.

LCAD Fine Arts alumni are accepted to the most prestigious graduate programs and go on to become internationally recognized artists and educators who shape dialogue with renowned collectors, museums and gallerists. The Dennis and Leslie Power Library at LCAD houses invaluable historic archives that include The Rex and Joan Irving Brandt Papers.

For more information about LCAD admissions, news, events and Annual Fund, visit http://www.lcad.edu/ . Facebook at @LCADBFA, Twitter @LCAD and Instagram @lcadbfa .

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0210-Hilbert-LCAD-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: Mark and Janet Hilbert with "Evening Rendezvous" (watercolor on paper) by Rex Brandt, now part of Laguna College of Art + Design permanent collection.

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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®.

Can a Blonde Beauty Heal a Broken Heart in Time for Valentine’s Day?

Nicole Brier

NEW YORK, N.Y., Feb. 9, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- For broken hearts, Valentine's Day can be a difficult day for many. Enter actress-turned-designer Nicole Brier, who has created a Venus Heart Palm Bracelet to rekindle romance with that special someone. Available from Louise Manna Jewelry, the purpose of this special design is to bring the energy of love back into your life.

"It is the time of the year when red hearts and roses can intensify feelings of loneliness. How do we resolve the sorrows and pain of broken hearts?" asks Brier.

"The heart is a traditional symbol of Valentine's Day," says Nicole. "I designed the Venus Heart Palm Bracelet with the intent of bringing unconditional love back into one's self. The palm of your hand is a point for healing and having this beautiful and simple silk threaded red heart charm cradled in your hand will bring self-strength. This is the first step in healing a broken heart and rekindling that fractured love relationship."

Brier is a Brooklyn-based actress and ex-Ford model who has worked with such directors as Sidney Lumet, John Dahl, Gregory Hoblit; playing the eye-catching blonde in the films "Gloria," "Rounder's" and "Frequency."

In 2005, while still auditioning for film and TV roles, Nicole created the company Louise Manna Jewelry. And just in time for Valentine's Day, Nicole has released a new group of designs called the Love Collection.

Her featured piece, the Venus Heart Palm Bracelet, which is priced at $88, is built to be worn with the heart centerpiece on the palm of your hand. You can view the Louise Manna Love Collection at http://www.louisemanna.com/love-collection.html .

About Louise Manna Jewelry:

Louise Manna is a New York-based company with an online shop and has been engaged in the business of retailing and wholesaling unique jewelry designs, all of which are handcrafted personally by Nicole Brier.

The vision of Louise Manna is for women to empower themselves to be creative and free of inhibition. Its motto is "Think outside the box." The jewelry creations are the result of Nicole's exploration into fusing conceptual ideas with traditional jewelry design.

For additional information please visit http://www.louisemanna.com/ or email: nicole@louisemanna.com.

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

Nicole Brier on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0108907/ .

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0209-venusheart-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Nicole Brier shows the Venus Heart Palm Bracelet.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/can-a-blonde-beauty-heal-a-broken-heart-in-time-for-valentines-day-2015-0209-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Louise Manna 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®.

No Soup for You! 22 Endangered Baby Turtles, Destined for Stock Pots, Now Safe at SoundWaters

Endangered Baby Turtles

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 6, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As part of a global wildlife-trafficking issue that is growing exponentially, 22 tiny baby turtles - likely destined for soup pots in China - were recently rescued and brought to a nursery at the SoundWaters Coastal Education Center, where they are being coddled and cared for after a harrowing, near-smuggling experience.

Now thriving, the 1-to-2-inch elegantly patterned, diamondback terrapins will be introduced to Connecticut during a special Media Open House, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (snow date, Feb. 12, 2015, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Address: Cove Island Park, 1281 Cove Rd.

Last fall, 211 baby turtles that had been stuffed into boots - with little air and no room to move - were confiscated from international smugglers in Alaska. In December, once they were stabilized, the turtles were shipped to permanent new homes at SoundWaters and 13 other facilities across the U.S.

Turtle soup is considered a delicacy in China, where there is a lucrative market for the main ingredient. In the U.S., a fondness for turtle soup led to the near extinction of the diamondback terrapin - the only marine species of turtle native to Connecticut-by the 1930s. Thanks to U.S. state and federal environmental regulations, terrapins are now a protected species and have been returning to their native habitats in recent years.

But, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Public Affairs Chief, Gavin Shire, the scourge of wildlife trafficking is increasing. "As the population of wild turtles has been depleted in Asia, the demand for North American turtles has increased." He adds, "Wildlife trafficking involves people in the U.S., as well, not just faceless, international criminals."

SoundWaters President Leigh Shemitz, Ph.D. says most smuggled wild animals face a disastrous end. "This is one of those rare poaching cases with a very happy ending, and the journey isn't over." She adds that the rescued terrapins cannot be released back into the wild, so SoundWaters is now their permanent home. "Diamondback terrapins have a lifespan of up to 40 years, so Connecticut and New York residents can follow each chapter of this success story for decades to come. Our terrapins, and our students, will grow together."

SoundWaters was selected to receive the 22 hatchlings because of its existing terrapin program and membership in the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group, a body of academic, scientific, regulatory and private institutions and organizations working to protect the species. With the call that the terrapins needed a home, the SoundWaters Coastal Education Center quickly set up an intensive-care nursery for the 22 fragile and travel-weary creatures.

Every day, SoundWaters staff and interns take meticulous care of the terrapins, recording each animal's weight, food intake, medications, etc. and any other observations. They even brought the turtles to their homes during the late January blizzard, in case of power outages on Cove Island, where SoundWaters is located.

Media Open House Details: During their debut appearance, the hatchlings will be seen taking their afternoon swim, a few will be treated with medications, and all will dine on a mixture of scallops, blood worms and silverside minnows. SoundWaters staff members will be on hand to answer reporter's questions and explain the vital role the terrapins are already playing in the education of Connecticut students. An open house for the public will be announced once the hatchlings are more established, in the spring.

View More Photos Here: http://www.soundwaters.org/blog-archives/ .

Parking: Park in the lot in Cove Island Park. Walk over the footbridge and stay to the left. Continue down the path to SoundWaters Center, a large white Federalist-style house approximately 300 yards down on the left, past the playground.

Weather: In the case of inclement weather please visit the SoundWaters web site: http://www.soundwaters.org/, FB page: https://www.facebook.com/SoundWaters or Twitter: https://twitter.com/soundwaters, for scheduling announcements and updates.

About Sound Waters:

SoundWaters was founded in 1989 with the mission to protect Long Island Sound through education. As the leading environmental-education organization in the region, SoundWaters', award-winning, hands-on programs engage over 27,000 students at their Coastal Education Center, in Stamford, on their 80-foot, three-masted schooner, and at schools, community centers and field sites throughout the region. Public offerings include captivating volunteer and community events, public and charter-sailing adventures, birthday parties, scouting programs, and more.

* PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0206-terrapin-300dpi.jpg .

* PHOTO Caption: Twenty-two rescued baby terrapins are now safe in the aquarium lab at SoundWaters, in Stamford, Conn.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/no-soup-for-you-22-endangered-baby-turtles-destined-for-stock-pots-now-safe-at-soundwaters-2015-0206-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE SoundWaters :: 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®.

Nude Statue of Dr. Huxtable Protests Cosby’s TV Hall of Fame Busts?

Fat Albert Cries sculpture

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. and ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 5, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A teenage artist's protest against Bill Cosby for misrepresenting his TV characters and their messages is proposed as a nude statue of Cosby's Dr. Cliff Huxtable from "The Cosby Show" to "replace" the busts of the legendary performer displayed in front of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Halls of Fame in North Hollywood and Orlando. The Dr. Huxtable sculpture depicted with a saddened Fat Albert, created by young sculptor Rodman Edwards, is being unveiled by Cory Allen Contemporary Art (CACA).

The statue, titled "Fat Albert Cries for Dr. Huxtable," depicts Cosby's Dr. Huxtable nude, aged and out of shape, with Cosby's Saturday morning cartoon character Fat Albert blocking the area where Dr. Huxtable's genitalia would be, crying.

"Rodman captured Cosby's real character," said the artist's spokesman Cory Allen. "I think this is a more appropriate statue than the one depicting America's Dad at the TV Hall of Fame."

"Hall of Fame statues should not be exempt from reevaluation. Sometimes they need to be removed or replaced," said Cory Allen. "Joe Paterno's statue was taken down following the 2011 Penn State sex abuse scandal. Maybe the TV Hall of Fame and Disney should take note," added Allen, referring to Disney World, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences east coast location.

"As a fan, I think I just felt compelled to depict two of Bill Cosby's creations at odds with each other, because Bill Cosby seems to be at odds with what I always thought Dr. Huxtable stood for," said artist Rodman Edwards.

This is Rodman Edwards's first representation by CACA. Rodman, a freshman in high school, has shown his work at Mask Fest in Indianapolis and at Son of Monsterpalooza in Burbank, California, and has lent his large mask of Hillary Clinton to an anti-Keystone pipeline demonstration at a democratic fundraiser attended by Clinton in San Francisco.

"Fat Albert Cries for Dr. Huxtable - Proposal for TV Hall of Fame" 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 February 20, 2015. For more information, contact Cory Allen at 323-393-3115 or visit http://www.cacanet.com/ .

*IMAGE 1 for media (SFW): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0205-facries-300dpi.jpg

*IMAGE 2 for media (NSFW): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0205-facrieshux-300dpi.jpg

*Caption: "Fat Albert Cries for Dr. Huxtable - Proposal for TV Hall of Fame" by Rodman Edwards.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/nude-statue-of-dr-huxtable-protests-cosbys-tv-hall-of-fame-busts-2015-0205-002.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®.

California Landfill Reduces Environmental Impact and Saves Money

Portola Landfill

PORTOLA, Calif., Feb. 4, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Agru America, Inc. announced that the city of Portola, Calif. is now using its exclusive EPA Subtitle D compliant landfill closure system - ClosureTurf(R).

The landfill site located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, recently completed an eight-acre final closure. The site is the second application in the state to use ClosureTurf(R), specifically designed to eliminate soil erosion, reduce post-closure maintenance costs, increase slope integrity and enhance landfill gas (LFG) management.

Throughout the process, Agru and its partner, Watershed Geosynthetics LLC, provided the city council and public with support on implementing the state's approved ClosureTurf(R) system for use as a final cover for the landfill. During the process, questions arose. For example, cost was a concern. While the construction cost of the system was similar to a traditional Subtitle D closure, the City of Portola would actually save on future maintenance costs, while reducing the environmental impact and improving safety and performance.

Officials at the landfill had to address significant challenges including ground water issues and a short construction window. The project was bid in August 2014 and installed in just six weeks that fall. This included the removal of the temporary liner along with subgrade preparation and installation of the entire ClosureTurf(R) system.

Todd Roberts, director of public works for the city said, "Everyone involved with the project was great to work with and we were happy with the installation of the system. Everything is performing as expected."

Tom Valentino, PE, president of TGV Solid Waste, Inc., Portola's solid waste consultant, reported that prior to ClosureTurf(R) becoming available, they had looked at the traditional Subtitle D vegetative cap. However, one of the greatest advantages of ClosureTurf(R) was avoiding long-term maintenance costs.

Ease of installation was also a plus because the city was under tight time constraints to get the project completed.

"Coincidentally, there was a storm the night the project was completed and we got the project done on time," Valentino said. "We chose a tan color that blended with the surroundings. From a short-term stability standpoint and a long-term post closure maintenance cost, the ClosureTurf(R) System was the absolute right decision to make for the Portola landfill."

Additionally, the landfill is located in a seismic zone with potentially high snowfall events. In the event of seismic activity or significant snowfall melt, the soil used in a traditional capping system would present a significant slide hazard. Cal Valley Construction (Fresno, Calif.) was the general contractor and infill installer, along with D&E Construction (Visalia, Calif.) - the approved ClosureTurf(R) installer.

"From a construction quality assurance perspective, installation of the ClosureTurf cover system required less field personnel during construction than a traditional prescriptive cover system and saved the city money," Jake Russell, P.E., Geo-Logic Associates, Portola's CQA consulting firm, said. "The installation of the ClosureTurf(R) cover was completed in significantly less time than other similarly-sized prescriptive subtitle D vegetative cap landfill cover systems in which I have been involved. By removing the soil components of the cover system, construction issues associated with the variability and availability of soil materials were eliminated."

About ClosureTurf(R):

ClosureTurf(R) is an innovative and economical final cover system designed for waste containment which eliminates soil erosion, increases slope integrity, enhances gas collection, and lowers maintenance costs. ClosureTurf(R) was developed by Watershed Geosynthetics LLC and is sold exclusively by Agru America, Inc. First installed in 2009, this innovative technology has continued to gain more acceptance in the waste industry as an increasing number of owners, agencies and engineers have approved its use in multiple states over the past five years. Once installed, a landfill is converted from a mountain of unsightly trash to one that is much more aesthetically pleasing.

About Agru America, Inc.:

Since 1988, Georgetown, S.C. based Agru America, Inc. has been the world's leading manufacturer of flat die extrusion geomembranes, geonets, geocomposites, geotextiles, geo clay liners, concrete protective liners and fittings. Agru America also supplies vertical barrier systems and piping systems for the U.S. and international civil/environmental markets. The company's state-of-the-art products include Agru Smooth Liner(R), MicroSpike(R) (structured textured products), Super Gripnet(R), and Drain Liner(R) in both LLDPE and HDPE. Agru America is part of Alois Gruber GmbH, an Austrian family-owned business since 1948 with production facilities in Austria, the U.S., Germany, China and India, and distribution in more than 80 countries, worldwide.

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

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhdRbNjNMkc .

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0203-portlaLF-300dpi.jpg .
* Photo Caption: Portola Landfill, 10 acres.

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NEWS SOURCE Agru America, 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®.

Save the Date: 2015 HTCIA International Conference and Training Expo This Year in Florida

Crime Investigation

ROSEVILLE, Calif., Feb. 4, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) will unveil its 29th Annual International Conference and Training Expo on August 30, 2015, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in beautiful Orlando, Florida. This International Conference brings together groups including law enforcement, private industry, government and academia from the United States and from around the world.

Peter Morin, HTCIA 1st Vice President and Conference Chair, is proud to present track based training to ensure an equal presentation of topics. "Some of our past training topics have included lectures and hands-on labs with numerous sessions related to penetration testing, malware analysis, memory analysis and computer forensics," said Morin.

Keynote speakers scheduled to present include Brandon Webb and Howard Schmidt. Webb is a former US Navy SEAL and Head Sniper Instructor who trained Chris Kyle, the main character of the record breaking film "American Sniper." He is also a writer and digital media entrepreneur. Schmidt is the former Cyber Advisor to Presidents Obama and G. W. Bush as well as the former CISO and CSO at Microsoft.

HTCIA has a special offer for those interested in attending the International Conference & Training Expo. Registrants applying to the conference pay $395 (members) and $595 for non-members until April 1. For more information on registration for the event and non-member or student options please visit the HTCIA Conference Registration page: http://www.htciaconference.org/ .

For additional information about this Conference, please visit the event site or contact Peter Morin at info@htciaconference.org. For information concerning sponsorships or media coverage opportunities please contact Carol Hutchings at carol@htcia.org or by phone at (916) 408-1751.

About HTCIA:

HTCIA is a 501(c)3 non-profit professional organization founded over 29 years ago for the purpose of educating individuals involved with high technology investigations.

HTCIA continues to solidify its position as the leader in professional organizations devoted to the prevention, investigation and prosecution of crimes involving advanced technologies.

Contact:
- General event inquiries - info@htciaconference.org
- Sponsorship inquiries - sponsorship@htciaconference.org
- Speaker inquiries - speakers@htciaconference.org

Twitter: @HTCIA - https://twitter.com/HTCIA

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/save-date-2015-htcia-international-conference-training-expo-this-year-florida-2015-0204-004.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE High Technology Crime Investigation Association :: 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®.

Edgy Video Heightens Awareness of Senseless African-American Killings

Roosevelt Matthews

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Feb. 4, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- "Unda Cova," a somewhat avant-garde, controversial and educational video released by S.L.P., LLC, provides a unique perspective about the recent and senseless killings of unarmed African Americans.

Roosevelt Matthews, rapper, songwriter, video producer and retired police officer, thought Black History Month was the ideal time to release "Unda Cova."

"My hope is to heighten public awareness surrounding these disturbing acts of needless violence taking place right under our noses," he says. "It stuns me that we are living in the twenty-first century, yet there are factions in society that refuse to relinquish the old southern ideology. The black struggle did not start in the 50s and 60s; it started when the first African set foot on this nation's soil."

Directed by Matthews and Porcha McCloud, "Unda Cova" opens with a scene in a neighborhood barber shop, Classic Styles. It showcases a group of African American men sitting around discussing race and inequality. It combines historical references, staged dialogue and rap music. The end result is a message that is powerful and thought provoking.

"In past decades, unarmed African Americans have been killed unfairly by white law-enforcement officers and white American citizens, with minimum to no accountability for their actions," Matthews says. "And, these unfair killings seem to directly correlate to the past. Simply put, there is a continuum of killings, demonizing and vilifying of African Americans since the Emancipation Proclamation."

In Matthews' opinion, some Americans dismissed the fact that Africans were easily disposed of because they were never immigrants in this country.

While "Unda Cova" is ultimately an entertainment video, it was also produced to educate and to make people think.

"We have to really examine where we are and where we have come from. We have to stop candy coating and evading the fact that racism is a conundrum that seriously needs to be addressed before we can continue to move forward," Matthews says.

The complete video can be viewed here:
(*UPDATED video link: 2.2.15)
http://youtu.be/reMS37JbjDo

About the Artist:

New Orleans born, Matthews grew up in Los Angeles where he was educated and consequently served 29 years with the Hawthorne Police Department. It was during his retirement that he started to see and become more and more disturbed by these senseless and fatal African-American shootings.

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

For media queries, please contact: Roosevelt Matthews, S.L.P., LLC, 307-256-2111, ceo@streetlightsproductions.com.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/edgy-video-heightens-awareness-of-senseless-african-american-killings-2015-0204-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE S.L.P. 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®.

TripAdvisor Names Belamere Suites Tenth ‘Best Hotel for Romance’ in the U.S.

Royal Pool Suite

PERRYSBURG, Ohio, Feb. 2, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Belamere Suites of Perrysburg, Ohio is proud to announce TripAdvisor(R), the world's largest travel site, ranked Belamere Suites the tenth Best Hotel for Romance in the United States during their announcement of the winners of the 2015 Travelers' Choice(TM) awards for Hotels, ahead of legendary California designer Michael Taylor's Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley and the Post Ranch Inn atop the cliffs of Big Sur, California.

Belamere Suites' ranking was determined by thousands of user reviews and opinions collected over the past year. John Kranjec, Owner of Belamere Suites, explained "We owe our success to all our happy couples for choosing Belamere Suites, and our entire staff for their hard work in helping to make this extraordinary achievement possible."

Now in its twelfth year, Belamere Suites continues to be the romantic favorite for its outstanding amenities, customer service, and commitment to marriage and romance - having hosted over 43,000 guests for all types of occasions including; weddings, anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, and sometimes for no reason at all, but to treat themselves to some romantic time alone. Belamere Suites features all-inclusive romantic luxury with heated in-room pools, oversized jacuzzis, luxurious king size Bela-Beds(TM) with fine linens, saunas, fireplaces, and more - where couples feel all they have to bring is love.

"We're ecstatic to be recognized so positively by TripAdvisor, but more importantly, by our guests - what an incredible honor," said John Kranjec of Belamere Suites. "We work hard each day to continue to earn our reputation for romance and extraordinary service. It's gratifying to see our commitment to romance and excellence pay off so richly."

Belamere Suites has been previously recognized by TripAdvisor(R), Toledo City Paper, Ohio Magazine, Toledo Area Parent, Findlay Area Parent, and the Toledo Free Press. This new award from TripAdvisor(R) demonstrates Belamere Suites' commitment to provide the best experience for their guests and the surrounding communities.

To see all 8,151 unique winners of the 2015 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Hotels go to: http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels/ . Travelers can also follow the conversation on Twitter at #travelerschoice.

Belamere Suites invites you to come in and find out why Belamere has just been awarded Tenth Best Hotel for Romance in the United States! Tours and complimentary stays for journalists are available upon request.

About Belamere Suites:

Belamere Suites opened in 2003 with 18 suites in Perrysburg, Ohio. Belamere Suites now offers a total of 35 suites in a unique environment showcasing two suite styles: the Ultimate Jacuzzi Suite and the Royal Pool Suite. Each Royal Pool Suite includes your very own private, heated, indoor swimming pool nestled in an expansive 1500 square feet of comfort and seclusion. All suites feature exclusive amenities from check-in or check-out time to warm cookies and milk served at bedtime and a-la-carte comforts such as spa services, roses, chocolate covered strawberries, wine, and champagne which are also available. Belamere Suites pledges to care for an uncommon set of values: for marriage, romance, for each other, for our guests, and for the community. These values represent a vision for unprecedented service. More information can be found at http://www.belameresuites.com/ .

Facebook: belameresuites YouTube: TheBelamereSuites

About TripAdvisor:

TripAdvisor(R) is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor(R) offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices. TripAdvisor(R) branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 315 million unique monthly visitors, and more than 200 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.4 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 45 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0202-royalsuite-300dpi.jpg .

*Photo Caption: Belamere Suites has Ohio's only full-size in-room pool suites.

*VIDEO: http://youtu.be/dLIpWmuzfsA .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/tripadvisor-names-belamere-suites-tenth-best-hotel-for-romance-in-the-us-2015-0202-004.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Belamere Suites :: 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®.

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll and New England Patriots leave lifetime memories for former New York Jet and Marine Wayne Wicka

Power of Human Potential

WINONA, Minn., Jan. 29, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Wayne Wicka went into the U.S. Marine Corps seeking direction, leadership and success, and he got it. The techniques learned from the New England Patriots and from his then defensive coach at the New York Jets, Pete Carroll, now the Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks, created life-changing memories for Wicka, a high school benchwarmer turned New York Jet and U.S. Marine who sacked Brett Favre.

Wicka takes the principles learned from the United States Marine Corps, the National Football League, his collegiate coaching and teaching experiences and shared it with the young and inexperienced Arcadia High School Raiders, who immediately went on to unprecedented success, two consecutive undefeated back-to-back Coulee Conference Championship seasons, finishing the 2013 and 2014 regular seasons a perfect 18-0.

His book, "The Power of Human Potential: It's In You!" is now available.

"My one goal in life is to teach others to believe and to achieve success by sharing my personal experiences, and unique methods and strategies to obtain higher success," says Wicka. "I steadfastly believe that everyone has within them The Power of Human Potential."

The abbreviated version of the book's summary follows, but the complete summary can be seen at http://www.waynewicka.com/ or http://www.thepowerofhumanpotential.com/

The true story of Wayne Wicka's life, a Horatio Alger-like rags-to-riches tale, a life that begins in Smalltown, USA, Dodge, Wisconsin (population 300), a journey including stops in Magnificent MCRD the Show Place of the Marine Corps, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, the metropolis of New York City (19 million), and the National Football League (NFL) as a New York Jet. A fascinating story of struggle and triumph in his quest to overcome failure and discover success.

Using the Marine Corps' leadership principles for success - self-discipline, hard work, dedication, determination, and perseverance to a goal - Wicka emerges from the Marine Corps to retrace his steps, confront his painful past, for a second chance "do over" of his past academic and athletic failures. This is a journey of Academic and Athletic Redemption, culminating in Final Redemption.

Wicka faces an uphill battle and difficult odds as a first-generation, non-traditional college student, because neither of his parents had a college degree. Using the power of positive thinking and the mentoring he received along the way from coaches, college professors, the U.S. Marine Corps, the National Football League, as well as many people who foretold his success, inspiration from NFL Stars Howie Long, Herman Edwards, and Head Coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks, his belief in self grows. Unleashed is his self-confidence and his renewed commitment takes him on an incredible journey of Academic and Athletic Redemption.

A story of adversity, triumph, and never giving up, the journey takes you from Small Town, USA to the metropolis of New York City, through his turbulent teen years and parents' marital heartache, the Marine Corps, college life, the NFL, and the obstacles of life. In the wake, Wayne re-emerges and leaves his indelible mark in both academics and athletics.

This story is hilariously funny, but, at times, emotionally heartbreaking. This autobiography and self-help book serves as a source of motivation and provides life lessons to help other people achieve their highest hopes and dreams.

View a sneak preview of "The Power of Human Potential: It's In You," in a thought-provoking, short slide show, at: http://www.waynewicka.com/ or http://www.thepowerofhumanpotential.com/ at the bottom of the homepage.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0129-itsinyou-300dpi.jpg .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/seahawks-coach-pete-carroll-new-england-patriots-leave-lifetime-memories-former-new-york-jet-marine-wayne-wicka-2015-01-0129-003.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Wayne Wicka :: 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®.

Online Wedding Dress Manufacturer Makes Shopping for That Special Day a Dream Come True

custom wedding dress

CHENG DU, SI CHUAN, China, Jan. 27, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Lilybrides (Lilybrides.com) is pleased to announce that shopping for a wedding dress just got a lot easier, and more budget friendly than ever imagined. This new online wedding dress and formal apparel e-commerce site is the new way to shop for that special day.

"We have our own manufacturer which makes it easy for us to offer high quality wedding dresses at affordable prices," David, chief designer, says. "And the style is only limited by imagination. Whether customers seek a simple A-line wedding dress or a more elaborate design fit for a fairytale, we can make that dream come true."

Customers have an array of style categories from which to choose such as neckline, waistline type, train design, sleeve style, season, fabric and more. They simply pick what they want from each category and the wedding dress design will quickly come together. The inventory is vast and prices range from approximately $70 to $350.

Just like every bride is different, every design is filled with ingenuity and guaranteed to become a timeless classic. All dresses are hand-crafted by a skilled design staff who possess master-level techniques to create that perfect wedding dress.

Lilybrides.com has a team of designers that are standing by to help customers design the dress of their dreams. And, its excellent and well-trained customer service team is guaranteed to work with customers to ensure 100 percent satisfaction is delivered.

So, wouldn't it be nice to share ideas and design creations for wedding dresses online? Lilybrides thinks so.

Also, Lilybrides.com makes payment and delivery fast and easy. Orders can be paid for via PayPal or wire transfer and orders are quickly executed via reputable carriers such as DHL to ensure speedy and satisfactory delivery.

Lilybrides strongly believes that its dresses will be perfect for that big day.

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

For media queries or for more information please contact: Lily, Lilybrides, media@lilybrides.com

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theLilybrides .

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0127-lilybrides-300dpi.jpg

Note: "Lilybrides.com" is not part of nor affiliated with Lily gowns in Denmark or Lily Bridal in the U.S., or other companies with similar names.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/online-wedding-dress-manufacturer-makes-shopping-that-special-day-dream-come-true-2015-01-0127-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Lilybrides :: 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 of Tipp City Announces New Website – Better form, function and ease of use

custom plastic injection molding

TIPP CITY, Ohio, Jan. 26, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Proto Plastics of Tipp City today announced the roll-out of their new website at http://protoplastics.com/. Proto Plastics has been in the business of custom plastic injection molding and design since 1969, and their philosophy is simple.

Success comes from earning the trust and loyalty of every customer they serve. Their experienced team has been doing just that through "right-the-first-time," service for nearly five decades. Therefore, as Internet applications continually evolve in the marketplace Proto Plastics' commitment to clearly communicating their services and improving their client experience naturally led to the development of a new website that could keep up with their spirit of innovation.

Proto Plastics partnered with Bash Foo, a digital marketing company also in Tipp City to build a new website that would better communicate their services, products and solutions. Having been in the industrial space for many years, Proto Plastics operates in a 65,000 sq. ft. building just north of Dayton, Ohio. In it, they manage all engineering, tooling, injection molding, and assembly activities, as well as warehousing for finished goods and purchased assembly parts. With so much to offer, it was time to make their website more intuitive and informative.

Marketing Director Jamie Dewing shares this about the site, "The focus for the redesign was to make it intuitive so that the layout and titles manage to answer questions in the order either new or returning injection molding clients might ask. We also manage to keep text short and to-the-point."

In addition to a new website, Proto Plastics is reaching out to the Miami Valley's manufacturing community letting them know how Proto Plastics can be the answer to many of their business challenges.

"What their clients find is that Proto Plastics can not only meet aggressive timelines but also reduce manufacturing costs through some pretty innovative plastic molding techniques," said Mike McDermott, President of Bash Foo. "The demand for injection molding continues to grow in the Dayton area, and Proto Plastics is certainly poised to take a commanding role."

This new website is just the most recent incarnation of Proto Plastics commitment to helping local manufacturers succeed through innovative designs and solutions as well as compressed timelines. For more information about how Proto Plastics could help your manufacturing efforts grow, visit Proto Plastic's new website at http://protoplastics.com/ .

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.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/proto-plastics-of-tipp-city-announces-new-website-better-form-function-and-ease-of-use-2015-01-0126-005.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®.

Energy Optimizers, USA sells lighting affiliate Lighting Optimizers, USA to focus on core business

Greg Smith

TIPP CITY, Ohio, Jan. 26, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The owners of Energy Optimizers, USA have sold its affiliate company, Lighting Optimizers, USA, to Eco Engineering. This decision was made to ensure continued world-class service for Energy Optimizers' clients, while allowing the company to focus on and expand its core business of vendor-neutral energy efficiency projects for the educational, governmental, commercial and industrial markets.

Eco Engineering has acquired all of the assets of Lighting Optimizers, USA, and will become the principal provider of lighting design and upgrade services to Energy Optimizers, USA. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Nearly 100% of Lighting Optimizers, USA's associates were hired as full-time associates by Eco Engineering.

Greg Smith, president of Energy Optimizers, USA, and wife Stephanie founded Lighting Optimizers, USA, in 2011 to provide turnkey, professional lighting retrofit design and installation services for Energy Optimizers. Both companies, Energy Optimizers and Lighting Optimizers, have experienced tremendous growth in the past few years, topping numerous lists for fastest growing companies including Forbes Magazine's Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the United States.

"We realized that we needed to step back and focus on the core business, but not until we found a partner that could provide the same standards of quality, professionalism, competitive pricing and innovation that we demand of ourselves for our customers," Smith said.

Lighting is Eco Engineering's specialty, and Eco Engineering will become Energy Optimizers' partner in managing the lighting portion of their energy management agreements. "The services Eco Engineering provides are a natural fit for us," Smith said. "By combining the buying power of the two companies, we will be able to provide our customers the most competitive pricing while utilizing high quality products and service for our Energy Optimizers customers."

Both companies are working together to ensure that all current projects are completed as promised and to meet client expectations for satisfaction.

"There will be no change to clients in the pricing, implementation, warranty or management of current or proposed projects." said Bob Hausmann, Senior Project Manager for Energy Optimizers, USA.

Energy Optimizers, USA has experienced rapid growth since the business began in 2009. The company is ranked in the Top 500 of INC. Magazine's list of 5,000 fastest growing companies in the U.S. (2014) and was named the Fastest Growing Company in the region for two consecutive years by the Dayton Business Journal (2013, 2014).

Energy Optimizers, USA will expand its reach into the K-12 and higher education markets throughout the Midwest while delving more deeply into the local government, commercial and industrial markets. To date, customers have saved more than $8.4 million in energy costs while improving their facilities and protecting the environment. The companies eclipsed $14 million in revenue in 2014 and seek to reach $20 million in revenue by 2016.

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 Top 500 of INC. Magazine's list of the 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-sells-lighting-affiliate-lighting-optimizers-usa-to-focus-on-core-business-2015-01-0126-004.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®.

TimeForge exhibits ground-breaking comprehensive retail labor management platform utilizing business intelligence and beacon technologies at NRF 2015 tradeshow

Labor Management

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- TimeForge is presenting its vision for a comprehensive retail labor management platform, which will be showcased at the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2015 trade show. The TimeForge product line highlights a range of innovative solutions suited for every retail environment, from the retail store front to the back of a restaurant kitchen.

TimeForge products will be presented alongside Samsung Electronics America and will be showcased in the Samsung booth, #600, and in the Star booth, booth #3925, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at the 2015 NRF show, which takes place January 11-14.

"TimeForge is excited about the future of retail and technology, and we see a lot of opportunity for restaurants and retailers. Beacons and other new technologies will continue to unearth new possibilities in sales and labor management, while existing technology can be improved to provide deeper insights into core business practices," said Anthony Presley, President of TimeForge. "Our solutions enable retailers to improve profitability at their stores, and we continue to improve upon our product line based on customer feedback."

PlaceForge and Asset Tracking:
Debuted at the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) show, PlaceForge is a unique system designed to track staff members and other key assets such as shopping carts and handheld computers. Beacons, similar to the iBeacon protocol supported by Apple, are deployed on the badges of staff members and on shopping carts, and the movements of the beacons are tracked throughout a store.

This ground-breaking product integrates with real-time sales data from more than 20 Point of Sale (PoS) systems, and could be used to identify hot and cold areas of a store, locate loss leaders, justify product layout modifications, and quickly alert management of potential problems on the sales floor.

Business Intelligence and Demand Forecasting:
Also on display at the NRF show is TimeForge's BI and demand forecasting modules. These tools are designed from the ground up to import POS sales information and forecast future sales and inventory needs on a transactional basis. The Business Intelligence software allows managers and IT professionals to build role-based dashboards with item, category, and cashier level analysis to identify trends and changes on the sales floor.

Attendance and Time Clocks:
TimeForge continues to expand their time clocks with a new offering from Star. TimeForge recently debuted the Star AsuraCPRNT time clock - an innovative touch screen timeclock product with an integrated printing solution for printing punch hours, schedules, and real-time reports. The self-service kiosk allows staff members to quickly clock in or out, request time off, swap shifts, and print out upcoming schedules. Managers can use the solution to instantly view labor and sales data directly on the device or on the TimeForge mobile platform.

Staff Scheduling Done Right:
TimeForge will also be displaying its award winning scheduling software. The retail staff scheduling software brings together employee self-service, the ability to request time off, and staff member's scheduling preferences from the web or mobile app, and combines staff member data with business metrics for efficient schedules. Business metrics commonly include minimum and maximum staffing requirements, sales growth or stagnation, real-time sales data, Affordable Care Act (ACA) needs, etc. By combining this data into an easy-to-use format for retail managers, TimeForge allows managers to convey schedule changes automatically to staff, post schedules, and enforce labor requirements.

About TimeForge:
TimeForge helps businesses in the hospitality, restaurant, retail, and grocery industries manage labor, build schedules, and run profitably while reducing turnover and improving operations. Used by businesses throughout the world, TimeForge is designed from the ground-up to simplify the complicated process of labor management.

For more information visit:
http://www.TimeForge.com/
http://www.PlaceForge.com/
866-684-7191

Media Contact
Audrey Hogan, 866-684-7191, audrey@timeforge.com

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/timeforge-exhibits-ground-breaking-comprehensive-retail-labor-management-platform-utilizing-business-intelligence-beacon-technologies-nrf-2015-01-0112-004.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE TimeForge :: 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®.

Cambridge City Schools expects to save more than $133,000 annually through partnership with Energy Optimizers, USA

Cambridge City Schools

TIPP CITY, Ohio, Jan. 7, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Cambridge City Schools has partnered with Energy Optimizers, USA, to complete an energy conservation project that is expected to save the district $133,111 annually, allowing for more dollars to be directed to students and classrooms.

Cambridge City Schools will upgrade the lighting, building controls and air filtration systems at all seven of its buildings, placing the district firmly ahead of the curve for energy efficiency and improved air and lighting quality. Funding is provided through the Ohio School Facilities Commission's House Bill 264 program, enabling the district to make these cost-cutting improvements at no expense to taxpayers.

"Cambridge City Schools is pleased to be working with Energy Optimizers on a HB264 project to reduce energy costs by improving lighting and installing energy saving updates to our heating and air conditioning systems," said Superintendent Dennis Dettra. "We will see savings in both electric and gas consumption for many years to come, saving our taxpayers more than $133,000 a year."

As part of the project, Energy Optimizers, USA, will:
* Replace interior lighting with more efficient lamps and remove unneeded lamps to cut waste;
* Replace exterior lighting with LED technology to improve energy efficiency while enhancing building safety, appearance and security;
* Install advanced energy management controls to provide real-time, web-based monitoring and management of the district's HVAC systems;
* Install dynamic air filtration systems to improve indoor air quality and decrease maintenance- and energy-related costs;
* Install energy-saving features to the kitchen exhaust fans and coolers
* Add IT enhancements to reduce the electronic plug load;
* Fund an educational Green Team to promote STEM principles in the classroom.

The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2015. Projected energy savings are guaranteed, and the payback for the upgrades is just over 11 years.

"Projects like these are relatively simple common-sense improvements, but they have an enormous impact on schools and their stakeholders," said Bob Hausmann, Director of Operations for Energy Optimizers, USA. "By improving their energy efficiency, Cambridge City Schools will be able to direct more dollars away from the utilities and into the classroom, where they will better serve students and taxpayers. The project will also transform these buildings into energy management labs that will hopefully inspire our next generation of engineers and scientists."

That's because the partnership includes the resources to launch a Green Team, an energy education effort that Energy Optimizers, USA, promotes in all of its school-related energy conservation projects. In addition to funding the team for two years, Energy Optimizers, USA will provide Ohio Energy Project academic materials that are aligned to Ohio's academic content standards. Green Team members will take part in STEM-related activities that are focused on energy conservation, while encouraging their peers to become more environmentally conscious.

Energy Optimizers, USA, has completed similar projects for 53 school districts around the state of Ohio, delivering more than $20 million in vendor-neutral energy savings projects. The company 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.

About Energy Optimizers, USA:

Energy Optimizers, USA works with Ohio school districts and government agencies 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 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/cambridge-city-schools-expects-save-more-than-133000-annually-through-partnership-energy-optimizers-usa-2015-01-0107-008.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®.

Cory Chalmers, of Hoarders TV Show, makes a special guest appearance at TICA Cat Show in Sacramento

Cory Chalmers

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 22, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- TV Star and lead expert of the hit cable television show "Hoarders," Cory Chalmers, will be making a special guest appearance at the TICA Cat Show January 2, 3 and 4, 2015 in Sacramento, Calif. This year's show is called "Mardi Gras Madness" and is presented by Jazzy Cats.

Cory Chalmers has been a longtime advocate for animal welfare. Unlike what is sometimes depicted in his television show "Hoarders" Cory believes that cats, as well as all animals, should be raised in a safe, clean and humane environment. There will be a local cat rescue group on site that will be placing loving cats into forever homes.

Cory will be available for pictures, autographs and will be selling T-shirts, sweatshirts, beanies and baseball hats, donating all of the proceeds to local cat rescue groups.

Come by and meet Mr. Chalmers at Red Lion's Woodlake Inn and Conference Center located at 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA. This year's show is called "Mardi Gras Madness" and is presented by Jazzy Cats.

Show hours are listed below:
- Friday, January 2, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, January 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, January 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cory Chalmers is available for press or media interviews by calling 1-800-462-7337 extension 111.

Steri-Clean Inc. offers franchises with two divisions; a hoarding remediation division called Steri-Clean (www.hoarders.com), and a Bio-Hazard clean-up division called Crime-Scene Steri-Clean (www.crimecleaners.com).

For more information on Steri-Clean, Inc. please visit http://www.SteriCleanInc.com/ .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/cory-chalmers-of-hoarders-tv-show-makes-special-guest-appearance-at-tica-cat-show-sacramento-2014-12-1222-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Steri-Clean, Inc. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Oceanside Jewelers Releases Mobile Responsive Web Site

jewelry shopping

OCEANSIDE, Calif., Dec. 18, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In an ongoing effort to continually provide a unique jewelry shopping experience centered on consumer education, Master Jeweler Chad Elliott and the certified gemologist staff at Oceanside Jewelers are pleased to announce the release of their upgraded mobile-responsive web site.

This means that Oceanside-Jewelers.com will now respond with a specific optimized design tailored to the user's device, whether it is a smart phone, tablet, or desktop computer. With this new addition, Oceanside Jewelers' extensive library of searchable articles and fine jewelry image portfolios are now available to shoppers on the move during this busy holiday season. Included within this web optimization are user-friendly jewelry galleries, focused on custom women's and men's rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces, all containing a wide variety of precious gems and constructed in fine gold, silver and other precious metals.

Also included is Oceanside Jewelers' latest addition of the Pandora(R) line of charms and jewelry. Pandora is an exciting and interchangeable collection of jewelry with countless possibilities. Celebrating the unique and individual moments in every woman's life, Pandora charms allow you to design your own jewelry that expresses your style and unforgettable moments. Each piece is hand crafted in sterling silver and 14k gold with superior Danish design, and includes a collection of over 600 unique charms and beads, accompanied by a full line of jewelry.

"We realize that almost half of our customers and website visitors are now using their smart phones and tablets to both shop and research their buying decisions on a regular basis. Our goal is to provide them with the best experience and service possible, whether they are visiting the store or our web site in search of valuable information and true value in their purchases," says Chad Elliott Master Jeweler Oceanside Jewelers.

About Oceanside Jewelers:

Oceanside Jewelers is a family owned and operated business located in the heart of downtown Oceanside at 222 North Coast Highway. Oceanside Jewelers has been providing honest and professional jewelry services with a focus on personal customer service for over 20 years. Award winning master jeweler Chad Elliott has designed and manufactured jewelry for many of the top designer brands, and many of these are worn by Hollywood's elite.

Customer education plays an important part of Oceanside Jewelers sense of business and community. In pursuit of this Oceanside Jewelers web site contains a wide range of helpful articles on jewelry craftsmanship, custom designing with diamonds and precious gemstones, traditional handcrafted jewelry construction, cutting-edge jewelry technology, and precious metal grading and selection.

Visit the company websites at:
http://oceanside-jewelers.com/
http://oceansidepawnshops.com/ .

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/oceanside-jewelers-releases-mobile-responsive-web-site-2014-12-1218-006.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Oceanside Jewelers :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Think Through Math Announces Winning School of 1st Annual Utah Math Cup: Students from 97 Utah schools solve 1.8 million math problems during five-week contest

Think Through Math

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 18, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Think Through Learning, authors of the award-winning Think Through Math (TTM), a web-based math instructional system for grades 3 through Algebra 1, announced today the winner of its 1st Annual Utah Math Cup. Mr. Nash's 6th-grade class from Endeavour Elementary School in the Davis School District has been named the 2014 Utah Math Cup Champion for solving 39,170 math problems and spending 523 hours on the program in just 33 days. The class will be honored at a special awards presentation at the school on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Awards Event Details:
DATE: Friday, December 19, 2014, 9:40-10:15 a.m. (media set up at 9:15).
LOCATION: Endeavor Elementary School; 1870 South 25 West, Kaysville.
PHOTO OP: Teachers, administrators and students will gather for Math Cup Awards presentation. Event will include trophy presentation, as well as customized TTM CPS Math Cup t-shirts, medals, certificates and classroom gift cards.

The contest, which kicked off in November, engaged 73 schools throughout the state against each other for bragging rights of having successfully completed the most math lessons on the TTM system. More than 10,000 Utah students across the state had the opportunity to participate at school, during after school programs, and at home. During the five-week competition period, students completed more than 73,000 lessons and solved more than 1.8 million complex math problems.

The winning class will receive a trophy, champion banner, t-shirts, certificates and a gift card for a classroom celebration. Think Through Math has also recognized two runner-up classes and three additional special award winners with student certificates and classroom gift cards:

* First runner up: Mr. Stanger's Honors class at West Point Jr. High Elementary
* Second runner up: Ms. Appleby's 6th grade class at Mountain View Elementary
* The Holiday Hero's Award, which is given for extraordinary work during the Thanksgiving break from November 27 through December 1, has been awarded to Ms. Robert's 7th grade class of Copper Mountain Middle School in Jordan School District.
* The Gurus of Giving Award, which is given to classes that donated the most points to charitable organizations, has been awarded to Ms. Holmes's class of Taylor Elementary for their class donation to The Wounded Warrior Project.
* The Evening/Weekend Warrior Award is given to class that worked the most outside of school hours. This was awarded to Mr. Stanger's 8th grade class of West Point Jr. High in Davis School District, which logged more than 1,700 hours in after school and weekend time.

In addition to the top classroom prizes, TTM also awarded e-gift cards to individual students, who were randomly selected each week from a pool of eligible participants based on the passed lesson requirement.

Winners in the student category included representatives from the following schools/districts:
* Bluff Ridge Elementary School, Davis School District
* Taylor Elementary School, Davis School District
* Mount Logan Middle School, Logan City School District
* Nibley Park, Salt Lake City School District
* Manila Elementary School, Alpine School District
* Mountain Ridge Junior High School Alpine School District
* Downs Columbia Elementary School, Davis School District
* John Hancock Charter School
* Mountain View Elementary School, Davis School District
* Elk Meadows Elementary School, Jordan School District
* Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School, Washington School District.

More than 2.6 million students across 17,000 schools across the country currently use TTM as part of their math curriculum. Think Through Math (http://www.thinkthroughmath.com) provides rigorous adaptive lessons built upon each state's learning standards, and is supported by the unique functionality of on-line math teachers to assist struggling students in real-time. Available to students from school and home, Think Through Math has an embedded incentive program that motivates students as they solve math problems as well as a charitable giving feature that allows students to convert their points into donations to select charities.

About Think Through Learning and Think Through Math:

Think Through Learning is a company of passionate and committed U.S. math teachers, software engineers and educational innovators whose mission is to help kids learn how to think mathematically. At Think Through Learning, we know that success in mathematics transforms how students perform in school and beyond. Our vision of effective education: a motivating blend of adaptive instruction on higher order thinking skills and on-demand online "instant 1:1 interventions" from LIVE, state-certified U.S. math teachers wherever a student is - school, home or elsewhere - at the precise moment that they need assistance.

In 2014, students on Think Through Math will do approximately one billion complex math problems and receive millions of live personalized "just-in-time teaching" sessions. The 2014 and 2012 recipient of the SIIA CODiE Award for Best Mathematics Instructional Solution, Think Through Math is recognized as the industry's most respected and fastest-growing supplemental math curriculum. Since its launch in 2012, Think Through Math has become a critical part of the RTI, STEM, and 1:1 strategies of thousands of districts and schools across the country, including some of the largest districts in the United States.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/think-through-math-announces-winning-school-1st-annual-utah-math-cup-students-97-utah-schools-solve-1-8-million-math-problems-2014-12-1218-004.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Think Through Learning :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

R2Net – JamesAllen.com secures $25 Million in growth funding

jewelry ecommerce platform

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Dec. 18, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- R2Net - JamesAllen.com, one of the two largest diamond and bridal jewelry e-commerce platforms in the U.S. announced today that is has secured $25 Million in growth funding from Israel Growth Partners (IGP).

The money raised will be used to fund R2Net's aggressive growth strategy. As part of this strategy, the Company recently acquired and consolidated the operations of Segoma Inc - an innovative provider of advanced diamond imaging technology, and Brio Animation Studio Ltd - a groundbreaking visualization and augmented reality studio.

In addition, R2Net's ecommerce brand - JamesAllen.com - has recently launched a "store-in-store" joint venture with Sears, one of the largest brick and mortar retailers in the U.S.

JamesAllen.com seamlessly integrates smart phones, tablets and PCs, as well as virtual kiosks, which enables the digital generation to easily shop for diamond jewelry in an interactive, personalized and familiar environment.

In addition to its direct-to-consumer business, R2Net operates a B2B platform that serves the online diamond sales of giants such as Signet Jewelers, the largest jewelry retailer in the world with 3,500 retail stores worldwide.

R2Net has built a sophisticated e-commerce and supply chain platform, which ties the entire span of the diamond industry's ecosystem, including diamond and jewelry manufacturers, retailers and consumers. R2Net's B2B platform utilizes advanced imaging and visualization technologies to capture and display diamonds and jewelry at a quality that surpasses a jeweler's loupe, thus enabling manufacturers to dramatically cut the lead times and costs of global diamond trade.

R2Net's innovative e-commerce, imaging, visualization and supply chain management platforms are revolutionizing the $70 billion global diamond industry during times of great change in consumer and supplier dynamics and behaviors.

"I'm excited to have IGP, one of Israel's premier private equity funds, share and invest in realizing our vision and would like to welcome Moshe Lichtman and Haim Shani to our board. I look forward to benefiting from IGP's partners' operational experience in scaling up global technology companies," said Oded Edelman, R2Net's founder and CEO.

"R2Net is a great example of the type of technology companies that IGP is focused on. Its ground-breaking technology, its strong momentum in the marketplace and Oded's vision and unique skills make R2Net a prime candidate for global category leadership in a huge market that's ripe for disruption," said Moshe Lichtman, General Partner at IGP. "IGP believes that there is a unique strategic opportunity to better serve the entire diamond industry's ecosystem and to deliver significant value across the board with R2Net's technology platforms and capabilities."

About R2Net - James Allen:

JamesAllen.com is a leading online retailer of diamonds and engagement rings. The idea behind JamesAllen.com is simple: Offer beautiful engagement settings coupled with high quality laboratory graded diamonds, all at an extraordinary value. Each diamond and ring on JamesAllen.com is displayed using proprietary 360-degree Display Technology which allows customers to see and interact with diamonds and rings from the comfort of their home. To learn more about James Allen visit http://www.jamesallen.com/ .

About Israel Growth Partners:

Founded in 2014, Israel Growth Partners (IGP) is a Private Equity investment firm founded by Moshe Lichtman and Haim Shani and backed by leading financial institutions including banks, insurance companies and pension funds. IGP's mission is to provide growth capital, strategic guidance and active involvement in Israeli-related technology companies benefiting from its founders' vast operational experience.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/r2net-james-allen-secures-25-million-in-growth-funding-2014-12-1218-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE R2Net James Allen :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Think Through Math Announces Winning Schools of 6th Annual Idaho Math Cup

Think Through Math

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 17, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Think Through Learning, authors of the award-winning Think Through Math (TTM), a web-based math instructional system for grades 3 through Geometry, announced today the winner of its 6th Annual Idaho Math Cup. A 5th grade classroom from Twin Lakes Elementary School in the Lakeland School District has been named the 2014 Idaho Math Cup Champion for solving more than 2.9 million complex math problems - more than any other participating class in just 33 days.

The contest, which kicked off in November, engaged 736 elementary schools throughout the state against each other for bragging rights of having successfully completed the most math lessons on the TTM system. Nearly 23,000 Idaho students across the state had the opportunity to participate at school, during after school programs, and at home. During the five-week competition period, students completed more than 120,000 lessons and solved more than 2.9 million complex math problems.

The winning class will receive a trophy, champion banner, T-shirts, certificates and a $100 gift card for a classroom celebration.

Think Through Math has also recognized two runner-up classes and three additional special award winners with student certificates, medals and $50 classroom gift cards:

* First runner up: Mr. Keiser's 6th grade class at White Pine Elementary School in Boise Independent School District.
* Second runner up: Mr. Robinson's 4th grade class at Collister Elementary School in Boise Independent School District.
* The Holiday Hero's Award, which is given for extraordinary work during the Thanksgiving break from November 27 through December 1, has been awarded to Ms. Holton's Algebra 1 class of Homedale Middle School in Homedale Joint School District.
* The Idaho Gurus of Giving Award, which is given to classes that donated the most THINK points to one of TTM's featured charities, has been awarded to Ms. Comstock's 4th grade class of at Cecil D. Andrus Elementary School. The class donated $54 to The Wounded Warrior Project.
* The Evening/Weekend Warrior Award, which is given to the class that worked the most outside of school hours, has been awarded to Ms. Troy's 4th grade class of Highlands Elementary School in Boise School Independent School District.

In addition to the top classroom prizes, TTM also awarded e-gift cards to individual students, who were selected each week based on the passed lesson requirement. Winners in the student category included representatives from the following schools/districts:
* Grace Elementary School, Grace Joint District.
* Eagle Hills Elementary School, West Ada School District.
* Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School.
* Michael M. Vallivue Middle School, McCall-Donnelly Joint School District.
* Mountain Home Junior High School, Mountain Home District.
* River City Middle School, Post Falls District.
* Camelot Elementary School, Lewiston Independent District.
* Woodland Middle School, Coeur D'Alene District.
* Oakley Elementary School, Cassia County Joint District.
* Fruitland Elementary School, Fruitland District.
* Moscow Middle School, Moscow District.
* Rulon M. Ellis Elementary School, Pocatello District.

More than 2.6 million students in over 17,000 schools across the country currently use TTM as part of their math curriculum. Think Through Math (http://www.thinkthroughmath.com/) provides rigorous adaptive lessons built upon each state's learning standards, and is supported by the unique functionality of on-line math teachers to assist struggling students in real-time. Available to students from school and home, Think Through Math has an embedded incentive program that motivates students as they solve math problems as well as a charitable giving feature that allows students to convert their points into donations to select charities.

About Think Through Learning and Think Through Math:

Think Through Learning is a company of passionate and committed U.S. math teachers, software engineers and educational innovators whose mission is to help kids learn how to think mathematically. At Think Through Learning, we know that success in mathematics transforms how students perform in school and beyond. Our vision of effective education: a motivating blend of adaptive instruction on higher order thinking skills and on-demand online "instant 1:1 interventions" from live, state-certified U.S. math teachers wherever a student is - school, home or elsewhere - at the precise moment that they need assistance. In 2014, students on Think Through Math will do approximately one billion complex math problems and receive millions of live personalized "just-in-time teaching" sessions.

The 2014 and 2012 recipient of the SIIA CODiE Award for Best Mathematics Instructional Solution, Think Through Math is recognized as the industry's most respected and fastest-growing supplemental math curriculum. Since its launch in 2012, Think Through Math has become a critical part of the RTI, STEM, and 1:1 strategies of thousands of districts and schools across the country, including some of the largest districts in the United States.

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

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/think-through-math-announces-winning-schools-of-6th-annual-idaho-math-cup-2014-12-1217-002.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Think Through Learning :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Rittman Schools expect to save $15,000 annually through partnership with Energy Optimizers, USA

Rittman Exempted Village School District

TIPP CITY, Ohio, Dec. 8, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Rittman Exempted Village School District expects to save at least $15,000 on utility and related maintenance costs annually by partnering with Energy Optimizers, USA, to improve energy efficiency at its Board of Education building.

The district is partnering with Energy Optimizers, USA, to:
* Replace interior lighting with more efficient lamps and remove unneeded lamps to cut waste
* Replace exterior lighting with LED technology to improve energy efficiency while enhancing building safety, appearance and security
* Replace the building's aging boilers with more energy-efficient models
* Enhance the building's temperature controls to improve energy conservation.

The project is nearly complete and will be wrapped up by in the near future. Projected energy savings are guaranteed for three years, and the payback for the upgrades is just under 10 years. Funding is provided through the Ohio School Facilities Commission's House Bill 264 program, enabling the district to make these cost-cutting improvements at no expense to taxpayers.

"We are always looking for ways to save money and stretch taxpayer dollars within our school operations," said Superintendent Jon Ritchie.

The energy efficiency gained by the district will also be equivalent to saving 138 acres of trees or taking 90 cars off the road.

"This project will improve the environment for the student body and the faculty while producing significant energy savings," notes Greg Smith, President of Energy Optimizers, USA. "We look forward to helping Rittman Schools meet their fiscal goals and assisting them in championing a great idea -- the idea that a 'greener,' more sustainable means of energy use is not only responsible and practical, it is preferable."

About Energy Optimizers, USA:

Energy Optimizers, USA works with Ohio school districts and government agencies 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.

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/rittman-schools-expect-to-save-15000-annually-through-partnership-with-energy-optimizers-usa-2014-12-1208-005.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. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

SecuGen Releases Hamster Pro Duo/CL Combining Contactless Smart Card and FAP 20, PIV Fingerprint Readers

Hamster Pro Duo/CL

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 8, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- SecuGen Corporation is very pleased to announce the release of the new Hamster Pro Duo/CL(TM), a product that combines a contactless smart card reader with an optical fingerprint reader that is FAP 20 Mobile ID and PIV certified. The Hamster Pro DUO/CL was designed for projects such as National ID programs that require a contactless smart card to store a fingerprint template. The Hamster Pro Duo/CL features SecuGen's U20(TM) USB fingerprint sensor that is FBI Certified and captures very high quality images.

As biometric implementations have become more widespread, there is an increasing demand for multi-modal biometric devices for both increased security and increased convenience. The Hamster Pro Duo/CL is a dual mode biometric device that delivers SecuGen's larger platen, high image quality fingerprint reader with a contactless smart card reader. Priced for affordability, the two readers are combined in a slim, attractive case and can be operated through a single USB connection.

"We are excited to bring this dual mode biometric device to market," stated Jeff Brown, Vice President Sales for SecuGen. "The Hamster Pro Duo/CL was developed in close collaboration with one of our partners. Over the years, we have worked more and more closely with our partners in defining the products we sell. We are very confident that a combination fingerprint and contactless smartcard device will find uses around the globe in today's rapidly expanding biometrics industry."

Won Lee, CEO of SecuGen added, "We are very pleased to be able to announce the availability of the Hamster Pro Duo/CL. We continue to listen to our partners to bring powerful, easy to use products to the marketplace. The Hamster Pro Duo/CL is a fruit of these efforts."

The new product is available immediately and will be showcased at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from January 6 - 9, 2015.

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.

SecuGen Corporation, 2065 Martin Avenue Suite 108, Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA; Tel 408-727-7787.

*PHOTO for media: send2press.com/mediaboom/14-1208-HamsterProDuoCL4373-300dpi.jpg .
*PHOTO Caption: Hamster Pro Duo/CL.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/secugen-releases-hamster-pro-duo-cl-combining-contactless-smart-card-and-fap-20-piv-fingerprint-readers-2014-12-1208-002.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. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

The Gold Rush May Not Be Over: Strike it Rich with Gold Strike Chili

Gold Strike Chili

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Dec. 8, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- JAF Industries recently launched a new and much anticipated entertainment chili product - Gold Strike Chili - a blend of premium ingredients that glistens like gold. "What makes our chili so different is not only the story behind the recipe, but its granular consistency which gives it a sparkly gold sheen when the light hits it," Ken Brown, president, JAF Industries, says. "It's not only delicious, but beautiful too."

Brown was first inspired to launch this recipe for success after learning of a great grandfather who was a gold prospector and mountain explorer. Legend has it that while he was mining for treasure, he came upon a mountain of spices and decided that spices were better than gold. After lots of testing and experimenting, he perfected a recipe and handed it down through the generations. At the same time Brown learned of this, his wife also inherited a family chili recipe dating back to the late 1800s. He knew this was a sign. He had to find a way to blend these two culinary legacies into one amazing product. He did.

Gold Strike Chili is made for just about anyone who enjoys this classic dish. It's made from the freshest premium chili peppers, and mixes together a blend of fresh oregano, cumin, ground peppercorns, sea salt and other natural ingredients that is truly worth its weight in gold. People can make it hot or make it mild. They can use meat or vegetables, make it subtle or sophisticated.

They can also use Gold Strike Chili to help raise money. For each box sold, 50 percent of the profit goes to the fundraiser, there are no minimum orders and people can set their own prices to maximize their fundraising goals.

"We knew we were onto something with Gold Strike Chili, but we had no idea how quickly and well it would be received," Brown says. "We've had so many people share their family recipes that we know we made the right decision in launching this delicious new product. Whether people buy for themselves or give as gifts, Gold Strike Chili is a hit."

Manufactured in Oklahoma City, Gold Strike Chili is all about bringing families back together at the dinner table.

"It's from our families to yours," Brown says.

To learn more, visit: http://www.goldstrikechili.com/ - or like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldStrikeChili .

Teaser video: http://youtu.be/xFUZfFfE3MA .

*PHOTO for media: send2press.com/mediaboom/14-1208-goldstrike-300dpi.jpg .
*Photo Caption: Front/back of Gold Strike Chili packaging.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/the-gold-rush-may-not-be-over-strike-it-rich-with-gold-strike-chili-2014-12-1208-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE JAF Industries :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Certain Strategic Data Services Aimed at US Businesses Represent $160 Billion Opportunity over Five Years, says Insight Research Corp.

market analysis report

DURANGO, Colo., Dec. 4, 2014 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Insight Research projects that the aggregate market for a key group of data services will grow two to three times the rate for basic transport services, representing more than a $160 billion opportunity for carriers over the next five years. With many voice and legacy data services declining, these high growth areas targeted to U.S. businesses include business broadband, IP VPNs, Ethernet, IP applications in the cloud, and hosting services.

Insight's newly-released market analysis report, "Strategic Data Services for US Businesses: IP VPNs, Ethernet, Cloud, and Hosting Services, 2014-2019" includes full segment details for U.S. wireline data services, including IP applications services in the cloud such as infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and software-as-a-service (SaaS).

In addition to the revenue forecasts for IP-VPNs and Ethernet market segments, unit forecasts are provided for various data port speeds, ranging from 1 Mbits per second to 10 Gbits per second.

"The groups of telecommunications services we've identified are fast becoming a growth engine for businesses of all types, and supplying these services to US businesses will give a shot in the arm to telecommunications suppliers," says Robert Rosenberg, President of Insight Research.

"These data applications are strategic in the sense that they are driving exponential traffic growth onto corporate networks and supplying advanced services such as IP applications in the cloud. Ethernet access to these cloud-based applications is the future, and service providers need to make the strategic choice to focus their investments and resources on this growth segment," Rosenberg concluded.

An excerpt of this market research report, table of contents, and ordering information are online at http://insight-corp.com/reports/wirelinedata14.asp .

The report is available immediately in electronic format (PDF) and can be ordered online. Visit our website at http://www.insight-corp.com or call 973-541-9600 for details.

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/certain-strategic-data-services-aimed-us-businesses-represent-160-billion-opportunity-over-five-years-insight-research-corp-2014-12-1204-001.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Insight Research Corporation :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2014 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.