Thursday, December 6, 2007

The Little Online Auction That Could . . .


Going once, going twice . . . SOLD! — LD


OnlineAuction.com has become the second largest online auction site in the United States. To celebrate and to help continue this growth, they've announced a new YouTube contest with a $5,000.00 Grand Prize.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Over the past weekend a small company in Grants Pass, Oregon has proven to be a real contender in the super-competitive online auction game. OnlineAuction.com (http://OLA.com) has come out of nowhere to emerge as the country's second largest online auction site ever, with more than 10,000,000 items currently listed. Wow!

This milestone has only been achieved before by mega-billion-dollar industry giant eBay.

Company spokesperson Valerie Fain says, "OnlineAuction.com owes its success to people across the country who are excited by fact that it's very inexpensive to sell items." At OLA.com there are different levels of membership, and for as little as $8 a month sellers may list as many items as they like with no worries of paying commissions. OLA's best value, the Founding Membership offers a free e-store, with a promise to the first million Founding Members that their membership rates will remain the same for life.

In the midst of this success, the company has announced a year-long contest guaranteed to push their numbers even higher. OnlineAuction.com is sponsoring a YouTube contest with a monthly prize of $100.00 for the best, most viewed video promoting OLA.com. And at year's end: A Grand Prize of $5,000 for one lucky winner! To learn more about this contest, go to OLA.com's home page and click on the YouTube icon.

As 'The Little Online Auction That Could', OnlineAuction.com is becoming a powerhouse in the online auction industry, and is picking up steam!

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE: OnlineAuction.com

Goodyear: Check Tread Before Driving Thru Snow


You do NOT seem like the winter type. Well, no, but in another life I wuz quite the icer. — LD
AKRON, Ohio -- Winter sports enthusiasts anticipate this time of year for the chance to ski, skate and sled, although motorists likely fail to share that enthusiasm.

For the largest tire company in North America, the objective remains to offer products to help drivers "Get There," whether they are heading out to tackle slick roads on their way to enjoying those winter sports, or simply trying to get to work or another necessary destination.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) suggests that one of the best ways to avoid slipping and sliding in a vehicle this winter is to improve the contact points between the vehicle and the road surface. For many motorists, that means selecting new tires with improved tread grip.

In severe winter areas, motorists may opt for a seasonal changeover that employs true winter tires to combat the expected ice and snow. For most, however, the choice may be a year-round tire that features an aggressive enough tread to handle the occasional sloppy winter days.

Goodyear's line of Ultra Grip severe winter weather tires, according to Bob Toth, general manager of auto tires, are engineered to perform in cold temperatures and provide grip in snow and slush. Additionally, Goodyear's tires featuring TripleTred Technology, while not winter-specific products, still carry many of the same winter performance characteristics.

The Assurance TripleTred tires for cars and minivans, and Fortera TripleTred tires for SUVs, are year-round products that don't have to be changed over on a seasonal basis. While they feature a Dry Traction Zone and a Wet Traction Zone for driving when the roads are clear or wet, they also have an Ice Zone, which translates into more gripping power on icy or snow- covered roads. This zone is enhanced by the use of fiberglass fibers and volcanic sand in the rubber, which help to present microscopic pores that act as traction elements.

"When making the decision between purpose-built winter tires versus more versatile all-season tires, consumers need to consider what level of winter they might face," said Toth. "Based on past experiences, do they feel their winter weather is moderate enough to choose an all-season tire, which offers the convenience of no seasonal tire changeovers, or will they face severe winter weather, in which case a true winter tire would be better?"

Whatever tire is chosen, Toth offers advice for motorists who will be faced with potential slippery driving conditions this winter:


* Match your driving speed to the current conditions. If conditions are challenging due to a slippery road surface or reduced visibility, decrease your speed. A slower driving speed allows more time for a necessary response.
* Additional factors to consider when adjusting speed are the condition of the vehicle, its tires and your driving abilities. Always keep in mind the posted speed limits, and understand that those limits indicate the maximum speed when weather conditions are good.
* Plan ahead and try to anticipate potentially dangerous situations. When approaching a curve or potentially slick area of the road, use the brakes effectively. Begin applying the brakes before a curve and on a straight section of the road. Sometimes, taking your foot off the accelerator and allowing the vehicle to naturally slow without using the brakes is best.
* Be alert to other vehicles. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. If someone else seems to be following too close to your vehicle, perhaps slow down to allow them to pass - rather than speeding up to achieve a distance between vehicles.
* If visibility is poor, remember to use your lights. This helps other drivers to see you when approaching or when following. You should always turn your lights on when your windshield wipers are operating.
* Set the vehicle interior to a comfortable temperature. This can be a challenge during winter when drivers and passengers may be wearing heavy coats in a vehicle, but it is imperative to be comfortable when driving. Comfort includes keeping the windows free of frost, ice and snow.
* Be as smooth as possible, avoiding sudden braking and steering responses. Always signal early when turning or stopping, in order to alert approaching or following drivers.
* Avoid overconfident driving, and avoid overestimating the vehicle's capability simply because it is equipped with anti-lock brakes, four-wheel drive, traction control, winter tires or other safety devices. Do not allow good judgment and smart driving to be overtaken by a false sense of security provided by vehicle technology.
* Before driving in inclement weather, be sure that your vehicle is properly maintained. Make sure your windshield wipers work properly; have the correct level of antifreeze for heating and defrosting the vehicle; keep plenty of gas in the tank; and always use required safety devices such as seatbelts.

"Preparation - of the vehicle and the driver - is the key for winter driving," said Toth. "When it comes to driving on the changing road conditions, ranging from dry, wet, icy and snowy, one of the most important factors to consider is the tires. It doesn't matter if it's a front-, rear- or four-wheel drive vehicle; it will perform better if the vehicle has good tires. For some, this means purpose-built winter tires. For most, all-season tires with plenty of new tread will do the job."

For more information about Goodyear's TripleTred tires, details about Goodyear, or to find the nearest Goodyear retailer, go to http://www.goodyeartires.com

Note To Editors: News releases and downloadable photos are available at Goodyear's media website, http://www.GoodyearNewsRoom.com

SOURCE: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Sheryl Crow Readies 'Detours'


“All I Wanna Do . . .” Is listen to Sheryl Crow? — LD

Grammy Winner Finishes Her New Studio Album

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow will release her sixth studio album, Detours, on February 5, 2008. The album marks the return of producer Bill Bottrell, who previously worked with Crow on her breakthrough debut album Tuesday Night Music Club, which earned the singer three Grammy Awards, and sold more than ten million copies worldwide.

"This is the most honest record I've ever made. It's about being forced to wake up," says Crow. Lyrically the album is the most politically and personally outspoken record of her career, addressing the current state of the world from different perspectives as well as some of the personal challenges she's faced over the last several years. The album, which in the end remains spiritually hopeful, retains the raw freshness of Bottrell's Tuesday Night Music Club-production and subtly pushes the boundaries of her previous work into new musical territories.

Track titles include "Shine Over Babylon" (currently available on iTunes, and the centerpiece of the album in Crow's opinion), "Love Is Free," the Arabic-tinged "Peace Be Upon Us," "Lullaby for Wyatt" (from Grace Is Gone, starring John Cusack) and the stark folky album opener "God Bless This Mess."

Sheryl can be seen performing tracks from Detours on CNN's "Heroes" on December 6th and on CBS' "A Home for the Holidays" on December 21st.

SOURCE: Interscope Records

Western Writers Add Best Western Song Category


Go Western, young man. Yee-haa. Giddy-up! — LD

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Western Writers of America, a guild of 600 professional writers of Western literature, has added Best Western Song as the newest category to the Spur Awards.

The Spur Awards, given annually for distinguished writing about the American West, are among the oldest and most prestigious in American literature. Spurs are awarded for novels, short stories, articles, juvenile books, poetry, nonfiction books and screenplays for dramas and documentaries.

"When one thinks of the great American West, one naturally hears great music," WWA President Cotton Smith says. "Memorable words and music that tell us of this special place in America's heart. That is an important part of the Western experience and WWA wanted to honor it -- with the creation of the Songwriting Spur Award."

To qualify for Best Western Song, the song must be released for the first time (in 2007) and available to the public with lyrics dependent in whole or in part on setting, characters, or customs indigenous to the American West or early frontier. A copy of the lyric sheet and medium must be submitted. Entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.

"It was an honor to serve on the team that created the rules for the Western Writers of America's Spur Award for songwriting," says Bobby Bridger, composer of A Ballad of the West. "Until now this genre of interpreting the history and culture of the American West has sadly been overlooked, and I am pleased the WWA has taken the first step to acknowledge the important contributions of balladeers and troubadours."

Winners and finalists will be announced in March and honored at the WWA convention, June 10-14, at the Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale, Ariz. Since 1953, Spur Awards have been given to writers such as Tony Hillerman, Larry McMurtry, Leon Metz and Elmer Kelton. Entries are open to WWA members and non-members. For further information contact Executive Director Paul Hutton, wwa@unm.edu or (505) 277-5234; http://www.westernwriters.org.

SOURCE: Western Writers of America, Inc.

Green Is the New Color of the Bottom Line


It isn’t easy being Green? Sure it is . . . & smart, too — LD

HARTFORD, Conn. -- "We believe design has enormous power and we are trying to use it to change the world," says Ian Yolles, Vice President of Brand Communications for Nau. "During Good And Green we will be sharing how the balance of beauty, performance and sustainability has driven everything we do as a company -- allowing us to not only generate a profit, but to contribute to positive, lasting and substantive change."

Yolles and other leaders in the fashion industry will show mainstream brands how to balance profitability and sustainability during Good And Green- The Green Marketing Conference, November 29-30, 2007, Chicago Cultural Center. Good And Green is designed to teach mainstream national marketers the techniques, benefits and bottom line impact of connecting with today's ecologically-concerned consumers through green marketing efforts.

Fashion has found success in blending "good-for-the-earth" business practices with state-of-the-art design and feels this way of doing business is key to a brand's current and future success. "We envision the eco movement as more than a trend. Eco has no "look" -- it is simply the way things should be done from now on," states Maria Intscher, Head Designer for Linda Loudermilk.

Good And Green attendees will have multiple opportunities to connect and learn from one another through solution-based workshops, drill-down discussion groups, insightful case studies and great networking events. A complete schedule and list of speakers is available at http://www.goodandgreen.biz.

Discovery Communications' Planet Green is the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of Good And Green with Title Sponsors Bank of America, The Natural Marketing Institute, The Daily Green and Body + Soul magazine and Associate Sponsors 1% For The Planet, NatureWorks and Ketchum Public Relations. Fast Company is the Media Sponsor, Getty Images is the Imagery Resource, Earthsense is the Breakfast Sponsor, Nestle Waters is the Bottled Water Sponsor and NativeEnergy is the Official Carbon Offset Sponsor.

Good And Green is produced by PME Enterprises, Hartford, CT. Please visit http://www.goodandgreen.biz or call 860.724.2649 x 14 for more details and to register.

Contact: Patti Minglin -- 630-209-2524 -- pminglin@comcast.net

SOURCE: PME Enterprises

American Legion/Avue Launch Jobs Web Site for Vets


What’s the deal? Just tryin’ to help my fellow Veterans. — LD

Site Promotes "More Jobs, Better Jobs"

WASHINGTON -- The American Legion and Avue Technologies launched a joint Web site, http://www.vetjobs.us, to substantially increase employment opportunities in the federal government for America's returning veterans. The American Legion is the nation's largest veterans service organization, and Avue is the leading private-sector provider of human capital management services for federal agencies.

The new site will be free to all users and will not contain advertising of any kind. In announcing the site, the Legion and Avue emphasized that the traditional focus of federal agencies on placement numbers, without regard to the long-term quality of the job opportunity, has resulted in inferior job placement and career tracks for many veterans.

For example, while veterans have represented between 30 to 37 percent of new federal government hires during the past five years, only 14 percent and 26 percent of them, respectively, are placed in the two highest-paid labor categories.

The fact that veterans disproportionately take entry-level jobs for low wages, despite high qualifications, often means they will spend their entire career economically disadvantaged.

"We view quality civilian job opportunities and career growth to be perhaps the most critical issue that faces the more than 250,000 veterans exiting the military each year, and we are very enthusiastic to offer a solution that we believe will result in not only more jobs, but better jobs for veterans," said Marty Conatser, national commander of The American Legion.

"Avue is the perfect partner for this project because Avue is not only the leading technology platform for information and outreach on federal jobs, it is also committed to supporting veterans, and its system is the only one that automatically ensures veterans preference is correctly applied in every hiring action," Conatser explained.

"We are pleased to be able to join with The American Legion to ensure that veterans receive the very best in information and advice to maximize long-term career growth, identify local opportunities, improve compensation, and help ease the transition from military to federal civil government employment," said Linda Brooks Rix, Co-CEO of Avue.

The new joint American Legion/Avue program can be visited on the Web at http://www.vetjobs.us. The Web site is expected to be one of many future partnering efforts on behalf of veterans between Avue and The American Legion.

The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. The Legion's 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

Learn more about The American Legion by visiting http://www.legion.org on the Web.

Founded in 1983, Avue Technologies is the recognized market leader and technology innovator in public sector management platforms (PS/MP). The company provides the public sector with integrated technology and service solutions that dramatically increase enterprise-wide visibility and management effectiveness, workforce productivity, and manager and worker satisfaction. Avue is a privately held company headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., with offices in Washington, D.C., and Victoria, B.C. Learn more about Avue Technologies at http://www.avuetech.com.

SOURCE: The American Legion

Friday, November 23, 2007

'iFly Hollywood' Launching Skydiving Wind Tunnel


I fly . . . There I am . . . gonna hit the ground! — LD

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Universal CityWalk takes extreme to a new level with the introduction of "iFly Hollywood," L.A.'s first ever indoor extreme sky-diving wind tunnel elevating "sky-divers" to new heights of up to 30 feet and suspending them mid-air at wind speeds of more than 125 miles-per-hour and affording them a 360-degree panoramic view of the landmark pedestrian promenade.

Housed in the world's tallest and most technologically advanced indoor vertical wind tunnel, "iFly Hollywood" breaks new ground as the only facility to be constructed out of one solid sheet of clear acrylic, adding a totally new open air dimension to the free-fall sport.

The "iFly Hollywood" experience replicates the extreme sport of sky-diving by employing two colossal electric fans, the equivalent of over 800 horse-power, to give guests of all ages an authentic and intense free-fall sensation.

Certified sky-diving instructors provide individualized training prior to each sky-diving adventure that focuses on safety and a series of hand signaling to communicate within the wind tunnel. Guests will don authentic sky-diving sports gear, sans parachute, and become acquainted with sequences of awesome aerial body maneuvers to elevate the sky-diving experience. Each "iFly Hollywood" flight session equates to one actual sky-diving jump. Participants are presented with a Certificate of Completion following their flight.

For additional information and details on pricing and special package options, visit http://www.iFlyHollywood.com. Information about Universal CityWalk can be found at http://www.CityWalkHollywood.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex; the Universal CityWalk Cinemas; and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue. Universal CityWalk features over 60 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options. Universal CityWalk Cinemas, offering the best movie-going experience in Los Angeles, features 19 screens including one of Southern California's largest IMAX(R) venues and newly renovated stadium-style seating. The theme park features such groundbreaking attractions as "Revenge of the Mummy(TM) -- The Ride," "Shrek 4-D(TM)," "Jurassic Park(R) -- The Ride," the world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of such landmark TV and movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds," and the upcoming Spring 2008 new mega-attraction based on the blockbuster hit movie and TV series, "The Simpsons."

Universal Studios Hollywood (http://www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com) is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios, a part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

SOURCE: Universal Studios Hollywood

CelebPoker Giving Away Free Sponsored Seats


Mamma don’t ’llow no card-playin’ in here! What Mamma don’t know, won’t hurt me. — LD

LONDON -- Finding fame and fortune playing
online poker has just got easier, as Celebpoker announced today they are to extend the Team Celebpoker promotion and offer additional free sponsored seats to major televised poker events through the world.

Since its humble beginning on the banks of the Mississippi, the popularity of poker has grown in leaps and bounds. Increasingly, poker players are seeking new, exciting challenges to win them hard cash and elevate them into the lofty world of poker showbiz. With that in mind, CelebPoker have extended the search for new Team CelebPoker members and are confident that this will provide online poker players with a fast-track ticket super-stardom.

Team CelebPoker, offers players the chance to compete and win sponsored places to many grand poker events - the highlight of which, being fully sponsored seats to the Monaco EPT Grand Final April 2008 and the WSOP Las Vegas in 2008. The Team CelebPoker promotion is another way in which CelebPoker can fulfil its commitment to turn the 'everyday poker player' into a super-star, and propel them into a life of fame and fortune.

Team CelebPoker has already proved to be a hotbed for poker talent. Indeed, it was this promotion that 'discovered' the poker 'whiz-kid' Tronde Eidsvig earlier this year. The Norwegian sensation is one of the best young tournament players in the world, winning the Masters of Classics in Amsterdam, Holland this month and a monster EUR620,000 prize, and prior to that, finishing 4th with EUR127,630 at the EPT Dublin, 5th in the EPT Barcelona Open with EUR250,800 and 3rd with GBP14,400 in the Scottish Poker Championships, Edinburgh. The 22 year old is developing into one of the most feared and respected players in the game, and CelebPoker hope their next search will unearth more 'legends in the making' who will go on to dominate the world of poker.

There are two simple ways to qualify for a spot on the Team. The first is a simple 'rake race,' where players generate as much rake as possible during a set online qualification period on their favourite poker game at CelebPoker, and through their results gain entry to the online final for the chance to win a FREE sponsored seat. The second is through any of the Multi-Table Tournament Satellites, running every minute of the day 24-7.

Here players have the chance to win tickets to all major, red hot poker events throughout the season for as little as EUR2 buy in, including the EPT, The WSOP, WPT and the Aussie Millions to name but a few.

As if that was not enough, the world's favorite celebrity poker room has also agreed to offer a staggering 30% poker rakeback to all players (terms and conditions apply) through their new official rakeback site RakeBackCelebPoker.com. CelebPoker operates on the Boss Media and IPN Poker Network, which has a reputation for hosting plenty of loose and juicy games with a 40 to 60 flop %, therefore this announcement is definitely going to please everyone, with Team CelebPoker set to attract both big and small players alike.

Even during the Wild West period in the US, poker players would descend on every saloon in the town to 'feast' on the fish win and 'clean up' the cash. Now, just as they did in the past, Celebpoker are hoping that the modern day poker-sharks will gather to swim in the Team CelebPoker pool...soon to find themselves swimming in deeper water and representing CelebPoker at the biggest events on the planet!

About CelebPoker.com: CelebPoker.com is an exciting, fully licensed and regulated online poker room, operating in 11 languages, dedicated to helping online poker players find fame and fortune by honing their skills on the site and providing them with the opportunity to become sponsored players at major live poker events. CelebPoker is unique in that it is committed to turning players from its online poker community into real live poker celebrities!

More information available at http://www.celebpoker.com

More About Team Celebpoker:

- The winners of Team CelebPoker receive exclusive, free sponsored seats to live poker tournament main events.

- Players who get to final table at main event win a free automatic entry to the next major live, televised poker tournament.

- Players who win a main event receive 1 years sponsorship to 5 EPT events of there choice.

- Players receive free merchandise and exclusive branded celebpoker clothing.

- Players are cared for by their own personal VIP manager.

Visit http://www.celebpoker.com to qualify.

About RakebackCelebPoker.com: CelebPoker calculates player rake based on the actual percentage of what players put in to the pot. CelebPoker also includes tournament fees in the Monthly Gross Revenue (MGR) but net rake and bonuses are NOT deducted.

Players must make a minimum contribution of US$100 in rake, per month, to qualify for the 30% rakeback bonus (a single month is considered to be the 1st of one month to the 1st of the next). For more questions regarding CelebPoker rakeback please contact info@celebpoker.com or contact Linda Donovan via MSN Instant Messenger: linda_donovan66@hotmail.co.uk

See http://www.rakebackcelebpoker.com for more details.

Contact: Julian Bewley
Tel: +44(0)1702-344700.
Web: http://www.celebpoker.com

SOURCE: CelebPoker.com

Monday, November 12, 2007

Country Music Star Sara Evans Hosts Online Auction


You pick the strangest stuff. It’s part of my charm. — LD

NEW YORK -- Country music superstar Sara Evans is playing an important role in combating eating disorders this year by serving as chair of the 3rd Annual Every BODY is Beautiful Online Auction, an exciting fundraising program currently underway by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

Open to the public, the online auction can be accessed by going to http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.cmarket.com. There are more than two hundred items to bid on, including tickets to an upcoming Sara Evans concert; priceless guitars autographed by musicians like Bucky Covington, Eric Clapton and James Brown; and lots of other memorabilia from Country Music Association award winners Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and others. The auction includes many great getaways, memorable dining experiences, art, clothing, jewelry, and much more. NEDA will be accepting bids for auction items through December 2, 2007.

Ms. Evans affiliated with NEDA last year as a means to promote both her interest in educating women about the importance of a positive body image and to generate awareness about eating disorders, which currently affect 10 million women and one million men every year in the U.S. She serves as a NEDA Ambassador, working tirelessly to help the organization with its education, research and advocacy efforts.

"I am committed to helping people with eating disorders," said Ms. Evans, who was named Top Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music and is a platinum-selling recording artist. "Too many young women fall victim to the idea that only thin is beautiful and end up with debilitating illnesses. I want people to know that eating disorders are preventable and curable, especially when treated in the early stages."

For more information on the NEDA auction, please visit http://www.NationalEatingDisorders.cmarket.com. If you have questions, email onlineauction@myneda.org or call NEDA's Development office at 206/382-3587 ext. 22. Sara Evan's website is http://www.saraevans.com.

SOURCE: National Eating Disorders Association

Stephen King Loves 'The Mist'


Stephen King? He’s the best! I’m a Dean Koontz man, myself. He came to my bachelor party. — LD

Horror writer sends a
chilling message to filmgoers


NEW YORK -- At a press conference today (Nov. 12 ) for the highly anticipated film ‘The Mist’ by Academy Award nominated director Frank Darabont ("The Green Mile," "The Shawshank Redemption"), Stephen King, whose novella the film is based on, gave his blessing of the film adaptation as well as sent out a chilling message to anyone who dares to give away the film's ending.

Stephen King stated, "Frank wrote a new ending that I loved. It is the most shocking ending ever and there should be a law passed stating that anybody who reveals the last 5 minutes of this film should be hung from their neck until dead."

About “The Mist”
David Drayton and his young son Billy are among a large group of terrified townspeople trapped in a local grocery store by a strange, otherworldly mist. David is the first to realize that there are things lurking in the mist...deadly, horrifying things...creatures not of this world. Survival depends on everybody in the store pulling together...but is that possible, given human nature? As reason crumbles in the face of fear and panic, David begins to wonder what terrifies him more: the monsters in the mist - or the ones inside the store, the human kind, the people that until now had been his friends and neighbors? In this legendary tale of terror from master storyteller Stephen King, the thin veneer of civilization is stripped away, the masks are discarded, and the true horror is revealed as us.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Newsweek – The Year That Made Us Who We Are


1968? Ancient history. Not so much. I wuz there. — LD

Newsweek Magazine Looks Back
at One of the Defining Years of the 1960s:
A Turbulent Period in American History


NEW YORK -- "There was at the end of 1968 an event that remains an inspirational symbol for the challenges ahead. For the Sixties were also the glory years of the American space program, and of astronauts such as Captain Jim Lovell," writes former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, in his forthcoming book, "BOOM! Voices of the Sixties," which is excerpted in the current issue of Newsweek. "The big goal was leaving Earth's atmosphere and landing on the moon, to keep the pledge President Kennedy had made at Rice University on September 12, 1962."

Brokaw writes that the three astronauts of Apollo 8 trained all year for the mission, which would have the spacecraft orbiting the moon on Christmas Eve, 1968. "When I met Lovell at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago-where he helped organize an elaborate exhibit commemorating the flight-I asked if the astronauts had been aware of all that was going on outside of NASA that year- the riots, the assassinations, the antiwar protests. 'We were all senior military people,' he said, 'and we were so intent on our project we put all of that aside. We did talk about the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, and we worried the cost of the war would eat into the space program.'"

"Lovell says that even though he wasn't paying too much attention, he thought the culture was disintegrating. 'My background,' he says, 'was more patriotic. Listening to your elders, taking direction, trying to be a leader. The hippie movement sort of soured me'," Brokaw writes.

The excerpt is part of the November 19 cover package, "1968: The Year That Made Us Who We Are" (on newsstands Monday, November 12). Senior Writer and Political Correspondent Jonathan Darman reports that while the 1968 election is four decades old, we're still rehashing that moment-that era-in the 2008 contest. Barack Obama was born in the 1960s, but is not of them. Such is the constant promise-I am not the '60s-of his presidential campaign-heartfelt, but ultimately hard to believe. Just look at the gray-haired '60s idealists inside the senator's own brain trust who see him as the fulfillment of 40 years' worth of hard work. John McCain is also the '60s. McCain knows what Obama should have learned by now: the '60s are impossible to escape. They will define the 2008 presidential election, just as they have defined American politics, and American culture, for the past 40 years, he writes.

Also in the cover package, Newsweek looks back at one of the defining years of the 1960s-1968-a turbulent period in American history:

* Editor-at-Large Evan Thomas writes that in a year of tumult, one five-day span in early spring 1968 was disorder distilled. Lyndon Johnson's presidency was collapsing. Robert Kennedy had openly announced his intention to reclaim the throne in the memory of his brother. The year culminated in the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
* Contributing Editor Ellis Cose's essay recounts the personal impetus" ... that shook my world, upended my life and turned me into a writer," from the July 1966 Chicago Riots to the April 1968 assassination of Dr. King.
* Senior Editor Jerry Adler writes that 1968 wasn't the only year that changed everything in America. Other years, like 1908-this was America's year of destiny-were equally significant and are jostling for starring roles in history.
* Science Columnist Sharon Begley writes that in the spring of 1968 the Beatles traveled to the Maharishi's ashram in northern India to mediate and brought Eastern worship back to the West, most markedly the practice of meditation. Now, some four decades later, meditation is widely accepted within the scientific community as a beneficial practice.
* Senior Editor Barbara Kantrowitz explores feminism and sexual politics of 1968 when women dumped symbols of female oppression-girdles, steno pads, and stilettos-into a "freedom trash can." Bras went in, too, but none were burned, in the midst of the infamous and symbolic protest staged outside the Miss America pageant. Kantrowitz examines where the fight stands now, talks with the lead protester and Miss America 1968.
* Senior Editor David Gates writes that although the times they were a changin', in the arts, only music kept pace. Despite all the potentially rich tension and upheaval, 1968 didn't produce much fiction, film or art worth remembering.

The package also includes a photo essay by photographer Nigel Parry featuring people who spoke out-and stood out-in the monumental events of
1968.

(Read complete cover story at http://www.Newsweek.com.)

http://www.newsweek.com/id/69637 - 1968: The Year That Everything Changed

http://www.newsweek.com/id/69585 - Tom Brokaw Book Excerpt

SOURCE: Newsweek

A Street Car Named 'Survivor' - in New Orleans


A streetcar named “Desire.” A news release named “PR.” — LD

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans' most venerable survivors -- the historic 1920 era double-ended green streetcars -- has once again rolled down the grassy esplanade on St. Charles Avenue into the heart of the world-famous Garden District on the oldest continually operating streetcar line in the world. The line reopened to Napoleon Avenue during a special ceremony at Napoleon Avenue and St. Charles Avenue on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. The entire line is expected to reopen in Spring 2008.

Out of commission for more than two years, the streetcar line suffered significant damage from Hurricane Katrina but the historic wood and steel streetcars escaped destruction because the antiquated car barn in which they are housed is on high ground. And there was a streetcar named Desire among the bunch -- "Desire" was the terminus of one of the routes, hence the name.

Recognized by The National Register of Historic Places and a favorite among tourists, founded in 1835, the line is part of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and to this day is a revenue-operating division of the city transit system for commuters, students and residents.

As significant as the streetcars are, St. Charles Avenue and The Garden District also are authentic American treasures. Known as the "Jewel of America's grand avenues," St. Charles Avenue is more than 200 years old and in 2007 was named the one of the ten great streets and neighborhoods in America by the American Planning Association.

The oak-lined St. Charles Avenue is an icon of Southern style and is the main artery into the Garden District -- home of Audubon Park, Loyola and Tulane Universities, historic cemeteries, churches, synagogues, schools and restaurants, and a neighborhood of extreme grandeur, graced by some of the most magnificent collections of antebellum Greek revival homes in the world.

This announcement is the latest in a series of milestones for New Orleans: cultural festivals are enjoying record-breaking attendance, airlines are adding new flights to Louis Armstrong International Airport and the French Quarter is cleaner than it has been in decades.

SOURCE: The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Harvard Law School Hosts Conference on Poker


Are you buyin’ this? I’m all in. — LD

Speakers Include World Champion Mike Sexton,
Author Jim McManus, Psychologist Alan Schoonmaker


CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Students and professors at Harvard Law are hosting a one-day academic conference Saturday examining the educational possibilities of using poker as a teaching tool, and several poker celebrities are expected to attend.

Harvard's Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society (GPSTS) announced the schedule for the conference, which is part of a continuing series at Harvard Law School that examines educational and academic aspects of poker.

The GPSTS has organized student poker societies at several major universities, including UCLA, Stanford, Harvard, and Michigan.

Titled "Innovative Thinking: The Educational Value of Poker," the conference will take place on Saturday, November 10th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Austin East lecture room of Harvard Law School's Austin Hall.

Press may register by email at globalpoker@gmail.com

Charles Nesson, the Harvard Law Professor and one of the founders of the GPSTS, said: "This conference underscores that poker is more than just a fun game. It is one of the best tools we have to teach negotiation, risk assessment, strategic thinking and other essential life skills."

"It is also a quintessentially American game that draws on the best traditions in our culture, mixing individualism and sociability, and placing a premium on smarts," Nesson continued. "Poker has real educational possibilities, which I look forward to examining in detail at the conference."

Andrew Woods, the Harvard Law student who is executive director of the GPSTS, said, "We are dedicated to three basic goals at GPSTS: forming local chapters at colleges and universities, presenting academic conferences that highlight the strategic thinking and policy implications inherent in poker, and exploring ways to use poker as a bona fide educational tool to teach life skills.

"We are delighted to have such notable speakers Jim McManus, Mike Sexton and Dr. Alan Schoonmaker join us on the 10th."

Conference Topics

-- Fun and Cool: How Educators Can Reach Students Through Poker – Mike Sexton
-- The History of Poker: How U.S. Luminaries Have Anted Up Throughout History, and Why Our Students Should Too - Jim McManus
-- Poker is Good for You: The Ability Of Poker To Teach Life Skills - Dr. Alan Schoonmaker
-- Tools for Education: Interactive Workshops: Introduction To Poker Literacy and Texas Hold'Em Beginners Workshop - Professor Charles Nesson and Andrew Woods
-- Focusing on Pedagogy: Developing An Effective Curriculum For Different Levels Of Education - Professor Charles Nesson and Andrew Woods

About GPSTS
The Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society views poker as an exceptional game of skill that can be used as a powerful teaching tool at all levels of academia and in secondary education. We use poker to teach strategic thinking, geopolitical analysis, risk assessment and money management. We see poker as a metaphor for skills of life, business, politics and international relations. Our goal is to create an open online curriculum centered on poker that will draw the brightest minds together, both from within and outside of the conventional university setting, to promote open education and Internet democracy.

SOURCE: Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society

Friday, November 9, 2007

Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff


Ewe sum kind-a fan-at-tic? Nah . . . jes' luv da Kettle . . . & da Bell! — LD

Cub Foods donates
$10,000 challenge gift


BLAINE, Minn -- If The Salvation Army's red kettles and ringing bells symbolize Christmastime, then it's official: The holiday season begins Thursday, Nov. 15 at Cub Foods in Blaine, located at 4205 Pheasant Ridge Drive (off I-35W and Lexington Avenue).

That's where The Salvation Army will hold its Kettle Kickoff celebration, a 12-hour fund-raiser themed "Make Big Change". The event runs from 6 a.m. -- 6 p.m. and will feature an eight-foot quarter that has seemingly crashed into the pavement, a 3,000-pound red kettle and free refreshments courtesy of Cub Foods, Old Dutch and Angie's Kettle Corn.

KOOL 108 FM will broadcast live at the event from 6 a.m. -- 12 p.m.

On-air personalities will encourage listeners to become volunteer bell ringers and to donate to The Salvation Army at Cub Foods' 56 Twin Cities Metro area locations, the only places in which red kettles will be set up for the day. The kettle campaign gets underway at all other Twin Cities locations on Friday, Nov. 16 and runs through Dec. 24.

Cub Foods will match contributions up to $10,000 through its Cub Cares Community Foundation, which focuses on hunger relief and youth education.

A Kettle Kickoff ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. with guest speakers Greg Page, CEO of Cargill Inc., and Steve Irland, Cub Foods VP of marketing and advertising.

The Salvation Army is proud to partner with Cub Foods. Last year The Salvation Army raised $865,000 in kettle donations at Cub Foods storefronts.

The Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people in the Twin Cities. Donations can be made by mailing a check to 2445 Prior Ave, Roseville, MN 55113, online at http://www.thesalarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

SOURCE: The Salvation Army

Thebloogle.com - Blogging & Information Portal


So, you blog . . . I blog, therefore I am. — LD

NOVI, Mich. -- News, views, how-to's and more . . . that's what you'll find at thebloogle.com, a new blogging and information portal.

While there are thousands of blogs on the Internet, entrepreneur Nipa Shah believes the new venture will fill a definite need.

"Blogs that are focused on a particular topic or expertise are quite common. But there are fewer sites where you can find topics of all interests and even fewer that are user-friendly, informational and interesting," said Nipa Shah, president of the online marketing and web site development company Jenesys Group, LLC in Novi, Mich. "This portal will be different. Our goal is to provide a blogging experience that will attract and engage readers and writers alike."

The 14 categories on thebloogle.com range from Books, Films & More, where readers may find book or film reviews, to Dollars & Sense, where authors share financial know-how. Other categories include: Getting Down to Business, Health & Wellness, Kindergarten to College, On the Town, Hobbies & How To, Globally Speaking, Family & Friends, A Higher Power, Sports & Fitness, By Air Land & Sea, Pets and The Tech Place.

Shah, an Internet marketing expert who loves reading, writing and sharing knowledge, added that she is providing a medium for writers and subject matter experts to share their expertise with a global audience. She has teamed up with writer and editor Sue Voyles, president of Logos Communications, Inc. in Canton, Mich., who shares her enthusiasm for sharing information.

"We are confident that readers will find a blog that intrigues, informs or inspires them," said Voyles.

Shah added: "I have a vision to create several portals to meet various needs of online users. It has always been my goal to facilitate knowledge sharing and thebloogle.com was a natural project to help me meet that goal."

Writers and other subject matter experts are invited to contribute articles to thebloogle.com. Simply visit http://www.thebloogle.com to learn more.

About Jenesys Group, LLC
Jenesys Group, LLC (http://www.jenesysgroup.com) is a full-service online marketing and web site design, development, and maintenance company delivering web solutions to companies across the globe. The company's clients include lawyers, marketing companies, other web site development companies, radio show hosts, hardware and software retailers, and many other companies in diverse market segments.

About Logos Communications, Inc.
Logos Communications, Inc. (http://www.logos-communications.com) is a full-service public relations and marketing firm serving a wide range of small to medium-sized businesses. It provides ongoing counsel to the 20,000 member Michigan Business and Professional Association and is Best Practices Certified(TM) through the Management Impact Institute.
Contact: Sue Voyles (734) 667-2005
-or- Nipa Shah (248) 470-6299

SOURCE: Jenesys Group, LLC

Give Creative Gifts This Holiday Season


And here I thought you had some degree of sophistication? Well, no. Not at all. I like gifts, you know, like fun stuff. — LD

Tips from a Chicago shopping expert
for gift ideas that are fun to shop for
and fun to receive


CHICAGO -- Don't let holiday shopping become just another item on your to-do list this holiday season. It's easy to start holiday shopping the intention of giving a unique gift, but wind up grabbing whatever is easiest as many stores overflow with uninspired choices. The lines, packed parking lots, crowds and unchanging merchandise
all promote stale gift giving.

The answer? Funky, neighborhood boutiques.

Local boutiques tucked away in quaint, character-filled neighborhoods make holiday shopping more creative and fun for both the shopper and the gift recipient. The boutiques cannot compete with larger stores with mas merchandise, so they typically carry handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, unique items. There is a story behind their products: whether it is the store owner's passion for her goods; the up-and-coming designer that was given his first opportunity to showcase his product at a local shop; or the extra-special packaging boutiques offer.

Urban Shop Guide, a Chicago shopping tour operator, helps small groups explore the blossoming neighborhood boutique scene. Julie Cameron, the founder, offers some tips to navigate the small shops for an efficient, but enjoyable holiday gift-giving experience.

Most cities have one or more of neighborhoods where the boutique assortment is best. Driving to one-off stores can be cumbersome with holiday traffic, but these neighborhoods allow you to grab your list, park the car and wander only a few short blocks.

Some tips to get started for a unique day of shopping include:

Do your homework. Searching websites such as dailycandy.com and luckymag.com are good sources to find the general area in a city where most of the best boutiques are located.

Shop during the weekday if possible. While you won't typically run into mall-sized crowds in these areas, weekdays after work are great times to shop. Most boutiques are open until 7 or 8 pm during the holiday season, and with no big budget to promote their holiday hours, there is even more opportunity for personal attention.

Meet the shop owners. Everyone wants to be a "regular" whether it is a shop, a restaurant or a bar. When you find your favorite store, introduce
yourself to the owner and take time to learn about the boutique. Most boutiques frequently have events for their best shoppers offering as much as 20% off their merchandise, as well as fun social events where you can relax with some wine and learn more about the products.

Explore the neighborhood beyond shopping. If you're going to make a day of it, plan some other aspects into your itinerary -- four or more hours is too long of a time for just shopping. The neighborhoods allow for a fun lunch at a cool new spot, some time in a park or other landmark that you don't often see, great people watching and socializing, and architecture and historical delights that you won't find in most shopping venues.

Know the return policies. Lastly, while many boutiques have more restrictions on their return policy than larger-format stores, most are willing to offer an exchange for a new size or other item. If the boutique was a place where you thought of your friend or family member for a gift,
most likely they will love the store as much as you did and be happy they had a new reason to shop there.

About Urban Shop Guide:
Urban Shop Guide (http://www.urbanshopguide.com) is a Chicago-based privately held corporation founded by Julie Cameron, a 15-year retail industry veteran. Urban Shop Guide offers guided, customized shopping tours of Chicago's trendy neighborhoods, providing visitors access to small boutiques and the essence of Chicago shopping.

SOURCE: Urban Shop Guide

NASA Wants Students to Share Their Ideas


I knew it! You are a Trekkie! Live long, and be preposterous. — LD

WASHINGTON -- NASA's commitment to promoting science and technology has the agency looking to students to share their thoughts on how NASA technology impacts their lives. NASA's 50th anniversary essay competition for middle and junior high school students during the 2007-2008 school year will close in early January 2008.

The agency will use the essay contest to inspire and encourage students to continue their studies in science, technology, engineering and math.

Through hands-on, interactive educational activities, NASA is engaging students, educators, families and the general public to increase America's science and technology literacy.

The competition consists of two topics with each essay limited to 500 words. The first topic challenges students to describe benefits in their everyday lives from technologies built by NASA during the last 50 years.

The second topic challenges students to imagine how their everyday lives 50 years from now may benefit from NASA's future technologies.

U.S. students enrolled in an accredited middle school, junior high school or home school are eligible to enter the competition for prizes.

Non-U.S. citizens and students in international locations also may enter. NASA will award trophies and certificates to each winner, regardless of
citizenship. A teacher, parent, guardian or other adult mentor associated with the student's education must sponsor each entry.

For additional information and contest rules and requirements, visit:

www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/F_Essay_Competition.html

SOURCE: NASA

Entrepreneur Woman Behind Upscale Magazine


Are you some kind-a Feminist? I have three daughters, female grand-kids, a great wife and a Mom without compare . . . That it, folks! — LD

ACUSHNET, Mass. -- Celebrating yet another year of success, Upscale Living Magazine climbs the ladder to the top. "The magazine business is indeed a challenge to be in," Alina Cabral, Publisher of Upscale Living Magazine states. "However, when you have a passion and the vision to make your dream a success, there is no stopping!"

"We came out with a unique publication that caters to the affluent communities in New England and Florida; and right now, we have subscribers and distribution as far as Georgia, Washington State and California. We are driven by our faith and passion and we are focused on making Upscale Living
Magazine the publication that brings solutions to those who entrust their advertising dollars with us." Alina goes on by saying, "There is nothing more pleasing to me than hearing one of our customers tell us that we've made a difference in their lives. That nothing has worked for them in the past until we came along. That is the best feeling, after motherhood of course, that anyone in my type of business can have."

Coming from a once successful and well-to-do family, Alina Cabral was born and raised in Havana, Cuba until she was 14 years old. Her family, loosing it all to Castro's regime, moved to Spain and then later established themselves in the United States. "Although I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, my mother always instilled her good taste in me, while teaching me the importance of staying real and not loosing my focus
in life." Now all grown up with two teenagers of her own, two step children, a dog and a loving and supportive husband, Alina finds herself on a road to success.

"I always tell my clients and prospective clients that my job is not done until I achieve their success, because without them succeeding, I am just another magazine struggling to make it to the top. Customer satisfaction is my number one priority, whether my customers are my readers or my advertisers. If I don't deliver good news to keep my readers wanting more, then I am not a success; and, if I don't bring you business, then I haven't done my job."

With Alina it's all simple: Upscale Living Magazine has been her passion for exactly three years this December and her passion has been the tool to drive new customers to her advertisers; bringing much success to everyone involved. "What can I say!, There will be bumps in the road and mountains to climb, but rest assured that Upscale Living Magazine is driven by the right set of people whose craving and passion is to make a difference in the world. With that, we will raise our glasses to heaven and Thank the Lord and everyone involved for giving us the opportunity to make a difference in their lives. After all, Upscale Living Magazine is not only our magazine, but Your magazine as well."

If interested in purchasing a copy of Upscale Living magazine, please visit the following vendors: Borders in Chestnut Hill Atrium Mall, MA; Roche Bros. Supermarket in Sudbury and Canton locations; Desivolte Boutique in Cambridge, MA; IGA Supermarket in Rockport, MA; Dave's Marketplace in
East Greenwich and Wickford, RI; Eastside Marketplace in East Providence; and starting December, Upscale Living Magazine will be available for purchase at Barnes & Nobles stores nationwide. We also provide the ability to purchase single copies or yearly subscriptions through our website at http://www.upscalelivingmag.com.

Press Release Contact Information:
Alina Cabral, Publisher
ADMS Publishing Group, LLC
508-763-0055
publisher@upscalelivingmag.com

SOURCE: ADMS Publishing Group, LLC

World War I Museum Ends 1st Year With a Bang


You some kind-a warmonger? No, but I respect Veterans who gave it all – for whatever reason . . . lest we forget. — LD

Rare, battle-scarred French tank from WWI
acquired for Museum collection,
nine decades after its last battle


KANSAS CITY, Mo -- After nearly a year of success beyond expectations, the National World War I Museum at Kansas City's Liberty Memorial has topped off the year with the acquisition of a rare jewel for its collection -- a battle-scarred WWI tank.

"To find such a rare artifact intact except for its actual battle damage, 90 years after it was built, gives us a great deal to celebrate on our upcoming first anniversary," said Brian Alexander, who was recently appointed as the Museum's new President/CEO, "especially considering that we made the acquisition as Armistice Day approaches."

The French-made Renault FT-17 tank, which still bears its camouflage markings and a huge hole left by German artillery, fills a key gap in the Museum's world-class collection of WWI weapons, uniforms, writings and other objects. A tank was the only major historically significant exhibit that has eluded the Museum since its organizers began collecting artifacts in 1920.

Renault FT-17 light tanks first saw battle in 1918. American tank forces used the French-made Renaults -- possibly including the one obtained by the Museum.

"What makes this the perfect tank for our collection is that it will be an important tool for interpreting World War I," said Doran Cart, Museum Curator. "You can see the original camouflage paint and the registration numbers that identified the tank. With those markings we have a good chance to learn about its exact battle history. We can't wait to do in-depth research into its history."

The tank was obtained in 1920 by an American from the French government and was on display in San Francisco for several years. The tank was eventually obtained by Hayes Otoupalik of Missoula, Montana, from whom the Museum purchased it for $225,000. The Museum must still raise an additional $175,000 to complete the acquisition.

An anonymous donor gave $125,000 for the down payment. The additional $175,000 that must be raised will cover the remaining cost of the tank, its transportation and for exhibit installation.

"The acquisition of this tank was a once-in-a-generation opportunity -- maybe our last chance. The Museum purchased it with only a portion of funding in hand," explains Eli Paul, Museum Director. "We have confidence that with the proven success of the new museum -- and the importance of this tank -- our patrons will come forward to help make this acquisition a reality."

Donations of any amount are welcome and are tax deductible. Checks can be made payable to the Liberty Memorial Association and mailed to PO Box 411475, Kansas City, MO 64141-1475.

Officially designated the National WWI Museum by the 108th Congress, the 50,000-square-foot core Museum exhibit and companion research center and archives are housed directly beneath the historic Liberty Memorial. The 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower and two exhibit halls were built by the citizens of Kansas City and dedicated, in 1926, by President Calvin Coolidge.

Museum information is available at http://www.nwwone.org or (816) 784-1918.

SOURCE: National World War 1 Museum

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Drink Yourself Beautiful? Gulp, Gulp . . .


I thought beauty was in the eye of the be-holder? In this case, it's the cup-holder. — LD

Hot New Tea Line is Changing
the Beauty Biz, Sip by Sip


BOSTON -- Beauty junkies and tea-lovers, get ready. Now you can enjoy a cuppa and get gorgeous at the same time! The secret? It's called Sipping Beauty, a new line of specialty teas guaranteed to add a brand new flavor to the business of looking good.

Created and distributed by Boston-based Maswel Brands, Sipping Beauty is the first product line to deliver beauty aids in the form of a tea. The result is a completely new concept in both the beverage and beauty markets - a delicious high-quality tea that does double duty by delivering beauty benefits, making you look better with every sip.

"With consumers demanding more and more sophisticated specialty beverages, the idea of beauty treatments people can actually drink is a really exciting concept," explains Claudia Starkey, designer of the SIPPING BEAUTY brand. "We're excited to be able to offer beauty-conscious consumers what has to be the easiest way ever to look great and enjoy it too."

Sipping Beauty gives tea lovers a choice of six delicious flavors to enjoy hot or iced, each targeted to a specific beauty need. Chocolaty, minty Forever Young contains antioxidants to keep skin youthful.

Weightless, flavored with papaya and pineapple, has the weight reducing benefits of green tea. Whiff's blend of spearmint and peppermint keeps sippers' breath fresh, while herbal Puritea is like detox in a cup. Fruity Multi-Beautimin is packed with skin-renewing Vitamin C, and finally, chamomile and licorice-packed Beauty Sleep lulls sippers to dreamland for a restful night's sleep.

More than just a drink or a beauty treatment, Sipping Beauty also offers sippers a whole new beauty lifestyle with a newsletter, The Sip and
the interactive Doll Club. Plus, our upcoming beauty ParTeas will turn the Sipping Beauty experience into bona-fide social events, where glamour gals gather to share sips and tips. To put it simply, tea has never been so hot.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit our websites at http://www.sippingbeauty.net and http://www.maswelbrands.com.

Images to accompany this story can be found at:
http://www.sippingbeauty.net/ekit.htm

For more information contact:
Claudia Starkey
Phone: 617-905-3843
Fax: 617-977-0185
Email: media@sippingbeauty.net

SOURCE: Sipping Beauty

The Biggest Men's Underwear!


Boxer or briefs? For some reason, I don’t want to know. — LD

Australia's Favourite Underwear Company
Breaks the Guinness Book of World Record


SYDNEY, Australia -- In an effort to secure a position in the Guinness World Records book, aussieBum will unveil what is believed to be the "World's Largest pair of men's underwear."

Measuring in at 15.5 metres wide and 11 metres high, with a waist circumference of 32 metres, the mammoth pair of undies is the size of the front of a three-story building. It includes 300 metres of fabric, 500 metres of wide-width elastic, 5000 metres of cotton and a 1.5 x 6 metre logo. The giant underpants weigh a whopping 180 kg.

The aussieBum World's Biggest Undies have been built with the help of aussieBum's long term business partner, Italian firm Eurojersey, a major name in the international textiles industry. Eurojersey put its faith into the project by generously donating 300 metres of Sensitive(R) fabric. The incredibly soft, light and easy-to-handle nature of the Sensitive(R) fabric helped aussieBum achieve this challenge.

Visit the following links to view some behind-the-scenes footage of the production of the undies:

(youtube version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GbOfLka_IE

(High res version)
aussiebumvideo.com/rss/forcedownload.php?file=promo1_bigundies_aussiebum.mov

The underwear will be unveiled in the world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens, overlooking the Sydney Harbour, with the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop.

Date: Thursday, November 8 - Guinness World Records Day!

Time: 10.00am sharp

SOURCE: aussieBum

Ghirardelli Raises the Dark Chocolate Bar


Sounds like they’ve gone over to the dark side whoosh, whoosh "Luke, I am your chocolate." whoosh, whoosh — LD

SAN FRANCISCO -- America's obsession with premium dark chocolate is intensifying, a trend marked by rising sales and an appreciation for richer, darker and more sophisticated flavors. To satisfy the cultured palates of dark chocolate enthusiasts, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is announcing the addition of three new flavors -- Midnight Reverie(TM), Evening Dream(TM) and Mint Bliss(TM) -- to its popular Intense Dark product line launched in 2006.

Ghirardelli is a leader in premium dark chocolate that has been changing the category landscape with its strong innovation. In 2006, the top four premium chocolate bars launched were the four new Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Bars. Confectioner magazine awarded Ghirardelli the Gold Medal for being the Premium Chocolate Bars Category Driver this year.

Ghirardelli will expand the Intense Dark line this year to meet growing demand for more flavors.

Dark chocolate lovers nationwide are indulging themselves at a record pace. The category has grown 49 percent from 2003 to 2006, with sales reaching nearly $1.2 billion last year, according to Mintel research.

Mintel projects continued growth of dark chocolate in the coming years and Ghirardelli is leading the way with its delectable variety of flavors.

Each named for a distinct and pleasurable everyday moment, Intense Dark Chocolate Bars are available in a range of flavors, sizes and cacao percentages. Ghirardelli is launching Midnight Reverie, an 86 percent cacao bar, one of the highest cacao content bars widely available nationwide, and earlier this year expanded the line to include 4.87-ounce bags with individual bite-sized pieces.

"As chocolate lovers' tastes for dark chocolate become more developed, Ghirardelli will continue to create new flavors to satisfy and intrigue their more sophisticated palates," said Fabrizio Parini, senior vice president of marketing for Ghirardelli. "The expansion of the Intense Dark line will provide a complete range of high cacao percentage dark chocolate products from the milder, more rounded 60% Evening Dream to the ultimately intense 86% Midnight Reverie."

New products in the Intense Dark Gourmet Chocolate Line for 2007 and 2008
Each Intense Dark Chocolate Bar is named after a distinct and pleasurable everyday moment. The three new flavors that will be available nationwide:

-- Midnight Reverie (86 percent cacao) -- Savor the ultimate in chocolate intensity with this 86 percent cacao dark chocolate. The deep, full bodied flavor is noticeable upfront and evenly throughout with hints of dark cherries, dried plums and a roasted flavor from the high cacaocontent. The supremely smooth texture has a fine, crisp snap with overall round, warm chocolate notes that linger for a lasting, enchanting finish.
-- Evening Dream (60 percent cacao) -- Embark on a sweet escape and let your worries float away with the impeccably matched balance of 60 percent cacao dark chocolate blended with prized Madagascan vanilla, a variety specially sourced to complement the chocolate's distinctive flavor profile. The light, floral notes of the vanilla enhance the vibrancy of the creamy dark chocolate, mellowing the flavors and creating exquisite harmony.
-- Mint Bliss (60 percent cacao) -- Close your eyes and rejuvenate with luxurious 60 percent cacao dark chocolate infused with the essence of natural mint. The crisp, clean and zesty flavor of fresh mint adds sparkling contrast to the smooth and seductive dark chocolate to awaken the senses.

The suggested price for Midnight Reverie, Evening Dream and Mint Bliss bars is $2.99. Mint Bliss is currently available in bars nationwide, and also in 4.87-ounce bags with individually wrapped bite-sized pieces.

Evening Dream is available now with limited distribution and Midnight Reverie bars will debut in January 2008. Intense Dark Chocolate Bars in the original Twilight Delight(TM), Citrus Sunset(TM), Toffee Interlude(TM) and Espresso Escape(TM) flavors are available in Ghirardelli retail shops, specialty stores, local grocery stores and drug stores. Twilight Delight, Espresso Escape and Mint Bliss are also available in 4.87-ounce bags with a suggested retail price of $3.99 each.

For pairing information, tasting notes and to find out your chocolate personality, visit http://www.savorchocolate.com.

About The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products. Incorporated in 1852, Ghirardelli has an incredibly rich American history. As the country's longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, Ghirardelli has established its position as America's Premium Chocolate Company with more than 150 years of chocolate making experience. Ghirardelli's product line includes its signature Squares(TM) chocolate, Intense Dark(TM) chocolate, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages. These items are sold through select specialty stores, grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and department stores. In addition, Ghirardelli sells a line
of premium chocolate, syrups and drinks for the Food Service channel.

Ghirardelli currently owns and operates 11 retail stores in four states, including the original Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop located in San Francisco's historic Ghirardelli Square. For more information about Ghirardelli, visit http://www.ghirardelli.com.

SOURCE: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

Kids: 'Why Should Your Parent Be President?'


Kids asking Chelsea about Hillary? I kid you not. — LD

Scholastic Kid Reporters to interview
children of presidential candidates


NEW YORK -- Today, one year from Election Day 2008, Scholastic News(R), America's leading news source for kids, announced the 84 members of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps (listed below), a team of student reporters ages 10-14, who are covering the race to the White House from their hometowns across the country. The students'articles and interviews will appear on the Scholastic News Election 2008 Web site http://www.scholastic.com/election2008, complementing the robust in-print election coverage in classroom magazines Scholastic News(R) (for students in grades 1- 6) and Junior Scholastic(R) (grades 6-8).

Wearing red polo shirts and armed with their microphones and trusty notebooks, Scholastic Kid Reporters will interview presidential candidates and political experts throughout the election year and will cover the debates, caucuses and primaries in key states including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, California and Florida. They will also report on the Democratic and Republican Conventions, Election Day and the presidential inauguration.

For their first major assignment, Scholastic Kid Reporters will interview the children of presidential candidates and find out why they think their dad- or mom-should be the next President of the United States.

"In addition to reporting from Scholastic's award-winning team of editors, the Scholastic Kids Press Corps will offer a first-person, youthful perspective to help raise students' interest in politics, current events and the electoral process. Our hope is that our readers - tomorrow's voters - will gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and will become engaged, well-informed citizens," said Rebecca Bondor, Editor in Chief, Scholastic Classroom Magazines. "Congratulations to our newest Kid Reporters and good luck on the campaign trail."

Parents, teachers and students can also look for occasional appearances by the Scholastic Kids Press Corps on NBC News programs and at MSNBC.com as part of a partnership between Scholastic News and NBC News to report on the 2008 Presidential Election.

To apply to the Scholastic Kids Press Corps Program, students were asked to submit a writing sample and to describe their interest in journalism and in the election. Besides their valuable on-site reporting experience, Scholastic Kid Reporters receive training in the principles of journalism and are put through a rigorous editing process by Scholastic News Online Editor Suzanne Freeman.

The Scholastic Kids Press Corps for 2007-2008 (Some of these reporters also covered the 2004 election, as indicated by *.)

Iowa:
Madeline Bowman, Davenport, IA
Adam Dada, Davenport, IA
Michal Porubcin, Davenport, IA
Lolly Talleen, Davenport, IA
Sydney Rieckhoff, Cedar Rapids, IA
Michael, Geheren, Huntley, IA
*London Ball, Des Moines, IA
Autumn Daniel, Des Moines, IA
Ronny DeMoss, Des Moines, IA
Devin Harter, Des Moines, IA
Marilyn Lo, Des Moines, IA
Coltin Martin, Des Moines, IA
Remy Nanthanorath, Des Moines, IA
Hailey Rice, Des Moines, IA
Austin Zanatta, Des Moines, IA

New Hampshire:
Molly Henry, Concord, NH
Hana Knowles, Concord, NH
Robert Law, Concord, NH
Victoria Pendak, Concord, NH
*Molly Wienberg, Concord, NH
*Chloe Conway, Manchester, NH
*Elizabeth Conway, Manchester, NH

South Carolina:
*John Dixon, Columbia, SC

California:
*Gabriella Casteneda, Sacramento, CA
Rachel Tucker, Culver City, CA
Allison Tam, Cupertino, CA
Abi Robinson, Dixon, CA
Mariam El Hasan, Laguna Niguel, CA
Katie Lyness, Pleasanton, CA
Eileen Iniguez, Sylmar, CA

Florida:
Jimmy Pitenis, Daytona Beach, FL
Charlotte Samson, Clearwater, FL
Shelby Fallin, Lakeland, FL
Juliette Johnson, Margate, FL
Michael Riordan, Panama City, FL
Jacqueline Parker, Tampa, FL


New York:
Alexandria Coffey, Sleepy Hollow, NY
Sean Coffey, Sleepy Hollow, NY
Samantha Group, New York, NY
Emma Hulbregste, New York, NY
Juliette Kessler, New York, NY
Jamie Sanders, New York, NY
Emmet Smith, New York, NY
Ethan White, Lewiston, NY
Shannon Kaupp, Pittsford, NY
Joe McIntyre, Randolph, NY
Jacqueline Minogue, Southhampton, NY
Michael Carboni, West Islip, NY

Kid Reporters from other states include:
Mackenzie Korbus, Colorado Springs, CO
Ashlyn Stewart, Salida, CO
Jack Greenberg, West Haven, CT
Gabrielle Aiardo, Orange CT
Cassie Madigan, Orange CT
Caitlin Wardlow, Stratford, CT
Gabbyliz Machado, Chicago, IL
Rudy Marschke, Chicago, IL
Joe Wlos, Chicago, IL
Allie Sakowicz, Park Ridge, IL
Carly Rodgers, Alexandria, LA
Taylor Keaton, White Plains, MD
Maeve Hammond, Battle Creek, MI
Kayla Gough, Canton, MI
Addie Backhus, Minneapolis, MN
Daysha Patterson, St. Paul, MN
Demarian Williams, Steele, MO
Jacob Schroeder, Albuquerque, NM
Matthew Smith, Collingswood, NJ
Kajal A. Jani, Fair Lawn, NJ
Danielle Azzolina, Lincroft, NJ
Hayley Livingston, South Orange, NJ
Jacob Wiseneck, West Orange, NJ
Kyle Nowak, Las Vegas, NV
Shelby Payne, Cushing, OK
Grace Choi, Portland, OR
Tess Foriesteri, New Tripoli, PA
John Foran, Philadelphia, PA
Aaron Broder, Memphis, TN
Michelle Sheena, Houston, TX
Lya Ferrerya, Fairfax, VA
Blake Murphy, Fairfax Station, VA
Danny Murphy, Fairfax Station, VA
Michael Murphy, Fairfax Station, VA
Madison Hartke-Weber, Washington, DC

About Scholastic Classroom Magazines
Scholastic is the largest publisher of educational magazines with 32 publications for grades PreK-12, reaching over 25 million students and teachers across the country. Teachers rely on these publications to enhance instruction in such subjects as science, reading and language arts, math, social studies, current events, history, geography, world languages, and art. Scholastic News Online (http://www.scholastic.com/news), the magazines' online companion, gives teachers, students and parents an additional resource with which to learn about and discuss current events in the classroom and at home.

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (Nasdaq: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school- based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, http://www.scholastic.com.

SOURCE: Scholastic Corporation

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Brad Paisley Visits Wounded Soldiers


I hear you once hugged a USO girl in the airport. U SO right. Big hug, too. — LD

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Today, country music singer/songwriter Brad Paisley accompanied the USO on a visit with wounded troops at the Brooke Army Medical Center's Burn Unit in San Antonio, the U.S. Department of Defense's premiere burn center. During the trip, Paisley walked from room to room shaking hands with service members, listening to stories, signing autographs and expressing his heartfelt thanks for their service. Paisley also provided service men and women with free tickets to his concert tonight at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

Touched by their dedication and selflessness, Paisley gave an impromptu concert in early August to more than 35,000 soldiers and their family members at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Proclaimed by Paisley as his most important concert of the year, the event detoured his Bonfires & Amplifiers 80-city tour and included performances by Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift.

For his efforts in support of U.S. troops, Paisley received a special plaque signed by U.S. Army Major General Jeffrey J. Schloesser.

"Today's USO visit was surreal," says Paisley. "Sitting with service members that have been through so much and hearing their stories is something I'll never forget. To them I am just a country music singer, but to me they're my heroes, and I wish them all a speedy recovery."

Paisley's most recent #1 hit, "Online," became his 9th chart-topper in a short 15 weeks, tying his own record for quickest trip to #1 which he set when his single "He Didn't Have To Be" became his first hit in December 1999. Among artists who landed #1 songs since that time, Paisley leads the list with nine. He has sold more than 10 million albums since his 1999 debut. Paisley tied with George Strait for the most CMA Awards nominations this year with five including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album (5th Gear), Single ("Ticks") and Video ("Online"). The 41st Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville Nov. 7 on ABC.

In times of peace and war, the USO has consistently delivered its special brand of entertainment and comfort to service men and women serving around the world. In 2006, the USO staged 328 special entertainment events, to include music concerts, autograph signings, hospital visits and movie screenings.

AT&T, Inc. is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours. For a list of recent and upcoming USO tours, visit http://www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/. To learn more about the USO or to find out how to support the troops, visit http://www.uso.org.

About the USO
For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., S & K Sales Co., TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO.

For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org.

SOURCE: USO

General Motors: Self-Driving Robotic Cars


Somethin’ tells me you aren’t goin’ ta like dis. Yer right. I want to drive on my own. No “bots” please! — LD

NEW YORK -- You get in your car, turn on the navigation system and then type in the address to your destination. Instead of you driving your car there, the car drives itself. Engineers and students from the nation's top universities alike are competing to develop exactly that -- a self-driving car.

(See video from General Motors (NYSE: GM) at:
http://www.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=34073)

The competition is sponsored by the Department of Defense. They are eager to apply the technology on the battlefield to keep soldiers out of harm's way and to help save lives. There are also many civilian uses for the technology. Self-driving cars will be programmed not to crash into each other, to reduce traffic congestion and to also reduce stops and starts -- saving on energy and reducing emissions.

Automotive safety technologies like cruise control, lane departure warning and blind zone alerts already exist. It won't be long until cars will start to drive themselves.

Registered journalists can access video, audio, text, graphics and photos for free and unrestricted use at http://www.mediaseed.tv.
11FF07-0014

SOURCE: Medialink and General Motors

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Web Site Launches Western-Style Sweepstakes


Cowboy? Hee-haw! — LD

Apparel and Footwear
Gives Away Four Outfits
in November


DENVER -- Getyourselfwest.com, the online source for Western fashion and style, has teamed up with Western wear leader Stetson Apparel and Footwear to give four lucky winners Western apparel in November.

Western and fashion enthusiasts alike can now enter the online sweepstakes at www.getyourselfwest.com/promo_november.php. Stetson will give away a total of four outfits (valued at approximately $250 each) between November 1 and November 30, 2007.

Get Yourself West Sweepstakes Information
Winners will be selected and notified on a bi-weekly basis. The official rules of the sweepstakes are available at
www.getyourselfwest.com/promo_tc.php. Please see official rules for details of how to enter and restrictions that may apply.

About GetYourselfWest.com
Launched in March 2007 by the Western English Trade Association (WETA), Getyourselfwest.com is part of an industry-wide effort to increase the popularity of Western wear -- the first effort of its kind in scale and ambition.

Featuring fashion editorial, County Western events and concerts, photo libraries, retail locator and much more, Getyourselfwest.com is a fun destination for anyone who has an interest in the Western lifestyle.

WETA is not-for-profit national trade association for companies that manufacture, distribute or sell Western and English apparel and equipment, their suppliers and supporters of the industry. For more information about Getyourselfwest.com or WETA please call 303-295-2001 or visit www.wetaonline.com.

About Stetson Apparel and Footwear
Since 1865, Stetson has defined the cowboy hat. Now Stetson has partnered with Roper Apparel & Footwear to produce a line of men's and ladies' apparel and boots that embodies the spirit of the West and the mystique of the cowboy. The Stetson Apparel collection is inspired by rugged sophistication, understated refinement and classic details. The line of men's and women's jeans, shirts and accessories is modern enough to be relaxed and comfortable yet dressed up enough to go from work to a night out. For more information about Stetson Apparel and Footwear please call 800.753-3577 or visit stetsonapparel.com.

SOURCE: GetYourselfWest.com

Is Hispanic Advertising Dead? No, es muy bueno


Donde esta el aqua? Yo no se. — LD

Hispanic Marketing Agencies
Face Their Demons and Confirm
Industry Is Vibrant


MCLEAN, Va., and NEW YORK -- At the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) 23rd Semi-Annual Conference for creative and account planning, there were no skeletons in the closet to reveal only cutting-edge creative and strategic, skill-building discussions. The ghosts that haunt this thriving industry are the misperceptions that Hispanic advertising and marketing is old-school and somehow lagging behind its general market counterpart when in fact it is the only segment of the industry that is growing year after year. And Hispanic marketing is growing in sophistication as well which conference organizers intend to demonstrate during the two-day conference of workshops, panel discussions and presentations being held November 1st and 2nd at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan.

The conference theme is more than just a kitschy phrase or concept that makes sense creatively with the conference's Halloween timing.

"It's an absolute misperception really that corporate marketers, and some in the advertising industry, would even consider Hispanic advertising dead," says Jackie Bird, chairwoman of AHAA and president of Wing Latino in New York.

"Corporate advertisers are being misled. Hispanic agencies and the marketing campaigns we deliver are more alive than ever before. Our strategies for reaching this evolving market segment must be as dynamic as the consumers with whom we are trying to connect.

"Reaching and influencing the diverse population of Latinos in the U.S. today means more than simply a 30-second commercial on Spanish-language television," Bird continues. "It requires deep cultural and Latino consumer understanding as well as creative, strategic, savvy marketing that speaks the consumers' language -- linguistic and beyond -- and builds trusted relationships between brands and consumers that transcend Spanish or English."

Keeping a step ahead of this rapidly changing marketplace means challenging traditional thinking and conference co-chairs Aldo Quevedo and Gustavo de Mello expect marketers attending the three-day event to come away revitalized and energized to step outside of the box. The conference kicked off with a networking reception on Halloween, and concludes with a gala awards celebration on Friday evening to honor the best creative in the industry.

Highlights of the conference include:

-- Today's Keynote speaker Edoardo Chavarin Chavarin, co-founder of NaCo, will discuss strategy and concepts behind inspiring creative campaigns with a fascinating personal reflection of his journey as a Latino in the U.S. and as a talented creative marketer. NaCo is Chavarin's unique apparel and accessory company. The name NaCo is based on the derogatory term used by upper- and middle-class Mexicans to describe people and things they felt were beneath them. Chavarin and partners have turned T-shirts that started as gifts for family and friends into international best-sellers and made tacky...cool.
http://www.usanaco.com/news/default.asp?contentID=572

-- Alternative Media: Creating and Planning for Today's Consumer Jonas Hallberg, Partner/Creative Director, Kirschenbaum Bond + Partners and Liron Reznik, Co-Director, Brand Strategy, Kirschenbaum Bond + Partners shared their approach to developing over-the-top creative that works ... no matter what the medium. Highlighting their work on Don Julio Tequila, the duo explained how they focus on delivering value to the consumer first and then create a way for the community of users to interact with the brand.

With the increasing number of Hispanics adopting and using new media, sometimes faster than the general market, creating and planning for this opportunity is critical for Hispanic agencies.

-- Executive Chat
Joe Uva, Chief Executive Officer, Univision, and an executive marketer from Sprint will discuss the future of Hispanic marketing from their unique perspectives -- brand marketing and media. An interactive moderated discussion with questions from the audience will offer important insight into the next steps for Hispanic marketing.

For a complete agenda visit:
http://www.ahaa.org/meetings/newyork07/conferenceagenda.htm

"Latino agencies are proven change agents for clients and the brands they serve," says Ald Quevedo, conference co-chair and president and chief creative officer of Dieste, Harmel & Partners in Dallas. "We want to spark creativity, opinion and discussion that will keep our industry moving forward."

"We want this conference to be a call to action to inspire our agencies to remain on top of their game, driving the industry and continuing to answer the tough questions about how to creatively and effectively communicate our brands' messages beyond the traditional methods," says Gustavo de Mello, conference co-chair and senior vice president of strategic planning for Lapiz Integrated Marketing Communications. "It's about taking marketing out of the comfort zone and coming up with great ideas. Not great ideas for the Hispanic market, but great ideas that happen to be created by an Hispanic agency - in Spanish or not."

For additional information about the conference or the Hispanic advertising industry or to schedule interviews, contact Elinor Kinnier, AHAA Communications, 703-610-0204 or ekinnier@cmgresults.com.

About AHAA:
The Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) is the national organization of firms that specialize in marketing to the nation's 46 million Hispanic consumers: the most rapidly growing segment of the American population. AHAA promotes the strength of the Hispanic marketing and advertising industry to the private and public sectors. AHAA agencies offer a unique blend of cultural understanding, market intelligence, proven experience and professionalism that deliver Hispanic market success for clients. AHAA agencies help organizations gain market share, increase revenue and grow profits by building the bridges and delivering the messages to reach America's Hispanic consumers, who together have an estimated buying power of more than $930 billion. Visit http://www.ahaa.org for more information.

SOURCE: Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Cranberries: Fresh and In Season!


So, you actually like cranberries?. They're cran-delicious! — LD

WAREHAM, Mass. -- While cranberries have traditionally been passed around the holiday table, there are deeply-rooted reasons to enjoy these healthy, tasty berries throughout the year in a variety of forms. Today, fresh cranberries are in season, and their journey from the bog to the breakfast table is anything but ordinary, say experts at the Cranberry Marketing Committee.

Cranberries grow on low-lying vines in watertight beds layered with sand, peat, gravel and clay. These beds, commonly known as bogs or marshes, were originally created by glacial deposits. Commercial bogs/marshes use a system of wetlands, uplands, ditches, flumes, ponds and other water bodies to provide a natural habitat for the cranberry vines.

The cranberry season begins in winter, when growers flood the bogs/marshes with water that freezes and insulates the vines from frost.

During spring, the bogs/marshes are drained, blossoms begin to appear, and through the summer, the cranberries become red, ripe and ready to gather. Cranberries are typically harvested in September and October.

Most cranberries are harvested using the wet method: Growers flood their bogs/marshes with water, and then use harvesting machines to loosen the cranberries from the vine. With small air pockets in their center, the cranberries then float to the water's surface where growers corral the berries onto conveyers, which lift them from the flooded bog/marsh onto trucks and into processing plants. A small percentage of cranberries are dry harvested, which involves using mechanical pickers resembling lawn mowers with comb-like conveyer belts to pick the berries and carry them to attached burlap bags. Dry harvested berries are sold as fresh fruit.

Not only are cranberries extremely tasty and versatile in culinary applications, they're also a mighty healthy fruit with the unique power to fight bacteria. What's more, cranberries have been shown to have more antioxidant phenols than 19 commonly eaten fruits. These antioxidants can help aid a healthy immune system, maintain heart health, protect healthy cells from damage, and promote successful aging.

Take pleasure in this year's harvest by discovering new ways to enjoy the vibrant flavor of fresh cranberries. Try them in sauces, beverages, desserts, vinaigrettes, salads and more. In season, they're available at most supermarkets, usually in the produce section.
Here are some newly picked ideas to get rolling with fresh cranberries in the kitchen:

-- Make a simple, elegant relish for sandwiches or salads by combining oranges, fresh cranberries and sugar in a blender for a blast of flavor.
-- Make dinnertime dynamic with a simple glaze for chicken. Over the stovetop, combine and simmer fresh cranberries, brown sugar, Dijon-style mustard and a touch of molasses. Pour over chicken, cover and bake.
-- Whisk homemade cranberry compote into a vinaigrette for hearty winter green salads.
-- Create a cranberry frozen margarita by blending frozen cranberries with a favorite margarita mix and confectioners sugar to taste.
-- Whip up an antioxidant smoothie by combining frozen cranberries, frozen blueberries, vanilla-flavored yogurt, milk and honey.

Stock up on fresh cranberries for use beyond their season by storing them in the freezer. Simply place bags of fresh berries directly into the freezer in their original bags. Frozen cranberries can be kept in the freezer for up to one year and can be used in any recipe that calls for fresh berries.

Enjoy cranberries in all their ruby-red forms; choose from sweetened or unsweetened cranberry juice, sweetened dried cranberries, and prepared frozen berries. With their unique sweet-tart taste and striking red color, cranberries are refreshingly versatile.

For more information on cranberries, please visit http://www.uscranberries.com.

SOURCE: Cranberry Marketing Committee

Road & Travel Magazine Launches New Website


Don’t tell me . .. it has pictures of cars. Hmmmmm . . . Bright, shiny, new cars. Better than donuts. And with fewer calories, too. — LD

DETROIT, Oct. 30 -- The online resource for all things automotive- and travel-related aimed at the women's market, ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine (RTM), launches its all-new, completely redesigned website.

The new website, which continues to offer free access to its 8,000 pages of automotive, travel and safety content, now showcases an edgy and hip new design, video, and Web 2.0 features like RSS feed and social bookmarking. In addition to these user-friendly tools, RTM also presents an easier-to-use navigation system to help readers quickly locate relevant articles and guides, as well as tools to expand font size, allowing readers to review content easily.

With in-depth reviews, comprehensive guides, splashy photography and enticing design, RTM continues to be the leading online resource for women seeking information on automotive, travel and safety issues.

"Our mission is to present a contemporary and unique website that not only stands out among the pack but also reflects through its design and content the unique interests of our upscale audience, who are primarily women," says Editor-in-Chief Courtney Caldwell.

Expanding to a weekly release in 2008, RTM continues to add and freshen its content to reflect the latest automotive and travel topics, whether new travel destinations or vehicle reviews. Now, readers will also be able to automatically post RTM's popular stories on websites such as Digg, De.licio.us, Sk*rt and StumbleUpon.

RTM's edgy yet elegant new look is the brainchild of Tenth Floor, a national interactive marketing and content management company based in Cleveland, Ohio.

"ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine's needs were three-fold," explains Tony Pietrocola, President of Tenth Floor. "The automotive industry is all about the latest and greatest, so we designed a website incorporating this type of imagery to usher RTM into the 21st century with an extremely modern look."

About RTM
ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine was founded in 1989 by Courtney Caldwell as the pioneering publication to target the women's automotive market. In print for twelve years RTM shifted the publication to an online magazine in 2000 and today is the largest online magazine to target the women's automotive and travel markets. RTM targets female consumers between 25 - 54, a body of consumers that purchase more than 50% of all new vehicles and influence 85% of all other sales.

For more information, please visit http://www.roadandtravel.com or call 248.546.4646.

SOURCE: ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine