The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Urges Women to Abstain from Alcohol During Pregnancy Due to the Risk of Birth Defects

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects in America.  Representing the nine months of pregnancy the ninth day of the ninth month—September 9^th—is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day and serves as an important reminder that alcohol-related birth defects are completely preventable when pregnant women abstain from alcohol.

FASD describes the range of potentially lifelong physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

Because no amount of alcohol can be considered safe during pregnancy the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General advise that, "A pregnant woman, or a woman who is considering becoming pregnant, should abstain from alcohol," and, "A pregnant woman who has already consumed alcohol should stop in order to minimize the risk."

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, supports science to understand how alcohol interferes with fetal development and how FASD can be identified and prevented.

"Research tells us that while heavy and binge drinking during pregnancy pose the greatest risk, moderate and light drinking is linked to stillbirth, problems with attention and judgment, and poor social skills.  The challenge is to overcome the mixed messages and misconceptions about the risk of light drinking. No amount is completely safe, why take the risk?" says Tom Donaldson, president of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).

NOFAS serves as a resource for individuals and families living with FASD and seeks to prevent the disorder. NOFAS vice president Kathy Mitchell reflects on the unfair stigma surrounding women who do drink, "I've never met a woman who intentionally harmed her child by drinking. Either they didn't know they were pregnant, they may have been misinformed of the risk by their doctor or the media, or they need and deserve treatment for alcohol dependence."

NIAAA acting director Dr. Ken Warren sums it up, "The message is simple, not just on September 9, but every day. Women who are, who may be, or who are trying to become pregnant, should not drink alcohol."

Tom Donaldson
202-785-4585
donaldson@nofas.org

SOURCE National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

WARRENTON, Va., Sept. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Howard, Morrison, Ross & Whelan are proud to announce the new revamped design and features of their website. Through the new features, they hope to continue servicing residents throughout Virginia.

This year, Howard, Morrison, Ross & Whelan were proud to have their website completely revamped – providing a cleaner, more dynamic design, fresher content and more intuitive, engaging features for visitors. Their firm has proudly been serving clients throughout Virginia since 1923 and is always looking for ways to interact and help their community. With their new website, they hope to increase their reach to better provide legal help to clients throughout the state.

They have paired with web design and Internet marketing company Scorpion Design to achieve their new look. Just one of the features that the website now boasts of includes more in-depth content describing the various areas of personal injury law. Their firm knows that when people are searching online, they are looking for answers and their firm hopes to provide them. Throughout the pages of the site, visitors will be able to learn more about the firm's practice, history in the community, as well as the different facets of the law.

Another new area which could prove to be incredibly beneficial to visitors is their new Q&A section. Their firm recognizes how daunting it can be in the aftermath of a personal injury accident and they are committed to providing assistance in every way that they reasonably can. By visiting this section of the website, visitors will be able to submit their questions directly to the firm. Howard, Morrison, Ross & Whelan will then be able to review the submitted questions; those that they can answer will be posted directly on the website. This way, other visitors in the future, who may have similar questions, will be able to get more informed.

By pairing these dynamic and informative features with the clean new design, the firm hopes to better engage people in the community and, ultimately, be able to provide them with better online service. They are compassionate to the difficulties following an injury and it is their mission to support victims and their families to the best of their abilities. Therefore, if you have more questions or would like to discuss your case in specifics with a legal professional, you should not hesitate to consult with a member of their firm.

Luckily, they make it easy! Throughout their website, they have provided visitors with convenient ways to get in touch with their firm. For example, you can take advantage of their Q&A section to submit questions directly to them. They also have "click to call" technology, which allows for visitors to simply click a button on the site and type in their own phone number to be instantly connected to the office. Other forms of communication include their online case evaluation form and their toll-free phone number.

Howard, Morrison, Ross & Whelan is a Virginia firm that has over 85 years of experience in protecting the rights of the injured. Throughout the years, the members of their firm have been recognized on a national level for their work in the legal industry. For example, one of senior partners at the firm has been selected for inclusion in the list of Super Lawyers® – a true testimony to his commitment to client successes. Other recognitions which members of our firm have been honored with include membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, as well as an AV® peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. To learn more about the firm, give them a call at 866-360-0984 or visit them online at www.virginiapersonalinjuryfirm.com.

Media Contact: Blair Howard Howard, Morrison, Ross and Whelan, (866) 360-0984, BlairHoward@lawyer-emails.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Howard, Morrison, Ross and Whelan

BURIEN, Wash., Sept. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast/NBC Universal President Kyle McSlarrow joined today with state, local and school district officials as well as special guest SpongeBob SquarePants at Seahurst Elementary School to announce year two of Internet Essentials, an ambitious and comprehensive broadband adoption program designed to help close the digital divide for low-income Americans.  In its first full year of availability, more than 100,000 families or 400,000 Americans are now online, including nearly 5,000 Washington families or almost 20,000 state residents. Comcast continues to enhance the program with new features and processes designed to accelerate enrollment in the program.

"Price can be a major barrier to engaging Washington's families in the state's growing digital economy. Programs like Comcast's Internet Essentials can make that first step possible, bringing broadband into the home," said Will Saunders, Broadband Policy and Programs Director, Washington State Dept. of Commerce.

Susan Enfield, Highline Schools Superintendent, said: "We are grateful that through this program more of our students and families will have access to the Internet. The web is an essential tool for learning and communicating in today's world. Internet access will help our students be successful in school and prepare them for college and the workplace."

Kyle McSlarrow, Comcast/NBC Universal President said, "I want to congratulate Mr. Saunders, Dr. Enfield and Burien Mayor Brian Bennett for helping to make Internet Essentials such a resounding success here in Washington State. We are proud to work with you to help lower the barriers to broadband access and make the endless resources of the Internet available to more families in Washington State."

All of the officials were at Seahurst Elementary to take part in a special Internet Essentials open house event to kick off the second year of the broadband adoption program. They joined with special guest SpongeBob SquarePants who was on hand to meet children from the Highline School District.

Comcast representatives as well as representatives from Goodwill and Neighborhood House, two of the company's many nonprofit partners, were on hand to meet with families and answer questions about their programs. 

New in 2012:
Since Internet Essentials launched, Comcast has made a number of program enhancements including:

• Expanded eligibility criteria to include families with children eligible to receive reduced price school lunches under the National School Lunch Program.  This means nearly 300,000 additional households are now eligible for the program, bringing the total to 2.3 million eligible families;
• Doubled broadband speeds to up to 3 Mbps downstream and up to 768 Kbps upstream;
• Upgraded the free Internet safety software to include the Constant Guard Protection Suite, which includes top-rated Norton Security Suite, identity theft protection and more;
• Enriched digital literacy training efforts both online and in-person, including offering a series of short videos, featuring NBC and Telemundo news personalities Al Roker, Kate Snow, Jenna Wolfe and Jose Diaz-Balart, discussing how to use job search tools and social networking site as well as tips for what parents should know about cyber bullying;
• Streamlined the approval process by providing an instant approval process for all students who attend schools with the highest percentage of NSLP participation, which includes Provision 2 schools;
• Introduced a bulk order program that empowers community-based organizations to purchase Internet Essentials accounts so they can connect the eligible families they serve.

Internet Essentials Program Details:
Internet Essentials addresses three primary barriers to broadband adoption that research has identified – a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful, the cost of a home computer and the cost of the Internet service.  Program participants receive:

• Residential Internet service for $9.95 a month plus applicable taxes;
• No price increases, no activation fees, or equipment rental fees;
• A voucher to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 plus tax; and
• Access to free digital literacy training in print, online and in-person.

A household is eligible to participate if it meets all of the following criteria:

• Is located where Comcast offers Internet service;
• Has at least one child who is eligible to receive a free or reduced school lunch under the NSLP;
• Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days;
• Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.

Comcast will sign up eligible families in the program for at least three years, through the end of the 2013-2014 school year.  Any household that qualifies during this three-year period will remain eligible for Internet Essentials if at least one child eligible for a free or reduced lunch remains living in the household. 

In Washington, Comcast is working with a growing network of community-based organizations to spread the word about Internet Essentials and provide digital literacy training.  Those organizations include El Centro de la Raza, Neighborhood House, New Futures and Tacoma Urban League among others.

For general information about Internet Essentials, please visit www.internetessentials.com for English and visit www.internetbasico.com for Spanish. Educators or third-parties interested in helping to spread the word can find more information at www.internetessentials.com/partner. Parents looking to enroll in the program can call 1-855-846-8376 or, for Spanish, 1-855-765-6995.

About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

SOURCE Comcast

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 5.89, a city law banning all medical cannabis collectives, was deemed preempted by state law and invalid by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. In early July, 2012, the Ca. Second District Court of Appeal struck-down Los Angeles County Code section 22.56.196(B), a ban of all collectives similar to LBMC 5.89. In an order dated August 17, 2012, in Victoria Pappas v. City of Long Beach, LASC No. BC484645, Judge James R. Dunn wrote, "LBMC Chapter 5.89 is virtually identical to LACC 22.56.196(B) and is therefore preempted by state law." Matthew Pappas, attorney for Victoria Pappas, his daughter and plaintiff in the case, said "The Judge's decision properly reflects the law in California and protects patients like Tori from discriminatory laws like 5.89." According to Pappas, his daughter was severely injured in an assault last year. After undergoing emergency brain surgery and a lengthy hospital visit, she was prescribed opiate based pain medication. She discontinued use of the opiate-based pain medication and switched to medical cannabis through a licensed doctor recommendation. In the suit, she alleged that the LBMC 5.89 ban prevented her from accessing cannabis medication while patients who use more dangerous drugs like Oxycontin and Lortabs can simply walk into any corner pharmacy without fear of police raids or attacks. Attorney Pappas noted that the judge's order operates to invalidate Chapter 5.89 and that he will be filing additional motions next week in the case.

For more information contact Sergio Sandoval, Director of Public Relations, Pappas Law Group. Phone: 949-382-1485, E-mail: sergio.sandoval@pappaslawgroup.com

SOURCE Pappas Law Group

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Nigel Platt, Sales & Marketing Director for ABB’s UK Robotics business will be discussing how, in the wake of the global economic downturn, automating with robots can help companies to bring their manufacturing home without any adverse effects on their competitiveness in the upcoming issue of Manufacturing Digital (October).

The latest edition of Manufacturing Digital is available now

Our magazine is now available on the iPad. Click here to download it

FUTON, Md., Sept. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- ELTA North America held the grand opening celebration of its new facility in Fulton, MD, today.  On hand to participate in the event were Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, United States Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, and the Israel Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Michael Oren.  Also participating in the ceremony were Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Howard Country Executive Ken Ulman and Abba Poliakoff, Chairman of the Maryland/Israel Development Center.

In his opening  remarks, Dr. David Machuga, president & CEO of ELTA North America said, "in times of fiscal responsibility, the lower development costs associated with deployed state of the art technology combined with the jobs created at ELTA North America is a 'win-win' for the U.S . customers and U.S. taxpayers."

ELTA North America is a subsidiary of IAI North America.  ELTA North America plans to create 100 new high technology jobs over the next four years and has leased space in the county's growing Maple Lawn area, with plans to expand as the company grows.

"In choosing Maryland, ELTA recognizes that we offer the right combination of a highly-educated workforce in technology and engineering, remain on the cutting edge of science and discovery, and provide easy access to key decision makers in the defense and homeland security community," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "We are pleased that ELTA will invest in Maryland – a reflection of our State's support for our growing high-tech industry, and affirmation that we are a leader in the nation's innovation economy."

"The opening of this cutting-edge defense manufacturing facility is good news for Howard County and will support science and innovation jobs here in Maryland," Senator Mikulski said. "This shows the partnership between the United States and our strong ally Israel. By supporting high-tech manufacturing, Maryland continues to the lead the way with the best scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs that are creating jobs today and jobs tomorrow."

ELTA North America, leverages state-of-the-art technology from ELTA Systems Ltd., a world leading C4ISR company and a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI). 

Nissim Hadas, IAI vice president, president & CEO of ELTA Systems Ltd. and chairman of the board of ELTA North America spoke about his company's investment in Maryland and its plans for growth.  "IAI and ELTA are embarking on a new strategy to synergize the efforts of ELTA Systems Ltd. and ELTA North America to provide field proven solutions and premier electronic system-of- system capabilities and support for the discriminating requirements and needs of our U.S. customers," said Hadas.

"The opening of this new facility will enhance the Israeli defense industry's ability to pioneer cutting edge technology that will create more U.S. jobs, strengthen the deep U.S.-Israel alliance, and save lives," said Dr. Michael Oren, Israel Ambassador to the United States.

During the ceremony, ELTA North America was welcomed to the community by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. "Locating ELTA North America in Maryland is a clear indication that our state's workforce has the skills and education for the highly specialized, high-tech jobs that are required," said Cardin.  "Our nation and Israel have a strong partnership based on trust and shared values.  This new facility is important to both our countries because it will strengthen both nation's defenses and security needs."

"As allies in the global war on terrorism, the U.S. and Israeli defense communities are working together to provide our troops on the front lines and behind the scenes the best technology possible to keep our citizens safe," said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, who is Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee. "ELTA's choice of Maryland will only strengthen our state's reputation as a science and engineering leader while providing quality jobs for Maryland families."

About ELTA North America
Established in 2011, ELTA North America offers innovative electronic systems solutions in the ground, maritime, airborne and security domains to the U.S. government and North American C4ISR market. These proven high performance systems and a focus on customer satisfaction are the foundations of the company's commitment to providing solutions to the nation's warfighters, security personnel and first responders.

About IAI North America
IAI North America is the U.S. subsidiary of IAI Ltd. IAI North America is the parent ELTA North America in Fulton, MD and Stark Aerospace in Columbus, MS that focuses on UAS, electro-optics and aerostructures.

About IAI
Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) is Israel's largest industrial exporter and a globally recognized leader in defense and commercial markets. IAI provides unique and cost-effective technological solutions for a broad spectrum of needs in space, air, land, sea and homeland defense.

About ELTA
ELTA Systems Ltd.,  a wholly owned subsidiary of IAI,  is one of Israel's leading defense electronics companies providing Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR), early-warning command & control, homeland security, self-protection and self-defense, and fire-control solutions.

Additional information including event and product photos can be found at:
https://ftp.eltacorp.com
Account:  media
Password:  guest

For further information on ELTA North America contact:
David Machuga
President & CEO
Email: dmachuga@eltacorp.com
Phone:  (240) 459-1900
www.eltacorp.com

For further information on IAI contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corporate Vice President for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Email: hpaz@iai.co.il
www.iai.co.il

Media Contact: Lisa Gordon IAI North America, 703-875-3722, lgordon@iaidc.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com \

SOURCE IAI North America

"Our competition gambled a bit on pit stop strategy today, and because there were so many yellows, it paid off for them in terms of getting the win," said Lally, describing the race, which was marred by eleven caution periods and more yellow-flag laps than green. "But our conservative approach got us valuable points, and we showed that we had the pace to run up front. We're still very much in the hunt for the championship, but it's going to be tense at Lime Rock."

Jonsson was fastest in morning qualifying, earning Kia Racing's fourth pole position of the season, and he and Lally ran comfortably in the top six for most of the two-and-a-half hour contest, avoiding trouble en route to the team's fifth top-five of the season.

Teammates Michael Galati and Mat Pombo, meanwhile, started the No. 12 DonorsChoose.org/Infinity Audio Forte Koup sixth and ran among the top 10 until mid-race pit stops shuffled them back in the running order. Their anticipated march back to the front of the field, however, never materialized as first Pombo was assessed a stop-and-go penalty for jumping a restart and then a succession of full-course cautions eliminated any opportunity to race for position.  

Kia Racing heads back across the country to the Northwestern corner of Connecticut for the 2012 CTSCC season finale at Lime Rock Park on September 28. In the interim, race fans can tune in to SPEED for the broadcast of today's race, which will air September 16 at 1:30 p.m. ET. (Time and date subject to change. Check local listings).

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and LPGA.  In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S.  Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Latest Technology Provides Intimate Real-time Forum with Readers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the latest trend for promoting books and connecting with readers, Emily Giffin, author of Where We Belong, conducted an intimate telephone discussion with her fans. The event – a TeleForum powered by Broadnet – offered Giffin's readers a live conversation with their favorite author about her characters, her life and the story behind the story.

The publishing industry and book promotion efforts are dependent on digital and social media more than ever.  With readers becoming more interested in making a personal connection with their favorite authors, this type of event has the potential to supplant the traditional book tour as we know it. It is a cost-effective and time-efficient way for authors to connect with readers across the country.

Broadnet conducts hundreds of these types of events every day - for politicians, sports franchise teams, and other organizations.  

The company's technology connects thousands of people by phone to a live conversation in a matter of seconds. Participants can ask questions, respond to poll questions and use social media to invite their friends to join the discussion. The Emily Giffin TeleForum took place on August 12^th  and included two polls asking fans to name their favorite characters from her novels. The results were tabulated and shared immediately for all to discuss.

Broadnet facilitates the open exchange of ideas by enabling real-time, personal and efficient conversations on a massive scale.  In the era of tweets and texts, we help people connect on a human level.  Every day, Broadnet helps tens of thousands of people engage in a dialogue, share information and take action.  Since 2004, the Highlands Ranch, Colorado-based company has conducted more than 10,000 TeleForums connecting more than 54 million people – including more than 200,000 on a single call.

SOURCE Broadnet

Interactive Shopping Matters® Tours Offered at Walmart

BALTIMORE, Sept. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 shoppers at Walmart locations across the state of Maryland learned new skills for buying healthy food on a limited budget today, after a series of educational tours held in the stores.  The Shopping Matters tours, developed by the anti-hunger nonprofit Share Our Strength® and led by Walmart associates, taught shoppers to compare unit prices, read food labels, identify whole grains and buy fruits and vegetables on a limited budget. After the tour, participants applied the skills they learned to buy ingredients that would make a healthy meal for a family of four, for under $10.

"We recently released a study that showed 85 percent of low-income families want to make healthy meals, but only about half are able to do so on a regular basis," said Janet McLaughlin, Senior Director of Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters. "The cost of groceries is a big concern for Maryland families, but healthy eating doesn't have to break the bank."

In addition to the Shopping Matters tours, two Walmart stores held activities focused on healthy living for the nearby community. In the Bowie and Baltimore (Port Covington) locations, chefs and students from the American Culinary Federation demonstrated how to make Mango Salsa and taught shoppers about knife skills and safety. Local children learned about the MyPlate food icon and played games with the Wizard Girls, the official dance team of the Washington Wizards, and athletes from the University of Maryland.  

Shopping Matters is an initiative of Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters, a program that helps low-income families get the most bang for their buck at the grocery store and cook healthy, delicious meals. In early 2012, the Walmart Foundation announced a $4 million grant to Share Our Strength to support the expansion of Shopping Matters tours across the United States and to reach low-income families with hands-on cooking, shopping and nutrition education in six-week Cooking Matters courses.

Tours started in Maryland in early 2012 and will continue to be offered across the state as part of the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, which is part of Maryland's efforts to increase access to healthy food for children at risk of hunger. Cooking Matters and Shopping Matters are part of the No Kid Hungry campaign, which works to end childhood hunger in America by connecting kids in need with nutritious food and teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals.

After completing a Shopping Matters tour, 54 percent of participants say they intend to compare unit prices to get the best deal and 56 percent say they will seek out whole grains on ingredient lists.

For a video tour, or to learn more, visit ShoppingMatters.org.

ABOUT SHARE OUR STRENGTH'S COOKING MATTERS
Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting kids in need with nutritious food and teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals, through its Cooking Matters program. Low-income families in America report that cost is their biggest barrier to making a healthy dinner at home. Cooking Matters participants learn to shop smarter, make healthier food choices, and cook delicious meals. Cooking Matters is nationally sponsored by the ConAgra Foods® Foundation and Walmart. For more information, visit CookingMatters.org.

ABOUT PHILANTHROPY AT WALMART 
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

CONTACT
Laura Hosny
lhosny@strength.org
202-306-0805

SOURCE Share Our Strength

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An original video highlighting Counterpart International's integrated work on nutrition and education in Senegal was awarded honorable mention in a prestigious national competition. http://www.counterpart.org/news/publications-websites/senegal-FFE-USDA

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110818/DC54764LOGO )

The Platinum PR Awards honored Counterpart for its multimedia production in the competitive Video Program category. Winners of this year's national competition, which is organized by PR News, were announced September 14 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, NY. The Platinum PR Awards acknowledge the year's most outstanding communications initiatives in the highly competitive field of public relations.

"I want to congratulate Counterpart and this team on a fantastic video that captures the work we're doing to combat food insecurity in Senegal," said Counterpart technical advisor Arlene Lear. "It's an honor to be a finalist among such impressive competition." www.counterpart.org

Counterpart's video, "Filling Stomachs, Feeding Minds," is a six-minute exploration shot on location in Northern Senegal. It reveals how the local community struggled to keep its undernourished and impoverished children in school, and Counterpart's work to address the underlying causes with a Food for Education program since 2006. http://www.counterpart.org/news/publications-websites/senegal-FFE-USDA

The accompanying multimedia package includes two additional videos, one on maternal and child health and nutrition, the other on helping children learn in Koranic schools. The package also offers a podcast examining the food and education challenges in Senegal, a feature-length story highlighting Counterpart's program in Senegal, and a photo slideshow. To see the rest of the package, please visit: www.counterpart.org/senegalreport.  

"We're humbled and delighted to receive an honorable mention in this very competitive category," says Joan Parker, President and CEO of the global nonprofit. "Our outstanding team in Senegal led by Josephine Trenchard should be recognized for running a program that is truly making a difference for thousands of people."

The Food for Education program highlighted in the winning video is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is being implemented by Counterpart in three departments of Senegal as well as Cameroon, with a new project planned for Northern Cameroon. It aims to increase primary school enrollment and lower the dropout rate and absenteeism, with a secondary goal of increasing maternal and child health.

The program has provided hot lunches to more than 22,000 children in 105 schools in Matam, and trained nearly 2,500 people on how to maintain the program. Counterpart's Food for Education work has been directly credited with increasing attendance, admission, enrollment, and retention rates in all the targeted communities, and with lowering malnutrition rates. Senegal's Ministry of Education validated the effectiveness of Counterpart's school feeding program by creating a new department with a budget for carrying on the work.

Parker congratulated the Communications team for its effort: Michael J. Zamba, Senior Director of Communications, who produced the package; Maggie Farrand, Communications Associate, who coordinated the production, co-produced the package, and developed the website landing page; Chris Overbeck, videographer; Amy Overbeck, video editor; and David Snyder, photographer.

The Senegal package joins a suite of other multimedia productions featuring programs in Afghanistan, Yemen, and coastal communities. Among them is Counterpart's video on an innovative community-run tourism program in rural Guatemala, which won first prize at the Nonprofit PR Awards in March 2012. You can view all the packages online at www.Counterpart.org/multimedia.

About Counterpart International

Counterpart International is a global development organization that works in partnership to empower people, communities and institutions to drive and sustain their own development.

For nearly 50 years, Counterpart has been working in partnership with communities in need to address complex problems related to economic development, food security and nutrition, and building effective governance and institutions. Learn more at www.Counterpart.org.

For more information:
Maggie Farrand
Counterpart International
(703) 236-3436
mfarrand@counterpart.org

SOURCE Counterpart International

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- ADRIAN is a new artist that has created a 3 volume trilogy of Rock, Country and Electric Folk music in the spirit of Guthrie, Seeger, Dylan, and Cohen to create an active 99% voter turnout to restore the original American Dream of a government "OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people", to make all of our votes count again. The first album released in the Redeeming The Dream trilogy is the third volume, titled "It's time for A 99% VOTER TURNOUT PARTY in perfect communion and at full throttle!" and is set to be released on September 14, 2012 

The musicians lending their many talents to this album all call the Portland, Oregon area their home when they are not on the road touring. The ambitious goal of this album, and the other two volumes to be released at a later date, is to help restore the American dream and get our country back on track by motivating EVERYBODY to vote, actively participate in their democracy as a priority, and sign a petition for campaign finance reform. With songs ranging from Johnny Cash-style ballads to hard rocking anthems, there is something for everyone along with a positive message woven through-out with a goal of inspiring Americans to take action and turn things around in their country. 

To learn more about ADRIAN, and to listen to the music, visit the Redeeming The Dream website at http://rtdNOW.com. There you can read an exclusive interview with ADRIAN, watch full-length music videos of selected tracks from "It's time for A 99% VOTER TURNOUT PARTY in perfect communion and at full throttle!", get access to free downloadable album art, and much more. When you visit the site, make sure you read and sign the petition calling on Congress to pass loophole-free campaign finance reform. 

ADRIAN's message, "It's time to save our own country. We can only redeem the dream together. Help this go viral, tell EVERYONE!" 

For more information, promo requests or to set up and interview contact: 

Steve Alkana

AMMP Records, LLC 

Phone 503-317-1511 

http://rtdNOW.com

Media Contact: Steve Alkana AMMP RECORDS, 503-317-1511, stevealkana@comcast.net

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE AMMP Records, LLC

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- COMIKAZE EXPO —– Known the world over for his thrilling and genre-defining comic book characters, Stan Lee and POW! Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: POWN) have partnered with mobile entertainment start-up Moonshark (www.moonshark.com) to create Verticus, an all-new action adventure mobile game. A sneak peek trailer of the game (http://bit.ly/R1FWvh) along with other information will be revealed exclusively today at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The game will be available for download to mobile devices later this fall.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120628/SF32348LOGO)

"Working closely with Moonshark to build characters and storylines for a mobile game has been a new, and uniquely satisfying experience for me," said Stan Lee, Founder, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, POW! Entertainment, Inc. "Making Verticus is a new way for me to connect with my fans and reach a whole new group of people through their mobile devices."

"Stan Lee brings an extraordinary level of style and charisma to Verticus, which, combined with the game's addictive gameplay, make Verticus really special," said Matt Kozlov, CEO of Moonshark. "Collaborating with Stan, a true legend and icon to millions, has been an incredibly creative experience, and we are confident fans will fall in love with the game we've made together."

Developed by Dallas-based Controlled Chaos Media, Verticus will feature original characters, story, and voice-over by Lee. The game will put players in the role of Verticus a superhero charged with saving the Earth's destruction from an evil alien race known as the Obliterators.

As Verticus players are equipped with a high-tech jumpsuit that lets them free fall through space while avoiding deadly obstacles and alien attacks. Along the way players can collect special materials to enhance their suits and weaponry with dozens of upgrades. 

Moonshark's mission is to collaborate with the entertainment industry's most creative talent - like Stan Lee - to create cutting-edge, engaging and original mobile content and experiences. With access to co-founder, Creative Artist Agency's (CAA) vast resources and deep relationships in entertainment, Moonshark is able to bring ideas to life from high-profile artists by identifying and working with leading developers, and then funding, marketing and publishing the apps. Moonshark will continue to release a full catalog of original mobile gaming apps throughout 2012 and beyond.

About POW! Entertainment, Inc.

POW! Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: POWN), a multi-media entertainment company, was founded by noted comic book writer Stan Lee, together with award-winning producer Gill Champion and the late intellectual property specialist Arthur Lieberman. POW!'s principals have extensive backgrounds in the creation and production of original intellectual properties, including some of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. POW! is utilizing Stan Lee's historical background by perpetuating his legacy while creating and developing all new live-action films, television, digital games, merchandising, licensing and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion. POW! partners with third parties and strategic alliances, including studios and networks, in the production and distribution of new POW! character franchises.

About Moonshark

Moonshark is a mobile game publisher start-up co-founded by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world's leading entertainment and sports agency. Bringing to market original mobile entertainment properties by pairing the most creative minds in entertainment with leading mobile developers, Moonshark funds, produces, markets and publishes app concepts developed in partnership with high-profile talent, finding the best developers to bring these apps to life.

For more information on Moonshark and its upcoming apps, visit www.moonshark.com.

CONTACT: Jason Gerdon
Atomic for Moonshark
O: 714.558.7979
M: 714.423.5050
jason@atomicpr.com

SOURCE Moonshark

Europe’s most presitguous and the UK’s largest chemical regulatory conference has announced the dates for the next event, 6 to 7 March, 2013 at the St John’s Hotel, Solihull, Warwickshire.

This will be the ninth conference, organised by Safeware Quasar Limited, and is highly respected in the industry much in part to the calibre of speakers and experts it attracts. The symposium will commence with an informal dinner providing the perfect setting for networking and keeping abreast of industry developments.

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Returning for a second year running will be an industry exhibition, which proved immensely popular with the over 150 internationally-based attendees, to run concurrently with the conference.

Open to all those involved in the chemical industry, SafecCom is the ideal opportunity to learn and understand recent advances and emerging regulatory changes that require interpretation and monitoring.

Safeware Quasar’s Technical Director, Simon Robinson commented:

“We are delighted to announce the dates for our ninth conference. We have some excellent speakers lined up and an enthusiastic take-up of stand space for the exhibition. We will be announcing speakers and industry specialists taking space at the show early in the New Year. However, in the meantime, we urge you to join us and book your place as soon as you can. We have a great ‘early bird’ offering running until 21 December.”

For more information, or to book your place, you can visit the Safeware Quasar website, phone 0115 965 1888 or e-mail  info@safecom-conferences.co.uk.

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QUEENS, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Beginning Monday, September 17, 2012, applications for Home Care will not be accepted at the local Community Alternative Systems Agency (CASA) offices, with limited exceptions. The CASAs, the department of the N.Y.C. Human Resources Administration that processes Home Care applications, will only accept Home Care applications for those applying for Hospice, Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver participants or applicants, Nursing Home Transition & Diversion Waiver (NHTDW) participants or applicants or those seeking Lombardi (long term home health care waiver program services).

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The Federal Government has given New York State the go ahead to make Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) for Medicaid recipients over 21 years old MANDATORY for those needing community based long term care services.  These changes will have a major impact on senior citizens throughout New York State.

This mandate will also apply to N.Y.C. residents and seniors who have Medicare and receive or who are applying for Home Care services.  This is the beginning of the end of straight Medicaid for Home Care services for seniors.  Seniors seeking Home Care services will now have to apply for Home Care services through a MLTC vendor.  Under the managed care plan, a recipient can only use providers that are within their network.  Previously, under straight Medicaid, a recipient could use any provider that accepted Medicaid. 

N.Y.C. Medicaid recipients will begin receiving notices from the Human Resources Administration to select a managed care provider and when they do, they will have 60 days to select a managed care provider.  Failure to make a selection will result in a selection being made on your behalf. These changes will be phased in by January 2013.

The potential effect of these changes is that the managed care providers will be paid a fee for providing a bundle of services that will cause them to limit the amount of Home Care services provided.  It could also result in a number of seniors being recommended or referred to nursing homes if the managed care provider decides that the amount of Home Care services needed is more than they want to provide.  Legal advocacy to prevent unwarranted referrals to nursing homes will be required. Seniors and others receiving Medicaid may also have to change their doctor if that doctor is not part of the managed care plan's network of doctors.    

Attorney Tanya Hobson-Williams is on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association, Medicaid Litigation and Fair Hearing Committee.  Attorney Hobson-Williams and her Elder Law Firm Hobson-Williams, P.C. advocate on behalf of their clients to ensure that clients receive the most up to date legal information and advice to optimize their Medicaid benefits. www.BusinessandElderLaw.com

Media Contact: Tanya Hobson-Williams Hobson-Williams, P.C., 718-210-4744, tanya@thobsonwilliamslaw.com

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SOURCE Hobson-Williams, P.C.