Superior Inn Superior Hotels

Tuesday April 26, 2011

Contact:  Scott Williams
mhw@menshealthweek.org

Today marks the launch of menshealthmonth.org, a new, improved website in preparation for the upcoming Men’s Health Month in June.

The site hosts the page for National Men’s Health Week, the week that ends on Father’s Day, and provides resources for the development of awareness programs that reach men and boys, such as:
*   Free poster downloads, flyers, brochures, logos, and public service announcements.
*   “Things To Do,” including instructions on how to develop a Wear Blue for Men program where you work, worship, or play; and a link to the free MHN HealthZone event planner.
*   The “Partners” page, which lists dozens of examples of creative awareness activities that others have used to reach men and boys.  
*   Information about Women Against Prostate Cancer and MHN’s Women Take Action program, which empower women to take control of their family’s health and wellbeing.
*   An “International Men’s Health Week” page, available in eleven languages, that provides links to organizations in other countries that organize Men’s Health Week activities.
*   A “Store” section, where diverse and culturally sensitive health awareness items are featured, including those designed to reach teenagers (focusing on lifestyle), college students (on stress and tension), and veterans.

The site is maintained by Men’s Health Network (MHN), an organization recognized as the leading authority on the health of men and boys.

MHN Vice-President Scott Williams had this to say: “This will be a one-stop shop for community leaders, advocates, and policymakers who are interested in leveraging Men’s Health Month to improve the health and well-being of men and their families.”

About Men’s Health Month

Men’s Health Month is observed every June; and National Men’s Health Week is a special awareness period recognized by Congress since 1994 and celebrated around the globe since 2002, dedicated to saving and enriching lives through health awareness.

About Men’s Health Network

Founded in 1992, Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a non-profit educational organization of physicians, researchers, public health workers, other health professionals, and other health-conscious people. MHN is committed to improving the health and wellness of men, boys, and their families through education campaigns, data collection, surveys, toll-free hotlines, and work with health care providers.

For more information, visit www.menshealthmonth.org.

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Fair Haven, NJ  – Families are invited to have big fun at Small Factory’s Open House on Saturday, June 4th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Located on 560 River Road, Suite C in Fair Haven, N.J., the Emmy Nominated children’s production studio will showcase it’s summer programs for ages 5 – 12.  The day is a unique opportunity to meet Small Factory’s award-winning team of professional educators, artists and musicians as throughout the day they engage children in cool, creative fun.

“Our creative team is thrilled to host, Big Fun at Small Factory on June 4th. Our studio lights up when we work with children. Every child possesses the ability to be a star and we’re thrilled to help them let loose, get creative and shine!” said Chris Dudick, Owner and Founder, Small Factory Productions.

Kids will sing and produce their own songs in Small Factory’s professional recording studio, learn the process for creating their own animated video games and cartoons, model their own clay characters, watch Small Factory’s Emmy Nominated Small Factory Flicks on the big screen, and much more. Educators will also be available to speak with parents about Small Factory’s Social Skills program, in association with Meridian Health, Kindergarten Enrichment, Computer Animation, Music Production and Summer Camps. Representatives from Small Factory’s nonprofit partner, Prevention First will also be on hand to share information on the Olweus® Bullying Prevention Program (pronounced Ol-VEY-us), which is designed and evaluated to reduce and prevent bullying among elementary, middle and junior high schools.

Open House schedule of activities:

10:00 a.m. Make a 3D Clay Character

11:00 a.m. Computer Animation

12:00 p.m. Make a Song

1:00 p.m. Make a 3D Clay Character

2:00 p.m. Computer Animation

Each child attending the Open House will receive a complimentary Small Factory Flicks DVD (the complete second season), featuring 20 cartoons created by kids for kids; a free movie pass to a “Small Factory Movie Night”; and “Banana Montana Bucks” good for $10 off Small Factory Summer Camp registrations.

Contact Small Factory at 732-212-1088 or smallfactory@mysmallfactory.com to register for the free day of activities. Snacks and power punch served throughout the day and free parking on site.

About Small Factory Productions

Small Factory provides support and technical expertise while respecting and celebrating a child’s individual, creative voice. Programs include claymation, music lessons and production, acting, video game creation, story telling, social skills for special learners, and kindergarten enrichment. Small Factory uses curriculum that meets National and State Standards for Language Arts Literacy and Performing Arts to help children create and cast characters, develop stories, write scripts, record voices, and play music. Small Factory Productions has created a library of more than 200 cartoons produced by more than 1,000 children. When a child’s creativity is nurtured, the possibilities for growth and education are endless! Visit www.mysmallfactory.com or call 732-212-1088 for more information.

About Prevention First

Prevention First’s mission is to keep children healthy, safe and drug-free. Prevention First is a non-profit agency dedicated to strengthening the foundations of children and families by empowering them to successfully handle difficult, everyday life situations and extraordinary challenges such as violence and substance abuse. Visit www.preventionfirst.net for more information.

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Cincinnati, OH – The military-to-civilian recruitment firm RecruitMilitary has entered into a partnership with Hire Disability Solutions (HireDS) to help employers hire military veterans at the 2011 Global Veterans’ Career Expo at the New Yorker Hotel on May 24. Exhibition booths at the event will be available to employers via RecruitMilitary and HireDS. The Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Expo will be a part of the Be a Hero, Hire a Hero program, which HireDS launched in 2005. The New York Times will be the Media Sponsor; other Event Sponsors will be Veterans Across America and the New York City Business Leadership Network. HireDS expects between 7,000 and 10,000 qualified veterans, their spouses, and family members to attend.  

RecruitMilitary has already signed up the following exhibitors: A Buyer’s Choice, Adelphi University, Amtrak, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Capital One, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Citizens Financial Group Inc., DeVry University, 1st Marine Corps District Prior Service Recruiting, Grand Canyon University, Leviton Manufacturing, Merendino Cemetery Care, Metropolitan College of New York, Military Sealift Command, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Nalco Energy Services—Downstream, the National Veterans Employment Program (NVEP) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, New York Life Insurance Company, Pepco Holdings Inc., Prudential, Stanley Steemer, United Rentals Inc.,  the United States Department of State, the United States Secret Service, USAA, Verizon Wireless, and Walgreens.

RecruitMilitary has scheduled 38 Veteran Opportunity Expos for the remainder of 2011. Those events will take place in Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Colorado Springs, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York (on September 22), Norfolk, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, St. Louis, San Diego, San Jose, Tacoma, Tampa, and Washington.

HireDS www.hireds.com) is a disabled-owned company that was founded in 2004. Besides the veterans program, HireDS programs and services include: facility accessibility surveys, disability policy creation, affinity group development, human resource training, general staff training, candidate recruitment, college disability internship program development, disability career fair representation, temporary staffing, non-profit partner evaluation, brand recognition, on-campus recruitment, adaptive product sourcing, consumer marketing programs, call center administration, executive search, and online mentoring.

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Earlier today, the New York Times published a story about how schools misreport athletics participation data in order to comply with Title IX (http://nytimes.com/2011/04/26/sports/26titleix.html). The following statement can be attributed to Leo Kocher, the President of the College Sports Council:

“Title IX has been turned into a gender quota law plain and simple, and it should not be a surprise that schools have become skilled in ways to game a system that is irretrievably broken. The use of gender quotas to prove compliance with Title IX has failed and the system must be reformed now.

“Title IX as written supports equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes, something that is impossible in athletics given the persistent imbalance between the sexes in interest in participating in a variety of areas, including intercollegiate sports. The use of quotas to enforce Title IX discriminates against male student athletes and artificially limits their opportunities to participate. In recent weeks, we’ve seen the use of strict gender quotas to comply with Title IX result in the needless elimination of men’s teams at the University of Delaware, Liberty University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

“Measurement of interest, not quotas, will lead to fairness.  In order to remedy the situation, the Department of Education should reinstitute the use of surveys to measure student interest in intercollegiate athletics, allowing schools more flexibility in complying with prong three of Title IX’s three prong test.”

Additional Background: http://collegesportscouncil.org

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New York, NY   Soul Kisses TV (http://www.soulkissestv.com), a new web talk show that features celebrities, brands, organizations and everyday people doing the extraordinary to change the world, today announced the premiere of their latest webisode Saving Lives Through Music (http://www.soulkissestv.com/the-show/webisode-four).  This production features the Moriah Harris-Rodger, Executive Director of the Fender Music Foundation and premieres Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

As people clamor about public education budget cuts, one of the most common programs to be affected in the K-12 public school systems are arts education, despite the consistent research that proves how critical these programs are in student and school success. A music program is a fundamental program in our school systems. Sadly, only 3% of U.S. children receive music class in public schools. In 1962 67% of schools offered string-instrument programs, today only 14% do. Music is essential for a well-rounded individual.

The Fender Music Foundation is one of the many music charities whose mission is to provide the gift of music to people and communities that may otherwise not have access.  Baldwin speaks with Rodgers on the transformative power music as well as details surrounding the operations of the charity itself. Rodgers then shares her personal story on the healing effects of music in her life as well as insightful business advice for the nonprofit industry.

This Soul Kisses production will be available for view on the Soul Kisses TV official website (http://www.soulkissestv.com/the-show/webisode-four) and will be archived for replay-on-demand.

With intention to make this truly engaging media, viewers of Soul Kisses TV will have the opportunity to join the discussion through Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/soulkissestv), Twitter (www.twitter.com/soulkissestv) and on site forums (www.soulkissestv.com), taking the conversation beyond hosts and guests and giving the audience their power of voice as well.  
For More Information, please contact Tamala Baldwin at tamala@soulkissestv.com

About Soul Kisses Productions
Soul Kisses Productions is an independent production company that is dedicated to the creation of media that inspires, heals, empowers and ultimately transforms the lives of others all over the world. Rooted in the conviction that each of us is here for a purpose, Soul Kisses Productions mission is to deliver enchanting works that feed the soul and leave the viewer feeling inspired to create their best life. We tell stories that deal with the heart, character and soul of man.

About Fender Music Foundation
The Fender Music Foundation was created to provide funding and resources for music programs across America so that kids and adults alike will have an opportunity to experience the joys of music. We also educate the public on the value of a musical education. With your help, we can make a difference in people’s lives by providing them a gift that lasts a lifetime.

The Fender Music Foundation believes that music participation is an essential element in the fabric of an enduring society. Our mission is to have the benefits of making music available to everyone in the communities in which we serve, to promote its importance through education and media initiatives, and to provide financial and in-kind resources in collaboration with other organizations to achieve our common goal.

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In a 21st Century world, students deserve and need educational learning tools that roll with the times to keep them engaged. And that’s precisely where EdTech Associates is making its mark.

Using stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, EdTech Associates has conducted the professional development of three ARRA Title II grants in New Hampshire — in math, science and literacy — with the goal of creating 21st Century classrooms.

“Using Moodle to support math instruction has allowed teachers to create ‘digital learning environments’ where students have 24/7 access to their math curriculum including math videos and interactive math practice,” said Kathleen McClaskey, President of EdTech Associates.

Moodle, a free open-source learning management system (LMS), provides universal access to e-textbooks, curriculum materials, online resources and web links for independent practice of skills, visual glossaries, forums and assessments. EdTech Associates offers training for teachers in this LMS using Tools for Learning™ Professional Development Service in literacy, math and science. They learn to use desktop software, online apps and Web 2.0 tools, which help engage all students in researched-based instruction to become independent learners for life.

The 3rd grade teacher from Unity Elementary in New Hampshire, noted that since she has built her math curriculum in Moodle, students are more engaged in math both in and out of school. She says, “Moodle was the key to extend the learning day and improve math scores.”

McClaskey added, “Classrooms have more personalized learning with either a 1:1 learning environment or a 5:1 scenario. In a short time, instructional practices have changed and engagement in learning is evident.”

EdTech Associates will also introduce a new service to the K-12 market called Built in Moodle™. It will offer a range of professional development services to support schools and school districts that want to create universally-designed all-digital 21st Century learning environments in Moodle.

EdTech Associates is an education technology consulting company offering services and resources to assist schools and school districts that want to create 21st Century teaching and learning environments. Its focus is on helping schools to understand how to create universally-designed learning environments in every classroom where all students can achieve.

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Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability. Every 3 to 4 minutes someone in the United States dies of a stroke. Those who survive may have significant physical and mental deficiencies. So, if you could avoid having a stroke, wouldn’t you?

In an effort to educate the community on stroke prevention, Arizona Science Center has partnered with American Heart Association’s StrokeCheck program as part of Stroke Awareness Month. On Saturday, April 30 free stroke screenings will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stroke screenings will be conducted by volunteers from Abrazo Health Care and other local hospitals, and will include blood pressure, completion of a stroke assessment form, and carotid bruit screening. Anyone who participates in the free screening event will receive a $3 discount on admission to BODY WORLDS & The Brain at Arizona Science Center. No appointment is necessary for this free screening event.  

BODY WORLDS & The Brain in The Sybil B. Harrington Galleries is presented locally by The Arizona Republic and JP Morgan Chase through May 30, 2011.  For more information on our featured exhibition as well as special events and programs, please call 602.716.2000 or visit www.azscience.org.

About Arizona Science Center
The mission of Arizona Science Center is to inspire, educate and entertain people of all ages about science. The Center, located at 600 E. Washington St. in downtown Phoenix, features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, the state-of-the-art Dorrance planetarium and a five-story IMAX® theater. For more information please call 602-716-2000 or visit  www.azscience.org.

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ST. LOUIS, MO – Algae have significant potential as a clean, renewable, and economical fuel source, and the St. Louis region is recognized as a leading center for algal biofuels research. This summer, area residents of all ages can contributes to the region’s reputation through Backyard Biofuels, a quest to find the ideal algal species that will help lead our nation to energy independence. To kick off the algae collecting season, the Saint Louis Science Center and the Center for Advanced Biofuel Systems at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are hosting the 2nd annual Algaepalooza on Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 10am to 4pm in the Life Science Lab at the Saint Louis Science Center. Algaepalooza is the first opportunity in 2011 for citizens to pick up algae-collecting kits as part of the Backyard Biofuels citizen science research project.

At Algaepalooza, visitors will have the opportunity to talk with the research scientists behind the project and learn why algae have the potential to be a sustainable source of fuel used to power cars, trucks and jet airplanes. As well as how to identify various types of algae and participate in hands-on experiments and activities like painting with algae and make algae ball necklaces.

Last year, 1,000 families and individuals were given collection kits, and approximately 170 samples were cultured in the Life Science Lab to isolate individual algae species that produce oil. More than 100 of those isolated strains were sent to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Danforth Plant Science Center, where they were tested for how much oil could be made and used for biofuel production.  Those that showed promise are undergoing additional tests.

“Ten samples from last year’s algae gave high readings of oil production. Such encouraging results wouldn’t be possible without the help of citizen scientists.” said Matthew Stevens, senior lab technician at the Danforth Plant Science Center who conducts the research for the Backyard Biofuels program. “This year we have a goal to identify an algae species that boast better oil productivity than last year.”

Many algae naturally produce and store lipids which can be extracted and converted into fuel. The process for harvesting their oil content has been established by scientists, and now it only needs to be perfected. While most studies of algae have occurred with lab-grown strains, most wild algae have been ignored mainly due to the time required to collect and analyze them. Each species has the potential to produce just the right amount and kind of oil to make it useful, but its potential will remain unknown until it can be isolated and analyzed.

This year participants have the option of mailing their collection kits back to the Science Center instead of having to return them in person. This will allow for more out-of-town visitors to participate in the program.  Participants can track the analytical progress of their sample on the website, backyardbiofuels.org. Collection kits will be available throughout the summer and into the fall at the Life Science Lab.

“We had a large number of kits turned in last year with many samples from the area,” said Cindy H. Encarnación, Ph.D., Director of Life Sciences. “This year, we’d like to see more samples from across Missouri and other parts of the country. The more different types of algae we can test, the more likely we are to identify really high oil-producers.”

Although popularized as a nuisance to swimming pool owners, algae offer several advantages for sustainable biofuel production over common food-crop plants. They can be grown using much less water, fertilizer and chemicals than conventional crops. They produce more oil per area than almost any plant, and are not a major food source.  Algae can be grown using gray water from treatment plants and can capture carbon dioxide from coal burning power plants or other CO2 sources thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Backyard Biofuels is a collaborative project of the Saint Louis Science Center and the Center for Advanced Biofuel Systems at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. It is supported through grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.   For more information about the Backyard Biofuels program, visit backyardbiofuels.org.

Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents magazine and one of America’s most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine, – the only museum in Missouri to be named to either list – the Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAXÒ Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Its mission is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning.  For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center and its programs, visit slsc.org

Media contact at the Saint Louis Science Center:   Beth McClure, Director of Communications, Saint Louis Science Center  314.289.1455, 314.267.9916, bmcclure@slsc.org

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research at the Danforth Center will feed the hungry and improve human health, preserve and renew the environment, and enhance the St. Louis region and Missouri as a world center for plant science. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants and contract revenue from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center invites you to visit its new website, www.danforthcenter.org, featuring interactive information on the Center’s scientists, news and research, including the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels, the Center for Advanced Biofuel Research, and the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. Public education outreach, RSS feeds and the brand-new “Roots & Shoots” blog help keep visitors up to date with Center’s current operations and areas of research.

Media contact:  Karla Goldstein, (314) 587-1231,    kgoldstein@danforthcenter.org or Melanie Bernds, (314) 587-1647,    mbernds@danforthcenter.org

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After a year off, the annual Western Massachusetts Kidney Walk has returned to Forest Park in Springfield. The National Kidney Foundation of New England is pleased to announce that Westfield State University President Evan S. Dobelle is this year’s Grand Marshal.

“I am pleased to serve as Grand Marshal for the 2011 [Western Massachusetts] Kidney Walk as I know it has personally touched many of our students and their families,” Dobelle said. “I encourage everyone to support students’ efforts to fundraise and increase awareness of kidney disease and organ donation.”

On Sunday, June 5, beginning with check in at 9:30 a.m., Dobelle and walkers will step off at 10:30 a.m. Also joining the walk is emcee Brandon Butcher of CBS 3 Springfield.

The National Kidney Foundation is committed to the prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.

“It’s personal for me,” said Rodrick Shubrick, chair and founder of the Springfield walk. “My daughter had a kidney transplant. I want to help her and help others with spreading information and awareness.”

Attorney Frank Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald is proud to once again be the Corporate Chair of the walk. He said he gets asked quite a bit to support and participate in charity events. The Western Massachusetts Kidney Walk is one that is close to him.

“It’s a good charity, it’s a good program and many people are affected by kidney disease. I have friend and relative on dialysis,” Fitzgerald said.

To register your team or make a donation, visit www.kidneywalk.org.

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Only 6 weeks after its launch in the United Kingdom, over 7,000 courses and education programmes can be compared at http://www.springest.co.uk. The market leading Dutch company compares itself to the likes of Booking.com and PriceRunner, but focuses on the educational sector.
“We’re on schedule to reach 20,000 courses and over 1,000 reviews before the end of this year”, says the founding Dutch entrepreneur Ruben Timmerman. “Our launches in Germany and the UK already show that we can repeat our success of The Netherlands”.

Springest sheds new light on the course jungle by adding easy-to-use filtering to compare training courses, read peer reviews and get in direct contact with Learning & Development professionals to find the perfect match.

The website provides an overview in 19 different categories, ranging from Personal Development to Logistics and HR. Next to the course listings it offers a holistic Learning & Development platform with articles and Q&A sessions with L&D professionals and the opportunity to connect with us, peers and providers via Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

The roots of Springest lie in the Netherlands where Timmerman founded Eduhub.nl in 2008 envisioning an independent, transparent and user-friendly Learning & Development platform. Only two years later Eduhub was awarded with the 2010 Dutch Start-up Award by leading tech weblog TheNextWeb.com. Today the Dutch website provides an overview of more than 22,000 courses by 2.250 L&D providers, with over 7,500 reviews from actual course participants.

“We strive to help people grow both in their work and personal life. To encourage new beginnings, to get the best out of yourself and to look fresh and open-minded into the world. That is what Springest stands for. I’m very excited to be part of this sector and help education providers market their offerings. I’m convinced that with our no-cure-no-pay model we’ll manage to gain a leading position in the UK.“ says Ninja Lamberty, Country Manager UK for Springest.

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