Health and Safety Fair draws young and old

Health-conscious people came to the library's first health and safety fair. About 90 booths were set up. Some focusing on the dangers of drinking and driving. Some were there to help take blood pressures and demonstrate proper child safety seat installations. Others really took it easy with some back massages. It's an event that's gotten a lot of positive feedback. "We thought we would have 40 vendors and we have 90 today. So we've had a lot of positive feedback. We probably wil host this again next summer," said Sheila Umberger, Director of Libraries.

PABIAC launches phase 2 of health and safety drive

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee (PABIAC) has launched the second phase of its plan to improve the health and safety performances of companies which operate in the papermaking, corrugated packaging and recovered paper sectors.Entitled Making a Difference 2008-2011, the initiative sets out the strategic direction for health and safety in the industry for the next three years and sets targets for firms to aim for, one of which is to reduce the annual injury incidence rates from the current figure of around 1,170 per 100,000 employees to 850.Other areas highlighted include improving health and safety management performance and demonstrating a continuously improving health and safety climate.James Barrett, head of the HSE's manufacturing sector, said: "Making a Difference 2008-2011 will help encourage those companies who have yet to show real progress to make a start on the road to improvement and will encourage those who have already made good progress to maintain their momentum."The PABIAC alliance consists of the HSE, the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry.According to the HSE, the main causes of injury in the paper industry include manual handling and slips and trips.

Health care help for Nevada employee partners pushed, but where's

Despite a legislative panel giving thumbs up to a regulation approving health care benefits for domestic partners of Nevada state employees, a hurdle called hard times might intervene.

The regulation, which includes same sex domestic partners, was approved 3-2 by the Subcommittee on Regulation but it could carry a $4.1 million state general fund price tag the first year and a $4.5 million cost the second. Budget constraints may prevail.

"If the shoe were on the other foot, they'd find the money," said Holly Wilson, former Reno chapter president of PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). She felt benefits should be the same for domestic partners, gay or straight, as they are for married couples. She said domestic partnership advocates, including PFLAG, should favor the idea.

News in Brief

Belleville Lake reopens for swimming: The Wayne County Department of Public Health announced last Thursday it was lifting a ban on all swimming and recreational activities for the public bathing beach at Belleville Lake.

According to a press release, the latest surface water sample results taken by the Wayne County Department of Public Health meet Michigan Public Health Code standards for swimming and other recreational use involving body immersion.

"Public swimming and full body contact with the water at Belleville Lake is now safe to enjoy for swimming based on these findings," said Loretta V. Davis, Director/Health Officer, Wayne County Department of Public Health.

The lake had been closed since the last week in July when previous water samples were found to exceed the Michigan Public Health Code bathing beach water quality standard for E.

Open letter to David Caplan, minister of health and long-term care

The creation of the Local Health Integration Network as an appointed provincial agency to oversee management of hospitals does not release your government from its obligation to provide comprehensive accessible health care in an equitable fashion to all Ontarians, for which only your government remains accountable to the electorate.

The Douglas Memorial Hospital from the time of its founding continually operated without deficits and did not surrender its independence to the Niagara Health System willingly.

We deserve and will accept nothing less than what the previous Conservative government provided to us.

We expect and demand that you take whatever legislative steps are necessary to ensure in law the continuation of our hospital as a small rural hospital as previously defined with the capacity to provide 24-hour emergency care, acute care beds and day surgery procedures on site.

Online bookings near 50% of Hungarian air ticket market

Ninety percent of Hungarians heading abroad use the web to plan their trip while 48 percent get information from travel agency catalogues. Just over 40 percent make inquiries from friends and acquaintances.

Half of respondents have booked hotel rooms, 45 percent purchased air tickets and 41 percent paid for cultural services -- for instance, concert tickets -- over the internet.

Thirty one percent prefer to make their travel arrangements on Hungarian-language sites while 47 percent cited the price as the most important factor determining their choice.

Last chance! Enter your travel photos in our annual contest

Today is the last day to enter The Star's eighth annual travel photo contest. We need your best shots by 5 p.m.

Our panel of judges will consider originality, composition, technical execution and artistic merit. Winning photos will be published in the Aug. 31 IndySunday and on IndyStar.com.

Pushkar travel: Pleasurable experience

All you have to do is to plan your vacation with Pushkar travel and then let yourself free in the real pleasure hub of culture, heritage and serenity. With temples, culture, royalty, hospitality palaces, forts and holy rivers to choose from, this city will surely win anyone's heart.

Shopping in Pushkar can be really interesting. The city is full of traditional bazaars and other shopping centers from where, one can easily purchase textiles, exquisite embroidery pieces, finely crafted jewelry, miniature paintings and many other items of interest. Moreover, if you have planned your Pushkar travel tour during the festive season, then the great variety of regional fairs will make your trip totally outstanding. On the other hand, those who have taken a break for a peaceful outing can find their solace in the mesmerizing lakes of Pushkar.

Gas Could Lighten Travel for School Sports

The high cost of gasoline has some schools in Vermont considering limiting the distance sports teams can travel for non-league games.

Michael O'Day, director of student activities at South Burlington schools, said Friday the school board has not told him to cut long trips or the amount of games played. However, he said he is closely monitoring mounting gas bills and the effects on his budget.

"It comes down to budget - bottom line," O'Day said. "Is it affordable for us to continue to do what we're doing?"

South Burlington's fall athletics include football, soccer, field hockey, cross-country running and cheerleading. Most away games are played in Chittenden County and the surrounding area, but many are played 2-3 hours away in Rutland and Bennington.

O'Day said league games in those places could not be eliminated without a reconfiguration of the league. Non-league games, or exhibitions, are the ones being evaluated.

O'Day said non-league games add value to the program because of the high-level of competition faced, but that has to be balanced by what is financially feasible.

Rising cost forces expat families to tighten belt

“The effect of the slow business is telling on my income and I've been making a lot of sacrifices especially on our monthly shopping. The family has to forgo many things like regular shopping for clothes, shoes and other luxuries.

“I used to buy branded dresses and shoes for both my wife and daughter, but all that has changed; we go for less expensive, still quality, wears and exercise some control on the way we spend our little change," he said.
The Arab expatriate, who lives in a three-room apartment with his nurse wife and daughter, said he has been able to cope with the full support of his wife who assists with her monthly income.

“I am desperately looking for a job now before my account goes into red, especially now that we are expecting a new baby, and if things remain as they are, I may consider relocating to my country," he said.

Teen boys charged for shopping centre arson

A 16-year-old boy accused of deliberately lighting a fire which destroyed a major western Sydney shopping complex has been ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment.

The boy is one of two 16-year-old youths who appeared before the Parramatta Children's Court Magistrate Sharon Holdsworth today, both charged with "recklessly destroying by means of fire" the Wentworthville Shopping Centre in Dunmore Street, Wentworthville on Monday July 21.

Police alleged the blaze which erupted at 4.40pm was deliberately lit with cigarette lighters and an accelerant.

More than $1 million in damage was caused to retail outlets and the centre's Bio-lo Discount store by the fire which was battled by more than a dozen NSW Fire Brigade units drawn from Sydney's west.

Magistrate Holdsworth declined to hear a bail application for one of the boys, who was arrested on Thursday at his parents Wentworthville home, until he had undergone psychiatric from Juvenile Justice Health.

Suitors line up for Steve & Barry’s

The chain now has 15 stores in California, with other Bay Area locations in San Francisco, Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas and Eastridge shopping center in San Jose.

Bay Harbour Management is reported to have a plan in which it would keep from 125 to 200 of Steve & Barry’s 276 stores open.

Paige Allen, general manager of NewPark, told the Business Times in an earlier interview she hopes her mall’s store will survive, saying it has been very successful.

The Journal also reported that Steve & Barry’s management is trying to put together an alternative buyout group from a group of bidders who have shown interest in individual properties and store assets. However, that effort has been unsuccessful to date.

Poor economic conditions are taking a heavy toll on the retail industry locally and nationwide.

Try a home-grown shopping holiday

So inured am I to the normality of that reality that I didn't realise how low my expectations of the British shopping experience had sunk.

That hit me in a tiny sports shop in Ivybridge last week. I'd forgotten my trainers and went in anticipating the least - a cheapo stop-gap pair, perhaps. But I was greeted by a chap who would not let me leave until he'd measured my feet, checked my running gait, fitted me, given me advice (and socks) to prevent blisters, and passed on the knowledge that Nike trainers are "plastic rubbish that don't fit" (a suspicion that I've always had, but how nice to have it confirmed by an honest expert).

I know that you can get such attention in some obscure places in London, but I've never found them. Thanks to Mr Ivybridge, I now have the best running shoes I've ever owned.

Search Engine Marketing Agency NetBooster Asia hits Shanghai

With this step, NetBooster Asia is positive in presenting its customers only competent and expert search engine marketing strategies that focus on Strategic Web Consulting, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Viral Marketing, Online Media Buying, Online Reputation Management, Content Creation, Social Networking and tracking & monitoring.

China, being the booming business hub today, will give NetBooster Asia the advantage of reaching a larger enterprising market who wants to develop their web visibility across Asia and Europe through the development of their search engine marketing campaigns as well.

NetBooster Asia is optimistic for this year as it welcomes opportunities for websites that need an increase in online visibility and conversion.

SEO Marketing LLC Abandons New Authority Site Finder Tool

What really makes the difference in search engine rankings is the type of links that point to a website. What prompted SEO Marketing to begin developing the authority link finder tool was to help individuals, webmasters and companies find the links truly worth going after. Unfortunately, the new tool has never quite met expectations. The primary reason the tool has remained in the developmental phase appears to be the latest search engine updates. The concept behind the new website optimization tool was to take some of the guess work out of finding the top related links for websites helping to increase rankings in Google's search engine results pages (S.E.R.P.S). The overall goals were to make a web tool that finds web sites with trusted education links, good Alexa traffic rank, high Google PageRank, Compete statistics and the age of websites.

Internet marketing to become more popular among hotels

Explaining Swissotel's search engine marketing strategy, she stated that the company has recently adopted a new search engine optimisation strategy to coincide with a redesign of its website, m-travel.com reports.Ms Pezzi also predicted that pay-per-click will remain a vital part of internet marketing for the foreseeable feature, although mobile search, social networks, rich media and mobile ads will also play a bigger part."We hoteliers, apart from few exceptions, have been quite slow to embrace Web 2.0. Marketing to bloggers, widgets for social networks, personalisation, to name a few, will all have to be taken into account," she added.Earlier this year, a report from comScore suggested that growing numbers of web users are making hotel bookings directly from supplier sites rather than going through a third party such as a travel agency.

Position Gold Make SEO Simple with a Step by Step Manual

We want to fully enlighten all of our clients, potential clients and even just people who are interested in Search Engine Optimisation. We are aware that many SEO companies try to bamboozle their clients with technical terms and phrases, as to what it is that they are actually doing to their websites. But here at Position Gold Ltd, we explain this fully to every client and query and aim to ensure our client is fully aware of all the terms and processes involved in SEO.

To provide even more understanding of SEO, Position Gold Ltd are publishing a free 'How to SEO Manual' providing free information on what SEO is all about. The manual will include in depth explanations of key SEO terms, comprehensive breakdowns of all the technical aspects of SEO, information on how SEO could positively influence your website, the introduction and explanations of ethical and unethical Search Engine Optimisation techniques and many other elucidations of vital aspects of SEO.

Immigration debate hot

The discussion moved to the City of Austin itself, and whether or not Austin is a “sanctuary city" — a community that prohibits law enforcement from inquiring citizens about their legal status.

“How many of us can break a crime and get away with it?" Hendrycks said, followed by a roar of appreciation from the audience.

“This is ludicrous," she proclaimed. “If we do not enforce our laws, anarchy is going to come."

The panelists said although the City of Austin does not consider itself to be a “sanctuary city," they believe it is one because of its policy.

“What do you see happening?" Hendrycks asked. “Give ‘em hell, but be careful when saying Austin is a sanctuary city."

Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm was not available for comment by deadline today.

Employee Morale and the LE Manager

These stories are all too common and underscore what seems to be a pervasive problem in the law enforcement profession: Law enforcement extracts a large toll, psychologically, emotionally, and physically, on those who make it a career and it is not entirely, or even primarily, those policed who take the largest share of that toll. It is often the politics, policies, and stresses generated within the police agencies themselves that most significantly impact law enforcement professionals.

If you are a leader in a police organization, how is the morale of the people under you? If morale is low, then why? Do you believe organizational morale is one of your responsibilities and, if so, what do you do to improve it? Is good morale important, or maybe even essential, for the organization to carry out its mission? What do you and your organization do right, and what can be done better, to make it a good place to work?

Low morale is a serious problem in law enforcement.

Bay attorney to co-chair national law society

NELSON Mandela Bay attorney Max Boqwana has been elected co-chairman of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA).

Boqwana, 37, started practising law in 1995 after finishing his BA LLB degree at Rhodes University.

I was never influenced by anyone to take up law. I saw the profession as the only formal response to the injustice that was happening in the country during my high school years.

Apart from being a senior partner of Boqwana Loon & Connellan Inc, which is based in the city, Boqwana is a council member of the LSSA, a member of the LSSAs management committee, general secretary of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, a council member of the SADC Lawyers Association, and a council member of the Cape Law Society.

He was chairman of the Attorneys Fidelity Fund control board from 2005 to 2007 and is currently a director of the Attorney Insurance Indemnity Fund.

Aldermen's vote to buy $3.5 million worth of property draws legal

North Carolina law allows public bodies to go into closed, or executive, sessions for several reasons. Closed sessions may be held to discuss personnel matters, economic incentives, legal issues or land acquisition.

But unsealing the minutes of a closed meeting is not sufficient when it comes to complying with North Carolina law, said Amanda Martin, an attorney with the N.C. Press Association.

"The law does not permit them to take the actual vote in closed session," Martin said Tuesday. "I think it is a violation."

According to the draft minutes, the aldermen went into the hour-long session to discuss buying three parcels of land and buildings on Kale Road in the James City area. The purchase price for the 20 acres and at least one building is $3.5 million.

A dangerous game to play

The media descended on this story of bloody murder when the killer confessed, but pleaded that a video game made him do it. Authorities took him at his word, issued a hasty ban on exactly 10 games and vaguely promised new restrictions further down the line. Far from showing concern, this reaction emphasised the huge gap between the real technology revolution and what the country's leaders appear to know about it.

First of all, it is most troubling that authorities and the media latched on so quickly and conveniently to the alibi of a confessed, vicious killer.

They were far too quick to accept the word of Mr Polwat. He is an adult who told police he planned and carried out a reprehensible killing for a small amount of money. His claim that the video game Grand Theft Auto made him commit the crime sounds more like a novel legal defence than a credible motive.

Olympics: Medal winners who have made Olympic history

The cyclist is the first UK Olympic athlete to achieve the feat since swimmer Henry Taylor at the London Games in 1908.

Team mate Bradley Wiggins was earlier unable to complete a hat trick of golds, coming eighth in the Madison with partner Mark Cavendish.

He had a gruelling Olympic schedule and had already won gold for the individual and team pursuit.

Miner's son Taylor won the 1,500 metres, 400 metres and was part of the victorious 4 x 200 metres relay team.

He was Britain's greatest ever Olympic swimmer, achieving another bronze in 1912 and again in 1920.

The athlete also won three medals – bronze, silver and gold – at the unofficial Olympics in Athens in 1906, which was held to mark the tenth anniversary of the first modern Games.

Mansfield has new rules for attendance at football games

The guidelines, however, could mean trouble for parents who are consistently late in picking up their kids from football games.

Students not picked up 30 minutes after an event will be held in a community room inside the stadium. Those who repeatedly linger at the stadium may be restricted from attending future events by their principal.

The policy applies to both of the school district’s stadiums. Administrators cite MISD Stadium’s location along Texas 360 as a motivation for the change, which was posted on the district’s Web site late last week. The stadium opened in 2007, and businesses are opening nearby.

"It’s just about the kids’ safety, about wanting to keep them off that highway," Deputy Superintendent Bob Morrison said.

Marathon runner Radcliffe's brave effort over body and soul

Paula Radcliffe vowed this week to prolong her career until the London 2012 Games after her second tilt at the Olympic marathon title ended in a familiar combination of tears, pain and disappointment.

Four years after dropping out of the Athens race in distress less than 3km from the end, Radcliffe did reach the finish line in the Bird's Nest Stadium, but that feat offered little comfort to an athlete who usually races only to win.

Handicapped by a stress fracture to her left thigh that restricted her to just two weeks of serious preparation before the race, she finished 23rd, more than 17 minutes outside her own world record and almost six minutes behind the gold medalist, Constantin Tomescu, who at 38, is the same age Radcliffe will be when the Olympics arrive in London.

Delta sees improving gross margin in 3Q08 and beyond

Delta Electronics expects its gross margin to improve on-quarter starting the third quarter of this year after seeing its gross market decline five percentage points to a low of 17% in the second quarter from a year earlier, according to company CEO Yancey Hai.

Increasing shipments of power supply products for notebooks and LCD TVs should help boost revenues as well as gross margin starting the third quarter and beyond, Hai added.

For the first half of this year, gross margin stood at 17.7% compared to 21.8% a year earlier After-tax profits declined 20.2% on year to NT$5.43 billion (US$173.5 million), according to company data.

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (PinkSheets: LINK), a worldwide provider of intuitive interface components and solutions, today announced results for the quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2008.

The company reported total second quarter revenues of $6.7 million, up 76 percent from $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2007. Gross profit increased to $3.1 million from $1.3 million in the same quarter last year. The Company's operating loss was $972,000, down from $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2007. These results include charges for share-based compensation of $115,000 and $525,000 in the second quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Interlink's net loss in the second quarter of 2008 was $522,000, with a basic and diluted loss per share of ($0.04), compared to a net loss of $2.2 million and a loss per share of ($0.16) in the same quarter last year.

Hammond Electronics family of 19in rack cases

The family of 19in rack cases from Hammond Electronics are available in 1, 2 and 3U heights and depths of 203mm, 330mm and 457mm.

They are suitable for housing a wide range of equipment, either mounted in a 19in rack or, if required, the units can be used as a desktop enclosure.

The all aluminium construction consists of a heavy-duty extruded frame, removable vented or plain top and bottom covers and optional 19in rack mounting angles and self-adhesive rubber feet.

Skill development body takes shape

Equity shares in equal proportion are being offered to private players/bodies in automobiles, construction, electronics hardware, gems and jewellery, health care, leather and leather goods, textiles, hospitality, engineering and biotechnology sectors.

Besides Assocham and CII, industry bodies such as the Society of Indian automobile manufacturers (SIAM) and Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) have already agreed to take stake in NSDC.

Related Stories:
Govt to have 49% stake in National Skill Development Corporation

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At Princeton, alumni pride aids No. 1 rank

"We are pleased that our commitment to providing the highest quality undergraduate education continues to be recognized," said Princeton spokeswoman Cass Cliatt. "Still, we feel it's important to note that no formulaic ranking can capture an institution's individual distinctiveness."

But there's no denying that universities benefit from sitting atop the list.

A high ranking generates more applicants to the school, allowing it to be more selective. It bolsters the school's reputation, another factor in the U.S. News list.

"There's a halo effect," says Richard Richardson, a professor of higher education at New York University. "That is, once you are identified as No. 1, people tend to associate you at that level."

And it generates more alumni giving, a key asset for Princeton.

Quality Consultations Speech by Australian Early Education

High quality early childhood education and care programs have a positive effect on children's ability to learn, and on their social development.

Good quality early childhood experiences ease the transition to formal schooling, and have a direct affect on educational, employment and health outcomes.

And we know that disadvantaged children have the most to gain from the benefits of early intervention programs delivered in early childhood education and care settings.

If we continue to ignore this evidence and do nothing, we do so at our own peril. The next generation will inevitably pay the cost of our inaction.

The Status Quo and why it needs to Change

As someone reasonably new to this portfolio, I bring a fresh set of eyes – and sometimes that can be very helpful.

The best teachers deserve rewards

The nation's largest teacher union, the Australian Education Union, has already proposed a scheme to reward experienced teachers which recognises their teaching knowledge and practice.

The union proposal, entitled ''Professional Pay and Quality Teaching for Australia's Future'', says any form of performance-based pay to recognise and encourage professional excellence would need to ''establish a set of professional standards for teaching beyond current processes. Teachers would [need to] be assessed by an independent and fair process and rewarded through salary increases, not one-off cash bonuses'', and ''teachers would be required to demonstrate how their teaching experience and professional development are contributing to the improvement of educational outcomes for students''.

The idea that high-performing teachers should be rewarded for gaining further qualifications in higher education or through rigorous accredited professional learning is hardly radical.

School officials look at funding options

District officials also are considering the big picture of education funding in Nevada. On Monday, School Board members approved a legislative bill draft that, if approved, would create a rainy day fund, or a "stabilization" account, for education.

Joyce Haldeman, associate superintendent for community relations, called the bill a "truth in advertising" measure to protect state funds earmarked for education.

Now, once state officials determine how much to budget for education, excess revenue from taxes dedicated to funding education reverts back to the state's general fund. Haldeman does not deny that the money is then used for worthwhile projects. But the funding is not going toward its intended use, she said.

She said "the guaranteed funding" is, in reality, a "guaranteed cut."

Haldeman said $192 million in excess education funding was returned to the general fund in 2007.

IBM invests $300 mln in disaster recovery centers

The technology encrypts data on computers, automatically sending it to IBM's cloud computing center over the Internet.

If a customer's computer breaks down or a data center is destroyed, lost data can be restored via the Web in two to six hours, IBM Vice President Mike Riegel said in an interview.

Older technology known as "data mirroring" is far more expensive than cloud-computing technology and relies on two sets of data in two locations. But it also allows for systems to be restored in less than an hour, he said.

IBM's rivals in this area include Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and privately held SunGard.

(Reporting by Jim Finkle; Editing by Braden Reddall).

Social security donates computers to youth for the future

The Belize Social Security Board today donated four brand new dell computers to Youth for the Future as an addition to their resource centre. Derrick Morgan, Social Security, Belize City Branch Manager, delivered the computers to Youth For the future. He told Love News how the board was informed of the need for the computer at Youth for the Future.

Derrick Morgan, Belize City Branch Manager Belize Social Security Board

"Youth for the Future applied for assistance with some computers and the CEO obliged by providing four new dell computers to Youth for the Future. These are full loaded computers valued at approximately $2,500 each, for a total value of $10,000 for the four of them."

Dianne Finnegan, Director of youth for the future was on hand to receive the computers.

Dianne Finnegan, Director Youth for the future

"Because of the concerns Jermaine had expressed about walk-ins on a daily basis and the importance of getting new computers.

Chiang: Computer System Can't Be Reprogrammed

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Controller John Chiang over cutting state employees pay is showing the age of the state's computer system.

The two-decade old system uses an antiquated computer program first introduced in 1959.

Chiang said that's one reason he can't reprogram computers to pay 180,000 state workers only the federal minimum wage.

Kan. pharmacist charged over Internet sales

He faces one felony count each of commercial bribery, computer crime and conspiracy to commit computer crime.

Six also filed seven misdemeanor counts of violating Kansas pharmacy laws and seven more of violating state laws on the sales of drugs and cosmetics.

The charges were filed Tuesday in Rice County District Court.

Kloxin's attorney didn't return a telephone message.

The state closed the pharmacy in March, linking it in an order to a man's death.

Mobile Apps to Synchronize Small Business

Small businesses that are wrestling with the double whammy of higher input costs and softening demand seem to be finally letting go of their dread for mastering new riffs on mobile software. Steve Jobs has been repeatedly quoted saying AppleAAPL generated $30 million in sales the first month for the so-called App Store that sells downloadable software for the uber-chic iPhone. And cell-phone operators from VerizonVZ to T-Mobile to Sprint NextelS are answering by pushing business applications for mobile platforms with fresh vigor. I am finding, though, that the most interesting end of the mobile app market is the product lineup from smaller start-ups, which are creating easy-to-use mobile apps that are perfect for small businesses. Most of these are simple to install and sometimes free and can be used to quickly boost productivity and save a couple gallons of pricey diesel fuel.

Utah business under fire for questionable iPod service

After dozens of complaints the Utah Better Business Bureau down loaded a warning against Pleasant Grove based ikaput.com.“My iPod broke, it started freezing up all the time and not working," said Reshohnah Salazar. She did not buy the extended warranty so she could buy a new iPod for about the cost of having her old one repaired. But then a Google search brought her to an iPod repair company called ikaput.com. "The post office confirmed with me that it was delivered."But after a few weeks of watching the mail Salazar called to find out what happed to her iPod and the hundred bucks she sent them. "They told me, we don't have your iPod."Unfortunately, Salazar is not alone. The Utah Better Business Bureau has received more than 80 complaints about ikaput.com in the past year from iRate iPod owners in 32 states and Puerto Rico.

Lumera gets NASDAQ warning Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

Lumera Corp. said it’s received a letter from the NASDAQ stock exchange, warning that the company is in danger of being delisted because its shares don’t meet the exchange’s minimum bid price of $1.

The exchange is giving the Bothell company until Feb. 10, 2009, to regain compliance. But Lumera (NASDAQ: LMRA), which in March said it will merge with GigOptix LLC of Palo Alto, Calif., said it expects the merger will be completed before the end of the compliance period.

Lumera’s shares haven’t traded above $1 per share since late June.

Lumera makes electro-optic polymer modulators used in defense satellite and radar applications. The headquarters of the combined company will be located in California.

Business leaders: Make renewable energy cheaper

"Far worse, they're distractions from the deadly serious business of creating a new national energy policy."

General Electric chief executive Jeff Immelt did not attend, but said in a video presentation that the government and the business community need to move forward.

"The technology exists, the time is now," he said. "We need a call to action — not a call to go to another conference."

Former President Bill Clinton laid out a 10-point plan Monday that included expanded research for carbon dioxide storage and accelerating a shift toward plug-in hybrid electric cars.

Texas oil baron T. Boone Pickens also presented his plan to develop wind energy to generate 20 percent of the nation's electricity, then use natural gas to power cars until hydrogen or plug-in electric cars become widely available.

Business Customers Give Cox, Qwest High Marks: Survey

Cox is the top provider to small and mid-sized businesses (defined as companies with two to 499 employees) and Qwest was the top provider for large enterprise businesses (those with 500 or more employees). In each category, Verizon was a close second, according to the ranking firm.

Each provider in the study, the 2008 Major Provider Business Telecommunications study, was judged on six criteria: performance and reliability; sales representatives and executives; billing; cost of services; offerings and promotions and customer services. The table ranked providers of cable modem, digital-subscriber line, T1, T3/DS3, Ethernet and frame relay services.

Cox scored high in five of six of the attributes (offerings and promotions was the lower-scoring category). Qwest also was a top scorer in five of six categories, including the top-ranked company for customer service.

New child-support law leaves some parents feeling 'penalized'

``I don't think it's fair,'' the Otsego mother said of the new federal law. ``I'm getting penalized for not getting assistance.

``I'm a single mom and I make about $17,000 a year,'' said Herring, who has a 10-year-old son. ``I pride myself on not getting any assistance and we struggle to make it.''

The child-support checks Herring gets is actually payback from when her son's father fell behind in child-support payments, not current support, she said.

The change was announced in letters sent out in mid-July to those who receive child support.

The Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 requires the $25 fee be collected after the custodial parent receives $500 in support, said Colleen Steinman, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Human Services' Office of Child Support.

Shapeways offers cheap 3D printing

But Shapeways, a part of Philips Electronics, is for individual users.

The service charges less than $3 per cubic centimeter for materials. That means you can get your model bookends printed for less than $200, even much less than that if you make it very, very, tiny.

If you are short on ideas or skills, the site offers a growing library of free templates from designers.

With the downloadable Java tool Sideways Creator, you can personalize gifts with custom etchings.

I expect Shapeways' "light poem" tea light holder will be a hit. The Sideways Creator tool has a window into which you can punch in your salute to the Red Sox, or birthday greetings for your mom.

The tool then shows you a 3D rendering of the product, as it has been shaped by your words.

More education needed to curb wildlife crime in Cameroon

More needs to be done to make the local population in Cameroon aware of the legal protection that the country's rare animals are covered by, a conference has been told.The local Post newspaper reported that the ministry of forestry and wildlife organised a workshop that stressed to stakeholders that one of the most effective ways to curb wildlife poaching in the country would be to make more people aware of the relevant laws.What's more, the speakers at the event claimed that the complexity of the country's wildlife laws made it difficult to prosecute people caught poaching.To improve the situation, forestry and wildlife minister Elvis Ngolle Ngolle reportedly told the conference that the relevant laws were already being taught in some academic institutions in the country.The minister stressed that the illegal exploitation of forest resources was a major problem in Cameroon and that the government was permanently engaged in efforts to curb poaching.Recently, the US ambassador to the west African nation warned that poaching was a serious problem.Janet Garvey said that it was deeply "worrying" that the illegal killing of rare animals appeared to be increasing at the moment in Cameroon.Help IAR save animals from suffering around the world.News brought to you by International Animal Rescue, saving animals from suffering around the world.

Kangas peak at right time

"We have six and a half wins after the break, and having won six games in a row, we have put ourselves in a really good position," he said.

"A lot of it is about peaking at the right time. It's really important for us to hold our form. Port Adelaide did this last year, and they had only won seven games at the halfway mark, so there are a couple of games to go but at least we are guaranteed finals now.

"The top four spots are not secure, so we have not nothing to lose. I am glad we can play Geelong this week so we can find out where we are at."

While Geelong smashed the Roos by 106 points in last year's qualifying final, North is looking at Sunday's Skilled Stadium clash as a perfect litmus test.

"It depends what kind of Geelong turns up, but at the same time we are playing pretty good footy," Simpson said.

Amazon Green Product Shopping Guide

Amazon.com has launched Amazon Green, a cross-category program that includes a list of products that customers have selected as the best green products offered by Amazon.com and a place for customers to discover Amazon's entire green product selection.

The Amazon Green product guide includes obvious stuff like Reusable Grocery Totes, energy saving bulbs, and Seventh Generation Bathroom Tissue.

The more interesting green products in the user generated list include the Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit, Spinning Composter, and the Delta Fluidics Water Amplifying Adjustable Showerhead.
More details on the Amazon Green Guide.

TRX and ExpenseWire Partner to Deliver Integrated Travel & Expense

RESX is a Web-based, self service application that enables business travelers and travel arrangers to create policy-compliant air, car and hotel reservations. RESX's robust administration module enables travel management companies and corporate travel managers to tightly manage policy, site customization and user settings. ExpenseWire's on-demand software simplifies and streamlines the process of filing, reviewing, approving and reimbursing employee expense reports online. The integrated solution delivers valuable company and employee benefits for travel, procurement and finance professionals that include: -- Reducing employee spending by communicating and enforcing spending policies from the point of purchase to the expense report. -- Identifying discrepancies between booked and actual charges and flagging employee fraud and overbilling by suppliers.

Meet Emily - the most lifelike animated actress ever made

Now 80 years later industry experts are hailing Image Metrics for making the most realistic computer generated character so far.

'Emily' is an extraordinary animated woman created using a ground-breaking modelling technique that captures minute facial movements.

The Best Internet Marketing Strategies That You Need To Use

Here are some of the best internet marketing strategies that you will want to use for your business.One: Search Engine Optimization – This is when you optimize your website using keywords that are found when people search using search engines. This is one of the internet marketing strategies that you will have to get educated on because if you don’t, you will become confused and frustrated. Optimization is not hard to do but only if you understand it.Two: Article Marketing – This is one of the best internet marketing strategies that has been used for years and will continue to be used because it works no matter what. This will also help you with search engine optimization because you can easily write an article around one or two popular keywords and then put it as content on your site to help with optimization or you can use it submit the article to the many articles directories.

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