Astronomy

SETIcon: Where Science and Imagination Meet

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:29:28 +0000

(Vocus) August 11, 2010

This weekend the world-renowned SETI Institute will host the first ever public convention on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence grounded within science fact and science fiction.

August 13-15th science fans, experts, influential thinkers and celebrities will come together in one of the most anticipated scientific events of 2010 to present a unique and dynamic program dedicated to one of humanity?s most profound questions: ?Are we alone??

SETI Institute scientists and colleagues from around the country?with expertise in such fields as astrobiology, astrophysics, planetary geology, and radio astronomy?conduct some of the most groundbreaking and innovative research in their fields. These experts will be helping to celebrate the Institute?s 25th Anniversary by extending a public invitation to share their insight. Everyone interested in ?the search? is welcome to join the dialogue at the convention.

SETIcon is an event for the entire family and includes traditional science presentations, interactive Q & A forums, and fun activities, such as a Guitar Hero competition hosted by some of SETI Institute?s most celebrated scientists and guests.

Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart has worked with Nobel Laureate George Smoot and the SETI Institute?s Jill Tarter on a special musical composition called “Rhythms of the Universe.” Hart will introduce a preview showing of this work-in-progress at a Friday evening event during SETIcon.

This weekend?s event will also serve as the location for SETI Institute?s 25th Anniversary celebration, and will feature a banquet Saturday evening paying tribute to SETI pioneer Frank Drake who conducted the first SETI experiment, Project OZMA 50 years ago.

SETIcon?s arrival marks an important time in our history when astronomers have found planets around hundreds of other stars, and public interest and anticipation is mounting over the prospect of discovering life beyond Earth.

Tickets are still available (detailed event and purchasing information below). Come participate in this extraordinary weekend and hear real answers to pressing questions on the search for life in the Universe.

The SETI Institute?s 1st Annual SETIcon

August 13 – 15, 2010

Hyatt Regency Hotel, Santa Clara, California

Only $ 20 per day or $ 35 for a weekend pass.

Go to http://www.seticon.com for more information and tickets.

A few of the fascinating panels scheduled for the weekend:

????Looking for a Few Good Earths: Finding Our Counterpart Among the Stars
????Was Stephen Hawking Right: Should We Not Broadcast to Extraterrestrial Civilizations?
????Multiverses: Is One Cosmos Enough?
????Should Pluto be Considered a Planet?
????Why Are There No Tourists from Other Worlds?
????White Lab Coats and Gray Aliens: Images of Scientists and Extraterrestrials in the Popular Media
????Asteroid Armageddon: Will The Kind of Rock that Obliterated the Dinosaurs Get Us Next?
????Should Humans Explore the Moon and the Planets or Do We Leave it to Robots?
????Is Doomsday 2012 For Real or Will you Still Have to Pay Taxes in 2013?
????Do We Have to Learn Klingon: How Will We Communicate with ET?
????Secrets of the Red Planet: What Have We Learned from Mars Exploration?

Guest speakers include:

????Rusty Schweickart, the Apollo astronaut, who now devotes his life to saving the Earth from future asteroid impacts
????Frank Drake, the astronomer who undertook the first project to listen for alien radio messages and founded the SETI field 50 years ago
????Michael Brown, who discovered large worlds beyond Pluto and helped kick Pluto out of the “planet club”
????Robert J. Sawyer, the award-winning science fiction writer who has written some of the best novels about alien contact
????David Morrison, the NASA astronomer who is trying to calm public fears about the so-called “Doomsday 2012″ idea
????Debra Fischer, one of the top planet hunters in the world, co-discoverer of the first system of planets around another star
????Alex Filippenko, who helped discover the “dark energy” that is speeding up the expansion of the entire universe
????Jill Tarter, the leader of the quest to find signals from alien civilizations (on whom Jodie Foster’s character in Contact is based)
????Tim Russ, who played Tuvak on Star Trek: Voyager, and who is an avid amateur astronomer
????Mary Roach, author of several best sellers and the forthcoming “Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void”

SETIcon benefits the non-profit SETI Institute, and its programs in science and education. In 2010 the Institute is celebrating its 25th year or scientific research and public outreach.

For more information and media inquiries for this event, please contact Barbara Vance at bvance(at)seti(dot)org or 650-960-4531.

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Renowned Author Keynotes San Diego State University Green Industry Event

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 07:49:34 +0000

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) August 22, 2010

When Jerry Yudelson wrote his recently released book “Dry Run, Preventing the Next Urban Water Crisis,” he was focused upon areas such as San Diego.

Yudelson, who has keynoted more than 50 green building, business, industrial and development events in the past three years, will be the keynote speaker when SDSU?s College of Extended Studies hosts its third annual green event ?Blue is the New Green: Water in the Built Environment,? Friday, Aug. 27 from 8-10:30 am in the SDSU Extended Studies Center.

?We will particularly focus around my new book and how the message is relevant for San Diego,? Yudelson said by telephone from his Tucson, Ariz. office, where he leads the consulting team at Yudelson Associates.

?Obviously, the water crisis is a big issue in San Diego,? Yudelson added. ?We want to get people to think about water and energy issues. Collection, distribution, and treatment of water consume almost 20 percent of all electricity produced in California.?

Yudelson will bring to the SDSU green event an impressive background that includes writing 12 books, being a former national board member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and a current registered professional engineer. He is an expert in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system and is among the leading green building consultants in the country, specializing in helping project teams in the conceptual design and schematic design phases, and assisting with goal setting and facilitating eco-friendly building.

He also has more than 25 years of technical and business experience with renewable energy systems, green building design and environmental planning; leading more than 250 business, technical, and marketing consulting assignments.

Noting that ?our water resources have not increased since Adam and Eve,? Yudelson believes that the great conflicts of the 21st century will be over water; not oil. He further states that saving water will save energy and reduce global warming pollution.

?Water conservation is the cheapest way to save energy,? he said.

?We are privileged to have such an outstanding keynote speaker as Jerry Yudelson for our green event because of the impressive background he brings to the table,? said Joe Shapiro, dean of SDSU?s College of Extended Studies. ?Jerry will reach out to our audience and provide them with information and answers to many questions that people have concerning the burgeoning green industry. We are very honored and excited to have him as a keynote speaker at SDSU.?

SDSU?s College of Extended Studies currently offers four programs in the green energy field, including online professional certificate courses in Green Building Construction, Green Energy Management, and Residential and Commercial Sustainable Practices; and the new Green Home Performance BPI Contractor program that offers Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification.

?Green is the new normal,? Yudelson said. ?It is here to stay.?

The fee to attend the ?Blue is the New Green: Water in the Built Environment,? event is $ 30 to the public and $ 20 to students and USGBC members. Breakfast will be served and parking is complimentary. Yudelson?s new book will be premiered and handed out complimentary at the event.

SDSU?s College of Extended Studies thanks its sponsors for the event: Allied Waste Services, Barona Resort & Casino, California Center for Sustainable Energy, and U.S. Green Building Council ? San Diego Chapter.

For information, visit http://www.neverstoplearning.net/greenevent or call (619) 594-3946.

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies reaches out to the greater San Diego community, the nation, and the world with a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers more than 50 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. For more information or to register, call (619) 265-SDSU (7378) or visit http://www.neverstoplearning.net.

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Science Combines With Art To Produce Educational Comic Book

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:52:53 +0000

Edwardsville, Ill. (Vocus) August 27, 2010

The true story of Hanny?s Voorwerp is now a comic book produced by two art and design students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under the guidance of researcher Pamela Gay in the SIUE Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research, Education and Outreach. It will be released nationally Sept. 3.

According to Gay, reality is sometimes ?cooler than fiction,? especially when it involves monster black holes, glowing green gas, and everyday people making extraordinary discoveries. ?All of these realities came together in the story of ?Hanny?s Voorwerp,? a real-life tale of scientific adventure that is being released at the Dragon*Con conference in Atlanta, which is considered the world?s largest fantasy/science fiction convention.

?The comic book was produced at SIUE, with line art by Elea Braasch and color by Chris Spangler, both art and design majors here,? Gay said. The comic book also was produced in collaboration with Bill Keel, a professor of astronomy at the University of Alabama.

Artists Braasch and Spangler transformed the story into a piece of art, drawing inspiration from Dave McKean?s work on The Sandman comic book series. ?I never thought I?d get a chance to turn a true story into what feels so much like a fantasy piece,? Braasch said. ?It?s been an amazing experience.?

The project also shows that science and art can make an interesting pairing. ?I?ve always liked astronomy,? Spangler said. ?This project allowed me to learn so much while exploring how to combine Hubble images and my own artistic ideas.?

Gay is known for her writings about astronomy and her involvement with Galaxy Zoo, an internationally recognized ?citizen astronomy? project, and the highly acclaimed Astronomy Cast and the award-winning 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts. Both shows are produced as collaborations between SIUE and Astrosphere New Media Association.

?In summer 2007, Dutch schoolteacher Hanny van Arkel was exploring galaxies through the Galaxy Zoo citizen science project (http://www.galaxyzoo.org),? Gay explained. ?In one image she saw a mysterious glowing blob of gas. She wasn?t the first person to see this blob, but she was the first person to ask, ?What is the stuff??

?Her simple question started her and a global team of astronomers on an adventure of discovery that would take them around the world and even into orbit,? Gay said. ?This story, including how the Hubble Space Telescope helped solve the mystery, is told in the comic book.?

In the spirit of the ?citizen science? nature of this discovery, the comic book was scripted through a citizen writing project. A team of authors was recruited at CONvergence, a three-day science fiction conference in Bloomington, Minn., in early July. Editing of this team project was provided by Gay and Kelly McCullough, author of the WebMage series.

The comic book will be released in digital and physical form at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Sept. 3 during a special event at Dragon*Con. Gay, Braasch and Spangler plan to be present, and the event will be streamed over the internet: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/voorwerp-comic-release.

The first 500 attendees of the event will receive copies of a special first printing of the comic. Online viewers will be able to download a PDF file from http://hannysvoorwerp.zooniverse.org. A second printing will be available for order via the website in mid-September.

The SIUE College of Arts and Sciences combines foundational education with diverse and highly-specialized coursework. Faculty help students explore diversity of ideas, experiences and people while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of a global society. The College offers 44 degree programs in the arts, humanities and social and natural sciences.

SIUE offers the advantages of a small, liberal arts college with the low tuition rates of a state university. Our emphasis on undergraduate education, complemented by faculty research, creates practical applications for student learning. Located in the second most populated area of the state, this Illinois university draws students from all 102 Illinois counties, 42 states and 50 nations.

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Palisade, Colorado, Author Publishes New Book

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:05:35 +0000

Palisade, CO (Vocus) September 2, 2010

A Unification of Science and Religion, a new book by Pete Doumit, has been released by RoseDog Books.

Do we have to believe in either God or science? Or can we believe in both God and science? And is there a logically tenable position with regard to the unification of science and religion? These are some of the questions that are addressed in this book. From quantum physics to the Big Bang, evolution by natural selection to geologic time, the author discusses the rationality of religious faith in light of modern scientific findings and seeks to dismantle the false dichotomy between science and religion. In this book, you will find a compelling case made that shows not only that science and religion can be unified, but that they should be unified.

Pete Doumit is a consulting geologist with a background in education. A former high school science teacher and junior college geology and astronomy professor, Mr. Doumit has experienced first-hand the questions that surround the roles that science and religion play in the lives of many people. He holds a B.S. in Natural Science with a Geology emphasis from the University of Puget Sound, and an M.A. in Earth Science with a Geology emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado. He resides in western Colorado with his wife and three children.

A Unification of Science and Religion is a 260-page paperback with a retail price of $ 23.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4349-9858-3. It was published by RoseDog Books of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information or to request a review copy, please visit our virtual pressroom at http://www.rosedog.com/pressroom or our online bookstore at http://www.rosedogbookstore.com.

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It’s a 50/50 Deal! 50 Percent off Mensa Home Test in Honor of 50th Anniversary

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:17:43 +0000

Arlington, TX (Vocus) September 2, 2010

American Mensa is taking 50 percent off the Mensa Home Test in honor of its 50th anniversary. For the entire month of September, prospective members can get half off the print or online version of the test. While it is not a requirement, taking the exam will give individuals an indication of how they will fare on the Mensa Admission Test. The test will be just $ 9 through Sept. 30, 2010. For more information about the Mensa Home Test, log on to http://www.us.mensa.org/MHT.

Taking the practice exam will help prospective members prepare for American Mensa?s annual event?Mensa Testing Day, Oct. 16, 2010. This year, we are inviting the public to Carpe Mensa, and seize the many opportunities available to members. More than 190 test sessions will be given across the country, and anyone who scores in the top two percent on the admission test will be invited to join the high IQ society. For more information about Mensa Testing Day, log on to http://www.us.mensa.org/MTD.

?For fifty years, American Mensa has supported intelligence with its wide array of events and programs. In honor of this milestone, we are taking half off the Mensa Home Test so prospective Mensans can prepare for membership to our organization,? says Elissa Rudolph, Chair of American Mensa. ?Within five decades, American Mensa has been able to bring together thousands of members from all walks of life, and we?ve looking forward to welcoming thousands more into our network to share their ideas, learn from their fellow members, and most importantly, make new friends.?

On Sept. 30, 1960, five members gathered at the Brooklyn home of American Mensa founder Peter Sturgeon for the first meeting of the organization. Fifty years later, that number has grown to more than 57,000, offering a strong network of intelligent individuals that allows members to connect with likeminded people, and share their ideas through American Mensa?s programs. For more information about the history of Mensa, log on to http://www.us.mensa.org/AboutMensa and click on the ?History of Mensa? or follow us on Twitter.

American Mensa is an organization open to anyone who scores in the top two percent on an accepted, standardized intelligence test. The organization has more than 57,000 members in the United States and more than 110,000 members around the world. Members of Mensa attend local and national events, join special interest groups such as astronomy and philosophy, and help out in their communities through various projects. For more information about Mensa, or to apply for membership, visit http://www.us.mensa.org or call (800) 66-MENSA.

For more information:

Catherine Barney: 817/607-0060 ext. 5541

catherineb(at)americanmensa(dot)org

Monica Hatley: 817/607-0060 ext. 5542

monicah(at)americanmensa(dot)org

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The Flag Company Inc. Launches New Feel Good Photos Wall Art.

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:34:09 +0000

Acworth, GA (PRWEB) September 8, 2010

After only 18 months on the market, the new Feel Good Light Lenses give rise to companion Feel Good Photos WallArt, spreading good cheer from wall-to-wall-to-ceiling.

In a bid to spread more of the good cheer generated by their successful Feel Good Light Ups Light Lenses, The Flag Company, Inc. announces it newest, companion product, Feel Good Photos WallArt, contemporary interior decorative wall pieces that coordinate with Light Ups ceiling art.

Just added to their product line, Feel Good Photos WallArt can complete a room?s decorative theme exhibited by a Feel Good Light Ups Light Lens ceiling art piece. An indoors ?clouds-in-the sky? effect from a ceiling Light Lens insert, for example, can be continued in a companion theme via a mounted framed WallArt piece of the same, or similar scene.

These Feel Good Photos WallArt standalone pieces come in three choices of quality metallic frames?black, silver, gold?and are available in an initial series of designs ready to go, ranging from airplanes, art, and astronomy, to balloons, clouds, and trees, all sized at 24? x 48?. However, because the WallArt pieces use the same inserts as the Light Ups lenses, there are actually hundreds of scenes to choose from that can be easily adapted into a WallArt frame, allowing unlimited possibilities for all decorative whims.

With the success of their Feel Good Light Ups Light Lenses launched 18 months ago, The Flag Company decided to take their ceiling art one step further, creating this decorative arena ?in-the-round? from wall-to-wall-to-ceiling. View unlimited combinations and details on their new website http://www.feelgoodlightups.com.

?We have been very pleased with the success of our Feel Good Light Ups Light Lenses and our new WallArt photos make great companion pieces?a perfect fit for a complete room decor,? says Mike Lawrence, Vice President of The Flag Company, Inc.

Priced for affordability, these cheerful WallArt photos cost only $ 79, often the price of a simple frame. The Feel Good Light Ups sell for $ 32 each. For customers who have their own ideas about things, custom WallArt can also be made from a high-resolution photo or artwork for the same cost of $ 79 plus a set-up charge.

Similar to the Light Ups Light Lenses, the WallArt photos are a perfect solution for decorating such venues as schools, medical facilities, day care centers, pet centers, and conference rooms. They are also ideal used as educational tools.

About The Flag Company, Inc.:

The Flag Company, Inc. offers a complete range of flags and flag-related products. Custom screen printing and digital printing are available for special events, corporate logos, etc. Stock merchandise includes U.S., states, international, and military flags and all types of accessories such as bunting, memorial cases, pennants and more. The Flag Company, Inc. is the nation’s largest producer of message flags, offering over 300 different messages, which are used by realtors, restaurants, car dealerships, and any host of companies imaginable. A constant hot item is toothpick flags?in stock and available for state, countries, and holidays and produced on a custom-order basis for corporations and special events. The complete product line can be viewed at the website http://www.flagco.com.

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Book Release The Origins of Astronomy – A Historical Perspective, by Kosla Vepa,Director, Indic Studies Foundation

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:47:50 +0000

Pleasanton, CA (PRWEB) September 12, 2010

This book is the narrative of one example of an epistemic rupture, of the theft and destruction of i the cultural heritage. We tell the story ( and the history ) of such a rupture in the case of Astronomy and Mathematics. Indic Studies Foundation is pleased to announce the release of Volume 5 of the Series on Distortions in Indian History. The book is available at

http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/the-origins-of-astronomy-the-calendar-and-time/12563873?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/4

The main reason for writing this book is that the real story of the Indic contribution to Astronomy has yet to be told in the text books of the west. Few books(1,2) give a coherent account of the Indic odyssey as it unfolds from the mists of antiquity to the pioneering work of Astrophysicist Chandrasekhar on the nature of the universe. If they do mention it at all, it is merely to say that they borrowed everything from Greece or Babylon. When challenged, the mathematician in the west will quote one of the 3 or 4 Occidental historians of Mathematics (e.g. Toomer, Van der Waerden or David Pingree) as their authoritative source. Rarely will they mention a Primary source in Sanskrit, because they are not familiar with the literature in Sanskrit and they do not trust the Indics to tell the true story. They prefer to get the story from an Occidental who may not have read a single book in its Sanskrit original rather than get it from an Indic. The net result is a book filled with clich?s where the content is already degraded from multiple levels of interpretation and inadvertent filtering of the original source.

Part of the reason for writing this book is to influence all the readers, regardless of their ethnicity, ideology, or geography to adopt a more global perspective on matters relating to History and philosophy of the sciences. Under such a perspective, few would feel compelled to defend or attack a viewpoint if the extent of the antiquity was the sole issue at stake. But the yearning for a competitive antiquity is not restricted to those of a particular ethnicity. It appears to be a predominant factor when a more aggressive and authoritarian civilization subjugates a people with a more advanced episteme. Time and again , this pattern of behavior has been the norm, where the aggressor has adopted the Epistemes of the subjugated people, after devoting a massive effort to absorb the knowledge, and once he is fairly confident that he has been successful in this endeavor, he will turn around and assert precisely the opposite, that in fact it is the subjugated civilization that has borrowed the episteme and the resulting knowledge.

Keep in mind that antiquity affects many factors that have a bearing on the sense of uniqueness that a people have of themselves and a sense that continuity and longevity of a civilization bestows a modicum of a sense of wellbeing. A loss of epistemic continuity that is now being experienced in the Indian subcontinent has long term consequences for the manner in which the Indics will look upon themselves. Civilization is a fragile thing, if I may paraphrase Will Durant, the great historian who compiled the monumental Story of Civilization over a thirty year period, and it does not take much to obliterate a civilization.

The Indic approach to astronomy, contrary to presuppositions in the occident was characterized by mundane motivations namely the need to determine accurately the date, time and place of the location of the main planetary bodies that he could see with the naked eye; the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn in relation to the Earth. As we shall repeat on more than one occasion, in this endeavor he was eminently practical. Again, his motivation for the determination of these quantities was also driven by pragmatic considerations like a need for fixing the seasons when planting was necessary. He may have found it politic to cloak these mundane considerations in ritualistic garb in order to impress those in society not blessed with the analytical skills that he may have used. In summary the goal of the Ancient Indic Prayojana or raison-de-?tre of the stra was primarily the determination of Kal? (Time), Dik (direction or orientation), and Desha (Place)

The story of the calendar and the development of mathematics and astronomy is indeed a fascinating chapter in the intellectual history of the species. It is laced with people of superior talents, but all too often these very same gifted individuals were not able to rise above petty considerations, while they were uncovering the secrets of the skies.

It is unfortunate that the Indic role in this fascinating chapter has been largely ignored in most western descriptions of the history of astronomy and time. There hardly exists a history book in Astronomy that does justice to the fact that the ancient Indic left behind a staggering amount of literature for us to decipher. In fact the perception is just the opposite that Information about Indian math is hard to get. This is in large part a problem that the occidental has created by imposing very high standards of reliability, in many cases standards that are impossible to meet and certainly were never demanded of similar sources from Ancient Greece. As a result the bias against Indic contributions in antiquity has been institutionalized to a large degree. This is regrettable and as a result, the story within a story of how the occidental tried to ignore, minimize and even suppress the Indic contribution is equally interesting.

This book is not about the glories of a bygone era, where one bemoans the ephemeral nature of an enlightened past. It is a recounting of the irreversible nature of the changes that take place when a civilization is subjugated. Its traditions are ridiculed. Its history is rewritten, its language is driven into oblivion and any attempt to combat this assault albeit in a non-violent and scholarly manner, marks the individual as a fundamentalist. The calendar, astronomy, and the story of time combine to make a fascinating chapter in the story of the homo sapien, but it is to be hoped tha it is the larger Civilizational canvas that the reader will focus on.

What do I take away from the writing of this book? My faith in the universality of the human spirit. If there is one thing above all that I treasure from this experience is that the love of science and mathematics does not recognize man made geographies, boundaries, ethnic classifications, language, social strata or economics. It is for this reason I find that the current Eurocentrric emphasis in the Occident which persists among authors even to this day to be a anathema and to be of a particularly egregious nature with which I have little sympathy and have no tolerance whatsoever.

The book can be ordered from http://www.lulu.com.

References

1.See for instance, James Evans, The history and practice of Ancient Astronomy, Oxford University press, New York,1998

2.Hoskin, Michael, “The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy?, Ed. By, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 1999

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Buy a Thunderbirds Novel, Get Free Downloadable Bonus Gifts

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:05:13 +0000

(PRWEB) September 15, 2010

In the current economic climate, everyone?s looking for a great value, and we have one to share with you today. If you buy a Thunderbirds novel, you?ll receive the book PLUS a number of outstanding downloadable gifts at no additional charge.

Go to http://www.countdowntoaction.com for all the details.

Need a break from vampires and zombies? Read Inspiring Stories the Whole Family Can Enjoy!

If you?re looking for action, adventure, and a great read, The Thunderbirds? novels are for you! These are officially licensed, approved, and sanctioned novels based on the 1960s Thunderbirds? television series, set at a time over 50 years from now.

In Countdown to Action, the first novel in the series, retired billionaire astronaut Jeff Tracy, driven by the tragic death of his wife, founds an organization (International Rescue) to help people who are in mortal danger and out of reach of the normal first responders. His grown sons and associates join him in this effort, and the adventures never stop.

Countdown to Action, and the next books in the series, Action Alert, and Deadly Danger, are written so that they can be enjoyed by anyone, whether or not they have seen the TV series.

Go to http://www.countdowntoaction.com for all the details.

Countdown to Action is a Mom?s Choice Awards? Silver Recipient, a finalist in the National Best Books Awards, and a finalist in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards. It has been favorably reviewed by the respected Midwest Book Review. Action Alert, the second novel in the series, is also a Mom?s Choice Awards? Silver Recipient. Deadly Danger, the third novel in the series, was a finalist in the Scribe Awards.

These novels appeal to a wide variety of readers: those who value public service, those who enjoy action-adventure, parents who are looking for novels that they can read and share with their children and grandchildren, and those who are looking for good, old-fashioned heroes who hold to the highest ethical standards.

And, when you buy the book, you can choose from a set of downloadable bonus gifts at no additional charge.

Go to http://www.countdowntoaction.com for all the details.

Author Joan Marie Verba earned a bachelor of physics degree from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology and attended the graduate school of astronomy at Indiana University, where she was an associate instructor of astronomy for one year. She has worked as a computer programmer, editor, publisher, health/weight loss coach, and social media manager.. An experienced writer, she is the author of the nonfiction books Voyager: Exploring the Outer Planets, Boldly Writing, and Weight Loss Success, as well as the novels Countdown to Action, Action Alert, and Deadly Danger, plus numerous short stories and articles. She is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

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Fall Foliage time is a Ball at Waterville Valley Resort

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:09:56 +0000

Concord, NH (PRWEB) September 21, 2010

Early predictions are for a vibrant autumn show of color, following a dry summer. But, the trick is to find a place that is off the beaten path, and where you can has easy access to trails and views. Waterville Valley Resort is located in the heart of New Hampshire?s White Mountain National Forest, a place where the brilliant colors of autumn highlight every activity–and there are more activities than you can shake a leaf at.

Waterville Valley has two fun weekends planned for the height of foliage season, starting on Saturday October 2, 2010:

Chili Challenge

Things heat up at Waterville Valley Resort?s 12th Annual Chili Challenge, held from noon until the chili is gone, Saturday October 2nd in Town Square. Waterville Valley area restaurants will have the chance to compete for the title of the King of Chili. Visitors will pay a small fee, which gives them access to sample all of the restaurant entries. After sampling each chili, guests can vote for their favorite. Local restaurants include Six Burner Bistro (2009 winner), Wild Coyote Grill, Olde Waterville Pizza Co, Jugtown Sandwich Shop, Coffee Emporium, The Valley Inn, Snowy Owl Inn, Diamonds Edge North, and The Common Man. Free outdoor concert accompanies the cook-off in the gazebo.

The weekend will have activities for the whole family including an afternoon Car Cruise featuring various types of fabulous cars parked in the center of Town Square for all to see from 1 to 4 pm as well as a 50/50 raffle, merchant give-a-ways and a DJ. Enjoy Curious George Story Time at the Rey Center in Town Square plus the numerous restaurants and shops.

Special travel packages for the Chili Challenge weekend include Saturday and Sunday night stays and Summer Unlimited activities. Prices start at $ 37 per person per night based on quad-occupancy.

Columbus Day

There is nothing like fall in New England. Waterville Valley Resort?s Fall Foliage Festival will be full of color Friday through Monday, October 8th ? 11th.

To complement the brilliant fall foliage, the weekend is set to include family activities for all ages. Travelin Barnyard, magic show, kids games and crafts, pie eating contest, pumpkin painting, outdoor concerts, merchant tent sales, Curious George story hour, astronomy and stargazing with the Rey Center, and more. On Sunday, a 5K-road race and 1.6K fun run will be held with the proceeds going to the SPC Marc Decoteau Memorial Fund.

Winter enthusiasts can gear up for the season at Sport Thoma?s annual sale, taking place Friday through Monday inside the Waterville Valley Ice Arena. The Waterville Valley Black & Blue Trail Smashers will hold their annual ski and board swap on Saturday and Sunday.

The hotels of Waterville Valley Resort will offer a package deal that includes two nights lodging, and Summer Unlimited activities starting at $ 49 per person, per night based on quad-occupancy. The resort is only a few short steps from the nation?s oldest network of hiking trails.

Hikers have been exploring Waterville Valley since the 1800s, and today, there?s no better way to take in the foliage than on a bike, either your own or a rental bike from the Adventure Center in Town Square. Once again, you can take it as easy or as hard as you like. Whether it?s a leisurely ride around town or a dirt-kicking expedition through the autumn woods, you’ll find plenty of trails to suit your mood?more than 30 miles of them. You can even take a chair lift to the top of Snow’s Mountain and ride your bike down. The Adventure Center has well-maintained rental bikes for all levels of riders, and instructors to help you get started, make sure your bike is comfortable, and suggest trails to explore. If you’ve never biked before, it’s a great, non-threatening way to begin.

The town of Waterville Valley?s recreation department hosts a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors in the fall, including foliage tours and walks, open gym sessions for all ages, open basketball, after-school activities, and more.

Waterville Valley was designed and planned specifically as a self-contained, four seasons resort. Today in addition to its world-class ski area, Waterville Valley Resort has award-winning tennis courts, golf, hiking, biking, lodging, cultural activities and summer theater, an indoor ice rink, boating, a skate park, and a host of outdoor activities. Dining options include traditional favorites and elegant dining. For more information, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or visit http://www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

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U.S. Expert to Bring ?Graduate Level Course in UFO Studies? to Colleges

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:38:42 +0000

Playa Del Rey, CA (Vocus) October 7, 2010

Michael Horn, the U.S. media representative for Swiss UFO contactee, Billy Meier, will bring his multi-media presentations to schools, colleges and universities beginning in 2011. They will feature the still irreproducible physical evidence in the case, such as Meier?s stunningly clear UFO photos, films and video, sound recordings and metal samples.

Horn will report on the scientific analysis and authentication of the evidence, presented to investigators in the late 1970s, long before home computers, PhotoShop and digital effects, as well as on additional comments from scientific experts.

Higher Standard of Proof

In addition to the physical evidence, Horn will present what he refers to as an even higher standard of proof, Meier?s voluminous body of specific scientific information verifiably published by him from months to decades before ?official discovery?. Horn says that this evidence is ?absolutely ironclad? and that it will stand up to the highest level of scrutiny and legal challenge.

According to Horn, ?All previous UFO information, such as Roswell, the Air Force sightings, China, etc., is basically anecdotal and, while entertaining, is without any real, hard evidence. You can think of it as ?UFOs 101?. The Meier case is overflowing with hard evidence, which is why I refer to it as the ?Graduate Level Course?. And when you are educated about it you?ll wonder why you never heard about it before. I?ll discuss the answer to that too.?

Academic Environment

Horn says that he is far more interested in presenting the information in an academic environment than anywhere else. ?Basically, UFO-oriented events amount to preaching to the choir. I much prefer facing an auditorium full of inquisitive critical thinkers, students and teachers who will ask the tough questions. I especially welcome science, astronomy and physics professors and students, as they are already involved in legitimate scientific studies. If the Meier UFO contacts are authentic, if he?s really been meeting with extraterrestrial human beings for almost 70 years, it?s clearly the most important story in all of human history. I intend to let the information, and my 31 years of research into it clearly establish that such is indeed the case.?

Please contact Michael Horn to arrange a presentation.

Presentations by Michael Horn include:

Ontario Science Center, Canada

ASPE Conference, New Mexico

Metropole Hilton, London?

NEXUS Conference, Australia

Meta Center, New York City

University of Alberta, Canada

University of Calgary, Canada

University of, Victoria, B.C.

NEXUS Conference, Amsterdam

Conscious Living Expo, Los Angeles

National UFO Conference, Hollywood

Shift Conference, Arizona

IUFOC, Laughlin

Night Search World Forum, Memphis

AUFORN, Australia

Art Institute of Los Angeles

New Life Expo, San Francisco

Bay Area UFO Conference, Santa Clara

Dolphins and ET Civilizations, Hawaii

Bodhi Tree Bookstore, Los Angeles

First Friends Fellowship Hall, Los Angeles

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Carpe Mensa! Seize Mensa Testing Day

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:46:39 +0000

Arlington, Texas (Vocus) October 7, 2010

?Seize the day? and take the Mensa Admission Test. Mensa Testing Day is Oct. 16, 2010 and everyone is invited to Carpe Mensa and learn about the organization. Over 200 test sessions will be given across the country, and anyone who scores in the top two percent on the admission test will be invited to join the high IQ society.

The test fee is $ 40, and a photo ID is required. Test takers should arrive 30 minutes prior for registration. The exam is open to anyone ages 14 and older; parental permission is required for anyone age 14 to 17 years old. Some chapters will also be testing at other times in October. For more information about Mensa Testing Day in your area, visit http://www.us.mensa.org/MTD.

?Mensa gives people an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and meet people from all walks of life by providing different forums and social events in each Mensa chapter,? says Elissa Rudolph, Chair of American Mensa. ?If a person qualifies for membership, he or she can participate in interesting, delightful, and fun events, share through scholarship and community service, and interact with individuals who have some of the same special interests that they do. Mensa Testing Day gives potential members the chance to experience what American Mensa is all about.?

American Mensa is the organization open to anyone who scores in the top two percent on an accepted, standardized intelligence test. The organization has more than 57,000 members in the United States and more than 110,000 members around the world. Members of Mensa attend local and national events, join special interest groups such as astronomy, games, and philosophy, and help out in their communities through various projects. For more information about Mensa, or to apply for membership, visit http://www.us.mensa.org or call (800) 66-MENSA.

Monica Hatley

817-607-0060 ext. 5542

monicah(at)americanmensa(dot)org

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Feel the Fear this Half Term: Halloween Ideas and Events in England

admin — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:03:48 +0000

(PRWeb UK) October 7, 2010

The half term is almost here and there are loads of spooktacular events happening all across the country to entertain your little horrors. This half term holiday the only thing you need to fear is Halloween Night! Find some fiendishly fun activities at http://www.enjoyengland.com/halloween.

If you fancy something a bit different, why not visit the sites of England?s Myths and Legends?

Take the hassle out of half term by visiting http://www.enjoyengland.com/halfterm, to discover what event and family activities are taking place around the country during half term.

This October, Enjoy England the consumer facing brand of VisitEngland is helping parents find some fun activities to keep the kids occupied during their holiday from school. In England there is an amazing variety of attractions and events for families and children of all ages. The holiday may be a break for the kids but you?ll have your work cut out for you trying to entertain them throughout the week. However, keeping them busy doesn?t have to be difficult.

Half Term Ideas

Walk? well? sleep on the wild side at London Zoo at the BedBUGS sleepover from 23 – 24 Oct. 8-11 year olds can spend the night next to spiders, beetles or tamarins, but don’t worry they’re all safely behind glass.

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble, get to Seven Stories, the Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle upon Tyne on the double! Creep along this half term and dress to impress, think ghouls and goblins, pirates and witches for a week of weird and wonderful Creepy Creativities!

Have a close encounter with Snakes, Bats and Spiders at Chester Zoo. With over 7000 animals and 500 species, Chester Zoo is the largest zoological garden in the UK. http://www.chesterzoo.org

Not for the faint hearted! Hybrid X, comes to Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham. A high energy and high impact scare entertainment experience taking you through the laboratory complex of the Dominions Genetic Modification and Research facility. With over 30 live actors and a host of special effects, Hybrid X will assault all of your senses as you make your way through over 1000 feet of dark twisting corridor space and the nightmare world that awaits you.

Take the test to see if you?ve got what it takes to be an astronaut at the National Space Centre, Leicestershire. Launch yourself into the future at the National Space Centre, the UK’s largest attraction dedicated to Space Science and astronomy.

Take part in making some art at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. From Halloween decoration to jewellery, join in with the fun activities at BMAG. Face painting, storytelling and craft workshops, workshops and activities take place everyday during the holiday. http://www.bmag.org.uk

Enter the land of Boggles, Twiggles and Thorny Crocklebogs at Bewilderwood, Norfolk, a huge forest of family fun and outdoor adventure. Treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, boat trips, marsh walks and really yummy food! Take part in the Snagglefang’s Spooky Spectacular, dress up to scare, make masks and lanterns and join the lantern parade.

Have a Whizz-Popping time at The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Buckinghamshire. There are loads of scrumptious activities to get involved in. Chocolate decorating, Matilda Musical workshop, make Crackling Classroom Finger Puppets, help the head chef make Swiggles of Sweeties and Story time with the Grand High Witch. http://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/

View the Eden Project from a whole new perspective from the Rainforest Biome cliff face. Make the most of Halloweden, attend the Little Monsters Ball and enjoy the Eden ice rink at the Skate and Scream experience.

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Austin Hotel, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort Makes Top Twenty on Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Family Hotels & Cruises” List

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:13:04 +0000

Lost Pines, TX (PRWEB) October 20, 2010

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa has been ranked #18 in the top 50 list for the U.S. and Canada in the recently published Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2010 list of the “World’s Top Family Hotels and Cruises.” The family-friendly Austin hotel and resort, located between Austin and Bastrop is one of only four Texas properties that were selected for inclusion on this prestigious list. Of the Texas properties that were chosen, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines claimed the top spot and is the only one from the Central Texas region.

“We are very pleased and honored to have been selected for this recognition. I am especially thankful to all of our associates whose effort and commitment have made this possible,” stated Steve Dewire, general manager, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. “It has been our goal to create an environment that sincerely welcomes all of our guests with authentic hospitality while offering an extensive variety of entertainment, recreation and nature-based activities that engage guests of all ages.” Dewire added. “We are also fortunate to have the town of Bastrop as our neighbor and community partner. The town, named one of the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, extends a warm welcome that en-hances the guest experience.”

The Austin, Texas hotel and resort claims a beautiful and secluded location on the banks of the Colorado River that appeals to fam-ilies who find the property naturally conducive to exploration, discovery and learning. The resort has integrated local and regional history, flora and fauna education, astronomy and even do-mesticated livestock into its programming. Stargazing on the driving range at Wolfdancer gives a breathtaking glimpse at the expansive Texas nighttime sky. The “Be Kind to Texas Animals” program introduces guests of all ages to Texas wildlife such as the American Alligator, a box turtle, and a non-venomous snake in hands-on education sessions. The resort’s mascots, Julius and Caesar (two Percheron draft horses) and their sidekicks, T-Bone and RibEye (two and a half year old longhorn steers) are among the resort’s most popular attractions. Julius and Caesar provide guests with a tour of the property via a giant red wagon while T-Bone and RibEye entertain guests through meet and greets throughout the resort. The longhorns have been saddle-broken and will gladly allow guests to sit on their backs for some truly memorable family photos.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines also offers championship golf, adult and youth spas, horseback riding, archery, and skeet shooting. A partnership with McKinney Roughs Nature Park also provides guests the opportunity to kayak, river raft, zip line, climb a rock wall or hike 16 miles of trails connecting the resort and the park. Camp Hyatt provides an enter-taining option for children between three and twelve years of age with supervised games, indoor and outdoor activities, and nature-based crafts. There are also many options for fun in the sun and water at the Crooked River water park with its 1,000-foot flowing river pool, an activity pool, two story water slide, beach, splash pad, adult pool, whirlpools and poolside bar and grill.

About Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

Situated along the banks of the Lower Colorado River just outside Austin, Texas, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa features 491 guest rooms, more than 60,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and over 230,000 square feet of outdoor function space including a pavilion and amphitheater. The resort offers guests a true, luxurious wilderness escape located on over 400 acres of diverse Texas terrain adjoining the 1,100-acre McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Ameni-ties include Wolfdancer (an Arthur Hills designed 18-hole golf course), Spa Django, Wild Hare Youth Spa and Renegade Trailhead equestrian facility. In addition to golf and horseback riding, guests may enjoy floating down the Crooked River, hiking along 16 miles of trails, kayaking and rafting on the Colorado River and a nightly roasting of s’mores at one of the outdoor fire pits. The resort features weekly live music and boasts seven on-site dining options offering everything from a light snack to a fine dining experience. For reservations or information contact Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa at 512-308-1234 or visit us at http://lostpines.hyatt.com/ .

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Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero #1 Hits Stores Today

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:32:37 +0000

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 20, 2010

This week, as fans across the world venture into their local comic shops for their weekly superhero fix, they will discover that one of the greatest comic book talents of all time, Stan Lee is back!

Anyone who keeps up with entertainment news will tell you that Stan Lee is a busy man. From cameos in the latest superhero movies based on his creations, like Iron Man 2 and a much-lauded appearance on The Big Bang Theory, to multiple ventures across the media landscape, Stan Lee is an unstoppable creative force. But for most of the last decade he has been noticeably absent in the print medium he helped pioneer: comic books.

The debut of Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero #1 this Wednesday in comic shops across the globe looks to change that. During a press conference at Comic-Con this past summer, Stan Lee and his company POW! Entertainment in conjunction with rising comic book publisher BOOM! Studios revealed the characters, series and creative teams for three new superhero titles they are publishing this fall. ?All three titles feature classic Stan Lee storytelling brought to the contemporary times as Stan Lee partners with some of the best writing talent in the business.?

Teaming up with BBC TV’s Doctor Who scribe, Paul Cornell, Soldier Zero is the first of these three titles and is hitting stores today. ?The series features?a wheelchair-bound astronomy teacher who finds himself in a freak accident that bonds him with an alien weapon of war.

The second title, The Traveler,has Lee teaming with Mark Waid, known for authoring one of the bestselling graphic novels of all time KINGDOM COME, this coming November.?The Traveler stars a mysterious new superhero with time-traveling powers battling the Split-Second Men, super-powered assassins from the future.?

The third hero debuting in December is Starborn, which sees Stan partnering with New York Times bestselling author Chris Roberson. ?Starborn is a regular guy who discovers he’s the heir to an intergalactic empire, putting him the center of a war between five alien races.?

Playing up Stan Lee’s absence from the comic book racket, this past spring POW! Entertainment and BOOM! Studios launched a viral ?marketing campaign announcing “Stan’s Back,” running ?”Stan’s Back” banner ads that linked back to http://www.stansback.com, which was a site that only had the “Stan’s Back” logo and nothing else. Utilizing Stan Lee’s iconic signature, the viral marketing campaign lead to a week’s worth of frenzied speculation, with comic fans all over the internet trying to figure out what could the “Stan’s Back” teaser campaign meant with the campaign garnering over 4 million views on the ‘net.

Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero #1 hitting store shelves today is the culmination of a year-long project for Stan Lee. ?For comic book fans it’s a banner event, the legendary Stan Lee is back to the medium he helped pioneer!

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Logicom Launches First Connected PND Mappy Ulti 590, Powered by Mobile Devices

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 04:38:07 +0000

(PRWEB) October 28, 2010

Logicom has launched its first connected PND under the Mappy brand, with MyLive Traffic?, full Coyote speed radar services and a catalogue of other applications.

First distributed in Auchan, the devices will also be available at Boulanger, Carrefour, Casino, Cdiscount, Pixmania and rueducommerce retail channels by the end of October.

On sale today for ?199, the device offers real-time traffic information from NAVTEQ, real-time speed camera information from Coyote Systems, parking availability from Oumegarer, business listings from PagesJaunes (as well as PageBlanches personal listings) and worldwide weather data from CustomWeather.

However, since the PND is built on the MCT2.0 Open Telematics OS from Mobile Devices, more applications can be added later.

“Demonstrating that the PND is an open platform for services was very important in the strategy of this launch? said Maryl?ne Ozon, spokeswoman for Logicom.

Cyril Zeller, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mobile Devices, commented: ?This latest connected PND launch shows the way to a future where all connected PNDs will be based on an open OS, enabling them to add services on the go. Currently, Mobile Devices? solution is the only viable environment to make that happen.?

Despite being ?100 cheaper than its direct competitors, the Ulti 590 packs in more unique features.

Mappy?s new connected PND comes with Mobile Devices? MyLive Traffic?, which enables live, personal route calculation and traffic jam alerts. The service uses NAVTEQ?s live and historical traffic data feeds in the route calculation. It then alerts the driver if an event takes place on his route.

The Mappy Ulti 590 also includes:

????The full PageJaune and PagesBlances services, with access to a daily updated database of 5.2 million professionals and 25 million individuals in France.
????Access to Oumegarer, the only parking database in France to have indexed more than 90% of the car parks – some with tariff info, reservation systems, car size info and live availability data.
????CustomWeather services, giving motorists access to the latest weather information to help them plan for any hazardous driving conditions, including snow, sleet, freezing rain, fog, and high winds. The data includes current visibility updated every 30 minutes, detailed 48-hour weather forecasts as well as extended 7-day forecasts and astronomy reports.

Built on the Open Telematics OS form, Mobile Devices enables the PND to be open to other third party applications and ensures that each service is integrated perfectly with the navigation function and the other applications. As a result, a route calculation with live traffic information can be initiated from a Yellow Pages search result.

Mobile Devices delivers a leading open telematics OS and its SDK for a wide range of devices and solutions targeting both the consumer and fleet markets and enabling a marketplace for telematics services. Mobile Devices is also a leading provider of next generation connected navigation devices, smart displays, dongles and black boxes, all running through a single open telematics OS and cloud-based gateway solution. (http://www.mobile-devices.fr)

Mappy PNDs are the result of an exclusive partnership between Mappy and Logicom. Logicom, created in 1994, is a specialist in the field of consumer electronics and, more particularly, in telecommunication terminals. Logicom has supplied France T?l?com since 1998, and has been selected by Sanyo to become its exclusive distributor of audio-visual products in France.

LG-Nortel, a joint venture between LG Electronics and Nortel, has used Logicom?s distribution network since 2005, and Logicom has distributed Mappy PNDs through various retail brands and channels since 2008.

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The Canary Islands Are the Hottest Destinations for Astronomers this Winter

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:51:05 +0000

(PRWeb UK) October 31, 2010

This month it was announced that Google has joined forces with online astronomy site Slooh to create a brand new layer for Google Earth that will allow users to explore outer space from the comfort of their home computer. Tourists who?ve taken holidays to the Canary Islands may not realise that the islands are home to several research facilities, and industry experts see this new collaboration between Google and Slooh leading to more interest in holidays to the Canary Islands.

Simon Cooper, CEO of leading online travel agent On the Beach, says: ?The skies above the Canary Islands are protected by the government from unnecessary light pollution, and the islands? position of 28? northern latitude means that that they offer superb views of all the constellations of the northern hemisphere, and some of the southern hemisphere all year round.?

While Canary Islands breaks, such as holidays in Gran Canaria have traditionally been seen as a prime holiday destination for sun, sea and sandy beaches, it may come as a surprise to some people to hear that the islands also have a home to some of the biggest and most powerful telescopes in the world. With telescopes such as the Gran Telescopio Canarias, which was opened last year, and holds the title of the world?s largest single-aperture optical telescope, the Canary Islands are gathering a new reputation for astronomy holidays.

Cooper says: ?Many holiday companies and local businesses have cottoned onto the fact that tourists are coming to the Canary Islands to watch the skies instead of getting a sun tan, so it?s unsurprising that number of speciality shops and tours have been set up over the past few years that aim to educate and allow tourists to experience stargazing holidays. With the wealth of activities the Canary Islands offer, our advice is to make use of our OntheBeach travel guides travel guides before departing to get the absolute most out of your holiday.?

For further information please contact press(at)onthebeach(dot)co(dot)uk

About On the Beach:

Founded in 1995, On the Beach is one of the UK?s leading online travel agencies carrying over 500,000 passengers every year (ABTA K0813). On the Beach provides value for money flights and hotels in the world?s most popular beach holiday destinations. On the Beach provides consumers with a huge selection of travel products, from 50 million available seats, more than 30,000 hotels around the world, insurance and in-resort transfer partners. Customers can book online at http://www.onthebeach.co.uk or by calling the UK call centre on 0870 606 07 08.

As the expert provider of DIY beach holidays to the UK market, On the Beach is so confident of its industry leading position, it offers a market leading price match guarantee for its customers. On the Beach will refund the difference if a lower price is found for the same product on any UK website*.

*Offer applies to exact product match

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AmericanTelescopes.com Delivers Telescopes for the Hobbyist Astronomer

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 11:04:50 +0000

Aurora, CO (Vocus) November 9, 2010

Web entrepreneur Patricia Quinlan is pleased to announce the publication of her brand-new website, AmericanTelescopes.com. Launched in August, the web business was developed to provide online shoppers with a distinct selection of telescopes. This wide collection includes models for beginners and hobbyist stargazers as well as models for intermediate and advanced astronomers; they even have styles to accommodate children.

?All of my life I?ve loved looking at the moon,? Quinlan said. ?As I child I would lay in bed and look at the moon and, now as an adult, I still enjoy gazing up at the brilliant glow.?

At AmericanTelescopes.com shoppers are invited to browse an exciting collection of telescopes manufactured by two premium brands, Bushnell and Tasco. Choose from the standard model ? the Tasco Spacestation 60AZ Refractor telescope ? priced at $ 79.95 to the super-deluxe advanced model ? the Bushnell Northstar 100mm Maksutove ? priced at $ 741.95. A variety of other telescopes with varying levels of complexity fall in between these prices to accommodate all experience levels and budgets.

?Nothing compares to the enchanting beauty of the night?s sky, far away from the big city lights,? Quinlan said. ?I remember the nights I went camping in the country and stared up at the sky in awe.?

The website also sells telescopes that are perfectly suited for children. Check out the Tasco 49TN Refractor telescope, which is currently on sale for $ 35.95. This model features a 19-piece microscope kit with assorted examination slides, preparation tools and sample slides. It?s a beautiful land and sky-viewing telescope for young and curious minds. Shoppers may also choose from a variety of accessories such as lens cleaning systems, radio flashlights and more.

To learn more about the specific products available at AmericanTelescopes.com, visit the site?s newly formulated business blog, http://www.AmericanTelescopesBlog.com. This social platform will also provide basic information about the features and functionality of these telescopes as well as general information about astronomy.

About the Company:

AmericanTelescopes.com ? a division of PEQUIN LLC ? is owned and operated by web entrepreneur Patricia Quinlan.

Patricia Quinlan

http://www.AmericanTelescopes.com

(877) 315-1314

iePlexus, Inc.

http://www.iePlexus.com

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JM Cremp?s Unique Concept Creating Buzz with Launch of its Online Adventure Store for Boys

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:14:57 +0000

Dassel, MN (PRWEB) November 15, 2010

JM Cremp?s Adventure Store for Boys launches online and catalog store in fall 2010 stocking hundreds of products and great gift ideas especially for active and adventurous young boys.

JM Cremp’s Adventures for Boys was created by a father of five boys, Jay Asplin, who felt a calling to provide a unique opportunity for young boys (and the young at heart) to experience traditional boyhood as it once was by making adventure and exploration something that happens naturally?turning any day into a lifetime of treasured memories. Although getting boys back to basics was at the forefront of the birth of his idea, Asplin also wanted to create a vehicle for parents to begin to understand and appreciate God?s unique design for their young boys, in turn, helping them raise their sons to be godly men.

Asplin explains his personal mission, ?There came a time in my life when I had an awful realization that I was not a good father and I wasn?t raising my sons to become godly men. I was going through the motions of fatherhood, but it was a distant priority in my life. In many ways, this store sprouted from my own failures and my desire to change who I was as a father. Through the process of learning how to be a better father, I also realized that boys have an innate desire for adventure. Whether that means a hunting trip with dad, reading a great book, collecting coins, camping or just playing around in kids military clothing?all of these little adventures play a big part in his journey to manhood.?

JM Cremp?s products encourage strong relationships between parents and the extraordinary boys in their lives! There is no denying that boys are unique! They play differently, they think differently, and they learn and develop differently. Boyhood adventures are certainly an important part of their transition into becoming a man. So, JM Cremp?s helps by making it easy to create some of those great adventures. One of its major goals is to provide resources to support parents in finding activities that will help build those connections. From books, to projects such as building birdhouses, to outdoor activities like hunting and fishing and everything in-between?JM Cremp?s offers a little bit of everything. In addition, there is a great selection of products and activities that the entire family can enjoy together?such as coin collecting, teaching kids about money, games, camping gear and more.

JM Cremp?s has an ongoing review process, evaluating products for both quality and value. One of its top priorities is to provide boys with tools and ideas that will allow them to grow into godly men by offering products that foster the spirit of adventurous boyhood. In fact, as part of its internal review process, it has several adventurous young boys review new products right alongside the executives. If an A-Okay comes from them, then the company feels confident in passing along those products to its customers.

Check out http://www.JMCremps.com to see its complete line up and to receive a money-saving offer.

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Take the Mensa Home Test and Join the Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:26:10 +0000

Arlington, TX (Vocus) November 16, 2010

November is National Alzheimer?s Awareness Month, and for every Mensa Home Test sold this month, $ 5 will be donated by American Mensa to Alzheimer?s research. Research shows that keeping a mentally active mind may lower the risk of Alzheimer?s, so Mensa is doing its part to keep minds busy and contribute to the study of this fatal brain disorder by inviting you to take the Home Test.

In addition to giving you an indication of your potential as a qualifying member of Mensa, the home test is also a great exercise for your mind! Online or print versions of the home test are available for $ 18. The Mensa Home Tests are for those who are 14 years of age or older. To purchase the home test, or for more information, log on to http://www.us.mensa.org/mht.

?Studies show that involving yourself in intellectual activities and making strong, social connections are possible ways to lower your risk of Alzheimer?s, and American Mensa offers both,? said Elissa Rudolph, Chair of American Mensa. ?Providing a social connection with mentally stimulating conversations and activities is a large part of what Mensa is about. By supporting Alzheimer?s Awareness Month, we?re taking another step toward helping prevent this horrible disease.?

The 2010 Alzheimer?s Disease Facts and Figures from the Alzheimer?s Association explains that an estimated 5.3 million people have Alzheimer?s, and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. For more information about Alzheimer?s disease or National Alzheimer?s Awareness Month, log on to http://www.alz.org.

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Sunglow Ranch Becomes Arizona’s Go-To Boutique Resort

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:45:46 +0000

Pearce, AZ (PRWEB) November 17, 2010

Sunglow Ranch has positioned itself to be one of Arizona’s premier boutique resorts. Situated on 475 picturesque acres in southeastern Arizona and nestled in the foothills of the majestic Chiricahua Mountains, Sunglow Ranch offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty and activities that surround the ranch, while also providing the amenities of a full-service resort.

Accommodations

Owner Mitch Sayare reports that ?guests at our ranch resort have a choice of comfortable and elegant accommodations, ranging from seven uniquely decorated single-room casitas with one queen bed to four beautifully appointed two-room suites. The bedroom of each suite has two queen beds while the living room is equipped with a fireplace and a comfortable couch that pulls out into a queen bed. Casita Grande has three private bedrooms, two with queen beds and one with bunk beds, all opening up into a large living room with a fireplace and dining room, perfect for a family vacation. Best of all, our casitas all have private covered porches with sweeping views of the mountains or our charming courtyards, a perfect to way relax and enjoy the peaceful setting at the ranch.?

Each casita offers a balanced blend of rustic elegance incorporating decor reflecting the history and nature that surround the ranch with the comforts of modern amenities that guests expect from an upscale resort. Casita Grande is especially unique as it houses artifacts from the historic Southwest including an antique bow and arrow, stoneware found on the property and reins that date back to the late 1800′s. Children love sleeping in the bunkroom, which is decorated in an old west theme. This is an ideal space for large families and wedding groups.

Dining

Located at the heart of the ranch, Sunglow Caf? is the central meeting point for guests. As part of every overnight stay, the Caf? serves home-cooked breakfast each morning, including eggs laid by free-range Sunglow chickens, fresh baked scones, pancakes, bacon and sausage, oatmeal and fresh-squeezed orange juice. A sumptuous, three-course dinner is also included in every overnight stay. Chef Coleen Stevens has recently updated the menu to include multiple offerings that incorporate a variety of locally grown organic ingredients as well as herbs from the ranch hot-house garden. Her menu is a gourmet adaptation of sophisticated yet traditional Southwestern fare. While included as part of every overnight guest stay, dinner also is offered to the public every night of the week for $ 35, by reservation only.

Amenities

The recently completed, 45-foot solar-heated pool and plush chaise lounges offer a wonderful place to relax and take in the beauty of the mountains and lake in the background. The spa treatment room is a serene venue to enjoy a massage or facial while the hot tub is a favorite spot to rejuvenate after a long day of ranch activities. For those wishing for a more vigorous workout, the temperature-controlled exercise room has free weights and cardio-equipment. The new bocce court and ranch horseshoe court are fun settings for friends and family to engage in some group competition.

Activities and Adventures

Mr. Sayare continues, ?with the splendor and natural beauty of southeastern Arizona as a backdrop, our guests participate in a wide variety of activities and adventures, on and off the property, to make for a complete ranch experience. Sunglow Ranch has long been considered ?the Jewel of the Chiricahua Mountains? because we are a nature enthusiast?s paradise. Our guests enjoy hiking or mountain biking our marked trail, horseback riding and stargazing from our outdoor Jacuzzi. Our canoe and Adirondack chairs are popular ways to enjoy the pond located on the property and equipment is available for catch-and-release fishing.

The ranch is largely surrounded by the 200,000-acre Coronado National Forest, which offers our guests plentiful opportunity for hiking, horseback riding, exploring and birding on trails that abut the ranch. Birders from all over the world come to the ranch, where hundreds of species have been identified on and around the property. Bird feeders are distributed all around our front courtyard to provide easy observing for guests from under our covered porches. Hummingbirds seem to be a particular favorite.?

Located just twenty minutes from the ranch, the Chiricahua National Monument is a largely undiscovered national treasure. Hikers and bikers of all levels can explore this part of the Sky Islands and its twenty-seven million year-old volcanic structures through numerous marked trails.

Ranch Manager Pam Rawlings points out, ?for those wishing to explore the generous history that surrounds the ranch, one need only drive to the end of Sunglow Road to see the grave of cowboy Johnny Ringo. The ghost town of Tombstone, home to Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday and the OK Coral and the picturesque copper mining town of Bisbee are both within an hour drive of the ranch. Apache Chiefs Cochise and Geronimo roamed across the land that is now called Sunglow Ranch. A recent visit by a group of Apache elders educated Sunglow guests on the spiritual and historic significance of the ranch to the Apache tribe.

?For wine enthusiasts, Sunglow Ranch finds itself surrounded by eight wine-producing vineyards, yielding some of the best vintages in Arizona. Wine tastings, and vineyard tours are easily arranged for ranch guests.?

Education and Fun

Owner Chrissy Sayare comments: “We have created programs at Sunglow Ranch that offer our guests something unique, fun and educational while on vacation. Our latest program, a series of “Wine-tasting and Stargazing Weekends,” focuses on two of the area’s most prized assets ? award-winning vineyards and world-famous dark skies. Guests enjoy a tour of one of our local vineyards and its winemaking facilities while learning about the wine-making process from “grape to glass.” The tour is followed by a delicious, four-course wine-pairing dinner with the featured vintner in the Sunglow Cafe. The weekend also includes an introduction to the Arizona sky by our resident astronomer, followed by observing through our 10-inch telescope.

“Yoga retreats, photography workshops and cooking classes also are offered throughout the year. Offerings in the making are mother-daughter, father-son weekends that will focus on group activities and a fun environment where all participants can learn something new together. And new this winter, guests can have professionally-lit portraits taken in a number of picturesque locations on the ranch by our resident photographer.”

History

Mitch Sayare was first attracted to Arizona?s Chiricahua Mountains and to Sunglow Ranch by the stars. Long considered a premier venue for astronomy enthusiasts, this beautiful region, known as the Sky Islands, sits at 5,500 feet above sea level and is home to some of best observing in the U.S. However, Sunglow Ranch became far more than a base camp for stargazing for Mitch. It was a tranquil environment where he could connect with nature, a world away from the frenetic pace of his professional life as CEO of a leading biotech company in the Boston area. Ten years ago, having been thoroughly seduced by its charms, Mitch decided to plant roots in this part of the world and purchased Sunglow Ranch. Over the past few years, he and his wife Chrissy have endeavored to lift their tranquil mountain retreat to its full potential; to create a resort where they would want to vacation: an intimate guest ranch where a healthy lifestyle comprised of physical and educational activity is balanced with good food, relaxation and serenity. Having received dozens of glowing reviews from their satisfied guests, Mitch and Chrissy appear to have achieved their ultimate vision.

Location and Rates

Sunglow Ranch is located in the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains in Pearce, Arizona; one hour and thirty minutes southeast of Tucson and three hours from Phoenix. Inclusive rates for single casitas begin at $ 200 for single occupancy, per night. Double room casitas begin at $ 320 for single or double occupancy, per night, and rates for Casita Grande begin at $ 650 for up to three people, per night. Additional persons per room are an additional charge of $ 70 per person, per night. All rates include accommodations, breakfast and dinner, non-alcoholic beverages served during meal times and most ranch activities. Alcoholic beverages, cappuccino and latte bar, spa services and horseback riding are available at additional cost. Tax and gratuities are not included in price.

For more information on Sunglow Ranch call: (520) 824-3334

Visit the Ranch Web site at http://www.sunglowranch.com.

Sunglow Ranch – 14066 S. Sunglow Road, Pearce, AZ 85625.

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Museum of Science to Reopen Charles Hayden Planetarium — Now New England?s Most Technologically Advanced Digital Theater

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:59:17 +0000

Boston, MA (Vocus) November 29, 2010

The Museum of Science, Boston today announced that it will reopen the Charles Hayden Planetarium on Sunday, February 13, 2011. The Museum celebrates the 52-year history of New England’s first major planetarium by unveiling an entirely new kind of cultural venue ? the most technologically advanced digital theater in New England. Powered by superior full-dome video and audio systems and a new state-of-the-art Zeiss Starmaster projector, the renovated Planetarium will introduce a new generation of educational programming and arts and entertainment experiences. The yearlong $ 9 million renovation was funded through the Charles Hayden Foundation and private donations, with significant support from Suffolk Construction?s Red & Blue Foundation, the Honorable Nonnie S. Burnes and Richard M. Burnes Jr., the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, and the Highland Street Foundation.

Spearheaded by the Museum?s late founding director Brad Washburn, the Charles Hayden Planetarium opened in 1958. Since then, more than 11 million visitors have immersed themselves in the beauty and mystery of the cosmos under the starry dome. The theater has been home to daily multimedia explanations of astronomical phenomena, stunning displays of planets, stars, and constellations, and simulated journeys to galaxies far beyond our own. Now unmatched for its versatility, the Planetarium will use the latest in high definition, immersive video, and digital acoustic technology to transport viewers not only to distant times and places in the universe but also inside the blood stream or swimming next to dolphins in the ocean. Furthermore, the new seating design converts the Planetarium into a theater for live performances and other evening entertainment.

“Now, the Charles Hayden Planetarium is much more than a planetarium,” said Paul Fontaine, Museum vice president of education. “It is a time machine that lets us jump thousands of years into the future or the past, a spaceship flying through the universe at unbelievable speeds, and the coolest venue in town for music and the performing arts. It’s also a revolutionary teaching tool that will enable Museum educators to show the sky from any point on Earth and give presenters the flexibility to customize shows and take audiences anywhere they want to go in the known universe.”

Aided by the capabilities of the newly transformed Planetarium, the Museum of Science strengthens its commitment to helping visitors understand and rethink their place in the universe in the midst of science and technology discoveries. As part of the Planetarium’s grand opening, the Museum will premiere Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our Sun, an original astronomy show that will explore a field that has exploded in recent years: the science of exoplanets ? planets outside our solar system. With NASA’s Kepler mission focused on finding Earth-size planets, we are closer than ever to answering a fundamental question: Are planets like Earth common or rare? In September, astronomers, supported by the National Science Foundation and NASA, announced what could be, if confirmed, the first potentially habitable exoplanet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581. With input from physicist-novelist Alan Lightman and leading exoplanet researchers from MIT and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Undiscovered Worlds captures the excitement of the rapidly unfolding search for exoplanets and invites audiences to join the hunt.

The Museum is also creating Cosmic Light, a new long-term exhibit to complement the Charles Hayden Planetarium experience. Guided by the principle that almost everything we know about the universe comes from studying light, the exhibit helps Museum-goers discover how different wavelengths of light give us different information about the universe. Here visitors can touch a 30,000-year-old meteorite from outer space, view a gallery of large-scale color images that offer a spectacular window on the universe, and take a walking tour of the planets in our solar system?all while exploring how our planet and solar system relate to our galaxy and universe. The ViewSpace station provides updates from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, seasonal introductions to constellations, and news stories of astronomical importance. Cosmic Light is a free exhibit open to the public.

WHAT’S NEW

The physical transformation includes the installation of new and more powerful technologies, as well as enhanced visitor amenities:

????The Planetarium’s centerpiece is its state-of-the-art Zeiss Starmaster, one of only two in the United States, and the only one on the East Coast. This custom-built optics system recreates a stunningly realistic night sky, its fiber optics enhancing the size and infinitely adjustable brightness of up to 9,100 stars. For the first time, a new scintillation device generates star flickering as natural as the real thing. In another first, the Starmaster can go forward and back 10,000 years in seconds via computer-controlled independent planet projectors. Unlike the old two-ton Zeiss Mark VI, the new rotating star simulator is elegantly compact, standing eight and a half feet tall, its lens-covered starball 30 inches in diameter.

????The Sky-Skan Definiti System powered by DigitalSky 2 software and Sony SXRD 4K Digital Video Projectors (4K is pixel resolution) and an extensive sky database enable creation of spectacular original programming. The new projection and animation technology not only can simulate space travel, but also could explore global climate change. In addition, using an online databank, Planetarium staff can import and display proteins including DNA strands, while an earth and climate database could show the jet stream or volcanic activity.

????Planetaria traditionally simulate the 3-dimensional sky from any location on Earth in the past or future, accurately reproducing apparent motions and cycles of the sky in time-lapse fashion. But the new DigitalSky 2 software enables Planetarium visitors to peer back at Earth as only astronauts have, then fly out of the Milky Way past other galaxies, immersed in views of anywhere in the known universe modeled on the latest scientific data from satellites and observatories. The Planetarium can also show visually difficult concepts like phases of the moon and how eclipses work as viewed from space.

????Museum educators, poised at the 10-foot-wide control console — banks of knobs and faders, keyboards and monitors at their fingertips — orchestrate the entire experience, using the DigitalSky 2 software, making the Starmaster turn and spin, and adjusting lights, audio, and spotlights.

????With powerful new full-dome video and audio systems, concentric seating for 209 people, and 40 removable seats, the theater offers a transformative venue for musical performances, live theater, and other evening entertainment, as well as audience interactivity and intimacy.

????Enhanced visitor amenities include advanced climate control and custom seats angled to give visitors the sensation of takeoff with optimal views and comfort.

The Museum of Science celebrates the public opening of the newly transformed Charles Hayden Planetarium Sunday, February 13, 2011. Tickets: $ 10 for adults; $ 9 for seniors; $ 8 for children ages 3 ? 11. Planetarium show schedules and details are available on mos.org. For more information, the public can call 617/723-2500, (TTY) 617/589-0417, or visit mos.org.

About the Museum of Science, Boston

The Museum takes a hands-on approach to science, engineering and technology, attracting about 1.5 million visitors a year via its programs and 700 interactive exhibits. Founded in 1830, the Museum was first to embrace all the sciences under one roof. Highlights include the Thomson Theater of Electricity, Charles Hayden Planetarium, Mugar Omni Theater, Gordon Current Science & Technology Center, 3-D Digital Cinema and Butterfly Garden. Reaching 25,000 teens a year worldwide via the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, the Museum also leads a 10-year, $ 41 million National Science Foundation-funded Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network of science museums. The Museum?s ?Science Is an Activity? exhibit plan has been awarded many NSF grants and influenced science centers worldwide. Its National Center for Technological Literacy? aims to enhance knowledge of engineering and technology for people of all ages and inspire the next generation of engineers, inventors, and scientists. The Museum is ranked #3 by Parents Magazine in its list of the country?s ?Ten Best Science Centers, Visit http://www.mos.org.

Press contacts:

Sofiya Cabalquinto: 617-589-0251 or scabalquinto(at)mos(dot)org

Lauren Crowne: 617-589-0250 or lcrowne(at)mos(dot)org

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Waterville Valley Resort Announces December Ski + Stay Deals

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:10:18 +0000

Waterville Valley, NH (PRWEB) December 1, 2010

Located in New Hampshire?s White Mountains, Waterville Valley Resort seeks to provide affordable skiing to families with a variety of packages, along with children?s activities and events. New this winter is their ?Wicked Long Ski Weekends? package. This package offers guests the option of checking in as early as 12:30 p.m. on Friday, with a 3 p.m. checkout on Sunday. Free skiing on Friday afternoon is included. From just $ 89 pp/night, double occupancy, in December, and $ 158 pp/night, double occupancy, in January, February and March, these two-night Ski & Stay deals are offered most weekends throughout the winter month. Being just a 2-hour drive from Boston, a mini vacation is closer than you think.

December Kick-Off

Skiers can get an early start on the season with this ski & stay package of two nights lodging and two days of lift tickets. Waterville Valley Resort hosts Cookies & Snow on December 11. Add on a semi-private tune-up ski lesson for $ 45 per person. From $ 89 pp/night, double occupancy, valid Nov.? Dec. 19, 2010.

Family Holiday Tree & Ski

Kids ski free with this weekend package. The package includes two nights lodging and a Saturday or Sunday lift ticket for each person. A holiday tree for the family is also provided and each lodge adds its own holiday remembrance to the package. Stay Nov. 26?28, from $ 87 pp/for the whole weekend, quad occupancy. Or the whole weekend from $ 64 pp, quad occupancy valid the weekends of Dec. 3?5, Dec. 10?12, Dec. 17?19, 2010.

Ring in 2011

Kids ski free with this New Year?s package from $ 211 pp/for the whole weekend, double occupancy valid the weekends of Jan. 7?10, 21?23, and 28?30. Packages includes two nights lodging, two adults minimum/per room, two adult lift tickets for Saturday and Sunday, valet parking on Sunday, 50% off rentals, group lessons, all day Kids Venture Kamps and Child Care on Saturday and Sunday.

Cookies & Snow and Fairy Tales

Winter comes early to Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire?s White Mountains with the Cookies & Snow and Fairytales Festival on Saturday December 11th. (Small fee)

Cookies baked fresh by local restaurants are distributed throughout the businesses in Town Square. Guests can stroll through the decorated shops and sample one of each cookie creation with their purchase of a ?Cookie Coupon Book?. Explore the Town Square and see the hand-painted panels depicting the Russian fairy tale of the ?Snow Maiden? who is the daughter of Father Frost and Mother Spring.

And, cookies are not the only treat. Curious George story time is at 11:00 a.m.. A Holiday ice-skating party is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. with free skating and rentals! Kids can decorate a gingerbread house at the annual Candy Cottage workshop hosted by the Recreation Department.

Santa Claus will stroll through the Town Square courtyard around 2 pm, and then will cozy up in the Bookmonger to read a children?s story. Other festivities include a coffee tasting, balloon twisting by Mo the Balloon Baffoon, ornament-making, and astronomy at the Rey Center.

New Hampshire has many towns that naturally grew around the state’s travel and tourism industry–particularly around its many ski mountains. But only one, Waterville Valley, was designed and planned specifically as a self-contained, four seasons resort. In addition to its world-class ski area, Waterville Valley Resort has award-winning tennis courts, golf, hiking, biking, lodging, cultural activities and summer theater, an indoor ice rink, boating, a skate park, and a host of outdoor activities. Dining options include traditional favorites and elegant dining. For more information, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or visit http://www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

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TACC Selects Bright Cluster Manager for FutureGrid Project

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:18:26 +0000

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) December 6, 2010

Bright Computing, a leader in cluster management software for high-performance computing (HPC), announced today that the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) is using Bright Cluster Manager? to manage its HPC Cluster in the FutureGrid project. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), FutureGrid is a distributed test-bed for advanced computing ? supporting some of the most innovative computing experiments in the country. The project provides a powerful infrastructure for tackling a multitude of complex challenges from authentication, authorization, scheduling, virtualization, middleware design, interface design and cyber-security, to the optimization of grid-enabled and cloud-enabled computational schemes, spanning astronomy, atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, engineering, and epidemiology.

TACC?s role in the project is to host one of FutureGrid?s six current HPC clusters, to contribute to the development of the user portal, and to provide tools to help users perform experiments.

Tommy Minyard, Director of Advanced Computing Systems at TACC comments: ?TACC always evaluates several vendors, and for this particular project Bright was the best choice. We were impressed with the Bright Cluster Manager demo at the SC?09 conference and decided to make a detailed evaluation here at TACC. Our findings confirmed to us that Bright was what we needed: a powerful cluster management solution that is easy to use, flexible and very capable. Bright met our demanding requirements straight out of the box.?

?This project calls for tremendous flexibility from the cluster management software,? said Dave Gignac, Operating Systems Specialist responsible for the FutureGrid cluster at TACC. ?Aside from our own needs, we must meet the complex requirements of the FutureGrid community. For example, the Project calls for the ability to efficiently provision user-created software images for each experiment, without impairing productivity. Bright met this and all other challenges with ease.?

FutureGrid is an experimental grid and cloud test-bed comprised of about 1,000 advanced computer processing units distributed across the United States. The project is lead by Indiana University and includes a number of partners. HPC systems are currently installed at Indiana University-Bloomington, The University of Texas at Austin, the University of California San Diego, the University of Chicago/Argonne National Lab, and the University of Florida in Gainesville. The goal of this project is to make it easier for scientists to conduct experimental computational science research that requires specific configurations and repeatable experiments. FutureGrid will become part of the NSF’s TeraGrid high performance cyber infrastructure. It will increase the capability of the TeraGrid to support innovative computer science research requiring access to lower levels of the grid software stack, the networking software stack, and to virtualization and workflow orchestration tools. Full integration into the TeraGrid is anticipated by October 2011. http://www.futuregrid.org

About Bright Computing

Bright Computing is a specialist in cluster management software and services for high-performance computing (HPC). Its flagship product ? Bright Cluster Manager ? with its intuitive graphical user interface and powerful cluster management shell, makes clusters of any size easy to install, use and manage, including systems combining Intel/AMD processors with GPGPU technology. Bright’s minimal footprint enables HPC systems to be utilized to their maximum potential, from departmental clusters to large-scale systems. Bright Cluster Manager is the management solution of choice for many research institutes, universities, and companies across the world, including several Top500 installations. Bright Cluster Manager is certified as Intel? Cluster Ready. Bright Computing has its headquarters in San Jose, California. http://www.brightcomputing.com

Bright Cluster Manager is a trademark of Bright Computing, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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UK?s Premiere Supercomputing Campus Seeks American Partners for Collaboration

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:30:22 +0000

Roswell, GA (PRWEB) December 8, 2010

John Bancroft, Head of Business Development for the Science & Technologies Facility Council (STFC) located in the North of England, has been working in the U.S. this month to identify and develop strategic partnerships for the much anticipated Hartee Centre. The Centre is a key component of the UK?s premier supercomputing campus and is home to the HPCx ? the most powerful computer in the UK able to process 15 trillion calculations per second, offering computational modeling capabilities.

The race for the most powerful supercomputers continues with the U.S. holding five of the top ten spots on the Top 500 list, but the race to develop the software is far behind. The Hartree Centre plans to be a the top of that list.

On his two week tour, Bancroft met with key companies in New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco before capping off his trip at Supercomputing 2010 in New Orleans. His goal to encourage collaboration between American and UK innovators was centered not only around access to strongest computer in the UK, but also with inclusion in a truly collaborative environment geared toward the innovative software developers of tomorrow.

?Computers are getting more and more powerful but the software hasn?t kept up. Until the software is developed, the power of the new computers won?t be realized? states Bancroft, ?Collaboration between hardware and software developers focused on high end computing is key to creating an environment where research is not based solely on academic curiosity but is firmly tied to application and economic benefit.?

The North of England has a long history in high performance computing. Daresbury Labs pioneered the development of codes for parallel simulation that allow modeling a large number of processes simultaneously. The Hartree Centre is an extension of Darsbury?s stake in computational science and will focus on collaboration with an overarching goal to provide a step-change in modeling capabilities focused on energy, life sciences, the environment and materials. With the HPCx?s computational modeling capabilities, companies will be able to do large scale simulations like simulating a disaster in order to determine ways to help minimize damage.

?Supercomputers are no longer things that we talk about affecting us at some undefined time in the future.? says Kristen Hirst of the North of England Agency ,?They are here now and will most definitely be a critical component in the development of new drugs, new sources of energy and environmental modeling. What we need now is software designed to tap into that power.?

American companies of all sizes are moving into the STFC?s premiere campus in order to branch into European computational science capabilities. Daresbury has developed a soft landing package to help smaller companies take advantage of the opportunities. Companies who fit the criteria can benefit from free office space for a year to help the transition easier and more affordable.

Science & Technologies Facility Council

The Science and Technology Facilities Council ensures the UK retains its leading place on the world stage by delivering world-class science; accessing and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships. The Council has a broad science portfolio including Astronomy, Particle Physics, Particle Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Space Science, Synchrotron Radiation, Neutron Sources and High Power Lasers. In addition the Council manages and operates three internationally renowned laboratories: The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, The Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire, The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh.

The Council gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO). It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Chile, and in the UK LOFAR and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, which includes the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory.

North England Inward Investment Agency

The North England Inward Investment Agency is a British Government-funded consultancy and UK-based inward investment agency whose role is to advise and assist North American companies considering UK/European expansion. Their services are free and confidential and include the provision of information on a wide range of important issues such as: market feasibility studies, business plan support, site selection, potential procurement of financial assistance/public grants, taxation issues, work-force training and recruitment, supply chain opportunities, skills availability, labor costs and regulations, market data, links and collaborations with Universities, introductions to key professional services and regulation advice.

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Shop Smart with American Mensa’s Gift Guide

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:42:34 +0000

Arlington, TX (Vocus) December 8, 2010

American Mensa, the high IQ society, has the perfect tool to help shoppers find some of the most interesting and novel gifts this season with the 2010 Mensa Holiday Gift Guide. Shoppers can find and purchase these gifts by logging on to http://www.us.mensa.org/giftguide.

This year?s gift guide features items to savor such as Moonstruck? Chocolates out of Portland, Ore., which is also the site of the 2011 American Mensa National Conference, or gifts to amuse and test your Mensa capabilities like the Mensa Home Test?available in online or print versions for $ 18 at http://www.us.mensa.org/mht.

The guide also features one of the 2010 Mensa Select Mind Game winners, AnomiaTM?a fast-paced game that can involve players of all ages. To check out other Mensa Select Games, log on to mindgames.us.mensa.org. For more gaming fun, check out the Mensa Brain Test game now available on iTunes, the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

?The Mensa Gift Guide gives shoppers innovative and creative ideas on what they can buy for their nearest and dearest this season without leaving home,? said Pamela Donahoo, CAE, Executive Director of American Mensa. ?No matter what age or gender, the guide offers a wide range of gift options that are sure to be conversation pieces during the holidays.?

The American Mensa Holiday Gift Guide is sponsored by GEICO?. GEICO provides homeowner, vehicle and rental insurance, and offers special discounts to American Mensa members. For more information about other Mensa member benefits, visit http://www.us.mensa.org/benefits.

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Celia Banks’ New ‘Issy?s Gift Activity Book’ Now Available as E-Book

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:55:01 +0000

Lexington, KY (PRWEB) December 16, 2010

The Issy?s Gift Activity Book, is the latest electronic activity book by Christian children?s book author Celia Banks. The activity book is designed to accompany Banks? popular hardback Issy?s Gift, and adds another layer of learning to the story of Christmas. The activity book uses puzzles, printable sheets, art activities, singing and more to enhance kids? learning experience. This latest offering follows Banks? committment to providing e-book supplements to her readers and keeps in line with Amazon.com?s acknowledgment that e-books are outselling traditional hardbacks.

?The world of internet technology offers new opportunities for us as authors and teachers in the way we communicate with our audience,? Banks said. ?Our books are now easily accessible for those who want them as soon as the purchase is made from the comfort of their own homes. The Issy’s Gift Activity Book not only contains interesting facts about the Bible, it is full of fun facts about other subjects including history, astronomy and math to name a few. I believe the parents will learn right along with their children.?

These interactive activities will help children improve reading skills, learn about textures and actively engage in their environment. The entire God?s Word is Just for Me Series is designed to act as a fun supplement to a child?s existing educational environment with the electronic book putting fun instantly within reach.

?For children’s activity books, it is especially useful to have printable sheets available with the click of your mouse. The staff at CeliaBanks.com is happy to be able to accommodate a wider range of customers with our new downloadable electronic products.?

About the Book:

Issy?s Gift Activity Book

This activity book was specifically created as a teaching tool for you to interact with your children about the story, characters and Bible based truths of the book, Issy?s Gift. Whimsical art and activities amplify the Biblical messages and engage children of all ages.

Issy’s Gift Hardback

Issy was so excited. As a young camel, he was on his first caravan trip. He was going with his grandfather and the wise men to a far away land to see the young Christ Child who was born King. Join the little camel, Issy, as he goes on a journey to visit the Child and learns important life lessons about the value of giving, why the Christ Child is so special and?why He is so much more than just an earthly king.

About the Author:

Celia Banks is a former vice president of design for the International China Company and has been a designer for dolls, dollhouses, toys, cosmetics and gift products for companies such as Avon, Mattel, Hasbro and Horsman Doll Company.

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Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror ? Remastered Comes to the App Store

admin — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:06:46 +0000

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) December 16, 2010

Revolution Software today announces that its latest app, Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror ? Remastered, is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Broken Sword is the sequel to the highly successful Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars – The Director?s Cut.

Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror features an exclusive interactive digital comic from Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons, as well as new animated facial expressions, enhanced graphics, a context-sensitive hint system and diary. The game also features Dropbox integration which facilitates cross-platform save-game feature, enabling players to enjoy the same adventure simultaneously across iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch as well as full Game Center integration ? including in-game achievements ? and many other new enhancements.

Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror sees journalist Nico Collard unexpectedly stumble across a mysterious ancient artifact. Little does she know that the ornately-carved obsidian stone will lead her, and her companion George Stobbart, into a mysterious escapade of intrigue and deceit, in which they must overcome powerful forces and antagonists who are trying to stop them. Torment and terror, sacrificial rituals, and bloody massacre is unearthed beneath a veil of Mayan mystery. Kidnap, stolen treasure, astronomy, and a deadly drug baron are the least of the duo?s worries, as divine forces threaten to annihilate mankind. Nerve, cunning and guile are essential in order to conquer this compelling adventure.

?We saw tremendous success with our first Broken Sword title, and our fans wanted more,” said Charles Cecil, managing director, Revolution Software. “With Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror, we have raised the bar with enhanced graphics, a thrilling new storyline and unique gameplay features and achievements.”

Cecil adds, ?The App Store has created tremendous opportunities for our company as well as the Broken Sword franchise. It has given us the freedom and confidence to push the envelope when it comes to creativity and deliver the most compelling gameplay experience to our fans. This is an extraordinary time for the games industry and for independent developers in particular.?

Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror features include:

Stunning animated facial expressions
Context-sensitive hint system and diary
Improved background and animation graphics
Cut scene movies with enhanced graphics and audio
New soundtrack composed by Barrington Pheloung
Bonus interactive digital comic drawn by Dave Gibbons
Cloud saving via Dropbox ? remotely load and save games for gameplay across iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
Full Game Center support, including in-game achievements
Subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian

Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror ? Remastered is available for $ 6.99 from the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad or at ITunes App Store.

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Navigate the Cosmos through your iPhone with Starpicker

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:25:22 +0000

Holmdel, NJ (PRWEB) December 22, 2010

Applix Software LLC, an emerging mobile software developer focused on applications for the iPhone, today announced the launch of StarPicker for the iPhone 4 and 3GS. Designed to be the first app where the iphone is used as a pointer to actively guide a user?s eyes as they search for a given night-sky object. Users can choose from a catalog of 150 brightest stars, 89 constellations, comets, and clusters ? not to mention all of the planets in our solar system. Capable of giving anyone a hands-on way to learn and visually navigate the night sky, StarPicker is now available on the iTunes App Store for iPhone 4 and 3GS ? running on iOS 4.1 or later.

StarPicker includes a number of features that enhance the user?s experience while navigating their eyes through the sky to specific stars and other objects of interest. Chief among these features is StarPicker?s utilization of sounds and blinking guide arrows that serve to orient the user as accurately as possible. Once the user has successfully located their desired star or cosmic feature they can switch to Sky View with a single tap on their mobile device?s screen. While in Sky View, users can zoom to see finer details. Keeping education in mind, users can also switch to the app?s Accessory View, which provides them with additional information on the specific object they?ve chosen to locate.

StarPicker utilizes the fourth generation iPhone 4 and 3GS compass, accelerometer and GPS capabilities, to their fullest extent, in order to precisely calculate the user?s position in relation to the selected celestial object. The user is then guided by means of an effective and accurate two-step process. Users first hold the iPhone level, slowly rotating to the calculated angle of the selected object by following the flashing guidearrows. Once this angle ? termed the azimuth — is locked, users simply tilt their mobile device up or down until it is oriented directly towards the cosmic feature they wish to observe. A perfect app to captivate and enlighten avid sky gazers anywhere, StarPicker provides a blend of high-tech engineering and scientific computing with an enthusiastic sense of astronomic adventure that is not to be missed.

Available on the app store.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/starpicker/id401656247?mt=8

About the Developer:

Located in Holmdel, New Jersey, Applix Software specializes in developing applications for the iPhone. The studios? engineering team is devoted to embedded systems software design, real-time signal processing and high level software development. This unique blend of skills continues to aide the organization in creating sophisticated industry leading mobile applications. ? Applix Software LLC. 2010. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Zotality, Inc. (USA) Announces the Launch of its Astrology Centered Social Networking Web Site http://www.zotality.com

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:40:00 +0000

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 24, 2010

The web site employs, the widely used and time tested, tenets of the Predictive Jyotish System of Astrology to generate Customized Astrological Birth-Chart of its Registered User, which can then be displayed both in the Western as well as Eastern style. Jyotish is an age old astrological system which relies and depends heavily on astronomy and mathematics.????????

Users, of http://www.zotality.com, can enjoy reading their own and, if permitted, their friends? Daily Astrological Predictions, which are based around the Customized Astrological Birth Chart of each User. Users can also gain general awareness of their astrological predisposition to a possible or proposed interaction, on any given day, with their mother, father, spouse, uncles, aunts, boss, colleagues and any particular friend.

Users are therefore advised and cautioned to enter their exact date, place and time of birth in order to enhance precision of these Astro-Predictions and Astro-Interactions.

At http://www.zotality.com, users can comment on not only their own Astro-Interactions but also on those between their friends; and even the Astro-Predictions are open to comments by friends.

The web site even allows for Astrological Compatibility Matching between users and their friends, relatives, acquaintances and others.

Zotality Inc. strongly believes that http://www.zotality.com will provide not only the platform but also the content and material to facilitate interactions between users, thus prompting conversions of even the most passive of its users into Active Participants (?Zo Being?).

The ultimate aim of Jyotish is to help you seek and realize the light within you by helping you attain the four important objectives of human life:

1.????Pursuit of the righteous and spiritual path

2.????Acquisition of wealth

3.????Partaking of physical and worldly enjoyments and pleasures

4.????Self-realization, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth

Zotality, Inc. invites all to a journey of Self-Exploration while forging exciting Astro-Interactions with friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues and others.

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January 1st, 2011: The 2nd Annual Universe Day Sparks New Universe Perspective and New Hope for the Environment

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:07:15 +0000

Sausalito, CA (PRWEB) December 30, 2010

Universe Day is an annual event each January 1st facilitated by Universe Spirit, a non-profit organization committed to realizing that all are citizens of the universe. Universe Day seeks to take a leap where Earth Day leaves off?into the vast cosmos.

The message behind Universe Day is derived in part from the wisdom of Albert Einstein who said, ?We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.? As most people are aware, the challenges faced on a worldwide scale (climate change, war, pollution, nonsustainable environmental degradation, the global economy…) have serious consequences. Rather than merely feeling overwhelmed by the challenges facing the planet, the impetus behind Universe Day is to expand how one thinks about them, energizing a broader perspective, and shifting lives in alignment toward universe-informed solutions.

“Similar to Earth Day events, individuals and organizations all over the planet are encouraged to self-organize their own Universe Day and meet-ups to forward the Universe Day message. Universe Day is a no-ownership, no-egos, get-the-message-out-now viral event. Imitate it, adapt it, improve it, and even steal it if it means that its message is quickly adopted to build a more sustainable future.? says Lawrence Wollersheim, one of the originators of the Universe Day message.

“The Universe and progressive evolution is responsible for our physical existence. We are in it right now, and it is in us. It is the most physically dominant and invisible factor controlling all life and everything around us, ” says Wollersheim. “With recent innovations in astronomy, we?ve discovered more factual knowledge about the cosmos in the past 20 years than all of human history, and our ability to accumulate this knowledge is accelerating. This is not a small change. Humanity is now working on a much larger playing field.”

The message of Universe Day isn?t just the bellwether of a visionary perspective; it is also focused on showing how evolutionary science and its principles can help individuals work together to meet the tremendous challenges of our times. For starters, this requires the practicality and hard work involved in building a more sustainable environment for succeeding generations, especially in an era when issues such as access to clean water and the unregulated use of non-renewable resources affect nearly everyone on the globe. This is why Universe Spirit has been partnering with Sustainable World Coalition to spread education geared toward sustainable solutions to planetary challenges.

Why does Universe Day land on January 1st? Celebrating the New Year is a time spent by many to reflect on the previous year, and examine how they want to live in the up-coming year. Celebration is a way to energize intentions. Mark Twain said, ?Never trust your mind when your imagination is out of focus.? How might one shape their New Year?s Resolutions when the biggest possible perspective of the whole Universe is in focus?

What will happen this Universe Day? The Universe is waiting…

Universe Day San Francisco Event:

Universe Day San Francisco is promoting the 2nd annual Universe Day event on January 1st, 2011 on a solarized boat in Sausalito. This is an opportunity to come together and inspire one another other at the beginning of the New Year and sail around the beautiful San Francisco Bay. To RSVP, please email the Event Coordinator Suzie at suzie.xvii(at)gmail(dot)com

Not in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Join in for the live Ustream webcast from the boat, RSVP at Universe Day Channel and join in on January 1st, starting from 3pm PST, and again at 8pm PST for a live performance by Caroluna at Universe Day Channel

Universe Day International invites everyone to self-organize and create their own local events from wherever they are. ?Like? Universe Day International on Facebook, and share thoughts and New Year?s Resolutions under the ?Discussions? tab. Global ideas are welcomed that engage the levels of self, community, planet, and universe.

More Information:

Register via email at http://www.theuniverseday.org to receive announcements about upcoming opportunities & events. Sign up before January 7th and receive the link to a free online course on Sustainability from Universe College. This course features the Sustainable World Coalition Sourcebook, a sweeping overview of the major global issues, realistic solutions, and actions to take to be part of the solution.

For more information: Contact Peggy at press(at)universespirit(dot)org

About Universe Spirit: Universe Spirit a non-profit organization educating about how universe consciousness, the Universe Worldview, universe citizenship and Universe Spirituality are used to create a just, prosperous and sustainable world.

About Sustainable World Coalition: The mission of the Sustainable World Coalition (SWC) is to produce educational events and materials that support a socially just and environmentally healthy world. SWC is a project of Earth Island Institute, a 501c3 non profit organization.

About Sustainable World Sourcebook: Used in the Free Online Course, the SourceBook is a sweeping overview of the major global issues we face, realistic solutions, and actions that we can take to be part of those solutions. The book is concise and in full color throughout, with a well designed user friendly layout, so that it is a compelling read, containing 100 pages of essential information on the critical challenges that humanity faces and lots of ?What You Can Do? tips and pointers for specific action steps and personal engagement. The introduction is by the brilliant Paul Hawken, and the book has been endorsed by luminaries like Marianne Williamson, Randy Hayes, Lynne Twist and Kevin Danaher, among others.

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SpiriTalk: The Zodiac and the Truth Behind Astrology- Has Your Sign Truly Changed?

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:01:57 +0000

Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) January 25, 2011

Learn the truth behind Astrology through its history and understand how this ancient system really works. Author and Spiritual Teacher, Gahl Sasson, walks his audience through the basics of Astrology as he explains when and how Astrology was developed, the marriage between Astronomy and Astrology, how to relate to this ancient system of symbols and metaphors, and which great minds embraced its teachings.

“Astrology is one of the most ancient sciences, held in high esteem of old, by the wise and the great. Formerly, no prince would make war or peace, nor any general fight in battle, in short, no important affair was undertaken without first consulting an astrologer.” ? Benjamin Franklin

Ever so often Astrology is presented with an opportunity to explain herself and thus improve on her wisdom and service to humankind. Such occasions, alas, usually happen when her system of symbolism is under attack, usually from people who have no knowledge of Astrology and who base their dismissive notions on popular culture and misunderstandings instead of serious consideration. In the last few days, emails and tweets, were circulated concerning the shattering ?new discoveries? that the signs have shifted due to a ?wobble? in the Earth?s axis and that there is a new 13th sign called Ophiuchus.

Let us address some of these concerns and assure everyone that whatever your sign was before 2011 is still the same and if you thought you could get an upgrade to a ?nicer? sign, you are out of luck

1 – Astrology is based on the seasons and the relationships between the planets (called aspects) and NOT what sign is located behind the Sun when a person is born.

The signs of the Zodiac are merely symbols and metaphors that divide the year into 12 different and equal ?seasons?. This partition is based on the proportions of day and night or light and darkness experienced throughout the year. Aries always begins on the first day of spring (aka the Spring Equinox), when the day and night are equal and the amount of light is growing. Libra, on the other hand, always begins on the Fall Equinox, when the day and night are also equal, but the amount of light is receding. Astrology postulates, regardless of what constellation occupies the Equinox, that people born in the spring will exhibit characteristics such as high energy and optimism. They will be the kind of people who spring into action, the same way that nature buds into life after its long winter slumber.

A new study, published by the Nature Neuroscience Journal, found links between the season of birth and personality. It is proven that people born in the winter, i.e. Capricorns, are more at risk to suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), schizophrenia and depression. In Astrology, Capricorn, beginning on the longest night of the year, is associated with suffering, difficulties and pessimism. To quote the author of the paper, Professor Douglas McMahon, “Our biological clocks measure the day?s length and change our behavior according to the seasons.?

2 – When Astrology was developed by the Babylonians, the constellation of Aries happened to be located right behind the sign Aries during the Spring Equinox.

Astrology was developed in Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, as a cosmic clock, most likely to help early farmers trace the seasons. In fact, the reason why we have seasons to begin with is because of the Earth?s 23 degree tilt, which is also connected to its wobble. The idea is simple: one should plant in Spring, party in Summer, harvest in Fall, and be careful with provisions in Winter.

The first zodiac sign, Aries, begins on March 21st, the Spring Equinox. Of course there is no real Ram out there in the skies. The ancient wise women and men of the time chose a Ram to symbolize Aries because it is a great metaphor for the initiation of spring, the leader of the flock. When the refuters of Astrology claim that people born in Aries should be called Pisces, they are misunderstanding the symbolism of Astrology. It?s like saying New York City should be called ?York? because by now it is hundreds of years old. However, when it was founded it was new, and it symbolized a modern place full of possibilities. Aries was located behind the Equinox, on March 21st 2000-4000 years ago, when Astrology was ?founded?. That is why we still call this period of time Aries.

3 – Astrologers and Astronomers have known about the issues presented in the ?Astrology refuting hoax? for thousands of years and CHOSE NOT to include a 13th constellation.

There is nothing new about the 13th constellation or the shift in the signs. The ancient Greeks, who were the first to cast astrological ?Natal Charts,? were quite aware of these two issues. In fact, Claudius Ptolemy wrote extensively about the 13th sign and the procession of the equinox in the 2nd century AD. As you can see, there is nothing new under the Sun. Ophiuchus, the so called 13th sign, was not adopted into Astrology because the Sun barely touches the constellation during its path through the Zodiac. It also doesn?t fit into the Babylonians? sexagesimal system that is based on 60 and 12. That is why we have 60 minutes in an hour and two sets of 12 hours in a day. That is also the reason behind the decision to have 12 signs in the Zodiac and not 13.

With all due respect, most of the people who rebuke Astrology have little knowledge about the ancient art. Intellectual giants the like of Johannes Kepler (considered by many the father of modern astronomy), Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Carl Jung, Benjamin Franklin and Sir Isaac Newton all knew about these two anomalies in Astrology. However, they continued to practice, study and develop astrological theories that resulted in amazing predictions and insights (http://www.cosmicnavigator.com/blog/gahl-sasson/Astrology/Astrology-rocks-some-historical-magic). Astrologers for centuries have incorporated the earth wobble in their understanding of the connection between the heavenly bodies and life on earth. Ever heard about ?The Age of Aquarius?? The reason why we have these ages and why they move backward (Age of Aquarius follows the Age of Pisces) is because of the wobble of the earth. So to claim astrologers had not known about this phenomenon or chose to ignore it is simply ridiculous.

4 – Astrology is a system of symbols and metaphors designed to help us connect to the universe, just like the words and metaphors found in the various spiritual texts from around the world.

Many people claim that Astrology has no scientific backing and therefore cannot provide ?real? help to humanity. I was stunned to see that this assertion regarding Astrology, came from the Christian Science Monitor, a news organization owned by a church. But wait, there is no scientific proof of the resurrection of Christ, and yet the teaching of Jesus can still inspire love and compassion. There is no archeological proof of the Exodus and yet millions live and die by the teaching of Moses. There is no evidence to support Muhammad?s nightly flight on a winged horse from Mecca to Jerusalem. However, the holiest shrine for Islam, the Dome of the Rock, was built to commemorate that event on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Help and healing can be provided by systems that have no scientific proof, and have been for hundreds of years. The Cosmic Navigator is not saying that these events did not happen, but just noting that there is NO scientific proof that they did. However, the power of these systems of belief is undeniable. Handled in the right way, Astrology can help guide us to a better future. Over the last 15 years I have personally experienced Astrology prove herself again and again in remarkable ways with clients of all ages, races, nationalities, and genders. I can only hope that she will do for you, what she has done for me and thousands of my clients.

“Obviously Astrology has much to offer psychology, but what the latter can offer its elder sister is less evident.? ? C.G Jung

About the author:

Gahl E. Sasson ? teaches Astrology, Mythology and Kabbalah worldwide. His books A Wish Can Change Your Life (endorsed by HH the 14th Dalai Lama) and Cosmic Navigator, have been translated worldwide. Gahl Sasson is an established author and has been teaching workshops on Kabbalah, Astrology, and Mysticism around the globe for over a decade. His first book, A Wish Can Change Your Life, has been translated into over seven languages and is endorsed by HH the 14th Dalai Lama. His latest work, Cosmic Navigator, is the essential reference guide to understanding your astrological makeup.

Gahl is an active contributor to the Huffington Post and Infinite Quest and has been named ?Los Angeles? Best Astrologer? by W Magazine. His encyclopedic knowledge and charismatic presence have also made him a sought-after guest speaker. He has appeared on http://www.dailybeast.com, CNN, ABC News, KTLA-TV Los Angeles, WPIX-TV New York and WGN-TV Chicago. Gahl currently resides in Los Angeles, but tours regularly throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

For further information, please email Gahl Sasson directly at gahl108(at)yahoo(dot)com

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INM Helps Kalmbach Publishing Co. Deliver 70 Years of Trains Magazine on DVD

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:19:10 +0000

Montreal (PRWEB) February 24, 2011

Integration New Media, a leader in creating rich user experiences, announced today the availability of a new project built for Trains Magazine, a monthly magazine published by Kalmbach Publishing Co. Trains Magazine is the largest and oldest magazine dedicated to delivering content about trains and railroads.

To celebrate the title?s 70th anniversary, Kalmbach digitized the entire archives of Trains Magazine and created a searchable library that train enthusiasts could purchase and own. Packaged as ?The Complete Collection?, this DVD-based library contains over 60,000 pages of content from 840 issues, dating back to the very first issue published in 1940.

The ?Complete Collection? includes a number of rare editorial gems, including the special preview issue from October 1940, all of the famous ?all-steam? and ?all-diesel? issues, and the World War II-era issues filled with patriotic advertising and news stories.

?Now train and railroad enthusiasts can easily search through 70 years of Trains Magazine and find the content they are most interested in. Our readers can clean out the stacks of back-issues in their basements and simply store one DVD case instead,? said Jim Wrinn, editor of Trains Magazine. ?INM?s search technology provides a great experience and delivers reliable results.?

The collection was built using an offline version of INM?s Reach eLibrary technology, a product designed to create robust, searchable publication libraries. Reach eLibrary provides powerful search functionality and an integrated document viewer that allows readers to pull up the magazine directly in the library without installing any third-party software or plug-ins. Readers can also mark specific articles as favorites so they can easily find them in the future.

?The Complete Collection? of Trains Magazine is now available for purchase on the Kalmbach Bookstore for $ 149.95.

About Kalmbach Publishing

Kalmbach Publishing Co. is a privately held publisher that, in addition to Astronomy, produces the leading magazines in railroading (Trains), bird-watching (Birder?s World), the art and business of writing (The Writer), model railroading (Model Railroader), beaded jewelry-making (BeadStyle and Bead & Button), and scale modeling (FineScale Modeler). For more information, visit http://www.kalmbach.com.

About Integration New Media

Integration New Media (INM) helps companies create rich user experiences in both online and offline environments. With projects ranging from rich internet applications through to interactive sales and marketing tools and electronic libraries, INM has developed solutions for organizations large and small in a variety of different industries. For over 20 years now, INM has offered organizations top-level interactive project consulting and development services as well as a successful line of products. For more information, visit http://www.INM.com.

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Mindgine Kickstarts Plug Computing and Social Cloud Revolution

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:25:51 +0000

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 1, 2011

Not for profit technology company, Mindgine, is set to change the face of modern-day computing while simultaneously promoting humanitarian research. The launch of the Mindebian Micro and Mindebian X, two plug computers that interface with a social cloud network, allow users unrestricted access to an application rich, eco-friendly, humanitarian, open source micro-computer system.

The Mindgine plug computers (a computer enclosed in an AC power plug or AC adapter) use an operating system called Mindebian OS, and are accessible and controllable from any Internet connection and over 13,000 mobile devices. Mindebian computers allow users to create new applications within the community and new hardware to enhance the functionality of the system. Users can also upload, share and stream files with friends through popular social sites like Facebook.

Mindebian OS provides unlimited storage capability for commonly used mobile platforms such as iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows. The Mindebian OS is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X and Mac 10.4 and above, and Linux 32bit kernel. A Mindebian computer can be used as an external firewall, IP camera controller, virtual private network, proxy, transcoder, game emulator, and anything else the community decides it wants to facilitate. There is also good news for MagicJack users, who will no longer require their computer to be switched on to send and receive VOIP calls.

Mindebian plug computers work far more economically than standard PC or MAC systems, using just 15 cents of electric per year, yet the Mindgine concept stretches far beyond being carbon-friendly. When Mindebian computers aren?t being used, power is pulled and directed to the Berkley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing (BOINC) to enhance research for a cause of the user?s choice. This could be astronomy, biology and medicine, art, or even artificial intelligence. As Mindgine CEO, Peter Wojtowicz, explains, ?Mindgine computing is completely unrestrictive and interacts with the evolving world of mobile communication, yet at the same time is energy-resource friendly and contributes positively to research development in science, medicine, and technology. We believe in a community courageous enough to calculate mankind?s greatest queries with a philanthropic approach.?

Mindgine?s multi faceted plug computers are highly affordable and in many cases free. Mindgine are planning to give Mindebian computers away to college students, developers, and others who share their vision for innovation. Participating in the community will earn users points towards free devices, exclusive applications, and merchandise. For a single dollar, Mindgine are offering early access to their beta platform, and a down payment of just $ 61 secures a Mindebian plug computer on release. CFO Tomasz Wojtowicz concludes, ?The Mindebian concept means developers are only limited by their imagination, not by resource or finance. There is a realm of super computing developers haven?t yet had the chance to create, and Mindgine are here to facilitate that realm and ensure it becomes a mainstream reality.

For more information on the Mindebian Micro and Mindebian X plug computers, the Mindgine social cloud network, and to demo Mindebian OS, visit: http://www.mindgine.org

PR by LMC Media Solutions: http://www.writetherightway.com

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Congress Canada wins prestigious 2011 Best Destination Marketing Award from the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME)

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:42:45 +0000

(PRWEB) March 1, 2011

Attracted by the excitement surrounding the G8 and G20 summits, world class meeting planners descended on the very unique and geographically diverse cities of Toronto and Muskoka, Canada. These top-tier meeting planners were given unprecedented access to the senior officials attending these summits and a unique opportunity to showcase Ontario?s urban and natural wonders.

As one of the premier destination management companies in Toronto, Congress Canada created a unique destination experience that included nature photography, astronomy and an unforgettable wilderness adventure by float plane and canoe. Fresh from the breathtaking beauty of the Muskoka Region, dignitaries enjoyed a spellbinding cultural tour and private shopping extravaganza in sophisticated, suave Toronto.

?By artfully combining personal preferences of the guests and the eight stakeholders including the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), Tourism Muskoka, Tourism Toronto, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) and four additional stakeholders, Congress Canada created a slice of Canadian life to tantalize taste buds, stimulate intellect and hopefully entice them back to Toronto and Muskoka for confirmed business,? Pam Graham, President of Congress Canada said.

Congress Canada is Toronto?s largest destination management and conference management company. In business for over 30 years, Congress Canada services corporations, associations and government organizations throughout the world.

The Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME) is the only global non-profit association dedicated to increasing the professionalism and effectiveness of destination management through education, promotion of ethical practices and availability of information to the meetings, convention and incentive travel industries, as well as the general public.

Further information: Pam Graham, President, Congress Canada pgraham(at)congresscan(dot)com 416-504-4500

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More People Buy a Telescope for Astrophotography — Taking Pictures with a Telescope is Gaining Popularity

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:11:13 +0000

(Vocus/PRWEB) March 08, 2011

Good astronomy equipment is more accessible and more affordable than ever. As such, the interest in astrophotography has spiked in recent years. Getting started in astrophotography is appealing to a lot of people, but most of them have no clue what this hobby entails. To remedy this problem, Buy-Telescope.com has just released a free ebook titled ?An Introduction to Astrophotography? which will get any astronomy nut started on the right track.

Astrophotography is a rewarding hobby but it can also be frustrating, especially when people don?t really know what they should be doing. What people see in a telescope is a lot different than the images that can be capture with a telescope.

The first step to learning astrophotography is reading about it. People see pretty images of galaxies, planets, nebulas, the moon and star clusters in telescope ads, magazines or on the web. They want to try and capture their own photos of these celestial objects. Unfortunately, they neglect to conduct a proper research and they buy a telescope and camera that may not be suitable for them. Often, they have no clue how to use the equipment, they get frustrated and everything ends up in a box in the basement. Getting the right telescope and accessories is important. With thousands of products to choose from, buying the right equipment can be a daunting task. What?s more important however is to understand how to use this equipment.

Astrophotography is not as simple as pointing a telescope towards the sky and taking a quick snapshot with a camera. There?s a lot more to it than that. Just like regular photography it can be a bit technical, but anyone can certainly learn these skills. Buy-Telescope.com owner Marius McLaughlin thinks it?s a good idea for anyone interested in astrophotography to get a year?s worth of experience in using a telescope and learning the basics of astronomy before considering astrophotography. He states that it?s important for someone develops a certain level of comfort with telescopes before getting into astrophotography. ?Our astrophotography book explains in detail how to take pictures with a telescope,? he says. The free astronomy book does assume a basic knowledge of backyard astronomy is already acquired.

Marius says his book explains a broad range of topics including video astrophotography, DSLR astrophotography, and CCD astrophotography. Readers will learn about the more technical aspects of astrophotography such as signal to noise ratio, image scale, exposure times, guide cameras, calibration, image processing and more. It is definitely a good read for anyone who has in interest in astrophotography. Anyone can get the free astrophotography book by signing up at http://www.buy-telescope.com/get-started-in-telescope-astrophotography/.

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Final Program Ready: The Next Breakthrough Space Technologies for Canada

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:06:44 +0000

Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) March 10, 2011

Canada has played a key role in developing critical technologies for the space sector for more than 50 years. Today if you ask any Canadian what Canada has contributed to space, they will most certainly answer the Canadarm. This iconic piece of robotic technology has created significant brand awareness globally for Canada. However space robotic technologies are evolving and while Canada is still a key contributor, it is not the only one.

As more countries spend an increasing amount of money on space technology such as satellite development, and while Canada finds itself in a position to be a contributor, it is in an increasingly competitive business field. So what then are the technologies that Canada can lead in, now and in the future? This is a central focus to be discussed at the Canadian Space Commerce Association annual meeting being held in Toronto on March 18th at the MaRS Discovery District.

Topics to be discussed at the meeting include future robotic technologies including on-orbit servicing, satellite platforms including nanosats, hosted payloads, launch technologies, cameras, lunar and Martian rovers, national defense and much more.

How Canada funds development will also be a topic for discussion as the Canadian Space Agency will discuss their Space Technologies Development Program. Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) who are revolutionizing the launch industry, will address their disruptive technologies. We’ll also get an update on the status of Canada’s increasing military presence in space and the technologies they will be using.

The President of the Canadian Space Commerce Association said of the annual meeting “Our meeting will be looking at new technologies and business models that must be the successors to the Canadarms and Telesat constellations in order to maintain and grow Canada’s position within the space industry which is valued at over $ 3 billion dollars annually to Canada’s economy.”

Our final list of speakers come from academia, government, business and include:

Josh Dore — Canadian Space Agency, Technology Development Officer

Frank Teti — MacDonald, Detwiller and Associates Ltd., Manager of Autonomous Robotics

Ron Holdway — COM DEV, VP of Government Relations

Joshua Brost — Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), Manager of Business Development

Grant Bonin — University of Toronto Space Flight Laboratory, Program Manager

Dr. Gordon Osinski — University of Western Ontario, NSERC/MDA/CSA Industrial Research Chair in Planetary Geology

Steve Bochinger — Euroconsult North America, President

Olivier Daigle — Nuvu Cameras Inc., VP Research and Development

Wilfred So — Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Patent Agent

Major Marc Fricker — Royal Military College

Andrew Goldenberg, Engineering Services Inc., President

Several of our speakers will also participate in our panel discussion on the Next Breakthrough Space Technologies for Canada.

We’re also pleased to present Start-Up Liftoff. The Liftoff talks are modeled after O’Reilly’s Ignite talks. We’ll pick up to three speakers who have either just started or will be starting a new commercial space company for a high-energy 5 minute talk. Here’s your chance to pitch your idea to our audience which will include executives, venture capitalists and other interested people. If you’re interested send your idea to liftoff(at)spacecommerce(dot)ca, we’ll let you know by close of business Monday, March 14th if you’ve been accepted.

Our sponsors include; At the Gold Level, COM DEV, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., SpaceX, at the Bronze Level, the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, and our media sponsor is SpaceRef Canada.

We’re also very happy to have the following supporting organizations; The University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies Aerospace Students Association, the Astronomy & Exploration Society, the Canadian Alumni of the International Space University, the Canadian Space Society, Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and the Rotman Alumni Network.

Registration is currently open but seating is limited and we expect this event to sell out. Registration is $ 200 for individual registrants, $ 150 for existing corporate members and $ 50 for students. Members of our supporting organizations can contact their organizations for a 25% discount code on the individual registration.

About The Canadian Space Commerce Association

The Canadian Space Commerce Association is a registered Canadian not-for-profit industry group that promotes and supports Canadian space sector businesses. We advance the economic, legal and political environment for space and aerospace focused companies. To that end, we have forged strong links with major organizations – government, research institutions and private industry.

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Rochester Hotel the Hampton Inn & Suites Employee Receives Spirit of Hampton Award

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:18:03 +0000

Victor, NY (Vocus/PRWEB) March 14, 2011

Rochester hotel the Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor honored team member Jill Pow on her Spirit of Hampton Award on January 19, 2011. The prestigious Spirit of Hampton award is given to team members who exceed expectations and make outstanding contributions to guests, fellow team members, the outside community and/or their hotel?s financial performance. Employees are nominated by their peers and Hilton officials vote on all nominations presented. The international award is awarded annually to 2,400 Hampton employees and is the highest form of team member recognition.

?Jill Pow?s ability to connect with guests is out of this world,? states Alan Holt, the Rochester hotels General Manager. Having worked at the Rochester hotel for the past 2 ? years, Jill connected last year with a 12-year-old boy in a wheelchair. After talking to the boy, she found out that he was interested in space and astronomy, so she mailed him some things she thought would interest him.

The next year the family returned and the two immediately started talking where they’d left off, like old friends. ?Whether bringing in birthday cakes, giving out Halloween treats or volunteering for local organizations, Jill is always finding ways to connect with others. We thank her for making it Hampton for our guests,? further notes Holt.

The award was given at a luncheon January 19 with 25 team members in attendance where Jill received brand wide recognition, a plaque, $ 350 and a call from a Hilton brand executive as well as Brian Wismar, Regional Director of New Castle Hotels and Resorts representing the management company for the Rochester hotel.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Victor offers a broad range of services and amenities including Rochester restaurant TGI Friday?s conveniently located in the Rochester hotels parking lot, fully equipped suites with kitchens, full hot breakfast daily, fitness centre and pool. Complimentary wi-fi, USA Today weekdays and a suite shop convenience store for a late night Rochester dining snack make the Hampton very popular amongst Rochester hotels, with team members passionate about taking care of guests. The Hampton also offers free shuttle service to a 3-mile radius Monday through Saturday 8am to 8pm and is located next to the Eastview Mall for Rochester shopping.

The Rochester hotel offers meeting space for corporate events and has Rochester accommodations ideal or sports groups and family gatherings made easy to plan with planning and booking tools to make the process quick and organized. For more information on the Rochester New York hotels facilities to or book a special package for a weekend getaway, visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/specials.jhtml;jsessionid=2FYB2H2MSUNU2CSGBIX2VCQ?ctyhocn=ROCFPHX

About the Hampton Inn & Suites Victor/Rochester

The Hampton Inn & Suites? Hotel in Rochester Victor, New York occupies a special part of the Empire State in the Finger Lake region. The 100% non-smoking hotel features 123 rooms as well as spacious suites with kitchen facilities. Conveniently located just 20 minutes from Greater Rochester International Airport and 60 minutes from Greater Buffalo International Airport, the hotel is close shopping, restaurants, attractions, championship golf courses and is a close drive to Lake Ontario. The Rochester hotel features a fitness centre, heated pool, business centre, laundry and on-site convenience store. Complimentary breakfast is included for all guests. With 2,200 square feet of meeting space, the hotel is also ideal for corporate meetings and smaller social gatherings. Visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ROCFPHX for further information and reservations.

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Understanding How the Cosmos Works

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:31:41 +0000

Lakewood, Ohio (Vocus/PRWEB) March 28, 2011

What is ?redshift?? How old is the Sun? What is ?string theory?? Millions of people ask these and other questions about our Universe every day. Now, the new book Astronomy: Selected Topics (published by Trafford Publishing) by Dr. Charles H. Grace provides readers with a primer to better understanding these and many other inquiries regarding the universe.

Almost every child has asked ?why do we have summer and winter seasons?? Every night, people gaze up into the sky and ponder the scintillating, shimmering points of light. Curiosity about our surroundings and what lies beyond is hardwired into the human mind. Astronomy: Selected Topics endeavors to answer questions not only about the Universe around us, but about the scientists who study it as well.

While there are many books about physics, astronomy and the various theories regarding the mechanics of the Universe, most are written in a way that is hard for the average person to understand. Astronomy: Selected Topics presents information in an easy to understand format and in language that does not require an advanced degree in physics. For example, did you know that the sun is physically below the horizon at sunset while it is still visible in the sky?

?At sunset, when the bottom edge of the Sun appears to just touch the horizon, the Sun is actually entirely below the horizon, with its top edge geometrically at the horizon! Refraction in the atmosphere causes the ?rays? from the Sun to bend downward by about 1/2 degree, which happens to be the size of the Sun as seen from Earth. As a result, the entire Sun is still in sight even after it is entirely below the horizon.?

Astronomy: Selected Topics uses anecdotes, stories and simple explanations to better describe how the Universe around us works. Its straightforward text and easy manner make it ideal for anyone wishing to unravel the secrets of the Universe.

About the Author

Charles H. Grace earned a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology and a law degree from Cleveland State University. During his career, he was an engineering manager, consulting engineer and supervisory lawyer. Dr. Grace is a member of several astronomy organizations. He currently lives in Lakewood, Ohio.

Trafford Publishing, an Author Solutions, Inc. author services provider, was the first company in the world to offer an ?on-demand publishing service,? and has led the independent publishing revolution since its establishment in 1995. For more information, visit http://www.trafford.com.

EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:

Marketing Services

Tel: 1-888-232-4444

Fax: 812-961-3133

Email: promotions(at)trafford(dot)com

(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)????

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Fifty-Eight Competed but Only Five Sealed the Deal as Mensa Select Winners at the 2011 Mind Games?

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:43:03 +0000

Arlington, Texas (PRWEB) April 18, 2011

After two days of nonstop, board game action in Albany, N.Y., American Mensa, the high IQ society, selected five Mensa Select winners at its 2011 Mind Games event. There were 58 entries in this year?s competition, but only these five will have the honor of displaying the coveted Mensa Select seal. This year?s Mensa Select games are:

InStructures: This is an exciting construction-themed game. (Jane’s Games, http://www.janesgames.com)

Pastiche: Explore the paintings, palettes, and pasts of artists in this unique and challenging game for the whole family. (Gryphon Games, http://www.freddistribution.com)

Pirate versus Pirate: Pirates have discovered an island brimming with treasure; conquer the island by capturing the gold and silver, or by eliminating enemy pirates. (Out of the Box Publishing, http://www.otb-games.com)

Stomple: Outwit your opponents by stomping their marbles before they stomp yours! (GaZima Games, http://www.gazimagames.com)

Uncle Chestnut’s Table Gype: An abstract strategy game with a random element (Eternal Revolution, http://www.eternalrevolution.com)

?Mensa Select games are fun, challenging games,? said Greg Webster, Chief Judge of this year?s Mind Games event. ?You don?t have to be a genius to enjoy this year?s Mensa Select winners, but be prepared to have your mind teased while being entertained in the process!? For more information, or to purchase this year?s Mensa Select games, log on to http://www.mindgames.us.mensa.org.

American Mensa is an organization open to anyone who scores in the top two percent on an accepted, standardized, intelligence test. The organization has more than 57,000 members in the United States and more than 110,000 members around the world. Members of Mensa attend local and national events, join special interest groups such as astronomy and philosophy, and help out in their communities through various projects. For more information about Mensa, or to apply for membership, visit http://www.us.mensa.org or call (800) 66-MENSA.

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Eco-Friendly Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:52:09 +0000

Temecula, CA (PRWEB) May 18, 2011

Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country is gaining well-deserved recognition for its premium, quality wines and becoming a desirable destination for green, eco-friendly travelers and visitors. The casual, picturesque region’s natural beauty includes three unique destinations, each of earth-friendly interest: Downtown Old Town Temecula with surrounding untouched, chaparral-covered hills and nearby, untamed river; Pechanga Resort & Casino nestled against majestic mountains that bloom with lilac in spring; and Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country where vineyards thrive in morning air, refreshing and still.

Efforts toward harmony with nature extend beyond and include local government, families, and schoolchildren. The City of Temecula is helping to preserve the night sky for nearby Palomar Observatory with its 6,500, dark-sky friendly, low-pressure sodium (LPS) arterial and streetlights. Slow Food Temecula Valley’s school gardens program has helped establish and keep growing, edible, organic gardens at more than a dozen, Temecula schools.

Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country

With 5,000 acres protected in an agricultural preserve, rolling hills, and a big beautiful sky overhead, the vineyards and wineries of Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country host a variety of sustainable practices. Many of these practices begin in the vineyards where the health and vitality of the vines are a precursor to the flavors of the wines. Throughout the valley, cover crops grow between vineyard rows to fortify the soil. Pest management is encouraged by red tail hawks during the day and by owls at night. At harvest-time, the grapes of many vineyards are picked during the cooler temperatures of night and early-early morning, both for energy savings and for the quality berries and juice night-harvesting helps to ensure.

Among Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country champions of sustainability is Ponte Family Estate, which manages its vineyards and winery under the sustainability standards of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and the Wine Institute. In the vineyards, natural cover crops limit carbon dioxide emissions, preserve soil integrity, enhance soil health, and prevent erosion. Bluebird boxes encourage bluebirds to help manage insects. Soil moisture is monitored; deficit and drip irrigation foster wine quality. Ponte’s ‘green team’ has implemented sustainability practices throughout the winery, tasting room, and restaurant, with its wine club shipping and estate landscaping; and is continually in the process of expanding these efforts. Ponte is also a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) weekly pick-up location.

Farm-elegant and widely recognized for its handcrafted estate grown wines, Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery is certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), proud to be members of the Santa Margarita River Watershed monitoring program and active in promoting its overall health. Palumbo recycles grape winemaking by-product (grape skins, seeds, and stems) by nourishing the vineyards with composted grape pomace. Cover crops between vineyard rows include wildflowers to attract ladybugs. All Palumbo corks are derived from sustainable cork forests and are fire-branded, eliminating the need for ink branding. The tasting bar was built using recycled wood scraps found at a local guitar factory for Taylor and Gibson guitars.

The owners of family-run, Leonesse Cellars began as farmers. As a result, and as long-term farmers, Leonesse is earnest in its role as caretakers of the land. Leonesse vineyards are sustainably farmed incorporating practices such as deficit irrigation for quality fruit and for water conservation; organic composts under the vines for nutrients; cover crops – barley in every other row – to build the soil profile; and the encouragement of hawks, owls, and beneficial insects. At Leonesse, the “Touch the Vine, Taste the Wine,” tour and tasting includes a trek via jumbo electric golf cart to experience the vineyards firsthand. Leonesse is the host venue for Slow Food Temecula Valley’s annual Field To Fork, a premier wine, craft beer, and food-pairing event.

The vineyards of stunning estate, Monte de Oro Winery are also sustainably farmed as naturally as possible. Another example of Monte de Oro’s green commitment is its 9,000 square-foot, subterranean, wine cellar. Utilizing the environment and aesthetics of the structure maintains a proper, consistent temperature and constant humidity for wine barrel storage and cellaring. This dramatically reduces the need for electricity that would be required for an above-ground wine barrel facility.

With a deep farming history and passion for Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, boutique-winery, Stuart Cellars is clearly focused on sustainability. Vineyard land is fortified with legumes and barley, and composted grape pomace is used as a natural soil amendment. Deficit irrigation watering and soil moisture monitoring are practiced, and emitters with spaghetti tubing that directs water to the base of vines, eliminates trans-evaporation of the water (versus cordon drip systems) by 33%. Towering eucalyptus trees are home to nesting Red Tail hawks and a nesting Coopers hawk, and in Spring 2011, Stuart Cellars’ owl box was home to two adult barn owls and eight baby owls.

At all-Italian varietal, Cougar Vineyard & Winery, cover crops and composted lees (grape seeds, leaves, and skins remaining from the winemaking process) are used to fortify the soils. No pesticides and no herbicides are used in the vineyards, and only natural sulfur is used when necessary to control powdery mildew. By night, owls patrol the Cougar vineyards.

Popular for its unique wines including almond champagne, Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard’s sustainability efforts include monitoring and limiting soil moisture to conserve water; these efforts also control vine canopy growth, and reduce berry and bunch size, thereby improving grape quality. Wilson Creek is also participating in a vineyard water usage study in Wine Country that uses an ADCON network of weather and soil moisture sensing stations. Wilson Creek refrains from using any chemical fertilizers; instead, compost, green waste, and cover crops increase the available nutrients to the vines and retard moisture evaporation.

At South Coast Winery Resort & Spa (Best California State Winery two-years-running), sustainable vineyard growing practices include the use of vine-based compost (grape skins, grape seeds, leaves, and stems leftover from the winemaking process) to improve overall soil health and nurture the growth of future grape production efforts. Grape seeds, leaves, and grape skins (known as ‘lees’) are also recycled to create customized spa services at South Coast’s GrapeSeed Spa. Offered every year at ‘crush,’ the exclusively designed, Lees Mud Scrub is naturally filled with antioxidants from the grapes; the grape skins and grape leaves add an exfoliating texture to the treatment.

Mount Palomar Winery also incorporates sustainability practices in its vineyard management. Grape stems leftover from the winemaking process are used to prevent soil erosion; cover crops and composted grape pomace nourish the soil; and deficit irrigation is practiced. Owl boxes encourage the nighttime predators, and in Spring 2011, a pair of Red Tail hawks had made their home in Mount Palomar’s towering eucalyptus trees. Mount Palomar uses recycled pressed paper (instead of styrofoam) in packaging/shipping its wines.

At Callaway Vineyard & Winery, cover crops limit carbon dioxide emissions, inhibit weed growth, preserve soil integrity, enhance soil health, and encourage beneficial insects. Composted pomace also nourishes vineyard soils, and hawks and owls are effective in their patrols. Weather data and soil moisture monitoring help to limit water usage, and Old World winemaking techniques allow the wines to express themselves. Seasonal events with the winemaker feature an adopt-a-vine program and provide the opportunity to learn more.

Very small, family-owned and operated, Foot Path Winery is Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country’s only certified organic vineyard. Natural cover crops, no pesticides (an organic, chrysanthemum-based alternative is used instead), and hawks and owls on-patrol are practices in the production of Foot Path’s handcrafted wines. The Foot Path Winery also features a small stand with navel, Valencia, and blood oranges; tangerines; pomegranates; figs; apricots; and other tree fruit in-season.

The primary values of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance’s sustainability statement are exemplified throughout Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country but perhaps two values are best illustrated by pioneer Hart Winery. Those values: produce the best quality wine and/or grapes possible and honor the California wine community’s entrepreneurial spirit. While well-respected for a stellar array of estate and Temecula Valley appellation wines, Hart Winery also supports other Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country vineyards and grape growers by buying their grapes for Hart wines, a sustainability practice, indeed.

Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country wholeheartedly recycles glass, cardboard, wooden pallets, etc. For Earth Day 2011, the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association and its 34 member wineries also launched a partnership with ReCORK. The natural cork, recycling program’s goal is to inform of the crucial role, renewable cork forests play in curbing climate change.

Dining in Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country

Sampling a region’s wines while enjoying the local cuisine is a time-honored travel tradition. In Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, dining in a variety of winery restaurants where local ingredients are used to craft seasonal menus affords the opportunity to experience the natural affinity – and natural synergy – of Temecula Valley wines and foods together.

Among earth-friendly, winery restaurants in Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country is Meritage at Callaway Vineyard & Winery, a genuine proponent of ‘shopping for the day’ using local, sustainable and organic ingredients. Based on the small plate/Tapas concept of big flavor and variety, seasonal menus feature tapas, salads, and entrees with a Mediterranean flair. Meritage is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly.

The Restaurant at Ponte Winery sources much of its fresh produce from Crows Pass Farm located across the street; olive oils and cheeses are also sourced locally. Poultry and meats are from sustainable farms, and all seafood selections are on the Seafood Watch from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The menu features Italian, French, and California-influenced seasonal selections, and is vegetarian-friendly.

The Creekside Restaurant at Wilson Creek Winery has an inspired menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and seasonal specials. Creekside utilizes organic and local produce, and is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. Creekside also serves a complete gluten-free menu.

Pechanga Resort & Casino

The Pechanga Band of Luise?o Indians have called the Temecula Valley home for more than 10,000 years. Within Pechanga Resort & Casino?s 445-acre footprint, there is a relaxed symmetry; the architecture is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright and infused with Luise?o tribal art and culture. The AAA 4-Diamond casino resort garners high acclaim as one of the premier live entertainment venues in Southern California. Lesser known is Pechanga?s alternative-energy creation station ? a cogeneration plant.

Using natural gas, the CoGen plant can produce up to 4 megawatts of power to produce 75% of the power that the Resort uses during the winter months. The plant has an automated system that uses waste heat to produce steam for domestic hot water heaters, and produces chill water for the air conditioning system. This translates to carbon dioxide reduction, and the relief of taking 1.5 megawatts of energy off the grid.

Pechanga’s interest in clean, renewable energy and regard as an authentically gracious, full-service resort were further demonstrated on Earth Day 2011. Six electric car-charging stations debuted and became available on the first level of the Resort’s north parking structure.

Journey at Pechanga

The championship 18-hole, golf course, Journey at Pechanga, is acknowledged with highly desirable accolades from top golf publications. Literally ?10,000 years in the making? and a union of nature, form and function, the spectacular course snakes through the awe-inspiring terrain of native canyons and along the boulder strewn mountain. The course includes 7+ miles of cart paths and many stunning vistas of the Temecula Valley and the surrounding mountains. Electric golf carts are equipped with state-of-the-art GPS systems; GPS and communications are solar-powered.

With respect for the natural habitat and Pechanga heritage, design and construction of the course on nearly 300 acres of unique, ancestral land, preserved most native, oak trees; those removed were moved and transplanted at great expense. Visible from the back 9 is the ancient Great Oak (namesake for the resort?s Great Oak Steakhouse fine-dining restaurant). The Great Oak is the largest, natural-growing, indigenous coast live oak tree in the United States. It is estimated to be 850 to 1,500 years old, making it one of the oldest oak trees in the world. The second-largest Pechanga oak is a deep-rooted feature on hole 9. Mature California oaks also stand on holes 1, 3, and 4; and are challenging obstacles on holes 2 and 7.

Each hole on the Journey course bears a Luise?o name from The Beginning Place/Chuxi? vonga at hole 1 through Eagle?s Nest/Aswut Potee?I at hole 18. The course also hosts cultural exhibits that chronicle the history of the Pechanga people.

Beside the Rainbow Gap: Temecula Creek Inn

Nestled against one of the Temecula Valley’s most recognized, geographic features, the peaceful elegance of Temecula Creek Inn sets on 350 acres of secluded, natural beauty. A recent recipient of the coveted Four Star rating Golf Digest Places to Play, the Inn’s 27-hole championship golf course includes a distinctive trio of course options. From the traditional adjoining fairways of the Creek Course, to the scenic beauty of the Oaks, to the dramatic elevation changes of the precision-demanding Stonehouse, each offers challenge and reward to players of all skill levels. Century-old oak trees and towering sycamores line the fairways.

At Temecula Creek Inn, birdwatchers revel in watching Red Tail hawks soar high above. For hikers and joggers seeking morning and late-afternoon jaunts, miles of well-marked trails wrap around the resort.

Unique to Temecula Creek Inn is the historic Stone House. Built circa 1825 and once used as a mess hall for hard-working quarrymen, the quaint, 870-square-foot granite and stone building is a perfect venue for cozy wine dinners, intimate retreats, and team-building activities. The structure with its cool, stone walls, rustic-beamed ceiling, wood furnishings, stone fireplace and antiques, sits beside towering, 100-year old oaks.

Old Town Temecula

The first people of the original village knew it as “the place where the sun shines through mist.” Years later, Butterfield stagecoaches rumbled into Temecula, stopping at Temecula’s first post office (established in 1859). Old Town Temecula was born with the arrival of the California Southern Railroad in 1882; those railroad days endured into the 1930s.

Today, more than a dozen historical properties dating as far back as the 1890s still exist and have been repurposed and reopened in the Old Town Temecula entertainment-dining-shopping district. The circa 1890, red-brick Burnham Store, later Temecula Mercantile, is now The MERC, a popular, small, concert venue and art gallery, adjacent the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Old Town’s newest landmark is the Mission Revival-style Civic Center and Parking Structure. Designed to meet the US Green Building Council’s Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification requirements, award from the USGBC is anticipated by Autumn 2011. An example of the new Civic Center’s conserving energy and being healthier and safer than conventional construction is its highly efficient, direct/indirect cooling system providing 100% fresh air, 100% of the time. Meanwhile, the parking structure’s top-level, photovoltaic/solar-panel installation generates 90% of the energy for the parking structure’s uses.

Old Town Temecula’s Tasting Trail

Gaining renown is Old Town Temecula’s Tasting Trail featuring merchants of local and artisan foods, olive oils, and luscious wines. Among Old Town purveyors is family-owned and operated Temecula Olive Oil Company which sustainably grows olives on its ranch 18 miles east of Old Town (tours by advance reservation the second and fourth Saturdays of each month; final olive oil pressings fuel the tractor); produces all its 100% California, 100% extra virgin olive oil products in Temecula; and offers complimentary olive oil tastings everyday in its Old Town Temecula location. Exceptionally fresh the way nature intended, savoring the purity dramatically illustrates that sustainable growing practices and the old world process indeed make all the difference. As popular as the rich, buttery Olivum (Late Harvest), are seasonal flavors like Citrus and Fresh Basil.

Among Old Town’s wine tasting rooms and wine bars is premium wine lounge, The Collective, representing a variety of small, Temecula Valley appellation, boutique wineries including Woodworth Vineyards. The unique micro-climate in the Del Luz area east of Old Town and attentive craftsmanship enable Woodworth Estate Wines to produce award-winning Pinot Noir. Woodworth Vineyards are sustainably farmed and self-assessed annually per California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) guidelines.

Farmers and specialty food artisans at Saturdays’ California Certified, Old Town Farmers’ Markets (8am to 1:30pm) are 99% local (within 100 miles). Products include organic and conventional, fruits and vegetables; honey, nuts, free-range eggs, cheese, pesto, garlic pastes, and olives. Local avocados and citrus are available year-round; strawberries, March-April-May; ; peaches, apricots, plums and other stone-fruit, June-July; sweet white corn by the 4th of July; tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peak in August; persimmons, guavas, September-October; sweet navel oranges, tangerines, as well as Dragon fruit, and Buddha?s hand/fingered citron, November-December; cherimoyas into January-February.

Dining and Shopping in Old Town Temecula

Dozen-block, Old Town Temecula is made for strolling; exploring the unique, specialty stores; and experiencing the independently owned restaurants, bistros, and coffee houses. Among earth-friendly, dining options are Old Town’s gastro-pub, The Public House where local, seasonal, and sustainable foods are served; and the menu and specials change regularly. Public House food and beverage sources include Old Town Temecula’s Spice Merchants and Caf? Bravo; and Temecula’s own microbrewery, Black Market Brewing Company. The Public House’s popular meatloaf is made with regional, all-natural, grass-fed beef. The Public House is also vegetarian- and vegan-friendly.

Palumbo’s Ristorante prepares much of its Southern Italian cuisine with locally grown, organic produce; features seasonally-inspired specials (the Caprice salad and Margarita pizza are exceptionally delicious in summer when made with local, heirloom tomatoes); offers a nice variety of local Temecula Valley wines; and the bread, raviolis, sausage, meatballs, soups, and sauces are house-made. Palumbo’s is vegetarian-friendly and all soups including the minestrone are vegetarian.

Sharing a handsome, Old Town building are Baily’s Fine Dining (California/Continental cuisine) and Front Street Bar & Grill (upscale, casual, with patio dining). At Baily’s, local, seasonal ingredients are used and inspire the menu; the popular prix fixe menu changes weekly (every Tuesday). Like Baily’s, Front Street Bar & Grill is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, and the menu features local and seasonal ingredients.

The Edge Restaurant is sophisticated and trendy, and the menu reflects the use of local and organic ingredients, and certified, grass-fed prime beef. Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, The Edge also features local Temecula Valley wines.

Old Town’s specialty coffee house, Cafe’ Bravo locally fresh-roasts fair-trade/in-season whole bean coffee and serves up latte performance art in for-here porcelain mugs. Cafe’ Bravo’s coffee grounds are recycled to fortify the soil of customers’ gardens.

Down the block at Old Town Spice Merchants, recycled 100-year-old, barn beams support the shelves. Local source for teas and spices for many Temecula Valley wineries and restaurants, Old Town Spice Merchants also garners a following for its fine, spice and herb blends, and sea salts.

With its lavender fields in Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, and its products made exclusively in Temecula, Temecula Lavender Company offers bath, body, and home products including sweetly scented soaps, lotions, and candles. Also available are novelty, lavender pepper, and culinary lavenders, both savory and sweet.

Back at Temecula Olive Oil Company, the line of locally made, nourishing, olive-oil bath and beauty products (body soaps, lotions, and butters) also includes shampoo bars. The shampoo bars eliminate detergent common in shampoos and involve no plastic bottle.

Natural Treasures in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country

The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve consists of 8,300 acres and protects unique ecosystems like ancient Engelmann oak woodlands (one of California’s rarest oak species), Southern California’s rare, bunchgrass prairie, and the region’s last remaining vernal pools – home to rare fairy shrimp, found nowhere else on earth. Small songbirds winter in the oak woodlands, and spring finds an abundance of native wildflowers in bloom and butterflies busy at work.

Formed from the confluence of the Temecula Creek and the Murrieta Creek, the Santa Margarita River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in Southern California. The Santa Margarita River Watershed includes Temecula Gorge, a 5-mile canyon formed by the Santa Margarita River as it courses through the southern Santa Ana Mountains. Located on the upper Santa Margarita River is the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. Sycamore, cottonwood, and willow forests are part of a 30-mile protected riparian corridor.

With evidence of the region’s Ice Age environments, mastodons and mammoths are the hallmarks of the Western Science Center’s collection. The Center, awarded Platinum LEED Certification from the USGBC, hosts monthly Astronomy Nights providing opportunities to clearly see the moon, stars, and planets.

***Information is believed to be accurate but is subject to change. Please call ahead for the latest details.

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The Sanderling Resort & Spa Receives Their First Ever AAA Four Diamond Award

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:09:21 +0000

Duck, NC (PRWEB) May 19, 2011

The Sanderling Resort & Spa, an iconic beachfront resort in North Carolina?s pristine Outer Banks, joins their signature restaurant, The Left Bank, with a AAA Four Diamond Award. This honor distinguishes The Sanderling as the first and only AAA Four-Diamond resort in the Outer Banks.

?We are thrilled to be an AAA Four Diamond award-winning resort,? says Dick McAuliffe, general manager of the The Sanderling. ?Our staff is committed to providing impeccable service for each and every guest and we are honored by this remarkable distinction. The Sanderling has been a favorite retreat for generations of families and we look forward to continually improving the experience.?

Not a newcomer to prestigious honors, The Sanderling recently announced a 2011 AAA Four Diamond distinction for its destination restaurant, The Left Bank. The Outer Bank?s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant has received this award for seven years running.

AAA bestows Four Diamond awards to qualified hotels and restaurants in North America after specially trained evaluators conduct anonymous overnight stays or dine incognito.

Fresh on the heels of a refreshed new look to all guestrooms, The Sanderling kicks off the summer with a host of new experiences, from tracking wild horses in an open air jeep and astronomy lessons on the beach, to shrimp boils and pig pickin?s with live music and Sunday family-style dinners, the spring and summer of 2011 promises to be the most exciting yet.

Nestled into the Outer Banks between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound, The Sanderling Resort & Spa is an independently owned beachfront property in Duck, North Carolina. The resort features 88 guestrooms and suites and five rental homes, with views of the Atlantic Ocean and the serene Currituck Sound. Amenities include a tranquil spa showcasing healing treatments, fitness center and racket club and miles of nature trails. The resort is also home to the award-winning Left Bank Restaurant and The Lifesaving Station.

For more information visit http://www.thesanderling.com or call (877) 650-4812.

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Launch of Free Astrology Software based on Vedic Astrology by Astro-Vision Futuretech

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:17:23 +0000

Kochi, Kerala, India (PRWEB) June 01, 2011

Astro-Vision Futuretech Pvt. Ltd., a world leader in astrology software development, has announced the launch of a free to download application designed to help students and enthusiasts explore the cosmological system of Vedic astrology. The free astrology software is suitable for all users including beginners as well as expert astrologers.

Vedic astrology refers to the ancient Hindu system of astrology and astronomy comprising Siddhanta (astronomy), Samhita and Hora (mundane and predictive astrology).

Based on the sidereal zodiac, Vedic astrology serves to explain or explore the relationship between the macrocosm and the microcosm, which is a deeply entrenched spiritual and philosophical schema. Astro-Vision Futuretech aims to enhance peripheral understanding of the Vedic scriptures (the Vedas) through Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini, its highly accessible new astrology software.

COO of Astro-Vision Futuretech, Mr Manoj GS, announced: ?We are immensely excited to be able to offer Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini for free to our customers. Vedic astrology is an integral aspect of the Hindu way of life, but it is also a supremely beneficial system of knowledge and spiritual learning for all people. Our free software brings this ancient branch of astrology to the masses?.

Astro-Vision hopes its new application will introduce more people to the enlightened world of astrology. In particular, the company aims to attract people of various ages and from all walks of life to Vedic astrology, which is considered by many to be capable of enriching both mind and soul. In order to ensure that Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini achieves its objectives, Astro-Vision has released the software at no cost to users; furthermore, the application is available in a number of languages.

MD of Astro-Vision Futuretech, Mr Arjun RP added, ?We are delighted to supply the software for free ? charging users to download the tool would not have been right considering our aim to broaden the interest in Vedic astrology.

?Our developers worked extremely hard to ensure that we provided as much support as possible to a greater number of users. That?s why Lifesign Mini prepares astrological predictions in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil and Bengali?.

Astro-Vision Lifesign Mini also provides horoscopes in Marathi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada, while chart styles adopt various formats, such as Bengali, Kerala and North or South Indian. The software is designed to support a range of ayanamsa options, which are explained to new astrology students and include Chitra Paksha, Lahiri, Raman, Krishnamurthy and Thirukanitham variables.

Lifesign Mini provides a selection of Panchanga predictions based on various settings (e.g., birth star, weekday, lunar day and karana), while Bhava predictions are available to explore how the cosmos affects an individual?s character, status, physical stature and so on.

Mr Manoj GS concluded: ?With so many options and settings available, we surprised even ourselves when we confirmed the decision to launch the software free of charge. Lifesign Mini is a comprehensive application that should help many people build and understand their horoscopes?.

Users can download Lifesign Mini for free by clicking here.

About Astro-Vision Futuretech Pvt. Ltd.

Astro-Vision Futuretech Pvt. Ltd. has been offering astrology software products and services to people across the globe for more than two decades. Astro-Vision?s current focus is on providing innovative astrology solutions using the latest technologies in the field of IT and communications. From Desktop PCs to internet portals and mobiles phones Astro-Vision?s range of Astrology solutions includes stand alone applications, online apps, mobile apps and astrology content services. Many popular websites today are powered by Astro-Vision?s web based astrology solutions and astrology content.

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INgage Networks Ranks #1 Enterprise Social Software Investment for Social Community ROI in New Analyst Study

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:30:37 +0000

Naples, FL (PRWEB) June 02, 2011

INgage Networks is recognized as the leading enterprise social software vendor in a new research study published by independent analyst firm Hypatia Research, ?Benchmarking Social Community Platform Investments & ROI.? INgage Networks outscores all competing vendors on the attributes that drive the company?s award-winning platform: range of offering, product/service roadmap and corporate vision.

With over 300 businesses surveyed and 20 social software vendors evaluated, this comprehensive study provides organizations with the unbiased data and assessments needed to make the right social software investments.

?Our assessment is that INgage Networks is among the handful of social media platform providers?ranked as one of the top 20% in Hypatia?s Galaxy evaluations?that scored high in key attributes such as maturity of customer base, range of business functions supported, product vision and long term corporate strategy,? said Leslie Ament, Vice President of Customer Intelligence Research and co-author of the study. ?Moreover, INgage Networks is one of only two vendors evaluated to provide social commerce, reporting and analytics functionality ?which is critical for organizations that seek to justify enterprise investment in social platforms.?

INgage Networks is named #1 in recognition of the following characteristics attributed to top vendors:

????Most complete platforms by offering all four categories of functionality.
????A roadmap with frequent new product or feature releases and a vision of what organizations will want to do with social media in the future.
????Services that translate into several types of services – not just tech support or implementation but also strategic planning.

?What is particularly compelling about this research is that it reflects where the market has moved over the past nine months,? said Kim Patrick Kobza, President and CEO of INgage Networks. ?Organizations have shifted their focus from ?features and functions? to a more strategic view of social software, understanding the need for an enterprise-class platform that they can rely upon to support their business today, and in the future. We are honored to be positioned as the leader and commend Hypatia for the meticulous analysis that was clearly invested in this research.?

INgage Networks is pleased to offer this research to its customers and prospects. Click here to download a free copy of the 55-page report – which includes 20 vendor evaluations, four case studies and a dozen charts, tables and figures.

About Hypatia Research

Hypatia Research, LLC, http://www.HypatiaResearch.com, delivers high impact market intelligence, industry benchmarking, best practice, and vendor selection research for how businesses use technology and service providers to capture, manage, analyze and apply customer intelligence to enhance performance and to accelerate growth. Coverage areas include: CRM, Business Intelligence, Customer Analytics, Social Media, Marketing Automation, Database Marketing, and Information and Customer Data Integration and Quality. Since 2001, clients have relied on us for industry insight, expertise and independent market research for guidance in assessing various technology and service options. Hypatia of Alexandria (circa. 370-415 AD), was the first woman to make substantial contributions to the development of astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy.

About INgage Networks

Established in 1999, INgage Networks is a leading provider of enterprise social software solutions. The company?s award-winning platform enables enterprises to create more effective and profitable engagement with their networks of customers, partners and employees. Proven cloud-based solutions combined with an unparalleled commitment to the success of its customers through support and professional services, are just some of the reasons why customers like American Express, ABC News and Michigan State University trust INgage Networks with their business. The company has been honored with some of the software industry?s most prestigious awards, including the CODiE Award for the ?best social networking solution? for enterprises. For more information, visit http://www.ingagenetworks.com.

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BeTranslated Invited to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Dryden Flight Research Center in California

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:40:58 +0000

Independence, Kentucky (PRWEB) June 04, 2011

NASA will host a Tweetup for approximately 120 Twitter followers at JPL on Monday, June 6 and 20 Twitter followers at Dryden on Wednesday, June 8th. BeTranslated works in partnership with The Brady Group LLC, a Woman/Minority Owned Small Business based in Independence, Kentucky, USA. BeTranslated provides professional translation services for documents and websites. The translation network focuses on translations for businesses, translations for the real estate and manufacturing industries, with professional translators also specializing in technology and of course, aerospace & aeronautics.

We will be available for interviews by phone or by Skype throughout our trip and will be broadcasting info/answering questions about our trip on various social media such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. NASA will also be broadcasting LIVE from JPL on June 6th. We will also use this opportunity to tweet about some great international charities and help draw attention to the great work they do.

EVENT SCHEDULE

JUNE 5TH Departure from Cincinnati/NKY Airport CVG to Los Angeles LAX

JUNE 6TH????NASA JPL TWEETUP AT JPL IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA ? 8:00AM ? 5:30PM

JUNE 7TH????Meeting with NASA JPL SMALL BUSINESS TEAM

JUNE 8TH????NASA DRYDEN TWEETUP IN PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA ? 8:00AM ? 5:30PM

JUNE 9TH????Return from LAX to CVG

THE NASA JPL TWEETUP

With four space missions launching this year and an asteroid belt encounter nearly underway, 2011 will be one of the busiest ever in planetary exploration. Our BeTranslated Tweetup Team (@BETRANSLATED) will interact with JPL scientists and engineers about these upcoming missions: Aquarius, to study ocean salinity; Grail, to study the moon’s gravity field; Juno to Jupiter; and the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity rover. Participants also will learn about the Dawn mission and its upcoming encounter with the asteroid Vesta. The Tweetup will include a tour of JPL, robotics demonstrations and a last chance to see the Curiosity rover before it ships to Florida to prepare for a November launch. Tour stops will include the Spacecraft Assembly Facility where Curiosity is under construction, the mission control center of NASA’s Deep Space Network, and JPL’s new Earth Science Visitor Center.

Tweetup participants also will mingle with fellow attendees and the staff behind the tweets on @NASA, @NASAJPL, @MarsRovers, @AsteroidWatch and more.

THE NASA DRYDEN TWEETUP

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP (SOFIA) is an aircraft equipped with a German-built infrared astronomy telescope which is used when fuselage opening is fully open.

SOFIA is a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft fitted with a 100-inch (2.5 meter) diameter telescope. It analyzes infrared light to study the formation of stars and planets; chemistry of interstellar gases; composition of comets, asteroids and planets; and supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies. Infrared observations are optimal for studying low-temperature objects in space such as the raw materials for star and planet formation and for seeing through interstellar dust clouds that block light at visible wavelengths.

NASA’s international partners in developing and operating SOFIA, the German Aerospace Center DLR and the German SOFIA Institute DSI, will fly educators as well. The DLR and DSI plan to announce their first two ambassadors later this month. You can see why translation for aerospace and technology is important to the cooperation of various space programs and scientists around the world.

SOFIA is a joint program between NASA and DLR in Bonn, Germany. The SOFIA program is managed at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The aircraft is based at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manages the SOFIA science and mission operations in cooperation with the Universities Space Research Association in Columbia, Md., and DSI in Stuttgart, Germany. Tweetup participants also will mingle with fellow attendees and the staff behind the tweets on @NASADryden

BeTranslated is proud to be part of the international business community and will use this opportunity to promote technology, aerospace, NASA, and international cooperation. We here at BeTranslated feel that our translation agency provides a vital service to communities and international organizations around the world. We feel that by supporting the international space programs and related contractors through translation for technology and science, we can do our part to further the cause of all countries in this amazing field.

You can follow the event & interact with us via Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/BeTranslated

NASA Television will broadcast portions of the Tweetup on June 6 and June 8th at:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-hd-tv

For more information about SOFIA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/sofia

For more information about BeTranslated, visit:

http://www.betranslated.com

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Mini Autoguider Package from Orion Telescopes featured on Buy-Telescope.com

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:59:32 +0000

(PRWEB) June 09, 2011

Capturing a breath taking image with a telescope used to be very difficult, and it required somewhat expensive astronomy equipment to do the job right. Thanks to Orion Telescopes and other astronomy product dealers, things aren?t what they used to be. Better amateur astrophotography equipment is being mass produced now more than ever. The result is that consumers have access to more options and superior astrophotography products for a fraction of the cost as compared to just 5 years ago. The astrophotography market is growing and the constant addition of newer and better astrophotography equipment at affordable price points means more people are getting into this hobby. In other words, the industry is sort of going through a big bang of its own!

Buy-Telescope.com just published new information regarding the latest Orion Mini Autoguider package that was recently made available to consumers. In addition to its affordability, Buy-Telescope.com reports that it is a very accurate autoguider solution suitable for virtually all amateur astrophotography applications.

The function of the Orion autoguider is to help keep Orion telescopes on target while the picture is being taken. It compensates for the rotation of the earth by feeding data to a computer which then sends precise instructions to motor of the telescope mount. Without an autoguider setup, long exposure astrophotography without star trails just isn?t possible.

While there are many great Orion telescopes and accessories available for astrophotography, the main challenge when starting out isn?t with choosing the equipment. The web is full of product reviews and recommendations. Learning how to use the equipment, setting up the camera, processing and stacking images is not really intuitive however. Quality information in this specific area is still lacking. Thankfully, Buy-Telescope.com continues its tradition of providing high quality educational information by giving away a high quality astrophotography eBook called ?Getting Started in Astrophotography?. The information supplied in this free eBook really helps amateur backyard astronomers get started on the right track.

Follow Buy-Telecope.com on Facebook.

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New SkySafari 3 App Free for Lunar Eclipse

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:14:01 +0000

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 15, 2011

Southern Stars, a 2010 MacWorld Best of Show winner, has just launched a major new version of its best-in-class SkySafari astronomy app for iOS. Southern Stars also announced that SkySafari has now been downloaded more than 400,000 times. To celebrate this milestone, Southern Stars is making the new SkySafari 3 release free around the world on June 15th, 2011. That date is SkySafari’s second anniversary, and it coincides with the longest, deepest total lunar eclipse in more than a decade.

To download SkySafari 3 now, go to the iTunes store by clicking this link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skysafari-3/id437108143?mt=8

SkySafari 3 now comes in three versions – basic ($ 3), Plus ($ 15), and Pro ($ 60). The basic version is free until June 18th, 2011; Plus and Pro are at half-price on the iTunes Store until June 21st, 2011. At nearly 500 MB, the all-new Pro version includes the largest database of any mobile astronomy app. It contains over 15 million stars from the Hubble Guide Star Catalog; 740,000 galaxies to 18th magnitude; and more than 550,000 solar system objects – including every asteroid and comet known to science. SkySafari 3 Pro has been in the 10 top-grossing iOS education apps since its release, and has received the highest user ratings of any Southern Stars product, ever.

To download SkySafari 3 Pro now, go to the iTunes store by clicking this link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skysafari-3-pro/id437112382?mt=8

Finally, June 15th, 2011 brings the longest total lunar eclipse since 2000. The eclipse will be visible from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. That date is also SkySafari’s 2nd anniversary. To help people track this eclipse, Southern Stars will release SkySafari 3 for free on the iTunes Store for three days, starting 24 hours before the event. SkySafari is the only iPhone astronomy app which can correctly simulate lunar eclipses and many other celestial phenomena. “We’re using the June 15th lunar eclipse to share our latest astronomy apps with the public, and to spark an interest in astronomy for millions of people around the world,” said Southern Stars founder Tim DeBenedictis. “It’s an event we couldn’t miss.”

More information, including video and a link to the app, can be found here:

http://www.southernstars.com/eclipse/index.html

About Southern Stars

Southern Stars is a world leader in mobile applications for astronomy, and has been developing planetarium software since 1993. In 2009, Southern Stars developed SkyFi, the first wireless iPhone-based solution for telescope control. That product, and the SkyVoyager iPhone app, won a MacWorld 2010 Best of Show award. Southern Stars was the also the first company to ship a Made-for-iPad serial cable for iOS devices (SkyWire). To date, Southern Stars’ iPhone apps have been downloaded more than 400,000 times.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Southern Stars has more than three decades of collective experience in developing astronomical software, telescope control systems, and instrumentation.

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OpticsPlanet Proud to Announce Status as a Celestron Top 10 Retailer of 2010

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:46:19 +0000

Northbrook, IL (PRWEB) June 16, 2011

OpticsPlanet, Inc. is proud to announce its inclusion in Celestron?s yearly Top 10 Retailer list for 2010. Ranking at number 5, OpticsPlanet, Inc. was as one of the top retailers of all Celestron products, including telescopes, telescope accessories, microscopes, spotting scopes, and many other Celestron products. Celestron is one of the many top quality brands that OpticsPlanet, Inc. offers in the astronomy, birding, and outdoors departments.

OpticsPlanet, Inc. sells Celestron products through a variety of its online stores, including but not limited to OpticsPlanet.com, OpticsForYou.com and the exclusive member?s only store Dvor.com. Over 250 Celestron products are available for everyone from the amateur astronomer to the veteran stargazer, and OpticsPlanet, Inc. also carries a variety of Celestron telescopes and other products for the outdoor enthusiast. In 2010, OpticsPlanet.com was the exclusive retailer for the Celestron Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope & Tripod kit. This spotting scope for birders and outdoor lovers turned out to be one of the more popular holiday gift items and has been well-reviewed by customers.

As the weather improves, more and more consumers will be looking for a place to purchase telescopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes and as a Top 10 Celestron Retailer, OpticsPlanet combines the trust and authority that comes from the recognition from Celestron with its industry leading free shipping for most orders over $ 29.95 and easy return policy to be the source for all things Celestron. OpticsPlanet, Inc. is happy to have been recognized in 2010, and looks forward to moving up Celestron?s Top 10 Retailer rankings in 2011 as it continues to grow and expand its offerings.

About OpticsPlanet, Inc.: Founded in 1999, OpticsPlanet, Inc. has become one of the world’s leading online retailers with targeted niche stores specializing in sport optics, tactical and military gear, binoculars, night vision optics, rifle scopes, and sunglasses. Based outside of Chicago, in Northbrook Illinois, the company operates a network of multiple online stores: OpticsPlanet.com, Dvor.com, Microscopes.com, LabPlanet.com, Shoptics.com, Tactical-Store.com, EyeWearPlanet.com, RadarGuns.com and other online stores. Since the launch of OpticsPlanet.com the company has received numerous industry awards and has been recognized by its customers and several major publications for its excellent service and stellar sales growth.

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Celebrate the 4th of July with a Fun-Filled 3 Day weekend at Waterville Valley

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:32:14 +0000

Waterville Valley, NH (PRWEB) June 18, 2011

Spend the 4th of July weekend at Waterville Valley Resort for a weekend full of excitement for the whole family. It all starts Saturday, July 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an Independence Day Family Carnival in the Town Square. Children and adults can partake in games, giant inflatables, a 100-foot obstacle course, bounce house, live music by The Chris White Band and more. One small Admission price allows participation to all activities throughout the day. Children two and under are free. Barbeque and t-shirt tie dyeing will be available for an additional charge. From 6 to 9 p.m. a free evening concert will be offered in Town Square with music provided by Mugshot.

On Sunday, July 3rd starting at 11 a.m. guests can enjoy a parade marking the nation?s independence. Everyone is welcome to walk in the parade, stand along the streets, help with a float, or enter a float in the parade. Those wishing to walk or enter a float can contact the Recreation Department at (603) 236-4695 prior to parade day. A free, outdoor concert will take place 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with music provided by Endangered Species. At 2:30 p.m. the Margret & H.A. Rey Curious George Center will host their first rock-skipping contest on Corcoran?s Pond.

On Monday, July 4th at 9:30 p.m. the town?s fireworks display will take place, viewable from Town Square. A free outdoor concert will take place in the Town Square from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with music provided by Hurricane Alley.

There are many other activities over the weekend, including opening weekend of Shakespeare in the Valley Theater Under the Stars with free main stage shows and children?s theater. There are tennis clinics, paint your own pottery, Kids Night Out, campfires, Curious George story hours, and astronomy.

Special lodging and Summer Unlimited recreational packages are available starting at $ 159 per night including all taxes & fees (based on double or quad occupancy).

Waterville Valley Resort was designed and planned specifically as a self-contained, four seasons resort. Today in addition to its world-class ski area, Waterville Valley Resort has award-winning tennis courts, golf, hiking, mountain biking, lodging, cultural activities and summer theater, an indoor ice skating rink, boating, a skate board park, and a host of outdoor activities. Dining options include traditional favorites, as well as elegant dining. For more information, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or visit http://www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

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Symphony In The Glen Releases ?Observations: Symphonic Encounters from Galileo to the Space Age?

admin — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:45:03 +0000

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 28, 2011

In celebration of 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy, Griffith Observatory, Friends Of The Observatory and Symphony In The Glen presented ?Cosmic Conjunction? on the front lawn of the observatory — a spectacular concert honoring Galileo, featuring Symphony In The Glen, conducted by famed composer/conductor Arthur B. Rubinstein. The stellar event also featured the World Premiere performance of Observations — an original composition by Maestro Rubinstein with narrative text by Griffith Observatory Director Dr. E. C. Krupp, narrated for the occasion by acclaimed actor Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek). ?Observations: Symphonic Encounters from Galileo to the Space Age?, a studio recording of the music performed at the historic concert, is now available for digital download on iTunes.

?In composing ?Observations,? says Rubinstein, ?I wanted to create a musical ?time travelogue? that spanned from the primitive mysticism of the ancients to the symphonic ?Big Bang? of the moderns and ultimately encompasses the childlike wonder and awe that draws us to the stars.?

The ?Cosmic Conjunction? event celebrated the intersection of astronomy and the arts with performances of five centuries of music with astronomical themes honoring the father of modern observational astronomy, Galileo. Recorded at Fox Studios? famous Newman Scoring Stage, this magnificent recording vibrantly captures the evening?s selections. The ?Observations? release also includes a downloadable digital booklet of the full-color program from the original concert event held at The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 4th, 2009.

?Arthur B. Rubinstein?s inspiring and enchanting ?Observations? is a journey in music and poetry as moving as standing under a starry sky. The collection, and especially Rubinstein?s original composition, wash over you with the vastness and mystery of space itself; from the moon and seasons to the grandeur of galaxies and the eternally surprising discoveries that illuminate them; revealing one exotic new vision after another. Alternating profound darkness and twinkling (sometimes blinding) light, Rubinstein?s work makes the ?music of the spheres? ring truer than ever.?

K.C. Cole
Long-time science writer for the Los Angeles Times

Professor at USC?s Annenberg School of Journalism. http://annenberg.usc.edu/

Author of national bestseller: The Universe and the Teacup: The Mathematics of Truth and Beauty

TRACK LISTING:

1. Orfeo ?Overture? Fanfare ? Claude Monteverdi

This heavenly anthem is from Claudio Monteverdi?s opera about Orpheus ? the legendary musician of ancient Thrace who plucked his songs on a lyre whose seven strings ????represented the seven ancient planets. This piece was composed close to the time that Galileo first turned his telescope to the sky.

2. ? 5. ?Suite? from Castor et Pollux ? Jean Philipe Rameau

Castor and Pollux are the heavenly twin sons of Zeus (Jupiter). As legend tells, when Castor dies, Pollux asks Zeus to grant him immortality. Zeus turns the twins into the bright stars in the constellation Gemini. Rameau?s music for the Castor?s funeral and the subsequent rising of the twins to the heavens is one of the most divine pieces of music from the early 18th century.

6. ?Aux Etoiles? (?To the Stars?) ? Henri Duparc

19th century Romantic composer Henri Duparc was known principally for his art songs. He was engaged to compose incidental music to a now-lost play. Happily what survives from the score is his sublime Entr?acte, which compels the listener to look toward the heavens and question the mystery and wonder of the stars.

7. ?La Creation du Monde? ? Darius Milhaud

In 1922, French composer Darius Milhaud composed the ballet ?La Creation du Monde? for which he turned to the creation of the world based on African folk mythology. Utilizing Jazz idioms popular in the 1920s, Milhaud prompts us ponder the origins of life.

8. ?Observations? (featuring the Leonard Nimoy narration) ? Arthur B. Rubinstein

9. ?Observations? (orchestral version) ? Arthur B. Rubinstein

For additional information please visit: http://www.symphonyintheglen.org/

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Sen. James Inhofe to Kick Off Heartland Institute?s Sixth International Conference on Climate Change on June 30

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:59:40 +0000

Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 29, 2011

Sen. James Inhofe, R-OK, the leading critic of global warming alarmism in Congress, will kick off The Heartland Institute?s sixth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-6) at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, with a breakfast keynote address.

(Watch the Live Stream of Heartland?s climate conference.)

Inhofe will be joined at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, DC by scores of state and federal elected officials, more than 50 think tank cosponsors, and some 300 scientists, economists, and policy experts who dispute the claim that ?the science is settled? on the causes, consequences, or policy implications of climate change.

Past conferences in this series took place in New York City, Chicago, Washington, DC and Sydney, Australia and have attracted more than 2,000 participants from 20 countries. The proceedings have been covered by ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, the BBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Le Monde, and most other leading media outlets.

ICCC-6 will feature presentations by more than two dozen scientists, economists, and elected officials commenting on the latest research on the causes, consequences, and policy implications of climate change. The line-up of speakers includes:

Timothy Ball, Ph.D., environmental consultant and former climatology professor at the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was recently sued for libel by Michael Mann, a prominent figure in the Climategate scandal.

Barry Brill, OBE, New Zealand barrister and solicitor. He is a former minister of science & technology and minister of energy, and is currently chairman of the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition.

Alan Carlin, Ph.D., former senior analyst and manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In March 2009 he authored a highly critical internal review of EPA?s draft report on endangerment from greenhouse gases, which led him to become a whistle-blower.

Robert ?Bob? Carter, Hon. FRSNZ, research professor at James Cook University (Queensland, Australia), where he was head of the School of Earth Sciences between 1981 and 1999. He is author of Climate: The Counter Consensus.

Scott Denning, Ph.D., professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University. Denning believes in man-caused global warming and spoke last year at the Fourth International Conference on Climate Change in Chicago.

Christopher Horner, J.D., senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and author of Red Hot Lies: How Global Warming Alarmists Use Threats, Fraud and Deception to Keep You Misinformed.

Craig Idso, Ph.D., chairman of the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change and coauthor of Climate Change Reconsidered: The 2009 Report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change.

Robert O. Mendelsohn, Ph.D., Edwin Weyerhaeuser Davis Professor of Forest Policy & Professor of Economics at Yale University and author of the forthcoming book Climate Change and Agriculture: An Economic Analysis of Global Impacts, Adaptation, and Distributional Effects.

Patrick J. Michaels, Ph.D., distinguished senior fellow in the School of Public Policy at George Mason University and a senior fellow in environmental policy at the Cato Institute. He is a past president of the American Association of State Climatologists and was program chair for the Committee on Applied Climatology of the American Meteorological Society and editor of the new book Climate Coup: Global Warming?s Invasion of Our Government and Our Lives.

Marc Morano, executive editor and chief correspondent for ClimateDepot.com, a global warming and eco-news center founded in 2009. Morano served for three years as a senior advisor, speechwriter, and climate researcher for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Nicola Scafetta, Ph.D., research scientist in the Duke University Physics Department. His research interests are in theoretical and applied statistics and nonlinear models of complex processes. He has published peer-reviewed papers in journals covering a wide variety of disciplines, including astronomy, biology, climatology, economics, and physics.

Harrison Schmitt, Ph.D., is a former NASA astronaut and U.S. Senator. He is the twelfth and last person to set foot on the Moon. He served as chair of the NASA Advisory Council and is currently adjunct professor of engineering physics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is a field geologist who received a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

David Schnare, Ph.D., J.D., senior fellow for energy and the environment for the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. He is an attorney and scientist with 32 years of federal and private-sector experience consulting on and litigating local, state, federal, and international environmental legislative, regulatory, risk management, and free-market environmentalism issues.

S. Fred Singer, Ph.D., founder and president of the Science and Environmental Policy Project, coauthor of Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1500 Years and Climate Change Reconsidered, and professor emeritus of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia.

Willie Soon, Ph.D., astrophysicist and a geoscientist at the Solar, Stellar and Planetary Sciences Division of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Roy W. Spencer, Ph.D., principal research scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville where he directs a variety of climate research projects. He is the author of several books, including most recently, The Great Global Warming Blunder.

James M. Taylor, J.D., senior fellow for environment policy at The Heartland Institute and managing editor of its Environment & Climate News. He writes Climate Change Weekly, a Heartland e-newsletter, and a weekly column on climate change issues for Forbes.com.

David G. Tuerck, Ph.D., executive director of the Beacon Hill Institute, and professor and chairman of the Suffolk University Department of Economics.

Anthony Watts, a 25-year broadcast meteorology veteran and currently chief meteorologist for KPAY-AM radio. He hosts the popular climate change blog Wattsupwiththat.com and a Web site at surfacestations.org devoted to photographing and documenting the quality of weather stations across the U.S.

The theme of ICCC-6, ?Restoring the Scientific Method,? highlights the reliance of claims of scientific certainty and predictions of climate catastrophes on post-normal science, which substitutes claims of consensus for the scientific method. Abandoning the scientific method led to the Climategate scandal and the errors and abuses of peer review by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

For additional information, go to climateconference.heartland.org or call 312/377-4000. To arrange interviews with conference speakers, contact Director of Communications Jim Lakely at jlakely(at)heartland.org or 312/731-9364, or Media Specialist Tammy Nash at tnash@heartland.org or 312/731-9043. Register for media credentials here.

Get Twitter updates of the conference, and tweet your own coverage, by following @HeartlandInst and using the hashtag #ICCC6.

The Heartland Institute is a 27-year-old national nonprofit organization with offices in Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; Tallahassee, Florida; Austin, Texas; and Columbus, Ohio. Its mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems.

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Join Us! OPT’s Annual Southern California Astronomy Expo

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:11:41 +0000

Oceanside, CA (PRWEB) July 01, 2011

Join us! Oceanside Photo & Telescope is hosting the 6th annual SCAE Astronomy Faire on Saturday, July 16th from 10am until 6pm. With dozens of exhibitors, over $ 40,000 in prizes and special savings, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Oceanside Photo and Telescope is situated just a few blocks from the beach in Oceanside, located in the North County Coastal area of San Diego.

Four large tents will be set up in the parking lot for the event, and will be filled with over thirty-five manufacturers with full product demonstrations. Each will have representatives on hand to answer all of your astronomy and imaging related questions. See the latest and greatest telescopes and telescope accessories from Orion, Apogee, QSI, Takahashi, Tele Vue, SBIG, Canon USA, The Imaging Source, Stellarvue, Lunt Solar Systems, Meade Instruments, Discovery Telescopes, and Celestron, just to name a few. A full list of the attending and contributing manufacturers can be found at optscae.com.

OPT is also offering discounts on a huge variety of telescopes, eyepieces, cameras, and more at the Faire. Alternatively, those who cannot attend are welcome to shop online at optcorp.com or to call and speak with a telescope expert at 1-800-483-6287. Sale pricing will be honored from Friday, July 1st through Sunday, July 17th. Come by the Faire on the 16th to find special one day promotions. The OPT staff is friendly, knowledgeable and ready to help you get exactly what you need at a great price.

OPT is proud to represent such a wonderful array of astronomy product manufacturers, and they step up each year to donate great prizes for SCAE. This year the total value of these donations has topped $ 53,000! There will be two free giveaways during the day for adults, a free children’s giveaway, and a paid raffle for a variety of high-quality prizes. Tickets for this raffle are $ 2 each and all proceeds will go to the Library Telescope Program. This program, headed by the New Hampshire Astronomical Society, is dedicated to placing a telescope in every public library. These telescopes are there to check out, just like a book, and be used for outreach and education. With nineteen libraries included so far, OPT hopes to give a big boost to that number with your help.

In addition to the prizes being given away at the Faire this year, OPT has chosen five of the top donations to be given away online. This very popular yearly contest is free to enter for anyone who is at least 16 years of age. Go to optscae.com and follow the links to register for your chance to win. All you have to do is share your best memory of the night sky and you could win one of five awesome prizes. Entries are accepted through midnight July 15th, and winners will be announced July 18th. For more information on SCAE, the giveaways, and anything else you have read here, visit optscae.com.

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Smithsonian Journeys Announces New Travel Collections for 2012: Both Luxury Tours and Value Tours to Appeal to Baby Boomers

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:24:23 +0000

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) July 05, 2011

The Smithsonian is known for its broad array of museums and collections, and its travel program follows suit with a diverse travel portfolio for 2012. To meet the demands of today?s sophisticated travelers, Smithsonian Journeys offers more options than ever to satisfy diverse interests, budgets and styles of travel and will offer both luxury tours and value tours to appeal to baby boomers.

Travelers can choose from one-week European getaways, in-depth special themed luxury tours, highlights tours to 20 worldwide destinations, around-the-world private jet adventures, U.S. arts and outdoors tours and grand adventures. Smithsonian Journeys is also featuring a broader collection of small- and medium-size cruise ship experiences: luxury and value cruises to the Mediterranean, active expedition cruises, family cruise vacations and unique European river cruises. Travelers who prefer a more private experience can also work with Smithsonian travel consultants for a custom-designed personal vacation to worldwide destinations.

All 2012 travel options can be seen at http://www.SmithsonianJourneys.org/2012, featuring more than 200 departures to 80 countries worldwide. These tours are enhanced with behind-the-scenes access and top experts who provide in-depth commentary designed to increase visitors? understanding of their destination.

?Mercedes-Benz and Bugatti? is a special in-depth themed tour that will feature exclusive entr?e to special car museums and factories and a day at the German Grand Prix. Journeys will also offer more than 20 highlights tours, featuring a broad overview of European countries such as France, Spain and Turkey and other destinations farther afield such as Jordan, India, Vietnam, Peru and Botswana. These are small-group tours, designed for 16-24 travelers, and include international airfare, behind-the-scenes activities and the expertise of a Smithsonian expert who accompanies the tour.

In 2012 Smithsonian will offer more than 70 cruises on a variety of small ships with different cruising styles. Featuring a more casual ambiance, small ships encourage new friendships and in-depth time with Smithsonian experts and guest lecturers. Small-ship cruising also means special accessibility to smaller ports, easy logistics, and not overwhelming ports on arrival. Details for all cruises can be found online.

????Travelers can sail in the Caribbean on the three-masted tall ship Sea Cloud II, explore the Amazonian rainforest from aboard a traditional 28-guest riverboat or discover superb museums in Holland and Belgium from an elegant European riverboat.
????Luxury Mediterranean cruises aboard the 114-guest Corinthian II feature special themes such as music, classical sites and the arts, while the 34-guest Callisto offers an intimate private yacht experience as it plies the Aegean.
????Travelers interested in an active cruise experience can board a small expedition ship outfitted with kayaks and Zodiacs to explore the natural wonders of Antarctica, Costa Rica and other destinations.
????In the U.S., more than 25 cruises offer the advantages of the small-ship experience, including a new Mississippi riverboat.
????Five voyages aboard the 350-guest Aegean Odyssey will offer special value Mediterranean cruises with all-inclusive rates, including international airfare, gratuities and an onboard educational program.

New for 2012 is a bigger focus on European City Getaways for the independent-minded traveler. New ?European City Breaks? offer seven-day getaways in European capitals that feature highlights tours balanced with free time for personal interests, all at a great value (starting from $ 2,749, including international airfare). ?City Explorers? offer two-week immersion programs with behind-the-scenes meetings with local experts, exclusive tours, language lessons and time to discover on your own. ?Private Departures? is a new personalized travel option where travel experts will design the ideal trip, whatever the traveler?s interests, schedule and budget. (Six sample Private Departures itineraries can be found online.)

For the trip of a lifetime, Smithsonian Journeys will offer two new, unique private jet tours in 2012. ?Heaven and Earth? (Oct. 31-Nov. 20, 2012) is an exclusive around-the-world adventure that features both natural and man-made wonders and the powerful influence of the heavens on world cultures. A special highlight is traveling with Smithsonian astronomy expert David Aguilar and witnessing a total solar eclipse in Australia. ?Cultures and Cuisines? (Sept. 17-Oct. 5, 2012) explores culinary traditions and World Heritage sites from Europe to Asia and is accompanied by culinary expert Darra Goldstein, editor-in-chief of Gastronomica: the Journal of Food and Culture. Details on these extraordinary trips and two others are available online.

Travelers interested in exploring the U.S. on a special Smithsonian theme tour can choose from performing arts tours, outdoor adventures, and an astronomy tour and Civil War tour. All tours provide special access and the insight of a Smithsonian expert.

About Smithsonian Journeys

Smithsonian Journeys is the Smithsonian Institution?s travel program, with more than 40 years dedicated to life-enriching experiences worldwide. The Smithsonian is known for ?Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery,? which is central to Smithsonian Journeys and its more than 150 expert-led international and domestic tours featuring exclusive access and unforgettable experiences. For more information, call toll-free 1 (877) 338-8687 or visit http://www.SmithsonianJourneys.org.

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Private-Public Partnership Gives Entertainment Creative Community Access to New Science, Engineering & Technology

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:48:31 +0000

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 15, 2011

The Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC), through its Entertainment and Media Communication Institute (EMCI), in collaboration with The Boeing Company and the National Science Foundation (NSF), convened a briefing at Universal Studios regarding the latest advances in science, engineering and technology research and application. The briefing, conducted for about 30 members of the Hollywood creative community, provided a panel of experts in robotics, forensics, nanotechnology and aerospace to help inspire new ways to think of these fields from a story and character standpoint.

?This briefing is intended to expand creative thinking and enhance storytelling,? stated EIC?s Brian Dyak, President and CEO. ?It is one of a series of programs we are carrying out as part of our Ready on the S.E.T. and? Action! Initiative.? Ready on the S.E.T. was established to help encourage young people to pursue studies and careers in science, engineering and technology through authentic portrayals in popular entertainment in order to ensure there is a next generation of creative problem solvers and technicians in these fields so that the U.S. can maintain its competitiveness in the global economy.

Included in the initiative is a new publication that was distributed to attendees of the briefing and that will be available at http://www.eiconline.org/ReadyOnTheSet, entitled Picture This: Engineering. Subsequent publications in the Picture This series will focus on Science and Technology. Each contains priorities identified by experts in their respective fields, along with depiction suggestions and other resource information. The initiative applies EIC?s 25-year history of assisting the entertainment industry in bringing critical health and social issues into American living rooms and theaters, to bear on U.S. technological innovation. With leading industry and government research partners, EIC, Boeing and NSF provide unmatched expertise to film and TV writers, producers, researchers and creative executives on any and all science, engineering and technology topics.

Approximately 30 members of the entertainment industry attended the briefing. Among the shows represented were: ?90210,? ?Army Wives,? ?NCIS,? ?The Finder,? ?CSI,? ?A Gifted Man,? ?White Collar,? ?Days of Our Lives,? ?CSI: Miami,? ?One Tree Hill,? ?Criminal Minds,? ?Leverage,? ?Body of Proof,? and ?CSI: Miami.? The networks and studios in attendance were: NBC, ABC, CBS Television Studios, Style, Fox Television Studios, HBO, Disney Channel, and Universal Media Studios.

The panel of experts, recruited by Boeing and NSF through its Science Scene project, included: Boeing?s Patrick Naughton, a senior engineer working on satellite programs; UCLA?s Dr. Aydogan Ozcan, who heads up the Nano-Photonics Lab in the Electrical Engineering Department; USC?s Dr. Maja Mataric, Director of the Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems and Co-Director of the Robotics Research Lab; and UCLA?s Dr. Martin Short, from the Department of Mathematics, who focuses on simulation models to determine criminal hot spots and geographic profiling of serial offenders. NSF?s Leslie Fink, moderated the panel.

The Ready on the S.E.T. initiative also includes the newly launched S.E.T. Awards which will take place in early November to honor productions authentically portraying science, engineering and technology. Initial members of the S.E.T. Awards Honorary Committee include Nina Tassler (CBS), Ted Harbert and Marc Graboff (NBC), Kevin Reilly (Fox), Dawn Ostroff, Stephen Friedman (MTV), Tom Calderone (VH1), Vivi Zigler (NBC Universal Digital), Emiliano Calemzuk (Shine Group), Steven Schiffman (National Geographic), Lisa Sherman (Logo), Laura Michelchyshyn (Discovery Health & Fitness), Deborah Myers (Science), Robert DeBitetto (A&E), Mitch Bainwol (RIAA), and comics icon Stan Lee.

EIC, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1983 by leaders of the entertainment industry to bring the power of the industry to bear on communication about health and social issues. The organization is considered to be the chief pioneer of entertainment advocacy outreach and one of the premiere success stories in the field of entertainment education and information resources for entertainment creators, through innovative and time-proven services and methods of “encouraging the art of making a difference” from within the entertainment industry. EIC also produces the simulcast national television special PRISM Awards Showcase which addresses accurate portrayals of substance abuse and mental illness: prevention treatment and recovery.

EIC also addresses issues such as diabetes, ADHD, foster care, women’s health, firearm safety and injury prevention, sun safety and skin cancer prevention, human trafficking, terrorism and homeland security, eating disorders and obesity, seat belt use and traffic safety, and HIV/AIDS prevention. It has also launched an initiative to increase the public profile and interest in science, engineering and technology. Its web site is located at http://www.eiconline.org.

Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing has customers in more than 90 countries around the world and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education, as well as research facilities and instrumentation across all fields of science and engineering. Each year, NSF funds the research projects of some 200,000 top-notch scientists, engineers, educators and students at universities, laboratories and field sites throughout the United States. They include experts in scientific disciplines from literally A to Z?astronomy to zoology?who are committed to communicating with the public. Each year, NSF receives over 45,000 competitive requests for funding and makes over 11,500 new funding awards.

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Austin?s Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa is Top Texas Hotel to Make Travel + Leisure?s ?Best Family Hotels? List The Austin, Texas Resort & Hotel Offers

admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:49:09 +0000

Lost Pines, TX (PRWEB) July 22, 2011

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa has, for the second consecutive year, made Travel + Leisure?s ?Best Family Hotels? list and retains the top spot for a Texas property. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines achieved a score of 92.31 (vs. 91.58 in 2010) to earn 23rd place on the list of 50 ?Top Family Hotels in the U.S. and Canada? as voted by Travel + Leisure readers. The family-friendly resort located be-tween Austin and Bastrop is one of only three Texas properties that were selected for inclusion on this prestigious list and the only one from the Central Texas region.

?To have received this recognition two years in a row is a particularly great honor and a testimo-ny to our staff. It is only through their effort and commitment that we have earned this ranking among such long-established family destinations so early in our history,? stated Steve Dewire, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. ?Since the resort?s opening just five years ago, we have strived to create an environment that sincerely welcomes all of our guests with authentic hospitality while offering an extensive variety of entertainment, recreation and nature-based activities that engage guests of all ages,? Dewire added. ?We are also very fortunate to have the city of Bastrop as our neighbor and community partner. In 2010, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Bastrop a Distinctive Destination. And the residents and businesses extend a warm welcome that enhances the guest experience.?

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines claims a beautiful and secluded location on the banks of the Colorado River that appeals to families who find the property naturally conducive to exploration, discovery and learning. The resort has integrated local and regional history, flora and fauna education, astronomy and even domesticated livestock into its programming. Stargazing on the driving range at Wolfdancer gives a breathtaking glimpse at the expansive Texas nighttime sky. The ?Be Kind to Texas Animals? program introduces guests of all ages to Texas wildlife such as the American Alligator, a box turtle, and a non-venomous snake in hands-on education sessions.

A pop-ular attraction of the Austin, Texas resort are its animal mascots: Julius, Caesar, King and Lady (two Percheron draft horse teams); their sidekicks, T-Bone and Ribeye (longhorn steers); and Hoss (a 130+ pound Newfoundland pup). Julius and Caesar provide guests with a tour of the property via a giant wooden wagon while T-Bone, Ribeye and Hoss entertain guests with meet and greets throughout the resort. The longhorns have been saddle-broken and allow guests to sit on their backs for some truly memorable family photos. New this year to the Lost Pines animal welcoming committee are Trooper and Captain (miniature donkeys) along with Yogi and Boo Boo (alpacas).

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines also offers championship golf, adult and youth spas, horseback riding, archery and skeet shooting. A partnership with McKinney Roughs Nature Park also provides guests the opportunity to kayak, river raft, zip line, climb a rock wall or hike 18 miles of trails connecting the resort and the park. Camp Hyatt provides an enter-taining option for children between three and twelve years of age with supervised games, indoor and outdoor activities, and nature-based crafts. There are also many options for fun in the sun and water at the Crooked River water park with its 1,000-foot flowing river pool, an activity pool, two-story water slide, beach, splash pad, adult pool, whirlpools and poolside bar and grill.

About Hyatt Regency Lost Pines

Situated along the banks of the Lower Colorado River just outside Austin, Texas, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa features 491 guest rooms, more than 60,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and over 230,000 square feet of outdoor function space including a pavilion and amphitheater. The resort offers guests a true, luxurious wilderness escape located on over 400 acres of diverse Texas terrain adjoining the 1,100-acre McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Ameni-ties include Wolfdancer (an Arthur Hills designed 18-hole golf course), Spa Django, Wild Hare Youth Spa and Renegade Trailhead equestrian facility. In addition to golf and horseback riding, guests may enjoy floating down the Crooked River, hiking along 18 miles of trails, kayaking and rafting on the Colorado River and a nightly roasting of s?mores at one of the outdoor fire pits. The resort features weekly live music and boasts seven on-site dining options offering everything from a light snack to a fine dining experience. For reservations or information contact Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa at 512-308-1234 or visit us at http://www.lostpines.hyatt.com.

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Celestron Releases SkyProdigy Telescopes

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:00:40 +0000

(PRWEB) July 27, 2011

The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is always a big event where the newest and most innovative products are brought out to showcase to the world. While astronomy gear companies make up a very small portion of the exhibitors, Celestron, the company that brought the world the amazing SkyScout, is always there pushing the boundaries of innovative technical applications for our most favorite of hobbies. This year is no exception.

Introducing, the Celestron SKYProdigy Telescope Series

Winner of 2011 CES Innovations Honoree Award for Design and Engineering Excellence at CES 2011, the Celestron SKYProdigy series of telescopes will align themselves- in just three minutes! That’s right, three minutes, and what’s more, suggested retail is about $ 700.

The SkyProdigy features patent pending StarSense? Technology, which provides a dramatic evolution in telescope alignment technology. Unlike most other telescopes which require a user to select and manually center known stars in the telescope to align it, StarSense makes the aligning process easier and faster. With StarSense users turn on the SkyProdigy, push a button and are ready to view the universe in less than three minutes.

With an aligning process of three minutes, the SkyProdigy is the fastest automatically aligning telescope on the market today.

“StarSense completely circumvents the frustrating alignment process of current ‘Go-To’ telescopes by allowing the telescope to automatically align itself without any user intervention whatsoever once it is turned on,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr, president and CEO of Celestron. “Our SkyProdigy and StarSense technology redefines how users can view the universe. For the last 50 years, Celestron has been the world’s leading telescope manufacturer. We’ve developed industry-changing products such as Sky Scout Personal Planetarium and the SkyProdigy is further evidence of our continued commitment to being the world’s leading telescope maker.”

Additionally, the SkyProdigy includes a “Sky Tour” feature which automatically moves the telescope to the best astronomical objects currently visible at that time.

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Curious George Festival Welcomes Kids of all Ages in Waterville Valley Resort This August

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:13:55 +0000

Waterville Valley, NH (PRWEB) July 29, 2011

The 5th Annual Curious George Cottage Family Festival returns this August to speak to the curiosity in us all. The festival is a 2-day event held August 13-14 at Waterville Valley Resort, NH, featuring a weekend full of family-friendly activities with Curious George and the Man With the Yellow Hat including a banana pancake breakfast, a family nature walk, live music, a BBQ lunch with Curious George, photo opportunities with the characters, a traveling barnyard, face painting, games for kids, Curious George story hour and craft time, planetarium shows, and a family spaghetti dinner.

Headlining the festival this year is ?Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys.? Boston-based singer-songwriter and children’s performer, Vanessa Trien, has become a local rock star among the young and young at heart. Her fans sing and dance in the aisles at her packed shows with her lively band, the Jumping Monkeys, and can’t get enough of her two award-winning children’s CDs, ‘Carnival Day’ and ‘Hot Air Balloon.’ As Boston Children’s Music puts it, “Vanessa’s shows are perfect. It’s hard to explain and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is they do differently, but whatever it is, it really gets the kids (and parents) excited!…She has some sort of magical energy that makes all of her shows super fun…”

Wristbands for the 5th Annual Curious George Cottage Family Festival are $ 23 per person for a 2-day pass. Children two and under get in free with a paying adult. Limited wristbands available at the event. To view the complete event schedule and to purchase wristbands visit http://thereycenter.org or call the Rey Center at 603-236-3308.

While in Waterville Valley, families can also enjoy swimming and canoeing on Corcoran?s Pond, walk along Waterville Valley?s many hiking trails, skate at the WV Ice Arena, or play a game of tennis at the WV Tennis Club!

Participating hotels offer festival lodging packages the weekend of August 13-14. Packages include Friday and Saturday night lodging, 1 round of golf per day at the WV Golf Club, Festival Wristband, and a Curious George souvenir (Wristband includes: admission to Petting Zoo, Live Music, Mad Science Show and Fun Station, Face Painting, Games for Kids, Curious George Storytime, Planetarium Show, Photo Opportunity with Curious George, Curious George Craft Time, and Nature Walks). Additional fees charged for Banana Pancake Breakfast and Curious George Spaghetti Dinner; tickets for these events can be purchased with Wristbands. BBQ lunch available for purchase onsite from a la carte menu, no ticket required.????

About the Rey Center: The Margret and H.A. Rey Center is named for the authors of the popular Curious George books, former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH. The Rey Center honors the Reys? spirit of curiosity and discovery by increasing understanding of and participation in art, science and nature through programs for youth, adults and families. Our programs include hands-on science programs for school students, community and youth gardening, community art galleries, adult art workshops, lectures, environmental research and citizen science, astronomy nights, art and nature youth programs, children?s theater and more for our region as well as for the many families from throughout New England that vacation in Waterville Valley. All proceeds from the Curious George Cottage Family Festival directly support the Rey Center?s art, science and nature programs for all ages.

Waterville Valley was designed and planned specifically as a self-contained, four-seasons resort. Today in addition to its world-class ski area, Waterville Valley Resort has award-winning tennis courts, golf, hiking, biking, lodging, cultural activities and summer theater, kids camps, an indoor ice rink, boating, a skate park, and a host of outdoor activities. It is home to the Margret and H.A. Rey Center and Curious George Cottage, and it hosts summer outdoor concerts, Children?s Theatre, and numerous summer festivals. Dining options include traditional favorites and elegant dining. For more information, call 1-800-GO-VALLEY or visit http://summer.visitwatervillevalley.com/

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QImaging? Introduces the Rolera? Thunder EMCCD Camera for High-Sensitivity Low-Light Imaging

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:30:25 +0000

Surrey, BC (PRWEB) August 02, 2011

QImaging announces the release of the Rolera Thunder EMCCD microscopy camera, the newest generation of its high-sensitivity, low-light imaging EMCCD camera product line. QImaging is a developer and manufacturer of high-performance, easy-to-use digital cameras for life science and industrial applications.

Designed for quantitative low-light fluorescence microscopy, the Rolera Thunder is ideal for life science applications such as super resolution (STORM, PALM), single molecule fluorescence and FRAP, as well as physical science applications such as astronomy and studying Bose-Einstein condensates.

The Rolera Thunder features a back-illuminated 16 ?m pixel, 512 x 512 EMCCD sensor for >90% peak quantum efficiency, low read noise (

?The Rolera Thunder offers scientists an extremely sensitive, high-performance EMCCD camera at a fraction of the cost of other available technologies. This sets a new standard for low-light imaging cameras at a price that will make this technology accessible to more scientists,? said Chris Ryan, associate product manager.

A convenient firewire interface provides customers with the ability to maximize their research with 16-bit digitization. For users needing flexibility in their set-ups, the Rolera Thunder seamlessly integrates with customized high-end OEM systems. As standard with all QImaging cameras, the Rolera Thunder is backed by an industry-leading two-year limited warranty. Each camera meets the standards of QImaging?s Product Quality Policy and is further backed by support technicians who are trained in specific applications and installation procedures.

About QImaging

QImaging designs and manufactures user-friendly CCD, EMCCD and CMOS cameras for life science, machine vision and OEM applications. These affordable, high-performance digital imaging solutions offer outstanding versatility, ease of use and reliability. Customers around the world use QImaging cameras to perform quantitative image analysis and acquire high-resolution images for publication. The company offers a comprehensive OEM Camera Program and maintains numerous third-party alliances with software companies and system integrators to consistently deliver imaging solutions and application-specific software that supports a broad range of bioscience and industrial applications. QImaging is headquartered in Surrey, Canada, and is a registered ISO 9001:2000 company.

? Copyright 2011, QImaging. All rights reserved. QImaging and the QImaging logo are registered trademarks and Rolera Thunder is a trademark of QImaging. All other product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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NotJustTelescopes.com Announces a Back-to-School Special on Full Line of Telescopes

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:40:03 +0000

Middletown, CT (PRWEB) August 10, 2011

At NotJustTelescopes, the expansion of the Voyager Sky Tour series of both Refractor and Reflector Telescopes to a collection of six is proof positive of the continued, if not growing interest in the exploration of the heavens. Included in these first ever discounted telescopes are Bushnell Northstar products, Red Planet products from the Carson line, and Space Station products from the Tasco line.

While manned space travel is off of the NASA budget drawing boards for the near future, research into the cosmos continues with Hubble in orbit and the James Webb Space Telescope planned for a 2018 launch (provided Congress does not cut the project for the NASA budget in the 2011–2012 session. In the meantime many professional and leisure astronomers continue their search of the known universe. At NotJustTelescopes.com, the expansion of the Voyager Sky Tour series of both Refracting and Reflector Telescopes to a collection of six is proof positive of the continued, if not growing interest in the exploration of the heavens.

Across the country, too many school programs are being cut back, but the sciences continue to remain stable to which we can all be thankful. Astronomy continues strong in both suburban and urban school systems. Store proprietors can attest to that stability in the inner city as well as the enthusiasm of programs that have expanded youthful minds.

At NotJustTelescopes, beginners and the pros can feel at home.

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Magnetic 3D Expands Executive Team

admin — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:50:54 +0000

New York, NY (PRWEB) August 10, 2011

Magnetic 3D, the global leader in autostereoscopic glasses-free 3D displays and digital signage solutions, today announced the engagement of Michael Dorin as Vice-President of Business Development and Operations.

Mr. Dorin joins Magnetic 3D with a diverse and proven background in innovative technology and business development. Having formal credentials in Astronomy, Mr. Dorin held a long career as the Director of Sales and Marketing at a private company that specialized in optical and electro-optical spectroscopic instrumentation. Prior to this, Mr. Dorin worked at a hedge fund in Paris, France, where he also engaged in a number of successful entrepreneurial activities. Mr. Dorin?s position at Magnetic 3D builds on a recent technical consulting practice where he engineered complex, custom IT solutions while also providing game-changing marketing and business development services.

?Having Michael on board adds an incredible resource to the team and clearly expands our capabilities at a critical stage in the company?s development,? said Thomas Zerega, Founder & CEO of Magnetic 3D. ?The expansion of our executive team is a direct response to the overwhelming appetite for glasses-free 3D solutions across several verticals and part of an aggressive growth strategy well underway at our company.?

?Magnetic 3D is at the forefront of a paradigm shift in the digital signage industry and has tremendous potential,? said Michael Dorin. ?Their proprietary technology essentially builds 3D glasses into the screen so viewers can see tremendous ?pop? without needing to wear any special gear. As a result, marketing content becomes incredibly compelling and generates superior engagement over traditional content that is both quantifiable and impressive. I am very excited to be part of the Magnetic 3D team!?

Mr. Dorin will be involved in various aspects of Magnetic 3D?s corporate development including gathering and maintaining market intelligence, designing and implementing business development strategies, building brand awareness, establishing and developing strategic alliances and joint ventures, negotiating technology licensing agreements, working with investors, and streamlining operations for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Mr. Dorin will also lend his expertise in photonics to help further advance Magnetic 3D’s innovative technology.

About Magnetic 3D

Headquartered in New York City, Magnetic 3D (http://www.magnetic3d.com) designs and produces industry leading end-to-end autostereoscopic 3D display solutions, 3D digital media and 3D services. Magnetic 3D?s Enabl3D? hardware and software solution modifies flat panel displays, enabling them to show High-Definition 3D video content without the need for any special eyewear. The company focuses on exceeding client?s 2D expectations by delivering the highest quality, glasses-free 3D visual experience in retail digital signage, hospitality, movie-theaters, casino gaming, hotels and other public venues.

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Best Cruises and Travel Now Announces 2 for 1 Fares, Free Air and Free Unlimited Shore Excursions from ?All Inclusive? Luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises

admin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:10:44 +0000

Westport, CT (PRWEB) August 11, 2011

Best Cruises and Travel Now, an affiliate of Cruise Planners and American Express, proudly introducesits special offers on Regent Seven Seas cruises. They call themselves ?world?s most inclusive luxury cruise? because their all-inclusive fares include wine, beer and all spirits with every meal and include unlimited shore excursions at each port. They are an all-balcony, all-suite cruise and visit more than 300 ports on all seven continents including Antarctica and are able to visit more intimate ports than larger vessels. They feature the world-renowned Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

Regent Seven Seas is also known for its fine arts and enrichment programs. They feature special guests stars who give lectures on art and photography, and feature top Cabaret, opera performances and host accomplished local musicians and dance instructors. They also host a Discovery and Exploration series, which features respected scientists and explorers who give lectures on astronomy, history and the environment. They also offer family programs that cater to children and young adults.

The Regent Seven Seas consists of three luxury cruise ships, the Voyager, the Mariner and the Navigator. The Voyager and Mariner carry up to 700 passengers with a staff and crew of 447; The Navigator carries 490 passengers, attended by a staff and crew of 345. Suites range from 300 square feet to 2,000 square feet. Cruise Critic states that Regent Seven Seas has ?the highest space per guest and staff per guest ratio?. They all feature several restaurants, including the Compasss Rose, the La Veranda, Prime 7, a contemporary American Steakhouse and Signatures, dedicated to Le Cordon Bleu cuisine.

The price of Regent Seven Seas cruises included 2-for-1 fare savings, free roundtrip air with a free upgrade to business class in Penthouse Suites and higher, free unlimited shore excursions, a free luxury hotel pre-stay package for one night, free beverages, free pre-paid gratuities, free ground transfers, in-suite dining, Bulter service in Penthouse Suites or higher, a welcome bottle of champagne and free-in suite mini-bar replenished daily.

A sample of sailings and savings that are in effect until September 30, 2011:

The 11 night Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda voyage with two nights in Charlestown and 4 nights in Bermuda. Regular price: $ 11,998; Special offer: $ 4449; The 24 night Ultimate Amazon with overnight in Manaus, Brazil (The Amazon), Regular price: $ 23,998; Special Offer: $ 9999. The 14 Night Fort Lauderdale to Lima, Peru with an overnights in Cartagena ,Colombia and Lima, Peru and passage through the Panama Canal, Regular Price: $ 21,198l. Special Offer: $ 8799. The 17 night Fort Lauderdale, Panama Canal Transit to San Francisco; Regular Price: $ 17,9998. Special Price: $ 7,249.

Contact Best Cruises and Travel Now, (203) 221-3171, toll free at (888) 499-7245 or egreenwald@cruiseplanners.com before September 30, 2011 to take advantage of the special offers. Check their website at: http://www.BestCruisesAndTravelNow.com for additional information and specials.

Best Cruises and Travel Now is a American Express Travel representative and offers its clients all American Express Travel benefits. This includes the American Express Rewards Pay With Points program, where clients can pay for part or all of their trip using their Membership Reward Points; The Cruise Privileges Program where cardholders receive additional amenities like shipboard credits, upgrades, specialty dining, complimentary spa treatments and more; The Mariners Club, where clients receive the services of a Mariner Host, complimentary shore side events and private cocktails parties, at no charge; clients receive opportunities to travel in American Express Groups and take advantage of American Express Destination Family and Destination Vacations programs.

Best Cruises and Travel Now, an affiliate of Cruise Planners, offers its clients a new, free, on-line gift registry for honeymoons/weddings and celebration travel. Clients go directly to http://www.BestCruisesandTravelNow.com and access the travel registry . Clients register online and select the activities they want as gifts and can also create their own personal website to share their story, upload photos and send announcements and emails. The average couple saves $ 2500 on their honeymoon or celebration travel.

To protect their client?s investment and for their client?s peace of mind, Best Cruises and Travel Now sells low-cost, comprehensive travel insurance through Access America. This Worldwide Travel Protection offers benefits like trip cancellation and interruption for medical or business reasons, emergency medical and dental coverage, emergency medical transportation, coverage for lsot, damaged, stolen or delayed baggage, concierge service, a 24-hour hotline so help is just a phone call away and optional Cancel Anytime coverage that allows the traveler to cancel their trip for virtually any reason.

Best Cruises and Travel Now is a full service travel agency featuring licensed, seasoned and passionate travel professionals who sell all-inclusive resorts, land tours, cruises and air/hotel packages. They are affiliated with Cruise Planners and American Express, who have been partners for fifteen years. As a result of this affiliation, Best Cruises and Travel Now give its clients wonderful group volume discount pricing and amenities not available anywhere else. These amenities include free upgrades, onboard credit, free specialty dining, free spa treatments, free cocktail parties and much more. Best Cruises and Travel Now personalizes and customizes travel by listening to their client?s needs, interests and budget, matching their client to the perfect vacation. They save their clients time, money and the heartache of being burned by booking travel on-line. They pride themselves in their excellent customer service, before, during and after the trip. For the best travel advice, values and service, call Best Cruises and Travel Now.

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New Release Offers Physic Professor?s Own Prophecy on World Ending in 2012; Book by Christopher Keating

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 08:18:36 +0000

Arnold, MD (PRWEB) August 17, 2011

People all over the world will be waiting to see what happens Dec. 21, 2012 ? the date that the world as we know it is predicted to end. In this new book, the author examines Mayan calendar end dates, galactic alignments, Pleiades photon belts, polar axis shifts super volcanoes and Nostradamus? end-of-the-world claims and details his beliefs that all are ?creative fiction spun from some kernels of scientific facts.? The book delves into the background of the different theories, showing why no one should be afraid of that date.

Dialogues on 2012, set in 2012, is written against the backdrop of three lifelong friends exchanging e-mails about different aspects of the 2012 predictions. The friends run the gamut: Fred is a believer, Tom is a disbeliever and Aileen wavers between the two perspectives. As they exchange their ideas, the friends each bring something of value to the discussion. Detailed endnotes enhance the author?s credibility on the subject. This critical ? and at times light-hearted ? scientifically accurate book shines a needed spotlight on end-of-the-world claims that have gained attention as the date draws closer.

This is the first book for popular reading by author Christopher Keating, a professor of physics with 20 years of experience conducting research in space physics, has taught undergraduate physics, space science and astronomy. This no-nonsense individual served for more than 30 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve working mainly as a naval intelligence analyst. He also spent time with the physics department at the U.S. Naval Academy.

For more information, visit http://www.dialogueson2012.com

DIALOGUES ON 2012: WHY THE WORLD WILL NOT END

Christopher Keating

Dog Ear Publishing

ISBN: 978-145750-383-2????????????????????????360 pages???????????????????????? $ 18.50 US

Available at Ingram, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble

and fine bookstores everywhere

About Dog Ear Publishing, LLC

Dog Ear Publishing offers completely customized self-publishing services for independent authors. We provide cost-effective, fast, and highly profitable services to publish and distribute independently published books. Our book publishing and distribution services reach worldwide. Dog Ear authors retain all rights and complete creative control throughout the entire self-publishing process. Self-publishing services are available globally at http://www.dogearpublishing.net and from our offices in Indianapolis.

Dog Ear Publishing ? self-publishing that actually makes sense.

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New Book Reveals Fascinating Ideas Worth Considering

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:29:41 +0000

Hagerstown, MD (PRWEB) August 23, 2011

People generally have many ideas. From the onset of toddlerhood, most individuals already have opinions, thoughts, and epiphanies on how things are, or could be. Ironically, as one grows older and gains knowledge, this zeal to change the world inevitably dies down. The process of forcibly hammering their square peg into the round hole provided by civil society apparently turns a wide-eyed dreamer into a disillusioned, benign wage slave.

Doctor of Physics and seasoned IT professional Pardu S. Ponnapalli decided not to let his dreams and ideas die. His first book, Just A Bunch Of Crazy Ideas, contains exactly what the title purports: it?s a collection of eccentric theories that just might work.

This book is about thoughts and ideas on a wide range of subjects. The ideas range from how to modify the game of chess to create an interesting version to how to pursue exploration of space in a way that captures the imagination of the public. New and innovative viewpoints on practical methods to building a space elevator, designing a method to cope with cat litter and some simple ways to conserve energy are also presented. Economic themes about the federal debt and deficit are also examined.

Just A Bunch Of Crazy Ideas is a very entertaining and mind-stimulating read. For people who still have their sense of wonder and adventure, this book will reinforce their will to keep their ideas fresh and alive. For those who have settled with the daily humdrum of mindless work and bills-paying, this might just be the intellectual push needed to revive the idea-filled child within.

For more information on this book and the author, interested parties may contact Xlibris at (888) 795-4274.

About the Author

Pardu S. Ponnapalli is an IT professional working in Rockville, Maryland. He has been a Star Trek buff all his life. He lives in Hagerstown, Md. with his wife, son, dog and two cats. After earning a Ph.D. in Physics, he was promptly rewarded with unemployment. Realizing that he had lofty ambitions in life (like eating), he switched into the lucrative IT industry. He has been an IT professional for about 20 years. His hobbies and passions include chess, astronomy and most of all playing with his son.

For more information on self-publishing or marketing with Xlibris, visit http://www.Xlibris.com. To receive a free publishing guide, please call (888) 795-4274.

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STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at the Leading Edge when Preserving Digital Scientific Data

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:50:01 +0000

Oxford, UK (PRWEB UK) 23 August 2011

Tessella, the international provider of science powered technology and consulting services is pleased to announce that it has been selected by the Science and Technology Facilities Council to set up a pilot of Tessella?s Safety Deposit Box (SDB) to manage part of their scientific data archive.

David Corney, Head of Data Services at RAL said: ?SDB integrates perfectly into our scientific data archive.?

The selection follows a successful pilot project used to evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of SDB for storing part of RAL?s data. Initially, datasets from the ISIS neutron spallation experiments will be collected and ingested in to SDB4, together with the metadata required to facilitate long-term management and preservation. SDB4 supports multiple data ?tenants? and it is expected that the pilot will be extended to other users such as the British Atmospheric Data Centre.

SDB has been used for many years to store digital assets in memory institutes, but its use in a scientific environment is new. RAL is at the leading edge of digital archiving of scientific data. SDB will enable RAL to assess the benefits of long-term data preservation to scientific research environments.

Jon Tilbury, Director at Tessella said: ?We are extremely pleased that RAL has chosen Tessella?s SDB. The flexibility of SDB’s Digital Preservation Platform has come to the fore proving that it is a mature business solution ready for widespread adoption by academic and commercial organisations, as well as its traditional success with memory institutions. It is also great to work on a project linking Tessella’s scientific heritage with our innovative work in Digital Archiving.?

Tessella will provide RAL with SDB4, the latest version, and will collaborate closely with key individuals from the eScience team and ISIS data administrators.

Tessella?s SDB technology is the leading platform for the preservation of long-term digital records in archives around the world. SDB4 has been designed to help memory institutions (including libraries and archives), who are already skilled at preserving paper material, but face the problems posed by preserving material stored in digital formats.

Pilot users will join the SDB community which includes other archives and libraries such as the UK, Swiss, Malaysian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, and Austrian State Archives, as well as the Rotterdam Regional Archives, the Wellcome Trust Library and recently Family Search.

Tessella?s Safety Deposit Box (SDB) was developed out of work done in partnership with The National Archives of the UK to help confront the problem of digital preservation. The software, which has already been in use at The National Archives for over six years as the basis of their

award-winning Digital Archive system, has been significantly enhanced as part of The National Archives? Seamless Flow programme.

Tessella has over 30 years of experience supporting scientific research organisations, including RAL, and has a deep appreciation of their long-term data needs. SDB has been constructed to support archiving and preservation of all kinds of scientific and technical data, not simply documents.

Notes to the Editor

About STFC

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security.

The Council has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar.

STFC operates or hosts world class experimental facilities including:????????

????In the UK; ISIS pulsed neutron source, the Central Laser Facility, and LOFAR. STFC is also the majority shareholder in Diamond Light Source Ltd.
????overseas; telescopes on La Palma and Hawaii

It enables UK researchers to access leading international science facilities by funding membership of international bodies including European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

STFC is one of seven publicly-funded research councils. It is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

http://www.stfc.ac.uk

About Digital Archiving at Tessella

Tessella are world leaders in the provision of Digital Archiving technologies, working with major governments in 7 countries across 3 continents. Tessella’s Digital Archiving offerings cover software, consulting, research and support and place us at the cutting edge of this emerging discipline. Our core technology, SDB, is now in its fourth generation and provides stable professionally supported platform with the flexibility to deliver individual customer needs.

For further information visit our dedicated microsite on http://www.digital-preservation.com/

About Tessella

Founded in 1980, Tessella is the international provider of science powered technology and consulting services. World leading organizations choose our unique blend of science, engineering and sector expertise to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions to complex real-world commercial and technical challenges. Our people are high achievers from leading universities and are passionate about delivering value to clients.

For further information visit our dedicated website on http://www.tessella.com/

Media Contacts

Tessella

Christina Tealdi | Public and Analyst Relations Executive

Phone: +44 (0) 1235 555511 | Mobile: + 44 (0) 779 9346453 | christina.tealdi(at)tessella(dot)com

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Past Present and Future Lucida Design Ring is Now the Brightest Star at AtlantaDiamondBroker.com

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:09:55 +0000

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) August 30, 2011

AtlantaDiamondBroker.com, the online retailer of engagement and wedding jewelry, announces its newest Lucida design, the Past Present and Future Lucida Design Anniversary Ring in 14k gold.

The name Lucida means the brightest star and is a term used in astronomy to refer to the brightest star in a constellation. The Past Present and Future Lucida Ring is a popular design in part due to the type of setting used, this setting is known to be secure making it almost impossible to lose a diamond. The latest Past Present and Future Lucida design being offered by AtlantaDiamondBroker.com is a 1.5 CTTW (carat total weight), three stone, round diamond and can serve as an anniversary or engagement ring. This ring is made with G-H Color and VS-SI Clarity, meaning the ring is nearly colorless and appears visually clean.

Clients can also choose from three kinds of metal from the drop-down menu: 14k gold, 18k white gold, or platinum; however, orders with 18K white gold and platinum finishes are non-refundable because they are custom made. There is a separate drop-down menu for choosing the correct ring size.

The Past Present & Future Lucida design is available for other diamond shapes as well. Clients seeking a different diamond cut with the same Lucida setting will be relieved to know that Atlanta Diamond Broker can set many shapes of diamond into the Lucida setting. They have their choice of asscher to radiant, cushion to princess cut, or even a traditional round brilliant cut diamond.

Atlanta Diamond Broker makes their client’s experiences a priority. A recent satisfied client says, ?My experience with Atlanta Diamond Broker has been exceptional! I had the pleasure of working with the owner Minoo Shahedpour to help my brother find the perfect engagement ring for his soon-to-be bride. Minoo made sure the ring was exactly what we envisioned, and it turned out to be perfect! My brother and his fiance are thrilled, and I highly recommend this company to everyone!?

This beautiful ring is now listed at $ 7,150.00 after a recent price drop for limited time on Atlanta Diamond Broker?s website. Jewelry prices on the website, including loose diamonds, range from $ 495 to over half a million dollars.

AtlantaDiamondBroker.com also specializes in men’s and women?s jewelry, bracelets, earrings, pendants, loose diamonds, diamond studs, wedding, anniversary, and eternity bands.

For more information, visit the upgraded website at http://www.atlantadiamondbroker.com/. Connect with Atlanta Diamond Broker on Facebook to see the latest news or follow the company on Twitter @ATLdiamonds to discover upcoming promotions.

About AtlantaDiamondBroker.com

The Atlanta Diamond Broker company was built on a unique idea: buying an engagement ring should be as easy as falling in love and affordable to everyone. The company was founded in 2007 by Minoo Shahedpour, who worked for jewelry companies that typically applied a 200 percent to 800 percent markup on retail goods. Each time she sold jewelry, she wished that she could give a better discount to her customers, and she soon developed a dream to make high quality luxury diamonds and jewelry affordable to everyone. AtlantaDiamondBroker.com achieves these aspirations by delivering better online customer service and affordability to its clients.

Contact:

Minoo Shahedpour

888-90-Diamond

info(at)atlantadiamondbroker(dot)com

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Opticsplanet Stocks up on their Exclusive Celestron Telescopes and Spotting Scopes

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:13:42 +0000

Northbrook, Illinois (PRWEB) August 31, 2011

OpticsPlanet, Inc. (http://www.opticsplanet.net), the world’s largest specialized internet retailer of telescopes, binoculars and spotting scopes, is happy to announce the return of the Celestron Ultima, Celestron PowerSeeker and Celestron Maksutov. These award-winning telescopes and spotting scopes are back by popular demand and available exclusively at OpticsPlanet.net, Tactical-Store.com, and OpticsforYou.com.

The Celestron Ultima Angled 80 Spotting Scope Package won a Brilliance Award in 2009 for Best Spotting Scope Under $ 200. The Ultima comes with everything nature observers need to get started, with an 80mm refractor featuring multi-coated optics and a durable design, perfect for hauling on a favorite hiking trail. A photographic tripod is included, so a clear, stable image can be achieved quickly and easily.

Like the Ultima, the Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Refractor Telescope Package also won a Brilliance Award in 2009. This Best Telescope for under $ 150 continues to be an outstanding value, with a plethora of features and high level performance at a low price. Minute adjusts are necessary to discover the many mysteries of space, so the included Celestron Motor Drive gives beginning astronomers the chance to star gaze like the pros.

For those looking to observe both terrestrial and astronomical objects, the Celestron C90 Mak Spotting Scope and Celestron 90mm Maksutov Spotting Scope Package are excellent choices. Both feature a 90mm aperture, which is especially large for spotting scopes in this price range. Large apertures provide brighter image, with more detail at greater magnifications. Hunters also love these spotting scopes for their outstanding range and low price.

OpticsPlanet is proud to have these Celestron Spotting Scopes and Telescopes back in their stores before the holiday season. Customers have loved these exclusive products since their debut, and the demand has never been higher. With these options, OpticsPlanet continues to work toward their goal of bringing the best astronomy and nature observing products to the market.

About OpticsPlanet, Inc.

Founded in 1999, OpticsPlanet, Inc. has quickly become one of the world’s leading online retailers specializing in sport optics, tactical and military gear, binoculars, night vision optics, rifle scopes and sunglasses. Based outside Chicago in Northbrook, Illinois, the company operates a network of online stores including: OpticsPlanet.com, Tactical-Store.com, RangeFinders.com, GunCases.com, and Dvor.com, the first members-only online store offering exclusive flash sale deals on outdoor, sports and hunting gear.

The company has received numerous industry awards and has been recognized by its customers and several major publications for its excellent service and stellar sales growth. In 2011, the company was recognized for the fifth straight year by Internet Retailer Magazine as one of the top 500 e-retailers in the United States. OpticsPlanet.com has also been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the top 5000 fastest growing companies in the United States.

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NotJustTelescopes.com Expands Efforts Into the Blogosphere

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:26:49 +0000

Middletown, CT (PRWEB) September 08, 2011

In an effort to stay current with ever changing market conditions,website managers have established the blog, TelescopeBlogger.blogspot.com. In creating this arm, the website can effectively expand its efforts in reaching those seeking not just product access, but information about product as well.

The objective of the marketing site remains two-fold as it has been from the beginning of the venture, and that is to not only provide broad range product access to telescopes, binoculars, monoculars, and night vision optics, but also to be a resource center for learning and teaching about both the origins and history of the products, but for the varied scientific and recreational uses as well.

The blog, in parallel fashion will be two-fold as well. The reading audience will hopefully keep writers on their toes as to views of the marketplace, and in addition help to develop a dialogue as to the changes taking place on the political side of this non-invasive and non-threatening industry and the adventure side that is so specifically impacted by that political side.

This next input will be best considered within the conversation of the blog, but once this fascinating area of activity is discovered, there is an amazing mix of activity and (forgive the word use) foci in the world of recreational and scientific optics. In the past year or so, there has even been a strong political bent what with the end of the NASA shuttle program, the question of the future of U.S. domestic space programs, telescopic exploration of the universe with the potential end to the James Webb telescope project, and whatever headline hits the media next.

So join the NotJustTelescope gang in this adventure. Feel free to respond back with thoughts, comments and whatever comes to mind regarding the subject that day. Tell the world of your adventures in optics.

NotJustTelescopes.com is an eCommerce venture in the optics market niche launched with a start up selection of popular recreational products for the outdoor activity enthusiast marketing binoculars, monoculars, night vision optics, and, of course, telescopes.

Maine Starlight Festival Shines for 11 Days of Statewide Inspiration, Presented by the Island Astronomy Institute Starting Sept 23

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:02:06 +0000

Tremont, Maine (PRWEB) September 12, 2011

Maine has more stars than any state east of the Mississippi according to the “World Wide Atlas of Night Sky Brightness.” As a result, Maine is increasingly recognized as one of the last places in the U.S. to “still have stars”. The state’s investments in the capabilities of the Island Astronomy Institute has enabled Maine to emerge as a national leader in the promotion and protection of its newly recognized natural resource.

The statewide celebration of this cultural resource features star parties, a night sky inspired sing-a-long, solar observing, university planetarium and observatory shows, lectures by astronomers and other educators, a telescope clinic, interactive demonstrations and workshops, artistic works “capturing the inspiration of Maine’s night skies” including a screening of the Maine-inspired documentary film ?The City Dark? and a discussion with the Director, Ian Cheney, nature programs for children, an educational light display and promotion, a special family program at the Challenger Learning Center of Maine, plus more events and updates being added daily.

According to Peter Lord, the Institute’s founder and executive director, “The response we?ve received to our work, and to the creation of the Maine Starlight Festival has been remarkably positive. People in Maine know first hand that this is a special place. With their own eyes … from their own backyards, people all across Maine can see what is easily the largest, most inspiring connection to the natural world. They live every day with the original source and inspiration for science itself.”

?What?s taking place across Maine this Fall is a dramatic expansion of our original work in and around Acadia National Park. All of this activity is essential if we are to advance onto the new ground of making a measurable difference” continues Lord, an experienced Aerospace Systems Engineer, and member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. “People forget how far light travels. With our new equipment we can measure sky glow coming from as far away as 60 miles in all directions. That means getting communities all across the state working together is essential for Maine, if it wants is to hang on to what it has.”

Many of the festival’s events have an obvious educational focus, such as ?The Birth and Death of Stars? with images of star formation and others captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, and the interactive astrolabe lecture. There will also be a “Hands On Innovation” talk by Maine’s own NASA design competition winner, Peter Homer and a lecture on the “Biology of Light” to further connect people even more directly with science. Art inspired by Maine’s night sky is featured on the festival’s website and at local galleries and businesses.

(For the complete schedule and more information visit http://www.starlightfestival.org )

Since 2004, the Island Astronomy Institute has been supported by NASA, the Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Department of Tourism, and has worked with colleges, universities, libraries, schools and conservation and civic groups. A National Leader in Night Sky Protection. “To found the Maine Starlight Festival we reached out and partnered with every astronomy club in the state in order to expand the measurement, promotional and protection work we’ve done in and around the communities surrounding Acadia National Park. The festival reconnects us to the Institute’s original foundation and spirit as we share our work with entirely new communities all across the state. In many ways it has brought us back to our roots as a community-focused nonprofit and it feels good … really good.” said Lord.

“And yes we have a hidden agenda” admitted Lord. “While everyone is having a great time and no one is looking, we will be providing homeowners and community members with exactly the same night sky quality management information as a national park superintendent. We will be empowering and engaging them to think like “citizen scientists” at the grassroots level, to protect something they care about for their own benefit, not just because someone in the government told them they had to.” The Institute’s efforts are beginning to attract national attention – most recently by MIT’s National Science Festival Alliance.

About The Island Astronomy Institute:

The mission of the 501(c)3 Institute is “to provide programs, facilities, and resources to schools, teachers, and the public, to promote astronomy as a stimulating educational and cultural activity for people of all ages.” It was founded in 2004 with support from the NASA

funded Maine Space Grant Consortium, to meet the needs of local educators for high quality space science instruction. The Institute’s current efforts are focused on state-of-the-art light pollution management and educational programs, made possible by the transfer of government developed technology into the private sector. The transfer created the nation’s first independent professional measurement service.

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Adaptive Computing Enables Industry-Collaborative Business Model for Leading UK Research University

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:13:26 +0000

Provo, UT (PRWEB) September 13, 2011

Adaptive Computing, the leading provider of self-optimizing, dynamic cloud solutions and HPC workload management systems, today announced that the University of Warwick in Coventry, England has chosen Moab Cluster Suite? to drive the organization?s new high performance computing (HPC) environment. Adaptive Computing?s Moab Cluster Suite? is a patented multi-dimensional decision engine that is ideally suited to accelerate workload processes and adapt the computing environment to meet the University?s increasing usage demands, from both its own research team ? the University?s PhD population is anticipated to double by 2015 ? and from local enterprises, universities and research collaborators that employ its HPC service.

?As a university with strategic partnerships with local and global industries, we are working to develop an HPC service where external organizations can actually purchase use of the University?s HPC system, much like a public cloud service,? said Matt Ismail, HPC Manager at the Centre for Scientific Computing, University of Warwick. ?Moab?s ability to adapt to and grow with our users? changing requirements was a key factor in this decision.?

The University of Warwick is a public, research-led university committed to playing a significant role in the economic and social life of the region. Warwick has established a reputation for the quality of its research and has ambitious goals for continuing growth to become one of the top fifty world-ranked universities.

The University?s HPC service is already part of Distributed Research Utilizing Advanced Computing (DiRAC), an integrated supercomputing facility for theoretical modeling and HPC-based research in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology ? world-leading research disciplines for the United Kingdom. Moab Cluster Suite? enables the University to map workload management decisions onto the diverse organizational structure of the user community?s policies and decision-making trees. Equally beneficial is that the University?s new HPC service with Moab delivers appropriate usage for the various academic and business stakeholders and that value is substantiated.

?The University of Warwick is a great example of how Moab technology is resonating with the modern HPC manager, who is open to turning HPC into more of a service, both internally and externally,? said Robert Clyde, CEO of Adaptive Computing. ?By facilitating the University in the commercial licensing of its HPC service, Adaptive Computing is helping Warwick to provide internationally competitive research groups with the tools to reach their goals.?

About The University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is consistently ranked by the UK?s Times, Sunday Times and Guardian newspapers as one of the UK?s top 10 research led Universities. More at: http://www.warwick.ac.uk/.

About Adaptive Computing

Adaptive Computing is Accelerating IT for the Speed of Business with self-optimizing dynamic cloud solutions and HPC workload management systems driven by Moab?, a patented multidimensional decision engine. Moab? delivers policy-based governance, allowing customers to consolidate and virtualize resources, allocate and manage applications, optimize service levels and reduce operational costs. Adaptive Computing manages the world?s largest computing installations and is the preferred dynamic cloud and workload management solution for the leading global HPC and data center vendors. For more information, call (801) 717-3700 or visit http://www.adaptivecomputing.com.

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Romance Your Love Stars

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:24:27 +0000

(PRWEB) February 14, 2005

?Roses are red, violets are blue ? virtual guidance on romance, love under the stars at Astrolovemates.com is the answer for you – find out about night sky stars at Astronomy too.?

Fiona Stewart is an award-winning communicator, psychologist, who says, ?for FREE guidance visit Astronomy articles for weekly mind-stimulating feature stars updates and read your zodiac love stars for romance of the heart at Astrolovemates.? Fiona Stewart predicts in the Chinese Year of the Rooster that, ?magical romance moments for many will come home to roost, need guidance on how then see Astrolovemates.com your weekly love life destiny boost.?

Fiona Stewart is a star writer, editor for Astronomy on the internet reaching millions interested in astronomy worldwide and creator, writer for Astrolovemates.com for soulmates, love under the stars. She offers personally written advice and articles – quality, independent editorial for women with a following by men too.

You may ask what does astronomy have to do with love under the stars? She smiles, ?A passionate, intelligent, enquiring mind provides great personal fulfilment. More people than ever before are now choosing to spend a night with likeminded others and their love passion under the stars – astronomy – as the study of the stars grows in popularity.? She adds, ?Many stars, as well as shooting stars and a rare comet, can easily be seen on a clear sky night through your window at home, with the naked eye too.?

She concludes ?With Astronomy, I stimulate your mind every week with new features, your passion to ask questions and develop understanding about the stars, universe.? Today she launches a Mars ? Venus Challenge quiz, for you to test your Mars ? Venus knowledge, which reveals your score and stores the top scores in the Astronomy Hall of Fame, can you get 100%?

Fiona Stewart has written many top-ranked google, yahoo and alexa (amazon.com) articles, investigative enquiring journalistic reports to name but a few – Life on Mars? Venus Earth?s Life Future? Alongside popular reader Astronomy- space features on Saturn, Titan, Meteorites, Zodiac Constellations, Famous Astronomers, History.

Seeking romantic love, wealth, health in abundance? Request your special Astrolovemates reports to reveal your love life destiny potential, passion, sexuality, soulmates, and your very own soulmate symbol, Astrolovemates star crystal for luck.

For further information, logon to Astrolovemates.com

Biography – About the Astronomy Editor

Fiona Stewart, BSc. Biochem.MPhilPsych.NLP, award-winning communicator, psychologist, international and UK writer author with articles published in nationals, news, consumer, health, medical, psychology, astronomy, astrology and women’s interest. Awards include a Financial Times Business of The Year Award; Prestigious Driver Prize from top 3 UK Psychology University and most unusual SPICE Adventure Group Award. Trained by leading international stars in corporate crisis issues management, photo-journalism and as a media spokesperson.

NLP Business Practitioner for corporate and personal development, who supports conservation of souls, wolves and hawks. Passionate about the stars in the sky since childhood, an astrology newspaper column 1994-5 and today hosts the worldwide website Astrolovemates.com about the stars and much more. Astrolovemates means Soulmates Love Under the Stars.

Fiona Stewart, author writer, is also working on her second book ‘Is This the New Atlantis?’ using her astronomy skills to unravel ancient mysteries, mathematics of astronomer astro-physicists about mythical Atlantis rumoured to be from the stars beyond. Fiona Stewart, author writer, is almost ready to publish ‘Find Your True Self, Love Under The Stars’, a star guide 12 zodiac signs. She also writes a ‘weekly stars’ column which has a growing following called ?Your Zodiac Signs – Love Stars, using a unique scientific planetary alchemy tables, her own stars formula and intuition. Fiona lives in the beautiful countryside vales of the Lambourn Valley, Royal Berkshires. She finds the peaceful protected countryside inspiring.

Often while writing in her cottage, she watches the crystal clear water flowing from an ancient watermill and the night sky view of the stars above. Her other interests are her star dog “yang”, home feungshai, reiki practitioner and crystals, theatre, cooking, reading and photography.

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iOptron Announces Caroline Moore as the Young Astronomer of the Year

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:54 +0000

Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 6, 2009

iOptron Corporation (a division of Boston Applied Technologies, Inc.) is proud to announce Caroline Moore as the iOptron Young Astronomer of the Year for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA). This last November at age 14 Caroline became the youngest person to discover a supernova. As part of the Puckett Observatory Supernova Search Team, Caroline spent months in front of her computer looking through data. Then one night she saw something out of the ordinary in the constellation Pegasus. A week after submitting it to the International Astronomical Union she received a phone call confirming that what she discovered was one of the dimmest supernovas ever found.

As the Young Astronomer of the Year, Caroline will be an active participant of iOptron’s IYA Initiatives throughout the year helping to promote astronomy with young people. “We are all proud of Caroline and her accomplishments,” says John Hou VP Marketing at iOptron. “The fact that she is so young and knowledgeable about astronomy makes her the perfect representative.”

Since her discovery she has received numerous recognitions and media interviews. Caroline’s school district in Warwick, NY recently asked her to help set up an astronomy program to help foster astronomy in more young people. iOptron has also agreed to sponsor the program by donating astronomy equipment to the school.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA 2009) is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. As part of IYA 2009 iOptron will sponsor a number of events and activities throughout the year to encourage young people to become more interested in astronomy.

So how did this all begin for Caroline? It all started one night at dinner with some family friends in early 2008. The friends were sharing how a search team had discovered a supernova and that one of the members was only 18. Hearing that an 18-year-old had found a supernova Caroline pronounced, “I could beat her”.

That was the beginning of a long eight months. First she had to get a new computer and install all the software, then learn how to get the data and what to do with it.

Then on November 6, 2008 Caroline spotted something odd in one of the data files of distant galaxy UGC 12682, located in the constellation Pegasus. The image of the object was very faint but she noticed some pixels off to one side of the galaxy that made her suspicious, Caroline did all the checks and ran it through all the data basis. “I’m going to send it in. I think it’s something,” she told her Dad. It took couple nights until the team could get a confirmation image and it looked like her suspicions were confirmed. Team leader, Tim Puckett sent what’s called a CBAT (Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams).

A week later at 11:30pm at night the phone rang. It was Mike Peoples, the friend who helped Caroline and her dad set up the equipment. He told Bob, Caroline’s Dad, he had to talk to her “We got confirmation and boy it’s a strange one,” said Bob Moore. “I’ll have to drag her out of bed.” He did and handed her the phone. With the phone to her ear a smile came to her face and then she just started laughing.

Supernova 2008ha is in UGC 12682, a galaxy that is eating itself and where Supernovae normally do not occur. This is one of the things the makes Caroline’s discovery so unique. It is also a type 1a supernova and possibly the least luminous supernovae ever observed.

About iOptron:

iOptron (http://www.ioptron.com) is a global company specialized in the development, manufacturing and marketing of innovative computerized telescopes and cutting-edge imaging products for multiple applications. The SmartStar? telescope mounts and telescope systems are the flagship offerings from iOptron. With iOptron’s SmartStar? star-gazing is no longer an activity reserved only for serious hobbyists. SmartStar? GoTo and GPS Telescopes are user-friendly, accurate, portable and fun to operate.

Media Contact:

Coleman Coates

iOptron Corporation

781.569.0200 Ext. 256

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The Launch of Explore Scientific, LLC is Announced at the Astronomical League Conference (ALCON)

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:54 +0000

Laguna Hills, Calif. (PRWEB) July 22, 2008

Astronomy outreach enthusiast and former VP of Meade Instruments, Scott W. Roberts, announced his return to the telescope manufacturing industry with the launch of Explore Scientific, LLC during the annual Astronomical League’s Awards Banquet in Des Moines, Iowa.

The announcement was made to an amateur astronomer audience that included well-known planetary researchers, astronomy club presidents, active supporters of the Astronomical League, and award recipients that have made major contributions to astronomical science and educational outreach.

Explore Scientific is designing and building telescopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, and microscopes and will engage their customers and the interested public with recognition programs, awards, workshops, and expeditions. The company will also celebrate the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, sanctioned by UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union to spread worldwide awareness of astronomy. But the announcement comes early as the company will not have products available for market until sometime this fall.

Roberts explains: “For many years, I exhibited products for and presented awards on behalf of telescope maker Meade Instruments at ALCON, and when the Astronomical League’s President, Terry Mann, contacted me to let me know that they were looking for a new sponsor for their National Young Astronomer Award, and Leslie C. Peltier Award, I made a commitment on the spot that we would support these venerable programs. Programs to recognize astronomical achievement by youth and for lifetime contributions in astronomy fit perfectly with the mission of Explore Scientific. So although an announcement in July would be premature, it was important to let the amateur astronomical community know that we are committed to supporting the causes and recognition programs that are important to them.”

As the award ceremonies got underway, Roberts made a toast to a filled banquet room and dedicated Explore Scientifics’ sponsorship to John Diebel and Meade Instruments: “We dedicate our sponsorship of these awards to John Diebel who for many years with Meade Instruments, supported those who have a passion for science and astronomy, and inspires us to serve amateur astronomers through product innovation and community sustentation.”

The National Young Astronomer Award was presented to 17 year old John Hodge II for his work on cataclysmic variable stars, and the Leslie C. Peltier Award was presented to Richard G. Hodgson for his outstanding work with the Minor Planets Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers.

Hodgson was the first to propose the idea that asteroids could have their own moons or satellites. His idea was met with great skepticism by the professional research community, that is, until he made he made a discovery of one. Explore Scientific provided financial support for these awards and presented John Hodge with a 127mm ED Apochromatic Refractor telescope and equatorial mount valued at nearly $ 3000.

Terry Mann, the President of the Astronomical League writes: “On behalf of over 15,000 members of the Astronomical League I would like to thank Explore Scientific for their support of the National Young Astronomer Award and the Peltier Award. We are very grateful for their dedication to the astronomy community.”

ABOUT EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC

Founded to make astronomy, microscopy, and exploration of nature accessible and affordable, Explore Scientific, LLC helps the general public experience the adventure, wonder, and excitement of scientific exploration. The company designs, builds, and sells telescopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, and microscopes that are high-quality, durable, and a great value. The company engages its audience through participation in recognition programs, awards, workshops, and expeditions.

CONTACT:

Explore Scientific, LLC

Scott Roberts, President and Manager

(888)599-7597 or (949)916-2418

explore @ explorescientific.com

http://www.explorescientific.com

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Dorrit Hoffleit Named Two-Time Cambridge Who’s Who Professional of the Year in Astronomy Education

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:53 +0000

New Haven, CT (PRWEB) September 7, 2007

TheDorrit Hoffleit, Ph.D., Senior Research Astronomer Emeritus of Yale University, was named Professional of the Year in Astronomy Education by Cambridge Who’s Who for 2006-2007, the second year Hoffleit has been thus honored. Cambridge Who’s Who selection committee hand picks these special Who’s Who honorees based on accomplishments, academic achievement, leadership, and service.

Hoffleit, an authority on variable stars, astrometry, and the history of astronomy, began her career in 1929 as a research assistant at Harvard. She soon became an expert in determining the absolute brightness of stars. In 1943 she joined the Ballistic Research Lab at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, where she computed missile trajectories. In 1956, Hoffleit went to Yale to run its star cataloging program.

Hoffleit has authored numerous books, including The Bright Star Catalogue, on the 9,110 brightest stars in the sky, and Astronomy at Yale, 1701-1968. She has also produced hundreds of scholarly papers. Hoffleit, who is 99 years old, continues to write papers, review books and update The Bright Star Catalogue.

Hoffleit received her Ph.D. in Astronomy from Radcliffe College (1938). Her awards include the George van Biesbroeck Award for lifetime service to astronomy and the American Astronomical Society-Annenberg Prize for science education. She was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, and Asteroid Dorritt was named after her. She was recently honored at Yale University at a symposium celebrating her Centennial Year, 2006-2007.

About Cambridge Who’s Who

The mission of Cambridge Who’s Who is to ensure that Cambridge members receive recognition, support and credibility to advance their careers. Cambridge Who’s Who is also committed to delivering the highest quality networking resource for job recruitment, career enhancement and new business development.

Cambridge Who’s Who members have exclusive access to the biographical information of more than 200,000 successful executives, professionals and entrepreneurs at http://www.cambridgewhoswho.com where they use the database to share information, knowledge and services. Communication via the Cambridge Who’s Who registry travels in two directions, enabling Cambridge Who’s Who members to reach out when they have a business need or opportunity as well as receive information on exciting new ventures.

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New Website Helps Busy Amateur Astronomers Enjoy the Wonders of the Night Sky

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:52 +0000

Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) June 17, 2008

Many who pursue amateur astronomy as a pastime are discouraged by the amount of new information they need to learn. From buying and setting up a telescope to finding and appreciating the wonders of the deep sky, learning about astronomy can seem like a daunting task, especially for those preoccupied by the commitments of a busy life. While the fundamentals of astronomy are explained in many excellent websites and books, many such resources require a substantial time commitment. Now, a new website helps beginning and intermediate-level amateur astronomers build their knowledge and appreciation of astronomy through brief, informative, and easy-to-read articles sent by email each week. Free subscriptions to this new website are now available at http://www.oneminuteastronomer.com.

“For beginners and weekend amateur astronomers, there’s no shortage of books and websites out there”, says Dr. Brian Ventrudo, editor of One-Minute Astronomer. “But many people don’t have the time to take in all this information. Until now, there has never been a website that regularly delivers bite-sized chunks of insight and advice to help backyard astronomers learn more about their hobby and stay connected to their interest in the night sky, even if they only have a few minutes a day.”

An avid amateur astronomer, Ventrudo knew many people who once had a keen interest in astronomy but couldn’t find time to pursue their interest because of a demanding career and busy personal life. Leveraging a unique background in astronomy and marketing, he developed a style and format for short, bite-sized articles that engage the reader and offer know-how and insight about amateur astronomy. Each article takes only a minute or two to read and is suitable for even the busiest would-be astronomy buffs.

Subscription to One-Minute Astronomer is free. Subscribers receive two emails each week with a link to a short article about interesting celestial objects, tips on how to select equipment and observe the night sky, and historical vignettes of famous astronomers and astronomical landmarks. All back issues are available in an online archive. For more information visit http://www.oneminuteastronomer.com.

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Night Sky Observer Launches “Photon” Astronomy Online Magazine

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:52 +0000

(PRWEB) May 13, 2005

Night Sky Observer (http://www.nightskyobserver.com) announces the launch of “Photon”, a bi-monthly astronomy magazine which is designed to fill the gap left by regular printed magazines.

The magazine is issued in PDF format and is written by amateur astronomers for amateur astronomers, focusing on topics that relate directly to amateur astronomy rather than more esoteric, armchair-type subjects or other non-practical-related topics. Such topics are well served by mainstream publications. The magazine is designed to have an international flavor.

The layout has been designed so that one page at a time fits on the monitor. Articles have embedded hotlinks to facilitate jumping to relevant associated websites, to supplu background information and to provide online definitions for unfamiliar terms.

Readers will be familiar with some of the authors from the astronomy community who have contributed to ezine. To learn more about Photon, visit the Photon website at http://www.photonezine.com

About Night Sky Observer

Night Sky Observer (http://www.nightskyobserver.com) has had a web presence since 1997, providing astronomy and space news and resource information in that time and is one of the most popular sites of its genre. It is also the home of the highly acclaimed LunarPhase Pro (http://www.lunarphasepro.com) and Jupsat Pro (http://www.jupsatpro.com) astronomy software packages.

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NEW STARRY NIGHT? COMPLETE SPACE & ASTRONOMY PACK HARNESSES THE UNIVERSE FOR YOUR OWN HOME PLANETARIUM New Starry Night deluxe software package introduces in-depth intergalactic exploration in a fun, user-friendly format

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:51 +0000

NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) July 19, 2004

With the world?s eyes on the skies following Saturn and Mars, the Starry Night? Complete Space & Astronomy Pack, Deluxe Edition software package arrives just in time for the astronomy-curious of all ages. Featuring an innovative browser format and brilliantly realistic guided tours, Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack is the newest offering from Imaginova? Corp., developers and publishers of the award-winning line of Starry Night products and Space.com.

?The Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack, Deluxe Edition offers a complete package to first time users, that gets them up and viewing in minutes,? said Seth Meyers, V.P., Product Development, Imaginova Consumer Products & Experiences. ?We want people to have fun learning about space and astronomy, so this new product lets users hitch a ride on a comet, travel in time to watch eclipses, and blast off on starship explorations. Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack, Deluxe Edition is a great, affordable way to introduce your entire family to the wonders of the night sky, with everything you need to get started.?

Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack, Deluxe Edition includes an unparalleled array of resources for those new to astronomy: Starry Night two CD-ROM software set with Web-linked updates; Deep Space Explorer CD-ROM; Sky Theater DVD; and Starry Night Companion illustrated book. The Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack software offers 50 interactive guided tours of the night sky, including seasonal tours of the stars and constellations; the solar system; top ten brightest stars; top twenty star clusters, nebulae and galaxies; and best of show from the Hubble Space Telescope. Following the simple SkyGuide browser format, aspiring astronomers can blast off to view the cosmos from Earth or any other planet within hundreds of light years from the sun, and learn to identify stars, planets or constellations from any angle. The software features an extensive scientific database of stars and planets in the sky from 200 BC to 3000 AD. Users can print handy star charts for outdoor stargazing, and even save color images to create original space designs. The Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack software also links directly to the web for exclusive, automatic updates of new discoveries and data of comets, asteroids and satellites.

In addition to the software, Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack, Deluxe Edition includes the Deep Space Explorer CD-ROM, an interactive 3D odyssey with world-renowned astronomer Brent Tully. It also includes Sky Theater, a 104-minute DVD that takes viewers on a voyage throughout the solar system. Lastly, Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack, Deluxe Edition includes the Starry Night Companion, a bonus 192-page illustrated book, with overviews of the basics of astronomy, hints and tips on sky-watching, and a helpful glossary of astronomical terms.

The Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack, Deluxe Edition has a suggested retail price of $ 49.95, and is available at major retail outlets such as CompUSA and BestBuy, http://www.starrynight.com, or by calling (800) 252-5417. Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack software is WindowsÔ XP and MacintoshÔ OS X 10.3 compatible.

About Imaginova? (http://www.Imaginova.com)

Imaginova?, formerly Space Holdings, is a branded multimedia company that captures people?s fascination with space, science, and technological innovation. The company was formed in 1999. Its brand franchises include: Space News®, the premier business-to-business international news weekly dedicated entirely to the commercial and military space and satellite communications businesses; Space at the Crossroads and Strategic Space, annual industry conferences; Starry Night?, the world?s leading family of astronomy products; and SPACE.com, a web site that offers rich and compelling space, astronomy and technology content, including information, education, entertainment and business news.

Imaginova? is headquartered in New York City with offices and news bureaus in Virginia, Toronto and Paris.

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Southern California Astronomy Exhibition At Oceanside Photo And Telescope July 22 and 29 Visual Seminars; Nighttime Sky Viewings for Visitors of All Ages

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:52:50 +0000

Oceanside, CA (PRWEB) July 14, 2006 ?-

Some of the biggest names in the astronomy community will gather here this month for the second annual Southern California Astronomy Exposition hosted by Oceanside Photo and Telescope (OPT), located at 918 Mission Ave., in Oceanside, CA.

The free exhibition, which attracted 800 visitors last year, is open to the public, and will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 22 and 29 on the grounds of OPT?s 15,000-square foot facility. The expo is one of the largest annual astronomy events in Southern California.

A series of six astronomy-related seminars, which are scheduled for July 29, will be held in OPT?s new permanent Underground Photo Gallery. The industrial-chic gallery opened in early July with a variety of works by acclaimed local photographers specializing in nouveau art, portraiture, sports in action, composite and landscape photography.

Expo seminars on July 22 include ?Southern Nights, Northern Lights,? conducted by Dennis Mammana, a former astronomy writer from the San Diego Union-Tribune and author of six books on astronomy. Also included in the lineup is Gary Palmer, a published imager who will speak on observing the sun. At the end of the day, guests are invited to participate in a free ?star party? at the San Pasqual Historic Battlefield in Escondido, where telescopes will be provided.

The expo continues in OPT?s parking lot on July 29, with more than 20 different manufactures from the telescope and optical industries conducting equipment demonstrations and various presentations in astronomy geared for both novice and expert stargazers. Participating companies include Meade, Celestron, Cannon and Nikon. More than $ 12,000 worth of telescopes and astronomy-related items will be raffled off. And food and beverages will also be served.

Oceanside Photo and Telescope, founded in 1947, remains Southern California?s largest, most established supplier of cameras and telescopes. The store?s web site is: http://www.optcorp.com.

Interviews with OPT owner Craig Weatherwax, or exposition astronomers can be arranged by calling Frank Sabatini Jr. at 619-543-9544 or OPT at 800-483-6287.

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