Archive for November, 2009

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Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA – as of today, genetics can't be a job factor

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
as of today, genetics can’t be a job factor

0 Comments | The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA, Nov 21, 2009 | by JOE MARKMAN

By Joe Markman

Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON

The first federal anti-discrimination law in nearly 20 years takes effect today, prohibiting employers from hiring, firing or determining promotions based on genetic makeup.

In addition, starting Dec. 7, group health insurers will not be allowed to consider a person’s genetics – such as predisposition for Parkinson’s disease – to set insurance rates or deny coverage.

Not since the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 has the federal government implemented such far-reaching workplace protections.

Stuart J. Ishimaru, acting chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said the law reaffirms the idea that people have a right to be judged solely on merit.

The National Federation of Independent Business, an advocacy group for small businesses, filed a number of concerns in April with the EEOC, which will oversee the law
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The grateful living: Thanksgiving more than a speed bump to

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
The grateful living: Thanksgiving more than a speed bump to

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Nov 21, 2009 | by Jerry Johnston Deseret News

There are many “gift-giving” days in the United States — Valentine’s, Christmas, Mother’s Day. But on the one holiday with “giving” in its name, nobody gets a thing.

Thanksgiving is about gratitude.

It’s a day for saying grace.

The problem with Thanksgiving isn’t greed. The problem is the day has been diminished; it’s becoming a speed bump on the road to Christmas.

Thanksgiving has become a “theme” instead of an attitude.

Check the children’s section of local bookstores. You’ll find Thanksgiving books as an occasion for humor, horror, puzzles, history lessons, even art lessons (a Thanksgiving dinner plate where kids make faces with their food).

But there are precious few books about gratefulness.

Gratitude, as an attitude, is in decline.

Perhaps in table graces around the nation, this year’s the time to give thanks for feelings of thankfulness.

The ancient sage Cicero claimed thankfulness was the parent of all other virtues.

Being able to feel grateful is a gift in itself.

In his celebrated book, “Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer,” David Stendl-Rast writes, “Why is it so difficult to acknowledge a gift as a gift? Here is the reason. When I admit that something is a gift, I admit my dependence on the giver.”

And the last thing people want these days is to feel “beholden.” We’re about empowerment, not dependence.

Still, those who learn the art of gratitude soon learn how it can lighten and align a life — how it can smooth out the edges and take the sting from disappointments.

The trick is in the doing.

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today,” writes William A. Ward. “Have you used even one second to say thank you?”

It takes practice.

Elaine St. James, who counsels people in simplifying their lives, says we shouldn’t balk at placing Post-It notes around to remind us to feel gratitude. Put one in the car, she says, and one on the bathroom mirror. Post one to the fridge and another to the television
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Garden Calendar

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
Garden Calendar

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 21, 2009 | by Kathy Bennett

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS

— Home Improvement workshops — The Home Depot will host the following free workshops in November. Repairing Drywall, 10 a.m. Saturdays. Installing Laminate Flooring, 11 a.m. Saturdays. Small Bath Updates, 1 p.m. Sundays. Energy Workshops also will be offered at 1 p.m. Saturdays with Energy Efficient Heating Solutions the topic for Nov. 21; and Check and Install Water Heaters Nov. 28. For locations, visit www.homedepotclinics.com.

— Building Education Center — Painting: Tricks of the Trade, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 21. $85. Hardwood Floor Refinishing, 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Nov. 21-22. $220. “Am I at Risk? Be Sewer Smart!,” 10 a.m.- noon. Free. Customizing Concrete for Counter tops, etc., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 22. $40. Plan Reading, 7-10 p.m. Nov. 24. $40. 812 Page St., West Berkeley; 510-525-7610.

— Gardening classes — Magic Gardens Nursery will host the following free workshops. How to Prune and Divide Perennials, 10 a.m. Nov. 21. Grey water, 10 a.m. Dec. 7. Attendees receive a 10 percent plant discount on the day of class. 729 Heinz Ave., Berkeley; 510-644-2351, www.magicgardens.com.

— Ecology Center classes — Gift-making with Recycled Materials, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 21. Create four holiday items using recycled materials. Class size limited. Call for list of supplies needed for class. $15/$10. Urban Drought Solutions: Greywater, Rainwater Catchment, Earthworks — Tours: begin 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 6. Learn how to turn your house into a water saving site with greywater systems, rainwater catchment, earthworks and landscaping choices. Preregistration required. $15.$19. Climate change, Agro- biodiversity and Food Security: The Value of Traditional Seeds in an Unstable World, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 17. No door fee; donations encouraged. Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley; 510-548-2220, ext. 233, beck@ecologycenter.org.

— Garden-Style Propagation — 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Curator Don Mahoney will discuss propagation methods that bring success for the amateur gardener, and advise attendees during hands-on practice of taking cuttings and sowing seed. San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park, Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way; $30/$20 for members. 415-661-1316, www.sfbotanicalgarden.org.

— Bontanical Garden — 7 p.m. Nov. 23. Paul Licht, Garden Director, UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, will discuss the unique plant collection at the Garden, how the collection is used for research and conservation activities, and highlight his favorite native plants in the Garden. Benicia Library, Dona Benicia Room, 150 East L St. Free. 707-745-4675.

— Mt.

Diablo Adult Education — Winter Wreaths and Living Decorations, 6:45-9:30 p.m. Dec. 2, $15. 1 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill; Preregistration, 925-937-1530.

— Grow Edible Mushrooms at Home — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 13. Take a slide show tour of mushrooms of the Bay Area and learn how to grow edible mushrooms at home. Bring newspaper, cardboard, sawdust, wax, cordless drills, drill bits, and leave with mushrooms of your own. EcoHouse, 1305 Hopkins St. Berkeley; Enter via garden entrance on Peralta. $15 sliding scale; 510-548-2220, ext. 242, ecohuse@ecologycenter.org.

— Bay Friendly Gardening — Composting workshops (free), videos, information and discounted bins for Alameda County residents. 510- 444-SOIL (510-444-7645), www.bayfriendly.org.

— “DIG’s Propagation Workshop” — 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Bring gloves and clippers. Mel’s Greenhouse, 25685 Marsh Creek Road, Brentwood; Delta Informal Gardeners; 925-634-1463.

— Filoli — Offers a variety of classes and workshops for children and adults in art, hiking, flower arranging and gardening. 86 Canada Road, Woodside; $10-$150. 650-364-8300, Ext. 508, www.filoli.org.

CLUBS

— Antioch Riverview Garden Club — 7 p.m. first Tuesdays monthly, except July and December. Antioch City Library, 501 W. 18th St.; 925-439-4483.

— Belmont Garden Club — Meets 9:30 a.m.-noon first Thursdays monthly. Lodge at Twin Pines, Twin Pines Lane, Belmont; Betty, 650- 593-6451.

— Berkeley Garden Club — Meets third Tuesdays monthly. Plant exchange 12:30 p.m., business meeting 2 p.m
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State Auto Insurance Group Named Indiana Company of the Year

Saturday, November 21st, 2009
State Auto Insurance Group Named Indiana Company of the Year

Business Wire, Nov 20, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The State Auto Insurance Group has been named 2009 Company of the Year
by the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI). According to the
IIAI, this award recognizes the company that most demonstrates a strong
commitment to the independent insurance agency system in Indiana.

State Auto received high scores for its commitment to growth in Indiana;
the uniqueness of products, value added services and programs offered to
agencies; a strong, long-term marketing plan for Indiana; and the
quality of its Indiana staff.

Were grateful to the Indiana Big I for choosing State Auto to
receive this honor, said State Auto Chairman and CEO Bob Restrepo. Our
association with Indianas independent agents dates to our founding in
1921, and to this day, Indiana remains one of our most significant
states of operation. Working with our agents, weve produced a track
record of financial security and stability, along with products and
service that benefit our tens of thousands of Indiana policyholders.

The State Auto Group, which includes State Automobile Mutual Insurance
Company, also scored high for its stability in the marketplace, and for
being one of 13 property and casualty companies to have maintained an A
rating from A.M. Best each year since 1954. State Autos strong
commitment to and support of the independent insurance agency system,
along with its support of IIAI, also delivered high scores.

Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI)

The Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana is a trade association
representing over 800 independent insurance agencies in the State of
Indiana
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Williams hoping Keenan's Future takes to Aintree

Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Williams hoping Keenan’s Future takes to Aintree

0 Comments | Daily Post; Liverpool (UK), Nov 20, 2009 | by CHRIS WRIGHT

IAN WILLIAMS is hoping Keenan’s Future will take to the John Smith’s Grand National fences when he tackles them for the first time in Sunday’s totesport.com Becher Chase.

The eight-year-old enjoys a staying test and landed the Crudwell Cup Handicap Chase at Warwick back in March.

Keenan’s Future has been run since finishing an excellent third to Fire And Rain in the Summer National at Uttoxeter in June. Trainer Williams, though, expects him to be fit enough to run a big race in 3m2f contest.

He is currently a 16-1 chance with Ladbrokes and Blue Square behind most firm’s 7-1 favourite, the Dessie Hughes-trained Vic Venturi.

Williams said: “The plan is for him to take his chance and Jason Maguire will ride.

“He’s in good form and Jason was in this morning to school him over a Nationaltype fence and it all went very well
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Back by Popular Demand, CHA Returns to Rosemont

Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Back by Popular Demand, CHA Returns to Rosemont

PR Newswire, Nov 19, 2009

Rosemont to Host the 2010 CHA Summer Show and Craft SuperShow

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ — The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is pleased to announce the CHA 2010 Summer Convention & Trade Show and the CHA Craft SuperShow will return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois after one season in Orlando, Florida. The annual CHA Summer Trade Show will be held from Tuesday, July 27 through Thursday, July 29, followed by the CHA Craft SuperShow consumer event from Friday, July 30 to Saturday, July 31, 2010.

“We are so glad to have CHA back home in Rosemont,” explained Christopher R. Stephens, General Manager, Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center. “We look forward to working with CHA and its members to rejuvenate and revitalize the Summer Show and are also very excited to help promote the new Craft SuperShow to the crafters of the greater Chicagoland area.”

For more than 30 years Rosemont has hosted the annual CHA Summer Show creating a friendly and familiar venue for CHA and its members. Like many other trade shows, CHA recently faced declines in both trade show attendees and exhibitors due to the sagging economy. After trying several different marketing programs to revive the Show in Rosemont, CHA relocated the Summer Show to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida and launched the CHA Craft SuperShow consumer event in 2009 in efforts to reverse this trend, grow the show, and expand the industry.

The CHA 2009 Summer Show in Orlando attracted about 5,000 trade show attendees with a 5% increase in the number of attending retailers over 2008. Summer Show exhibitors came from 49 different states and Puerto Rico, as well as internationally from countries across South America, Europe, and Africa. Additionally, there were over 50 new exhibitors at the Summer Show. Many who participated felt it was a successful venture despite the recession.

Following the Summer Show, CHA staff started to solicit feedback from exhibitors and the general membership about the experience in Orlando. Based on post-show CHA Summer exhibitor surveys, 50% of respondents preferred Rosemont to Orlando while the other 50% were split among several other venues. CHA hosted several member conference calls in which members commented about a desire to return to Rosemont. Member emails about returning to Rosemont were also sent to CHA staff which drove further discussions on the topic of venue selection for the 2010 Summer Show. Based on the common and recurring theme of returning the Summer Show to Rosemont, CHA contacted representatives from the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center and successfully negotiated a one-year agreement with options beyond 2010.

“As a member-based organization it is imperative that we listen to our members and develop the most effective approach to accomplishing our common goals and objectives. Developing a practical strategy to grow the Summer Show and expand the industry are high priorities at CHA and are key factors behind the bulk of the decisions we make,” explained Steve Berger, president and CEO of CHA. “We are grateful for the creative minds in Orlando who partnered with CHA to develop a successful and meaningful program that helped increase buyer attendance and expand crafting participation with consumers
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Recovery Czar Edward DeSeve is CAGW’s November Porker of the Month

Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Recovery Czar Edward DeSeve is CAGWs November Porker of the Month

Business Wire, Nov 20, 2009

WASHINGTON — Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today named Edward DeSeve its
November Porker of the Month. His precise title, as one of President
Obamas many czars, is Special Advisor to the President, Assistant to
the Vice President and Special Advisor to the OMB Director for
Implementation of the Recovery Act. In announcing his appointment on
March 26, 2009, the White House described his role as supporting Vice
President Biden as he leads the implementation of the stimulus bill, and
coordinating with the Office of Management and Budget. Mr. DeSeve is
also in charge of interagency coordination and ensuring that the
stimulus money is spent quickly and effectively. In other words, the
stimulus bucks start with taxpayers and stop at his desk.

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Part Proves Heavy Going

Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Part Proves Heavy Going

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Nov 19, 2009

ACTOR Timothy Spall has revealed he actually lost weight while playing a 50-stone man.

The 52-year-old former Auf Wiedersehen Pet star said he worked up a sweat wearing the “debilitating” prosthetics for the ITV drama and even shed a few pounds.

Despite the weight-loss benefits, Spall, who admits to suffering from claustrophobia, said the role was the hardest he had ever taken on. The Harry Potter actor plays the title role in The Fattest Man In Britain, a drama for ITV1 written by The Royle Family’s Caroline Aherne, and The Last Hangman writer Jeff Pope.

Spall said: “It was a nightmare, it took three hours to get ready.

“The great thing is I was playing the fattest man in Britain, and the really great thing is I had to wear padding and prosthetics, and the really bad thing is I had to wear padding and prosthetics. It was extremely debilitating but when you see it looks impeccable, you’d think I was really 50 stone. It was the hardest job I’ve ever done.”

The one-off drama, which features music by chart act Badly Drawn Boy, will be broadcast next month.

CAPTION(S):

BIG PART: Timothy Spall as Georgie, the fattest man in Britain in the forthcoming TV drama

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Digital River to Present at the 2009 Internet Retailing Conference

Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Digital River to Present at the 2009 Internet Retailing Conference

0 Comments | Wireless News, Oct 9, 2009

Digital River, Inc., a provider of global e-commerce solutions, announced that it will exhibit at the 2009 Internet Retailing Conference.

In a release, the Company noted event details:

During the conference, Digital River will be represented by its business unit Netgiro Systems, a global payment service provider.

The event takes place Oct. 13, at the Novotel Hotel Hammersmith in London, England.

In booth #37, representatives from Netgiro will demonstrate how optimizing an online payment program and adding alternative and localized payment methods to an e-commerce site can help e- retailers increase online sales. During the conference, the company will host a workshop titled, “The Payments Opportunity in International E-Retail.”

The 2009 Internet Retailing conference brings together e-retail companies, industry leaders and agenda setters to share thoughts, knowledge and experience on the industry.

Event Information:

http://www.screenevents.co.uk/IR2009/index.html

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

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There’s No Place Like Home

Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Theres No Place Like Home

Business Wire, Nov 18, 2009

Unums 4th Annual Landscape of Long Term
Care Reveals Claimants Prefer to Age in Place

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — When Ruth Adams husband Norman* was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease
12 years ago, Mrs. Adams decided to keep her husband at home as long as
possible. I know he would do the same for me. I have no doubts, she
said.

The couples Unum (NYSE: UNM) long term care policy pays for a daily
visit from a certified aide who helps care for Mr. Adams.

I never knew our long term care insurance would play such an important
role in our lives, said Mrs. Adams
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