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Sunset Announces the Winners of the 2012 Environmental Awards, Honoring the People and Organizations Fighting to Preserve the Wests Most Special Places

Written on February 19, 2012 at 7:51 pm, by


Menlo Park, CA (PRWEB) February 16, 2012

Sunset magazine announces the winners of its 2012 Environmental Awards in the pages of its March issue. These awards celebrate the achievements of the people and organizations that are fighting to keep the West at its most pristine and beautiful. Best of all, nearly all of the award-winning lands can be visited by the public right now.

The projects and people we honor this year are outstanding in every way, said Peter Fish, Sunset editor-at-large. We received massive amounts of emails nominating candidates and almost all were very good, so it was a difficult choice.

Sunset editors searched the West for the winners, concentrating on newly protected land. Awards were given in categories such as Best Wild Kingdom, which celebrates one of the nations biggest private conservation land purchases, Best Shoreline, and Capital of Green, which was awarded to Washingtons Olympic Peninsula for two separate projects that preserve beautiful rivers and forests. The magazines editors and an esteemed panel of judges also honor Education Programs and Visitor Centers helping to promote ongoing interaction with and appreciation of the environment.

The recession has had a silver lining when it comes to the environment, continued Fish, who served as one of the award programs judges. Land development and competition from real estate developers is down, meaning that land trusts have a better chance of obtaining and protecting land.

And the winners are:


????BEST SHORELINE:
Devils Head, WA

????BEST LOCAL LAND TRUST:
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ

????BEST VISITOR CENTER:
Gateway to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale, AZ

????BEST WILD KINGDOM:
Montana Legacy Project, MT

????BEST EDUCATION PROGRAM:
Wildlands Conservancy, Southern California

????BEST LAKE:
Independence Lake, near Truckee, CA

????BEST ADDITION TO A NATIONAL PARK:
Rancho Corral de Tierra, San Mateo County, CA

????BEST RANCHLAND:
Sommers-Grindstone Conservation Project, Pinedale, WY

????BEST CAPITAL OF GREEN:
Washingtons Olympic Peninsula

Two individuals were also honored for their solo efforts in preservation: Audrey Rust of Silicon Valleys Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) received the Hero: Lifetime Achievement award, while Mauis Scott Fisher, director of conservation for the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, was recognized as Hero: 40 & Under.

A full profile of the winners can be found on page 72 of the March issue of Sunset magazine and http://www.sunset.com.

The judging panel also included Jon Christensen, executive director of the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University; Brian Kahn, host of Montana Public Radios Home Ground and author of Real Common Sense; and Jenny Price, a research scholar at the UCLA Center for the Study of Women, an environmental historian and one of the founders of Los Angeles Urban Rangers.

Editors available for interviews.

About Sunset

Sunset magazine was founded in 1898 and has become the premier guide to life in the West, covering the newest and best ideas in Western home design and garden, food and entertaining, and regional travel in 13 Western states. It is published in five zoned monthly editionsPacific Northwest, Northern California, Southern California, Southwest and Mountainshowcasing the regions unique lifestyle and noteworthy destinations and inspiring its nearly five million readers to achieve the dream of living in the West. The magazine is also available on all tablets. Sunset is part of the Lifestyle group of magazines and websites published by Time Inc.

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Campaign for Disability Employment Announces Nationwide Video Contest

Written on January 31, 2012 at 7:51 pm, by

Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 31, 2012

Today, the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), a collaboration by leading disability and business organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), announced the launch of its second nationwide video contest to promote the talent and skills that people with disabilities bring to Americas workforce and economy. A follow-up to a similar contest held in 2009, this years competition seeks videos in several categories to supplement the CDEs award-winning What can YOU do? public education efforts.

Every day, people with disabilities can and do add value to Americas workplaces and economy. However, in both good economic times and bad, people with disabilities have far fewer job opportunities than the general population. Built around a coordinated outreach effort titled What can YOU do?, the CDE promotes the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities through public service announcements, educational materials and other grass-roots outreach activities.????

Our video contest is an opportunity for filmmakers of all ages to convey positive messages about the value people with disabilities add to the workforce and to help viewers re-think their negative assumptions about people with disabilities in the workforce, said Tracie Saab, Campaign for Disability Employment project director. Its their chance to drive positive change by illustrating that at work, its what people CAN do that matters.????

About the What can YOU do? Video Contest

The CDE is looking for creative, fun, compelling videos of all genres that reflect the diversity of skills that people with disabilities offer, challenge misconceptions about disability and employment, and/or highlight employers inclusive employment programs and practices. The CDE will recognize winners in up to three specific categories (General Public, Youth and Employer), and the public will be encouraged to select a Peoples Choice winner.

The deadline for entry is March 30, 2012. Videos should be one to three minutes in length (depending on the category entered) and reflect one or more of the campaigns key themes, which are outlined on the contest website, http://www.WhatCanYouDoCampaign.org/videocontest.

Individual and group entries are encouraged. Applicants must be U.S. citizens to enter.

Winners will receive a chance to participate in the CDEs public outreach activities, and several selected videos may be showcased on the campaigns website and at future CDE events. Other prizes may be awarded. More information and the official contest rules are outlined on the competition website.

About the Campaign for Disability Employment

The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) is a collaborative effort among several disability and business organizations that seek to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace, as well as the dividend to be realized by fully including people with disabilities at work. These partners include: American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); Job Accommodation Network (JAN); National Business and Disability Council (NBDC); National Council of La Raza (NCLR); National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC); Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); Special Olympics (SO); and the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN). The CDE is funded by the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). For more information, visit http://www.WhatCanYouDoCampaign.org.

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MVS Predicts Extremely Volatile Year in Financial Markets

Written on January 12, 2012 at 7:51 pm, by

Darien, CT (PRWEB) January 11, 2012

In the letter, posted on the Darien-based Investment Firm’s website, Mr.Olympitis points out that the firm views four themes as directing the behavior of the markets in the coming year: The crisis in Europe, the behavior of fixed income markets, unsustainable government and consumer borrowing and the US Election.

The firm sees a downside of around 900 on the S&P 500 on the “very real scenario of a default within the Euro Zone”, but predicts that such an episode would “spur Germany into action” on issuing Euro Bonds and that markets would recover most of their losses steadily over the proceeding months if that were to happen.

Other takeaways from the letter include worries about the “equity-like performance expectations” in the bond market and the argument that only a Republican sweep in all three elected branches of government would be a net positive for the financial markets.

A full text of the letter is available at:

http://mvsfunds.com/uploads/MVS_2012_Forecast_website1.pdf

MVS is a Connecticut based Investment Advisor and Family Office that invests in, develops and distributes alternative investments.

For more information, please visit: http://mvsfunds.com/

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Tough Mudder, Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet, Names Under Armour their Official Outfitter of Performance Footwear, Apparel and Accessories

Written on December 5, 2011 at 7:53 pm, by

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) December 05, 2011

Tough Mudder and Under Armour today announced a multi-year partnership that will start in January 2012. The global partnership designates Under Armour as the Official Outfitter the 35-event worldwide Tough Mudder series and title sponsor of events in London and Maryland. The Tough Mudder powered by Under Armour events will take place in London, May 12-13, and in Fall 2012 in Maryland.

As part of the partnership, Under Armour and Tough Mudder will design a new obstacle that will be incorporated into all the 2012 events. In addition, with the help of Under Armours training specialists, Tough Mudder will develop a custom training program to prepare future participants for the unique rigors of the event. The program will be available through the Web sites and Facebook pages of each brand.

Tough Mudder is excited to partner with Under Armour, a brand that is the epitome of tough, said Will Dean, CEO and Co-Founder of Tough Mudder LLC. We believe this is a perfect partnership between the two brands, aligning the ultimate performance apparel with one of the most recognized, award-winning endurance series in the world.

Co-branded Under Armour-developed products will be available beginning next month. The products will be geared to perform through the elements and physical challenges that Tough Mudder participants face. The co-branded apparel and in-line footwear, apparel and accessories will be available on ua.com/toughmudder, toughmudder.com and onsite at events. All participants will receive a co-branded T-shirt, and finishers will be awarded a new headband with Under Armour and Tough Mudder logos.

It is Under Armours mission to make all athletes better, and Tough Mudder attracts tough athletes from all walks of life, said Matt Mirchin, Senior Vice President, Global Sports Marketing, Under Armour. As training and performance leaders, we look forward to helping participants maximize their results through our innovative apparel, footwear and training programs.

Founded in 2010, Tough Mudder is the nations fastest-growing and most-recognized endurance series. In 2011, Tough Mudder hosted 14 events, and this will expand to 35 in 2012 in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. Unlike other traditional endurance events or mud runs, Tough Mudder events are constructed by British Special Forces to offer a 10-12-mile trail-running experience like no other. Located outside major metropolitan cities, courses are based on rugged terrain, featuring steep inclines and water hazards, highlighted by 18-25 military-style obstacles testing ones fitness, strength, stamina, mental grit, teamwork and toughness.

With a unique crossover appeal for high-performing endurance athletes, fitness enthusiasts, risk-taking adrenaline junkies and conservative commoners alike, Tough Mudder events were created to test individual limits in a one-day challenge that showcases the core characteristics of will, intensity, camaraderie and teamwork. Tough Mudder events are not timed and are won by all those capable of completing the course.

Tough Mudder participants have raised more than $ 2 million in support of its official charity partner, the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization aimed at helping American servicemen and

servicewomen who have been severely injured in combat. With the announced Under Armour partnership, both companies will now be working in tandem to promote and support Wounded Warrior Project.

About Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder Events, LLC was founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone. Considered as Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet, each Tough Mudder endurance challenge is designed by British Special Forces and consists of a unique 10-12 mile trail run over rugged terrain, featuring steep inclines, water hazards and 18-25 military-style obstacles testing ones toughness, fitness, strength, stamina, mental grit and teamwork. The 2011 Tough Mudder series included 14 events taking place across various cities in the U.S., and the 2012 series includes 35 events in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Canada. For the schedule of event dates and locations, visit http://www.ToughMudder.com.

About Under Armour

Under Armour;? (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand’s moisture-wicking fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at http://www.ua.com.

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Seattle Pike Place Hotel Announces Opening of New On-Site Restaurant

Written on December 5, 2011 at 7:45 pm, by


Seattle, WA (PRWEB) December 05, 2011

The Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel has opened a new on-site restaurant, the Hook & Plow. This new gastro-pub style of Hook & Plow takes the very best of Seattle dining and brings them to one location: the delicious seafood from Pike Place Market, great beers from local craft breweries and fresh, regional ingredients. Hook & Plow is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is located at this Seattle Pike Place Hotel, which overlooks Elliott Bay.

This restaurant near Pike Place Market offers a stylized interior with modern sensibilities. Seating 124 people, Hook & Plow is an ideal place to sample some of the best food of the region while enjoying an exciting atmosphere. Patrons can get a glimpse of their food being prepared with unique interior views revealing the impressive kitchen area, or if they prefer to socialize, the restaurant at this Pike Place Market hotel offers a stylish U-shaped bar. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list and an exceptional craft beer selection, including local favorites like Pikes Brewing Company, Rogers, Maritime IPA and Mannys Pale Ale, amongst others.

Since this restaurant near Pike Place Market is committed to the freshest ingredients, the menu changes often to reflect in-season ingredients. Visitors will have an idea of the menu the moment they step in the door, thanks to a large blackboard showcasing the daily specials and freshest catches.

The new gastro-pub style of Hook & Plow has been influenced by the creative mind of Chef Thomas Horner. Having lived all over the country prior to his 3,000 mile journey to Seattle, the city he now calls home, Chef Thomas has experienced some of the best cuisine America has to offer. “Being in Seattle, I feel grateful and inspired to find most of it so close to my new home, Chef Thomas said.

I’m a dedicated locavore: source it close, savor the seasons, promote growth of the producers and share…It’s that simple.

For more information about this new restaurant, visit http://www.seattlemarriottwaterfront.com. For fresh food, cold drinks and a great atmosphere, theres no place quite like Hook & Plow, at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel, located minutes away from Pike Place Market.

About the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel

The Seattle Marriott Waterfront hotel is located in the heart of downtown Seattle’s most popular waterfront district making it an ideal place for both business and pleasure. Many of the hotels luxury guestrooms feature private balconies offering breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier, Elliott Bay or the Olympic Mountain range. The hotel is just steps gone from the famous Pike Place Market, right across from the Seattle Cruise Terminal (Pier 66), and less than 5 minutes from Seattle Center. The Marriott Seattle Waterfront hotel strives to make a visit the most memorable experience possible. For more information about the hotel visit http://www.seattlemarriottwaterfront.com

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Russ Considine, Internationally Known Photographer and Author, will Release his 20th Barnes & Noble Nook eBook: “Mother Nature’s Photo Alphabet Book, Part 3″ on 12-15-11

Written on December 5, 2011 at 7:45 pm, by


New York, New York (PRWEB) December 05, 2011

Russ Considine is publication his 20th Nook eBook with Barnes &A; Noble on December 15, 2011. The agnomen of his news authority is: Mother Natures Photo Alphabet Book, Part 3
As with most of his yesteryear books, this eBook characteristic photographs of both nature and wildlife that Russ Considine has taken and presents as an enjoyable alphabet acquisition tool for offspring children. The online link to his Barnes &ere; Noble works is:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/russ-considine?keyword=russ+considine&ere;shop=authority

Russel A. Considine has been a professional photographer since 1980. Russ is known throughout the World for his candid portrait, scenery, life, sports radiography, and PhotArt worked of selected photographs that he has taken. Russ is also the author of the next book, short narrative and poem:

Wildlife Ive Shot (Amazon.com), The Golden Miracle (http://www.Blurb.com), The 1980 Golden Olympic Miracles (Amazon.com, and Barnes &ere; Noble Nook eBooks), Mother Natures Photo Alphabet Book (http://www.Blurb.com, Amazon.com, and Barnes &A; Noble eBooks), Mother Natures Photo Alphabet Book, Part 2 (Amazon.com, and Barnes &ere; Noble eBooks), The Midnight Lullaby (English &ere; Spanish version – Barnes &ere; Noble eBooks), How To Take These Digital Photographs Part 1 (English &A; Spanish version – Barnes &A; Noble eBooks), Lolas Alphabet Friends (Barnes &ere; Noble eBooks), Lolas Alphabet Friends, Part 2 (Barnes & Noble eBooks), Advice from Superman, a parcel but alignment Story (English, German, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Latin, Italian &ere; Spanish version – Barnes &A; Noble eBooks), and A Soldiers Prayer (Barnes & Noble eBooks) .

Russ life in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York and can often be found looked for new photo theme while he hikes the mountain trail and kayaking the waters of Lake George in New York and Rangeley Lake in Maine.

Samples of Mr. Considines washing can be found on his online PhotoArt Galleries:

HTTP://www.russconsidine.zenfolio.com

&ere; HTTP://www.rockefeller.tv

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Volunteerism, a Core Value of the Olympic Movement

Written on December 5, 2011 at 7:44 pm, by


(PRWEB) December 05, 2011

Today, 5 December, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) joins the international community in celebrating International Volunteer Day. Volunteerism is the very foundation, and also one of the core values of the Olympic Movement. The development of sport, and indeed the very organisation of the Olympic Games and the celebration of all other sports events, big and small, would not be possible without the participation, dedication and commitment of volunteers.

Volunteers, champions of the Games
For each edition of the Games, there are thousands of people, of all ages, cultures and origins, all inspired by the same will to assume their responsibilities and serve with distinction, sharing the same emotions and passion for sport and its ideals of excellence, respect and friendship. Volunteers are true Olympians. They transmit the true spirit of the Olympic Games, said IOC President Jacques Rogge, underscoring the role and impact of those whom he also praised as the unsung heroes behind the successful organisation of every Olympic Games.

As a long-serving inform myself, I know that being a volunteer is a life-enriching and fulfilling experience, and a wonderful human adventure. Like the athletes, all volunteers who serve the Olympic Movement are also champions in their own right at community, neighbourhood and family levels.

A large part of the success of the Games is thus attributable to each one of these selfless people. There will be almost 70,000 of them at the London Olympic Games and 1,cc at the Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck in January, all making the Games hap.

Finally, to summarize this essential force which are the volunteer, a quote from a volunteer at the 1996 Atlanta Games: You become an inform not for what you get out of it, but for what you become by doing it.

UN International Year of Volunteers
This year, International Volunteer Day also marks the 10th anniversary of International Volunteers Year. On this occasion, during its special session, the United Nations will study how to better support volunteers and develop stronger partnerships to this end. Thus, the United Nations will launch the very first State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, which commends the many millions of volunteers working for sustainable development, humanitarian assistance, environmental preservation, and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General).

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000

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