Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) February 21, 2012

Home Care Assistance, the leading provider of in-home care for seniors, is proud to announce the launch of AmericanHomeCare.org. While in-home care from professional caregivers has been lauded as a revolutionizing trend in the long term care landscape for aging adults, many individuals still do not know what in-home care is. By filling out the form on the website, individuals will automatically receive a downloadable version of What is Home Care, a popular guide that Home Care Assistance developed in response to the many questions about in-home care that have been posed throughout the years. This is an extremely valuable resource for aging adults and their loved ones in that it provides detailed information about what home care is and tools for selecting the best in-home care option, such as a caregiver interview checklist, in the form of a brief downloadable guide.

“AmericanHomeCare.org is one of many valuable consumer education resources we are developing to allow us to disseminate high quality information about the types of issues aging adults have voiced a desire to learn,” said Kathryn Zakskorn, Public Relations and Marketing Manager of Home Care Assistance. “It is an exciting opportunity to be able to position ourselves as the leaders in the industry in providing this information.”

Home Care Assistance has been a trailblazer in educational initiatives among other agencies in the industry, having developed an expansive suite of educational resources all designed to provide free and accessible information to community members looking to learn more about senior care and quality of life in aging. Whether an individual is the adult child of aging parents hoping to learn more about care options for his or her loved ones, or an aging adult hoping to take control of his or her own long term care options and develop an aging in place plan that will allow them to age comfortably and successfully in their own home, AmericanHomeCare.org will be a very valuable resource.

“Our mission at Home Care Assistance is to change the way the world changes,” said Shadi Gholizadeh, Business Operations Manager of Home Care Assistance. “The launch of this website and the entire suite of educational resources we have been developing and providing to our clients and the community reflect our commitment to empowering aging adults and their loved ones to make well-informed decisions about their long term care options, taking not only physical needs but also emotional and social needs into consideration.”

For more information about Home Care Assistance please visit http://www.HomeCareAssistance.com or call 1-866-454-8346.

ABOUT HOME CARE ASSISTANCE

Home Care Assistance is the leading provider of home care for seniors across the United States and Canada. Our mission is to change the way the world ages. We provide older adults with quality care that enables them to live happier, healthier lives at home. Our services are distinguished by the caliber of our caregivers, the responsiveness of our staff and our expertise in Live-In care. We embrace a positive, balanced approach to aging centered on the evolving needs of older adults. A 2012 Franchise500® Company, Home Care Assistance has received numerous industry awards including Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchises and Franchise Business Review’s Top 50. For more information about Home Care Assistance, our services and franchise opportunities, visit homecareassistance.com or franchise.homecareassistance.com.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Maitland, FL (PRWEB) February 18, 2012

In the pages of Him N Me ($ 16.99, paperback, 978-1-61379-635-1; $ 8.49, e-book, 978-1-61379-222-3) readers will encounter the author’s life-long journey of forming a genuine relationship with God. The author shares brief teachings through-out the book to lend readers a full understanding of his experiences and how God revealed Himself in mysterious ways.

“From the very first word in this book, you can readily determine this book is decidedly not a massive, ponderous tome destined to become a classic through the ages of time, discussed by sophisticated people in book clubs. No this is merely the brief life story of a very, very ordinary man who happens to know, love, and serve our EXTRA-ordinary God!” states the author. “It’s about Him, not about me. I hope in some mysterious, inexplicable manner, God will use this book to draw you closer to Himself. If that happens, the book has been well worth writing.”

When Bill Boylan became a Christian as a young man serving in the United States armed forces, he committed himself to excellence and success in all he would undertake during his lifetime. Bill is a popular Bible teacher, lecturer, seminar leader, writer, and conference speaker, and has served God in many capacities throughout the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ. Bill earned Masters Degrees in Theology and Education and received a Lifelong Learning Ph.D. in Education. He has served God as a public school and technical institute teacher, as a medical administrator, and as a human resources specialist. In addition, Bill served over thirty years in both the active duty armed forces and in the Air and Army National Guard. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Communications, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 8,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Him N Me through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. The book is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) February 16, 2012

The CDC report showed that between 2008 and 2009, the suicide rate increased 2.4 percent, with 36,909 suicide deaths reported nationally. In August 2011, the CDC reported that in 2008, 13.4 percent of people who committed suicide had experienced job and financial problems. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, an emergency crisis hotline reported a 14 percent increase in call volume between 2010 and 2011, showing that education and training like that offered by PsychAlive.org are important to addressing this crisis. The CDC’s recommended increasing counseling, job placement and financial services that can help reduce the mental distress that can increase suicide risk.

“The recent increase in suicide, whether heightened by economic strain or other social triggers, signifies the need for education and training on understanding and preventing suicide,” said Dr. Lisa Firestone, Director of Research and Education at PsychAlive and Violence and Suicide Prevention Alliance. “The suicidal state is both preventable and treatable. Services and education have been proven to save lives. Armed with the right tools to identify the warning signs and implement helper tasks, we can fight this crisis.”

Between 2008 and 2009 an estimated 8.3 million adults (almost 4 percent of the U.S. adult population) reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, according to the CDC. More than 2.2 million adults reported making suicide plans in the past year, and more than 1 million adults reported attempting suicide in the past year.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 20 percent of American adults suffered from mental illness in 2010, but only 39.2 percent of that group said they received treatment. With this decrease in U.S. mental health services, the general public, schools, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and military personnel would all benefit from education on suicide prevention.

The free website, PsychAlive.org, provides suicide prevention advice that includes information on warning signs, risk factors, helper tasks and strategies for prevention and intervention that have proven effective in reducing suicide risk and completion.

European countries with strong social safety nets and services have shown little increase in suicide rates, even in rough economic times, according to data collected from Eurostat and the World Health Organization, proving that education and services can make a difference. Organizations like The Glendon Association that provide education and assessment are important to reducing the rate of suicide in the country. Over the past 30 years, Glendon has conducted research and developed effective assessments for both suicide and self-destructive behavior.

About PsychAlive: PsychAlive is a public mental health resource created by The Glendon Association, a non-profit organization whose mission is to save lives and enhance mental health by addressing the social problems of suicide, violence, child abuse, and troubled interpersonal relationships. PsychAlive and Glendon provide educational resources, publications, films, and assessment tools focused on violence and suicide prevention, assessment and treatment PsychAlive’s Director of Research and Education, Dr. Lisa Firestone educates the public and mental health professionals on how to identify risk factors and effective treatment and assessment to help prevent suicide.

For more information visit

http://www.psychalive.org

Individuals in crisis or who know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

“Red on The Rocks”, Hotel Lucia’s Cocktail Tribute to Mark Rothko

Portland, Ore. (PRWEB) February 16, 2012

Mark Rothko, the late master of abstract art, spent his formative years in Portland and his spirit returns to the city on February 18, 2012 when the Portland Art Museum, site of his debut museum exhibition in 1933, opens the first ever hometown retrospective of his work. During the exhibition, Hotel Lucia, the creative city’s most artistic hotel, will pay tribute to the artist with a “Rothko in Retrospect” package and offer guests discounted tickets to the concurrent Portland Center Stage’s run of Red, the Tony Award-winning play about Rothko.

Those who book “Rothko in Retrospect” will stay overnight at Hotel Lucia, a property famed for showcasing the works of another Portland original, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer David Hume Kennerly. They will also enjoy two tickets to the exhibition, which features 45 works tracing Rothko’s creative path from the early figurative works of the 1920s, to the mature abstract style of floating, saturated color he developed prior to his death in 1970. A $ 20 certificate to the museum’s gift shop and two “Red on The Rocks” cocktails are also included.

Created to celebrate the exhibition and available for a limited time at Hotel Lucia, “Red on The Rocks” is a modern interpretation of the classic Old Fashioned featuring artisan Bulleit Bourbon, Cherry Heering liqueur and Campari artfully layered to evoke Rothko’s famous paintings.

In a show of artistic solidarity that happily benefits cultural travelers, February 21-March 18, 2012 Portland Center Stage will present the Portland debut of Red, winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play, starring Daniel Benzali, a veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Set in the 1950s as Rothko agonizes over a lucrative but controversial commission, the play tackles big questions about art and dramatizes the legendary artist’s struggle as he attempts a project he is not sure he can complete.

During the Portland Center Stage run of Red, guests who book through Hotel Lucia will save $ 10 per ticket. Ticket prices vary based on the day of the week and seating location and discounts are subject to availability. Guests should reserve tickets through the hotel’s front desk and allow 72 hours advance notice.

Hotel Lucia’s “Rothko in Retrospect” package is priced from $ 199 per night, plus tax, and is available for the duration of Portland Art Museum’s retrospective, through May 27, 2012. To book, call 866-986-8086 or visit http://www.hotellucia.com.

About Hotel Lucia

Centrally located at 400 SW Broadway in the heart of downtown Portland, Hotel Lucia – one of Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World for 2010 – offers an art-filled boutique setting just steps from the city’s best shopping, restaurants and night clubs. This hotel offers 127 guest rooms and indulgent but essential amenities including Portland’s own Mada bath products; Portland Roasting coffee and Smith Teas; Provenance Hotels’ signature Pillow, Spiritual and iPod menus; and a “Get it Now” button on every hotel phone for the most whimsical desire or typical need. The Hotel Lucia can be found online at http://www.hotellucia.com, http://www.facebook.com/hotelluciaportland and http://www.twitter.com/hotel_lucia. Reservations are available online or by phone at 877-225-1717.

About Provenance Hotels

Provenance Hotels are award-winning urban boutique hotels with a distinct and deeply integrated art story. They include Hotel deLuxe and Hotel Lucia in Portland, Ore., Hotel Max in Seattle, Wash., Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Wash., and Hotel Preston in Nashville, Tenn. Provenance Hotels can be found online at http://www.provenancehotels.com.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) February 14, 2012

El Observador de Utah (Spanish for “The Utah Observer”), Utah’s leading and largest Spanish language newspaper, today announced changes to its name and distribution strategy to align with its expanded mission. The paper is changing its name to OKEspañol and shifting its distribution schedule to a mid-week and weekend delivery schedule. The new name, mission and expansion plans of the newspaper are an effort to focus on extending its reach to local, national and international market segments. The plans will also allow the paper to increase the breadth and depth of its coverage and content to its Utah-based subscribers. These changes come on the heels of last month’s announcement of a new management line-up, which includes the addition of international marketing executive Greg Peterson as Publisher.

The change to OKEspañol centers on the newspaper’s plans to expand on local, national and international levels. The new name cuts across the different and diverse Hispanic/Latino cultures as a word that is widely recognized and embraced by Latinos. OKEspañol will not only expand its print presence in other markets, but it will concentrate its growth digitally through its web presence. As the changes continue to develop, one immediate change that will take place is the newspaper’s distribution and publication alignment in Utah. Starting with the issue released this past Saturday, February 11, 2012, OKEspañol will be published and delivered twice weekly on a Wednesday and Saturday schedule. OKEspañol will continue to be delivered free-of-charge to more than 11,500 Latino families along the Wasatch Front as well as through its network of racks at stores and business locations.

In preparation to expand the OKEspañol brand, the newspaper’s resources have been restructured to better meet the local, national and international mission of OKEspañol. Greg Peterson, OKEspañol Publisher, said, “We are now focused on an incredible opportunity to grow the newspaper to our current Utah subscriber base as well as to markets beyond our Utah borders. The name El Observador de Utah connected us to a Utah audience, OKEspañol includes Utah but it transcends geography and culture with a universal appeal that extends from the United States throughout Latin America and beyond.” Peterson further said, “As we look at expansion, we steadfastly maintain a strong commitment to our Utah-based market and continue the focus on providing Utah’s Hispanic community with the trusted coverage they have come to expect.”

Peterson also noted that OKEspañol’s plan to extend its reach was in response to the powerful demographic changes in Utah and the United States, as reflected in the 2010 Census and other studies. In 2011, the Pew Hispanic Center released a study regarding the 2010 Census results, which reflects that the growth of the Latino community in the United States outpaced all previous estimates. For example, just looking at 33 states in the Pew Hispanic Center Study, the study showed that twenty-eight states had more Hispanics than originally forecasted.

About OKEspañol

Launched February 9, 2010 as El Observador de Utah, OKEspañol has rapidly become Utah’s largest Spanish language newspaper. OKEspañol delivers current news and information impacting the lives and communities of Utah’s Hispanics.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Kalona, Iowa (PRWEB) February 11, 2012

Gary Hargrave, founder of Shiloh University, is pleased to announce that the University, an online Bible College and Seminary, has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council. The DETC is listed by the United States Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Shiloh University was founded in 2006 as a ministry of The Living Word Fellowship. Its purpose is to provide quality education and the training of pastors, church ministries, and Bible teachers. An online format was chosen for the University to present its curriculum, enabling individuals to participate from any geographic location, keeping costs at an affordable level. The University is currently offering a bachelor of arts degree in biblical and pastoral studies, a master of arts degree in biblical and pastoral studies, and a master of divinity degree. University founder, Gary Hargrave, and its president, Christopher Reeves, assembled and led a team of ministers, educators, and administrators to establish a curriculum and organization that would meet accreditation standards, and would also attain to the highest standards of Spirit-filled Christian education.

Courses are offered on a fifteen-week trimester basis. Please visit our website (http://www.shilohuniversity.org) for more information about our programs of study, course listing, and academic calendar. We welcome your inquiries.

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About Shiloh University and The Living Word Fellowship

Shiloh University is a ministry of The Living Word Fellowship, a group of nondenominational Christian churches founded under the ministry of John Robert Stevens, located throughout the United States and internationally. The fellowship ministries also include The Living Word Publications, Centers of Leaning, Marilyn Farms, and Kingdom Business Connection. The Living Word Fellowship is currently under the leadership of Stevens’ successors, Gary and Marilyn Hargrave.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 31, 2012

On January 17th, MDPA President Scott Ehrlich began the Kid’s Meal Challenge, where he will consume only kid’s meals thrice a day for 28 days to test the effects of the meals on his health. Ehrlich created this challenge in order to test whether or not kid’s meals actually present a serious danger to children’s health, requiring significant limitation on their marketing.

Throughout 2011, there have been numerous proposals by childhood obesity advocates to ban the advertising of fast food items to children. In San Francisco, a very real step has already been taken, where free toys are no longer included in kid’s meals at fast food restaurants. However, Ehrlich says that if things escalate, and food advertising is to be banned, “a real connection between fast food advertising and harmful effects on children’s health must be shown.”

While Morgan Spurlock has already attempted a similar feat with his 2004 film “Supersize Me,” the difference is that Spurlock was consuming adult meals and had to “supersize” his meal every time he was asked if he wanted the deal. Ehrlich asserts that the daily calorie consumption by Spurlock was so high that “anyone eating 5000 calories per day as he did, be it in fast food or bananas, cereals, or milk, would likely see similar negative effects on their health as what he experienced in that movie.”

For Ehrlich’s challenge, he will consume nothing but kid’s meals for 28 days, three times a day, from January 17th through February 13th. The kid’s meals will come solely from restaurants listed among the top 15 fast food restaurants in sales for 2011 as defined by QSR Magazine. To adjust for the fact that Ehrlich is 6’3” and 225 pounds and the average 8 year-old is not, he will be eating three of these kids meals a day. He also will try not to “game the system” by choosing items that may be offered but would not likely be the first choice of children, such as apple slices, yogurt, or diet sodas.

To further try to get an accurate measure of these health effects, Ehrlich will not adjust his daily routine of physical activity. Outside of what he consumes in those three kid’s meals, he will consume nothing but diet soda and water. He will also post food diaries, pictures, and blog entries on http://www.mdpaconference.com throughout this time period.

Furthermore, as “health” is not synonymous with “weight,” Ehrlich plans to have a full physical, including blood work, both before he starts the diet as well as after he concludes. He will provide his starting weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides.

The results of the Kid’s Meal Challenge will be revealed at the Marketing Disease Prevention and Awareness: Communicating Childhood Obesity Conference, taking Place on March 20-21 in Silver Spring, MD.

While this is not a scientific study, the challenge represents Ehrlich’s curiosity as to the health effects of something deemed by four powerful government agencies as so harmful that even being allowed to view their marketing is so dangerous to our children’s health that it needs to be severely curtailed or banned.

About the MDPA Conference on Communicating Childhood Obesity Policy and Prevention

The MDPA Conference on Communicating Childhood Obesity Prevention and Policy is an event focused solely on how to prevent obesity in future generations. The conference will take place right outside the nation’s capital, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Silver Spring, MD on March 20-21, 2012 and will involve thought leaders from across the nation in strategies to communicate ways to get children to eat healthier to help reverse the obesity epidemic. Confirmed speakers include Jim McGreevy of the American Beverage Association, William H. Dietz, the Director of the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Obesity at the CDC, Patti Miller of the Sesame Street Workshop, Robert Post, the Deputy Director at the Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion, Marlene B. Schwartz of the Yale Rudd Center, Dan Jaffe of the National Advertisers Association, and Dr. John Whyte, the Chief Medical Expert at The Discovery Channel.

About Marketing Disease Prevention + Awareness

Marketing Disease Prevention + Awareness began as an offshoot of the established healthcare marketing conference company, DTC Perspectives Inc. in 2009. The goal of the new venture is to discuss how different preventable diseases plaguing the United States can be treated and prevented and how to best communicate these options. Through experience in utilizing vast aspects of media, MDPA has brought together the best thought leaders from the spaces associated with these issues to compose articles, webinars, and present at conferences while keeping the audience well-apprised of important news affecting these areas through digital platforms and e-newsletters. With obesity and obesity-related diseases being among the most discussed and costly, yet treatable, of America’s health issues, this topic is currently the primary focus of MDPA. The organization will continue to assemble the best speakers, case studies, campaigns, and research in this area to help companies, academia, and public health organizations learn to better communicate treatment, education, and prevention options to maximize their effectiveness.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 08, 2012

SAE Institute, an audio engineering, animation, multimedia and film training institute announced today that they will be once again sponsoring a well-deserving student from a local Los Angeles high school in the 2nd Annual Ultimate GRAMMY Experience. Participating schools include: Thomas Jefferson High School, John C Freemont High School, Crenshaw High School, Foshay High School, and Washington High School.

In conjunction with this program’s commitment to education and supporting opportunities for underprivileged youth; SAE Institute will be also be a sponsor of the Recording Academy for the six regional chapters where they have campuses – Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York and San Francisco.

In this year’s Ultimate GRAMMY Experience program, the student recipient will be announced by SAE Institute’s partner The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and announced by new participant in the program, Grammy Award Winner Toby Gad.

Students who are nominated will be attending the Ultimate GRAMMY Experience Recognition Lunch on February 8th where Tony Gad and surprise guest Chelsea Williams will be announcing the winner that will be attending the GRAMMY Awards. All students nominated will receive a SAE/Lennon Bus gift bag including SAE tee shirts, Native Instruments Komplete Elements 7, I M KING sunglasses, V-MODA In ear headphones and more.

“SAE Institute is proud to be in our second year of sponsoring the Recording Academy and be giving a well deserving student an opportunity to enjoy one of the biggest events in this industry,” stated Marco Bettelli, CEO of SAE Institute, USA and Europe. “We are thrilled to be supporting an individual who has a dream to make a career in the music industry. SAE Institute believes that people who show passion and aspire to be in this industry should be rewarded.”

2012 will be a big year for SAE Institute whose upcoming programs include the 2012 National Open House Tour, the kick of to the 2012 National Scholarship Program, and ongoing programs like the Urban School Partnership.

About SAE Institute

Founded in Sydney Australia, 1976, SAE Institute has campuses in 54 cities across the globe and is an international provider of audio engineering, animation, multimedia and film production courses. By providing hands-on tuition along with access to the very latest state-of-the-art equipment in a practical, real-world setting, SAE ensures students’ knowledge and skill levels are relevant to industry expectations. SAE Institute currently has schools in New York City, Nashville, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and Los Angeles with plans to expand to several other US cities near term. Please visit http://www.sae-usa.com for more information on USA campuses.

The Recording Academy

Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. As we move ahead in an ever-changing music environment, The Recording Academy looks forward to the new opportunities of a growing organization.

About the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus (http://www.lennonbus.org)

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. In its 14th year of touring, the venture is proud of its fully professional bus and its studios, which boast the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. The concept began as an offshoot of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, which is dedicated to providing opportunities for both professional and amateur songwriters around the world. The Bus travels across the U.S. and Canada year-round, providing free tours and workshops at schools, retailers, festivals, on tours with headlining artists, and at major industry conferences.

The Bus, a 501(c)(3) venture, is made possible through the generosity of sponsors including Apple, Avid, Mont Blanc, NAMM, SAE Institute, Gibson, Epiphone, Neutrik, Sony, Audio-Technica, Musician’s Friend, Music Player Network, Sonicbids, Litepanels, Reflecmedia, Disc Makers, Mobile Roadie, Ampeg, Roland, Boss, Mackie, Digital Media Academy, Aphex Systems, Apogee, Manfrotto Distribution, iZotope, Glyph Technologies, Harris Corporation, Applied Acoustics Systems, Antares, McDSP, IK Multimedia, Adobe, Native Instruments, Slingerland Drums, Noise Industries, and Mad Mimi.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is made possible by an agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

WASHINGTON (PRWEB) February 06, 2012

Cultural Vistas is set to welcome a group of seven esteemed Belarusian film professionals to the United States for a three-week professional development program focused on documentary filmmaking, beginning today and continuing through February 24.

This initiative is sponsored by the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which promotes international mutual understanding through a wide range of academic, cultural, and professional exchange programs.

As a genre, television and film documentaries continue to assume a heightened importance to cultures and societies as a means of exploring and raising awareness of important social issues throughout the world.

The program itinerary, which is designed and implemented by Cultural Vistas in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, will assist the visitors in gaining insight into the various approaches taken to producing news reports and in-depth documentary features in the United States. It aims to familiarize the international visitors with the process in which documentaries are conceived, created, and the role they serve within American society.

Through this visit, the participants will have the opportunity to:

•Be introduced to the work of small film-making companies and independent film directors

•Review operations at major TV networks

•Learn of opportunities for financing, distributing, showcasing and broadcasting their products

•Discuss issues regarded in the United States to be documentary-worthy

•Visit an institution renowned for training in the production of documentaries

Following their arrival in our nation’s capital, the delegation will meet with professional counterparts in New York City, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon. In each host city, the Belarusian filmmakers will be hosted by the following Councils for International Visitors (CIV): Department of State New York Program Branch, International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, and World Affairs Council of Oregon. Each CIV will arrange a topical, professional program and cultural activities.

About Cultural Vistas

A non‐profit 501(c)(3) organization, Cultural Vistas (formerly known as AIPT‐CDS) provides international exchange opportunities that strengthen global networks, enhance professional skills and advance mutual understanding in an interconnected world. For more than 100 years, Cultural Vistas has created pathways for individuals around the world seeking to expand their involvement in the global arena. As one of eight National Program Agencies (NPA), Cultural Vistas works in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of State to administer, design, and implement IVLP programs that directly support and advance U.S. foreign policy goals. In October 2011, Cultural Vistas became the first new organization to be designated as an NPA in 12 years. — Learn more at http://www.culturalvistas.org

Follow @CulturalVistas on Twitter.

About the International Visitor Leadership Program

The International Visitor Leadership Program is funded and administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The goal of the IVLP is to promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations around the world. Each year, IVLP brings more than 4,500 emerging leaders to the United States to meet and confer with their professional counterparts. More than 325 current and former chiefs of state and heads of government and many other distinguished world leaders from across the public and private sectors have participated in the program, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2011. — Learn more at exchanges.state.gov/ivlp

Follow IVLP on Twitter @StateIVLP

Contact: Anthony Naglieri

Email: anaglieri(at)culturalvistas(dot)org

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Worcester, Massachusetts (PRWEB) January 26, 2012

A complaint filed in the United States District Court in the Central District of Massachusetts (Case 4:12-cv-40005) by Richard Kent Berger of eLegal, PC, alleges that Associated Credit Services, Inc., UMass Medical Center’s collection agency, violated both Massachusetts and Federal consumer protection laws in connection with collecting a claimed debt owed by Ms. Nina Scott of North Grafton. At the time, Scott was pregnant and she alleges that the stress of the collection calls made by Associated Credit Services harassing telephone calls made her physically ill.

The complaint alleges that, despite Scott’s being on a regular monthly payment plan for medical services rendered, the Associated Credit Services agency ignored her regular monthly payments to the hospital and continued to make upsetting collection calls to Scott. The complaint further alleges that, two days after a particularly upsetting call, she was rushed to the hospital where she went into labor, prematurely.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of statutory damages, actual damages for personal humiliation, mental anguish, emotional distress, treble damages, attorney’s fees, interest, and court costs.

Scott is represented by Richard Kent Berger of eLegal in Boston. A jury trial is requested.

The judge assigned to the case is Hon. F. Dennis Saylor IV.

About eLegal, PC, A Consumer Protection Law Firm

eLegal, PC is a newly established Consumer Protection Law firm located in Boston, Massachusetts. The primary focus of the firm is the representation of consumers harassed, mislead, or abused by debt collectors. The firm is committed to the representation of consumers against debt collectors and creditors who violated State and Federal consumer protection laws. The firm’s principal, Attorney Richard Kent Berger, has been a practicing attorney in Massachusetts for more than 25 years. He received his education from New England School of Law where he graduated magna cum laude while working as the school’s Managing Editor of Law Review—a scholarly journal focusing on legal issues. In addition to his law practice, Attorney Berger is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Massachusetts.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.