MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Television stars arent the only people working with fashion designers to make a splash this fall. Progressive Insurance and Flo are teaming up with designer Candice Held to raise money for Dress for Success Worldwide. From Monday, September 24 at 12:00 p.m. EDT until Thursday, October 4, fashion fans can bid on a one-of-a-kind dress worn by the advertising icon in multiple magazine advertisements. The auction will take place online at http://www.ebay.com/progressiveinsurance, giving people the opportunity to buy a custom-made Candice Held dress, which features 1,000 hand-placed crystals on the train.

We chose Candice for this project because shes a top-notch designer, and we knew shed do a great job turning Flos everyday Superstore outfit into an elegant gown, said Miriam Deitcher, marketing director at Progressive. Its a great dress and wed love to keep it, but were happy we can use it to raise money for a good cause.

Bidding for the dress will start at $200, with the money from the winning bid going to Dress for Success Worldwide. Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that provides proper job interview attire for women who cant afford it.

The opening bid is definitely below face value for the dress, Deitcher continued. Were hoping that Flos celebrity combined with Candices notoriety will drive people to the page to bid, bringing more money to Dress for Success.

To bid on the dress, visit http://www.ebay.com/progressiveinsurance.

About Progressive

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy to understand, buy, and use auto insurance. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach it whenever, wherever, and however its most convenientonline at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, on a mobile device or in-person with a local agent.

Progressive offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes. Its the fourth largest auto insurer in the country, the largest seller of motorcycle insurance, and a leader in commercial auto insurance. Progressive also offers car insurance online in Australia at http://www.progressiveonline.com.au.

Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price, the Snapshot Discount, and a concierge level of claims service.

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Fashionable Philanthropy: Progressive® Insurance Auctioning Designer Dress Worn by Flo to Benefit Dress for Success ...

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A day in the life of Ben Shewry and his team.

ARRIVING at Tokyo airport in November last year to take part in the international Cook It Raw wild-food conference, Ben Shewry saw a paparazzi horde wielding cameras and microphones and remarked to his companion, Danish chef Rene Redzepi, whose restaurant Noma is rated the world's best: ''I wonder who all the press is here for, must be someone famous.'' Redzepi, bemused, replied: ''Ben, it's us.'' And so it was, and when the two chefs boarded their bus, the photographers gave frantic chase on bikes and in cars at speeds of 100km/h.

''One fellow,'' Shewry says incredulously, ''had half of his body protruding from the passenger-seat window, risking his life trying to take a shot of me, a farm boy from the New Zealand back country who happens to cook. Seriously it was hilarious and ridiculous. Being the focus of attention is abhorrent to me. I hate bullshit.''

Whether he likes it or not, overseas at least, the self-effacing 35-year-old Melbourne-based chef is a culinary celebrity. His dishes, born of foraging in his past for experiences and retelling them in whimsical, exquisitely assembled combinations of wild native plants, fruits, herbs, nuts and produce, make him in demand to cook and speak at international food fests such as Redzepi's MAD Foodcamp, Spain's Madrid Fusion and at France-based food writer and restaurant judge Andrea Petrini's Cook It Raw eco-food fests. His unassuming Ripponlea restaurant, Attica, is ranked 63rd in the prestigious S. Pellegrino list of the world's top 100 restaurants.

Ben Shewry at Attica. Photo: Eddie Jim

''Many things make Ben special and account for his acceptance as a peer by the world's finest chefs,'' Redzepi says. ''He's an exceptionally genuine and good human being, gracious, open-minded and always willing to share his thoughts and ideas. Then there is Ben the chef. His cooking is deeply personal, coming from within. He's able to bring his upbringing, his memories, all those special moments that have made their mark on him into the 'right now' while giving every plate a striking sense of place. Attica is somewhere you go for more than just the meal: you go for the story.''

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Of Shewry's place in the international pantheon of chefs, Petrini doesn't mince words. ''F---ing high,'' he says. ''Ben is a perfectionist, but doesn't tread the dry lands of pure technique and technology. His work showcases a distinctive balance between rational and sensual, cognitive and a more immediate instinctive approach. When he delivers Dry Your Eyes Sweetheart, a dish conceived as a tribute to a fisherman friend [Melbourne fish wholesaler Jason Jurie], who passed away, it's more than food; it's autobiography, memory made public.''

Yet on his home turf, and just the way chef Shewry likes it, the paparazzi rush right on by without a glance. Shewry, it's said, is the best little-known chef in the land - some swear the best chef, full stop. Despite being tagged The Age Good Food Guide 2011 chef of the year, and Attica last year being awarded its third hat and named restaurant of the year by the guide, Shewry is hardly a household name in Australia. ''Ben's not a massive self-promoter like some chefs,'' says Joanna Savill, director of next week's Crave Sydney International Food Festival. ''He's interested in cooking, not playing the fame game. He quietly does his thing as he wants to do it. Australia would be a lot poorer if we didn't have chefs like Ben pushing the envelope and doing something personal and artistic.''

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A recipe for success

Wines from all over the world are judged by an expert panel and the competition rules state that no more than 30% of the overall entrants may win awards. Cellarmaster Johan Joubertis particularly proud that they are receiving recognition for varieties not normally associated with Kleine Zalze the Family Reserve Pinotage 2009 and the Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2011.

The Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Pinotage 2009 is a unique wine according to Johan. The fruit comes from 35-year old bush vines and everything possible is done to preserve the purity of fruit as opposed to over-extraction. The grapes are cold-soaked for several days before being fermented cold with the skins kept in the tank throughout both practices which are contrary to most other peoples methods of handling this variety. Johan then matures it in 100% new French oak barrels for 22 months to make what he terms A wine which is complex, elegant and spicier than many others. He is delighted that this international panel has picked up on these two factors in particular, as personal experience has long shown him that this is what his consumers enjoy about this wine.

The second gold medal winner, the Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2011, is also a wine in which Johan has invested a lot of time and thought. His quest has been for freshness and complexity in fruit with a flinty character which carries through an earthy flintiness to the final wine. The Vineyard Selection is made up of 50% of this lighter style of Chardonnay which is made reductively to preserve the freshness; the remaining 50% is made in an oxidative manner. The blend of the two batches of wine is then aged for 7 months in oak barrels during which time; no batonage takes place nor is malolactic fermentation allowed to occur. I want to retain the freshness and if you start stirring up the lees and allowing malo, you lose that says Johan.

Johans overall aim in making these wines has been for his customers to enjoy them. Johan explains he and fellow winemaker Bertho van der Westhuisen want to make wines that have freshness and flavour and which invite people to always have another glass! To win awards for the wines is an added bonus and he is naturally delighted that international palates appreciate them as well.

These wines are both uniquely Kleine Zalze and are perfect expressions of us and our own regionality and winemaking style. It is a pleasure to us that people enjoy them both in South Africa and overseas as well.

The Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Pinotage 2009 is yet to be released to the public and the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2011 is available from the cellars for R69.00.

For more information contact Wynand van Schalkwyk, Marketing Manager at Kleine Zalze via e-mail wvanschalkwyk@kleinezalze.co.zaor | visit Kleinezalze website.

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Kleine Zalze enjoys success at the Mundus Vini Awards

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Puffs brand has partnered with the Dress for Success organization to provide beauty and wardrobe makeovers for deserving women across the country. Professional makeup artists and stylists were on hand at the Chicago Avenue Salon today to help women look and feel their best as they begin new chapters of their personal and professional lives.

Puffs believes every woman deserves to look in the mirror with confidence and feel beautiful. To show support for that belief, Puffs is hosting a community on their Facebook page where people can share their inspiring words on how they put their best face forward every day. Participation in the conversation will give fans the opportunity to donate to Dress for Success and make them eligible to win prizes.

Like Puffs, Dress for Success aims to help women get a fresh new start in both work and in life, said Laura Dressman, Puffs communications manager. Were proud to partner with such an uplifting organization and are happy to offer a day of beauty to deserving women here in Chicago. We also hope that fans everywhere will visit our Facebook page to help us honor the beauty in all women.

Puffs tissues have always been what people reach for when suffering from cold and allergy symptoms, but Puffs are designed with your entire face in mind. Whether caring for a cold, applying makeup, or blotting away perspiration, Puffs looks to tackle all of the things your face has to face throughout the day. This is the brands second makeover event for this program, with the finale event taking place in New York City.

Dress for Success helps provide women with the confidence and tools they need to transform their lives both personally and professionally, said Maggie Schutz, Development Manager of Dress for Success Chicago. By partnering with Puffs, we know our clients left Chicago Avenue Salon with the confidence they need to put their best face forward as they re-enter the workforce.

Now through October 12th, a tab on the Puffs Facebook page will allow people to upload their inspirational quotes, tips and stories on how they put their best face forward every day. As fans submit their tip, Puffs will donate a minimum of $100,000 to Dress for Success Worldwide to help promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women. Also, with every entry, fans will be entered into a sweepstakes to win one of 60 Procter & Gamble beauty baskets as well as a grand prize trip to New York City for a beauty makeover.

Each submission will be hosted on a gallery within the tab where Puffs fans can gain confidence through the inspiring words of others in their community. The brand will post weekly themes to spark ideas, but fans are encouraged to post their own quotes, tips or stories that show support of the Puffs Facebook community and the women of Dress for Success.

Visit http://www.Facebook.com/Puffs for more information.

About Puffs

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Puffs® Partners with Dress for Success’ Chicago Affiliate to Help Local Women Put Their Best Face Forward

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) parent company of online learning provider American Public University System, which operates through American Military University and American Public University plans to release third quarter 2012 results before the open of U.S. financial markets on November 8, 2012.

A live webcast of its third quarter 2012 earnings conference call will be broadcast at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, November 8, 2012. This call will be open to listeners through the webcast section of the Company's investor relations website, http://www.AmericanPublicEducation.com. A replay of the live webcast will also be available starting approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live conference call. The replay will be archived and available to listeners for one year.

Webcast: http://www.americanpubliceducation.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=214618&p=irol-presentations

American Public Education, Inc.

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) is an online provider of higher education focused primarily on serving the military and public service communities. American Public University System (APUS), wholly owned by APEI, operates through American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). APUS serves more than 100,000 adult learners worldwide and offers 87 degree programs in fields ranging from homeland security, military studies, intelligence, and criminal justice to technology, business administration, public health, and liberal arts. Nationally recognized for its best practices in online higher education, APUS provides an affordable education through classes taught by experienced faculty who are leaders in their fields and committed to the academic achievement of their students.

American Public University System is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). For more information about APUS graduation rates, median debt of students who completed programs, and other important information, visit http://www.apus.edu/disclosure.

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American Public Education to Webcast Third Quarter 2012 Results Conference Call

What better setting to practice yoga than under the shade of trees in the crisp autumn air? And what better opportunity to get an introduction to the ancient meditative technique than at Saturday's "Yoga in the Park" at the Hanover Arboretum?

Five Hanover-area yoga instructors are taking their talents outside for the free event in an effort to draw together the yoga community and educate newcomers to the practice. The joint yoga event, to be held behind the Warehime-Myers Mansion on Baltimore Street, runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and will be followed by a vegetarian potluck social.

Organizer Misty Stillman said there is a solid but fragmented yoga community in Hanover.

"I feel like sometimes the yoga community is just not

Life In Balance Yoga owner Misty Stillman demonstrates some yoga techniques at her York Street studio. (THE EVENING SUN BRETT BERWAGER )

"Here, there is certainly no reason our community can't come together and get to know each other and support each other and show people who've never done yoga what yoga is all about. I think it's a really good thing," said Stillman, who has been a registered yoga instructor since 2008.

An ancient discipline for physical, mental, and spiritual development, yoga has been steadily gaining in popularity in this country for decades. Yoga proponents say it helps with the body's ability to heal itself and offers a relief from stress, improved concentration and peace

"Every time you do yoga it's an opportunity to get to know yourself better," Stillman said. "For me, it's changed my life. It's allowed me to grow emotionally."

Saturday's event will offer visitors an opportunity to learn firsthand about the different types of yoga and to meet and talk to the various instructors.

"There are so many different styles of yoga and different ways people teach yoga. You need to find a teacher that speaks to you," Stillman said. "Every teacher is different about how they work."

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Taking yoga to the park

By: John Dayberry | jdayberry@hickoryrecord.com Published: September 24, 2012 Updated: September 24, 2012 - 12:00 AM

HICKORY As a goalkeeper in high school and college soccer, Jeff Schellenberger looked forward most to the tough matchups, those in which his abilities would be greatly tested.

As coaching director of the Catawba Valley Youth Soccer Association, Schellenberger still relishes a challenge.

I just love to compete, Schellenberger says.

Engage Schellenberger in a conversation about soccer and youll quickly find that he loves most everything about the game.

Soccer requires you to prepare mentally and physically, he says. It takes years of perseverance to develop fully, but if you stick with it youll grow as a player and as a person. And youll make wonderful friends along the way. Thats been true in my life, and I want those things for everybody in the club.

Schellenberger, 50, grew up in rural Pennsylvania, and began playing soccer at age 12. A high school coach encouraged him to play goalkeeper, a position he found he enjoyed and stuck with through college. He earned a B.A. in Psychology at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., and went on to earn a Masters in Sports and Recreation Administration at Temple University in Philadelphia.

His years of coaching experience included stints at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pa., Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., and Albright College in Reading, Pa.

He found all three experiences rewarding.

When I joined those programs they werent very good, and when I left they were in pretty good shape, Schellenberger says. I really enjoyed helping those programs grow.

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Coaching director helps Catawba Valley Youth Soccer Association grow

Published: Sunday, September 23, 2012, 12:01 a.m.

In 1991, just one in 10 workers told the Employee Benefit Research Institute that they planned to wait to retire until they were older than 65. By 2007, three in 10 said that.

This year? More than four in 10.

Boomers cruising toward a traditional retirement suffered a financial comeuppance in the prolonged economic slump that began in late 2007. The downturn sapped jobs, stock and housing values, and interest on savings.

Many were also caught in the shift from defined-benefit pension plans to 401(k) plans that required workers to contribute toward their own retirement savings. Some didn't, a choice that will leave them short financially.

Small wonder that, according to the Pew Research Center, boomers are the gloomiest of all age groups about the health and future of their finances. Boomers were more likely than other age groups to tell Pew researchers that they lost money on investments since the recession hit. Nearly six in 10 said their household finances worsened.

Finally, employment-based health insurance for many retirees has been withering away, which is causing older workers to cling to paychecks.

Overall, the stage is set for a new normal: Working in retirement.

The number of older workers has grown more rapidly than any other age group in the past few years. This year, 18.6 percent of those 65 and older were participating in the labor force, compared with 13 percent in 2002.

At the same time, older workers represent a disproportionately large share -- 40 percent -- of people who have been trying to get back into the workforce for at least a year.

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Retirement for baby boomers is a moving target

One-in-four believe their personal financial situation will improve

TORONTO , Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - While the majority of Quebecers (67 per cent) rate their own level of financial knowledge as "excellent/good," they give the "average Canadian" a lower grade, stating that only one-in-three (33 per cent) has this same level of understanding, according to the RBC Canadian Consumer Outlook (RBC CCO).

"Acquiring a sound level of financial knowledge is all part of an ongoing learning process; we aren't born with it," noted Danielle Coutle, manager, sales strategies and support, Personal Financial Services, RBC. "Greater financial knowledge can be of immense help when you are trying to decide between a fixed or variable mortgage, how best to save money and where to invest your savings. Free advice to assist with improving your financial knowledge is available through our online RBC Advice Centre, or you can meet with a financial advisor for a consultation."

According to the RBC CCO survey, Quebec residents are taking proactive steps to improve their financial literacy by:

In addition to questions about financial knowledge, the quarterly RBC CCO asked people in Quebec to assess the national economy and found that, while 58 per cent of Quebecers believe the state of the national economy is good, only 24 per cent believe it will pick up in the next year. The latest RBC Economic Outlook notes that Quebec's economy will grow at a slower-than-average rate of 1.0 per cent, below the national average of 2.1 per cent.

"Performance in the early months of the year has been a mixed bag in Quebec , but we remain confident that growth will pick up moderately going forward," stated Craig Wright , senior vice-president and chief economist, RBC. "We expect that a strengthening U.S. economy will reinvigorate demand for Quebec's export products, benefiting the provincial manufacturing sector."

Other Quebec highlights from the RBC CCO include:

About RBC's debt management and other financial advice and interactive tools Whether Canadians want to get more from their day-to-day banking, protect what's important, save and invest, borrow with confidence or take care of their businesses, the RBC Advice Centre can help answer their questions. Interactive tools and calculators provide customized information covering many facets of personal finance, including the free Learning Money with Leo iPad app to help families teach children the value of money, the Debt Reduction Plan and the Debt Consolidation Calculator. With the guidance of RBC advisors who are available to chat live, Canadians have access to free, no-obligation professional advice about RBC products and services and personalized one-on-one service. Further information is available at rbcadvicecentre.com. In addition, RBC's myFinanceTracker, a comprehensive online financial management tool, offers all personal RBC online banking clients the ability, at no cost, to create a set budget and track their spending habits and to access tax-related apps in RBC's myTax Centre, to help manage and plan their taxes.

About the RBC Canadian Consumer Outlook The survey is conducted online via Ipsos Reid's national I-Say Consumer Panel to 3,027 Canadians (450 British Columbia, 449 Alberta, 453 Saskatchewan/Manitoba, 714 Ontario, 510 Quebec , 451 Atlantic Canada ). Weightingwas thenemployed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. Data collection was July 3 to 9, 2012. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100 per cent response rate would have an estimated margin of error of 1.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled.

SOURCE: RBC

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Majority of Quebecers confident about their level of financial knowledge: RBC Canadian Consumer Outlook

Most optimistic about personal financial situation in coming months

TORONTO , Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Seven-in-10 (71 per cent) Albertans believe they have a good level of financial knowledge, however, 74 per cent say the financial knowledge of the "average Canadian" is "not very good/terrible" and it is a serious issue that needs to be improved, according to the RBC Canadian Consumer Outlook (RBC CCO).

"Without sound financial knowledge, trying to make key financial decisions on a day-to-day basis or navigate through the vast array of financial options available, can be difficult for many Canadians," said Michael Wood , regional vice-president, Investments & Retirement Planners, Alberta and the Territories. "Regardless of your plans - whether saving for a first home, learning more about investment options, or planning for retirement - there are many helpful online tools and resources available, including our online RBC Advice Centre, to help you improve your financial literacy and make sound financial decisions."

According to the RBC CCO survey, Albertans are looking at different ways to improve their financial literacy, including:

In addition to questions about financial knowledge, the quarterly RBC CCO asked Albertans about the national economy and found that residents of the province are most optimistic (45 per cent) the Canadian economy will improve over the coming year, compared to people across the country (30 per cent). The latest RBC Economic Outlook indicates that Albertans have every reason to be optimistic about their own economy, with a projected growth rate of 3.8 per cent this year, well above the national average of 2.1 per cent.

"Alberta continues to lead the other provinces in economic performance indicators by a considerable margin in most instances," stated Craig Wright , senior vice-president and chief economist, RBC. "Capital spending in the energy sector will remain a key positive factor in the provincial economy, as will the increasing numbers of people settling in Alberta and the turnaround in the housing sector."

Other Alberta highlights from the RBC CCO include:

About RBC's debt management and other financial advice and interactive tools Whether Canadians want to get more from their day-to day-banking, protect what's important, save and invest, borrow with confidence or take care of their businesses, the RBC Advice Centre can help answer their questions. Interactive tools and calculators provide customized information covering many facets of personal finance, including the free Learning Money with Leo iPad app to help families teach children the value of money, the Debt Reduction Plan and the Debt Consolidation Calculator. With the guidance of RBC advisors who are available to chat live, Canadians have access to free, no-obligation professional advice about RBC products and services and personalized one-on-one service. Further information is available at rbcadvicecentre.com. In addition, RBC's myFinanceTracker, a comprehensive online financial management tool, offers all personal RBC online banking clients the ability, at no cost, to create a set budget and track their spending habits and to access tax-related apps in RBC's myTax Centre, to help manage and plan their taxes.

About the RBC Canadian Consumer Outlook The survey is conducted online via Ipsos Reid's national I-Say Consumer Panel to 3,027 Canadians (450 British Columbia, 449 Alberta, 453 Saskatchewan/Manitoba, 714 Ontario, 510 Quebec , 451 Atlantic Canada ). Weightingwas thenemployed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. Data collection was July 3 to 9, 2012. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100 per cent response rate would have an estimated margin of error of 1.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled.

SOURCE: RBC

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Albertans confident in their financial knowledge but don't believe the "average Canadian" has the same grasp: RBC ...