If the Federal Reserve had a manual, the current chapter might be called "Giving it the old college try."

More than four years after the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, the economy is still limping along, companies are reluctant to hire and the unemployed are so discouraged that millions have given up looking for jobs. So the Federal Reserve announced Thursday it is trying yet another round of economic stimulus without any certainty it will bring people back to work.

In essence, Chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed doesn't have the ability to provide all the fixes the economy needs, but he's using what he has to try to get companies to hire more. What he can do is try to influence interest rates, the stock market and confidence.

He's trying to make it cheaper for companies to borrow money and for individuals to buy or refinance homes so both groups will spend more. If spending picks up, the thinking goes, companies will need to hire so they can produce and sell more.

The central bank said it would begin buying billions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities, its best shot at pushing down mortgage rates. To prove the Fed's commitment, it left the program open-ended and said it was prepared to do even more "if the outlook for the labor market does not improve substantially."

In a dramatic acknowledgment of the depths of the problems, the Fed said it would try to keep interest rates at their current near-zero level until at least mid-2015. That pushes back the commitment from late 2014.

But Bernanke said the new action "is no panacea," and analysts are skeptical that it will accomplish little more than give a bump to the stock market, which typically spikes on dramatic Fed pronouncements. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 206.51 points on the Fed's news and is up almost 11 percent this year, but that gain will disappear quickly if the economy fails to gain traction.

Bernanke thinks the Fed's planned actions will help. But he notes that economists, and Fed governors too, disagree on how much.

The job market is being affected by several factors that tend to be outside the Fed's control, Bernanke noted: the European recession, which curtails spending on U.S. products; cuts and layoffs coming in state and local governments; and a continued lack of lending from banks. In other words, while people with strong credit scores can borrow, those hit by the housing crisis and layoffs can't refinance homes or borrow to buy them.

Also looming over business confidence is a threat to the economy from political leadership. At the end of this year, hundreds of billions of dollars in tax increases and spending cuts are scheduled to occur. And if Congress is paralyzed and lets them happen, Bernanke assumes the economy will go into recession.

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Personal Finance: Fed's latest move no guarantee of success

SCRANTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Penn Foster, Inc., a global leader in online education with over 150,000 students, today announced that it was named a Military Friendly School for 2013 by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Penn Foster is ranked in the top 15% of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide. Now in its fourth year, the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide. The survey results that comprise the 2013 list were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology established by G.I. Jobs.

Penn Foster's relationship with our country's military is extensive and significant and it is an honor for us to be named, said Frank Britt, CEO of Penn Foster. We strongly believe in the importance of education for those serving our country and believe we bring unique value in providing accelerated online programs, specialized military services, and education and training benefits for military personnel and their families.

Penn Foster first donated its curricula to the U.S. Marine Corps over ninety years ago to help launch the Marine Corps Institute (MCI). Still in operation today, MCI facilitates the training and education of individual Marines through online learning. Today, Penn Foster provides the Army Corps of Engineers with apprenticeship training at numerous military installations throughout the U.S.

Penn Fosters Specialized Military Service Program

Penn Fosters online programs allow service members to enroll at any time and study wherever the military service takes them. The flexible online format enables students to progress through the program as quickly as they feel comfortable and many complete in less than a year. Some of the unique benefits of Penn Fosters military service program include: an entire team of educational advisors dedicated solely to helping students achieve a rewarding career in civilian life, accreditation and licensing to provide the online programs that military students need and expertise around specific military education benefits such as:

Through the long-standing relationship with the countrys military, Penn Foster is not only able to help service members when it comes to schooling but also their families. By being MyCAA approved and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, Penn Foster has been approved to accept the financial assistance, up to $4000 for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials that lead to employment in portable career fields. This combined with the tuition assistance programs lead students to a clear path for debt free education, especially since Penn Foster college courses are five times below the per credit costs of most community colleges and half the cost of other online schools. Military spouses are required to finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course, and qualifying education credentials are limited to associate degrees, certifications and licensures. Penn Foster is dedicated to helping our military find funding programs that are available to them and we want to provide them with a flexible and affordable education solution that works for them and their families, continued Britt.

About Penn Foster

Penn Foster is a global leader in online education, providing high school diplomas, career-focused degree and vocational programs in the fields of allied health, business, technology, education, and select trades. Penn Foster has a rich history in distance learning, tracing back to their roots as the International Correspondence School in 1890. The institution today, comprised of Penn Foster High School, the largest high school in the United States; Penn Foster College and Penn Foster Career School, graduates 25,000 annually, and has always been dedicated to educating and training America's working population.

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Penn Foster College Named Military Friendly School for 2013

South Carolina State University Associate Head Coach Murray Garvin doesnt see himself as just a coach in the game of basketball, but as a motivator making a difference in the game of life.

Garvin, a 14-year coaching veteran, is in his second season with the Bulldog mens basketball program and is passionate about not only coaching but improving the people around him. He recently had the chance to share some of his life experiences and the importance of making an impact to a group of local teachers and administrators at Mellichamp Elementary School.

I just wanted to share with them my experiences in the game of life on and off the court about what we are giving to our youth these days, he said. Every day when I went to school growing up there was someone that made an impact on my life.

Garvin, a native of Pikeville, Kentucky, was raised in a single-parent home without his father, but despite adversity he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education degree from Eastern Kentucky and is now doing the one thing he loves in lifecoaching and mentoring young men.

There was always a role model in my life growing up, whether it was a teacher, pastor, or coach it was someone there to guide me in the right direction, Garvin said. I learned how to be a man from them, stated Garvin. It was important to model their behavior because I wanted to be just like them. So I ask you as young educators what are you putting into your students?

Before arriving at South Carolina State University he had the chance to participate in the NCAA-Black Coaches and Administrators Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) Program. Garvin was one of 12 Mens basketball coaches selected nationwide to participate in a four-day event in Indianapolis, IN. Participants received training and education in the areas of leadership, communication, campus relations, media, community involvement and program management.

Its critical that they (male teachers) know that these young boys are modeling everything they do, down to the way they walk, talk and dress. Coaching is not a job its my passion and every day you step in that classroom you should be pouring something in those kids that they will take with them for the rest of their life.

He went on to say, I leave you with this, you should know you are teaching the next Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Michael Jordan. These kids can be whatever they want in life but it starts with you, the teacher.

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Garvin Speaks to Teachers on the Importance of Making an Impact

Luke Power will move straight into a full-time coaching position with Greater Western Sydney, having announced his retirement after a decorated 302-game AFL career.

Power spent 14 season with Brisbane - and was a member of their 2001-03 triple premiership-winning outfits - before joining GWS for their debut season in 2012.

The 32-year-old midfielder played 20 games for the Giants this year, while sharing the captaincy duties with Callan Ward and Phil Davis and acting as an assistant coach.

That assistant coaching role will now become a fulltime one in 2013.

"A year ago when I retired from the Brisbane Lions I probably wasn't equipped to go into a role in coaching or in football," said Power.

"Under the tutelage of a lot of people this year I've learned a lot about the game, a lot about myself and about teaching young players.

"I'm looking forward to getting into the next stage of my life."

Do you want to walk out in front of 90,000 people at a packed MCG and toss the coin at the 2012 AFL Grand Final?

Enter our Unbreakable Toyota Hilux competition and you and a friend will be at the biggest game of the year and you will toss the coin before the opening bounce.

For your chance to win this incredible prize enter here.

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Luke Power turns to coaching at GWS Giants

Luke Power will move straight into a full-time coaching position with Greater Western Sydney, having announced his retirement after a decorated 302-game AFL career.

Power spent 14 season with Brisbane - and was a member of their 2001-03 triple premiership-winning outfits - before joining GWS for their debut season in 2012.

The 32-year-old midfielder played 20 games for the Giants this year, while sharing the captaincy duties with Callan Ward and Phil Davis and acting as an assistant coach.

That assistant coaching role will now become a fulltime one in 2013.

"A year ago when I retired from the Brisbane Lions I probably wasn't equipped to go into a role in coaching or in football," said Power.

"Under the tutelage of a lot of people this year I've learned a lot about the game, a lot about myself and about teaching young players.

"I'm looking forward to getting into the next stage of my life."

Do you want to walk out in front of 90,000 people at a packed MCG and toss the coin at the 2012 AFL Grand Final?

Enter our Unbreakable Toyota Hilux competition and you and a friend will be at the biggest game of the year and you will toss the coin before the opening bounce.

For your chance to win this incredible prize enter here.

Read the original here:
Power turns to coaching

STA mentor Salvacion grateful to be back on field

September 17, 2012 6:25 PM

Two of Dave Salvacion's biggest loves in life are coaching soccer and officiating lacrosse. It takes something serious for him to leave the field in the middle of a game.

Having a stroke qualifies.

The symptoms surfaced during a girls lacrosse game he was working on May 14 in Portsmouth between the Clippers and Bishop Guertin.

"It happened at halftime," Salvacion said. "Everything was tilted sideways. I told my partner something was wrong. I started the second half. I tried to follow the ball, but everything just went sideways."

And his world was about to be turned upside down.

"I called time-out," he said, "and I promptly threw up at the scorer's table. That's basically the last thing I remember other than waking up the following Saturday after my surgeries and getting my last rites. That's how close I was."

According to Salvacion, a blood clot had formed near his heart and traveled to his brain, damaging the part of the brain that controls balance.

"I didn't suspect I was having a stroke," he said. "They said I was lucky it didn't go into my lungs. That would have stopped me dead in my tracks and there would have been no chance."

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After stroke, a new outlook for soccer coach

One of the most challenging things for life science and healthcare entrepreneurs is developing a compelling presentation that will wow investors and motivate them to invest in their companies.

But there are a lot of components to that pitch that entrepreneurs may not even have considered. And what about the investor questions? How would you handle a provocative question from an investor that seems to diminish your work? A flash of anger and you may lose even the potential investors who believe in what youre doing.

Mid Atlantic Diamond Ventures, an entrepreneurship advisory and venture forum program, is affiliated with Temple Universitys Fox School of Business. It runs a coaching program that seeks to get startups to the golden chalice: a second meeting with investors.

In addition to a second meeting another goal of the program is to get entrepreneurs hardwired into the entrepreneur ecosystem.

The coaching process we use is a scrub process, said Lucas. For scrub sessions, entrepreneurs come in with an investment pitch, half of the board [from Mid Atlantic Diamond Ventures] will be in the room to provide feedback on presentations. Investors include entrepreneurs across life science technology, marketing, engineering so they are getting rich, well-rounded feedback.

Its a tough love approach. Entrepreneurs might hear, Weve seen this before and it doesnt work. Go back and take a different approach.

The program has four pitching events each year with presentations from eight to 10 companies across IT, life science, and physical science the next forum is scheduled for September 21.

One goal of this program is to get them a second meeting so can do a deeper dive into [their service or product] but another goal is to help them build contacts, build a customer pipeline, guide them through the grant process, help them find a manufacturer if they need one, Lucas said.

Even serial entrepreneurs sometimes neglect or cast aside advice they receive from the coaching program and that can come back to haunt them. Among those potential pitfalls are providing a valuation too soon, not doing enough market research on needs of customers, and blurting out your intellectual property or failing to present complex concept in terms that non-insiders can understand.

Originally co-founded as Diamond State Ventures in 2003 in Newark, Delaware, the investor forum was was acquired by Temple Universitys Fox School of Business in 2006.

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Coaching program for startups seeks to get companies hotwired into entrepreneur ecosystem

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr-3SROXy20

17-09-2012 05:49 Online degrees, accelerated, affordable, fitness training, health and fitness, nutrition and exercise and sport psychology. fitness degree online, personal training degree, health and fitness degrees, sport psychology degrees

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Wexford University Health, Fitness, Nutrition Degrees - Video

(PRWEB) September 18, 2012

U.S. and international students who want to get an early start on their New Years resolutions can now register for online classes in health, fitness, nutrition, exercise and sports psychology at Wexford University; winter session online college classes begin Jan. 7, 2013. The 100 percent online university offers associate through doctoral programs with self-directed learning and flexible scheduling.

In addition, foreign students can complete international degree programs with an easy online credit transfer process, and all military personnel can enjoy a 15 percent discount on their health, fitness and wellness education through Wexford University online. Likewise, both U.S. and international students receive a 10 percent education when tuition is paid in full up front.

Online registration for degrees in fitness training, health and fitness, nutrition and sports psychology is now available at http://wexford.edu/. Innovative online classes run through mid-March, and spring, summer and fall online college sessions are also available in 2013.

Starting out the year with a flexible online education is a great way to launch both the year and a career in health and wellness, said Jack Bauerle, Chancellor of Wexford University. Wexfords real-world education can help people find lucrative careers in the growing health and fitness field, and our students can enjoy a convenient, affordable, self-paced education process.

Wexford Universitys online degree programs include the following options: associate of arts degree in Fitness Training, bachelor of science degree in Health and Fitness, master of science degree in Nutrition and Exercise, master of arts in Applied Sports Psychology and a doctorate degree in Applied Sports Psychology.

Interested students can complete an online application at http://wexford.edu/.

About Wexford University Wexford University is dedicated to providing world-class education through cutting-edge technology, offering direct application degree programs in an accelerated format with 100 percent online learning to save time and money. Programs include an associate of arts degree in Fitness Training, bachelors degree in Health and Fitness, masters degree in Nutrition and Exercise as well as masters degree and doctorate degree in Applied Sport Psychology. Wexford University is the higher education division of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association). For more information, please visit http://wexford.edu/.

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Wexford University Now Accepting Applications for January Classes in Fitness, Nutrition and Sport Psychology for U.S ...

There are quite a few last minute touches being put on the new Choice Health and Fitness Center. A Grand Opening Celebration will be held Monday and health officials are hoping to have everything done before that day.

There is plenty of work going on including pouring concrete for sidewalks, cleaning up the parking lot and laying sod before next week. And there's much more happening inside the nearly $24 million facility. More than $27 million was raised with $3.5 million going to the YMCA Family Center for updates and renovations.

Workers are finishing up locker rooms, steam rooms, tiling and one of the final areas to be finished up will be the tennis area which still needs curtains and nets hung up. Fitness officials say the nice weather has construction ahead of schedule. The facility was originally going to open more than a month from now. Work will continue on the 42 acres of land surrounding the facility which will have six outdoor tennis courts, a splash park and possibly a greenhouse and orchard next spring.

The Grand Opening which is open to the the public will be Monday, September 24th from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Tags: reporter stories,lezlie johnson,choice health and fitness,news,updates

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Choice Health and Fitness Center to Open Next Week