CHAMPAIGN, ILL. A national program that promotes youth fitness is changing to emphasize health over performance and materials published by Champaign-based Human Kinetics will be part of the new program.

The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition announced Monday it is replacing the President's Council Youth Fitness Test with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program.

The new program will use Fitnessgram, an assessment that reports on a student's individual health and fitness.

"It tells you how healthy you are, based on what you should be able to do for someone in your age group," Human Kinetics President Brian Holding said.

That's a change from the old youth fitness test, which compared a student's performance with those of his or her peers.

Fitnessgram software published by Human Kinetics for the Cooper Institute measures health-related fitness by evaluating cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition.

Fitnessgram has been adopted by many metropolitan school districts, including those in New York City, Indianapolis and Miami, Holding said.

The software also has been adopted statewide by Texas, Georgia and Delaware and is used in much of North Carolina, he added.

Holding said it's estimated that two-thirds of the schools that do physical fitness testing have been using Fitnessgram, and the other one-third have been using the President's Council Youth Fitness Test.

But with the President's Council switching gears, all those schools stand to be using Fitnessgram, he said.

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Presidential fitness program switches focus to personal health

Ticket named best new instant game at the 2012 World Lottery Summit!

WINNIPEG , Sept. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Pollard Banknote Limited (PBL.TO) (Pollard Banknote) is excited to announce the success of the Michigan Lottery's Cashword Instant ticket and WebPlay program, starring the Michigan Lottery Cashword app powered by Pollard Banknote. The award was presented at the World Lottery Summit in Montral this week.

"Pollard Banknote's WebPlay program enhances the value of an instant ticket by providing free extended play on the lottery's website or with a stand-alone smartphone app", said Co-Chief Executive Officer, Doug Pollard . "We have focused a lot of energy and attention toward developing technologies that will attract younger players and drive sales for our customers. The Michigan Lottery has been a wonderful partner and an active supporter of our technology as it stimulates sales, provides added entertainment value, and most importantly, captures the attention of the 18-25 year old market. The fact there were one million Cashword interactive games played within the first six months of the program is a testament to its success."

The Michigan Lottery's Cashword WebPlay program features a custom app developed by Pollard Banknote that utilizes a quick response (QR) code to download the Michigan Cashword Lottery app. Once downloaded, players can continue to play their retailer-purchased instant ticket in an online format for a second chance to win instant ticket coupons or points for redemption on the Michigan Lottery's Player's Club. Both the app and the web-based version of the game can also be played for fun without the purchase of a Cashword ticket.

Sales data since the February 2012 introduction of the Michigan Lottery Cashword app shows the WebPlay program was responsible for a 52% increase in average weekly sales of the already popular Cashword category as average weekly sales jumped from a total of $2.3 million to $3.5 million .

"Research shows the ability to play the game on a personal computer or on-the-go with a smartphone has successfully engaged the coveted 18-25 demographic, of which 20% play the app for fun at least once a day after download", stated Tom Weber , Deputy Commissioner of Marketing with the Michigan Lottery. "Fifty-five percent of players who played the app for fun were influenced to purchase a ticket in order to play the app for prizes, while 75% of 18-25 year-old segment said they were more likely to purchase Cashword tickets after playing the Michigan Lottery Cashword app. The recent award for our Cashword program at the World Lottery Summit is further recognition of our work as an industry innovator and a strong endorsement of the Lottery's ability to create compelling products for the future, including extending lottery games into the mobile space while still supporting our retail network", said Weber.

With the mandate to support education in the state, the Michigan Lottery generated over $727 million for Michigan's educational system in 2011. Since 1972, the Lottery's total contributions to schooling have grown to exceed $16 billion .

About Pollard Banknote Limited Pollard Banknote Limited is one of the world's leading full-service lottery vendors and is a major supplier to North America's charitable gaming industry. The company manufactures instant lottery tickets and provides related programming, design, and marketing support. As well, Pollard Banknote manufactures pull tab tickets and bingo paper, and supplies lottery management services (including warehousing and distribution). Established in 1907, Pollard Banknote is owned approximately 73.5% by the Pollard family and 26.5% by public shareholders and currently serves more than 50 lotteries worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected lotteries in the United States , Canada , Europe , Asia, and Central and South America .

Forward-looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements and information which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this document, such statements include such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "plan," and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this document. There should not be an expectation that such information will in all circumstances be updated, supplemented, or revised whether as a result of new information, changing circumstances, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Pollard Banknote Limited

Originally posted here:
Pollard Banknote and Michigan Lottery Partner for Success with Cashword WebPlay™ Interactive Game

Brussels, September 13th 2012

Solvay accelerates its development in Indiawith the acquisition of Sunshield Chemicals

Reinforcing its leading position in specialty surfactants in fast growing markets

Solvay announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Sunshield Chemicals, an Indian company specializing in surfactants, from Amit Choksey Group. This acquisition will enable Solvay`s Novecare business to accelerate growth plans in India for the home and personal care, agrochemicals, coatings and industrial applications markets. Solvay is determined to double its sales in India by 2015.

"This bolt-on acquisition will enable us to speed up our pace of growth in the Indian surfactants market that is currently enjoying double-digit annual growth. With Sunshield Chemicals, we are expanding our existing industrial base in this country and reinforcing our commercial presence in strong growth market segments," explains Emmanuel Butstraen, President of Novecare. "Our aim is to further consolidate our leading positions in specialty surfactants in Asia and to support our customers` development in this part of the world."

Sunshield Chemicals, a company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), generated net sales of INR 943 million (EUR 13.5 million) in its most recent financial year ended March 31, 2012. The price of the acquisition results in a Enterprise Value multiple below 9x the estimated adjusted EBITDA for the current year. This transaction enables Amit Choksey Group to focus more on their other activities in the field of pigments and other related products. The operation, subject to fulfillment of customary conditions and agreements, is expected to be concluded within a period of approximately three months.

This acquisition follows the opening of a major innovation center in Savli (Gujarat State) and further reinforces the Group`s presence and commitment in India. Moreover, Solvay is determined to double its sales in India by 2015. The Group has been doing business in this country since 2000 through its Novecare, Engineering Plastics and Specialty Polymers activities. With seven production sites and about 900 employees, the Group generated net sales of 180 million euros in India in 2011.

SUNSHIELD CHEMICALS, an Indian company from Amit Choksey Group, produces and exports surfactants, cross-linkers and antioxidants. Working from its production site near Mumbai, Sunshield Chemicals serves a large number of markets for various applications in agrochemicals, textiles, coatings, lubricants, plastics, metal treatment, home and personal care products. Sunshield Chemicals is based in Mumbai and listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

SOLVAY is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development with a clear focus on innovation and operational excellence. Its recent acquisition of specialty chemicals company Rhodia created a much larger player, which is realizing over 90% of its sales in markets where it is among the top 3 global leaders. Solvay offers a broad range of products that contribute to improving the quality of life and the performance of its customers in markets such as consumer goods, construction, automotive, energy, water and environment, and electronics. The Group is headquartered in Brussels, employs about 31,000 people in 55 countries and generated EUR 12.7 billion in net sales in 2011 (pro forma). Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on NYSE Euronextin Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR).

Novecare, one of the major Global Business Units of Solvay`s Rhodia sector generating net sales of approximately 1.6 billion in 2011, provides high-performance products and solutions to a wide range of industries including cosmetics, detergents, agrochemicals, oil & gas, coatings and industrial applications. Thanks to its worldwide industrial presence and a global R&D and tech-support network, Novecare holds front-ranking positions in surfactants, amines, phosphorus derivatives, natural & synthetic polymers and monomers technologies, and eco-friendly solvents-based formulations. Thanks to its expertise in protection, surface modification, rheology, and active delivery, Novecare provides its customers with solutions enabling them to improve their formulations and processes and to protect human health and the environment.

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Solvay accelerates its development in Indiawith the acquisition of Sunshield Chemicals

Partner yoga an experimental fitness class being offered at 9 p.m. Tuesday nights at State Gym, promotes exploring your mind/body, but now people do not necessarily have to do it by themselves. Now they can explore their mind and body with another person.

Yoga literally translates to "union" or more specifically, the union of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines. When practicing yoga, individuals are working to develop these aspects of themselves; but in partner yoga, these disciplines stretch beyond individual development.

When youre working in yoga, youre trying to build relationships with yourself. ... When you add a partner, youre working to develop a relationship, said Nora Hudson, fitness coordinator for Recreation Services. So you are always gaining insight into all the different levels of the relationship physical, mental and spiritual.

Partner yoga, Hudson said, involves a lot of coordination.

Theres definitely more balance work that needs to happen because you have to negotiate between two people, Hudson said. You have to quickly look outside yourself and be observant of that individual and their needs and physical abilities, and learn how to match that and coordinate it.

Hudson suggested this balance is a symbolic concept of any relationship a balance that gives and takes and understanding how to come together to form one unified posture.

[It] really helps develop a sense of trust within both people, said Paul Beamer, senior in horticulture and yoga instructor. You have to learn to communicate pretty effectively and be willing to trust yourself and the other person. Its a nice shared experience you dont get elsewhere.

Partner yoga requires a higher physical level at the core, making it a great challenge for core and body strength. Having a partner also allows you to reach a posture you couldnt do by yourself, or is dependent upon the second person to facilitate it deeper. This allows for a different experience of your body, Hudson said.

Chad Yuen, graduate student in chemistry and lead instructor of partner yoga, explained that partner yoga is a variety of different traditional yoga poses but taken to the next level.

Examples of these more difficult moves include, flying poses, which is one person as base, one balancing to fly similar to playing airplane as a child, or double downward dog," which is one person doing downward dog, while the other stands on their hands and rests their feet on the back of the downward dog.

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New twist to yoga: partner yoga

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jim Calhoun has spent more than half his life as a head basketball coach, never venturing far from the New England area where he was born.

Between coaching stints at Northeastern and Connecticut, he racked up 873 wins - 625 of them coming at his beloved UConn, where he ran the men's program for 26 years and won three national titles.

Recently, though, the 70-year-old Hall of Famer has struggled with health problems, including a fractured hip last month that put him on crutches. On Thursday, he planned to announce his retirement, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Calhoun's move had not yet been made public. WVIT-TV in Hartford first reported the expected announcement.

Assistant coach Kevin Ollie was expected to replace Calhoun, the person who spoke to the AP said. The school scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference ''to address the future of the men's basketball program.''

Ollie will take over a Huskies team that is ineligible for the 2013 NCAA tournament because of its failure to meet national academic standards, one of several off-court problems that hit UConn late in Calhoun's tenure.

The Huskies will open this year with just five players who saw significant playing time last season.

Before fracturing his hip, Calhoun fought off cancer three times and missed eight games last season while suffering from a painful spinal condition. He returned just four days after having back surgery to coach the Huskies in their regular-season finale and the postseason.

UConn finished the year 20-14, losing to Iowa State in the first-round of the NCAA tournament.

In addition to his medical leave, Calhoun served a three-game suspension at the start of the Big East season last winter for failing to maintain an atmosphere of compliance in his program with NCAA rules, an issued that dated back to recruiting violations in 2008.

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AP Source: UConn coach Jim Calhoun retiring

Jim Calhoun led the Connecticut Huskies to three NCAA championships, four Final Four berths and seven Big East Tournament titles in his 25-year coaching career, but now the program must step into a new era.

Calhoun's announcement that he will retire on Thursday turns a new page in Storrs, Connecticut. Calhoun's former player and assistant coach Kevin Ollie will take over on the sidelines, but how do you replace someone with his success and experience?

You can't do it. Connecticut's program will take a step back, and it's not necessarily the university's fault. Calhoun was just that good.

This is a coach with 873 career wins. Granted, only 618 of those came as the Huskies coach, but that doesn't change his impact on the UConn program.

The Huskies haven't had a losing record since Calhoun's debut yearin 1986. They have been one of the country's most consistent programs, and they did it without blue-chip players the majority of the time.

Sure, they had their Rudy Gays and Richard Hamiltons, but Calhoun created a foundation based on blue-collar, hard-working talents. Those players seemed to identify with him, and they bought into his system.

He got every ounce out of every player, and he knew how to manage his team in big games.

Just look at the big games the Huskies managed to win. How about Tate George's famous buzzer-beater to beat Clemson in the 1990 NCAA Tournament? Or Hamilton's less famous, but no less miraculous, game-winner against Washington in the 1998 tournament?

Calhoun was instrumental in keeping his team focused during those critical moments. That doesn't even go into the Huskies' 2011 national championship. With or without Kemba Walker, that was Calhoun's most impressive effort.

The Huskies have played with a chip on their shoulders for years, just like their coach. Ollie comes from Calhoun's system, so you'd like to think that will stay the same, but his coaching philosophy could be completely different.

Read more here:
Jim Calhoun Retirement: How Will the Huskies Fare as Life after Calhoun Begins?

CALIFORNIA WOW

Members of the embattled health club California Wow yesterday demanded a total of 21.62 million baht in compensation from the company for failing to provide the fitness services it promised.

About 100 California Wow customers and Consumer Protection Foundation staff converge at Silom Complex in Bangkok yesterday morning, demanding the financially troubled fitness club repay membership fees after closing down its branches. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

About 100 members of the health club gathered in front of the Consumer Protection Foundation (CPF) office on Silom Road demanding the company accept responsibility for failing to provide the services agreed upon.

The protesters said they had paid the company the membership fees stipulated for the use of exercise equipment and the company had reneged.

CPF official Sawanee Chumchaliew said a total of 300 members had prepaid a combined total of 21.6 million baht for use of the equipment and had not received the promised services when the health club went into bankruptcy.

The demanded compensation would be much more if the fees paid by another 200 members were included, she said.

The company was closed down in July without giving any notice to its members.

Many of the members still have assets in the club's lockers and could not get them out.

In addition, the members' payments were made through credit cards and cannot be cancelled. The fees are still being charged by the company without any services being provided, Ms Sawanee said.

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Health club creditors want B21m refund

Fidelity Investments has come up with a rule of thumb workers can use to see if their retirement savings are on track.

It shows what percent of their current salary workers should have saved up at various ages if they want to be able to retire at age 67 and live on 85 percent of final pay.

To get there, the average worker should have saved (in all retirement accounts combined) about a year's worth of salary at age 35, three times at age 45, five times at age 55 and eight times by age 67.

For example, a worker earning $100,000 at age 67 should have saved $800,000.

The rule makes various assumptions - such as that the worker starts saving at age 25, saves continuously until age 67, lives until age 92 and earns an average investment return of 5.5 percent. It also assumes the person starts contributing 6 percent of pay to a workplace plan and increases that by one percentage point a year until reaching 12 percent and gets a matching contribution equal to 3 percent of pay from the employer.

Change any of those assumptions and the amount needed at various ages also changes.

Fidelity, like most retirement-plan administrators, has more sophisticated tools workers can use to get personalized answers to their questions.

It devised the rule of thumb because so many of its more than 17 million retirement-plan participants wanted to know if they were on track to retire and "didn't want a half-hour explanation," says Jeanne Thompson, a vice president of market insights with Fidelity.

Most retirement rules of thumb focus on how much to save each year (10 to 15 percent is a common benchmark), how much you should have saved by the end of your career or what percent of your final pay you need to live on in retirement (70 to 85 percent is a good target).

But none provided a benchmark workers could use to see if they are on track.

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Retirement rule of thumb from Fidelity

Summer reading is over, and so if you're starting to veer away from lighter beach reading and more into the heavier stuff, you might want to take a look at some of the self-help personal finance books out there and put them on their reading list especially if you've been crunching numbers and wondering why you took that wildly expensive vacation and used up most of the money in your bank account and on your credit cards. Or if, even worse, you're crunching numbers and wondering why you didn't have any money so you could take a wildly expensive vacation.

So in case you're looking for something to read, here are a few of the many new personal finance books that have either just come out or are coming out soon.

Title: Personal Freedom and Finance: Short Foundational Discussions on Personal Economics and Finance in Today's Young Adults

Author: Brooks Levonitis.

What it's about: It's a series of topical discussions about defining financial success individually and what it really takes to become independent in today's uncertain and complex world. In other words, it's an investing book aimed at the young adult crowd.

Title: Rich Kid Smart Kid: Giving Your Child a Financial Head Start

Author: Robert T. Kiyosaki

What it's about: Presumably his book, which hits bookstores on October 30, is along the same lines as the rest of Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad motivational self-help financial books, a phenomenally successful series (his 15 books are said to have sold around 26 million copies). For comparison's sake, the personal finance book I co-authored in 2010, Living Well with Bad Credit sold well, let's put it this way. Kiyosaki is a rich dad, and I'm still a poor dad.

Title: How to Give Financial Advice to Women: Attracting and Retaining High-Net Worth Female Clients

Author: Kathleen Burns Kingsbury

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Your Fall Personal Finance Reading List

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSNn3KWQ0j0

12-09-2012 17:28 Online education has been around for years but there was a hearing in Trenton today focusing on the introduction of online education in New Jersey's charter schools. It's an idea that has sparked controversy among educators. NJ Today Managing Editor Mike Schneider spoke with Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-38) who co-chaired today's hearing. For more New Jersey news, visit NJ Today online at

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Education Committee Holds Hearing on Virtual Charter Schools - Video