New Zealand Surf Life Saving volunteer of the year Antony Mason at the St Clair Surf Life Saving Club. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

Antony Mason was last night announced the 2012 New Zealand Surf Life Saving volunteer of the year at a ceremony at Queens Wharf in Wellington.

"I think my name just got pulled out of a hat. This award is a reflection of what the club's achieved," Mr Mason said.

"It's an individual recognition, but we're an organisation that prides itself on teamwork. I'm just the general dogsbody. It's good for surf life-saving in Otago and Southland to have this recognition, but I'm a bit humbled and embarrassed about it, really, because you're just one person in an organisation. I've been reflecting on it, thinking, do I deserve this? Have I done enough?"

Mr Mason (42) has been a tireless supporter of the club since he qualified as a lifeguard in 1984, raising sponsorship, managing accounts, instructing inflatable rescue boat crews and lifeguards, organising club events and even washing the club patrol kit every week.

"I remember kicking around the club when I was 5 years old. I was lucky to grow up at the surf club and fell in love with being at the beach as a kid. Somehow, I've never been able to walk away," he said.

"Surf life-saving sets kids up for life. We like to think that we help create better people through involvement with surf life-saving. We get kids starting in our junior programme now when they're 5 years old. They bring their families and parents along and it's a real family environment. It's quite unique, compared to other sporting clubs. It's a sports club which also provides an important community service."

Mr Mason's other job is as a firefighter at the Dunedin central station.

"Surf life-saving sets people up for careers in the police, fire and emergency services. You're learning to do things like driving boats, dealing with situations and doing St John first aid courses," he said.

"I used to compete, but now I get a real buzz from seeing others achieving."

Here is the original post:
Otago life-saver wins NZ award

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6uaT6QNZ9U

21-09-2012 09:19 Alison Monke, YMCA Marketing Director, talks about the Go Valley Health and Fitness Expo Oct 19 & 20.

Excerpt from:
YMCA - Go Valley Health and Fitness Expo.mov - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FwRn4yWmNg

21-09-2012 02:29 Mary Morrison was strangled to death in July 2011.

Follow this link:
Retirement home murder still unsolved - Video

It's never too early to create a retirement plan, but before you dive in, make sure the water is clear. Retirement investing takes careful planning to get the results you want. With a few simple tips you can start to make the most out of your plan.

Tip 1: Budget

Every solid retirement plan starts with a concrete budget. Budgeting allows you to determine the amount of money you can contribute and save inside and outside of your retirement plan. Budget calculators are a useful way to determine your expendable monthly income and the amount you have available for savings. The amount you contribute to your 401(k) plan is largely dependent on your available savings.

The percentage you contribute to your 401(k) can be loosely determined by age. According to Linda Gadkowski of Beacon Financial Planning, in your 20s you should contribute 10% of your income. In your 30s, contribute 15% of your income toward retirement, and in your 40s, around 20%. However, if possible, you should always contribute the maximum amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

Tip 2: Get a full match

To make sure you're getting as much out of your 401(k) as possible, get a full match. Employer 401(k) plans often contribute 50 cents of every dollar you contribute, up to 6% of your income. To get a full match, you should contribute at least the percentage that your employer is contributing. For example, if you make $50,000 a year and your employer is contributing 50 cents of every dollar at 6% of your income, they will contribute $1,500. You will contribute the full 6% of your income, which is $3,000.

However, contributing more than the match is always a good idea for extra savings and tax breaks. See how much money you'll save in your 401(k) plan with our 401(k) savings calculator.

Tip 3: Max out your 401(k)

To reduce your income taxes and save more money, max out your 401(k). The IRS determines the maximum amount of money you can contribute to your 401(k) on an annual basis. For 2012, the maximum is $17,000.

Contributing the maximum amount of money to your 401(k) reduces federal income taxes and most state taxes. If you make $50,000 a year and contribute the $17,000 maximum, you'll only be taxed on federal income for $33,000. State income taxes vary.

Read more from the original source:
Three Tips for Early Retirement Investing

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Oakley, one of the leading global sports brands, is celebrating its Olympic BEYOND REASON athlete and artist partnership program with a ten day online auction of one-of-a-kind artwork that showcases how elite athletes approach their performance through a distinct, personal lens. The pieces of art, which were inspired by Olympians such as U.S. gold medal beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh, South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, U.S. hurdler Lolo Jones and British cyclist Mark Cavendish, are available for bidding at http://www.oakley.com/beyondreasonauction until 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 30th.

During the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Oakley partnered a select group of its athletes with artists from every corner of the world to launch BEYOND REASON. The artists chosen are innovative and groundbreaking visionaries, who spent time with their athlete partners to better understand what drives and inspires them to push the limits of human performance and endurance. Each artist developed a deeply personal piece of art that showcased the athletes BEYOND REASON mentality. The artwork was unveiled at events around the world leading up to the London Olympics and then placed on display during the games at the London Design Museum.

This unique creative endeavor provided us with a personal view of world class athletes and how they prepare for competition through an artistic lens, said Mike Crowell, VP of Marketing and GTM. We chose these athletes to be the first BEYOND REASON collaborators because of their refusal to accept boundaries and willingness to dream and deliver unexpected results. We thank them and their artist partners for sharing with the world what makes them who they are during athletic competition.

The road to the 2012 Olympics and my gold medal was a long and rewarding journey, said London gold medalist Kerri Walsh, who partnered with New York City painter Les Rogers on Six Feet of Sunshine. I am thrilled that one of my fans will be able to own this unique piece of art thanks to Oakleys BEYOND REASON campaign and enjoy a portal that showcases the positive energy and vibrant passion I bring to the sand each day.

"Competing in the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2012 Paralympic Games was the highlight of my track career, said Oscar Pistorius, who teamed with artist WK on a three piece painting Vision, Fear, Accomplishment, 2012. It is my hope thatthe piece my story inspired WK to create motivates others around the world to embrace the challenges placed in front of them and truly believe that there is nothing Beyond Reason.

Oscars piece embodiesa mix of fear and the hurdles he has faced and continues to overcome, said WK, artist of Pistorius Beyond Reason artwork. Given the unique reputation that he has throughout the world for his athletic achievements, I wanted this piece to stand tall and proud, focused and intent, while allowing those who viewed it to discover Oscars greatness on their own.

All bidding will take place online at http://www.oakley.com/beyondreasonauction. The auction will last ten days and end on Sunday, September 30 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. The pieces that will be available for auction are:

Visit Oakley.com to learn about the companys sport performance and lifestyle products. Follow our BEYOND REASON journey on Twitter at #BEYONDREASON

About Oakley, Inc.

Read more from the original source:
Oakley Auctions “BEYOND REASON™” Artwork to Commemorate 2012 Olympians

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo da Costa Paes waves Olympic flag at London Olympics' closing ceremony

Staff at the Rio Olympics organising body downloaded documents without consent from London 2012 organiser Locog, in a bid to glean tips on how to run a successful games.

The data breach happened during a knowledge sharing scheme, with officials from both London and Rio linked up to transfer knowledge by sharing information in digital format.

However it has emerged that the Rio team's data mining efforts exceeded the agreed scope, to the fury of the British team.

A raft of documents were hacked under the noses of UK officials, who did not realise what was happening until it was too late.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton reportedly telephoned his Brazilian counterparts in person following the data breach, to demand the files be returned.

The breach of protocol caused a storm in Rio too. Nine members of staff were sacked as a result, reported Brazilian media.

A spokesman for London 2012 confirmed a data breach had taken place, telling reporters: "We can confirm that there were some files received without our permission, but the Rio organising committee acted swiftly and returned the files promptly."

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: To contact the editor, e-mail:

Read this article:
Rio Olympics Organisers Hacked Locog Documents in Bid to Emulate London 2012's Success

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

iWalk, the leader in Personal Bionics, announced today that Founder Hugh Herr, PhD, received the prestigious Invented Here! Award from the Museum of Science, Boston, for his invention of the BiOM Ankle System, the first true personal bionic intervention enabling natural movement for lower-limb amputees. Unlike traditional prosthetics that only mimic bone structure, the commercially-available BiOM emulates muscles and tendons, empowering people to walk with a natural gait at their chosen speed using the same metabolic energy as a non-amputee.

With the BiOM System, Dr. Hugh Herr, director of the Biomechatronics Group at the MIT Media Lab, created a lower extremity solution that has been clinically proven to normalize function, enhance mobility and extend potential for people with lower limb loss. In the future, the same underlying technology will also help people whose mobility is limited by stroke, diabetes or other conditions of disease and age. iWalk has received funding and support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Armys Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and leading venture firms.

Transcending the concept of disability and redefining the standard of care for amputees is a critical challenge facing the global research and development community, said Dr. Hugh Herr. Bostons local innovators and research institutes need to continue to pave the way for inventions in the field of science, medicine and biotechnology. I am honored to receive this award from the Museum of Science, which recognizes the true power and potential of personal bionics.

Invented Here! was developed by the Museum of Science in collaboration with the Boston Patent Law Association (BPLA) to honor New England's newest and most innovative technologies. Through the program, the Museum presents breakthrough technologies that shape the way people interact with each other and with the world around them, fulfill important individual and/or social needs in novel ways, and ensure a more sustainable future for our environment. The 2012 award ceremony was held on September 20, 2012 at the Museum of Science, Boston.

The Invented Here! competition represents the regions passion for and dedication to innovation, said Ioannis (Yannis) Miaoulis, president and director, Museum of Science, Boston. It is the Museums great pleasure to recognize each of the impressive honorees with this award as a testament to their contributions to the regions preeminence in science and technology and their commitment to transforming the nation's relationship with these critical fields.

About the Museum of Science, Boston

One of the world's largest science centers and Boston's most attended cultural institution, the Museum introduces about 1.5 million visitors a year to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) via dynamic programs and hundreds of interactive exhibits. Founded in 1830, the Museum was first to embrace all the sciences under one roof. Highlights include the Thomson Theater of Electricity, Charles Hayden Planetarium, Mugar Omni Theater, Gordon Current Science & Technology Center, 3-D Digital Cinema and Butterfly Garden. Reaching 25,000 teens a year worldwide via the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, the Museum also leads a 10-year, $41 million National Science Foundation-funded Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network of science museums. The Museums Science Is an Activity exhibit plan has been awarded many NSF grants and influenced science centers worldwide. Its National Center for Technological Literacys engineering curricula have reached 35,500 teachers and close to 3 million students nationwide. The Museum has also: been recognized by Boston and Cambridge for its energy and sustainability efforts; named an Employer of Choice by Work Without Limits, a Massachusetts disability employment initiative; is Yankee Magazine's "Best of New England Readers' Choice" for Cultural Attraction in Science; and is El Planeta's Best Tourist Attraction for the Massachusetts Latino population.

About iWalk

iWalk Inc. is the pioneer and leader in personal bionic innovation. With the introduction of BiOM technology, the company has been able to embrace mobility and extend potential for people with lower-limb loss. In the future, the same underlying technology will also help people whose mobility is limited by stroke, diabetes or other conditions of disease or age.

Read the rest here:
iWalk Founder Wins the 2012 Museum of Science Invented Here! Award

Photo by Abdiel Lopez

Photo by Abdiel Lopez

Photo by Abdiel Lopez

An afternoon of free yoga events featuring top teachers took over the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, Sept. 8.

The Wanderlust Festival, in partnership with Yoga in the City and the Yoga Aid Challenge, held its Los Angeles event at the pier from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Yoga in the City was inspired by different charitable organizations from around the world and its purpose was to raise money for charities.

With hundreds of eager individuals participating in this event, the atmosphere was full of positive energy. Participants ranged from different experience levels and were all encouraged to attend the event.

Los Angeles-based writer and spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson led an incantation to start the first session just after lunchtime.

Every American should be deeply concerned right now about overt and blatant efforts to suppress the vote, Williamson said.

Seane Corn also took the stage to talk about the correlation between politics and yoga as well as the importance of this Novembers upcoming election before the first session began.

Visit link:
Wanderlust Yoga Takes Over The Santa Monica Pier

EUGENE -- He does his best to mask the injury, offering only a slight limp favoring his left leg as he walks out of Autzen Stadium. In that regard, Mark Helfrich blends in with some of the banged-up Oregon football players also leaving a recent practice.

He reveals no discomfort, no discontent. What the injury is, per team protocol and personal pride, Helfrich won't say.

"Old age," Oregon's offensive coordinator jokes.

Helfrich, at 38, is hardly old. In 2006, he was the youngest offensive coordinator at a BCS school when he took that position at Colorado. Now in his fourth season in the same position with the Ducks, he's been called one of the brightest young coaches in the business.

At this moment, though, the unspecified injury is slowing down this shooting star. So instead of his usual post-practice jog -- a daily ritual for many UO coaches -- Helfrich snaps on a safety helmet and hops on a five-speed bicycle.

He takes off for a light ride on Pre's Trail along the Willamette River. He isn't going far.

Family ties

"It's difficult," Helfrich said of raising a family while working a demanding, 16-hour-a-day job. "But just like anybody you have to prioritize as best you can. My wife is awesome, and she tries to get here whenever they can.

"Any time they're around (the office), it's fun to see them interact. Our players are awesome with them. And spending time with them whenever I can is invaluable."

Helfrich, a 1992 graduate of Coos Bay's Marshfield High School, played quarterback at Southern Oregon and studied pre-med. He met Megan when he was visiting his older brother, John, at UO, and later got his first big coaching break as a UO graduate assistant on Mike Bellotti's staff in 1997.

The rest is here:
Oregon's Mark Helfrich, rising star in college football coaching ranks, finds comfort zone in Eugene

John Quattrocchi has spent much of his life coaching basketball, but he always thought he might want to do something else in the sports world. His something else has arrived as the head of SUNY Adirondacks athletics department.

Quattrocchi, 62, started this fall as the schools athletic director. He replaced Darla Belevich, who retired from the position at the end of the last academic year after serving as AD for 11 years.

Quattrocchi, a member of the University at Albany Athletic Hall of Fame, is best known for his 20-year stint as mens basketball coach at Skidmore College. After that, he became the area director of National Scouting Report Upstate New York Region. But he moved away from that and was excited over the prospect of the AD job at SUNY Adirondack.

Ive been in tune with the school, Quattrocchi said. I was born and raised in Fort Edward, was around when the campus started in 61. I thought this is a wonderful opportunity for me at this stage in my life ... to energize and work with a whole new group of professionals. I really find that invigorating. Its a new thing for me. And I guess I missed being around student-athletes and watching them.

Quattrocchi wants to do his part, but one external part that may help him and the athletic department is the 400-bed dorm being built that should be ready by the fall of 2013.

There will be 400 people who want to have an outlet, and I want sports to be one for them, Quattrocchi said.

What I would like to see is all our athletic teams be competitive and to mentor coaches. Not tell them how to coach theyre certainly all very capable professionals. But how I think they can increase their recruiting base and work on retention of athletes. And thats a challenge within a budget. And let me say Darla did a wonderful job with limited resources.

Quattrocchi envisions the number of sports staying the same at the school, but noted he is trying to improve things that dont cost money, like the staff helping each other out even more than it does presently. He is also encouraging fundraising.

Quattrocchi said the administration has been very supportive so far and that he is looking forward to trying to enhance the visibility of SUNY Adirondacks athletic program. At some point, he would like to try to bring the finals of an NJCAA Division III tournament here.

Read the rest here:
Quattrocchi enjoying new AD post at SUNY Adirondack