TELLURIDE, Colo., Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturday was an exciting one for NYC-based Concierge Auctions, as the firm announced the successful auction of two ski condominiums in the upscale community See Forever Village. 18 bidders participated as they vied for the best purchasing opportunities in Telluride's Mountain Village. The properties raise Concierge's tally of successful transactions in the Telluride, Colorado area to four properties in only three months. The auctions were conducted in cooperation with T.D. Smith of Telluride Real Estate Corp, an exclusive affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate.

"We began interviewing auction companies over two years ago and at first were unsure about the absolute platform. Selling absolute is certainly a risk; however, if done in a calculated manner with the right company, it is much more powerful than selling with reserve. The process brought forth buyers from all over the world, including dozens of CEOs, entrepreneurs and investors, many of whom were not even familiar with Telluride," stated the seller, John Abrams. "The Concierge team was professional and fulfilled its commitments. We were the first to test the auction platform for multiple condominium residences in this market, and Concierge's sophistication was the right choice."

The Concierge Auctions advertising and sales campaigns generated 1,354 inquiries and 3,401 website visitors from all US states and 34 international countries. 18 bidders participated in the sale. The winning buyers are from Connecticut and Maryland and are represented by Garrett Simon and Marty Stetina, both of Telluride Real Estate Corp.

"The response to the auction exposure was tremendous. We received 107 inquiries in the first day alone," stated Smith. "My sales team worked in close concert with the Concierge Auctions project managers and directors to ensure every prospect received a prompt answer to their inquiry, was familiarized with the properties and understood the auction terms. We view the Concierge process as a stronghold tactic for our agents to offer their clients and look forward to working together again soon."

Condo units 127 and 128 at 117 Sunny Ridge Place each include three bedrooms and four bathrooms. They were sold fully furnished and are ideal for either personal use or as vacation rentals. The condominium building is adjacent to the Peaks Resort & Spa and is a short, heated cobblestone walk from the ski slopes.

"Following our closings last month of the Pa Gomo estate, which was the highest sale in Telluride in the past five years, and another ski-in/ski-out luxury cabin in Mountain Village, we are thrilled to continue our momentum in the Telluride market," stated Laura Brady, Vice President of Marketing for Concierge Auctions. "The area has officially joined our repertoire of premier target mountain resorts that have benefitted time and again from our process to the likes of Aspen, Colorado, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Big Sky, Montana, among others."

If you or someone you know is interested in selling a remarkable luxury property through Concierge Auctions, call 888.966.4759 or visit ConciergeAuctions.com.

About Concierge Auctions: Concierge Auctions is the preeminent luxury real estate auction marketing firm serving high-end sellers nationwide through an accelerated marketing process that obtains fair market value for high-end properties in a 60-day timeframe. As a preferred auction partner to luxury brokerage firms nationwide, the company has executed auctions from New York to Hawaii and hosts a database that includes more than 100,000 luxury real estate buyers and agents from all 50 states and 38 countries and territories. The principals of Concierge Auctions have been involved in the transfer of more than $2 billion in luxury real estate sales over the past 10 years. For more information, call 888-966-4759 or visit ConciergeAuctions.com.

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Auction Of Luxury Ski Properties In Telluride, Colorado A Success

BEAVERTON, OR--(Marketwire - Sep 10, 2012) - Only a standardized approach to the cloud-delivered service environment will enable a breakthrough in interoperable seamless service integration into devices, warns global networking standards group, the UPnP Forum. This announcement comes during the IBC in Amsterdam, where a focus is being placed on the pioneering applications and technologies that are driving the future of device interoperability.

"Currently there is a real lack of standards for cloud service delivery and combined with the proliferation of next-generation services, many users are left flipping between a multitude of applications or frustrated at the lack of support on their platforms. The lack of certified standards makes it difficult, if not impossible, for manufacturers to innovate the user experience and provide seamless services to the end consumer," says UPnP Forum President and Chairman, Dr. Alan Messer.

The concept of connected devices is fast evolving with cloud-devices currently a hot topic. The recent developments in cloud services delivered to apps and the implementation of other types of home networks (utility provider's Smart Grids for example), as well as the changes witnessed in over-the-top content delivery, are expected to further impact the dynamics of the market.

"With the shift to a service plus device-based world, it is critical that there are standards in place to ensure the easy discovery of cloud services for seamless integration into cloud-attached devices. Standards have therefore never been more paramount -- they will allow end experience innovation and integration while ensuring compatibility and interoperability."

"The industry as a whole needs to work together to ensure levels of interoperability as never before and events like the IBC provide the perfect platform to explore a host of new technologies, applications and innovations. Connectedness everywhere is closer than ever to becoming a reality and the IBC demonstrates the industry is finally starting to come together."

"UPnP Forum has taken a key role in the technologies and standards market for device interoperability and more recently we've expanded our efforts with the creation of our UPnP+ initiative, which is focused on delivering new technical capabilities to enhance functionality and meet the need for always-on services," concluded Dr. Messer.

UPnP Forum is the global standards body that has paved the way for seamless connectivity between more than a billion home devices, and for more than a dozen years, UPnP technology has offered unique capabilities for consumer electronics and computing devices. The Forum continues to make major advancements and has recently widened its scope into Device Management Protocols as it continues its work in standardizing and managing the operation of LAN IP devices within the home network.

Last year, the Forum formed its E-Health and Sensors (EHS) Working Committee, which is addressing consumer-electronic industry opportunities in the areas of home personal health and wellness, as well as the increasing availability of sensor applications to monitor and control devices within the home. UPnP Forum has also made significant progress with its Home Energy Management and SmartGrid Working Committee and its Audio / Video Working Committee, further strengthening its commitment to device-to-device interoperability and simplifying network implementation.

For further information about UPnP Forum please go to http://www.upnp.org. For general questions, please e-mail upnpfeedback@forum.upnp.org.

About UPnP Forum UPnP Forum, established in 1999, is a global alliance of more than 985 industry-leading organizations working to enable device-to-device interoperability and facilitate easier and better home networking. The Forum promotes the adoption of uniform technical device interconnectivity standards and certifies devices conforming to these standards. UPnP Forum is an impartial group enabling member companies to participate and develop extensions to the UPnP Device Architecture, which defines how to use the Internet Protocol (IP) to communicate between devices, and Device Control Protocols (DCPs), which are services between devices. Members of UPnP Forum include market leaders in computing, printing and networking, consumer electronics, home appliances, automation, control and security, and mobile products.

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Standardization Critical to the Success of Cloud and Connected Devices, Says UPnP Forum

SAN FRANCISCO--(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. Kicking off in the heart of San Franciscos Lower Haight District, professional makeup artists and stylists were on hand at the Wak Shack 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 San Francisco. 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 first makeover event for this program, with two additional events taking place in Chicago and 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 Gia Barsi, Program Coordinator of Dress for Success, San Francisco. By partnering with Puffs, we know our clients are leaving Wak Shack 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’ San Francisco Affiliate to Help Local Women Put Their Best Face Forward

By Joshua Bondy - September 10, 2012 | Tickers: CVX, XOM, MRO, RDS-A | 0 Comments

Joshua is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A)with its' partnersMarathon Oil(NYSE: MRO)andChevron (NYSE: CVX)recently announcedthe construction of a major carbon capture and storage project in Alberta, Canada.The facility will be used to remove more than 1 million tonnes of C02 per year from an upgrader facility.The Alberta oil sands will become one of the biggest domestic supplies of crude oil in North America. This large resource base is commonly criticized for its' damage to the environment. Among other factors it produces a large amount of CO2. One of the objections to the Keystone XL pipeline by environmentalists was the amount of C02 produced by the oil sands. As opposed to regular oil wells the extraction process for the oil sands is much more energy intensive. Traditional oil sands production requires that a layer of top soil be removed and then large amounts of oily sand are transported for processing. The Athabasca Oil sands are still a major part of the America's energy mix. They produce 1.3 million barrels of oil per day and there are plans to significantly increase production.

The development of this carbon capture project is important for the long term development of the oil sands. With global warming becoming evident throughout the globe nations are slowly starting to work towards reducing climate change. With the oil sands labeled as one of the worst energy sources on a pollution basis there is a risk that fines or extra surcharges could be placed upon its' oil. These challenges come in addition to lower prices which heavy oil receives. The development of this carbon capture project is more than just a fancy PR play but a significant investment which will help to ensure the acceptance of the oil sands within the public psyche.

ExxonMobil Corp (NYSE: XOM) is another company which is developing environmentally sound solutions in the oil sands. They have decided to focus on reducing the number of steps necessary in the production process. By using paraffinic froth treatment they will be able to remove the need for an upgrader facility. By cutting out this part of the production process they will be able to reduce not only C02 emissions but also general energy use. C02 emissions may be the most popular metric used to judge the degree of environmental population but the overall energy intensity is also important.

The EU has alreadyconsidered banning crude oildeveloped from the oil sands. The Canadian government, Alberta government, and private corporations need to take environmental concerns serious if they wish to ensure the long term development of the oil sands. The Canadian Oil sands have one of the largest amounts of proven reserves in the world. This resource is not a small side project which aims to produces a few thousand barrels per day but a significant part of the world's energy portfolio. The expected oil sands production is expected to be around 3.5 million barrels per day by 2020. Through new technologies Exxon, Shell, Chevron, and others are ensuring that the oil sands will remain socially and environmentally acceptable. These recent develop should encourage investors that the Canadian oil sands are a sustainable long term investment and are taking concrete steps to overcome environmentally based objections.

Joshua Bondy is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network

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The Alberta Oil Sands Continue to Grow with Carbon Capture Technology

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Wright Express Corporation (WXS), a leading global provider of value-based business payment processing and information management solutions, today announced its chairman, president and CEO, Michael E. Dubyak, was selected by the Maine Development Foundation as the 2012 Champion of Education, Training and Leadership Development. The award honors an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond to spark Maines economy and help all Maine citizens reach their highest personal potential.

I am humbled by this award and recognition, said Dubyak. I am passionate about trying to align higher education and now K-16 with Maine businesses and the growing need for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) graduates. Maine businesses and the state educational systems must work in partnership if we are to properly train and retain our high school students that come through our college and university systems.

With over 600 employees in the greater Portland area, Wright Express takes an active leadership role in supporting organizations that promote economic, educational and personal development opportunities. Dubyak is currently the Chairman of Educate Maine, a business-led organization whose mission is to champion college and career readiness and increased education attainment.

We greatly appreciate all that Mike does for Maine, said Ed Cervone, Maine Development Foundation interim executive director. He has demonstrated the ability to collaborate and create successful partnerships across business and academic sectors. His ideas and leadership are truly making a difference in Maine.

Dubyak sits on the University of Southern Maine Foundations Board of Directors. Previously, Dubyak served as chairman of the University of Southern Maines Board of Visitors. Dubyak has also served on the United Way of Greater Portlands Board of Directors, the Governors Council on Competitiveness and the Economy, the New England Advisory Council of the Boston Federal Reserve, and the Maine Chamber of Commerces Executive Board. Additionally, Dubyak served on the Center for Grieving Childrens Board of Directors and co-chaired its Capital Campaign.

A special reception to honor the five 2012 Maine Development Foundation Champions will be held on September 21 at the Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland, Maine, during the organizations 34th annual meeting.

About Wright Express

Wright Express is a leading international provider of B2B physical, digital and virtual card product solutions. The Companys fleet, corporate and prepaid payment solutions provide its more than 350,000 customers with unparalleled security and control across a wide spectrum of business sectors. The Companys operations include Wright Express Financial Services, Pacific Pride, rapid! PayCard, Wright Express Prepaid Cards Australia, Wright Express Fuel Cards Australia and CorporatePay Limited, England, as well as a majority equity position in UNIK S.A, a Brazilian company. Wright Express and its subsidiaries employ more than 900 associates in six countries. For more information about Wright Express, please visit wrightexpress.com.

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Wright Express Chairman, President and CEO Michael E. Dubyak Selected as Maine Development Foundation’s 2012 Champion ...

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

The Global Body Armor and Personal Protection Market 2012-2022

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0963173/The-Global-Body-Armor-and-Personal-Protection-Market-2012-2022.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Aerospace_and_Defense

Product Synopsis

This report is the result of ICD Research / Strategic Defence Intelligence's extensive market and company research covering the global body armor and personal protection industry. It provides detailed analysis of both historic and forecast global industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of the leading companies in the industry, and key news.

Introduction and Landscape

Why was the report written?

"The Global Body Armor and Personal Protection Market 2012-2022" offers the reader detailed analysis of the global body armor and personal protection market over the next ten years, alongside potential market opportunities to enter the industry, using detailed market size forecasts.

What is the current market landscape and what is changing?

The demand for body armor and personal protection equipment is anticipated to be driven by internal and external security threats, territorial disputes, modernization initiatives, technological innovations, and a general shortage of body armor across the world. Cumulatively, the global market is expected to value US$19.4 billion during the forecast period. The market is expected to be dominated by North America, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. Despite the economic downturn in Europe, the region's share of the global market is projected to increase during the forecast period due to the scheduled deployment of various modernization programs that have been initiated in previous years.

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The Global Body Armor and Personal Protection Market 2012-2022

Mike Keefe, Cagle Cartoons

TheyreOnline

In our highly praised age of information infinities, educated citizens ought to be able to learn about presidential candidates with ease, and learn about their specific views on important questions of the day. Few questions of national import rival the problem and promise of public education in Americatoday.

The United States needs a much better system of public education than it now has. Our American children deserve a superior no! a great public education. In an age of globalization, as we hear so frequently, our daughters and sons will compete for good jobs and positions with the best and brightest from the whole world. However, so many international tests confirm the decay of American public education that we need not debate this depressingfact.

Our young people their health and intelligence, and their educational training are our greatest source of capital. Today we shamelessly gut public education funding, trash the teachers, ignore decrepit buildings, and try to find ways to amend the teachers public pensions. Teachers, like firefighters and cops, know that reform meanscut.

In this climate, it seems important to ask what presidential contender Mitt Romney and his team say about the sorry state of public education in these United States. While Paul Ryans education plan has gotten scrutiny, lets look atMitts.

Harnessing the power of the Internet and Google Chrome, I looked up the ex-governors white paper, A Chance for Every Child, May 23, 2012 (scroll down to A Chance for Every Child). At 34 pages it was quick to print, and, like a thoughtful citizen and longtime teacher, Ive carefully studied Mr. Romneysideas.

Early on in Romneys white paper (page 4), he concedes the pathetic state of public education today: Sadlyacross the nation, our school system is a world leader in spending yet lags on virtually every measure of results. Its true, and actuallytragic.

A Chance for Every Child contends, remarkably, that no new funds are needed for public education in America. Mitt Romney understands that more spending is the last thing our schools need. (Page 34). Mitt presumably would not vote for Proposition 30, a tax to help schools inCalifornia.

What is needed, according to the Romney playbook, is a redirection of the monies the states and the federal government already spend on education: He wants more taxpayer money to go to on-line education, especially for-profit colleges, as well as charter schools and school vouchers. (However, since vouchers have been rejected throughout most of the nation, A Chance for Every Child never uses the term voucher, just constantly impliesit.)

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What About Romney’s Education Plans?

A few months ago, as I drove my daughter to the airport on Interstate 240 for her summer internship in Boston, I read the overhead message sign: "TN ROADWAY FATALITIES 371 PLEASE DON'T BE NEXT" The same day, walking into my hospital's ICU, I saw a sign stating "104 Days Without a Fall"

Providing data is one way to change behavior. It can be used for the purpose of reducing roadway fatalities or decreasing medical injuries. But is it effective? I wasn't sure.

As we drove farther, I saw the speed monitor on the road to the airport terminal flashing my decelerating speed from 50 mph down to 25 mph, which is the speed limit on the terminal road. Providing data with individual feedback was effective in making me slow down, but I saw other cars overtaking me.

That is when I saw a police car with a radar gun pointed at oncoming traffic, and another officer giving a motorist a likely speeding ticket for not decelerating. It seems that where data and individual feedback failed, regulation and enforcement were effective.

As a doctor, I treat patients, and I also work as a public health educator, encouraging preventive practices among health care workers, such as washing hands, providing vaccinations and avoiding unnecessary urine or blood catheters. I encourage patients to eat less, exercise more and adhere to their medication regimen.

The more effective we are in changing health care worker behavior, which is a major cause of medical errors, the lower the rate of infections and adverse events, such as improper drug dosing.

The more effective we are in changing patients' health behavior, which is 30 percent of the cause of underlying illness, the lower the burden of heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

Yet behavior change is hard to accomplish. Even with data, feedback, regulation and enforcement. Sometimes, something more is needed like a coach.

QSource, Tennessee's Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, is providing quality improvement coaches to reduce hospital infections and readmissions. Also, Healthy Memphis Common Table, in its new initiative to improve the quality of care, is providing nurse coaches to im

prove office processes and patient care.

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Dr. Manoj Jain: Data, coaching important in changing behavior in health care and life

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The Suite Life of Zack en Cody - Season 2 Episode 34 Part 1/3 - Health and Fitness - Video

The US obesity epidemic is pushing more Americans to pay attention to their health and leading a healthier lifestyle. Reuters pic

Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by a brisk 24 per cent in the decade to 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, as businesses, health professionals and insurance companies take sharper aim at the sedentary lifestyle.

The obesity epidemic has produced a lot of noise and talk and chatter, said Cedric Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), which has certified more than 50,000 fitness professionals.

Helping individuals be more active is important and fitness professionals can be at the centre of that, he said.

Obesity rates have skyrocketed in the last 20 years. More than one third of adults in the United States are obese, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bryant said the health crisis is strongly linked to the lifestyle choices that fitness professionals, such as personal trainers and group fitness instructors, address.

Despite the shaky economy, health club membership is up more than 10 per cent over the past three years, according to IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.

Exercise physiologist and ACE spokesperson Jessica Matthews said workplace wellness campaigns also increase demand for fitness professionals.

Bryan said the average salary for a certified personal trainer is about US$53,000 (RM164,000) and rising. A high school diploma is sufficient to begin a career in fitness, he added, although more than two-thirds of professionals have college degrees.

Matthews said the industry attracts career changers driven by the downturn to reinvent their working selves.

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US obesity epidemic propels fitness as career