Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke Burt and Dean Young will play their last game of NRL footy today. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Nothing ride on this game except emotion with Hindmarsh, Burt, Hornby and Young playing their final matches. Picking a winner is tough but Paul Kent and Dave Riccio give it a shot.

FOUR good men retire from the game tonight.

Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt leave Parramatta. Dean Young and Ben Hornby leave St George Illawarra.

All of rugby league want to send them go out as winners and yet only two can.

We'll all be looking for different things from them tonight.

Some will want to see how they handle the nerves of their last game.

Others might look for what they might do different.

I can tell you we'll see nothing different from them between the lines, because these guys are pros. All the emotion will all come out after the game.

And with all of that swirling around their final game, I hope some of the players still around next season look beyond that and think about their own retirement.

Continued here:
Life starts at fulltime

Bandar Seri Begawan - Medical officer at Ministry of Health, Ahmad Fahkri Junaidi and lawyer Ho Hin Leng were awarded return tickets to London in conjunction with Fitness Zone and Royal Skies promotion.

The prizes were presented by Brunei Olympians Maziah Mahusin and Ak Hafiy Tajuddin Pg Rosita at a ceremony held at Fitness Zone's Kiulap branch yesterday.

The event was also attended by Gob Kiat Chun (Wu Chun), Managing Director of Fitness Zone and Yasmin Abdullah Chin, Manager of Loyalty Marketing of Royal Brunei Airlines.

At the prize presentation, Ho was represented by her representative.

During the promotion period of June 1 until July 31, Royal Skies members earned 10 miles for every BND$1 spent at Fitness Zone and a chance to win an award ticket to London.

Ahmad Fakhri, a Fitness Zone member for seven years said, "Winning this air ticket to London is too good to be true. I would like to thank Fitness Zone and Royal Skies for this wonderful gift."

Meanwhile, Ho, a lawyer who has been a member of Fitness Zone since 2004 said, "I miss UK but I never expect to win this prize when I renewed my membership for one year. I am really glad being a member of Fitness Zone and Royal Skies at the same time."

For more information on Fitness Zone and Royal Skies membership, members of the public can visit http://www.fitnesszone.com.bn and to http://www.bruneiair.com respectively.

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Fitness Zone & Royal Skies Award Air Tickets To 2 Lucky Winners

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Judi Mason walks for exercise in Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Ga. More people walk these days than they did five years ago, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The greatest increase was in the South.

More Americans are going for a walk, a promising trend to help fight obesity and improve overall health, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overall in the United States, 62 percent of people reported walking at least once for 10 minutes or more during the previous week in 2010. That's up from 56 percent in 2005.

And while the percentage of walkers in the South still lags behind other parts of the country, it saw the largest jump in walking, according to the CDC. In the region that includes Georgia, 15 other states and Washington, D.C., 57 percent of people walked in 2010, up from 49 percent in 2005, according to the CDC. People in the West are most likely to walk, with more than two-thirds of people there regularly walking.

Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, said walking for as little as 10 minutes a week is a great first step toward meeting the recommended amount of 150 minutes per week of physical activity.

"Physical activity really is a wonder drug," Frieden said during a recent news conference. "It makes you healthier and happier; you live longer." Frieden listed a slew of health benefits from walking and other forms of aerobic exercise. They included lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and helping get a better night's sleep.

Even if you don't lose weight from walking, walkers can still reap health benefits from this low-impact form of exercise.

Walking, he said, has a

The CDC study found walkers are nearly three times more likely to meet exercise recommendations than those who don't walk at all.

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More Americans taking time to stroll for health, fitness

GRAND RAPIDS, MI Three African-American churches that made fitness and health a priority emerged as the winners in the 2012 Body & Soul Community Challenge.

True Light Baptist Church placed first among the large churches; St. Luke AME Zion was the winner of the medium-sized churches; and Davis Memorial Church of God in Christ took first place for the small churches.

Fifteen churches took part in the competition, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the American Cancer Society. In the 12-week program, 589 church members logged 123,000 miles of physical activity. Many also attended classes about health and nutrition.

The goal was to raise awareness of the health issues facing African Americans, who have the highest mortality rates in the U.S. for most forms of cancer, and to emphasize lifestyle changes that can prevent illness. The results were phenomenal, said Cle Jackson, a community liaison with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

The competition wrapped up Aug. 25 with an event at the Ray & Joan KROC Center that drew 300 people, and included fitness classes and cooking demonstrations.

The winners were determined by a point system that took into account miles logged and attendance at health classes and events.

The top three churches in each category received funds to help their health ministries: $1,250 for first place, $750 for second and $500 for third.

Here is a list of all the winners:

Large Churches 1st Place -- True Light Baptist Church 2nd Place -- Messiah Baptist Church 3rd Place -- Brown Hutcherson Ministries

Medium Churches 1st Place -- St. Luke AME Zion 2nd Place -- Grace for the Nations

Originally posted here:
Grand Rapids churches winning fitness challenge bring home funds for health ministry

LIKE many expatriates working and living in Malaysia, Malaysia Marine & Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (MHB) managing director and CEO Dominique de Soras is quick to reveal one of the obvious things he likes most about this country.

I like the food. There's a lot of variety. It's okay-lah, he says in a thick French accent.

However, the Frenchman just as quickly quantifies that statement: Of course, I won't say it's the best in the world.

Perhaps after French food, Malaysian food is the best in the world, he quips.

De Soras was appointed to the board of MHB on Feb 1, 2011 and has over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas (O&G) industry, covering areas of petroleum engineering, operations management, commercial and major projects in the oil and gas industry.

Still, he openly admits that joining MHB was not a walk in the park.

It's been a short period (since joining last here). This is my first experience in Malaysia working for a large O&G organisation like MHB.

So far, it's been interesting and challenging, says De Soras.

And challenging it has been. For its second quarter ended June 30, MHB's net profit fell to RM55.32mil from RM79.02mil a year ago despite revenue was up 0.8% to RM965.71mil from RM957.79mil. Earnings per share were 3.50 sen compared with 4.90 sen.

In the first half, its earnings fell 35.7% to RM133.58mil from RM207.93mil. Revenue slipped 13.3% to RM1.631bil from RM1.881bil.

Excerpt from:
Up Close & Personal with Dominique de Soras

Sept. 2, 2012, 3 a.m.

MoneySmart Week is here but it pays to be smart all the time.

Good riddance winter, with your one-after-the-other cold, mould and reality shows Channel Ten has oversold.

If the change of season/programming has you all inspired to embark on a spring clean, then don't forget that all-important financial house.

Here's a handy money-health checklist, inspired by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's efforts for this week's MoneySmart Week.

DO YOU HAVE FINANCIAL GOALS?

I write often about the importance of actually having a target if you want to hit one. Think about it: how much money have you earnt over your working life, and what do you have to show for it? If the answer is "not much" you're likely focusing too much on ''here and now'' rather than ''somewhere else and later''. To resist the consumer temptations thrown at us every day, you need a tangible, ultimately achievable reason - so get dreaming.

ARE YOU OPTIMISING INCOME AND EXPENSES?

A little extra goes a long way - unless you simply adjust to spending it. First, are you getting all the benefits you're entitled to? Think family tax benefits and Centrelink payments, and giveaways for lower earners such as the superannuation co-contribution. Ensure you are earning what you are worth (ladies, I am especially talking to you).

The other key part of your personal balance sheet is what you spend. Just like striking the delicate balance that is calories in, energy out, if money out exceeds money in your finances will spiral out of control and become unhealthy. And in this case it's your debt that may bloat.

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Targeted approach to success Save

by Gary Nelson - Sept. 1, 2012 08:56 PM The Republic | azcentral.com

When Scott Smith threw his many hats into the 2008 mayoral campaign and promised to banish Mesa's sad-sack reputation, you could all but hear the city, the Valley -- for that matter, the whole state -- raising their eyebrows.

Skeptics seemed to think that Mesa, widely disparaged as the home of broad streets and narrow minds, where snowbirds' Buicks turned into pumpkins if they didn't get home before the sidewalks rolled up at 5 p.m., was here to stay. They doubted that Smith's talk about changing the way Mesa did business, about building a better Mesa, about restoring the civic swagger he remembered from his childhood, would ever become a reality.

But a funny thing happened over the ensuing four years.

Smith defeated two City Council veterans in the election and began turning his happy talk into a new reality for America's 38th-largest city.

Some examples:

Defying historical trends, the city has attracted four liberal-arts colleges to establish satellite campuses.

Mesa found a way to finance a Chicago Cubs training stadium on its own, without asking the state Legislature for financial help.

Mesa got the keys to a top-secret military lab that has the potential to become a national aerospace research center.

An economic-development initiative with the acronym HEAT -- health care, education, aerospace, tourism and technology -- has sharpened Mesa's focus on present and future possibilities for growth.

Read more:
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith's success could lead to governor run

You know her by the sunglasses she always has with her. You know her from TV, and you might know her from the tabloids, too, but Nicole Richie isn't convinced any of it works for or against her when it comes to building her design career.

She guided aspiring designers on the fashion competition show "Fashion Star," and says she sees success in the fashion business as either potentially intense and fleeting, or broad-based and sustained. It's up to the work you do -- and doing it consistently, she says.

"You're only as good as your last season," she says.

Richie, it seems, is banking on a big fall season. That's when her limited-edition collection for Macy's contemporary department makes its debut.

Richie, 30, isn't an industry novice. She's gained recognition for her lines Winter Kate and House of Harlow, but the Nicole Richie for Impulse collaboration, best described as contemporary clothes styled with Richie's bohemian flair, is her greatest exposure yet. The clothes, including maxi dresses, asymmetrical skirts, cropped tops and fitted jackets in an array of jewel tones and prints, will be in 100 stores and available online starting Sept. 12.

She hasn't taken the task lightly.

"I'm traveling all year just with various appearances that I do for Winter Kate and House of Harlow," she says. "And the reason that I do these appearances is because I really get to come face-to-face with my customer, and as I'm watching them in the store I can see what pieces they're wearing, I can see what they're drawn to, what people's favorite pieces are."

Richie, who grew up in the spotlight as the daughter of Lionel Richie and co-starred with Paris Hilton in the reality show "The Simple Life," doesn't mind working behind the scenes. "It's important to always be a student on some level," she says. "I don't think you should ever hit a place where you feel that there is nothing left to learn."

Getting glammed up is part of her job, but Richie, who has two young children, Harlow and Sparrow, says she's not always picture-perfect. She carries the big round sunglasses she's famous for as well as bobby pins wherever she goes for a quick transformation.

"There are often times that I do look a hot mess," she says. "It's a work in progress."

More:
Richie wants success via Impulse

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

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) parent company of online learning provider American Public University System, which operates through American Military University and American Public University announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Harry T. Wilkins plans to address the financial community at the BMO Capital Markets 12th Annual Back to School Education Conference in New York City.

Mr. Wilkins will speak and answer questions from the financial community at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, September 13, 2012. A link to the live webcast of the presentation, as well as an audio replay, will be available to listeners who log in through American Public Education's website, http://www.AmericanPublicEducation.com. The replay will be available for 90 days after the presentation.

Direct Webcast Link: http://www.bmocm.com/conferences/backtoschool2012/webcast/

American Public Education, Inc.

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

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

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American Public Education Announces Participation in the BMO Capital Markets 12th Annual Back to School Education ...

11:34 PM

By Colin Woodard cwoodard@pressherald.com Staff Writer

A study released last month by researchers at Western Michigan University found that only 27.7 percent of the full-time virtual schools run by the nation's largest online education company, K12 Inc., met federally mandated Adequate Yearly Progress goals, compared to 52 percent of public schools.

Students at its schools scored lower in both reading and mathematics and had a graduation rate of only 49 percent, compared to a 79 percent average among comparable students at public schools in the 24 states where the virtual schools are located.

"Across a wide variety of school measures, they do very poorly, even though their demographics looked to us like suburban schools," said the study's lead author, Gary Miron, who is also a fellow at the National Education Policy Center. "We didn't see high poverty or a lot of (English as a Second Language) students."

Proponents of the schools -- including Maine education commissioner Stephen Bowen -- often quote a 2009 U.S. Department of Education study that found programs that blended online and face-to-face programs fared better than conventional learning. They do not mention that the report found this effect only "for undergraduate and older students, not elementary or secondary learners" and that it concluded that there was currently no "scientific evidence for the effectiveness of these emerging alternatives to face-to-face instruction."

In Pennsylvania, where some 30,000 students are enrolled in virtual schools at an average cost of $10,000 per student, pupils scored 13 percent worse in reading and 24 percent worse in mathematics than students at ordinary public schools, according to a 2011 study by Stanford University's Center for Research on Education Outcomes. The researchers broke out the data for separate student groups -- those poor enough to qualify for free or reduced lunch, those still learning to speak English, grade repeaters, blacks and Hispanics -- and compared them to their counterparts at ordinary charter schools. "In every subgroup with significant effects," they reported, "cyber charter performance is lower than the brick-and-mortar performance."

The Stanford study may have helped prompt The New York Times to conduct an investigation of K12 Inc.'s virtual charter schools later that year, which concluded the company "tries to squeeze profits from public school dollars by raising enrollment, increasing teacher workload and lowering standards."

At the K12-managed Agora Cyber Charter School in Pennsylvania -- which reportedly generated $72 million in revenue -- the Times found 60 percent of students were behind grade level in mathematics and nearly 50 percent in reading, and a third were not graduating in time.

"Hundreds of children, from kindergartners to seniors, withdraw within months after they enroll." The company had spent $681,000 lobbying in the state between 2007 and the end of last year.

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Virtual schools have questionable records