EdX Announces Free Online Courses for Fall Launch
Posted: August 24, 2012 at 4:13 am
EdX will begin offering free online education courses in September.
When Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced in May the formation of edX, a $60 million joint venture by the two institutions to provide free online university-level courses, the platform joined a list of services already offering massive open online courses (MOOCs).
MOOCs have garnered much attention over the past year with the launches of for-profit online education providers Coursera and Udacity, which both offer a series of courses from top ranked universities at no cost to the user. Coursera, which offers more than 100 courses through 16 institutions, announced in early August that it had reached 1 million registered users. Udacity, which has focused most of its courses in the computer sciences, has revealed that it has more than 700,000 registered users.
[Explore free online education options.]
Although more than 120 universities worldwide have expressed interest in collaborating with the service, edX will begin offering courses from three universities in fall 2012; the University of CaliforniaBerkeley being the third.
"EdX will actively explore the addition of other institutions from around the world to the edX platform, and we look forward to adding more 'X Universities' as capacity increases," according to the edX FAQ page.
The not-for-profit service has announced seven course offerings thus far for its fall launch, ranging from computer science to chemistry to public health. Students who are familiar with online education courses will be accustomed to some of the features available through edX, such as self-paced learning, online discussion groups, and collaborative learning.
[Find out what is the most popular field of study in online education.]
But edX differs from most online services in that the platform will ultimately be available as open source software, meaning that other universities and institutions will be able to host the service themselves and changes to the platform can be made by the community of users.
"Because it is open source," notes the FAQ page, "the platform will be continuously improved by a worldwide community of collaborators, with new features added as needs arise."
See the article here:
EdX Announces Free Online Courses for Fall Launch
Health and Wanderlust Present Wanderlust Yoga in the City Event Series
Posted: August 23, 2012 at 6:20 pm
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Health announced an exclusive media partnership with Wanderlust, the nation's largest yoga and music festival, to produce Yoga in the Citya one-day urban retreat held in iconic outdoor venues across the nation. Occurring on September 9 in New York and Los Angeles and on September 23 in San Francisco, Wanderlust Yoga in the City provides a retreat for city dwellers with complimentary classes from the world's top yoga instructors, live music performances, and panel discussions featuring leading wellness experts. The event series is part of the Yoga Aid World Challenge benefitting humanitarian charities around the globe that embrace the healing power of yoga.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120823/NY61674LOGO)
"Health consumers lead active lives, including practicing yoga over three hours each week, which makes Wanderlust a natural fit," said Kevin White, Publisher of Health. "Partnering with the premier yoga organization allows us to create a unique and engaging brand experience for our consumers and advertisers."
The Health Pavilion will host exclusive fitness and nutrition sessions with editors and celebrity guests, personalized cover shoots via photo booth, and offer special gifts for the mind, body, and soul. Exclusive skincare sponsor Elizabeth Arden will provide expert tips and complimentary samples of the new spa-inspired Visible Difference skincare line.
Acclaimedauthor, nutritionistand wellness expert,Cynthia Sass, will answer your nutrition questions, share delicious recipes and offer insider strategies from her latest New York Times best-sellingbook,S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim. Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive hybrid yoga series with celebrity yogini Mandy Ingber inspired by her upcoming book, Yogalosophy: 28-day Mind Body Makeover, hitting shelves in 2013. Health's fitness editor and resident yogi, Kristin McGee, will serve as master of ceremonies at Wanderlust in the City in New York and San Francisco. Additionally, within the Health Pavilion, she will showcase yoga, pilates and core strength moves from her latest DVD S3: Strong, Sexy, and Svelte.
The 2012 Wanderlust Yoga in the City series is set to include:
September 9, 2012
September 23, 2012
The U.S. partnership between Wanderlust Festivals and Yoga Aid for The Yoga Aid World Challenge, a 24-hour global yoga relay on September 9, will begin in Sydney, with its first U.S. stop in New York for the Yoga in the City event, and end at sundown in Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Pier.
For more information and to enter for a chance to win an escape for two to the Wanderlust Yoga in the City event in New York, visit Health.com/wanderlust. To register or find more information on Wanderlust Yoga in the City and Yoga Aid, please visit: http://www.wanderlustyitc.com.
Read the original post:
Health and Wanderlust Present Wanderlust Yoga in the City Event Series
THE FITNESS UNDERGROUND LOS ANGELES – Video
Posted: at 12:15 pm
More here:
THE FITNESS UNDERGROUND LOS ANGELES - Video
How to Prevent Pulled Muscles in Calves From Running : LIVESTRONG – Exercising with Jeremy Shore – Video
Posted: at 12:15 pm
Continued here:
How to Prevent Pulled Muscles in Calves From Running : LIVESTRONG - Exercising with Jeremy Shore - Video
A New Audio Interview With David Cunic, CEO, of Pazoo.com, is Now at SmallCapVoice.com
Posted: at 12:15 pm
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SmallCapVoice.com, Inc. announced today that a new audio interview with the #1 online health and wellness social community for people and their pets, is now available. The interview can be heard at http://smallcapvoice.com/blog/8-17-12-smallcapvoice-interview-with-pazoo-inc-otcqb-pzoo
SmallCapVoice.com is a recognized corporate investor relations firm, with clients nationwide, known for its ability to help emerging growth companies build a following among retail and institutional investors. SmallCapVoice.com utilizes its stock newsletter to feature its daily stock picks, audio interviews, as well as its clients' financial news releases. SmallCapVoice.com also offers individual investors all the tools they need to make informed decisions about the stocks they are interested in. Tools like stock charts, stock alerts, and Company Information Sheets can assist with investing in stocks that are traded on the OTC BB and Pink Sheets. To learn more about SmallCapVoice.com and their services, please visit http://www.smallcapvoice.com/services.html.
SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE STOCK ALERTS http://www.smallcapvoice.com/newsletter.html
Like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/SmallCapVoice/101910803171
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/smallcapvoice
About Pazoo, Inc.:
Pazoo, Inc.'s (PZOO) web site http://www.pazoo.com provides a warehouse of competitively priced products and a roster of experts in various health and wellness fields who deliver useful information for achieving a fuller and richer life for both humans and their pets. Pazoo.com is a unique, interactive, e-commerce site where consumers can gain insights into health and wellness for themselves and their animals from leading health & wellness and pet industry experts. The company's team of medical, fitness, nutritional and pet professionals seeks to enhance its customers' wellbeing by offering an expanding selection of high quality merchandise, including nutritional supplements, fitness apparel, equipment, videos and consumables, health and beauty products, gifts, and wellness/safety items.
Safe Harbor Statement:
This update includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Pazoo, Inc. or its management "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.
Go here to see the original:
A New Audio Interview With David Cunic, CEO, of Pazoo.com, is Now at SmallCapVoice.com
Sex / Health / Fitness: Join the romance revolution
Posted: at 12:15 pm
With all those gay internet dating sites and the rise of Facebook recently, we seem to be in a world where everyone knows everyone, what they like to do, where they like to go and what they do in the bedroom.
And no one could ignore that flutter of excitement which took over the gay world when the very popular phone app Grindr was launched just over three years ago.
As I adjust my prude hat, I question whether the long term effects of such devices will affect how our generation and generations to come view the concept of love and romance.
In days of old wed notice a cute guy from across the room, or walk past him in the street and feel flushed with excitement, painting a picture of what hes like and how amazing it would be to get to know him. Even the old cheeky smile and gday mate would attract feelings of nervousness and excitement.
When self-worth is validated by how many guys theyve fucked, it seems like a recipe for a nasty bitchy chaotic community.
I cant help but to feel those days are slowly fading. When seeing a guy from across the room or walking past him in the street, my first thought is generally Oh Ive seen him on Grindr, hes a slutty bottom looking for wired fun (or a variation of that).
Many times I have heard people say Grindr kills romance, and without slagging a successful phone app that has obviously made many guys happy, brought guys together and changed lives, there is a part of me that is disappointed that being part of the gay community revolves around quick convenient sex.
Are we missing the bigger picture? Some gay men may choose to sleep around and there are those who are constantly on the hunt for a quick root or hoping the land a hot guy in their local nightclub. But what will they do when theyve slept with everyone they fancy in their town is this when theyll come to the realisation that they really have no idea how to form an emotional relationship?
When a guys self-worth is validated by how many guys theyve fucked, it seems like a recipe for a nasty bitchy chaotic community. And thats not a community I want to be part of.
Many would say that finding love on electronic apps such as this is like finding a needle in a haystack, and that its merely a device for sex. Well, an old-fashioned soul like me doesnt want to be presented with a cock pic after a hi how are you?
See original here:
Sex / Health / Fitness: Join the romance revolution
Police and Fire Retirement System Investments in Detroit properties sparks growth, buildings fully occupied
Posted: at 12:15 pm
DETROIT, Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit has received full payment on its investment in the One Kennedy Square building and other key properties are seeing stable returns and record occupancies, a report shows.
Just a few years ago when renovation or construction of new commercial projects was planned in Detroit few banks would lend and investments made by the Police and Fire Retirement System have resulted in stable returns, full reimbursements to the Pension Fund with the added benefit of increased occupancy and building density in Detroit.
"The Police and Fire Retirement System is proud of its record of investing in commercial properties within the City of Detroit," said Chairman Matt Gnatek. "All six of the commercial properties in our Targeted Investment Fund are generating good yields and the entire $3 million loan made to the One Kennedy Square project has been repaid in full. No other pension system has made these types of investments to help grow businesses in the City."
Gnatek commented on a report titled the Detroit Targeted Investment Fund that provides up to $25 million of revolving loans prior to the loan repayment from One Kennedy Square. Many of the development projects, he noted, could not have been done without financing from the Fund. The investment report was prepared by Alex Brown Realty, Inc. and presented to the Board by advisor Marty West at a recent meeting.
"For a long time one of the few capital sources available to developers in the City of Detroit was the Police and Fire Pension Fund," said West. "They had a plan to help stimulate growth in key areas of the city and it has resulted in performing loans and nearly fully occupied office and apartment buildings."
The PFRS invested in the Kales Building, One Kennedy Square, Lafer Building, Union at Midtown, Beethoven Apartments and the College Park Medical Building all within the City of Detroit. The pension fund is receiving a minimum interest rates ranging from 7.25 percent to 8.5 percent.
"The Police and Fire Pension Board has taken a lot of heat for so-called bad investments," said Gnatek. "While there have been some isolated projects that went awry, the vast majority even with the benefit of hindsight were excellent investments for financial reasons and to help build density in the core city areas and underserved areas of the City and that was exactly what the intent of these investments were at a time when no one would touch City properties."
"Everyone is praising Dan Gilbert and Quicken Loans and other companies for moving downtown and they should," said Gnatek. "We would appreciate acknowledgment that with Pension Fund monies wisely invested these buildings represent more than 40 stories of buildings with commercial space and apartments now occupied in the City. We are very proud of helping make this happen at a time when no one else would and the Board was criticized for throwing good money after bad."
Redico, owners of One Kennedy Square, refinanced the 10 story building paying a $3 million mezzanine loan off to the PFRS five months early. The building was refinanced for $27.3 million or $112 per square foot.
"This building has been a great addition to the city skyline adjacent to Campus Martius Park," said Redico CEO Dale Watchowski. "It likely would never have happened without the mezzanine financing from Invest Detroit and the Detroit Police and Fire Retirement System. We are very grateful for their vision and foresight in establishing their Targeted Investment Fund."
Originally posted here:
Police and Fire Retirement System Investments in Detroit properties sparks growth, buildings fully occupied
TransUnion: Personal Debt Levels Shifting Back to Growth Mode
Posted: at 12:15 pm
TORONTO--(Marketwire -08/23/12)- TransUnion's quarterly analysis of Canadian credit trends found that the average consumer's total debt (excluding mortgage) rose modestly, increasing by $192 in Q2 2012 to $26,221. Although this continues the trend of inflationary growth seen in the past five quarters, Q2 2012 is still the highest debt level per person seen to-date. The nation has now experienced consecutive quarters of accelerated growth when comparing both quarter over quarter (0.74%) and year over year (2.41%) numbers, possibly marking yet another turning point in the directionality trend for consumer debt.
"We are in a unique situation because while it is somewhat disconcerting to see average consumer total debt reach its highest level since we've been tracking this variable, Canadian consumers appear to be able to manage this debt as delinquency levels have dropped across all of the major credit vehicles," said Thomas Higgins, TransUnion's vice president of analytics and decision services. "It's quite possible that this is a trend that will continue as consumers take advantage of the low interest environment. However, if there are any sudden economic shifts such as a significant rise in unemployment, then it's quite conceivable that delinquencies will rise with debt levels."
The increase in average debt was consistent throughout Canada. All provinces experienced increases during the quarter except Saskatchewan. On a year-over-year basis, only Alberta posted a decreased annual growth rate in Q2 2012 versus Q2 2011, which constituted the third consecutive quarter where debt levels decreased from the prior year.
Consumer Debt - Quarterly/YearlyDespite year-over-year growth on total consumer debt, directional changes in debt levels varied for several credit instruments.
Consumer Delinquencies - Quarterly/Yearly
Delinquency levels continue to remain low across all major product categories.
"Across the board, we saw delinquencies drop on an annual basis," said Higgins. "Auto loan delinquencies stand out most as they are traditionally among the lowest of the major credit types, yet they've continued a downward trajectory even while auto debt experienced significant increases."
Three Highest Delinquency Provinces
Three Lowest Delinquency Provinces
Consumer Bankruptcies - Quarterly/Yearly
Go here to see the original:
TransUnion: Personal Debt Levels Shifting Back to Growth Mode
Food Network’s new SugarStars find friendship and success at Toronto shop
Posted: at 12:14 pm
Caspar Haydar and Elle Daftarian cant stop giggling. Or interrupting each other. Or gushing over everything.
Who could blame the best-friend, event-planning duo, who are not only celebrating one-and-a-half years in their quaint Summerhill store, but starring roles in an upcoming Food Network show SugarStars, a behind the scenes look at their event planning and catering business.
Located on a quiet leafy street in the affluent neighbourhood, Haydar and Daftarian said Petite & Sweet started as a haphazard sweets and events business operating out of Daftarians basement six years ago.
The pair met through mutual friends in the fashion industry. And after talking about getting into event planning together for some time, Daftarian finally convinced Haydar to jump in.
Since then, employing their fashion sensibilities for colour and style to food and fun has meant securing contracts for some of Torontos largest private and corporate events. Their work ranges from catering hot food, to cakes and sweets, and their job is to find the best of everything in town to meet clients needs and expectations. The two dont aim to do everything themselves, instead drawing on the professionals to assist them in making each event a success.
One, for example, is Yolanda Gampp, their expert cake-maker and co-star on SugarStars.
Working out of Daftarians basement for five years initially, the pair set their sights on retail space as clients were asking where they could pick up gifts and sweets last minute.
Two weeks after spotting an unused storefront around the corner from the house, they moved in.
Now, a year and a half later, the space is bright, the shelves are stocked with specialty items often picked up on their travels: vases filled with silk flowers; seashells and gumballs; Depression-era platters, and soaps and candles delicately packed and stocked from Paris and New York.
The pair handle everything under one roof planning every last detail of the lavish events that include catered food, floral arrangements and ornate sweets tables that range from the dramatic to whimsical.
Original post:
Food Network’s new SugarStars find friendship and success at Toronto shop
Yoga Deva a soul sanctuary in Gilbert
Posted: at 8:16 am
The Valley is full of hidden gems, and Yoga Deva is one yogis will want to discover.
The studios unassuming exterior blends with the rest of its Gilbert complex, yet opens to a breathtaking soul sanctuary with soaring ceilings, cool silver walls and room to breathe deep.
The distractions of the exterior world fall away in the softly lit space, designed with organic elements of warm walnut paneling, a faint hint of lavender, and a luminous, deep blue wall that draws you toward the light. The spacious studio is flooded with diffused daylight, and the massive inverted ceiling vaults float like clouds above. Translucent white panels cocoon you from the outside world, and shadows play just beyond. A natural flow is experienced as visitors journey through this unique space, built with the intent to heal through beauty.
Classes include Flow, Synergy, Yin/Yang, and Power variations lead by instructors with a genuine passion for the practice.
Yoga Deva is at 2680 S. Val Vista Drive, No. 143, in Gilbert. Reach it at (480) 722-9000 or YogaDeva.net.
Follow Lily at LocalLily.com, a blog published by Beth Hickey and Brandi Walsh, where youll find the best local restaurants, shopping, events and things to do.
See the article here:
Yoga Deva a soul sanctuary in Gilbert