On Saturday morning outside the Dryades YMCA in Central City, organizer Michaela King counted 120 people waiting in the rain for the doors of the Back To School Health Expo to open. It was the second year for the event hosted by King, a pediatrician, and other Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters.

With the offer of free backpacks filled with school supplies acting as a timely and practical incentive, about 600 people showed up over the course of the four-hour event, which had the theme Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. They rotated through a series of health screenings and demonstrations as well as workshops on financial well-being.

With presentations ranging from physical fitness, low-fat cooking and asthma prevention to mortgage and credit management, the event, while primarily health- and child-focused, sought to address the whole person and the whole family, King said.

Because people will do things for their kids they wont always for themselves, King said, the event provided a chance to get parents to assess their own physical condition, through testing and creating awareness of illnesses including breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease and HIV.

By confronting health problems that disproportionately affect African-Americans, King hoped to create more awareness in the black community about the importance of first prevention and then early diagnosis and treatment.

In order to receive their school supplies and be entered a raffle of bonus prizes, attendees had to complete screenings for body mass index, blood pressure, dental health, blood sugar and vision.

Dentists and eye doctors not covered by insurance providers can be very expensive, King said, and many of the younger children had never been to a dentist or optometrist. Attending one of five financial workshops was also a requirement to earn a backpack.

Ten-year-old Damari Haynes went to the first-time homebuyers workshop with his mother, Myesha Scott. While it wasnt his first choice for an activity, Scott said, he did pay attention, and she quizzed him afterward on some of the basics required before purchasing a home.

Damari said he learned about proper eye care at the eye screening and was pleased to be told his vision was very good. It was his 5-year-old brothers first visit to an eye doctor. Scott said.

The most popular workshop by far, King said, was one geared toward children titled The ABCs and 123s of Saving Money. Kids learned fundamental concepts related to earning money, saving it and setting goals. They were given fake money and required to make choices among a variety of goodies they could purchase.

Continue reading here:
Back To School Health Expo reaches out to the whole family

SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

24 Hour Fitness, the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams, is pleased to congratulate Team USA for their incredible performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games - securing 104 medals, including 46 gold, the most won by any country to participate in the Games of the XXX Olympiad.

We are proud to celebrate the United States Olympic Team, especially our own Team 24 Hour Fitness partner athletes, on their achievements during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. From earning the most medals and gold medals, to breaking world records, we share Americas pride for the men and women of Team USA, said Carl Liebert, president and chief executive officer, 24 Hour Fitness. The 500 plus athletes who made up the American delegation have trained hard and proven it worthwhile while being an incredible inspiration for all of us over the past 17 days. It's been a real honor to assist, inspire, and get to know many of them in their quest for success.

During the London 2012 Olympics Games, 24 Hour Fitness partnered with four U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls, including Kerri Walsh, who earned a record-breaking third gold medal in U.S. Womens Beach Volleyball; 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Tony Azevedo of USA Water Polo; 2008 Paralympic Gold Medalist April Holmes of U.S. Paralympic Track & Field; and Rubin Williams, 24 Hour Fitness employee and USA Track & Field athlete. The company is also a partner of USA Basketball, whose mens and womens teams both brought home gold medals and contributed to the incredible accomplishments of Team USA.

For nearly a decade, the U.S. fitness club industry leader has been a proud official sponsor of the United States Olympic Committee, supporting U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls since the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. This year, 24 Hour Fitness provided technical insight and consultation to the USOC to help design and outfit the High Performance Training Facility (HPTC) in London a state-of-the-art training facility where Team USAs athletes trained and prepared to compete for the gold and sent 27 of its top-performing fitness professionals to staff the facility in support of the nations best athletes.

At the start of the 2012 Olympics Games, 24 Hour Fitness announced its continued sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams through the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As part of the renewal, 24 Hour Fitness will:

Through its support of the United States Olympic Committee, National Governing Bodies and Paralympic sports, 24 Hour Fitness is one of the largest supporters of amateur athletics in the country.

About 24 Hour Fitness

Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness is a leading health club industry pioneer, serving nearly four million members in more than 400 clubs across the U.S. Since the first club opened in 1979, the company has been dedicated to helping members change their lives and reach their individual fitness goals. With convenient club locations, personal training services, innovative group exercise classes and a variety of strength, cardio and functional training equipment - 24 Hour Fitness offers fitness solutions for everyone.

Through its support of the U.S. Olympic Committee and many U.S. National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport, 24 Hour Fitness is one of the largest supporters of amateur athletics in the country and will serve as the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. The company is committed to being a good neighbor in its communities via charitable and in-kind donations to groups focused on both helping Americans get healthy and improving youth fitness. The companys national accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, which includes A+ ratings for all club locations across the U.S., demonstrates the organizations ongoing commitment to member satisfaction. Please call 1-800-224-0240 or visit 24hourfitness.com for more information and to find the club nearest you.

Originally posted here:
24 Hour Fitness Congratulates Team USA for Outstanding Performance at 2012 Olympic Games

ORANGE, Calif., Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Every four years, millions of people watch the Olympics and see athletes at the peak of their physical health. For many viewers, it may inspire them to look for ways to be healthier and more active in their lives. California-based Max Muscle Sports Nutrition may be the one place that they start.

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition's franchised retail locations offer health and fitness counseling as well as nutritional supplements to a broad audience, from elite athletes to weekend warriors to Baby Boomers who want to get in shape. For more than 20 years, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition's MaxPro Concentrate has been the company's best-selling product, and they continue to develop new products and strategies to appeal to a broad target market.

With more than 150 franchise locations throughout the U.S., Max Muscle Sports Nutrition is looking to expand in more places with business professionals keen to get in on the 22 billion dollar health and fitness industry.*

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition is inviting interested investors to learn more at a webinar hosted by key leadership on August 22nd at 3PM EST. Interested attendees can sign up at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/f4hpa86lhhfs or learn more at maxmusclefranchise.com/.

*Nutrition Business Journal

Media Contact: Marc Kiekenapp Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, 4806640851, mkiekenapp@gmail.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

Read the original post:
Health and Fitness Innovator Max Muscle Sports Nutrition hopes that Olympics Games Inspire Investors to Join.

LONDON -- The last five years have been tough for those in retirement. Portfolio valuations have been hammered and annuity rates have plunged. There's no sign of things improving anytime soon, either, as the eurozone and the U.K. economy look set to muddle through at best for some years to come.

A great way of protecting yourself from the downturn, however, is by building your retirement fund with shares of large, well-run companies that should grow their earnings steadily over the coming decades. Over time, such investments ought to result in rising dividends and inflation-beating capital growth.

In this series, I'm tracking down the U.K. large caps that have the potential to beat the FTSE 100 (UKX) over the long term and support a lower-risk income-generating retirement fund (you can see the companies I've covered so far on this page).

Today, I'm going to take a look at SABMiller (LSE: SAB.L) , the South African brewing giant with a global footprint and ownership of brands including Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, and Miller Genuine Draft.

I'll have a lagerSABMiller's main product is lager, the market for which is expanding rapidly, thanks to the world's emerging economies. Over the last 10 years, SABMiller has beaten the FTSE 100 hands-down:

Total Return

2007

2008

2009

2010

Here is the original post:
Is SABMiller the Ultimate Retirement Share?

Updated: August 13, 2012, 4:57 PM ET

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- UCLA middle linebacker Patrick Larimore will take a medical retirement because of multiple concussions, coach Jim Mora said after practice Monday during training camp at Cal State San Bernardino.

Larimore, a senior who was a team captain last season, suffered a concussion in April and sat out the latter portion of spring practice. He returned for the first two days of training camp, but had another concussion Aug. 6 and hasn't been back since.

He left camp to be examined by doctors at UCLA, then came back and informed his coaches and players of his decision Sunday night.

For the latest news on UCLA, check out ESPN Los Angeles' blog on the Bruins. Blog

"After talking it over with the doctors and talking it over with his family and the way he felt, he felt that for his future heath and long-term health that he should medically retire," Mora said.

"Obviously it was a very tough decision for Patrick and a very tough decision for this team. Patrick was very mature in his decision and gave it a lot of thought. He didn't get captured in the moment and only thinking about the here and now."

Larimore, 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, was a starter since his sophomore season. He was the team's defensive MVP last season after leading the team with 81 tackles. As a sophomore, he was named the Nagurski defensive player of the week after registering 12 tackles in a game against Houston.

He was the defensive leader on the field, calling out the plays and formations, but was equally important off the field as a high-character peer who kept his teammates in line.

"On the field, off the field, in the locker room, from snap to whistle, it's hard to replace a Patrick Larimore," Mora said. "It's really hard to replace that intensity, that passion, that commitment to the game."

Read more here:
UCLA LB Larimore chooses medical retirement

Retirement planning is often focused on investing for retirement. But saving during retirement is part of the big picture as well. Many soon-to-be retirees are finding they may be a little short on post-retirement funds. With yields low throughout the U.S., they may have to rely on savings strategies in their leisure years.

To get a better handle on retirement planning in today's environment, we spoke with Sheila Handy, Ph.D., department chair and associate professor of business management at East Stroudsburg University. Professor Handy gave us some insight into retirement planning and how retirees can stretch their dollars.

Is it financially smart to set a retirement date when retirement planning?

Yes, individuals should set a specific retirement date. Rather than always thinking there will be more time to contribute to a retirement plan, setting a date allows you to estimate how much in Social Security benefits you will receive. You should carefully review your Social Security statement every year. It also allows you to know how many more years you can contribute to your employer retirement plan or (individual retirement account), and it provides a window for improving your current financial situation -- paying off your home mortgage and other debts.

What is the ideal amount needed to retire in 2012?

A rule of thumb used in retirement planning is that 70% of pre-retirement income is required to maintain the same lifestyle, since individuals spend less on taxes, commuting costs and likely expenses related to raising children. The same amount -- adjusted for inflation -- will likely be needed for 25 years (unless Social Security benefits are reduced). In either case, paying your mortgage and eliminating all credit card debt is beneficial.

For the person who wants to travel during retirement, what tips can you give him to live out his dreams of being a world traveler and financially stable?

Retirees can travel more affordably by planning trips during the off-season to take advantage of lower rates and airfares and by capitalizing on the flexibility in their schedules. (They can do this) by taking advantage of last-minute deals offered by airlines and travel sites. Staying in a condo and cooking your own meals may prove to be more affordable than staying in a hotel and eating out for one to two weeks. Some people trade houses with another retiree by using websites that connect individuals who are willing to exchange homes for one or two weeks. If travel is important, it should be built into the retirement budget. Other ways to travel more affordably include low-cost national park passes for seniors, 15% Amtrak discounts, Elderhostels and AARP discounts.

When pre-retirement expense planning, what are a few ways toreduce monthly costs and save more money for retirement?

Pre-retirement expense planning should include eliminating debt and cutting down on nonessential expenditures like eating out and buying coffee. Add any money not spent to savings. If you record every expenditure made in a two-week period, you would probably discover many ways to cut your current spending.

Link:
Taking Control of Your Retirement Planning

Email

Barbara D. Livingston

Royal Delta is working toward a start in the Personal Ensign Invitational Handicap on Aug. 26 at Saratoga.

Royal Delta provided further proof that her hard-fought victory in last months Delaware Handicap took little out her as she breezed a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.66 on Monday morning over the Oklahoma training track.

Royal Delta, last years champion 3-year-old filly, is preparing for a start in the Personal Ensign Invitational Handicap here Aug. 26. Royal Delta won the Delaware Handicap by a neck over Tiz Miz Sue on July 21, racing on a surface she did not seem to relish.

She came back as good as you could come back from any race after a race like that, trainer Bill Mott said.

While Mott said he was looking for a good work Monday morning, he said something in the 1:01-and-change range would have been fine.

She went off the right way and finished up nicely, Mott said. Were two weeks out, so a decent work was probably in order.

[Complete coverage of racing at Saratoga: News, PPs, and video]

The first list of invitations for the Personal Ensign have been published. Among the invitees under consideration to run are Absinthe Minded, Brushed by a Star, Its Tricky, and R Gypsy Gold.

See the original post here:
Saratoga: Royal Delta sharp in breeze for Personal Ensign

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -08/13/12)- Massive cutbacks across heavy industry would seemingly cause a decline in sales of personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes body, hand, head and respiratory protection. However, according to heavy industry and energy research publisher SBI Energy, the market grew to $12 billion in 2011, increasing 8% over the 2010 figure.

Although PPE sales growth in the U.S. (and globally) slowed as the global economy receded, unlike many industries, the PPE sector did not experience an overall decline in sales. Among the millions of jobs cut during this two-year period, a great many were in industries that are key drivers of PPE sales including manufacturing, construction, mining and public safety; yet despite these massive cutbacks -- unprecedented in decades -- overall, the PPE market managed to continue to show some sales growth.

"Total U.S. PPE sales are expected to top $13 billion in 2012," said SBI publisher Shelley Carr. "According to the report, due to expected relatively slow growth rate, sales should just barely exceed $14 billion in 2013; as the economy continues to recover, U.S. PPE sales should reach $15.2 billion in 2014. The strengthening global economy should increase the growth rate in 2015 with PPE sales in the U.S. anticipated to hit $16.7, $18.5 billion in 2016 and nearly $20.6 by 2017."

Strict regulations imposed by Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), coupled with expensive workers compensation costs, has enabled the market to remain stable through economic challenges. In addition, the report finds workplace safety blogs and U.S. government agencies are adding to a transparent workplace where concerns regarding safety supplies can be broadcasted and evaluated.

Global economic factors impacting the PPE market are presented in the report, Personal Protective Equipment in the U.S., along with data history and projections 2002-2022 in the industry categories of body protection/clothing, hand & foot, head & face, and respiratory protection. In addition, the report profiles key manufacturers, highlighting their strengths, performance, product portfolios and significant recent events. Also included are marketing, distribution and retail overview, outlining aspects of getting the products to market, and an end-user segment analysis.

About SBI EnergySBI Energy, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports in the industrial, energy, building/construction, and automotive/transportation markets. SBI Energy also offers a full range of custom research services. To learn more, visit http://www.sbireports.com.

See the article here:
Personal Protective Equipment Resilient, Despite Massive Layoffs in Heavy Industry

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cyberbullying has become a serious concern for parents and school officials. No wonder, with surveys such as Pew Internet and American Life Survey showing 33% of teens have been subjects of cyberbullying, and worse, others that say cyberbullying is rapidly increasing among kids and pre-teens.

The Personal Technology Experts at Support.com (SPRT), a provider of technology services and software for consumers and small businesses, offer these 4 tips to give parents with young children a head start on preventing cyberbullying:

1. Educate Your Child: Kids are perfect targets for cyberbullying, as oftentimes the perpetrator is anonymous and will use methods like email and text messages, or the posting of private information, lies, and other misinformation on popular social sites. Reinforce to your child general safety rules and common practices when using the Internet, coupled with an open and frank conversation about cyerbullying, signs to look out for, and an explanation of why it can happen to them.

2. Shadow Them Online: If your kids are members of social networking websites, then signup, "friend" or "follow" them to know what they are posting, sharing, and receiving from others. Your grade-school child may not like this at first, but try to explain that this is for their own safety and not about snooping on them.

3. Set Rules: Kids can access the Internet at home, school, friend's house, library, or on their mobile devices. Be sure to set rules and guidelines for how long and when your child can use the Internet. Also, make use of parental control software and Internet safety tools to filter and manage Internet usage on PCs and devices.

4. Report it to Authorities: If your child becomes a victim of cyberbullying, report it immediately to local law enforcement agencies, their school, (even the Internet service provider who delivered it). Popular social sites like Twitter (https://support.twitter.com/forms/abusiveuser) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/report) have dedicated pages that make it easy to report incidents. You can also report all incidents to the U.S. Department of Justice: (http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/#three).

About Support.com Support.com, Inc. (SPRT) provides technology services and software for consumers and small businesses. Support.com(R) Personal Technology Experts provide a quick, cost-effective and stress-free technology support experience over the Internet and the phone using the Company's advanced technology platform. Support.com also offers a wide range of easy-to-use software products that detect and repair common computer problems and optimize performance and security. Support.com offers programs through many of the nation's leading retailers, broadband service providers and technology companies, and provides software to over a million consumers and small businesses. For more information please visit us at: http://www.support.com, http://www.facebook.com/support.com, or http://twitter.com/support_com.

The Support.com, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11893

Support.com, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, visit http://www.support.com/about/careers.

Copyright (C) 2012 Support.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Support.com and Personal Technology Experts are trademarks or registered trademarks of Support.com, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Read more from the original source:
Personal Technology Experts(R) at Support.com Offer Four Tips to Help Parents Prevent Cyberbullying

By Eric Fox - August 13, 2012 | Tickers: APC, KOG, LINE, NFX, WLL | 0 Comments

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

The exploration and production industry moved to drive down development costs in the second quarter of 2012 through increased drilling efficiencies as the rejuvenation of the United States oil and gas resource base continues.

Extended Laterals

Newfield Exploration (NYSE: NFX) is drilling wells quicker and reported drilling a well in the Williston Basin in 20 days, compared to an average of 35 days in 2011. This well used a super extended lateral with a horizontal length of 11,500 feet, a well design that maximizes recovery of oil and gas and lowers finding and development costs.

Newfield Exploration is starting to drill wells in the Eagle Ford Shale with super extended laterals and estimates that this will improve the estimated ultimate recovery on wells here to 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE).

Cycle Time

Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) is decreasing development costs through more efficient drilling across the companys extensive set of onshore plays. Anadarko Petroleum improved the time needed to drill a well by 15% in the Eagle Ford Shale during the second quarter of 2012, and drilled one well in just under seven days.

This improved cycle time was demonstrated in other plays as well with Anadarko Petroleum reporting a 15% reduction in a field in Utah and a record drilling time of just under 3 days for one well here. In the Marcellus Shale, the company reduced drilling costs by 16% on a sequential basis and averaged 20 days to drill a well here in the second quarter of 2012.

Pad Drilling

More here:
Oil and Gas Companies Continue to Cut Development Costs