An expansive estate on the near-Northwestside is making good on a long-standing promise to open its doors to the broader community as The Fitness Farm, a nonprofit focused on reducing childhood obesity.

"This was Mom's vision," says Joan SerVaas, camp director and president and publisher of The Saturday Evening Post. "Our goal was always to take this property and devote it to children's health."

That goal of Dr. Corey SerVaas, the former publisher of The Post, and her husband, longtime City-County Council President BuertSerVaas, was once the cause of controversy. Criticism of the family's transfer of this property to not-for-profit corporations they controlled, while apparently still deriving substantial personal use of the property and its facilities, was the subject of a feature article in this publication("Beurt's Backyard," March 16-23, 2000).

The SerVaas estate is now abuzz with the activities once limited to drawing-board concepts. Now in its second year of operation, the Forever-Fit summer camp is helping children to shed weight and body mass and learn habits that will hopefully lead to healthier lifestyles.

The morning scene at Forever-Fit Summer Camp is almost identical to one playing out at other day camps all around the community. About three dozen kids sit at several tables in a large airy dining hall, eating breakfast, laughing, and discussing the day's plans for bike riding, tennis, and a hike.

A few signs betray this camp's special mission. The calories for the morning's breakfast English muffin, cantaloupe, eggs are written on a flip chart at the front of the hall, all the easier for the kids to record the food into their daily meal and exercise journals. Later in the day, the adjoining kitchen area will host the campers' parents for a nutrition seminar and a cooking demonstration.

Almost all of the kids here at the 24-acre Fitness Farm are coping with weight issues. Forever-Fit is designed to help them and their families adjust their lifestyle and eating habits.

"The epidemic of childhood obesity is mind-boggling," Dr. Sandeep Gupta, director of Riley Hospital for Children's POWER Program and a consultant to the camp, said. "This epidemic can't be addressed in a hospital or doctor's office, it has to be addressed in the community."

Gupta's research on the Forever-Fit camp strategies is scheduled to be published in a scientific journal in a few months.

The six-week camp, staffed in part by dieticians and fitness experts, is sponsored by the Saturday Evening Post Society and Children's Better Health Institute. The camp caters to children aged 8-12 and its $100-per-week cost is often offset by financial assistance.

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Fitness Farm realizes SerVaas vision

(MoneyWatch) Although most Americans aren't confident about their ability to retire, people in other countries are even more pessimistic about their retirement prospects, according to a recent survey by Accenture.

Well, duh! I'd be pessimistic, too, if I lived in Mexico, Russia, or Spain. The consulting firm found that 92 percent, 92 percent, and 91 percent, respectively, of respondents in those countries were doubtful about their retirements. South Korea registered the highest level of pessimism, at 95 percent.

That makes sense. As the survey shows, people living in countries with struggling economies and that are experiencing political turmoil can't be expected to feel particularly optimistic about what the future will bring.

Worried about outliving your money? Americans aren't alone 8 ways to fight the system -- and profit Survey: Fewer than 1 in 4 trust financial system

On the other hand, democracy, freedom of speech, and respect for the law are characteristic of the countries with the lowest levels of pessimism about retirement. The countries with the lowest levels of pessimism are the U.K., Germany, Australia, and the U.S, with pessimism levels at 65 percent, 66 percent, 69 percent, and 70 percent respectively.

Besides being just interesting stuff to talk about at your next family or neighborhood get-together, what do these survey results mean to you? When you think about the observations I just made, it's easy to see that an important part of your retirement planning is voting and supporting a country that's run based on the rule of law (as opposed to countries run by dictators or the privileged elite). That's because only countries with strong economies and citizens with high confidence in its legal and financial systems can afford to have a large portion of their population not working, yet still consuming a significant part of the national output.

With that in mind, it's essential that we provide support for Social Security and Medicare, and think about the level of taxes needed to support these valuable programs. It's also important to consider income disparity when thinking about income taxes. And it's critical to think about our health care delivery system and the appropriate amount of government intervention that's needed to provide care for our citizens.

Another essential element to consider: the appropriate amount of regulation that's needed to balance consumer protection with support for innovation and service. Even though many people automatically disparage excessive regulation, we need laws and regulations to rein in the most damaging practices at financial institutions. We only need to look at the most recent scandal over global banks manipulating the London interbank offered rate for reasons why people don't trust the financial system. It's clear that a respect for the law was missing in those situations. For our own protection, we need to have laws that are both respected and enforced.

In spite of the retirement challenges that we face, when I think about how other countries are currently faring, I'm very glad that I'm living and retiring in the good 'ol USA! Thanks for listening -- and see you at the voting booth!

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Americans fear retirement less than other people

FORT MILL, S.C., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Honeywell (HON) today unveiled its first enterprise digital assistant with an Android operating system (OS), offering mobile workers a device with the same platform that many use in their personal lives. The Dolphin 7800 Android is a rugged handheld computer with fast and accurate data capture and navigation capabilities, making it ideal for a delivery driver or sales representative whose work day involves multiple customer stops. Honeywell Scanning & Mobility and Microsoft Corp. also signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft's patent portfolio for Honeywell's products running on the Android or Chrome OS platforms. Although specific terms of the agreement are confidential, Microsoft will receive royalties from Honeywell under the agreement.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120802/NY50799)

"Our core business strategy is to offer solutions to meet the needs of the software development community," said John Waldron, president of Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. "To provide our customers with the best range of tools for success, we signed a license agreement with Microsoft that will allow Honeywell to offer the Android-based Dolphin 7800 to our network of partners around the world."

"We are pleased to have reached a patent agreement with Honeywell covering its Android devices under Microsoft's worldwide patent portfolio," said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, Intellectual Property Group at Microsoft. "Through this agreement Honeywell joins Microsoft's Android patent licensing program and demonstrates its responsible approach to the management of intellectual property."

What sets the Dolphin 7800 Android apart from other products are security features to give businesses peace of mind. Companies who issue the device to their employees have the ability to remotely secure a lost device. With Honeywell's Remote MasterMind 3.0 device management software, businesses also can enroll and configure devices, track company assets and enforce strong password protection.

"Many of our customers want to enjoy using their work devices as much as their personal mobile phones and tablets," said Taylor Smith, director of product management, Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. "With the Android-based Dolphin 7800 we are able to offer that same user experience with the enterprise security that our customers expect from Honeywell."

To support the software community, Honeywell launched a Developer Program for Android OS compatible devices, giving independent software vendors (ISVs) and end-users a voice in the development of Honeywell products that will use the Android OS. Program participants had the opportunity to develop and test Android-specific applications on Honeywell's newest mobile device, prior to launch.

"We see demand for enterprise level, integrated GPS software solutions, like our CoPilot Live Professional, based on the Android platform. The Dolphin 7800 puts Honeywell in a strong position to capitalize on Android deployments within the enterprise," said Dan Popkin, vice president of business development of enterprise solutions at ALK Technologies.

"Our retail customers are closely aligned with the trends in the consumer device market, and at the same time, need performance and durability. These factors were drivers for us to participate in the Honeywell Developer Program for Android," said Gene Cornell, president, Cornell-Mayo Associates.

"Our ServiceACE application supports the Dolphin 7800 Android, with our TransportACE and RouteACE apps soon to follow, providing service, transportation, and consumer goods companies with a solution for streamlining their mobile operations," said Don Grust, CEO of Apacheta.

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Honeywell Introduces First Android-based Enterprise Digital Assistant

A recent study reveals that business is the most popular field of study for undergraduate and graduate online students.

One out of every three students who enroll in an online education program study business, according to a recent report about online students in 2012 by The Learning House, Inc. and Aslanian Market Research, which included survey responses from 1,500 current and prospective online students nationwide.

Thirty-four percent of survey respondents reported that they're studying or plan to study in the field of business; and fields of study in health professions and social sciences rounded out the top three most popular areas with 16 percent of online students currently studying or planning to study in each discipline.

[See why top MBA programs are embracing online education.]

This trend is consistent in traditional U.S. higher education as well, with subjects in the business field accounting for roughly 20 percent of all bachelor's degrees awarded annuallymaking it the nation's most popular field of study.

More than 90 percent of online students noted that their primary motivation for joining an online program involved their careers: 46 percent reported that their motivation was to advance in their current career, while 29 percent hoped to change careers.

"Changes in people's careers most often directed them to further education," the study's authors write. "Failing to rise to the next level or increase income drives many people back to school to gain the credentials they need to succeed."

[Explore free options for an online education.]

Online students are also motivated to consider online programs or institutions that have a nearby campus or service center, according to the report. In fact, about 80 percent of online students reside within 100 miles of a campus or service center of the program they attend.

"Online students seriously consider physical location when selecting an institution," the report's authors write. "Institutions that offer online programs should promote their programs to local residents within 100 miles of campus."

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Study: Business Most Popular Field of Study Among Online Students

WELLSVILLE It almost looked like scenes out of a movie.

Throughout Cache Valley this week, livestock-hauling trucks were stopped for inspection at the state border. Veterinarians in biosecurity moon suits examined animals. A command center was established where the states chief veterinarian and Homeland Security officials received briefings.

While it wasnt a rehearsal for the next major medical thriller film, it was a rehearsal for something much more: The containment of the next foreign animal disease (FAD) to hit Cache Valley or the state of Utah.

Veterinarians and public safety responders from Utah and Idaho came together at the Caine Dairy Teaching and Research Center over three days to conduct a large-scale FAD exercise, sponsored by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

The exercise, from July 31 through Aug. 2, included classroom training on topics of biosecurity on the farm, strengthening community agro-security planning, livestock inspection, pathogenic control and more.

It was the first time the UDAF has actually staged such an exercise. The UDAF reviews its procedures at formal meetings every year.

If you think about a disease outbreak coming to Cache Valley, and if we were only to contain it to Cache Valley, and it didnt go anywhere else, (the FAD) would still have devastating effects, said Bruce King, Utahs chief veterinarian, during a media briefing during the exercise Wednesday. Id predict 24 hours later, before we can even get our arms around this disease, probably most of the dairies in Cache Valley would be infected ... because of all of the (interaction) between agriculture we have today in a worldwide farming industry.

Foreign animal diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow) and foot-and-mouth-disease can damage consumer confidence in the vibrant U.S. food supply market. Officials say the combined value of both states livestock revenue tops $4 billion $3.2 billion for Idaho and $1 billion for Utah.

A FAD can also lead to costly trade embargoes by foreign countries, King said.

Its a disease that scares us in this business because if we diagnose it in the United States, no matter where it happens, we could automatically lose all of the export market, King said of foot-and-mouth disease. The price of meat, the price of milk would all go in the crapper, for lack of a better term.

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Veterinarians, public safety responders rehearse animal disease outbreak in Cache County

Published: Aug. 1, 2012 at 11:07 PM

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health has issued a video demonstrating how yoga works and suggesting it may be beneficial for low-back pain.

"This video provides important information on the safety and usefulness of yoga and also insights into how scientists study this commonly used health practice," Dr. Josephine P. Briggs, director of National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, said in a statement.

There is a growing body of evidence yoga may be beneficial for low-back pain, the NCCAM said. It is generally considered to be safe in healthy people when practiced appropriately, under the guidance of a well-trained instructor, but those with high blood pressure, glaucoma and sciatica, or women who are pregnant should modify or avoid some yoga poses, Briggs said.

"Everyone's body is different, and yoga postures should be modified based on individual abilities. Inform your instructor about any medical issues you have, and ask about the physical demands of yoga," Briggs said. "If you're thinking about practicing yoga, be sure to talk to your healthcare providers. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health."

The video, available at http://nccam.nih.gov/video/yoga, highlights the work of two researchers -- George Salem of the University of Southern California, who uses innovative technology to examine how older adults use their muscles and joints in certain yoga postures; and Karen Sherman of Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, who focuses on how yoga may be a beneficial for people with chronic low-back pain.

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NIH video reveals science behind yoga

BURLINGTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- Needham native Aly Raisman showed her love for her Burlington-based gymnastics coach Tuesday when she thanked him after she won the gold medal. She even put the medal around his neck.

Raisman tweeted, So thankful for Mihai! Words cant describe how much he means to me and how much I appreciate everything!!

You know, its the dream of your life, said Mihai Brestyan, Alys coach.

Raisman isnt Brestyans first Olympic superstar -- four years ago it was Alicia Sacramone. If you hang around the Burlington gym long enough youll get the sense that there are more star gymnasts to come.

I think hes a big coach. Everybody is looking at him like how to teach the girls really well and theyre all like Wow hes the big girls coach, Alys coach, so I guess for the girls hes a big example, said Sabrina Howell, a parent of a 5-year-old gymnast at Brestyans gym.

Brestyans training schedule for potential Olympic superstars is rigorous -- they train five days a week, sometimes twice a day. But his record for producing superstar gymnasts may be unmatched.

Video: Team USA Coach Mihai talks about golden moment

He believes in the gymnasts and he just pushes them to that level, he pushes the kids to believe that theyre going to make it, said Debbie Naka, a gymnastics coach.

Raisman will compete for another gold medal on Thursday.

(Copyright (c) 2012 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Coaching a Champion: A look at Raisman's coach

Giant Luke Power. Photo: Janie Barrett JEM

It's been over three AFL seasons since Leigh Matthews' last directive from the coach's box, but his influence around the league continues to resonate - as far as the vast surrounds of western Sydney.

Matthews ended a productive stint at Brisbane in 2008, but much like Kevin Sheedy at Essendon, he left the club having planted the coaching seed in some of the AFL's sharpest minds.

The latest sapling to sprout is Luke Power at Greater Western Sydney.

The 32-year-old is the Giants' most experienced co-captain, and one of a handful of old hands to juggle coaching and playing duties.

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While Power did a lot of the same for much of the 282 games he played with the Lions - guiding young players through the rigours of AFL - the official coaching tag has come with a greater understanding of tactics.

"It's pretty similar, but now there's a lot more involvement in how (GWS coach) Kevin (Sheedy) and (assistant coach) Mark (Williams) want our game to be played," Power says.

"We (the playing coaches) are probably a lot more over it, just because we're dealing with it every day. We're running meetings, sitting in on important meetings that decide the way we're going to play. I guess that's the big change. We're living it a little bit more.

"We're all learning all the time. I'm learning, one - about myself. But also learning about the industry and seeing it from a different perspective."

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Power loving life as GWS's big brother

BARBOURSVILLE -- Before they hit the books, area health care providers want to make sure your students go back to class with a positive attitude about health, nutrition and fitness.

Get Well Wednesdays at the Huntington Mall, sponsored by Cabell-Huntington Hospital, the Hoops Family Children's Hospital and the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, are packed with health screenings, immunizations, lunch packing demonstration and a focus on wellness and nutrition for kindergarten students through high school students.

The first event, conducted Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., featured lunch packing demonstrations with free samples; hearing, vision and scoliosis screenings; and immunizations. Get Well Wednesdays take place near the Elder-Beerman dome in the Healthy Kids Play Place.

Other events are scheduled for Aug. 8 and Aug. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m., including an opportunity to chat with a pediatrician, additional health screenings, fitness activities with the Huntington YMCA and immunizations. Back-to-school supplies will also be provided.

Parents/guardians are required to bring a shot record for each child to obtain immunizations, which include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, DTap, Rotavirus, Hib, Pneumococcal, Inactivated Poliovirus, MMR, Varicella, Meningococcal, HPV and Tdap. Tdap and Meningococcal are required immunizations for any students entering 7th and 12th grades for the 2012-2013 school year.

For more details, call 304-399-6742.

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Students get wellness, nutrition ideas

HOUSTON, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (KRA), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, announces financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

2012 SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

"Despite record first quarter 2012 sales volume and revenue, our sales volume in the second quarter was impacted by a number of factors including a late start to the North American paving season, wet weather in Europe, which had an adverse effect on roofing activity, continued volatility in raw material prices, which was reflected in purchase and inventory management activity by our customers, and slowing global demand across many regions and markets we serve. Nevertheless, our sales volume for the first half of 2012 was up 2% compared to the first half of 2011," said Kevin M. Fogarty, Kraton's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Of note in the second quarter were very robust sales in our Cariflex end use, serving medical applications, and volume increases in lubricant additive and oil gels applications within our Adhesive, Sealant, and Coatings end use. Innovation results continued to demonstrate we have the right strategy to combat general market headwinds. Specifically, our Vitality Index reflected that innovation-based sales were 13% of revenue for the trailing twelve month period ended June 30, 2012, as compared to 14% for the twelve months ending June 30, 2011. The consistency with which we apply this key operating metric dictates that we roll sales out of the calculation after five years. However, if we were to include the sales that rolled off during the TTM period, which still carry a margin premium, the Vitality Index would have been 17% for the twelve months ending June 2012," Fogarty added. "Lastly, although our second quarter 2012 unit margins benefited from price increases, announced in the first quarter, monomer prices continued to rise significantly through April, declined modestly in May, and then dropped significantly in June, resulting in average pricing for key monomers being higher in the second quarter 2012 than in the first quarter, and this served to limit margin expansion," said Fogarty. "More recently, following another sharp monomer price decline in July 2012, and based upon existing demand fundamentals, we believe that pricing for key monomers such as butadiene will remain relatively stable through the third quarter 2012, which in turn should return confidence to customers who had been focused on minimizing inventory levels in declining monomer environments."

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(US $ in thousands, except per share amounts)

2012

2011

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Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2012 Results