A FAMILY is adding a personal touch to the ever-expanding world of decorated cakes with no shortage of taste testers to help them along the way.

Mother and daughter duo Deborah and Lauren Gill have the steady hands and baking prowess to craft the intricate creations in the family's Shenfield-based kitchen.

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

BOX OF TREATS: Lauren Gill in the kitchen of her family's home

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

SWEET: Lauren puts the cake mixture in cases

And Lauren's boyfriend, City financial advisor Oliver Brown, is providing the marketing brains to help get Chteau de Gateaux off the ground and their cakes into homes, parties and the corporate arena, whatever the occasion.

Lauren, who works in sports therapy, said the business began when she joined a cake decorating course with her mother, a teaching assistant at Shenfield St Mary's Primary School in Hall Lane.

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Brentwood Gazette published Gill family taste success with their cupcakes

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

K12 Inc., the nations leading provider of proprietary curricula and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school, today announced that on June 28, 2012, the Board of Directors (the Board) of K12 Inc. appointed Nathaniel A. Davis as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Davis has been an independent member of the Board since 2009, is a member of the Audit Committee, and has served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee for the past year.

Mr. Davis is currently managing director of RANND Advisory Group, where he provides consulting services to technology and media companies. He previously was Chief Executive Officer, President and a board member of XM Satellite Radio. Prior to XM Satellite Radio, Mr.Davis was President and Chief Operating Officer, and board member of XO Communications Inc. Mr.Davis has also held senior executive positions at Nextel Communications, MCI Telecommunications, and MCI Metro. Mr.Davis received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in Engineering Computer Science at the Moore School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. in Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Andrew H. Tisch has served on the Board since 2001 and as its Chairman since 2007. He will continue on the Board as the new Chairman of the Compensation Committee replacing Mr. Davis, who will remain as a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Tisch is deeply committed to K12's mission of providing children with an individualized education to succeed in life. Given other obligations and demands on his time, Mr. Tisch determined that it was in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to relinquish the Chairman's role after five years.

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (LRN), a technology-based education company, is the nations largest provider of proprietary curricula and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school. Using 21st century tools to prepare 21st century students, K12 provides the broadest array of options for students to learn in a flexible and innovative way, at an individualized pace. K12 provides curricula and academic services to public and private schools and districts, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. K12 is accredited through AdvancED, the worlds largest education community. Additional information on K12 for schools and districts can be found at http://www.K12.com/educators.

2012 K12Inc. K12is a registered trademark, and the K12logo is a trademark of K12Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Nathaniel A. Davis Appointed as Chairman of K12 Inc. Board of Directors

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtYyCiXD3ZI

27-06-2012 23:01 8 months

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Crawling excercise - Video

A Ho Chi Minh City court sentenced a Thaiwoman to death, on Tuesday, fortrafficking methamphetamine from Benin to Vietnam.

The HCMC Peoples Court condemned Preeyanooch Phuttharaksa, 23, to deathfor illegally transporting drugs.

Phuttharaksa told the court she met a Nigerian man named Nalin at a shopping mall in Bangkok last November.

Nalin asked her to participate in an internationalnarcoticsring; she agreed to do so for themoney.

On October 17, 2011, Phuttharaksa flew from Thailand to Togo, and took a bus to Benin.

In Benin, two African mengave her a suitcase and asked her to bring it to Vietnam. Shecarried thesuitcase with her onflights fromBenin to Casablanca, Casablanca to Doha and Doha to Ho Chi Minh City.

On the evening of October 29, 2011, she arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airportwherecustoms officials discovered more thanthree kilograms of methamphetamine at the bottom of her suitcase.

Phuttharaksatold the court she waspaid more than US$2,500, excluding airfares, for her trip.

The courtsaid shehadtrafficked drugs to Vietnam ontwoprevious occasions and Vietnamese police are still investigating.

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Thai student sentenced to death for trafficking speed into Vietnam

Thursday, June 28, 2012

SHANTI Shala Yoga Cebu will present the Greet the Sun event tomorrow from 8 a.m. until noon at 5th floor AMWSLAI Bldg., Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City (across Metrobank).

One may call 516-5404 or 511-2342 for reservation.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The following will be featured during the event: two-hour Sun Salutation Series guided by the Shanti Shala Yoga teachers, healthy snacks available for the soon to open Caf Namaskar, performances from established students and teachers, a short video presenting for yoga in line with health and wellness.

There will be special presentation from guest performers, namely, Giselle Tribaco-Halleux for Poi and belly dancing and Jai for yoga dance, and the introduction of the well-being modalities.

Kick off

The event will served as the kick off for Shanti Shala in its holistic approach to health and wellness.

Students, practitioners and guests will enjoy a whole lot of sampling from each of the modalities the studio will offer.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on June 29, 2012.

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Free yoga event at Shanti Shala Yoga Cebu

DC yoga teachers will travel to Ramallah this July to empower community members and build sustainable programs.

For the past 10 months, Shawn Parell and Angela Cerkevich, beloved local yoga teachers and heads of Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Anahata Grace, have been developing curriculum and raising funds for a highly-anticipated teacher training program in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Responding to a growing demand for expanded and increasingly sustainable yoga programs in the city, the project will come to fruition in July as part of an ongoing partnership with Farashe Yoga, a nonprofit center in Ramallah.

The training, which will be the first of its kind in the West bank, will serve to build resources and establish new yoga-based wellness programs to schools, community centers, and refugee camps. Many of the participants already assume service roles in the community and will incorporate yoga techniques into their work to better address physical and mental wellness and relief of stress disorders. In addition to individual benefits, yoga's principles and teachings can be integrated into life off the mat, acting as catalyst for transformation and growth within a community. According to Maha Al-Sheik, co-founder of Farashe Yoga, these tools are especially important in the Palestinian context, where movement and access to economic and social resources is heavily restricted.

Since it opened in 2010, Farashe has been striving to meet the needs of the community -- offering safe, accessible yoga throughout occupied territories with only a few volunteer teachers. Anahata will help to increase the cadre of teachers that are able to offer these healing services and enable Farashe to increase their program offerings and outreach efforts.

"Yoga is a transformative healing practice. As we move, breathe, and open in awareness, we are reminded of the interdependency of all things and of our belonging in the world," says Parell, who has an academic foundation in religious studies and over 1,000 hours in teacher training in multiple lineages. "We've been inspired by our own experience on the path of yoga, and believe it should be available to anyone who seeks it"

Parell will be accompanied by fellow teacher and Anahata Founder Angela Cerkevich to lead the nine-day foundational training in Ramallah, bringing 20 years of teaching experience to the project with specific expertise in yoga therapeutics.

Cerkevich, who is currently a doctoral student in GW's department of professional psychology, established Anahata Grace in 2007 to bring the benefits of yoga to vulnerable communities locally and abroad. The nonprofit's international work continues to be driven by its mission to empower people to work through trauma, to establish a safe and peaceful atmosphere for conflict resolution, and to build community and improve quality of life by removing barriers to holistic wellness tools that exist where those services are most needed. Beginning with a pilot project in Rwanda, Cerkevich and Anahata volunteers have focused on work in post-conflict areas, building sustainable programs through teacher trainings, program development, and the creation of supportive grants tools.

The upcoming training in Ramallah will emphasize making self-care skills available to all community members and empowering women as local leaders. There will also be a strong focus on the therapeutic aspects of yoga and meditation. The training will provide foundational skills to teach yoga and meditation to children and adults, with specialized topics including prenatal yoga, yoga for school teachers, and meditation for mood management.

The D.C. community rallied behind the project, gathering and contributing funds for the 5th Annual D.C. Global Mala project which brought hundreds together to practice in Meridian Hill Park last September. Many local studios participated in the project, with some offering studio space for donation-based yoga classes to raise additional support.

To learn more and support the work of Anahata Grace, please visit http://www.anahatagrace.org.

Continued here:
Alaina Sadick: Bringing the Benefits of Yoga to the West Bank

On June 8, 2012, I had the delight of joining 93-year-old yoga master Tao Porchon-Lynch, who was recently named "Oldest Yoga Teacher" by Guinness World Records, as she taught yoga at the Pentagon.

It was incredible seeing 80 Department of Defense personnel -- service members and civilians -- in various yoga poses, from warriors to king dancers, and then flowing through a series of sun salutations to Tao's signature tango music. At one point, I said to myself, "This is pretty cool. I'm doing yoga at the Pentagon!" The final relaxation was especially poignant. I got a deep sense that these folks particularly needed and deserved those moments of personal peace.

At the end of the yoga session, I moderated a discussion on Tao's colorful life, as I've done many times before. There was great interest in Tao's time with Gandhi and her work in the French Resistance during World War II, as well as her peacemaking around the world, such as Yoga for Peace in Israel in 1995 and her more recent appearance at the 2011 Newark Peace Education Summit with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

During the Q and A, one woman asked why Tao agreed to teach yoga to a group of people who are focused on war and conflict. In her very humble manner, Tao explained that she was simply honored to be there among those who work tirelessly to protect our security. She explained how yoga plays a role in peacemaking, which is the ultimate goal for those in our military. In her view, peace is really about atonement. She broke down the word atonement into "at-one-ment," or oneness. Tao's perspective is that we all have the same breath inside us and yoga brings us closer to that realization.

For me, the day epitomized the essence of yoga in that it was about unity. All of the people in the group had very important "day jobs." Many had to be given permission to take time to be in the class. Yet, they came together, in great numbers, to share in the presence and practice of peace. If all of our leaders -- anyone making critical decisions affecting other people's lives -- would take time every day to experience even a few moments of stillness, I believe our world would be a better place. As the Dalai Lama has said, "World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not the absence of violence. Peace is the manifestation of human compassion."

Here's a peek into Yoga at the Pentagon with Tao Porchon-Lynch.

Yoga at the Pentagon

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Yoga at the Pentagon with 93-year-old Tao Porchon-Lynch -- Lotus Stretch

Yoga at the Pentagon with 93-year-old Tao Porchon-Lynch -- Lotus Stretch

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Dr. Terri Kennedy: Yoga at the Pentagon With Tao Porchon-Lynch

Performing yoga is a great way to burn calories, but did you know that you can get even more benefits by participating in water yoga? Aqua yoga is both enjoyable and healthy, and it will keep you cool. In addition, this form of exercise is excellent for those with arthritis and other health conditions who cannot take part in regular yoga. I will highlight the benefits of water yoga and the many poses (asanas) that can be performed in the pool.

Benefits of water yoga

Performing yoga in the water has many benefits, including the following:

Therapeutic properties of aqua yoga

Water yoga is therapeutic in the following ways:

Water yoga poses (asanas)

Many asanas are ideal for performing in the water, including the following:

Most of these poses take advantage of the side of the pool by having you hold onto it with one or both hands.

Aqua yoga on video

If you want to see for yourself what water yoga looks like, watch one or all of the following videos:

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Burn More Calories by Performing Water Yoga

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vqeti7nxz0

27-06-2012 14:27 Presents Kathy Smith - Health Expert Kathy Smith is an internationally recognized fitness and lifestyle expert in the Wellness community. For over 40 years, her unique brand has earned her iconic stature in the home fitness market. Kathy has reached millions of people. She has made national media appearances on "The Today Show," "CNN," "Oprah," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and many others. In addition, Ms. Smith is frequently sought out by major corporations, health and medical conglomerates, and prominent universities. Kathy's brand has reached far beyond individual workouts into a philosophy that has inspired millions of people. With countless life-changing success stories, Smith is committed to helping others live healthfully and in the best shape of their lives. She is seen lecturing and leading workshops around the country, bringing her message of "Inspire the Best in All People" to those around her. For Kathy Smith's full bio, please visit: To book Kathy Smith for your next event, please contact The Goodman Speakers Bureau at (800) 875-2893

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Kathy Smith - Health and Fitness Expert - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_wZVqCkXrs

27-06-2012 18:00 A Wisconsin state council has been created to help promote good health and fitness.

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5PM WED HEALTH AND FITNESS COUNCIL - Video