Most of us dream of a successful retirement. But a comfortable retirement doesn't just happen. Retirement security requires planning and effort. As you consider your retirement future, here are four steps to follow for a successful retirement:

1. Figure out what you want your retirement to look like. Your definition of success might be different from someone else's. Your first step is to figure out what you want your retirement to look like. Partial employment, travel, the ability to sit on your porch, service, a new hobby, and visiting with friends and relatives are all things to consider. Think about what you are most likely to enjoy, and be realistic about what needs to happen to make your dream a reality. Starting this process as early as you can will help motivate you to save and invest for your retirement goals.

2. Assess what you need for a successful retirement. Realistically determine what is needed for your personal retirement success. Consider what monthly income you will need from interest on your investments or other income sources in order to meet your goals. How big of a nest egg will you need to support your version of retirement success? Try to realistically account for expenses related to living and entertainment, as well as the effects of inflation. There are online calculators that can help you with your assessment.

3. Create a plan to help you reach your retirement goals. Once you know what you need in order to achieve a successful retirement, it's time to make a plan to get there. Understand the risks and rewards of investing, and learn about your options. Find out what you can do to take advantage of an employee match program from your retirement plan. Look for ways to save up money and create regular passive income to supplement your retirement savings. Diversify your strategies and investments so that you can reduce risk. Make a plan to invest regularly and pay down debt so that you will be more likely to reach your goals.

4. Stick to your plan. Now that you have a realistic plan to achieve retirement success, it's important to stick with it. Your plan should be developed with long-term success in mind, which means it should probably include investment strategies that favor the big picture like dollar-cost averaging and paying down debt. Unless you experience a major financial setback, don't let short-term market conditions scare you into making significant changes to your plan.

While you might need to evaluate and tweak your plan periodically, a good retirement plan rarely needs a major overhaul unless your objectives change dramatically or if there is a fundamental shift somewhere. Remember that a lot of the noise and panic surrounding short-term market movements is just hype and sensationalism. If you stick to a well-made plan, you are more likely to reach your retirement goals.

Jeff Rose is a certified financial planner and U.S. combat veteran. He blogs at Good Financial Cents and Soldier of Finance.

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4 Steps to Follow for a Successful Retirement

CHANDLER, AZ--(Marketwire -06/11/12)- The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI), announced a strategic academic partnership to deliver a world class health and fitness curriculum in a hands-on, classroom setting to individuals seeking to become a certified personal fitness trainer.

Founded in 1987, NASM is the global leader in personal training and sports medicine education, specializing in personal training certification, sports performance training credentials, and corrective exercise training credentials. Accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the NASM-CPT certification is the preferred choice of fitness professionals & top health clubs throughout the world. NASM's position as the industry's most demanded personal fitness certification reflects the vision of Dr. Micheal A. Clark, CEO, and creator of the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model and continued support from Andrew Wyant, President and General Manager of NASM.

"NASM is at the forefront of the sports and fitness certification industry. We bring expertise and credibility to passionate people who are the future of this growing profession. The training resources and programs NASM provides not only change the lives of the student, but help transform the lives of those they help to become healthier and happier. This is why we work to improve our products and continue to pursue high certification standards," stated Wyant.

Serving as the new president and general manager of NASM, Andrew Wyant understands the importance of partnerships as his extensive background includes serving as president, CEO and owner of Direct Spotlight Media.

"Combining NASM's market leading CPT certification encompassing the OPT model with NPTI's extensive hands on and comprehensive learning environment, we feel this partnership will benefit not only the students going through the program, but will benefit the industry as a whole by delivering a well-qualified, NASM-certified and career-ready professional who will be ready to contribute to their employer or start their own business on day one," said Mr. Wyant. "NPTI's hands on classroom education with NASM's innovative curriculum prepares professionals not only for a state diploma and NASM's CPT exam, but for a lifelong and successful career in fitness."

Students who complete the Personal Fitness Training Program at National Personal Training Institute are prepared to perform the following responsibilities:

NPTI's instructors and staff are highly educated and are industry veterans with credentials and experience that will translate into high quality student instruction. All graduates of NPTI will receive a state recognized Diploma and be eligible to sit for the NASM-CPT exam. "After much research and comparison NPTI determined NASM certification to be the best fit for our students and schools," stated Mr. Eugene McIlvaine (NPTI founder). "This strategic partnership has the opportunity to create world class Certified Personal Trainers who will have a variety of career options at their disposal upon graduation."

Upon successful completion of the program and the passing of the NASM-CPT examination, NPTI graduates will have the opportunity to pursue flexible, exciting, and financially rewarding careers in one of the following settings: multi-purpose health clubs, corporate fitness centers, independent business operators, community centers, and more.

Students interested in becoming an NASM Certified Personal Trainer through National Personal Training Institute should contact (800) 960-6294 or visit http://www.nptifitness.com.

About National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)

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NASM and National Personal Training Institute Join Forces

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

SRA International, Inc., a leading provider of technology and strategic consulting services and solutions to government organizations, today announced that the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has awarded SRA its Defense Personal Property System (DPS) contract, which carries a total value of $17.6 million if all options are exercised.

Under the contract award, SRA will manage two major DPS software releases, in addition to providing training and learning management, engineering services, configuration management and operations maintenance support. SRA also will provide tier-three help desk and cyber security support.

The DPS is a web-based system that supports military members and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) civilians and their families moving from one physical location to another. The system allows the military member or DOD civilian to schedule their move, manage and track their personal and household goods, as well as work directly with transportation service providers that are part of the process. The system also provides analytics to USTRANSCOM and its U.S. Army component, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

SRA was involved in the creation and development of this system for our service members and their families, so we understand its importance to them. said Defense Logistics Vice President Jim Curtis. We are proud that we have been selected to enhance the system over the next 18 months; our employees have an abiding sense of commitment to this work.

About SRA International, Inc.

SRA is dedicated to solving complex problems of global significance for government organizations serving the national security, civil government, health, and intelligence and space markets. Founded in 1978, the company has expertise in such areas as cyber security; disaster response planning; enterprise resource planning; environmental strategies; energy systems and sustainability; IT systems, infrastructure and managed services; learning technologies; logistics; public health preparedness; public safety; strategic management consulting; and systems engineering.

SRA employs approximately 6,300 employees serving clients from its headquarters in Fairfax, Va., and offices around the world. For additional information on SRA, please visit http://www.sra.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects for SRA, including statements about the estimated value of the contract and work to be performed, and other statements containing the words estimates, believes, anticipates, plans, expects, will, and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Factors or risks that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results we anticipate include, but are not limited to: (i) reduced spending levels and changing budget priorities of our largest customer, the United States federal government, which accounts for more than 90% of our revenue; (ii) failure to comply with complex U.S. government procurement-related laws and other regulations, including but not limited to, punitive damage liabilities under the False Claims Act and other laws, and financial incentives under so-called whistleblower statutes, awarding the whistleblower with a percentage of the recovery if the claims are successfully waged; (iii) possible delays or overturning of our government contract awards due to bid protests by competitors or loss of contract revenue or diminished opportunities based on the existence of organizational conflicts of interest; (iv) entry into new markets or incurring liabilities in hazardous areas; (v)failure to comply with laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or regulations on government gratuities; (vi) failure to comply with Federal Acquisition Regulations and Cost Accounting Standards or the Fair Labor Standards Act; (vii) security threats, attacks or other disruptions on our information infrastructure, and failure to comply with complex network security and data privacy legal and contractual obligations or to protect sensitive information; (viii) any violation of third party intellectual rights; (ix)adverse changes in federal government practices such as insourcing; (x) delays in the U.S. government adopting appropriations necessary for program funding and future appropriation uncertainties adversely impacting customer spending plans; (xi) intense competition to win U.S. government contracts or recompetes and commoditization of services we offer; (xii) failure to obtain option awards, task orders or funding under contracts, or inability to successfully execute awarded contracts; (xiii) any adverse results of audits and investigations conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency or any of the Inspectors General for various agencies with which we contract, including, without limitation, any determination that our contractor business systems or contractor internal control systems are deficient; (xiv) difficulties accurately estimating contract costs and contract performance requirements; (xv) challenges in attracting and retaining key personnel or high-quality employees, particularly those with security clearances; and (xvi) adverse impact on employee and customer relations from media speculation regarding the company and its future ownership and operations.

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U.S. Transportation Command Awards Defense Personal Property System Contract to SRA International

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

11-06-2012 09:55 This video will show users how to create LodeStar modules using some of the Intermediate techniques

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LodeStar Intermediate Pt. 1 - Normandale Online Education - Video

The Pennsylvania Department of Education today kicked off Summer Food Awareness Week, June 11-15, by reminding families of the services provided by the Summer Food Service Program.

Through the program, more than 2,000 sites statewide will be open this summer to provide children 18 years of age or younger with free meals. After June 15, site locations and hours will be available online at http://www.pasummermeals.com.

A free school lunch is the only full meal that some children receive all day, which means the end of the school year can put those children at risk of hunger. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, created the program to make sure children have access to nutritious meals during the summer break.

Site sponsors provide the facility and free meals for local children and then apply for partial reimbursement from the USDA, based on the number of meals served.

Pennsylvanias Department of Education administers these programs by approving nonprofit site sponsors, processing reimbursement claims and providing oversight.

National Summer Food Awareness Week is a perfect time for parents to assess their childrens nutritional needs over the summer and, if need be, locate a Summer Food Service Program site near them.

Last summer, more than 5 million meals and snacks were served to children from low-income families at more than 2,000 sites across the state. The majority of site sponsors from last year will continue to provide free meals with the addition of a few new sponsors this summer.

Nonprofit organizations interested in becoming a sponsor of a Summer Food Service Program site may contact the Department of Educations Division of Food and Nutrition at 1-800-331-0129 or by email at ra-sfsp@pa.gov.

Originally posted here:
Education Dept. reminds families of free summer meal program

REDLANDS, Calif., June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Plenary Sessions at the twelfth annual Esri Education GIS Conference are undergoing a major change in format. Instead of a series of presentations from speakers, the Saturday and Sunday programs will commence with 90-minute facilitated community conversations in which Esri education managers, community spokespersons, and audience members will talk about themes of strategic importance to the education community.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110425/LA88950LOGO)

"We are making a concerted effort to engage the community at this year's conference to help formulate the direction of GIS education for the next 20 years," says David DiBiase, Esri's director of education, Industry Solutions. "Attendees can join the conversation with respected thought leaders about the challenges and opportunities we face at the cusp of a new generation of GIS education."

Conversation topics include education and the cloud; open educational resources; careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); educational policy; campus facilities; and global initiatives.

Daniel Edelson, vice president for education, National Geographic Society, will participate in the opening session on Saturday and discuss online mapping and citizen science.

"Online mapping is a huge opportunity for bringing the power of geographic analysis to learners within and outside the classroom," says Edelson. "It can help us better understand our community and engage with it in a more meaningful way."

Among the nearly 100 user presentations, workshops, and special interest group meetings available at the conference this year is the Education EXPO, which will highlight the demonstration of ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS 10.1, Esri Community Analyst, and more. In addition, Esri education team staff members will discuss the expanded site license program, which has undergone its most substantial upgrade in the 20-year history of the Esri Education Program.

The Esri Education GIS Conference will be held from July 21 to 24, 2012, in San Diego, California, at the Marriott Marquis and Marina hotel near the Convention Center, where the Esri International User Conference will be staged.

Unlike previous years, attendees need not be current users of Esri software. Registration includes the first two days of attendance at the Esri International User Conference. For more information or to register, visit esriurl.com/EducReg.

About Esri

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12th Esri Education GIS Conference Encourages Community Involvement

PIERRE Information about South Dakota school districts performance on improving the educational outcomes of students with disabilities is now available online. Results of early childhood services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays are also available.

The Annual Performance Report is divided into two parts. One part addresses the federal special education program known as Part B. The Part B report identifies school districts ability to meet federal special education requirements on 14 indicators. The report is based mainly on data from the 2010-2011 school year. Cumulative statewide data also are available.

To view the Part B reports, visit http://tinyurl.com/87aaeaj.

The other portion of the Annual Performance Report addresses the federal special education program known as Part C. That report identifies the ability of early childhood services, called the Birth to Three program in South Dakota, to meet 14 federal special education requirements. Statewide and regional data are available.

To view the Part C reports, visit http://tinyurl.com/7j3ugfk and look under the Documents listing on the right-hand side of the page. Click on Part C Annual Performance Report or Regional Programs Data.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yankton.net.

We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.

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Special Education Reports Now Available Online

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7WBEyBU7js

10-06-2012 14:04 Printed From Nico Nico Douga : and I still don't own anything 😀 Kaito so cuuuuuuute~ XD and can't someone please tell me the meaning of the Kanji at the end of the video QAQ sorry for my bad English

Excerpt from:
Morning Excercise With Kaito XD - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGGz3B3-yg4

10-06-2012 23:34 This is a great excercise for beginners and advanced students to build your stamina and finger independence in your left hand

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TakeLessons.com Blog 1 Knucklebuster Excercise - Video

After 40 days, there was no going back for Dina Stewart.

The Hazleton woman enrolled in a 40-Day Yoga Challenge last year, and on her final day of the challenge, she realized she didn't want to give it up.

"At the end of the 40 days, I knew that I had grown so much that I was afraid that if I stopped, I'd have to start all over," she said.

Day in, day out - and as early as 4:30 a.m. on most days - Stewart continued her yoga, blending physical exercises with meditation.

She hoped to reach 50 days, then 60, and at some point, she decided to just keep going.

She reached a milestone today, having logged yoga practice every day for the last 400.

"It's just amazing - the transformation. I am just a lot different than I was 400 days ago," she said.

Her life has changed - from the way she brushes her teeth to the way she interacts with people. She's more conscious and knows her mind, body and spirit are united, she said.

"I am more relaxed," Stewart said. "I try to live my yoga practice. I try to bring it out into my life. I try to be less reactive, more compassionate, and just stronger physically and mentally."

Realizing its capability to change lives for the better, she decided she'd like to introduce youngsters - like her daughter, Althea, 7 - to yoga. Stewart trained to become a certified ChildLight yoga instructor, and took her training a step further when she enrolled in the Always at Aum Yoga School in New York to become an adult trainer.

Originally posted here:
Hazleton woman's yoga challenge hits 400