Category Archives: Consumer Services

New Language Classes Set to Begin January 15 at Maria Oliveira’s Language Learning Center

Winter Two term language classes begin January 15 at Maria’s Language Learning Center, with a variety of affordable conversational language classes, online courses, Spanish for healthcare and social services professionals, and a new class for business professionals who wish to learn basic Spanish. Specializing in conversational Spanish and Portuguese, including European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, the Language Learning Center also provides classes in French, Italian, Mandarin, and English for Non-Native Speakers. Classes are primarily for adult learners, but there is also an after-school program for students between ages 7 and 11, with each term lasting six weekly sessions, at both day and evening classes.

“Our classes feature small groups of 10 or less students which provides more time for individual attention and faster learning”, explains Maria Oliveira, director of Maria’s Language Learning Center, located in Pinole, California. “We work closely with our students to guide them towards becoming bilingual, whether it is through a conversational language class, online options, or even our language classes for healthcare and social services professionals.”

New Classes for Business Professionals to Learn Basic Spanish
New this term is a six-hour class for business professionals who wish to learn basic Spanish language skills to better conduct business with their Spanish-speaking customers. Through this class, students will learn the vocabulary and phrases used to close a business transaction, Spanish greetings, frequently used expressions, and numbers to clarify prices. This learning will enable them to build trust with their Spanish-speaking customers and demonstrate an improved cultural awareness.

Also offered is the popular conversational Spanish classes for healthcare and social service professionals, which also provide the benefit of continuing education hours. The Healthcare Professionals class is a specialized and intensive course designed to enhance effective communication between patients and healthcare providers. For social services professionals and employees who interact with Spanish-speaking clients, the Spanish for Social Services Professionals class can improve communication with Spanish-speaking clients in screenings and interviews.

The Language Learning Center also offers online coursesworkbooks, and CDs for students. These materials can supplement their classroom learning through study aids such as practice lessons, self-tests with interactive exercises, quizzes, and audio clips to review correct pronunciations.

Recognizing that individuals learn languages differently, there are a variety of other programs offered to meet students’ needs, such as one-on-one instruction; learning groups that meet weekly; and free social hours for students to practice their language skills with teachers, fellow students, and bilingual guests. Maria’s Language Learning Center also has specialized English classes for non-native speakers, plus special classes on specific topics, such as classes on Spanish reflexive verbs and pronouns, for those students who need a review.

Informational Open House Scheduled for February 22, 2013
Be sure to attend this great opportunity to meet fellow students, talk with Maria and other teachers, ask questions, and even practice your language skills in a relaxed social setting. Learn about the Language Learning Center and its programs and enjoy light refreshments. The Open House will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center at 2644 Appian Way, Suite 102, in Pinole, California. Bring a friend and if that friend registers for a class, you will receive a 10% discount on your registration for a Fall Two session. The open house is free, but space is limited, so please rsvp on the website athttp://www.marialanguages.com/classes/socialevents.shtml.

Coming Up Summer and Fall of 2013: Study Abroad Program Combines Classes with Tours of Mexico and the Azores Islands
For those students who want to combine intensive language classes with tours, the Language Center offers a two-week Spanish and a three-week Portuguese Language Learning Immersion Program. Now in its tenth year, students attend formal classes from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and then spend afternoons and weekends touring and practicing their new language skills. The Portuguese Language Immersion Program is planned for July 1-20, 2013 and takes place in the Azores Island and the Spanish Language Immersion Program is planned for later in the year, November 9-16, 2013, and is located in Nayarit, Mexico.

Register for Winter Two Classes Now!
Students can register for any program online, by phone, in person at our offices, or by mail. For more information, visit our website: http://www.marialanguages.com

The goal for all of the classes at the Center is to guide students towards becoming bilingual. We start by teaching basic phrases and sentences that become usable in a very short period of time; when success builds upon success, confidence grows and information becomes easier to absorb. Affordability, convenience, and an encouraging environment make Maria Oliveira’s classes the top choice for effective language learning in the Bay Area.

Contact Details: Maria Oliveira Language Learning, 2644 Appian Way, Suite 102, Pinole, CA 94564 Phone: 510-223-3320 http://www.marialanguages.com

Another £400m Into RBS’ PPI Compensation Fund, Says Missoldppiclaims.info

The Royal Bank of Scotland has earmarked an additional £400m to cover the cost of compensation and refunds relating to mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI), says leading PPI Claims Company Missoldppiclaims.info.

The nationalised bank has released figures for the last quarter showing a pre-tax loss of£1.26bn, a proportion of which is due to the allocation of a further £400m to its PPIcompensation fund. In a move echoed around the banking industry in recent months, RBS now has increased its total PPI allocation to now stand at £1.7bn. However, it is unlikely to be the end of the compensation claims for the beleaguered bank.

Its recent computer problems resulted in significant numbers of RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank customers being locked out of their accounts for days, a mistake which has cost£175million so far with a further £50m of compensation put aside.

RBS is also part of an investigation by regulators in the UK, US and Asia – including the fraud division of the US justice department – over the part it played in the manipulation of the LIBOR inter-bank lending rate. With settlement negotiations imminent, the fines that could potentially be applied RBS believe could have a “material” impact on the company.

Despite the problems, RBS showed operating profits for the third quarter increased from£650m to £1bn, while bad debt fell by £159m and staff costs were 5% lower due to a 7% reduction in staff.

Stephen Hester, chief executive of RBS, said: “The extraordinary challenges which RBS faced following the financial crisis are being worked through successfully. The five year restructuring plan is now in its later stages with important work still to do, including an emphasis on dealing with reputational issues now that the bank’s safety and soundness has advanced so well.”

A spokesperson for leading PPI Claims Management Company, Missoldppiclaims.info said: “It’s good to see RBS recognising its responsibilities towards customers that were mis-sold PPI policies, in particular the responsibility to put customers first and treat them fairly. This can be seen in its decision to increase lending to its business customers even though there was a downturn in loan applications, but it would be good to see a similar helpful response to borrowing for its non-business customers with personal loans and residential mortgages.

The reputational issues Mr Hester refers to are likely to be industry criticisms that RBS customers play second fiddle to the short-term interests of shareholders and staff. As a result, RBS has relaxed its lending position towards its small and medium (SMEs)businesses, which has led to a an increase of new lending by 3% since the second quarter despite a 25% drop in SME loan applications due to the Olympics and doubts over the stability of the UK economy.

Analyst Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “There is no doubting the immensity of the task RBS has faced in executing its turnaround plan, nor indeed the progress made so far.”

Contact Details: Missoldppiclaims.info
11 Somerset Place
Glasgow
G3 7JT

Getting in a Click Frenzy with Smiffy’s Australia

Launching on Friday 30th November, Smiffy’s Australia are embarking on their very own ‘Click Frenzy’ marketing initiative which will be made public across their official website http://www.smiffys.com.au and their social media profiles such as Facebook and Twitter.

Known as the ‘Smiffy’s Oz Cracker’ (or for those that like to hash tag everything; #SmiffysOzCracker), the event will be an all day and contain savings of up to 50% OFF on many costumes and party accessories.

Smiffy’s Oz Cracker is the largest marketing campaign that the Australian online retailer have completed to date and is set to see them further increase their presence as leaders of fancy dress costume supplies to the general public in Australia.

Online Marketing Manager, John Scott Cothill mentions, “With the ever growing interest of Halloween and with the growing yearly demand for costumes in Australia, Smiffy’s AU are set to carry on going from strength to strength over the next few years – Watch this space”.

Contact Details: Smiffys.com.au,
PO Box 405,
Brookvale,
NSW 2100
http://www.smiffys.com.au

The Divorce Handbook Helps Reduce Legal Fees and Stress

Donald Baker’s book, The Divorce Handbook: How to Put the Worst Behind You – Quickly, Fairly, and Finally is a comprehensive guide to the emotional and legal struggles of divorce. The first three chapters are available for free at bakerandbakerlaw.com

About The Divorce Handbook
The Divorce Handbook covers topics of concern for someone going through divorce – from custody and support questions to property division guidelines. Baker has simplified the process so that divorce need not be needlessly painful—or expensive.

“Going through separation and divorce is a traumatic, life-altering experience. It’s difficult enough from an emotional standpoint,” Baker explains, “On top of everything else, there are grave and consequential issues and decisions you must face which will affect the rest of your life. It’s critical that you obtain good legal advice.”

While many assume that a book written by a lawyer would hold only legal advice, much of the advice is how to approach the emotional conflicts that are likely to come up in separation. For example, the author reveals how to explain divorce to children so that they do not feel they are at fault. Baker’s goal with the book, above all, is to make divorce as smooth an experience as possible: “I sincerely hope that you find this booklet useful, as many thousands already have.”

To learn more about Baker & Baker, visit http://bakerandbakerlaw.com.

About Donald Baker
Donald S. Baker has been working with clients for over thirty years. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto and his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1976. Donald took the Ontario Bar in 1978, and has been practicing law ever since. Initially a litigator, he moved on to become a family law specialist later in life. Donald has been a lecturer at the Bar Admission Course for the Law Society. He also is a trained mediator in family law with extensive experience.

Contact Details: Baker & Baker Professional Corporation, Barristers and Solicitors
1251 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4T 1W6
Telephone: (416) 964-2215
Fax: (416) 964-5845
Email: dbaker@bakerandbakerlaw.com
URL: http://bakerandbakerlaw.com/

Casino.com Offers Online Gamers the Fastest and Most Reliable Casino Technology

When online gamblers are searching for the perfect platform to play their favorite online casino games, they always look, first and foremost, for an online casino site that features fast connections and high tech capabilities. An online casino could have the best games in the world, but if its page load time and graphics are slow or fuzzy, then it will quickly turn players away.

To attract players and then to keep them happy and playing, online casinos must ensure that the actual gaming experience runs smoothly and efficiently. There’s only one way to do this: to stay completely up-to-date with the current online casino technology.

At Casino.com Australia, utilising cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology is a priority. This priority is an unwavering tenet of the Casino.com philosophy. The company’s technical staff works around the clock to ensure that its online casino runs flawlessly for its clients. Not only do they work to update and improve the casino online performance, but they also make themselves available to answer client queries and to address any technical concerns a player has – on the end of the client or the company.

Some of the other measures Casino.com Australia takes to improve the gaming experience of each and every player include:

•  Constant updating of online games – Casino.com makes sure that the site always features the newest games, in addition to the classics. For example, they are always adding new and modern online pokies games to the always-expanding slot machine collection.

•  Attentive customer service – The company’s friendly customer service agents are available to assist clients 24/7.

•  Exciting VIP and promotional opportunities – Players enjoy their casino games when they’re playing with others in a fun, cohesive community. Casino.com Australia frequently runs special events to help build community.

About Casino.com Australia
Casino.com Australia is the AU’s premier online casino featuring one of the world’s largest collections of online casino games, including Aussie favourite, online pokies. Casino.com Australia offers secure payment options, as well as sign-up bonuses, VIP programs, and promotional events.

Contact Details: Linda Cardigan
Mansion Gibraltar
901 Europort
Gibraltar
+ 350 200 79991
info@mansion.com
http://www.mansion.com

Hyde Park Prepares for Annual ‘Winter Wonderland’ Fair

The crowning glory of London’s numerous Christmas fairs and markets is Hyde Park’s annual Winter Wonderland. It is returning this year on November 23rd, and will stay open until January 5th (closing only on Christmas Day).

Now in its sixth year, Winter Wonderland is London’s largest Christmas fair, and offers some major attractions for locals and tourists alongside the usual array of rides, markets and food and drink stalls. The event spans Hyde Park and the adjoining Kensington Gardens .

The centerpiece of the event is the massive ice rink, currently under construction around Hyde Park’s bandstand. The rink will be lit up by 108,000 pea lights. One of the other regular attractions, Zippos Circus, returns with a brand new show for 2012 entitled ‘Cirque Berserk’, a showcase for stunt artists and old-fashioned circus daredevils. A 53-metre high ferris wheel will dominate the skyline.

If you just plan to wander around soaking up the atmosphere, entry to Winter Wonderland is free. However, tokens have to be purchased for the big wheel and other rides. Tokens for the ice rink cost between £10.50-£13.50 for adults, and £8.50-£9 for children. A spin on the giant ferris wheel costs £8 for adults and £6 for children.

Further information is available at LondonTown.com. The website has also announced details of reduced rates on selected hotels in London. All the hotels taking part are within walking distance of Hyde Park.

One of the hotels in London offering a special offer on rooms is the luxury Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London, just ten minutes’ walk from Hyde Park, is offering a 60% discount on double rooms, making the cost of a night’s stay £307.

For those on a tighter budget, the Thistle Marble Arch Hotel is currently offering guests a 91% discount on their usual double room rate, bringing the cost of a night’s stay down to just £90. The Thistle is within easy walking distance of Hyde Park.

Deluxe double and twin rooms are available at the Grosvenor for £224 per night – a 55% reduction on the standard rate. The Grosvenor is a ten minute walk from Hyde Park.

-ENDS-

Shake it up in Camden with one of the hottest bands of the year

One of this year’s most talked-about acts come to London in mid-November as part of an extensive European tour which also takes in other legendary rock venues such as La Cigale in Paris and the Glasgow Barrowlands.

Alabama Shakes, a blues-rock four-piece fronted by the throaty, full-voiced former postwoman Brittany Howard, combines horns and jazz sensibilities with classic rock patterns and instruments.

A real taste of the American south, and a band whose debut album Boys & Girls has garnered plenty of fans, including fellow musician Bon Iver.The four-piece come to Kentish Town ‘s HMV Forum on November 17th, playing another exclusive date at Elephant and Castle’s The Coronet theatre the night before.

The HMV Forum on Kentish Town Road is one of London ‘s premier mid-size music venues, playing host to cult bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor alongside audiovisual nights from DJ Yoda and even an evening with Chris Moyles.

Ever keen to keep fans happy, London experts and the number one internet for all things London, LondonTown.com has sourced some excellent cheap London hotels for the period, and Alabama Shakes fans can find themselves a bargain bed in a luxury location for the evening.

Get 68% off at the Holiday Inn Camden Lock Hotel, staying right on the canal and overlooking the famous Camden Lock Market, from £135 for a double room on the Friday 16th November. It’s a 4* hotel just a short walk to the venue.

Or fans can stay at the 4* Thistle Euston Hotel London for £118 per night (a discount of 74%) and put themselves in an excellent position to travel down to Elephant and Castle on the Friday and north to Kentish Town on the Saturday to catch both gigs.

-ENDS-

Greg Davies Takes on Hammersmith Apollo for his Biggest Performance to Date

 Greg Davies, Britain’s tallest comedian (probably), will perform for his biggest audience yet at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on 17 November. This popular comedian has been interlacing stand-up with a variety of TV performances since he quit his 13-year role as drama teacher. He regularly appears on comedy panel programmes such as Mock the Week and he’s also well known for his roles as Mr Gilbert, the psychotic head teacher in the Inbetweeners, and ‘the fat Rik Mayall’ in We Are Kiang.

His stand-up shows focus on hilarious and sometimes uncomfortably funny family stories that make audiences squirm just as much as they make them laugh. Davies is a genius in observation and a master at relaying his observations and performances are always filled with energy and mania.

Tickets for his Hammersmith Apollo show, part of his ‘The Back of My Mum’s Head’ tour, are priced at just £20 each.

LondonTown.com, the number one Internet site for London, advises Greg Davies fans to book overnight accommodation in the capital after the Hammersmith-based performance in order to completely relax and enjoy the show in its entirety. To make this a more budget friendly option, LondonTown.com has exclusively discounted a selection of hotels in London this autumn.

Two of the hotels on offer – both located within walking distance of Hammersmith Apollo – are the Hilton London Olympia and Simply Rooms and Suites Hotel.

The four-star Hilton London Olympia Hotel boasts stylish and contemporary rooms complete with all the modern amenities you could hope to find. Rooms at this hotel have been reduced by as much as 76% so prices now start at £78 per night.

The boutique four-star property that is Simply Rooms and Suites Hotel has also had it’s per night prices reduced. Rates at this attractive and functional property now start at £89 per room, per night thanks to LondonTown.com’s discount of 39%. Like the Hilton, this hotel boasts a range of modern facilities including Wifi Internet and LCD flatscreen TVs.

Survey System Named Best Survey Software of 2012 by TopTenReviews

Creative Research Systems’ The Survey System was named the Best Survey Software of 2012 by TopTenReviews earning the highest marks in survey creation, analysis, and administration method categories. Survey System was pleased to receive the title as the best Survey Software and plans to continue to improve their survey software.

“This software has all the tools and features for creating and analyzing credible surveys for any professional needs,” said TopTenReviews. TopTenReviews reviewed the top survey software in the industry and they were judged based on the following factors: survey creation, survey analysis, survey administration, ease of use, and help and support. The Survey System beat out the competition and was rightfully named the best survey software of 2012.

“The Survey System is a powerful survey application for professional marketers and others who are familiar with creating and conducting surveys. It offers several question types, templates and stock questions as well as ways to customize survey questions and tools to restrict and qualify respondent answers. It can create a flurry of graphs and tables, cross-referencing data and questions to allow credible analyzing of survey responses. This application will take the novice some time to master its functionality, but can be an effective survey software tool for professionals and those in need of quality survey software.” -TopTenReviews.

When it came to creating a survey The Survey System received a 10/10. When it came to analyzing the survey, The Survey System received a 10/10. In the Survey Administration category, it received a 10/10 once again. When it comes to the Ease of Use it received a 7.5/10. Finally, for the Help & Support category it received a 10/10. The overall verdict was a 9.5/10. To read the in-depth review, please visit TopTenReview.

President of Creative Research Systems Hank Zucker was pleased with the outcome of the review and wants to thank TopTenReviews for choosing them as the Best Survey Software of 2012.

About Creative Research Systems
Founded in 1982, Creative Research Systems provides Web survey software and other survey research services to Bloomin’ Brands and a wide variety of other organizations ranging in size from individual researchers to the US government.

Creative Research Systems’ flagship product is The Survey System. While there are many rudimentary Web survey tools available, The Survey System stands out by providing its users a broad and sophisticated platform that covers paper telephone, Web and mobile surveys and highly customizable desktop and online reports. An and-on provides online panel management for both Web and telephone surveys and includes both panelist and administrative portals.

Creative Research Systems also offers two kinds of Web survey hosting. One is for clients that have The Survey System, but not their own web server. The other is for clients who want full service survey hosting, in which they provide a questionnaire and CRS turns it into an attractive and effective Web survey. CRS can also email survey invitations for clients.

For more information about survey software or a free consultation, please call Creative Research Systems at 707-765-1001 or visit www.surveysystem.com.

Survey Systems
15 Lone Oak, Suite 2
Petaluma CA 94952
Phone: (707) 765-1001
http://www.surveysystem.com/

Red Wing Software Offers Accounting Software Data Transfer for New Customers

 Red Wing Software, Inc. has announced the offering of data transfer service to its new customers from non-Red Wing software accounting software applications.

Customers who are new to Red Wing Software can rest easy, knowing the Red Wing Software support team will help them through the process of bringing in their master record files from their prior system into Red Wing Software’s CenterPoint Accounting Software application. This also includes vertical applications CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture, Nonprofits, and Municipals, and CenterPoint Payroll Software. The cost of data transfer service varies and is done at $125 per hour.

Red Wing Software’s current customers have always enjoyed the benefits of the support offered by Red Wing Software for transferring data between the company’s programs, and will continue to receive the option for this service.

For more information about Red Wing Software data transfer services or accounting software products, visit www.redwingsoftware.com, contact Red Wing Software at 800-732-9464 or e-mail info@redwingsoftware.com.

Red Wing Software, Inc., along with its nationwide network of business partners, offers industry-leading service, as well as training, on-site installation and implementation of the software. Their vision is to create the best management software experience through personal support and attention to customers’ business goals.

Red Wing Software, Inc. develops, integrates and supports the accounting and financial management needs of small- to mid-sized businesses, YMCAs, agribusinesses, Non profits, and municipals across North America . For more information on Red Wing Software products, including CenterPoint Accounting, CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture, CenterPoint Fund Accounting, CenterPoint Payroll, call 1-800-732-9464 or visitwww.redwingsoftware.com.

Contact: Stephanie Elsen
Red Wing Software, Inc.
491 Highway 19, Red Wing, MN 55066
Phone: 800-732-9464
Fax: 651-388-7950
www.redwingsoftware.com
info@redwingsoftware.com