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Business

Business People seek Solution to the stress of Tax Time

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ExpenseDocs is a virtual solution that allows businesses to track, document and report expenses, mileage, appointments and business trips and store them safely in case of an audit.

Round Rock, TX – March 9, 2012 — Many small business owners are frantically seeking a solution to the stress of tax time. Sorting receipts on the kitchen table has become an annual ritual when preparing tax returns. And making things worse, many valuable receipts are lost resulting in a deduction not taken.

What does that mean for a tax payer; they deduct too few legitimate deductions and pay too much in taxes.

ExpenseDocs is a virtual solution that allows businesses to track, document and report expenses, mileage, appointments and business trips and store them safely in case of an audit.

Simplifying Documentation
With this virtual business solution, tax payers can easily and securely track and document expense data, receipts, mileage and business trip information. It is so easy to use that there is no manual required.

One example of the simplicity of use is the ability for tax payers to take a picture of a receipt with their phone and email it into their ExpenseDocs account. Result – no more lost receipts or proof of and expense if audited.

ExpenseDocs accounts are also accessible from virtually anywhere since it is ‘in the cloud’. Access can be gained from an iPad, smart phone, laptop or other internet device.

Maxmizing Deductions
By providing a complete solution to expense documentation ExpenseDocs users do not lose important expense information allowing them to maximize their deductions. Tax payers should never lose a deduction as a result of a lack of information.
The IRS requires a receipt, mileage log, appointment log and written description of the business purpose of business meals or entertainment to PROVE an expense. All of these documents can be lost or destroyed, but ExpenseDocs safely stores all of this information ‘in the cloud’.

Increasing Productivity
From January to the middle of April, many self-employed tax payers lose many hours laboring over the receipts they managed to save, recreating an expense record for the previous year. This is an inherent problem and one that costs small business owners hundreds of hours of productivity and hundreds of dollars in lost deductions.
ExpenseDocs users can prepare a categorized report of their expenses for the month, quarter or pervious year in about ten (10) seconds. No more lost time toiling at the kitchen table at tax time.

Media Contact:
Billy Braxdale
ExpenseDocs
106 S Harris, Ste 130
Round Rock, Texas 78664
512-585-7108
bill@expensedocs.com
http://www.expensedocs.com

Business

NanoMarkets Announces the Release of Latest Report on Silver in Photovoltaics Applications

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NanoMarkets has announced the release of its latest report on smart windows, “Silver in Photovoltaics-2012.”

Glen Allen, Virginia – March 9, 2012 — Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets has announced the release of its latest report on smart windows, “Silver in Photovoltaics-2012.” In the report the firm projects that suppliers of silver inks and pastes face challenging times as the PV industry’s use of silver declines in the coming years. NanoMarkets’ new report finds that while the use of silver will increase in front electrodes, back electrodes and tabbing will require substantially less silver leading to a rather significant drop in overall demand. Additional details about the report are available at: http://nanomarkets.net/market_reports/report/silver_in_photovoltaics_2012

About the Report:

“Silver in Photovoltaics – 2012” is the latest report from NanoMarkets in our ongoing coverage of materials and markets in the photovoltaics sector. In this report, NanoMarkets examines the changing opportunities for silver materials in the dynamic PV industry.

The report is designed to help silver suppliers to understand how changes in the PV industry will influence their sales. It considers how suppliers of silver materials to the PV industry can hold onto market share under the difficult circumstances that PV faces today: rapidly falling panel prices, huge pressures to continually reduce costs, and government subsidies under threat. It also considers these challenges in light of silver’s historically high – and likely to stay high – commodity price.

Taking into account these new dynamics, NanoMarkets identifies where opportunities are still available for silver in the PV sector and covers both conventional crystalline silicon PV and PV based on thin-film silicon, CdTe, CIGS, OPV, and DSC. The report includes coverage of established silver pastes and inks as well as newer materials based on nanomaterials, including the latest transparent nanosilver-based electrodes. It also examines alternative scenarios for silver in PV and provides an in depth discussion of materials challenges to silver in the PV sector, especially those presented by the use of copper and aluminum.

As with all NanoMarkets reports, this report contains detailed eight-year forecasts of the silver usage in the PV sector broken out by PV technology and how the silver is used within the PV cell itself. The forecasts are provided in both value and volume (ounces) terms. In addition, the report discusses the strategies of key firms to watch in this important sector.

About NanoMarkets:

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in energy, electronics and other markets created by developments in advanced materials. The firm is a recognized leader in industry analysis and forecasts of advanced materials and photovoltaics and has been covering the markets for such technologies sector for more than six years.

Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets’ reports and other services.

Media Contact:
Robert Nolan
NanoMarkets, LC
PO BOX 3840
Glen Allen, VA 23058
804-270-1718
rob@nanomarkets.net
http://www.nanomarkets.net

Travel

Luxury Travel Ltd Reveals the Best Selling Packages Tours to High End Traveler

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Luxury Travel Ltd, Asia ultra-luxe private tour operator, reveals the best selling packages tours to high-end travelers to Myanmar.

Hanoi, Vietnam, March 9, 2012 — Vietnam -based Luxury Travel Ltd is a long established Asian specialist in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel Ltd, Asia ultra-luxe private tour operator, reveals the best selling packages tours to high-end travelers to Myanmar.

Discover Yangon in Depth 5 days
(Yangon – Bago – Golden Rock – Thanlyin – Yangon 5 Days)

This tour allows travelers to discover the depth of Yangon and its surroundings Golden Rock. Yangon is a paradise for hunting out a variety of exotic arts and crafts. Of particular interest in the many shops of Scott Market, and of world renown, are Myanmar ‘s precious stones – rubies, sapphires and jade. At night time Chinatown comes alive with its pungent aromas and delicious street food. This private tour of Yangon includes the former capital’s most popular highlights and neighboring destinations. All touring is with your own private guide and driver, and accommodation is at the country’s best luxury hotels.

The Beauty of Bagan
(Yangon, Bagan – Yangon 6 Days)

This tour, focusing on the awe-inspiring temple complex of Bagan, suits travelers with limited time in Myanmar. Founded as a kingdom in 1044, Bagan is home to thousands of temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins, making it one of the richest archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The extraordinary temples at Bagan (all 2,230 of them) are a sight to rival Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu, but are far less visited. Travelers to Myanmar can view the unique and enchanting view of the 11th century ruin as it has never been seen before by ballon.

Essential Myanmar 6 days
(Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Inle Lake 6 days)

On this Essentials Myanmar tour, travelers will discover the best places in Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Inle Lake in a very short time. This luxury tour through Myanmar emphasizes the cultural heritage of the nation – its unspoiled landscapes and ancient temples.

Treasures of Myanmar
(Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay – Yangon 7 Days)

The itinerary includes the three most important cultural and mystical destinations in Myanmar: Yangon, Bagan, and Mandalay. The country is rich in history and culture, yet relatively untouched by tourism. Now is definitely the time to visit for whom prefer to travel independently and prefer the luxury of privacy over joining traditional tour groups.

Highlights of Myanmar
(Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Pindaya, Inle Lake – 9 Days)

This classic best selling tour of Myanmar begins in the capital, Yangon (Rangoon). For a glimpse of Myanmar, there isn’t a more eye-opening destination than this mysterious country, which only began allowing Western travelers across its borders in recent years.

Luxuries Cruise and Essentials Highlights of Myanmar
(Yangon, Bagan, Road to Mandalay Cruise, Inle Lake – 10 Days)

This tour combines the highlights of Myanmar with several days on the Ayeyarwady River aboard the legendary Road to Mandalay, an Orient Express cruise. Embarcation at Mandaly for a couple of nights you then fly to Heho for a 3 night stay. This is a land where holy men clad in traditional longyi are revered, thousands of ancient, religious stupas rise out of flat plains and floating-village life ebbs and flows upon Inle Lake.

Discover the Charm of Myanmar 12 days
(Yangon-Bagan- Mount Popa- Salay- Mandalay-Kalaw-Inle Lake 12 days)

On this tour travelers will explore the must see destinations and cruise in style from Bagan to Mandalay, experience the charm of Myanmar in just 12 days.

“We have checked carefully the finest hotels, cruises and restaurants in each destination, we are delighted that all our Myanmar tours have been so well designed, received and have sold so well for the most discerning travelers. Myanmar is really rich in history and culture yet relatively untouched by tourism. Now is definitely the time to visit, while you can still see the exquisite temples and other sites with very few others around. Our itineraries showcase the country’s highlights but our luxury travel advisors can tailor-make any travel experiences in Myanmar your clients want, incentive, adventures, photography tours, private jet…, you name it, we make it happen” Henry, Tour Manager, Luxury Travel Ltd Myanmar.

Luxury Travel Ltd is a long established specialist in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel is excellent in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences to fulfill the most sophisticated traveler’s expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd won numerous travel awards for excellent performance including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam.

For more information, contact Myanmar@luxurytravelvietnam.com or visit http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com

Media Contact:
David Nguyen
Sales and Marketing Manager
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

Healthcare

IAPAM Reports on Increase in Laser Training Consistent with Increase in Laser Treatments

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This increase in patient demand for expert laser treatments is translating to an increased demand by physicians for expert laser training like that offered by the IAPAM at their Aesthetic Medicine Symposium.

Las Vegas, Nevada, March 9, 2012 — In the upcoming year, successful aesthetic practices will offer “combination” treatment packages, integrating: facial injectables, medical skin care, IPL/laser rejuvenation and non-invasive body contouring. To develop these packages, physicians will require expert and physician lead training in lasers and light devices, botox ® and other cosmetic injectables, medical microdermabrasion and medical grade chemical peel, like those offered at the IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposiums in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As published by the ASPS, cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increased 6 percent from 2010 to 2011. Interestingly, the greatest increase in a single treatment area was seen in laser treatments, such as laser hair removal. Laser and light device procedures increased by 15% over last year, with over 1.1 million procedures preformed in 2011. This increase in patient demand for expert laser treatments is translating to an increased demand by physicians for expert laser training (http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com/laser-training) like that offered by the IAPAM at their Aesthetic Medicine Symposium. The IAPAM’s Symposiums offer the most comprehensive, hands on, expert training in the use of lasers and light devices for hair removal and skin rejuvenation.

As well as expert laser training, the IAPAM’s Aesthetic Medicine Symposium (http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com) provides physicians::

– dedicated instruction from two board-certified dermatologists, who are true experts of the skin and cosmetic injectables.
– hands-on practice in the best injection techniques.
– botox ® training at a multi-million dollar medical practice, not in a hotel room.
– an environment that does not allow exhibitors, giving doctors more time for education.
– the opportunity to attend the Symposium’s Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop (http://www.iapam.com/bootcamp.html)on the Monday after each Symposium, a program highlighting the latest information on medspa business development and social media marketing.
– the opportunity to attend the IAPAM’s hCG/Medical Weight Management (http://www.hcgtraining.com) on Friday before each Symposium, which covers hCG for weight loss, prescription appetite suppressants, ketogenic diet based programs, meal replacement and B6/12 injections.

Since 2005, the IAPAM has been a leader in providing aesthetic medicine industry trends, as well as aesthetic medicine and hCG for medically supervised weight loss education for physicians. For more information please visit http://www.iapam.com or contact the IAPAM at 1-800-219-5108 ext. 704, or email info@theiapam.com.

About the IAPAM: The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine

The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine is a voluntary association of physicians and supporters, which sets standards for the aesthetic medical profession. The goal of the association is to offer education, ethical standards, credentialing, and member benefits. IAPAM membership is open to all licensed medical doctors (MDs), dentists (DDSs/DMDs) doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), physicians assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). The IAPAM offers aesthetic medicine and hCG medical weight management programs, including: Botox ® training, medical aesthetic training, laser training, physician hCG training, and aesthetic practice business training. Additional information about the association can be accessed through the IAPAM’s website (http://www.iapam.com) or by contacting:

Jeff Russell, Executive-Director
International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
1-800-219-5108 x704
info@theiapam.com

Twitter: @IAPAM
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IAPAM

Entertainment

Ruminations of a Catholic School Girl by Vicki Lindgren Rimasse Hits Amazon Best Seller List One Day After Release

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First Edition Design Publishing launches breakout book in over 100 countries.

Sarasota, FL, USA – March 8, 2012 — One day after its worldwide release by First Edition Design Publishing on March 5, Ruminations of a Catholic School Girl (Who Thinks in Latin but Lives Near Hackensack) by Vicki Lindgren Rimasse hit Amazon’s Best Seller List in the Humor Essays category.

“Writing a book has been a life-long dream which started in (public) grammar school,” author, Vicki Lindgren Rimasse said. “I was in an accelerated grammar school program where everyone else was a math whiz and I was challenged in that area. In fact, my first-grade teacher wrote that ‘Vicki needs to pay more attention to her arithmetic.’ I started writing little stories and passing notes to friends in class as early as third-grade. One time, the teacher confiscated the note and forced me to read it aloud, thinking it would embarrass me–but it actually made everyone laugh (even her).”

Ruminations of a Catholic School Girl is a compendium of random thoughts on food, love, s*x, shopping, marriage, divorce, death, rebirth, the existential vacuum and music through essays, notes passed in class, and diary entries. With vivid imagery and sardonic commentary, brings to life the story of a Boomer from Long Island, New York ,Gwen Patrick (the author’s alter-ego), who loves shoes, Beaujolais, shopping, food and most of all–food, family and friends. Chronicling her life from her first experience with parochial school in the 60s through her son Zimmerman’s high school years, it tells the story of a Long Island boomer’s experience and continuing journey. With references to Plutarch and Popeye, the Bible and S*x and the City, Jim Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Opera, Gwen’s journey resonates with women of any age – and men who understand the importance of having the right mustard for their pastrami.

“I’m excited when success comes so quickly to one of our new authors. We are thrilled to have such a fine writer added to our list of accomplished authors,” said Deborah E. Gordon, CEO of First Edition Design Publishing. Ruminations of a Catholic School Girl is very well written and is a great, fun read. Vicki Lindgren Rimasse is the new Dorothy Parker and Irma Bombeck–all in one person.”

The author continued, “All during junior high, I passed notes to my best friend Lucy who actually wanted to become my friend so she could get twelve-page missives on a daily basis. In high school, it was Jaime who was the recipient of notes and short stories and poems, all of which she gathered for me in a folder and presented them to me at my 30th birthday party. And then there were the diaries…interestingly I still obsess about the same things that I did at fourteen…’Does he like me? Will I get a job? Am I pretty enough? Smart enough?’ Some things never change.”

Although I graduated from law school, practicing law was never my passion; it was always writing. In the 80s I was a legal editor and then decided to go underground in a series of day jobs, which helped me pay the bills and leave my mind unoccupied so that I could focus on the book.”

Ruminations of a Catholic School Girl (Who Thinks in Latin but Lives Near Hackensack) ISBN 9781937520670 is available in ebook form through the Amazon Kindle store, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and thousands of other on-line retailers around the world. A print version is due out later this year.

The author remarked about being ranked among Amazon’s Bestsellers “I am thrilled beyond measure.” She said about First Edition Design Publishing, “I chose First Edition Design Publishing because of their high standards and felt that it was the only publishing company of its kind that could offer me the benefits I needed– including International Distribution and excellence in customer service. The experience was so wonderful that I’m already planning two sequels.”

First Edition Design Publishing (http://www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com) based in Sarasota, Florida, USA leads the industry in eBook distribution. They convert, format and submit eBooks to Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Google, Kobo, Diesel, 3M, Android, EBSCO, Ingram, Baker and Taylor, Nielsen, scores of additional on-line retailers and libraries, schools, colleges and universities. Their reach is to over 100,000 distribution points in more than 100 countries. The company also has a POD (Print On Demand) division, which creates printed books and makes them available worldwide through their distribution network.

Media Contact:
Tom Gahan
First Edition Design Publishing
PO Box 20217, Sarasota FL 34276
631-369-0063
tgahan@firsteditiondesign.com
http://www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com

Business

NanoMarkets Announces Upcoming Report on OLED Lighting Markets Due in March of 2012

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NanoMarkets today announced that it will release a new round of market forecasts for the emerging OLED lighting sector. The results will be available the week of March 20th.

Glen Allen, Virginia – March 8, 2012 — Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets today announced that it will release a new round of market forecasts for the emerging OLED lighting sector. The results will be available the week of March 20th. The firm has recently issued related reports on OLED manufacturing capacity, OLED lighting materials markets and encapsulation and plans to release a new analysis of the product and market strategies of companies operating in the business during the month of April. Additional details about the report are available at: http://nanomarkets.net/market_reports/report/nanomarkets_oled_lighting_market_forecast_q2_2012

About the Report:

In the past year OLED lighting markets and production infrastructure have evolved. For example, office lighting has become a key market target for OLED lighting, while other applications no longer command the interest they once did. At the same time, while some likely future mass producers of OLED lighting seem to be committing more resources, others seem to be failing in their efforts.

With all this in mind, this report provides NanoMarkets’ latest market forecasts for OLED lighting. Our company has been actively tracking the OLED lighting market for more than five years and this report represents a more detailed forecast than any we have ever produced before.

In this report, we consider the revenue potential for the OLED lighting applications that currently interest the OLED market the most. We think these have changed since last year and now comprise luxury consumer lighting, decorative lighting for large buildings and showrooms, office lighting, residential lighting and automotive lighting. Another change in this year’s report is that we have provided a much more detailed analysis of pricing trends in OLED lighting than ever before In particular, in addition to looking at pricing expectations of leading manufacturers, we have also examined the likely roadmaps for pricing by unit, luminance and square meter and how these three measures are likely to correspond.

We consider other prominent forecasts for this market including a worse-case scenario in which OLED lighting never succeeds in growing beyond the luxury lighting sector, along with some ultra-optimistic scenarios that have emerged from other more dubious sources.

The forecasts in this report are in value and volume (square meter) terms and are broken out by applications. We also consider how the OLED lighting market is likely to be shared among various major countries and regions as it evolves. Finally, we examine how our forecasts tie in with the emergence of OLED lighting manufacturing capacity, around the world.

About NanoMarkets:

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in energy, electronics and other markets created by developments in advanced materials. The firm is a recognized leader in industry analysis and forecasts of OLED lighting and has been covering the markets for such technologies sector for more than six years.

Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets’ reports and other services.

Media Contact:
Robert Nolan
NanoMarkets, LC
PO BOX 3840
Glen Allen, VA 23058
804-270-1718
rob@nanomarkets.net
http://www.nanomarkets.net

Travel

Not Too Late: Baja’s Famous Whale Watching Now at its Height

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Thanks to La Niña, more “Friendlies” will remain in Baja until mid-April 2012.

San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico (March 8, 2012 — Ecotourism-Newswire.com)

Each year, gray whales migrate thousands of miles, from northern Alaska to Baja. It is the longest migration of mammals on earth. And this year, it is still going strong. The Sea of Cortez has also filled with blue, humpback, Bryde’s, and pilot whales – 2/3 of marine mammal species call this sea home in the spring.

In the shallow, protected waters of three Pacific lagoons, the gray whales congregate to mate, give birth, and — in the case of “the friendlies” — interact with curious travelers.

February is often thought as peak season for whale watching. However, the whales do not migrate all at once; there is a steady stream of whales heading south in December. This year La Niña has created cooler water temperatures, and more whales are going farther south and staying longer in the sub-tropical areas. Thanks to the favorable conditions, the San Ignacio Lagoon has seen a record breaking number of grays this season. The migration north typically begins in February with the single whales leaving first; the mothers and babies stay long into April.

About “The Friendlies”: whales seeking the company of humans

San Ignacio Lagoon is the acknowledged “home of the friendlies.” For 30 years now, the whales here have seemed to actively seek out human contact. Mother whales wintering here appear to teach their babies to approach human visitors. This is not a staged experience performed by captive whales. These are free, wild whales who play with humans by choice.

Baja is the only place in the world where whales are known to exhibit this behavior. It is because of the “friendlies” that Baja Expeditions’ head naturalist Jose Sanchez calls San Ignacio Lagoon “the most magical place on the planet to see gray whales.” Sanchez says people love the intimate feeling of connection they experience when visiting the whales in this, the smallest and most conservatively-protected of the three lagoons.

A close encounter with a friendly whale can be a life-changing experience. “Whale Watching in Baja” is a featured journey in author Patricia Schultz’s book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. Schultz recommends Baja Expeditions as “the only operator to use,” praising the company’s naturalist guides, small groups, seasoned crews and local chefs.

For more information visit http://www.bajaex.com

-Ends-

Note to Editors: pre-cleared photos and interviews are available upon request. “Spyhopping” photo, © 2011 by Jose Sanchez

SIDE BAR: HOW TO TAKE THIS TRIP YOURSELF

Baja Expeditions organizes premier whale watching trips that start and end in San Diego’s Old Town. These multi-day trips include a charter flight direct to the lagoon, making transportation simple and convenient.

Guests are picked up by a luxury shuttle in San Diego, and flown in a 14 passenger Cessna Caravan from Tijuana (Click to see video of border crossing) to the lagoon. In San Ignacio, guests stay in sturdy waterfront cabanas or safari-style tents. Guests enjoy three full days of twice-daily excursions into the whale watching area, delicious meals, and happy hours beneath a star-studded night sky.

Dates available: March 10-14, 14-18 and 18-22nd. Prices have been discounted from $2395 to $2150/person. Call to ask about custom trips from now through mid-April.

San Ignacio Lagoon, a part of the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. This designation protects not only the gray whales, but also seals, blue whales, sea turtles, and many species of birds and terrestrial animals and plants. There are 890 World Heritage sites worldwide, from Stonehenge to the Serengeti.

Click for a PDF of the San Ignacio itinerary: http://bajaex.com/Documents/WWSI-Itinerary-2012.aspx

Click here to see a short video of a whale watching excursion filmed in at San Ignacio Lagoon in February 2012: http://youtu.be/XKooWgNZUKQ

Click for a backgrounder on gray whales: http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/05nekton/GWlagoons.htm

About Baja Expeditions

Baja Expeditions is the world’s leader in eco-adventures to Baja, and the oldest and largest adventure travel expedition operator in Baja California, Mexico. Founded in 1974, we have been protecting wild Baja for over 37 years by sharing the natural wonders with interested travelers. Baja Expeditions has offices in San Diego, California and La Paz, Mexico.

Whale watching, sea kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, hiking, scuba diving and natural history expeditions are Baja Expeditions’ featured trips. Guests include vacationers, families, school groups, honeymooners, corporate outings, as well as devoted ecotourists. The level of physical activity is tailored to the group, from “extreme” athletes to laid-back retirees.

Trips focus on education and preservation, and emphasize small group size, flexible itineraries, and the best guides and crew in the region. On service trips, laypeople can volunteer alongside scientists to tag whale sharks or monitor sea turtles. Conservation partners include: The Audubon Society, REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation), Broadreach (summer adventures for teenagers), The Nature Conservancy, Ecology Project International, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Revolution, and Grupo Tortuguero.

Media Contact:
Emily Evans
Baja Expeditions Inc.
409-877-4551
emily@bajaex.com
http://www.bajaex.com

Business

Accolo CEO Explains How to Turn Your Company into a Hiring Machine at Marin Business Forum Meeting March 22

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Quarterly Event Gives Marin Business Professionals an Opportunity to Network and Share Insights on Best Business Practices.

LARKSPUR, Calif. (March 8, 2012) — Need to find the best talent? Need help prioritizing your “hiring intelligence”? Or want to re-spark your employees’ work ethics? If so, join the Marin Business Forum (http://www.marinbusinessforum.com) on March 22nd for its quarterly networking event where the featured guest speaker will be John Younger, President and CEO of Accolo, the leading Cloud Recruiting company. At the next Forum gathering, Younger will explain how to “Turn Your Company into a Hiring Machine.” The networking event will take place at the Wood Island Office Complex, 80 East Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Larkspur at 5:00 p.m., and will give local Marin professionals an opportunity to meet one another and make business connections.

The highlight of the event will be Younger’s presentation on staffing strategies in a tight economy. For more than 23 years, John’s experience and passion has been to dramatically improve how companies find quality employees, and drawn from his deep understanding of technology, the recruitment process and a core belief that everyone deserves courtesy and respect. He will address effective strategies that work for small businesses with limited staffing and human resources capabilities, and how SMBs can identify and hire the perfect candidate to meet their needs.

“When there is an economic crunch, effective hiring becomes more of a challenge because the pool of qualified candidates suddenly becomes much larger,” Younger said. “It’s harder to sift through the applications to find the right candidate for your needs. I want to show attendees at the Marin Business Forum how to identify their real staffing needs and refine their search to uncover the right candidates without having to wade through a mountain of resumes.”

In addition to Younger’s presentation, there will be wine and appetizers, as well as time to mingle with other local Marin professionals and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas.

“Unique to Marin, Marin Business Forum provides informal networking opportunities with small local business owners and decision makers – a great way to expand your business network!” said John Thornton, Partner with Tregaron Capital after his experience from the last event.

Space is limited and an RSVP is required to attend. Interested parties can register at http://marinbusinessforum.com/event-registration or contact Franka Winchester at 415.461.2586, fwinchester@pcg-services.com.

About the Marin Business Forum
The Marin Business Forum was the brain child of Pacific Crest Group (http://www.pcg-services.com), Filice (http://www.filice.com), and Cypress Partners (http://www.cypresspart.com), who pooled their expertise to create a networking group to give local entrepreneurs and professionals a chance to meet one another and make new business connections. This event is to provide expert guidance, education and inspiration to take back to the office and concentrate on core business strategies for growth and expansion. For more information on the speaker and to keep abreast of future events, visit http://www.marinbusinessforum.com.

-Ends-

Contact:
Franka Winchester
Pacific Crest Group
(415) 461-2586
fwinchester@pcg-services.com

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638
tomw@woolfmedia.com

Business, Energy

CEO Armando Olivera Outlines FPL’s Commitment to Economic Development and Clean, Affordable Energy

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FPL’s Chief Executive Officer Armando Olivera described how FPL is promoting business and job creation in the state by offering some of the most affordable and reliable energy in the nation and a new rate program to encourage economic development.

Juno Beach, FL (March 8, 2012) — In a keynote speech to hundreds of business leaders at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Florida Power & Light Co. Chief Executive Officer Armando Olivera described how FPL is promoting business and job creation in the state by offering some of the most affordable and reliable energy in the nation and a new rate program to encourage economic development.

The average FPL residential customer has a bill that is the lowest among Florida’s 55 electric utilities, and about 25 percent lower than the national average, said Olivera. “In fact, over the course of an entire year, our typical customer saves an average of $357 compared to what they would pay in other parts of Florida. FPL’s business customers also have electric bills that are among the lowest in the state and well below the national average.”

The FPL chief executive told the audience at the Chamber’s Trustee Luncheon how his company is building on its commitment to help Florida businesses by offering an “Economic Development Rate.” With the approval of the state’s Public Service Commission, eligible commercial and industrial businesses can now receive reduced utility rates. The rate is available to new or expanding businesses that add at least 350 kilowatts of new demand on the grid and 10 new jobs per 350 kilowatts. According to Olivera, this economic growth initiative means an additional savings of up to $12,000 for the first year for a typical eligible customer

He told members FPL’s work on economic growth extends to the creation of its new Office of Economic Development, which offers a suite of professional services intended to assist businesses with planning, energy efficiency initiatives, and more. Information about the office is available at http://www.poweringflorida.com.

Olivera noted that the Chamber, like Miami itself, has evolved and grown dramatically over the course of its long history. “Forty years ago the population of Miami-Dade County was a little more than 1.2 million people; today, it has more than doubled to nearly 2.5 million,” Olivera told the Chamber members. “And just like the County and its economy, the Chamber has grown – and diversified.”

In the same 40 years, FPL has evolved as well, he said, and the audience was treated to highlights of the company’s pioneering role in the transformation of the energy industry. Vintage photography served as a backdrop to Olivera’s brief historical review. He explained that decades ago, Miami-Dade’s electrical power was generated primarily by burning fuel in a conventional boiler. Since that time, FPL has led the way in implementing new technologies for power generation that are designed to increase efficiency and save money for customers.

“We built Turkey Point, our state’s first nuclear power plant, in 1972, and we were one of the first utilities in the nation to build a power plant using a combustion turbine,” said Olivera. “We were also one of the first to build a combined-cycle power plant.” He told Chamber members that FPL’s focus on efficiency means lower bills for customers, and strides forward for the environment.

As further examples of the company’s focus on efficiency, the FPL chief executive discussed new power plant construction and new technology development. He pointed to Florida’s newest combined-cycle natural gas power plant – FPL’s West County Energy Center -which achieves a 50 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to conventional boilers. Olivera also reviewed FPL’s Fleet Performance and Diagnostic Center, an industry-leading resource that continuously monitors more than one million data points in the company’s system, locating inefficiencies and potential operational problems.

FPL’s technology advances are paying big dividends for customers, according to Olivera. “The future of affordable and reliable energy in our service area is being built as we speak,” he said.

Before leaving, Olivera had one final message for the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce – a message of thanks: “When I am at a Chamber event, I am not only spending time with leaders of the community, but also with great customers – and friends.”

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
kristy.kennedy@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com

Computers, Software, Technology

Zevrix Updates BatchOutput for Microsoft Excel: Improves Output Controls

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Zevrix Solutions announces BatchOutput XLS 2.1, a feature upgrade to its popular output automation solution for Microsoft Excel on Mac OS X. In addition to batch printing, the software lets users carry out automated professional PDF production directly from Excel eliminating the need for time consuming post-processing. Users can reduce PDF file size, optimize images, assign variable file names and encrypt PDF files. The new introduces new output controls for printing and exporting to PDF.

Toronto (ON), Canada – March 7, 2012 — Zevrix Solutions announces BatchOutput XLS 2.1, a feature upgrade to its popular output automation solution for Microsoft Excel on Mac OS X. The software provides advanced solutions for demanding enterprise and office publishing environments through automation of printing and professional PDF output. With BatchOutput XLS, users only need to select the files they wish to output and adjust the settings, and the software will do the rest automatically. For example, BatchOutput can be left to output hundreds of Excel files overnight, and the completed job can be picked up next morning.

In addition to batch printing, the software lets users carry out powerful professional PDF production directly from Excel eliminating the need for time consuming post-processing. BatchOutput XLS is the only program that brings advanced PDF creation options right to the user’s fingertips:

–Output batches of Excel files to PDF and printer automatically with a click of a button.
-Output entire workbook or active sheet.
-Compose variable output file names based on page number, user name, current date and other values.
-Optimize documents for various purposes such as web, print, or on-screen viewing.
-Reduce PDF file size dramatically by controlling image resolution and compression.
-Encrypt PDF files and password-protect them from unauthorized copying, printing and viewing.
-Apply the versatile Quartz filters to change PDF color tone, brightness and other qualities.

The new version lets users apply the page orientation and fitting settings to PDF output in addition to printing. It also lets specify output page scaling and addresses some stability and performance issues. BatchOutput XLS is a part of the Zevrix BatchOutput family, which also includes similar tools for Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Adobe InDesign.

Pricing and Availability
BatchOutput XLS 2.1 can be purchased for US$39.95 from the Zevrix website, as well as from authorized resellers. Trial is also available for download. BatchOutput XLS runs on Mac OS X 10.4.2 – 10.7, is a Universal Binary, and works with Microsoft Excel 2008 and 2011.

About Zevrix Solutions
Located in Toronto, Canada, Zevrix Solutions provides productivity solutions for Adobe Creative Suite software, PDF and graphic file diagnostics, digital delivery and Microsoft Office on Mac OS. Zevrix Solutions makes it easier for professionals to achieve more while doing less by automating their everyday tasks, producing error-free documents, saving disk space and cutting down on production costs.

-Ends-

Contact:
Leo Revzin
Owner
Zevrix Solutions
105 McCAUL St, Suite 301
Toronto Ontario M5T 2X4 Canada
Tel: 858-206-0607
E-Mail: media@zevrix.com
Web: http://www.zevrix.com