Middletown, NY (PRWEB) May 18, 2012

Americans are known for spending long hours in the office, and their eyes often pay the price. In recognition of Healthy Vision Month, the ophthalmologists at Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery offer simple tips for keeping eyes healthy at work.

“Many people suffer from a problem called computer vision syndrome,” says Severin B. Palydowycz, MD at Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery, LLC. “As a result of looking at a computer screen during hours at the office as well as at home, they can develop a combination of eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes.”

Computer vision syndrome is caused by several different factors, not just the computer screen. Poor lighting, glare, inadequate breaks, the wrong chair, improper positioning of the keyboard, and other aspects of the office environment all can contribute to eye discomfort. Dr. Palydowycz points out that unrelated and untreated common vision problems such as farsightedness and aging of the eyes can make symptoms worse.

“The good news is that computer vision syndrome can be treated with simple changes to an office environment,” notes Dr. Palydowycz. He offers the following suggestions:

Adjust overhead, desk and window lighting, shades, and computer screen position to control glare.
Position the computer screen 4 to 5 inches below eye level and about 20 to 28 inches away.
Adjust the contrast and brightness on your screen and change font size so that type is easy to read.
If possible, locate documents where you can see them without moving your head away from the screen.
Consider getting glasses specifically for computer and desk work.
Follow the 20-minute rule – for every 20 minutes of screen time, look away at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to relax your eyes.
Blink often.

The ophthalmologists at Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery remind people to see a doctor if their eye problems continue or worsen after they’ve made improvements in their office environment.

Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery, LLC, is located at 75 Crystal Run Road, Suite 225, Middletown, NY 10941. For additional information, please visit http://www.hudsonvalleyambsurg.com or call 845-692-9900. Dr. Palydowycz can also be reached by visiting http://www.tristateeye.com or by calling 845-703-2020.

About Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery:

Established in 2007 by a small group of surgeons, Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery, LLC, provides state-of-the-art surgical care in a comfortable, friendly and professional setting. Operating exclusively as an independent same day surgical center, Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery specializes in ophthalmology, orthopaedics, head and neck/ENT, pain medicine, general surgery, podiatry, cosmetic surgery, and physical medicine and rehabilitation services. The surgical center is comprised of 25 surgeons as well as nine anesthesiologists and seven full-time nurses who see more than 3,100 patients each year. Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery offers surgeons and their patients unparalleled service, efficient and flexible scheduling, and the latest medical technology and equipment.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) May 15, 2012

WaterTrax today announced the release of its new water and wastewater maintenance management product offering, WaterTrax Maintenance Management. Industry leader WaterTrax designed the new software product specifically to help water and wastewater utilities improve the effectiveness of their asset infrastructure and maintenance operations.

According to the AWWA’s 2012 Report Buried No Longer: Confronting America’s Water Infrastructure Challenge, the “cost of repairing and expanding U.S. drinking water infrastructure will top $ 1 trillion in the next 25 years and $ 1.7 trillion over 40 years.” The report encourages utility managers to develop a long-term capital investment plan outlining the steps necessary towards sustainable water system infrastructure for future generations.

WaterTrax Maintenance Management is a cloud-based solution that addresses the concern of water and wastewater utilities to improve water infrastructure asset management and maintenance processes. Leveraging best practices in computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), WaterTrax Maintenance Management offers a comprehensive customizable and scalable platform that meets the key challenges of maintenance managers—finding a tailored solution that is easy to use, intuitive for users, quick to implement and cost-effective.

“We are pleased to announce WaterTrax Maintenance Management as a new addition to the WaterTrax Suite of software products,” said James Griffiths, General Manager of WaterTrax. “We pride ourselves on providing intuitive, easy to use cloud-based software that simplifies operating activities and processes within the utility. For over 10 years, our Data Management Suite has simplified the management of water and wastewater sampling and compliance data. With this expansion into maintenance management, we can now apply those principles to help water and wastewater utilities manage their assets and maintenance activities, simplify their operations and focus staff time on more productive operational activities.”

WaterTrax Maintenance Management helps you organize, monitor and evaluate maintenance activities, assets and their costs in one consolidated platform—managing assets, preventive maintenance scheduling, work orders, condition assessment and reporting information.

About WaterTrax®

WaterTrax provides a software suite of easy to use, cost effective, water and wastewater information management products to help organizations manage their data and maintenance activities efficiently and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. Established in 2000, WaterTrax has a growing client list of more than 125 leading municipalities and agencies that manage over 3500 water and wastewater systems across North America.

For further information please call 1-866-812-2233 or email brittany.wong(at)watertrax(dot)com.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 14, 2012

The 2012 World Science Festival (http://www.worldsciencefestival.com) today announced an impressive line-up of cutting-edge science programs for its fifth anniversary season, May 30th to June 3rd, 2012 with more than 50 events designed to make the esoteric understandable and the familiar fascinating.

The Festival brings together many of the world’s leading scientific minds along with renowned artists and influential thinkers to illuminate science in novel and exciting ways, breaking down barriers and connecting leading scientists to a broader public.

The five-day festival celebrates science through a wide range of original programming including discourse and debate, the arts, exhibitions, and free events designed for young scientists and their families.

Since its inception, the annual Festival has welcomed more than 600,000 people to 200 programs in locations throughout New York City. It is the nation’s most anticipated science event and allows everyone – kids and adults, novice and enthusiast – to experience science in unique and thrilling ways. Highlights of the 2012 Festival include:

•The stunning, full orchestral work with animated film and narrator, Icarus at the Edge of Time, which opens the Festival on May 30th at the United Palace Theatre.

•Two daylong, free admittance, family-friendly immersive events for budding scientists: “Science-On-Site: Explorations in Brooklyn Bridge Park” on June 2nd which culminates with an evening of stargazing, and “The Ultimate Science Street Fair” in Washington Square Park on June 3rd – a jam packed, wall-to-wall science extravaganza.

•“Innovation Square,” a new Festival initiative that creates a daylong tech fest in downtown Brooklyn, celebrates innovation by transforming NYU Poly’s MetroTech outdoor quad into a technophile’s playground, teeming with innovations from all over the world.

The World Science Festival was co-founded in 2008 by Brian Greene, Columbia University professor of physics and mathematics and bestselling author of The Elegant Universe and The Hidden Reality, and Tracy Day, Emmy Award-winning journalist and television producer.

SCHEDULE of EVENTS

2012 World Science Festival public events are outlined below, in chronological order. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.worldsciencefestival.com . The site offers complete information about the Festival’s program schedule and sign-up for email alerts about new programs, special guests and programming updates.

TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

2012 World Science Festival Opening Night Gala Celebration

7:30 p.m., The Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center

Details of the 2012 Opening Night Gala Celebration will be announced separately.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Icarus at the Edge of Time

7:00 – 8:00 PM, United Palace Theatre; Ticketed

“Icarus at the Edge of Time” is the story of a courageous boy who challenges the awesome might of a black hole. This stunning, full-orchestral work with animated film and live narrator brings a powerful modern twist to a classic myth, taking audiences on a whirlwind voyage through space and time, to the very edge of understanding. Featuring an original orchestral score by Philip Glass, performed by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, conducted by Brad Lubman, film by Al + Al and narration written by Brian Greene and David Henry Hwang.

Participants: Al + Al (Artists), Philip Glass (Composer), Brian Greene (Physicist, Columbia University), David Henry Hwang (Playwright) with Brad Lubman (Conductor) and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2012

The 2012 Kavli Prizes

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM; NYU Global Center, Grand Hall; By Invitation Only

Winners of the 2012 prestigious $ 1 million Kavli Prizes will be announced live via satellite from the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in Oslo. On-site opening remarks will be given by John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, followed by ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas and leading researchers exploring the next wave of opportunities in the Kavli prize areas: Astrophysics, Nanoscience and Neuroscience.

Participants: John Holdren (White House Office of Science and Technology), Angela Belcher (MIT), Thomas Jessell (Columbia University), Claire Max (University of California Santa Cruz). Moderator: Elizabeth Vargas (ABC News).

Cheers to Science! A Drinkable Feast of Beer, Biotechnology and Archaeology

Thu., May 31, 2012

Session One: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM; Session Two: 7:30 PM – 9:00 pm; La Scuola Grande & La Birreria at Eataly; Ticketed

Brewing beer might well be humankind’s first biotechnology, representing our first attempt to harness the power of living organisms. Dating back as early as 9000 BC, the craft galvanized the cultivation of barley and wheat, transformed hunter-gatherers into farmers and fueled the building of monumental structures, such as the pyramids, whose workers received five liters of beer per day as compensation. What did those ancient brews taste like? How were they made? Advanced scientific tools and new archaeological finds offer up tantalizing clues—and tasty results. Join biomolecular archaeologist Patrick McGovern and pioneering brewmaster Sam Calagione as they explore ancient ales from around the world and retrace their journey to Italy to reconstruct an Etruscan fermented beverage circa 800 to 700 BC. This rare brew features an exotic combination of ingredients: hazelnuts, pomegranates, grapes, wild flower honey, frankincense, barley, wheat, and even a few hops. Following the talk and tasting, head up to Eataly’s rooftop brewery, La Birreria, to sample a first-run batch of this prehistoric ale before fermentation. It’s a sensational evening of artisanal snacks, Dogfish Head Ancient Ales and fascinating science.

Participants: Sam Calagione (Brewer), Patrick E. McGovern (Biomolecular Archaeology Laboratory for Cuisine, Fermented Beverages and Health at the University of Pennsylvania Museum).

Artist as Innovator: Visions of a Floating Metropolis

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM; Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium; Ticketed

Great artists shape new realities by challenging conventional worldviews and pushing society to see possibility in unlikely places. That idea springs to life on top of the Metropolitan Art Museum, where Argentinian-born artist Tomás Saraceno debuts his new utopian installation, Cloud Cities, a towering constellation of interconnected pods that draws its inspiration from the geometry of bubbles, the flight of balloons, the patterns of the cosmos and the intricacies of spider webs. Navigate your way through the structure’s maze of mirrors and webs before joining the artist and renowned scientists and architects for a conversation that brings the intersection of science and art to the foreground, and explores radical new habitats for 21st-century living.

Participants: Tomás Saraceno (Artist), Peter Jäger (Arachnologist), Mario Livio (Astrophysicist), Chris McKay (NASA) and Mark Wigley (Architect).

Reefs As Never Before Seen: A World Premiere “Coral: ReKindling Venus”

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM; American Museum of Natural History – Hayden Planetarium; Ticketed

The stunning underwater realm of fluorescent coral reefs and exotic sea creatures will overwhelm your senses, as the Hayden Planetarium’s dome is transformed by the renowned video installation artist Lynette Wallworth into an immersive view of ocean life few have ever witnessed. Join us for the World Premiere of Wallworth’s remarkable film, “Coral: ReKindling Venus.” Leading researchers set the stage by sharing insights on the vital science of coral reefs, in a phenomenal evening of art and science – and cocktails.

Participants: Lynette Wallworth (Multimedia Artist), Anya Salih (University of Western Sydney), Nancy Knowlton (Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History).

Moderator: Bill Ritter (ABC News).

Too Close to the Sun: Stories of Flash Points

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM; The Great Hall of The Cooper Union; Ticketed

Presented with New York’s innovative storytelling collective, The Moth, esteemed scientists, writers and artists tell on-stage stories about their personal relationship with science. In keeping with Moth tradition, each story must be true and told within ten minutes, without notes. The result is a poignant, hilarious, and enjoyably unpredictable evening that’s sure to intrigue and surely hard to forget.

Participants: Paul Davies (Arizona State University), Siddhartha Mukherjee (Columbia University) and others.

Moderator: Andy Borowitz (Comedian, Actor, Writer).

The Creator: Alan Turing and the Future of Thinking Machines

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Museum of the Moving Image; Ticketed

Join us for the World Premiere of “The Creator,” a beautiful and surreal short-form film by award-winning British artists and filmmakers Al+Al, which follows sentient computers from the future on a mystical odyssey to discover their creator: legendary computer scientist Alan Turing. Marking the centenary of Turing’s birth, “The Creator” will launch a wide-ranging conversation among leading computer scientists and physicists about the promise and perils of artificial intelligence, as we take a personal look at the remarkable and tragic life of this computer visionary.

Participants: Al + Al (Artists), Janna Levin (Physicist) and others.

Moderator: Tim McHenry (Rubin Museum of Art)

How We Bounce Back: The New Science of Human Resilience

8:00 PM – 9:30 PM; Tishman Auditorium at The New School; Ticketed

Car accidents. Suicide bombers. Earthquakes. Death of a spouse. Why do some people bounce back from traumatic events while others do not? Is there a biological profile of resiliency? Can science, with the jab of a needle or huff of an aerosol, help reduce post-stress trauma? Can, and should, we train people to be more resilient? Leading thinkers from around the world explore these and other questions about the science of human resiliency.

Participants: George Bonanno (Columbia University), Dennis Charney (Mt. Sinai School of Medicine), Fran Norris (Dartmouth Medical School) and Matthieu Ricard (Buddhist Monk).

Moderator: David Brooks (Journalist).

Afterglow: Dispatches from the Birth of the Universe

8:00 PM – 9:30 PM; NYU Skirball Center; Ticketed

Cosmology is the one field in which researchers can—literally—witness the past. The cosmic background radiation, ancient light streaming toward us since the Big Bang, provides a pristine window onto the birth and evolution of the universe. Join a group of pioneering physicists and astronomers as they peer back to a fraction of a second after the beginning in search of our cosmic origin.

Participants: John C. Mather (Nobel Laureate, Physicist), Amber Miller (Columbia University), Lyman Page (Princeton University) and David Spergel (Princeton University).

Moderator: Lawrence Krauss (Arizona State University).

Madness Redefined: Creativity, Intelligence and the Dark Side of the Mind

8:00 PM – 9:30 PM; The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College; Ticketed

The notion of a “tortured genius” or “mad scientist” may be more than a romantic aberration. Mounting studies have established that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia correlate with high creativity and intelligence. Join leading researchers as they examine the shifting spectrum between brilliance and madness.

Participants: James Fallon (University of California Irvine, School of Medicine), Kay Redfield Jamison ( Johns Hopkins School of Medicine), Susan McKeown (Singer, Songwriter) and Elyn Saks (University of Southern California, Gould School of Law).

Moderator: Cynthia McFadden (ABC News).

Surface Tension: The Future of Water

Exhibition: May 30th to August 11th (Open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM); Eyebeam Art + Technology Center; Free Admittance

The U.S. Premiere of “Surface Tension: The Future of Water,” the exhibition rethinks the most fundamental resource on Earth – water – through the lens of art, design and science. The interactive exhibit showcases more than 40 different works underscoring the urgency of the looming water crisis: 1.2 billion people lack access to clean water, and increasing shortages threaten food production, public health and political stability.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

Pioneers in Science: Featuring Elaine Fuchs

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: NYU Global Center, President’s Colloquium Room; By Invitation Only

Pioneers in Science is an interactive program that gives high school students from around the world rare and intimate access to Nobel Laureates, presidential advisors, and other trailblazing scientists. This event features visionary geneticist Elaine Fuchs, whose work has pioneered entirely new ways of understanding human disease.

Participant: Elaine Fuchs (Rockefeller University)

Moderator: Juju Chang (ABC News).

Pioneers in Science: Featuring Lisa P. Jackson

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM; NYU Global Center, President’s Colloquium Room; By Invitation Only

Pioneers in Science is an interactive program that gives high school students from around the world rare and intimate access to Nobel Laureates, presidential advisors, and other trailblazing scientists. This event features renowned chemical engineer Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Participant: Lisa P. Jackson (Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency)

Moderator: Juju Chang (ABC News).

Robot & Frank: The Future of Computerized Companions

7:00 PM – 9:30 PM; Museum of the Moving Image; Ticketed

Join us for a screening of “Robot and Frank,” winner of the 2012 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation feature film prize at Sundance. This dramatic comedy, about a curmudgeonly old jewel thief whose robot caretaker becomes an unlikely partner-in-crime and soulmate, will inspire a follow-up discussion among pioneering roboticists, exploring the future of computerized companions and caretakers as technology profoundly alters the landscape—and very definition—of human interaction.

Participants: Maja Matarić (University of Southern California), Dennis Hong (Virginia Tech) and others.

The Elusive Neutrino and the Nature of the Cosmos

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM; Tishman Auditorium at The New School; Ticketed

The neutrino is among the cagiest of particles, a subatomic wisp so ephemeral it could pass through light years of lead with more ease than a hot knife through butter. This ghostly particle holds clues to some of the most profound questions in physics: What happened in the briefest moments after the Big Bang? Why does the universe contain more matter than antimatter? What happens in the fiery core of exploding stars and in the tumultuous center of active galaxies? Join leading researchers as they chase neutrinos and other elusive particles in search of nature’s fundamental order.

Participants: Janet Conrad (MIT), Francis Halzen (University of Wisconsin, Madison), Lawrence Krauss (Arizona State University).

Moderator: Bill Weir (ABC News).

Quantum Biology and the Hidden Nature of Nature

8:00 PM; The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College; Ticketed

Can the spooky world of quantum physics explain bird navigation, photosynthesis and even our delicate sense of smell? Clues are mounting that the rules governing the subatomic realm may play an unexpectedly pivotal role in the visible world. Join leading thinkers in the emerging field of quantum biology as they explore the hidden hand of quantum physics on the scales of everyday life.

Participants: Paul Davies (Arizona State University), Seth Lloyd (MIT) and others.

Moderator: John Hockenberry (Journalist).

Reawakening the Brain Through Music

8:00 PM – 9:30 PM; NYU Skirball Center; Ticketed

A composer finds freedom from Tourette’s through music; an amnesiac remembers distant memories when he hears the Grateful Dead; a patient with Parkinson’s listens to her favorite tunes and regains the ability to walk without tremors. What is it about music that can transport us to the past, reawaken distant emotions, and even heal some neurological disorders? Join renowned neurologist and best-selling author Oliver Sacks and pioneering music therapists as they use intimate portraits of patients profoundly transformed by music to explore the neural mechanisms behind music’s healing powers, and discuss possible implications for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, aphasia and other neurological impairments.

Participants: Oliver Sacks (Neurologist, Author), Petr Janata (Cognitive Neuroscientist), Concetta Tomaino (Institute for Music and Neurologic Function) and others.

Hedy and George: Improbable Collaborators, Classic Inventors

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Le Poisson Rouge; Ticketed

Join us for an evening of intimate conversation and musical performance as Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes and some of the most forward-thinking composers of our age, explore the extraordinary lives and legacies of two unconventional innovators: the legendary screen siren Hedy Lamarr and renowned avant-garde composer George Antheil. In a remarkable and unlikely union, Lamarr, known as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world,’ and Antheil, the self-described ‘bad boy of music,’ joined forces during World War II to invent a secret communication system that presaged today’s GPS, cell phone and Bluetooth technologies. Today, George Antheil is revered as a pioneer of electronic music. Some of his compositions were so far ahead of their time that the technology to bring them to life only materialized decades after his death. The conversation on innovation, science and music will be amplified by a series of performances of Antheil’s seminal scores and explorations of today’s most avant-garde electronica.

Participants: Carmelo Amarena (Engineer), Richard Rhodes (Author), Philip Glass (Composer), Tyondai Braxton (Composer, Performer) . Featuring musical performances by: Kathleen Supové (Pianist) and Jennifer Choi (Violinist).

Moderator: John Schaefer (WNYC, Host of “Soundcheck”).

SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012

Science-on-Site: Explorations in Brooklyn Bridge Park

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Brooklyn Bridge Park; Free Admittance

Science comes to life along the historic East River! Join adventurous researchers for a day of family-friendly exploration in one of the city’s most dynamic parks. Discover incredible marine life through an ancient fishing technique, join a leading botanist for a park-wide botanical safari, learn the science secrets of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, and more. Capping it all off is an unforgettable evening of stargazing at “From the City to the Stars” (8:00 PM to 11:00 PM).

Science Sets Sail Aboard the Tall Ship Clearwater

Sat., June 2, 2012

First Sail: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM; Second Sail: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Brooklyn Bridge Park; Ticketed

Join the World Science Festival and Clearwater educators in raising the sails on the sloop Clearwater, a replica of the 18th-century Dutch tall ships that once traveled the region delivering mail and supplies. Set your course using charts and compasses, and explore the waters of New York City as a citizen scientist. Identify an amazing variety of fish and invertebrates; test for pollution levels; and learn about the pressing environmental issues impacting these historic waterways. All aboard!

Innovation Square

12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; NYU Polytechnic Institute, MetroTech Plaza; Free Admittance

The 2012 World Science Festival’s “Innovation Square” transforms a picturesque quad in downtown Brooklyn into a technophile’s adventureland, teeming with future-shaping innovations from all over the world. Watch the first public demonstration of quantum levitation; climb walls with superhero-worthy gecko gloves; play with the world’s lightest material. It’s an unforgettable afternoon of amazing demos, challenges, and interactive fun, suitable for tech enthusiasts of all ages.

Internet Everywhere: The Future of History’s Most Disruptive Technology

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM; NYU Skirball Center; Ticketed

Disruptive technologies uproot culture, can precipitate wars and even topple empires. By this measure, human history has seen nothing like the Internet. Pioneers of the digital revolution examine the Internet’s brief but explosive history and reveal nascent projects that will shortly reinvent how we interact with technology—and each other. From social upheaval and ever-shifting privacy standards to self-driving cars and networked groceries, this eye-opening program provides a stunning glimpse of what’s around the corner.

Participants: Vinton Cerf (Computer Scientist, Google), Neil Gershenfeld (MIT) and Alex Wright (Director of User Experience, The New York Times).

Cool Jobs, Cool Kids, Hot Contest

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM; The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College; Ticketed

This spectacular double feature shows science in a whole new light: pure, imaginative, mind-bending fun! The big event heats up as Alan Alda hosts “The Flame Challenge,” a contest that calls on scientists worldwide to give their best explanation of how a flame works–but in a way that makes sense to a kid. The excitement continues with the Festival’s ever-popular “Cool Jobs,” a jaw-dropping show that brings you face-to-face with amazing scientist with amazing jobs. Imagine having an office that’s a zoo and co-workers that are lemurs and porcupines. How about getting paid to build machines that can read people’s thoughts? Or imagine your desk was a basketball court and your clients were superstars trying to improve their game through biomechanics? Well, you don’t have to just imagine. Hear from scientists who have these jobs–find out what they do, how they do it, and how they got the coolest and weirdest gigs on the planet.

Participants: Adam Wilson (University of Cincinnati), Cynthia Bir (Wayne State University), Peter Lovatt (University of Hertfordshire) and Jarod Miller (Binghamton Zoo).

“The Flame Challenge” hosted by Alan Alda (Actor, Author, Director).

“Cool Jobs, Cool Kids” hosted by Baba Brinkman (Creator of “The Rap Guide to Evolution.”).

On the Shoulders of Giants: A Special Address by Edward O. Wilson

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM; NYU Global Center, Grand Hall; Ticketed

Every generation benefits from the insights and discoveries of the generations who came before. “If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” wrote Isaac Newton. In a special series, the World Science Festival invites audiences to stand on the shoulders of modern-day giants. The second annual address in this series will be given by esteemed evolutionary biologist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward O. Wilson, who will speak about radical advances in the study of human social behavior and evolutionary biology.

Participant: Edward O. Wilson (Biologist)

Pandemic Fix: Seeking Universal Vaccines

2:00 PM – 5:30 PM; New-York Historical Society, Smith Auditorium; Ticketed

Imagine beating every strain of flu with a single jab or wiping out your risk of some lethal cancers, HIV, and malaria during a routine doctor’s visit. That’s the promise of next-generation vaccines, and researchers are closing in on the basic science needed to bring them to reality. Join epidemiologists, virologists, and public-health experts as they share insights on the new wave of vaccine research, and the race to eliminate pandemic threats. Setting the stage for the discussion is a screening of “Contagion,” Steven Soderbergh’s chilling thriller about a deadly flu outbreak and the global race to contain it.

Participants: Jean Ashton (New-York Historical Society), Laurie Garrett (Journalist), Gary Nabel (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), Michael Osterholm (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota), Harold Varmus (Nobel Laureate, Oncologist) and others.

Moderator: Richard Besser (ABC News).

Exoplanets: The Search for New Worlds

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM; Tishman Auditorium at The New School; Ticketed

A few decades ago, we knew of no other planets beyond those in our solar system. Today, astronomers have confirmed over 700 planets circling other suns and believe billions more lay undiscovered. Join researchers leading the charge as they discuss the tantalizing prospects for an Earth analog that could harbor life—as we know it, and as we never imagined it.

Participants: Natalie Batalha (Physicist, San Jose State University), Matt Mountain (Astronomer) and Sara Seager (Astrophysicist, MIT).

Moderator: Dan Harris (ABC News)

Einstein, Time, and the Coldest Stuff in the Universe

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM; The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College; Ticketed

Nobel prize-winning physicist William Phillips returns to the World Science Festival for another spellbinding journey to the lowest temperatures ever recorded. What’s an atomic clock and why does it keep better time when cold? What’s the relationship between speed, temperature and relativity? Through crackling, fizzing, popping experimentation, see what happens when ordinary objects plunge to the edge of absolute zero.

Participant: William Phillips (Nobel Laureate, Physicist).

Why We Prevailed: Evolution and the Battle for Dominance

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM; Tishman Auditorium at The New School; Ticketed

We once shared the planet with Neanderthals and other human species. Some of our relatives may have had tools, language and culture. Why did we thrive while they perished? Join evolutionary biologists, geneticists and anthropologists as they share profound insights about the origin of man and retrace our singular journey from fledging prototype to the most dominant species on Earth.

Participants: Alison Brooks(George Washington University), Ed Green (University of California, Santa Cruz), Chris Stringer (Paleoanthropologist, Royal Society, London) and Edward O. Wilson (Evolutionary Biologist, Harvard University).

Moderator: John Hockenberry (Journalist).

Why We Tell Stories: The Science of Narrative

8:00 PM; The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College; Ticketed

Stories have existed in many forms—cave paintings, parables, poems, tall tales, myths—throughout history and across almost all human cultures. But is storytelling essential to survival? Join a spirited discussion seeking to explain the uniquely human gift of narrative—from how neurons alight when we hear a tale, to the role of storytelling in cognitive development, to the art of storytelling itself, which informs a greater understanding of who we are as a species.

Participants: Paul Bloom (Psychologist), Jeffrey Eugenides (Author), Jonathan Gottschall (Science Writer), Joyce Carol Oates (Author), Keith Oatley (Novelist) and others.

Spooky Action: The Drama of Quantum Mechanics

8:00 PM – 9:30 PM; NYU Skirball Center; Ticketed

In 1935, Albert Einstein published a landmark paper revealing that quantum mechanics allows widely separated objects to influence one another, even though nothing travels between them. Einstein called it spooky and rejected the idea, arguing that it exposed a major deficiency in the quantum theory. But, decades later, experiments proved the unsettling concept correct. Join Brian Greene on a journey that brings this insight and the remarkable history of reality-bending quantum mechanics vividly to life.

Participant: Brian Greene (Physicist, Columbia University).

From the City to the Stars

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Brooklyn Bridge Park; Free Admittance

Join professional and amateur astronomers for a free evening of urban stargazing. An outdoor party beneath the Brooklyn Bridge and the twinkling canvas of the night sky, it will be a night to explore and discover the vast wonders of the cosmos. Bring your telescope if you have one, or use one of the dozens we’ll have on hand.

SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2012

The Ultimate Science Street Fair

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Washington Square Park; Free Admittance

The popular Science Street Fair returns to Washington Square Park with another action-packed day of interactive exhibits, experiments, games and shows, all designed to entertain and inspire. Visit a telepathy lab and control a computer just by thinking about it, learn the science tricks to shooting perfect free-throws with NBA stars, create your own fragrance at the Smell Lab, ride a square-wheeled tricycle, and much more!

Sunday at the Met: The World Science Festival Presents The New Science of Art Attribution

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM; Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium; Free Admittance with Metropolitan Museum admission.

Art historians are increasingly turning to particle physics to authenticate masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, as well as to explore mysterious artworks lying beneath surface paintings. Join a provocative discussion about the powerful new collaboration between scientists, curators and conservators that is bringing to light hidden works and revealing important clues about iconic art.

Participants: Francesca Casadio (Art Institute of Chicago), Joris Dik (Delft University of Technology) and Walter Liedtke (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

Moderator: Garrick Utley (Senior Fellow, SUNY Levin Institute).

TICKETS

Tickets for World Science Festival events are on sale now. The Festival’s website, http://www.worldsciencefestival.com, provides the most complete programming and participant information. Tickets are available four ways:

•Online: at http://www.worldsciencefestival.com

•Call: (212) 352-3101 or (866) 811-4111

oOperators available: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

•In Person: NYU Ticket Central @ NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square, New York, NY 10012

oBox office hours: Tuesday- Saturday, 12:00 PM (Noon) – 6:00 PM

World Science Festival ticketing services provided by NYU Skirball Center.

World Science Festival 2012 Cultural Partners, whose collaboration enriches the diverse spectrum of Festival programming, include:

    American Museum of Natural History
    Brooklyn Bridge Park
    Eyebeam Art + Technology Center
    Galapagos Art Space
    Le Poisson Rouge
    Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
    The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    The Moth
    Museum of the Moving Image
    New-York Historical Society
    Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin
    United Palace Theatre

The World Science Festival’s 2012 University Partners provide a broad range of Festival support. The 2012 University Partners include:

    The City University of New York
    The Cooper Union
    Columbia University
    The New School
    New York University
    The Rockefeller University

About the World Science Festival:

The World Science Festival is a production of the Science Festival Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in New York City. The Foundation’s mission is to cultivate a general public informed by science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future.

The World Science Festival has been made possible with the generous support of its Founding Benefactors: the Simons Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the John Templeton Foundation.

The World Science Festival gratefully acknowledges the generous support of its major sponsors, Ann Ziff, Con Edison and The Kavli Prize; its media partners, ABC News, ABC Radio, WABC-TV, Mental Floss, Popular Science, Time Warner Cable, The Week, WNYC Radio; and its university partners, New York University, The City University of New York, Columbia University, The Rockefeller University, The New School, and The Cooper Union.

To learn more about the World Science Festival, visit http://www.worldsciencefestival.com, or follow the World Science Festival on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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Media Contacts:

Caroline Andoscia caroline@andoscia.com (212) 475-2122 x701 (917) 207-4060

Dan Scheffey            dan@andoscia.com        (212) 475-2122 x702 (917) 647-7626

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Silver Creek, NY (PRWEB) May 13, 2012

Visitors to the Reverie tent can experience the Dream Sleep System, which includes a multi-function adjustable bed, customizable mattress and mobile app that lets customers control the bed and other bedroom appliances with the swipe of a finger. After a hard workout, athletes will love adjusting the bed into Zero Gravity position, which alleviates pressure from joints. The natural rubber mattress materials and bamboo cover also allow athletes to “sleep cool.”

Also on hand will be doctor of physical therapy, Eugene “Bo” Babenko who will provide quick complimentary body movement and alignment evaluations for the athletes. According to Bo, “CrossFit athletes go the extra mile to take care of their bodies through exercise and nutrition, but we are missing the big picture. We can’t achieve optimal health without enough quality sleep.”

Reverie’s high performance, tech- forward Dream Sleep System will help athletes achieve the quality of sleep they need to achieve their best results.

About Reverie®:

Reverie® is a leading manufacturer of innovative mattresses, adjustable beds and pillows to the trade and directly to consumers. With R & D and manufacturing in New York State and warehouses throughout North America, Reverie manufactures all its mattresses in the USA and continues to be a cutting edge leader and innovator in the sleep products industry. For more information, visit the website at http://www.reverie.com/ or call 1-800-456-7383

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Scottsdale, Ariz. (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

Adaptive Curriculum (AC), a web-based concept mastery solution that strengthens math and science performance by helping students build a deep understanding of core concepts and skills, has won the 2012 CODiE Award for Best Virtual School Solution for Students. Sponsored by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the prestigious CODiE Awards have been showcasing the software and information industry’s finest products and services for the last 27 years.

The Best Virtual School Solution for Students category recognizes the K-12 or postsecondary educational solution that best delivers courses or degree programs online. Such solutions can be designed for tutoring, self-paced digital instruction, home schooling, advance placement course work, credit recovery, additional instructional support, personalized learning environments, or college credit. According to the SIIA, Adaptive Curriculum’s products were “chosen from a selection of high-caliber technology options as being the best in the software and information industry.”

“We hear from educators every day that Adaptive Curriculum’s focus on interactive engagement and deep conceptual learning makes it possible for every student to be successful in math and science. But it’s still very nice to know that our industry peers also recognize the innovation and richness of content that make up Adaptive Curriculum’s solutions,” said Jim Bowler, CEO of Adaptive Curriculum.

The CODiE Awards hold the distinction of being the industry’s only peer-reviewed awards program. Nominated products were reviewed extensively by executives with deep industry expertise and who acted as judges to select the finalists across 25 different categories. The products were reviewed through live demonstrations, trial access, and supplementary documentation. Software members include the companies developing the applications, services, infrastructure, and tools that are driving the software and services industry forward.

Adaptive Curriculum engages digital-age learners by integrating real-world scenarios, cutting-edge graphics, animations, 3D models and interactive simulations into active, standards-based learning. Unlike textbooks or drill-and-practice programs, Adaptive Curriculum’s active learning approach motivates learners to explore, make hypotheses, manipulate items and see the impact of their decisions, thus developing and deepening their conceptual understanding.

About Adaptive Curriculum

Designed for grades 6-12, Adaptive Curriculum’s web-based math and science solutions are used by more than 3 million students in the United States, Europe and Asia. Across the world, experts in math, science and online learning theory contribute to the content and design of the interactive activities to deliver effective instruction that improves performance on high-stakes tests and enhances college and career readiness.

Adaptive Curriculum is part of Sebit Inc., a global eLearning company and leader in digital curriculum innovation. For more information please call 1-888-999-9319 or visit http://www.adaptivecurriculum.com.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

San Francisco, California (PRWEB) May 05, 2012

The BLACK V Fashion Event presents collections endorsing the chic and beautiful mystique of black to San Francisco’s fashion scene. Owen Buenaventura, one of the most reputable fashion producers in the Bay Area, will direct the show, his third year in a row. ASTONISH Magazine, an avant-garde fashion magazine focusing on the repertoire of emerging international fashion designers, returns as the media sponsor for this highly esteemed event.

This is a major opportunity for fashion industry professionals in San Francisco to connect with each other and keep the fashion zeitgeist alive through the cross-pollination of traditional runway, multi-media platform and technology.

Integral members of the fashion industry participate every year, including various designers, stylists, models, fashion and style bloggers, photographers, and editors. In previous years, more than 300 fashion enthusiasts have pledged their support.

The 3rd Annual BLACK V Designers Lineup will include: Acta Non Verba, Cari Borja, Daniel Sudar, d’Homme by Dahae Kim, Gail B Shrive, Kate Knuvelder, Ken Chen San Francisco, and Zoë Hong.

Proceeds from the BLACK V Fashion Event will benefit the Fashion Show Production Class at City College of San Francisco. The Foundation of City College is a non-profit organization.

Sponsors for this year include (as of April 24th; more to be added):

Venue/Makeup: PIGMENT COSMETICS, San Francisco Models: SF Model Agencies

Media & Marketing: ASTONISH MAGAZINE, San Francisco In Support by: Thre.ad

Hair and Makeup: San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology- A Paul Mitchell Partner School

Video: Saazmantra Productions | Shane Stinar | ASTONISH Magazine

WHEN:

Saturday, May 12, 2012 6:30 PM

WHERE:

The Landmark

1 Market Street (Mission Street Entrance)

San Francisco, CA 94105    

PRICE:

INVITATION ONLY; LIMITED VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE at $ 50 per person (tax deductable).

TICKETS:

http://www.wantickets.com/blackv

INFORMATION:

For information on ASTONISH Magazine, please visit http://www.astonishworld.com/.

PRESS REQUESTS:

For Sponsorship opportunities and partnerships, please contact Brandon(at)astonishmagazine(dot)com and/or BlackVFashion(at)gmail(dot)com.

Attachments

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Rochester, New York (PRWEB) May 02, 2012

Quintel®, the leading innovator of highly efficient antennas for wireless networks, has just completed the development of its MultiWav product, the world’s first fully passive single X-Pol antenna that provides adaptive Uplink tilt-per-user and independent variable Downlink tilt. Our first antenna in this family, which exploits Quintel’s patented QTiltTM technology, has 4 ports for delivering the tilt-per-user beamsteering capabilities in the 1710-2170MHz band, plus 2 ports for 700MHz band and 2 ports for 850MHz band; each band with independent tilt, and all packaged in a single slim-line 12” (300mm) wide antenna. This enables existing antenna-constrained sites to be upgraded to provide 700MHz & 850MHz services via 2T2R base station connections, plus LTE at AWS or PCS bands with uplink tilt-per-user beamsteering capability, all with a single antenna replacement. Quintel MultiWav antenna solutions leverage the existing 4-Way Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) or equivalent feature of 2T4R basestations to provide the adaptive beam tilt-per-user on the uplink simply via standard RF connections. This beamsteering capability is provided with no changes required to the basestation or remote radio head to implement this advanced beamsteering capability. The ability to separately optimize the LTE downlink from the uplink and to have the uplink in effect track each user in real time can provide significant improvements in intercell interference, throughput, network efficiency, and quality of service.

Adaptive Beamsteering in Elevation is particularly effective for tall interference limited Macro sites, offering over 100% throughput gain at the cell edges. While alternative methods require at least two antennas, only a single Quintel MulitWav Quadband 8 Port Antenna is required and thereby mitigates tower loading concerns and maximizes the operator’s ability to optimize each service independently while rapidly introducing new services. Technology agnostic, each band provides flexibility for existing and future technologies such as GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA, CDMA/EVDO, LTE/LTE-Advanced. Except for the adaptive Uplink which is automatically controlled by the basestation 4-Way MRC, tilt settings for each band are controlled independently via internal RET actuators compliant to AISG1.1, AISG2.0 and 3GPP protocols.

Operators no longer have to compromise one network over another or wait for “active antenna” type functionality. With Quintel’s MultiWav products, they can start realizing today the benefits of adaptive per-user-tilting on their LTE Uplink while still having the multibanding capabilities they require to efficiently managing their other technology’s capacity goals over the major North American frequency bands. “This continues our tradition of reducing their opex per subscriber and squeezing out the most value from their existing assets,” said Joe Veni, Quintel’s Vice President of Sales and Business Development.

Quintel Antenna Solutions

Unlike conventional multi-port antennas or promised active antennas, Quintel’s portfolio empowers operators today to reduce unnecessary infrastructure and thereby allowing them to more quickly and efficiently expand their services and networks. Four years of North America, European and Indian deployments, are demonstrating positive and measurable performance and economic results relative to operator coverage through height gain, increased antenna consolidation, and additional cost savings on both initial capital outlays and recurring operating expenses. By benefiting from a combination of antenna consolidation and optimal height gain, operators deploy faster, with lower costs, and fully maintain their desired quality of service with complete reliability and minimal downtime.

About Quintel

Quintel is an innovative leader in wireless network antenna technology development and manufacturing solutions. The company’s products enable global wireless operators to independently deploy and optimize multiple air interfaces or services on a single standard antenna platform. Quintel is the only antenna supplier whose products can increase a wireless network’s capacity, and the number of services, without increasing the number of antennas or size. Our core technologies originated in the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, and are now deployed throughout the world. Quintel is headquartered in Mountain View, California with additional offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. More information about Quintel is available at http://www.quintelsolutions.com.

Quintel and the Quintel logo are registered trademarks are trademarks, of Quintel Technology Limited. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) May 01, 2012

Newark element14, the leading distributor of electronic components and engineering solutions in the Americas and a business of Premier Farnell (LSE:pfl), announced today the availability of two new Microchip development kits exclusively created for element14. The new PIC32 Multimedia Kit speeds the development of 10/100 Ethernet applications as well as audio, graphics, motion control and touch screen development, while even programming novices can use the new PIC18 Flowcode Developers Kit to create electronics design systems in minutes.

The PIC32 Multimedia Kit features a PIC32 Ethernet Starter Kit and Multimedia Expansion Board (MEB). By joining the starter kit to the MEB, a powerful development tool is created, and extra functionality can be provided by a PICTail socket. User guides, application notes, a video and a free download version of Microchip’s MPLAB PIC32 C complier providing code support is available at element14.

The PIC18 Flowcode Developers Kit is a fully featured, low cost solution designed to help developers quickly and easily realize their designs using Flowcode, one of the world’s most advanced graphical programming languages.

Optimized for Flowcode development, the board has several expansion options; it can be used as a black box and is equipped with a PIC18 device that offers low power and high performance.

The complete Microchip selection, available for same-day shipping, can be viewed at newark.com/microchip. The Knode on the element14 engineering community can help designers select the right development platform and kit for their project.

About Newark element14

Newark element14 is a high-service distributor of technology products and engineering solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair. Bringing together the latest products, services, and development software, all connected to an innovative online engineering community where purchasers and engineers can access peers and experts, a wide range of independent technical information and helpful tools. Whether researching a new technology, designing an electronic product, or looking for parts to repair an existing system, Newark/element14 is the trusted source to find the answers and parts they need to keep projects on the fast track, right from the start.

Newark element14 is the operating business of Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl) in North America and Mexico.

For news updates from Newark element14 visit:

Premier Farnell News Centre – premierfarnell.com/premier_farnell/publicrelations/

Twitter – @element14news

YouTube – element14

Facebook – facebook.com/element14page

Email: pressoffice(at)premierfarnell(dot)com

Newark element14 Press Contact

Janice Fleisher

jfleisher(at)newark(dot)com

773.907.5941

Attachments

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Amherst, MA (PRWEB) April 28, 2012

AthFest Music & Arts Festival, June 20-24, 2012, Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia – AthFest, one of the south’s finest music and arts festivals, will be held in downtown Athens, Georgia, June 20th through 24th, 2012. Over the course of this four day festival, approximately 150 bands and artists will perform on the 3 outdoor stages and in a dozen venues. AthFest Mainstage headliners this year will be: Reptar, Atlas Sound, The Glands and Yacht Rock Revue. All performances on the outdoor stages are open to all ages and are free of charge to the public. Now in its 16th year, AthFest showcases all the best local, regional, and nationally recognized Athens-based talent. The festival includes live music, KidFest, a juried artisan market, film events, a comedy showcase, Flagpole Music Awards, Wired Dance Music Festival and more. DETAILS: http://www.athfest.com, Phone: (706) 548-1973

Tubs Set Sail during the Bathtub Regatta in Southern Belgium

Dinant, Belgium – Each year on August 15, the city of Dinant, in keeping with Belgium’s reputation for the quirky and unusual, hosts the Bathtub Regatta. The 2012 edition will mark the 30th anniversary of this beloved event. The regatta highlights the city’s joie de vivre and attracts as many as 25,000 visitors who watch this procession of bizarre boats racing down the Meuse River. In addition to bathtubs, visitors will see homemade rafts, floating waterslides and other curious boat-like creations. A theme is selected each year for the regatta and participants enthusiastically incorporate it into the creation of their boat with a heavy dose of humor. This year’s theme is “Films past and present,” so prepare for a walk down cinematic memory lane. Phone: 212-758-8130

DETAILS: http://www.visitbelgium.com/index.php/news/62/109/The-Bathtub-Regatta-in-Dinant-Aug-15

Fort Worth Opera Festival, May 12 – June 3, 2012

Fort Worth, Texas – Fort Worth Opera’s 2012 season has it all: a spellbinding love triangle and a white-knuckle thrill ride of corruption, deceit, and passion; a charming look at love, fidelity, and temptation; an attempt to stop a decades-old war by withholding “love”; and an aging Broadway star and her children who must learn to forgive despite decades of lies, disappointment, and grief. Don’t miss Puccini’s passionate blockbuster “Tosca,” Mozart’s effervescent romantic comedy “The Marriage of Figaro,” Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata and a new production of Jake Heggie’s “Three Decembers.” Performances at the renowned Bass Performance Hall and the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. May 12 – June 3.

DETAILS: http://www.fwopera.org; Phone: 877-396-7372.    

Chicago Area’s North Shore Chamber Music Festival July 6, 8 & 9, 2012

Northbrook, Illinois – One of the best ways to welcome summer in the Chicago area, The North Shore Chamber Music Festival (July 6, 8 & 9) offers an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary chamber music performed by some of today’s renowned artists, including The Pacifica Quartet, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, pianist Adam Neiman and violinist Vadim Gluzman. Located in Northbrook, Illinois, this season includes a special performance of Alan Ridout’s Ferdinand the Bull narrated in both the spoken and signed word. Pre-concert events include performances by young artists from ICODA (International Center on Deafness and the Arts), and young musicians from the Chicago area; plus a presentation by the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

DETAILS: http://www.nscmf.org; Phone: 847-370-3984

79th Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair, August 4-12, 2012, showcases one-of-a-kind craft, hand-made by master craftsmen

Concord, New Hampshire – Each summer, visitors come to the Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair in the beautiful Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire to experience the fun and fascinating world of craft. Now in its 79th year, the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair (August 4-12, 2012) at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH, is a showcase for beautiful, one-of-a-kind craft that are functional, decorative, and built to last. All of the craft is made by hand by master craftsmen – juried members of the League – using traditional methods and locally sourced materials, including clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, and paper. Visitors can meet and talk to the craftsmen, learn about their techniques, and purchase from them.

DETAILS: http://www.nhcrafts.org, Phone: 603-224-3375

Culinary walking tours of Boston’s Little Italy and Chinatown with Boston Food Tours

Boston, MA – Guests on these culinary walking tours learn how the two cultures eat, how their food was adapted to this country and, most importantly, how to identify and where to buy the very best ingredients. Along the way, your guide will also share a bit of neighborhood history, simple but special cooking tips, tastes of specific food ingredients and the best-kept secrets of neighborhood restaurants. Participants get an insider’s view of these ethnic neighborhoods, alive with colorful immigrant history and undiscovered hidden gems and great food. Tours are offered to the North End on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and cost $ 50.00 per person. Chinatown tours are Thursday and Saturday and cost $ 65.00 per person.

DETAILS: http://www.bostonfoodtours.com, Phone: 617-523-6032

Trailing of the Sheep Festival celebrates a slice of the American West that’s still alive

Hailey, Idaho – The 16th annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival takes place October 11-14, 2012. Yep, trailing thousands of sheep from summer grazing to warmer winter pastures for lambing still takes place in the mountains of Idaho every year as it has for 150 years. Here in Sun Valley, Idaho, the sheep pass million dollar homes and even get a parade down Main Street. The Town celebrates the event by organizing a weekend filled with art, history, food and culture. The Festival preserves the stories and colorful history of sheep ranchers and herders, celebrates the rich cultures of the past and present and entertains and educates children, adults and families about the production of local food and fiber that sustain local economies and generations of hard-working families.

DETAILS: http://www.trailingofthesheep.org, Phone: 208-720-0585

Hawaii’s Big Island Film Festival, May 24-28, 2012, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Waikoloa, Hawaii – In addition to 57 narrative films from Hawaii and around the world, the Big Island Film Festival presents celebrity guests, the award-winning trio “Kohala” in concert and more, Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-28. Now in its 7th year, the Festival delivers unique entertainment, with free family films at the Shops at Mauna Lani, daytime movies and nightly double features, screenwriting workshops and stellar social events at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. Fans have the chance to see the Festival’s two celebrity guests Eloise Mumford (“The River”) and David James Elliott (“JAG”) at a special “Meet the Stars” event on Friday, or at their Receptions & Salutes, Saturday and Sunday respectively. The Big Island Film Festival takes place in several locations within Mauna Lani Resort, located on the Kohala Coast on the Island’s west side.

DETAILS: http://www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com, Phone: (808) 883-0394.

Florida’s Sarasota County Festivals Celebrate Chalk Artists, Sand Sculptors and Emerging Artists

Sarasota, Florida – From remarkable arts and culture festivals such as the Ringling International Arts Festival in October, the Sarasota Music Festival in June and the Sarasota Chalk Festival in November there is a reason why Sarasota County is known as Florida’s Cultural Coast ®. The annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival every 4th of July and the Sarasota Open Tennis Tournament every spring also call Sarasota home. For visitors who prefer something out of the ordinary, the annual Venice Shark’s Tooth Festival and the Siesta Key Crystal Sand Sculpting Contest on America’s #1 Beach, Siesta Beach, in November are worth a visit. Food and oenophiles will delight in Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week every June and Forks & Corks in January.

DETAILS: http://www.sarasotafl.org/events, Phone: 941-955-0991

Vermont Quilt Festival, New England’s Largest and Oldest, June 29-July 1

Essex Junction, Vermont – Treat your family to a visual feast of color and design in hundreds of quilts at the Vermont Quilt Festival. Contest quilts by adults and youth, antique quilts from the Pilgrim/Roy collection, and contemporary works by quilt artists will dazzle and delight you. Shop the bustling merchants mall with its colorful array of wares and enjoy free gallery talks and vendor demonstrations. Classes, lectures and quilt appraisals add to the excitement. Come early for the festive Champagne and Chocolate Preview Thursday evening, June 28, with chocolates by Vermont’s finest chocolatiers. The Festival takes place at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, Friday and Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-3pm. Daily admission $ 12, seniors and groups $ 10, children under 14 free.    

DETAILS: http://www.vqf.org, Phone: 802-872-0034

View these stories online with photos here:

http://travelandleisurenews.com/news/1-issue/festivals-events/may-1-2012/index.htm


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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) April 26, 2012

Follow us on LinkedIn – The paper packaging industry, similar to the other industries is highly sensitive to economic upheavals. Some of the factors which have had enormous impact on the global packaging industry during the past few years include the global economy slowdown and volatility in raw material, transportation and energy costs. These apart, climate change emerged as a key factor instrumental in changing shape of the industry. Even before the recession of 2008-09 surfaced, demand for paper and board packaging had slowed mainly owing to the growing environmental concerns, and falling growth rate in GDP levels of major markets including the US, Japan and West European countries. Demand in the paper packaging market is mainly sustained by factors such as affordability and recyclability. A positive trend in paperboard and corrugated boxes market is an increase in non-durable products shipments, as they account for over 3/4th of demand for boxes. Growth in the market for durable goods, which utilize costly and large boxes, is identified as an important factor influencing demand for paper packaging materials. Currently, the impact of the eurozone debt crisis has been relatively insignificant on the paper packaging markets. However, a persistent and strong decline in consumer spending on non-durable goods could eventually affect corrugated box sales in the long run. Currently the bearing of volatile economic conditions is limited to the extent of reduction in inventory levels of raw materials used in production of corrugated boxes.

Majority of international companies are striving for continuous improvement and innovation to effectively address the growing competition within the industry, and from substitute materials such as plastics. Despite making inroads into several niche applications, paper-packaging materials are replaced by plastic films and composites with enhanced properties, in traditional applications. Carry-out and prepared foods, beverage cartons and shipping sacks represent high growth potential areas for paper packaging, while the industry is likely to lose its share in milk cartons, retail bags/cartons and egg cartons. Demand for containerboard is forecast to grow at a gradual pace over the near future, mainly due to the ban on usage of plastic bags in select markets. However, the rising popularity of reusable bags and availability of alternative packaging products other than containerboard is forecast to moderate the growth pace to some extent. Increasing demand from end-use markets and penetration into new applications have also resulted in significant technological developments in converting and manufacturing stages of paper packaging materials. Enhanced printing technologies, product quality and uniformity, and incorporation of high graphics have become a common feature in the paper packaging materials market.

As stated by the new market research report on Paper Packaging Materials, Asia-Pacific represents the largest market worldwide. The other significant market is the US, which is a major producer and consumer of paper and paper products. Asia-Pacific, primarily led by China, is forecast to enjoy a strong growth in paper packaging materials consumption. Consumption of virgin grade boxboard is expected to rise in these markets due to an increased demand for high-quality packaged goods from the rising middle class consumer group. The trend is also forecast to offer significant profit margins to manufacturers in the region. Segment-wise, containerboard materials, used primarily for manufacture of corrugated boxes, represent the largest product category. Cartonboard, which includes folding boxboard, solid bleached board, and white lined chipboard among others, represents the second largest segment. Low cost structure of certain waste-based grades such as schrenz, wellenstoff, and testliner has made them prominent, as these provide a cost-effective alternative for both fiber-rich and fiber-poor regions worldwide. New flute structures are likely to play a major role in enhancing the competitiveness of containerboard and corrugated boards, as against folding cartons.

Major players in the marketplace include DS Smith PLC, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Graphic Packaging International, Holmen AB, International Paper Company, MeadWestvaco Corp., M-Real Oyj, Mayr-Melnhof Group, Oji Paper Co., Ltd, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, RockTenn Company, Stora Enso Oyj, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, and Weyerhaeuser Company.

The research report titled “Paper Packaging Materials: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of trends, issues, strategic industry activities, and profiles of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections (‘000 Metric Tons) for global and regional markets including United States, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America and Rest of World. Product segments analyzed include Containerboard, Cartonboard, Packaging & Wrapping Paper and Other Paperboard.

For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit –

http://www.strategyr.com/Paper_Packaging_Materials_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a leading publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company currently employs over 800 people worldwide. Annually, GIA publishes more than 1300 full-scale research reports and analyzes 40,000+ market and technology trends while monitoring more than 126,000 Companies worldwide. Serving over 9500 clients in 27 countries, GIA is recognized today, as one of the world’s largest and reputed market research firms.

Follow us on LinkedIn

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Telephone: 408-528-9966

Fax: 408-528-9977

Email: press(at)StrategyR(dot)com

Web Site: http://www.StrategyR.com/


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Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.