| Kia doubles up in NCAP safety tests |
15 Jan |
(PRWEB) December 09, 2011
The Optima was crash-tested in Australia to gain its rating while the Australia New Car Assessment Program has accepted the recent 5-star result the Rio was awarded in the EuroNCAP testing program.
Kia has made a commitment to providing Australian drivers with not only the most stylish and well-engineered new vehicles but also the safest, Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow, said.
It is our stated intention that every new car that we bring to market in Australia will benefit from Kias safety research and development program and it is our expectation that no new model into the market will fall short of the 5-star ANCAP rating the Australian buyer expects and deserves.
Optima scored a best-in-class result with 35.58 points out of a maximum 37. Side protection returned a perfect score of 16 out of 16, as did the optional pole test with two out of two. Frontal impact safety scored 14.58 out of 16 while the standard inclusion of electronic stability control and seatbelt reminders for all passengers rounded out the final tally.
In the European testing Rio achieved high scores for Adult Occupant Protection (92 percent), Child Occupant Protection (84 percent) and Safety Assist Equipment (86 percent), and Kia also received praise from the testers for fitment of ESC as standard in all European markets.
Kias 5-star garage now includes Rio, Soul, Optima, Sportage and Sorento.
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read comments (0)| Boucher Volkswagen of Franklin in Metro Milwaukee Hosts 26th Sale-A-Thon to Benefit Muscular Dystrophy Association |
14 Jan |
Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) December 12, 2011
Once again, Boucher Group, the premier Metro Milwaukee Volkswagen dealer, is helping children with muscular dystrophy attend Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Summer Camp by making a $ 100 donations for every new and used vehicle purchased during their an annual Sale-A-Thon.
A tradition that began 26 years ago, this benefit begins after Thanksgiving and lasts until the doors close on New Years Eve. Since Boucher launched their Sale-A-Thon, it has helped more than 3,000 children living with muscular dystrophy attend camp.
The Boucher family, their employees and customers have graciously donated their time and resources to make this week possible, said Christopher Zupfer, Regional Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. We are grateful for their help, which allows us to give the Best Week of the Year to so many of our kids!
For more information about the Sale-A-Thon, the 2012 Beetles or the Greater Milwaukee Volkswagen dealer, please visit http://www.Boucher.com.
About Boucher:
In business for over 30 years, The Boucher Group owns and operates 16 dealerships in the Southeastern Wisconsin area. Boucher sells 16 different new car brands and specializes in used car inventory, carrying nearly 5,000 used cars. Boucher also prides itself on contributions to Milwaukee and the surrounding counties. They support numerous local and national charities every year, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Hunger Task Force, Lombardi Charitable Funds, Bobbie Nick Voss Charitable Funds, and La Causa School.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2012 Volkswagen models come standard-equipped with Electronic Stability Control. This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at http://www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.
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| Christmas Shopping for Newlyweds and Other Hard To Buy Fors – Toltek Services, LLC, Home of the Maintenance Guru, Suggests the Perfect Shopping List for Everyone |
13 Jan |
Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) December 13, 2011
Now that the wedding and all of the showers leading up to the wedding are over, most newly married couples have the small appliances, dishes, flatware, bedding, and picture frames they need. In the mad rush to purchase the perfect Christmas gift for those newlyweds this year, consider giving hand tools to assist in the establishment of the new nest. The Maintenance Guru suggests the purchase of at least one tool of your choice this year. These hand tools also work for office secret Santa gifts, and gifts to men and women who are difficult to buy for.
Hand tools are inexpensive, not gender specific, and an absolute requirement for every home regardless of its size. From putting bed frames together to hanging pictures, making minor repairs to bikes and boards to hooking up that new video game and performing home maintenance of all kinds, everyone needs a basic tool box. The Maintenance Guru stresses that no home or office can have too many tools. No need to worry about giving a tool that is already in the tool box either because most people want small tools available in multiple places. For example, many kitchens have a screwdriver, small tape measure, and a pair of pliers in a drawer for immediate use, even though the same tools may be found in a tool box in the garage and another one in the trunk of the car.
The 1# tool needed by everyone is inexpensive box cutter. Give one to everyone on your list and have them open your box cutter first so it will be available to cut away the plastic that seems to surround most electronic gifts this year. Then, remind everyone to move the blade away from their body when cutting. Other must have tools that everyone needs includes an adjustable end wrench (any size), bucket, claw hammer, extension cord, flashlight, gloves, hacksaw, pliers, screwdrivers, magnifying glass, and a three prong adapter for electrical cords so three prong cords can work in two prong outlets. Most of these hand tools can be purchased for under $ 5 and many cost less. For a complete list of basic tools, visit http://www.maintenanceguru.com.
Basic tool boxes with the above items available provide a variety of tools needed to perform most minor maintenance inspections and repairs.
Dave Risha, President of Toltek Services, LLC is the Maintenance Guru. Dave was a master plumber at the age of 17 and has maintained residential and commercial facilities across the country for over 35 years. His company provides an online preventive maintenance program designed for homeowners and small businesses who want to save money by making their equipment last longer, eliminating breakdown repairs, and use less energy. Annual subscriptions can be purchased at http://www.maintenanceguru.com for only $ 3.99. Satisfaction is guaranteed.
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| SQS Identifies the Highest Profile Software Failures of 2011 |
10 Jan |
London, United Kingdom (PRWEB UK) 13 December 2011
SQS Software Quality Systems, the worlds leading specialist for software quality, has compiled a list of the worst software failures of 2011 that have damaged reputations, impacted negatively on financials ($ ) and caused stress to users ().
Phil Codd, Managing Director & Chief Markets Officer (Northern Europe, India & South Africa) at SQS comments: Our top ten list of 2011 shows that software failures are costing companies and consumers large amounts of money. What is worse is that people are losing jobs and in some cases their liberty because of avoidable software failures.
Voted on by SQS consultants, this years annual software bugs survey is based on major software failures of the past twelve months, from glitches that generated massive fines in the banking and finance sector to mass recalls of faulty vehicles. Our 2010 report also highlighted computer glitches in the financial and automotive industries and this year both of those sectors are prominent in our top ten, taking four of the top ten slots.
The main problem caused by software bugs is negative financial impact and, in almost every case, consumers end up losing out. Deficiencies in software quality often result in costly emergency fixes and/or damage to a brands reputation, but each of our top ten 2011 software failure examples could easily have been avoided through an effective quality management strategy identifying and resolving potential glitches before they appear, he concluded.
Top Software Failures of 2011
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| The Sachs Center, New York City’s Premiere Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Treatment Center, Now Offers Organizational Coaching for Adults with ADD |
5 Jan |
New York, NY (PRWEB) December 13, 2011
Organizational skills are a vital component to a happy and successful life. Most people with ADD have added difficulties with organization, often because they fear they wont become perfectly organized. For those in need of support to become more organized, The Sachs Center in Manhattan has announced new therapy services for adults with ADD who struggle with organizational difficulties. In commemoration of this new service, Dr. George Sachs offers these 10 Organizational Tips:
1. Limit Your Lists
Compiling lists with endless projects tends to lead to jumping around between tasks without ever finishing any one of them. Keep no more than five tasks on the to-do list at a time. Once those five tasks are finished, start a new list.
2. Reward Accomplishments
Making organizational changes doesnt happen overnight. And just the same with any project, ADD causes many people to lose motivation while endeavoring to make new organizational practices a habit. To avoid pitfalls, set up a reward system for smaller accomplishments (such as completing a 5-task to-do list) to stay motivated.
3. Mandate Deadlines
Dont spend days agonizing over decisions. Set a time and date to make decisions by and stick to it. Remember, there is no perfect choice when tough decisions need to be made. And endless pro/con lists only further complicate the decision-making process. Make the best choice by the deadline and move on.
4. One Step At A Time
Trying to tackle multiple steps of a large project all at once often leads to failure, or at least to major frustration and burnout. To counter this, take small steps to finish a large project. And remember to focus and complete one step at a time before moving on to the next; jumping ahead is counterproductive.
5. Schedule Everything
Successful organization requires good time-management, which is often a major challenge for people with ADD. Avoid distractions by using a daily planner to structure free time each day. Get a jump on the next day by setting cell phone or computer alarm reminders before each appointment the night before.
6. De-clutter Keepsakes
Keepsakes serve as an emotional reminder of good times past, which are important. But, holding on to every sentimental object will create clutter home in a hurry. Set aside an hour every Sunday to catalog a few keepsakes at a time by photographing them and scrapbooking the photo with a descriptive paragraph about why the item is important. Then donate the items each week.
7. Give Keys a Home
Assign a special place for the most-used items, such as keys, wallet, mail, etc. This allows for quick access to those important possessions and saves the time and stress of searching for them while running out the door.
8. Plan Ahead
We cant predict the future, but we can plan for it. An overwhelming day can incapacitate and impede the progress of even the most successful people, and especially those with ADD. First, adjust expectations for a challenging day ahead by acknowledging it will be difficult and may feel overwhelming at times. Then, take breaks throughout the day and remember that we are always doing our best. And lastly, if a busy day is ahead, lay out clothes the night before, pack a lunch and store it overnight in the fridge, and lay out car keys or purse by the door.
9. Streamline Your Finances
Pick a time and date each month to review information regarding bank accounts, investments, and retirement plans. Switch to online banking and have access to account information 24/7. Deposit checks from home electronically, saving valuable time and energy. Use a single checking account if possible, allowing for easier access and management of your finances. And keep credit cards to a minimum, limiting open credit accounts to two or three total.
10. Employ an ADD Therapist or Organization Coach
Few of us like asking for help, but sometimes the best way to organize ourselves is to elicit the help of a professional. Working with a therapist or organization coach will provide an ally for support in becoming organized and successful. They will help with motivation to stay on the path, while encouraging the development of skills to more effectively manage time, incorporate a structured schedule, and prioritize whats most important.
To contact The Sachs Center for more information on their new Organizational Coaching services, or to schedule a consultation:
http://sachscenter.com/attention-deficit-disorder/
Video on ADHD featuring Sachs Center founder, Dr. George Sachs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytw3vKJeBAQ&feature=player_embedded
To learn more about Dr. Sachs, visit:
http://sachscenter.com/dr-george-sachs/
The Sachs Center is New York City’s premier ADD treatment center, providing clinical answers, support, and treatment for Attention Deficit Disorders (ADHD in children and Adult ADD). Therapists at The Sachs Center also can help with anxiety, depression, substance abuse and anger management issues. They also offer ADD testing, academic testing and psychological testing.
Call 646.807.8900 for an initial evaluation.
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| CO-OP, Saylent Find Black Friday Sales Soared 8.1 Percent Among Credit Union Members |
4 Jan |
Rancho Cucamonga Calif., and Franklin, Mass. (PRWEB) December 13, 2011
Shoppers who belong to credit unions spent 8.1% more and made 10.1% more transactions during Black Friday in 2011 than in 2010, according to an analysis by CO-OP Financial Services and Saylent Technologies, a provider of payment intelligence solutions.
These remarkable sales growth figures from the credit union community surpass nationally reported averages for Black Friday sales growth overall, said Stan Hollen, President/CEO, CO-OP Financial Services. Some of the top credit unions in CO-OP Network experienced even stronger Black Friday sales growth of 30% and more.
The unique analysis of Black Friday sales is not an estimate, but is based on more than 2.6 million actual transactions made between Thanksgiving midnight and midnight the following day. Drawn from debit card transactions across 562 credit unions processed by CO-OP Financial Services, the year-over-year comparison was performed through an advanced analytics solution, CO-OP Total Revelation, powered by Saylent Technologies, and was conducted by Saylents Insight360 consulting team.
The groups total Black Friday spend represented both brick-and-mortar establishments and Internet transactions. Some of the key findings:
| LifeExperiences.ca Introduces Santas Newest Helper The Incredible Elf |
27 Dec |
Streetsville, ON (PRWEB) December 13, 2011
Life Experiences, Canadas leader in providing memorable gift experiences, has introduced Santas newest helper, The Incredible Elf. With over 800 experiences to choose from, the task of choosing the perfect Christmas gift is made easier with LifeExperiences.ca. Santas newest helper The Incredible Elf has also identified LifeExperiences.ca helps make gift-giving easier and provides memorable experiential gifts.
There is one invariable truth: Christmas is stressful. There are weeks of frenzied build-up to the holidays. Decorating, shopping for perfect gifts, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, entertaining and acting happy It takes super powers to get through it all. It can take its toll. LifeExperiences.ca can help ease your holiday stress. Current trends show that gift givers and receivers are not looking for traditional gifts such as clothing or even the latest electronics, but rather experiences that will create ever-lasting memories.
Santas Incredible Elf wants everything to be perfect for the Holidays. The Incredible Elf has researched what people really want in a gift: truly memorable experiences. The Incredible Elf just has to choose LifeExperiences.ca gift and instantaneously her recipients are delighted and thrilled. No mess, no stress. LifeExperiences.ca gift-giving perfected.
LifeExperiences.ca offers this unique gift experience all across Canada from driving stock cars to white water rafting, skydiving to a Personal Chef in your home. The Find Me A Gift guide, operated by the watchful eye of The Incredible Elf, is ideal for choosing the perfect gift experience. Choose your preferred region, occasion, price range, experience type and who the gift is for the Find Me a Gift guide creates a list of options for you to select from including golf getaways, spa retreats, family escapes, culinary & wine experiences are also found on the easy to navigate find me a gift website.
LifeExperiences.ca has partnered with Rogers CityTV Breakfast Television Spirit of the Season viewer appreciation Christmas Celebration on December 16th, 2011 and will be giving away great experiential gifts. LifeExperiences.ca giveaways will be featured during Breakfast Television, City News at 5, City News at 6 and City News Channel.
With the purchase of Christmas gifts at the top of everyones mind, there is no better time to visit http://www.lifeexperiences.ca/home.php to select the perfect gift for your loved ones, family and friends. Shop from the convenience of your own home, or available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Wal-Mart, Sears, Zellers, Longos to take advantage of all that Life Experiences has to offer.
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| Gurnee Dodge Announces that the 2012 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Wins Pickup Truck of the Year |
25 Dec |
Gurnee, Illinois (PRWEB) December 14, 2011
Gurnee Dodge-one of the leading Ram dealerships in Gurnee, Illinois would like to announce that the 2012 Ram 2500 Power Wagon has earned the Pickup Truck of the Year award from one of off-roadings industry news leaders, Four Wheeler magazine. The Ram beat out the rest of the competition over 1,000 miles of rough terrain and tests to earn the annual award. Ram executives and employees were honored that the truck they built was chosen and are proud of the success.
The folks at Four Wheeler magazine are serious off-road experts and have once again honored the Ram Power Wagon with this significant industry award, said Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram Truck Brand. Straight off the dealers showroom floor, our Power Wagon is, by far, the most capable off-road truck. Were proud that Four Wheeler recognizes this.
Vehicles need to be entirely new or have major mechanical revisions to qualify for the honor. The Ram Power Wagon featured an all-new six speed automatic transmission and an available 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine. The truck also comes equipped with a full array of off-roading equipment including an electronic disconnecting sway bar, electric-locking front and rear differentials, Bilstein tuned shocks, 33-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, significant underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio and a custom-built Warn 12,000 pound winch.
With all of this equipment available on the Ram Power Wagon, it is no wonder that this truck won the best pickup of the year. Gurnee Dodge has a great selection of Ram trucks in Gurnee, Illinois including the Ram Power Wagon. Gurnee Dodge sells the complete Chrysler Group products as well including Ram, Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep. They also have used cars in Gurnee. Stop by Gurnee Dodge or visit http://www.gurneedodge.com for more information.
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| The Oklahoma Auto Accident Lawyers at Atkins & Markoff Alert the Public to NTSB Recommendation to Ban All Use of Cell Phones in Vehicles, Including Hands-Free Devices |
24 Dec |
Oklahoma City, OK (PRWEB) December 15, 2011
The Oklahoma car accident lawyers at Atkins & Markoff hereby alert the public that members of the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB yesterday recommended at a meeting that legislatures enact a ban on the use of all cell phones in moving vehicles, including those who are using hands-free devices in order to bring down the number of auto accidents that occur because of inattentive drivers. The recommendation was published in an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal.
Specifically, NTSB Chairperson Deborah A.P. Hersman stated that, It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving. She also cited statistics kept by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that revealed that an estimated 3,000 fatalities in car accidents that occurred last year could be traced to distracted drivers who were using cell phones to make phone calls and to send or receive text messages.
While the NTSB does not have legislative authority and the laws that are already in place in 35 states and the District of Columbia that limit the use of cell phones while driving are state laws, the board recommended federal action be considered in order to make the roads in the United States safer for all people.
Oklahoma car accidents occur at a high rate, and according to state statistics more than 70,000 auto accidents occur somewhere inside the state lines every year. These crashes lead to approximately 36,000 injuries and to more than 700 fatalities on an annual basis. Oklahoma is not currently one of the states that has enacted a specific cell phone law. Instead, the legislature in 2010 enacted House Bill 2276, which states in part that, The operator of every vehicle, while driving, shall devote their full time and attention to such driving.
About Atkins & Markoff
Atkins & Markoff, whose Web site is located at http://www.oklalawyer.com, is a law firm comprised of Oklahoma personal injury and trial lawyers who have been representing consumers and defending their legal rights for nearly 15 years. The firm handles legal matters that include Oklahoma auto accidents, class action lawsuits, child injuries, defective products, medical malpractice, general personal injury and workers compensation among other legal matters.
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| Critical Response Systems Announces New Low-Cost Nurse Call System |
23 Dec |
Norcross, GA (PRWEB) December 15, 2011
Critical Response Systems (CRS), a provider of leading-edge, mission-critical communication systems, announced recently the addition of a new low-cost nurse call system that uses independent, custom wireless communications technology so nurse call services are not affected by local LAN or commercial wireless outages. The system is an add-on solution to the companys SPARKGAP critical alerting system for code paging and hospital critical communications. This new add-on solution provides hospitals with a low-cost nurse call solution that also can be used as a backup to a facilitys presently installed nurse call system.
Utilizing a small handheld fob that looks and works much like an electronic car door opener, a patient simply pushes a button and the nurses pager receives the message. The system can also be programmed to communicate with larger alarm management systems for relaying messages to nurses pagers.
Our nurse call system is an excellent solution for any size hospital that wants to have a back-up system in place for patients to communicate with nurses, commented Brian Claise, Chief Technology Officer for CRS. At the price point we are charging, the system also offers hospitals a cost-effective alternative to the more expensive nurse call systems that are in the healthcare marketplace today.
About Critical Response Systems
Critical Response Systems manufactures leading-edge wireless data systems, focused solely on critical messaging and alerting. We know that every response starts with an alert, and our systems use the latest technology to ensure that first responders and clinical personnel get their messages quickly, correctly and reliably. For more information, visit us at http://www.criticalresponse.com.
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