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Snow piles up on snow-weary Northeast

BOSTON – The Northeast girded itself as a fast-moving storm moved full-force into the region overnight, bringing an icy mix of snow and rain, stranding hundreds of airplane passengers, leaving more than 300,000 customers in and around the nation's capital without power, and making roads treacherous for Thursday morning commuters.

Public schools remained closed for a second day Thursday and motorists were warned of dangerous road conditions. In New York City, the LIRR suspended passenger train service systemwide because of the storm. City bus service also was suspended and non-emergency city government offices were shut Thursday.

In a region already contending with above-average snowfall this season, the storm that began Wednesday added several more inches. Meteorologists predicted up to 10 inches could fall in the Washington, D.C., area; 14 inches in New York City, and about 11 inches in Philadelphia and Boston before sunshine returns Thursday.

In Portsmouth, N.H., workers were nearly out of room to stash their plowed snow.

"We probably have a five-story snow dump right now," said Portsmouth public works director David Allen. "It's time to get a lift up on it and we could probably do a ski run."

Meteorologist Neil Strauss of the National Weather Service warned of traveling in the storm and said gusts in Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts could reach 40 mph to 50 mph. Parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island were expected to get thunderstorms, "somewhat unusual" for this time of year, he said.

As the storm approached Wednesday, schools were closed, governments sent workers home early, and commutes were snarled. Cars and buses slipped and slid on highways. Pedestrians struggled across icy patches that were on their way to becoming deep drifts.

Massachusetts State Police blamed the storm on an accident that sent a state trooper to the hospital. The unidentified trooper suffered minor injuries when his vehicle crashed into a median barrier on Route 93 in Boston as he was on his way to work Wednesday night.

The New York area's three major airports, among the nation's busiest, saw more than 1,000 flights canceled. Philadelphia International Airport expected more than 1,000 passengers would be stranded because of cancellations.

Rain drenched the nation's capital for most of the day and changed to sleet before it started snowing in earnest at mid-afternoon. The snow and icy roads created hazardous conditions for President Barack Obama as he returned to the White House after a post-State of the Union trip to Manitowoc, Wis.

The wintry weather grounded Marine One, the helicopter that typically transports Obama to and from the military base where Air Force One lands. Instead, the president was met at the plane by his motorcade, which spent an hour weaving through rush hour traffic already slowed by the storm. It normally takes the president's motorcade about 20 minutes to travel between the base and the White House.

Officials urged residents in Washington and Maryland to stay off the roads as snow, thunder and lightning pounded the Mid-Atlantic region. In D.C., Metro transit officials pulled buses off the roads as conditions deteriorated. Firefighters warned the heavy snow was bringing down power lines and causing outages.

In Pennsylvania, residents hunkered down as a one-two punch of the winter storm brought snow, sleet, and then more snow, which forecasters said could total a foot in some areas. Philadelphia declared a snow emergency as of Wednesday evening, ordering cars removed from emergency routes. When a commuter bus arrived more than an hour late Wednesday night in Philadelphia after a treacherous trip from New York, passengers applauded the driver.

Since Dec. 14, snow has fallen eight times on the New York region — or an average of about once every five days. That includes the blizzard that dropped 20 inches on New York City and paralyzed travel after Christmas. When the snows arrived Wednesday, the city had already seen 36 inches of snow this season in comparison with the full-winter average of 21 inches.

The city declared a weather emergency for the second time since the Dec. 26 storm, which trapped hundreds of buses and ambulances and caused a political crisis for the mayor. An emergency declaration means any car blocking roads or impeding snowplows can be towed at the owner's expense.

In the suburbs, a pickup truck plowing a snow-covered parking lot struck and killed a Long Island woman Wednesday afternoon, police said.

In New Jersey, state workers were sent home early and schools closed as the storm brought more snow than anticipated Wednesday morning. A second band of snow began falling in the evening. The NJ Transit agency allowed customers to use bus tickets for rail travel, and vice versa, to get home any way they could.

New Jersey also was looking at up to a foot of snow, and high winds were expected before the storm moves out early Thursday.

In suburban Silver Spring, Md., nurse Tiffany Horairy said as she waited for a bus that she was getting tired of the constant pecking of minor or moderate storms.

"I'd rather get something like last year, with all the snow at once," she said.

In Kentucky, where several inches of snow fell, a man who lost control of his pickup truck on an ice-covered road and got out of it was hit and killed by another truck that lost control on the same patch.

Through Tuesday, Boston had received 50.4 inches of snow, a nearly 270 percent increase over normal snowfalls of 18.8 inches at the same time in the season. The central Massachusetts city of Worcester had gotten 49.3 inches while the norm is 28.7 inches. Providence, R.I., had recorded 31.7 inches for the season, twice the norm of 15.7 inches. Bradley International Airport in Connecticut had gotten 59.1 inches of snow, more than double the normal 22.8 inches, the National Weather Service has said.

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Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Frank Eltman in Garden City, N.Y.; Ula Ilnytzky in New York; Lynne Tuohy in Concord, N.H.; Dave Collins in Hartford, Conn.; Angie Yack, Erin Vanderberg and Patrick Walters in Philadelphia; and Sarah Brumfeld in Silver Spring, Md.

A year later, Microsoft picture looks very different

SEATTLE (Reuters) – A year ago, Microsoft Corp blew away Wall Street's earnings forecasts with blistering sales of its new Windows 7 operating system and trumpeted optimism about the recovery in tech spending.

This week, with its stock trading slightly lower than a year ago, the world's largest software company is set to report lower profit as PC sales growth fizzles, and it struggles to convince investors that it can grab a foothold in the fast-moving mobile and tablet markets.

"Microsoft is still a juggernaut in the PC business, Windows-based machines are still selling over 300 million a year," said Tim Bajarin, president of tech research firm Creative Strategies.

"But they missed the smartphone revolution, and even though they were the first to really push the tablet, Apple basically redesigned it and left Microsoft in the dust."

Most investors expect a solid quarter for the company, but are more focused on fears that Microsoft's new Windows phone software isn't selling well. And while approving of a recent decision to make a version of Windows for ARM chips, the market realizes that means there won't be a Windows-based challenger to Apple Inc's iPad for at least two years.

"I wish they did this (the switch to ARM) two years ago, it's something they should have thought of," said Sid Parakh, analyst at McAdams Wright Ragen. "But it is a long game. The question becomes: Is the iPad a cannibalization of Microsoft's existing products, or an added component of consumer electronics spending? I'm sure it's a mix of both."

SOLID QUARTER, NO FIREWORKS

PC sales, the surest guide to Microsoft's overall health, rose only 3.1 percent in the last three months of last year, according to research firm Gartner. The year as a whole didn't match early optimism, with PC sales rising 13.8 percent, well below Gartner's summer forecast of 19.2 percent.

The good news for Microsoft is that business customers -- the core market for its software -- are buying new computers more readily than cash-strapped consumers, who are holding off on purchases or buying iPads instead.

The resilience of business customers helped tech bellwethers IBM and Intel Corp post positive results and outlooks over the past two weeks, helping their stocks higher.

But the market likely will demand more from Microsoft.

"We're investors, we have short memories," said Kim Caughey Forrest, senior analyst at Fort Pitt Capital. "We need a lot of reassurance."

Microsoft is expected to report profit of 68 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, lower than the 74 cents it reported a year ago.

Sales of Windows 7 are still going strong, but likely won't match the year-ago figure, which was boosted by a one-time deferral of revenue from pre-sales of the operating system.

Overall sales are expected to inch up to $19.2 billion from $19 billion a year ago, helped by the unexpectedly strong sales of the Kinect hands-free gaming system, which sold 8 million units over the holiday shopping season, above Microsoft's own target of 5 million.

However, given the generally lower profit margins on hardware as opposed to software, the Kinect sales are not expected to trigger a spike in profit.

APPLE CRUISES PAST

One uncomfortable fact for Microsoft: unless it posts blowout numbers, it will have lower quarterly profit than Apple for the first time in recent memory. The last time Apple produced more profit in a year than Microsoft was 1990.

Last week, Apple announced a record $6 billion quarterly profit on strong-selling iPhones and iPads over the holiday shopping season. Analysts expect Microsoft to post profit of $5.93 billion for the same quarter. Two years ago, Microsoft's profit was almost double Apple's.

It could be a painful moment for Microsoft, which effectively saved Apple from extinction with a $150 million investment in 1997.

"It's psychological," said Parakh. "There's no doubt Apple has momentum, they've built great products that people want to buy. It's another indication of the challenges facing Microsoft."

Apple roared past Microsoft in market value last May, and overtook it in terms of revenue in the quarter ended last September. Apple now has a market value of $311 billion -- second only to oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp in the Standard & Poor's 500 index -- and well ahead of Microsoft's $243 billion.

If the company does not impress Wall Street this quarter, or show it has a realistic plan for growth, questions will be asked about the leadership of Steve Ballmer, now in his 12th year as chief executive.

A string of high-level departures has raised concerns about his efforts to revitalize the company.

Ballmer "is always on thin ice," said Forrest at Fort Pitt Capital. "Microsoft is a results-driven company."

(Reporting by Bill Rigby; Editing by Bernard Orr)

Santa Barbara Medical Innovations Announces First ZERONA Centers of Excellence

Premier ZERONA Centers Honored for Expertise, Service, and Client Successes Using ZERONA, World’s Leading Non-Invasive Body Contouring Procedure

Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) January 24, 2011

(SBMI), the exclusive North American distributor of the leading, non-invasive body contouring procedure, Erchonia’s ZERONA®, today announced it has designated Premier ZERONA Centers as the first official ZERONA Centers of Excellence. Premier ZERONA Centers are exemplary for their outstanding expertise and service in administering ZERONA as part of their comprehensive health and wellness programs.Premier ZERONA Centers have already helped thousands of clients improve their health and well-being.

Premier ZERONA Centers have earned the ZERONA Center of Excellence designation by demonstrating a high level of client education and support, incorporating ZERONA as a key component of healthy lifestyle changes and a holistic approach to health, fitness and wellness. In addition, Premier ZERONA Centers meet a high standard of client service and satisfaction following ZERONA treatment protocols.

“We’re thrilled to be honored as the first ZERONA Centers of Excellence,” remarked Giselle Cardillo, chief executive officer and founder of Premier ZERONA Centers. “The facts are backed by FDA clinical trials, physicians and results. It was hard to believe when I first learned about this breakthrough, but when I saw it on my own body and then on our patients, I knew science had changed fat loss forever! We have an average 2-week reduction of over 8 inches with our clients seeing upwards of 38 to 40 inches with additional treatments. By adding ZERONA to our health and wellness programs, we’ve been able to significantly improve our clients’ body shape, self-esteem, and overall health in a short period of time. The rapid visible results give them the motivation to reclaim their body and their health.”

Benefits of ZERONA

ZERONA, one of the world’s safest and most-researched, low-level laser treatment, empowers physicians to help clients enjoy numerous health benefits associated with removing fat and losing inches from their bodies.In a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study submitted as part of FDA approval process, patients lost an average of 3.64 inches overall, during a two-week period. When combined with a well-rounded health and wellness program, clients can lose an average of 4.1 inches or more.

Recent research suggests that ZERONA may be an effective method of lowering cholesterol. In a recent pilot study, eighty-four percent of study participants demonstred an overall reduction in total cholesterol serum levels when comparing baseline and study endpoint levels (The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, Nov. 2010).1

Unlike other non-invasive procedures, ZERONA delivers important benefits:ZERONA is the first non-invasive aesthetic device to receive FDA market clearance in the U.S. for circumferential reduction of the waist, hips, and thighs.ZERONA is the only non-invasive body slimming procedure scientifically proven by Level I research to-date.Clients experience no downtime, pain, bruising, or swelling.ZERONA is the quickest and most effective non-invasive treatment for slimming the waist, hips, and thighs. ZERONA has proven to be a safe alternative to liposuction, and unlike competitive products, it does not kill fat cells, which many doctors believe are necessary for important metabolic functions.

“We’re excited about educating physicians and other health and fitness professionals about the benefits of utilizing ZERONA, the science behind its creation, and its value as part of a well-balanced health and wellness program,” said Vanessa Tormey, vice president of marketing at SBMI. “Throughout 2011 and beyond, we will continue to deepen and expand our marketing support for various ZERONA practice centers throughout North America.”

ZERONA Client Successes

Among Premier ZERONA Centers’ numerous client success stories is 52 year-old Dale Vendramini. Dale lost 11 inches off her waist and hips after using ZERONA as part of Premier ZERONA Centers’ Ultimate Best You Program. “I brought the motivation and Premier gave me the results,” said Vendramini.“I consider Premier my family and partners in a new and improved life. The most exciting part was losing 11 inches from the ZERONA treatment!"

Chris Bleue lost 7.5 inches and 16 pounds using ZERONA during a two-week treatment. “The morning after my fourth treatment I stood in front of the mirror and almost fell over!, said Bleue. “My belly seemed to have melted away over night!” Bleue’s healthy body change was a timely benefit he able to enjoy on the beaches of Cozumel, Mexico.

Michele Fox used ZERONA to lose 8 inches of body circumference over two weeks. Seeing her waistline shrink so quickly gave Michele the motivation to continue improving her health and well-being. “I will never be overweight again, seeing results this fast does amazing things for your motivation! My husband was so impressed with my fat loss he began treatments before I had even finished mine.”

A typical three-week course of treatment with ZERONA costs an average of $2,500 at Premier ZERONA Centers, depending on a client’s specific goals.This cost can become significantly less when buying more than three weeks of treatments. If clients make a $20 donation to a qualifying local women’s charity, they can receive $300 discount on the ZERONA treatment.

About Premier ZERONA CentersPremier ZERONA Centers, found at 36 locations in Canada, provide the most comprehensive, high-tech health and wellness programs on the market today. The centers’ health and wellness programs are customized to meet each client’s specific goals, using some of the world’s leading health, fitness, nutrition, and medical professionals.For more information on ZERONA and Premier ZERONA Centers, visit

About SBMI SBMI is dedicated to bringing clinically proven, innovative health and wellness products that are safe and effective to market. SBMI is the exclusive North American distributor of ZERONA, the only clinically proven, non-invasive body contouring device on the market, as well as the Erchonia EML, the only laser device FDA approved for pain during liposuction and breast surgery. For more information, visit .

About ErchoniaErchonia is the global leader in low-level laser healthcare applications. Over the last 15 years Erchonia has been conducting research & development with the world’s leading physicians to advance the science of low level lasers. Prior to market introduction, all Erchonia lasers are proven to be safe and effective through independent clinical trials. Currently thousands of Erchonia’s lasers are used daily to reduce body fat, eliminate pain, accelerate healing, and treat acne. For additional information, visit .

1 The potential application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for cholesterol reduction merits a proper study to accurately analyze the therapeutic utility.

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Gina Hernandezre:imagine group(631) 316-3117Email Information

Daily Time Americans in Debt Spend Worrying About Debt: 198 Minutes;Time Spent for Financial Planning: 5 Minutes

Or Each Month, Americans in Debt Spend 2.6 Hours on Financial Planning and Budgeting; And 99 Hours Worrying About Debt

Norwalk, CT (PRWEB) December 2, 2010

AOctober 25 to November 21, 2010 survey of 1,000 Americans 18+ revealed that 57% of Americans consider themselves in debt.Americans in debt spend 198 minutes a day worrying about debt and only 5 minutes a day planning and budgeting finances.This number excludes the normal monthly task of paying the bills.On a monthly basis, the average American in debt spends 99 hours worrying about debt and 2.6 hours on financial planning and budgeting.*

According to , , "Many Americans in debt are frozen in their tracks when it comes to managing finances.They are clearly concerned about it, and take little action.Just paying the bills does not help plan for retirement, or plan your way out of debt."

Consumers in debt were asked, "Besides paying your bills, how much time do you spend each month on financial planning (for example: building your household budget, planning for retirement, checking stocks, etc.)?"

Hours per month    TotalLess than 1 hour     53%1-5 hours                 36%6-10 hours                7%11-20 hours                1%More than 20 hours    2%Average hours         2.6 **

**2.6 hours per month = 156 minutes per month/ 30 days per month = 5.2 minutes per day.

Consumers in debt were also asked: On an Average Day, How Many Hours Do You Spend Thinking/Worrying About Your Debt?

Hours per day        TotalMore than 10            9%4-10 hours            13%1-3 hours                63%zero hours            15%Average hours        3.3***

***3.3 hours per day = 198 minutes per day (times) 30 days = 5,940 minutes/60 = 99 hours per month.

On average, consumers spent 3.3 hours a day, or roughly 14% of a full day, worrying/thinking about debt.Nearly 1 in 10 consumers spend more than 10 hours a day on debt concerns.

About FreeScore.com

FreeScore.com is the leading online consumer credit site, providing consumers with affordable, unlimited access to all three of theirand complete credit profile. Launched in 2009 with an award-winning advertising campaign featuring actor, economist, and lawyer, Ben Stein, FreeScore.com has serviced more than 750,000 members. Members have unlimited access to their credit scores from all three bureaus, a complete credit profile, and expert tips, articles, videos and other educational information about credit management. FreeScore.com is a product of FYI Direct.For more information, go to .

Become a Fan of Free Score on Follow Free Score on Check us out on

The articles and information available are for educational and reference purposes only. They do not constitute, and should not be construed as, legal or financial advice. Any legal or financial principles discussed here are for general information purposes only and may differ substantially in individual situations and/or in different states or countries. For specific legal or financial advice, please consult a licensed attorney or a financial professional. FreeScore does not control or guarantee the accuracy of any information provided through external links from the articles on this website to any other website, nor does the FreeScore Privacy Policy apply to any personal information that may be collected via the external links.

*The survey was conducted by Survey Sampling International.The data for FreeScore.com survey was collected and analyzed in October/November 2010 through Survey Sampling International in Shelton, Connecticut. Results have a margin of error +/- 5%.

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Aaron Berger9173558959Email Information

Ellen R. Malcolm and Bryan S. Traubert Appointed to National Park Foundation Board

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2010 – WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The , the official charity of America's national parks, announced the appointment of љEllen R. Malcolm and Bryan S. Traubert to its . The appointments were made by National Park Foundation Board Chair and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. љMalcolm and Traubert will join the NPF Board immediately, providing valuable direction and expertise to the Foundation as it executes its mission to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks.

(Logo: )

"We are pleased to welcome Ellen R. Malcolm and Bryan S. Traubert to the National Park Foundation's Board of Directors," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of National Park Foundation. "Both bring significant vision and extensive experience, along with a commitment to preserving America's national parks for the generations to come."

Ellen R. Malcolm is Chair of the Board of EMILY's List, an organization to elect Democratic women to office, which she founded in 1985 and lead for 25 years. љIn addition, Malcolm serves as Chair of the Board of the National Partnership for Women and Families. љShe has served as a director and officer in several real estate development projects. љMalcolm holds a BA from Hollins University and an MBA from George Washington University.

Bryan S. Traubert is a board certified ophthalmologist, civic leader, health expert, and wellness advocate. љAs President of the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation (PTFF), which is dedicated to enhancing public education and quality of life in Chicago, Dr. Traubert has initiated programs to improve the fitness of young people. He's chairman of the board of Marwen, an organization which educates and inspires thousands of underserved Chicago children through the visual arts and serves on the board of the Noble Street Charter Schools, a network of ten high performing charter high schools in Chicago. He is President of the Chicago Park District, one of theљcountry's largest urban park systems, a board member of Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ), and one of 28 distinguished, presidentially-appointed citizens responsible for recommending exceptional men and women to the President as White House Fellows.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the part-owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems and historical sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, theis the official charity of America's national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to help connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.

Join us - This is Your Land.љ

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CONTACT: Marjorie Hall, +1-202-354-6480,

SOURCENational Park Foundation

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