pimblr.com

GREAT NECK, NY–(Marketwire - April 25, 2008) - Investment firm Bang Ventures reminds all would-be venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the business of starting up a new company that the deadline is fast approaching to vote for your favorite new business idea in the You Be the VC competition. Votes must be cast at www.youbethevc.com by 11:59 pm on April 30, 2008, to be counted in the judging of America’s best new company concepts.
The competition, which launched in the fall of 2007, offers people from all walks of life, not just insiders in the traditional VC community, to compete for resources to start their own companies. The nineteen finalists were selected by an expert panel of judges from companies such as Google, GrandCentral, Slide and Pownce and are currently in the running for the top three spots, which will be chosen with the help of public voting and announced in May.
The finalists are: Covel Allen of Arizona, Gil Allouche of Massachusetts, Raymond Angel of Indiana, Juan Carvajal of Florida, Andre Charoo of New York, Peter Ciancarelli of New York, James Clavin of North Carolina, Pete Coppola, Tyler Davis of Georgia, Joe DiPasquale of Connecticut, Leon Gomez of Florida, John Lynn of Nevada, Michael McCarthy of Massachusetts, Dan McLellan of New York, Michael O’Neil of Ohio, Tim O’Rourke of Massachusetts, Joe Uwazurike of North Carolina, Volodymyr Zakrevskyy, and Eric Zurbrugg of Georgia.
“We took an American Idol-inspired approach to finding some of the best hidden entrepreneurial talent in the U.S.,” said Lynn Martin, of the You Be the VC competition at Bang Ventures. “As a result, we’ve seen an incredible response from people with terrific new ideas and the drive to see them through. We’re excited to move into the next phase of You Be the VC and are looking forward to unveiling the winning ideas in a few short weeks.”

marketwire.com

American Unreason, whose title plays on Tom Paine’s late 18th century polemic, The Age of Reason, but more directly draws on Richard Hofstadter’s groundbreaking Anti-Intellectualism in American Life (1963) and such other mid- and late-20th century social critics as Paul Goodman and Neil Postman, is an important and timely attempt at assessing the present situation.
Jacoby writes in a straightforward, non-academic style — her book is intentionally rather “middle-brow” in its appeal to a general readership — but my fear is that, insofar as she receives much notice at all, she will either be shrugged off as merely alarmist (the “oh, come on, things aren’t that bad” line), or rebutted by techno enthusiasts who tout the wonders of the Internet’s cornucopia of infinite information (the “it’s all there, you just need to know where to look and have the will to find out” defence). Both of those ploys against Jacoby’s thesis strike me as woefully wrong-headed.
Slide to stupidity
American Unreason begins with Jacoby’s sketch of the current situation, as a prelude to tracing the historical sources of a gathering intellectual darkness in recent decades. “It is difficult to suppress the fear,” she says, “that the scales of American history have shifted heavily against the vibrant and varied intellectual life so essential to functional democracy. During the past four decades, America’s endemic anti-intellectual tendencies have been grievously exacerbated by a new species of semiconscious anti-rationalism, feeding on and fed by an ignorant popular culture of video images and unremitting noise that leaves no room for contemplation or logic.”
Jacoby examines various strands that make up the present cultural context, several of which have a particularly American tinge. They include a three-decade resurgence in fundamentalist Christian religion, coupled with a propensity to hold nutty paranormal beliefs. As well, there’s a media system that dumbs down public events to sound bites and sensationalism, and for the rest of prime time ensures that we’re “amusing ourselves to death” (to recall the title of Neil Postman’s 1985 book). Add to that a national attention deficit disorder fuelled by a cascade of gadgets that makes sure there are no idle hands, eyes, or ears (because we’re kept busy pushing cellphone buttons, clicking computer mouses, and pouring iTunes into our heads, often all at once). Finally, there’s the decline of reading and writing, and the erosion of what was once a functioning mid-level culture.

thetyee.ca

I could not agree more with the April 20 letter of the day, "For Earth’s sake, will someone pick up litter?" It seems this is the week dedicated to keeping the earth clean and green!
However, I don’t think this small allotment of time is enough to educate people about keeping our living area clean.
Every day I see people throwing cigarette butts and fast-foot wrappers out of their car windows. Apparently eating and smoking break up the monotony of driving but these people can’t carry their trash home with them.
I was driving on Hwy. 100 with a friend one day and seeing a snowstorm of cardboard, plastic and other debris floating all over the road. We caught up to the offender, which was a junk truck with his load being blown all over the highway. The irony of this was that we both at the same time drove by a highway patrolman with a radar gun! He did not even look at the garbage or the truck, only oncoming cars that might be speeding. If an officer of the law is not going to stop and ticket this "litterbug" is it any wonder other people are going to do the same?
We called 911 and reported the truck, but I doubt the driver was caught.
My point is that unless more people become proactive and call people on their "litter habits, " Earth Day has little meaning.
A new inductee into the Adoption hall of Fame
Many Minnesotans may not realize this, but our Sen. Norm Coleman was honored last Wednesday night for his dedication to adoption and foster care issues through his work in the U.S. Senate. I was flattered by an invitation to present him with the honor of being inducted into the Adoption Hall of Fame, as the award could go to a no more deserving man.

startribune.com

Fox was the most-watched American network last week, ably assisted by its one-two punch from “American Idol.”
Right behind, CBS was boosted by its scripted shows, seven of which (along with its “Survivor: Micronesia” and “60 Minutes”) landed in the top 20.
But third-place ABC had one of the week’s most unusual hits: the debate between Democratic hopefuls Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
For the week, Fox averaged 8.75 million viewers (5.3 rating, 9 share), while CBS had 8.54 million (5.6 rating, 11 share), according to Nielsen Media Research. ABC had 7.91 million viewers (5.2 rating, 9 share), NBC 7.32 million (4.8 rating, 8 share), the CW 2.29 million viewers (1.5 rating, 2 share), My Network TV 1.01 million (0.7 rating, 1 share) and ION Television 400,000 (0.3 rating, 0 share).
Now playing at Belleville’s Famous Players 8 cinemas through April 24: Forgetting Sarah Marshall; 88 Minutes; The Forbidden Kingdom; Prom Night; Street Kings; Leatherheads; Nim’s Island; 21; Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! Call 613-969-7080 or see cineplex.com for details.
Empire Theatre films: The Other Boleyn Girl April 22. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Info: 613-969-0099.
Next at the Quinte Film Alternative: 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days, April 30. Screenings at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Empire Theatre. Tickets: 613-969-0099. Info: 613-391-4310 or www.quintefilmalternative.ca
The Quinte Arts Council and Jeunesses Musicales of Canada present The Merry Widow, an operetta by Franz Lehar, April 23, 7:30 p.m., (reception at 6:30 p.m.) at the Empire Theatre. Tickets: 613-969-0099 or www.theempiretheatre.com
Interlink, young and old singing together in an intergenerational choir, will perform April 24 at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary School, Belleville.
The Belleville Art Association presents an art show and sale called Spring Renewal in the gallery-studio at 392 Front St. through May 10. For more info: www.bellevilleart.ca

intelligencer.ca

HOUSTON, April 22 (UPI) — “American Idol” season six winner Jordin Sparks has been sidelined by a vocal chord injury, but anyone can got a voice problem, U.S. experts say.
Experts in the audiology speech pathology department at The Methodist Hospital in Houston say most voice disorders are related to trauma to the vocal folds from excessive or intense voice use and vocal nodules. Vocal nodules, polyps and cysts are common use-related problems that occur in adults — especially for those who use their voice a lot such as lawyers and teachers.
In addition, irritants, such as acid reflux and environmental allergies, also account for many throat and voice complaints and treating reflux or allergies can go a long way in preserving the voice.
To keep the throat in good working order, use a normal voice, avoid throat clearing and don’t whisper.
“Whispering is hard on the voice — as is talking very loudly,” the experts at The Methodist Hospital in Houston says in a statement. “Also, if you feel strain or tension in your throat, neck or shoulders, it means you’re talking too loudly.”
Smoking or drinking alcohol can also irritate the vocal cords.

upi.com

Yes, that’s right, a whole day dedicated to all things Kawasaki at one of the UK’s premier biker meeting places, the legendary Ace Cafe.
There’s loads to see on the day including your chance to get up close and personal with a Kawasaki MotoGP bike as well as a blast from the past, a genuine 1980’s Kawasaki KR500 Grand Prix bike. That’s not all though, we’ll have our own drag racing team at the Ace with one of the fastest Ninja’s in the world pumping out over five hundred horsepower… Just wait ‘til you hear it start, it’s awesome!
Of course, race bikes would not be the same without grid girls, so our ever popular Kawasaki girls will be on hand all day to add yet more glamour to the proceedings.
If you’re feeling lucky there are loads of prizes to win in competitions run throughout the day - plus your chance to enter our year long competition to win a unique John Hopkins Arai helmet. And as if that wasn’t enough for racing fans, you can also try for the fastest lap on the PlayStation2 MotoGP game.
Make a date on Sunday April 20th to come along to the Ace and indulge in the ultimate Kawasaki experience.

londonbikers.com

Chicago officials say there was no damage detected here from the quake.
However, some 200 city inspectors were dispatched to check “key locations” such as the Navy Pier Ferris wheel and construction cranes.
Janet Clem, 37, looks at the damage to her home in Mt. Carmel, Ill. Friday morning April 18, 2008 after the 5.2 early morning earth quake. The quake is believed to have involved the Wabash fault, about six miles north of Mount Carmel.
The city’s Department of Transportation also examined bridges and viaducts but reported no damage. The CTA inspected its rail lines and reported no damage.
In Chicago, city operators fielded about 300 calls from concerned residents.
City officials recommended that homeowners examine foundations, basements and walls for cracks or any other signs of damage.

suntimes.com

Dallas, TX 4/15/2008 10:55 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)
OTCPicks.com’s Daily Small Cap and Microcap Newsletter presents a range of the hottest small cap stocks on trading on the OTC and OTCBB markets. In addition to our Newsletters, OTCPicks.com is quickly becoming the premier community destination for small cap and microcap traders to meet up and discuss their top stock picks. Visit http://www.otcpicks.com/ today to join this growing community.
Our Stocks to Watch tomorrow include MM2 Group Inc. (OTCBB: MMGP), Bioponic Phytoceuticals Inc. (OTC: BPYT), China Sun Group High-Tech Co. (OTCBB: CSGH), Axion Spatial Imaging (OTC: ASII), Power-Save Energy Company (OTCBB: PWSV)
MM2 Group, Inc., through its subsidiary, Genotec Nutritionals, Inc., engages in the formulation, marketing, and distribution of nutritional supplements and vitamins in the United States. It sells various products, including fish oil, grape powder, resveratrol, lutein, and psyllium powder, as well as various custom formulations, such as formulations for diet, cardiac support, eye support, immunity support, and aging support. The company also sells custom formulations for pet care, including a shedding formula, a coat formula, dog and cat joint formulas, and pet multi-vitamins for dogs and cats. MM2 Group is based in Livingston, New Jersey.
Bioponic Phytoceuticals, Inc. engages in the development, formulation, and production of Bioresonant Phytotherapeutic and nutraceutical products for sale in the alternative medicine and natural product markets. It offers Bioresonant Phytotherapeutic products, including Flight Spray, a natural nasal hydration spray; Hawaiian Healing Mist, a natural topical skin spray; O-Spray, a herbal nasal spray; Throat Note, a herbal throat spray; Traveler’s 1st Aid, which provides a suite of natural bioresonant phytotherapeutic remedies designed for the traveler; Curecumin, a Bioresonant Phytotherapeutic remedy; Noni Care, a natural noni skin spray; Ginzeng, a herbal healing tonic; and Auntie Mahi Poe Poe’s Original La’au Lapa’au Tonics. The company also offers nutraceutical products, including Liquid Essence, which is a palate of flavors that serve executive chefs, hotels, restaurants, and culinary afficinados; and Liquid Sense, which are floral and fruit hydrosol essences that are used for fragrance or as a refreshing skin care product. In addition, its phytonic research program develops market applications for Airponic Growing System technology in the phytopharmaceutical, natural product, and cosmetics industries. The Company’s production facilities are located in Maui, Hawaii. Bioponic Phytoceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Kihei, Hawaii.

transworldnews.com

Eyewitness News Everywhere received the following news release on Tuesday, April 15, 2008:
Tax day has come and gone for most people, but your dealings with taxes may not be over yet. IRS spokesman Dan Boone offers these tips for handling some typical after-tax-day issues:
Didn’t file by April 15? If you failed to file a 2007 tax return by the deadline, it’s not too late but it will delay your stimulus payment (see #3). If you owe taxes with your return, it’s likely you’ll be charged interest and penalties on anything not paid by April 15, along with a late-filing penalty. It’s too late to request an extension of time to file, so the important thing is to file your return as soon as possible. To reduce the penalties and interest, pay as much as you can with the return. If you’re due a refund and file late, you probably won’t be penalized, but you could lose the refund if you don’t claim it within 3 years.
Want to check the status of your refund? Visit IRS.gov and click on “Where’s My Refund?”. You’ll need to input the primary Social Security Number on your return, your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.) and the amount of refund you expect. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-800-829-1954 to check on your refund.
Hoping to get an economic stimulus payment? The payments will be distributed beginning May 2. If your 2007 tax return was processed by April 15 and you are eligible for a payment, the distribution schedule posted at IRS.gov should apply to you. You can use the Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator at IRS.gov to see if you’re eligible and to calculate the amount to expect, but you’ll need information off your completed 2007 tax return to use the online calculator. IMPORTANT: You must file a 2007 tax return by Oct. 15, 2008 if you want to get a stimulus payment in 2008. For assistance with stimulus payment questions, visit IRS.gov or call the IRS toll-free at 1-866-234-2942.

myeyewitnessnews.com

In Today’s Hotline:
SIERRE LEONE: SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT MALARIA
Henrietta Emmanuel has a big job - getting the word out about malaria throughout Sierre Leone, West Africa. She travels to several schools and villages as part of the Community-Based Malaria Control Program at Kissy United Methodist Hospital. In addition to teaching people about the importance of preventing malaria, she has developed a series of educational materials that explains malaria, its causes, symptoms, and treatments in simple, basic terms.
Public health posters decorate the walls at Taiama Clinic, one of the six clinics Kissy Hospital works with throughout Sierra Leone. Each poster displays prevention methods and treatment of malaria and illustrates how much medicine to administer a child. Patients are also encouraged to use treated bed nets.
Malaria kills one of five children in Africa. The Malaria Program however, is generating optimistic results with Kissy Hospital and a clinic in Manjama seeing a decrease in the number of patients that have malaria. Help programs like these continue by sending your gifts to Malaria Control, UMCOR Advance #982009.
*Mark, an asylee from Haiti, was separated from his family for two long years due to his immigration status. With guided counsel and support from UMCOR’s Justice for Our Neighbors program (JFON), Mark completed the lengthy paperwork process and secured his legal status. Now that he has a green-card, his wife and two children have been able to join him in the US.
JFON works with entire families to help reunite family members. They help families stay in the US and make them aware of all the benefits and opportunities that are available to them. The program provides free, professional legal services to immigrants in monthly clinics and helps asylum seekers and immigrants navigate the rules and laws that affect their lives here in the US.

alertnet.org