The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act took effect in 1978 as a way to protect consumers from abusive debt collection practices. At the time this landmark legislation was created, few could imagine that in just 35 years, social media such as Facebook and Twitter would be an important presence in the daily lives of people in Erie County and elsewhere. Yet people now share a wealth of information online, and debt collectors also use social media, sometimes in ways that harass consumers and potentially violate consumer protection laws. Some of these practices have resulted ...

One of the most complex issues faced by the Probate and Family Court arises when one parent wishes to relocate out of Massachusetts with a minor child, or "remove" the child from the state. The removal statute found in M.G.L. ch. 208 Section 30 states that "A minor child of divorced parents...shall not, if of suitable age to signify his consent, be removed out of this Commonwealth without such consent, or, if under that age, without the consent of both parents, unless the court upon cause shown otherwise orders." Though the statute refers to a child ...

I am still attempting to accept events of November 7, 2012 - the day after the general election. No, it's not the election results that causes me concern. It's the intensely negative reactions of those whose views were not adopted by the majority of voters. The stock market took a large hit with the Dow Jones plummeting over 300 points. Murray Energy Corporation announced it was laying off more than 150 employees with its president and CEO, Robert E. Murray directly linking the move to the results of the presidential election. More disturbing was a report that a local McDonalds ...

MKA Capital Advisors is happy to announce that the Tesoro Project in Cathedral City will break ground this spring. Processed over the last several years by George Baker, President of DEVCO Builders LLC, the project is a planned single-family detached residential development that consists of 107 home sites located south of East Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City. Tesoro is the Spanish word for "treasure" which is fitting considering what exciting features come with this residential project. The Tesoro Development will be a private-gated community that will have ...

Michael Walters Advertising (MWA), based in Chicago and based on their higher education experience and proven results for their clients, has been chosen by Olivet Nazarene University for its global advertising and marketing needs, focusing on the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. "We are very happy to finally have a great partnership in place. The recommendations of all the components and how they fit in place are going to benefit ONU moving forward," said Carrie Dilley, Director of Marketing & Project Management for the School of Graduate and ...

Ever wonder what it's like to control a camera on the International Space Station? More than 30,000 students found out in late January as part of the Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle school students (EarthKAM) mission. More than 380 school groups from the United States and around the world were involved, setting a participation record. Typically, between 8,000 and 10,000 students take part in a given EarthKAM mission. "The increase in the number of students participating in this space station mission is incredible," said Leland Melvin, NASA's associate administrator ...

Addvantage Buyers Club announced the opening of a new office in the Las Colinas development. The office, which is part of a long term development plan for the company, will be the temporary home for the company's customer service operations until an equity property is acquired. The company expects to make the acquisition within the next twelve months. Until then, customer service operations will be located in Irving, Texas. Company officials say the new location is well suited to their expanding operations. Addvantage Buyers Club is a two year old e-commerce company. ...

CompassRock Real Estate has been awarded the management of thirteen apartment communities throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Maryland. Quail Pointe, Hidden Park, and Bradford Groves account for 400 apartment units combined in Spartanburg, SC. In South Carolina, CompassRock now also manages the 308 unit Grove Station community in Greenville, the 100 unit Ashley Chase community in Sumter, and the 96 unit Willow Glen community in Rock Hill. In North Carolina, CompassRock now manages The Landing, which is a 200 unit community in Durham, as ...

An insight to the drive and tough-minded principles of seven successful Latinos, Profiles in Latino Courage discloses the journeys in which these individuals embarked upon to reach their achievements. Bill Miranda (www.billmiranda.com), author and one of the featured Latino professionals, wrote this book to inspire and educate Latinos to take action toward their careers—to not let fear and roadblocks keep them from reaching their goals. No stranger to overcoming obstacles, Patricia Gracia is one of the other individuals featured in the book. As owner and founder of ...

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC) will join congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) as co-chair of the National Eating Disorders Awareness Caucus, the mission of which is to increase national awareness about eating disorders and support those who suffer by seeking to enhance prevention, facilitate therapeutic advances and improve access to treatment. Cognizant of the fact that federal funding for such measures is limited in austere times, the caucus will emphasize coordination with private-sector organizations and initiatives. The announcement comes during NEDA's 26th annual ...

Caring Senior Service, a national homecare company, is pleased to announce the addition of, Vanessa Wagster, Support Services Director. Wagster will be responsible for overseeing human resource functions, regulation compliance, and operational procedures. In addition, Wagster will lead the support services team and focus on providing solutions for the company's 45 franchises nationwide. Wagster has over 10 years of experience in assisted living and hospice care, specializing in Memory Care. Wagster obtained a Masters in Social Work from Texas State University. Her enthusiasm ...

Temple Grandin, considered the most popular and accomplished adult living with autism, will make an appearance on Autism-Live.com Monday, March 4, 2013, at 10:30 am (PST). Grandin will join Autism-Live.com host Shannon Penrod and discuss the latest developments in autism treatment, and share her personal journey overcoming the limitations that were imposed on her as an individual with autism. Grandin will also take veiwers' call-in questions live on-air. "We are honored to have her return to Autism-Live.com as our recurring guest expert. Our viewers love her and ...

Libraries continue to play a major role in promoting children's literacy. Research shows that libraries are directly related to better reading achievement, and there is consistent evidence that a lot of children get their books from libraries. It is widely accepted that children who regularly visit libraries from a very early age; have access to a wide range of books; listen to stories; and are read to at home particularly at bedtime have improved literacy skills, says Judith Elkin, emeritus professor of children's literature at the University of Worcester. According ...

ReleaseTEAM is a leading Software Configuration Management consulting firm who has specialized in IBM Rational Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) tools since its inception in 1999. ReleaseTEAM is a Premier level IBM Business Partner, whose consultants hold several IBM Rational technical certifications as SDLC tool specialists. These tools include ClearCase, ClearQuest, Build Forge, Doors, JAZZ based tools such as Rational Team Concert (RTC), Rational Requirements Composer (RRC) and Rational Quality manager (RQM). ReleaseTEAM excels at helping customers resolve problems ...

eDerm Systems a leading cloud based (EHR) Electronic Health Records software for dermatologists and dermatology practice management systems, announced today it will unveil its revolutionary new iPad EHR software solution at this weekâEUR s American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting, March 1 -5 in Miami Beach. eDerm will be demonstrating this revolutionary Electronic Health Records software at the Dermpath Diagnostics Booth 835. The innovative new eDerm Systems iPad EHR has been designed by dermatologists for dermatology practices. The software has been developed ...

Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network on Tuesday, March 5, at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time, on her show "Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity," shaman and founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing Christina Pratt notes that we have lost the true power of action in the habits, expectations, and excess fire of the Old World and its story. Pratt tells listeners that the Warrior warns that the spiritual ambition, economic aggression, and arrogance of the full range of positional people have stripped us of the understanding ...

In her second year as the Beauty Director for the Cotton 24 Hour Fashion Show, DeShawn Hatcher is faced with the challenge of orchestrating a team of 50, creating over 250 hair and makeup looks, and staying awake for a full 24 hours to execute the runway show. The show, which takes place on March 1st at 8pm at the intersection of Ocean Drive and 8th Street in Miami Beach will feature celebrity appearances by Bill & Giuliana Rancic, Louise Roe, Michael Yo, Camilla Belle, and Lauren Conrad. Music from DJ Cassidy, DJ Irie, CC Sheffield, Jessica Who?, DJ Ross One, and ...

Visit the newest vendor, Bebe's Eatery, opening March 1, shop a variety of local artisans during Marche du Printemps, March 4 to March 29, or catch a ride on the Bunny Train, March 23. Bebe's Eatery Joins Chicago French Market March 1 The Chicago French Market is continuing to expand its food offerings for local professionals and Chicagoland commuters. The newest addition is Bebe's Eatery, set to join the market March 1, providing a fresh and delicious kosher option for guests. Bebe's will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner using only the freshest ingredients ...

The World Top 20 Poll ranks countries in 5 categories - early-childhood enrollment rates, elementary and middle school proficiency levels in reading, math and science, and high school and college completion rates, and then tallies the scores to give a country their average. The poll will then be published annually and updated every 90 days, to support children education development across the globe. The poll's data was gathered by the New Jersey Minority Educational Development (NJMED) organization, from the 5 most prestigious educational data banks - the United Nations ...

Practice Management Institute (PMI) today announced a new training initiative with the Texas MGMA, which will facilitate affordable medical practice-specific training and credentialing opportunities for its membership throughout the state. "As Texas MGMA carries on our mission to foster professional development for our members through education, we are proud to affiliate with Practice Management Institute, offering access to quality courses at special course rates," said Pam Potter, Texas MGMA President. PMI is a national leader in continuing staff education ...

Change Making Change Fund, (CMC) a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children around the world through the collection of pocket change, today announced that the International Justice Mission's Stand for Freedom will be the beneficiary of general funds collected in March 2013. Other than funds designated for local coin drives, all money donated this month through convenient Coinstar kiosks to Change Making Change will support the Stand For Freedom, an event being staged at college campuses around the U.S. between March 5-15. Stand for Freedom is a 27-hour marathon ...

Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc. (www.legalaidofmanasota.org) is one of 300 charitable organizations throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties that will benefit from donations by area residents who support their favorite charity by donating online at http://www.GivingPartnerChallenge.org, from March 5 at 7 AM thru March 6 at 7 PM. The goal of the 36-Hour Giving Challenge is to raise $3 million to benefit local nonprofits. More than $648,000 will be available to match online donations and award incentive grants during the fast-paced 36-Hour Giving Challenge. Presenting ...

True to their motto, all Brentano fabrics strive to strike the perfect balance of beauty + performance, and with their spring 2013 Symphonic collection, Brentano introduces high-performance textiles that are suitable for contract, healthcare, and institutional environments that also offer dynamic patterns, fresh colors, and a residential hand. Woven from 100% high energy-dyed polyester, Polka is a small-scale, geometric pattern that is well-priced, bleach cleanable, and has both a Nano-Tex and DuraBlock finish. This 54" upholstery comes in 8 energetic colors and ...

A proven leader in the hand protection industry, RONCO has launched a new line of PVC gloves in a variety of styles, targeted for use in the commercial fisheries industry. The gloves are suitable for any industrial application (such as oil and gas production) which requires insulation, liquid or chemical resistance and dexterity in cold or wet handling environments. These new RONCO PVC gloves are available in a selection of special coated grips, cold resistance, lengths and cuff styles to ensure the right glove for the right job. They are resistant to liquids and oils ...

Mold consultant Phillip Fry announces the publication of his 2013 updated editions of his five mold ebooks: (1) Mold Health Guide; (2) Mold Legal Guide; (3) Mold Monsters: (4) Mold Home Remedy Recipes; and (5) Do It Best Yourself Mold Inspection, Testing, Remediation, and Prevention. Mold Health Guide explains the health and medical problems that arise from exposure to elevated levels of indoor toxic mold growth, medical tests used by physicians to diagnose body mold infestations, and medical treatment procedures used by doctors to treat patients with mold afflictions. Mold ...