As we approach this holiday season, it is projected that shoppers will continue to spend less than in years past. But there IS a silver lining for the San Francisco Bay Area. When consumers shop local, more of their money will stay right here in the Bay Area, where we desperately need it. With a little planned spending, this year's holiday dollars can lead to a more plentiful 2011. Consider these numbers: When a consumer spends money at locally owned establishments, $25 more per $100 stays in the community than when spent at a non-local establishment. With that number, ...

Instead of seeing the same patients year after year and advising them about their lifestyle and weight issues to no avail, Empire Medical Training is offering training to physicians looking to affect true and lasting change in their patients' lives. Once they've attended Empire's newly updated Weight Management and Medical Fitness seminar, not only will doctors finally be able to PRESCRIBE a customized weight loss program for any patients struggling with their weight, obesity and related health issues, they'll be expanding their revenue stream by tapping into the $58 billion ...

MESH, one of the leading infrastructure providers in Europe for co-location and IP services, announced today the availability of white-labeled Open-Xchange e-mail and collaboration solutions delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS). MESH's vast retail channel is now able to provide collaboration and mobility services to consumers and small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) without upfront investment. "Open-Xchange provides our resellers with a competitive advantage in the market and strengthens our leading position as innovative provider of white-labeled hosting services," ...

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), considered the world's largest organization effectively treating children with autism, has announced it has officially kicked off the Marines Toys for Tots toy drive, benefiting less fortunate youngsters in the community. The toy drive will take place at CARD's 20 stateside offices from November 10 to December 17, 2010. "The Center for Autism and Related Disorders has been an integral part of the community for 20 years," says CARD Founder and Executive Director Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh. "Participating in the toy ...

JPE Inc., a national general contractor specializing in federal construction work, announced they have been awarded a contract to repair and replace roofing structures at the Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, Texas. The term of the contract is for five years on an Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) basis. JPE's share of the contract value could reach $30 million. JPE has assembled a construction team at Fort Bliss and work is currently underway. It includes roofing repairs on hundreds of buildings used for office administration purposes. According to Ron ...

Ajax Union, a Brooklyn-based search engine agency, recently expanded its office to a larger location in the Flatbush business district. The new office facilitates staff collaboration and enables the internet marketing company to better reach out to local business owners — just in time for Black Friday 2010. The expanded office now dominates the Brooklyn Office Complex, located at 2294 Nostrand Avenue between Avenues I and J. Ajax Union relocated from elsewhere in the complex — a smaller set of offices that the SEO company rapidly outgrew. "Ajax Union has been growing ...

Just look around your local universities, shopping malls, coffee houses, or grocery stores and Apple products are in abundance. The iPhone posted 5.2 million in sales during the third quarter alone for AT&T this year, while the iPad sold 4.19 million in the fiscal fourth quarter. With this type of dominance in consumer electronics Apple has created a parallel market with accessories for these devices. JS Design Concepts Inc. has realized this trend and made a strong push to meet its demand. No stranger to product design, JSDC has a decorated staff of designers and engineers ...

In an audacious display of commercial bandwaggonism, Jamie Stephenson, Brand Ambassador for Drambuie Liqueur has created the 'Engaging Dram' to celebrate the announcement of Prince William's engagement to Miss Katherine Middleton. Drambuie is renowned, not only for creating iconic cocktails, such as the world famous Rusty Nail, but for its Royal connections. The elixir at the heart of Drambuie was created more than 260 years ago exclusively for Prince Charles Edward Stuart of Scotland. It is a unique combination of aged Scotch whiskies, heather honey and a blend of herbs ...

Escondido Fitness Center, Breakthroughs Sports & Fitness, is hosting a Thanksgiving Break Sports Camp with a different sport specific clinic every day during Thanksgiving break, November 22 thru November 26 (excluding Thursday, Turkey Day). The Thanksgiving Break Sports Camp, designed for boys & girls ages 9 through 16, builds an athletic foundation to improve performance and, of particular interest to parents, significantly reduce injuries by getting the kids bodies ready to compete in sports. The Thanksgiving break sports camps at the newly opened Escondido Fitness ...

Intelestream, Inc., a leading provider in CRM consulting and CRM Software as a Service today announced the addition of three partners to the company's USA Channel Partner Program: Skylos, Ubora Biz, and ValueCare. Partners joining the Intelestream Channel Network are authorized by Intelestream to directly sell, provide consulting services, and further customize the intelecrm application. "Signing up as a channel partner with Intelestream is becoming an increasingly attractive option to IT consultants and software integration firms as intelecrm continues to onboard ...

Teaming up with Joseph Minasi Films, Denise Marsa Productions, LLC recently finished filming the synopsis pilot for The Music Mentor , an unscripted documentary television series that plans to showcase the do-it-yourself, nuts and bolts of being an indie artist in today's highly saturated music industry. The series features KeyMedia Group's artist roster, including Rachel Millman, Dane Michael Glynn, The One & Nines, Nicole Berke and Christopher Dallman. Viewers will follow Marsa as she advises, consults, pitches and markets her indie label's artists to create worldwide ...

WANdisco, the makers of Enterprise Subversion with the most active core developers from the project on staff, has enabled PC pioneers Phoenix Technologies to step up their CSS development, by implementing Subversion MultiSite servers in Taiwan and California to ensure round-the-clock development and elimination of downtime. With uncompromised functionality and immediate access to the latest changes across two major global regions, Phoenix Technologies has reduced build cycles by more than 60 percent and eliminated problems associated with unreliable network performance ...

Do you sometimes wonder what the best types of toys and games are for kids? If so, you're not alone. We all care about getting a toy or game that not only engages our child but also is good for her or him. Think-a-lot Toys, a leading manufacturer of "toys and games that make you think" offers this list of 10 tips for buying good toys and games. The list is for all the kids in your life...and consider yourself a kid if you're young in spirit and love to play! 1. Buy toys that engage their imagination. In a survey of kids done by a toy industry magazine, kids said that ...

. The new gift shop is conveniently located at 5167 Lemay Ferry Road St. Louis, Missouri 63129. It is at the intersection of Lemay Ferry Road and Butler Hill Road just one half mile east of Interstate 55. "We are excited to be able to offer our exquisite cookies and gifts in a retail setting," said Melodee Lang, President of The Elegant Cookie. "We wanted our customers to experience firsthand the exceptional quality of our products. " The new gift shop is filled with wondrous treasures perfect for all of your holiday shopping needs. Decadent cookies, gift baskets, ...

Robert Louis Stevenson had a premonition. He left children of all ages a treasure to be discovered over 100 years after his death. Welcome to Treasure Island, The Experience. FlyingWord, Inc., an eBook innovator, has rediscovered the treasure Robert Louis Stevenson buried in 1883, and has brought it back with a modern twist. With the help of 3D technology, the thrilling tale of pirates and treasure is brought to life in full color, with an audiobook and special effects that enhance this classic story. Designed for the iPad and iPhone, the app book includes a seven ...

The Care Services Minister has announced the NHS will get GBP400 million to give carers like the spouses, parents and children of chronically ill patients a break - and telehealth can help. Telehealth Solutions' HomePod is an iPad-like device patients can use to measure vital signs, answer symptom questionnaires and send the results to a nurse. A nurse or doctor can review their results, and even receive text and email alerts if the patient needs attention. It means problems can be detected before they become dangerous, preventing a hospital admission or ambulance call-out. One ...

Ebuyer.com is inviting people to assist its latest branding exercise and help distinguish it from Ebay, in a video competition that is running until 31st December 2010. Ebuyer, a leading online electronics retailer, has devised the competition after a number of customers have got the two brands mixed up. The competition invites people to send in videos proclaiming the difference, in order to win one of three prizes - a Sony Playstation 3, an 8GB Apple iPod Touch and a Kodak Easyshare C182 digital camera. Ebuyer's Managing Director, Armando Sanchez said: "Since our ...

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., and MetLife are pleased to announce the grand opening of the new LGBT Visitor Center at 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. This new venue is the only LGBT Visitor Center in America sponsored by MetLife. The Center provides a one-stop-shop for visitors and residents to learn about LGBT and allied businesses where they can stay, shop and dine on Miami Beach. "MetLife is so excited to sponsor Miami Beach's LGBT Visitor Center. The company has long-supported the LGBT community by providing financial services ...

London LiveEnsure:This week 15th-19th November 2010 the Get Safe Online campaign is raising awareness of internet safety issues. LiveEnsure is working with businesses to protect their users online. We are reaching out this week to businesses through technical events and PR activity to raise awareness of our authentication technology that protects users as they transact online. Louise Robertson of LiveEnsure 'All of us need to take extra care when using the internet including when accessing it on our mobile phones. Get Safe Online.org provides simple, easy to use advice ...

sootheTIME , (www.soothetime.com), creator of soothing solutions for children and parents, is launching cruiseTIME , a new line developed specifically to ease the stress of traveling with young children. Scheduled for national launch at Babies"R"Us later this month, the versatile and convenient products are designed to simplify travel by providing comfort for babies and toddlers with convenience for parents. The launch of cruiseTIME follows the successful introduction earlier this year of zzzTIME line of sleep wellness products from sootheTIME. Both product lines were ...

Configure One , a leading provider of web-based product configurator and electronic catalog software, today announced the availability of Concept Enterprise Product Configurator and Concept E-Catalog Version 9.0. Version 9.0 represents the most comprehensive release in the company's history. "Our strategy has always been to respond to customer and market demands, both technical and functional," said Mike McDonnell, Configure One's vice president of product development. "We have built on Concept's proven capabilities for streamlining the quote-to-production process with ...

Nancy McFarlane, president of MedPro Rx, Inc. (www.medprorx.com), a provider of specialty pharmacy services to clients with chronic illnesses who need clotting factor, IVIg and other medications, has announced that the pharmacy was ranked number 16 on Triangle Business Journal's 2010 Fast 50 Award ranking. This is the third consecutive year that MedPro Rx has made the Fast 50 list. Evaluated by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, the award recognizes the fastest-growing privately held companies in the Triangle area, as well as their contributions to the growth and success of the ...

The Carolina Center for Integrative Medicine (www.carolinacenter.com) continues its ongoing wellness presentation series by hosting "Beat the Flu and Stay Healthy: An Insightful, Provocative Discussion of Flu Shots, Mercury, and Your Health" on Tuesday, November 23rd from 7-8:00PM. This free presentation will be held at CCIM's office at 4505 Fair Meadow Lane, Suite 111 in Raleigh and will be presented by CCIM Medical Director John Pittman, MD. Individuals who attend will be able to get a flu shot immediately following the presentation at a $10 discount. According to ...

Travelers across the country are trying to adapt to the invasive new TSA policies that are being implemented at all US airports. The new policies include body scanners and pat-down procedures that many travelers feel violate their privacy. The private jet charter industry has reported a sizable increase in business after the implementation of the TSA polices. Rickey Welch, President of Privato Private Air Travel, has seen travel double over the past week, and attributes much of that to the new TSA rules. "Many of our clients who normally only fly private with us on special ...

The Connecticut Real Estate Investors Association, or CT REIA, is announcing its contest for real estate investors and professionals in Connecticut and New England. Winners will be selected at the CT REIA Annual Holiday Dinner. This event will take place on Monday December 6, 2010 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The location for this event is Violi's Restaurant, 688 Westfield Road, Meriden, CT. As part of the program, a panel of local real estate investors will share their success stories. Attendees are encouraged to bring plenty of business cards. This event will be a good opportunity ...