Zevrix Releases Package Central 1.5 for InDesign: Adds PDF, IDML Export

Zevrix Solutions announces Package Central 1.5, a feature update to its file packaging workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. Originally developed for a major publisher in the United States, the software automates InDesign packaging by processing files from hotfolders. Package Central offloads file packaging to a central system leaving operator workstations free from the collecting process. The new version lets users export InDesign documents to PDF and IDML during processing.

Toronto (ON), Canada - July 27, 2011 -- Zevrix Solutions today announces Package Central 1.5, a feature update to its document packaging workflow automation solution for Adobe InDesign. Originally developed for a major publisher in the United States, the software automates InDesign packaging by processing files from hotfolders. Package Central offloads file packaging to a central system leaving operator workstations free from the collecting process.

The new version lets users automatically export InDesign documents as PDF and IDML files during packaging and save them into the final package folder. In addition, it introduces several stability and performance improvements, as well as compatibility with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.

"Package Central is perfect for companies that want to automate and streamline their InDesign project archiving and preparation for output," says Leo Revzin, founder of Zevrix Solutions, "It makes life much easier for both operators and managers by taking care of all heavy processing as well as notifications, logging and error checks."

Under Package Central workflow, production artists, prepress operators and designers simply submit files to hotfolders that reside on the network. Package Central automatically collects the files from its station using hotfolder settings, and will auto-activate document fonts as well. Operator workstations will never again be tied up by the packaging process.

Package Central runs on a dedicated machine and watches hotfolders linked to its workflow settings. The software performs all its tasks automatically and can run absolutely unattended. It offers the following key features and benefits:

-Process InDesign files from hotfolders

-Update modified links automatically

-Font auto-activation

-Create PDF and INX/IDML files on the fly

-Automatic e-mail notifications of process stages and errors

-Compose variable folder names

-Metadata-based processing

-Detailed processing logs

-Easy to install and use

Zevrix also makes BatchOutput Server software which automates printing and exporting from InDesign by processing files from hotfolders.

Pricing and Availability

Package Central can be purchased for $299.95 from Zevrix website, as well as from authorized resellers. Trial is also available for download. Package Central runs on Mac OS X 10.4.2-10.7, is a Universal Binary, and works with Adobe InDesign CS2-CS5.5.

About Zevrix Solutions

Located in Toronto, Canada, Zevrix Solutions provides productivity solutions for Adobe Creative Suite software, graphic file diagnostics, and Microsoft Office on Mac OS. Zevrix Solutions makes it easier for professionals to achieve more while doing less by automating their everyday tasks, producing error-free documents, saving disk space and cutting down on production costs. For more information, visit http://www.zevrix.com.

Contact:

Leo Revzin

Owner

Zevrix Solutions

105 McCAUL St, Suite 301

Toronto Ontario M5T 2X4 Canada

Tel: 858-206-0607

E-Mail: media@zevrix.com

Web: http://www.zevrix.com

FRA Reports on New Plantation Investment Opportunity

Forestry Research Associates (FRA), which offers research and analysis consultancy services for the forestry industry, is pleased to support the launch of a new ‘Bamboo Bond’ by Eco Planet Bamboo.

Seattle, United States, July 27, 2011 -- Forestry Research Associates (FRA), which offers research and analysis consultancy services, is pleased to support the launch of a new ‘Bamboo Bond’ by Eco Planet Bamboo.

The firm is an offshoot of Chicago-based EcoPlanet Group, which is headed up by president David Cox. He has now set up the bamboo division of the firm working out of offices in St Aldates in the city of Oxford, England. Eco Plant Bamboo is offering people the chance to invest in the bamboo being grown at its plantation in Nicaragua.

The plantation will focus on growing Guadua Angustifolia, which will be easy to sell to growing markets for bamboo flooring and construction materials, largely in the US. Mr Cox explained, “The USA will be the biggest market for the bamboo. The first customers will probably be producers of flooring and panel fibre-board, used in the building of timber frame houses.”

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins said, “We always support the launch of new funds that attract foreign investment in sustainable plantations in emerging economies, such as those in Latin America.”

FRA also supports other sustainable forestry funds, such as the one run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. Greenwood has planted non-native trees such as teak and eucalyptus for use in construction and in the sustainable production of charcoal, which is an essential material in Brazil's growing steel industry.

David Cox believes that those investing in the Bamboo plantation could see healthy profit from the fast-growing crop. He has launched the product at an event at the Hilton Hotel explaining to interested investors that they can invest around around EUR11,000 with the hope of receiving returns of around 503 per cent over 15 years.

“Although these rates of return sound extremely ambitious, return on investment in forestry products has outperformed traditional investments, such as equities, in recent years,” added Mr Collins.

Mr Cox said he had already received promised investment of around EUR2.5 million and is confident of reaching his investment target that will enable him to put his plans fully into motion with the planting phase.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Contact:

Peter Collins

Forestry Research Associates

620 Vineyard Lane

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Tel: (206) 316 8394

E-Mail: info@forestry-research.com

Web: http://www.forestry-research.com

A Hot Air Balloon Ride in Michigan a Cool Thing To Do

Over the past 30 years as a balloonist and owner of Westwind Balloon Company, in Plymouth, Michigan Scott Lorenz has been squeezing the most out of his summers by piloting his balloon over Kensington Park, Milford, Brighton and South Lyon, Michigan.

Plymouth, Michigan, July 27, 2011 -- Want a 'cool' way to squeeze more fun out of the summer? Take a hot air balloon ride for the whole family. Over the past 30 years as a balloonist and owner of Westwind Balloon Company, in Plymouth, Michigan Scott Lorenz has been squeezing the most out of his summers by piloting his balloon over Kensington Park, Milford, Brighton and South Lyon, Michigan.

“A balloon flight is the perfect way to maximize the summer because it’s an unforgettable experience.” The main reason 'experience' activities are so popular is that in the end all we have are memories and the balloon ride provides a vivid and lasting memory. And, a balloon flight is the perfect “experience” that the whole family can enjoy together,” says Lorenz.

“Nobody forgets their first balloon flight. It is truly an experience that cannot compare to anything else. The sensation of flying over trees, lakes and streams, spotting deer and other wildlife is unique and inspiring. When a family activity touches someone both emotionally and on a multi-sensory level they'll remember it. If you really want to make a lasting impression on the family, I say, give em all a hot air balloon ride.”

Balloon flights costs $695.00 for two people, also called a private flight. For a family of four Lorenz arranges for one of his associate pilots to take two passengers. “One time last year one pilot took the mom and a son and I flew the dad and daughter. We launched together, flew up and around each other and landed in the same subdivision. We all met at one spot, shared the experience, celebrated with some champagne and pop and they all laughed as they told each other about the “great photos” they had of one another in their balloon. And that was truly priceless.”

Lorenz offers gift certificates for flights which can be purchased by calling 734-667-2098 or by visiting http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon/ Checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card are accepted. Flights are scheduled May through October.

Scott Lorenz has been a commercial balloon pilot since 1982, and has logged more than 1,450 hours as pilot in command in a hot air balloon. Scott’s memorable ballooning experiences include: Flying over Niagara Falls, The Great Wall of China, Disney World, the Olympics in Calgary, St. Wolfgang, Austria, Saga, Japan, the Grand Prix in Spain, co-piloting one of two balloons for Mike Howard’s Guinness World Record ”balloon walk” flight at 19,000 feet, a 20 hour-361 mile Gas Balloon flight with Gordon Boring, and handling media relations for Kevin Uliassi's Round the World balloon flights.

Media Contact: Scott Lorenz, Westwind Balloon Company, Plymouth, Michigan. E-Mail: scottlorenz(at)westwindcos(dot)com, Phone: 734-667-2098, Web: http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon.

Berkley Conference to Advance Teaching of Critical Thinking Skills

The 31st International Conference on Critical Thinking will be held July 25-28, 2011 at the Claremont Resort Hotel & Spa near the University of California Berkley campus. The event is sponsored by the Center and Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Berkley, CA, July 27, 2011 -- The 31st International Conference on Critical Thinking will be held July 25-28, 2011 at the Claremont Resort Hotel & Spa near the University of California Berkley campus. The event is sponsored by the Center and Foundation for Critical Thinking.

The conference features some 40 sessions designed to converge on basic critical thinking principles and to enrich a core concept of critical thinking with practical teaching and learning strategies.

Among those attending will be Linda Jeschofnig, a former college professor and expert in online science education from Denver-based Hands-On Labs, Inc. (HOL). Through its flagship product, LabPaq http://www.LabPaq.com HOL has pioneered the development of academically-aligned science experiences for online and distance learners at the university, college and high-school levels.

Linda Jeschofnig is also co-author with husband Dr. Peter Jeschofnig of Teaching Lab Science Courses Online: Resources for Best Practices, Tools and Technology (ISBN 978-0-470-60704-6, 2011, Jossey-Bass/Wiley Publishers, 176 pages, $28 paperback, $14.78 on Kindle, currently #9 Top Rated in Amazon Kindle Store, Experiments & Projects category.)

HOL’s LabPaqs are giving students in the United States and foreign countries the ability to fulfill their lab requirements anywhere, anytime in all science disciplines: geology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, botany, nutrition, environmental science, microbiology, allied health and biology. For administrators at more than 200 educational institutions, LabPaqs are providing the solution to increasing student enrollment without increasing lab space or costs.

“Distance education will be relied upon increasingly in the future as America works to raise the quality of education to make our nation more competitive,” says Casey Pelton, Managing Director of Sales & Marketing for Hands-On Labs, Inc. “LabPaqs serve a major role in this movement because they allow learning institutions to add capacity without adding capital costs in the form of new lab buildings.”

A vast number of adult learners today are working learners – students who pursue higher education while working part- or full-time. Because flexible educational models are needed to educate these adult learners, administrators are turning to LabPaqs.

Linda Jeschofnig and husband Dr. Peter Jeschofnig, co-founders of Hands-On-Labs, are leading experts in distance and online science education and are major contributors in the effort to equip today’s students to complete their education online.

About Hands-On-Labs, Inc.

Hands-On-Labs, Inc. (HOL) is an industry leader in distance and online science education. Through its flagship product, LabPaq (http://www.LabPaq.com), HOL designs and produces academically-aligned science experiences for distance and online learners at the college, university and high school levels. LabPaqs are used by more than 200 universities and colleges in the United States and foreign countries.

The company was founded by Linda and Dr. Peter Jeschofnig, pioneers in online science education. Both are retired educators and co-founders of the Institute for Excellence in Distance Science Education, a nonprofit dedicated to professional development for distance and online science instructors. Toll Free 866.206.0773, E-Mail: info@labpaq.com / http://youtu.be/mdRNblDZ20A.

-Ends-

Media Contact: Scott Lorenz, Westwind Communications, E-Mail: scottlorenz(at)westwindcos(dot)com, Phone: 734-667-2090.

PB Millionaire Says Miss Pacific Beach Contest Will Be Classy

Grand Prize Winner Will Get $3000.

San Diego, CA, July 27, 2011 -- The upcoming Miss Pacific Beach Contest to be held at PB Bar and Grill on September 14th will not be an ordinary bikini contest according to Jim Lawlor, locally known here as the PB Millionaire. “I want it to be a classy event - very similar to the Miss America Contest,” Lawlor said. Miss Pacific Beach contestants will have to go through a series of interviews by judges who are looking for someone beyond their physical beauty who will best represent Pacific Beach. “Of course, they will be considered for their attractive quality in the first portion of the contest, but the deciding vote will be based on personality and intelligence as well,” Lawlor claims.

Lawlor means business when he offers a Grand Prize of $3000 when most bikini contests in the PB area offer on average $500 for the winner. The second place prize will be $1000; the third a $500 shopping spree at Westfield Mall. The top 12 will all get at least a $100 gift card from Victoria Secrets.

Miss PB hopefuls can go to the “PB Reality Show” website (http://www.pbreality.com) to apply by clicking on the “MISS PB” tab. All contestants will have to pre-qualify before entering the contest.

Lawlor is the producer and star of the PB Reality Show which is, in effect, a behind-the scenes documentary of the contest. The show also depicts Lawlor’s millionaire lifestyle, “Living the California Dream,” with his numerous parties and charity events. The TV show’s motto is: “It’s about celebrating life!”

Upon arriving to San Diego some 20 years ago, Lawlor was penniless and had to resort to sleeping on the beach on occasions which, ironically, is now the backdrop for his new show. He became wealthy by inventing a product used in spray painting that has since made him millions. His company just reported an annual sales increase of nearly 20% year-to-date, which is rather remarkable given the state of the economy. Lawlor said he will increase his donations to his favorite charities this year in response to his company’s sales increase.

Another part of the show’s theme, Lawlor says, “is to inspire others that they too can succeed even in this bad economy. If I can do it - they can do it.”

The PB Reality Show is scheduled for release in January.

Contact:

Liza Faith

PB Reality Show

1666 Garnet Ave. #403

San Diego, CA 92109

Tel: 858 822-8693

E-Mail: media@pbreality.com

Web: http://www.pbreality.com