London's local governments face pension time-bomb

LONDON (Reuters) - Years of poor governance and mismanagement have turned London's local government pension schemes into a "ticking time-bomb" that could mean a massive bill for taxpayers, a new report has found.

The report by think-tank Pensions Institute published on Monday said that by "shopping around" for the most favourable actuarial assumptions, local government pension schemes were understating the real value of their pension liabilities and repeatedly deferring funding recovery plans.

"Unless the government takes action, the point will come shortly when the schemes can no longer hide their true funding positions and will require massive injections of new money to remain sustainable," it said.

Many public sector and private sector pension schemes are under pressure because people are living longer and investment returns have shrunk partly due to volatile equity markets and a sustained period of low interest rates.

"It is ... shocking when you realise that private sector employees, who are also council tax-payers, will have to pick up the bill for the poor investment governance that has been going on now for many years," said Professor David Blake who co-authored the report.

Blake said the government had to choose between sorting out investment governance and regulation in the local government pension schemes, or take action in terms of the pension provided by these schemes.

The report found that too few pension committees, which are dominated by elected councillors, challenged under-performing asset managers or advice from their actuarial and investment consultants.

It also said the councillors were overly dependent on the incumbent fund managers of the pensions schemes for their investment "training". Experience and expertise of the councillors on the committees was "severely limited" by the four-yearly election system.

Pension committees also showed a strong preference for active rather than cheaper passive asset management, adding cost without evidence of the benefit of long-term outperformance.

(Reporting By Raji Menon. Editing by Jane Merriman)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/londons-local-governments-face-pension-time-bomb-134703834--sector.html

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Chocolate Festival raises breast cancer awareness - News ...

?

For the past nine years, the Women?s Center has commemorated the somber? subject of breast cancer through celebration. While recongizing ongoing research in the treatments of the disease, women and men affected by breast cancer have consistently turned to chocolate to mark the occasion.?

Lois Crowe, chair of the Chocolate festival, introduced one of the few male survivors of breast cancer present at the event ? Herb Pfeffer, who was diagnosed with 18 years ago.

Pfeffer currently holds the second fastest recovery time of any man diagnosed with breast cancer. While speaking to the audience, he emphasized that mental fortitude is crucial in fighting the disease. He has survived three bouts of cancer.?

?I can survive,? Pfeffer said. ?Cancer today doesn?t have to be a death sentence.?

The Chocolate Festival was open to the public and N.C. State faculty for $12 and to students for $7. There was an array of vendors and organizations participating to help raise funds for the Kay Yow Foundation.

Among the vendors were local businesses such as Gigi?s Cupcakes, Chocolate Smiles, Tiny Cakes and the Chocolate Boutique. Representatives for various fund raising organizations, such as the Pretty in Pink Foundation and the Kay Yow Foundation sold merchandise including clothing, jewelry and chocolate.

Barb Fields, community outreach and special projects manager for the Pretty in Pink Foundation, said the foundation does not raise funds for research. Fields said his organization raises funds to provide financial assistance to individuals with little or no insurance who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

?We fight beyond the ribbon,? Fields said. ?As a 12-year survivor myself, I want to help others affected by alleviating most or all of their financial burden.?

On display at the Pretty in Pink Foundation table was a map of North Carolina decorated with various pink rhinestones representing the ?champions? the foundation has assisted. In addition to the Chocolate Festival, the foundation sells t-shirts, bracelets, koozies, bumper stickers and raffle tickets to raise money.

The Pretty in Pink Foundation also provides financial assistance to provide survivors with wigs, bras and prosthetics. After the Pretty in Pink Foundation has approved an applicant they never see their bills and so they are able to battle breast cancer without having to worry about money.

Robin Pate, director of community development of the Kay Yow Foundation said her organization has been participating in the Chocolate Festival for about three years. Pate used to coach with Yow, the former champion women?s basketball coach, and he said it is great to seemingly be working for Kay Yow again.

?Since the Kay Yow Foundation began at N.C. State, the festival is a great way to reconnect with campus life and share the importance of the cause with the public,? Pate said.?

The Kay Yow Foundation has already raised $7 million in the short five years since it started. All of this money goes toward funding research to help find a cure for late stage breast cancer patients.

Sonja Edwards, an eighth-year volunteer for the Chocolate Festival, said the event grows larger every year and that the leadership at the Women?s Center hopes to host the festival in a larger venue for its 10th anniversary.?

?Volunteering is worth the energy because I know I?m helping to save another person?s life,? Edwards said.

The Women?s Center contacts various local vendors to volunteer and give out about 200 samples of chocolate per table to the festival. For those interested in volunteering in future festivals, Crowe said they can sign up through the Women?s Center website any time four weeks prior to the festival.?

Source: http://www.technicianonline.com/news/chocolate-festival-raises-breast-cancer-awareness-1.2792628

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Internet Marketing ? What is internet marketing and does Google ...

http://www.thebestwebfiles.com

Internet Marketing ? What is internet marketing and does google own a zoo?

In this video about internet marketing I wanted to address what internet marketing entails and create a better definition for those that may be a little lost. As I?m sure most of you that are more advanced have realized the google zoo is about the panda and penguin updates. I?m sure this is like most of you just starting out trying to make your own little business online. Information overload is a big issue to those new to internet marketing. You may have several people telling you to try this or that or to buy this new product. This can become even more confusing when you look at all the sub-niches of internet marketing. These sub-niches include affiliate marketing, which is selling someone else product and getting percentage of the commission. Affiliate marketing is also a broad topic and can be applied to several sub-niches of internet marketing. The remaining sub-niches of internet marketing are SEO or search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, video marketing, and traffic generation. Several other sub-niches exist these tend to be the most prevalent. This simplest description of internet marketing is showing the right people the right message at the right time? This may sound confusing so I hope this clarifies. Internet marketing is, showing the value of a product or service and how by using the product or service the buyer will be able to achieve the desired results. This info-overload can actually be a blessing in disguise. It gives you the option to focus on what you enjoy. The problem arises when people bounce back and forth from one to the other. Stick to one sub-niche and it will pay off! The google zoo, is about the recent google updates. These update are called panda and penguin. Alot people have been trying to determine what each update does. I have included a great article and video on my site, thebestwebfiles.com. At thebestwebfiles.com I always have updated article and videos about internet marketing as well as free ebooks and video for several areas that in the free resources section. Click the link below to visit my site and I will see soon. Thanks!

http://www.thebestwebfiles.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyKUcxfJbwI

Duration : 0:6:41

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1. Free Internet Marketing Seo Training- Keyword Research Tips
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4. Internet Marketing Services (50% off) ? Hit Page ONE On Google and Top Search Engines Today
5. Internet Marketing Company -How to become the HUNTED instead of the Hunter

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Source: http://articlestreaming.com/article-marketing-service/internet-marketing-what-is-internet-marketing-and-does-google-own-a-zoo

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Weed lealized in Colorado, Washington (Reuters)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/261369132?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Five Ways to Burglar-Proof Your Home & Family | The Cubicle Chick

These days, it seems as if the airwaves are clogged with all sorts of news about burglaries and home invasions.

Everywhere you turn, there?s another family having its peace of mind stolen along with its possessions. The good news is that recent studies show how installing a home security system, such as a LifeShield wireless home security system, can provide ultimate protection.

In addition to having a professional home security system in place, be sure to also use these tips to keep your home and family safe and secure:

1.???? Keep the Outside Well Lit

Burglars often target homes where they won?t be seen sneaking in. If the front of your home gives bad guys a safe place to hide, invest in lights set near windows and gates. This will keep your home off a would-be burglar?s list. Don?t want to mess with wiring? No problem! There are solar-powered LED stake lights available at most hardware stores and nurseries.

2.???? Maintain Smart Landscaping

Homeowners plant hedges and bushes without thinking about their home security. Keep the family active and your home safe at the same time by trimming hedges and keeping bushes from getting too big or bushy. Backlighting bushes in sensitive areas of your home?s perimeter will help complete the job.

3.???? Check Windows from Outside

Windows are often praised for their aesthetic appeal, yet are rarely analyzed for security risks. Take a step outside with a clipboard and write down all the ways someone could break into your home. Then, secure windows with extra locks and keep them illuminated at night. Battery-powered LED candles can provide atmosphere and extra visibility in dark or obscured windows.

4.???? Have an Escape Plan

All of the security measures in the world won?t matter if you don?t have a plan in case of an actual emergency. Create safe paths for each family member for all emergencies, including fire and flood. As an added measure of safety, reach out to your neighbors to discuss emergency plans. Having a network of neighbors to help out in times of crisis can create a safer, closer-knit community.

5.???? Invest in a Security System

Homes that use an alarm, such as a LifeShield wireless home security system, are more prepared to avert a crisis like burglary, fire and other security problems. Relying on a security system can increase your peace of mind and make a home truly burglar-proof. Cutting-edge wireless systems (no electrical wiring) can be installed quickly and can be controlled remotely.

With a little common sense and a top home security system, you can help keep your family from becoming another statistic!

About The Author

TheCubicleChick.com is a lifestyle blog focused on Work, Life, and Play. Since the site is varied and discusses a wide variety of topics, we accept guest blog posts from writers that fit well on our site. The Guest Blogger moniker is reserved for those who have written guest posts for the site, but are not contributors.

Source: http://www.thecubiclechick.com/index.php/2012/11/08/five-ways-to-burglar-proof-your-home-family/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-ways-to-burglar-proof-your-home-family

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My WordPress Website ? Property Management Specialists

Residential Property Management Utah For owners of residential, commercial, or industrial real estate, working with a property management company can be a great resource. Just like management in any other business, a quality property management company can monitor what needs to be accounted, monitored, and cared for with any type of real estate. We will work to find long-term tenants who pay promptly and maintain your property. We will act as a mediator between you and the tenant alleviating the burden of busy owners. Selecting a responsible property management company can make the real estate process a breeze. Our managers have the experience and knowledge to make your ownership experience simple and painless. Take comfort in the knowledge that we will always treat your property as if it were our own.

Source: http://cspangeek.com/property-management-specialists-3/

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Controlling vascular disease may be key to reducing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease

ScienceDaily (Nov. 5, 2012) ? Over the last 15 years, researchers have found a significant association between vascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes type 2, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. In a special issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, leading experts provide a comprehensive overview of the pathological, biochemical, and physiological processes that contribute to Alzheimer's disease risk and ways that may delay or reverse these age-related abnormalities.

"Vascular risk factors to Alzheimer's disease offer the possibility of markedly reducing incident dementia by early identification and appropriate medical management of these likely precursors of cognitive deterioration and dementia," says Guest Editor Jack C. de la Torre, MD, PhD, of the University of Texas, Austin. "Improved understanding coupled with preventive strategies could be a monumental step forward in reducing worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, which is doubling every 20 years."

The issue explores how vascular disease can affect cerebral blood flow and impair signaling, contributing to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The diagnostics of cardiovascular risk factors in AD are addressed, as are potential therapeutic approaches.

Paradoxically, the presence of vascular risk factors in middle age is associated with the development of AD more strongly than late-life vascular disease. In fact, some research suggests that vascular symptoms later in life may have a protective effect against the development of the disease. The physiopathological mechanisms that may underlie this phenomenon are discussed.

To date, trials that target major cardiovascular risk factors in the prevention of AD remain inconclusive but have become an important focus of international research as described by contributors of this special volume in their overviews. The multifactorial nature of AD and the need to identify the proper time window for intervention when designing possible interventions, and methodological issues that will have to be addressed to achieve an optimal design of new randomized controlled trials, are discussed. Promising avenues for treatment, such as the potential of low-level light therapy to increase the rate of oxygen consumption in the brain and enhance cortical metabolic capacity, and the possibility that some antihypertensive drug classes reduce the risk and progression of AD more than others, are discussed.

Dr. de la Torre notes that the presence of vascular risk factors is not an absolute pathway to dementia, and it may be as important to study how or why individuals who are cognitively normal but have vascular risk are able to avoid dementia. "Reducing Alzheimer's disease prevalence by focusing right now on vascular risk factors to Alzheimer's disease, even with our limited technology, is not a simple or easy task. But the task must begin somewhere and without delay because time is running out for millions of people whose destiny with dementia may start sooner rather than later," he concludes.

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wuFuG87UH_8/121105195954.htm

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