“Whether people are biking to work, to school or just to have fun, these latest bicycle counts demonstrate that San Francisco is a national leader in bicycle ridership,” said Mayor Lee. “We are using innovative strategies such as bike sharing and installing sharrows, dedicated bike lanes and bike boxes, to make sure that our road network is safe and convenient.”

“The SFMTA is committed to growing bicycle ridership and improving the safety of bicycling in San Francisco. The annual count provides a critical analysis of how we are doing,” said SFMTA Director of Transportation Edward D. Reiskin. “The SFMTA is proud to work with our local, state and federal partners to implement innovative and sustainable solutions that improve bicycling in San Francisco.”

Since 2006 when 4,862 bicycle riders were counted, San Francisco’s bike counts have increased an impressive 71 percent to 8,314 riders, and have increased 7 percent since 2010. Bike trips accounted for 3.5 percent of all trips in the City compared to two percent in 2000.

“These counts back up what is apparent on our streets everyday — that San Franciscans love bicycling, and that bicycling has never been more popular,” said San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Leah Shahum. “We look forward to continuing to work with city leaders, neighbors and local businesses to help even more people bicycle by connecting the city with safe and inviting crosstown bikeways, helping the city reach its goal of 20 percent of trips by bicycle by 2020.”

The SFMTA’s automated and manual counts reached the same conclusion as the national American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau; that there is a steady and measurable increase in bicycle trips in San Francisco.

The 2011 Bicycle Count Report relied on a new methodology and more comprehensive approach which included American Community Survey findings, manual intersection counts, loop-detector automated corridor counts and Metropolitan Transportation Commission manual counts. The purpose of changing the methodology was to bring San Francisco’s data in line with national reporting standards.

Since 2006, the SFMTA Sustainable Streets staff has been conducting annual citywide manual bike counts that are used to track bicycling at key intersections and corridors throughout the city, as well as to determine helmet use and if riders are using bicycling facilities.

“No matter how the world concludes this year, whether from Galactic Alignment, the Mayan Calendar, Nostradamus, or some cataclysmic combination, we will all be there for you with special reduced rates on the services you will need to get your business started again,” states John Scott G from G-Man Marketing.

In a promotional event called “Lower the BOOM on Prices,” G-Man Marketing and their clients “will work with anyone who can read this without mocking it too much,” G says. “We feel that this promotion is cause for celebration, not derision. We’re treating it as the penultimate event in the new century,” G continues, “which is why it will run from the end of the world all the way through to the end of the year.”

Among the offers that will apply from December 21 to 31, 2012, are the following: G-Man Marketing will provide public relations services for free. Send2Press.com (a service of Neotrope(R)) will disseminate the media announcements for free. Country artist Sandra Piller will sell her album at half price. Country songwriter Jane Bach will co-write a song for free. Matt Forger will mix and master a song for one-third off.

Sheena Metal, host on LATalkRadio, will create a radio commercial for your product. In addition, her Carnyville live music event will let your band play two sets for free, “even if all your fans have expired,” notes Ms. Metal.

Goodnight Kiss Music is offering half off music consultations. Robin Hood Music offers free song downloads. Phil Hatten Design will create a logo for free. FookMovie will create a free music video. And a spokesperson for Golosio, the music publishing firm, says “We will pitch your song to whatever film and TV projects are still available, although they probably will just be basic cable.”

Some restrictions apply. “First, the world must actually come to an end on or about December 21,” G said. “Second, you’ll have to figure out how to get in touch with us during the ten days in question because we’ve had no assurances from the phone companies that they’ll be doing anything at that time except figuring out how to charge you for unused minutes.”

For more information about all the firms and individuals in this story, please contact John Scott G of G-Man Marketing (www.gmanmarketing.com). “Please remember,” G states, “the world may end but good hype is forever.” G-Man Marketing, 818-223-8486.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

In her session “CPAs and Social Media,” Westerberg will identify areas where Social Media can benefit small CPA firm, and single person firms in much the same way that networking and word of mouth referrals can benefit professionals. The session will provide advice on how to enhance online presence with clients, prospective clients and professional associates using social media sites such as Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

“Social Media provides a powerful way for professionals to extend their networks and business development. With a well thought out strategy, CPA firms can enjoy all the benefits of an online presence that serves to grow their book of business and increase client loyalty,” said Westerberg.

The Texas Association of Certified Public Accountants (TACPA) is a nonprofit, voluntary, professional organization representing Texas CPAs. The TACPA dedicates itself exclusively to the unique interests of CPAs in public practice, including preserving the integrity and enhancing the value of the CPA certificate within the business and financial communities. The TACPA is committed to helping members meet the challenges and seize the opportunities in public practice.

About Dawn Westerberg Consulting:

Dawn Westerberg invites business owners to “fall in love with your business again” through a sound marketing strategy that drives results and profits. Dawn Westerberg Consulting LLC assists companies in developing marketing plans that take full advantage of online and traditional marketing to create lead demand from ideal prospects. An Authorized Duct Tape Marketing Consultant – http://dawnwesterberg.com/duct-tape-marketing/ – Dawn is a frequent speaker at conferences throughout the country on the topics of marketing, social media, online presence, and blogging. She publishes a blog on B2B Marketing at http://dawnwesterberg.com and is a contributor at BusinessWeek’s Business Exchange. With headquarters in Austin, TX, she serves customers in the United States and Canada.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

It offers stacked towers to suit large-scale commercial production needs which can be downsized for residential use and Community Supported Agriculture.

“Southern Californians are more focused on the benefits of locally-grown food and the holistic health and well-being that come from eating un-processed raw food,” said Tim Carpenter, founder of Verti-Gro, Inc. “With ample sun and temperate conditions, these systems present an immediate and affordable opportunity for families and communities to eat healthy.”

Verti-Gro(R) hydroponic systems employ insulated stacked pots with an automated drip system that circulates nutrients through the plants. The company offers a simple economical and pesticide-free system, and supports it with a wealth of information and training for entry level home gardeners and large scale commercial farms.

“Verti-Gro’s system reduces energy and water use by more than 85 percent and saves space,” said Erik Cutter, Managing Director of EnviroIngenuity. “It also virtually eliminates greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need to transport produce across long distances, and it doesn’t use soil which is becoming a very limited resource.”

EnviroIngenuity recently launched is vertical farming division to bring hydroponic vertical farming processes to Southern California to enable individuals and communities to grow their own food within urban areas. Through this new partnership, the company will develop job training programs for youth.

“Our curriculum and products will allow youth to develop valuable life-skills, grow their own food and ultimately start their own business in urban agriculture,” said Cutter. “This is one very healthy job opportunity that cannot be outsourced.”

About Verti-Gro(R):

For 20 years, Verti-Gro, Inc., has developed tools and methods for vertical growing and vertical gardening to efficiently utilize space and energy. These methods use hydroponics which allows gardeners to grow produce without soil. Verti-Gro is based in Summerfield, FL on a 12-acre farm with a learning center. Verti-Gro(R) products are sold worldwide.

Tim Carpenter, the founder of Verti-Gro, Inc., has been involved in hydroponic research, development and production for more than 40 years. An internationally recognized consultant, he has traveled the world as an educator in the greenhouse industry using vertical plant production technologies. Carpenter specializes in hydroponic production of fruits, vegetables, greens, large-scale commercial and vertical home growing systems. Carpenter has partnered with EPCOT and NASA to develop hydroponic projects including the garden display, Living With the Land. More information: http://www.VertiGro.com .

About EnviroIngenuity:

EnviroIngenuity was founded in 2009 by Erik Cutter. The company is comprised of forward-thinking professionals whose goal is to take advantage of the growing demand for more efficient, cost effective sustainable energy solutions, employing solar PV, hi-efficiency LED lighting, green building and vertical food production technologies. EnviroIngenuity’s mission is “advancingreenergy” and reducing waste, thus better utilizing limited natural resources. As businesses invest in a lower carbon future, the EnviroIngenuity team is focused on helping organizations move forward to deploy sustainable energy solutions using disruptive technologies. More information: http://www.EnviroIngenuity.com .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

“In tough economic times we need to make sure hardworking Angelenos are getting all the help they need,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “We want to ensure that all qualifying low and moderate-income households reap the benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit and gain access to free tax assistance.”

The EITC is a vastly underutilized benefit. The IRS estimates that 21% of all eligible families who qualify for EITC do not file a federal tax return to claim the credit. That means residents are leaving behind at least $300 million in EITC in Los Angeles County each year.

Led by United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the EITC partnership contributes to a national effort to increase public awareness about the tax credit and other services provided by participating organizations.

“The EITC program is one of the largest programs in the country that can make an impact on poverty. Costs for basic needs like housing and food are on the rise, and the credit can help Los Angeles County residents,” said Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. “We hope to help even more qualified people obtain credits this year.”

FamilySource Centers, the City’s anti-poverty system, provide a comprehensive array of social services to city residents that need them the most. Each center offers a variety of educational, family, child and youth services including counseling, cultural, recreational and after school activities onsite or nearby through referrals.

During tax season, each of the 21 FamilySource centers throughout the City are designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance—or VITA—sites. Supported by the EITC partnership, VITA sites provide families with free tax assistance and help them apply for tax credits. These sites also offer asset-building programs that include financial education and resources to help families open low-cost bank accounts.

Juan Diego, a hardworking single parent, joined Villaraigosa today to explain how FamilySource and VITA sites helped his family. Diego began going to the Central City Neighborhood Partners FamilySource Center in 2010 with his children for tutoring classes and to take ESL and computer classes. Because of the VITA site at his FamilySource Center, Diego walked out with $4,584 of in tax credits last year that he didn’t know he could receive.

“I began going to the FamilySource Center to learn English and take my children to tutoring, but the Center also informed me about the EITC,” said Diego. “With EITC money, I was able to pay debts I had after my wife passed away and buy needed clothing for my children.”

Last year, the partnership aided 39,573 people like Diego throughout the Greater LA claim over $43.8 million in total tax refunds. Individuals and families also saved approximately $6 million in tax preparation fees by having volunteers file their taxes for them.

For 2012 (the 2011 tax year), the EITC can translate to a refund of up to $5,751 for low and moderate-income families with three or more children – a figure equal to nearly two months of income for many hardworking but needy households.

EITC provides the following benefits for qualified working families:
Families with two parents and three or more qualifying children who earn less than $49,078 ($43,998 for families with a single parent) are eligible for up to $5,751
Families with two parents and two qualifying children who earn less than $46,044 (or $40,964 for families with a single parent) are eligible for up to $5,112
Families with two parents and one qualifying child who earn less than $41,132 (or $36,052 for families with a single parent) are eligible for up to $3,094
Couples with no qualifying children who earn less than $18,740 (or $13,660 for a single person) are eligible for up to $464

To qualify for EITC services and tax credits, claimants must be qualified working U.S. citizens and legal residents with Social Security number who have lived in the US for more than half the year.

For more information and to find one of over 100 free tax preparation sites, individuals and working families can call 2-1-1 or visit the EITC Partnership’s web site at www.FreeTaxHelpLA.com

About the EITC Campaign Partnership

The EITC Campaign Partnership is a broad-based coalition of government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations and financial institutions who have come together to improve the economic status of L.A.’s working families by increasing the number of EITC filings and providing VITA sites.

Partners include:
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Center for Asset Building Opportunities
Internal Revenue Service
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
Los Angeles Community Development Department
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
California State Controller’s Office
Bank of America
Citibank
Neighborhood Legal Services
KoreanYouth & Community Center (KYCC)
Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF)
Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND)
PACE Business Development Center
Chinatown Service Center
Magnolia Place (Children’s Bureau)
Saint Helen’s Church
Children’s Defense Fund-California
Employment Development Department
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
AARP.

This valuable information is free to the public and has been developed through many years of successful business and countless satisfied customers that have called upon Softway Solutions for their online marketing needs.

After beginning its efforts in January 2012 and slated to continue through the rest of the year, Softway Solutions will release tutorials called White Papers through its website – www.softwaysolutions.com . These White Papers will both outline important issues tied in with online marketing, as well as placing forth unique ideas and tips to help any business thrive an increasingly digital world. All the information has been compiled by Softway’s industry-leading experts and contains savvy hints and tricks to online marketing that many company leaders would pay big money for. But, Softway Solutions is offering the information for free in their continued efforts to not only serve the community, but also educate it.

Some of these White Papers will be dedicated to matters paramount to success in the online market, such as using Twitter, the best e-commerce practices and online marketing as a whole. Oceans of information on such topics already exist and are floating around the Internet, readily accessed by viewers. However, the knowledge contained in the forthcoming White Papers come from the general expertise of the Softway Solutions staff and are based off the company’s regular business practices. Adding these White Papers to the already plentiful collection of information helps to enhance the knowledge of the online community.

The professionals at Softway Solutions also share the digital secrets that have made them an institution in the profession for years. The educational efforts of Softway Solutions are rather unprecedented; very few privately owned companies have sank these types of resources into ensuring the community is armed with the knowledge it needs to be successful online.

About Softway Solutions:

Established in 2003, Softway Solutions has been a go-to source for website design, web and mobile application development and countless other multimedia needs. The Houston-based company employs over 115 associates both in the United States and abroad. Softway’s clients range from healthcare companies to architects. As already proven, Softway Solutions is equipped to meet the technology and multimedia needs of virtually any client or profession.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

With this announcement, TeamF1 builds on its success in deploying advanced security and connectivity software for SMB, SOHO and residential devices on earlier generations of Cavium’s OCTEON(R) and ECONA(R) families. By providing this support very early in the processor’s lifecycle, network equipment providers using TeamF1 software will benefit from the seamless migration and scaling up of solutions optimized for existing OCTEON families.

As a Cavium PACE (Partnership to Accelerate Customer End-solutions) member, TeamF1 develops and markets highly integrated, hardware-accelerated embedded networking and security software solutions targeted towards manufacturers of SMB security gateways, service provider home & business gateways, and network storage devices. TeamF1′s turnkey software solutions are pre-optimized for Cavium silicon and help bring OEM products to market speedily and cost-effectively without sacrificing performance and quality.

“We expect Cavium’s OCTEON III processors to be an excellent fit for our high-end networking OEMs. Comprehensive support for this advanced family of processors is a key initiative for our development team,” said Mukesh Lulla, president of TeamF1. “We are confident that our ongoing strategic efforts with Cavium will provide our mutual customers with the high-quality solutions that they have come to expect of both companies, while reducing integration risk and development costs.”

“TeamF1 and Cavium have a long history of combining best of breed software and hardware to maximize performance and speed time to deployment,” said Steve Klinger, director of product management at Cavium. “By working closely with TeamF1 from planning to delivery, Cavium enables its customers to rapidly take to production advanced applications integrated and optimized for our latest high-performance OCTEON III processors.”

The recently announced Cavium OCTEON III family delivers breakthrough performance and application-aware features for OEMs and ODMs in SMB, enterprise, access and service provider segments which require support for converged data, voice and video. Cavium OCTEON III processors are optimized for use in cloud computing, high-end core and edge routers, metro Ethernet, enterprise switches, 3G/4G/LTE base-stations, enterprise security gateways and appliances, storage networking and mobile core infrastructure equipment.

The OCTEON III family integrates 1 to 48 MIPS64 cores, at up to 2.5GHz, providing up to 120GHz of industry-leading 64 bit compute power per chip. Multiple chips can be combined into a single logical high-performance processor using Cavium’s innovative new chip interconnect architecture. All OCTEON III processors also incorporate new dedicated hardware engines to speed search, protocol parsing and traffic management as well as enhanced cryptography, compression and deep packet inspection engines. For more information about OCTEON III please visit: http://www.cavium.com/OCTEON-III_CN7XXX.html .

About TeamF1:

TeamF1, Inc., a privately held corporation headquartered in Fremont, California, is a leader in high performance embedded networking and security software. TeamF1′s products enable secure networking of telecom/datacom and industrial equipment. For more information visit the company’s website at http://www.TeamF1.com .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

“Every year that I attend the awards dinner, I am so honored and proud of the people I call my clients, colleagues and friends,” said Donny Disbro, Chief Executive Officer of PCM. “The winners and nominees exemplify the passion and dedication to service that has made our company and industry what it is today.”

This year’s PCM winners are:

* Jerry Storage, Vice President of PCM and General Manager of Laguna Woods Village, received the Manager of the Year Award (large-scale management category) for his success on meeting the needs of the client, open communication, and for keeping abreast of industry developments;
* Judie Zoerhof, Manager of Rossmoor Towers in Laguna Woods, received Manager of the Year honors (high-rise category) for initiating and overseeing a marketing strategy that resulted in sales inventory at Towers decreasing by half in 2010, and leases increasing by 35 percent over the same time period;
* Wendy Bucknum, Governmental and Public Affairs Manager, received the Committee of the Year Award as a part of the CAI Public Relations Committee. In 2011, the Committee created YouTube videos and created press releases for events and accomplishments, successfully increasing awareness about the chapter.

Additionally, several board members from PCM-managed communities as well as PCM team members received nominations for their service and dedication to the community association industry.

Board Members Catherine Brians and Roger Turner of Laguna Woods Village’s United Mutual were nominated for the Community Association Board Member of the Year in the Rookie Category, which is presented to a newer board member who demonstrated a high level of commitment and participation in their community.

The following were nominated for the Community Association Board Member of the Year in the Veteran Category which is presented to long-term members of their association board of directors:
* Ross Chun, President of the Aliso Viejo Community Association;
* Jeanne Kerr, Chair of the Landscape and Chair of the Rules and Regulations Ad-Hoc committees at Huntington Landmark;
* Jack Walley, Board Member at La Mirada Landmark.

Community Association Board Member of the Year nominees in the Hall of Fame Category:
* Wendy Fox, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Woodbury East Community Association;
* Ruth May, Member of the Board of Directors for the Golden Rain Foundation of Laguna Woods;
* Joyce Saltzgiver, Member of the Board of Directors for the Casta del Sol Homeowners Association.

Community Manager Tawni Carpenter was nominated for the Community Manager of the Year in the Portfolio Category.

Debbie Alvarez, General Manager of Talega Galleries, was nominated for the Community Manager of the Year in the Large Scale Category.

About Professional Community Management of California:

Professional Community Management of California, Inc. (PCM), an Associa company, specializes in the management of Common Interest Developments of homeowner associations for family oriented master-planned developments, resort-style master-planned communities, active-adult master-planned communities, condominium associations and boutique communities throughout Southern California and Southern Nevada.

With headquarters in Lake Forest, Calif., PCM and its companies employ a staff of more than 1,500 people. PCM has offices in serving all of Southern California and Southern Nevada and is recognized by the Multi Housing Council as one of the county’s largest managers of common interest developments. Management services by PCM are backed by state-of-the art Internet technology and comprehensive financial and management systems. For additional information, please contact PCM at 800.369.7260 or at http://www.pcminternet.com .

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

According to a report entitled “Going the Distance – Online Education in the United States, 2011″ published by the College Board and the Babson Survey Research Group, over 6 million students are currently taking at least one class online. This number indicates that almost one-third of higher-education students in the U.S. are now taking at least one course over the internet, over 560,000 more than in 2010.

The report data also demonstrates a significant shift in the way teachers and school administrators feel about online programs. In 2011, 67 percent of academic professionals polled were of the opinion that online classes can be equally as effective as face-to-face classes. In 2003, only 50 percent responded this way. Therefore, as more institutions are offering classes online, those working in the industry are becoming more open to the idea. While two-thirds of educators believe online education is a worthwhile pursuit, only one-third believe otherwise and many of them work in institutions that do not offer online learning options.

It is important to note that many of these educators teach curriculums that are not conducive to online studies. Chemistry and art for example often require physical interaction from students, making it difficult for these subjects to be taught online effectively. Others, however, such as business administration, lend themselves to the platform of online education because of how crucial online interaction is in today’s business world. Subsequently business administration is commonly one the most popular online degree programs pursued, along with online degrees in nursing and online criminal justice degrees.

There are several factors believed to have an effect on the overall shift in the mentality of educators. However, the most common is the technological capabilities now available to teachers and students, making it possible to achieve a highly interactive, educational experience, much like they could in a traditional classroom. The computers, tablets, and smartphones available, along with the ever-evolving software capabilities and network options, make online degree opportunities too convenient to ignore.

The statistics prove that perceptions regarding online education are beginning to shift, including those of educators, along with the fact that new online degree programs are popping up all over the place. Degree programs can be found in virtually every area of study, and websites like PETAP.org make it easier than ever to read about available programs and make a truly educated decision.

More information: http://www.petap.org/distance-learning-online-schools-directory.cfm .

About PETAP:

PETAP, LLC (www.petap.org) offers complimentary no obligation information pertaining to campus based and online schools, creating an education plan, and career testing for those looking to take advantage of online learning.

Copyright © 2012 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

No religion mandates this procedure, though it occurs across cultures, religions, and continents. It is performed on girls in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Even in the United States we are fighting this practice. FGM/C became a federal crime in the United States in 1997, but the procedure persists in some communities. The U.S. Government is working with practitioners in the health and legal community to educate groups about the negative consequences of FGM/C.

Over the years, community advocates have found that when men come to understand the physical and psychological trauma FGM/C causes, they often become effective activists for eradication, including fathers who refuse to allow their daughters to be subject to the procedure. Communities must act collectively to abandon the practice, so that girls and their families who opt out do not become social outcasts. This approach has led around 6,000 communities across Africa to abandon the practice, usually through a public declaration. Communities working together can ensure stronger, healthier futures for girls and young women.

Every government has an obligation to protect its citizens from such abuse. As we commemorate International Day of Zero Tolerance and remember those who have been harmed, we reaffirm our commitment to overturning deeply entrenched social norms and abolishing this practice. All women and girls, no matter where they are born or what culture they are raised in, deserve the opportunity to realize their potential.