Press Releases

NEW ORLEANS, July 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of people united at the ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans today to celebrate the launch of "America I AM Across America," a mobile experience leading to the "America I AM: The African American Imprint" museum exhibition. Through artifacts, documents, video and music, the mobile tour will bring the exhibition's inspirational message to the hearts of more than 40 communities in advance of the exhibit opening.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080704/CLF022-a

            http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080704/CLF022-b )

The celebration included a special performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist Ledisi, and remarks by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin; broadcaster Tavis Smiley; Cornel West, professor of Religion and African American studies at Princeton University; the exhibition's executive producer John Fleming, president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History; syndicated radio host Tom Joyner; and Rosalind Brewer, president, Southeast Division, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

The kick-off concluded with a sculpture presentation of the "Field of Angels" from the historic Whitney Plantation in Louisiana. The sculptures provide an insightful glimpse into the lives of slaves through the eyes of children who lived there as far back as the 1700s.

As it journeys across the nation from July to November, "America I AM Across America" will make appearances at festivals, African American museums, landmarks, schools and other community gatherings in cities including New Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Memphis, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, and many more. The exhibition is made possible by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which serves as its presenting sponsor, and also will host the mobile tour in several cities. ExxonMobil joins the mobile tour as the sponsor fueling the truck across America. Tour schedule details are available at www.AmericaIAM.org.

The museum exhibition "America I AM: The African American Imprint" will celebrate 400 years of African American contributions to the nation through artifacts, documents, multimedia, photos and music. "America I AM Across America" will serve as a traveling microcosm of the exhibition, a multi- sensory experience complete with artifacts, text, video, music and a unique visitor interactive opportunity. In a customized mobile recording booth, visitors will have the opportunity to leave their own "imprints" as recorded video messages that will travel with the exhibition. As the exhibit travels to cities across the country, this living imprint will grow to become the largest oral history project recorded in U.S. history.

"'America I AM: The African American Imprint' encourages all people to connect in a meaningful way with the foundations of democracy, cultural diversity, exploration and free enterprise, which began when the first Africans arrived in Jamestown," said Tavis Smiley. "By telling the stories of the events of the past, we can help the leaders of the future set the stage for active participation in the democratic process for years to come. The ESSENCE Music Festival was the perfect place to kick off this tour and I'm looking forward to visiting other communities as well, as this tour travels across America."

"Wal-Mart is proud to be part of such an innovative display of the trials and triumphs of the African American community," said Rosalind Brewer, president, Southeast Division, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "It is important to recognize African American history as American history and as something that should be celebrated throughout the year. And there is no better way to share the enormous contributions of African Americans with communities across the country than through a nationwide traveling exhibit."

"ExxonMobil is proud to be a part of the historic 'America I AM Across America' mobile experience across the U.S.," said Ben Soraci, U.S. retail sales director for ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company. "With programs ranging from education to entrepreneurship, The Smiley Group builds diversity in the business community, which is significant for companies like ExxonMobil. Meeting the world's fundamental and growing need for energy is a massive undertaking, and we are inspired by the focus on excellence and accomplishment that remains the hallmark of The Smiley Group's achievements."

Developed in partnership with The Smiley Group, Inc., and organized by Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI) and Cincinnati Museum Center, "America I AM: The African American Imprint" is a four-year touring exhibition that will tell the story of the nation's African people and their legacies through objects, texts, religion, music, narration and media culled from every period of the nation's history. Featuring more than 150 extraordinary artifacts, the exhibit will present a historical continuum of pivotal moments in courage, conviction and creativity that solidifies the undeniable imprint of African Americans across the nation and around the world.

More details about the mobile tour and exhibition, including a gallery walkthrough moderated by Tavis Smiley, are available at www.AmericaIAM.org.

ABOUT The Smiley Group, Inc.

Founded in 1998 and based in Los Angeles, The Smiley Group, Inc., (TSG) is a communications corporation dedicated to supporting human rights and related empowerment issues. The mission of TSG is to achieve positive results through advocacy and education on issues of concern to African Americans and other people without substantial economic or social standing. TSG is the holding company for Tavis Smiley Presents, Smiley Radio Properties, High Quality Speakers Bureau, TS Media, and SmileyBooks. The Tavis Smiley Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides leadership development training for youth. Tavis Smiley is the host of Tavis Smiley on PBS and The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI and the author/editor of 11 books including the New York Times best sellers Covenant with Black America, What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing up in America, and THE COVENANT In Action. For more information, visit www.tavistalks.com.

ABOUT Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI)

Founded in 2003 by president John Norman and international vice president Andres Numhauser, AEI produces the award-winning exhibition "Diana: A Celebration" in association with the Althorp Estate in the United Kingdom, two touring exhibitions dedicated to the treasures of King Tutankhamun and "Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship." Norman and Numhauser have nearly 40 years combined experience in the entertainment and exhibition business, working over the years on such projects as "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit" and "Saint Peter and the Vatican: The Legacy of the Popes." The company has relationships with the most important museums in the world and has presented traveling exhibitions on four continents.

AEI is part of AEG Exhibitions, an affiliate division of AEG LIVE. AEG LIVE is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance and the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. For more information, log onto www.artsandexhibitions.com.

ABOUT Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is home to the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX(R) Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Archives & Library. It is a nationally recognized educational and research resource and one of the top cultural attractions in the Midwest. With more than one million visitors each year, Museum Center is the top cultural attraction in Cincinnati and the most visited museum complex in the State of Ohio. Originally built in 1933 as the Union Terminal train station, the building is a national historic landmark and was renovated and reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. For information, call 513-287-7000 or 1-800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org.

ABOUT Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)

Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.wal-mart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to communities in the Unites States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.

ABOUT ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company

The Fuels Marketing organization, one of Exxon Mobil Corporation's Downstream Business Units, provides nearly 5 million barrels per day of ExxonMobil fuel products to a globally diverse customer base in over 80 countries on five continents. Our business is comprised of four (4) Business Lines: Aviation Fuels, Industrial & Wholesale, Marine Fuels and Retail. The Exxon, Mobil, and Esso brands serve motorists at nearly 34 thousand service stations and provide over 1 million industrial and wholesale customers with quality fuel products. In addition, fuel products and services are provided to aviation customers at over 650 airports and to marine customers at 200 marine ports around the world.

SOURCE Arts and Exhibitions International

WASHINGTON, July 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of her official visit to Vietnam, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Henrietta Fore presided at a ceremonial opening of the agency's new mission in Hanoi.

Since the mission has been operating for the past few months, the ribbon cutting really recognized the growing importance of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic and economic relations by USAID's commitment to a locally run mission. Before that, the mission was a regional office, managed by USAID's bureau in Thailand.

Health care, education and the environment were among the issues the administrator and prime minister discussed with Vietnamese officials. Fore also met with more than a dozen women holding prominent positions in business, health, education and law to gain their insights on how well women are advancing under Vietnam's growing prosperity. The administrator also visited USAID-supported HIV/AIDS and methadone clinics.

Vietnam's effort to rapidly move toward a market-driven economy has decreased poverty more than 30 percent among that nation's 84 million people.

Still, problems persist.

Needle-using drug abusers are keeping HIV/AIDS at epidemic levels and an alarming amount of human trafficking continues. USAID-sponsored business partnerships, however, have made strides in boosting Vietnam's economy. Microsoft, Intel and Qualcomm have brought wireless Internet connections to rural areas and schools while Masterfoods and the World Cocoa Foundation increased coca production and trade in the nation's Mekong Delta and Central highlands.

Nearly $100 million in assistance is slated for Vietnam this year, up from $59 million in 2007 and $37 million in 2006.

For more information about the USAID and its programs in Vietnam, please visit www.usaid.gov.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

Public Information: 202-712-4810

SOURCE USAID

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, July 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Austral Pacific Energy Ltd. (TSX-V: APX; NZSX: APX)

The current well program was designed to test additional reserve potential in the greater Cheal area. The locations were chosen, based on the regional 3D seismic data set to have potential for a thick gross sand package, above the regional oil water contact.

Cheal-A6 and A6ST wells were targeting a separate lobe of sand from the main Cheal 'A' Pool, the Cheal-A7 well is classified as a step out well targeting an extension to the same pool as the successful Cheal A3 and A4 wells.

The company announces that the Cheal-A6 well reached a total depth of 1930m on June 26th, 2008. The well intercepted an oil bearing MM3 Formation as prognosed at approximately 1818m MD, but the net sand interval was interpreted from electric logs to be some 2 metres thick, thinner than prognosed and sub economic to complete and produce.

The Joint Venture (Austral Pacific Energy Ltd 69.5% and TAG Oil 30.5%) agreed to plug and abandon the MM3 zone in this well bore, set a whipstock plug at 1359m and kick off a side track well to a targeted location approximately 150m to the south of the original A6 penetration.

Cheal-A6ST was drilled to a total depth of 1936m on July 2nd, 2008 and intercepted the targeted MM3 sands as prognosed, well above the regional oil/water contact, but again, while oil charged they were only some 2 meters thick. After evaluation of all subsurface data the Joint Venture has agreed to plug and abandon the A6ST well as a sub-commercial hydrocarbon discovery.

A new whipstock plug will be set in the wellbore and the rig will now commence drilling the Cheal-A7 well from the same surface location.

Commenting upon the result, Mr. Jewell Austral CEO said, "We were pleased with proving that the oil water contact encompassed a larger Cheal field area but very disappointed that the aggregate sand thickness in this location was too thin to be commercially produced. While we are disappointed in the results in this well we remain confident in the ultimate upside potential of the Cheal field development and the Greater Cheal play trend. We have built well appraisal failures into our overall planning and remain determined to bring success to the JV and shareholders."

In other news Austral has been informed by Origin that the Waihapa Production Station is being temporarily shut down due to inadequate supplies of gas to the facility from other sources. The Cheal field oil production produces very small volumes of gas; most of which is used to operate the plant and generate electricity into the grid. The minor amounts of residual gas, some 150,000 cubic feet per day, is processed at the Waihapa Production Facility and sold to Vector and carried to market through the Vector gas transmission network system.

As a result of the shut down, Origin has now informed Austral that the processing of raw gas from Cheal into the Waihapa Production Station has been suspended. Origin has proposed an option to allow the Cheal field to continue producing at optimum rates and reinject its spare gas into one of its existing reservoirs. Austral and Origin are working together to formalize an agreement.

Commenting on the Waihapa Production Station shut down Mr. Jewell said, "Access to market for both the gas and oil production from our Cheal field is critically important to the company so we maintain plans to support multiple contingencies. The field is capable of producing up to 1 million cu feet of gas per day but currently only 150 thousand cu feet are excess to the Cheal plant operations. Our current production of 420 barrels per day continues."

    Web site:  http://www.austral-pacific.com
    Email:     ir@austral-pacific.com
    Phone:     Thom Jewell, CEO +64 (4) 495 0880

None of the Exchanges upon which Austral Pacific's securities trade have approved or disapproved the contents hereof. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable legislation. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements in this release addressing future production, reserve potential, exploration and development activities and other contingencies are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, due to factors such as market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, political or business conditions.

    See our public filings at www.sedar.com  and
www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm for further information.

SOURCE Austral Pacific Energy Ltd.

The Pennsylvania Satellite News Service will provide a satellite video feed from 8:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. (20:30 - 20:45 Eastern) TONIGHT, Friday, July 4, of Governor Edward G. Rendell signing the new, $28.3 billion state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. The budget makes major new investments in energy, education and infrastructure that will benefit Pennsylvanians for decades to come.

For details on the new budget, visit www.pa.gov.

Feed coordinates are: AMC - 5 (KU Band Analog) - Transponder 13 Vertical - Channel 13 downlink frequency 12096MHz; Audio 6.2/6.8.

Technical trouble contact: (717) 772-4282.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:

Gary Miller

717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

LOS ANGELES, July 4 /PRNewswire/ -- NBA star Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, are planning to marry yet again on Tuesday, July 8th in Seattle, Washington in a lavish ultra private ceremony. This will be the 13th wedding for the power couple who have made this a family tradition.

Doug and Jackie have a distinctly unique bond, which spans 16 years of both public acclaim and scrutiny. Their first book, No Ordinary Love: A True Story of Marriage and Basketball, released through their publishing company Infinite Love Publishing, provides a candid look at the Christies' own relationship and illustrates how mutual respect, friendship, and a commitment to monogamy serve as the foundation of their marriage. Their book presents unique advice and detailed recommendations for not only making relationships work but also making them last.

Aside from past public scrutiny as well as untrue rumors that the Christie's had to endure, affected not only their personal life but professional life as well. Most recent was that of veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy who refereed games in the NBA during Doug's tenure with the Sacramento Kings in 2002. Tim Donaghy was accused of betting on basketball games over the past two seasons and most recently admitted to cheating in game 6 of the semi-finals that year between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers' basketball teams. "I am devastated to now find out the game was not officiated fairly," says Christie. "Not just for myself and my family but for my teammates as well who put their heart and soul on the line, the fans and the players out there on the floor right now. Who can tell what's 'real' and what's fake?"

"We strive to be positive role models and make good things happen for everyone, that is why we established our companies to make a difference," said Jackie Christie.

None of the harsh treatment they face, will stop Doug and Jackie from doing what is important to them. To mark their 13th anniversary, the couple will donate $100,000.00 (US) to charity and plan to invite 100 gay and lesbian couples to join them next July for their 14th wedding to marry in one joint ceremony. We will be honored to do it said Jackie Christie. They continue to participate in non-profit organizations such as the BLACK HIV/AIDS Institute helping to raise awareness on the wide spread epidemic surrounding the disease, as well as their work with longtime Seattle, Washington charity the Millionaires Club, amongst others.

"The power couple is also responsible for inspiring so many other couples including celebrity couples, to marry more than once, we are so happy to see so many people now choosing to marry multiple times, or renew their vows privately and publicly. Our hearts warm when someone say's thank you for inspiring us," said Doug Christie.

The Christie's daughter, role model and multi talented entertainer Chani, whom recently released her debut album, 'My Dream' is following in her parents footsteps with her own philanthropy as well. By being named the YMCA National Youth Spokesperson, as well as, the United States youth ambassador for HIV/AIDS Awareness.

About Jean Rah Fya Records: Established in Dec 2007, the label owned by NBA Star Doug Christie and his business savvy wife Jackie Christie is the home to some of the hottest young talent. Jean Rah Fya Records goal is to reach people in a positive way through music. This new label which is the pioneer of "The positive Youth Movement" is quickly making headlines in the music industry.

About Tim Donaghy:

Tim Donaghy is a former professional basketball referee who worked in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons from 1994 to 2007. During his career in the NBA, Donaghy officiated in 772 regular-season games and 20 playoff games. Donaghy resigned from the league on July 9, 2007 prior to reports of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for allegations that he bet on games that he officiated during his last two seasons and that he made calls affecting the point spread in those games.

    www.infinitelovepublishing.com
    www.jackiechristie.com

    For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
    Laura Wright at PR@avidexposure.com or 310-358-9232

SOURCE Infinite Love Publishing