Press Releases

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A delegation of nine young people from across the country will represent the Boy Scouts of America® in Washington, D.C., February 11–15, to present the organization's annual Report to the Nation to top U.S. officials. The report is designated in the BSA's congressional charter and will highlight the organization's achievements in 2011, the first year in Scouting's second century. The BSA's new national theme, Prepared. For Life.™, has defined the organization's path forward under four pillars: learning, service, leadership, and adventure.

"Innovation is a cornerstone of Scouting. While the fundamental nature of what we teach—things like character, leadership, and service—will never change, we continually update our programs to meet the needs of today's kids," said Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca. "As we move into Scouting's second century, we are focused on critical issues to today's youth with new healthy-living initiatives and a greater emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math [STEM] in Scouting programs. We're proud to be able to share our progress with our nation's leaders."

Collectively, Scouts across America give more than 25 million hours of volunteer time annually, at a value of more than a half-billion dollars (based on a national volunteer-hour value of $21.36). In 2011, 51,473 young men earned the Eagle Scout Award through the completion of 21 life skills merit badges and an extensive self-directed service project. The average number of hours spent on Eagle Scout projects is 130, which means that in 2011, Eagle Scout service projects alone represented almost 6.7 million hours of community service.

Scouts across the country also learned the value of physical health and well-being with the introduction of SCOUTStrong™, a formal BSA initiative that seeks to ensure Scouts and all young people are healthy in mind, body, and spirit. And more than 1 million Scouts attended BSA camps in 2011—with Scouts camping out more than 5 million nights throughout the year—continuing the organization's longtime focus on adventure in the great outdoors.

In 2011, the BSA also continued its ongoing affiliation with ExxonMobil, NASA, and other organizations to cultivate initiatives that encourage interest in STEM-related educational and career opportunities.

Report to the Nation Delegation

Being selected to the Report to the Nation delegation is a tremendous honor for the nine Scouts and the communities they represent.  Each Scout represents the more than 100 million Scouts who have been part of the BSA since its inception in 1910 and the millions who will follow. This year's delegation is made up of the following young people:

• Venturing president Dan Carriveau; Little Chute, Wisconsin
• Boy Scout Jordan Evans; Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Cub Scout Daniel Green; Silver Lake, Ohio
• National Sea Scout boatswain Eva Hogan; Houston, Texas
• Boy Scout Kauhikoa "Koa" Kalamau; Kapolei, Hawaii
• Boy Scout Nicholas Kulick; Catharpin, Virginia 
• Boy Scout R.J. McCullen III; El Paso, Texas
• Boy Scout Jack Pape; Omaha, Nebraska
• Order of the Arrow National Chief John Rehm; Turbotville, Pennsylvania

Meeting with Top Washington Officials

Arriving in the nation's capital on Saturday, Feb. 11, the delegation is scheduled for visits throughout the week with U.S. Cabinet members and House and Senate leadership, as well as tours of the White House, CIA, Pentagon, and Supreme Court. The delegation will deliver this year's report to Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner, and for the first time, will participate in a service project benefitting the National Cathedral. Additional details include:

• Saturday, Feb. 11: Tour NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and have dinner with NASA's John Wolfgang.
• Sunday, Feb. 12: Participate in service project at the National Cathedral.
• Monday, Feb. 13: Share the Report to the Nation with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta; Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno; and Navy Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, director of the Joint Staff.
• Tuesday, Feb. 14: Lunch with Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, visit to the Supreme Court, tour CIA headquarters with Director Gen. David Petraeus. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 15: Deliver official Report to the Nation to Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner, House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Rep. Harry Reid, and Senate Minority Leader Rep. Mitch McConnell; and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout rank with a gathering of legislators on Capitol Hill.

To keep track of the Report to the Nation delegates as they embark on this once-in-a-lifetime experience in Washington, D.C., follow @boyscouts on Twitter or "Boy Scouts of America" on Facebook.

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America prepares young people for life by providing the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21, and more than a million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

 

SOURCE Boy Scouts of America

HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers, one of the world's largest real estate investment advisers, has named Charles Weeks as chief executive officer of its European operations.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120210/NE51416)

Weeks, who previously was Cornerstone's co-head of business development for Europe, succeeds Iain Reid, who is retiring. Weeks' appointment will become effective in mid-March.

"I am confident that Charles will provide the necessary leadership to continue our growth in Europe and build upon the strong foundations that we already have in place," said David J. Reilly, Cornerstone's CEO. "We appreciate all that Iain has done to establish Cornerstone's European operations and to help the company grow its global presence."

Weeks has more than two decades of experience in the European real estate investment markets and worked closely with Reid for 16 of those years, which will contribute to a seamless leadership transition.

"This is an exciting time for the European business, despite challenging market conditions," said Weeks. "Capital flows are happening in both directions, new investment markets are opening, a number of our European projects are gaining traction and there is significant investment in the European business to grow and expand our platform."

Weeks will oversee a growing European operation that, among other initiatives:

• Provides European investors with opportunities to invest in Cornerstone's real estate funds;
• Gives U.S. investors opportunities to invest in strategies specific to the European markets; and
• Will expand into debt origination in the United Kingdom, targeting high quality, fixed rate, commercial mortgage loans.

Reid expressed confidence in Weeks' leadership and "the rest of the great team, old and new, that makes up Cornerstone Europe in the UK, the Netherlands and the Nordics. Continuity in the business is a huge asset and it gives me particular pleasure to hand over responsibilities to Charles, who has been my close colleague for 16 years."

For more information about Cornerstone, visit www.cornerstoneadvisers.com.

About Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC

Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC, with affiliate and subsidiary offices in the US, UK, Europe and Asia, is one of the world's largest real estate investment advisers. It provides core and value-added investment and advisory services, including a comprehensive suite of real estate debt, equity and securities expertise and services, to institutional and other qualified investors around the globe. Cornerstone is a member of the MassMutual Financial Group. Cornerstone and its subsidiaries have assets under management totaling more than $32 billion. More information is at www.cornerstoneadvisers.com

Contact: Patrick Collins617-553-0349pcollins@madisoncommunications.com

SOURCE Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers

SAN FRANCISCO – The 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) takes place this week at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. Each day, the public relations department will send the most newsworthy components of the meeting.  To schedule an interview about any of the topics below, contact AAOS public relations.

Media Highlights

Study Finds that Authors with Financial Conflicts are Reporting Negative Outcome in Major Orthopaedic Journals  

• Results confirm integrity of scientific reporting and publication peer review process

As a conflict of interest can increase the potential for research bias and study outcomes, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and major orthopaedic journals require all presenters and authors to disclose potential professional conflicts. A systematic review of three major orthopaedic journals – the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American and British editions) and the Journal of Arthroplasty (JOA) – was conducted for all articles related to metal-on-metal total hip replacement between October 1999 and May 2011. Of the 411 metal-on-metal total hip studies, 64 reported data pertaining to survivorship, failure and revision rates and were included in the analysis. Over time, the articles became increasingly negative. This negative trend persisted when analyzing the subgroup of studies written by authors with financial disclosures. Fifty-nine percent (38) of the studies reported a conflict of interest. Papers published by authors with a conflict of interest were equally likely to report negative results compared to authors without conflicts. While these results are encouraging and speak to the integrity of scientific reporting, efforts to ensure data transparency and more robust disclosure programs should continue.

About the AAOSWith more than 37,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (www.aaos.org) or (www.orthoinfo.org) is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality of musculoskeletal health. Orthopaedic surgeons and the Academy are the authoritative sources of information for patients and the general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments and related issues. An advocate for improved care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Initiative (www.usbjd.org), the global initiative to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.  The Academy's 2012 Annual Meeting is being held February 7 - 11, 2012 at the San Francisco Moscone Center in San Francisco.

For more information, contact:Kristina Goel, 847-384-4034, 312-388-5241, goel@aaos.orgLauren Pearson Riley, 847-384-4031, 708-227-1773, pearson@aaos.org

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Feb. 10, 2012/

SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

DESTIN, FL, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The Sandestin Wine Festival, Florida's most established wine festival, today announced its "Best of Show" and other wine winners for 2012.

Scheduled for this April 26-29, the Sandestin Wine Festival is known as the "Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals," and is a picture perfect event complete with white tents, flowing wine, gourmet food and live music.   The event is one of the best of the year and draws thousands of people to The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

With the pouring of more than 600 wines, wine experts meet in advance to judge the wines.   Wines are divided into 70 categories by variety, style, and price. The top three wines in each category are awarded the gold, silver, and bronze awards.

Judges raised their glasses for the "2012 Best of Show" designations:

• The "Best of Show Red" this year is the 2009 Garrigue Vacqueyras from Southern Côtes du Rhône, France.
• "Best of Show White" is the 2010 "La Crele, a Sauvignon Blanc by Domain Thomas Sancerre in the Loire Valley, France.

A complete list of winning wines, including "best buys" is listed at www.sandestinwinefestival.com.

Sandestin Wine Festival guests will have an opportunity to taste these and hundreds of other outstanding wines at the festival. Grand Wine Tastings will be held at The Village of Baytowne Wharf on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 from 1 - 5 p.m.

This year's festival, which is co-sponsored by Coastal Living Magazine, will also feature international wine celebrities and leading chefs, an expanded Mediterranean themed Culinary Pavilion, educational seminars and even a special retail tent so guests can purchase their favorite selections at reasonable prices.

Deluxe accommodations from the Beach to the Bay are available for this popular festival.  Special rates include a free night with the purchase of four (Code FREE5), and a packages including an overnight stay plus tickets (Code WINE12).

For more information about the 26th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival at the Village of Baytowne Wharf or to purchase tickets online, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com.   Group discounts are also available.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was rated the #1 resort in Destin and on Florida's Emerald Coast.  It offers the most complete resort experience for all seasons and all ages.  Sandestin invites guests to enter a world of 2,400 acres including 30 charming neighborhoods with 1,300 condominiums, villas, town homes, hotel style rooms and other vacation rentals.  A member of Visit South Walton, Sandestin offers more than seven miles of sugar white sand beaches and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, certified children's programs, a fitness center and spa, 65,000 square feet of meeting space and a pedestrian village featuring a host of boutique shops, casual and fine dining restaurants and nightlife.

Sandestin is offering a wide variety of discount accommodations and overnight packages for the Sandestin Wine Festival.  Visit www.sandestin.com or call 1-866-91-BEACH for information.

Getting Online and Getting Social

Twitter:  @Sandestin Facebook:  www.facebook.com/sandestin or www.facebook.com/baytownewharf APP:   Download Sandestin's APP for iPhone and Android devices.

SOURCE Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort