Press Releases

MIAMI, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a Senate Committee killed a bill that would grant in-state tuition for U.S. citizens, thousands of youth are placing their hopes in two bills (HB 81 and SB 106) that are currently waiting at the Legislature to be heard and, if approved, would allow access to affordable education to ALL students in Florida. This Valentine's Day, students from St. Thomas University are asking Florida legislators "not to break their hearts and their dreams" by supporting in-state tuition for Florida's future. More than 190,000 undocumented youngsters reside and grew up in Florida, but still only 5% can access higher education because of the out-of-state fees, which are three times higher. 

(Logo: Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100709/STULOGO)

"If I hadn't received a private scholarship, I wouldn't be able to pay for my studies," says Jose Salcedo who studies Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University and is a member of Students Working for Equal Rights (SWER). "We are asking our legislators to support students like me who want to pursue higher education. Our message is: 'Don't break our hearts and the possibilities of a future for Florida's youth.'"

A community and media briefing will be held at Saint Thomas University to reveal those leaders who have not supported in-state tuition for all students in the state of Florida. Following the briefing, there will be a forum with experts from sociology, international relations, and social justice. "This is a moral crisis! Thousands of students will be graduating from high schools this upcoming June but many won't be able to continue because of the high cost of out-of-state tuition. They won't be able to continue their education and won't be able to give back to the community," says Salcedo. "It's crunch time for legislators to do something great for education and students before the session ends on March 10. If they don't take this step another year will go by and another class of high school graduates will not be able to continue their education," says Felipe Matos from "PRESENTE ACTION."

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: COMMUNITY & MEDIA BRIEFING

Who:  Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale, Dr. Beatriz Robinson, Vice President of Planning, Enrollment & Student Affairs; Dean of Students Issac Carter, and SWEAR members - Students Working for Equal Rights

What:  Community and media briefing on in-state tuition. Campaign reaches out to legislators with the message "Don't break my heart Florida legislature" asking them to support in-state tuition for ALL.

When:  Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2012 at 3:00 pm

Where: St. Thomas University, Evelyn & George Goldbloom Convocation Hall - 16401 NW 37th Ave Miami Gardens, Florida

Who:  Monsignor Casale, Vice-President Dr. Robinson, Dean of students Dean Issac Carter, and Students Working for Equal Rights

For information and media inquiries on this particular program kindly contact Jose Salzado, SWER member at jsalcedo@stu.edu; Cell:  786-344-3206. Please visit www.stu.edu for general information on St. Thomas and its academic programs.

SOURCE St. Thomas University

TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Retained executive search firm The Caldwell Partners International Inc. (TSX: CWL) announced that at a meeting held yesterday afternoon, that its shareholders rejected a resolution to reduce the Stated Capital of its Common Shares by 75%. Had the resolution passed, approximately $12 million of Stated Capital would have been reclassified as Contributed Surplus. As a result of this rejection, the Company remains unable to consider declaring a dividend or making application to the Toronto Stock Exchange for approval of a Normal Course Issuer Bid.

"The rejection of this resolution by shareholders is both surprising and disappointing. Heading into the meeting, based on proxy results from 42% of shares eligible to vote, 99.7% of shareholders were in favour if this restatement which would have allowed the Company to declare a dividend. " said G. Edmund King, Chairman of the Board. "However, with 65% of shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, the final outcome was 66.4% in favour, just short of the 66.7% majority required for the motion to carry. It should be noted that 35% of the shares eligible to vote did not do so."

"Since embarking on its expansion into the United States, the Company has performed well and achieved its goals. We believe that the Company is now in a position to pay, and has sufficient cash flow to support, a dividend. With this resolution now rejected, we are simply not permitted to pay dividends," Mr. King said.

Commenting further on the rejection of the resolution, Mr. King noted that "In addition to being able to reinstitute a dividend, we sought the reduction in Stated Capital to provide our directors with full flexibility to determine in the future how our funds could best be deployed to create value for all of our shareholders."

About Caldwell Partners

Caldwell Partners is one of North America's premier providers of executive search and has been for over 40 years. As one of the region's most trusted advisors in executive search, the firm has a sterling reputation built on successful searches for boards, chief and senior executives, and selected functional experts.

With offices in Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Calgary, Atlanta, Toronto, Stamford, New York City, and a strategic presence in London and Hong Kong, the firm takes pride in delivering an unmatched level of service and expertise to its clients.

Caldwell Partners' Common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CWL). Please visit our website at www.caldwellpartners.com for further information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this document are based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results might differ materially due to various factors such as the competitive nature of the executive search industry, the ability of the company to execute its growth strategies, the performance of the Canadian domestic and international economies, and the company's ability to retain key personnel. The Caldwell Partners assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE The Caldwell Partners International Inc.

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Feb. 11 Powerball jackpot is now an estimated annuity value of $325 million and a $202.9 million cash prize – the largest cash jackpot in the game's history. Strong sales inspired the jackpot changes made this afternoon by Powerball officials.

"We are thrilled to see this jackpot rise from $310 million to $325 million," said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci. "The changes to Powerball have helped this large jackpot grow quickly, and we're hoping to see a Pennsylvania player win that prize Saturday night."

Pennsylvania sales for this jackpot run, which began on Dec. 28, 2011, reached $44.4 million as of 1 p.m. on Friday. With approximately 30 cents of each dollar going to support programs for older Pennsylvanians, this translates into $13.3 million for the Lottery Fund.

At 1:15 p.m. Friday, Pennsylvania sales for Powerball and Power Play were running at $6,823 per minute.

Tickets for this Powerball drawing will be available until 9:59 p.m. Saturday at more than 9,000 Lottery retailers statewide. Because demand for tickets will continue to rise until tomorrow night's drawing, players are advised to purchase tickets early to avoid the last-minute rush.

The Lottery also reminds players to play responsibly.

How to play Powerball: Players pay $2 and select five white balls from the first set of 59 numbers plus a single red ball, the Powerball, from a second set of 35 numbers. Players may select their own numbers using a Powerball playslip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. Players must match all five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number to win the jackpot. There also are eight additional ways for players to win a cash prize.

Powerball tickets are sold in 44 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed nearly $21.5 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.

For more information, visit www.palottery.com, log in to Facebook and like us at www.facebook.com/palottery or follow us at www.twitter.com/palottery. 

Media contact: Allison Roberts, 717-702-8008

SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery

TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Longtime Academy of Country Music Awards executive producer R.A. (RAC) Clark has been named executive producer of the 2012 Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, MDA announced today. The Labor Day weekend prime-time, three-hour show will air Sunday, Sept. 2 on MDA's network of broadcast stations. 

Clark, who has executive produced the ACM Awards on CBS since 1999, will oversee all aspects of the nationally televised program for the Association. Working closely with a staff and crew of entertainment professionals, Clark and the team aim to deliver A-list performances while showcasing families served by the Association who will benefit from donations supporting MDA's unparalleled neuromuscular research and health care services programs.

"From our first meeting with RAC, we knew that he understood our need to tell the MDA story in a new way," MDA Executive Vice President of Business Development Kevin Moran said. "We're excited to utilize his talent and creativity to produce an incredible and fresh, entertainment-filled show that will resonate with our viewers."

Clark's additional credits include hours of television programming as an executive producer and producer for network shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CMT, FX and VH1, to name a few. Aside from the ACM Awards, his 2011/2012 credits include the "2011 CMT Artists of the Year" and the CBS special, "ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends — In Concert."

"I'm honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the entire MDA staff, to not only produce a first-rate, entertaining and contemporary television special, but to relay the urgency that the public's support can help save lives in the fight against muscular dystrophy," Clark said. "The rich tradition that comes along with this iconic program is not lost on me and the television staff and crew, and we will do our part to respect and honor it."

RAC was raised in Youngstown, Ohio, and now lives in Santa Monica, Calif., with his wife Eve Adair and daughter Sophia.

About MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association