Press Releases

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 5, 2009) - Canada's Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, Steve Sullivan, today released the following statement to mark the upcoming National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada on December 6, 2009:

"Today my thoughts are with the women in Canada who have been victims of violence, and with the families and loved ones who have lost their mothers, their sisters, their daughters and their friends to violent crime.

Violence against women affects all of us in our communities, countries and around the world. For example, we know that in almost 40% of cases where women were assaulted by their spouses, children witnessed the violence against them (either directly or indirectly) and that in many cases the violence was severe(1). The consequences this can have on children and their development cannot be underestimated.

Beyond the emotional scars, violence against women has an impact on our collective productivity and economy. Studies of the economic costs of violence against women to victims and society estimate that costs to health, criminal justice, social services and lost productivity range in the billions of dollars(2).

Today, on this the National Day of Remembrance and Action, I encourage everyone to consider how well we are addressing the issue of violence in our communities, and how we can work together to provide a safer world for women. We must learn from, and build on, our past successes and failures to make communities safer and services more accessible for women to come forward."

The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime helps victims to address their needs, promotes their interests and makes recommendations to the federal government on issues that negatively impact victims.

(1) Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006, pg. 13. See: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-570-x/85-570-x2006001-eng.pdf (2) Ibid.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Christina McDonald
        613-941-3428
        christina.mcdonald@ombudsman.gc.ca

Source: The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On International Volunteer Day, Alcoa President and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld congratulated the record 23,000 Alcoa employees who took part in the company's 2009 Worldwide Month of Service - volunteering in 800 community events to support those in need and invest in the sustainability of our planet.

The annual Worldwide Month of Service program brings together Alcoa's global workforce to make a positive difference in the communities where they live and work - this year partnering with nearly 1,900 not-for-profit community organizations across 23 countries.

Despite the challenging year, employee involvement in the company-wide initiative soared in 2009 - demonstrating a commitment to working in partnership to meet the challenges of the economic downturn and addressing priority community concerns such as climate change.

Through the efforts of Alcoa employees during this month of intensive service activity over 14,000 meals were served to those in need, 4,000 charitable campaigns held to collect and distribute food and clothing, and 11,000 trees planted.

"It is really inspiring to see our people volunteering to make a positive difference in the lives of others around the globe, applying the same collective energy, talent and passion that has steered Alcoa through this challenging year," said Kleinfeld.

"Alcoa has a proud culture of volunteering and we chose International Volunteer Day to announce these achievements to further recognize our people and the way they add real value across our communities."

Over 190,000 people across Alcoa and the broader community have participated in the Month of Service initiative since its inception in 2006.

Month of Service is the centerpiece of year-round volunteer efforts by Alcoa employees, who last year gave 705,000 hours of voluntary service - the equivalent of more than 350 people working full-time.

In addition to supporting communities in this way, the efforts of Alcoa employees further deepen the company's long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, reflected by the Alcoa Foundation's $24M commitment to community-based conservation projects since 2006 - and the company's action to plant 10 Million Trees, to recycle, and to find solutions to global climate change on all fronts.

In 1985, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated December 5 for an annual celebration of all that is achieved by volunteers; International Volunteer Day is celebrated in more than half the world's countries. Details can be found at www.worldvolunteerweb.org.

2009 Month of Service Highlights:

22,781 Alcoa volunteers working with 1,900 community organizations in 795
service events, across 23 countries

180 rivers, parks and recreation areas rehabilitated and restored

200 community facilities and shelters restored

427 schools helped or improved

14,000 meals served to those in need.

11,000 trees planted

29,000 children and 5,300 senior citizens assisted

76,000 community members positively impacted

Regional highlights:

NORTH AMERICA

    --  Across the United States, over 7,000 Alcoans participated in 318 events
        to promote environmental sustainability and support those in need in
        their communities during tough economic times with the following
        results:
        o 5000 trees planted
        o 80 parks, reserves, and coastal areas cleaned and rehabilitated
        o 100 shelters and community facilities improved
        o 250 donation campaigns for food, clothing and medicine
        o 112 schools supported with afterschool education, repairs and other
          needs
        o 2,400 elderly people and over 8,800 school children assisted

    --  In Canada, a record 2,000 employees were involved in Month of Service
        events that included a weekend of service to improve the local
        environment in Quebec, serving at shelters, soup kitchens and a local
        library; and giving to United Way charity campaign and clothing drives
        to assist those in need.

AUSTRALIA AND ASIA

    --  In Australia, close to 50% of employees participated across Western
        Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Building on the successful Make
        an Impact greenhouse footprint reduction program, Australian employees
        reached out to the community to help find solutions to climate change
        through environmental projects, clean-ups and tree-planting.
    --  Across Asia, employees in China, Singapore, South Koreaand for the first
        time, Japan, took part in Month of Service. A record 29% of all
        employees in China took part, improving regional environmental
        sustainability and reaching out to those most in need.

EUROPE

    --  Across 11 countries in Europe, close to 6,000 employees took part in
        events to improve the local environment and support communities impacted
        by the downturn.
    --  Alcoa's newest employees in Norway showed their community commitment
        taking part in Month of Service for the first time in 2009.
    --  Employees in Russia rallied in record numbers and increased their
        involvement from 3% in 2008 to 43% in 2009 - with environmental
        improvements and clothing, toy and blood drives to aid orphanages,
        schools and seniors facilities.
    --  In Hungary Alcoans also came out in greater numbers, holding 44 hands-on
        projects to improve the conditions of schools, community facilities and
        the environment.
    --  Alcoa Iceland's year-round volunteer efforts to help the local community
        through the economic downturn continued, with Red Cross clothing
        collections and support for the local rescue squad.

SOUTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

    --  In Brazil, a total of 3,590 employees (almost 70%) participated in Month
        of Service, alongside 128 non-profit and community organizations. The
        highlight was a series of innovative environmental community outreach
        programs around recycling awareness and carbon footprint reduction.
    --  Over half of Alcoa employees in Jamaica took part in eight separate
        events to improve local community facilities and schools and brighten
        the lives of those less fortunate.

ABOUT ALCOA AND ALCOA FOUNDATION

Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined. Serving the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, Alcoa brings design, engineering, production and other capabilities to its customers. The company is dedicated to making a sustainable product, with more than 70% of the aluminum ever produced since 1886 is still in use today. www.alcoa.com

Alcoa recognizes that the success of its business is directly connected to the strength of the communities in which it operates and together with Alcoa Foundation, works to address the needs of communities where it has a presence. In addition to addressing locally identified needs, Alcoa Foundation is focused on unlocking solutions to critical environmental sustainability challenges, including global climate change. The company combines funding with hands-on support from its employee volunteers, who gave 705,000 services hours in 2008 to make their communities stronger, more resilient places to live and work. www.alcoa.com/foundation

    Source: Alcoa Inc.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/05/09 -- Canada's Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, Steve Sullivan, today released the following statement to mark the upcoming National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada on December 6, 2009:

"Today my thoughts are with the women in Canada who have been victims of violence, and with the families and loved ones who have lost their mothers, their sisters, their daughters and their friends to violent crime.

Violence against women affects all of us in our communities, countries and around the world. For example, we know that in almost 40% of cases where women were assaulted by their spouses, children witnessed the violence against them (either directly or indirectly) and that in many cases the violence was severe(1). The consequences this can have on children and their development cannot be underestimated.

Beyond the emotional scars, violence against women has an impact on our collective productivity and economy. Studies of the economic costs of violence against women to victims and society estimate that costs to health, criminal justice, social services and lost productivity range in the billions of dollars(2).

Today, on this the National Day of Remembrance and Action, I encourage everyone to consider how well we are addressing the issue of violence in our communities, and how we can work together to provide a safer world for women. We must learn from, and build on, our past successes and failures to make communities safer and services more accessible for women to come forward."

The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime helps victims to address their needs, promotes their interests and makes recommendations to the federal government on issues that negatively impact victims.

(1) Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006, pg. 13. See: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-570-x/85-570-x2006001-eng.pdf

(2) Ibid.

Contacts:
Christina McDonald
613-941-3428
christina.mcdonald@ombudsman.gc.ca

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/05/09 -- As a top online retailer for Christmas cards, photo-cards and holiday greetings, Tiny Prints (www.tinyprints.com), a leading online retailer of premium, personalized stationery, is revealing the top trends in holiday cards for 2009.

"It's becoming more popular to see personalized cards arrive in the mail rather than a generic greeting card," said Laura Ching, Founder and Chief Merchandising Officer at Tiny Prints. "That's why Tiny Prints works with our exclusive network of stationery designers to create holiday card designs that are sure to stand out on any mantle."

Contrary to what some may expect, especially during the holidays, printed stationery is still as popular as ever. While the use of electronic communications may get us through our daily interactions, individuals are still sending notes and stationery pieces that reflect the key milestones in their lives.

In particular, Tiny Prints is seeing the following holiday greetings trends in 2009:

1. Sophisticated Hues -- As individuals pick cards that reflect their personality and personal tastes, they are moving away from traditional hues and selecting designs with modern and chic color palettes. In fact, many of this season's top-selling designs are available in various shades of blue, black and grey.

2. Photo-Centric -- This year's holiday cards are all about the photo. From cards featuring small designs accents over a single image to multi-photo cards featuring up to 15 pictures, this year everyone is sharing their best portraits.

3. Designer Holiday Cards -- With services like Tiny Prints "personal shopper," consumers are achieving perfection in an envelope by working with trained graphic designers who will find the perfect holiday card to match the look and feel of any photo. Alternately, consumers can opt to work with a Tiny Prints designer to create a one-of-a-kind, personalized photo montage card.

4. Year In Review -- Consumers are sharing the highlights of their year through the use of timeline cards and holiday card inserts that allow them to tell their family's story through both pictures and words.

5. Personalize Gifts -- From photo gifts, such as photo books and personalized calendars, to sets of personalized stationery, individuals are leaving a personal stamp on their holiday gifts this year.

To see examples of all of the trends mentioned above, visit www.tinyprints.com.

About Tiny Prints

Tiny Prints, Inc. is a web-based company comprised of two brands offering premium, personalized stationery, Tiny Prints and Wedding Paper Divas. Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from photo birth announcements to party invitations to Christmas cards and holiday photo cards. Offering exclusive designs from the nation's top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities.

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Media Contact:
Lea Armstrong
Tiny Prints, Inc.
650-209-1360
Email Contact

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A psychic with the power to bring to life the signs of The Zodiac.

It is a story that it's hard to believe has never been written in the day and age of Harry Potter films, but Zenescope Entertainment will create and distribute a comic book series entitled "Horrorscope" to debut in 2010.

Represented by William Morris Endeavor, Zenescope also intends that the story, written by Brian Evans, will find its way to the video game, motion picture, and toy market.

"The story came to me when I was a kid, hanging out with my friend Ahmet Zappa in Frank's (Zappa) studio when we were kids," says Evans.

The comic book is being written by Andrew Biltz, Alberto Melendez, Helen Bousquet, and Priscilla Boksan. "Others will also be working on this tremendous project," says Evans. "It's been 17 years in the making."

Zenescope, the comic book force behind the "Seven" and "Final Destination" series, is known for its more diverse comic offerings. "They aren't making Disney comics," says Evans. "They are the best at what they do because they are no-holds barred and they have real vision."

The Daily Variety reported on the story recently (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118009988.html?categoryid=1350&cs=1), which has followed an onslaught of interest all over the world. Fangoria also featured the news in its publication online, and it's becoming the most anticipated comic book in recent memory.

"I think "Horrorscope" is going to become something much bigger than we ever imagined," says Evans.

Evans is a singer, who himself is recording his major label debut which will feature a duet with Kelly Osbourne. Evans is known as one of the "new crooners" in the style of Frank Sinatra, and is the opening act for stars ranging from Jay Leno to Joan Rivers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit http://www.zenescope.com/news.htm. For information about creator Brian Evans, visit www.brianevans.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6114607&lang=en

    Source: Horrorscope