The Press Wire

Honeywell System Will Improve Public Safety with Accurate Severe Storm & Tornado Warnings

PHOENIX, March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that it has been awarded a $49 million contract to upgrade the National Weather Service’s radar wind profiler network that will predict severe storms earlier and provide the public with more accurate warnings of upcoming storms.

“For nearly two decades, ground weather radar improvements have been mostly incremental – yet weather patterns and storms around the globe have become more severe,” said Vince Trim, president, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. “Honeywell is building a ground radar wind profiler network that can predict severe storms earlier and more reliably while better able to withstand hurricane force winds year after year.”

Honeywell’s work on the production phase of the Next Generation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Profiler Network contract includes upgrading the NOAA network of wind profilers that provide upper air wind data for crucial weather forecasting tasks.

The NOAA Profiler Network has been operating continuously since 1992 and the equipment is now unsupportable. Honeywell’s solution, which includes upgrades to the antenna, RF hardware, signal processing, networking, and other system components will provide the technology improvements to bring the profiler network up to a supportable, maintainable, and reliable level.

Honeywell will change the radio frequency of existing 404 MHz profilers by replacing them with 449 MHz systems. This will prevent the existing interference with search and rescue satellite-aided tracking transponders.

Honeywell, which has a long history of building and operating ground and space networks for NASA, the Department of Defense and other government agencies, began building a prototype system in May 2009.

Work on the three-year production phase begins March 2010 in Longmont, Colo. Honeywell is partnered on the procurement with DeTect, the radar manufacturer, and Wireless Edge, the system installer.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell’s aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Honeywell

RELATED LINKS
http://www.honeywell.com

Facebook, Craigslist, Blogs and Twitter the Latest Ways to Reach Out to the People One Study Needs– Gay, HIV-negative Men Actively Engaged in Risky Sexual Behaviors

SEATTLE, March 26 /PRNewswire/ — Newswise — Clinic sites in 13 cities across the U.S. are looking for a total of 1,350 HIV-negative gay men to participate in the latest HIV vaccine study from the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN). And they’re using social media to help reach these individuals where they are, which, these days, is increasingly online.

The HVTN, internationally headquartered at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, is running a series of ads on Facebook, seeking men who are interested in men and who live in or near one of the cities with clinics; and a much edgier and more provocative one placed on online gay hook-up sites to help bring in interested individuals network-wide to a website for more information. These online ads integrate with standard media pieces such as transit ads, posters, and giveaways such as condoms, palm cards, yo-yos and coasters.

One site, the Fenway Health Vaccine Studies clinic in Boston, has folded Craigslist into its mix of successful recruitment venues–in addition to community events, in-person outreach at traditional gay venues such as bars, and advertising. Coco Cuizon-Alinsug, one of Fenway’s recruiters for HIV vaccine clinical trials, spends hours each week reading personal ads on Craigslist and inviting individuals who appear to fit the target profile to consider participating in a trial. He’s become adept at finding and recognizing these individuals, based on the information contained in their ads, especially indicators of specific sexual behaviors. Specifically, as he doesn’t have extra time or funding, he responds to those ads that describe risky behavior -such as looking for a partner to be a bareback Top to their Bottom, Cuizon-Alinsug replies to these personal ads with language approved by Fenway’s IRB (Institutional Review Board), inviting the advertiser to learn more about HIV vaccine clinical trials at the clinic, with the web address for the clinic and an email address to reply to. Like street/bar-centered recruiting, it takes a lot of outreach (sometimes to hundreds of people) before one man comes to the clinic for screening.

One man already participating in an HIV vaccine clinical trial is blogging about his experience at the HVTN site at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee (in the Bible Belt) to those most at risk of being infected by HIV. ‘The Accidental Activist’ is Andrew Prislovsky ’s blog about his experience as a participant in the trial. He is blogging – after thinking long and carefully about what it might mean to go so public with his messages -in the hopes of inspiring others in the community to consider participating in a clinical trial, and to help educate the public about the need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection.

In Birmingham, Alabama one participant came 60 miles from Tuscaloosa to be screened to participate in the latest HIV vaccine trial at the University of Alabama, only to find out he’s ineligible because he’s had a particular cold virus in the past (and this particular vaccine study, HVTN 505, needs participants who don’t have the antibody to that cold virus in their blood).

Not to be denied his chance to champion the cause, however, he — Edward Todd — took it upon himself to start a Facebook Group to spread the word about the need for trial participants. Over the first two months, he reached almost 1,200 followers -mainly college students–who look to the Facebook page for the latest information about the clinical trial. Six of those followers have already enrolled in the study.

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

Media Contacts:
Cheryl Stumbo
HIV Vaccine Trials Network
206-667-1597
SOURCE HIV Vaccine Trials Network

IMHO partners with Melodeo’s NUTSIE.COM and OURSTAGE.COM for initial launch – preview the cloud-based content player @ www.nuTsie.com and www.ourstage.com.

NEW YORK, March 24 /PRNewswire/ — The IMHO player, a cloud-based social content player with robust communication, sharing and messaging features that enables users to share premium licensed video, music and other kinds of content with friends on a variety of online and social platforms, has been launched today as a technology preview on nuTsie.com and ourstage.com. The IMHO player enables users to communicate with friends, make content recommendations, share experiences and purchase merchandise associated with a wide range of content. Wrapped in an engaging, personalized environment that rewards users for engaging with advertisers, users choose their own payment paths in what is one of the first “hybrid” platforms to offer both cash and advertising-based solutions for monetization of premium on-demand content consumption.

During its initial launch targeting Facebook users, IMHO will conduct public scalability tests with music, video, game and radio content before launching a full open Beta test in the Spring. IMHO currently offers a vast catalogue of music from around the world through its premier partnership with The Orchard including artists such as RJD2, Green Day, Death Cab for Cutie, Butch Walker, The Raveonettes, Wu-Tang Clan, Local Natives, Coldplay, Wynton Marsalis, Surfer Blood, and many more. IMHO ’s radio player, a partnership with Melodeo’s nuTsie.com, contains over 150 radio stations with tens of thousands of the top songs played on iTunes from major label artists like Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, John Mayer and hundreds more. For games, IMHO partnered with Real Networks, Inc. to deliver over 900 casual games from top developers with up to 3,500 planned for release later this year. IMHO also has a formidable backlog of content being integrated for the Beta launch including a marquis catalog of over 1,600 major studio films from Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Lions Gate Entertainment, Paramount Pictures and many others through a distribution partnership with Film Fresh.

“After 18 months of tireless efforts to build a great catalog of premium content and a player that meets today’s social demands of users, we are proud of our initial technology launch,” says IMHO CEO Don Ienner (who previously served as Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Label Group and Columbia Records). “The IMHO player allows users real portability and consumption of their favorite content in their favorite places and offers brands and content owners a way to own their ‘off-portal’ content consumption and monetization in an unprecedented way.”

“The technology partnership between Melodeo and IMHO is about content in the cloud, where you can get it anytime, anywhere,” said Melodeo CEO Jim Billmaier. “Our technology is a natural fit with IMHO’s strength online and on social networks and Melodeo’s strength on mobile platforms. This partnership provides a next generation combination of cloud platforms that delivers what users are demanding.”

“We are very excited to be working with such a bleeding-edge company as IMHO. This extraordinary new player will allow fans, from a broad variety of platforms, a new and exciting way to learn about, enjoy, and interact with top OurStage artists – benefitting our artists, our company, and music fans alike,” Ben Campbell, Founder and CEO of OurStage.

“Built to monetize digital media consumption on social networks and major online portals, IMHO represents a watershed moment for content owners, advertisers and fans alike to generate meaningful connections and revenue streams on the Internet and mobile platforms,” said Steve Haase, EVP Business Development at The Orchard. “The Orchard is proud to have partnered with IMHO as they ramp up for their commercial launch and look forward to introducing the application to our clients in the near future.”

About IMO Entertainment LLC

IMO Entertainment is an early stage company focusing on building applications and services that benefit from the rapid development of social networks and the continuing deployment of digital devices to provide ways for content partners to expand reach and revenue potential. The IMHO Player, the company’s first flagship product, is a website-embeddable content player with unique social, content sharing and content monetization features. When integrated with the company’s proprietary DashBid advertising system, the IMHO player provides both custom and turnkey solutions for advertisers seeking to place messages within social networks around highly dynamic premium content. To learn more about IMHO’s preview, please go to http://preview.imhomedia.com.

About Melodeo, Inc.

Melodeo, Inc. is a leader in delivering music and other media to the Web and mobile devices. Through products such as nuTsie and Mobilcast, Melodeo combines powerful content, a simple user interface and access from any device, making it easy to enjoy and share entertainment anytime and anyplace. Melodeo reaches hundreds of millions of wireless and Web customers through distribution deals and customer relationships with Verizon, Alltel/Verizon, Microsoft, Apple, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, O2, RIM, Handmark, Handango, Thumbplay, Danger, Motorola, Nokia, 3, Korean Telecom Freetel (KTF), Starbucks, eHarmony, Madacy Entertainment, Nettwerk Music Group and others. Melodeo’s mobile entertainment services are compatible with the majority of mobile handsets on the market.

About OurStage

OurStage is an online music platform where artists, fans and music industry professionals come together to enjoy, discover, and influence the best NEW music. Undiscovered artists submit their tracks to monthly music channels, fans rank the songs in proprietary OurStage judging engine that cannot be cheated or gamed, and industry professionals keep tabs on who’s rising through the charts, rewarding the best of the best with extraordinary opportunities. Fans and artists are eligible for monthly prizes and life-altering opportunities, made possible through OurStage’s partnerships with media giants such as MTV; key radio conglomerates like Citadel and Radio One; leading Web outlets like AOL Music; and major music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot, Noise Pop and CMJ. Founded in 2007, OurStage delivers music and editorial coverage to 4 million monthly visitors from more than 170 countries, as well as development tools to more than 120,000 artists. You can learn more about OurStage online at the following link: www.ourstage.com/about/us

To learn more about IMHO’s preview, please go to http://preview.imhomedia.com.

SOURCE IMO Entertainment LLC

RELATED LINKS
http://preview.imhomedia.com

MADISON, Wis., March 23 /PRNewswire/ — Virent Energy Systems, Inc., (Virent®) and Shell today announced the successful start of production at the world’s first demonstration plant converting plant sugars into gasoline and gasoline blend components, rather than ethanol.

The demonstration plant, located at Virent’s facilities in Madison, Wisconsin, is the latest step in a joint biogasoline research and development effort, announced by both companies in March 2008. The demonstration plant has the capacity to produce up to 38,000 litres (10,000 U.S. gallons) per year, which will be used for engine and fleet testing.

This new biofuel can be blended with gasoline in high concentrations for use in standard gasoline engines. The new product has the potential to eliminate the need for specialized infrastructure, engine modifications, and blending equipment necessary for the use of gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol.

Virent’s patented BioForming® platform technology uses catalysts to convert plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules like those produced at a petroleum refinery. Traditionally, sugars have been fermented into ethanol and distilled. Virent’s ‘biogasoline’ fuel molecules have higher energy content than ethanol and deliver better fuel economy. They can be blended seamlessly to make conventional gasoline or combined with gasoline containing ethanol.

The sugars can be sourced from non-food feedstocks such as corn stover, wheat straw and sugarcane pulp, in addition to conventional biofuel feedstocks such as wheat, corn and sugarcane. The demonstration plant is currently using beet sugar.

“Moving from lab-scale to a demonstration production plant is an important milestone for biogasoline,” said Luis Scoffone, Vice President of Alternative Energies at Shell. ”There is some way to go on the route to commercialisation, but we have been delighted with the speed of progress achieved by our collaboration with Virent.”

“The successful start-up, which was on-time and budget, demonstrates the potential for scalable, commercial manufacturing of premium, high quality renewable fuels. Renewable fuels that provide high performance, reliability, and lower emissions are now closer to reality as a viable alternative for transportation fuels from crude oil,” said Lee Edwards, CEO of Virent. “Virent’s industry leading collaboration with Shell is focused on delivering material solutions to global challenges in energy security, environment sustainability and job creation.”

Virent’s BioForming process is a leading technology for the production of fungible advanced biofuels, including renewable biogasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Virent has won numerous technology and innovation awards including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge and the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer awards. Virent is based in Madison, WI, with 80 employees in a world class catalytic biorefining development facility. Virent counts Cargill and Honda among its leading investors and Royal Dutch Shell as a strategic collaboration partner. The BioForming technology is based on the Aqueous Phase Reforming process. To learn more, visit: www.virent.com.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. www.shell.com/aboutshell

Shell is working to meet government mandates for biofuel and, with its experience and assets, has become the world’s largest distributor of biofuels. The company is working with biofuel manufacturers to secure cost-effective supply with clear social and environmental standards. Shell is a leader in the development of advanced biofuels. Shell’s global programme includes collaborations with Iogen Energy (on the production of enzymatic cellulosic ethanol from agricultural waste), Codexis (on enzyme conversion) and a joint venture called Cellana (research of marine algae for vegetable oil).

ENQUIRIES

Name
Shell International Media Office
Location
The Hague
Contacts
Media line:
+31 70 377 3600

Name
Shell Media Office U.S.
Location
Houston, Texas, U.S.

Contacts
Media Line:
+1 (713) 241 4544

Name
Virent Energy Systems

Location
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.

Contacts
Mary Blanchard
+1 (608) 237 8615

Notes to Editors

• * Additional Virent press kit materials and images are available at www.virent.com/News/mediakits.html
• * An electronic press kit, including downloadable images and B-Roll video, will be available from www.shell.com/virent23032010

SOURCE Virent Energy Systems, Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.virent.com
http://www.shell.com/aboutshell

Money services customers saved $450 million last year

BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Walmart (NYSE: WMT) today celebrated the grand opening of its 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter and announced plans to add Walmart MoneyCenters in 500 additional stores this year. The 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter, located in Chalmette, La., gives customers affordable solutions on basic money services, including the Walmart MoneyCard.

“Walmart MoneyCenters are a cornerstone of our business and were specially created to give customers a welcoming environment where they can save when they cash checks, pay bills and transfer money,” said Jane Thompson, president, Walmart Financial Services. “Customers ask when their stores will get a Walmart MoneyCenter, so we are delighted to announce the expansion into approximately 500 more stores.”

Walmart MoneyCenters are dedicated spaces inside the store that offer customers an inviting, safe and convenient place to handle their basic financial needs seven days a week. With the anticipated expansion into 500 more stores this year, there will be Walmart MoneyCenters in approximately 40 percent of Walmart’s 3,763 stores nationwide.

Company estimates indicate that customers saved $450 million in fees last year by using money services at Walmart.*

Walmart MoneyCenter Services

“Our customers love the convenience of one-stop shopping with money services at Walmart prices,” said Rosalind Brewer, executive vice president and president, Walmart South. “Walmart MoneyCenters play a very important role in helping families save money so they can live better.”

Walmart is a leading provider of affordable money services that help customers manage their money and keep their finances on track.

• Check Cashing – With Walmart check cashing, customers can conveniently cash payroll or government checks, including tax-refund checks, starting at $3.
• Bill Payment – Walmart offers three-day, next-day and same-day bill payment delivery options, with prices starting at 88 cents.
• Money Transfers – Customers can use MoneyGram® to send money to friends and family around the world in minutes, for a great low fee.
• Walmart MoneyCard – The Walmart MoneyCard is a leading reloadable, pre-paid Visa debit card, available for the low price of only $3. American families underserved by traditional financial institutions can have many of the advantages of a checking account, including depositing their paychecks on a safe and secure card, checking their balances, paying bills and shopping anywhere Visa debit is accepted. The Walmart MoneyCard has no overdraft fees.

1000th MoneyCenter Celebration

To mark the opening of the 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter, Walmart is hosting a community celebration in Chalmette, La., and making a $10,000 donation to the Community Center of St. Bernard.

The center provides an extensive range of services to St. Bernard Parish, an area that suffered widespread devastation from Hurricane Katrina. The center’s offerings range from legal aid to food to after-school programs, and include financial literacy classes to help families learn money management and take control of their finances.

Scott Miller, Walmart regional general manager, said, “We are very happy to support the Community Center in helping the families of St. Bernard Parish.”

To extend the celebration of the opening of the 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter, $1,000 donations are also being made to groups that promote financial literacy in Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Charlotte, N.C., Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Fla., Phoenix, Raleigh, N.C., and St. Louis.

About Walmart

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America, or log on to the online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

*Savings figures are based on Walmart’s internal research and projected savings when Walmart’s basic money services are compared to major national competitors. Basic money services include: check cashing, bill pay, money transfers, money orders and the Walmart MoneyCard.

SOURCE Walmart

RELATED LINKS
http://www.walmart.com
http://www.walmartstores.com

MIELEC, Poland, March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and PZL Mielec, its company in Poland, today announced the completion of final assembly on the first S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopter, an international variant of the BLACK HAWK helicopter. This new international variant is the first BLACK HAWK helicopter assembled in Europe using a global supply chain. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. ( UTX).

The helicopter, a new aircraft in the Sikorsky product line, also is the first rotor wing aircraft to be produced at PZL Mielec, a longtime fixed wing manufacturer in Poland.

The aircraft, fully assembled at PZL Mielec, will be tested and qualified at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Production flight tests are planned at PZL Mielec later this year as that facility continues to undergo modernization.

The milestone completion took place almost exactly three years to the day of PZL Mielec’s acquisition.

“In just three years, PZL Mielec has become a world-class facility capable of producing one of the finest utility helicopters operating today, the BLACK HAWK helicopter,” said Robert Kokorda, Sikorsky Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Synergy. “The production of the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter here is expected to further the growing network of Polish companies participating in the building of BLACK HAWK aircraft for the world.”

PZL Mielec is planned to be the centerpiece of the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter program for international customers. Debra A. Zampano, S-70i Program Manager, International Military Programs, said, “Our innovative company spirit is alive and well, and the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter is an example of the collaboration of superb workmanship, advanced technology and pioneering legacy. With the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter officially joining the Sikorsky product family today, we look forward to seeing this aircraft take its rightful place in the global community as a BLACK HAWK helicopter for all nations.”

Plans call for approximately 20 S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopters to be produced per year, beginning in 2012.

Janusz Zakrecki, President of PZL Mielec added, “As we witness the unveiling of the first BLACK HAWK helicopter built in Poland, we are sharing the pride in this significant milestone as it signals the important contributions of PZL Mielec to the global aerospace marketplace. This aircraft is a product of the long line of BLACK HAWK helicopters that have become the most battle-proven helicopter in the world. As we continue in this tradition, Mielec today takes a major step in leading Poland’s aerospace industry into the future, with a proven aircraft that is ready to meet Polish requirements and enhance European military helicopter fleets.”

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning potential production and sale of helicopters. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans or availability of funding or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.sikorsky.com

Now available in stores and online at Walmart.com

BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — With the first day of spring just weeks away, many families are looking to update their home decor with the latest styles, without digging deep into their pockets. Now, making a few changes to create a new look is something that everyone can affordably achieve. The addition of accent pieces – reflective of current colors, textures and designs – can quickly transform a room. In order to offer families a full range of design solutions, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) today announced the launch of its new Hometrends line available in most stores and on Walmart.com.

Hometrends bedding, bath, dining, furniture, home decor and accessories reflect the newness of the season and capture a sense of style with modern, nature and global influences. Whether updating a living room, bedroom, dining area or bathroom, customers can choose from a variety of colors of the moment and contemporary patterns to decorate a room that shows off their style. Nature-inspired materials and finishes lend a unique feel to the line, while inspiration from global influences and modern geometrics are trend-right and current. From bold toss pillows and area rugs to fashion-forward accents, Hometrends makes it possible for anyone to transform a room with the latest styles for less. Customers can visit Walmart.com today to see the full collection and redesign virtual living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms using new Hometrends products.

Sample items(1) include:

• Decorative accessories under $15
• Rugs starting at $11
• Bedding starting at $39.96
• Dinnerware sets starting at $35, with coordinating placemats starting at $3

“The Hometrends line helps Walmart provide an affordable solution for customers who crave great style but don’t want to break the bank to achieve it,” said Karen Stuckey, Senior Vice President of Home at Walmart. “By offering the colors and the trends of the moment, Walmart enables do-it-yourself decorators to embrace their creativity to dramatically change a room with ease, confidence, and minimal investment.”

*Our stores will match the price of any local competitor’s printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restrictions apply. See store for details.

(1) Prices and availability may vary by store and on walmart.com.

About Walmart

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (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 $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

SOURCE Walmart

RELATED LINKS
http://www.walmart.com

VALPARAISO, Chile (March 10, 2010) /PRNewswire/ — Children International, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization, is allocating $100,000 in emergency funds to repair homes damaged by the recent 8.8 earthquake in Chile. Those resources will be delivered to the families immediately.

The charity also announces it has created a fund for those interested in helping Children International rebuild homes that have been damaged or destroyed. Children International stated that 100% of the donations raised will go to rebuilding the homes of earthquake survivors.

Children International’s President and CEO Jim Cook said, “Now is the time to look to the future, and help victims rebuild their lives and homes. Children International has staff and volunteers on the ground to make a difference.”

Children International helps support 17,000 impoverished children and their families in Chile. The charity works to help marginalized, needy children and their families in and around the cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar., The organization provides medical and dental care, medicines, nutritional support, educational supplies and community development programs to poor children and will continue to work tirelessly to address emergency needs and comfort those children and families that are victims of the earthquake and its many aftershocks.

About Children International:

Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International’s programs benefit more than 335,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world, including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org

WASHINGTON, March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National League of Cities President, Ronald Loveridge, mayor of Riverside, California, releases the following statement in response to the Jobs for America Act introduced today. Statistics and research demonstrating the vital need for the legislation is also included after the statement.

“I would like to thank the Congressmen for their leadership in sponsoring this vitally important bill. This is a key piece of legislation that comes as cities face the worst of the economic storm, with revenues down and service needs at their highest. Our research at the National League of Cities shows the ability of cities to meet their financial needs is now in jeopardy and will most likely worsen substantially through the rest of 2010.

“The actions of cities are not insignificant, as collectively we are the nation’s fourth largest employer. The economy cannot recover quickly if cities falter, and so federal action now is essential.

“Cities continue to make the difficult choices of cutting services and furloughing workers. We are now beginning to see cities cut fire and police services – activities essential to the quality of life and safety of citizens in our communities. Traditionally, this is an option of last resort, and only serves to demonstrate the arduous situation facing cities.

“The central focus and approach of this new legislation is something that we at the National League of Cities have advocated for some time.

“It will provide much needed assistance to cities as they seek to protect public safety and avoid laying off municipal workers, which would only dig a deeper hole out of which America’s economy would have to climb. It also will help build a foundation for future growth by making available funds to cities that can be used to create useful jobs in both municipal and nonprofit agencies, and in the process put large numbers of unemployed Americans back to work.

“This bill will be one of the National League of Cities’ top priorities next week at our conference when we meet with administration officials and have our members meet with Members of Congress.

“We are looking forward to working with the Congress and the President to pass this much needed, and enormously helpful job creation measure.”

Background information:

While the nation’s economy may be approaching the late stages of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, local government budget tightening and spending cuts over the next several years could well impose a significant drag on the nation’s economic recovery.

According to the latest NLC research brief, issued in January, cities face layoffs, canceled contracts with small businesses and vendors, reduced services and sizable budget shortfalls for 2009 that are expected to grow much more severe and widespread from 2010 to 2012.

With the pace of recovery still sluggish, the consequences of the recession will be playing out in America’s cities and towns, on Main Street and in the lives of families for years to come. Among the findings:

• The municipal sector will likely face shortfalls between $56 billion and $83 billion in 2010-2012.
• The low point for cities in any recession is typically two years after the onset of the recession of the economy at large.
• This indicates the low point for cities will be 2011.
• Cities are responding with layoffs, furloughs, payroll deductions, capital infrastructure delays and cancellations, and cutting services.
• State aid to cities will be cut in the range of $21 billion to $30 billion in 2010-2012.
• 91% of cities cut spending in 2009, with 82% expecting to make more cuts this year.
• 14% of cities have already cut public safety services.
• Using a variety of data points, NLC calculates the state and local cuts will translate into layoffs of 600,000-700,000 people in 2010 and another 900,000 in 2012 in state, local and private sectors.

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. www.nlc.org.

SOURCE National League of Cities

PLAINSBORO, N.J., March 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — CMC Energy Services won top prize Friday for Outstanding Energy Savings and Quality of Work serving low-income families in New Jersey’s Comfort Partners program. The award was presented at the Affordable Comfort, Inc. (ACI) Conference and Awards Banquet, the state’s premier event for high performance, energy efficient homes. The award was based on earning the highest estimated energy savings and highest inspection ratings per home in the Comfort Partners category, New Jersey’s energy saving and education program for qualified low-income customers. The conference was held at the Trump Plaza Hotel in Atlantic City, March 4 and 5.

CMC has helped over 3,500 New Jersey low-income customers save energy and money and live more comfortably. Since 2005 CMC has administered the state’s Comfort Partners program for PSE&G, JCP&L and Elizabethtown Gas. Program services include performing comprehensive energy audits, educating the customer about how to efficiently manage their energy use, and overseeing the installation of energy efficient home improvements, including insulation, blower-door guided air-sealing, duct sealing, refrigerator replacement, HVAC maintenance, and efficient lighting. CMC runs a full call center, performs test-in test-out quality control inspections and provides evaluation, measurement and verification reporting services.

All efficiency measures and energy education services are provided free of charge through New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities and Clean Energy Program. The Comfort Partners Program is available to any New Jersey household with significant use, having an income at or below 225% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Said Eileen McGinnis, President of CMC: “Working in partnership with families to help them reduce their energy bills and help New Jersey meet its carbon reduction goals has been a tremendously rewarding experience. We have worked with PSE&G for 30 years and their programs have always stood out. We are thrilled to receive this recognition.”

“We are proud to have such strong representation of New Jersey builders, contractors and installers in the clean energy industry,” said BPU President Lee A. Solomon. “New Jersey is on the forefront of the green building industry and will continue to help residents save money, energy and the environment.”

About CMC Energy Services

CMC has conducted over 325,000 energy audits nationwide since 1977. Its core business is the design and implementation of energy efficiency programs for utilities, government agencies and thousands of households throughout the United States. The company’s long track record has allowed it to expand its focus to offer in-class energy audit training nationwide. CMC has trained 2,000 energy auditors over the past five years.

SOURCE CMC Energy Services

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