Edelstein passed away at the age of 83 on Saturday. Born to Morris and Yetta Edelstein, he helped to build his family's furniture business, Edelstein's Better Furniture, and was the father to sons,money clips, Steve, Morris and daughter, Sheryl.

Canadian freelance writer Amanda Lindhout, who is now back home in the western Canadian province of Alberta,discount tiffany necklaces, says Mr Brennan inspired her during their long and terrif]]> Australian kidnap victim Nigel Brennan has been praised by his fellow prisoner for helping her survive 15 months in captivity as the pair were held for ransom by Somalia gunmen.

Canadian freelance writer Amanda Lindhout, who is now back home in the western Canadian province of Alberta,discount tiffany necklaces, says Mr Brennan inspired her during their long and terrifying ordeal.

The pair were released last month upon the delivery of an estimated $A600,000 ransom after enduring torture and beatings.

"His strength of character in the midst of extreme hardship inspired me during the darkest days," Ms Lindhout said in a written statement released on Friday.

The two were initially held together but were then separated after a failed escape attempt in January.

"Despite our separation,buy tiffany earrings, he always managed to find small ways to remind me that there are gentlemen in the world,thanksgiving day celebration, even when I was surrounded by just the opposite," the 28-year-old said.

"His resilience and positive attitude after our ordeal is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Nigel,tiffany money clips clearance, I look forward to seeing what amazing things you will do with your life."

Ms Lindhout also makes special mention of members of Mr Brennan’s family who helped negotiate their release.

Mr Brennan, a 37-year-old Queensland photojournalist,tiffany bangle, returned to Australia two weeks ago.

He has said he shouldn’t have risked travelling to a Somali refugee camp outside of the capital city Mogadishu, but his motives were honourable to tell the plight of displaced people.

"I must confess there were times when I wondered if this moment would ever come," he told reporters in Sydney on December 9.

Both have now thanked the long list of supporters, family members and agencies who worked to ensure their release and safety.

Their families hired a private hostage negotiator firm to secure their release and raised money for the ransom through donations.

Both say they are taking their recovery one day at a time.

To the extent that the Obama administration has made ans]]> FOR all the excitement surrounding the development of electric vehicles, a fundamental limiting factor remains: storage. How,buy tiffany key rings, after all, does one coax more miles out of a fully electric vehicle without creating a battery so big, and so heavy, that it cripples the car?

To the extent that the Obama administration has made answering that question a national priority, it’s not surprising that nearly $40 million in federal stimulus funds for battery and electric car education — much of it at the graduate level — was announced in August.

"If we really are going to go toward electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles,Charm pendant, the storage capacity simply has to improve," says Mary Sue Coleman,shop for tiffany rings, the president of the University of Michigan, which received $2.5 million for programs at both graduate and undergraduate levels. "There just hasn’t been a breakthrough."

Although the subdisciplines of battery and electric vehicle development are not entirely new in engineering programs, few universities have created master’s degree programs that specialize in next-generation transportation. But with a total of $2.4 billion in stimulus funds aimed specifically at spurring the manufacture and deployment of electric cars and advanced batteries, the need for such specialization has increased.

The University of Michigan created a master’s of energy systems engineering program a couple of years ago, with a concentration in transportation power. Of the nine colleges and universities that received federal funds for battery and electric vehicle programs, seven,thanksgiving money clips, including Purdue, Colorado State and West Virginia University, have ambitions to create or expand their graduate level degrees.

Not surprisingly, however, universities in Michigan — ground zero in the collapse of the American auto industry — drew about 25 percent of the education money, with $5 million going to Wayne State University, in Detroit, and $3 million to Michigan Technological University, in the Upper Peninsula.

"It’s important to have a master’s-degree-level program for this particular industry," says Simon Ng, the director of the Alternative Energy Technology program at Wayne State.

The complexities of the field demand expertise across the engineering spectrum: chemical engineers can push battery technology forward; mechanical engineers can manage system dynamics unique to electric cars; and industrial and manufacturing engineers can rethink product development in a postcombustion-engine age.

Another major challenge, Mr. Ng says,tiffany key rings on sale, is heat. Anyone familiar with the sensation of a warm laptop pressed against the thighs knows that batteries heat up when they’re working overtime. As electric vehicle batteries are pushed to their limits, thermal management becomes a significant safety concern.

"All of these are ongoing issues," Mr. Ng says. "This is a totally new market, and when you have a new market and a totally new technology, you need new engineers with new skills."

Wayne State expects to begin offering its master’s degree program next fall, pending curriculum development and approval — and presumably, the arrival of $5 million from the Energy Department.

"We still haven’t got the check yet," Mr. Ng says.

But the "I'm Yours" singer is probably close enough.

Mraz's grandfathers were farmers, and almost every night he ate the tomatoes and okra that they grew. He grew up around farms in Mechanicsville, Va., and today he harvests avocados on his own Southern California farm.

And now, continuing what]]> Jason Mraz isn’t a family farmer in the traditional sense that embodies the spirit of Farm Aid.

But the "I’m Yours" singer is probably close enough.

Mraz’s grandfathers were farmers, and almost every night he ate the tomatoes and okra that they grew. He grew up around farms in Mechanicsville, Va., and today he harvests avocados on his own Southern California farm.

And now, continuing what might be considered a natural progression, Mraz is one of the hipper headliners of this year’s Farm Aid, coming to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Sunday.

The benefit concert features Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, along with Farm Aid board member Dave Matthews, Wilco, Gretchen Wilson and others.

"When I was younger, I remember that was one of the first festivals I was ever aware of," says Mraz, who is not committed to farming commercially but does it to serve his community.

Mraz was invited to perform at Farm Aid by Nelson.

"I’m really touched I’m a part of this, especially during a time when the food industry needs more of these events happening, buying locally and buying organically," Mraz says.

And that’s what Farm Aid, the longest-running benefit concert series, is all about. Farm Aid has raised nearly $35 million since the first concert in Champaign, Ill., in 1985. This is the first time St. Louis or Missouri has hosted Farm Aid.

"We continue to be excited about coming to St. Louis," Farm Aid executive director Carolyn Mugar says. "We know it’s right for us."

Farm Aid’s mission is to promote a "vibrant family farm system of agriculture in America." It does so by creating a demand for food from family farms, connecting consumers with farmers, and telling people about the benefits of family farming and the downsides of industrial farming.

Mugar says she had a good feeling about bringing Farm Aid to St. Louis when organizers and local dignitaries announced the concert this summer at the Soulard Market, and that feeling has continued with all the work between Farm Aid, Verizon, promoter Live Nation, the artists and area farmers.

Organizers have been working hard to ensure the show is the "right mix" for St. Louis, with classic rock, country and "four main artists who are huge," Mugar says.

Not huge yet, but equally interesting are the breakthrough artists Farm Aid presents.

"We like bringing in people on the cusp," Mugar says. "That’s fun, when you can look back and the first time you saw someone was at a Farm Aid and now they’re Mr. Big."

She thinks Phosphorescent, Matthew Houck’s folksy outfit, may be one of those acts.

"We’re stoked,earrings, of course," Houck says. "This is a great thing (Nelson) started, and we’re proud to help out in any way."

Phosphorescent recently released "To Willie,tiffany ring," a tribute to Nelson featuring songs such as "I Gotta Get Drunk,tiffany bangles on sale," "Reasons to Quit" and "Too Sick to Pray."

After he heard the CD, Nelson called the band to give his stamp of approval, hang out with Houck and ask Phosphorescent to join him on Farm Aid.

"I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with all these musical icons," Houck says. "And if we end up playing with Willie,cheap tiffany necklaces, there’s any number of good songs I could play with him."

There’s a good chance that could happen, along with any number of on-stage collaborations. "There’s going to be surprises," Mugar promises.

And though music takes center stage at Farm Aid, the bigger task is never forgotten: promoting family farming.

At Homegrown Village, concertgoers will find interactive activities and opportunities to speak with farmers. Organic corn dogs and other Earth-friendly concessions will be available.

"Be hungry and have your spirits high," Mugar says, calling Farm Aid "the biggest family farm restaurant in St. Louis, but only for one day."

Matthews,tiffany cuff Links clearance, who’ll perform with Tim Reynolds, says the festival will try to open people’s eyes regarding the importance of family farming.

"As the awareness of quality food grows, the quality of food is becoming much more important," he says. "There’s more light at the end of the tunnel now than there was two decades ago."

Convincing a group of typically middle-aged men who work 10-hour days on their feet to take a w]]> As the automobile industry struggles to maintain a healthy bottom line, Melissa Hubler, the group leader of payroll & benefits,shop for tiffany rings, strives to spread wellness to hardened assembly workers at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA).

Convincing a group of typically middle-aged men who work 10-hour days on their feet to take a walk after hours is no easy task,tiffany Pendants on sale, but Hubler has the employees at SIA flexing their muscles and toning their financial understanding – which is exactly why she’s been named the winner of the first-ever VSP "GetFit" Benny Award.

Wellness infiltrates all areas of the company as Hubler and her team strives to revolutionize the company’s culture. For example, SIA provides 90/10 beef in the cafeteria with a subtle,tiffany clearance, often unnoticed, sign, "courtesy of the wellness program."

Alternately, when the company wellness cart passes through the assembly lines to pass out information on smoking cessation, Hubler and team really are sticking their necks out. Nevertheless, the feedback they have received has been gracious and thankful. In addition, quite a few chronic diseases have been nipped in the bud at SIA’s onsite occupational clinic, where associates can receive a free complete physical including biometric laboratory screenings once every two years.

One step at a time

When Hubler introduced SIA’s wellness program, the company had 89.6% of 2,800 full-time employees lined up to complete a health risk assessment. What brought workers out in droves? Time had been carved out for workers to take the health assessments during their work shift.

"At first [the program] was purely meant to pique the interest of our associates; we wanted them to become interested and participate in the program so we made it very easy to do so. Our first year, we took time off the production line for every associate to complete an HRA and then we gave them with a cash contribution to their FSA for doing so,shop for tiffany cuff Links," explains Hubler.

Next, the team turned its attention toward results, requiring employees to complete three steps to earn a $200 contribution to their flexible spending accounts. The three stages are:

1. Completing all age- and gender-relevant screenings and exams, as defined by the American Health Association. SIA made nearly all of the tests available onsite, except mammogram,tiffany bangles clearance, testicular and dental exams.

Each year employees have the option of filling out a questionnaire or completing a biometric screening. Workers then receive a 20-page break down of the state of their health. Thanks to Hubler’s efforts, 64% of SIA associates cleared this step.

2. Earning 50 wellness points in disease and illness prevention activities or educational programs. Employees can take online disease management classes or participate in a coaching program at SIA’s wellness center, occupational clinic or health insurer, all onsite.

Employees also can earn points by taking advantage of the onsite recreation center – complete with certified fitness instructors at no charge to the employee and their family.

There also are weight and nutrition programs, which Hubler and her team are considering expanding upon in the coming years.

Associates also may earn points through participation in the company’s Financially Fit Program, which is most dear to Hubler’s heart.

"The Financially Fit Program is important to me because I see the progress we are making in health and wellness, which is aimed to help our Associates live longer, healthier and more productive lives," she says."It is designed to help Associates prepare themselves financially so they can afford to live longer."

The company has monthly "workouts," where they invite financial experts from investment management firms, banks, law firms and Purdue University to give seminars covering topics like the ABCs of the 401(k), debt management and health-care consumerism.

Workers can complete their requirements for stage two by investing in a 401(k), setting up their paychecks for direct deposit and participating in voluntary financial benefit programs including free investment advice.

Hubler feels that these offerings are just as important as the healthy lifestyle initiatives.

"Having the unique opportunity to oversee both benefit and payroll functions at my company, the data shows me that associates in financial distress more often than not suffer stress related illnesses and/or incur stress related absenteeism leading me to conclude that one’s financial well-being is in many cases directly related to one’s physical well-being," she says.

"To invest in a wellness program without a financial wellness component would be like offering health insurance benefitswithout a prescription drug benefit; it would just be incomplete."

3. Being smoke-free. As long as employees make a concerted effort they can complete this stage which includes onsite tobacco cessation courses and covers 100% of all smoking-cessation medication, including Chantix and the nicotine patch.

Changing culture, minds, bodies

"Rather than it being about getting the cash reward and incentive, hearing people tell of the success they’ve had and how much better they feel" has been the most promising development in their wellness program, boasts Hubler.

Hubler advises that employers "really try to keep [the message] out there, be persistent, and recognize that change is difficult for employees, but that over time they’ll come around.

It’s tough, it’s a cultural change for companies but persistence and patience and really listening to their employees and what their needs are and what keeps them from participating if they are not doing so already is key."

Hubler has encouraged the SIA employees to step out of line once in a while, enjoy a walk on one of the company trails or take an hour from their busy schedule to visit a health caregiver.

With her efforts she has reformulated company culture and employee paradigms. She’s succeeded in cultivating a support system and wellness plan for employees in the midst of their trek toward a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

Joyce and Waldo Warren watch over 14-year-old and 15-year-old Baby and Cinco, which typically keep to the enclosed grassy area at the front of their Hawthorn Drive house. Joyce also keeps 3]]> It’s not unusual to find pink flamingos, gnomes and other ornaments on the square of grass most people have in front of their house. But visitors on their way to the Warren’s doorbell may glimpse Baby or Cinco, two California desert tortoises, lumbering about her front yard.

Joyce and Waldo Warren watch over 14-year-old and 15-year-old Baby and Cinco, which typically keep to the enclosed grassy area at the front of their Hawthorn Drive house. Joyce also keeps 3-year-old Malibu and 4-year-old Toto, two smaller tortoises, in a box in her living room.

She and Waldo, who moved to Barstow 18 years ago, have four tortoises now, but over the 16 years they’ve lived in their home, Joyce has taken care of almost 200,cheap tiffany money clips, she says.

"I’m proud to tell people that I love these little tortoises," she said. "(But) this last year I looked at my yard and space and decided we can’t keep all of these tortoises."

Over the years she has taken her tortoises to Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue and another rescue center in Tehachapi. Some of them, about 40, she said, were offspring of tortoises she found on local roadways. Joyce has also had baby tortoises left in a box on her doorstep.

Some tortoises, like Baby (who’s a boy), Cinco (a girl), Toto and Malibu, Joyce decided to hang onto. She even had a tortoise named Methuselah who,tiffany key rings on sale, she estimated, was more than 100 years old. Methuselah and his mate, Sarah, were among the tortoises taken to Tehachapi.

"I never thought I’d be attached, but I miss my old Methuselah," she said. "He’d come when I’d call him. (And) he dug a hole under a rock and lived there."

Warren’s tortoises have found good homes, but according to David Lamfrom,tiffany necklaces clearance, local field representative for the National Parks Conservation Association, because they are an endangered species, tortoises shouldn’t be removed from the wild. If people come across a tortoise in the middle of the road, they should be helped across the street, he said.

According to Lamfrom, who’s heard of Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue, said taking captive tortoises to a rescue center is a good way of finding a better home for them. Because captive tortoises often carry an upper respiratory disease that can be passed to their wild counterparts,tiffany necklaces on sale, people should never release them into the wild. People can also view wild tortoises at the Mojave National Preserve, he said.

"The Mojave National Preserve is a great place for wild tortoises especially during the spring wildflower bloom," he said.

Warren, who’s a member of the High Desert branch of the California Turtle and Tortoise Club,tiffany bangles on sale, is also wary of people who say they’d like to have them as a pet.

"Most everyone says I would love to have one for my kid," she said. "I say it’s not a play thing."

Swinging through Pe]]> Ain’t worried about tomorrow when you’re busy living in a perfect day," Lady Antebellum sang on Thursday night at the Great Allentown Fair, and the band members should know. In only a few short years the trio has risen from relative obscurity to superstardom, spending 2010 hoisting Grammy awards, a Teen Choice surfboard and reveling in five Country Music Association (CMA) nominations, including the top prize for Entertainer of the Year.

Swinging through Pennsylvania to support their second chart-topping album, "Need You Now,shop for tiffany key rings," and just weeks away from kicking off the very first headlining tour of their career,thanksgiving jewelry, Lady Antebellum has attracted a rabid fandom that came out in full force at the Fairgrounds. Shrieks of delight were interspersed with roaring audience sing-alongs as Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood peeled off industry labels to demonstrate they’re as much a pop/rock contingent as they are country.

Lady A, as they’re known to fans, kicked off a high-energy set with "Stars Tonight" and mostly played to what the crowd wanted the rest of the way. With Haywood tackling acoustic and electric guitar, piano and vocals, he left his bandmates to vie for affection as they peered over the crowd to find an eclectic blend of fans — from the very young to those old enough to remember the words to some classic hits. The band quickly launched into "Love Don’t Live Here," a spirited number and the lead single from 2007′s debut album that put them on the map,tiffany earrings for sale, then ripped into "Perfect Day."

From there Lady A slowed things down, segueing into the ballad "When You’ve Got a Good Thing," and later delivering a solid rendition of the Tom Petty favorite "Free Fallin’." Next came a gorgeous, winding performance of "All We’d Ever Need." The song, which features Scott and Kelley facing off as a former couple who have a hard time letting go of their relationship, was one of the highlights of their debut album but never released to radio. Haywood sat between them — all three band members front and center propped on wooden stools — for what was a stripped down, acoustic version that nicely showcased their fantastic harmonies.

Moving forward there were electrifying renditions of Lady A staples, including current single "Our Kind of Love," "Looking for a Good Time," "American Honey," and the Grammy award-winning "I Run to You." All solid choices,tiffany necklaces for sale, they highlighted the band’s infectious energy and vocal versatility in a pretty straight-forward, no-gimmicks affair. The trio also chose to include the chart-topper "Do I,tiffany money clips clearance," which they wrote for Capitol recording artist Luke Bryan, then threw in a cover of John Mellencamp’s "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.," and a could-be hit from their current disc called "Love This Pain."

Haywood’s baby grand piano made its first appearance for the moving "Hello World," which built into a crescendo of melody and crowd noise, and the group’s undiminished chemistry eventually carried through to their first and only encore, as the opening notes of "Need You Now" brought the fans to a fever pitch. The extended intro was reminiscent of the radio remix played on pop stations around the country, and Scott and Kelley traded lead vocals with a rawness that truly brought the song to life and sent the fans home happy.

The 80-minute, 15-song set of tireless energy and robust vocals from Lady A was played in front of an estimated 7,600 fans and followed a solid opening act by American Idol alum and country newcomer Danny Gokey. His spirited hour-long performance included "My Best Days are Ahead of Me," the lead single from his RCA Nashville/19 Recordings debut, and current Country Top 40 hit "I Will Not Say Goodbye." The latter was dedicated to fallen military personnel and was one of the few ballads Gokey threw into the mix.

With impressive vocals from the outset, the original material in his 13-song repertoire worked well. He opened with the rocker "Like That’s a Bad Thing," and moved right into another up-tempo number, "(Gotta Get a Little) Life on Ya." But the covers he chose to include were a mixed bag. The Rascal Flatts’ ballad "What Hurts the Most" was well-received (and sung by the crowd with enthusiasm). But Gokey’s rendition of the decades-old Travis Tritt hit "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" came across like a karaoke version that briefly lost the audience. He recovered with "Life is a Highway," prompting another sing-along, then closed with the Bon Jovi staple "Livin’ on a Prayer."

It was announced Friday that Lady Antebellum will return to the area next month. According to their Facebook page, they’re scheduled to play the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby on Saturday, October 16. Details on an opening act were not immediately available.

The Dolphins lost in straight sets to the Warriors last Tuesday,thanksgiving Pendants, but beat Gr]]> The Marathon High School volleyball team bounced back in fine style from a season-opening loss last week to district rival Westminster Christian School.,shop for tiffany key rings

The Dolphins lost in straight sets to the Warriors last Tuesday,thanksgiving Pendants, but beat Greater Miami and Mater Lakes academies in straight sets Wednesday and Thursday.

"Westminster was a learning situation for us. We knew what the outcome would be so we worked on what we do best. They’re very strong and have kids that can kill. We worked on receiving,cheap tiffany Pendants, digging and blocking. I think they did well," coach Teresa Konrath said.

Marathon beat Greater Miami 25-12, 25-15 and 25-23 for its first victory of the year, then followed it up with a 25-19, 25-15 and 25-15 win over the Bears the next night.

Konrath said she was pleased with the Dolphins’ performance after the straight-set loss to Westminster. "What I’m working on is trying to keep the positive atmosphere on the floor and keep them from putting their heads down,shop for tiffany money clips," she said.

Seniors Kelley Struyf and Annabelle Walker did just that Thursday when Mater Lakes jumped out in front during the third game.

"We started to get points down and they called the team together at center court. It was amazing to see that leadership," Konrath said.

Marathon trailed the Bears 11-5 in the third game but rallied on a six-point serving rally by Walker to tie it. The Dolphins took control and easily closed out the match.

Struyf,tiffany necklaces for sale, Walker and Taylor Konrath have been the Dolphins’ main hitters up front. Struyf posted six kills against Mater Lakes Thursday, while Walker had two and Konrath one.

Struyf led the way Wednesday with seven kills and two digs against Greater Miami. Konrath had six kills and Walker three. Walker also blocked four shots.

Seniors Michelle Sardina and Layne Doyle are the team’s top setters. Sardina notched 16 sets against Greater Miami and another 10 against Mater Lakes. Doyle posted 10 and 11 respectively.

The Dolphins are now 2-1 after a busy beginning to the season. The team is scheduled to host Palmer Trinity School Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The junior varsity match is scheduled for 4 p.m.

He just didn't know how much until the Buffs headed home Tuesday night on the heels of two losses to Central (25-22, 25-17) and to Top-10 ranked Class 5A Newton (25-12,cheap tiffany jewellery, 25-14).

The event is designed to give residents of Cedar Creek,Bead bracelet, which prohibits garage and yard sales, a]]> Members of the Cedar Creek Ladies Club met Tuesday at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center to make plans for October’s Clean Sweep Garage Sale.,tiffany Pendants clearance

The event is designed to give residents of Cedar Creek,Bead bracelet, which prohibits garage and yard sales, an equivalent opportunity to clean house and make a little money on the secondhand market; the club also designates certain portions of funds raised at the sale for local charities. Clean Sweep is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,tiffany bracelets clearance, Oct. 16, at the Weeks Activities Center.

"What’s different this year is that we’ve already picked our charities, and they’ll benefit directly from the sale as well as the donations the club makes at the end of the year," said Cedar Creek Ladies Club member Susan Pickett.

The Aiken Area Council on Aging will receive funds raised through booth rental fees; checks for table space in the sale will be made out directly to the charity. Shoppers will be asked to bring either a canned good or a monetary donation for It’s Spooky To Be Hungry,tiffany earrings clearance, the late-October food drive for Golden Harvest Food Bank. The Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons will take possession of any items left over from the Sweet Repeats section at the end of the sale.

"We are so grateful to them,tiffany necklaces clearance, I just can’t tell you how grateful we are," said Sharon Cowden, Aiken Area Council on Aging director of services, at the committee meeting.

The Clean Sweep sale will also feature an Arts & Antique Boutique, a bake sale and a Sweet Repeats table with items donated to the club by those who did not wish to rent a table.

The fee to rent a 10-by-10 foot space and a table is $30 for non-residents of Cedar Creek. Those interested n participating in the sale can reserve a space by calling the Cedar Creek Ladies Club’s Bobbie Kastet at 641-8208.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.

Credit: Aiken Standard, S.C.