SBWire

Ecomnomic impact study issued June 11 shows the creative industry supports more than 43,600 full-time equivalent jobs in the state and boosts tax revenues.

LifeCHANGE Leadership Programs, the organization co-created by Days of our Lives actress, Arianne Zucker, is excited to partner with Africa Rising, founded by Ndaba Mandela and Kweku Mandela Amuah, grandsons of former President of South Africa Mr. Nelson Mandela, and Seth Maxwell, founder of The Thirst Project, to bring their program to South Africa this summer.

Unique fundraising idea leverages the popularity of the Hunger Games to draw big crowds and raise lots of cash says Kimberly Reynolds of FundraiserHelp.com.

Team Rubicon (TR) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors. Charles Macintosh is a Managing Director within Fixed Income at Sterne Agee, a privately owned broker-dealer. He has worked on Wall Street for 13 years as a mortgage trader for Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Keegan and holds a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College. He is a five-time USAT All-American and has competed in over 100 triathlons.

Major league baseball player Ryan Dempster, the Chicago Cubs, Crystal Bowersox, WWF Champion CM Punk and National Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, along with some of the biggest names in baseball, hit a homerun by raising more than $350,000 for the Dempster Foundation at the third annual Casino Night and auction.

Non-profit organization Talent for Humanity is sponsoring an international music contest to find talented songwriters and vocalists from around the world.

World-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) which means mother is famous for her unique practice of receiving all who come to her with a compassionate embrace. Amma has traveled the world hugging more than 30 million people in order to “awaken the qualities of love and compassion…essential for world peace and harmony. Her 2012 Summer Tour begins with free public programs on May 31 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 98004.

Who knew that several of the most prominent names in Georgia's telecommunication industry would end up waging one of the largest battles of the year over a provider’s right to transport services via the internet? Ronald Skates and Kraig Beahn, two highly influential voices who represent two very different entities, are waging what appears to be a nuclear war over an arrangement that continues to add to rising tensions and a steadily mounting public concern. What could they possibly be fighting about? Skates, who serves as the Director of Telecommunications at the Albany Water Gas & Light Commission, recently attempted to file charges against L2Networks with the accusation that the company was providing their VoIP services "over a mutual customer's network." (a.k.a. “the internet” of an AWGL “internet” customer)

Spokane Boy Scout Troop 171 of the Thunderbird District is supporting the New Boy Scout Motto, “Prepared. For Life.”, by conducting a car wash on May 19, 2012, to send their future leaders to National Youth Leadership Training.

May 3rd, 2012 will mark the first year anniversary of Beyonce's and The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation's (NABEF) "Let's Move! Flash Workout." Students from over 600 schools across the country will unite to commemorate last year's event, where children across the globe were moving and dancing to Beyonce's "Move Your Body" workout routine in support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to combat childhood obesity.

Voice of American Immigration Fraud Victims is appreciative and supportive of the vote in the House Judiciary Committee on the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization (VAWA) of 2012 (H.R. 4970). We feel it is a step forward in protecting the rights of true victims of abuse, while also protecting the rights of citizens that have been falsely accused of domestic violence.

Forty-one outstanding executive women from Silicon Valley will be honored by the YWCA Silicon Valley, May 10, 2012 at the 28th Annual Tribute to Women (TWIN) Awards Program at the San Jose Fairmont. The YWCA Silicon Valley’s TWIN Awards Program honors not only women who demonstrate excellence in executive-level positions, but also the companies that employ these women. “I continue to be amazed at the extraordinary contributions and impact that these executive women have in their organizations and thus in our community. The talent of women executives is second to none. We are privileged to honor these 41 inspirational women and to have so many supportive sponsors investing in the YWCA.” said Dr. Keri McLain, Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA Silicon Valley.

Running a 5K is an excellent goal for new and experienced runners alike, as Marco Bitran, 36 years old, finishes fifth in his age group in the BC 5K Race to Educate. One of the fastest times we found was TJ Unger, 33 years old, at 15:58. You'll get lots of motivation, as well as enjoyment, from participating in a race, and 5K (3.1 miles) is the perfect distance for first-timers. Even if you're a couch potato, you can be ready for a 5K in a couple of months. You can learn more on sample Facebook pages.

World-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) will begin her 26th summer tour of North America on May 31 at the Hyatt Regency, Bellevue. Amma which means mother is famous for her unique practice of receiving all who come to her with a compassionate embrace. She has traveled the world for 26 years and literally hugged more than 30 million people. The CBS TV Primetime Special, "In God’s Name" profiled Amma as one the world’s twelve most influential religious leaders. Amma says she is trying to awaken the qualities of love and compassion, which she feels are essential for world peace and harmony.

The trauma of childhood sexual abuse doesn't stop after the act itself. The effects of sexual abuse can linger for years, debilitating victims throughout their lives and well into adulthood, according to experts.

The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce has announced that TriMark Solutions, along with 8 other Triangle-based businesses, will receive the Steady Growth and Profitability Award during the 28th annual Pinnacle Business Awards event on Tuesday, May 22. Held in conjunction with National Small Business Week, the luncheon and awards ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center.

When Mark Alston-Follansbee, executive director with the Somerville Homeless Coalition in Somerville, Massachusetts, needed advice on how to make the nonprofit much more cost-effective, he may perhaps have considered attending business school. But he didn’t need to. Harvard Business University came to him in the form of alumni who've helped him create a whole new strategic approach and refocus his endeavours for much better effect.

When Mark Alston-Follansbee, executive director of the Somerville Homeless Coalition in Somerville, Massachusetts, needed advice on how to make the nonprofit more cost-effective, he might have considered attending business school. But he didn’t have to. Harvard Business School came to him in the form of alumni who have helped him develop a new strategic plan and refocus his efforts for greater impact.

Authentic baseball signed by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig will be featured in the Live Auction at the Dempster Foundation Casino Night. The baseball, donated by The Sutherland Family, was obtained from the Heritage Auction Galleries, and comes with a certificate of authentication by James Spence Authentication, one of the top authenticators in sports memorabilia. Through the Dempster Family Foundation proceeds from the sale of the baseball will benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital’s new state-of-the-art facility, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, opening June 9th. Interested parties must be present to enter a bid on the baseball.

IGSSS is a non-profit organization comprised of professional women based in Delhi India. IGSSS was established in 1960, We works for capacity building and enlightenment of the vulnerable communities across the country through rights-based framework for their effective participation in development and initially began as a means to connect and befriend other women. IGSSS is an award winning non-profitable Women Empowerment Organization that channels the entrepreneurial spirit, the arts and creative talents of immigrant, refugee and low-income women in the India into small businesses that create jobs and a new generation of Indian leaders and entrepreneurs. In India, a whopping 56% of the women are illiterate as against a considerably lower 24% in case of men, evincing the palpable inequity. IGSSS aims to provide Women Empowerment facility with quality, flexible, safe and highly affordable volunteering placements in India.

Urban poverty in India is an increasingly difficult challenge for India. As per official estimates there are over 25% people living below poverty line in urban areas and with the trend towards increasing urbanization this number is only increasing. As per the 10th five year plan (2007- 2008), there was a shortfall of 24.71 million houses (approximately 2.5 crores) in urban India., 90 per cent of this shortfall affects the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) and LIG (Lower Income Group) sections. IGSSS is having experience enthusiastic resource persons on ,Urban Poverty Homelessness in India & Rights of Urban Homeless on its membership. On the other hand, the IGSSS plays a significant constructive role in a city's 'development', languish in the remote corners of the city. The CityMakers Programme of the IGSSS is designed to work towards improving the living conditions of the Homeless Citizens, and also to ensure well-equipped shelters for them.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit organization that designs accessible, innovative programs which inspire young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, engineering, technology, and math while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.

CESI Debt Solutions, a national non-profit organization providing credit counseling and debt management services, is proud to announce that founder and CEO, Dr. Diane Chen has received an Enterprising Women of the Year award for 2012 by Enterprising Women magazine. This award honors women business owners who have demonstrated that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and stand out as leaders in their communities. Many of the award recipients are also leaders in key organizations that support the growth of women’s entrepreneurship.

In the lead-up to the Duchess of Cambridge’s first royal visit to Liverpool on the 14th February, which will be her second public engagement without her husband, the Duchess announced that she has become the patron of four charities. She has accepted honorary positions with Action on Addiction, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, the Art Room and the National Portrait Gallery. Kate will also become a volunteer in the Scout Association. A source from Gateway Merseyside, a local sales and marketing company said, “The royal family has a long history of charity patronages, and it drives millions of pounds to the charity sector.”

In spite of heavy rain and hailstones, around 800 runners, some in fancy dress, turned up to brave the bad weather on Sunday, for the Meadows Marathon. Organisers are hoping the event will be able to break last year’s fundraising total of £40,000. The event was set up in 2007 by Edinburgh University students, and includes a full marathon, along with a half marathon and 5km events. The runners completed laps of the Meadows but were hit by a shower of rain and hail at about 3pm while many were still on the course. We spoke to a source from ThinkMarketing, an Edinburgh-based sales and marketing company, who said, “It’s really impressive the amount of money that’s being raised for charity and that they’re just out there doing it, and not being put off.”