One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the nation's largest solar group purchasing company, today launched a new program to support Cleveland homeowners through the solar buying process. Homeowners who join the free online group are now eligible for a 15% group discount rate and impartial advice and tools, easing the cost and stress typically associated with the decision to go solar.

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After vetting local installation companies, 1BOG selected Astrum Solar to service the group's installs for the program's three-month duration. In addition to the group discount, Astrum Solar offers individualized customer service, the most up-to-date technology, industry leading warranties and flexible financing options.

"Cleveland residents now have a real, affordable solution to high power costs," said Dave Llorens, CEO of 1BOG. "This program provides an easy way to navigate the traditionally confusing solar buying process and take advantage of local incentives."

"The combination of this partnership with 1BOG and our understanding of Cleveland's solar landscape make us confident that this program will significantly raise awareness of the convenience and affordability of transitioning to solar power, which will ultimately lead to more residents opting to become energy producers rather than energy consumers," said President of Astrum Solar Vadim Polikov, PhD.

The 1BOG Cleveland solar group purchase program is available now to homeowners throughout the Cleveland area through November 30, 2010. To sign up, or for more details about products and pricing, please visit the 1BOG Solar Cleveland homepage at www.SolarCleveland.1BOG.org.

About One Block Off the Grid (1BOG)

One Block Off the Grid (1BOG)'s home solar group discount service makes solar power easy and affordable. For each regional 1BOG program, homeowners sign up for free online for exclusive pre-arranged group discounts and support through the entire solar buying process. 1BOG's experienced team of solar experts researches local solar installers, so group members are confident that 1BOG's installation partners have been carefully vetted on products, install practices and long-term company stability. 1BOG was founded in 2008 in San Francisco, California and has active solar programs in 18 markets across the United States. For more information, visit www.SolarCleveland.1BOG.org.

About Astrum Solar

Astrum Solar is a multi-state installer of residential and small commercial solar panel systems in the Eastern U.S. serving Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C. Headquartered in Maryland, Astrum Solar offers a premier customer experience by facilitating every aspect of a customer's seamless transition to solar – from getting a real price estimate using the company's online Solar Calculator and measuring the homeowner's roof to filing for necessary permits and selling the homeowner's Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). The company, founded in 2007, employs 100 people, and is on pace to complete 500 new home solar installations in 2010. For more information, please visit www.astrumsolar.com.

SOURCE One Block Off the Grid

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Recognizing the strong growth of VMware View™ virtual desktop deployments, Liquidware Labs today from VMworld 2010 announced a low cost solution to any company, agency, or organization who has, or is purchasing VMware View™ 4.5 for their next generation desktops. The solution, ProfileUnity™, is a powerful profile and data migration tool, currently generally available, which customers may purchase equivalent seats of at preferential pricing. As a key partner of VMware, Liquidware Labs is offering an aggressively discounted price to VMware View customers.  

The ProfileUnity™ solution is an agent-less and database-free architecture that empowers both users and administrators of desktop populations to elegantly migrate the "good will" that exists on their present desktops [settings, profiles, and data] to their next generation desktop. Much like server P2V technology, ProfileUnity™ has the ability to accomplish intelligent PC-2-V™ allowing user and application settings, along with user authored data, to be written to a location in the datacenter where it may be immediately presented to the users new VMware View desktop. Legacy registry, OS, and application elements are left behind, enabling instant migration to new operating systems, machines, and architectures.

This approach balances the challenging equation of providing personalized desktops to help maintain end-user productivity  while using non-persistent shared image technologies to deliver IT efficiency. In addition, administrators will benefit from day one by being able to migrate either physical desktop users to VMware View or migrate users from Windows XP to Windows 7, solving all challenges related to Windows version 1 and 2 profile differences.  

"ProfileUnity provides users with their familiar personalized Windows environment regardless of Windows operating system version and enables administrators to manage and establish standards for the user environment – a critical component of virtual desktop migration. It accomplishes this feat while delivering desktop administrators with the ability to enforce IT policies which deliver OPEX savings and CAPEX reductions that have slowed many well intentioned virtual desktop projects," said J. Tyler Rohrer, founder and COO of Liquidware Labs.

"We are thrilled to partner with VMware to provide end-users an improved desktop computing experience and productivity in their virtualization journey. We will continue to build solutions that compliment what customers are asking for, and assist the industry's major platforms," He concluded.

Virtualized user profiles or 'persona' management is now considered indispensable in any well-designed virtual desktop infrastructure to fully exploit the benefits of machine, OS, and application virtualization. ProfileUnity enables organizations to harvest the years of customization their users have put into their own desktops – and have it seamlessly available, day one, in their new VMware View machines.

"The ProfileUnity solution provides a simple, yet effective mechanism for segmenting out the user's profile from their virtual desktop. This approach offers a great solution to one of the challenges often associated with migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 - profile incompatibilities. The solution is beneficial to much of the VMware View™ installed base as well as new customers that are looking to VMware View to modernize their desktops and help them on their journey to User-Centric IT as a service," said Scott Davis, CTO, End User Computing Products, VMware. "ProfileUnity enables customers adopting a virtual desktop infrastructure to separate, preserve, and manage the user profile from the base image for both persistent and non-persistent desktops."

ProfileUnity is available through more than 50 worldwide channel partners and customers need only provide the date and user count of VMware View licenses they currently own to obtain this promotional pricing which is planned to be offered through the end of the year.

About Liquidware Labs

Liquidware Labs™ (LWL) is the leader in Assessment and User Experience Management for next generation desktops including VMware View, Citrix XenDesktop, and Microsoft Windows 7. The company's Stratusphere™ and ProfileUnity™ solutions have been described by analysts as the industry's first 'On-Ramp to VDI' by providing complete methodology and software that enable organizations to cost-effectively plan, migrate, and manage their next generation desktop infrastructure with best practices in mind. LWL's comprehensive solutions provide Assessment, Personalization Management, User Configuration, and Service Level Assurance. LWL products are VMware and Citrix certified, and are available through a global network of certified partners.  Visit www.liquidwarelabs.com for further information.

VMware, VMware View and VMworld are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. The use of the word "partner" or "partnership" does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company.

SOURCE Liquidware Labs

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Teachers' Insurance Plan of NJ and the New Jersey State Parent Teacher Association (NJPTA) announced a new partnership which opens Teachers' Insurance's low rates and special services to NJPTA members. In addition to this new savings opportunity for hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans, the partnership will generate much needed funding for local PTA chapters across the state.

"It is a pleasure to be associated with an organization that shares a commitment to education and has a tremendous track record of making a difference in the lives of New Jersey students throughout the state," stated Marc V. Buro, President of Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey.

Historically, Teachers' Insurance was only available to employees of educational institutions in New Jersey. After talking to teachers throughout New Jersey, the company began to better appreciate the beneficial partnership employees in education have developed with members of their local PTAs. "Teachers' Insurance recognizes the commitment that New Jersey educators make to their communities and to their craft. We believe that educators – both in and out of the classroom – should be served by an auto insurance company that only focuses on them and their unique needs," said Buro.

Parents who are active members of the New Jersey State PTA are eligible for special auto insurance coverages at lower rates than those offered by companies who insure everyone. Members of NJPTA just need to provide a copy of their membership card to qualify.

"The partnership with Teachers' Insurance introduces a great new way for NJPTA members to fundraise for their chapters while offering them the opportunity to save money with a company that specializes in insuring members of the educational community," stated Judy Hyde, President of the NJPTA.

Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey provides exclusive low rates and unique auto insurance services to active and retired employees of New Jersey licensed educational facilities, members of the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association and other school professionals. For more information, please visit www.nj-teachers.com.

SOURCE Teachers' Insurance Plan of NJ

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International Expeditions, the world leader in engaging and authentic nature travel, has expanded many of its 2011 itineraries to include additional opportunities for guests to sample local fare, creating a more immersive travel experience.

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"It's important to remember that food is a large part of culture the world over," said Bill Robison, IE's Director of Product Development.  "Trying local cuisine is a great way to 'experience' a country."

Some of the culinary treats IE offers guests include opportunities to dine in a restaurant featured on No Reservations — Anh Tuyet's — as part of their 16-day Laos & Vietnam vacation; working alongside local women to prepare traditional Jordanian dishes; and an exclusive sunset meal at the International Miraflores Restaurant overlooking the Miraflores Locks — a Frommer's Top 5 Panama dining experience — while on a Panama tour.  Travelers on IE's popular Amazon River cruise regularly dine on fish and fruit purchased from villagers during daily excursions while aboard the 28-guest La Amatista riverboat, and even learn to cook piranha as well as traditional Peruvian favorites.

In addition to allowing guests to savor exotic cuisine during their adventures, adding more meals at local restaurants allows International Expeditions to fulfill their mission of using travel for the betterment of the communities it visits.

"By eating outside of hotels and 'tourist' areas, supporting local restaurants and buying local foods, we're contributing to the local economy," said Robison.  "Plus, locally grown food tends to be fresher and tastier, often coming from farm to plate on the same day."

Sampling local food and culture is only one aspect of IE's diverse itineraries to Latin America, Africa and beyond.   Each journey is crafted to offer an in-depth look at nature, history and wildlife, and is led by knowledgeable native expedition leaders and naturalists.  

Specializing in engaging nature travel, International Expeditions' hallmark is small-group journeys to Earth's most exhilarating destinations.  A pioneer of environmentally responsible travel, IE is committed to preserving natural habitats and improving the welfare of the communities it visits.  This mission is reflected in the conservation, education and community-service projects IE supports in Peru, Laos, East Africa, India and the Galapagos Islands.

For more information or to request a nature travel guide, contact International Expeditions at 1-800-633-4734, nature@ietravel.com or http://www.IEtravel.com.

SOURCE International Expeditions

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Consumers can check health symptoms, look up health conditions and now find detailed information about doctors, hospitals, emergency rooms and medical clinics in the Sutter Health network via the free mobile health care application – iTriage.  

Every doctor, hospital, urgent care center, retail clinic and pharmacy in the nation is listed in iTriage's basic database. Sutter Health is among the first Northern California health systems to collaborate with iTriage to deliver detailed information about its not-for-profit network straight into the hands of consumers via their smartphones.  

"iTriage connects a patient with vital health information at the exact point and time that he or she is searching for answers," said Jeff Burnich, M.D., senior vice president and executive officer for the Sutter Medical Network. "Whether at home or traveling, a consumer can use their phone to get trustworthy information about a health care symptom and turn-by-turn directions to trusted health care providers in any community."

Sutter's expanded listings in the iTriage mobile app shows all users:

• Capabilities and areas of specialization of Sutter Health affiliated and aligned doctors and hospitals
• Website links
• Hours of operation
• Contact information
• And more…

ER physicians created iTriage in 2008. In addition to provider listings, it includes information on thousands of symptoms, diseases and medical procedures. Consumers can download iTriage for free on to their iPhone®, Android™ or other smartphone through iTunes or the Android market. And get more information about the tool at SutterHealth.org and iTriageHealth.com.

"Sutter Health's decision to partner with iTriage speaks directly to its commitment to remain at the cutting edge of medical care through advanced technology. This is a revolutionary and important change for Northern California residents, who now have access to all Sutter Health network hospitals, and thousands of Sutter Health network physicians through the iTriage smartphone technology—wherever they are, and whenever they need it," said Peter Hudson, M.D., CEO, Healthagen, developer of iTriage.

"Sutter has a long history of investing in technologies that advance patient care or improve patient access to care. iTriage is another way we're doing that," added Dr. Burnich.  

WATCH

See iTriage in action with this demo

Learn more

About Sutter Health

Serving patients and their families in more than 100 Northern California cities and towns, Sutter Health doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers share resources and expertise to advance health care quality and access. The Sutter Medical Network includes many of California's top-performing, highest quality physician organizations, as measured annually by the Integrated Healthcare Association. Sutter-affiliated hospitals are regional leaders in cardiac care, women's and children's services, cancer care, orthopedics and advanced patient safety technology.

For more information about the not-for-profit Sutter Health network, please visit  SutterHealth.org/about/ | www.Facebook.com/SutterHealth | www.YouTube.com/SutterHealth

About Healthagen

Healthagen, LLC is a global developer of healthcare information software that empowers patients to make better decisions and gives healthcare treatment facilities improved access to additional patients. iTriage helps consumers evaluate symptoms, lists potential diagnoses and provides access to appropriate treatment locations. Emergency medicine physicians developed iTriage and co-founded Healthagen – a privately held company headquartered in Lakewood, CO.

SOURCE Sutter Health; Healthagen

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