The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC), a Smithsonian Affiliate, and Charles J. Simon, founder of pioneering technology companies and nationally recognized software developer, announced today the innovative pilot project PassPort to Discovery™.  It is an interactive exhibit system designed to customize the visitor experience at museums and exhibit venues.  Onscreen talking avatars greet visitors by name and can paraphrase the exhibit content.  A unique gaming element allows visitors to answer questions and earn points - high scores are displayed.

"This unique technology was created to allow museum visitors to enjoy their exploration more by creating a totally customized and unique experience," said Charles Simon, developer of PassPort to Discovery™.  "This is the only exhibit technology allowing visitors to capture their experience on their own ID card and have it remember their individual preferences every time they visit."

PassPort to Discovery™ opens September 1 at the MAC in combination with a new exhibit 100 Curious Things.  This exhibit marks the start of a major effort to increase public digital access to MAC Collection materials.  

This prototype includes touch screen computers associated with various pieces in the Spokane Timeline exhibit and unique visitor passes that can be sensed by the computers.  Each of the exhibit's four interactive kiosks offers in-depth information on an aspect of Spokane history.  The touch screens can target visitors' specific interests, grade level and language.

"This PassPort system enhances the learning process through a uniquely engaging experience using audio, video, animations, questions, and competition," said Ron Rector, MAC Executive Director.

The MAC is the Inland Northwest's art, history and American Indian center and now is home to a one-of-a-kind system designed to provide youth and adults with a unique blend of education and entertainment.  The MAC is proud to be a beta test site for other museums across the country to explore the potential for this exhibit system.  To learn more, visit www.northwestmuseum.org.

About Charles Simon

Originally from San Francisco, CA, Simon has co-founded three pioneering technology companies; GiftSpot.com (acquired by GiftCertificates.com), Bentley's Continuum and a CAD for printed-circuit company.  Simon managed major development projects for MSNBC.com and 2Wire, Inc.  He has gained national attention in write-ups including Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, and PC Magazine.

SOURCE Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

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http://www.northwestmuseum.org

Superbreak, the theatre break specialist, has reported a sharp increase in the number of rail inclusive theatre breaks being booked, on the run up to the busiest theatre season of the year.

The Yorkshire based tour operator has secured a number of budget and top price theatre tickets for a host of musicals and performances in London's West End as the autumn season approaches. What sets Superbreak apart from its competition is the ability for customers to tailor-make their breaks by adding a return rail journey from most UK mainline stations, including Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds, into London. As with all theatre break packages, customers have a choice of over 250 hotels spanning the capital city, including many in and around Theatreland itself.

Popular theatre shows for autumn 2010 so far include 'Wicked' and 'Dirty Dancing', with 'The Lion King' proving a hot favourite for families during the October half term break. The relationship with rail providers allows Superbreak the ability to offer one night theatre breaks to see 'Oliver!', standard return rail travel with East Coast Rail and overnight accommodation at the 3-star Royal National Hotel from just pounds Sterling 129pp.

Superbreak has a long standing reputation for selling rail inclusive breaks. Last year, over 200,000 passengers booked a London theatre break with the tour operator and chose to add a rail journey to their booking. The ability to custom-make a theatre break to include a hotel stay, theatre tickets and return rail travel, allows customers both the choice and flexibility no matter what the budget.

Will Dunnett, Director of Marketing at Superbreak, commented: "Rail inclusive breaks continue to be a mainstay of the Superbreak programme and are proving to be a big hit with customers heading to the capital on a theatre break. The ability to select your hotel, length of stay, theatre tickets and rail travel allows us to offer our customers the very best in value and choice."

About Superbreak:

Superbreak is the internet division of Superbreak Mini Holidays Limited, the market leader for short breaks and hotels throughout the UK. Superbreak is part of Holiday Break plc. Based in York, England, Superbreak specialises in booking cheap weekend breaks in 2-5 star hotel accommodation throughout Britain for the leisure traveller. Superbreak holds allocations of rooms at all hotels and can make bookings up to and on the day of departure.

With 5000 plus hotel partners in worldwide locations from Aberdeen to Abu Dhabi, from London to Lourdes and with great availability and rates for theatre breaks, events at the O2 Arena, various popular attractions  and national and international rail partners, Superbreak can offer an outstanding depth and breadth of UK and Overseas short break products including Manchester hotels.

SOURCE Superbreak

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http://www.superbreak.com

Last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke revealed the nation's economic recovery is weaker than expected. A new report from the Mortgage Bankers' Association also showed the number of people falling behind on their mortgage payments for the first time is now on the rise. The economy, it may be safe to say, is not yet recovering, and that means it's more important than ever to protect physical assets, says Rick Bell, founder of the Kansas City-area KC Home Inventory (http://www.kchomeinventory.com).

Bell, who has been providing premium home inventory services through KC Home Inventory since 1993, said safeguarding physical assets -- personal property like cars, jewelry, art and collections -- starts with knowing exactly what one owns.

"Too often, people are unable to provide detailed, itemized lists to their insurance companies when disaster strikes and their personal property is stolen or damaged. That significantly slows down the insurance claims process," said Bell. "A complete inventory helps homeowners and renters determine whether their insurance coverage is adequate before anything happens."

Many people are unaware they don't have to accept an insurance company's offer if they feel it's too low. They do, however, have to back up their claim for a higher amount with detailed documentation -- and that's where an itemized home inventory, complete with photographs, can be invaluable.

Preparing that inventory, on the other hand, is a daunting task for even the most meticulous homeowners and renters. Fortunately, inventory professionals like Bell and his team at KC Home Inventory can make the process simple. A confidential, professionally prepared home inventory takes the guesswork out of inventorying one's assets and provides the peace-of-mind that comes with being prepared for the unexpected.

"Most people spend their lives accumulating items of value, whether that value is financial or sentimental," said Bell. "Not many of us, however, could name all the items in every nook and cranny of our homes, especially in a stressful situation like a fire, natural disaster or a burglary. Having a professional come in and systematically list every possession in an insurance-friendly format lifts that burden from the homeowner's or renter's shoulders and ensures assets can be fully restored should the need ever arise."

KC Home Inventory is now offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to establish home inventory businesses in their own communities. As the oldest established business of its type and an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, the company is well-qualified to help others get started in the industry. To that end, KC Home Inventory offers a complete home inventory business start-up kit, including all necessary software and tools, at a surprisingly affordable price. Learn more about the business at http://www.homeinventorybusiness.com. Details about the KC Home Inventory professional start-up and software package are available at http://kchomeinventory.com/Home_Inventory_Business_Software.htm.

About KC Home Inventory

KC Home Inventory has been providing comprehensive and professional services to homeowners, renters and businesses since 1993. In that time, the company has helped thousands of customers recover from losses due to fire, theft or natural disaster. KC Home Inventory is A+ accredited by the Better Business Bureau. For more information, visit http://www.kchomeinventory.com.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE KC Home Inventory

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http://www.kchomeinventory.com

Art.com Inc., the world's leading online specialty provider of wall art products and services, today announced its online expansion into Argentina, the Czech Republic and Turkey with the launch of three new country-specific websites:  www.allposters.com.ar, www.allposters.cz and www.allposters.com.tr.  These markets join AllPosters' existing international portfolio of 22 localized websites across five continents.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091208/ART-COMLOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091208/ART-COMLOGO)

"Having already served over 10 million customers in over 120 countries around the world, we know that international shoppers have different needs that vary by country.  We are pleased that we can now provide a more customized experience for our Argentinian, Czech and Turkish customers," said Geoffroy Martin, chief executive officer of Art.com Inc.  "The launch of these three new websites is yet another step in our ongoing mission to make art accessible to all by transforming the way the world discovers, personalizes, shares and purchases art.  Art.com Inc. is now one of only a few ecommerce retailers with such a broad global portfolio of country-specific websites."

In addition to these new websites, AllPosters already has localized websites to meet the needs of customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Each site offers the same unparalleled assortment of quality wall art at a great value that AllPosters is known for, along with a wide variety of finishing options including custom-framing, wood-mounting, canvas and lamination. Additionally, each site is translated into its country's respective language and local currency and offers local e-mail support.

International affiliates are encouraged to participate in the AllPosters affiliate program to earn commissions on referrals to each of the sites.  Information is available at affiliates.allposters.com.

About AllPosters and Art.com Inc.

AllPosters.com is a division of Art.com Inc.  Art.com Inc. is the world's leading online specialty provider of posters, prints, and framed art.  Since 1998, Art.com Inc. has sold high-quality wall art online to more than 10 million customers—including home decorators, interior designers, businesses, art collectors and art lovers—in over 120 countries worldwide. The privately-held company is headquartered in Emeryville, CA, with other facilities in Ohio, North Carolina and the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.art.com and www.AllPosters.com.  "art.com" and "AllPosters" are registered trademarks of Art.com Inc.

SOURCE Art.com Inc.

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http://www.art.com

Each Monday from 12:45 to 2 p.m.  Houston Ballet and the Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS) offer a weekly dance class for people with Parkinson's at Houston Ballet's studios at 1921 West Bell. The class features live music with a piano accompanist and incorporates various types of music and dance. Participants not only do ballet but line dancing, square dancing, and strengthening exercises.  Individuals interested in participating in the HAPS dance program, or any of the HAPS programs may contact the HAPS office at 713-626-7114 or visit www.hapsonline.org. Beginners are welcome, no partners required -- just a willingness to have fun!

The goal of the class is to override the muscle freezing that occurs with Parkinson's where the patient's brain tells them to move but their muscles won't let them. The class helps develop participants' muscle memory, making it easier for them to regain control and movement.

The Houston program started in the spring of 2009 with only a handful of students but has grown to more than 25 individuals with Parkinson's and their care partners who attend class weekly.

Kathleen Crist, LMSW, director of social services and program development, for HAPS observed of the classes, "The greatest and most common feedback we receive from students is that they find this class normalizing. When they are here dancing and singing for 90 minutes every week, they forget about the Parkinson's disease. They forget about their daily challenges and limitations. They forget about how their lives have changed. They feel normal and they leave with such a wonderful feeling that carries them through the rest of their day."

The idea for the program arose when Ms. Crist attended a meeting at The Methodist Hospital's Center for Performing Arts Medicine, where specially trained doctors provide care to performing artists. There she met Houston Ballet's General Manager James Nelson, whose father has Parkinson's. The two put their heads together and the dance class for Parkinson's patients was born.

Kristine Richmond, a former Houston Ballet principal dancer who appeared with the company from 1980 to 1993 and went on to perform on Broadway, leads the weekly classes.   "Not only is it great to be back at the ballet studio, but I get to do something more to give back to the community," observed Ms. Richmond.

Five months ago, the program expanded with the addition and leadership of Jo Ellen Hubert. Ms. Hubert provides the live piano accompaniment and has included a monthly ParkinSING. The goal for this class is to give the students the opportunity to use singing as a fun and practical method of expanding their breathing, maintaining and increasing their voice projection and working their lips, tongues, jaws and soft palates all in the context of singing Broadway songs they know, love and are inspired by.

The class starts with a seated exercise for warm up. Participants sit in a circle, greeting each other, and performing various hand and leg motions to the music. The live music helps participants get the feel of a real dance class. Then, the class moves to the barre where a series of ballet steps are executed for more agility training and organized movement.

Ms. Richmond states, "We have seen improvement and growth much faster than we ever expected. As the class continues we feel very comfortable really challenging these students because they are eager and ready for it. The class is fun and uplifting and inviting. New comers have no trouble joining in and catching up. The spirit of the group makes that possible."

Mr. Nelson explains, "Houston Ballet and Houston Area Parkinson Society's Dance for Parkinson's is the perfect pas de deux for the two organizations, and it fits perfectly into Houston Ballet's mission of inspiring a lasting love and appreciation for dance. We're so proud to be honored by HAPS in receiving the Roy H. Cullen Quality of Life Award in 2009. It is a wonderful validation of the impact our outreach program has on the Houston community."

HAPS serves and advocates for those affected by Parkinson's disease in our community. HAPS, a non-profit organization founded in 1974, is one of the oldest independent, local Parkinson's disease support groups in the United States. HAPS provides comprehensive services to the eight-county Houston Metropolitan Area, with a combined estimated population of more than 5.5 million people. 

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DANCE FOR PARKINSON'S

FACT SHEET

WHAT: Houston Ballet and Houston Area Parkinson Society Dance for Parkinson's Program

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

Dance for Parkinson's is brought to Houstonians by Houston Ballet Foundation and Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS).  Dance for Parkinson's helps participants gain muscle memory and agility.

WHEN: Every Monday from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Houston Ballet

1921 West Bell

Houston, TX 77219

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact HAPS at 713-626-7114 or online at www.hapsonline.org

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Kathleen Crist

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=95303

Kristine Richmond

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=95305

CONTACT: SHAUNA TYSOR or KIM ESPINOSA, +1-713 535 3226

SOURCE Houston Ballet

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.houstonballet.org
http://www.hapsonline.org