Category Archives: Education

Author Wesley Stein’s New Book, New Beginnings

Elwood City, PA, April 06, 2024 –Wesley Stein has completed his new book, “New Beginnings”: a coming-of-age story that follows along as Xander starts to be able to do things he has never been able to do before that are not even possible. On top of that, a handful of kids in his school start to experience the same thing, including the mysterious new girl.

Growing up in a small town in Western Pennsylvania made author Wesley Stein much of who he is today. The tight-knit community fueled his imagination and inspired much of his writing. He has always loved being in nature and sitting outside. Listening to birds helped him in his writing. Music has had a significant impact on Wesley’s life. Someone in his house is always singing or playing an instrument, himself included. Past classmates and other people whom he has met in life have been an influence on his novel; some of them even inspired select characters. Wesley hopes to continue following his creative spirit in future novels he will write someday.

Wesley writes, “The orphanage in which she is currently living is in agreement with the US Military. They started this program in which once you turn sixteen, the government will adopt you per se and train you in multiple aspects of the military—how to hold a gun, how to hold your own in a fight, and which wire to cut. Once eighteen, you can join whichever aspect of the military you want; and two years later, they will pay for college if you so wish. It is a nice program, and a lot of kids who haven’t been adopted take up the offer. But she is not like most kids.”

Notarized.com Takes Proactive Steps to Combat Property Fraud

Reno, NV, April 06, 2024 — Notarized.com, a leading platform for notary services, is proud to announce its commitment to educating customers on the dangers of one of the fastest-growing crimes in America: property fraud. Partnering with EquityProtect, a pioneer in innovative title fraud prevention technologies, Notarized.com empowers property owners and real estate professionals to assess transaction risks and implement preventive measures effectively.

“Property fraud poses a significant threat to property owners and real estate professionals across the nation,” said CEO Omar Kubba at Notarized.com. “Through our partnership with EquityProtect, we are arming our customers with the tools and knowledge they need to safeguard their investments and prevent fraudulent activities.”

Key highlights of Notarized.com’s initiative include:

· EquityProtect’s Risk Assessment Tool: Leveraging EquityProtect’s advanced risk assessment tool, property owners and real estate professionals can evaluate each transaction against potential crime risks and proactively prevent fraud.

· Detailed Reports for Notaries: Notarized.com will provide detailed reports for each signing, ensuring notaries are equipped with awareness, education, and customized suggestions to identify potential red flags in transactions.

· Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Utilizing EquityProtect’s comprehensive approach of analyzing chains of title, length of ownership, frequency of ownership changes, type of ownership, and other factors to assess the transaction risk accurately.

· Real-Time Monitoring: Monitoring local, state, and federal involuntary liens, as well as recent changes in mailing addresses, property types, occupancy statuses, and more, to identify potential threats of fraudulent activity.

· Personalized Evaluation: Delivering individual risk scores for each property owner, balancing static and dynamic risk values to provide accurate assessments.

· Dark Web Monitoring: Utilizing real-time dark web sources to identify compromised data such as email addresses, passwords, property records, and financial targets, enhancing fraud detection capabilities and protection offerings.

“Notarized.com is dedicated to empowering our customers with the knowledge and resources needed to combat property fraud,” continued Mr. Kubba. “By sharing critical information and implementing preventive measures, we can collectively work towards a safer and more secure real estate environment.”

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal, 06 April 2024: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and Bioplus Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, signed a MoU marking a significant milestone in academic-industry collaborations. The objectives of the MoU include joint research programs, academic/training-related programs, placement/ internship opportunities to MAHE students, conducting preclinical and clinical studies of Bioplus novel products at MAHE-affiliated institutions, and conducting key opinion leader’s engagement programs in respective therapeutic areas. Dr Giridhar Kini, the Registrar, represented Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and Ms Neha Aurora- AVP- Business Development, represented Bioplus Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. Bioplus is dedicated to the business of manufacturing and marketing world-class health, wellness, nutritional, pharmaceutical and hygiene products. Part of the Bioplus Group, it carries forward the same level of quality and precision in all its products. Backed by 70+ years of research & manufacturing experience with a presence in 60+ countries, BioPlus is supported by an experienced analytical team of 40+ scientists with technical qualifications like doctorates and masters in pharmaceutical science during every phase of the product development process.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor MAHE stated “The agreement is set to yield mutual benefits, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, academic growth, and shared resources. This synergy is poised to contribute to the advancement of research, development, and overall excellence in both institutions”.

Dr Giridhar P Kini, Registrar, MAHE conveyed his optimism regarding the MoU’s impact on the students and faculty members. The partnership will facilitate collaboration on research projects, and access to advanced facilities, and promote an environment conducive to nurturing creativity and innovation. Both students and faculty members are set to reap the rewards of this collaborative endeavor.

Ms Neha Aurora- AVP- Business Development, Bioplus Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd said “The partnership with MAHE is more about shared aspirations, mutual trust, and the global footprint of professionals from both sides. It will help us in creating an ecosystem that embraces cutting-edge research and training to prepare students to become global leaders of tomorrow.”

Dr Raviraja N S, COO Designate & Director, Planning and Monitoring, MAHE said “This new partnership will offer our students, and faculty members the opportunity to collaborate with experts from Bioplus Lifescience and exchange knowledge and ideas. This will not only enhance their teaching abilities but also contribute to their personal and professional development”.

Dr. Harish Kumar S, Director of Corporate Relations, MAHE delivered the welcome address and provided an overview of the collaboration. He also stated that this collaboration will open doors to new opportunities and promote knowledge-sharing between our organizations.

Dr Srinivas Mutalik, Principal, MCOPS, Manipal, Dr Surulivel Rajan M, HOD, Pharmacy Practice, MCOPS, Manipal, Dr Mahadev Rao, Professor, Pharmacy Practice, MCOPS, Manipal, Mr Anand Bhogu, AVP Business Development, Bioplus Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Dr Praveen Kumar, AVP Clinical development, Bioplus Life Sciences Pvt Ltd were also present.

TMSA Student Placed Second in the Technology Division in NC Science Fair

Cary, NC, April 04, 2024 –TMSA Cary student Diana Zavadskaia competed at the NC State Fair under Junior Division and won second place in the technology division.

Her project focuses on artificial hearts. The project shows the process of designing and actual 3D printing of an original artificial heart, as well as an experiment that puts the invention to test. She became interested in this topic right when they started the anatomy unit dedicated to hearts in school. Since then, she has been studying independently and began focusing on artificial hearts. This was her first year of competition above the school level.

There is also a chance to be promoted to the national level and travel to a different state where the students from all the US will spend a week talking about research and presenting their projects.

Diana said, “It amazed me that something so essential can be replaced. I hope one day my research and inventions can be used in the medical field.”

Margie Cretella’s Newly Released Have You Seen My Brother

Youngstown, OH, April 04, 2024 — “Have You Seen My Brother?: Discovering That God Is Good Even in a Tragedy”: a powerful testimony of faith, determination, and discovery. “Have You Seen My Brother?: Discovering That God Is Good Even in a Tragedy” is the creation of published author, Margie Cretella, a dedicated wife, mother, sister and grandmother.

Cretella shares, “Imagine these words: black ice, a car, a truck, a tree, and Northeast Ohio. These words can only add up to a tragic car crash. And they did! The nightmare happened on November 13, 2013, and left me on a journey searching for my brother and God. It seemed like a game that I didn’t want to partake in, but I had no choice.

“This game led me to several hospitals where I spent my time asking the hospital staff if they knew where my brother was. They always led me to a room of an almost lifeless man lying in a bed and often looking at me like he was wondering who I was. Where exactly was my brother, the loud, boisterous man that I once knew for fifty-eight years? He was the man that you would hear before you would even see him. I wanted that brother back and wanted him back immediately!

“I spent ten years searching for my brother and God. It left me exhausted, mad, bitter, and at times, lonely. How would I go about finding them? I would have been happy if I could just find one of them, but who would be more important to me, my brother or God?

“I couldn’t imagine God turning his back on my brother Father Steve, a devout Catholic priest, because I could only envision God taking care of him every step of the way.

“Would be fortunate enough to find out that maybe God and my brother were hanging out the whole time searching for me? Maybe I was the one who was lost! If you like stories about faith, family, love, and willpower then this book is for you!”

Author J.M. Vessard’s New Book Portals to the Infinite

New York, NY, April 04, 2024 — J.M. Vessard, an artist and author who lives in the Southwest with her husband, has completed her new book, “Portals to the Infinite”: a collection of short stories and uplifting messages inspired by experiences with an ancient light group the author has had throughout the years, all designed to help readers open their minds to the limitless possibilities of their existence in order to lead a more fulfilling and rich life.

Over the course of her career, author J.M. Vessard worked as a psychologist and a program manager for programs that served children with special needs. Later, she worked with a veterinarian who provided care for wildlife, taking care of many birds throughout the years that were able to return to the wild. The author was also a field supervisor for psychology graduate students to give them experiences with students in many different programs. In addition to her work, Vessard has painted in many mediums and has occasionally taught art classes to gifted students.

“Would you like to expand your ideas and experiences of creation?” writes Vessard. “This book inspires with stories, messages, inspirational material, and with many higher-dimensional contacts with the light groups of higher dimensions. Those light groups display different dominant colors and frequencies of light. There were also many personal contacts with the author’s original light group from the higher dimensions of another galaxy. The ancient mentor of that light group made the most contacts. He gave her experiences of portals to higher dimensions and much information from beyond this world.”

Empowering Dreams: Avaada Foundation’s Summer Camp for Rural Youth

Avaada Foundation, the welfare arm of Avaada group, is delighted to announce the launch of its unique initiative – Avaada Foundation’s Summer Camp, scheduled from April 5th to April 20th, aimed at fostering the holistic development of rural youth and local communities.

Avaada Foundation, a non-profit organization, has been bringing positive transformations in the lives of citizens of the Prime Minister’s adopted village, Jayapur, and Nagpur through education, women empowerment, healthcare, environmental conservation, and rural electrification for the past 8 years.

Continuing the positive impact, this special program by Avaada Foundation is tailored to nurture the potential of the youth in Nagpur and engage 20 neighboring villages, offering a diverse range of activities completely free of charge. The Summer Camp is thoughtfully curated to cater to rural youth, homemakers, and local communities, ensuring inclusive participation for all. Featuring a variety of activities including sports, arts, and educational contests, the initiative aims to engage over 500 youth and approximately 2,000 students through the “Bal Pratibha Education Competition”, providing them with opportunities typically available in urban areas.

Highlights of the Summer Camp Program:

Sports Activities: Cricket, Kusti, Kabaddi, Badminton (for boys & girls), and more.

Other Competitions: Drawing, On-the-spot speech, Storytelling, Public speaking competitions (for both boys and girls), Folk songs such as Kajari/Jhumar, folk dance, etc.

Educational Competition: Bal Pratibha Sanman, spanning from class 6th to 12th, with prizes including Ranger Cycles, Pressure Cooker, Iron, School bag, Water Colour, Geometry Box, Glass set, Lunch box, etc.

Awards & Recognition: Cash Prizes, Mementos, medals, certificates, Avaada Foundation T-shirts, and more for winners.

We strongly believe that empowering our youth through such initiatives is crucial for their holistic growth, fostering the spirit of harmony and a strong collective consciousness for nation-building. We invite you to join us in this initiative and extend your support to the youth of Nagepur and neighboring villages as they strive to reach their fullest potential.

Unique Features: The Summer Camp introduced by Avaada Foundation is truly unique and a first-of-its-kind initiative in rural India. It presents a groundbreaking opportunity to provide a platform for rural youth to showcase their talents and get recognition. Unlike summer camps at urban cities and schools, which are often associated with privileged classes and communities, our program is inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.

One of the key aspects that sets our Summer Camp apart is its focus on engaging and empowering rural women, particularly homemakers. By encouraging their participation, we aim to revive the folk songs of rural women and instill a sense of pride in their folk culture.

By extending this opportunity to rural communities, we aim to make everyone feel special and valued, while also celebrating and preserving our rich cultural diversity.

In essence, our Summer Camp is not just an event; it’s a transformative experience that uplifts and empowers rural communities, offering them a chance to showcase their talents and celebrate their unique identity.

ChefTzac’s DoingGoodThroughFood Anniversary Campaign Supports Tamarind Tree School for Tribal Children with The Locavore

4th April 2024, Nationwide: Chef Thomas Zacharias or ChefTZac, represented by OML (Only Much Louder), is the founder of The Locavore, a community dedicated to ‘Doing Good Through Food’ through volunteer-driven social impact projects. This month, The Locavore has launched its anniversary fundraising campaign #DoingGoodThroughFood through which funds will be directed towards the Tamarind Tree School kitchen’s annual expenses of 10 lakhs, covering student meals for a year. The team has already raised more than 6 Lakhs and is aiming for even more significant contributions.

Driven by a vision to create a meaningful impact on the Indian food system, ChefTZac founded The Locavore. Here, he emerges not only as a chef but also as a visionary, connecting people and food, cultivating awareness around sustainability, and empowering individuals to be agents of positive change through their food choices.

Nestled in the tribal village of Dahanu, Maharashtra, Tamarind Tree School is a technology-driven English medium school and a beacon of open-access education and knowledge for the local Adivasi community. The Tamarind Tree kitchen, mirroring most of The Locavore’s ethos, serves as a classroom where students receive nutritious meals and engage in a dynamic culinary curriculum. The school places a strong emphasis on fostering literacy and appreciation for diverse food cultures and empowering students, particularly those from the Warli tribal community, who are also first-generation learners. Besides, students get to interact with the daily menu which enhances their reading abilities. They are also encouraged to express their food preferences, nurturing not only their language skills but also cultivating a sense of agency and importance in their opinions on food – which perfectly aligns with The Locavore’s commitment to sustainable food choices and community support.

Chef Thomas Zacharias, the vision behind The Locavore, said, “We believe that food transcends mere sustenance to become a conduit for education, cultural exchange, and empowerment. The Locavore is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the Indian food system through impactful projects. Through initiatives like The Locavore’s anniversary campaign, we endeavor to foster curiosity, celebrate diverse culinary cultures, and establish the framework for informed, health-conscious food decisions for future generations. Investing in the future of young minds is pivotal for fostering a more equitable and sustainable world, where knowledge and sustainability seamlessly intertwine.”

As a part of this fundraising initiative, The Locavore is inviting people all across India to participate in the #DoingGoodThroughFood anniversary campaign for the Tamarind Tree kitchen as The Locavore enters its second year of encouraging action via food. Supporters can donate, and volunteer their time and skills, and all contributors supporting this cause will stand the chance to win a spot on the Locavore’s #DoingGoodThroughFood Anniversary Day Trip to Tamarind Tree School on 6th April. Participants can also gain firsthand insight into the impact of their support during this immersive program, culminating in a skill-sharing and networking workshop.

Thus, leading the charge in transforming India’s food landscape towards a more sustainable and responsible future for all, through his culinary adventures, ChefTZac directs The Locavore in embracing a conscious approach to food consumption, production, and appreciation, championing mindful eating, meaningful storytelling, and purpose-driven community building.

Campaign details:

Date: 6th April, 2024

Venue: Tamarind Tree School, Dahanu, Maharashtra

Don Avis’s Newly Released I Like My Bus, I Love My Bus

Hillsboro, MO, April 03, 2024 — “I Like My Bus, I Love My Bus”: a heartwarming celebration of all a school bus driver brings to their community. “I Like My Bus, I Love My Bus” is the creation of published author, Don Avis, who studied industrial technology and holds an associate of arts (AA) and associate of applied science (AAS) from Jefferson College. He went to Southeast Missouri State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Besides working experience in the telecommunications field, he has worked as a corrections officer, underground in limestone mines, on a dairy farm, and for the past five years as a school bus driver.

Avis shares, “My little bus, my little bus. It takes all of us to and from our schools so we can all learn the golden rules. This book is a happy product of my own imagination. It was formed from the inspiration and joy I experienced as a school bus driver. Driving a school bus has been a wonderful experience for me, and this book hopefully shares, promotes, and encourages others to become school bus drivers. Writing this book, I wanted to celebrate the several wonderful relationships I developed with both parents and their students as they entrusted their driver with safe bus transportation from their homes, learning centers, and back again.

“The rhymes, poems, and storybook songs in this book were created during downtime, to entertain the students and give them attention, usually while waiting on school parking lots. To begin each day, we arrive early to school on our bus schedule, the school bus parks, we wait and say again our good mornings. The students rode their school bus into school that day, correctly, with safety in mind, and heeded the bus driver’s warnings. Then she finally appears in all her glory. The elementary school’s principal. ‘We are here!’ Like the driver, she is respected, admired, and revered by the students, and they hold her dear. It’s now time to go, so off the bus they go inside the school. The driver will miss them and tells each student as they exit to have a good day, watching as they get smaller and smaller in his rearview mirror until they disappear. He is sad but soon will be glad as he knows it will be evening soon, and the students will be back again too. The bus mirrors remind him, objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.”

ISMG Unveils OT.today, a Publication and Global Resource Platform

Princeton, NJ, April 03, 2024 — In a significant move to advance the field of operational technology (OT), ISMG, a premier global intelligence and education organization focusing on IT, OT and cybersecurity, proudly announces the launch of OT.today (https://www.ot.today/).

This groundbreaking publication and resource platform has been developed to support OT professionals worldwide. It offers extensive coverage of the latest developments, technological innovations and crucial trends shaping the OT landscape.

A Comprehensive New Resource for OT Professionals

According to the Future Market’s Insights Report, the OT market will reach a valuation of $22.1 billion by the end of 2024, with 18.40% CAGR (combined annual growth rate) from 2024 to 2034.

Acknowledging the vital need for specialized news and education catering to this dynamic field, OT.today supports the entire OT ecosystem of manufacturing along with industrial and critical infrastructure asset owners and operators. Roles that will benefit from OT.today include production operators and engineers, network administrators, IT/security and audit teams, and maintenance and reliability professionals to business leadership including the C-suite and boards of directors.

“OT.today stands as a beacon for professionals and industries worldwide, offering a cutting-edge platform for mastering operational technologies,” said Sanjay Kalra, CEO, ISMG. “With its unique blend of education, AI enablement and its integration with ISMG’s broader suite of offerings – across events, professional communities and education – OT.today is poised to redefine professional development in this domain as an indispensable resource for anyone looking to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected ecosystem.”

OT.today’s “Publication + Platform” Approach Simplifies Critical Knowledge Acquisition

OT.today transcends the conventional boundaries of a publication. It embodies a vibrant, interactive arena that harnesses state-of-the-art AI technology to deliver personalized intelligence, research, content and education related to OT. Learning experiences that incorporate OT concepts will also be made available via ISMG’s education platform CyberEd.io. This combination of resources enables hands-on learning and deep understanding of intricate concepts.

In addition, OT.today will curate a series of workshops led by industry experts, global conferences and Executive Roundtables, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and insights into the latest OT advancements.

The platform also champions a global curriculum with multilingual support to cultivate an inclusive, worldwide educational community.

“OT.today represents the culmination of years’ worth of efforts and increased focus on yet another crucial technology subdomain – operational technology,” said Mike D’Agostino, general manager, ISMG. “Through these strategic integrations and collaborations, we are confident that OT.today is poised to offer a rich ecosystem of learning, networking and professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of the OT community worldwide.”

Capitalizing on QG Media Acquisition

Following the acquisition of QG Media – a global events organization focused on OT, and which manages the CS4CA and ManuSec summits series – OT.today further cements ISMG’s information and educational leadership in the industrial sector. These channels extend the company’s ability to host specialized, OT-centric conferences and workshops globally, enhancing the learning experience and accommodating varied learner preferences, whether in-person or via multimedia digital options. Expert insights and peer-enriched content will enable the right data flow to promote operational efficiency, improve cybersecurity and ultimately drive better outcomes in OT environments.

“We are thrilled to join the ISMG family as we’ll now have access to many more resources to grow our events, expand into markets we’ve not had a presence in the past, and offer an entirely new suite of growth opportunities for both our events attendees and vendor sponsors,” said Ravi Manji, executive director and co-founder, QG Media.

Echoing the sentiment, Kudsia Kaker, managing director and co-founder of QG Media, said “Given ISMG’s focus on educating and fostering OT-centric communities, their global footprint, and access to myriad resources, we will be in a position to take our event series to new heights, and manage more and larger events as OT continues to become a vital digital transformation topic.”

A Unified Strategy for Integration

Merging OT.today into ISMG’s wealth of resources, including CyberEd.io and CyberEdBoard, will enable comprehensive educational programs in operational technology. Under this initiative, ISMG will offer a curated selection of proven OT solutions and services, enabling users to explore and adopt the latest innovations to boost operational efficacy, security and innovation within their domains.