Washington, Conn. Filmmaker Launches Fundraising Campaign for ...

WASHINGTON, CONN., Aug. 30, 2012?? Film director David Ruchman, a native of Washington, Connecticut, has launched a fundraising campaign to finish post-production on his debut film?Acquired?Taste.?Shot throughout Litchfield County, the film follows a young food critic in a small town with no food options and his unlikely friendship with a hotheaded New York City master chef who arrives in the town. Ruchman shot at several local area establishments including?Nine Main?in New Preston, the?Litchfield Meat Locker?and?the?Mayflower?Inn?in Washington. Attached to Ruchman?s project is a notable team of post-production professionals. His composer recently contributed music to HBO's?The Newsroom,?and his visual effects artists have worked on such films as?Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides?and?2012.

Via the website,?Kickstarter.com, Ruchman launched a 30-day fundraising campaign which ends on September 14^th(http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/730468075/acquired-taste?ref=live). On his Kickstarter page, Ruchman has posted a 2:30 sequence from the final film. Additionally, the page provides behind-the-scenes production stills, commentary on the development process and an introduction with writing and producing partner, Nicolas Charles, of London, England. The campaign offers some very attractive incentives for donors, including an exclusive private dinner prepared by an accomplished chef.

?A life-long passion about food partially inspired Ruchman to make ?Acquired Taste??from his experiences as a young child looking for adventurous cuisine in Litchfield County. Shooting and editing of the film has been completed. A local area premiere will be scheduled in the Litchfield County area after post-production is finished.

?David Ruchman is an NYU Film School graduate who currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He has worked on such films as?Gone, Baby, Gone,?I Am Legend, and Hairspray. Acquired Taste?is his debut film.

On September 14 Ruchman?s Kickstarter fundraising campaign will end. The campaign must reach its goal by that time to maintain all donated funds.?

To learn more about filmmaker David Ruchman, and to contribute to the campaign, visithttp://www.kickstarter.com/projects/730468075/acquired-taste?ref=live.

Source: http://woodbury-middlebury.patch.com/announcements/washington-conn-filmmaker-launches-fundraising-campaign-for-acquired-taste-a-new-film-shot-throughout-litchfield-county

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Amalgamated Life vs American Family Life Insurance Company

Amalgamated Life Insurance Company offers several different types of life insurance products. It even covers people when they have accidents or injuries but do not meet an untimely death. American Family Life Insurance Company also has life insurance, but it is a company that offers several other types of insurance products.

Comparing your insurance options is simplified when you enter your ZIP code into the FREE quote catcher now!

The following comparison will show how these companies differ in their insurance options. By discovering the specific policy types and options available you will have a clearer idea of which provider is best suited to meet your needs.

Amalgamated Life Insurance Policy and Options

Amalgamated Life has a group term policy for everyone who is currently working and wants to provide their families with a sum of money if they meet an early demise. These policies are notable for all of the choices that the company gives them, such as the ability to:

• Choose from many different benefit amounts
• Switch from the term policy to the permanent policy with no medical exam
• Add more coverage to their basic term policies

Those who purchase life insurance from Amalgamated Life can just purchase the basic policy, but they also have several options for furthering their coverage. One such addition is called Dependent Life. The main policy holder can add his or her spouse for up to $100,000 extra coverage.

Amalgamated Life has extra insurance that only applies toward retirees under the company?s Retired Life Coverage. The Supplemental Life is additional coverage for those who are participating in the group term basic policy.

The American Family Life Insurance Policy

American Family Life Insurance Company has term life insurance for individuals, and they may choose between terms of ten years, 20 years and 30 years. They also have two types of permanent policies, whole life and universal life.

• Whole life insurance: Those who purchase the American Family whole life insurance policy will have their premiums set at that time, and they are guaranteed to never increase. It is a policy that accumulates cash value over the years.
• Universal life insurance: With the universal life policy, policy holders will have flexibility in their premiums. They will be able to choose between several options for death benefits. An added convenience is that American Family sells these policies to people from age zero to age 80.

The only similarity between Amalgamated Life Insurance Company and American Family Life Insurance Company is that they both offer life insurance.

Both companies sell other types of insurance products, but they are all different types of products.

Amalgamated Life Insurance Company

When people purchase the basic life insurance policy, they will have the ability to add the Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. With this coverage, those who experience an accident that results in an oppressive injury, death or paralysis whether they were at the workplace or not will receive the amount they would be entitled to with their basic life insurance coverage.

American Life Insurance Company does not have AD&D coverage, but it does have health insurance. This type of insurance will pay the medical bills for policy holders and their family members in the event of an accident or illness.

Those on Medicare can purchase supplemental plans for it. More specific details on Medicare can be found in this government provided document.

Amalgamated?s Short and Long Term Disability

Amalgamated Life Insurance Company even takes things a little farther. With short-term disability and long-term disability selections, people can prepare for the times that they will be out of work due to illness or injury. This coverage applies only when the illness or injury is not related to the policy holder?s job.

The University of Buffalo?s School of Public Health and Health Professions has compiled interesting statistics about how many people are disabled, and the types of disabilities that exist here.

The conditions that qualify for short-term disability payments are:

The Amalgamated Life Critical Illness Rider

Amalgamated Life will even separate coverage for illnesses with its Critical Illness Protection rider. After being diagnosed with a qualifying critical illness, policy holders receive a lump sum of money. Qualifying illnesses are:

American Family Has More Insurance Options

Amalgamated Life Insurance Company is very thorough with the products it offers to cover the possibility of illness, injury and death, but American Family Life Insurance Company branches out into other types of insurance products that Amalgamated Life does not offer.

Auto and Home Policies

American Family has several auto insurance products for all types of vehicles. People can purchase their auto insurance for their cars and trucks with this company, but they can also purchase insurance for motorcycles, their motor homes, their boats, their snowmobiles and their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

American Family also has several products for insuring people?s homes.

If they own their homes, they may purchase this company?s homeowner?s insurance. Renters and owners of mobile homes and condominiums also may purchase policies just for their circumstances. Amalgamated Life Insurance Company does not offer its clients these choices.

American Family?s Umbrella and Business Insurance

American Family provides coverage in several different circumstances when people may be sued by another party. There may be an accident where someone is injured or there may be a lawsuit for slander. These incidents may result in a judgment against people that their basic insurance policies will not cover.

American Family has umbrella coverage that augments homeowner?s, auto and farm and ranch liability coverage. In contrast, Amalgamated Life Insurance Company does not offer this extra protection against the mishaps that can occur to third parties. SmartMoney offers advice on purchasing umbrella coverage in this article.

American Family has business insurance, another type of insurance coverage that Amalgamated Life does not have for its clients. Those who purchase their business insurance from American Family will be able to buy a policy that fulfills exactly their needs rather than coverage that could be considered a one-size-fits-all policy.

American Family is prepared to insure all types of products for businesses. Business owners will be able to purchase their liability coverage, of course, from American Family. They can also purchase coverage for their vehicles, their worker?s compensation and an umbrella policy tailored toward business needs.

Overview of the Companies

The one insurance product that Amalgamated Life and American Family Life Insurance Company have in common is life insurance. The life insurance products are highly extensive but, while American Family has health insurance, Amalgamated Life extends its coverage into the disability and critical illness realms.

Both companies branch out into other types of insurance products, but American Family Life Insurance offers more than Amalgamated Life. Those who need products in the area of life insurance and disability will have more options with Amalgamated Life. In contrast, those who need a wider variety of insurance products will find what they are looking for with American Family Life Insurance Company.

Run the numbers on the policies you need with the FREE quote finder and your local ZIP code now!

Source: http://www.insuranceproviders.com/amalgamated-life-vs-american-family-life-insurance-company/

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GRAMMY-Winning Gospel Artist Fred ... - Food and Drink Digital

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --?McDonald's USA today announced the 2012 McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, a free summer concert series that featured multi-award winning gospel artist Fred Hammond, raised more than $46,000 this year to support local Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Chapters and the Charity's important mission of helping improve the health and well being of children and families.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57816-mcdonalds-rmhc-inspiration-celebration-gospel-tour-fred-hammond

(Photo:? http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120829/MM62711 )

Currently in its sixth year, McDonald's pioneered the annual gospel tour as a way to bring positive, uplifting messages and entertainment to communities nationwide and emphasize the importance of giving back. With Hammond as the 2012 headliner, the free, nine-city tour also featured contemporary and urban gospel artists Byron Cage, 21:03, Canton Jones, J Moss, Myron Butler and VaShawn Mitchell, in select cities.

"I am humbled that McDonald's allowed me to headline this year's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour and join their initiative to give back to the community," said Hammond, a 30-year gospel music veteran and former McDonald's crew member. "It was a fulfilling experience meeting families who were staying at Ronald McDonald Houses. Seeing their warm smiles reinforced the importance of taking time to show others we're there for them."

Prior to kicking off of the tour, Hammond took time to visit families at Ronald McDonald Houses. He sat down with parents and ill children who benefit from the little-to-no-cost lodging the Charity provides through its housing program, which helped families nationwide save more than $257 million in hotel costs last year.

During each tour stop, concertgoers saw behind-the-scenes video footage from Hammond's visit. Dedicated to RMHC, the video gave thousands of attendees an inside look at the hope and comfort Ronald McDonald Houses provide families while their children are treated in nearby hospitals. It also encouraged concertgoers to support their local chapter of RMHC by making a donation at a designated time during the show. Funds raised will be used to support RMHC local community programs.

"McDonald's strives to enrich people's lives and be good neighbors in ways that are relevant to the diverse communities we serve, and the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is just one way in which we give back to those communities," said Rob Jackson, McDonald's U.S. marketing director. "For the past three years, we have encouraged consumers to join us in strengthening their community by actively supporting their local RMHC Chapter. This is a banner year of fundraising for the tour, and McDonald's is proud to provide an eminent platform that encourages positive entertainment and helping the communities around us."

The 2012 McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour stopped in cities across the nation, including: Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Ft. Washington, Md., Jackson, Newark and Philadelphia. McDonald's launched Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour as an extension of its 365Black platform, which celebrates the pride, heritage and achievements of American-Americans year round. For nearly four decades, RMHC has helped improve the health and well being of children and families around the world.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States offering a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day.?Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit http://www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (http://www.Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities^? (RMHC^?), a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.?Through its global network of local Chapters in 57 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House^?, Ronald McDonald Family Room^? and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile^?, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit http://www.rmhc.org,?follow RMHC on Twitter (@RMHC) or like RMHC on Facebook (http://www.Facebook.com/RMHCGlobal).

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates: 365Black, Inspiration Celebration, McDonald's, Ronald McDonald House Charities, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. ????????

?? 2012 McDonald's

SOURCE McDonald's

Source: http://www.foodanddrinkdigital.com/press_releases/grammy-winning-gospel-artist-fred-hammond-mcdonalds-raise-funds-for-ronald-mcdonald-house-charities

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Obama Super PAC Ad Targets Romney During Convention

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A super PAC supporting President Obama?s campaign is releasing a new television ad to counter the Republican National Convention, where GOP candidate Mitt Romney will formally receive his party?s nomination this week.

The ad, called ?Olive,? features a voter who questions Romney?s job creation record as governor of Massachusetts. ?Governor Romney promised that he would bring jobs to this state. By the time Governor Romney left office, we had fallen to 47th in the nation in terms of job growth,? says Olive Chase, a self-described political independent and the owner of a Massachusetts catering businesses who donated to Romney?s 2002 gubernatorial campaign.

?Governor Romney cares about big business, he cares about tax cuts for wealthy people and I certainly do not believe he cares about my hard-working employees. I feel like I was duped by Mitt Romney. I?m going to vote for President Obama.?

The 30-second ad is part of a $30 million project by the super PAC, Priorities USA Action, that will focus on how proposals offered by Romney and his running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, would affect the middle class. It will run on television and on the Web in the battleground state of Florida, the host state of the GOP convention, as well as in Colorado, Iowa, Ohio and Virginia.

?Americans are going to hear a lot about Mitt Romney this week.? These new ads are designed to make sure voters hear the whole story,? said Bill Burton, senior strategist for the PAC.

Romney campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg called the ad ?a desperate attempt by the president?s allies to try and distract voters from President Obama?s failed record.

"President Obama?s policies have devastated the middle class and led to record unemployment and less take-home pay. We are happy to compare the 4.7 percent unemployment rate Mitt Romney achieved with President Obama?s record of 42 straight months of unemployment above 8 percent any day,? she said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-super-pac-ad-targets-romney-during-convention-060018603--politics.html

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Inequality could cause S.Africa revolution: deputy president

South Africa's Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on Wednesday issued a warning about the yawning gap between rich and poor, after a deadly mine strike highlighted inequality.

The country's "conspicuous consumption... in the midst of grinding poverty" was likely to ignite strong feelings against the wealthy, he told journalists, adding: "It's an ingredient for a revolution actually."

South Africa has been rocked by increasingly violent protests over the slow delivery of basic services like housing while unemployment persistently hovers at around 25 percent.

Earlier this month, a strike over wage demands at the world's third largest platinum producer Lonmin claimed 44 lives.

The violence, however, was unlikely to deter investors, due to South Africa's rich mineral deposits and generally stable industrial relations, Motlanthe said.

"We don't anticipate that investors would be put off or discouraged by these tragic developments in Marikana. However we must continue to reassure them as well," he said.

And he said mining bosses should "think very differently" about their workforce's living conditions, after it emerged that Lonmin workers lived in shacks.

"Stability is a pre-condition for productivity to improve but with these kind of conditions, stability is not guaranteed," he said.

Around a third of South Africa's 50 million population survives on welfare grants from the government.

"We are already in an untenable position (in) that we have 15 million recipients of grants," he said.

While he condemned violence, he stressed that the striking Lonmin miners were within their rights to raise grievances.

"It's a necessary volatility that we must respond to," he said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/inequality-could-cause-africa-revolution-deputy-president-202640133.html

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Tropical Storm Isaac Is a Big Challenge for ... - Yahoo! Finance

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Tropical Storm Isaac may have delayed Republican presumptive vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan's arrival in Tampa by a day and pushed back the GOP's convention festivities, but the speeches, parties and of course, official nomination of Mitt Romney and Rep. Paul (R-WI), will go on as planned.

Delegates are still trying to make their way to the Tampa Bay Times Forum, site of the GOP convention. Over the weekend convention organizers cut the program to three days from four over concerns that Isaac would slam the Tampa area.

The National Weather Service says Isaac will likely become a Category 2 Hurricane overnight and reach landfall within the next 24 hours. Thousands of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi residents were told to evacuate their homes and the governors of the three Gulf States have each declared a state emergency. Yahoo! News Washington Bureau Chief David Chalian, reporting from Tampa, says in the above video that senior Romney officials are closely monitoring Isaac's activity and would make major changes to the already-truncated program if Isaac becomes more destructive.

"The notion of the specter of [Hurricane] Katrina being a presence here in the Republican National Convention could be pretty tricky to navigate," Chalian tells The Daily Ticker's Aaron Task.

Isaac may have postponed parts of the meticulously planned and choreographed convention dance but the Republican Party's heavy hitters such as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Florida Senator Marco Rubio are still scheduled to speak at the quadrennial convention. On Thursday Romney will formally receive his party's nomination and his acceptance speech to the thousands gathered in the stands could "be the biggest of his life," says Chalian.

Mother nature may be the most pressing concern for Romney and his campaign at the moment but the former Massachusetts governor has bigger problems on his plate says Chalian. Registered voters polled in the latest Washington Post-ABC News survey picked Romney over Obama by a razor-thin margin. But Romney's lead should have been larger because the majority of those polled also said they disapprove of Obama's handling of the economy.

"Those kinds of numbers should mean Obama is out of this race already," Chalian notes. "The fact that [Obama] isn't is" partly because "Romney has not made the case he's a better alternative. [Romney] is also going to have to make the case?that he would be a better steward on the economy and he has to make that case more cogently than he has up until now."

The sluggish economic recovery has been and will continue to be the dominant theme in this highly-charged election cycle. Romney currently has outpaced President Obama in donations and holds a massive monetary advantage. Upon receiving the Republican presidential nomination, Romney will have access to another $186 million to spend against his opponent.

More from Yahoo! News:

The Ticket, Yahoo! News' election hub, will be broadcasting several new video shows leading up to the presidential election. These new programs aim to drive dynamic conversations about the political and economic issues facing the nation, offer an expanded view from the convention floor, and deliver even more first-source reporting from the campaign trail, inside the Beltway and beyond. Video programming covering the conventions will kick off Aug. 27.

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/tropical-storm-isaac-big-challenge-romney-not-only-190530973.html

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Lenovo surpasses Apple in China smartphone market

Lenovo (0992) had an explosive second quarter. The smartphone newcomer managed to jump from seventh place in the first quarter to second place in China?s mobile market. For the first time ever, shipments of smartphones in China, which reached 87 million units, surpassed shipments of features phones. Samsung amounted for more than half of those shipments with 44.4 million units, while?Lenovo managed to capture 11% of all Chinese smartphone sales in the second quarter, according to IDC Research.??Lenovo had a huge second-quarter due to increased volumes through operators, and a continued push into retail, leveraging on its PC retail stores and partnerships,? Teck-Zhung Wong, a Beijing-based analyst with IDC, said in an email to Bloomberg. Due to anticipation over the iPhone 5 and increased competition from Samsung, HTC (2498) and ZTE (000063),?Apple?s?(AAPL) Chinese sales declined from 19% to 10%, dropping the company to No.4 in the second quarter.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/lenovo-surpasses-apple-china-smartphone-market-134551940.html

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