Truly India is one of the most beautiful places in Asia. The beauty comes mainly due to its varied heritage and rich culture along with some exciting destinations. India is a country which is famous its culture, wild life and different people in different state. The hosting of India is world famous. "Indian tells Guest is God”.

India is a land of famous adventure tourism destinations. There are several wildlife parks and sanctuaries in India providing abundant scope for the nature lover tourists and adventurous tourists to treasure the beauty of wildlife.

Indian wildlife parks and sanctuaries are rich in their flora and fauna. The wild animals and mind-blowing scenery of dense Indian parks and sanctuaries attract tourists from all over the world. Each and every wildlife parks and sanctuaries of India have its unique charm and variety to offer its visitors.

Traverse through the Great Himalayan Range and appreciate the sheer geographic diversity - from the verdant, forested valleys and tropical jungles of Arunachal and the flowering meadows carpeted with rare orchids, to the rugged terrain of the Trans Himalaya that extends to the Tibetan plateau.

Desert tour to Rajasthan, historical tour and culture tour; for its ever-demanding medical tourism, Ayurveda tourism and Yoga tourism and for its royal Tour will be really unforgettable for life long. All these features of Indian tours and travels symbolize Incredible India as place of cultural diversity.

Popularly known as the Devbhumi ­– "Land of the Gods", Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill state in northern India nestled in western Himalayas. The state is landlocked with the Tibetan plateau to the east, Jammu and Kashmir to the north, and the Punjab to the west. However the state stands apart from its neighbors in terms of its sheer topographic diversity and breathtaking pristine natural beauty. From vast tracts of high-altitude Trans-Himalayan desert to dense green deodar forests, from apple orchards to cultivated terraces, from snow capped high Himalayan mountain ranges to snow fed lakes and gushing rivers.

Most of the pilgrim places in India have some or other legends associated with them and seem to be immersed in mythology. Some of the most popular pilgrimages in India comprise of Vaishno Devi, Char Dhams, Golden Temple, Meenakshi Temple, Tirupati Temple, Jagannath Puri Temple, Shirdi Sai Temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Mecca Masjid, Jama Masjid, etc. Then, there are the numerous Buddhist monasteries in India, concentrated around Ladakh and North-eastern states of the country. Come and visit these pilgrimages to rediscover your faith.

Amongst the other travel related services offered by us are:

Hotel Booking for India

Individual or group booking in any hotel of any category and in any part of Indian subcontinent can be provided instantly. Owing to our very good connections with the hotels in almost every part of the country, we are always in a position to offer very lucrative discounted rates to our clients. Please enter our hotel query form and just let us know the name of city and category of hotel and wait for sometime. Our professionals will get back to you in no time with a number of suitable options.

Air Booking for India

Our exceptionally good relations with the Domestic and International Airlines enable us to come up with very good discounts for our clients. Our online reservation system - Abacus helps us in confirming the bookings instantly even in the very busy sectors.

Itinerary Planning and Tailor Made Holiday

We at amazingholidays.in have long been helping our guests with necessary arrangements in many exciting programs, and we shall take pleasure in doing so for you at any given point of time. Just tell us the time of arrival & departure, the total duration of travel and your approximate budget. Rest all leave to us.

Car Rental Services

We have a large fleet of cars / coaches at our disposal, and having the fleet itself is not enough, we need to see that we use best transport for our clients, and provide them a good value for their money, hence we have maintained a separate department taking care of all our transport requirements.

Theatre Exile’s season opens with the Philadelphia premiere of Hunter Gatherers by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb. Richard, Pam, Wendy and Tom, the “Fab Four” since prom night 17 years ago, still find time amidst the Reiki sessions, novel writing and organic food shopping to gather for a yearly dinner. As the smell of their freshly killed dinner fills the room, their culturally savvy world is threatened by the animal instincts that lurk inside. Armed with razor-sharp language, complex characters and a stunning sense of the theatrical, Nachtrieb takes the world of Edward Albee to the next level. Hunter Gatherers runs Oct 29 – Nov 22 at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street. Tickets are $15-$40; order at 215-218-4022 or www.theatreexile.org. For mature audiences.

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1. Keep your store receipts and product tags for at least two months. You never know when you might want to return something because your tastes have changed, you have found a defect in the garment or the color is all wrong. Most chain stores have a very forgiving return policy. Of course, if you have worn it ... don't be a chiseler, it's yours.

　　2. Take a strapless dress or tunic and wear it over a turtle neck for winter or over a tee shirt or thin blouse in warm weather. You get two looks for the price of one, and when traveling, packing these items can double your wardrobe.

　　3. Wearing mule style shoes this summer? Try a spritz of hair spray on the inner sole so your feet don't slip.

　　4. Are your shoes scuffed? Dab the spot with a small dollop of Vaseline and blend into the entire shoe for instant shine. Or, polish the shoes with a little hand cream poured onto a paper towel.

　　5. For dry cuticles, use either Vaseline or A&D ointment. On top of this slather your hands with your favorite hand lotion. Your hands and nails will stay moisturized for hours.

　　6. Another nail tip: For drying wet nail polish quickly, dip hands into ice cold water or spray nails with cooking oils

　　7. Stop paying top dollar for makeup removal pads . Try generic brands of baby wipes to remove makeup.

　　8. If you are a thin, petite-sized woman, don't overlook the children's department for casual clothing such as shorts, capris, cargo pants, denim jackets and T-shirts.

　　9. This is the season of fake tans . Try using hair removal creams to remove any self-tanner streaks on the sides of your feet, palms, elbow and knees. Rub it on, then immediately wipe it off with a washcloth or tissue.

Music & Motion Dance will be providing a free sneak preview of their new dance work – the 9 muses set to premiere at the 2009 Live Arts & Philly Fringe Festival. The performance will take place along the banks of the Schuylkill at The Back Deck at Lloyd Hall, #1 Boathouse Row, Kelly & Waterworks Drive at 1:00 pm on Sunday, July 26th, weather permitting.

For the creation of the 9 muses, each of the company’s members of this pre-professional, youth based group, were asked to create choreography, both as individuals and as a group, based on what personally inspires them.

The concept was developed as a result of this group’s history of performing at outdoor sculpture parks, public gardens and museums. A significant influence for the entire cast was the sculpture, the 9 muses, by artist Carlos Dorrien installed at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, where they have performed for the past five years.

All totaled, a series of eighteen new dance pieces will be presented. According to dancer, Andrea Piovane, “muses have the potential to inspire, motivate, uplift, create solace, fill us with joy and allow us to reveal ourselves in new and undiscovered ways. What they ultimately do is allow us to create and in our case - to dance!”

In ancient Greece, the nine muses ruled over the arts and sciences and offered inspiration in those subjects. But for dancers it is a sacred space, where you can find yourself again and again. A place where one can retreat, nourish the muse and ultimately find oneself. It is a playground that has the power to transport us and help us to resuscitate our imagination. Company member Stacey Folks adds “There is no better setting then along the Schuylkill River, with the Art Museum, the Fairmount Water Works and Boat House Row to come share in our muses and take a flight of your own imagination.”

Founded in 2000, under the artistic direction of Steven Weisz, Music & Motion is a fresh, innovative, performance-oriented, pre-professional, dance company. Rather than relying on a single dance style or technique, Music & Motion has developed its own unique movement for each new dance work created. The variety of eclectic styles incorporated into its programs include ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, funk, hip hop and acrobatic styles.

Music & Motion's mission is to empower youth through dance, movement and the performing arts, ultimately building self-esteem and inspiring creative self-expression and community action and interaction.

Music & Motion Dance has performed throughout the tri-state area and even internationally to a range of audiences in its short yet diverse history. With a deep commitment to group collaboration and exposing new audiences to dance and the performing arts, the company has won both critical acclaim as well as many new fans.

2009 Cast Members are:
· Emily Alexander, Jenkintown, PA
· Breanna Dancy, Pennsburg, PA
· Jennifer Durham, Newfield, NJ
· Jessica Lynn DiFrancesco, Limerik, PA
· Brooke Fiorito, Palm, PA
· Stacey Folks, Pennsburg, PA
· Melissa Hunt, Howell, NJ
· Andrea Piovane, Bensalem, PA
· Tasha Saleh, Southampton, PA
· Courtney Schiff, Ambler, PA
· Morgan Woroniecki, East Windsor, NJ

Philadelphia, Pa- Hip hop has always garnered the reputation for being adverse and unapologetic. A genre that has been overlooked and underrated for many years, most people question its legitimacy. Native Philadelphian and emerging hip hop star, Legrand begs to differ. Less than a week ago, he gave birth to a brainchild of running a mini-marathon to inspire him, connect with the fans and communicate a sense of spirituality and health to the community at large. This Saturday, June 13, 2009, Legrand will begin his journey around the city officially starting at 10a.m.at The Philadelphia Art Museum in Center City. Prior to this, he will be found having breakfast with the men of First African Baptist Church, Sharon Hill, Pa where the Rev.Dr.Richard A. Dent is the pastor. “I want to start the day off with a connection to my higher power- God and a healthy dose of breakfast and fellowship with God’s people”, states the artist. His journey of level paced marathon running will start at the museum, which will take him thru many areas of the city including South Street, university city and others. Along the route will include water and food stations for the artist/runner and hopeful attendants and volunteers will boast the likes of family members and Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest African American Fraternity, will also give a lending hand to one of their most noted members. This momentous run is also a platform to promote a chance for fans to spend the day with Legrand. “I would love to stop and chat with my fans, take pictures and have it documented for the internet, television and other media outlets”, states Legrand. He would like all fans to come out at various “fueling stations” with cameras, questions and great energy on Saturday to support him. Speaking of fans and their much appreciated energy, June 18th, 2009 at Philadelphia’s own, Trocadero, Legrand will be giving his fans his much anticipated Fan Appreciation Concert. “I am very excited to give my fans some love for their undying support of my musical journey”, he states. The “Legrandathon” is tentatively expected to last until 2pm! Validation in hip hop can be found in this artist, not only is he committed to running a mini-marathon; he is committed to his walk with Christ and to creating intelligent and creative hip hop. For more information on Legrand and his ever growing list of accomplishments, please visit www.reverbnation.com/legrand or for the twitter in you, please visit www.twitter.com/legrand4790. Also to see Legrand featured in the hit reality series “Who wants to Be A Rap star?” please visit www.internetrecords.tv

"Laxmipati Sarees" is a brand name today. Fully confident with closed eyes, when businessmen exhibit this brand in their shops, then with the same confidence, customers also take away this brand product sarees to their house.

India has been known to have wonderful dresses and costumes. One of the most expressive clothes of woman's femininity and accepted attire is sari. This attire can cover the body from head to toe, making a woman look modest and bashful.

Indian saris have maintained its popularity throughout the centuries. Even in this modern era, a feminine dress sari is not forgettable. The sari has attained great importance among other feminine dresses and has maintained its elegance and beauty until now. The Indian woman and the sari are inseparable from each other. The Indian sari is still a preferred garment for most women in India. Even on marriages in different states of India, the cultural as well as modern occasional dresses of the bride are sarees.

There are plenty of saris manufactured in different types of cloth. The cost of saris varies according to the quality of cloth and work done by the artisans on the saris. Indian saris are available in a wide range of colours using different fabrics like Brasso Sarees, Georgette sarees, Chiffon Sarees and Crape Sarees.

Wearing Indian bridal sarees are not only for the inhabitants of India. Foreigners may as well try them and be a trendsetter with this line of clothing. An air of sensuality and sophistication best describes what mood it may give to those who wears them and to those who beholds them. With the rich array of accessories to highlight a saree, the wearer's beauty will surely emanate from within and any wedding can be timeless like the wedding sarees that set apart the lavish and impressive tradition in India. Precious moments like uniting in wedlock call for precious Indian sarees that fuse together a treasure of ingenious designs, perfect artistry, and a diverse culture.

According to the customs of India, every Indian women should wear Saree on her wedding day. Though, the style of wearing Saree is differs from one state to another state, wearing Saree is must and should for every Indian bride on her wedding celebration. Compared to the other Sarees, bridal Sarees look so gorgeous and come with fascinating designs. Although they are priced at high rates in the market than the ordinary Sarees, all most all the Indian brides purchase these bridal Sarees as every bride of India wants to dress up in an extra-ordinary way on her marriage day.

Sarees are worn according to the appropriate season, climate, situation, festivals, functions and occasions. For example, in summer, women wear sarees made of cotton cloth, in wedding, women wear, Georgette Sarees, Embroidery Sarees, Chiffon Sarees, Printed Sarees,etc.

Fashion changes every now and then. With the fashion, people also change their dressing style. Women also change their dressing style. The style of wearing a saree has also changed with the times. Now-a-days different patterns and designs of sarees are available.

Laxmipati Sarees:The Branded Party Sarees, Georgette Work Saree, Chiffon Sari, Brasso Saris, Crape Sarees, Wedding Sarees, Casual Sarees: Georgette Sarees: -laxmipati sarees the brand introduce branded indian saris, embroidery saree, bridal sari, printed saree with online shopping in under one roof.

HAVE THE OSCARS MOVED TO PHILLY?

Yes, they have! The Oscars of Horror, that is, with all the magic and heart-pounding excitement of Hollywood’s Academy Awards. And it all happens at the one and only CLAW AWARDS of Terror Film Festival.

With season four appearing on the horizon, TFF is now hard at work to make the 2009 festival a most prodigious event; and as part of the operational strategies this year, TFF intends to actually lower (yes, you read that right) some of the costs for clients and fans alike. TFF provides a great opportunity to see movies from around the world, network with industry professionals, and make new friends in a fantastic social environment that brings international attention, visitors, tourists, and creative artists to the great city of Philadelphia.

The spectacular third season of Terror Film Festival took place in October 2008 at the distinctive and gothic Ethical Society Building, across from beautiful Rittenhouse Square in center city Philadelphia. The five day event, hosted by the lovely PRINCESS HORROR and Festival Director CLAW, featured 62 stellar films from the USA and around the globe, and culminated with the prestigious Claw Awards, also nicknamed, "The Oscars of Horror".

Shawn Cain of BlogTalkRadio's INDEPENDENT FILM UNITED flew in from Seattle to present the awards along with Princess Horror. “You could actually feel the anticipation and excitement in the air as the attendees eagerly moved through the week of films and finally gathered for the Claw Award ceremony on Saturday night. It was all very electric, kinetic", states Marketing Director Peters. And as one guest remarked, "I was at the American Music Awards, and this was better!”

Receiving a Claw Award has become a life changing experience for many creative artists, with recipients literally coming to tears as they accepted their accolades onstage. One of the high points of the ceremony was the first Terror Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Claw Award bestowed on Hollywood's very own Alan Howarth, two-time Academy Award winner with a string of box office hits to his credit (Halloween 2-6, Escape from New York, Star Trek 1-5, The Thing, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Army of Darkness, etc). Howarth also received Best Original Music Score for the movie BASEMENT JACK and his acceptance speech, which included a surprise onstage message from friend Bruce Campbell (Spiderman 1-3, My Name Is Bruce, Bubba Hotep, Evil Dead 1-2, Army of Darkness) brought the entire audience to a standing ovation. "It was so heart-warming to see this kind of response, and it truly was a memorable experience", states Peters. Terror Film Festival was also chosen as the Philadelphia promotional provider for Campbell's awesome new film MY NAME IS BRUCE with an exclusive sneak peek of the movie trailer. The film opened in Philadelphia two weeks later with two sold out screenings and a third screening added to accommodate the overflow of fans. “It’s good to be the king”.

Winning a Claw Award has clout and can often be the catalyst for an unknown filmmaker or screenwriter to start their careers and find distribution for their film or a green light for their script. Indeed, Terror Film Festival can boast that all three of their Best Feature Film winners for the last three years have acquired distribution (ALIEN RAIDERS Warner Home Video 2008, SIDE SHO Lionsgate Films 2007, and THE MURDER GAME Warner Home Video 2006), with several screenwriting winners closing script option deals.

"As an independent film festival, we're noticing a growing number of studio films being submitted to us which already have DVD distribution in place. They're choosing the festival pre-release run as a strategy to gain international exposure and to get the buzz started before the DVD street date hits. Savvy filmmakers know that film festivals are sometimes the only opportunity the public will have to see these films on a big-screen and in a theatrical release type of setting, without spending incredible amounts of ad dollars", states Peters.

Another case in point, Terror Film Festival was happy to partner with Summit Entertainment (Twilight, Michael Clayton, Disaster Movie) in presenting the international release of TRAILER PARK OF TERROR, a ‘killer’ new horror flick with a rocking southern-fried soundtrack and a devilish sense of humor.

The 2008 Best Feature Film winner, ALIEN RAIDERS, a creative fusion of horror and sci-fi, is a powerful testament to the Hollywood art of sci-fi/action films. Shot in 15 days, Director Ben Rock of Los Angeles whips up a masterful blend of suspense and imagination in a clever and action-packed story, and instead of relying on expensive, time-consuming special effects, shows his cinematic prowess with technical skills through smart cinematography, inventive sound and lighting designs, and strong performances from his actors. The film stars Carlos Bernard (24) and Matthew St. Patrick (Six Feet Under), and Alien Raiders is slated for a February 2009 release by Warner Home Video's Raw Feed division.

Tan Tolga Demirci's Turkish fantasy film GOMEDA was another monster hit at Terror Film Festival, as well. The stunning and idiosyncratic composition, brilliantly scored with the eerie and hauntingly alluring music of Seattle composer, Semih Tareen, is an adventurous exploration in surrealism. The film is mesmerizing, capturing the viewer in a chimerical dreamscape that brings them face-to-face with their hidden, unconscious fears. Gomeda could easily be classified as art-horror, stylistic, with dark, moody Freudian undercurrents. Tareen won Best Original Music Theme and the film garnered Best Sound Design.

BASEMENT JACK, from director Michael Shelton and screenwriter Brian O'Toole (Los Angeles), was another crowd pleaser that gathered five awards (Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best DP, and Best Music Score). Eric Peter-Kaiser portrays the lead role of Jack Riley in a hip, young and brilliantly charismatic way, while still managing to bring us a deeply scary character. Set around the Necropolitan Hotel, Basement Jack is what every great horror film should be - frightening, believable, and presenting a main character that can continue to grow legs throughout any amount of sequels.

“With such a diverse melange’ of films, and being a genre arts film festival (horror, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, drama), there was something for everyone’s taste, and each and every film screened was outstanding", states Princess Horror. Terror Film Festival has gained a rapid notoriety in the festival community presenting a programme that highlights the best of the best. Also included on the winners list were: Best Director Tony Swansey of Chicago for SQUEAL, a truly scary and exciting horror film; Best Supporting Actor Bruce Dern in David Winning's SWAMP DEVIL, proving once again the sheer power of Dern’s abilities; Best Screenplay for EXCISION went to Richard Bates Jr. out of the Jerry Bruckheimer camp; Best Actress Mary Ann Biewener for her role as Mrs. Temple in ABSENT; Best Drama Short Film ALL FOR LOVE by Ron E. Harris of Irving, Texas; Best Thriller Short Film NOTHING FACE by Quakertown's Mitch Csanadi; Best Sci-fi Short Film ATTACKAZOIDS! by Brian Lonano of Staten Island; and, Philadelphia native Norman Macera's LUNICIDAL, a biting dark comedy similar to the early works of John Waters. Terror Film Festival 2008 also hosted Claw Award winning screenwriters Ron Albury of Cincinnati, Bo Ransdall of Tennessee, Aaron Granlund of New York, and Ron Podell of Michigan.

So, what is unique about Terror Film Festival and why do so many creative artists attend each year? "We've established a very good reputation of integrity and have a clear focus on serving our clients and fans. Our number one goal is to provide a sublime film festival experience and extremely personalized service. We literally get to know each filmmaker and fan on an intimately personal level", states Peters. "What a fantastic festival which just oozed intimacy, warmth, and intelligence. I was amazed and it was truly incredible. I urge anyone to get down there next year. It's a really, really cool fest", stated Australian filmmaker Victoria Waghorn, who flew in for the 9 minute screening of her film WHEN SALLY MET FRANK, an incredibly well-executed short film.

"With the precarious economic changes in the wind, we continue to see multiple financial opportunities presenting themselves to our festival and the creative artists. It is a very exciting time for talented and enterprising filmmakers to gain momentum in the media industry. These entrepreneurs are very adaptable and are already used to working with scarce resources, so even in the midst of economic strife, success is very possible for them. With the emerging digital technologies, the forward thinking filmmaker can market their products in a way never before possible, and TFF is dedicated to helping them in all of their marketing endeavors", states Peters.

"We have a definite maverick marketing approach and work diligently to create innovative ideas in our initiatives to differentiate ourselves from other film festivals - hence our original concepts: Princess Horror (the first film festival icon); The Claw Awards (the first full-blown genre awards ceremony); listing our submitted films on our website as additional promotion for our creative artists; and, posting video interviews of our festival attendees on our website. These are all highly unique marketing concepts and no other film festival in the world had ever explored them before us", states Claw.

Terror Film Festival takes place each year in October in Philadelphia, and film and screenplay submissions re-open each year on January 01 at 12:01 AM, and close on August 21, 2009.

Imagine...a cold, eerie night. The wind is howling. The clock strikes midnight. There’s a knock at the door. Carefully...cautiously...you open the door to find, it’s Terror Film Festival calling! There’s a new scary in town, Philly’s very own international TERROR FILM FESTIVAL. Live your dreams...or at least, YOUR NIGHTMARES.

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The country’s unemployment rate stands at 7.6 percent, meaning that more than 11 million Americans are now without jobs. However, while the employment rate among high school graduates with no college education hovers at eight percent, those with bachelor’s degrees or higher are seeing the unemployment rate drop by more than half, to 3.8 percent, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

Additionally, the average annual salary for individuals with graduate or doctoral degrees is $75,000, while bachelor’s degrees command an average salary of $51,000. For those relying on a high school diploma alone, their average salary drops significantly to $28,000.

Therefore, for anyone seeking increased career stability in this shaky economy, higher education is the answer. Now is the best time to pursue an advanced degree to further a career, as demonstrated in a newly released video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDfew0YcDTo) by EducationDynamics.

Fortunately, finding the best program to match a prospective student’s interests and goals has become much easier due to recent technological innovations and expanded access. With 4,146 colleges and universities in the United States, both on-campus and online, never have there been more educational options from which to choose.

Expanded Educational Options
Interest in online education has surged as a result of the convenience and flexibility it affords. Online learners can complete their coursework when it is most convenient―after the kids go to bed at night or even during a lunch break at work. Web-based courses also allow students to take classes at home, in effect eliminating time and money spent driving to class.

For others, a traditional campus setting is the preferred environment. Traditional classes allow students to interact face-to-face with professors and fellow students alike, and generally offer more structure than their online counterparts.

The choice between online learning and traditional on-campus programs is simply a matter of personal preference, and there are comprehensive resources, including eLearners.com and EarnMyDegree.com, that help prospective students find their ideal degree program.

Additionally, the eLearners Advisor (http://www.elearners.com/advisor/) is designed to help prospective students determine whether online learning or a traditional educational format best suits their needs and preferences. For those unsure about which academic program to pursue, eLearners.com offers the Career Interest Test (http://www.livecareer.com/default.asp?lp=TG6A&cobrand=ELRN) to help people determine the career that best matches their personality.

Important Questions to Ask
In addition to deciding which format and degree to pursue, it is also important to note that returning to school will affect a student’s personal life. Some important questions to consider when determining whether now is the best time to enroll in a higher education program include:

1. Do you have support from loved ones? To reach optimal academic performance, it is helpful to have the support of close friends and family.

2. Do you have employer “buy-in”? Ask your boss whether he or she supports you completing coursework during lunch hour and whether it is appropriate for you to use a work computer for such activities.

3. What is your plan or timeline? A three credit college course will require, on average, 10 to 12 hours per week.

4. Do you have a home classroom or study area? A separate space for studying will help you concentrate and stay organized.

5. Do you plan to seek financial assistance? Research scholarship and grant opportunities, and tax credits and deductions to help offset costs. The Debt-Free College Guide (http://debtfree-elearners.com/) is a comprehensive resource providing a state-by-state listing of options to help make college more affordable.

Knowledge opens new doors and changes things for the better. Among the millions of people who will enroll in higher education this year, several will be the first in their families to receive a college diploma. Millions more will finish their degrees online. Many single parents will pursue continuing education to improve their earning potential. A newly-released EducationDynamics video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDfew0YcDTo) provides fresh inspiration to positively change lives and the world through a commitment to life-long learning.

Ann Marie always yearned for a college degree, but she had to put her dream on hold. She is a 25-year-old mother who works to support her two-year-old and seven-year-old step-daughter, while their dad has been deployed overseas. And in addition to caring for her own family, she also serves as power of attorney for her best friend’s young daughter while both parents serve in Iraq.

“With my former husband being deployed on and off over the past two years, I’ve had to double up and be Mommy and Daddy all alone. School couldn’t be a factor when I was alone to raise my family,” said Ann Marie in her Project Working Mom essay.

However, Ann Marie’s greatest wish was granted when she recently applied for, and won, a Project Working Mom scholarship to attend an online college for free. Although she currently works at a retail store as a part-time manager, she longs for a steady career, especially with today’s economic woes. Without a college degree, Ann Marie fears she is being passed over for positions for which she would otherwise be qualified; she fears she is simply not competitive in the job market.

Thanks to the Project Working Mom scholarship, Ann Marie will now get her degree in accounting from Everest University at no cost to her. Online classes grant her the flexibility to attend school from home at any time of day, which frees her from childcare worries. She is home for her children when they need her, and she is now serving as a role model for her children.

“My goal is to do my best so that my daughter can see that if Mommy can do well in school, so can she,” continued Ann Marie.

Ann Marie’s story represents just one of 93 Project Working Mom scholarship recipient stories from across the country. Each recipient is a powerful example of sacrifice and determination as women seek to provide a better life for themselves and their children through education.

Following two successful Project Working Mom outreach campaigns that awarded more than $4 million in scholarships to nearly 100 recipients, Project Working Mom rolled out a third campaign on January 8, 2009, which will wrap up on April 30, 2009. This round of the program introduced a new twist: Fathers are now eligible to win a scholarship, a request logged quite frequently during the previous campaigns. The participating schools for Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too! are Ashford University, Capella University, Everest University, Virginia College, and Ashworth College.

“We launched Project Working Mom as a response to staggering statistics indicating that working moms are an underserved population that simply need to overcome the obstacles of time, money and confidence to achieve the education they need to improve their lives,” said Helen MacDermott, content director for Project Working Mom. “But in today’s economy, we realize there are plenty of dads who are also in desperate need of financial aid and deserve a chance to tell their stories, too.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the 2.1 million single dads in the United States only 16 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Although the total number of single moms in the United States is much larger, the percentage of moms with a bachelor’s degree is about the same; only 15 percent of single moms have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

According to the federal government, the number of students applying for student aid is soaring. In the first six months of 2008, the total number of Free Applications for Federal Student Aid submitted was about 1.3 million more than the same period in 2007. Project Working Mom has also witnessed this tremendous demand for financial aid. The first two campaigns in 2008 generated more than 120,000 applications for a full-ride online college scholarship.

eLearners.com, an online education resource that connects learners with online education, which created the Project Working Mom campaigns, also created a complementary, interactive, and in-depth web site to help learners tackle their questions and fears about returning to school. The site is designed to empower working parents and it offers: advice on going back to school; self-assessment quizzes on numerous subjects, including how to determine what subjects to study; an online support community; numerous articles; and a database with $15 billion in financial aid opportunities.

Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too! helps to remove the barriers many people face when deciding whether to go back to school, including the hurdles of money, time, and confidence. The scholarships provided by the participating schools allow the recipients to go back to school at no cost, eliminating the huge financial aid burden. By studying online, students can do classwork from home, during their lunch hour at work, and at any time of day. The flexibility of online classes fits perfectly with the lives of busy parents. And through the comprehensive Project Working Mom web site, working parents can get the knowledge they need to feel confident about returning to school.

“I don't have a lot of family members that have gone to school and certainly none that have received scholarships. To my family and me, this is better than winning the lottery,” continued Ann Marie. “This is my time to finish all the way to the end.”

Moms and dads, to learn more about Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too! and to apply for a full-ride, online education scholarship visit www.ProjectWorkingMom.com.

People Fleeing Megabanks Find Community Banks Paying Up To 6% Yields

It took $4 gasoline to get folks to think about their driving habits. Similarly, it looks like a meltdown of the megabanks and other financial institutions is prompting consumers to think about where they are putting their money, who they can trust and what results they should expect. And much of their hard earned cash is flowing into deposits at community banks:

• According to the FDIC, banks with less than $10 billion in assets, community banks, have seen an increase in deposit growth this year from a minus 0.77% in Q1 to a positive 2.06% in Q3. Larger banks witnessed a 3.81% decline in growth of deposits for the same period.
• The Federal Reserve reported that October deposits and lending at community banks outpaced the overall industry. Between October 1 and October 22, community banks saw deposits rise 1.1 percent, or nearly $27 billion, to more than $2.4 trillion. For the same period, the nation’s 30 largest U.S. chartered banks saw $44 billion, or 1.2 percent of deposits, walk out the door, leaving them with less than $3.8 trillion.
• REWARDChecking, a free checking account offered by more than 450 community financial institutions across the country, reported a 96% jump in deposits in the third quarter of this year.

“Through products like REWARDChecking, community financial institutions are winning back customers from the faltering megabanks and investment houses,” said Don Shafer, Chairman of BancVue, a leading provider of products and consulting to community banking institutions. “Americans are indicating that they enjoy investing their money locally, and they benefit from high yields, fiscal safety and customer service.”

Higher yields on short term deposits like those found on CheckingFinder.com are certainly fueling interest in community banks. Month-to-month applications on CheckingFinder.com (https://www.checkingfinder.com/), a website that connects consumers with community financial institutions offering high-yield checking accounts, jumped 14% from July to August, 46% from August to September, and 53% from September to October. A small sampling of applicants on the site indicated nearly seven out of 10 were moving their funds to community financial institutions from large banks.

Examples of the yields found at community banks compared to those higher yielding shorter term deposits at megabanks (as of December 15) includes:

COMMUNITY BANKS YIELDS PRODUCTS
Community Bank of Pleasant Hill, MO; 6.10%; High-yield Checking
First Robinson Bank, IL; 6.01%; High-yield Checking
Legence Bank, IL; 6.01%; High-yield Checking
Community Bank of Raymore, MO; 6.01%; High-yield Checking
Three Rivers FCU, IN; 6.01%; High-yield Checking
Florida Central Credit Union, FL; 6.01%; High-yield Checking
Union State Bank/Bank of Atchison, KS; 6.01%; High-yield Checking
Bank of Granite, NC; 6.00%; High-yield Checking

MEGABANKS
WAMU; 5.00%; CD (5 years)
eLoan; 4.75%; CD (6 years)
Schwab; 3.60%; CD (18 months)
ING; 3.75%; CD (1 year)
HSBC; 3.50%; CD (1 year)
Countrywide (BofA); 3.10%; CD (9 months)
eTRADE; 2.25%; CD (12 month)

“Three years ago the issue of 'how secure is my money?' was literally not on the consumer’s radar; today, the future viability of the nation’s largest banks is,” continued Shafer. “Not so with community banking, a system that has endeared trust by its roots and not by its branches.”

Comic Energy a sketch comedy troupe known around Philadelphia as 'the attitude of philly', has expanded from
just a sketch comedy troupe to a variety show titled "The Comedy Revolution".

Performing a brand new 2-hour show every Monday night featuring sketch comedy, improv,
standup, musical, and film; the show has received great reviews since debuting only 2 weeks
ago at The Prime Lounge 1200 Sansom Street in Center City Philadelphia.

The troupe now prepares for their 9th annual holiday show with all kinds of tricks
up their sleeves. Next Monday December 22nd 9pm at The Prime Lounge the troupe brings its 2-hour
show into a holiday format.

"The show features parodies of some of the top Christmas movies of all time, there's
a lot of Santa jokes, christian jokes, 3 musical acts, 4 filmed sketches, 2 improvs,
and a couple standups all on slate for Monday's show", says James Daly longtime producer
of Comic Energy and the host of "The Comedy Revolution".

Tickets to this event are available by visiting www.comicenergy.com or
by reservation by calling 215-397-3040, a limited number of seats will be made available at the door the night
of the show.

Hey guys!

Good things always come in threes! Bloblive is making its third stop in Philadelphia. If you've missed the first two bloblive Philadelphia events, it's not too late to jump on the idea train and get your idea moving. If you're a bloblive veteran, you know bloblives are full of networking, creativity, innovation and fun. Join Philadelphia's fellow big thinkers who continue to inspire bloblive.

What have you been thinking about lately?

January 15, 2009 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | McGillin's Olde Ale House | 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia

Between Chestnut & Sansom Streets and 13th & Juniper Streets

Drink specials start when doors open at 6:00 PM

Idea sharing and live video streaming begins at 7:00 PM EST

Follow all of our bloblive events on Twitter.com/ideablob and tag your Tweet #bloblive to join the discussion.

Bloblive is an interactive idea sharing event where entrepreneurs come together to share their ideas, get feedback, and give advice to other entrepreneurs. It is a place where people are able to expand their minds in an informal and exciting environment. The event will be hosted by Ami Kassar, and he will definitely inspire you to think big and take action.

Ami Kassar escaped business school to launch Shop2Give, a philanthropic web startup in 2000. After the bubble burst, he moved east to join Advanta Bank Corp where he is currently the Chief Innovation Officer. He leads a team comprised of a multi-disciplinary force of creative thinkers committed to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs. He purposefully seeks out the impractical and improbable in order to push the boundaries within the company and the financial industry overall. These days, when he isn't focused on innovating, he's public speaking, dancing and spending time with his wife and kids.

Definitely make sure to stop by to share your ideas, and to expand your mind. If you are interested in scheduling an interview, please free to contact Jennifer Sherlock at jsherlock@advanta.com or by phone at 215-444-5592.

Marie Claire
HAUTESHOPPING
Aerosoles Shopping Event

Saturday, December 13th, 1-3pm
Aerosoles
1700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA

Shop your way into the holiday spirit with Marie Claire and Aerosoles! Join us for shopping, cool music, and a consultation with an expert shoe reader to find out what your shoes say about you.

Get 15% off and receive an exclusive gift from Marie Claire and Aerosoles when you make a purchase during the event.

RSVP at Hauteshopping.com/events

Happy Holidays! Today Comcast and Liberty Property Trust unveiled Philadelphia’s newest holiday tradition: “The Comcast Holiday Spectacular” in the lobby of Comcast Center in Center City.

This 15-minute show is full of stunning original holiday imagery, music and more, it will be shown on The Comcast Experience video wall at the top of each hour starting today. From The Nutcracker, to a fantastic sleigh ride through snow covered rural Pennsylvania into downtown Philadelphia, from the holiday sounds of a 64-piece orchestra, to the harmony of the Commonwealth Youth Choir’s Keystone State Boychoir and Pennsylvania Girlchoir, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular is a gift for all of Philadelphia to enjoy. Please see a preview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcPxbZaosGg.

In the spirit of giving, and to help local community groups make the holidays brighter for area children, there is also a donation center in the lobby of Comcast Center accepting unwrapped new toys or books, which will be distributed through the “Comcast Cares” community investment initiative.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular will be shown daily for the public at the top of every hour, seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and continue through New Year’s Day. (Shows are not hosted at 5 p.m. on weekdays.) Comcast Center is located at 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia.

So please bring your children, family and friends and experience the magic of the holidays at Comcast Center.