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SINGTEL'S wholly owned unit, Amobee, has conditionally agreed to pay US$15 million for Gradient X, a firm with net tangible liabilities of about US$1.mini storage1 million as at end-May.Gradient X is a real-time bidding platform company, geared towards mobile advertising. The firm's calling card in the mobile ad space is something called "programmatic buying", which uses bidding technology to decide which kinds of ad impressions to buy, based on advertisers' needs.Through Gradient X, advertisers will be able to bid on digital ad inventory in real-time, mobile ad firm Amobee said yesterday.Amobee itself is a relatively recent purchase of SingTel's from last year, bearing a price tag of US$321 million.Gradient X's US$15 million price was arrived at on a willing buyer-wself storagelling seller basis based on an assessment of the firm's assets and business prospects, SingTel said in a statement yesterday.The California-headquartered firm lists on its website an array of Silicon Valley venture capital firms as its investors, including Rincon Venture Partners, GRP Partners and CrossCut Ventures. Its founder and CEO is Brian Baumgart, who had previously been with Adconion Media Group and Fastclick, Inc."Amobee and Gradient X share a common vision in how to use technology to finally make mobile the most effective marketing channel to reach the right customer, with the right offer, at the right time and place," Mr Baumgart said.The deal is subject to certain conditions precedent, including the "receipt of relevant approvals", SingTel said.迷你倉

Source: Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore.文件倉Sept. 05--Twin brothers who work as security guards have been cleared of criminal charges that they overstepped their duties in two separate cases. And they say their business is booming.Jason Lee Libby and Donald Eugene Libby, both 30, are the chief financial officer and chief operations officer, respectively, for Jackson County Security. The two faced felony charges ranging from criminal impersonation of an officer to harassment and assault stemming from two separate cases early this year.A Jackson County Circuit Court jury today found Donald Libby not guilty of two counts of impersonating an officer following a three-day jury trial before Judge Benjamin Bloom. The case against Jason Libby was dropped because the alleged victim refused to cooperate.Medford police spotted Donald Libby patrolling near Camina Drive and Veneto Circle at 11:13 p.m. Jan. 8, said Lt. Mike Budreau at the time.Libby, driving an unmarked black Ford Crown Victoria, was standing in front of another vehicle, shining a flashlight at the 18-year-old male driver and demanding he stop, Budreau said.Libby allegedly ordered the driver and another 18-year-old man in the car to get out while he quizzed them about intoxicants, then told the driver he could be arrested for DUII and trespassing, Budreau said.Budreau said private citizens cannot administer DUII tests, but they can detain someone for being under the influence.Libby was later arrested and charged with the two class-C felonies.Libby's defense attorney Nathan Wente said the jury acquitted his client because they understood he did not impersonate a police officer that night. Nor did he overstep his duties as a security guard."There is no evidence of that at all," Wente said.Prosecutor Lacie Nelson said the law requires the state to prove Libby knowingly and intentionally used false law enforcement identification or wore a law enforcement uniform to give the impression that he was a peace officer, and that he did so with the intent to obtain a benefit or to defraud. The state maintains Libby did not have lawful authority to perform sobriety tests, she said."But the jury struggled with the language. They were hard-pressed to figure out what was unlawful," Nelson sai存倉.Harassment and fourth-degree assault charges against Jason Libby related to a separate alleged incident in January were dropped on June 27. Two counts of criminal impersonation were dismissed in February, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Markiewicz said."We had a less than cooperative victim in that case," Markiewicz said.Libby faced the charges because of an alleged altercation he had with a man and woman in front of Weldon's Cleaners at 11:39 p.m Jan. 7, according to police reports.Jackson County Security is contracted to patrol the business, police said. Dressed in a uniform with a badge, gun and baton, Jason Libby allegedly tried to arrest a 40-year-old man for trespassing as the man came out of the cleaners after using the restroom even though he wasn't a customer.Surveillance video appears to show Libby push the handcuffed man, who hadn't posed any previous problems at the laundry, police said.A 54-year-old woman then told the handcuffed man that Libby was not a police officer, as she'd had a previous run-in with Libby. Libby allegedly threatened to arrest the woman for trespassing, too. Police said he pushed her up against his vehicle and used a wrist lock to detain her. The man tried to leave the scene in handcuffs, and Libby chased him down to bring him back to the scene. Police arrived on scene soon after to sort out the incident and no trespassing charges were filed, Budreau said.Private security personnel have the same rights that any citizen would have when it comes to power of arrest. They can detain suspects, just as anyone who witnesses a crime can. But before you can arrest somebody for trespass, you must allow them the opportunity to leave, Budreau said.Jason and Donald Libby say they will continue to perform their duties as security guards, stating they never broke any laws.Jason Libby said their company lost only a couple of clients over the negative publicity related to their cases. In fact, he said, business has never been better."Our company has just blossomed," Jason Libby said.-- Sanne SpechtRead more in Thursday's Mail Tribune.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Mail Tribune (Medford, Ore.) Visit the Mail Tribune (Medford, Ore.) at .mailtribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉

Source: Chicago TribuneSept.存倉 05--A proposed mixed martial arts event in Naperville is on the ropes after a blow from the City Council.Councilmen on Tuesday rejected a request for Roselle-based American Predator Fighting Championship to use a city parking lot for an Oct. 19 event and might consider a ban on such events entirely."We had issues of fighting down at BlackFinn (American Saloon) and our downtown, and this isn't much different except that we're putting them in a cage," Councilman Paul Hinterlong said. "Oh, so now it's legal, let's bring in 2,000 people to view it. I don't want that here. Enough fighting already."The show at Players Indoor Sports Center would be an amateur event featuring fighters competing for four title belts, according to promoter Rich Seldal. The company, owned in part by Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Keith Hackney, has held events in Lemont, St. Charles and McCook.The proposed Naperville mixed martial arts bouts, which are regulated by the state, were expected to draw 2,000 people, requiring at least 670 parking spots under city code. Promoters had asked to use a vacant city lot on Quincy Avenue to fulfill the parking requirement.But using a city lot did not sit well with councilmen."Who's directing traffic in and out of there?" Councilman Doug Krause said. "Who is responsible for that? That lot is not lit. This event is at night. You've got people who are going to be drinking at this thing coming out of that lot plus walking down Quincy."He also questioned the need for police presence at the event. Police Chief Bob Marshall said the organizers would pay for two officers to be stationed at the event. A similar event several years ago held by another group at the Holiday Inn Select did not cause prob迷你倉ems, he said, and other communities also have allowed mixed martial arts events without issues."Knock on wood, we've done 25 shows and never had problem," Seldal said."Well, we're knocking on wood, potentially at Naperville's expense," Councilman Bob Fieseler replied. "It just seems bizarre to me you would do this. ... It almost reminds me of some of the things on television you just want to turn away from. You combine alcohol with fighting."Seldal said there also is alcohol at other combative sports, including boxing, football and hockey.But Councilman Grant Wehrli said mixed martial arts is different because its aim is for competitors to harm their opponents.Councilman Joe McElroy also expressed concerns about the 2,000 people leaving the fight."Where do they go?" he asked. "And given the fact alcohol is being served and having been a young guy once myself, it concerns me frankly."Eight of the nine council members rejected the group's request to use the city parking lot. Mayor George Pradel cast the only vote in favor.Seldal said he might consider scaling back the event to keep the number of spectators just under 900, but he will have to wait and see what other actions councilmen take.After the vote, the council asked city staff to draw up new regulations regarding holding mixed martial arts events in Naperville. Hinterlong, who made the request, said Wednesday he would like to see any sort of cage fighting-style competitions banned in Naperville but said the ordinance would have to be carefully worded to allow training facilities for boxing and martial arts.mjenco@tribune.comTwitter @melissajencoCopyright: ___ (c)2013 the Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at .chicagotribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services自存倉

MENLO PARK, Calif.存倉, Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In the kitchen, Bobby Marhamat and his wife Shima are part chefs, part scientists. "We create fusion flairs by using Persian spices in Mexican dishes, combining flavors from across the world to make Asian-Persian concoctions and other interesting Mediterranean-centric recipes," said Mr. Marhamat, Co-Founder of bah BAH Hot Sauce.(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130905/PH74363-a)(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130905/PH74363-b)In April, one of the Marhamats experiments led to a surprising conclusion. Pomegranate, a fruit from ancient Persia, packed a tremendous punch. "We mixed pomegranate with hot sauce and were amazed," Bobby announced with a grin. "It was love at first taste!"The Marhamats were on to something. As a result, they tinkered with their own hot sauce recipe, but - unlike most hot sauces - they were determined to create an all-natural hot sauce. "Bottle labels differentiate hot sauce brands. But most manufacturers use recipes that include sugar, oils and preservatives," Mrs. Marhamat stated. "We wanted to create a hot sauce that tasted great and was good for you."The couple spent countless hours testing and tasting various ingredients, with pomegranate being the one constant. "We were very picky. It was important to create a sauce that was hot enough to satisfy every palate and had the p迷你倉rfect blend of pomegranate," said Mr. Marhamat.Working in their own kitchen, the Marhamat's crafted four recipe "finalists." Then Bobby and Shima moved their work to a commercial kitchen, where they created four additional variations. Eventually, the recipe evolved into a zesty flavor that both agreed was their new pomegranate hot sauce. For the name, the couple settled on bah BAH Hot Sauce, a Farsi term meaning "Mmmm Mmmm.""It's the perfect blend of heat and tanginess that does not overshadow your food. It simply gives it an amazing kick," said Mrs. Marhamat. In addition to tasting great, medical research suggests pomegranate, which is bah BAH's key ingredient, has several health benefits as an anti-oxidant and an inhibitory effect on prostate cancer.Starting September 10(th), 2013, wholesalers, retailers and customers will be able to purchase bah BAH Hot Sauce. "We accomplished our goal," Mr. Marhamat beamed. "We can't wait to see consumers smile after taking a bite of bah BAH."To find out where you can purchase bah BAH Hot Sauce, wholesalers, retailers and customers may contact Co-Founder Bobby Marhamat via phone: (415) 484-8696 or email.Read more news from bah BAH Hot Sauce.Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130905/PH74363-aphotos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130905/PH74363-bPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.combah BAH Hot SauceWeb site: .bahbahhotsauce.com/自存倉

Source: Portland Press Herald, MaineSept.self storage 04--PORTLAND -- The Cumberland County Civic Center's board met with its lawyer for 2½ hours Wednesday morning, but took no action following its failure to work out a lease agreement with the arena's prime tenant."We are where we were last week," said Neal Pratt, the board's chairman.Last week, the Civic Center board approved what it said was a final lease offer to the Portland Pirates, the American Hockey League team that had called the arena home.But amid a dispute over splitting food and beverage revenue and how to divvy up advertising space sales, the Pirates' managing owner refused to sign the proposal and hinted at taking legal action against the Civic Center.Pratt said Wednesday that the board talked about the arena's legal position, but did not discuss reopening negotiations with the Pirates.Both sides announced that they had a five-year lease agreement in April. However, neither the Pirates nor the Civic Center signed a lease and Pratt said t迷你倉e announcement referred to the trustees passing a resolution supporting the "framework" of a potential deal, with a lot of the details still to be worked out.One of those details was over splitting concession revenues.In previous leases, the Pirates hadn't received a cut of concession sales, but the framework called for the team to begin getting 57.5 percent of those sales. However, state liquor control officials said the Pirates couldn't get a share of alcohol sales because they aren't on the Civic Center's liquor license.The Civic Center's last offer called for the Pirates to get 65 percent of the non-alcohol concession sales.Advertising was also an issue, with the Civic Center retaining the right to sell on-ice ads, but the two sides could not agree how to split the sales of other advertising space in the arena.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine) Visit the Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine) at .pressherald.com Distributed by MCT Information Services文件倉

迷你倉出租 未能提供文字內容。.scmp.com/news/world/article/1303594/18-members-one-family-killed-iraq迷你倉

Source: The Philadelphia InquirerSept.迷你倉新蒲崗 04--Two New Jersey residents -- a 78-year-old Gloucester County woman and a 92-year-old Morris County man -- have been confirmed as the first and second deaths arising from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the state Department of Health said Tuesday.The Gloucester County woman developed fever, blurred vision, weakness, and diarrhea in mid-August, was hospitalized and died Aug. 24. The death was reported to the state Health Department on Tuesday.The Morris County man developed fever and muscle weakness in mid-August, was admitted to the hospital with encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and died Aug. 31.At least six New Jersey residents have tested positive for the West Nile virus: one each in Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester, and Morris Counties and two in Camden County. All counties except Cumberland and Salem have detected the virus in mosquitoes.In Pennsylvania, two York County residents and one Montgomery County resident have been affected by West Nile virus.Last year was the most active season ever in New Jersey, with 48 confirmed cases and six deaths, officials said.Three of those cases were reported from Burlington County, including one fatality. In 2011, there were seven cases and no fatalities. In 2010, there were 30 cases and two fatalities.In Pennsylvania, there were 60 cases and four deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Across the country, 45 states and the District of Columbia have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes as of Aug. 27, the CDC said.A total of 421 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 13 deaths, have been reported to the CDC. Of these, 197 (47 percent) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 224 (53%) were classified as non-ne迷你倉出租roinvasive disease."September is the peak of West Nile virus season, so I encourage everyone to take steps to prevent mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent with DEET and to limit time outdoors during dusk and dawn, when mosquitos are most active," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd.The state's first 2013 case of the virus was reported in Burlington County, where a 55-year-old man developed symptoms of the disease Aug. 5, including fever, muscle weakness, vomiting, and dizziness. He was hospitalized and recovered.The man was exposed while gardening and conducting other outdoor activities around his home, health officials said.The Department of Health called on residents to maintain screen doors and windows, use insect netting on infant carriers and strollers, and to wear long sleeves and pants whenever possibleIn July, the department launched a public-awareness campaign alerting people to the dangers of West Nile virus. Ads have been featured on NJ Transit trains and buses since July, and public-service announcements in English and Spanish began airing last month.Many people infected with West Nile virus do not become ill and may not develop symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may be mild or severe and show up three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, officials said.Mild symptoms include flulike illness with fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back.Contact Edward Colimore at 856-779-3833 or ecolimore@phillynews.com.For more information on West Nile virus, please visit: .westnile.state.pa.us/or .state.nj.us/ health/cd/westnile or .nj.gov/dep/mosquito.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at .philly.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉

WASHINGTON, Sept.self storage 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's schedule of events, including news conferences and live television coverage related to the Friday, Sept. 6 launch of the agency's next lunar mission, is now available.(Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO )The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft will launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's Pad 0B at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. Launch is targeted for 11:27 p.m. EDT at the opening of a four-minute launch window. NASA Television launch coverage begins at 9:30 p.m. Backup launch opportunities occur Sept. 7-10.NASA will host two prelaunch news conferences at the NASA Wallops Visitor Center on Thursday, Sept. 5. NASA TV and the agency's website will air the briefings live with question and answer capability available from participating NASA centers or by using a phone bridge. To participate via phone bridge, journalists must call Dwayne Brown at 202-329-6585 by 2:45 p.m. Thursday. Questions also can be asked during the briefings via Twitter by using the hashtag #askNASA.Live NASA TV launch coverage also will be broadcast on the Toshiba Vision screen in New York's Times Square from 10:30 p.m. Sept. 6 to 1 a.m. Sept. 7. The Toshiba Vision screen is positioned directly below the world-famous New Year's Eve Ball on One Times Square. Visitors to Times Square, and around the world, can hear live audio of the broadcast by tuning into Third Rock Radio. Third Rock Radio can be streamed from the NASA homepage, and on smart phones and tablets through the Tuneln mobile app.EVENT SCHEDULE (All times Eastern)Thursday, Sept. 510-11:30 a.m.: NASA Social TV broadcast featuring presentations on how to get involved with the mission, as well as an informal question and answer session with NASA leadership and members of the LADEE team.3 p.m.: Prelaunch news briefing. Participants will include:-- John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at N迷你倉SA Headquarters, Washington-- S. Pete Worden, center director, NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.-- Bill Wrobel, center director, Wallops-- Sarah Dougherty, test director, Wallops-- Butler Hine, LADEE project manager, Ames4 p.m.: LADEE science/technology briefing. Participants will include:-- Sarah Noble, LADEE program scientist, NASA Headquarters-- Rick Elphic, LADEE project scientist, Ames -- Don Cornwell, Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration mission manager, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.Friday, Sept. 6: Launch Day9:30 p.m.: Live launch coverage on NASA TV. To view launch coverage via the Web and for more information about the LADEE mission, visit:.nasa.gov/ladee9:30 - 11:35 p.m.: Prelaunch webcast on NASA EDGE, live from Wallops and featuring experts discussing the LADEE mission. During the webcast, viewers can ask questions via social media using the hashtag #askNASA. To watch the live webcast, visit:.ustream.tv/nasaedgeSaturday, Sept. 7Approximately two hours after launch, NASA TV will air a post-launch news conference.MEDIA ACCREDITATIONFor questions about accreditation or additional information, contact Keith Koehler at keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov or 757-824-1579.LADEE is the first spacecraft designed, developed, built, integrated and tested at Ames. The spacecraft will launch on a U.S. Air Force Minotaur V rocket, an excess ballistic missile converted into a space launch vehicle and operated by Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va.LADEE is a robotic research mission that will orbit the moon to gather detailed information about the structure and composition of the thin lunar atmosphere and determine whether dust is being lofted into the lunar sky.For real-time launch and mission updates via social media, follow @NASA and @NASALADEE on Twitter.For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:.nasa.gov/ntvPhoto: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGOPRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.comNASAWeb site: .nasa.gov/文件倉

OPERATIC OPULENCE PHOTO BY ZHANG YANLIN / FOR CHINA DAILY On Sept 1 in Bozhou, Anhui province, actors performed at a competition in erjiaxian, a rare type of Chinese opera originating in the border areas of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui provinces some 200 years ago.self storage It is now listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.Time limits in the new law provide a legal basis to build an ei cient trade- mark registration mechanism.”LI SHUNDE, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROFESSOR, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Foreign enterprises should be con- ? dent in the fairness of trademark protection in the Chinese market.”XU RUIBIAO, DIRECTOR, TRADEMARK OFFICE STATE ADMINISTRATION FOR INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE By ZHANG ZHAO zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn After three reviews over the past two years, a revised Trademark Law was approved last week by China’s top legis- lative body. It will take ef ect on May 1 next year.h e new law will better serve to “crack down on infringe- ments and ensure a fair mar- ket for Chinese and foreign trademark holders”, Xinhua News Agency reported.Guangming Daily quoted Wang Qing, an official with the Legal Affairs Commis- sion at the National People’sCongress Standing Commit- tee, saying the amendment embodies three key words — convenience, fairness and severity.h e revised law will for the first time set time limits on trademark application proce- dures. h e initial review peri- od should last no more than nine months. If objections are raised, examinations should be i nished in 12 months.Li Shunde, an intellectual property professor with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Procurato- rial Daily that registering a trademark has been “like run- ning the marathon”.h e review period currently lasts 30 months on average, but can stretch to seven or eight years, he said.“Time limits in the new law provide a legal basis to build an effici迷你倉nt trademark registration mechanism,” said Wang.The new law continues to offer protection for well- known trademarks, but the title will no longer be allowed on product packages, advertis- ing or promotions.Following its 1985 member- ship in the Paris Convention on the Protection of Industrial Property, China established a well-known trademark system to protect brands.But many industry insid- ers say the process does not function as it was originally designed.Many companies now regard a well-known trade- mark as an honorary title to promote their products, pos- sibly misleading consumers.A recent comment by the Beijing News noted that a number of companies perpe- trate fraud and create disputes to apply for the status, “mak- ing the identii cation nearly lose its value”.Zhao Hu, an intellectual property rights lawyer and partner in Beijing’s EastBright Law Firm, told China Daily in an earlier interview that the identification as a well- known trademark should be “a legal process to settle disputes, which is based on factual evidence in individual cases”.h e new law will also give equal protection to foreign companies.“We have provided protec- tion for nearly all the well- known foreign brands in China,” Xu Ruibiao, director of the trademark oi ce under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, told Xinhua.“Foreign enterprises should be coni dent in the fairness of trademark protection in the Chinese market.”In addition, the new law will increase the compensa- tion ceiling for trademark infringement to 3 million yuan ($490,500), six times the current limit.h e Trademark Law was the i rst intellectual property law adopted in the New China.It was i rst issued in 1982 and has been amended three pre- vious times.According to the latest sta- tistics from the SAIC, there were 8.17 million registered trademarks in China by the end of June, the most in the world.文件倉

Source: Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.self storageSept. 04--VICTORVILLE -- A naked woman was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation Tuesday after San Bernardino County sheriff's officials received numerous calls of a female arguing and fighting at a bus stop near Costco.Victorville Station deputies received the call at about 4 p.m. They took into custo迷你倉y Lisa Annett White, who appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance based on her demeanor and narcotics paraphernalia located near her, sheriff's officials said.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Daily Press (Victorville, Calif.) Visit the Daily Press (Victorville, Calif.) at .vvdailypress.com Distributed by MCT Information Services文件倉

Source: Ventura County Star, Calif.self storageSept. 04--Dr. Jack Padour was burning out.The Ventura internal medicine doctor faced falling reimbursement rates and rising overhead. The only way to maintain his earnings was to see more patients."I knew I was being compromised by seeing patients every eight to 10 minutes just to keep the doors open," he said.Two years ago, Padour changed his practice to a model attracting doctors and debate across the nation.Patients now pay him an $1,800 membership fee that allows him to see fewer people and spend more time with each of them. A roster that once hovered at 2,000 patients is now at 300.The annual fee guarantees an extensive physical, including tests on lung function, vision, heart, anxiety, diet and other aspects of wellness. Patients get Padour's cellphone number. They are guaranteed immediate access and, perhaps most importantly, more time with the doctor.If they end up in the hospital or a nursing home, he follows them there for treatment."If you listen long enough, the patient will tell you what's wrong," Padour said. "The whole diagnosis is in the history, and that's usually what no one has time for."Some doctors call it a concierge practice. Others, frustrated over what they say is a misperception that the service attracts only wealthy patients, prefer "direct primary care" or "personalized care."The forms vary. But in most cases, doctors charge membership fees to provide certain services and specialized care. Many of the doctors, including Padour, continue to accept insurance payment for care not covered by the membership, although some doctors accept only direct payment.Numbers growingA leader of the American Academy of Private Physicians estimates as many as 5,000 doctors nationwide have direct primary care practices, charging fees of $600 to several thousand dollars. A leader of MDVIP, a Florida-based company that runs a national network of membership fee practices, suggested the national number is closer to 2,500 doctors but increasing.A growing number of providers operate membership practices in Ventura County, including seven doctors who have or will start MDVIP practices in the Conejo Valley. Some of the physicians echo Padour, saying they want to spend more time with individual patients because they can provide better care."The status quo just isn't viable," said Dr. Paul Block of Thousand Oaks. "You're forced to see more and people. Overhead keeps going up, and reimbursement keeps going down. Quality of care becomes less of a priority."Block joined MDVIP in 2004. He moved from critical care to treatment focused on wellness and identifying potential problems before they emerge. He said he went from "dealing with the train wrecks to fixing the tracks."Doctor shortageThe model evokes intrigue and concern.Dr. Gary Deutsch is an internist from Santa Paula, not a mathematician. But the numbers draw his attention: Doctors cut their patient loads by far more than half at a time when there's a national shortage of primary care doctors. On top of that, the federal health care overhaul could mean 30 million newly insured people over several years."It's easy to do the math," he said. "There's going to be a lot of patients without doctors."Deutsch sees 20 to 25 patients daily in a practice that encompasses about 2,500 patients. He said he doesn't scrimp on time with patients and can make more time for people who need it.The membership fee concept seems to work for a very small niche of doctors, Deut迷你倉ch said. But it wouldn't pass muster in Santa Paula."There are very few patients who could afford it," he said.No patients are abandoned when doctors join MDVIP, said Dan Hecht, CEO of the 12-year-old company that is a division of Procter & Gamble. Before doctors join, they must find a new home for patients who choose not to pay membership fees.Patient-focusedHecht says MDVIP helps combat the primary care doctor shortage by extending the career of physicians so frustrated with traditional practice that they leave medicine.Block said the membership-fee format allows him to better avoid what he sees as the problems created by the power of insurance companies, pressure to see more patients and federal health care overhaul."I became aware I couldn't change the system but I could dramatically change it for myself and a few people," Block said.Bristling at the notion of upper-crust care for an affluent few, Block said his $1,800 annual fee is less than some people spend on cable and Internet services. He argues the practice provides better care by allowing doctors to focus not on reimbursement or volume but solely on the patient.MDVIP officials say their practices have brought a 79 percent reduction in hospitalizations for Medicare patients.Tony Plaia is a 79-year-old retired insurance agent who had knee replacement surgery. A spine injury means he has 10 screws, two bars and four wires in his neck.He comes to Block because he doesn't have to wait for appointments and the care is focused on keeping him going to the gym, healthy and out of the hospital. He receives a comprehensive physical, a wellness plan and a copy of his health record."It boils down to $5 a day," he said. "I could spend that on a super latte or spend it on MDVIP."If patients need care outside the wellness program covered by the membership fee, Block bills the insurance company or Medicare.Standard insuranceAll but a few of Block's patients carry insurance. Outside observers say people need a high-deductible plan because the membership fees don't cover all health care needs.That means patients pay insurance premiums and membership fees. If they're not insured, they will face fines of at least $95 next year, said Dylan Roby, a UCLA health policy professor. The penalty is part of the federal health care overhaul's mandate that people obtain insurance coverage.The law guarantees that insurance companies provide free coverage of care labeled "preventive." Doctors in concierge practices say many of the wellness tests and treatments covered by membership fees are not covered by the law.The health overhaul stoked speculation that increasing regulation, growing patient loads and changing reimbursement systems would push more solo physicians into membership fee practices. Doctors who have made the switch say the overhaul may deliver them more patients who worry that 30 million more insured people will mean less access.But Joanne Spetz of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UC San Francisco said growth will be limited by the cost to patients. They don't want to pay more for care, and that reluctance will limit the doctors who make the switch."I think these practices have been growing, but I don't think you see a huge flood of doctors going into concierge medicine," she said. "It's still an absolute minority."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) Visit Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) at .vcstar.com Distributed by MCT Information Services文件倉

Source: Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.儲存Sept. 04--You're probably familiar with the concept of "desert island picks."What book, what music, what movie would you choose if you were going to be stuck on a desert island?One Saturday morning in July, I brewed a pot of coffee and started in on 44 remarkable applications from area high school students to be a 2013-14 Post-Bulletin teen columnist.I've never hired a columnist before -- let alone 10 of them. I started reading their cover letters and writing samples, and when I found one I especially liked -- there were so many good ones -- I put it in the "YES" pile. By the time I was through, I had my 10. My desert island columnists.There was Madison Conte, who expressed a love for postmodern literature and literary journalism (I like those, too) and wrote a beautiful narrative from a child's perspective in World War II.Marcus Aarsvold, too, submitted fiction (and an essay and a poem) in which he showed a really nice ear for dialog. I think it's a patient and thoughtful writer who can write good dialog. I can't wait to read his columns.Others, too: Zach Benson wrote about his attempts to grow a beard ("After a few days, the facial hairs across my face resembled a map of Australia, quite populated around the edges, but with sparse settlements in between.") and Grace Glover described herself as a "stress addict" and "experience collector" whose "brain is still squishy and funny."Alex Long wrote about his experience writing a 50,001-word novel. Mishy Wang wrote about volunteering at Quarry Hill summer camp. Lauren Saner wrote what might have been my favorite sentence in all of the ardor-filled applications."Honestly," she wrote, "I'm not quite sure why I believe I'm qualified to write for the Post-Bulletin." (Humility rocks!) She went on: "I have many thoughts and ideas and opinions about things going on in my life and the world around me. ... I tend to just write them down and kind of be done with the thought for a little while."As you'll see, I have all kinds of kids writing for me this year. (Luke Buehler, Virginia Nowakowski and Laurie Rackham round out the 10.) If there's one thing their applications had in common, though, it was this: When I finished reading what they'd written, I was dying to read more.Now I get to, and I hope you'll enjoy them, too. They'll write on a five-week schedule, two per week, every Wednesday. As always, share your reactions to their columns by sending me notes, to life@postbulletin.com. I'll pass your messages along.And if you're a southeastern Minnesota student, you can submit your work to me to consider for publication any time. I won't put you on a regular schedule like I have my "Desert Island 10," but your columns, stories and poems can find a place in our Wednesday youth section.--Zach Benson (starts Sept. 11)School/year: Century, senior.Favorite subject: Social studies.Extracurriculars: Football, track, teen council.Other interests:Person I'd like to meet: Any member of the Special Forces community. I am in awe of them and respect them so much.Last book I read: "John Adams," by David McCullough.On my iPod: "Can't Hold Us," Macklemore.How I get around: CarWhy I wanted to be a P-B columnist: To provide thought-provoking ideas to all age groups, and for the experience.Lauren Saner (starts Sept. 11)School/year: Century, junior.Favorite subject: Band. English is a close second.Extracurriculars: School musical, Key Club, band, Link Crew, piano lessons, part-time job at Renning's Flowers, and Honors Choirs.Other interests: I love to perform, whether it's singing, dancing, playing an instrument acting, or a combination of those. I also love working with kids.Person I'd like to meet: Demi Lovato. I think she has become a good role model by overcoming a difficult experience.Last book I read: "Jane Eyre," by Charlotte Bronte.On my iPod: "Hey, Soul Sister," by Train.How I get around: Car.Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: I thought it would be a new, fun experience. It was a way to get out of my comfort zone a little and share my thoughts with people. I love to write and to give my ideas and opinions.Mishy Wang (starts Sept. 18)School/year: Century, junior.Favorite subject: History.Extracurriculars: Cross country, track, Century Panther Band, Bella Voce Young Women's Choir, student government.Other interests: Playing violin, knitting, spontaneous singing in public.Person I'd like to meet: A.A. Milne. I adore the simple yet profound messages of Winnie the Pooh and would love to meet the person behind them.Last book I read: "The Hound of the Baskervilles," by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.On my iPod: Alt rock, movie soundtracks and Disney.How I get around: Car or bike, depending on energy level.Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: I love to write and express my views. If I can impact one person with my words, I would be content.Virginia Nowakowski (starts Sept. 18)School/year: Lourdes, senior.Favorite subject: Changes by the day; today it's literature.Extracurriculars: Soccer, band, liturgical choir, speech, drama, library aide, National Honor Society.Other interests: Baking, reading, Netflix (if I have time!), writing.Person I新蒲崗迷你倉d like to meet: Tina Fey. I'd love to see her thought process as she writes.Last book I read: "Thursday's Child," by Sonya Hartnett.On my iPod: Fitz and the Tantrums.How I get around: Walking as much as possible; car for everything else.Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: It sounded challenging and enjoyable!Grace Glover (starts Sept. 25)School/year: Mayo, senior.Favorite subject: Social studies.Extracurriculars: Teen Council, art, theater, and a job at People's Food Co-op.Other interests: Music, comedy and social justice.Person I'd like to meet: Tina Fey. She just gets me -- humor, food and feminism.Last book I read: "Turn Around Bright Eyes," by Rob Sheffield.On my iPod: "Coming Up Easy," by Paolo Nutini.How I get around: By foot -- keeping it green! Plus it's a great way to be present in the moment and interact with your environment.Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: Writing is my favorite way to channel the contents of my overactive mind into something more manageable. Being able to share my words with others is something I've always been nervous to do, but I'm excited and honored at the opportunity to try!Alex Long (starts Sept. 25)School/year: Byron, seniorFavorite subject: Literature. My favorite class, however, is concert choir.Extracurriculars: Student government, two choir groups, National Honor Society, theater. I'm also on the speech and robotics teams.Other interests: Bike, lift, play guitar, make electronic music, and read as much as I can.Person I'd like to meet: Jad Abumrad of the NPR program "Radiolab." I've been a public radio junkie for years, but "Radiolab" was the first show that made me seriously consider journalism as both a career and an art form.Last book I read: "Cannery Row," by John Steinbeck. I'm currently working on "Musicophilia," by Oliver Sacks.On my iPod: "Small Memory," by Jon Hopkins.How I get around: When I don't care about how I'll look when I get there, I will bike. In the recent heat, I mostly used my car.Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: The opportunity to improve my skills as a writer appeals to me, as does the chance to speak to a large audience through a publication I've read and admired for years.Laurie Rackham (starts Oct. 2)School/year: John Marshall, seniorFavorite subject: Band (symphonic winds)Extracurriculars: Cross country, pit orchestra, marching band.Other interests: Creative writing, playing games and learning how to make things. Also learning and playing all of my lovely instruments.Person I'd like to meet: Jonathan Stroud author of the "Bartimaeus" trilogy. He's one of my favorite authors and I love his writing style!Last book I read: "The Hobbit," by J.R.R. Tolkien.On my iPod: Lindsey Stirling and the Piano Guys.How I get around: My lovely little car, "The Tumbler."Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: To strengthen and test my writing ability, as well as to gain experience in the field.Marcus Aarsvold (starts Oct. 2)School/year: Pine Island, senior.Favorite subject: English, lunch.Extracurriculars: Student council, cross country, track and field.Other interests: Movies and books. I love my friends and meeting new people.Person I'd like to meet: Emma Watson, so we can start planning our wedding.Last book I read: "The Spectacular Now," by Tim Tharp.On my iPod: Skillet, Fall Out Boy, and all the songs from "Pitch Perfect" (except for "Cups")How I get around: 2006 Ford EscapeWhy I wanted to be a P-B columnist: I am thinking about going into journalism as a career, so I thought doing this would be a cool way to learn about the writing field.Luke Buehler (starts Oct. 9)School/year: Kasson-Mantorville, junior.Favorite subject: History.Extracurriculars: Speech, baseball, geocaching club.Other interests: Geocaching, cooking, movies.Person I'd like to meet: My other sibling, because I want to know who they are.Last book I read: "To Kill a Mockingbird," by Harper Lee.On my iPod: My country playlist.How I get around: Car, foot, bike -- depends on the weather.Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: I've wanted to write for the Post-Bulletin for some time. I know someone who used to write for it, and I just thought it looked like fun!Madison Conte (starts Oct. 9)School/year: Mayo, junior.Favorite subject: English.Extracurriculars: Golf, climbing club, Student Leaders Creating Change, Spartan 300 Leadership Group.Other interests: Reading, hiking, traveling, and watching '80s movies.Person I'd like to meet: Taylor Swift! I have a lot of respect for her. Despite being famous at such a young age, she has continued to send positive messages to the young girls that look up to her. Her talent is so multifaceted; I would love to have a conversation with her.Last book I read: "The Fault in Our Stars," by John Green.On my iPod: "Miss You," by Ed Sheeran.How I get around: My mom's 13-year-old van, which my brother and I affectionately call Marge.Why I wanted to be a P-B columnist: Writing is my passion. Putting words on paper is a very fulfilling way for me to communicate my thoughts, feelings and discoveries with others.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Post-Bulletin Visit the Post-Bulletin at .postbulletin.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage