With its HQ in San Diego, California, Online services innovator, Nefsis, is a technology specialist in video conferencing software and cloud computing online services.

The company says Military Comm Networks selected the company’s cloud-based video conferencing technology for the new online TV show “After Action Report.”

After Action Report is a 60-minute show featuring live interviews with prominent thought leaders in important military-focused areas. The Nefsis web-based video conferencing platform facilitates discussions between the show host in the recording studio, and multiple experts, anywhere in the world.

The Nefsis system gives After Action Report the flexibility to reach busy doctors and industry leaders at their own offices, requiring no travel, nor extended time away from their duties.

A joint venture between Military Comm Networks and USVETS TV on the TV Worldwide network, After Action Report is a 13-week Internet TV interactive webcast series that addresses current issues relevant to active duty troops, veterans and their families.

“We’re extremely excited to produce After Action Report. The program uses an innovative hybrid live video conference and streaming media webcast format. This enables the troops themselves to participate via multiparty video conferencing and interact with After Action Report experts and panelists live on stage while a webcast audience of thousands can email questions and comments in real-time. We’re pioneering a level of collaboration that hasn’t been achieved before.”
– Dennis Butts, former US Marine, CEO of Military Comm Networks

“TV Worldwide is excited that our USVets TV Internet channel was selected to distribute this innovative, interactive program,” said Dave Gardy, TV Worldwide Chairman and CEO and a former officer in the US Naval Reserve. “We couldn’t ask for better partners to assist us in producing this important series. Military Comm Networks and Nefsis are each pioneers in what they do and we value their vision and expertise in making After Action Report a success.”

Throughout its season, After Action Report will cover topics such as Home Care, PTSD and veteran military leadership and success. The first episode successfully aired Friday, August 26, via live and archived Internet TV digital media, and reached tens of thousands of global viewers. The next episode will air Friday, September 9, at 1:00pm ET and will focus on traumatic brain injuries. The final show will air November 18, 2011.

“After Action Report presents informative content for participants and viewers, but also provides access to resources for those seeking assistance,” said Tom Toperczer, Nefsis Vice President of Marketing. “We’re honored to provide the technology platform that enables industry leaders to provide their expertise in real-time Q&A format.” The Nefsis cloud-based technology platform is accessible worldwide via the Web. It applies dynamic video scaling and multicore processing to accelerate video performance over virtually any connection type thus enabling the broad reach and real-time performance required by show producers.

Founded in 1999, TV Worldwide developed the first Internet TV network of community-based Internet TV channels, primarily targeting niche professional communities ranging from the Maritime industry to the Digital Media sector.

The Company’s global cloud provides multipoint HD video and advanced collaboration tools to business, government and educational customers in more than 45 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.nefsis.com or call (858) 715-0970.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Hurricane Irene is threatening the East coast, and San Diego and other cities are sending people to help. California is lending a helping hand by deploying experts trained in search & rescue, emergency operations, planning and logistics to help with state and local emergency response efforts.

Three members of the California team are from CA-TF8, San Diego.

In anticipation of the storm’s impact, several eastern states have requested assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a congressionally ratified agreement that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid.

Through EMAC, Cal EMA is in discussions with New York state to deploy possibly six emergency service coordinators with experience in Emergency Operation Centers and an Incident Management Team (IMT) to assist in emergency response, remaining there until the situation stabilizes. The IMT is the Easy Bay Type 3 Incident Management Team and consists of 36 first responders from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Expenses for the deployment will be covered by the state(s) requesting assistance. Cal EMA will be in constant contact with emergency management staff on the East coast for future requests.

“We’re hoping for the best for all of those in the path of Hurricane Irene and we urge residents to take this storm seriously. California stands ready to provide assistance to our sister states as they prepare for this natural disaster. We’re appreciative of the help we received in the past and are glad to provide help in their time of need.”
- Cal EMA Acting Secretary Mike Dayton

California has also deployed several members to form an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (US&R). These are organized by FEMA and also respond to disasters around the world. California Task Force members deployed to the east coast include one member from CA-TF6 (Riverside), two from CA-TF2 (Los Angeles), and three from CA-TF8 (San Diego).

Popularity: 12% [?]

It isn’t always easy to fill up your tank, when the fuel that propels your vehicle is Natural Gas. It really depends where you live, and planning a trip can be tricky too.

Thankfully, if you are heading out towards Orange County, things will be easier now.

A new Clean N’ Green Fuel public fueling station in Santa Ana supports commercial fleet drivers and owners of CNG-equipped vehicles. Today, Waste Management of Orange County representatives and officials from PetroCard, the City of Santa Ana and the South Coast Air Quality Management District celebrated the grand opening of the station.

This new addition to the few CNG stations operating in Orange County is very welcome. Waste Management added new infrastructure to fuel its existing fleet of CNG recycling and trash collection vehicles at the Santa Ana site.

In addition to cost savings, nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by up to 50 percent and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are reduced by over 21 percent compared to standard diesel trucks. GHGs can be reduced by over 80 percent when using landfill gas derived CNG and LNG fuel. As an additional benefit, CNG trucks run 50 percent quieter than diesel trucks.

“CNG is addressing two of the biggest imperatives for fleet owners today – reducing costs and decreasing emissions. Our collaboration with Waste Management at this facility makes it more convenient for fleet owners to save money at the pump while shrinking their carbon footprint from operations.”
- Steve Tolton, CEO of PetroCard

The new station is just one of several green initiatives Waste Management has rolled out in Santa Ana in recent months. The company and the City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency unveiled eight new solar powered trash compactors at the Santa Ana Train Depot. The compactors will help reduce trash collection frequency, costs, and fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions at the landmark facility.

Popularity: 14% [?]

The U.S. Dept. of Commerce, the U.S. Dept. of Labor, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics say small companies pay almost half of all US private payroll. They generate well over half of all new jobs, 65% over the past 17 years. That tells us there is a lot of value in small business, but small businesses often need the help of a good CPA who keeps up with current trends and information.

The Annual Exit Planning Conference hosted by Business Enterprise Institute in Denver, Colorado is on August 26 and 27 this year. San Diego CPA, Tanya Lee Scott, a partner at Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP, says she is attending the conference.

Scott helps business owners increase their company’s value, which is especially important now, in this challenging economic environment.

“These owners are the economic lifeblood of our community. They pay 44 percent of the total U.S. private payroll, and have generated 65 percent of net new jobs over the past 17 years.”

- Tanya Lee Scott

Scott will attend educational sessions related to: developing and retaining management, Private Equity Group investment strategies, designing key employee incentive compensation plans, and creative business value building strategies.

See the press release, Tanya Scott, San Diego CPA, Attends National Conference for Business Advisors for more information about Tanya Scott in San Diego.

Davos Annual Meeting 2011 – The Global Economic Outlook

www.weforum.org 29.01.2011 What is the outlook for the global economy in 2011? The following dimensions will be addressed – Macroeconomic imbalances – Currency instability – Global governance (G20) – International financial system • Montek Singh Ahlu…

Popularity: 9% [?]

Popularity: 4% [?]

The California Association for Local Economic Development Applauds Lieutenant Governor for Newly Released Economic Development Report

Sacramento, CA – The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) congratulates Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom on his leadership in releasing the Economic Growth and Competitive Agenda for California. The report outlines an economic development vision to move California forward.

According to CALED President and Chief Executive Officer Wayne Schell,

“We’ve spent time and energy urging elected state and local officials to provide us with clear-cut strategies to improve the economic conditions of California residents. We do not want more piecemeal economic development but rather a comprehensive jobs strategy. This report takes a step in the right direction.

“CALED has consistently called for a strategy that is a blueprint for action that articulates and initiates a plan to get people to work; identifies targeted state and local investments; shifts from a one-shot-project orientation to a dynamic process-based plan; and influences the California economy on a permanent basis.

“Recognizing local and state economies do not run on automatic pilot, this report highlights the importance of economic development in stimulating growth to create jobs and increase revenue by retaining, expanding, creating and attracting businesses.

“Our state’s economic health hinges on actions taken by the Governor and Legislature in creating quality jobs for the residents of California.

“Now more than ever our state leaders need to view economic development as an investment.”

California Association for Local Economic Development

Popularity: 21% [?]

Prisoners unite across racial lines to protest inhumane and torturous treatment in California prisons.

Rally being held on July 21, 2011 @ 220 W. Broadway San Diego CA (corner of Broadway and Front Street from 1pm till 8pm.

On July 1, 2011 Pelican Bay SHU inmates began an indefinite hunger strike. The inmates are requesting CDCR accommodate the below listed 5 core demands.

- End Group Punishment & Administrative Abuse

- Abolish the Debriefing Policy, and Modify Active/Inactive Gang Status Criteria.

- Comply with the US Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons 2006 recommendations regarding an end to long term solitary confinement.

- Provide adequate and nutritious food.

- Expand and provide constructive programming and privileges for indefinite SHU status inmates.

Most of these inmates serving indeterminate SHU terms have served over a decade in deplorable conditions such as; no sunlight, no human touch, and no religious or educational services.

This hunger strike has now stretched to at least 13 other California prisons and other prisons across the U.S and countries as well.

Prisoners are entering week 3 of this hunger strike and NO significant negotiations have begun. Many of these men are suffering severe medical issues. No inmate should have to die while waiting to be given their basic human rights.

Support the hunger strikers and call Governor Brown and CDCR representative Matthew Cate to implement changes now!

Popularity: 8% [?]

The onset of osteoarthritis may be related to a loss of knee motion after reconstructive ACL surgery, as noted in new research presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, July 7-10, 2011. Patients who showed motion limitations after surgery were more likely to develop arthritic changes in the knee.

“Our research shows that patients given rehabilitation that emphasizes full motion be obtained and maintained throughout time after surgery have more favorable results on x-rays than patients who lose motion,” said lead researcher K. Donald Shelbourne, M.D., Founder, Shelbourne Knee Center.

The study examined data from 780 patients who were at least five years after ACL reconstruction with a patellar tendon graft. In individual follow-ups, patients were evaluated and rated based on knee range of motion tests and radiographs. The percentage of patients with normal radiographs (no arthritic changes in the knee) was 71 percent in patients with normal range of motion compared to 55 percent of patients who showed deficits in motion. In patients who had similar meniscus removal, osteoarthritis was observed more in patients who had motion deficits.

“Something like osteoarthritis can be debilitating,” said Shelbourne, “and our goal is to continually find new ways to help patients avoid such a problem.”

This study adds to previous research identifying major risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction, including meniscectomy (removal of the meniscus) and articular cartilage damage.

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is a world leader in sports medicine education, research, communication and fellowship, and includes national and international orthopaedic sports medicine leaders.

The Society works closely with many other sports medicine specialists, including athletic trainers, physical therapists, family physicians, and others to improve the identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. AOSSM is also a founding partner of the STOP Sports Injuries campaign to prevent overuse and traumatic injuries in kids. For more information on AOSSM or the STOP Sports Injuries campaign, visit www.sportsmed.org or www.stopsportsinjuries.org.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Parents and teachers concerned about a child’s mental health and development can now get immediate answers from an online screening with Project SKIP (Screening Kids for Intervention and Prevention) (www.projectskip.com).

Project SKIP was developed by Dr. Bonny Forrest, a psychologist and attorney, who has more than a decade of experience working with children with mental health issues and development disabilities, including autism.

“Project SKIP has been my passion for more than 10 years,” said Dr. Forrest. “We have developed the program to effectively and efficiently screen children for social-emotional, cognitive, and developmental delays (including autism) through the use of gold standard on-line instruments.” Project SKIP is for kids from the ages of two through 18.

Forrest says a U.S. Government study found 1 in 7 children have a developmental disability. Sadly, only half these children are identified before they enter school. The parents and teachers of these children deserve to have a reliable screening tool at their disposal.

With SKIP, any parent or teacher can log on, any time, and for a $20 fee, get immediate feedback a child’s behavior in relation to other children of the same age. Dr. Forrest emphasized that the screening does not provide a diagnosis, but begins the process of understanding a child’s mental health and developmental needs to access supports at home and in school. In addition to the online screening, Dr. Forrest will provide parents and teachers with a 15 minute consult if their child is found to be “at risk” for a mental health issue or development delay. The consultation will focus on helping the parent identify any necessary follow-up services.

Dr Forrest says we need to take mental health and developmental screening to the level of prevention in this country, in much the same was as we brush our teeth every day.

Popularity: 14% [?]

“California’s economy is growing, but we still face a $10 billion structural deficit and a wall of debt for years to come,” says California Governor Gerry Brown. “California’s finances were plunged into turmoil by the Great Recession and a decade of short-term fixes and fiscal gimmicks. This is not the time to delay or evade. This is the time to put our finances in order.”

Governor Brown today unveiled a revised state budget that reduces by nearly $3 billion the amount of taxes needed to balance the budget, spurs job creation through new tax incentives and pays off most of the $34.7 billion debt built up over the last decade.

The revised budget also downsizes state government and protects education and public safety. Since taking office in January, Brown and the legislature have cut spending by $9 billion and have taken other steps to reduce the deficit.

While the Governor thinks this is a good budget, others are not so sure.

The Governor’s May Revision Budget

Reduce the amount of taxes required to balance the budget. Californians will pay $2 billion less in income taxes this year than proposed in the January budget.

Increase spending on K-12 education. For years, the state has shortchanged public education in order to balance the budget, forcing school districts to borrow in order to balance their budgets. The revised budget increases funds for public schools by $3 billion. Even with this new infusion of funds, California schools are still owed billions by the state.

Spur job creation through tax incentives. The revised budget restricts Enterprise Zone credits to create new jobs only; spurs investments in California jobs through mandatory single sales; encourages manufacturing jobs through reduced sales tax on equipment purchases; and revamps a hiring tax credit to encourage additional job creation.

Create a long-term strategy to address California’s Wall of Debt. California has accrued $35 billion in budgetary debt by borrowing from future generations. The May Revision lays out a plan to pay off at least $29 billion in looming state debt by 2015.

Cut state government. The revised budget eliminates 43 boards, commissions, task forces, offices and departments that represent an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars. As services are returned to the local level, the Departments of Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Programs will be eliminated. The revised budget also proposes to merge the Healthy Families Program into the Medi-Cal program, reducing costs and creating a single health care program for low income families

Improve debt management. More than $11 billion in cash from bond sales is sitting in department accounts, where it costs taxpayers more than $700 million a year in debt service for projects that have yet to be completed, creating an unacceptable burden on taxpayers. The revised budget proposes expediting projects, moving cash out of accounts and into projects that create jobs and improve state infrastructure as taxpayers intended.

Restore honesty to the budget process. Last year’s budget underfunded the costs of both the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Department of Mental Health by $465 million. The revised budget addresses the shortfalls in these departments and establishes controls to prevent future overspending.

Sell underutilized state properties. The revised budget proposes the sale of state-owned properties like the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Montclair Golf Course in Oakland, the Capital Area Development Authority in Sacramento and the Ramirez Canyon property in Southern California. These properties serve no state function and should be sold off to pay debt.

The May Revision can be found here: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/

Popularity: 16% [?]