National News Desk

LA MESA, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- LegalizeFerrets.org, an organization of people interested in legalizing ferrets in California, is conducting their second annual YouTube Video Contest. Nine videos have been entered and the only prize is $500 cash. Legalize Ferrets is conducting an Environmental Impact Report as required from the California Department of Fish and Game. Their mailing list and support continue to grow and the video contest is a great expression of the hope, pain and fear California ferret enthusiasts live with.

TROY, Mich. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- After years of success with the Pole-Wrap, a product that transforms unsightly basement poles into attractive interior decor, Pole-Wrap, Inc. has added two new products - the Pole-Wrap Drink Shelf and the Pole-Wrap Extension. Both items will be available for purchase after July 1.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Minnesota Medical Development, Inc. (MMDI) today announced that it has been awarded an agreement under Novation's 'New Medical Technology' program to supply its Rebound HRD and Rebound HRD V (hernia repair devices) to their alliance members, which includes: acute hospitals and systems, academic medical centers and ambulatory care facilities. The Rebound HRD® and HRD V are intended to assist in the repair and/or reinforcement of hernia or other soft tissue defects where weakness exists.

MESA, Ariz. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As the unemployment rate climbs to over 9 percent (according to Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Employment Situation: May 2009), many financially strained families may feel pressure to send their young children to preschool. Authors Renee and Mike Mosiman help those parents who choose not to send their young children to school in their new book, 'The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child's Intellectual Potential' (ISBN: 978-0-9816426-5-9).

KIRKLAND, Wash. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- If and when Congress passes health reform legislation, it may or may not include a public option for long-term care, the assistance with daily living required by millions suffering from long-lasting illnesses or disabilities. If you're in the market for long-term care insurance, should you wait and see what materializes? Denise Gott says no; there's too much to lose and little to gain. Gott is Chairman of the Board of LTC Financial Partners LLC, one of the nation's largest and most experienced long-term care insurance agencies.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Bookbinder Specialties, a Pennsylvania company, acquired the Bookbinder's Soup and Seasonings Division from the Stephens' Original Foods Company of Huntingdon Valley, PA, on June 23, 2009. The soups and seasonings are based on favorite recipes from the Old Original Bookbinder's restaurant, established in 1865 in Philadelphia's historic Old City.

CHICAGO, Ill. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- 'Have you ever been poked in the eye by the pointy corner of your rectangular bed pillow?' Pillow Designer and Spokesperson for the Curvy Pillow Company, Pam Blumenthal, was recently quoted as saying 'It's ridiculous, but it's no joke - people do get poked by pointy-cornered pillows. Why would we want to sleep with rectangles anyway? The only reason that we all sleep with rectangular bed pillows is that it's the easiest shape for manufacturing.'

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- SecuGen, the world's leading optical fingerprint device vendor, is pleased to announce that it is now providing all of its industry leading fingerprint template extraction and matching SDKs free of charge. Included in SecuGen's wide selection of Software Developer Kits are SDKs for Windows Vista, Windows CE, Linux, Solaris and more.

LAFAYETTE, N.J. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Lion Technology Inc., a nationally renowned regulatory compliance training firm, will present several two-day workshops on hazardous waste management in the region next month. Workshops will be held in Williamsburg, VA on July 9-10; Charlotte, NC on July 13-14; Atlanta, GA on July 16-17; Orlando, FL on July 20-21; and Birmingham, AL on July 23-24.

BALTIMORE, Md. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Apprentice House announces publication of its latest book, 'The Vegan Monologues' (ISBN 9781934074367), which guides readers through the world of being vegan, traveling life's path as an herbivore in a treacherous world of carnivores. Whether explaining how vegetarian guys get the girls, exploring an addiction to Chinese takeout, or being sequestered in the 'garden salad zone,' author Ben Shaberman's gentle sense of humor sheds light on what it means to go meatless.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- For young adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, coping with their illness is a life-long struggle. Today Starlight Children's Foundation and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation announced the unveiling of their redesigned Web site, UCandCrohns.org, originally designed in 2006 to help young IBD patients cope with their condition.

PALO ALTO, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Virtual Law Partners LLP (VLP) has announced that David Lawson, Janyce Mitchell, David Roise, and Stephen Sullivan have joined the firm as Partners. 'VLP's newest partners further expand the firm's practice in Commercial Lending and Intellectual Property. VLP is strengthening as well as broadening our range of legal representation for corporate clients,' said RoseAnn Rotandaro, VLP's President and Co-Founder.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Advantage Trim & Lumber Company today announced that, due to recent inquiries from customers, composite decking supplies and materials will not be distributed or sold at any of our locations. While composite decking remains popular due to its low cost, we are of the opinion that using composite materials for decks is a hazard to the public.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Pursol Solar Systems today announces the signing of an agreement with the Fort Peck Indian Tribes of Poplar, Montana for the development of its solar manufacturing plant in its Reservation. The agreements would create 350 jobs for the local community. Expected gross revenue from the solar manufacturing plant will exceed $200 M annually and will provide a boost to the local economy. At full capacity, the plant will generate 100 MW of solar panels providing much needed supply to the Pursol Solar team.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Argentech, Inc. today announced that it reached agreement with Invision International Health Solutions, Inc., to purchase the rights to Opti-Silver, a patented antibacterial and antiviral technology that utilizes ionic silver in a unique complex for optimal delivery in the human body. The complex was granted broad patent protection in the U.S. and, recently, in Mexico as well. It also has patent protection overseas.

MONTEREY, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Charles Fishel, Chairman of Abundant Biofuels Corporation, noted that 'There are about 100 biodiesel refineries operating below capacity and another 47 idle refineries in the United States, alone.' To help solve this problem, Abundant Biofuels provides standardized long-term contracts (5- or 10-years) in multiples of 50,000 barrels (2,100,000 gallons) of jatropha oil. Financing is available.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Ski Dazzle® Ski & Snowboard Shows announce their National Show Dates for Fall, 2009: Los Angeles: Los Angeles Convention Center - October 29, 30, 31 and November 1. Chicago: Donald E Stephens Convention Center - November 6, 7 and 8. Bay Area: San Jose Convention Center - November 13, 14, 15. Sacramento: Cal Expo Fairgrounds - November 21 and 22.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Nearly 20 years after leaving cult band The Lemonheads to return to college and 'try to become a grown up,' co-founder and certified grown up Ben Deily has come full circle: his new band Varsity Drag makes their New York City debut this Thursday at the Bowery Ballroom, sharing the bill with old friend Evan Dando and The Lemonheads.

HOUSTON, Texas (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- From ashes to diamonds: Algordanza, a Switzerland-based company, memorializes deceased loved ones through the creation of innovative memorial diamonds. Algordanza's memorial diamonds are the result of a finely-tuned process whereby the ashes or hair from a deceased loved one are turned into genuine human diamonds that will last forever.

LAFAYETTE, N.J. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Lion Technology, the nation's leader in regulatory compliance training, is presenting a unique four-day training series on the DOT, IATA, and IMDG regulations. On day one and two, Lion will cover the DOT rules during the 'Hazardous Materials Transportation Certification' workshop; day three will focus on 'Shipping Hazardous Materials by Air' - and day four will focus on 'Shipping Hazardous Materials by Vessel.'