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7-30-08 IQAir to Provide U.S. Athletes With Ultra-High Efficiency Air Cleaning at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- IQAir announced today they are providing the U. S. Olympic Committee (USOC) with ultra-high efficiency air cleaning for USA athletes at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to help create the optimum performance environment. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080729/LATU099) "We are very proud to be able to support the performance efforts of the USOC in Beijing," says Frank Hammes, President of IQAir. "The USOC is always looking for new and innovative ways to assist their athletes. This project will be the first time ultra-high efficiency air cleaning is used on a large scale to provide performance enhancement at an athletic event." In November of 2007, a team of IQAir experts and the USOC traveled to Beijing to examine indoor spaces that would be used by USA athletes. "Our goal is to ensure that we do everything possible to provide the very best training and performance advantages we can for our athletes," says Margaret Hunt, medical director for the USOC." We feel that while all athletes will appreciate our efforts with IQAir, athletes with asthma will especially benefit." The project, dubbed "Operation Clean Air," will utilize IQAir's HealthPro Series room air purifiers in athletes' bedrooms. For large training areas, IQAir has designed special facility-sized portable and installed air cleaning systems. IQAir will also be adding ultra high efficiency filtration to the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) systems in buildings. The air cleaning systems are tested and certified to filter ultra-fine particles down to 0.003 microns, smaller than the smallest virus. They are based on technology IQAir uses in hospitals around the world to filter particles as small as the SARS virus, MRSA, and tuberculosis. In addition to eliminating ultra-fine particles, IQAir's systems will also provide comprehensive gas and chemical filtration. "All large cities suffer from a wide range of gaseous pollutants. These are byproducts of traffic, manufacturing, industry, and other sources," says Hammes." Gases and chemicals require a different type of filtration than particulates. And while most consumer products do not address this important aspect of air cleaning, IQAir systems contain the most advanced gas-phase filtration available." IQAir's air cleaning systems are currently being stored in Beijing for installation and placement for the USOC later this month. IQAir North America, Inc. is a member of the Swiss-based IQAir Group which has over 45 years experience in the design and manufacturing of ultra-high efficiency air purification systems. IQAir offers clean air solutions for a wide range of applications, from commercial air cleaning systems for hospitals and other critical environments to products for homes, offices, and hotels. IQAir is the American Lung Association's exclusive educational partner from the air purifier industry. IQAir products have earned the Best Buy recommendations of Consumers Digest, Consumers Guide, Reviewboard Magazine, Consumer Search, as well as the top recommendation of the prestigious German government product testing organization, Stiftung Warentest. 7-29-08 DIY Event Attracts Stylish Young Sewers Chicago style party sponsored by Baby Lock, DIYStyle ST. LOUIS – 215 pairs of panties, 160 eco-totes, 130 distressed denim patches and 145 t-shirt creations were all hand made at the inaugural DIYStyle Party in Chicago on July 10. Hosted by Baby Lock and DIYStyle.net, young sewers stitched, hemmed and serged alongside seasoned veterans to hone their sewing and design skills with rows and rows of brand new Baby Lock sewing machines. The event gathered fashionistas, sewers, up-and-coming designers and DIYers at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare for a full day of designing and sewing. $20 got each participant in the door and gave them access to Baby Lock sewing machines and sergers, as well as piles of colorful fabric, numerous tools and supplies, and the assistance of friendly volunteers from the American Sewing Guild. "This event was a lot of fun," she Holly Bueb, a young teacher who was one of 200 participants at the DIYStyle Party. "When you think about it, sewing classes can cost a lot of money, but an event like this lets you practice sewing all day for only $20 and provides you with the tools you need to learn to do it yourself. And now you can sew again and again." The event included four fun “stitch stations” that offered patterns and inspiration for a variety of trendy projects. It also featured a fashion show that showcased independent Chicago designers. And DIYStyle stars Melissa Watson and Allyce King enjoyed the party the entire day, offering advice to young sewers and creating a few projects themselves. Also at the DIYStyle Party, Baby Lock debuted a new line of five sewing machines targeted at the next generation of sewers. Called the A-Line series, the machines are all named after famous style icons and offer features that cater to both beginning and intermediate sewers. To stay tuned for similar events or to check out the A-Line series, visit www.totallystitchin.net or www.diystyle.net . About Baby Lock About DIYStyle 7-13-08 IRS INCREASES MILEAGE DEDUCTION RATE BY 16% DUE TO GAS PRICES The IRS in June offered slight relief to the record gas prices faced by taxpayers. Effective in July through the rest of the year, the optional standard mileage rate is 58.5 cents, up from 50.5 cents in the first half of the year. The increase came six months before the typical adjustment to the rate due to high gas prices, according to IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “Given the increase in prices, the IRS is adjusting the standard mileage rates to better reflect the real cost of operating an automobile,” he said. “We want the reimbursement rate to be fair to taxpayers.” The optional business standard mileage rate is used to compute the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business use in lieu of tracking actual costs. The rate is also used as a benchmark by many businesses and the federal government to reimburse employees for mileage. The new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase by 8 cents to 27 cents a mile, up from 19 cents for the first six months of 2008. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations is set by statute, not the IRS, and remains at 14 cents a mile. The IRS noted that taxpayers have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. Since November, when the IRS announced the 2008 optional standard mileage rates, nationwide as prices have increased by more that 40%, from less than $2.85 a gallon to $4.06 in June, according to the American Automobile Association. While tax preparer H&R Block avoids taking positions on tax policy, the company’s chairmen, Richard Breeden urged U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to increase the mileage deduction rate. “We are suggesting this one-time acceleration in the normal deduction rate adjustment process in the hope that it is a practical and non-controversial step that would benefit all Americans impacted by the extraordinary price increases in recent months,” Breeden said in a letter to Paulson. In 2005, the IRS made a similar adjustment beginning in September due to high gas prices 7-14-08 French Dressing Jeans Finds a New Fit French Dressing Jeans, the iconic Montreal jean brand that built its reputation and business on a "Real Fit for Real Women" is poised for a major comeback this summer. FDJ Monde Inc, the former owner of the French Dressing Jeans brand, filed for bankruptcy protection in December. A group of three Montreal-based apparel industry players has acquired the iconic brand (for an undisclosed amount). The group, Noah Stern, President of Levy Canada Fashion Company, Groupe Corwik and one of its senior managers manage companies that have over $100 million in combined annual revenues, and has plans for an aggressive re-launch of the brand in Canada and the USA. The brand name will carry into the new company called FDJ French Dressing, Inc.". According to Noah Stern, the new CEO of FDJ French Dressing Inc., the partners plan to capitalize on the "very high levels of consumer brand recognition of and loyalty to the French Dressing brand" as well as the company's extensive distribution system which consists of well over 2,000 independent and specialty boutique retailers across Canada and the USA. Ayal Twik, Vice-President of Business Development at Groupe Corwik and now Vice-President of FDJ French Dressing Inc. Agrees, calling it an iconic brand in North America with an amazing reputation among both retailers and customers. After a Highly successful run from the 1970's through to only a few years ago, FDJ Monde Inc. Veered off course from its specialized focus on demin, to expand their product line into coordinated ladies sportswear. This misplaced strategy, combined with the struggling economy south of the border is what Len Miller, former President of FDJ Monde, attributed as the main reasons for his former company's recent financial struggles. Miller, who briefly left the company because of illness and a short-lived retirement, has been hired by the new partners as the president of FDJ French Dressing Inc. to continue to oversee the sales growth of the French Dressing brand in North America. His late uncle David Mindlin founded the predecessor to FDJ Monde Inc. In 1908, then known as the Keystone Overall & Pants Manufacturing Ltd. Miller and the partners are excited by the aggressive marketing campaign that will re-launch the brand in time for the Spring 2009 fashion season. The strategy will be planned and executed with the help of Glen Eisenberg, president of Precision, the Montreal marketing and communications firm. The consortium has earmarked a significant budget to marketing the core values of the French Dressing brand - what Stern calls "the company's four pillars of success: fit, quality, customer service and a commitment to the independent/specialty store market, with an "independents first" policy." In addition to fit and quality, servicing the independent specialty retailer is paramount to the success of the brand. The new marketing campaign will lend support to French Dressing's customer base by showcasing the quality of the fit, thereby introducing new customers to the brand and reminding its faithful fans that wearing French Dressing gives every woman a super silhouette that is slimming, comfortable and fashionable - says Twik, "we are not like all the other jean companies trying to convince today's woman that she should fit into junior jeans designed for 18 year old girls. Every day of related items designed with a REAL FIT for REAL WOMEN. This is synonymous with what French Dressing has built in the marketplace, and that's where we will continue to focus all our energies". 7-10-08 Pacific Sunwear Announces Additional $50 Million Common Stock Repurchase Authorization ANAHEIM, Calif., July 10, 2008 -- Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized the company to repurchase up to an additional $50 million of its common stock in the open market from time to time. During fiscal 2008, the company completed its previous stock repurchase authorization, having repurchased 5,023,910 shares at an average price of $10.05 per share, for approximately $50.5 million. As of July 5, 2008 there were 66,038,729 shares of Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. common stock outstanding. About Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. Pacific Sunwear is a leading lifestyle specialty retailer rooted in the youth culture and fashion vibe of Southern California. The Company sells casual apparel with a limited selection of accessories and footwear designed to meet the needs of teens and young adults. As of July 5, 2008, the company operated 816 PacSun stores and 122 PacSun Outlet stores for a total of 938 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico. PacSun's website address is www.pacsun.com. 7-1-08 Chicago Hems Up DIY Style Party Fashionistas, sewers and designers invited to daylong sew-in ST. LOUIS – There’s only one thing better than owning designer denim – creating it yourself. For an entire day, fashionistas, sewers, up-and-coming designers and DIYers are invited to the Hyatt Rosemont O’Hare for the Design It Yourself Style Party, an event that provides you with the tools you need to be a fashion designer for a day. The Style Party kicks off at noon on Thursday, July 10, and features design labs, stitch stations, live bands, a Project: Design fashion show featuring Chicago indie designers and a fall fashion forecast. Everyone is invited to participate regardless of sewing experience or ability. The event costs only $20 at the door – a steal for the opportunities included and the many projects you’ll take home at the end of the day. Grab your friends, arrive at noon, and stay until 8 p.m. to create your own hip fashions at four unique Design Labs. Options include Panty Raid, T-Shirt Surgery, The Green Bag and Denim Deconstruction, as well as a surprise project. Participants will be teamed up with a sewing buddy who can offer sewing tips, tricks and techniques for stitching the most stylish projects. Sewing gurus from the American Sewing Guild and DIY stars and twenty-somethings Allyce King and Melissa Watson of DIYStyle will be on hand to provide additional assistance and inspiration. “The DIY movement has developed a huge following among younger generations, and with the popularity of fashion and design reality television shows, sewing has made a comeback as well,” said Mary Polanc, advertising manager for Baby Lock. “This event is open to anyone, from professionals to amateurs, and we encourage participants to enjoy the full creative process – designing, creating and sewing included.“ The Style Party takes place at the Hyatt Rosemont O’Hare, located at 6350 N. River Rd., Rosemont, Ill. The event takes place from 12 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, and is presented by DIYStyle, a website and vodcast targeted toward a new generation of sewers, the American Sewing Guild, and TotallyStitchin.net by Baby Lock sewing machines. About Baby Lock About DIYStyle 6-4-08 HOST®/RACINE INDUSTRIES ADDS MANAGEMENT DEPTH RACINE, Wis. (June 3, 2008) - Racine Industries, a family business founded in 1935 by H.D. Rench, worked closely with the Bigelow Carpet Company to develop the first dry extraction carpet cleaning system in 1938. The successor to that pioneering work is the HOST Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System. Recently, with a refocus on depth of management, Racine Industries has appointed several new positions to its hardworking family of employees. Quin Rench, fourth son of H.D., has been elected chairman by the board of directors. The management structure will function as "office of the chairman." Fritz Rench, second son of H.D., began at the company in 1958 where he was the sales manager. Fritz left the company for medical reasons for 10 years, and has resumed his duties as the company's chief executive officer. In the final move, Geoff Rench, H.D.'s third son, has been appointed to chief operating officer where he will be responsible for the internal operations of the company which is vertically integrated. For 34 years, Racine Industries has been distributing its products on an international scope. Today, the company is active in 60 countries around the globe including a subsidiary in the United Kingdom. Since 1978, Racine Industries has offered the HOST School, a 5,800 square foot, state-of-the-art, training facility that offers one of the leading courses on carpet care in the industry. More than 22,750 industry professionals from all around the world have attended. HOST has achieved Green Seal® Certified status and has been tested as biobased by the For more information about the HOST System or the HOST School please call, (800) 558-9439 or visit www.hostdry.com. About Racine Industries Inc. VDTA/SDTA 2008 This year’s “ONE & ONLY” was one of the Best! |