FRA welcomes Forestry Investment Program positivity

Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burkino Faso have all given insights into their intended responses to the Forest Investment Program (FIP), claims FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, May 03, 2012 - Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burkino Faso have all given insights into their intended responses to the Forest Investment Program (FIP), claims Forestry Research Associated (FRA).

The research and analysis group said that reports from allafrica.com show that representatives from each of the three African nations have pledged to continue their support for the REDD+ scheme in exchange for funding under the FIP.

Speaking at the annual FIP pilot scheme meeting in Brazil, Burkino Faso’s officials said that the country maintains a strong political affiliation and support to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). The country also pledged to improve synergies between the REDD+ work and other industries, such as agriculture and environment. It wants to invest in private sector forestry.

Meanwhile, both Ghana and Burkino Faso mentioned that they were finding management of stakeholders' expectation a challenge.

The DRC said that it has made some headway in keeping track of investments under the scheme, through the launch of an online National REDD+ Projects register, which monitors the projects that are receiving the funding. However, it added that the private sector is still sceptical due to high taxes and complexities.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, said, “We support the REDD+ program and are pleased to see that developing nations are still being rewarded for protecting their forestry industries for generations to come.”

FRA believes that schemes like the FIP and carbon trading programs help communities living in developing nations to realize and benefit from the value of standing forests. “This helps to reduce the reliance on non-sustainable forestry practices and underlines the benefits of managed forestry,” added Mr Collins.

Investors all over the world can do their bit to promote sustainable forestry and managed forestry by investing in plantation projects like those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil.

Contact:

Peter Collins

Forestry Research Associates

620 Vineyard Lane

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

(206) 316 8394

info@forestry-research.com

http://www.forestry-research.com

Kasasa Changes The Face of Local Banking in Macon

BankFirst Financial Introduces Kasasa, a Striking Alternative to the Mega Bank Rollercoaster

Macon, Mississippi, May 03, 2012 - BankFirst Financial asks consumers, “Do you Kasasa?” as it becomes the first financial institution in Mississippi to launch the country’s most innovative financial products.

Kasasa® is a new brand of free checking and savings accounts that rewards consumers for using their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or digital downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com. These accounts, combined with the personal service that only community financial institutions can deliver, are offering residents a better checking account option than the megabank experience.

“Consumers deserve to wake up to happier days of banking and leave behind the nightmare of megabank fees and mistreatment. We are pleased to be the first in Columbus to offer these unique products” said Gray Flora, EVP of BankFirst Financial Services. “Kasasa delivers what research shows people really want but believe they can’t have—great financial products with the personal service of a community based financial institution.”

BankFirst Financial is offering Three Kasasa financial products, including Kasasa Cash™, Kasasa Saver™ and Kasasa Tunes™. All Kasasa products are free, reward-based accounts, with no minimum balance to get the rewards, no monthly service fee, online banking and nationwide ATM fee refunds.

Kasasa Cash™- A free checking account that yields high interest for every month the account holder qualifies.

Kasasa Saver™- A free, high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account when the account holders qualify. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

Kasasa Tunes™- A checking account that rewards consumers with digital downloads from iTunes® Amazon or Amazon.com when they qualify.

To receive the Kasasa account benefits, each monthly qualification cycle account holders are asked to do a few simple things (like, receive a monthly eStatement, use a debit card a minimum number of times, and have an electronic transaction such as direct deposit or ACH) post and clear their account. If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, BankFirst Financial will alert the individual, who will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

“Extensive research has shown us that consumers would prefer to do business with community financial institutions, but feel they would lose access to products,” continued Gray Flora. “Kasasa is opening people’s eyes to a new banking model where no sacrifices are necessary. It’s a win-win because account holders are rewarded with innovative products and personalized service.”

In 2009, Kasasa was piloted in six other markets across the U.S. In just the first two months of offering Kasasa, participating community financial institutions reported growth rates upwards of 150% on new account openings and 372% in deposits at institutions focused on deposit growth.

Kasasa is being introduced with an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. It comes to life through a fresh mix of eye-popping advertising, the likes of which exceed the typical megabank’s high-budget programs. The ads feature America’s top slam poets www.kasasa.com/news-and-media/advertising riffing lyrical threads around the theme of “Do you Kasasa?”

Kasasa is distributed to BankFirst Financial from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit www.bankfirstfs.com or www.kasasa.com/BankFirstFS.

Do you Kasasa?

Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by rewarding them for ussing their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® or Amazon.com downloads. Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit www.kasasa.com.

Contact:

Katie Weathers

CSG PR

3225 East 2nd Avenue

Denver, CO 80206

(404) 791-8245

kweathers@csg-pr.com

http://www.csg-pr.com

Luxury Travel to Surprise Travelers by Exotic Vietnam Three Week Tour

Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) to launch an exciting Vietnam tour in three weeks to beautiful places of Hanoi – Sapa Topas Ecolodge – Bai Tu Long Bay –Cat Ba Island – Hai Phong – Thai Binh – Ninh Binh – Hue Pilgrimage Village- Hoi An – Dalat – Nam Cat Tien – HCM City.

Hanoi, Vietnam, May 02, 2012 - Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) to launch an exciting Vietnam tour in three weeks to beautiful places of Hanoi – Sapa Topas Ecolodge – Bai Tu Long Bay –Cat Ba Island – Hai Phong – Thai Binh – Ninh Binh – Hue Pilgrimage Village- Hoi An – Dalat – Nam Cat Tien – HCM City.

Vietnam is an exotic destination, appeals with authentic interactions in an unspoilt environment for discerning travelers who want “off the beaten path” experiences, efficiency, seamless travel, value for money and a return on personal values. It is these qualities that lead many to opt for longer trips to exotic places, which offer a slice of local culture, a splash of adventure, and authentic experiences.

This tour absolutement is for people who seek personal challenges and new experiences, and who want to meet real people in a beautiful and unique environment.

In North Vietnam, traveler’s base will be Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. Visit Duong Lam ancient village, is a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta.

Take an overnight train to Sapa near the Chinese border. You’ll put on their walking shoes for a hike through lush valleys and rice fields before an overnight stay in an eco-lodge on the foot of Fansipan Mountain.

“You will continue your trip with a relaxing cruise on a deluxe junk in gorgeous Halong Bay, a perfect conclusion to an unforgettable journey. You will discover Bai Tu Long Bay and its remote limestone islands, many of which feature dramatic sea caves and sheltered, pristine beaches that can only be reached by kayak” said Hung Nguyen, sales and marketing manager

Next, traveler will head to Central Vietnam to the old imperial capital, Hue and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An, where traveler will whet your appetite with a cooking class and fishing with the locals. You will also be able to indulge in stopping off at local villages and cycling quiet back roads.

Fly Danang to French Hill Resort Dalat and travelers drive down to HCM City former Saigon. Travelers will discover Nam Cat Tien National Park and the National Biosphere, as they encounter wildlife in both Nam Cat Tien and Con Gio.

“This exciting three week trip allows you to discover the exotic places of the country, from North to South Vietnam, and stay in new and trendy hotels and resorts. Trek and cycle through ethnic minority villages in Vietnam’s remote northern highlands. Sea kayak among towering limestone karsts and explore hidden lagoons in magical Halong Bay and off the beaten track Bai Tu Long Bay, farming and Fishing in Hoian, boat trip Cu Lao Cham island, animal watching in Nam Cat Tien are on this tour. Luxuriate in diverse lodgings. This trip emphasizes the scenic and natural beauty of Vietnam, minimizing your time in big cities, yet balancing authenticity with luxury accommodations and service.” Said Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.

Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is a long established specialist in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel is excellent in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences to fulfill the most sophisticated traveler’s expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd won numerous travel awards for excellent performance including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator.

For booking, visit http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com/EN/Vietnam_tours/Culturetours/Exotic_Vietnam_in_3_weeks.htm

Contact:

David Nguyen

Luxury Travel Ltd

05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,

Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444

Vietnam

84439274120

marketing@luxurytravelvietnam.com

http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com

FRA welcomes Timber investment article from Pictet-Timber head

FRA is welcoming an article by Pictet-Timber fund co-manager Gabriel Micheli in Investment Week, giving tips to anyone considering investing in timber.

Bainbridge Island, WA, May 02, 2012 - Forestry Research Associates (FRA) is welcoming an article by Pictet-Timber fund co-manager Gabriel Micheli in Investment Week, giving tips to anyone considering investing in timber.

Mr Micheli is keen to point out the potential returns that can come about as a result of opting for timber investments, which will be underpinned by real growing demand for timber products in emerging economies such as China and India.

He said that wise investors are “waking up” to the environmental “megatrends” in the market. These include the realisation that growing forests can provide communities with income as they provide potential for carbon trading arrangements. As a result of these arrangements, developing countries can make money from developed nations through carbon trading. This is possible because trees absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the air and therefore provide one of the most cost-effective means of reducing carbon emissions.

Mr Micheli added that investors are regularly seeing their returns from timber investment exceeding returns on stocks and shares investments. He points out that between 1990 and 2011 the NCREIF Timberland index returned 10.7 per cent each year. He claims that this shows that timber has a “key role” to play in any portfolio that is diversified against risk.

He claims that the demand for timber is coming from the nations that are desperate to get their hands on raw materials to continue their housing and infrastructure developments. At the same time, supply is not keeping up with the pace, which will drive prices up.

“Along with Mr Micheli, we are confident that timber prices will rise along with demand in the coming few years,” stated Peter Collins, the analysis partner at FRA, a research and analysis consultancy specialising in forestry investment.

He added, “Investing in sustainable timber growth, through firms such as Greenwood Management and Pictet-timber fund can provide careful investors with the chance to make a health return form an ethical investment –something that is not that easy to come by.”

Contact:

Peter Collins

Forestry Research Associates

620 Vineyard Lane

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

(206) 316 8394

info@forestry-research.com

http://www.forestry-research.com

ABA Basketball Tryouts for Palmetto State Young Rizers

The Palmetto State Young Rizers are Looking for Ballers

Columbia, SC, May 02, 2012 - The Palmetto State Young Rizers announced today that they are having their first ever ABA Basketball tryouts on June 30th- July 1st and additional tryouts on July 28-30th. The Palmetto State Young Rizers is a professional ABA Basketball Team that is seeking hot new talent. Tryouts are being held at: 920 Beatty Road Columbia SC 29210 (Denny Terrace) we will start at 8:00AM- 11:00AM July 1st 1:00- 4:00PM. There is a sign-up fee of $100.00 for early entree $125.00 at the door, money orders or checks should be made out to John Devin Lee or Nikia Knox-Lee (Cash at the door) Payments can also be mailed to: 630 Hempstead ct Virginia Beach VA 23451.

Palmetto State Young Rizers tryouts are for male basketball players with college experience or above or equivalent and does not conflict with remaining college eligibility a player wants to utilize. At each ABA tryout players will be tested and drilled on their skills, professionalism and experience in playing basketball. Playing for the Palmetto State Young Rizers can become the best way to compete at a high level during spring into summer, stay in shape, advance your skills and increase your professional possibilities with a professional minor league basketball team. Players play in the ABA for exposure, video, stats and getting in shape.

The Palmetto State Young Rizers are a newly formed ABA expansion team straight from the heart of Columbia, South Carolina. The team is looking for basketball players to fill out their roster as they make their move to a new season. "We need a whole squad and that includes everything from Centers to Point Guards." replied team owner Devin Lee. Columbia is a new market with incredible benefits, fans from all across the state will be watching out for the "Palmetto State Young Rizers."

To sign up for tryouts or for more information about The Palmetto State Young Rizers please contact CEO John Devin Lee or Nikia Knox-Lee or at: pstateyrizers ( @ ) gmail dot com dot Slots will be filling up fast so you don't want to miss out of this opportunity of a lifetime dot Prospective players will be provided with tryout date information and player details dot Come Join this new Basketball Revolution and be a part of history, let's see if you have what it takes to play like a pro dot

Contact:

John Lee, co-owner

Pstateyrizers@gmail.com

757 589 0467

Nikia Knox-Lee

757 589 0776

About ABA Basketball:

The original ABA was founded in 1967, competing with the well-established National Basketball Association, until the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. According to The NBA Encyclopedia, its long-term goal was to force a merger with the more established league. ABA officials told potential owners that they could get an ABA team for half of what it cost to get an NBA expansion team at the time. When the merger occurred, ABA officials said, their investment would more than double. Now the ABA has official basketball teams throughout the nation and is a commonly recognizable brand.

Contact:

Darnell Clark

Image Makers Media Group, LLC

646 Antone Street

Atlanta, GA 30318

412-353-9240

DClark@imagemakersmedia.com

http://www.imagemakersmedia.com

Incite Creative to Design Center for Vein Restoration’s Patient Information Materials

Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), with 18 clinics in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Michigan, is a rapidly growing group of clinics in venous insufficiency, the medical condition behind varicose veins and spider veins.

Baltimore, MD, May 02, 2012 - Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), with 18 clinics in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Michigan, is a rapidly growing group of clinics in venous insufficiency, the medical condition behind varicose veins and spider veins. As the company continues to thrive, it has been seeking ways to improve the communication of its services to its patients. As a result, CVR reached out to Incite Creative to help expand its offering of patient information materials.

It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of all adults in the US are affected by venous insufficiency, with conditions ranging from embarrassing looking veins to severely curtailed mobility due to pain, fatigue, ulcers, and more. CVR hired Incite Creative to design new patient brochures and handbooks -- building on CVR’s successful web and print advertising campaign -- to better educate patients and their families on treatment options as well as help to continue the building of Center for Vein Restoration’s brand.

As a leading marketing and graphic design firm to the medical industry, Incite Creative is an excellent fit for CVR on its latest project. Incite’s president, Dina Wasmer has over 20 years experience creating marketing and branding programs for the healthcare industry. Prior to founding Incite in 1999, Dina led the publications department at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (now the Bloomberg School of Public Health). Since that time, Incite has specialized in providing marketing, branding, and creative services to a wide range of healthcare/medical institutions, companies, and nonprofits.

"Being selected to work with the Center for Vein Restoration is a testament to our depth of healthcare/medical experience, and we're excited about this new collaboration. CVR will bring comfort and confidence to people who've been searching for a solution to their varicose and spider vein issues, and my team and I welcome the opportunity to help CVR reach those in need of their services," said Dina Wasmer.

For more information about Center for Vein Restoration and the services they provide to help aid people suffering from venous insufficiency, go to: www.centerforvein.com.

About Incite Creative (www.incitecreativeinc.com)

Now in its twelfth year in business, Incite Creative is a marketing and graphic design firm that specializes in strategic positioning, brand development and creative implementation services for Mid-Atlantic, small-to-mid-sized healthcare/medical companies and organizations, as well as other industries, that have regional, national and international reach. For more information, log onto http://www.incitecreativeinc.com or contact Dina Wasmer at 410-366-9479 ext. 2# or dina@incitecreativeinc.com.

Contact:

Dina Wasmer

Incite Creative, Inc

1501 St. Paul Street, Suite 113

Baltimore MD, 21202

410-366-9479

dina@incitecreativeinc.com

http://www.incitecreativeinc.com