Chris Wichtendahl publishes the Spontaneous Manifesto, a collection of all the short stories posted to his Spontaneous Fiction blog from June 2005 to January of this year.

From the description on Lulu.com:

"Murder, romance, horror and fantasy plus most any genre you can think of and some made up just for this book can be found between its covers.

Humanity falls, the universe ends and old gods breathe their last in this definitive collection of Spontaneous Fiction stories. This book is filled with tales of twisted heroism and terrible festering madness that will dare to challenge every last one of your preconceived notions about how the universe really works. Well, maybe not that last bit.

The Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University today released its latest issue of Drucker Apps, a downloadable collection of useful insights on work and life from the world's foremost expert on organizations and ef 558 fectiveness, Peter F. Drucker.

Published twice a month, Drucker Apps ties the timeless wisdom of one of the great thinkers and writers of the 20th century to the hottest issues of today, all delivered by the latest in 21st-century technology.

This installment of Drucker Apps springs off the fact that the owners of the Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Minneapolis Star-Tribune have filed for bankruptcy, and Denver's Rocky Mountain News has gone under. Taken together, they are a case study in what happens when, as Drucker put it, "The assumptions on which the company has been built and is being run no longer fit reality."

Canary Resources Inc. (OTCPK: CYRR) announced today that it has launched its drilling program for coal bed methane in the Eastern Forest City Basin of Kansas and Missouri. The natural gas and oil company has nine wells, which are presently shut-in pending pipeline connection. Initial indications are positive: all of these wells have good gas shows and are expected to be commercially productive.

“Based on the encouraging results we have received from our test wells, Canary will now expand its drilling program. We expect to drill up to 20 wells a month on leases we own in the Eastern Forest City Basin,” commented William Chandler, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Canary Resources Inc. “We are also close to finalizing plans for pipeline access, and expect to have wells on production as soon as we are able to hook up.”

Global Security Associates has appointed Victor Anderes as vice president overseeing the company’s new business expansion into emergency response planning services. Anderes will be responsible for developing programs to meet the needs of businesses and industry in advance of natural and man-made disasters. “Victor brings years of experience to Global as we formalize new service offerings from our company. These programs were developed out of our extensive emergency preparedness training for companies located in the Gulf region of the U.S. during the last year’s devastating hurricane season,” states Will McGuire, president and CEO of the Mineola-based company.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) commends the House of Representatives for passing the Senior Independence Act (H.R. 5293) without dissent. The legislation would reauthorize and strengthen services offered under the Older Americans Act, the chief federal law governing the organization and delivery of a number of social services for older Americans.

Passage of the bill represents important progress toward achieving the number one priority of the once-per-decade White House Conference on Aging - reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. The final report from the conference is expected in July.

Insulated Concrete Walls Inc. (ICW) announced today that it has officially launched its new Franchising Program. The Company plans to sell its professional installation model for the installation of insulated concrete forms (ICF), throughout the nation. A newly created company, ICW Franchising LLC, will host the new franchising business as an operating division of the parent company ICF Solutions, Inc.

"The impressive growth of insulated concrete form construction continues even in light of the current economic situation, and the need for quality ICF installers has never been greater", says Jeff Alexander - President. "ICW has become widely recognized as an industry leader, therefore we think it's a great time to offer our operating model and brand name to interested building professionals. ICF construction has been around for some time now, and most contractors would agree if they have had any issues building with ICF's it's been due to the installer rather than the forming system used", continues Alexander.

Hoodia4Weightloss, a company that features hoodia gordonii cactus extract in its weight loss pill products, announces a pre-summer special just in time to shed those stubborn pounds before the swimsuit season approaches.

The special offer, good through Memorial Day weekend, includes a free diet plan brochure and a free bottle of hoodia gordonii Super Slim 400 capsules with the purchase of two bottles. Customers who follow the diet plan for 30 days are guaranteed to shed pounds, or a full refund will be issued.

VideoGamesBox.com (http://www.VideoGamesBox.com) announces major discounts and mega savings on game consoles, hardware and accessories for eToys, Circuit City, MadCatzStore.com, Buy.com and more. At VideoGamesBox.com, shoppers are finding ways to save and stock up on huge selections of toys for online retailers such as eToys.com. At VideoGamesBox.com visitors are constantly being introduced to deals, promotions, discounts and free shipping coupons.

VideoGamesBox.com (VideoGamesBox.com) is also offering special discounts for MadCatzStore.com. MadCatzstore.com has been the world's leading maker of video game accessories and one of the most recognized names in the video game industry. “We offer every type of accessory for every major game console out there, including the renowned GameShark line of game enhancement products,” states a MatCatzStore.com representative. They are currently offering an exciting selection of NFL, NBA, Batman Begins, Fantastic Four, and iPod accessories. Since their grand opening in 2003, MadCatzStore.com is still the only online store where shoppers can choose from a huge selection of over 250 video game accessories.

Newly licensed hypnosis/NLP institute teaches students everything from how to be a hypnotist to controlling diabetes with hypnosis.

"Our students often change their lives in wonderful ways while learning how to help other people change theirs." said Devin Hastings, president of the Minnesota Institute of Advanced Communication Skills (MIACS).

MIACS offers classes ranging from hypnosis and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) certification to using hypnosis and NLP for sales improvement and better diabetes control.

The Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside is undergoing more than a renovation; they are in the midst of a reinvention.

The process of transforming this full-service hotel is in full swing with phase one of the hotel's "reinvention" well under way. The guest rooms, which are slated for completion by March 31, 2008, will feature everything from hip décor and luxurious bedding to ultra high-tech, brand new plug-in technology.

Guestrooms and hotel suites in Vancouver, BC, offering a seamless blending of fashion and whimsical design will only be enhanced by distinctive local touches. New lush bedding includes: 300 thread count sheets, fresh duvet covers, deluxe mattresses with more pillows and chic, oversized artistic headboards. Other guestroom amenities include flat panel high definition LCD TVs, sleek sofa chaise lounges with accent pillows, dresser/desk combinations, sophisticated new bathroom lighting and luxury branded bath amenities.

Learning By Grace, Inc. (LBG) (www.LearningByGrace.org) has entered into a partnership with I Support Learning, L.L.C. (ISL) (www.ISupportLearning.com). The agreement brings ISL's unique story-based software to the many national and international K-12 grade homeschool students who use LBG's online learning systems.

The joint venture, the first in the nation, gives LBG homeschoolers a revolutionary learning tool that uses homeschool students' passions and interests to create relevant real world experiences. The "Video Game Development" software is designed to use core subjects like math, language and science to create video games, which students can then share and play with friends and family.

Americans willing to pay for a personal information protection insurance plan expect to pay $88 annually, according to graduate student researchers at Boston University. The researchers link the publics rising concerns over information security to increased media coverage of identity theft and recent security breaches at national data centers.

Experts estimate that $53 billion is lost annually to identity theft," says student researcher Joshua Storch. Our goal was to see if consumers realize the risk this poses to them. From our survey, its clear they do."

Stephen Hawley Martin, the author of the widely-discussed new book on the Salem witch hunt called “A Witch in the Family,” says that things haven’t changed much in 300 years. Even though people everywhere have access to the scientific knowledge of the twenty-first century, individuals and groups from Islamic jihadists to Christian evangelists still point fingers and accuse others of being in league with Satan.

“Perhaps the most dangerous people known to man are those who think they have the inside track on God’s will. Throughout the centuries, from the Spanish Inquisition, to the Salem witch hunt, to Islamic fanatics ramming jets into the World Trade Center, to Hezbollah firing Iranian rockets into Israel, they have been responsible for torturing and killing countless people,” he said.

On 23 July 2007, Absa Bank announced its corporate sponsorship of the THRASS (Teaching Handwriting Reading And Spelling Skills) phonics programme through the THRASS Absa TalkTogether Literacy Project. This programme has already been launched with three primary schools - Roseneath Primary School in association with the University of the Witswatersrand in Johannesburg, Sunlands Primary School in association with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town and Eendracht Primary School in association with the University of Pretoria.

Online Fashion/Style Magazine and Shopping Portal, Grechen's Closet (http://www.grechenscloset.com), is kicking off the summer with a month dedicated to earth-friendly fashion, featuring Real-Life Reviews of clothing and accessories by top eco-friendly designers like Doie, Lizzie Parker, Eco'ganik, Stewart + Brown, new earth-friendly boutiques and designers, and money-saving coupon codes exclusively for GrechensCloset.com from the hottest online eco-boutiques.

"Being eco-chic is about making small changes everyday," says Grechen Cohen, CEO of Grechen's Closet LLC, "and recognizing that what we consume has an impact on our environment and the people around us. My goal is to encourage fashionistas to consider organic and sustainable alternatives when shopping, which is actually quite easy now, with so many new designers producing on-trend & super-stylish organic cotton and bamboo lines."

Graduation day on Parris Island is a day of great pride for hundreds of families. The festivities start with Family Day on Thursdays and the actual graduation is on Friday in a formal ceremony and parade. This ritual takes place almost every week on Parris Island and is rite of passage for theses brave recruits in becoming Marines. The ceremonies are open to the public and definitely an event that is as moving as it is beautiful. Parris Island is tucked in between picturesque Hilton Head Island, and Beaufort, South Carolina offering views of the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway. The grounds are dotted with towering oaks and Spanish moss with plenty of open space for training drills.

Just think how well received your gift will be this year. Mom gets a break from planning, shopping and cooking meals for a week or more, your choice. Or perhaps you want to give cooking lessons as a gift to that special woman in your life. Gift Certificates are available in any amount. Create your own unique personal chef gift for Mothers Day with the help of Chef Lia Soscia.

Summer is approaching and everyone wants to eat healthier and lose weight. Chef Lia can help plan your meals according to your specific fitness goals. A complete service is offered including food shopping, preparation, packaging and cleanup.

Morrissey Goodale LLC regularly sends merger and acquisition announcements in the AEC industry to those who have signed up via our website, www.morrisseygoodale.com. This week's M&A Update included our report on industry consolidation for the first three quarters of the year, which is reproduced below.

Summary

While still slightly ahead of last year's pace, industry consolidation slowed considerably in the second and third quarters of 2008. Domestic US activity saw a significant drop, and we expect full-year activity globally and domestically to lag behind that of 2007.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that an average of 1 in 150 children in the U.S. have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which includes autism, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Data from Canada demonstrates a 1 in 200 rate for ASD's according to a workshop white paper sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the National Alliance for Autism Research. ASD's have increased dramatically in both countries in the last ten years according to government research. AutismOne & Autism Canada are proud to present the first ever-joint AutismOne/Autism Canada 2009 Conference in Toronto. Conference organizers are delighted to bring the message of hope and healing to all that attend.

Premium women's fitness brand elements™ has announced the launch of elements living (www.elementsliving.tv), a full-scale online magazine and media site dedicated to offering diet, fitness, and healthy lifestyle advice consistent with the brand's upscale, South Beach image.

"elements™ was created to be more than simply another workout club, we are a total lifestyle, commented Christopher Palumbo, development director for the fast-growing brand. "The initial step of our development was the club network, now with over 25 sites under development in key world markets, we began our second phase, the online media site. elementsliving will continue to evolve to include more innovative content, podcasting, and retail lines."