Daily Art News

Friday, September 02, 2005

Governor Rendell Asks Museum Commission to Rescind Planned Entry Fee at Next Board Meeting; Fee Suspended Immediately Pending Board Action

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell wrote to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) today asking that commissioners rescind the planned admission fee for the State Museum in Harrisburg that is to be charged beginning next week. The Governor asked the commissioners to take the action at their next board meeting on Sept. 21.

"I am asking the commissioners to rescind their action to charge students and adults an admission charge," Governor Rendell said.

"The State Museum in Harrisburg is an outstanding treasure visited by tens of thousands of students from across the commonwealth each year," Governor Rendell said in his letter. "Right now no one has to pay to see first-hand the rich history and exhibits that lie within its walls, and we want to make sure that remains the case."

As a result of the Governor's request, Barbara Franco, PHMC executive director, said she was suspending the admission charge immediately pending final action by the full board. Admission to the museum will continue to be free of charge as it has been since its founding 100 years ago.

"As we have worked together, we have identified savings that can eliminate the need for the commission to impose a fee," Governor Rendell said. "That is positive news for the more than 150,000 children and adults who visit the museum each year."

"Governor Rendell was concerned about the impact of a fee on the many adults and children who regularly visit the museum, and he has asked the commission to review its decision and continue to offer free admission to anyone who wants to visit," Franco said.

Governor Rendell added that he will continue to work with the commission to address the fee issue in the future. He said he thought the matter could be adequately resolved through management efficiencies and productivity efforts and the budget in the coming year.

More than 150,000 people visit the state museum, Curiosity Connection and the Planetarium each year.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, located adjacent to the State Capitol in downtown Harrisburg, is one of 25 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History(R) administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Together, these state sites and museums tell the story of Pennsylvania and preserve the Commonwealth's shared heritage. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions, events and programs at the State Museum, click on http://www.statemuseumpa.org/.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

CONTACT: Amy Kelchner
(717) 783-1116

Jane Crawford (PHMC)
(717) 783-9882

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Amy Kelchner of Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116, or Jane Crawford of PHMC, +1-717-783-9882

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/
http://www.statemuseumpa.org/

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Stages of Learning Announces Partnerships With Nine NEW Public Schools for the Upcoming School Year

Selected as WNYC *STAR* Initiative Participant for September 2005

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Stages of Learning will begin partnerships with nine additional public schools in Fall 2005. In an effort to serve the children in the community where Stages of Learning is based, Stages of Learning will now be offered in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights. The goal of this effort is to reach students across a range of communities offering Stages of Learning programs at a reduced cost to those schools who cannot afford the full rate using existing ProjectARTS funds.

The public schools that will include Stages of Learning programming are PS 307 in Fort Greene; PS 262, JHS 258, and JHS 57 in Bedford-Stuyvesant; PS 131 and PS 169 in Sunset Park; MS 584 in Crown Heights; MS 256 in Manhattan; and the Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School in Croton-on-Hudson, NY.

Stages of Learning is a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing theatre learning experiences for children in grades three to seven through comprehensive partnerships with New York metropolitan area public schools. The company brings teaching actors into New York City public schools for up to 20 weeks each year. Working closely with classroom teachers, the children learn their regular curriculum through theatre.

Stages of Learning is committed to building long-term, comprehensive partnerships with public schools and will continue its programs at PS 145 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, PS 6 in Manhattan, and the Carrie E. Tompkins School in Croton-on-Hudson, NY.

Stages of Learning has been selected as a WNYC *STAR* (Salutes The Arts) Initiative participant beginning in September. The *STAR* Initiative is a free program that profiles small cultural nonprofit organizations in the New York Metropolitan area through on-air promotional announcements and free website support. Throughout the month of September, Stages of Learning will be recognized as a new *STAR* partner on the air and will be featured on the WNYC website at http://www.wnyc.org/events/star_participants.html.

For more information on Stages of Learning's programs and its partner schools, please visit http://www.stagesoflearning.org/ or call (718) 398-2494.

Source: Stages of Learning

CONTACT: Eve Orenstein of Stages of Learning, +1-718-398-2494 ext. 201,
eve@stagesoflearning.org

Web site: http://www.stagesoflearning.org/
http://www.wnyc.org/events/star_participants.html

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International 'Picture the World' Photo Contest: Everyone's Invited!

ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, September 2/PRNewswire/ -- Summary:

- Photographers from all cultures create an online photographic
map of the world

- Lots of prizes to be won in three categories: nature, culture,
people.

- Jury of well-known photography professionals.

The newly launched website www.woophy.com invites photography fans from
all over the world to submit their most beautiful digital photographs for its
'Picture the World Photo Competition'. Anyone who uploads a picture before
December 1st, 2005, will automatically take part in the contest. There are
prizes to be won in the categories nature, people and culture. Winning
pictures will be made public on the Woophy website.

Jury and prizes

An international jury of well-known photography professionals will select
the winning pictures from a shortlist created by visitors to the website
using the Woophy picture rating system. Chairman of the jury is former senior
vice president corporate communications KLM, and initiator of several
photographic events, Ron Wunderink. The prize-winning pictures will be part
of an exhibit and publication. Prizes that can be won are: a Hexachrome
museum quality print of the winning picture on canvas (50x70 cm / 20x28
inch); custom-made and personalized photo albums; copies of 'The earth from
above' by Yann Arthus-Bertrand; Woophy t-shirts and gadgets.

About Woophy

With this international photo competition, Woophy hopes to promote its
website among photographers world wide who will contribute to Woophy with
lots of beautiful images of our world. Woophy stands for WOrld Of
PHotographY, a website founded by a Dutch collective of photo aficionados and
internet designers who believe navigation on internet can be more visual,
logical and associative. The interface of the Woophy website is dominated by
a large world map which is entirely navigationable. Uploading pictures on
Woophy is free. With the help of (amateur) photographers across the world the
world map will ultimately be filled with images from just about any possible
corner of the world. Users upload their photos into a personal account
protected by a password or can download pictures in high quality for personal
use. User email addresses and passwords are not shared with any third parties
whatsoever.

More information: See www.woophy.com and www.woophy.com/press.html for
more details on the photo contest, the international jury, FAQ and contest
rules.

Source: WOrld Of PHotographY

For further questions contact: Joris van Hoytema, info@woophy.com, phone: +31(0)10-2417468, fax: +31(0)10-2417469

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Thursday, September 01, 2005

Now You Can Really Judge a Book by its Cover

LONDON, September 1/PRNewswire/ --

- The Folio Society Launches New Site Dedicated to Selling its Beautiful
Illustrated Books

Do you have a favourite book you wish you could keep and
treasure? Maybe it's a childhood favourite like Alice in Wonderland or Anne
of Green Gables? Or a much-loved novel, such as Travels with my Aunt or The
Woman in White?

Today, The Folio Society, Britain's leading publisher of fine
books, launches foliobooks (www.foliobooks.net). For the first time, you can
buy beautiful, illustrated, hardback books which, until now, have only been
available to members.

The site launches with a wide range of titles, embracing
humour, poetry, travel, art, music, myths and fairy tales, biography and
autobiography, children's books and fiction. It will generate a passion, not
only for good books, but for the best in illustration and production. 'Books
do furnish a room,' declared Revd Sydney Smith, and they should. Foliobooks
aims to make Britons proud of what their book collections look like, as well
as what is inside them.

The foliobooks site features 120 titles. At launch is a
ravishing new edition of The Wind in the Willows, with specially commissioned
illustrations by Charles van Sandwyk. This beautifully designed book is bound
in full cloth, has a decorated slipcase and is priced at GBP28.95 +pp.

Other well-known works available on foliobooks.net include:
Joseph Heller's Catch 22; Graham Greene's Brighton Rock; Joseph Conrad's
Heart of Darkness; Agatha Christie's Miss Marple; Umberto Eco's The Name of
the Rose, and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

There are many Folio fans in the arts, literature, politics,
culture and the media. The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang gave inspiration to
Alison Goldfrapp during the recording of her latest album. Recent
contributors to Folio's 'Castaway's Choice' venture - 'Which book would you
choose if you could only have one?' - included Joanna Trollope, Terence
Conran, Richard Curtis, Philip Pullman, P D James and Bill Bryson.

Folio books are produced to the highest standards, on special
makings of wood- and acid-free papers, so that they will last for
generations. The bindings range from traditional buckrams, to silks, cloth,
leather, and specially printed and marbled papers.

Every book is illustrated - non-fiction books with
contemporary paintings, prints or photographs, fiction by the best
illustrators.

Source: The Folio Society

Contact: Ken Hooper, ken.hooper@cherishpr.com, +44(0)208-996-9545 or Rebecca Oatley, Rebecca.oatley@cherishpr.com, +44(0)208-996-9543

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Author/Photographer Depicts His 'Time-Traveling' Son in Photo History for Kids - Offers Moral Lessons for Today

SEATTLE, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Author and photographer Michael S. Class has used digital composite photography to place his twelve year-old son, Anthony, in the cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis with Charles Lindbergh, on the moon with Neil Armstrong, and on Normandy beach on D-Day.

Father and son labored for nearly four years in their garage filled with props from an army surplus store; the garage walls were covered with blue bed sheets. The result: It looks like Anthony really did meet Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, FDR, Lou Gehrig, and Audie Murphy. The book, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame ($35) available at: www.MagicPictureFrame.com.

"I wanted to capture the interest of today's kids," says Class, "by turning American history into a grand time travel adventure." The book is recommended for young adults, Grade 6 to Grade 12.

The author says that the book's approach can help teachers. Anthony's conversations with the people of the past are based on things they really said, all properly sourced. The book includes recommendations for hundreds of books, movies, music, and places to visit. The Web site includes a final exam.

"The storyline is fictional, but the history is authentic," says Class.

"It was a challenge," says Class. "I had to go back to school to learn digital photography and compositing. But I was on a mission. After 9/11, children across America were looking for guidance." Class wondered: "What would the heroes of the past say to the children of today?"

The book answers that question: It teaches the moral lessons of American history, and prepares kids for the future.

"Every kid should read this book," says Anthony, the time-traveler. "My favorite chapter is when I go back in time to meet my great-grandfather at Ellis Island. I am with him the day he becomes an American." Personal family photographs were used in Anthony's favorite chapter.

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame ($35, www.MagicPictureFrame.com), is available at: www.MagicPictureFrame.com. The Web site displays some of the book's captivating photographs.

Source: Magic Picture Frame Studio

CONTACT: Michael S. Class of Magic Picture Frame Studio,
+1-425-222-7562, or class@MagicPictureFrame.com

Web site: http://www.magicpictureframe.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: The author and his son are available for interviews. Photographs and review copies are available.

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Ancient Animal Rights Tale Gets a Human Menagerie - Two Rabbis, a Kentucky Sufi, a Christian Editor, a Muslim Artist, a Saudi Arabian Princess

SEATTLE, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Two American Rabbis have translated and adapted an ancient Iraqi tale into what is believed to be the first English adaptation -- The Animals' Lawsuit Against Humanity. Rabbi Dan Bridge and Rabbi Anson Laytner put more action into the story, jazzed up the ending, and personified both the animals and the humans. The book grabbed the attention of a Kentucky Sufi Publisher, a Muslim artist and a Saudi Arabian princess.

"The animals are portrayed in this story as beings who can think and who are willing to work with humans, but the humans just won't to listen to them," says Rabbi Bridge. "How we treat animals has a direct impact on how we treat one another."

After years of searching for a publisher, Rabbi Laytner found Fons Vitae. Virginia Gray Henry, the Director of Fons Vitae, lives in Kentucky and is Sufi. Arabic was the original language of the ancient tale, and was later translated to Hebrew by a medieval Rabbi for a Christian King.

The two American Rabbis translated the tale from the Hebrew to its present form. The Kentucky publisher hired a Christian copy editor and found the illustrator, a Pakistani Muslim woman -- the artist Kulsum Begum. Begum's work in this book was financed by a Saudi Arabian princess who wishes to remain anonymous.

According to Rabbi Anson Laytner, "The book has an environmental twist, looking not just toward saving the relationship that we have with the animals that we live with, but the relationship we have with the environment -- the land and the earth we live on."

"From ancient Iraq to the 21st century, The Animals' Lawsuit Against Humanity is an incredible multi-faith collaboration -- a triumph for the collective human spirit," says Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University, "The cooperation of representatives from all the religions of the Abrahamic family ... is to be congratulated."

The Animals Lawsuit Against Humanity is available for $14.95 in select bookstores or online at www.fonsvitae.com or www.amazon.com.

Source: Xanthus Communications, LLC

CONTACT: Patricia Vaccarino, 206-979-3380, patricia@xanthuscom.com

Web site: http://www.xantuscom.com/
http://www.fonsvitae.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Rabbi Anson Laytner and Rabbi Dan Bridge are available for interview. Review copies available.

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La Galerie Pilardus présente la première exposition Rosalind Jewelry

CANNES, September 1/PRNewswire/ --

- Une collection néerlandaise de colliers dans une galerie réputée de
Cannes

Le 1er octobre 2005, la Galerie Pilardus inaugurera la première
exposition de bijoux de Rosalind Jewelry, dont la collection se compose de
colliers réalisés à la main. Les bijoux sont conçus et fabriqués par
l'ancienne patineuse artistique néerlandaise Rosalind Suurland-Labruyère.

L'exposition présente une partie de la collection de bijoux que Rosalind
réalise entièrement à la main, dans différentes sortes d'étoffes et de soies.
En plus des modèles exposés, Rosalind conçoit des bijoux spéciaux sur demande
pour des occasions particulières, comme des galas.

Rosalind Suurland-Labruyère est une Néerlandaise avec des ancêtres
français. Elle a mené une carrière aux Pays-Bas dans le monde du patinage
artistique en couple. Il y a deux ans, Rosalind a raccroché ses patins et
s'est orientée vers la réalisation de bijoux. Elle et son mari habitent une
bonne partie de l'année sur la Côte d'Azur, "le plus bel endroit au monde"
selon eux.

Rosalind considère comme un honneur de pouvoir exposer dans la galerie
Pilardus. Il s'agit de la galerie de Thérèse Steinmetz, connue pour ses
peintures assez exotiques. Rosalind a déclaré : "Je suis heureuse que Thérèse
soit si enthousiasmée par ma collection. Sa galerie Pilardus est un lieu
unique qui convient à l'élégance et à l'éclat de Rosalind Jewelry."

A propos de l'exposition de Rosalind Jewelry

Le site Web www.rosalind-jewelry.com permet de se faire une première
opinion de la collection de Rosalind Jewelry. L'exposition se tiendra du 1er
octobre jusqu'à la fin de l'année 2005, dans la Galerie Pilardus, 24 rue
Macé, au coin de La Croisette.

Note à l'intention de la rédaction

Ce communiqué de presse est publié par Rosalind Jewelry.

Source: Rosalind Jewelry

Pour de plus amples informations, vous pouvez contacter John Suurland au +31-40-22-15-001 ou au +31-40-22-18-111. Vous pouvez également envoyer un courrier électronique à l'adresse info@rosalind-jewelry.com.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Fraser Management Associates Donates Private Investment Books Collection

BURLINGTON, Vt., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Fraser Management Associates (FMA) has announced that James L. Fraser, CFA, founder of Fraser Publishing and FMA, is donating his collection of business and investment-related books and memorabilia to the Museum of American Financial History. This donation is being made possible through the generous assistance of the CFA Institute. This agreement ensures the information contained in Fraser's collection, which includes many out-of-print titles, will be available to both students and investors in the future.

Since the early 1960s, Fraser has been involved in investment counseling and the financial community. Throughout his career, he has been a student and advocate of the ideas within the "Theory of Contrary Opinion."

For the past 40 years, Fraser also has been an avid collector of financial, investment, independent thinking and trend texts that espouse these ideas. His collection of investment and financial-related books is arguably the largest private collection in the United States, and he also has a substantial collection of historic financial industry memorabilia.

"Jim and the Fraser Management team are very pleased that the Museum of American Financial History and the CFA Institute have agreed to work together to ensure that Jim's amazing collection of books will be available to students and those involved in the investment industry for many years to come," said Alex Seagle, FMA principal.

Through this partnership, the CFA Institute is helping the Museum of American Financial History receive and organize the books and memorabilia. The Museum, located in Manhattan's financial district, will house the collection, either creating exhibits with the materials or making them available to CFA Institute and libraries that are interested in the collection.

The Museum of American Financial History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is the nation's only independent public museum dedicated to the history of growth, opportunity and entrepreneurship in our democratic free market economy. The Museum serves members, visitors to its gallery and Web site, and program participants nationwide, with exhibits, events, publications and scholarly resources.

CFA Institute is the global, non-profit professional association that administers the Chartered Financial Analyst(R) curriculum and examination program worldwide and sets voluntary, ethics-based professional and performance-reporting standards for the investment industry. CFA Institute has more than 76,000 members in 119 countries. CFA Institute is headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., with additional offices in London and Hong Kong.

2005 Contrary Opinion Forum Date Set

On Oct. 17-19, 2005, Fraser Management will host the 43rd Annual Contrary Opinion Forum at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, Vt. During this three- day event, investment managers, economists and "contrary-minded" individuals from all over North America will gather in a collegial setting to discuss contrary ideas and opinions as they apply to the current market climate. The Forum includes keynote presentations, town hall programs and question-and- answer sessions. This year's speakers include Steve Leuthold, Laszlo Birinyi and Ned Davis. To learn more about the Annual Contrary Opinion Forum, call 802-658-0322 or visit http://www.fraser.com/ .

Founded in 1969, Fraser Management Associates is an employee-owned, independent investment management firm. Headquartered in Burlington, Vt., Fraser manages equity and fixed income portfolios for institutions and private clients, both directly and through financial intermediaries. Since its inception, Fraser Management has applied the "Theory of Contrary Opinion" to the investment management process, seeking out under-appreciated or misunderstood trends that will lead to investment success. For more information on FMA, call 802.658.0322 or visit http://www.fraser.com/ .

Contact Information:
Heather McLean Wiederhoeft
HMW Communications
281-455-3126
heather@hmwcommunications.com

Source: Fraser Management Associates

CONTACT: Heather McLean Wiederhoeft of HMW Communications,
+1-281-455-3126, or heather@hmwcommunications.com , for Fraser Management
Associates

Web site: http://www.fraser.com/

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OnRequest Images Expands North American Presence

Custom Stock Photography Company Opens New Offices to Meet Growing Demand for Custom Imagery

SEATTLE, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- OnRequest Images, the world's leading provider of custom imagery, has expanded its North American presence by increasing its New York staff and by opening a new office in San Francisco to serve its Fortune 2000 corporate customers based in the Bay Area. Notable staff additions include award-winning commercial photographer David Robin, who joins the New York office as a senior account executive.

"As a professional photographer, I have been fascinated to see how the industry is evolving to meet customer needs," said Robin. "With its Custom Stock model, OnRequest Images has unleashed the next industry revolution, harnessing custom photography to build brand value for corporations and creative value for agencies -- without compromising either timelines or budgets."

David Robin brings over 20 years of commercial photography and image sales and marketing experience to help New York's largest corporations build their brands by shooting all-original collections of fresh, brand-aligned imagery.

"Corporations are increasingly demanding custom photography to differentiate their brands and break through the marketing clutter," said OnRequest Images CEO David Norris. "OnRequest Images is excited to be hiring top talent across our six North American offices to continue to fuel our growth."

About OnRequest Images

With its Custom Stock(TM) photography services, OnRequest Images creates original photography using its global network of over 1,600 world-class photographers, enabling corporations and creative agencies to have fresh images shot to their specifications at rights-managed stock prices, in just two to three days. OnRequest Images' Custom Stock(TM) Libraries give corporations the ability to build their brand(s) with an all-original collection of fresh, brand-aligned imagery to support all of their marketing needs, for one flat fee for two years' unlimited use. OnRequest Images makes its complete production capability available to customers through its Custom Assignment TM Services, providing a more efficient, end-to-end commissioned photography solution. OnRequest Images is headquartered in Seattle with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver. For more information, call 877-202-5025 or visit www.OnRequestImages.com.

Source: OnRequest Images

CONTACT: Kristina Kolerich, Market Relations Director, of OnRequest
Images, +1-206-382-0192, or kristina.kolerich@OnRequestImages.com

Web site: http://www.onrequestimages.com/

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Innovative Theater Restoration Pays Off for College Box Office and Online Sales for Premiere Season Soar

GETTYSBURG, Pa., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA, owned by Gettysburg College and now undergoing a state-of-the- art $16 million restoration, announced today that ticket sales to the public at their box office and online are well beyond expectations. The historic restoration of the Majestic Theater began in March of this year and will be completed for the grand re-opening on the theater's 80th anniversary Nov. 14, 2005.

"Ticket sales are already 65% of the total annual budget for the entire year," commented Jeffrey Gabel, Founding Executive Director of the Majestic Theater. "These sales numbers show that the performing arts fill an important need in this region."

An historic downtown landmark built in 1925, the Majestic Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Majestic is owned by Gettysburg College and was built by Henry Scharf, college alumnus. The college plans to operate it as a college and community performing arts and cinema center. "This collaboration between a liberal arts institution and the creative community will benefit everyone," said Gettysburg College President, Katherine Haley Will. "The restored Majestic Theater will serve as a cultural center for the performing arts and a cornerstone for the historic, revitalized economic downtown of Gettysburg."

The Majestic Theater stands near two historical attractions, the Lincoln Train Station, where President Lincoln arrived in Gettysburg, and the Wills House on Lincoln Square, where he stayed overnight before delivering the now immortal Gettysburg address. The theater also served as the stage for President Eisenhower's press conferences in the 1950s.

Funds to renovate the theater came from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg College and the Greater Adams County community. When Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell delivered a state grant in 2004 of $6 million to support the project (adding to the $2.5 million grant in 2000 by then-Governor Mark Schweiker), he said that the state grant served as an "economic stimulus plan that will create jobs, retain talent, jumpstart the economy, and position Pennsylvania for success in the 21st century."

Restoration to the original 1920's colonial revival elegance has been painstakingly difficult. Due to the scope of this project, Gettysburg College has enlisted a team of two architectural firms specializing in historical restoration and a theater planning consultant. "We are planning an historically accurate rehabilitation but also creating a flexible state-of- the-art facility," comments architect Killis Almond, San Antonio-based consultant to the project. While forty percent of the theater is being restored to its original splendor, sixty percent of the project is newly constructed modernized facilities. Mary Werner DeNadai, of the John Miller Architects firm in Pennsylvania, says that one of the biggest challenges was to efficiently allocate space in a cost-effective way. "The public will see a meticulously restored main theater, but the back of the house has been functionally modernized to meet the needs of the venues who will be utilizing the facility," comments DeNadai.

Original drawings and painstaking analysis of layers of interior design materials were used to develop exact replicas of the character-defining elements of the 1925 construction. The auditorium's pressed tin ornamental ceiling was sent to Brooklyn, NY to be restored, and all the carpet and paint will be an exact match of the theater's original splendor. The architects and others involved in the project all agree that this is indeed a spectacular restoration. Janis Barlow, Barlow & Associates, who has worked on almost 50 theater restoration projects in the United States, sums it up by saying, "It is rare that a project exceeds your expectations, and the Majestic Theater is one that has done so."

Gettysburg's historic battlefields attract nearly two million visitors each year. With almost one hundred live performances now planned this year, the Majestic will draw audiences of all ages into downtown. "Our live performances and fine art films will appeal to audiences ranging from group tours, to retirees, to college students, to area families and tourists." Adds Gabel, "The historic 850-seat auditorium will feature several Broadway shows, national and international performing artists in drama, comedy, music, and dance, as well as many special events, all enjoyed in the extraordinary and breathtaking atmosphere created by this restoration."

For more information on the Majestic Theater and ticket sales, call 717- 337-8234 or visit the website at http://www.gettysburgmajestic.org/

Source: The Majestic Theater

CONTACT: Debbie West of The Majestic Theater, +1-508-497-0881,
dwest7@comcast.net

Web site: http://www.gettysburgmajestic.org/

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005

International Galleries Inc. Pone Demanda Contra La Raza Por Difamación y Difusión de Información Falsa

ADDISON, Texas, 30 de agosto /PR Newswire/ -- Internacional Galleries Inc, (IGI) un poco reticentemente ha presentado una demanda judicial al periódico La Raza por un artículo que publicó conteniendo información seriamente errónea sobre IGI. Antes de presentar la demanda, tratando de cerciorarse de que no había ninguna clase de información verídica en los cargos hechos por La Raza, IGI revisó las extensas opiniones legales recibidas, los récords sobre cualquier clase de investigación que pudiera haberse iniciado al respecto y cualquier otro material de la compañía que pudiese tener algo que ver con lo que fue publicado en La Raza, y no se encontró nada.. IGI también revisó todas las bases de datos corporativos, los archivos de servicio al cliente y las grabaciones de dichas llamadas y no pudo localizar ningún pedido de información por parte de ningún medio de comunicación en Chicago. Paul J Myer, CEO y fundador de IGI-Art, indicó, "Contrario a lo reportado por La Raza, las declaraciones que se hicieron en el artículo no pudieron ser substanciadas con ninguna información verídica. La siguiente información es veraz y exacta. La compañía ha administrado una política generosa de reembolsos para consumidores y ha continuado aplicándola siguiendo bajo mis instrucciones específicas desde que se fundó la compañía y continuaremos siempre con ella. La compañía invita a toda persona a que me llame directamente al 469-766-2390 para aprovechar esa política si así lo desean."

IGI y el periódico La Raza intentaron de llegar a un acuerdo mutuamente satisfactorio en lo que se refiere a la mala información publicada en dicho articulo sobre la oportunidad que ofrece IGI pero no pudieron llegar a un acuerdo. Por lo tanto, una demanda ha sido presentada por el bufete de abogados de Sachnoff & Weaver en contra el periódico La Raza, Robert Armband, editor, y Miguel Angel Arrieta, reportero, por difamación y por difusión de información falsa. Cualquier pregunta sobre la demanda deberá ser dirigida al Departamento Legal de IGI.

IGI invita a sus clientes o a participantes con preguntas a que se comuniquen directamente con la compañía al 972-919-2701 en inglés y al 972- 919-2706 en español o lea la sección de preguntas mas frecuentes en la página web a esta dirección: http://www.igi-art.com/corpsite/faqs.htm .

Jesús Soriano, mejicano-americano, trajo la oportunidad de ingresos de IGI a Chicago porque reconoció que podría cambiar las vidas de muchos en su comunidad. "Un amigo me presentó a IGI y cuando vi cómo habían cambiado las vidas de muchas personas, cómo los trataba la compañía y la calidad del arte, sabía que había encontrado la manera de cambiar mi vida y las vidas de mucha gente," dijo Soriano.

El poder contribuir a la comunidad es muy importante para los miembros de IGI. Al principio de este mes, los miembros de IGI se enteraron de una recaudación de fondos para una organización mejicana dedicada a la ayuda y crianza de niños abandonados y abusados en Guadalajara, México. Los miembros no solo compraron boletos para apoyar el esfuerzo, también se juntaron y donaron US$50,000 de arte, basados en su valor original, aunque muchas de las piezas ya habían aumentado en valor. Araceli Pérez, en una carta agradeció a la corporación porque a causa de este negocio ella ahora está en posición para ayudar a los demás.

Muchos latinos en Chicago, y por todo los Estados Unidos y México, han visto sus sueños para un mejor futuro realizados por medio del método de venta directa de reproducciones de arte de giclee. Latinos han tenido mucho éxito en los seis meses que este negocio ha sido promovido activamente en el área de Chicago.

Los latinos que han creado sus propios negocios con el método de ventas directa de IGI están más que dispuestos a proporcionar testimonio sobre lo que IGI representa en sus vidas y el impacto en las vidas de las 5800 personas que trabajan esta oportunidad con éxito diariamente.

IGI ha surgido como una gran historia positiva para la comunidad hispana de Chicago y también alrededor del país, una que ha permitido que latinos de todas clases obtengan el sueño Americano trabajando duro y compartiendo algo que muchas veces está fuera de su alcance y comprensión--arte. Solo pregúntele a los dueños de negocio y sus alegres socios de IGI.

INFORMACION MÁS A FONDO

Desde el primer día, el sueño de Paul Myer para IGI era poder recompensar a individuos y cambiar sus vidas: cambiar la vida de los pintores, la vida de los participantes y hacer del arte algo que está al alcance de aquellas personas que nunca hubieran pensando que podían comprar una obra fina. IGI ayuda a descubrir a pintores a nivel del mercado mundial de arte y, después de vender su obra original, ellos continúan recibiendo pagos por su labor bajo los derechos de artista.

La idea concebida por Myer es un vehículo donde a la gente se le recompensa con dinero en efectivo en vez de millas o mercancía gratis, y el concepto ha llevado el arte a muchísimas personas y sus vidas han cambiado de manera extraordinaria. Lanzada en el 2003, IGI, ubicada en Addison, Texas, está profundamente comprometida con sus miembros y consumidores como prueba del éxito de la compañía y su modelo de venta directa. Myer también es miembro de la compañía y recibe un salario anual de US$1.00 por su trabajo como ejecutivo principal de IGI.

Hay muchas historias de éxito que IGI puede demostrar, pero ninguna tan conmovedora como la de uno de los miembros en Chicago, un ama de casa que vendía tamales que ella cocinaba. para ayudar a su familia. Sin ningún tipo de estudios formales, sin tener conocimiento de computadoras o del arte, Antonia Govea sólo sabia hacer una cosa, en sus propias palabras, "cómo cocinar unos tamales bien ricos." Después que este miembro fue invitado a una presentación sobre la oportunidad de ingresos por medio de venta directa de IGI, ella decidió intentar trabajar el negocio y después de seis meses de esfuerzo duro siguiendo el programa, actualmente está ganado un promedio de casi de US$10,000 al mes en los seis meses que ha trabajado el negocio. Estos resultados no son típicos para aquellos que están empezando ya que ganancias altas requieren dedicación y trabajo duro como cualquier otra oportunidad de ingresos.

Toda compensación pagada a los participantes está directamente involucrada con la venta y compra de arte de los clientes y participantes. Los participantes de IGI no pueden ganar bonos simplemente por reclutar a participantes adicionales o por solo traer otro participante al programa de IGI. La única manera de ganar dinero es comprando y vendiendo arte.

Muchos latinos en Chicago han visto que sus sueños para un mejor futuro han sido realizados con el método de venta directa de reproducciones de arte de giclee de IGI, y han tenido gran éxito en los seis meses que la oportunidad ha estado disponible en esta área. Más de 5,800 latinos que en el área de Chicago han escogido iniciar su propio negocio con el método de venta directa de IGI tienen muchas historias convincentes sobre su éxito y lo que IGI representa en sus vidas y en las vidas de los demás y de cómo se benefician trabajando esta oportunidad diariamente..

"Estaba sobrepasado en mis tarjetas de crédito, venían a quitarme la camioneta y aunque ganaba buen dinero como camionero, no llegaba a cubrir mis gastos;" dijo Juan Calixto, uno de los miembros más trabajadores de Chicago. Jesús Soriano nos dijo que si trabajábamos duro en este negocio y seguíamos el programa, esto funcionaría y él ha tenido toda la razón. Trabajé asiduamente siguiendo el programa y he sido recompensado de una manera que nunca pensé fuese posible. Desde que empecé con IGI, mi promedio de ganancias ha sido US$32,000 al mes y ahora puedo vivir todo el tiempo en mi casa con mi familia en vez de pasarme manejando por semanas por todo el país."

La oportunidad de IGI es única ya que no se requiere una compra mínima para entrar como miembro, cualquiera puede inscribirse de gratis. Por cierto, un participante puede ser compensado por compras de arte de personas que ellos han referido aun cuando el participante no pagó un centavo por su membresía y haya escogido no comprar arte para sí mismo.

Los participantes son dueños individuales de sus propios negocios e IGI es la compañía que proporciona el producto y el método usado para vender y generar ingresos. Los miembros, participantes y clientes tienen permiso para compartir la oportunidad por medio de materiales proporcionados por la compañía, sin embargo, ellos no son empleados de la compañía y tampoco son representantes de la corporación.

IGI utiliza el método giclee para imprimir en lienzos de calidad de museo para reproducir las obras de arte y éstas son compradas con licencia completa. Giclee es lo último en la técnica de reproducción y es virtualmente imposible distinguir entre una copia y la obra original. Dentro del mundo del arte las reproducciones de giclee se refieren a grabados digitales de obras de arte fino hechas con una imprenta inkjet de alta calidad.

Las reproducciones de giclee en lienzo que imprime IGI se venden como ediciones limitadas, de una serie de un solo tamaño y nunca son usadas de nuevo en ningún otro tamaño o medio. La serie es numerada y el pintor firma digitalmente el Certificado Auténtico dándole todavía más valor al grabado. El Certificado Auténtico que acompaña las reproducciones refleja celosamente el producto auténtico como sigue: "Esto certifica que este auténtico grabado de giclee ha sido celosamente reproducido de la obra original. Solo se han usado materiales de la más alta calidad y tintas de archivo han sido usados para garantizar la calidad duradera del grabado. Toda la información contenida en este certificado es verdadera y correcta" (énfasis añadido)

El grabado de giclee menos costoso de edición limitada de IGI se vende por US$200. Por eso, cuando un cliente decide comprar los grabados de giclee, la compra mínima es de US$200.00. IGI declara en sus presentaciones y en la página web que todos los grabados comprados, vendidos o intercambiados están bajo licencia de IGI y son reproducciones en lienzo y no obras de arte original.

IGI anuncia claramente a todo cliente o miembro que sólo vende reproducciones de giclee de obras originales. Las bellas reproducciones de alta calidad sobre lienzo se exponen visiblemente en todas las juntas que promueven la oportunidad de ingresos a todos los clientes o participantes para que puedan examinar la calidad y ver las marcas de reproducción giclee. También se exponen en cada intercambio de arte llamado Art Exchange donde los miembros y los consumidores pueden comprar o vender los grabados.

Algunas personas no entienden lo que significa venta directa o cómo funciona el programa de compensación, pero toda la información sobre la oportunidad de ingresos de IGI está disponible en la página web de la compañía http://www.igi-art.com/ igual que la información sobre cómo comunicarse con la corporación donde los representantes de servicio al cliente le contestarán todas sus preguntas http://www.igi-art.com/corpsite/support.htm

IGI mantiene un récord y graba todas las llamadas que entran al edificio de Servicio al Cliente en Tejas. Todos los pedidos de reembolso se han llevado a cabo inmediatamente y sin ningún problema. Hasta la fecha este año, sólo se han efectuado 566 reembolsos en una compañía con miles de miembros y clientes a nivel nacional. IGI administra una póliza generosa de reembolsos y continuará con ella.

Las reglas y el diseño del programa de venta directa de IGI ha sido examinado completamente por varios expertos legales y el método de venta directa de IGI se acata a todas las leyes estatales y federales de los Estados Unidos. La opinión de legalidad de la oportunidad de IGI escrita por el Licenciado y Abogado General de Venta Directa Gerald P. Nehra esta disponible en la siguiente página web http://www.igi-art.com/legal_compliance/us_lc.htm La opinión de legalidad ha sido examinada a su vez y aprobada por firmas de abogados especializadas en venta directa en los Estados Unidos, el Reino Unido y México y todas partes mencionadas se continúan revisando esta información cada cuarto mes por todos los partidos mencionados.

En abril del 2004, Stan Leitner renunció como presidente de IGI. El Señor Leitner no es oficial, director o accionista de la compañía. Además, el Sr. Leitner no proporciona servicios de consultoría o ningún otro servicio a la compañía. Aunque IGI, por medio de información pública se ha enterado que existe una acción de parte de la Comisión de Intercambio de Seguridades (SEC) contra el Sr. Leitner, nadie en la compañía, sus oficiales o directores han sido nombrados en dicha acción. Además, ni la compañía ni sus abogados independientes han sido notificados de alguna investigación sobre IGI o de cualquiera de sus oficiales y directores. Por estas razones, IGI no cree que exista ninguna investigación alguna sobre la compañía.

Source: International Galleries Inc.

CONTACTO: Maria Cecilia Arza de Comadres Inc., +1-815-347-4772, o Sarah
Wise de IGI, +1-469-360-4888

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Profile: jene05

ARTISTdirect, Inc. Reports Results of Operations for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005

- Company Reports First Operating Profit in its History

- Quarterly Revenue Grows by 168% Over Q2 2004 to $3.2 million

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ARTISTdirect, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: ARTD) , a leading integrated digital entertainment company providing distribution and copyright protection services for content owners, today announced the results of its operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005. Net revenue for the quarter was $3.169 million, up 168.3% over the prior year's results for the same period. Income from continuing operations for the quarter was $0.604 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share, up $1.056 million from a $0.452 million loss, or ($0.13) per diluted common share, in the same three-month period of the prior year.

"After a significant restructuring and determined effort to focus the company on becoming the independent leader in delivering digital content online, it has been gratifying to see the positive response from music fans, advertisers and our customers who develop digital content," said Jon Diamond, CEO of ARTISTdirect, Inc. "As we move ahead, we will continue to emphasize the profitability of our distribution network while leveraging the unique capabilities of our recently acquired MediaDefender unit -- the leader in Internet piracy protection (IPP) -- to provide additional high-value services to record labels and movie studios looking to direct customers toward legal digital distribution alternatives."

The ARTISTdirect Network currently estimates that it averages approximately 13 million unique visitors per month and 286 million page views per month -- making it the largest independent online music and media platform, and the fourth largest music destination on the Internet. On July 28, 2005, ARTISTdirect acquired MediaDefender, which has a proprietary suite of IPP solutions covering the 15 networks that constitute over 95 percent of all peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing activity, as well as Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and Usenet.

Segment Results

Media revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2005, was $2.517 million, an increase of $2.018 million, or 404.4%, over $0.499 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as a result of an increase in the number of online advertisers, an increase in the cost per thousand ("CPM") rates earned from the sales of impression- and non-impression based advertising and offline sponsorships, and an expansion of affiliations with other websites for which the Company both markets advertising and participates in advertising revenues. For the quarter, E-commerce revenue decreased by 4.4% to $0.652 million in 2005 from $0.682 million in 2004, primarily due to a decrease in sales of products related to one music merchandising entity.

For the six months, Media revenue increased to $3.172 million, an increase of $2.433 million, or 329.2%, over $0.739 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. For the six months, E-commerce revenue decreased by 8.4% to $1.287 million in 2005 from $1.405 million in 2004.

A short-term program with a major advertiser contributed approximately $1.761 million of the increase in revenue during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005. The program ended June 30, 2005, and is not expected to continue. The Company expects to continue to focus its efforts on increasing media revenue from various advertisers during the remainder of the year.

Discontinued Operations

During December 2004, ARTISTdirect discontinued the operations of its iMusic record label and has therefore accounted for the operations of iMusic as a discontinued operation for all periods presented.

Effective February 28, 2005, ARTISTdirect completed the sale of all of its interest in ARTISTdirect Records, LLC, to Radar Records Holdings, LLC, an entity owned by the Company's Chairman, and has therefore accounted for its interest in ARTISTdirect Records, LLC as a discontinued operation for all periods presented.

About ARTISTdirect

ARTISTdirect, Inc. is an innovative and diversified music and media entertainment company that is home to a critically acclaimed and groundbreaking online destination and is a leader in anti-piracy solutions in the Internet piracy protection industry.

The ARTISTdirect Network is a popular site for high-profile recording artists in the areas of pop, country, rock, hip-hop and R&B to congregate and promote themselves. With over 500,000 artist pages, ARTISTdirect has established brand loyalty by bringing fans and artists closer together through an unparalleled online network of resources, merchandise, promotional assets and original content, including free audio and video streams and downloads, up-to-the-minute music news, a unique online store, ringtones, ticket sales, album reviews and more.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking" statements, which are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this news release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained herein in order to reflect future events or circumstances.

Results of operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005 are summarized as follows (all dollar amounts are presented in thousands):

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004

Net revenue $ 3,169 $ 1,181 $ 4,459 $ 2,144

Income (loss) from
continuing operations $604 $(452) $229 $(942)

Income (loss) from
discontinued operations:

Loss from operations of
discontinued businesses
(primarily ARTISTdirect
Records, LLC) - (214) (271) (436)

Gain from sale of interest
in ARTISTdirect Records,
LLC (substantially all
non-cash) - - 21,079 -

Net income (loss) $604 $(666) $21,037 $(1,378)

Net income (loss) per common share for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 is summarized as follows:

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004

Net income (loss) per
common share - basic:

From continuing
operations $ 0.17 $(0.13) $ 0.07 $(0.27)

From discontinued
operations - (0.06) 5.94 (0.12)

Net income (loss) $ 0.17 $(0.19) $ 6.01 $(0.39)

Net income (loss) per
common share - diluted:

From continuing
operations $ 0.15 $(0.13) $ 0.06 $(0.27)

From discontinued
operations - (0.06) 5.70 (0.12)

Net income (loss) $ 0.15 $(0.19) $ 5.76 $(0.39)

Weighted average common
shares outstanding:

Basic 3,502,117 3,502,117 3,502,117 3,502,117

Diluted 3,927,844 3,502,117 3,652,081 3,502,117

Source: ARTISTdirect, Inc.

CONTACT: Michael Gross of Robinson Lerer & Montgomery for ARTISTdirect,
Inc., +1-646-805-2003

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Profile: jene05

International Galleries Inc. Sues La Raza Newspaper for Defamation and Dissemination of False Information

ADDISON, Texas, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- IGI has with some reluctance filed a lawsuit against the newspaper La Raza because of an article appearing in the newspaper that contains serious erroneous information about IGI. Before filing, in an effort to see whether there was any truth in the charges made by La Raza, IGI reviewed the extensive legal opinions it has obtained, the records regarding any investigations that may be under way, and any other company material that may have a bearing on what was printed by La Raza, and found nothing. IGI also searched its databases, customer service logs and recordings, and was unable to find any request for information from any media in Chicago. Paul J. Myer, CEO and founder of IGI-Art, states, "Contrary to what was reported in La Raza, the statements made in the article could not be substantiated with any factual information. The following information is factual and accurate. The company has administered a generous refund policy for consumers at my specific instruction since the inception of the company, and will continue to do so. The company invites any individual to call me directly at 469-766-2390 and take advantage of the policy if they so choose."

IGI and La Raza Newspaper attempted to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement regarding the misinformation in its article regarding the IGI opportunity, but failed to do so. Accordingly, a lawsuit has been filed by the law firm of Sachnoff & Weaver against La Raza Newspaper, Robert Armband, publisher, and Miguel Angel Arrieta, reporter, for defamation and dissemination of false information. Any questions regarding the lawsuit should be directed to the Legal Department at IGI.

IGI invites customers or participants with any questions to contact the company directly at 972-919-2701 for English and 972-919-2706 for Spanish or check the Frequently- Asked-Questions section of the website at: http://www.igi-art.com/corpsite/faqs.htm

Jesus Soriano, a Mexican-American, brought the IGI income opportunity to Chicago because he recognized that it could change the life of many in his community. "A friend of mine introduced me to IGI and when I saw how people's lives had changed, how the company treated them and the art, I knew that I had found a way to change my life and the life of a lot of people," said Soriano.

Being able to contribute to their community is very important to the IGI members. Earlier this month, IGI members heard about a fundraiser for a Mexican organization that helps abandoned and abused children in Guadalajara, Mexico. Not only did the members purchase charity tickets in support, they banded together and donated $50,000 of art, based on their original valuations, and many of these pieces had already increased in value. Araceli Perez, in a letter to IGI, thanks the corporation because thanks to this business she is now in a position to help others.

Many Latinos in Chicago, across the United States and Mexico, have seen their dreams of a better future realized through the IGI direct selling method of giclee reproductions of art. Latinos have been greatly successful in the six months that this business has been actively promoted in the Chicago area.

The Latinos who have built their own business with the IGI direct selling method are more than willing to provide testimony as to what IGI represents in their lives and the impact on the lives of the 5800 people that also work this opportunity successfully every day.

IGI has proven to be a great, positive story for the Hispanic community in Chicago and also across the country, one that has allowed Latinos from all walks of life to obtain the American Dream through hard work and sharing in something that is often out of reach and understanding -- art. Just ask the business owners and their happy partners at IGI.

BACKGROUNDER

Paul Myer's Dream for IGI from day one was to reward people and change lives: change the artist's life, the participant's life and make art accessible to people who would never think they could afford fine art. IGI helps artists be discovered by the global marketplace and, well after they have sold their original work, continue to receive royalties for the fruit of their labors.

Conceived by Myer as a vehicle where people would be rewarded with cash instead of miles or free merchandise, the concept has brought art closer to the masses and their lives have been changed extraordinarily. Launched in 2003, IGI, based in Addison, Texas, is deeply committed to their members and consumers as evidenced by the success of the company and its direct selling model. Myer is a member and receives an annual salary of $1.00 for his work as CEO of IGI.

There are many success stories that IGI can point to, but none are more poignant than that of one of the members in Chicago, a housewife who sold home cooked tamales on the side to help make ends meet. Without a formal education, not familiar with computers or with art, all Antonia Govea knew how to do, in her own words, "was make great tamales." After this member was invited to a presentation on the IGI direct selling income opportunity, she decided to try it, and after working hard following the program, she has averaged a little less than $10,000 per month in the six months she has been in the business. Results are not typical for those just starting out, as high earnings require work and dedication just like in any other income opportunity.

All compensation paid to participants is directly linked to the purchase of art by customers and other participants. IGI participants cannot earn bonuses simply for recruiting additional participants or for solely bringing another participant into IGI. The only way to make money is by buying and selling art.

Many Latinos in Chicago have seen their dreams of a better future realized through the IGI direct selling method of giclee reproductions of art and they have been greatly successful in the six months that this opportunity has been available in the area. The Latinos who have chosen to build their own business with the IGI direct selling method have many compelling stories of what IGI represents in their lives and the impact on the lives of the 5800 people that also work this opportunity successfully every day in the Chicago area.

"I was overburdened with credit card debt, they were coming to repossess my truck and even though I earned a good living driving a truck, I was not making it," said Juan Calixto, one of the hardest working members in Chicago. "Jesus Soriano told us that if we worked hard at this business and followed the program, it would work and he was so right. I worked hard to follow the program and I have been rewarded in ways that I never thought would be possible. Since I started with IGI, I have averaged about $32,000 per month and now I am able to live full time with my family instead of being on the road for weeks out of the year."

The IGI opportunity is unique as there is no minimum purchase required to become a member; a person may join for free. In fact, a participant can be compensated for art purchases by persons they refer even if the participant paid nothing for his or her membership, and chooses to not buy art themselves.

The participants are all business owners of their individual businesses and IGI is the company that provides the product and method used to sell and generate revenue. Members, participants and customers are empowered to share the opportunity during meetings via materials provided by the company; however, they are not employed by the company and are not representatives of the corporation.

IGI uses the giclee printing method on museum quality canvas for the reproduction of the fully licensed original artwork. Giclee is a state-of-the- art reproduction technique that is virtually indiscernible from an original work of art. Giclee reproductions in the art world refer to digital fine art prints made on any high quality inkjet printer.

The giclee canvas reproductions printed by IGI are sold as limited editions, one-time runs in one size and never executed again in any other size or medium. The runs are numbered and the artist's signature is digitally signed on the Certificate of Authenticity further increasing their value. The Certificates of Authenticity that accompany the reproductions accurately reflect the product authenticated as follows: "This is to certify that this authentic giclee print has been faithfully reproduced from original work. Only the highest quality materials and archival inks have been used to ensure lasting print quality. All information contained herein this certificate is true and correct."

The least expensive limited edition giclee print from IGI sells for $200.00. Therefore, when a customer opts to purchase the giclee prints, the minimum purchase is $200.00. IGI clearly states during presentations and on the website that the prints being bought, sold or exchanged are all licensed giclee reproductions on canvas and not original works of art.

IGI makes clear to all prospective customers and members that it sells only giclee reproductions of artwork. The beautiful, high quality reproductions on canvas are prominent and highly visible to all prospective customers and participants so they may examine their quality and see the giclee reproduction markings at every meeting promoting the income opportunity and at every Art Exchange where members and consumers may buy and sell the prints.

Some people do not understand what direct selling is and how the compensation program works, however all the information on the IGI income opportunity is readily available on the IGI website http://www.igi-art.com/ as is the corporate contact information where customer service reps are happy to answer any consumer questions http://www.igi-art.com/corpsite/support.htm .

IGI logs and records all incoming calls at the state-of-the-art Customer Service Building in Texas. All requests for refunds have been handled promptly. To date this year, there have only been 566 refunds for a company with thousands of members and customers nationwide. IGI has administered a generous refund policy and will continue to do so.

The guidelines and design of the IGI direct selling program have been thoroughly examined by multiple legal experts and the IGI method of direct selling fully complies with all state and federal laws in the United States. The opinion of legality of the IGI opportunity as provided by Direct Selling Legal Counsel Gerald P. Nehra is available on the website at http://www.igi-art.com/legal_compliance/us_lc.htm . The opinion of legality has been further reviewed and approved by direct selling law firms in the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico and is reviewed and monitored quarterly by all parties mentioned.

In April 2004, Stan Leitner resigned as the President of IGI. Mr. Leitner is neither an officer, director nor shareholder of the Company. In addition, Mr. Leitner provides no consulting or other services to the Company. While IGI, through publicly available information, has become aware of an SEC action instituted against Mr. Leitner, neither the Company, nor any of its officers or directors, have been named in such action. Further, neither the Company nor its outside counsel have been advised by the SEC of any investigation of IGI or any of its officers or directors. As such, IGI does not believe any investigation is occurring.

Source: International Galleries Inc.

CONTACT: Maria Arza of Comadres Inc., +1-815-347-4772, or Sarah Wise of
IGI, +1-469-360-4888

Web site: http://www.igi-art.com/
http://www.igi-art.com/corpsite/faqs.htm
http://www.igi-art.com/legal_compliance/us_lc.htm
http://www.igi-art.com/corpsite/support.htm

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Profile: jene05

Field Museum Is 'On the Move'

Huge New Collection, Research Center Opens Sept. 12

CHICAGO, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- How do you move more than two million ancient artifacts, priceless specimens and large, oddly shaped objects? Very carefully! In any event, The Field Museum will soon take on the huge job.

On Sept. 12, The Museum will officially open its new, climate-controlled, $65-million Collection Resource Center (CRC). Near that date, it will begin the gargantuan task of moving a significant portion of its vast collections -- everything from mummies to meteorites and adzes to zebra skins -- from overcrowded storage rooms into the new, long-awaited facility. The job is so big that it will take four years to complete.

"The two-story, 186,000-square-foot expansion is nothing less than the finest natural history collection and research center in the world," said John McCarter, Field Museum President and CEO. "In addition to collection areas, it will include scientific laboratories, preparation areas, teaching facilities and workspace for visiting scholars. As such, it will provide a wonderful new scientific base for understanding our precious, world-class collections."

Since many of the two million objects to be moved are especially large, the move will free up as much as one-third of The Museum's current storage space, some of which will then be made available for public exhibitions.

Except for a few of the biggest objects that will be handled by professional movers, museum staff will move everything on carts through The Museum's long corridors and public exhibition halls.

An immense amount of planning and packing has prepared the way. Objects have been cleaned, sorted and inventoried, and many have been repackaged in custom-made archival boxes.

Each item slated to be moved has a specific, designated place in one of the CRC's 45,500 shelves, trays or drawers. Museum workers involved in the move have made timed, practice runs to better gauge the amount of time and effort the move will consume.

The heaviest object to be moved is a 9,000-pound Egyptian sarcophagus lid; the lightest would be, perhaps, a Native American bead or African fishhook. Anthropology, Geology and Zoology departments are transferring some of their collections to the new space. Only Botany will keep its entire collection in the original building, built in 1921 and containing one million square feet.

Base for Study

The new facility, located under The Museum's east and southeast terraces, will house a variety of collections including totem poles and dinosaur bones. It will also house collections preserved in jars and tanks of fluid, parts of which are so heavy they were causing the original building to sink slowly.

But the state-of-the-art CRC is much more than a big storage facility. It provides more than 10 scientific laboratories, a darkroom, and x-ray equipment, a skylight for studying skins and furs in natural light, and special rooms for freezing and storing specimens of tissue, blood and DNA. Also, it includes conference and seminar rooms, as well as workrooms for students and scholars to study The Museum's collections.

"Our scientific staff will use this center as a base to enhance their internationally acclaimed research on topics ranging from DNA to dinosaurs, and on the evolution of the earth, its inhabitants and human culture," said Lance Grande, Field Museum Head of Collections and Research. "Also, the international scientific community will be drawn even more to the museum to study our collections and interact with our scientists."

The new facility features innovative safety features, such as a fire-suppression system with hydrofluorocarbon gas as a first line of defense. Overhead water sprinklers would be used only as a last resort, since water would damage the priceless artifacts.

Another safety feature is "spark-proof" rooms for storing specimens preserved in containers of fluid, typically 70% ethyl alcohol. To prevent any chance of a spark, no outlets or computers are allowed in such rooms, and all light fixtures must be fully enclosed. Furthermore, tracks in the floor are equipped with leak-detection cables that would sound an alarm if even one drop of alcohol were detected. Fans would then automatically draw off the alcohol fumes. This minimizes the risk of an explosion should any fumes accumulate from the alcohol in the containers.

Source: The Field Museum

CONTACT: Greg Borzo of The Field Museum, +1-312-665-7106, or
gborzo@fieldmuseum.org

Web site: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Grand Opening -- Sept. 12; 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. -- All members of the press are invited (free parking). -- Activities begin in the East Entrance, proceed with a Collection Resource Center tour, and finish with a reception in Stanley Field Hall. -- Scientists in the CRC will describe their work, the new labs and facilities. Images available of construction of the Collections Resource Center and the interior with new shelving. All Photos by Scott Demel, courtesy of The Field Museum.

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BALLETX Takes the Stage as Philadelphia's Only Contemporary Ballet Company at the Live Arts Festival

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- BALLETX premieres September 7 to 10 at 7:30 p.m. and September 11 at 2 p.m. at the Arts Bank Theater, 601 S. Broad St., as part of the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, renowned for their work with Pennsylvania Ballet and Phrenic New Ballet, founded BALLETX in 2004 to provide a unique platform for gifted choreographers and classically trained, athletic dancers to practice their craft in new and daring ways.

BALLETX's debut, entitled "2Different", will feature original works by Mr. Neenan and London-based choreographer David Fielding, performed by a company of artistically gifted dancers. Both choreographers combine an edgy, contemporary sensibility with a deep and abiding passion for classical ballet. Mr. Neenan's work, About February, will be performed to live music by award- winning accordionist Lidia Kaminska, and Mr. Fielding's work, Easy Living, to music by Stephen Reich.

Trained at the Pennsylvania Ballet School and the Philadelphia High School for the Performing Arts, Christine Cox has been a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet since 1993. A versatile dancer, she has premiered works by, among others, Jorma Elo, Rennie Harris, Alonzo King, Matthew Neenan and David Parsons. Her choreographic accomplishments include "Ashen," inspired by the events of 9/11 and "Les Trois," a blend of ballet and hip hop to music by Fatboy Slim.

Trained at the Boston Ballet School and the School of American Ballet, Matthew Neenan has been a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet since 1994, performing a diverse range of classical and neoclassical roles. His choreographic accomplishments include Frequencies for Phrenic New Ballet and numerous commissions for the Pennsylvania Ballet, including his most recent work, the critically acclaimed 11:11 set to music by Rufus Wainwright.

"2Different" will also feature Pennsylvania Ballet dancers Laura Bowman, Jermel Johnson, Tara Keating, Meredith Rainey, Francis Veyette and freelance performer Miko Doi-Smith.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact Christine Cox at 215.917.1513.

To purchase tickets, priced at $20, please visit http://www.livearts-fringe.org/; call 215.413.1318; or visit the box office at National Building Side Door, 119 Arch St.

Source: BALLETX

CONTACT: Christine Cox, Co-Artistic Director, BALLETX, +1-215-917-1513,
cccox69@aol.com

Web site: http://www.livearts-fringe.org/

Web site: http://www.balletx.org/

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PA Game Commission Names Winner of WTFW Art Contest; Special Patch to Honor 25 Years of WTFW Program

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Judy Schrader, of Warren County, recently was named the winning artist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission's 2006 Working Together for Wildlife fine art print contest.

Titled "Hummingbird Hangout," the print features a trio of ruby-throated hummingbirds (two male and one female), as well as a monarch and a tiger swallowtail butterfly and a variety of colorful plants.

Founded in 1980, the Working Together for Wildlife program has raised more than $3 million to support research and reintroduction of non-game wildlife species native to Pennsylvania, including the bald eagle, osprey, river otter and fisher.

Surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest, Judy Schrader resides in Cherry Grove, a small village in rural northwest Pennsylvania, with a population of 200. Judy combines her love of animals and the outdoors with her love of painting. She gets her inspiration through the beautiful scenery and animals in the forest and on surrounding farms.

Schrader has been devoted to art from childhood. She credits her artistic talent to her grandfather, Ernest Albaugh, a self-taught artist. Although drawing since childhood, she didn't begin painting until 1978. Judy never had formal art classes, however she took lessons from her friend Shirley Smith for about a year. When she finished a painting with Shirley, she always made sure her grandfather gave his stamp of approval. Another friend, Geraldine Slocum also helped her by critiquing her work and giving advice and moral support throughout the years.

The print will be published on the cover of the January 2006 issue of Pennsylvania Game News, the agency's official monthly magazine. Shortly afterward, wildlife art enthusiasts will be able to purchase an unframed copy of the 15- by 22.5-inch print, on acid-free paper, for $125, plus shipping and handling costs. A high-quality framed print will sell for $222.50, plus shipping and handling costs.

Also, the agency will offer a patch featuring the ruby-throated hummingbird next year.

SPECIAL PATCH TO HONOR 25 YEARS OF WTFW PROGRAM

In honor of 25 years of the Working Together for Wildlife Program, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is offering for sale a special collector's edition six-inch patch. At a cost of $20 (tax included), the patch includes depictions of six birds and mammals that have been featured species on previous patches, which normally measure four inches in diameter.

Species from previous WTFW patches featured on the collectible patch are: eastern bluebird (1984); a red fox (1991); beaver (1995); and peregrine falcon (1996). It also features a flying squirrel (1980-early 1990s) and male cardinal (since 1990s), which have been on the agency's companion "WE NEED WILDLIFE" patch.

All patches are available at Game Commission offices, by calling toll-free 1-888-888-3459, or by visiting "The Outdoor Shop" on the agency's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/), click on "Merchandise" and then choose "Patches."

In 1980 the Game Commission created a patch featuring a flying squirrel and the words "WE NEED WILDLIFE." A $5 contribution included the patch, a decal of the same size and design, and information on the need for non-game wildlife contributions, all in a special 3-pocket folder.

In 1982, the agency developed a 4-inch, circular embroidered patch featuring an osprey and the words "Working Together for Wildlife - Pennsylvania Game Commission." For a $2 donation, a person could obtain the patch and information on the osprey reintroduction project. A decal of the same size and design could be purchased for $1. The limited edition of 10,000 patches sold out in less than a year.

The WTFW series alternates each year between bird and mammal species.

"The WTFW program is likely the foundation for all other organizations with collectible patches and is possibly the first in the country to benefit wildlife," said Carl Graybill, Game Commission Bureau of Information and Education director. "It is the oldest and strongest collectible wildlife patch series we know of."

WTFW patches yet to sell out can be purchased through the agency's website and at all Game Commission offices. Patches currently are available from 1999 through 2005.

"Since its inception, WTFW has generated more than $3 million to benefit wildlife, and the program continues to sell more than 20,000 patches and several hundred prints each year," Graybill said. "To quote from the original flyer accompanying the osprey patch, 'under today's funding pressures, it's unrealistic to expect hunters alone to provide completely for all wildlife needs. Constantly growing demands on our environment and natural resources, encroaching suburbs, shopping centers and highways, modern agricultural practices and many other conflicting land uses destroy more and more productive wildlife habitat every day.'"

More information on the WTFW series can be found in the May 2005 issue of Pennsylvania Game News article by Lori Richardson titled "25 Years in the Works." To view a copy of the article online, go to the Game Commission's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/), click on the Game News icon in the lower left-hand side of the homepage, click on "2005 Featured Articles" in the "Archives" section on the right-hand side of the screen, and then scroll down to the May 2005 topics and choose "25 Years in the Works."

To order Game News, go to "The Outdoor Shop" on the agency's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/), click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions. Also, you can order the magazine by calling 1-888-888-1019; or write: Pennsylvania Game News, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.

Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission

CONTACT: Jerry Feaser, Pennsylvania Game Commission, +1-717-705-6541,
PGCNEWS@state.pa.us

Web site: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and the name of the organization you represent to: PGCNews@state.pa.us

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Greater Fort Lauderdale Hotels Offer Travel Packages Fit For A 'King'

King Tut Packages feature special amenities and passes to the 'Mummy' of All Exhibitions

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- King Tut, the 'Original King of Bling,' is making his way to Greater Fort Lauderdale this December and you can make plans to join him. A number of Greater Fort Lauderdale hotels are offering unique hotel packages that include VIP passes to the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale (MoAFL) along with accommodations and other special amenities.

The exhibition features rare artifacts discovered during the excavation of Tut's tomb, including a golden diadem (crown) inlaid with colored glass and semiprecious stones; one of four miniature viscera coffins, also made of gold and inlaid with colored glass and semiprecious stones, that once contained the king's mummified organs; and a painted wooden mannequin of the young king. The exhibition will also showcase more than 70 objects from other graves of members of the 18th Dynasty, including Tut's great-grandparents. The exhibition debuts December 15, 2005, and will remain through April 23, 2006.

Greater Fort Lauderdale area Marriott Hotels & Resorts, official hotel sponsor of the King Tut exhibition, are offering a special package with rates starting at just $149 per room, per night, including two "front of line" VIP tickets to the King Tut exhibition, two audio tours, and 10% off any museum gift shop purchase. Packages are valid from December 14, 2005 to April 23, 2006. For information or reservations call 800-583-0171 or visit http://www.marriottse.com/. Participating Marriott Hotels & Resorts include:

* Coral Springs Marriott Hotel & Golf Club, rates start at $149 per room,
per night

* Fort Lauderdale-Plantation Courtyard, rates start at $149 per room, per
night

* Renaissance Plantation, rates start at $169 per room, per night and also
include 10% off Starbucks coffee and meals in Bin 595, Eclectic Grille &
Wine Bar in addition to standard package amenities

* Fort Lauderdale Marina Marriott, rates start at $179 per room, per night

* Marriott's Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, rates start at $199 per room, per
night

* Renaissance Fort Lauderdale, rates start at $199 per room, per night

A wide variety of Greater Fort Lauderdale hotels and resorts, from luxury hotels and beachfront resorts to waterfront Superior Small Lodging(R) properties, are also offering unique King Tut packages, including:

* The Atlantic Fort Lauderdale, the newest member of Starwood's Luxury
Collection, is offering two unique packages available exclusively
through http://www.americanexpress.com/travel, the American Express
Travel website. The "Live Like a King" package, available from
December 15, 2005 through April 23, 2006, includes two tickets to the
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition, two nights
accommodations in a beautiful oceanfront Luxury Suite or in a Grand
Deluxe Room at The Atlantic Fort Lauderdale, two "Mummy Wrap" treatments
at Spa Atlantic, a welcome "Tut-tini" cocktail at the hotel's Trina
Lounge, "Pharaoh's Feast" dinner for two at Trina Restaurant, a special
King Tut souvenir amenity and a luxury transfer to and from the hotel to
the museum. The "Live Like a King" package is $2,579 for the Luxury
Suite or $1,869 for the Grand Deluxe Lower Room, double occupancy for
two nights.

* The Atlantic Fort Lauderdale and American Express Vacations are also
offering an "Exhibit Essentials" package, which costs $1,125 and
includes two nights in a Grand Deluxe Lower room and King Tut exhibition
tickets for two. Both packages will begin selling via the American
Express Travel website beginning September 15, 2005. Go to
http://www.americanexpress.com/travel to make your reservation. For
more information on The Atlantic Fort Lauderdale, visit
http://www.luxurycollection.com/atlantic. Must be 21 years of age to
receive "Tut-tini" cocktail. Package benefits are not transferable or
redeemable for cash. See http://www.americanexpress.com/kingtut
(American Express Travel website) for full details.

* The Lago Mar Resort and Club, a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning
resort, is offering a special two-night "King Tut" package from
December 16, 2005 through February 2, 2006. The package, offered at
$595 plus tax, includes double occupancy accommodations in a luxurious
one bedroom suite, two tickets to the King Tut exhibition, dinner for
two in the award winning Acquario restaurant, daily breakfast and all
gratuities. The package is based on availability and excludes holidays
and special events. For more information or to make a reservation call
800-LAGO-MAR or visit http://www.lagomar.com/.

* The Pillars at New River Sound, a Superior Small Lodging(R) property
located on the New River, is offering a three night "King Tut"
exhibition package for $525 (double occupancy), which includes
three nights accommodations in a poolside room, two tickets for the
King Tut exhibition, one "Egyptian Dinner" for two at the Secret Garden
(not including wine), two one-day Water Taxi passes and daily
continental breakfast for two. The package is available from
December 15, 2005 through April 23, 2006 and blackout dates apply. For
information or to make a reservation, call 954-467-9639 or visit
http://www.pillarshotel.com/.

* Days Inn Bahia Cabana Beach Resort & Marina, located just steps from
Fort Lauderdale beach, is offering a special rate and entree at the
hotel's world-famous waterfront restaurant in celebration of the King
Tut exhibition's arrival in Fort Lauderdale. From December 15, 2005
through April 23, 2006, guests can enjoy a standard room for $143 per
night (single or double occupancy). Hotel or restaurant patrons can
choose to "eat like a king" with the King Tut Crab Cake Oscar topped
with jumbo lump crab meat and asparagus plus the choice of a side for
$18.95 (available for lunch or dinner). For information or reservations
call 800-323-2244 or visit http://www.bahiacabanaresort.com/.

* Embassy Suites Hotel - Fort Lauderdale is offering special package
rates for the King Tut exhibition starting at $179 (double occupancy)
which include transportation for two to the Museum of Art, Fort
Lauderdale, daily breakfast and nightly manager's reception. For
information or to make a reservation, call 954-527-2700 or visit
http://www.embassysuitesftl.com/.

* The La Quinta Inn, Fort Lauderdale - Coral Springs is offering a "King
Tut Treasure" package, which features a 20% discount on a spacious
deluxe room with balcony, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast and
an entry into a contest to win the La Quinta Inn - King Tut Treasure,
which is valued at more than $400. The King Tut Treasure includes
several official King Tut souvenirs a $50 Target gift card and two free
nights at any La Quinta Inn nationwide. The winning reservation will be
chosen on April 23, 2006. To book this package, call 954-753-9000 and
ask for the King Tut rate or promo code KNGTUT. Package is valid until
April 25, 2006.

For more information, to order tickets, or to enter to win a trip for two to Greater Fort Lauderdale including passes to the Tut exhibition, visit http://www.sunny.org/tut. To secure advance tickets for the 'Mummy of all Exhibitions,' or for more information on group tickets visit http://www.kingtut.org/tickets.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is organized by National Geographic, AEG Exhibitions and Arts and Exhibitions International, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, and sponsored by Northern Trust Corporation.

For more information on Greater Fort Lauderdale, contact the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, 100 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; call 800-22-SUNNY U.S. and Canada) or log onto http://www.sunny.org/.

Source: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

CONTACT: Roland Alonzi, roland@msilver-pr.com or Christopher Dale,
christopher@msilver-pr.com, both for Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention &
Visitors Bureau, Tel: +1-212-754-6500, Fax: +1-212-754-6711

Web site: http://www.sunny.org/

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Pennsylvania Game Commission: Middle Creek to Host Wildfowl Show Sept. 17-18; Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo Scheduled for Sept. 17-18

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area will host its 19th Annual Middle Creek Wildfowl Show on Sept. 17-18. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free, but donations are graciously accepted and benefit the Wildlands Preservation Fund to preserve wild lands. Middle Creek is along Hopeland Road, two miles south of Kleinfeltersville, on the Lebanon-Lancaster county line.

The show features wildfowl carvings, artwork, collectibles and carving supplies from over 60 vendors.

Retriever demonstrations will be at 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Sept. 17, and at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18. Two different retriever clubs will display their dogs' abilities, both with water retrievals, and upland retrievals.

Decoy competitions will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and winners will be announced at 4 p.m.

Pennsylvania State Duck and Goose Calling Championships will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Food vendors will be selling throughout the show. For further information or directions, call 717-733-1512.

PYMATUNING WATERFOWL EXPO SCHEDULED FOR SEPT. 17-18

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Pymatuning Wildlife Learning Center is gearing up for the 2005 Pymatuning Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl Expo on Sept. 17-18, in and around Linesville, Crawford County. A highlight of the two-day event is the selection of the Pennsylvania Waterfowl Management Stamp from entries by many of the Commonwealth's most accomplished wildlife artists which will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Linesville High School, 302 West School Drive.

Exhibits by woodcarvers, crafters, hunting equipment vendors and others will be featured on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, hunting dog demonstrations and duck calling contests will be held Saturday and Sunday.

The Learning Center activities and exhibits will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 18. Exhibits on the grounds of the Learning Center include those from: the Purple Martin Conservation Association; the Conneaut Lake/French Creek Valley Conservancy; the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry; the Natural Resource Conservation Service; and the Northeast Ohio Loggers' Chapter.

Additional activities at the Learning Center include: at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 17, a waterfowl information and banding program, with the opportunity for children to assist in the release of wild ducks; a tree identification tour will be conducted by Mark Lewis, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources service forester, at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 17; and a soils program by the U.S. National Resource Conservation Service at 1 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 18.

NOTE: Photos to accompany the above news article about Middle Creek Wildfowl Show are available from the Game Commission's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/) by clicking on "Release #79-05."

Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission

CONTACT: Jerry Feaser, Pennsylvania Game Commission, +1-717-705-6541,
PGCNEWS@state.pa.us

Web site: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/

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Gamut Industries Launches Gamut.net, the Premiere Online Gallery of Street Art for Your Mobile Phone

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Gamut Industries today announced the launch of Gamut.net, an online gallery of lowbrow art featuring work by some of today's most prominent underground artists. Wallpaper and animated screensavers from the gallery can now be downloaded onto mobile phones at www.gamut.net.

In announcing the launch, Lon Clark, creative director at Gamut.net, said, "The site fulfills a need in the wireless world. Bringing the work of the likes of SEEN and Lisa Petrucci to the mobile audience not only opens up a whole new realm of exposure for them, but in many ways creates a new medium, a medium with fresh demands and possibilities. We will continue to seek out new alternative artists as well as add to the collections of those we've already signed on. We want Gamut.net to be the premiere showcase for art of this genre."

In addition to the work of SEEN and Petrucci, Gamut.net will launch with collections by Ron English, Kirsten Easthope, Frank Kozik, Andrew Bell, NYC Lase, and others. It will also offer select ringtones and other content unique in the mobile world.

"This is just part of what Gamut Industries is doing in the mobile arena," said David Moranville, managing director of Gamut Industries. "We are committed to pushing the boundaries of mobile media, and to helping take companies into the mobile future. It's fair to say, though, that the personality of Gamut.net does much to define who we are and what we aspire to be."

About Gamut Industries

Gamut Industries, a creative mobile marketing company based in San Francisco, develops and implements mobile and Internet-based advertising, sales, and marketing initiatives. With programs and supporting applications for branding and image building, promotions, sweepstakes, ticketing, and couponing, Gamut helps client organizations take full advantage of the power of the emerging mobile channel.

In the course of delivering its mobile programs, Gamut has created original content, repurposed the assets of others to build branded ringers, animated ringers, wallpaper, and animated screensavers, and developed mobile vending machine, scavenger hunt, LBS, enterprise, and couponing applications.

Gamut's clients and partners have included QUALCOMM, manufacturers such as Samsung and LG, domestic and foreign operators including Sprint, Verizon, KDDI, China Unicom, and Vivo, content kings like Disney, and advertisers like McDonald's and the Portland Trail Blazers.

To find out more about Gamut Industries, please email info@gamut.net or call David Moranville at 415-217-7047.

Source: Gamut Industries

CONTACT: Lon Clark of Gamut Industries, +1-415-217-7049, or
lon@gamut.net

Web site: http://www.gamut.net/

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Monday, August 29, 2005

Colonial Williamsburg Hosts Internationally Acclaimed Storytellers For First Storytelling Festival

'Spinning Stories/Spanning Time: A Weekend of Stories Old and New' Sept. 16-18

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Colonial Williamsburg's guests will be spellbound as they gather in Virginia's restored 18th-century capital throughout the weekend of Sept. 16-18 to be entertained and inspired by eight internationally acclaimed storytellers during Colonial Williamsburg's first storytelling festival "Spinning Stories/Spanning Time: A Weekend of Stories Old and New."

These word artisans will bring to life tender and hilarious recollections of childhood; Southern stories; epic arguments; delicious recipes gone wrong; mime; African oral traditions; and post-modern folktales.

* Don Davis, the acknowledged father of family tales, grew up in a family
of traditional storytellers who have lived on the same North Carolina
Appalachian southland since 1781. Davis captures the minds and hearts of
his audiences, while simultaneously evoking thoughts and feelings from
their own memories.

* Jay O'Callahan says storytelling is an invitation to the audience to
"see a world so vivid that the theater disappears." For 25 years,
O'Callahan has been spinning his stories around the world. Yet, after
all this time, the Massachusetts native still enjoys the process of
growing a story, weaving together the sounds, color and specific details
that make a world.

* Kathryn Windham's heritage -- a traveling-minister father, newspaper
reporting and the wisdom that comes from years of meeting people --
empowers the Alabama resident to deliver insights into humanity while
sharing her wealth of Southern stories.

* Charlotte Blake Alston is a Philadelphia-based storyteller, narrator and
singer who breathes life into traditional and contemporary stories from
the African and African-American oral and cultural traditions. She
shares fables of flying slaves and tall tales through spoken rhythms and
interwoven passages of song.

* Laura Pershin Raynor brings to life the colorful cast of characters from
her unique and loving family through tales of secret messages and
outrageous tricksters. Her grandmother, who lived to be 105 years old,
raised her on fascinating tales of the "old country," providing Pershin
Raynor with a rich landscape for her own stories.

* Antonio Rocha, a native of Brazil, began his career in 1985. Since then
he has performed his unique blend of mime and verbal narrative from the
Far East to the Far West. Identified by some as "poetry in motion,"
Rocha has studied with masters Tony Montanaro and Marcel Marceau.

* Dylan Pritchett has averaged more than 200 performances annually in
schools, libraries and museums since 1990. Pritchett's performances and
assemblies are age-appropriate with six major themes in mind: moral
teachings, building self-esteem, respect, enhancing listening skills,
the African oral tradition and having fun.

* Barbara McBride Smith is an Oklahoma native and storyteller of mythical
proportions. Acclaimed for her uptown-downtown Greek myths,
unforgettable biblical tales and on-the-edge family stories, she often
seems bigger than life. In reality, McBride Smith is a school librarian,
seminary professor and moonlighting storyteller.

Colonial Williamsburg's storytelling festival weekend begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16 at Bassett Hall, the former Williamsburg residence of Abby and John D. Rockefeller Jr., with school group programs that include lunch. Friday evening's 7 p.m. "Opening Olio" (storyteller sampler) in the Kimball Theatre, located in Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square, offers guests a taste of what all eight storytellers will present during the weekend.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, storytellers will perform at various Colonial Williamsburg venues, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Bassett Hall, and continuing to the Hennage Auditorium in the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Kimball Theatre. Storytellers will be available for autographs several times throughout the day.

From 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday, festival attendees are invited to stop by the "Swappin' Ground Tent" to perform their own favorite story with other lovers of great stories.

As the sun sets Saturday evening, guests are invited to gather for "Family Stories" from 7 to 8 p.m. at Bassett Hall. Those who think that the cover of darkness is a great time for bone-chilling stories are invited to enjoy 18th- through 19th- century and contemporary "Ghost Tales" from 8 to 10 p.m. at Bassett Hall. This program will include several of Colonial Williamsburg's expert storytellers.

From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18 in the Kimball Theatre, guests will experience the closing olio of "Sacred Stories" with the featured storytellers. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hennage Auditorium, Colonial Williamsburg's storytellers will share "Colonial Stories" set in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A variety of festival ticket options is available. The full weekend pass for Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday is $45 for adults, $25 for youth 6-17 and $25 for seniors and students. The weekend family pass for up to four family members is $100. The Saturday pass is $25 for adults, $15 for youth 6- 17 and $15 for seniors and students. The Sunday Pass is $20 for adults, $10 for youth 6-17 and $10 for seniors and students. Evening only performances are $12 for adults and $7 for youth 6-17, seniors and students. Children under 6 are admitted free to all programs. Colonial Williamsburg ticket holders will receive a discount on storytelling festival tickets. Special event packages also are available for guests who choose to stay in one of Colonial Williamsburg's five hotels: Williamsburg Inn and Providence Hall, Colonial Houses, Williamsburg Lodge, Woodlands Hotel & Suites and the Governor's Inn.

Established in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for- profit educational institution that preserves and operates the restored 18th- century capital of Virginia. Williamsburg is located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., off Interstate 64. For more information or reservations, call toll-free (800) HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg on the Internet at http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/.

CONTACT: Lorraine C. Brooks of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, +1-757-220-7280, or lbrooks@cwf.org.

Source: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

CONTACT: Lorraine C. Brooks of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation,
+1-757-220-7280, or lbrooks@cwf.org

Web site: http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Storyteller images can be obtained by calling Penna Rogers at (757) 220-7121 or e-mailing her at progers@cwf.org.

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Friday, September 02, 2005

Governor Rendell Asks Museum Commission to Rescind Planned Entry Fee at Next Board Meeting; Fee Suspended Immediately Pending Board Action

Stages of Learning Announces Partnerships With Nine NEW Public Schools for the Upcoming School Year

International 'Picture the World' Photo Contest: Everyone's Invited!

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Now You Can Really Judge a Book by its Cover

Author/Photographer Depicts His 'Time-Traveling' Son in Photo History for Kids - Offers Moral Lessons for Today

Ancient Animal Rights Tale Gets a Human Menagerie - Two Rabbis, a Kentucky Sufi, a Christian Editor, a Muslim Artist, a Saudi Arabian Princess

La Galerie Pilardus présente la première exposition Rosalind Jewelry

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Fraser Management Associates Donates Private Investment Books Collection

OnRequest Images Expands North American Presence

Innovative Theater Restoration Pays Off for College Box Office and Online Sales for Premiere Season Soar

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

International Galleries Inc. Pone Demanda Contra La Raza Por Difamación y Difusión de Información Falsa

ARTISTdirect, Inc. Reports Results of Operations for the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005

International Galleries Inc. Sues La Raza Newspaper for Defamation and Dissemination of False Information

Field Museum Is 'On the Move'

BALLETX Takes the Stage as Philadelphia's Only Contemporary Ballet Company at the Live Arts Festival

PA Game Commission Names Winner of WTFW Art Contest; Special Patch to Honor 25 Years of WTFW Program

Greater Fort Lauderdale Hotels Offer Travel Packages Fit For A 'King'

Pennsylvania Game Commission: Middle Creek to Host Wildfowl Show Sept. 17-18; Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo Scheduled for Sept. 17-18

Gamut Industries Launches Gamut.net, the Premiere Online Gallery of Street Art for Your Mobile Phone

Monday, August 29, 2005

Colonial Williamsburg Hosts Internationally Acclaimed Storytellers For First Storytelling Festival