Anne Mahlum, a 29-year old North Dakota native and Founder and President of Back on My Feet (BOMF), will speak at a National Press Club Newsmakers press conference at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, in the Zenger Room, 13th floor, National Press Building, 529 14th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080917/NPCLOGO)

Mahlum will discuss the organization's approach to promoting the self-sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

Anne will discuss BOMF's approach to providing a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership. Anne points out, "at BOMF, there are no labels, no stigmas and no stereotypes."

SOURCE National Press Club

Back to top

Three employees who worked as suite attendants at New York's marquee tennis tournament, the US Open, filed a class and collective action lawsuit on behalf of suite attendants.  The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Case No. 10 Civ. 0935) on behalf of persons who worked as suite attendants at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the 2004-2009 US Open Tennis Tournament.

Defendants include Restaurant Associates Events Corp., Levy Restaurants, Inc., Amerivents, JKDella Sales Dimensions, Inc., Scott Frain and James Della Pace.

The suite attendants claim that during the US Open tennis tournaments held from 2004-2009 defendants violated federal and state wage and hour laws by failing to pay all wages due including overtime to suite attendants who worked over 100 hours each week during the tournaments.  

"While labor law violations are nothing new, this particular case shines a bright light on how even the workers who are hand-picked to serve at a high-class event can be unfairly treated by perceived veterans in the catering industry," said Judith Spanier, partner at Abbey Spanier Rodd & Abrams, LLP and co-counsel for the case.

The suite attendants also claim that defendants improperly kept gratuities in the form of a 21% service charge paid by suite customers on all catered food and beverages.  Defendants' handling of the gratuities violated the New York Labor law as interpreted by New York's highest court in Samiento v. World Yacht Inc., in 2008.

Co-Counsel Mitchell Schley stated:  "One would expect that large corporations which charge patrons top dollar for luxury service at the US Open would see fit to pay their workers in accordance with legal requirements instead of causing them to have to seek help in the federal courts."

Judith L. Spanier, Orin Kurtz and Grace Parasmo of Abbey Spanier Rodd & Abrams, LLP and the Law Offices of Mitchell Schley, LLC, represent the plaintiffs.  The lawsuit seeks collective and class action status, monetary damages and injunctive relief to ensure future compliance with wage and hour laws at US Open events.

Attorney Contacts:  Judith L. Spanier, Orin Kurtz and Grace Parasmo of Abbey Spanier Rodd & Abrams, LLP, +1-212-889-3700, www.abbeyspanier.com; and Law Offices of Mitchell Schley, LLC, +1-212-672-1848, mschley@schleylaw.com.

Media contact: Jacqui Wilder, 212-704-2015, jacqui@parklanecommunications.com

SOURCE Abbey Spanier Rodd & Abrams, LLP

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.abbeyspanier.com

Lake monsters have captured imaginations for centuries. Lakelubbers.com tells tales of 17 such creatures in the USA, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Costa Rica and Argentina. Loch Ness's "Nessie" is best known. Muckie, Ogopogo, Memphre, Champ, Illies, Tarpie, Nahuelito and nine others are less familiar.

Most lake monsters look like serpents, dragons or giant fish. But Canada's Thetis Lake monster has been described as a scaly, gilled humanoid - similar to Hollywood's "Creature from the Black Lagoon." Most are relatively harmless, but North Dakota's Devil's Lake Monster destroyed an entire Sioux army and killed all of its fish. Serpent of the Manitou uses tentacles to seize wild game.

Few lake monsters are scientifically documented, but recent sonar evidence showed a serpentine USO - Unidentified Swimming Object - 80 meters long in Ireland's Killarney Lakes.

Lakelubbers documents these legendary creatures at:

http://www.lakelubbers.com/newsletter-03-2010.html

Lakelubbers.com features tourism and historical information on 1,330 vacation and recreational lakes in 50 USA states and 50 countries. Homeowners and real estate professionals can advertise vacation rentals and homes for sale. Ten writers research and profile 100 new lakes each month.

Lakelubbers identifies the size, depth, shoreline length, fish species and lake activities that enable visitors to find lakes for their vacations or retirement. Visitors can also find lakes close to their hometowns or zip codes, ideal for weekend getaways.

"Lakelubbers" is a play on both "landlubbers" and "lake lovers."

Web URL: http://www.lakelubbers.com

Press Contact: Brian Raub, 540-721-3327

This release was issued through eReleases(TM).  For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Lakelubbers.com

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.lakelubbers.com

Leading PRC fashion sportswear enterprise Xtep International Holdings Limited ("Xtep" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries the "Group", stock code: 1368) announced it has become the principal partner for the volunteers of World Expo 2010 Shanghai ("Shanghai Expo").

Pursuant to the agreement signed by Xtep and the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination on 2 March, 2010, Xtep was honored as the "Shanghai World Expo Designated Sportswear Provider," and it will sponsor the outfits for all volunteers within the Shanghai Expo arena. Mr. Hong Hao, Deputy Secretary General of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Mr. Xu Wei Guo, Deputy Party Secretary of the Bureau of the Shanghai World Expo Coordination, together with Mr. Ding Shui Po, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtep and Mr. Ye Qi, Vice President of Xtep (China) attended the sponsorship signing ceremony.

The volunteers' uniform for the Shanghai Expo site was also unveiled at the signing ceremony. The stylish design featuring a memorable motif pattern was highly regarded by the attending media and staff of the Shanghai Expo. With blended with white and green colours, the volunteers' outfits promote a sounding green concept while demonstrating the themes of harmony, purity, and creativity. The outfit utilizes natural and environmentally-friendly fabrics woven together by cutting-edge knitting technology, resulting in a true display of classic beauty and comfort.

Mr. Ding Shui Po, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtep, said: "The World Expo is a prominent event attracting international attention. The Shanghai Expo will be the centre of attention across the world, due to the duration, scale and number of participating countries of the event. At the same time, a group of volunteers will make their generous contributions at this event, shuttling between various exhibition halls and offering assistance. These volunteers, sporting the Xtep brand, will appear at every corner of the Shanghai Expo arena and impress all visitors and attendees.

"Xtep is a young, energetic, fashionable and innovated brand which exemplifies the Shanghai Expo's key themes of 'inspiration' and 'integration.' Striving to become the world's top fashion sportswear brand, we must be equipped with a global vision and greater international initiatives. The Shanghai Expo is truly an international event getting people together from all around the globe. We, through the sponsorship opportunity, hope to demonstrate our vision of 'Rooted in China, Facing the World' and gain increasing support and recognition," Mr. Ding concluded.

Mr. Ding Shui Po, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtep (3rd on the right) and Mr. Hong Hao, Director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination (3rd on the left) shook hands at the signing ceremony whereby Xtep officially became the principal partner for the Shanghai Expo.

Mr. Ding Shui Po, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtep (right) and Mr. Hong Hao, Director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination (left) displayed the outfits sponsored by Xtep.

About Xtep International Holdings Limited

Xtep International Holdings Limited is a listed company on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Xtep brand is the leading fashion sportswear brand in the PRC. The Group is principally engaged in the design, development, manufacture, sales and marketing of sportswear products. It has developed an extensive nationwide distribution network covering 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in the PRC.

Issued by Porda International (Finance) PR Group for and on behalf of Xtep International Holdings Limited.

    For further information, please contact:

    Xtep International Holdings Limited
     Ms. Sidney Luk
     Tel: (852) 2152-0813
     Email: sidney.luk@xtep.com.hk
     Fax: (852) 2153-0330

     Porda International (Finance) PR Group
     Ms Winnie Chan
     Tel: (852) 3150 6775
     Email: winnie.chan@pordafinance.com.hk

     Ms Ada Leung
     Tel: (852) 3150 6732
     Email: ada.leung@pordafinance.com.hk

     Ms Samantha Yeung
     Tel: (852) 3150 6735
     Email: samantha.yeung@pordafinance.com.hk
     Fax: (852) 3150 6728

SOURCE Xtep International Holdings Limited

Back to top

Motherhood Maternity^® today announced its stores will carry a line of Soft As A Grape^® maternity t-shirts bearing Major League Baseball team logos, giving moms-to-be the opportunity to support their favorite MLB team.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/PH65089-a )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/PH65089-b )

The MLB maternity t-shirts, in sizes small through extra large, are available at Motherhood Maternity stores, including those within Destination Maternity^® stores, across the nation.  In addition, officially licensed MLB and Soft As A Grape baby onesies are available for newborn sluggers.

"Major League Baseball recognizes the importance of outfitting each and every fan, as well as our fans-to-be, with quality products that will show their team support," said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball.  "Our relationship with Soft As A Grape ensures we identify new ways to connect with this important audience, and we are fortunate to have this product available at Motherhood Maternity stores across the nation."

"We are very excited about this opportunity to work with Motherhood Maternity and bring Major League Baseball to all moms-to-be," said Allen Katzen, President of Soft As A Grape.   

"From Red Sox Nation to Dodgertown, moms-to-be don't stop being fans when they become pregnant," said Rebecca Matthias, President and Chief Creative Officer for Motherhood Maternity.  "So, we are excited to offer these Major League Baseball t-shirts to our clients to keep them in the game."

The entire selection of MLB onesies (currently $16.98) and maternity t-shirts (currently $24.98), including select teams in plus sizes*, are also available online at www.motherhood.com, and www.destinationmaternity.com.  

*Plus sizes available online only.

About Major League Baseball Properties

The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Clubs' agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. Major League Baseball Properties is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rights holders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and stock photo licensing agency, and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events. For more information on Major League Baseball, log on to www.MLB.com.

About Soft As A Grape

Founded in 1972 by Allen Katzen, the company is as an official licensee for Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Hockey League (NHL), as well as an official licensee for the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) for women's and children's products.

Soft As A Grape offers custom printing and embroidery and is an award winning leader in the industry with state of the art printing and embroidery facilities.  Soft As A Grape maintains headquarters at 328 Marion Road in Wareham, MA. For a listing of their locations and for further information you may visit them online at www.softasagrape.com or contact them at 508-295-9900.

About Motherhood Maternity

Motherhood Maternity® offers a complete selection of the latest fashions and amazing values.  From sexy and sophisticated to bold and beautiful, Motherhood Maternity has everything the mom-to-be could ever want or need.  Motherhood Maternity can be found nationwide, in Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and in all Destination Maternity® stores. For store locations or to shop online or by phone, visit www.motherhood.com, www.motherhoodcanada.ca or call 1.800.4MOM2BE.

About Destination Maternity

Destination Maternity® is the home of the world's leading maternity brands Motherhood Maternity®, A Pea in the Pod®, and A Pea in the Pod Collection™.  It is a one-stop shop for the most extraordinary selection of maternity fashion, accessories and everything imaginable for the pregnant woman.  Visit www.destinationmaternity.com for a baby namer, pregnancy information and expert advice.

About Destination Maternity Corporation

Motherhood Maternity® and Destination Maternity® are brands of Destination Maternity Corporation ( DEST).  Destination Maternity Corporation is the world's largest designer and retailer of maternity apparel.  In the United States and Canada, Destination Maternity operates, as of February 28, 2010, 1,689 retail locations, including 711 stores, predominantly under the tradenames Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod®, and Destination Maternity, and sells on the web through its www.destinationmaternity.com and brand-specific websites.  

SOURCE Motherhood Maternity

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.motherhood.com