The recent multiple suicides in Bridgend in the UK has highlighted concerns about the potential for certain websites to facilitate or encourage suicide. But one site is dedicated to the prevention of self harm and emotional desperation and has reinvented traditional support systems for the online generation: Big White Wall.

Whilst attempts by government and regulatory bodies to improve the safety of youngsters and others online are laudable, it is also important to appreciate how websites like bigwhitewall.com help thousands of people each day deal with anxiety, depression, social isolation and related issues. Its founder Jenny Hyatt commented: ’People have lost their traditional support networks due to increasing mobility, work pressures and the greater likelihood of them living alone. This has resulted in a greater emphasis on the individual having to cope alone in contemporary society. While the internet can be a dangerous place for people who are vulnerable, it can also be a lifeline if such people know where to go.’

Big White Wall was launched in October 2007 as the online specialist in emotional health. Its founder, Jenny Hyatt, is a survivor of an emotional health crisis. She believes it is vital to provide an anonymous space on the web where people can express everyday worries and deeper concerns, openly and honestly.

In 2006 there were 31 million prescriptions for anti-depressants written in the UK. Furthermore, around one in three GP visits are related to emotional or mental health issues and one in four adults will experience a major depressive episode in their lives.

‘You don’t have to be alone or lonely to suffer from emotional health issues – emotional isolation can occur in the most sociable of people. Regardless of how many friends you have, there are still many things that you cannot talk about freely with them, you fear they may see you differently, that what you are worrying about appears ‘out of character’ to them or that they will not understand’, says Hyatt. ‘Put this all together and we have a meteoric growth in people turning to medicine to seek help or internalising their issues when what they really need is emotional support. At the current rate of increase, anxiety and depression will be the second most disabling condition in the world after heart disease by 2020’.

Big White Wall takes the best of social networking practices – encouraging free expression and engagement with peers – whilst encouraging a clear culture of support. In its first four months it has seen thousands of issues raised from people struggling with grief or relationship breakdown to depression, bulimia and sexual abuse. Big White Wall provides a space for people to resolve everyday anxieties whilst providing a first step to encourage the more troubled to seek professional help offline.

‘We are not naïve about the potential dangers of a site that is explicitly dealing with difficult problems and challenging issues in people’s lives’, comments Hyatt. ‘We want to provide a space that is not only highly accessible, engaging and informative, but one that also encourages peer to peer support. We have found many people struggle to use services or charities that carry a ‘mental health’ label. We provide a vital stepping stone to expert help but one that has the attractions of many other social networks.’

As government and regulatory bodies review social networking, it is hoped that they also embrace the potential of websites such as Big White Wall for early intervention and prevention of the slide into more serious emotional and mental health conditions.

Jenny Hyatt, Founder of Big White Wall, is available for interview

New Website is the Perfect Marriage of Traditional Dating and Online Technology

CHICAGO, Jan. 29, 2008 — If you’re at a networking event looking for a business relationship, you’d most likely hand out your business card to potential partners and associates. So if you’re looking for a romantic relationship, it only makes sense that you’d hand out your “relationship resume” to potential mates.

That’s the way Sabah Green, founder of ResumesForRelationships.com, looks at it. She recently launched the site to enable singles to create their own relationship resumes. Singles also can create E-cards that can be customized and printed out, then handed out – in person – to those who catch their eye. The E-card reads, “Check out my Personalized Resume @ ResumesForRelationships.com,” and instructs the recipient to log in with a profile ID number and password that provide access to the stored resume.

“It’s all about the eye contact,” says Green, who describes her concept as bringing people back to traditional dating … but with an online twist. “It’s a great ice-breaker.”

Here’s how it works:

– Single create an online resume with free setup.
– Subscriptions run for one month at $9.95, plus an additional week at no cost.

– After the 37 days have expired, the resume is hidden on the site until the monthly fee is paid again.

“Unlike other online dating sites, we do not use automatic billing,” says Green. Her business philosophy is the same as her dating philosophy: Be honest and straightforward. “After my divorce, entering the singles scene again was a bit nerve-wracking, to say the least, so I created a service that embodies my philosophy.”

While the launch of ResumesForRelationships.com comes at a perfect time – just before Valentine’s Day – Green emphasizes the importance of making personal connections all year round. “You never know where you might meet someone. It could be at the corner coffee café or the cleaners,” she explains. “With an E-card to hand out inviting someone to view your relationship resume at our site, you’re good to go.”

The resume itself is very in-depth, with questions ranging from light (“What are your hobbies?”) to serious (“Are you fearful of commitment?”).

Her words of advice? “Get out there and find joy, happiness, and much love in your journey of finding your perfect mate!”

Contact:

Sabah Green

Resumes For Relationships, Inc.

312-213-7814

[email protected]

Are you struggling with what to get your man for Valentine’s Day? A pair of boxer shorts or cuff links are just not going to cut it this year? Many women are finding it more difficult every year to find that special gift for their husbands or boyfriends at Valentine’s Day. For the guy who has everything they’ve decided to give a personal gift of themselves. The ‘boudoir’ or ‘intimate portrait’ has caught on as the latest gift for those ladies that want to really surprise their man.

Brian Tremblay, Sault Ste Marie’s premier photographer of this type of portrait, says, “There has been a great increase in the number of boudoir/glamour sessions I have been booking. Women are looking for a professional and someone they can trust to create the look they want. I find every session is unique and designed individually, so no two are ever the same.”

Many of the women who want to do this type of portrait are understably nervous, says Tremblay. When choosing a photographer for this type of work one should review their (the photographer’s) portfolio to see if what they shoot fits their style. Other good things to ask about are: do they offer professional make up services to finish the portrait; can they bring a friend to the session and do they offer retouching of the images.

A few looks that are popular now are the Maxim magazine style of photo session. These sexy style images are very edgy and tasteful and the men just love them. For those looking for a fine art look, a black and white figure study image can become a very decorative piece and not just a gift. Tremblay says, “They are in complete control of the session and often when they come in they have no idea of how to achieve the look they want. After viewing the portfolios they find a look that suits them.”

The soft and sensual portraits get quite a reaction from husband, boyfriend of fiancé who receives the portrait. It has a high surprise factor because most of them would never expect it of that person. And, in the end, that’s the best part about the gift – an expected surprise.

Brian Tremblay’s work has appeared in many publications including Maxim, Clique, Hotelier and MacLean’s magazine. You can see his work at www.tremblayphoto.com. “I often get clients,” says Tremblay, “who tell me how much their husbands or boyfriends just loved it and I’m glad I was able to help them create that special gift.”

DAVID BURKE
(life partner and sole executor of the will of
Angelo Jacinto Jose Do Rosario Athaide deceased)
Claimant
- and-RAYMOND ERNEST ROBERTS
1st Defendant
- and-ARLA FOODS
2nd Defendant

Circumstances:
On 26 August 2003 Mr. Angelo Athaide died after a collision on Romford Road, London E15 between his motorcycle and an Arla Foods’ milk float being driven by Mr. Raymond Roberts.

Mr Athaide was on his way to his work as a specialist clothes designer with his same sex partner of 14 years, Mr David Burke.

Mr Roberts had parked close to the kerb, but facing the wrong direction to the line of traffic, when he attempted to turn across Romford Road to go down a side road, Glenavon Road. At roughly the same time that he moved off the traffic lights where Mr Athaide was waiting changed from red to green.

Because Mr Roberts was facing the wrong way and there was a slight bend on the road he was not able to see the traffic lights or the first 100 yards or so of Mr Athaide’s travel. Similarly Mr Athaide would not have seen him.

The collision occurred on Mr Athaide’s side of the road, by which time the milk float was roughly perpendicular to the line of travel of Mr Athaide. As a result of the collision Mr Athiade suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull, and was mercifully rendered unconscious by the collision.

Mr Burke was also driving to work and came across the scene of the accident within a couple of minutes. He saw Mr Athaide breathing at the scene. Mr Athaide was taken to the Royal London Hospital where, upon admission, he was pronounced dead. He was 37 years old at the date of his death.

Mr Burke came to White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors after losing faith with his previous solicitors, Lyons Davidson.

Damages:

The general elements of the claim were not large, some £5,500 at most. However, there were two further potentially significant elements: “dependency” and “bereavement” claims.

Issues:

The issues revolved around the fact that Mr Athaide and Mr Burke were a same gender couple, rather than a mixed gender couple, and the legal interpretation at the time of that relationship by the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 has now been amended by the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

The old wording of the Fatal Accidents Act allowed a dependency claim involving a co-habiting couple, provided they were living together as “husband and wife”. Prior to the implementation of the Human Rights Act this was strictly interpreted by the English Courts as applying only to different gender couples and the Courts would simply not have allowed a claim by Mr Burke for dependency.

However following the implementation of the Human Rights Act it was our view that the position had changed.

The Human Rights Act incorporated the European Convention of Human Rights into domestic law. There were two ‘Articles’ in the Convention which particularly affected Mr Burke’s claim: Article 8 (the right to family life) and Article 14 (general prohibition on discrimination). Under section 3 of the 1998 Act, where there was a conflict between domestic law and the Convention, the domestic law “must be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with the convention rights”.

After the Act came in to force the Courts had interpreted some statutes that include the phrase “co-habiting as man and wife” to include same gender couples. Despite the fact there was no actual case law specifically dealing with the Fatal Accidents Act, we were confident the Court would adopt this approach in this case, particularly as the Civil Partnership Act had since confirmed this position. However, as the accident occurred before the Civil Partnership Act it was still a grey area.

Finally, the Fatal Accidents Act also allowed a statutory compensatory figure of (presently) £10,000 for a “bereavement payment” to a “husband or wife” of the deceased. Again, Mr Burke was technically neither by the strict interpretation of the Act’s wording. But again, for the reasons mentioned above, we were confident in this as well.

It was the other side’s position that to succeed Mr Burke had to establish that one or more of the Convention rights was engaged before any interpretation under section 3 of the Human Rights Act could be applied. They argued that the claims were in effect financial claims and not a ‘right to family life’ claim under Article 8. As such Mr Burke could not show Article 8 was engaged in the circumstances of this case and, as a result, neither was Article 14 and hence section 3 interpretation was irrelevant as there was nothing to interpret. They suggested the case of M v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2006] 2 AC 91 gave support to their argument.

Following a roundtable meeting in November 2007 settlement was agreed with Mr Burke receiving in excess of £30,000. Whilst this money can never replace what Mr Burke lost, had the matter gone against him at Court he would have probably received no more than £4,000.

The simple fact is that the Fatal Accidents Act, until the Civil Partnership Act, discriminated against same gender couples and, for those people who have potential fatal accident claims before 2004, still does. However, for those with a potential claim after 1999 this case offers at least some hope and Mr Burke’s hope that some good may come out of this tragic event may at least be achieved.

Solicitors for Mr Burke: White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors
Counsel’s for Mr Burke: Mike George and Lizanne Gumbel QC

http://www.whitedalton.co.uk

The Motor Insurers Bureau (“MIB”) is a body set up by the Government and the insurance industry to compensate the victims of untraced and uninsured drivers who would otherwise go uncompensated. This good basic aim sometimes gets lost.

Such was the potential for a White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors client in a case heard at the West London County Court in October 2007. The matter has not been reported previously due to it’s significance and the fact that they were waiting until the MIB could no longer appeal.

In this case, an uninsured driver (in one of an estimated one million uninsured cars on UK roads) pulled out in front of the biker, a self-employed despatch rider, with the inevitable collision. The rider was not at fault, but his bike was written off. Being self-employed and with the prospect of no money coming in, he was obviously keen to get back to work as he has a family to feed, bills to pay etc. However, he needed a motorcycle to do his job so he hired a bike, intending to pay off the hire at the end of the case. He was able to return to work within a day, as a result thus continuing to earn money, pay his bills and taxes etc – all perfectly normal and reasonable.

The law insists you should do everything reasonable to stop your losses mounting. By returning to work as soon as he could he had ‘mitigated’ his position in that he reduced his potential loss of earnings claim to virtually nothing. But, in doing so he had to incur a credit hire bill. Over the months that followed the accident the rider gradually scraped together enough money to buy another bike and once he had bought another bike he handed back the hire bike.

So far so fair, however a term in the Uninsured Driver Agreement effectively means that as the credit hire bill was a third party contractual obligation, not the client’s personal loss, no compensation would be paid for it and the MIB sought to rely on the day of the trial. For our client that meant he would have to personally pay a bill in excess of £10,000, a bill he would not have incurred if the other driver had not pulled out in front of him.

If he had just claimed benefits, then his wages would have been paid. White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors successfully argued that this despatch rider should not be penalised or treated differently to any other driver who had been forced to hire a vehicle by negligent driving. The case went to trial at West London County Court where full damages were Ordered to be paid, including the hire bill, and the MIB then paid them in full.

Arguably, victims of uninsured drivers now can get the same compensation as those who get knocked off by insured drivers. The despatch rider received nearly £20,000, including the hire charges.

SOPRANO MEMS Finalist for Best Mobile Enterprise Product or ServiceSYDNEY, Australia – January 22, 2008 – Soprano Design Pty Ltd, the leading Australian developer and provider of mobile and wireless messaging solutions, today announced that the GSM Association has selected the SOPRANO Mobile Enterprise Messaging Suite (MEMS) as a finalist for the 2008 GSMA Global Mobile Awards in the category of Best Mobile Enterprise Product or Service.“These awards celebrate the highest achievements across an industry that has achieved so much over 20 years, and the categories for 2008 have been specially designed to recognize the wealth of ingenuity and creativity from all corners of the mobile industry’s global eco-system that contribute to the continued success and growth of the mobile world, “ comments Rob Conway, CEO of GSM Association in a recent press release.

“SOPRANO is honored to be shortlisted as a finalist by the GSM Association for the SOPRANO Mobile Enterprise Messaging Suite,” said Dr Richard Favero, CEO, Soprano Design. “It is a testament to SOPRANO’s proven ability to help mobile network operators deliver sophisticated value-added mobile and wireless messaging services to their business, enterprise and government customers.”

With over 13 years of expertise and innovation in the design and development of world leading software for the mobile and wireless industry in Australia, Soprano is an Australian Company that is globally focussed on the mobile network operator community.

“This is a great achievement for the SOPRANO team and for the Australian mobile and wireless community that supports our efforts.” said Favero. “We are delivering the world’s best interactive mobile messaging solution for SMS, MMS and Email to Australian and International organisations. This recognition of our software excellence makes our team truly proud.”

Soprano Design will be attending the GSMA Mobile World Congress on February 11-13, at the Fira de Barcelona, in Barcelona, Spain. To arrange a private meeting during the conference, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
About the 2008 GSMA Global Mobile Awards

The GSMA Global Mobile Awards is the leading international awards program honoring excellence throughout the global GSM mobile industry. Established in 1995, the Awards are presented by the GSM Association (GSMA), the global trade organisation for more than 700 mobile operators and leading manufacturers and suppliers that serve more than 1.5 billion users, across more than 215 countries of the world. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 12th February at the Global Mobile Awards Gala Dinner held in The National Palace (Palau Nacional) in Barcelona.

Now in their 13^th year, the GSMA Global Mobile Awards is the centrepiece of the world’s largest and most successful mobile industry event, the Mobile World Congress – formerly the 3GSM World Congress – which takes place in Barcelona from the 11-15 February 2008.

For more information about the Global Mobile Messaging Awards, please visit http://www.globalmobileawards.com/

About the GSM Association

The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 215 countries of the world. In addition, more than 180 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association’s initiatives as key partners. The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers. The Association’s members serve more than two billion customers – 82% of the world’s mobile phone users.

About SOPRANO MEMS

The SOPRANO’s Mobile Enterprise Messaging Suite provides a set of sophisticated mobile and email messaging applications in a single ‘out-of-the-box’ solution. Delivered as a multi-tenant, secure, and fully featured SMS, MMS and email messaging solution, the solution is targeted at mobile network operators and mobile service providers, enabling them to provide their customers with robust mobile and email messaging value-added services that can be activated in hours.

About Soprano

SOPRANO Design is the leading provider of mobile messaging and wireless application infrastructure in Australia. Soprano counts as its clients leading mobile network operators, wireless application service providers, financial institutions, government agencies and global top 100 corporations. SOPRANO researches, develops and licenses its advanced mobile messaging and wireless application infrastructure software to its clients. These software products are designed to allow our customers to improve internal business processes and generate revenue. With over a decade of experience, and operations in Sydney, Paris, London and the USA, Soprano can deliver innovative off-the-shelf and customised solutions for the wireless customer in a timely and highly cost efficient manner.

SOPRANO is an IBM Premium Business Partner and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

For further information or comment please contact Lucy Zou, on +61 2 9900 2200 or [email protected]

Dental vacations in Mexico are becoming more popular than ever.

The high prices for dental services in North America are prompting patients to look into more affordable options.

MediCareVacations.com is a provider of Dental Packages to Mexico, offering clients alternative options for dental work by alleviating the high cost for such services in Canada and the United States. Patients benefit from reduced waiting times, combining required dental work with a relaxing vacation.

Market research has shown that people are increasingly aware of alternatives beyond their country’s borders. Dental work of equal or superior quality and professionalism can be done at a fraction of the cost of service at home – and all of this is combined with the restorative and rejuvenating benefits of a vacation!

Factors attributing to the elevated prices for dental work in Canada and the United States are:

- Inflation
- Rising cost of tuition
- Increasing cost of malpractice insurance
- Rising demand for cosmetic dentistry, due to pressure in the media

- Increasing demand to look younger and have the “perfect smile”
- Retiring baby-boomer dentists

This has necessitated a search for alternatives for the general public.

MediCareVacations.com was formed in 2007, aiming to design and provide alternatives and great value solutions for dental work. Customized packages in Mexico include qualified dentists in a variety of destinations, from picturesque beach areas to colonial cities, to suit each client’s needs and preferences. A perfect match for travel connoisseurs exploring options for dental work!

For more information or to get a Free, NO obligation estimate, please call 1-866-973-6678 or e-mail [email protected]

From writer/director Andrew Robinson comes a tremendously personal look inside one of our nation’s great tragedies, as seen through his eyes as a survivor. Based on actual events, “April Showers” is about picking up the pieces in the direct aftermath of one of America’s growing epidemics: school violence.

As an active student at the school, Andrew was friends with many of those lost and forever affected by the tragedy. His film, “April Showers,” is set to be released in April of ’09, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the incident.

At the age of 13, Andrew and his family relocated to Littleton, Colorado, from Omaha, Nebraska, where he would eventually attend Columbine High School. The morning of April 20th 1999 forever altered his future. Following the tragic shooting that left 15 dead and many more wounded, Andrew committed himself to be with his grieving friends and family. “April Showers” marks Robinson’s second feature-length effort.

“April Showers” is an honest look at the events of April 20th, 1999, though ’universal’ via composite characters and a fictionalized school. “This can happen anywhere, and indeed it has. Finland, Virginia Tech … where does it end?” asks a thoughtful Robinson.

Set in a middle class suburban neighborhood, “April Showers” focuses on the lives of a handful of teachers and students as they attempt to make sense of a world that has just been turned upside down by one of their own. With the community and an entire nation caught up in the breaking events, the students of Jefferson High must turn to one another for answers.

In the wake of such atrocities, the rifts caused by misinformation and a frenzied media prove difficult to overcome. Lost and lonely under the international spotlight, one young man navigates his way through his almost indiscernible home. From quaint suburban town to battlefield turned media circus, Jefferson High provides the backdrop for Sean’s struggle to cope with the loss of his friend April.

Currently in preproduction, the film is slated to shoot June 2008 in Omaha, Nebraska.

“April Showers” is produced by April Wade of Women on Top Productions and Jenna Edwards, and executive produced by Joel Eisenberg, Eugene Mandelcorn and Tim Owens, collectively “EMO Films.”

For more information about the film or for media inquiries please contact Producers April Wade at 323.819.9233 or Jenna Edwards at 818.219.2695, or visit the “April Showers” website at www.aprilshowersmovie.com.

Lake Mary, Florida, USA – Florida man launches website to help businesses nationwide in their quest to rank higher in the search engines improving their chances for more traffic to their sites.

Jimmy Adames recently decided to go back to his customer service roots and provide manual website directory submission services. Knowing the opportunity to help webmasters perform directory submissions still exist, Jimmy has created a service with old traditions but fresh methods.

Through countless hours of research, trial and error and many hours online he has been able to integrate his 25 years off line experience to his 3 years online and combine that experience to not only offer the technical aspect of this business but to build his business delivering old fashioned quality customer service.

Although there are a handful of companies that offer directory submission services there are few who can extend themselves enough to not only provide results, but to be available to answer any questions or to immediately respond to any concerns. Jimmy also has great relationships with other service providers in the industry ensuring his clients are very well taken care of at all times.

TheSurfCaddy.com not only provides details about the manual submission services but the website is also available for information relating to one-way linking and SEO strategies as well as tips on generating traffic. It also includes articles by Jimmy and other sources. As the site continues to grow the site will be a great resource for all clients, customers and visitors.

The website includes a free report “The Power of One-Way Links” written by Jimmy, which gives a brief look at how important submitting websites to directories can be to site owners. Knowing the importance of this process can help them feel at ease knowing they can outsource the work to trustworthy directory submission service providers and gaining an edge over their competition by taking advantage of an old resource that still makes a positive impact on their site’s search engine rankings.

In a message to Jimmy, Eunice Christian, DrinkACT Associate, writes “Thank you, Jimmy, for all that you do in assisting me towards my goal of financial success. I not only consider you a business associate, but a friend. It is truly refreshing to find someone who is willing to help without hesitation. Your marketing skills and strategies that you share and provide are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Jimmy!”

“No I’m not an SEO Guru,” laughs Jimmy “but I know what I want from my service providers and more importantly I know how much work it takes to build and maintain a business online and off. Most of us have to rely on outside services to help our businesses run efficiently. Not receiving quality services and results is unacceptable, so I make sure to give what I expect to my clients and customers, period!”

TheSurfCaddy.com can be found at: http://thesurfcaddy.com

Moy Beach Club is a brand new complex in the heart of Santa maria, Sal, Cape Verde.

T.J. Developments are joining forces with Group Planificaciones to build and market 104 apartments in a development currently called Sol Verde. Both organisations have considerable background in the property business. The build duration is 20 months and the development will be built in accordance with E.U. standards and building regulations.

Group Planificaciones is also the owner of the most prodigious planned development on the island of Sal, it comprises 525 hectares and similar to Sol Verde all necessary planning criteria are in place. Subject to the success of Sol Verde which will be renamed Moy Beach Club further joint ventures are planned on various islands on Cape Verde.

It is important to note that Group Planificaciones has many associated companies and holds equity in such necessary utilities (on the island of Sal) as water desalinization plant and electricity supply. Taking into consideration the lack of rainfall T.J. Developments see this as a vital ingredient in their development programme on the island of Sal.

To view this project please go here

4Front Property is the sole marketer/developer working hand in hand with TJ developments on all projects, offering investment opportunities for everyone

www.4frontpropertyinvestments.com