MARPSC Target Shooters members of the Malta Shooting Sport Federation, this weekend participated at the 4th Gara Federale Regionale in Catania, Sicily with great success. Over two hundred shooters from all over Sicily took part in the various shooting events that were carried out over two weekends. A pistol shooting competition was also organised for disabled shooters during these championships.

The Maltese shooters did extremely well in this competition obtaining two first placings in both Prone Rifle 50m (Men) and Air-Rifle 10m (Men) by Lawrence Darmanin & Michael Xuereb respectively, and a 2nd placing in the Air-rifle 10m (Women) by Alison Vella in her first competition abroad. Moreover, the Air-Pistol shooters - Stephen Vassallo and Mario Mallia Milanes, having shot their personal best overseas scores, achieved good placings in the highly contested Air-Pistol events. In total 4 personal overseas best scores were achieved by the Maltese participants.

Dr Carlo Rossitto -President of TSN Catania exchanged memorable plaques with MSSF General Secretary - Mr Gino Galea and MARPSC President - Lawrence Darmanin. He thanked all the Maltese Shooting Team for their participation and success in the competitions and promised that they will be sending their best air-rifle and air-pistol shooting teams to participate in an Airgun Grand Prix to be held in Malta next October.

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Success for Maltese Target Shooters in Italy

(NAPS)When looking for the best way to teach children about handling money, parents and teachers may benefit from a financial literacy program that really adds up.

Partnering with members of Congress, SIFMA and the SIFMA Foundation offer a fun financial literacy program for students in 4th through 12th grades.

The SIFMA Foundation Stock Market GameCapitol Hill Challengehelps students develop the math, research and team-building skills that are critical in business and a global economy.

By increasing students understanding of personal finance, it can help them make more-informed decisions in their own lives. According to a recent study by Learning Point Associates, students who participate not only develop essential financial habits, but they also perform better on math, economics and personal finance tests than their nonparticipating peers.

This years challenge will run to May 14, with more than 3,000 teams competing, and the top five teams will visit Washington, D.C. to meet their congressional representatives and learn about public policy.

Learn more at http://www.sifma.org/2012chc.

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An equation for success

The Texas Space Alliance proudly congratulates SpaceX and their partners at NASA for achieving a true first in the history of the space program over the past seven days. The successful launch on May 25, 2012 will forever mark entry into a brave new world, and the evolution of the private commercial space world into the workings of US and government space activities.

"With the subsequent successful capture and mating of the Dragon vehicle to the ISS, the U.S. once again leads the world in space, by showing how the commercial space world can be a reliable partner, beyond the traditional government contractor mold, to deliver goods and services in space that government paid efforts alone can no longer easily fund," said Wayne Rast, TXA Policy Director. "Today's successful reentry and return of the Dragon vehicle showcases SpaceX as a proven leader of this new industry."

But the benefits to taxpayers and the public at large are much greater. With limited funds for government programs for the foreseeable future, routine operations can longer be the province of government only spending, else NASA and other government space programs will never have the funds available to do what government's role should always be: to push the frontier in space, and spend limited funds to go boldly, explore, and discover. Except for the ISS and some unique satellites, government province in space should now routinely look out beyond LEO.

All this was made possible beginning today with SpaceX, and this new model for business. "It won't end there, but it was a remarkable beginning, and we should be proud, especially those of us that have worked at NASA and its contractor community for many years," said Rast. "This brave new world will likely also have its hiccups somewhere down the line. But all of us alive today can say that we were all there for the beginning. And what a beginning it was."

"Thank you, SpaceX, from all of us here in Texas. The Texas Space Alliance looks forward to your remarkable success becoming routine success as quickly as possible, and to having you become an integral part of the state which owns so much human spaceflight knowledge," said Bob Lancaster, TXA President.

The TXA also looks forward to building on the great work done by Gov. Perry and his team, helping SpaceX in their efforts to expand operations here with a commercial space launch facility. SpaceX and Texas; a pairing that destiny demands.

The Texas Space Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization of Texans who are fighting for Texas to move urgently and decisively to become a Space State, home to a new space industry including manufacturing, research and space flight, with Texas as a center of space exploration and science for the world. For more information on this issue, the TXA, our Texas Space Plan, or to become a personal or corporate member, please see the Texas Space Alliance website - TexasSpaceAlliance.org

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.

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Mission Accomplished! - Congratulations to SpaceX for Historic Success Opens New Door to the Future

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -05/31/12)- In a keynote luncheon speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade, Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) president Terry Campbell today discussed how banks have contributed to B.C.'s economic success.

He highlighted the central role that banks have played in financing some of B.C.'s growth: "Last year in B.C. alone, banks authorized $12 billion to the construction industry, almost $7.4 billion to manufacturing, $4.4 billion to mining, quarrying and oil wells, and $3.4 billion to agriculture. If you take small and medium-sized enterprises as a whole, bank lending totalled almost $12 billion in this province alone."

"Put simply, banking customers in British Columbia and across Canada are best served by strong and profitable banks, and that is best achieved when we get the balance right between regulation on the one hand and innovation and competitiveness on the other," said Mr. Campbell.

Maintain B.C.'s Competitive Taxation Regime

Mr. Campbell commended the B.C. government's decision in recent years to eliminate capital taxes and reduce corporate and personal income tax rates to make B.C. more attractive to businesses, which helps strengthen B.C.'s economy. He cautioned against any changes to B.C.'s competitive taxation regime that could hurt the province's productivity.

"Unfortunately, we're seeing some troubling trends in some provinces, and calls from some people in B.C., when it comes to taxing the capital of financial institutions - something that is both perverse and counter-productive for the growth of the economy," said Mr. Campbell. "Perverse because banks are required to have large amounts of capital for safety and soundness reasons, and it doesn't make sense to tax what is needed for prudential reasons. Counter-productive because capital supports lending and when you tax away capital you are reducing the availability of credit to other sectors of the economy."

The Continued Need for a National Securities Regulator

Mr. Campbell also discussed the continued need for a national securities regulator and Ottawa's evolving approach to securities regulation following the Supreme Court of Canada ruling last December.

"Ottawa's approach to securities regulation is evolving given the Supreme Court of Canada's opinion of last December," he noted. "We know that your government has been an active participant in the project, and we commend the government for that. We encourage them, along with all other provincial and territorial governments, to continue to work with the federal government to develop a common securities regulatory regime that has the capacity to support fair and competitive markets for all Canadians."

Strong Banks, Effective Regulation and Supervision

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CBA President Praises B.C.'s Economic Success and How Strong Banks Contribute to the Economy

OMAHA, Neb., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Social networking, both online and off, as well as personal branding, are two actions that just may help you stay employed or land that next gig. "Most professionals are familiar with the phrase, 'It's not what you know, it's who you know,' but then fail to perform any follow-up after meeting an important contact," says April Kelly, author of "Spaghetti on the Wall: Branding and Networking Methods that Stick!" "Something as simple as sending an email to your newly made contact thanking them for their time could mean the difference between getting the job or not."

"By following up with a new contact and connecting with them online on sites such as LinkedIn, you are making yourself more memorable, which in a nutshell is personal branding," according to Kelly. "The goal is to make yourself the person they think of when they need problem X solved."

In her new book, "Spaghetti on the Wall," Kelly offers time-tested advice and practical tools that will help you build a personal brand and real networking connections that deliver results. She illustrates things such as identifying key strengths, unique values, and passions; creating realistic, specific goals; enhancing and defining a personal brand; applying the four paramount rules of networking and using social networking sites to build a valuable network. Taking control of your career now is essential, and the advice Kelly shares will help you effectively manage and develop the kind of personal brand that sticks.

Kelly held senior management positions and leadership roles for both PayPal and LinkedIn from their start-up years through their rapid growth to industry powerhouses. She is currently a senior consultant at Luma Services and is also the author of "Gratitude at Work: How to Say Thank You, Give Kudos, and Get the Best From Those You Lead."

To book an interview with April Kelly or request a review copy of "Spaghetti on the Wall," contact Erin Pankowski at erin@conciergermarketing.com or at 402-884-5995. For more information or to download a press kit, please visit http://www.AuthorAprilKelly.com.

This press release was issued through eReleases Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

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Networking and Personal Branding Are Key to Longtime Career Success

Bayern Munich were probably the most impressive team in the Champions League this week but as any pessimist will tell you, every silver lining has a cloud, or in the Bavarians' case a roaring fire.

Bayern outplayed Premier League moneybags Manchester City, their 2-0 win a just reward for an outstanding display at the stadium that will host this season's final.

In England, the result was overshadowed by Carlos Tevez's one-man strike, but Bayern fans were aghast this week after defender Breno was held in police custody, accused of burning down his own house.

The Brazilian defender, who has played more than 20 games since being signed for 11 million, was alone in his luxury villa in the swanky Munich district of Gruenwald when a fire ripped through the property, causing more than a million euros of damage.

Forensic tests suggest that the fire was set deliberately.

So the 21-year-old Breno, or plain old Herr Vinicius Rodrigues Borges as he is now known to Munich police, is the prime suspect.

Considered a flight risk, he remains in a police cell.

With the suicide of German national goalkeeper Robert Enke a recent memory, the country is sensitive to players' mental health. Breno's psychiatrist rushed to the player's defence.

"Professional football is not just a question of injured muscles or knees," declared Professor Florian Holsbauer. ''We must also deal with the psyche, the injuries in the brain."

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Breno case clouds Bayern success

Peter Dazeley | Photographers Choice | Getty Images

Until now, legal requirements for corporations focused on one goal: profits. Today, benefit corporations add the legal duty of companies to achieve profits while also focusing on socially responsible activities also known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Start-up businesses and existing small businesses would be well-served to adopt a benefit corporation structure. Companies that seek to establish sustainable principles as part of their business and marketing strategy and, more importantly, their corporate DNA, are positioned for long-term success.

As former CEO of Patagonia and now a professor at Pepperdines Graziadio School of Business and Management, I know first-hand the benefits of integrating socially minded principles into the core of a business. Patagonia was the first company to sign up for benefit corporation status in California; a corporation in which passion and social responsibility have helped build a successful business. Patagonias success is predicated on ensuring that the core principles of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility are implemented into every product.

With sustainability as clearly more than a trend, there are a few things businesses should keep in mind when looking to establish a company built for long-term success.

Register as a benefit corporation from the beginning: Establishing a company as a benefit corporation allows the business to embed socially minded goals in the company and maintain that foundation through efforts to raise capital. Creating brand loyalty must mean a loyal commitment to these goals. Historically, companies had opportunities to get a certificate to highlight their commitment to social benefits, but there was not legal protection from investors or executives that wanted to shift the companys direction. Now, with benefit corporations, investors will be investing in a company that has socially minded principles embedded through law.

Do not lose sight of standard business practices: Establishing a goal to improve the environment or your community can be all encompassing. Businesses must make sure you establish solid business practices in your company to ensure success. This means ensuring that you produce a high-quality product or service. In order to maximize profits, socially minded goals must be carefully married with a high quality product or service to truly achieve brand loyalty.

Look to executive education programs: These are valuable as talent sources for prospective employees with skills that can help you maximize profits while attaining your social and environmental goals. Beyond Grey Pinstripes, a program run by the Aspen Institute, compiles information about innovative full-time MBA programs that are leading the way in the integration of issues concerning social and environmental stewardship into the curriculum. In 2009, Beyond Grey Pinstripes collected data from 149 business schools in 24 countries and found that the number of elective courses per school that feature some degree of social, environmental or ethical content has increased over time: In 2009 it was 19 courses per school, up from 12 courses per school in 2005.

In fact, the model I teach, Socially Environmentally Ethically Responsible (SEER) Business Strategy, aligns fully with the intent of the benefit corporation. CSR is one of four macro-values the organizations must embrace in order to achieve the aims that the benefit corporation classification is meant to aspire. By applying an integrated strategy encompassing a quality product or service, financial strength, corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship, business can and will drive profitability and positively impact society.

Research and real-life examples make it clear: Entrepreneurs looking to start a new business or an executive looking to maximize profits while doing good, have greater odds of achieving success through a benefit corporation designation. Having an emotional connection a heart-felt occurrence that organically evolves over time will provide concrete financial benefits that will help companies grow over the long-term.

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Social Responsibility Builds Long-Term Success: Opinion

The Homestead 4-H Shooting Club had some success at a recent state competition.

In addition to many of its members shooting personal best scores, several kids also earned individual honors.

The club consists of youths ranging in ages from 7 to 19 years. Club coach Mike Jochum said the Beatrice squad had more individuals competing in the state event than any other club in the state.

We had many, many kids go up there and shoot their personal best, Jochum said. Which is great to see. To see them go up into that environment where youre up against 148 different gunners across the state -- and perform at that level was great.

The club's BB gun shooting team took second place in the shooting event and finished first on the written test that consists of gun knowledge and gun safety.

Because the BB gun team finished in the top three overall, they qualify to shoot in the National Daisy BB gun match in Arkansas later this summer.

Garrett Hier, 8, won an individual first place honor in the kneeling competition and registered a score of 92, which is a state record for his age group.

His brother, Ben Hier, won first place in five events in the 11-12 year old division.

Andy Buhr won a state championship in the sporter air rifle competition, winning in all four positions.

The air rifle sporter team, comprising Buhr, Rachael Schoenrock, Tyler Parthemer and Ben Heir, also won a state championship.

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Aiming for the bullseye

More than 400 local business leaders packed a Lexington Center ballroom last Tuesday to hear lectures encouraging entrepreneurship in Kentucky from two of the state's most successful entrepreneurs.

Jim Host, the founder of Host Communications and now chief executive of iHigh.com, and Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech, told their personal stories, talked about why Kentucky needs more entrepreneurs and offered their personal tips for success.

I know how much business people love lists of success tips, so I will share those later. First, though, I want to discuss why, beyond their obvious success, Host and Lyons are worth your attention.

Both are classic, hard-charging entrepreneurs. They are keen observers of business and society. Not only do they embrace change, they try to anticipate and drive it. They know that people always want better ways to satisfy their needs and desires, and in that space are great business opportunities. They know how to make things happen.

Host is a home-grown success story. He moved to Ashland as a boy and has spent most of his life in Kentucky, including serving in state government and running unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor early in his career.

Host created world-class companies in travel, sports marketing and communications. Now he is trying to create the future of television. Host never felt he needed to move elsewhere to succeed. More importantly, he never allowed his vision to be limited by Kentucky's cultural aversion to change.

Most recently, Host led the effort to build Louisville's KFC Yum Center arena, despite being a blue-bleeding University of Kentucky alumnus and fan. Working in Louisville underscored for him the foolishness of allowing intrastate rivalries to obstruct progress.

Host, 74, has become an evangelist for Louisville-Lexington cooperation. He was founding chairman of the Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement, a new effort led by both cities' mayors to bring more advanced-manufacturing jobs to Kentucky.

Lyons' story is different. Born, reared and educated in Ireland, he came to Kentucky in 1974 because he thought it was a great place to start a business.

Alltech began with the idea of developing and making all-natural animal nutrition supplements. Now, the company's goal is no less than figuring out how to feed the world using natural ingredients and breakthrough technology, not to mention making good beer and whiskey on the side. Privately held Alltech now has 3,000 employees in 128 countries, including more than 500 in Kentucky.

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Tom Eblen: Jim Host, Pearse Lyons want to encourage more entrepreneurs in Kentucky

DAPHNE, Alabama -- A lot can happen in five years.

In 2007, brothers Abe and Carl Harper were hard at work and enjoying the successes of their company, Harper Technologies LLC, with several high-profile customers under their belt including Wells Fargo and Learning Tree International.

The company, started in 2002, builds, repairs and customizes personal computers, and offers Web site design and maintenance, networking, data backup, software support and printer repair services.

The business that now gives the brothers a steady paycheck, helped put Carl through college on someone else's dime. Based on his work while still at Daphne High School, Carl, now 23, got scholarships that covered half of his expenses at the University of Alabama.

He graduated with highest honors, earning a degree in business management in December 2010.

With a brick-and-mortar office in Daphne as well as a satellite office in Tuscaloosa to service contracts in central and northern Alabama and northeastern Mississippi, Harper Technologies has weathered the economic downturn.

A private company, Harper Technologies does not reveal annual sales or profit, but the brothers said annual revenue has grown by at least 30 percent every year since 2007, and 40 percent or better in the last two years.

"We heard a lot of references to people losing business because sales were down," Abe, 29, said of the dip in the economy in 2008. "As the economy slowed, our sales number went down but our service numbers went up."The company's profit margin on services and repairs rose at a time when many businesses were struggling to stay afloat. Customers opted to fix what they had rather than buy a new product, Carl said, providing the company a huge benefit.

"It's a very favorable situation for the customer and us," Abe said of the shift to more repairs. "It shows an established confidence between the customer and our ability and our services."The company didn't escape the downturn unscathed. Its office in Tallahassee, Fla., closed, and its client list shrink.

But the Gulf oil spill in 2010 provided a boost via a contract to deliver, install and maintain computer equipment used at catastrophe claims centers stretching from Bay St. Louis, Miss. to Crawfordville, Fla.

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Brothers build on success at Harper Technologies