The Executive Director of the Imperial Theater, Charles Scavullo stops by the radio version of the BUZZ to talk to Bill and John about this weekend’s upcoming event with “The Amazing Kreskin”.  Charles also updates them on more of the upcoming events at the Theater.

12:20pm – - Ali Saifi, president of Subway restaurants in South Carolina, including the CSRA, will join us over the phone to chat about the Subway W8 2 TXT campaign aimed at getting high school students to pledge against texting while driving.  For more info about this campaign, please log on to www.w82txtpledge.com.

12:45pm – - Darren Scheyer, co-owner and operating officer of Partners In Achievement,  joins us for a weekly educational segment aimed to help working parents get help for their children who are having learning struggles. They use the PACE method and a free initial screening that measures a student’s processing system. Please visit www.pialearningcenters.com for more information.

1:20pm – - Lisa Mahaffey,Vice-President, Augusta Credit Union Chapter, will join us over the phone to chat about the member education seminars for the Augusta Credit Union Chapter coming up on Feb 11.

1:45pm – - Jeff Asselin, from PowerServe International, joins us each Wednesday to do a website, branding, and social media check-up on area businesses.  For more info, please visit their website at www.powerserve.net

The brown paper covering the windows indicates the closing of three Food Lion grocery stores in Columbia County, a week before their intended closing date.

In mid-January, the grocery chain’s parent company, Delhaize America, announced the closing of 113 of its underperforming Food Lion stores. Three of those were in Columbia County: 526 N. Belair Road, 3851 Evans to Locks Road and 4087 Old Petersburg Road.

Parking lots were empty, windows were covered and doors were locked Tuesday afternoon at all three locations. Food Lion corporate officials said the stores would all close Feb. 15 at the latest.

About 100 employees were affected by the closures.

The store closings are part of a corporate strategy by Delhaize America to strengthen its U.S. portfolio, which includes shutting down a Tennessee distribution center, eliminating the Food Lion name from Florida, and rebranding other stores into Food Lions in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.

Two of the three stores were less than 3 years old. The Evans To Locks Road store opened in October 2009. The Evans Exchange store opened in January 2009.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations that a city fire inspector was stealing inspection fees, authorities said.

The investigation stems from an internal audit of fire inspection fees, according to sheriff’s Investigator Dan Ferrel.

Brenda Carroll, of accounting firm Baird and Co., told police that Lt. Lenston Melvin Harris is suspected of taking at least $1,360 from businesses in payment for fire inspections between January and December 2011, according to a sheriff’s report filed Monday.

Ferrel said the businesses paid Harris in cash, and he failed to turn in the money. He said it was fire department policy to accept only checks or money orders for fire inspections.

“They do not accept cash at the Fire Marshal’s Office,” Ferrel said.

Ferrel said there have been no allegations that Harris took cash to expedite inspections or overlook violations. Harris was placed on administrative leave Jan. 30 and an internal investigation was launched following allegations of professional misconduct, according to a statement issued Monday by Augusta staff attorney Jody Smitherman.

Augusta-Richmond County Fire Chief Chris James said Harris resigned four days later on Friday, but would not comment further.

“This is still an open investigation,” James said Monday.

12:20pm – - Kay Benitez, Development Team Coordinator for Golden Harvest Food Bank, will join us over the phone to chat about the recent  North Aiken Elementary School’s Student BackPack program.  For more information on how you can help end hunger in our community, visit www.goldenharvest.org. You can also find Golden Harvest on Facebook and Twitter.

12:45pm – - Carrie Lokey, East Central Georgia Workforce Investment, Job Development Specialist will join you in the studio to chat about the National Emergency Grant for On-The-Job-Training and how it can benefit your business. For more info, please log on to: www.ecgwdc.org

1:20pm – - Charles Scavullo, Executive Director for The Imperial Theatre, will join us in the studio to chat about the Save the Imperial Campaign, as well upcoming acts coming to the Imperial including The Amazing Kreskin!  For more info, please visit the Theatre online at www.imperialtheatre.com

1:45pm – - We welcome a different member of the Augusta Technical College staff to help our listeners look for some new training options or to plan a new future with studies that will yield a new career.  Today’s guest to be announced. For more information, log on to www.augustatech.edu

How can your business qualify?

· If your business is a private for profit business

· You haven’t had any layoffs in the last 16 weeks or 4 months

· You currently have or will have, before the end of the training period, an open position

· And there is a reasonable expectation that the person hired will remain employed with you for a period of at least one year.

How do potential employees qualify?

· The candidate was laid off and has been out of work a minimum of 16 weeks

· They are receiving or have received and exhausted their unemployment

· An individual is considered a Displaced Home Maker*

*A Displaced Home Maker is someone who has been a stay at home parent/spouse and due to the layoff of the head of house hold is having to go back to work to support the family

How much money can my company be reimbursed?

· Reimbursements are based on the amount paid to the employee

· Individuals enrolled in the training program should make the same as someone in the same position with the same experience

· Reimbursements rates are as follows:

· Businesses with 50 or less employees receive 90% of the wages

· Businesses with 51-250 employees receive 75% of the wages

· Businesses with 251 or more employees receive 50% of the wages

How long can I receive the training funds?

· Training length is based on the total hours, as determined by the Department of Labor, that it should take an employee to learn the position, provided they have no previous experience in the field.

· Position will receive 200-480 hours

Please keep in mind we can work with any Georgia business but all the employees who go through the training program must be a resident of one of the above counties.

For more information please contact either:

Carrie Lokey – (706) 595-8941 ext. 125 or clokey@classicsouth.net

Pecola Wiley – (706) 595-8941 ext. 122 or pwiley@classicsouth.net

P.O. Box 179, 674 Washington Road ▪ Thomson, GA 30824 ▪ (706) 595-8941

www.ecgwdc.org ▪ www.facebook.com/ECGCONESTOP

World-famous mentalist The Amazing Kreskin to perform at Augusta’s historic Imperial Theatre – Kreskin promises to find his hidden check or forfeit his fee

The world’s most famous mentalist, The Amazing Kreskin will perform on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at 8 p.m. at Augusta’s historic Imperial Theatre. The Imperial Theatre recently announced discounts for Seniors, Military and Students.

With a showman’s flair, a comedian’s wit, and the capacities of a bona fide Mentalist or thought reader, The Amazing Kreskin has, for 5 decades, dramatized the unique facets of the human mind, his own! His very name has become an integral part of pop culture throughout the world, invoked in comedy clubs, comic strips, print stories, and TV shows.

In 2008, Tom Hanks produced and co-starred with John Malkovich in “The Great Buck Howard” which was fashioned after the Amazing Kreskin’s life. After over 50 years of performing, Kreskin has a new cult following. To quote David Letterman, Kreskin should sue the producers of the TV show, “The Mentalist” for stealing his act. He’s the best mentalist in the world and he’s not acting!” Kreskin can tell people things about themselves that only a close family member or friend would know!

For his performance in Augusta, Amazing Kreskin has asked that his check be hidden somewhere in the theatre during the show. He will attempt find it and if he fails, he will forfeit his fee. In addition Kreskin will offer $1,000,000.00 to anybody that can prove that he employs paid secret assistants or confederates in any phase of his program to help him perform his mentalist “effects.”

Tickets are on sale now and are available at www.ImperialTheatre.com, by selecting “Purchase Tickets” and then the event or by visiting or calling the Box-office at 706-722-8341, Tuesday thru Friday 10am to 4PM. Ask about Senior, Military and Student ticket prices for this show! For more information visit www.ImperialTheatre.com.

The Imperial Theatre is the only historic theatre operating in Augusta, Georgia. Beautifully restored, the Imperial features 800 seats that all provide a unique and extraordinary experience for each patron. The Imperial is an intimate venue where the audience can enjoy the performer, Up Close & Personal. Visit us on line at www.imperialtheatre.com

For their wagon rides, they have a team of Belgian draft horses “Duke and Trigger” and they can bring them to parties/special occasions as well. The wagon seats approximately 10-15 people. It’s not a fancy wagon, just a fun one! Wagon ride rates start @ 100.00 per hour. Pricing for either depends on how far they are traveling and the length of the event.

They currently have 3 draft horses, 2 ponies and donkey. Yes…. even the donkey insists on his turn @ birthday parties. He absolutely loves the attention!

For more info, please contact Trish and Jim Mulcahy at 803-266-2450

Last week, while the groundhogs were busy trying to figure out how quickly spring is or isn’t coming, Auggie was busy making a prediction of his own.  After chasing dreams of honey, Auggie awoke with an idea that would stir the senses!  A ticket package that included the best promotional nights, food and soft drinks at every game and a free* gift card to P.F. Changs!! Now that would be the biggest steal of the season!

Auggie’s Steal of a Deal was created with Auggie in mind!  Six GreenJackets General Admission Tickets, Six Food Vouchers valid for a hot dog or cheeseburger, chips and a soft drink and a Free* $20 gift card to P.F. Changs!!  That is a $129 value for only $72 per package! Since this is such a steal, quantities are limited!  Make sure to call the GreenJackets at (706) 736-7889 and reserve your Auggie’s Steal of a Deal today!  Click here for more information on Auggie’s Steal of a Deal!

And guys, what better Valentine’s Day present then a dinner to P.F. Changs for her and baseball tickets for you!!  Shh, we won’t tell her!!

GreenJackets Opening Day is April 12th, don’t be left on the outside!!

*P.F. Changs gift card is only free with purchase of Auggie’s Steal of a Deal.  Quantities are limited.

Note:Both fairs are open to ASU students, alumni and members of the community.  Professional attire is required for admittance.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 – K-12 EDUCATOR EXPO will feature ~ 20 K-12 school systems and educational programs recruiting for current and anticipated hiring needs for the next academic year.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 – EMPLOYER EXPO will feature ~ 50 organizations recruiting for part-time, full-time, internship, Co-op, volunteer and seasonal hiring needs. Graduate and professional schools will also attend.

· JOB FAIRS @ ASU’s Christenberry Fieldhouse, 3109 Wrightsboro Road from 11am-2pm each day

· Details of employers participating at www.aug.edu/career_center

MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Goley, Director Augusta State University Career Center – jgoley@aug.edu

JULIE GOLEY

Director, Career Center – Augusta State University

Main: 706-737-1604 Fax: 706-731-7097

www.aug.edu/career_center

Mailing Address: 2500 Walton Way, Augusta GA 30904-2200

Office is located behind the main campus in Boykin Wright Hall, 2nd Floor – 1015 Johns Road

Last month I left you with encouraging words to get your estate plan in order. With this being the month for lovers, I am going to bring even more ideas to the table. After all, an estate plan is to protect those you love and are leaving behind. When you are establishing a plan for your assets, there are many things to ponder. First, who do you want to receive the assets? Do you have several children or grandchildren? And do you want to give each of them a certain amount of money? Or do you have an heirloom that you want to go to someone specific? Do you have a specific charity or church that you would like to leave a legacy for? These are all circumstances that the estate planning process will address.

It is imperative to document your ideas when you have an extended and/or blended family, a previous marriage, couples with or without children, same sex couples, or a business of any type. When it is not clear how assets are going to be passed along, the Last Will and Testament or an established Trust is so very important. If you own a business, how will the business run if you are gone? Do you want your family to continue to receive an income stream off of the business? Or do you want to sell it out right? You see, if you don’t answer these questions now, it may not go as you would like when you are no longer here.

There are some really neat strategies that can go into estate planning. Using a variety of options, it is very possible to double or triple the amount of money you leave behind. And in many cases, this can be done without any tax implications! It is when both a husband and wife are still alive that the best solutions can be implemented.

When you deal with these topics before you pass, it will alleviate many stressful issues that family members may encounter. You can go as far as pre-planning your funeral and burial request. Each person is in a unique situation, so there is no “cookie cutter” approach to estate planning.

I am not a tax preparer or an attorney; however, I involve both experts in the complete planning process. Having a team of experienced professionals on your side will help you reach the goals you want to achieve. I am excited to help people develop strategies. If you find it challenging to answer any of the questions I have presented, now is the time to give me a call!

KELLY RENNER is a Certified Financial Planner™ and has a Masters Degree in Finance. She owns Life Strategies Financial Partners and specializes in comprehensive financial planning for businesses, individuals and families. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force. She is able to work with clients in both Georgia and South Carolina. Her office is located at 3540 Wheeler Road Suite 304. She can be reached at 706-210-3535 or online at LifeStrategiesFP.com.

Once you set realistic goals, you know what you want. It doesn’t matter if they are business, career, or personal goals, the basic principles and action steps are the same. Now you need an action plan, which needs to be written down.

An action plan is a like a cooking recipe. It’s a list of things you need to accomplish your goals (some may be physical things, help from others, etc.), a list of steps that you need to complete to get to your end point, and when each step will be completed.

Doing an effective action plan is difficult for many people, especially if they’ve never done one before. Many factors need considering. One’s personal challenges and limitations can easily get in the way. For example, if someone tends to procrastinate, they may keep putting off writing their action plan, and positive changes may never occur! A little help from the right person may be all that’s needed.

Commitment is critical! People make positive changes happen if they really, really WANT them and they COMMIT to doing whatever it takes. Doesn’t it sound simple?

But, the devil’s in the details. If it were really that simple, most of us would achieve more of what we want, and be more content.

LARRY RUDWICK This is a sponsored coaching article. To read other articles and listen\watch to various audios\videos on making positive change visit www.buzzon.biz or www.BusinessTune-Ups.com. To do an executive assessment, email Rudwick@cox.net or call 571-331-6102.

If your bike has sat dormant for the past few months, chances are your inner tubes will need to be inflated. Check the side of the tires for recommended pressure range and if you’re not sure what pressure to run, go for the middle ground – typically 50psi for fat tire bikes and 100psi for thin tire bikes. While you’re looking at the tires you also want to check them for cracks from dry rot, large cuts, flat spots, and lumps or bulges. If you come across any of these you need to put some new rubber on your ride. And if you’re going to have new tires installed, it’s also a good idea to go ahead and replace the inner tubes. As they say, there’s a lot riding on your tires.

The next thing to check out is your bike’s chain. If your bike has been stored indoors or in a garage things shouldn’t be too bad. But if your only option is to store it in an outdoor shed or underneath a carport, things can go South quick. Inspect your chain for rust and stiff links. A rusty chain will create resistance when pedaling, a lot of squeaking, and poor gear shifting. The other issue is a stiff link that will not bend around the sprockets. This will cause the chain to skip over the teeth of the sprockets while pedaling. Not only is this annoying, but it can be very dangerous if you’re pedaling with some intensity. That said this may be a good time to replace your chain. If the rust on your chain is mild, you can apply a good coat of bicycle specific lube. Stay away from lithium grease, WD-40, 3-in-1, motor oil, motorcycle lube, and cooking oil (all bad things I’ve seen folks use). Bicycle specific lubes are formulated for the demands of bicycling. They run cleaner and lighter, shed dirt and water better, all while enhancing gear shifting and performance.

While the tires and drive-train are two important pieces of the puzzle, they are not the only pieces. So if you want to play it safe, take your bike to a local bicycle shop and get a professional’s advice on what it will take to bring your bike up to speed. There are a lot of things on a bike that can be overlooked by the untrained eye. So give your bike a little TLC and get it ready to ride!

Drew Jordan is an ASU grad, an avid bicyclist, and has worked with his father for 18 years to run Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse. Reach him at 706.724.6777 or djordan@andyjordans.com or take a spin at their shop on 13th Street in Augusta. This is a sponsored article.

The idea of losing 10, 20 or even 50 pounds can seem like a fuzzy dream (or for some a scary nightmare) when it really is an obtainable goal. Want an easier way to stay focused? Put your long-term objective into a more manageable, 24-hour a day goal.

Have you ever heard the term “Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail?” Well, plan on getting eight hours of sleep. While we slumber, our bodies repair worn muscles from exercise as well as daily activities. Studies show that sleep deprivation slows down your metabolism and can lead to higher levels of fatty tissue being stored in our bodies. Insufficient sleeps also causes the release of cortisol, which stimulates hunger throughout the day.

So you have 16 hours left to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Plan to eat 5-6 times a day, incorporating 3 small meals and 2-3 snacks. This means you should eat about every 3 hours. Eating the proper portions, both for meals and snacks, will keep your metabolism going and your blood sugar at even levels. Drink at least one 8-ounce serving of water every hour; more, if you are involved in physically demanding work.

Make sure to schedule time for exercise. It can be strength training, cardiovascular training – or better yet, a combination of both! Have a plan before you start the activity. Don’t just go out and decide to do “whatever” when you get there. Spend 45 minutes to an hour doing quality work – not just going through the motions.

If you falter from your plan, say, an unexpected birthday party at work with yummy cake and ice cream; don’t fret! Use the next hour to get yourself back on track. Adjust the next meal, both portion and time, accordingly.

A typical schedule may look similar to this:

6:00 AM wake-up

6:45 breakfast

9:45 AM snack

12:45 PM lunch

3:45 PM snack

4:30 PM fitness training

5:30 PM post-workout snack

7:00 PM dinner

8:30 PM very light snack, if needed

10:00 PM time to unplug and unwind

Just remember, conquering the hourly events will lead to the 24-hour victory.

ED REID is a Certified Personal Trainer and leading fitness expert in the CSRA.

He is Retired US Navy with over 15 years experience in the health and wellness

industry. Ed owns Team Fit Personal Training located at 4460 Columbia Road,

Suite 10. For more information, call Ed at 706.877.0556 or e-mail him: getfit@teamfitaugusta.com.

Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Phoenix, Houston and Hilton Head is a great gig, granted; but just like the great Guns N Roses song – every rose has its thorn. There are some thorns to traveling for a living. That’s why most don’t make it past year two. Burn out and too much blood from being pricked so many times by the thorns of travel leaves most curbside. Loyalty programs and their perks help make your time on the road more comfortable and special.

The moment you decide “hey let’s go to San Francisco this summer,” most of us jump online and do some research. Three questions always arise: what airlines have the best fare; where do we want to stay; and what’s the mode of transportation while there? The question of what we are going to do while there usually comes later and I will get to that in another column.

Here is my medic kit. Join the club(s). Decide on what airline you’re going to travel, what hotel you will be staying and what car rental company you will use and join all their rewards and loyalty programs. If you’re worried that too much information on you will be in the cyber world and will cause you to suddenly be put on the CIA watch list, then this column is not for you and you should be reading Soldier of Fortune.

By joining these clubs you will be entitled to early boarding, room upgrades and the ability to go right to your rental car without waiting in long lines after your flight. As you build up your programs with multiple uses, you can be entitled to free flight upgrades to first class, sorry the small CRJ to Atlanta doesn’t have this option; instead go for the exit row seats, never bulk head, which is an industry myth. Hotels reward loyal customers with FREE hotels nights and upgrades to suites or a better view room. Car rental companies have the least loyalty rewards perks besides by-passing the long lines and heading straight to your car. Once in awhile they do promotions like free extra day and class upgrades.

Yes, it takes time and planning to join these clubs. Any plans on traveling for longer than 5 days or multi trips in a year, this is an activity that will be helpful in navigating the thorns of travels so you can enjoy the trip.

Next Month: Shhhh… Airlines Secrets

KEVIN JAY is the publisher of “Buzz on Biz” newspaper and a former traveling sales trainer with Morris Communications in Augusta and Freedom Communications in Irvine, California. Reach him at 706.261.9982 or email buzzpublisher@yahoo.com

Days seem long gone when your waiter patiently took your order, enjoyed holding a conversation with you and your group and also conveyed his love and knowledge of food and service. How I miss the days that a seasoned waiter would approach my table delighted that I’ve joined him, showing off his talents in hospitality and anticipating exactly what is needed to accent my dinner ordered.

Seasoned is the waiter that’s jovial with the group, educated in what fish was brought in today and more than willing to remember your name so as to genuinely greet you upon your next visit. Seasoned is the waiter that shows up early to chat with the kitchen staff to get the feel and flow of the night’s service. Do I care that my waiter is not a perfect ten or maybe even “aged?” Absolutely not! Many times they are the most adept in hospitality persons. On countless occasions I’ve been waited on, as the young garcon takes my order, he comes off as really needing me to hurry so he can return a text to his significant other. How many times have you felt neglected as your waiter rushes off to get a quick smoke before the hostess sits him another four top?

Here’s my plea to area restaurant owners, please stop being so transparent in your hiring. Please be open to hiring other groups of people. Lets have our area F&B establishments a little less Kardashian and a little more Aunt Bee from Mayberry. Balance is needed here. Great customer service is vital to your southern establishment and if your waiter is the only person we hold a conversation with wouldn’t you want the best, most experienced to represent you during our stay?

Food for thought!

Augusta Eats is literally eating Augusta, from restaurant to roadside gourmet. Considered by some to be the original Augusta foodie, Augusta Eats has more than 25 culinary years under his (or her?) apron strings and has a deep-seeded love for all things tasty. Follow Augusta Eats on Facebook or visit augustaeats.net

From the beginning of time man has had a love/hate relationship with food; case in point, Adam and Eve. What were they first tempted with? Well, food….the forbidden fruit to be exact. Why couldn’t they resist it, it was only an apple right? WRONG! It was the idea that they were told they couldn’t have it, which made them want for it all the more. Fast forward today 2012, we still have the same love/hate relationship with food. As hard as we try to resist those dishes that are well known for having us with one foot in the grave, we still partake, we can’t resist the temptation of at least that one beautiful bite.

Those of us in the culinary world have come a long way from the days of Grandmas smothered and covered Beef fried steak, yes it tastes of heaven but we are all aware that heaven is not where these dishes are actually taking us. The more we partake of these dishes the closer we get to the gals at the local pharmacy knowing us all by name. Chefs have tinkered with just about every dish imaginable to try and find a way to make these dishes taste great and become more healthful for us. Some have succeeded and most have just gotten a big fat fail! What have we learned? Simply, some dishes although bad for our health just can not be transformed, they just can’t be turned into something they’re not…it’s just impossible. The fact is sinfully tasty food will always be around. Why? Because we love them; we yearn for them. So, everything in moderation… right?

Sinfully tasty…when I hear those words one area restaurant comes to mind – Papa N Sons in Evans. If Adam and Eve were tempted with the apple, my apple would be the Italian Sausage sandwich at Papa N Sons. This sandwich is the epitome of tastiness, every bite makes me feel guilty, every bite makes me feel naughty, but every bite makes me want another. This sandwich is assembled with an Italian sausage that’s been soaking/marinating in Pork liquor most of the day, which by itself has me salivating. The sandwich is topped with bell peppers, hot giardiniera peppers, onions, and jalapeño peppers- “if you like”…and of course “I like.” Bring on the heat! The sweet bread that this succulent sausage is assembled in is nothing short of perfect. The way the peppers and onions accentuate the sausage, almost as if they were one entity, the way the sandwich roll soaks up all of the juices that run from the sausage so you miss nothing in juice or flavor. The roll actually acts as a sweet sponge and getting the one perfect bite is essential to the whole experience…yes, this sandwich is an experience. This sandwich is so bad…but oh’ so good.

Papa N Sons pays attention to “yum factor” – a detail that you can taste in most anything you order. Quality and the acceptance that every flavor component plays a beautiful note and knowing what notes go together to make wicked-tasty food. Papa N Sons menu includes sandwiches for everyone’s party/game day palate… meatball, gyro’s, hot dogs, cheese-steak, polish sausages, home-cut fried chips and from scratch desserts. Papa N Sons prepares sandwiches as you would in your home with quality ingredients and years of know-how being the only recipe.

We’ve come a long way from the tempting apple. As beautiful as the apple is…we as cooks have transformed the forbidden apple into the scrumptious apple pie. Papa N Sons has turned the sandwich into the most scintillatingly assemble you can ingest. So everything in moderation…right? And if that’s not enough, we can always pray!

Augusta Eats is literally eating Augusta, from restaurant to roadside gourmet. Considered by some to be the original Augusta foodie, Augusta Eats has more than 25 culinary years under his (or her?) apron strings and has a deep-seeded love for all things tasty. Follow Augusta Eats on Facebook or visit augustaeats.net

Lacking even one or two of these skills can show up in a student’s school performance and make him/her feel “dumb,” “stupid,” or inferior to the rest of the class. Besides poor school performance, other signs of a processing deficit are problems with making and keeping friends, up-and-down grades in the same subject, no motivation, hating school, anger and frustration, and discipline problems. “Common sense” solutions for processing skill deficits are medication, changing teachers, changing schools, less work, more work, structured studying, reading more, tutoring, and more tutoring.

PIA provides different solutions to processing deficits: We train students’ brains to overcome the deficits so the “common sense” solutions are no longer needed. For PIA, common sense says identify, attack, and treat the deficits instead of just trying to put band-aid solutions on them. Here are some examples of the common, everyday problems we help students overcome:

Jamie had trouble getting her 3rd grade homework done before 9PM. She and her Mom would start at 4:30 and would stop only for dinner. She was off-task, sloppy, would forget to bring her assignments home, couldn’t complete her tests in time, and complained that the teacher went too fast. Her Spelling grades were suffering. She had tried medication for ADHD but all it did was slow her down even more. A consultation with PIA revealed that Jamie’s Processing Speed was slow so she forgot essential information, couldn’t write fast enough to get assignments down, learned information at night but couldn’t recall it for the test the next day, and read and wrote too slowly for the pace of the classroom. She felt the other students were smarter than her.

Joshua was in the 7th grade. He left things at home he needed for school, and things at school he needed for homework. He forgot to do major portions of school projects. He was failing science because he “forgot” he had to hand in a draft of his science project. At home, he couldn’t remember to do the things he was told. Joshua had ADHD but the medication that helped his attention, did not help his short-term memory. His mom joked at his free PIA consultation that he would forget his head if it wasn’t on his body. Joshua’s Working Memory showed a big deficit in both auditory and visual memory as the primary reason that he was forgetting things at home and school.

William was also on ADHD medication when his parents brought him in for a free PIA consultation. His math sheets were sloppy, his math problems slanted badly, he couldn’t stay on the same line, he made careless errors, and his grades in all his subjects were declining. William’s 4th grade Math teacher had tried to help him by giving him extra time, reducing the number of problems he had for homework, and not requiring him to show all his work. At home, William’s parents said he could be looking straight at something he was looking for and not see it until it was pointed out to him. His room was always messy, his shirt was typically un-tucked, and his hair was never combed. The free PIA consultation revealed a significant Visual Processing deficit that interfered with his attention to visual details, his visual organization and analysis skills, and his ability to use his imagination to solve problems.

DARREN SCHEYER This is a sponsored article. Darren is a co-owner and operating officer for Partners In Achievement. PIA has offered the PACE program, which stands for Processing And Cognitive Enhancement, for more than 10 years. PIA offers a free initial screening that measures a student’s processing system, often identifying deficiencies that are at the root cause of learning struggles. Darren has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and over 15 years of experience in psychometric testing. He is married and a proud father of two children. PIA Learning Centers is located at 454 Fury’s Ferry Road, Suite B. Stop by, visit www.pialearningcenters.com, like our Facebook page (facebook.com/partnersinachievement), or call 706-650-1877.

Interaction: On a desktop you have the ability to design your site for the large wide-screen monitors. This allows you to fit your content and design on a single screen without scrolling. For mobile, you must plan for smaller screens to prevent users from zooming in and out constantly to use your website.

The best starting point for this is your website navigation. How big are your navigation links? Is there enough space around them to allow people to click the one they want without accidentally hitting a nearby link? Did you give extra space on top and bottom of the link to allow some wiggle room so users don’t have to be 100% accurate with their click?

All of these questions are essential to mobile websites to insure visitors have the best experience possible.

Speed: We designers have said for years that load speed is very important, but for mobile websites it’s critical. Robust animations and effects, while fine for desktops, are potential bottlenecks for mobile users. Additionally, now that new data plans cap data usage, you don’t want your website to use a large portion of a visitor’s data plan.

Be creative in your mobile websites. Think of ways your site can be simplified, yet retain your design and branding. You want a visitor to be instantly familiar with your site and connect with your brand, but at the same time you want to show them you understand phone requirements and are being conscientious of their time.

Optimization: If it takes a visitor more than a 2 or 3 clicks to get to the information they’re looking for, then they will probably leave to find another site that can help them faster.

Mobile users are on the go. When they’re looking for information, they need it right then. Don’t make them jump through needless pages to find what they need. Give them quick and easy access to the information they’re looking for.

Mobiles websites are an indication you understand your website traffic and will cater to your customer’s needs. Every month you should review usage reports for your mobile traffic and adjust your site accordingly. Additionally, don’t be fooled by cheap hosted solutions. These services are typically hosted away from your website and require you to update it separately from your standard website. That means for every change to your website, you have to update two sites.

Remember, the easier you make it for visitors to get what they want, the more likely they are to contact you or complete the goals you’ve established for your website.

Jeff Asselin is Director of Sales & Marketing for Powerserve, a web development company that focuses on Websites, Custom Business Software, Search Engine Optimization, Graphic Design and Social Media Marketing. Let Jeff put his more than 16 years of advertising and marketing experience to work for you helping grow your business. Click (www.powerserve.net), Email (jeff.asselin@powerserve.net), Visit (961 Broad St, Augusta) or Call (c: 706-691-7189, o: 706-826-1506, Ext 122). This is a sponsored article.

Intel has become a big supporter of the product category. Intel’s ultrabook design calls for second-generation core microprocessors and the forthcoming Microsoft Windows 8. The ultrabook actually could bring about a convergence of major mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, netbooks, and notebook PCs.

Windows 8 will also facilitate capabilities such as the use of touch screens and voice activation. Laptops have been faced with competition from tablet PCs, but ultrabooks allow users to touch the screen rather than being forced to use a keyboard and mouse or trackpad. Intel also said it has reached a deal with Nuance Communications to develop voice-activated technologies to work with ultrabooks.

Microsoft said Windows 8, as it’s currently referred, has the most dramatically changed look and feel since the company introduced Windows 95, a pivotal version of its operating system that came out 16 years ago. While Apple has found great success with the iPad by creating software tailored narrowly to the finger gestures possible on a touch-screen device, Microsoft said Windows 8 will be flexible enough to accommodate new tablet devices including ultrabooks, as well as more traditional PCs that rely on keyboards and mice. Microsoft has said in the past that it aims to release a new operating system about every three years, which suggests Windows 8 could come out by fall 2012.

Intel has also recently embraced probably the most radical shift in semiconductor technology in more than fifty years that may eventually populate ultrabook products; a design that could produce more powerful chips for gadgets without taxing their batteries.

The company plans to change a key part of each chip into a vertical, fin-like structure; a similar principle to the way high-rise buildings pack more office space in a city. Intel said its latest technology could bring more computing power to smartphones and tablet computers while sharply reducing power consumption. Intel is the first chip manufacturer to commit to using the so-called 3-D approach in high-volume production.

So look for the line to blur quickly between notebooks, tablet PCs, and even smartphones with the new ultrabook class of PCs. Consumers will benefit by being able to do all the things you would do on a laptop computer but still have the sleek, ease of use of a tablet!

KEVIN WADE This is a sponsored “Tech Talk” article. Kevin is founder and CEO of IntelliSystems (www.IntelliSystems.com), which has been operating in Augusta since 1993. The company is located at 1115 Greene Street in Downtown Augusta. Tune in Thursdays at 12:45 on WRDW 1630 AM for “Tech Talk.” For more information, call Kevin at (706) 722-2024 or email him: Kevinw@intellisystems.com