The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC), a Smithsonian Affiliate, and Charles J. Simon, founder of pioneering technology companies and nationally recognized software developer, announced today the innovative pilot project PassPort to Discovery™.  It is an interactive exhibit system designed to customize the visitor experience at museums and exhibit venues.  Onscreen talking avatars greet visitors by name and can paraphrase the exhibit content.  A unique gaming element allows visitors to answer questions and earn points - high scores are displayed.

"This unique technology was created to allow museum visitors to enjoy their exploration more by creating a totally customized and unique experience," said Charles Simon, developer of PassPort to Discovery™.  "This is the only exhibit technology allowing visitors to capture their experience on their own ID card and have it remember their individual preferences every time they visit."

PassPort to Discovery™ opens September 1 at the MAC in combination with a new exhibit 100 Curious Things.  This exhibit marks the start of a major effort to increase public digital access to MAC Collection materials.  

This prototype includes touch screen computers associated with various pieces in the Spokane Timeline exhibit and unique visitor passes that can be sensed by the computers.  Each of the exhibit's four interactive kiosks offers in-depth information on an aspect of Spokane history.  The touch screens can target visitors' specific interests, grade level and language.

"This PassPort system enhances the learning process through a uniquely engaging experience using audio, video, animations, questions, and competition," said Ron Rector, MAC Executive Director.

The MAC is the Inland Northwest's art, history and American Indian center and now is home to a one-of-a-kind system designed to provide youth and adults with a unique blend of education and entertainment.  The MAC is proud to be a beta test site for other museums across the country to explore the potential for this exhibit system.  To learn more, visit www.northwestmuseum.org.

About Charles Simon

Originally from San Francisco, CA, Simon has co-founded three pioneering technology companies; GiftSpot.com (acquired by GiftCertificates.com), Bentley's Continuum and a CAD for printed-circuit company.  Simon managed major development projects for MSNBC.com and 2Wire, Inc.  He has gained national attention in write-ups including Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, and PC Magazine.

SOURCE Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

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Last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke revealed the nation's economic recovery is weaker than expected. A new report from the Mortgage Bankers' Association also showed the number of people falling behind on their mortgage payments for the first time is now on the rise. The economy, it may be safe to say, is not yet recovering, and that means it's more important than ever to protect physical assets, says Rick Bell, founder of the Kansas City-area KC Home Inventory (http://www.kchomeinventory.com).

Bell, who has been providing premium home inventory services through KC Home Inventory since 1993, said safeguarding physical assets -- personal property like cars, jewelry, art and collections -- starts with knowing exactly what one owns.

"Too often, people are unable to provide detailed, itemized lists to their insurance companies when disaster strikes and their personal property is stolen or damaged. That significantly slows down the insurance claims process," said Bell. "A complete inventory helps homeowners and renters determine whether their insurance coverage is adequate before anything happens."

Many people are unaware they don't have to accept an insurance company's offer if they feel it's too low. They do, however, have to back up their claim for a higher amount with detailed documentation -- and that's where an itemized home inventory, complete with photographs, can be invaluable.

Preparing that inventory, on the other hand, is a daunting task for even the most meticulous homeowners and renters. Fortunately, inventory professionals like Bell and his team at KC Home Inventory can make the process simple. A confidential, professionally prepared home inventory takes the guesswork out of inventorying one's assets and provides the peace-of-mind that comes with being prepared for the unexpected.

"Most people spend their lives accumulating items of value, whether that value is financial or sentimental," said Bell. "Not many of us, however, could name all the items in every nook and cranny of our homes, especially in a stressful situation like a fire, natural disaster or a burglary. Having a professional come in and systematically list every possession in an insurance-friendly format lifts that burden from the homeowner's or renter's shoulders and ensures assets can be fully restored should the need ever arise."

KC Home Inventory is now offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to establish home inventory businesses in their own communities. As the oldest established business of its type and an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, the company is well-qualified to help others get started in the industry. To that end, KC Home Inventory offers a complete home inventory business start-up kit, including all necessary software and tools, at a surprisingly affordable price. Learn more about the business at http://www.homeinventorybusiness.com. Details about the KC Home Inventory professional start-up and software package are available at http://kchomeinventory.com/Home_Inventory_Business_Software.htm.

About KC Home Inventory

KC Home Inventory has been providing comprehensive and professional services to homeowners, renters and businesses since 1993. In that time, the company has helped thousands of customers recover from losses due to fire, theft or natural disaster. KC Home Inventory is A+ accredited by the Better Business Bureau. For more information, visit http://www.kchomeinventory.com.

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

SOURCE KC Home Inventory

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The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Association Health Programs (AHP) to extend a comprehensive suite of health, long-term care, life insurance and other benefits to CHA members in the United States at rates previously unavailable to small and mid-sized businesses.

AHP specializes in and plans on a nationwide basis for associations, organizations, and chambers of commerce, as well as individuals, families, and small and large groups. They offer health, life, and long-term care insurance, disability income and critical illness, dental & vision, Medicare supplements and Medicare Part D, financial and retirement planning, and other specialized services for association members.

"Based on responses to a CHA member benefits survey, the second most requested member benefit behind our trade show was securing medical insurance," explained Steve Berger, President and CEO, CHA. "For the past several years we have scoured the country looking for a cost-effective option for our members, Association Health Programs was able to address CHA's unique and complex need for health care, insurance and other benefits.  We are very happy to offer these benefits to our members."    

Through this partnership CHA members may purchase or receive access to the following programs:

Health Insurance

• Individual Health for individuals, families-Full and Part-Time Employees
• Group Health Insurance (2-50) employees
• Student Plans, Travel and Short Term Plans
• Medicare Supplements and Part D prescription benefits
• Guaranteed Issue Limited Medical Plans and Hospital Indemnity
• Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Accounts

Long-Term Care Insurance

• Home Health, Assisted Living and Nursing Home

Life Insurance

• Term, Universal and Whole Life
• Survivorship (Second to Die)
• Key Person
• Executive Benefit Life
• Disability (Short and Long Term), Critical Illness, and Accident Insurance
• Dental and Vision
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA's), Cafeteria Plans, 105Bs

As insurance professionals, AHP searches industry sources for products that meet stringent association insurance standards. When none exist, AHP develops product specifications and negotiates the creation of unique features for their own plans. Led by Stuart Pase, AHP President, their mission is offering better insurance, rate stability, and hands-on service.

"We are very excited about our new partnership with the Craft & Hobby Association," explained Stuart Pase, President, AHP. "With the skyrocketing costs of health care and an aging society this agreement will enable CHA member businesses to compete more effectively to recruit and retain strong talent and offer comparable employee benefits previously out of reach to small and mid-sized businesses. I'm confident that AHP can offer the very best insurance options available on the market. We compare current insurance policies to the options available through CHA's new Member Health Insurance Benefit and provide members with a comparison and let CHA members make the decision based on better coverage at lower costs."  

For more information about these new CHA member benefits please visit the Member Benefits tab at www.craftandhobby.org.

About the Craft & Hobby Association

The Craft & Hobby Association is an international not-for-profit trade association consisting of thousands of member companies engaged in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail sales of products in the nearly $30 billion U.S. craft and hobby industry. For more information about CHA visit www.craftandhobby.org. To find out more about its award-winning Conventions and Trade Shows visit: www.chashow.org.

SOURCE The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA)

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Art.com Inc., the world's leading online specialty provider of wall art products and services, today announced its online expansion into Argentina, the Czech Republic and Turkey with the launch of three new country-specific websites:  www.allposters.com.ar, www.allposters.cz and www.allposters.com.tr.  These markets join AllPosters' existing international portfolio of 22 localized websites across five continents.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091208/ART-COMLOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091208/ART-COMLOGO)

"Having already served over 10 million customers in over 120 countries around the world, we know that international shoppers have different needs that vary by country.  We are pleased that we can now provide a more customized experience for our Argentinian, Czech and Turkish customers," said Geoffroy Martin, chief executive officer of Art.com Inc.  "The launch of these three new websites is yet another step in our ongoing mission to make art accessible to all by transforming the way the world discovers, personalizes, shares and purchases art.  Art.com Inc. is now one of only a few ecommerce retailers with such a broad global portfolio of country-specific websites."

In addition to these new websites, AllPosters already has localized websites to meet the needs of customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Each site offers the same unparalleled assortment of quality wall art at a great value that AllPosters is known for, along with a wide variety of finishing options including custom-framing, wood-mounting, canvas and lamination. Additionally, each site is translated into its country's respective language and local currency and offers local e-mail support.

International affiliates are encouraged to participate in the AllPosters affiliate program to earn commissions on referrals to each of the sites.  Information is available at affiliates.allposters.com.

About AllPosters and Art.com Inc.

AllPosters.com is a division of Art.com Inc.  Art.com Inc. is the world's leading online specialty provider of posters, prints, and framed art.  Since 1998, Art.com Inc. has sold high-quality wall art online to more than 10 million customers—including home decorators, interior designers, businesses, art collectors and art lovers—in over 120 countries worldwide. The privately-held company is headquartered in Emeryville, CA, with other facilities in Ohio, North Carolina and the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.art.com and www.AllPosters.com.  "art.com" and "AllPosters" are registered trademarks of Art.com Inc.

SOURCE Art.com Inc.

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http://www.art.com