Monthly Archives: July 2012

by Lian Cheng. Posted on July 29, 2012, Sunday

LOOKING AHEAD: After his first book, Henry will start another on Sarawak.

AUSSIE septuagenarian John Henry has finally found his freedom after a 50-year search.

The 71-year-old is sharing his experiences in a 180-page pictorial titled Sweet Freedom: A daring search for freedom, consisting of 840 stunning full colour photos and thought-provoking illustrations.

Its more than just a book of pictures its also a record of the authors quest of the true meaning of freedom after traversing the length and breath of Australia.

It was the constant stress and pressure from authorities and establishments that drove Henry to question the existence of freedom and set about looking for it.

What my wife Jill and I want to do is find out about freedom. Is there such a thing? If so, what is it? Is it the same as happiness? Is it the same as survival? Can anyone truly get away and be free and happy? Or is freedom is just a dream. Are we just kidding ourselves?

Henry and Jill, former CEO of Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB), sold their business and took the less-travelled road to venture into the wilderness of Australia, hoping that freedom could be found somewhere far away and beyond.

I looked for freedom among the Australian Aborigines only to discover they live in reserve areas. Where is their freedom?

I thought creatures such as kangaroos and crocodiles might have freedom, yet I dont find freedom in them as they are being hunted by man, said the man from Down Under.

Continued here:
Sweet freedom at last …

July 28, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Washington,PA-The Florence Freedom got superb starting pitching in their doubleheader against the Washington Wild Things on Friday night as they swept both games with wins of 7-4 and 1-0. The Freedom completed the series sweep against Washington and are now 34-29 on the season.

In game 1, Alec Lewis hurled a complete game, his third of the season as he struck out six batters while scattering six hits and allowing three earned runs. Lewis improved to 3-6 with his complete game performance. Peter Fatse had a pair of RBI doubles in the game to lead the Freedom offense. John Malloy, Junior Arrojo, Jim Jacquot, David Harris, and Stephen Cardullo each produced an RBI as well for the victorious Freedom.

In game 2, it was Sean Gregory going the distance for the Freedom as he allowed only three hits, while striking out six on his way to his second complete game of the season. The difference in the game was the 5th inning homerun off the bat of Drew Rundle. It was his 9th homerun of the season, a deep shot beyond the right center field wall. Rundle also made several terrific defensive plays in the game to preserve the shutout win for Gregory.

The Freedom now return to Florence for a twelve game homestand starting Saturday night against the Evansville Otters. Evansville will send LHP Garrett Bullock(3-5, 3.06) to the mound to take on the Freedom's Brandon Mathes(0-0,5.12) The game can be heard with Steve Jarnicki starting at 5:50 pm on radio station Real Talk 1160 and realtalk1160.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Read more:
Freedom Sweep Doublheader against Wild Things

LONDON, July 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Freedom of choice in work and career creativity is significantly more important to freelancers than greater financial reward, according to our landmark Freelance Landscape survey. Major Players collected the answers and opinions of over 1,000 creative, design and marketing freelance professionals this February. We found that 42% rated greater choice over their projects as the most appealing aspect of freelancing while for 28% it was gaining greater creative experience and opportunity. Only 19% stated it was to achieve higher financial reward than the permanent equivalent. The least appealing aspect was periods of inactivity between assignments, with 39% stating this reason, followed by 26% most concerned with the comparative insecurity of freelancing - a cancelled assignment for example.

Our survey forms part of a larger investigation into the changing employment landscape across the UK by our parent company Randstad. The result is The Navigator report, which was published 12 March. It confirms that contracting continues to be a massive spark within the advertising & marketing world - with 72% freelancing through choice. Only 28% of those surveyed are freelancing because they could not find a permanent position or for other reasons. Freelancing has undoubtedly been boosted by the more challenging environment since 2009, as 39% of respondents began freelancing after this point.

Pay disparity between the sexes appears as prevalent within the creative, design and marketing freelancing community as within the permanent world. Twice as many men (8%) as women (4%) are earning over 500 per day. Similarly 71% of men earn between 200-500 per day compared with 67% of women surveyed. The high freelance earners by sector were those working in market research, and financial & professional services, with 16% of both these sectors earning over 500 per day. Creative & design jobs and retail both had the least earners of over 500 per day at only 3%. However both recorded high percentages in the middle category with 76% and 69% respectively earning between 200-500 a day.

Integrated colleagues were also seen to earn slightly more than their creative & design equivalents with only 16% earning less than 100 a day compared to 21% in creative & design. Freelancers also expressed their opinions on the everyday life of a freelancer and their motivations. 'Flexible working times around my children', 'freedom from the stink of internal politics', and as one respondent simply put it, 'freedom, money, buzz', were all reasons for freelancing.

Drawbacks included 'having to spend ages chasing payments and doing accounts', 'missing out on the social aspects and networking', and 'not being able to have blue Mondays and lazy Fridays'. Jack Gratton, CEO at Major Players, said "The response we got to this survey was phenomenal and indicates that the freelance community in the creative and marketing world wants to be heard. Freelancing has always been a lifestyle and career choice for our market, and now with agencies and brands seeking to become more streamlined and sustainable we see our space continuing to adapt. Our clients are actively using contract working not only to become more efficient but to fuel creativity.

"Freelancers stand to be a key component of the creative industries in the next decade. As ways of working change and their rights are strengthened further through legislation the freelancer looks set to be a key dynamic in our futures." To order a free copy of the Navigator report please visit http://www.majorplayers.co.uk/the-navigator-2012.html.

Editor's Notes:

Major Players are the No.1 recruiter for the creative industry and marketing in the UK. We supply high-calibre professionals to the country's top agencies and in-house divisions, across all levels within both the permanent and freelance markets. Our story began in 1993 and we are now 60 strong and growing in partnership with our parent company Randstad. Still based in the heart of Covent Garden and helping people find their way

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Freedom of Choice and Career Creativity Beats pay for Freelancers

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Freedom Bank of Virginia (Bank) (Bulletin Board:FDVA.OB) earned a Net Profit Before Taxes of $252,083 for the quarter ending June 30, 2012, its thirteenth consecutive quarterly profit. Net Profit for the quarter ending June 30, 2011 was $386,395. Net Profit Before Taxes was $560,855 for the first half of 2012 compared to a Net Profit for the first half of 2011 of $802,037. The reduction in profit was principally due to an increase in the provision for loan losses. According to CEO Craig S. Underhill, The Bank continues to be profitable and is growing during a challenging economy.

Total Assets increased 18% to $206,560,467, up from $174,913,192 at June 30, 2011. Loans Receivable increased $17,447,975 (12.5%) to $157,026,486 and Investment Securities increased $20,099,420 (175%) to $31,584,026 during the same period. The growth in assets was funded by $29,666,827 growth in deposits (19.5%). Non Interest Checking increased $4,508,951 (14.8%) to $34,889,239. Certificates of Deposit growth was $24,608,276 (26.1%).

Capital continues to be strong, growing $1,896,511 (8.4%) over the same period in the prior year to $24,409,278. Regulatory Capital minimums for Tier 1 Leverage Ratio, Risk Based Capital Tier 1, and Risk Based Capital Tier 2 were 5.0%, 6.0% and 10.0% respectively to be considered well capitalized. At June 30, 2012, the ratios for the Bank were 11.29%, 14.54% and 15.80% respectively, all in the well capitalized category. The Bank continues its tradition of maintaining a strong capital base to serve the needs of its customers and stockholders.

Freedom Bank is a community-oriented, locally-owned bank with locations in Fairfax and Vienna, Virginia. For information about Freedom Banks deposit and loan services, visit the Banks website at http://www.freedombankva.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including our expectations with respect to future events that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations include: fluctuation in market rates of interest and loan and deposit pricing, adverse changes in the overall national economy as well as adverse economic conditions in our specific market areas, maintenance and development of well-established and valued client relationships and referral source relationships, and acquisition or loss of key production personnel. Other risks that can affect the Bank are detailed from time to time in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. We caution readers that the list of factors above is not exclusive. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we may not undertake steps to update the forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of any circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements are made. In addition, our past results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Common stock, $4.17 par value. (5,000,000 shares authorized: issued and outstanding 2,846,117 shares for June 30, 2012 and 2,842,398 shares for June 30, 2011)

See the article here:
Freedom Bank Celebrates 13th Consecutive Quarterly Profit