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While most religions in the world have some form of meditation as a core practice (be it Christian monasticism or Islamic daily prayer), none have made it so central a tenet as Buddhism has. As such, there are many variations in the practice and goals of meditation within Buddhism. This article therefore is necessarily an overview and brief introduction to the wide range of Buddhist meditation.

Buddhism has taught meditation to its adherents since the 5th century BC. Gautama Buddha (or simply the Buddha, meaning he who has achieved enlightenment), the founder of the religion and its supreme teacher sought escape from this world and found it in meditation. Since then, this has been passed on to his followers.

Broadly speaking, Buddhist meditation has as its goal the achievement of a deeper state of relaxation, or a heightened sense of awareness, a knowledge of the true nature of things. Ultimately, all meditation is seen as the path to enlightenment (a state in which a person is freed from all delusions about the world) and nirvana(a similar state, where one is free from greed and hate). Buddhism teaches that the root of all suffering and pain in the world is ignorance combined with greed and desire. On reaching nirvana, the soul is freed from all suffering, and indeed from the very cycle of rebirth.

Techniques for meditation vary between different schools of thought for example, there are hundreds of traditional methods of achieving mindfulness (a state of mind in which you are strongly aware of the present moment and distant from your own thoughts) and there are thousands of mental visualisations used in meditation. Different forms of meditation are designed to develop different desirable characteristics: concentration, loving-kindness, compassion, wisdom, freedom and so forth. Many techniques are common however, such as a focus on breathing as a means to reach tranquility and awareness. This method, known as Anapanasati has been recommended as a method by itself to reach nirvana.

This technique usually involves sitting comfortably, back straight and with no difficulty breathing. The meditator breathes normally, observing their breaths and simply becoming aware of them. No attempt is made to regulate, simply to observe and become aware of the body and its functioning. Meanwhile the meditator is trained to focus on eliminating thought. To an untrained meditator, thoughts will constantly break the calm of meditation, but with practise, true mental tranquility can be achieved. While this simplifies, the ultimate goal is to eliminate thought and clear the mind through a series of stages to reach nirvana.

The philosophy of Buddhist meditation is therefore one of liberation the teaching that man can escape from his self-imposed suffering through awareness of his surroundings and focusing his thoughts. Buddha sought to escape from old age, illness and death, and provided, through meditation, a prescription to his followers, an exhortation to follow him and hope to achieve his fate. Through clearing the mind of infirmities such as greed and hate, meditation seeks to heal the body of its infirmities.

About the Author

Jane Michael is the head writer at the Center for Meditation. Meditation is her practice and her passion. Buddhist meditation is a great way to start your meditation practice.

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[Via Religion Articles At Isnare.com]

It is difficult to reason with fundamentalists. In fact, it is virtually impossible. What else might one expect? The very nature of fundamentalism is hardly conducive to the give and take involved in reasoning. If you attempt to have a discussion, you will soon find that it turns into a one way diatribe. Your fundamentalist friend will quickly become one-pointed and narrowly focused. You will leave the conversation feeling as if you have been talking to someone who can’t see the forest for the trees.

And, of course they can’t. What our fundamentalist friend has to offer to the conversation is usually a collection of tried and true (for them, anyway) cliches. A good example of this appeared on the local news in the town where I live not long ago. A prominent fundamentalist televangelist was visiting our small city. Since his career had always been built upon confrontation, the local television news did an interview - mostly for shock value - that ran on the evening news. They asked him if his position on gay rights and gay marriage or civil unions had changed any over the years. He replied that “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” It’s a catchy phrase. I noted to myself, however, that he was saying that phrase thirty years ago. I wondered, had his thinking on the matter progressed no further than this point? Had he nothing new to say?

Later, NPR ran a program featuring a controversial fundamentalist preacher who had recently made a great deal of money writing (with help) a fiction series about the “last days,” “the rapture,” and “the second coming.” It became apparent that this minister believed there was only one way to view spiritual questions. It happened to be his way. The interviewer asked, “Now, Reverend, do you really think that only people who believe like you are going to heaven?” The preacher replied that it wasn’t he that said such things. No, it was God. God said that you had to see things his way. The Bible said it.

Of course. one might always try to argue the Bible with fundamentalists. I have. Once, a fundamentalist missionary asked me if I believed the Bible was “the inspired, inerrant, word of God.” I replied that I did indeed believe the Bible contained the word of God. “Contains? Contains? The Bible doesn’t contain the word of God, it IS the inspired, inerrant word of God,” he railed. His conclusion was that I certainly wasn’t a real Christian. I certainly didn’t deserve the title of minister, and that I was deceiving my flock. Unless I said it like he did, it wouldn’t do.

When I was in seminary, I met a fellow student in the bookstore one day. He really didn’t like all of the questioning of the “literal word of God” by students in our Biblical studies class (mainly me, I would guess). I wondered what he meant. He explained that the Bible was true, and that was that. Not really, I countered. Where is the proof that the Bible was absolutely true in all that it affirmed? This was the clincher from his point of view, “We know the Bible is true because it says it’s true.” I asked, “How can we be sure the Bible is true when it says it true, if what it says might not exactly be the truth?” Answer: “Because it says so.”

And so will go conversations concerning politics, morals, religion, or whatever it may be. The fundamentalist is caught up in a web of circular thinking and well worn cliches. There is no getting around it. Trying to reason with fundamentalists, you quickly discover a disdain for reason. Over four decades ago, the great fundamentalist guru-philosopher, Francis Schaeffer, wrote his Summa Theologica on the matter. It was a little work entitled Escape from Reason. The title tells it all.

You cannot really reason with a fundamentalist, or at least not without great difficulty, because fundamentalism is an escape from reason. It is hard to work on reasoning when one party is all about escaping it.

About the Author

James C. Alexander, Ph.D. is an education professor at a church related college and a bi-vocational minister who publishes regularly in the areas of education and religion. His latest book is Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalism: Understanding and Responding to Christian Absolutism. His blog site is located at Repentant Fundie.

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[Via Religion Articles At Isnare.com]

In the holiday movie, White Christmas, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are faced with the terrible downturn in fortunes experienced by their former commanding officer from the European theater in World War II. The general, a well beloved man, has retired after the war to a small inn located in Vermont. Through an involved plot, the famous singing and dancing duo of Wallace and Davis find themselves at the inn just prior to Christmas. There has been no snow, hence no winter time visitors. After realizing that their former commander is now commanding a declining inn, Wallace and Davis (Bing and Danny) go into salvation mode.

The plan they have involves keeping the general away from his favorite television program, which has national syndication. Danny really “hams it up,” and it takes some doing, but he succeeds in keeping the general away from the set long enough for Wallace (Bing) to make an appeal on a popular show for all of the men under the general’s command in the war to converge at the inn for a production that he and Davis (Danny) have staged. His appeal is musical. He sings this song: “What do you do with a general when he stops being a general? What do you do with general unemployed?” Of course, all of the men bite. Hundreds show up. It snows. Bing and Danny both get the perspective girls, and all is happy. I know the story well. My wife has made me watch it every year for the past thirty-one years.

So, let me wax musical for a moment (maybe we could use Bing’s tune). “What do you do with a fundamentalist when he stops being a fundamentalist? What do you do with a fundamentalist unconnected?” Or, in the vernacular, what happens to a fundamentalist when they leave the fold? Where do they go? What do they do? We might be tempted to answer those questions the way another movie classic answered a pressing question, “Frankly, my Dear, I don’t give a damn.” Still, I think compassion calls for a different answer. It cries out for us to understand.

Fortunately, John Brent (1994, “Leaving Protestant Fundamentalism: A Qualitative Analysis of a Major Life Transition,” Counseling and Values 38 No.3) chronicles the path taken by those leaving absolutist churches. In a qualitative study of those who leave, he found several common themes:

1. Participation in the life of the fundamentalist milieu - At this stage those who would eventually leave were members in good standing. They are fully involved in the life of the church. Their thinking is like others in the group. In their community of faith, the Bible prescribes the absolutes. That is true for them as well.

2. Then, they experience their initial disillusionment - At some specific point on their fundamentalist journey, something happens. Those who would eventually leave feel disconnected and separated from the absolutist subculture. This point of disconnect could revolve around many factors. One of the most common points of disconnect is the demand for conformity.

3. Next, they move into a stage of tolerance - In this stage, our “would be” former fundamentalist is filled with doubts and fears concerning the tradition and the subculture. Still, such members remain. Yet, they must deal with unrelenting doubt. Doubting intensifies the problem, since now, in addition to disillusionment; members must deal with the experience of guilt concerning their doubts.

4. Disillusionment, doubt, and guilt intensify until members reach the point of leaving - Tensions grow. Eventually, a breaking point is reached. This is the defining moment. It is the point of no return, often related to some extreme crisis. At this point, the (newly former) absolutist leaves.

5. At first, this seems great - The one who leaves feels a sense of relief. The crisis and disillusionment seem to be resolved. He seems to be freed from the unreasoning acceptance of dogma and practice that was once his life. But, it’s not over yet. Shortly, the newfound relief abates and our spiritual traveler experiences emotions of guilt and fear.

6. After this long journey reaches this point, a stage of “New Horizons” rises from the ashes of an apparently broken past - After recovering from the shock of withdrawal from the subculture, the former absolutist begins to form a new belief structure. She may embrace a new form of Christianity, or a new view apart from religion.

7. Still, problems remain for our spiritual pilgrim - Now the process may seem complete and the whole issue resolved, but it is not really over yet. From time to time, recovering fundamentalists experience psychological/emotional problems. Often it has been noted that they experience periodic fundamentalist relapses.

Those are the stages Brent proposes as I might interpret them. I would add this: A traveler along the way might get “stuck” at one of the stages on the journey. They may be in the wilderness quite a long while. Still, many former fundamentalists will eventually associate with a more liberal church. Some will seek new solace in the highly liturgical churches such as Episcopalian or even Catholic (although, due to a different type of absolutism, it is not my experience that Catholicism is a common destination). Some will no doubt give up on religion all together, often becoming bitter about the whole endeavor. Yet others will create a hybrid religion combining bits and pieces of things they have learned of and tried out on the journey.

What then does happen to former fundamentalists? As you can see, there are many destinations. Where they might end up is somewhat of a mystery. Still, one thing is certain. They will be forever changed by their history. It seems that no one just walks away from fundamentalism.

About the Author

James C. Alexander, Ph.D. is an education professor at a church related college and a bi-vocational minister who publishes regularly in the areas of education and religion. His latest book is Stories of a Recovering Fundamentalism: Understanding and Responding to Christian Absolutism. His blog site is located at Repentant Fundie.

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[Via Religion Articles At Isnare.com]

Fashion Journalism Students Cover Fashion, Art, Photography and Lifestyle in the 106-page Full-Color Premier Issue

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2008 — Academy of Art University announced the September 2008 launch of a new addition to the exciting world of fashion magazines. one eighty magazine is produced by the University’s Fashion Journalism students and will cover fashion, art, photography, and lifestyle in San Francisco, nationally and internationally. The style magazine offers both onsite and online students the opportunity to publish work and build their portfolios.

one eighty will be published twice a year to coincide with two of the University’s fashion shows: the September graduate show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York and the April San Francisco Graduation and Awards Ceremony. Ten thousand copies of the premier issue will be distributed at galleries, cafes, museums, and bookstores throughout San Francisco and 1,000 copies at the September 5 graduate show in New York. Distribution will increase with the second issue slated for April 2009. The online fashion magazine website will launch in 2009.

“I congratulate the Fashion Journalism students in creating a magazine of such professional quality. It is a testimony to the caliber of the programs we offer at the University,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the University. “I am excited that online students will have this platform as well as students on campus and I am looking forward to the collaborations across concentrations and departments within the University.”

Students collaborated with fashion industry professionals such as Michael Fink, Saks Fifth Avenue Vice President of Women’s Fashion, Sari Wynne, fashion photographer for Workgroup Agency, stylist Michael Carbaugh, Examiner.com blogger Dino-Ray Ramos, and Paul Wilner, freelance writer for the Los Angeles Times and former style editor at San Francisco Chronicle.

Fashion School students styled The Creeps, a scooter gang in San Francisco, for the story ‘Leader of the Pack’ as well as produced editorials using collections from alumni such as Sara Shepherd, Justin Kennedy, Quyen Nguyen, Alice Yim and two recent graduates, Ronnie Escalante and Alyssa Prentice, who are presently interning at Chado Ralph Rucci in New York.

In the “Show Us the Munny, Doll” story, design students collaborated with toymaker Kidrobot with great results. Other stories include an interview with fashion designer Koos van den Akker, who set up shop at the University this summer as a resident designer, reviews of Jill Stuart’s beauty line, Gus Van Sant’s new biopic on Harvey Milk, and an upcoming compilation of work by 1920s Vogue photographer Edward Steichen. Humor was injected through clever style horoscopes and a posthumous interview with Yves Saint Laurent in “Channeling YSL.”

The magazine is written, photographed and produced by the students under the direction of Cheryl Locke, Fashion Journalism Coordinator and a former editor for Elle.com and InStyle magazine, and design instructor, Jonathan Kyle Farmer. “Our role was guidance,” said Cheryl. “Putting out a magazine is a collaborative effort and I am satisfied that the students gained a deeper understanding in the production process having worked with printers, model agencies, pr companies, designer showrooms, vintage dealers, and of course all the contributors who helped to make the premier issue so great.”

About the School of Fashion

Established in 1929, Academy of Art University is the largest accredited private art and design University with nearly 12,000 students onsite as well as nationally and internationally in the growing online program. Over 1,800 students study fashion under the guidance of experienced fashion professionals. The School of Fashion houses ten areas of specialization: Fashion Design for Womenswear, Menswear, and Childrenswear; Technical Design; Textile Design; Knitwear Design; Accessory Design; Costume Design; Fashion Illustration; Fashion Journalism; Fashion Merchandising and Visual Merchandising.

Gladys Perint Palmer, Executive Director of Fashion, is a working journalist and illustrator. In 1998, The Fashion Book (Phaidon Press) named GPP one of 500 people of influence in fashion since 1860. In 2003, Assouline published Fashion People, GPP’s book of drawings and irreverent captions. In 2007, GPP’s work was included in 100 Years of Illustration by Cally Blackman and the exhibition accompanying the book launch in London. She is honored to contribute her work to Victoria & Albert Museum’s 150th Anniversary Album and the exhibition at the V&A in London as only 150 artists were asked to contribute. She is working on her second and third books — Fashion Bible and You are not on The List.

Simon Ungless, Director of Graduate Fashion, graduated from Central St. Martins School of Art and Design in 1992 and was awarded the prestigious MA Degree in Fashion with Distinction. He collaborated with Alexander McQueen on the first 10 collections shown in London and New York. In 2002, he was named Creative Director of Member Holiday, a Korean-based contemporary brand, launching men’s and women’s collections with 37 freestanding stores. His experience covers Fashion Design, Textile Design, Forecasting, Brand Development, and Marketing for such clients as Givenchy, Paul Smith, and Versace.

Sharon Murphy, Director of Fashion Merchandising, spent over 25 years in the apparel industry including management positions in sourcing, manufacturing, product development and fashion retailing. She has worked for Esprit de Corp both on a domestic and international level as well as for Jessica McClintock, Inc. with a focus on the development of fabrics and apparel for contemporary, junior and children’s markets. She joined the University as an instructor in 2001 and continues to consult with Venice Collaborative to source textiles and related materials for architects and builders of residential projects in Venice, CA.

The University works with international brands and recruitment agencies on internships and job placement. Graduates have gone onto companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, Banana Republic, Blanc de Chine, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Carla Sozzani’s 10 Corso Como, Chloe, Diane Von Fürstenberg, Donna Karan, GAP Inc., Jeremy Scott, Kate Spade, KITON, L.A.M.B., Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Martin Margiela, Martine Sitbon, Missoni, Nice Collective, Nike, Nordstrom, Northface, Oscar de la Renta, Pamela Dennis, Pottery Barn, Reebok, Ralph Rucci, St. John, Three As Four, Tocca, Viktor & Rolf, Williams Sonoma, Zac Posen and Zandra Rhodes to name a few.

Guests to the School of Fashion have included Azzedine Alaïa, Geoffrey Beene, Rose Marie Bravo, Loulou de la Falaise, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Fink of Saks Fifth Avenue, James Galanos, Christophe Girard, Director of Fashion Strategy, LVMH Fashion Group, Robin Givhan of The Washington Post, Joan Kaner, formerly of Neiman Marcus, Antonio Lopez, Fern Mallis of IMG, Alexander McQueen, Suzy Menkes of The International Herald Tribune, Rosita and Tai Missoni, Isaac Mizrahi, Josie Natori, Zac Posen, Zandra Rhodes CBE, Ralph Rucci, Carla Sozzani, Koos van den Akker, and Dame Vivienne Westwood DBE.

Academy of Art University is a member of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NASAD, Council for Interior Design Accreditation (Formerly FIDER) (BFA-IAD), and NAAB (M-ARCH).

Academy of Art University School of Fashion
180 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
www.academyart.edu / 1.800.544.ARTS (2787)

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[Via PRWeb: Industry Print Media]

New Title Shows Readers How to Look at War from a Biblical Perspective

Longwood, FL (PRWEB) August 31, 2008 — Ever since the terrorist attack of 9/11, the words “war on terror” have become firmly embedded in the global consciousness. Are we to fall victim to bitterness and fear, or do we respond the way Christ would respond in sacrificial love? These are the questions everyone must answer, especially in light of recent news reports that who terrorist attacks are only getting worse.

In Lisa R. Gibson’s new release from Christian self-publisher Xulon Press, Life in Death: A Journey from Terrorism to Triumph (paperback, 978-1-60647-564-5), the author tells the heart-wrenching story of the loss of her brother in the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, and how her faith has allowed her to overcome that act of evil for good by serving the country. This book offers hope and encouragement for those struggling with fear and inspires faith to propel everyone to engage in this strategic battle.

Says Gibson, “My hope is through my story that others will learn how to engage in the war on terror from a biblical perspective as well as find encouragement and wisdom to overcome their tragedies and become conduits of God s healing grace and power to others even the people responsible for their loss.”

After losing her brother in the 1988 terrorist bombing, Gibson spent almost 20 years engaging in the war on terrorism. As a result, she has seen the power and restoration that comes from seeing true justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation in cases such as these. Now she is armed with a mission to impact society by addressing the root issues that result in human rights abuses, such as injustice, oppression, and terrorism around the world.

Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world’s largest Christian publisher, with more than 5,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Life in Death through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem Communications is the country’s leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing.

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[Via PRWeb: Industry Publishing]

Bakler (http://www.bakler.com) project, one of the largest domain name aftermarket, provides the complete services of on-line auction for domain names. With its large portfolio of exclusive most desired domain names and easy-to-use services powered by the ROVE Digital (http://www.rovedigital.com) development team, the aftermarket has won the great recognition of professional webmasters, businesses and individuals. Today Bakler celebrates a great occasion. Namely, the project has mastered the threshold of 10 000 domain names sold out from the auction in the shortest period of time.

Wilmington, DE (PRWEB) August 31, 2008 — Bakler (http://www.bakler.com) project, one of the largest domain name aftermarket, provides the complete services of on-line auction for domain names. With its large portfolio of exclusive most desired domain names and easy-to-use services powered by the ROVE Digital (http://www.rovedigital.com) development team, the aftermarket has won the great recognition of professional webmasters, businesses and individuals. Today Bakler celebrates a great occasion. Namely, the project has mastered the threshold of 10 000 domain names sold out from the auction in the shortest period of time.

With the common tendency of business enterprises to mark their presence on the Internet market the demand for industry related domain names has increased significantly. Originally, Bakler auction has been launched with a view to help registrants resell thousands of domain names that are not in use and expire every day, becoming available for purchase. The wide choice for exclusive and original domain names, the easy management of the auction system services, and guaranteed highest level of security for money transaction operation create the perfect environment for the establishment of the largest market. Various domain names consisting of search-friendly words or phrases are brought out to the attention of Bakler auction participants. Both professional and casual webmasters can find a suitable domain name for their online project no matter which industry they want to refer to. Entertainment, business, social and many other industry spheres are introduced by the large collection of unique domain names gathered at the auction homepage.

Enthusiastic participation in tendering for over 10 000 domain names at Bakler auction shows certain dynamic of the domain name market and high demand for eye-catching domains that are no longer available for registration in numerous commonly spread domain zones. Instead of spending a lot of hours surfing the Internet for interesting offers, one can find and buy the desirable domain as fast as two clicks. The primary backorder service for expiring domain names is also enabled. To keep the achieved success and proceed with providing the most outstanding solution for domain name realization, ROVE Digital team (http://www.rovedigital.com) plans a row of advanced updates in the nearest future.

Selling domain directly is a bigger risk of loosing it without receiving any money at all. As for the Bakler, the main priority is the deals’ security for both sides. Bakler guarantees that all the deals performed through the system are secure both for the sellers and buyers.
The auction is free to join and is open 24/7. The highly experienced support team provides the stable and secure performance of every service available for auction participants. To submit a question or report any issue related to Bakler services raise the ticket at: http://support.bakler.com.

See Also:

[Via PRWeb: Industry Publishing]

Bakler (http://www.bakler.com) project, one of the largest domain name aftermarket, provides the complete services of on-line auction for domain names. With its large portfolio of exclusive most desired domain names and easy-to-use services powered by the ROVE Digital (http://www.rovedigital.com) development team, the aftermarket has won the great recognition of professional webmasters, businesses and individuals. Today Bakler celebrates a great occasion. Namely, the project has mastered the threshold of 10 000 domain names sold out from the auction in the shortest period of time.

Wilmington, DE (PRWEB) August 31, 2008 — Bakler (http://www.bakler.com) project, one of the largest domain name aftermarket, provides the complete services of on-line auction for domain names. With its large portfolio of exclusive most desired domain names and easy-to-use services powered by the ROVE Digital (http://www.rovedigital.com) development team, the aftermarket has won the great recognition of professional webmasters, businesses and individuals. Today Bakler celebrates a great occasion. Namely, the project has mastered the threshold of 10 000 domain names sold out from the auction in the shortest period of time.

With the common tendency of business enterprises to mark their presence on the Internet market the demand for industry related domain names has increased significantly. Originally, Bakler auction has been launched with a view to help registrants resell thousands of domain names that are not in use and expire every day, becoming available for purchase. The wide choice for exclusive and original domain names, the easy management of the auction system services, and guaranteed highest level of security for money transaction operation create the perfect environment for the establishment of the largest market. Various domain names consisting of search-friendly words or phrases are brought out to the attention of Bakler auction participants. Both professional and casual webmasters can find a suitable domain name for their online project no matter which industry they want to refer to. Entertainment, business, social and many other industry spheres are introduced by the large collection of unique domain names gathered at the auction homepage.

Enthusiastic participation in tendering for over 10 000 domain names at Bakler auction shows certain dynamic of the domain name market and high demand for eye-catching domains that are no longer available for registration in numerous commonly spread domain zones. Instead of spending a lot of hours surfing the Internet for interesting offers, one can find and buy the desirable domain as fast as two clicks. The primary backorder service for expiring domain names is also enabled. To keep the achieved success and proceed with providing the most outstanding solution for domain name realization, ROVE Digital team (http://www.rovedigital.com) plans a row of advanced updates in the nearest future.

Selling domain directly is a bigger risk of loosing it without receiving any money at all. As for the Bakler, the main priority is the deals’ security for both sides. Bakler guarantees that all the deals performed through the system are secure both for the sellers and buyers.
The auction is free to join and is open 24/7. The highly experienced support team provides the stable and secure performance of every service available for auction participants. To submit a question or report any issue related to Bakler services raise the ticket at: http://support.bakler.com.

See Also:

[Via PRWeb: Industry Publishing]

Ward/Kraft, Inc. implements faster turnaround times, lower pricing and expanded product offering by leveraging recent investments in new equipment in their Forms Division.

(PRWEB) August 31, 2008 — Ward/Kraft, Inc., the trade leader in providing the complete range of pressure seal and integrated products, today announced the expansion of their integrated products and pressure seal offering including new lower costs and faster standard delivery times. After rigorous testing, Ward/Kraft successfully brought new production equipment online enabling more products to be produced in a single pass. The benefits to distributors include more pressure seal and integrated products to sell with industry leading time and cost savings for distributors. The improved offerings keep the company among the most efficient and low cost providers of integrated and pressure seal products in the industry.

Ward/Kraft now offers 18 stock integrated labels. The new integrated offering has been expanded from 4 to include 14 new blank stock integrated label products. Many of these products are compatible with leading shipping and inventory management software systems. The new stock integrated label products are available in single carton minimum order quantities and ship within 24 hours of ordering. These stock products can also be imprinted in low quantities, providing distributors with a much broader range of high-demand stock and imprinted products and options. Distributors benefit by being able to offer trend setting cost and delivery schedules on all integrated and pressure seal products including the 14 new formats.

“Our distributors are looking to us to help them react to their customer’s needs for lower prices, faster turnarounds and more stock options”, said Gina Holt, Vice President of Sales. “We are responding by leveraging our recent investments in equipment and by expanding our offering based on market research”, continued Holt. “Our distributors now have the selling benefits they need to grow their markets and to better serve their current customer base,” concluded Holt.

Ward/Kraft’s integrated and pressure seal product offerings are supported by their award winning customer service, marketing and production teams. Pressure seal and integrated products, stock and custom, can be quickly priced by the customer service team via phone, fax, mail and email. The Ward/Kraft customer service and sales teams have been supplied with additional training to support the new product enhancements.

About Ward/Kraft, Inc.
Ward/Kraft, Inc. is the long time industry innovator in integrated label and pressure seal products, providing market-based solutions, competitive pricing and on-time delivery for every type of pressure seal and integrated product possible - including the new expanded offerings. Ward/Kraft, Inc. is a national leader in manufacturing Business Forms, Labels, Integrated Solutions, Plastics, Magnets, Commercial Print, Mailers, and Envelopes. Ward/Kraft thrives on customer astonishment and offering the best quality and service in the industry. For more than 35 years, Ward/Kraft has provided distributors with award winning customer service and product offerings that include PEAK and other industry excellence awards.

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[Via PRWeb: Industry Printing]

ORLANDO - Most commercial real estate sectors will see some improvement during the fourth quarter of this year and all sectors should see bigger gains in 2009, though recovery will be slow, according to Jeffrey S. Sweeney, SIOR, president and management partner of Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida.

“We’re close to the bottom of this cycle, and I don’t see commercial real estate activity dropping significantly from where we are today,” Sweeney said.

A slow recovery is a natural part of the real estate cycle, Sweeney added. “Now is when the strong developers, the strong brokerage firms will survive and in some cases thrive. The weaker ones with less targeted business focus won’t survive,” he said.

Sweeney said Florida industrial and office markets may recover at a faster pace than retail, and the pace of recovery should pick up in the latter half of 2009.

“When consumer confidence is high, the retail sector is largely a function of population growth, but when consumer confidence ebbs, retail development is affected and the effects can linger,” Sweeney said. “Fuel costs have quadrupled since 2000, and that will have a lasting impact on consumer confidence and retail activity.”

Sweeney said Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida, which is associated with 200 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide, saw a decline in revenues of about 15% during the first half of 2008.

“We anticipated that decline during our 2007 budgetary process and made provisions by controlling our costs and expenses to remain profitable,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney added that with traditionally slow summer months, he projects little increase in activity until the fourth quarter, when factors will begin to improve.

”I think the investment market will right itself as the financial markets clear their books of bad loans. We’ll begin to see loans on new development, speculative development and acquisitions of existing properties pick up at a more historic pace starting in October and continuing thru 2010,” Sweeney said.

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[Via Frej.net - Top Stories]