CLARKSTON, Mich., Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Clarkston, Mich.-based Freedom One Financial Group, a 401(k) plan recordkeeping and administrative service provider, announced today that Freedom One Investment Advisors, Inc. will provide 401(k) plan advisory services for Citizens National Bank, headquartered in Cheboygan, Mich. This new client relationship continues Freedom One Financial Group’s growing partnership with financial institutions. Mark Wayne, Freedom One Financial Group President and CEO, made the announcement.

Citizens National Bank is a full-service, independent community bank serving six locations in lower northern Michigan, which include...

 First, I want to make sure that everyone understands that Dyers injuries, while not life threatening, are very, very serious. She underwent reconstructive surgery, received 70 stitches and a skin graft, and had her mouth sewn shut to allow blood blood to circulate through the graft. I cannot express enough how much pain and suffering she has to be experiencing. Please keep her in your prayers; you can follow her progress on her Facebo0k page.

Max is back home as well, after spending a mandatory 10 days in quarantine. His owner was cited because his dog bit someone, for a leash-law violation because he did not have control of the dog at all times, and for not having Max vaccinated...

BARCELONA: Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has labeled Real Madrids players bad losers and animals after his club won their latest ill-tempered matchup.

Barcelona eliminated cup holder Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey quarterfinals with Wednesdays 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou.

El Mundo newspapers website released Barca TV footage on Friday of Xavi caught off camera speaking about the game.

In the changing room, they were (complaining). Theyre unbelievable – they dont know how to lose, the Spain midfielder said.

Xavis comments will do little to calm the tense rivalry as he also labeled Madrid players animals for their physical challenges, specifically...

Costco is the way to go when it comes to online and in-store shopping.
The retail chain store ranked No. 1 in a recent Consumer Reports survey of 10 stores besting JCPenney, Kmart, Kohls, Macys, Meijer, Sams Club, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart for its overall shopping experience.

Costco was the only chain to earn an outstanding grade for the overall quality of its merchandise, whether in the stores or online. And it earned above-average scores for all 10

product categories the survey rated including electronic entertainment, jewelry and sporting goods.

Surprisingly, its website did better than its walk-in stores on all counts, except product quality (the two types tied),...

ISLAMABAD:

It’s always good to know what one’s regional neighbours are up to, which is why we have extended our gaze eastwards — to see what our Indian counterparts are brewing. With Mumbai’s Lakme Fashion Week right around the corner, we take a look at some of India’s contending designers and the looks/trends to watch out for.

Homewood-Flossmoor announces spring tryout dates

FLOSSMOOR | Tryout dates for Homewood-Flossmoor spring sports
are as follows.

BADMINTON: Freshmen/Sophomores, from 3:15 to 6 pm Feb. 27, 28,
March 1 and 2 in the Fieldhouse; from 3:15 to 6 pm Feb. 29 in the
South Cafe. Varsity, from 3:15 to 6 pm Feb. 27, 28, March 1 and 2
in the Fieldhouse; from 7 to 9 pm Feb. 29 in the Fieldhouse.

BASEBALL: Freshmen, from 3:15 to 6 pm Feb. 27 and 28 in the
North Gym; from 6 am to 7:15 am Feb. 29 and March 2 in the
North Gym; from 7:30 to 10 pm March 1 in the North Gym.
Sophomores, from 6 to 8 pm Feb. 27, 28 and 29 in the North Gym;
from 7:30 to 10 pm March...

In this Nov. 9, 2011 photo, a worker tests compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) at a factory in Hangzhou in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province. Chinas manufacturing sector was boosted by strong holiday season demand for food, beverages and other consumer products in January, though export demand and other indicators remained weak, according to surveys released Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT

New York City — Retailers need to respond to technology-savvy consumers by creating digitally rich, easy-to-use, technology-based experiences in the store to expand basket size and increase margins, according to the results of a new survey by Cisco. The survey also found that cross-channel shopping behavior is prevalent and desired by most consumers, with nearly 74% of all respondents conducting online research before making in-store purchasing decisions.

The key for retailers survival is to reinvent the store by bringing online content into store and creating engaging, personal, and emotional experiences that encourage shoppers to buy. Its about capturing shoppers feet and fingertips...

Gadget news aggregator Drippler.com tabulates what smartphones its users own and what they want next and the majority of its BlackBerry users say they are ready for a change. Out of Dripplers BlackBerry users 75% say they want to switch – the majority to iPhone and Android. Its one of many recent industry surveys that forecast RIM losing market share.

Tel-Aviv (PRWEB) February 01, 2012

Drippler.com, a gadget news aggregator that has been used by over one-million people, is adding its findings to a parade of user trend surveys that point to a difficult challenge ahead for RIM and its new CEO Thorsten Heins. Only 25% of BlackBerry users indicate in their preferences on Drippler.com...

CHICAGO, Feb 06, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
In today’s world of economic trouble and conservative purchase
behaviors, it is the value proposition that is playing a central role in
the enhanced shopping experience. The latest issue of SymphonyIRI
Group’s Times & Trends, “Merchandising Trends: Driving Consumption
through Shopper Marketing,” examines how merchandising is acting as
the platform for communicating that value to customers.

“Merchandising is a fantastic tool for educating and informing
shoppers,” says Susan Viamari, editor, Times & Trends, SymphonyIRI.
...