Advanstar Communications, Inc., a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries, today announced that it has appointed Thomas W. Ehardt to fill its newly created position of Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer.

For the past several years, Advanstar has embarked upon an aggressive strategy to secure its market-leading positions in several of its segments, and the addition of the key operations position of Chief Administrative Officer was seen as instrumental in accomplishing this goal. Ehardt's primary focus as Chief Administrative Officer will be to report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and oversee the support units of the Company.

Ehardt previously served as Chief Executive Officer for Advogent Group within the Platinum Equity Group. His role at Advogent Group was to oversee four business units that develop, provide and deliver full life cycle solutions for Publications planning services, Healthcare Communications and Event Management and Logistics. He led the restructuring/reengineering efforts within the company post acquisition and successfully developed strategies for long term growth.  Before joining Advogent Group in 2007, Ehardt held the position of CEO at Jobson Publishing Group where he led the company through a major management restructuring resulting in substantial increases in revenues and profits across the organization. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting at Pace University, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Long Island University, graduating Valedictorian.

About Advanstar

Advanstar Communications, Inc. (www.advanstar.com) is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 141 events, 60 publications and directories, 233 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 750 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

SOURCE Advanstar Communications, Inc.

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The Stop & Shop – Giant Family Foundation announced that its annual golf classic, held on August 30 at four golf courses throughout Massachusetts, raised more than $1 million for local-area charities serving families and children. In seven years, this event has raised more than $7 million for charity.  

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The Stop & Shop Giant Family Foundation Golf Classic kicks off Deutsche Bank Championship week each year by hosting the golf event and securing support from national and local vendor partners to continually reach new milestones in money raised. The end result is a larger contribution to charities that directly benefit families and youth in the communities served by Stop & Shop Supermarkets and Giant Food (Landover, MD).

This year’s Stop & Shop - Giant Family Foundation Golf Classic was held at four Massachusetts and Rhode Island golf courses: TPC Boston in Norton, Mass.; Black Rock Country Club in Hingham, Mass.; Brae Burn Country Club in West Newton, Mass.; and the Golf Club of Cape Cod in East Falmouth, Mass. An evening reception concluded the festivities for all 420 golfers at the TPC Boston.

At TPC Boston, PGA and LPGA TOUR players were paired with the amateur participants. The list of professional players included PGA TOUR professionals Brad Faxon, Brett Quigley, Tim Petrovic as well as LPGA professionals Reilly Rankin, Nancy Scranton and Vicki Goetze Ackerman.

“The Stop & Shop – Giant Family Foundation Golf Classic continues to be a great vehicle to help us raise money for so many deserving charities,” said Mark McGowan, President of Stop & Shop’s New England division. “Through the generous support of our vendor partners, we are able to make significant contributions to the communities we serve and impact the lives of many families and children.”

In 2009, the Foundation launched a Food Bank program focused on children. In its second year, the program will support food banks served by Stop & Shop and Giant Foods with $500,000 worth of grants.

In addition to this year’s Golf Classic, Stop & Shop conducted a food drive at its Mansfield, Mass., store on Wednesday, September 1. Customers were invited to donate canned and non-perishable food items or make cash donations to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

On Thursday, September 2, Stop & Shop teamed up with State Street Corporation, another Founders Club partner of the Deutsche Bank Championship, and the PGA TOUR Wives foundation as part of the second-annual “Healthy Packs” initiative to provide approximately 2,000 pre-packed reusable bags of healthy snack options to children in need throughout the South Boston, Brockton, and Dorchester communities of Massachusetts.

“Stop & Shop continues to be a tremendous partner of the Deutsche Bank Championship,” said Championship Director Eric Baldwin. “The Stop & Shop – Giant Family Foundation truly embodies the charitable spirit of the Championship and our combined mission of helping children and families.  We are very appreciative of their support and commitment as these types of programs enable us to continue to impact well deserving charities.”

Platinum Plus and Platinum sponsors in 2010 include: Edy’s Grand Ice Cream, Nestle Purina Pet Care and Nestle USA, Kimberly-Clark, Advantage Sales & Marketing, General Mills, Georgia Pacific, Kellogg Company, Perdue Farms, Apple & Eve, C&S Wholesale, Bimbo Bakeries, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Pepsi, Garelick Farms, Conagra Foods, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Minute Maid, Campbell’s Soup Co., SC Johnson, Turkey Hill Ice Cream, Heinz, Acosta Sales & Marketing and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group.

The Stop & Shop - Giant Family Foundation Golf Classic is part of an overall marketing and community relations program the company undertakes. Fenway Sports Group works closely with Stop & Shop to create a powerful marketing platform that leverages the power of the PGA TOUR and the Deutsche Bank Championship. This unique partnership provides Stop & Shop with a compelling promotional tool resulting in unprecedented participation from vendors and its partners.

“This event continues to grow in popularity and in charitable giving,” said Alex Baldwin, Vice President of Fenway Sports Group. “Stop & Shop and the Deutsche Bank Championship is a great partnership which exemplifies the importance of community leaders working together to help children and families.”

About Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With 78,896 employees in 72 countries, Deutsche Bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people. For more information please visit www.db.com.

About IMG Sports & Entertainment

Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment's diverse businesses include: product and brand licensing; consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world's largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.

More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.

About Stop & Shop

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, headquartered in Quincy, Mass., employs more than 59,000 associates and operates stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey. The company is a member of the US Green Building Council and has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores.  Stop & Shop has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores and is also a member of the EPA's Smart Way program.  The Stop & Shop / Giant Family Foundation supports education and recreational programs for children in the communities served by the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company and Giant Food.

SOURCE Stop & Shop

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Xenith® today announced its partnership with the Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL). The partnership will provide the SYFL, in its entirety, access to Xenith Academy, a comprehensive safety and risk reduction curriculum designed to deliver both innovation and education to athlete populations.  Some of the many components offered on Xenith Academy include, educational resources with a focus on prevention and management of concussive episodes, and safer tackling techniques designed to reduce brain and spinal injuries.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100817/NE51505-a )

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(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100817/NE51505-c )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100817/NE51505-c )

Xenith's X1™ Football Helmet features Xenith Adaptive Head Protection®, an innovative technology system that provides an adaptive fit and adaptive response to impacts of all energies and directions. In addition to providing the X1, Xenith will work with the SYFL's coaches and administrators on educational efforts to complement the helmet, forming a comprehensive risk reduction strategy.  

"We are excited to partner with Xenith. Our goal is to enhance the safety of our players, and provide education to our league, coaches, and community members with a focus on limiting concussions," said SYFL Commissioner Haamid Wadood.

"Our goal is to not only construct the smartest and most optimized helmet, but to also provide educational information needed to complement the helmet," said Vin Ferrara, Xenith's Founder and CEO. "With this strategy, everyone has a role to play.  I am impressed by the level of passion and knowledge that Coach Snoop has shown for this subject and our team is very excited to work with his team."

Snoop Dogg, Coach and Founder of the SYFL stated, "Xenith is the future of football helmets. It is so much more convenient and safer for my kids.  Not only does it look good, it feels good. My rule is if you look the part it is easy to play the part. Xenith is the official helmet of the SYFL."

Currently, more than 30,000 athletes, from youth through the NFL, are wearing the Xenith X1 football helmet. The Pomona Steelers and Long Beach Browns of the SYFL are just two of many teams embracing Xenith. Xenith and the SYFL will be officially launching this program Saturday, August 28th in Long Beach, California.

For more information on Xenith or its risk reduction curriculum, please visit www.xenith.com.

To enroll in Xenith Academy, please visit www.xenith.com/xenith-academy.

About Xenith:

Xenith, located in Lowell, Massachusetts, was founded in 2004 by Vincent R. Ferrara, MD, MBA with the goal of advancing safety and activity through innovation and education. Xenith's first product, the Xenith X1 football helmet, was developed by engaging leading experts in the areas of injury prevention, treatment and research complemented with a strong commitment to educational efforts. The X1 football helmet was designed to mitigate the risk of traumatic brain injury in football. For more information on Xenith visit www.xenith.com.

SOURCE Xenith

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Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) asks you to nominate the everyday athletes, teams and coaches of all ages and competition levels, who excel at what they do, to be named Chiquita Champions™.

"Chiquita's passion is to empower our consumers with products that enable them to make a healthy decision in their daily diet, and give them the fuel they need for optimum performance," said Brian Kocher, president, Chiquita Brands North America.  "We've established this award program to honor the athletic achievements of the champions who make Chiquita bananas a part of their nutrition regimen. They are champions our consumers know best: family members, friends and neighbors."

Chiquita launched the Chiquita Champions awards program in May, accepting nominations for athletes, teams and coaches. Thus far 55 winners have been selected, each story offering a unique perspective on what a champion can achieve, including:

• Donna Pearring, or "Coach P" as she is known in Annandale, Va., where the 47-year-old basketball coach finished her last season with the Flames after coaching the girls from first through eighth grade. Her favorite way to enjoy a Chiquita banana: just peel and eat.
• Russell Loy, who at age 69 makes sure he packs a Chiquita banana along as the state record-breaking cyclist trains; it is an activity the Cockeysville, Md., resident became competitive at when he turned 49.  
• The Fire FC Premier '97 Girls from Grand Junction, Colo. - the soccer team of 13-year-olds became the first in their area to make it to the Colorado State Cup semi-finals and then go on to win the State Cup. Chiquita bananas help them fuel up for games.  

From softball and soccer to marathon running and roller skating, 25 sports are currently represented in the program. Consumers can access all of the stories at ChiquitaChampions.com™ or submit a video or photo of their nominee's shining moments and provide a brief explanation of why that person (or team) is a Chiquita Champion.

Every month, both individual and team winners from each of 12 regions in North America are named Chiquita Champions and receive a custom Chiquita Champions athletic gear award package. Non-professional or non-collegiate athletes, teams or coaches are eligible to win and will be judged by the selection committee for Chiquita Champions within the context of the age and competition level in which they participate, based on the level of achievement as compared with peers.

Want to see what else Chiquita is up to? "Like" our Chiquita Banana page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. To see other good news you might have missed, visit our online newsroom, or check out www.chiquita.com.

About Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products – from energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green salads. The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita^® and Fresh Express^® premium brands and other related trademarks. With annual revenues of $3.5 billion, Chiquita employs approximately 21,000 people and has operations in nearly 80 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit our corporate website at www.chiquitabrands.com.

SOURCE Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

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Sports-related injuries are part of the game, and as athletes are becoming stronger, faster, and better conditioned, higher-energy injuries are becoming common. Foot and ankle injuries are especially concerning because they are increasing in number and severity and are often misunderstood.

• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, football-related toe, foot and ankle injuries, have been rising since 2003.  In that year, there were approximately 49,000 toe, foot and ankle injuries related to football, compared to 2007, which included 62,000 injuries.

"Foot and ankle injuries are frequently designated as a 'sprain,' which often minimizes the severity of the injury to the athlete, parent, coaches, and fans. A healthy foot is obviously necessary for running and push-off, and the biomechanics of this part of the body are quite intricate. These seemingly simple sprains can be devastating to the running athlete, often requiring an extended period of time to recover," said orthopaedic surgeon Robert B. Anderson, MD, whose review appears in the September issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Foot and ankle injuries may occur at the level of the bone, joint, ligament, or tendon.  Each type of injury has its own long-term consequences if the diagnosis is delayed, treatment is inadequate, or return to athletics is too rapid.

"Bone and joint injuries may result in chronic deformity and/or arthritis, with stiffness and pain. Neglected tendon injuries result in loss of strength and function, while ligament injuries may progress to instability and arthritis. All of these conditions obviously affect the biomechanics of the foot and ankle and limit the ability of the athlete to perform," he added.

The three most common foot and ankle injuries include:

• Ankle sprains,
• Achilles rupture, and
• Plantar fasciitis (heel spur).

"There is no way to prevent ankle sprains, except for wearing a rigid brace, which would limit function. However, for those at risk for a sprain, or who have had one previously, taping the ankle or wearing a semi-rigid brace (which is less restrictive) should be considered. Those 'at-risk' individuals should also consistently work on strengthening exercises of the tendons around the ankle," he said.

Athletes can lessen their risk of Achilles rupture by stretching the Achilles tendon prior to activity. Athletes, along with the general population, are bothered by the ever-common, plantar fasciitis. This may be prevented and treated with regular plantar fascial and heel cord stretching, as well as strengthening the intrinsic muscles of the foot.  

When it comes to the potential for foot and ankle injuries, shoes play an important role. Athletes need to understand their foot type and the type of shoes they need for their particular sport and surface. Orthotic devices can be helpful for certain foot problems, particularly feet with high arches.

"Other foot and ankle injuries of significance include turf toe, which may occur more commonly in those who wear flexible shoes and/or on artificial field surfaces; and the Lisfranc joint injury of the midfoot, which may also occur when wearing shoes with less midfoot support," Dr. Anderson added.

A major concern right now is artificial field surfaces and how they may factor into lower extremity injuries. Certain molded-bottom shoes perhaps lessen injury on these surfaces, and yet the player may have reduced traction and performance because of it. It is a fight between performance and risk of injury, and players often take the side of performance," he explained.  

If an athlete experiences a foot or ankle injury, he or she should see an orthopaedic surgeon to determine the best course of treatment. "An orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor who is trained in the entire musculoskeletal system, and a number of sports-related injuries involve biomechanical issues that extend well past the foot. For instance, a high ankle sprain may simultaneously cause an injury to ligaments of the knee, and a number of ankle fractures affect the knee as well. Therefore, an orthopaedic surgeon, with this wider scope of practice, is typically asked to be involved with athletic injuries," he explained.

To find an orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in the foot and ankle, please visit the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), at www.aofas.org or to find an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, please visit the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM), at www.sportsmed.org

Disclosure: Dr. Anderson or an immediate family member serves as a board member, owner, officer, or committee member of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; has received royalties from DJ Orthopaedics, Wright Medical Technology, and Arthrex; serves as a paid consultant to or is an employee of Wright Medical Technology; and has received research or institutional support from Wright Medical Technology. Dr. Hunt or an immediate family member is a member of a speakers' bureau or has made paid presentations on behalf of Smith & Nephew. Dr. McCormick or an immediate family member is a member of a speakers' bureau or has made paid presentations on behalf of Smith & Nephew and has received research or institutional support from Midwest Stone Institute and Wright Medical

Technology.

About the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

About JAAOS

More information on ankle and foot injuries can be found at www.orthoinfo.org.

Fan and Follow AAOS on facebook.com/AAOS1 and twitter.com/AAOS1

SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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