MicroPower Technologies, Inc., creator of the world’s most power-efficient wireless video camera technology, today announced that the company has completed its “Series B” round of venture funding to further product development and expand market share.  MicroPower raised approximately $2.2 million through a variety of private and institutional investment sources.

“MicroPower has made significant progress in the areas of product development and customer traction,” said Jon Siann, founder and chief executive officer, MicroPower Technologies.  ”The additional capital will help fund our product launch in the first half of 2011 and further our channel marketing strategies.  We are extremely pleased with the confidence the investment community has placed in MicroPower and we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”

MicroPower released the Alpha version of its Mini-i™ wireless video surveillance camera in October of this year and plans to release production units of its initial product line in the first half of 2011.  The company markets its products to customers in the public safety, government, SMB and commercial segments.

“We are ecstatic with the progress that MicroPower has made since joining EvoNexus, our non-profit high-tech business incubator, in late 2009,” said Rory Moore, chief executive officer, CommNexus San Diego.  “Emerging companies have the opportunity to accelerate their business plan under the auspices of the EvoNexus program, and MicroPower’s success is a true testament to the caliber of our incubator companies and the continuous support they receive through the EvoNexus organization.”

After matching a career-best second place finish in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, standings last year, GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda’s Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss., is back for his 17th year of professional racing.

At 30 years old, Windham says age doesn’t matter in a sport dominated by youth.

“At this point, no matter my age or the competition, it’s all about staying with what works,” said Windham. “The seasons are always long and all we can do is be patient and see how the year unfolds.”

While much of the attention is focused on the three AMA Supercross champions James Stewart, Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey competing for this year’s title, Windham, who has 18 AMA Supercross class victories and sits ninth on the all-time win list, hopes to fly under the radar and challenge for some wins.

“There needs to be a lot of attention on those guys, but I also think there’s going to be some people this year that creep up from the shadows,” he added. “It’s going to be an exciting season and it’s my job to be one of the guys making things exciting.”

This year’s competition goes beyond the veterans in the AMA Supercross class as three AMA Supercross Lites champions graduate into the premier class Trey Canard, Christophe Pourcel and Jake Weimer. Dungey became only the second rookie to win the AMA Supercross title and, en route, paved the way for the next generation of racers to run up front.

“You never know what to expect from the younger guys coming up,” said Windham. “Historically they go fast but they have a tendency to crash. Dungey definitely broke that mold.”

In 1996, Windham, who also has 12 career AMA Supercross Lites class wins, claimed the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class championship and has finished runner-up in the AMA Supercross class championship on three occasions. The oldest competitor in the series has won an AMA Supercross class race in eight different seasons and three different decades. He’s been there and done that, and experience will be critical over the course of 17 races.

“My experience has exposed me to almost every situation there is in racing,” he adds. “However, there’s always things that can easily catch you if you have your guard down during a 17-race championship. I feel I’m really strong closing out the series but I need to find real consistency during this 2011 season. I’m training hard now to be ready for that challenge.”

– Sonicbids, the website that helps bands discover and book gigs, today announces a partnership with Eurosonic Noorderslag, Europe’s main conference and showcase festival, to create a new program called EuroSonicbids. EuroSonicbids is a joint venture that financially rewards European festivals to book emerging European talent. This program will create as many as 800 slots across 400 festivals throughout Europe and will be dedicated to the bands playing at Eurosonic Noorderslag 2011, fostering the growth of independent artists in the European music industry.

“Sonicbids is investing heavily in the European market because part of our job as a market leader is to continue to look for ways to evolve our business model. With hundreds of festivals a part of Eurosonic Noorderslag, they’ll be a great partner and will help us expand our network,” said Panos Panay, Founder and CEO, Sonicbids. “As a native European, EuroSonicbids carries personal meaning to me. The goal of this program is to further strengthen Eurosonic Noorderslag’s mission to fuel the exchange of European music and Sonicbids’ mission of presenting global opportunities that will empower a new artistic middle class.”

EuroSonicbids incentivizes European talent buyers to select bands that are involved in the program to play at their festivals.

The Marketing Professionals Inc., a New Brunswick-based sales and marketing company, announced that the company recently donated time and manpower to Feed the Children, an international, nonprofit relief organization that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials.

Duran Kelly, president of The Marketing Professionals, and approximately 20 office team members spent several hours on a recent Saturday boxing up personal and household products that ultimately benefited about 600 families. The boxes, which were shipped to The Boys & Girls Club of Boston, MA, contained items such as shampoo, soap, lotion, lip balm, cookbooks, and face products.

“We felt that it was important to contribute to this cause so that we could give back to the community and help those who are less fortunate than we are,” said President Duran Kelly. “Our team had a great time filling the boxes and everyone was proud to have made a big impact in a short amount of time.”

Many team members at The Marketing Professionals have families and children of their own and understand the importance of helping a family to receive basic necessities that they may be unable to provide for themselves.

“I am proud that we had so many people dedicate their time and efforts to help a cause such as Feed the Children,” said managing partner Nick Zimmerman.

College Underground Radio declares music artist Pearl Burrell the winner of November’s “Discover”.

“November’s “Discover” killed with over 31,000 votes and Pearl Burrell conquered with over 25,000 of those votes.” said David Hottle, President of College Underground Radio.

Hottle added, “The idea behind “Discover” is for our listeners to discover a band or artist before they become mainstream” and “It is virtually impossible for today’s artists to get airplay on regular radio. College Underground Radio is a consistent place to find some incredible undiscovered talent.”

According to Pearl Burrell, “College Underground Radio is a blessing for Unsigned Artist who want to be heard and given a chance to show their talent.  Most mainstream radio stations do not provide this opportunity to Unsigned Artists and its rather sad because there are many Talented Artist Songwriters and Musicians who are producing OUTSTANDING material and who only want to be given chance. Thank God for College Underground Radio!”

Pearl added, “I am grateful to College Underground Radio for playing my music and can only hope that other radio stations would take a look at how your station has made a difference in not only our listeners lives but in the artist and songwriters lives itself.  I will always be in support of College Underground Radio because they are Human First and Business Second.”

Furthermore, Pearl said, “Their human compassion will make this station a BIG SUCCESS simply because College Underground Radio is Making A Difference in not only the world of music but in many Talented Unsigned Artist and Songwriters, lives providing them with OPPORTUNITY. That’s what its all about. If you can provide OPPORTUNITY to the world and not just some people,   THEN YOU ROCK!!  Just because one is not a celebrity one must not overlook that individual. (A little message for the mainstream)   Personally I fight for the Unsigned Artist, they have the Best Material and College Underground Radio has the EYE for Discovery so KEEP ON ROCKIN and MAKING A DIFFERENCE.  I SUPPORT YOU!!!

Dave Hottle said, “As winner of College Underground Radio’s November Discover, Pearl Burrell gets three of her songs into December’s playlist rotation.” and “now the world can discover Pearl Burrell.”

- A case currently pending before the Supreme Court of Texas could dramatically change the Texas insurance market, says attorney Don D. Martinson, counsel to Universal Underwriters of Texas Insurance Company, one of the parties in the case.

Mr. Martinson, a name partner in Dallas-based Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin P.C., argued the case, In re Universal Underwriters of Texas Insurance Company, No. 10-0238, on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, before the state’s highest appellate court. Mr. Martinson says he is hopeful the Supreme Court will stand by its previous decisions to uphold insurance company appraisal clauses.

“The Supreme Court of Texas has been a proponent of using appraisal as a tool to resolve first party insurance contract disputes,” Mr. Martinson says. “The enforcement of the appraisal clause is important to the property insurers, which makes it, by extension, important to Texas businesses and property owners.”

In re Universal Underwriters reached the Supreme Court from Texas’ 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth. The case was originally heard in Tarrant County’s 141st District Court.

Grubbs Infiniti Ltd., a Euless-based car dealership, sued Universal Underwriters over what it claimed was an insufficient payment for hail damage to the dealership’s roof. Universal contended the lawsuit should not go forward until Grubbs first submitted to an appraisal of the amount of loss caused by the hail damage.  Grubbs contends that Universal Underwriters unreasonably delayed invoking the appraisal clause, and waived its contractual right to do so.

The case has implications beyond the two parties, Mr. Martinson says.

“The purpose of appraisal provisions is to resolve disputes such as this one quickly and efficiently,” he says. “If the Supreme Court lessens the burden of proof for establishing waiver of this contractual right to appraisal set forth in its previous decisions, litigation costs will increase for insurers as well as for insureds whose businesses are the lifeblood of the Texas economy.”

Australian Actress Cate Blanchett has been named to star in an Arts Festival in the run up to the London Olympics in 2012. Cate, who won an Oscar for her role in The Aviator, will perform with the Sydney Theatre Company performing a new adaptation of German playwright Botho Strauss’s work, Gross And Klein

The Festival, which will contain over a thousand events in the UK, will include some of the world’s leading artists and will run from the 21 June 2012 until the 9 September 2012.

Other artists named today as performing are Damon Albarn, the frontman and songwriter of Gorillaz, as well as David Hockney who is often considered one of the most influential British artists of the twentieth century.

Mike Leigh, the British Writer and Director, best known for his films, Secrets and Lies, Vera Drake and Naked will be creating a new film.

The Festival, which is to cost £40 million, will be funded by the English Arts Council , Legacy Trust UK and will also be backed by BT and BP.

Some of the events will be Ticket-Only but these details will be announced at a later date.

Npower has announced the winners of its manager of the month and player of the month awards for the npower Football League in November.

Port Vale manager Micky Adams has been named npower League 2 manager of the month. Vale picked up eight points during the month, conceding only one goal along the way.

Former Charlton Athletic boss Alan Curbishley chairs the npower football league manager of the month judging panel. He said: “Port Vale maintained their consistent form which saw them top the npower League 2 table. Micky’s side have the best defensive record in the division, meaning they’re a tough team to beat.”

Bristol City manager Keith Millen has been named npower Championship manager of the month. Millen’s side picked up 10 points in the month, which included a win at Swansea City’s Liberty Stadium.

Alan Curbishley continued: “Bristol City enjoyed a fantastic month which saw them push out of the relegation places. The win at Swansea – plus their unbeaten home record for November – ensures they are heading into the busy winter schedule in fine form.”

Charlton Athletic manager Phil Parkinson has been named npower League 1 manager of the month. Parkinson’s side returned to winning ways with impressive victories at Peterborough United and Swindon Town.

Alan Curbishley added: “Phil deserves the award after gaining 10 points in what is an extremely competitive division.”

Doncaster Rovers striker James Hayter has been named npower Championship player of the month. Hayter netted four goals in consecutive games against Millwall, Burnley, Portsmouth and Swansea City.

Sky Sports Football League expert Peter Beagrie, who sits on the npower football league player of the month judging panel, said: “There has been pressure on Hayter to find the net while Billy Sharp is out injured. Rovers play some fantastic football, and James has stepped up to the challenge and had a superb month in front of goal. He’s been a revelation.”

Charlton Athletic’s Johnnie Jackson has been named npower League 1 player of the month. The midfielder netted five times in four games to help get his side back on course for a promotion challenge. Jackson picked up the award after being unanimously voted for by the judging panel.

BBC Sport’s Mark Clemmit said: “Jackson’s impressive goal haul has really put Charlton back into contention. He’s had a fantastic month.”

Shrewsbury Town’s Mark Wright has been named npower League 2 player of the month. The winger, on-loan from Bristol Rovers, scored six goals in four games including a hat-trick against Hereford United.

npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins said: “Mark Wright has played a huge part in Shrewsbury’s recent success. He fully deserves the npower League 2 Player of the Month Award.

“I’d like to congratulate Mark on behalf of npower, and wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season.”

The judging panel comprises former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, Sky Sports Football League expert Peter Beagrie, Football League chief operating officer Andy Williamson, BBC Sport’s Mark Clemmit, League Managers Association deputy CEO Olaf Dixon and npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins

– On Saturday the 27th November local Dagenham resident Nana Afua Antwi took the Top Model of Colour (TMC) 2010 crown at the Grand Finale event which was held at Porchester Hall in West London.

All the models took to the catwalk were a vision of style and class in their elegant dresses and sharp suits.  It was a fantastic evening and the calibre of this year’s contestants was very impressive; they conveyed passion and eagerness when showing off their modelling skills and were extremely confident on the runway, all with the makings of being great supermodels.

When asked what being announced as The Female Winner TMC 2010 has meant to her, Nana Afua Antwi said: “It means so much to me.  It makes me feel so good inside I can’t believe I’ve won!  I’ve come such a long way, I’m so passionate about modelling, but it’s not been easy.  When I was growing up I was never looked at as pretty, I was teased about my looks and my height. I still pursued being a model but I got lots of “no’s” and nearly gave up, but I stayed determined and decided to enter into the Top Model of Colour competition.  The competition was fierce as the other models were stunning, they were hard competition.  I was so shocked, but definitely pleased to win.”

– On Saturday the 27th November Crouch End resident Jason Daniel Best took the Top Model of Colour (TMC) 2010 crown at the Grand Finale event which was held at Porchester Hall in West London.

All the models who took to the catwalk were a vision of style and class in their elegant dresses and sharp suits.  It was a fantastic evening and the calibre of this year’s contestants was very impressive; they conveyed passion and eagerness when showing off their modelling skills and were extremely confident on the runway, all with the makings of being great supermodels.

When asked what being announced as The Male Winner of TMC 2010, Jason Daniel Best said: “Winning means a lot to me I’m very proud to have won against such high competition.  I was really surprised to be announced the winner but I’m so pleased because I know that this will open doors for me as I pursue my future career as a model.  I’ve only done a few modelling jobs, but really only took it seriously once I had entered the Top Model of Colour competition.  The competition was tough, but for me this is where the hard work really starts and I’m going to work hard to succeed and take my modelling career to great heights.”