Lexington, MA – Optimized copy and great web marketing are factors that determine a web site’s overall performance, but so too is consistency. In terms of response time, some  popular consumer web sites definitely outperform and load faster than others – much to the pleasure of web site visitors.

According to Gomez, the web performance division of Compuware Corp., CDW.com was the most consistent web site in March 2010 among large retailers. “Consistency” refers to how well a web site performs across geographies, networks, times of day, and multiple visits.

Last month, CDW.com, a large web-based computer and electronics equipment retailer, had the best site consistency at 20.63 seconds. Rounding out the top five retailers after CDW.com, Gomez  listed: Amazon.com (20.86 seconds), ColdwaterCreek.com (21.44), Overstock.com (21.63) and Williams-Sonoma.com (21.89).

In March, of the 48 major retailers tested, 23 bettered the group’s average consistency rating of 24.34 seconds.

Top sites – Here are  dozen highest-ranked sites in terms of consistency (as measured in response seconds):

1. CDW.com – 20.63
2. Amazon.com – 20.86
3. ColdwaterCreek.com – 21.44
4. Overstock.com – 21.63
5. Williams-Sonoma.com – 21.89
6. Dell.com – 21.90
7. OfficeDepot.com – 22.50
8. BlueNile.com – 22.52
9. LLBean.com – 22.59
10. Walmart.com – 22.78
11. QVC.com – 22.93
12. Netflix.com – 22.97

Companies ranked #13 through 20 include: Staples.com, Apple.com, FootLocker.com, Target.com, Newegg.com, Peapod.com, Nordstrom.com and JCPenney.com.

(Note: All data for this report was collected by the Gomez Last Mile network, 30 times an hour from Dial Up, Low and High Broadband users across the U.S., 24 hours a day except 3AM to 6AM Eastern. The Consistency calculation is the standard deviation of successful tests over the period measured.)

Gomez is the Web performance division of Compuware, specializing in experience management solutions to optimize web and mobile performance.

To learn more this study, visit the Gomez, Inc. web site.

To learn more about all of the various factors that affect a web site’s overall effectiveness, including web site traffic, visit the Shenandoah Marketing Services web site.

Strasburg, VA – Governor Bob McDonnell announced that Mercury Paper, Inc. will invest $21.2 million to expand its current facility in Shenandoah County and relocate its North American headquarters to the site, creating 150 new jobs in the process.

Mercury Paper’s parent company, Sinar Mas Group, one of the world’s leading pulp and paper companies, is headquartered in Shanghai, China.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell commented, “Mercury Paper is quickly establishing a significant North American presence on the East Coast.  To expand its current Shenandoah County facility and relocate its U.S. headquarters at the same time signifies Mercury Paper’s faith in its continued success in the Commonwealth.  As Governor I will ensure that Virginia is the best state in which to open and grow a business.  It is critical that we continue to market Virginia across the United States and globally to attract companies to grow jobs and our economy.  This project represents the largest Chinese investment in Virginia and continues to support our initiative for a full–time marketing presence in mainland China.”

Mercury Paper, Inc. is a rapidly-growing paper towel and tissue products company located in Strasburg, Virginia. The company’s goal is to become one of the leading producers of paper products in North America.

Mercury Paper promotes environmental awareness and is conscientious when it comes to sourcing raw materials, process efficiency, minimizing waste and managing the supply chain. Its raw materials come from sustainable pulpwood plantations in the Pacific Rim.

At present, the companies used by Mercury Paper plant over 1.5 million trees every day to maintain a supply of renewable, eco–friendly virgin fibers. These trees, which mature in six to seven years, are continuously planted and replanted in anticipation of future paper consumption needs.

Philip Rundle, CEO of Mercury Papery said, “We selected Shenandoah County, Virginia because it offers a strategic location to serve our customers and our growing market. The area has a competitively low operating cost advantages and boasts a pro–business environment. Our current experience with the community’s leadership and the work ethic among the regional workforce have been very positive. These factors weighed favorably in our decision to locate our U.S. headquarters and expand our operations in Shenandoah County. The support we received from the Commonwealth of Virginia has also played a pivotal role in our selection of Virginia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Shenandoah County and the Virginia Inland Port to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Shenandoah County with the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The Virginia Department of Transportation also assisted with the project.

“Shenandoah County values Mercury Paper as an important industry partner,” said David E. Ferguson, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Shenandoah County. “We are glad that they decided to expand and locate their headquarters in Shenandoah County, and look forward to working with this extraordinary company in the future as they become important leaders in our community.”

The company uses the nearby Virginia Inland Port, a rail yard, to import the fiber in containers. The inland port is owned by the state and operated by Virginia International Terminals, the tax-exempt operating affiliate of the Virginia Port Authority.

To learn more about Mercury paper or scan their job openings in Strasburg, Va, visit their web site.

About the Virginia Economic Development Partnership
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 22–member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico and Japan.

Washington D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia announced some significant employment funding news for the Shenandoah Valley.

Warner said: “(The Valley) will be receiving a $5 million investment from the economic stimulus package to fund a new program that will train workers for new jobs in the Valley’s emerging green technology manufacturing and renewable energy industries.” The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the funding will provide workforce training opportunities for more than 1,000 people across 10 counties and six cities in the Valley.

The new program will be called the “Shenandoah Valley Energy Partnership,” and will be spearheaded by the “Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board” (SVWIB). Its partners will include SVWIB’s five one-stop training centers and the region’s three vocational technical centers, including:  Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, James Madison University, the Virginia Manufacturer’s Association, and other private sector firms.

Warner remarks, “The formation of the Shenandoah Valley Energy Partnership is exactly the kind of forward-looking collaboration we need to help jump-start our economy and create next-generation jobs in the clean energy field. This investment will play an important role in training workers to fill those jobs and make a lasting economic impact on the entire region.”

Want more information? Contact Warner’s office via his website, or by calling  (202) 224-2023.

Richmond, VA – “Virginia State Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock) announced today that he is co-sponsoring a number of bills aimed at improving conditions for economic recovery in the Shenandoah Valley. The bills, summarized below, are focused on spurring job creation, promoting economic development, and creating more opportunities for Virginians to work and start a business.

Highlights of the bills include repealing Virginia’s corporate income tax, improving tax credits for new employers, and broadening tax incentive qualifications to include small and medium sized businesses. Many of the bills are part of Governor Bob McDonnell’s “Jobs & Opportunities Agenda”.

Delegate Gilbert commented on the bills this morning, saying, “Republicans and Democrats alike agree that getting our economy back on track is our top priority. While increased government regulation and takeovers of business are not the route to economic prosperity, the government can do some things to create the conditions necessary to spur economic activity and create jobs. Taking away the impediments to economic growth is one way we can help. Removing burdensome taxes and providing tax incentives are some of the ways we can do that.”

Gilbert is also sponsoring legislation that aims to attract Fibrowatt, a green energy producer, to Page County. Fibrowatt is a Pennsylvania-based company that transforms poultry litter into clean energy and it is considering Page County as a location for their newest production facility. HB 1341 and HB 1342 are designed specifically to create attractive business incentives for Fibrowatt in Page County. A Fibrowatt facility would employ approximately 100 workers at its new production facility. The other job growth bills that Gilbert is co-sponsoring include, but are not limited to:

HB 119: Elimination of the Virginia Corporate Income Tax. Repeals Virginia’s corporate income tax for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2010.

HB 380: Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund. Provides that criteria to be used in awarding grants and loans from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund shall include (i) job creation, (ii) private capital investment, and (iii) anticipated additional state tax revenue expected to accrue to the state and affected localities as a result of capital investment and jobs created.

HB 624: Major business facility job tax credit. Current law provides a $1,000 tax credit for major business facilities that create at least 100 qualified full-time jobs. This legislation increases the tax credit to $2000, and reduces the number of qualified full-time jobs required to be created to 50. In enterprise zones or economically distressed areas, the base or threshold is lowered from 50 newly created jobs to 25. The changes also allow the credit to be taken over a two-year period for taxable years beginning January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2012, rather than December 31, 2010.

HB 803: Income tax; corporate and individual; green jobs tax credit.  Allows a $500 income tax credit for the creation of “green” jobs for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2010.  Each taxpayer is allowed a credit for up to 350 new green jobs and may qualify for the Enterprise Zone Grant program if the job is located in an enterprise zone.

HB 853: Major business facility job tax credit. Lowers from 50 to 25 the threshold number of employees of a major business facility in an enterprise zone or distressed area for the facility to qualify for tax credits for newly created jobs.

HB 943: Small Business Jobs Grant Fund. Establishes the Small Business Jobs Grant Program and Fund to be administered by the Department of Business Assistance (DBA). The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to small businesses that create at least five new full-time positions within a 12-month period paying at least the prevailing average annual wage in the locality in which the business is located.

Grants will range between $500 and $2,000 per new full-time position based on the education, training and experience required. In awarding grants, priority must be given to small businesses creating new full-time positions in areas with an annual average unemployment rate of more than 125% of the statewide average unemployment rate.

HB 1342: Renewable energy portfolio standard program.  Provides that an investor-owned electric utility will receive 5X credit toward meeting the goals of the renewable energy portfolio standard program for energy from poultry litter or other animal waste.

HB 1341: Income tax credits; electric energy facility producing electricity primarily from agricultural livestock waste nutrients. Establishes individual and corporate income tax credits for energy property that is (i) placed in service on or January 1, 2010, in any county or city that has a current five-year annual average unemployment rate of at least 11 percent, and (ii) part of an electric energy facility producing electricity primarily from agricultural livestock waste nutrients in such county or city.

The 15th House District of Virginia includes the counties of Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock, and the Swift Run Precinct of Rockingham County.”

Laurel, MD – Tai Sophia Institute, an accredited, non-profit educational institution focused on wellness studies, announced today that it is doubling its health and wellness-based graduate programs in 2010 following Maryland Higher Education Commission’s (MHEC) approval of the following five new graduate certificate programs: Health Coaching, Herbal Studies, Medical Herbalism, Transformative Leadership, and Wellness Coaching.

Enrollment is now open for all five programs. Each program consists of 12 or 15 graduate credits and is offered in an executive format for nine to 11 weekends over the course of nine to 11 months to accommodate working professionals.

Tai Sophia’s new graduate certificate programs offer health-care professionals and other interested individuals seeking advanced education new academic opportunities to bring valuable and highly relevant skills and competencies.

“The steps our nation is taking in updating how we approach health care are changes that Tai Sophia has advocated since its founding in 1974,” said Tai Sophia Institute President and Co-founder Robert M. Duggan, M.A., M.Ac. (UK).

“The current sick-care/disease-focused health-care system isn’t sustainable and growing numbers of people are dissatisfied and longing to learn how to live well. Through our newly expanded offerings, Tai Sophia is educating the wellness workforce of the future and empowering individuals with sustainable, wellness-based practices.”

“Tai Sophia’s new graduate certificate programs offer health-care professionals and other interested individuals seeking advanced education new academic opportunities to bring valuable and highly relevant skills and competencies to their current work, springboard to a new career in the nation’s emerging wellness system, or apply new skills to their community, their families and themselves,” said Tai Sophia Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Judith A. Broida, Ph.D.

“Tai Sophia’s signature blend of global wellness wisdom, drawn from ancient and contemporary healing traditions, modern science, and the timeless teachings of nature, clearly sets our programs apart.” Licensed professionals enrolled in the new graduate certificate programs may also receive continuing education credits toward their professional licensing requirements.

Graduate Certificate Programs

- Transformative Leadership - An experiential program, designed for established and emerging leaders as well as anyone seeking to be a catalyst for change, that teaches students the art of leadership in a way that creates sustainable change in themselves and in turn, the workplace and the larger community.

- Health Coaching – Designed for licensed or certified health-care professionals who want to learn skills to guide their patients and clients to adopt attitudes, lifestyle changes, and self-care approaches conducive to optimal health and healing.

- Wellness Coaching – The only program of its type in the country, Tai Sophia’s Graduate Certificate in Wellness Coaching offers a curriculum similar to the health coaching certificate for professionals who work outside a clinical setting, such as educators, life coaches, fitness instructors, and human resource professionals.

- Medical Herbalism – Designed for licensed or certified health-care professionals, the Graduate Certificate in Medical Herbalism provides a foundational knowledge of herbal medicine that emphasizes issues of quality, safety, and efficacy so that health-care practitioners can have informed conversations about herbal products with their patients and herbal medicine experts.

- Herbal Studies – For the herbal enthusiast and individuals who have a background or interest in horticulture and gardening, nutrition and the culinary arts and, the environment and sustainability, public health and education as well as parents and caregivers, the Herbal Studies graduate certificate teaches basic knowledge and skills to support self care through the incorporation of herbs into food preparation and a healthy diet.

“Tai Sophia’s new herbal graduate certificates are delivered by an internationally recognized faculty and address the clear need for education about herbs and herbal supplements at all levels, as evidenced by the $5 billion and still-growing herbal products industry,” explained Broida. “Health and wellness coaching are considered to be among the top, cutting-edge health-care careers for the next decade.”

Prospective students can learn more about all of Tai Sophia’s graduate programs at Open Houses on January 23 and March 20 and at an Herb Walk/Herbal Program Information Session on April 7. For more information and to register for these events, contact Graduate Admissions at (410) 888-9048 ext. 6647, or visit the “Events” section of the Tai Sophia web site.

About Tai Sophia Institute

Tai Sophia Institute, a private, nonprofit academic institution based in Laurel, MD, is a leading center for wellness-based education, client care and public policy discourse. Tai Sophia Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In addition to the five new graduate certificate programs, Tai Sophia offers the nation’s first accredited Master of Acupuncture, the nation’s first and only Master of Science in Herbal Medicine, and the innovative Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership and Social Change.

Founded in 1974 in Columbia, MD, and first opening the doors of its healing arts clinic in 1975, Tai Sophia Institute has evolved into a diverse health and wellness resource, providing accredited graduate academic programs, continuing professional education, community wellness programs, and clinical services in acupuncture, nutrition counseling, herbal medicine, and more through its Natural Care Center. The Institute’s 12-acre main campus also houses a bookstore, a library, herb and meditation gardens, and the Himmelfarb Gallery — all of which are open to the public.

As per 7Bends’ press policy as it relates to all candidates, this information was furnished by the John Lesinski campaign, and is published here verbatim:

Luray, VA – John Lesinski, a candidate for the 15th District House of Delegates, is calling for a suspension of legislator pay until Virginia’s economy recovers. This salary suspension is part of the 15th District Business Plan, which Lesinski released on his website yesterday. Both the pay suspension and the 15th District Business Plan were discussed yesterday at Lesinski’s Campaign Headquarters (5 South Broad Street, in Luray).

The call to suspend legislator pay is part of Lesinski’s 15th District Business Plan, which is a comprehensive plan to create jobs and grow the economy in the 15th District and throughout Virginia. This 21-page document is available on Lesinski’s campaign website .  Lesinski’s plan incorporates the following elements:

* Stop Wasteful Government Spending
* Provide Tax Relief for Businesses
* Grow Our Tourism Economy
* Support Local Agriculture
* Improve Our Transportation Infrastructure
* Expand Job Training and Education Programs

“My opponent claims that creating jobs and growing the economy are not key issues for the 15th District,” said Lesinski. “I strongly disagree, and this plan demonstrates that I am taking these issues very seriously.”

Virginia’s leading business coalition, Virginia Free, ranked Todd Gilbert as the 7th worst legislator out of 100 members of the House of Delegates for his voting record on Virginia business interests. Gilbert has publicly stated that he plans to do nothing to spur job growth in the District. The 15th District has the highest unemployment rate in the Shenandoah Valley and among the highest in the Commonwealth.

Lesinski is confident that his economic plan will better support businesses and residents in the 15th District and beyond. The 15th District Business Plan is intended to be a “living document” that can grow and change with input from business leaders and concerned citizens. Lesinski will be hosting a series of Economic Forums across the 15th District to discuss and gather feedback for this plan.

Gilbert has frequently referred to Lesinski’s economic plans as “gimmicks.” However, these criticisms are not in line with his own party’s leadership, which has recently endorsed many of the concepts Lesinski has put forward. Republican Congressman Eric Cantor recently expressed support for the use of targeted tax credits to spur job creation, which is a central premise for many of Lesinski’s economic proposals. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell has also suggested the use of tax credits and has also emphasized that Virginia’s government should play a direct role in creating jobs.

“In times of economic hardship, our representatives in Richmond should be the first to sacrifice on behalf of their constituents,” said Lesinski.

Virginia taxpayers spend approximately $2.5 million each year to pay members of the General Assembly. One of Lesinski’s top priorities in the General Assembly will be to enact legislation to suspend legislator pay until Virginia’s economic crisis is over. Lesinski proposes that legislator salaries remain suspended until the Commonwealth’s unemployment rate falls below 5% and a budget is passed that does not rely on broad-scale layoffs and tax increases. This plan will save taxpayer money, and it will force legislators to work together to develop compromise solutions on highly politicized budgetary issues.

Lesinski hopes that his opponent will also agree to defer his legislative salary until the economy recovers. Under the guise of fiscal responsibility, Gilbert voted to layoff 60 educators in Shenandoah County and 7,000 employees statewide. However, he has not suggested cutting his own salary as a legislator or as a government lawyer. Lesinski believes that the legislative salary suspension is a first step toward reducing wasteful government spending.

According to Lesinski, “it’s simply unfair for politicians to consider cutting jobs or raising taxes while collecting a government paycheck.”

John Lesinski is an experienced business leader and currently operates a small business in the Shenandoah Valley. Prior to opening his own business, Lesinski spent 16 years working for a national real estate brokerage firm and was promoted to Executive Vice President. Lesinski is a Rotary Club member and has served on the boards of several prominent industry groups, such as the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Federal City Council.

Date Line: October 3, 2009

From the Universe, Earth, the USA, Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley – comes the Special Holiday Edition of 7Bends magazine – now in production.

Catch the Wave …  ride along with 7Bends and Friends

Experience the new-media difference in promoting your business, organization, web site, and/or special event in the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia and DC areas.

7Bends of the Shenandoah Valley magazine and 7Bends.com, the web site, have experienced substantial growth since they were launched in May 2009. And, it’s thanks to people like you.

Indeed, it’s the people of the Valley, and beyond, that have grabbed hold of “the new magazine of the people.”

7Bends is a new-media channel that offers a growing number of communication platforms and vehicles that individuals, businesses, and groups can tap into to spread their own messages. 7Bends is both a public awareness information portal for our region, as well as a marketing network. We are committed to telling real stories of real people in the Shenandoah Valley, and surrounding areas, and letting people really know what’s going on.

7Bends is ready to share the “real estate” we’ve created in the magazine and on the web with people like you. We’re in the midst of selling ad space for the next issue which will celebrate the holidays.

*****

Support the 7Bends “power to the people” message and simultaneously grow your business and/or organization. Meet other like-minded people all over our area and the world – who you can assist (and vice versa.)

The Scoop:

What: “The Definitive Guide to Holidays in the Shenandoah Valley” – 52 pages – full color. Finished size: 9 X 11 inches. “Silk” cover and center-section.

When: Hits the street on November 23, 2009 – before Thanksgiving, perfectly timed for holiday shopping, events, and entertainment. (First printing; 15,000 copies)

Where: Holiday print edition will be delivered to high-traffic business locations and selected homes in the top seven (7) counties of Virginia (including Shenandoah, Frederick, Rockingham, Clarke, Warren, Loudoun, Fauquier, and Fairfax; and into parts of West Virginia and D.C.)

View a partial list of places in the 7Bends distribution area where people can pick up a copy of the magazine.

The articles (content) from the Holiday print edition will also appear on 7Bends.com.

Deadlines and Payment:
Reservations for Holiday issue will be taken through October 31, 2009. Half of payment is required to reserve your spot (“real estate”). All artwork is due by Nov. 3, 2009. Payment is accepted by cash, by check, or via credit card.

Ad Notes: All ads – print and web – are sold on first come, first serve basis. In some cases, ad space can be divided between multiple businesses (using a co-op arrangement).

Larger ads automatically come with a free web ad. Advertisers can choose the editorial section in which  they wish their ad to appear.  7Bends can also create basic web pages and sites for clients; help business owners distribute brochures, flyers, and door hangers;  and consult on web marketing and web traffic building activities.

7Bends of the Shenandoah Valley advertising is sold by local marketing reps – supported by autonomous sales teams in each community. Each rep receives a competitive commission on the ads they sell, whether in the magazine or on the web.

*****

Send an email to info at 7Bends:

- To inquire about becoming a 7Bends marketing rep in your local community; and/or

- To inquire about sizes and prices of ads still available for the 7Bends Holiday Issue (being published on Nov. 16, 2009).

(Photo: Preservation of Historic Winchester’s Annual Holiday House Tour on Dec. 5 and 6, 2009, will feature five splendid homes decorated for Christmas, including the Octagon House at 530 Amherst Street.)

Luray, VA – John Lesinski, a candidate for the 15th District House of Delegates, has just proposed a plan to help fill vacant and underused industrial buildings with job-creating businesses. More than 1.5 million square feet of industrial building space is either vacant or underused in Virginia’s 15th District, which includes Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock, and parts of Rockingham Counties.

Lesinski believes that a conditional one-year income tax holiday for new or expanding businesses would lure large employers to existing facilities within high-unemployment regions in Virginia. In fact, the plan could generate more than 1,500 jobs in the 15th District. Lesinski presented the proposal yesterday at the Grand Opening of his Campaign Headquarters, located at 5 South Broad Street, in Luray, Virginia 22835.

“My opponent has done little to bring jobs into the 15th District, but my plan takes bold steps to encourage businesses to join our community and support our local economy,” said Lesinski.

The one-year income tax holiday would apply to new or existing businesses that add 100 or more permanent, full-time jobs to Virginia’s workforce in designated regions. Localities with unemployment rates greater than 8 percent for 6 of the previous 12 months would be eligible regions for this incentive program. In the 15th District, Page and Shenandoah Counties would qualify. Page County currently has an 11 percent unemployment rate, and Shenandoah County has a 9 percent unemployment rate.

The income tax holiday would have minimal impact on the State budget because it would apply only to new revenues. Moreover, the addition of new jobs would increase revenues and lower unemployment expenditures for the Commonwealth. Certain conditions would also apply to ensure that the tax holiday does not adversely impact existing Virginia businesses and that the recipient of the tax holiday would maintain the additional employees for more than five years.

According to Lesinski, “this is a win-win for our community, for businesses, and for Virginia.”

By focusing on existing buildings rather than new developments, Lesinski hopes to achieve a faster turnaround for bringing new businesses into the 15th District. While some existing buildings are not currently suitable for new businesses, measures are in place to modernize such facilities. For example, Virginia already offers facility renovation grants for businesses to improve antiquated buildings.

“We need leadership in Richmond that will find creative ways to bring jobs into Virginia,” said Lesinski. “That’s what we’re lacking now and what I hope to provide.”

Earlier this year, Lesinski proposed a tax credit to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. That credit is intended to encourage small business growth and offset additional costs to extend unemployment benefits. The small business tax credit and the income tax holiday proposals are part of a series of economic initiatives designed by Lesinski to create jobs and improve the economy.

Investment firm Edward Jones’ Chief Market Strategist, Alan F. Skrainka, CFA, has been quoted as saying: “The Recession Is Over.”

According to Shrainka, the U.S. economy shrank at a slower pace in the second quarter of 2009 – a clear indication that the recession plaguing the economy since December 2007 is drawing to a close. He writes:

“The economy was forecasted to shrink at a 1.5% pace, according to a survey of 78 economists by Bloomberg News. However, as Shrainka points out, gross domestic product (GDP) contracted at a less-than-projected 1% annual rate after shrinking 6.4% in the prior three months, according to a report from the Commerce Department released at the end of July.

Edward Jones projects that it now looks as though the recession has ended (most likely in June) and that July will actually be the first month of recovery. They say that it’s also likely the end of the recession will not be officially recognized for many months.

“We’re optimistic for a variety of reasons” Shrainka says, “including stronger stock market performance, the rate of change in non farm payrolls, increased factory orders, and finally, the Commerce Department’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators (which has been up for three consecutive months). In addition, recent reports seem to confirm the housing slump and the manufacturing decline have eased.”

Edward Jones also observes that housing starts rose in June, and industrial production shrank at the slowest pace in eight months, according to U.S. Government reports this month. Economists now project the economy will grow at an average 1.5% pace from July to December,according to a Bloomberg survey taken in early July.

What Lower Stock Prices Mean to Me

Psychiatrists often use “word association” to gain a greater understanding of the human mind. What words would you associate with the latest big drop in stock prices? If you’re like most people, your words might include the following:

Crisis, Great Depression, Bailouts, Unemployment, Recession, Deflation, Inflation, Subprime loans, CEO compensation, Meltdown, Scandals, 201(k).”

According to Edward Jones, “studies show so many investors buy when they feel good and sell when they feel bad. But, this can be the equivalent of buying high and selling low. However, selling after a terrible 10-year period in the stock market can be a mistake, since good performance often follows bad.” As Edward Jones emphasizes, “historically, when stock prices are lower, future earnings tend to be higher, and vice versa.”

Edward Jones offers an interesting chart to put things in perspective. (See last page of report.) It shows estimated and actual stock market returns for key dates in U.S. financial history. The bottom line? According to Edward Jones, “The estimated and actual returns are fairly close, with the notable exception of the eve of the 1929 stock market crash.”

Strasburg, VA — 7 Bends of the Shenandoah Valley Magazine and 7Bends.com are currently looking for a number of sharp, motivated outside sales representatives to present 7Bends “new media” advertising options to businesses in the following counties in Virginia: Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren, Clarke, and Loudoun.

These part or full-time positions are commission-based. We offer a great commission. The packages you’ll present are integrated; they include web advertising and print advertising. We also offer special supplement and insert products on which you’ll receive commission.

To learn more, send a Letter of Interest and your resume to: susan at 7Bends.com by July 6, 2009.