April 31, 1998 - The Employer Quality Partnership (EQP) recently launched a Web site that encourages consumers to research their health plans and gain insight into problems that occur in health plans. Visitors to the site are presented with questions they might have about their health plans and are encouraged to research their coverage in order to gain a better understanding of their plan and options. Topics such as joining a health care plan, seeking second opinions and what your health care plan considers an emergency are addressed. EQP is a voluntary coalition made up of employer associations whose mission is to accelerate the changes that are occurring in the health care marketplace. Visit their Web site to learn more at http://www.eqp.org. The EQP Web site was developed by Netroots, the Internet division of Bonner & Associates, which is a Washington, D.C.-based firm that specializes in organizing and mobilizing grassroots support.

Web-based Lobbyist Participates in OrgWeb List

April 24, 1998 - Interactive Applications Group (iapps) is sponsoring a discussion on their OrgWeb e-mail list with John Aravosis. Aravosis is president and founder of Wired Strategies, a DC-based online lobbying firm. He will discuss his most recent online advocacy campaign for Timothy McVeigh (no relation to the Oklahoma City bomber), who was being discharged from the Navy after investigators obtained his personal account information from America Online. Based in Washington, D.C., iapps specializes in the design and development of large-scale Web sites. Visit their Web site to subscribe to the list.

OMB Offers Grants and Awards

April 24, 1998 - OMB Watch's Nonprofits and Technology Project is offering several grants and awards to nonprofit organizations that employ innovative uses of technology in public policy efforts. The goal of the Project is to improve communications linkages within the nonprofit sector to strengthen public policy participation. Based in Washington, D.C., OMB Watch is a nonprofit organization that focuses on access to government information, nonprofit advocacy and activities at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Visit the Nonprofits and Technology Project Web site for more information and to view their request for proposals.

Volunteer for Local Charities Online

April 22, 1998 – "Washington Needs You," a community Web site hosted by Allen Wayne Limited, allows individuals to volunteer for local humanitarian organizations online. Visitors to the site can submit a form that will be forward to the specified organization or they can browse an alphabetical listing of charities that need volunteers. Visitors may also order products online and a portion of the proceeds go to a charity from the Washington Needs You Web site. Virginia-based Allen Wayne Limited is a communications company that produces electronic and print publications.

Leadership Program Application Available Via Web

April 21, 1998 - Applications for the upcoming Leadership Fairfax, Inc. (LFI) program are available via their Web site. LFI identifies leadership talent in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia through its annual leadership development program; participants are selected from business, government, education and not-for-profit sectors of the community. The program's goals are to identify current and emerging leaders and to educate them in the programs, processes, structures and problems of the community. Visit LFI's Web site for more information and to download an application.

Federal Education Resource Available Online

April 20, 1998 - The Federal Resources for Education Excellence is an initiative of more than 35 Federal agencies created to make hundreds of federally supported education resources available online. The Web site provides teaching and learning resources ranging from historical documents and mathematical challenges to genealogy and famous FBI cases. FREE is currently in search of educators to help develop Internet-based learning modules and communities. Visit their Web site to learn more.

Antique Auction Web Site Launched

April 17, 1998 - VisionFoundry, Ltd. has launched the AuctionLIVE! Web site and online auction news service for Antique Marketing Service, Ltd. The site enables visitors to preview items in upcoming telecasts and to shop for fine and decorative arts objects online. Visitors may also sign up for @uctionLIVE!, an electronic news and information service about the auction world. VisionFoundry (http://www.visionfoundry.com) and Antique Marketing Services are both located in Washington, D.C.

LiteracyLink Expands Web Site

April 17, 1998 - PBS LiteracyLink recently redesigned and expanded their Web site to connect to resources for adult learners and educators. New areas include "PeerLit," a searchable database of instructional Web sites; "GED Links" that contain information on the GED test and contacts for GED preparation; and a list of other literacy related Web sites. LiteracyLink is an initiative creating an integrated instructional system of video and online computer technology to help adult students advance their GED and workplace skills. Visit their Web site for more information.

Area Company Partners with Howard University

April 15, 1998 - Hughes Network Systems has entered into a technology partnership with Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. to provide hardware and service for the school's nationwide distance learning initiative. Howard University plans to distribute antennas, PCs and Hughes-brand digital satellite system receivers to churches across the country. Subscribing congregations will have access to the School of Divinity's theological coursework, educational channels from DIRECTV® and the Internet. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, Hughes Network Systems is a supplier of satellite and wireless communications, and enterprise networking solutions.

Conference on Northern Virginia's Economy

April 14, 1998 - The Center for Regional Analysis (CRA) at George Mason University will hold a conference on the future of Northern Virginia's economy on Tuesday, May 12. Forecasters and business leaders will address a variety of topics including current trends in the performance of the region's economy, what is going to drive the economy's growth in the next two years and the future of the area's real estate market. Visit the CRA's Web site for more information.

E-mail Management Service

April 14, 1998 - Net.Capitol, Inc. and Email Publishing Inc. have announced an agreement to offer an e-mail management service for public affairs organizations. Net.Capitol and Email Publishing will jointly market Email Publishing's e-mail delivery and subscription management services along with Net.Capitol's Internet and database development services to integrate them into ordering, publishing, and fulfillment systems. Based in Washington, D.C., Net.Capitol, Inc., is a developer of Internet-based products and services for public affairs and political organizations. Email Publishing Inc. is a provider of e-mail delivery and e-mail subscription management services for publishers of periodicals.

Learning Frames in Macintosh

April 13, 1998 - AGD Studio, a developer of interactive custom-designed Web sites, recently created "Frame Easy." Frame Easy is an application for Macintosh computers that enables users to learn the art of developing frames for Web sites. The application includes hands-on exercises that may be checked online. AGD Studio specializes in the development of interactive, custom-designed Web sites.

Ties on the 'Net

April 13, 1998 - Ties.net, Inc., an Internet retailer of neckties, recently redesigned their Web site. Visitors are now able to purchase music and movie theme neckties and link to related music albums and movies. In addition, visitors may listen to theme songs that relate to cartoon and TV theme neckties. Ties.net also includes a history of neckties and a weekly drawing for a free tie. Visit Ties.net for more information.

Legal Counseling on Debt Available Online

April 10, 1998 - Consumers from the District of Columbia and Maryland can now get answers to their legal questions on the Internet via Debt Smart. Debt Smart is a service of Debt Counselors of America (DCA), a non-profit, Web-based debt counseling organization located in Rockville, Maryland. For a fee, DCA attorneys will research individual's legal questions and provide information about applicable laws and possible courses of action. Visit DCA's Web site for more information.

Internet Workshops in D.C.

April 10, 1998 - The National Education Association (NEA) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) recently announced their partnership with MCI in support of the MCI Smart Surfing Internet Workshops' initiative. The workshops will provide a free hands-on tutorial on Internet navigation to parents, teachers and children. The inaugural workshops will be held April 25 in Washington, D.C. at Gallaudet University's Kellogg Conference Center. The workshops will also be multicast live via the Internet. Further information may be obtained from MCI's Web site under "Learning Online Partnerships" in the "About Us" section.

Institute Offers Multifamily Housing Data Via the Web

April 1, 1998 - The Multifamily Housing Institute recently made the Apartment Performance and Trends DataSource (AptData) system available to members via their Web site. AptData contains financial and performance information on thousands of apartment units and rental properties nationwide. Based in Washington, D.C., the Multifamily Housing Institute is a research and educational organization dedicated to assuring a liquid, stable financing and capital market for multifamily housing. The system will be available to the public beginning July 4th. Visit the Institute's Web site for more information and to become a member.