function validate_newsletter_email(email) {
	if(email == 'your email address' || email == '' || !(emailcheck(email))) {
		alert('Please enter a valid email address.');
		return false;
	}
	else {
		return true;
	}
}

function emailcheck(emailStr) {
// checks if the e-mail address is valid
var emailPat = /^.+\@.+\..+$/;
var matchArray = emailStr.match(emailPat);
	if (matchArray == null) 
	{
		return false;
	}
	else
	{
		return true;
	}	
}