Milestone Tradition Ends With Anew – And Resolutions Be Damn.

Milestone birthdays 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 55th, and so on usually consist of throwing a big hoorah party with family and friends.  Or perhaps  traveling via a Carnival cruise ship to exotic exciting Barbados, offering endless fun filled days basking in the shimmering glow of the sun while floating on the clam coral blue waters – or digging your toes into the warm white sand as you sit on the beach and sip leisurely on a tall refreshing drink recommended as one of the favorites the local natives enjoy.  However, sometimes traditions are meant to be broken or at least amended.   No need to wait to proclaim a New Year’s resolution, that you may not keep,  instead opt for a gift worth giving onto yourself and others.   That said…

Well, wouldn’t you know it, a milestone birthday for a certain Writer has arrived and not wanting to be a follower or just feeling its time to break with tradition, I’ve decided to give myself one of the best gifts I could possibly give or receive, a self-serving meant to be shared gift - the gift of accomplishment.   In my case, that gift would consist of the completion of my novel;  starting with a jumping off point of publishing 2-4 novellas to be followed by the ultimate goal of accomplishment, so look for it, the suspense (novel) I will soon be sharing.   In the meantime, Happy Birthday to me.

Pediatrician and Immunologist, Dr. PAUL OFFIT

Back during the time when he was a young medical student Paul Offit felt a personal need to challenge the danger of infectious diseases.  He studied the great epidemics of history and was awestruck by their killing power.  Determined to make a difference, Dr. Paul Offit followed his interest in infectious diseases and vaccines into a 30-year career of achievement. 

Now, a renowned Immunologist that entered the field almost 30 years ago Dr. Paul Offit, is Chief of infectious diseases and the Director of the Vaccine Education Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and one of the nation's most outspoken advocate for childhood immunizations. In addition to his duties at Children’s Hospital,  Paul who believes passionately about the safety of vaccines, works with the pharmaceutical industry to develop new vaccines.  He is a recipient of many awards including the J. Edmund Bradley Prize for Excellence in Pediatrics bestowed by the University of Maryland Medical School, the Young Investigator Award in Vaccine Development from the Infectious Disease Society of America, and a Research Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Paul Offit is one of the co-inventors of the rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq recommended for universal use in infants by the CDC; for this achievement he  received the Gold Medal from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Jonas Salk Medal from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.  He has also published more than 130 papers in medical and scientific journals in the areas of rotavirus-specific immune responses and vaccine safety.  Dr Paul Offit once a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the author of several books titled Vaccines: What You Should Know (Wiley, 2003, 3rd Edition), Breaking the Antibiotic Habit (Wiley, 1999), The Cutter Incident: How America’s First Polio Vaccine Led to Today’s Growing Vaccine Crisis (Yale University Press, 2005), Vaccinated: One Man’s Quest to Defeat the World’s Deadliest Diseases (HarperCollins, 2007), and the fifth book titled Autism’s False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure was published by Columbia University Press in the fall of 2008.  His most recent book, "Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure," is a critical assessment of the theories that have swirled around autism, the therapies marketed to fix it, and the people—the "false prophets"—who he says have taken emotional and financial advantage of parents seeking a cure.

Plastic Surgeon and Dedicated Physician, DR. JOEL ROSKIND

 

From his early days as an intern, Dr. Joel Roskind believed that good medical care must be patient oriented.   During his 30-year career as a surgeon and teacher, Dr. Joel Roskind developed areas of interest which enabled him to make even broader and more comprehensive contributions to patient well-being.  One of those special interests is that of operating room safety inspector and patient safety advocate.  As a practicing surgeon, Dr. Joel Roskind experienced first hand the massive changes sweeping through the healthcare industry.  Sadly medical costs were skyrocketing and unfortunately insurance companies were balking at paying for hospital based procedures and visits.

Another area of Dr. Roskind’s interest comes from his 30 years of experience in running his large and successful practice.  This aspect of Doctor Roskind’s expertise has developed into a field now called practice management.  Today, as a dedicated physician and plastic surgeon retired from private practice, Dr. Joel Roskind has succeeded in turning his interest in patient safety in the operating room environment into an additional aspect of the issue.   Dr. Joel Roskind works as a consultant to physicians and surgeons helping them prepare their ambulatory surgical facilities for certification.

Investing In Technology, Jerry Murdock Managing Director Insight Venture Partners

Jerry Murdock is the Managing Director and the co-founder of Insight Venture Partners, a growth-oriented, financially flexible, and entrepreneur-focused investor in expansion and late stage software, internet, and data-enabled businesses.   Jerry Murdock  plays a significant role on the investment team, and has done so since Insight’s inception in 1995.  He has played a leading role in defining the company’s investment strategy and has been primarily responsible for the development of many of the firm’s portfolio investments; he is a strategist that knows about phenomenally-thriving Technology Investing.

Prior to Insight, Jerry Murdock’s credentials were already lengthy and impressive, as founder and director (from 1988 to 1995) of the Aspen Technology Group a firm focused on providing strategic consultancy services to clients including Andersen Consulting, EDS, TRW Corporation and numerous high technology companies and private equity investment firms.  Mr. Murdock is also a member of the Board of Trustees of both The Santa Fe Institute and The Aspen Institute, and a co-founder of the Institute’s Roundtable on Information Technologies; he has also worn several directorial hats, serving as director of Fuze Box, Inc., Dorado Software, DriveCam and Beatport, Quest Software and See Beyond Technology Corp, just to name a few.  Jerry Murdock graduated with a degree in Political Science from San Diego State University and subsequently worked at the Georgetown Center for Strategic & International Studies where he was a contributor to the export competitiveness project.  Mr. Murdock’s work was published in The Export Competitive Series: Comparative Analysis of Export Policy, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and Japan.

Venture Capitalist: Jeff Horing

When searching for VC financing the search results will surely uncover the credentials of Jeff Horing  a Managing Director at Insight Venture Partners, a New York private-equity firm which he co-founded in 1995.  The information will point out that Mr. Horing focuses on all aspects of e-commerce and software infrastructure investing; and that under his leadership Insight has become the leading private equity firm focused on growth investments in software and internet businesses, with $3 billion under management.
It is documented that Jeff Horing is someone who is fluent in the technologies that define the world  and is passionate about the way they’re influential to the future.  Mr. Horing is someone who understands how technology connects us, and how it can shape a conversation.  He isn’t just waiting for the next big idea to come along, but is making it happen.  Guest what?  Jeff Horing has over 12 years experience as a venture capitalist and is a visionary who has unique talent  Mr. Horing and Insight Venture Partners are always looking for an investment that they can make shine – his areas of focus include…data, mobile, online gaming, infrastructure and Internet software, infrastructure.
Jeff Horing credentials and track record speak for themselves:  Mr. Horing currently serves on the board of directors of Datacore Software (storage virtualization), GFI (security & messaging), Jagex Ltd (online gaming), Shunra Software (WAN emulation), Solar Winds , and Teamviewer (remote desktop collaboration).  Prior to founding Insight, Jeff Horing was a key member of the technology investing team at E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co.  Earlier in his career he worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Capital Markets group.  Mr. Horing is a former member of the board of directors of Airborne Entertainment, CTSpace, Beechwood Data Systems, Greenfield Online, Hitwise, IAG Research, Promira Software, SLP Infoware and Xchange.  Horing and Insight have always shown integrity in negotiations, set appropriate expectations, and have been strong advocates for making decisions that are in the best interests of the company.  Mr. Horing also holds an MBA from the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management.  In addition, he has dual undergraduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Engineering and Wharton School, where he graduated with high honors and was Phi Beta Kappa.

Additional insight on Insight reveals that the New York growth-equity firm has seen two of its companies go public this year (Solar Winds and Medidata) and a third, Internet electronic retailer Newegg Inc., just recently filed for an IPO (initial public offering: a company's first stock offering to the public). 

Author, Writer, or Pimped?

For as far back as I can remember I’ve always had a great passion for reading the works of other Authors, and for story-telling in and of itself, so much so, that I genuinely thought I wanted to become an Author – and I still do wish to become a published Author.  However, several years later and still without my own published works, other than a 52 page gift book of, Short engaging quotes of love and affection, Internet Marketing projects, and  Content writing projects; realization is beginning to sink in – how can I complete a novel when I don’t even seem to be able to compose a freakin blog post without wanting to pull out my hair.  Am I trying too hard or not hard enough?  Am I inapt or just haven’t found my true Author’s voice yet?  I’ve never wanted to give up my heart’s desire, I’m just wondering if I have the capabilities of fulfilling my dream.

What the heck made me think I could write, or continue to write and make a living out of doing it?  Just because I love doing it, just because nothing else I’ve ever done in life has made me feel this charged.  Is it enough to eat, sleep, and breathe the written word?  Or is an Author truly something special – are they born or breed to be such?  I not certain, I just know I’ve spend numerous years professing my desire to become a published Author – I have several unfinished manuscripts.  I’ve even gone so far as to proclaim that I am a Freelance Writer, starting my own writing service – which initially wasn’t doing as well as I’d hope, but has started looking more promising, and I will commit to a serious marketing campaign before the end of the year to ensure that in 2010 the business will have a higher success rate.  In the mean time, I’m curious, how the heck do people think of the zillions of tantalizing topics they post to the zillions of blogs, on a daily basis without spending endless amounts of time thinking of what to write, not to mention the research involved and still have time to devote to serious writing or to their regular job?  Do they have some magical writing program that I can purchase, do they have a new revised Thesaurus that I don’t have access to, or is it simply a talented gift they possess, that is far beyond my grasp?  I’m wondering too, if I missed a step because I’m not making the mass amount of income that other Writers profess to be reaping.  Don’t get me wrong, I have found some success with Internet Marketing, Reputation Management, and the SEO services that I offer, and although Internet usage has been on the rise for some time now, writing projects seem to have become quite lean during the last few years, especially when it comes to the pay rate.   In an effort to supplement my income, I’ve begin searching the web for writing jobs, and there are quite a number of them listed.   The only thing is, the pay rate for those jobs is insulting.  I have never been naive about the financial riches rewarded to Authors/Writers, but lets be honest, .01¢ - .05¢/wd is freakin ridiculous.  At those rates, I guess I’m not a Writer; and as far as I’m concerned anyone who agrees to write for rates so ridiculously low can’t consider themselves Writers either, and I can pretty much guarantee an Author would never compromise themselves or skills to write for pennies a word.  I may not be able to write the next best-seller right now, or be the greatest Internet Marketing Writer on the planet, but I know what pimping is, and any employer offering pennies for a writing project is attempting to pimp the Writer, and obviously isn’t expecting quality work. 

I recently responded to an ad for a “Social Media/Website/Blog writer”, and received the following response from the poster after inquiring about the rate for said writing project: “I'm not looking for someone who applies for a job with negativity on their tongue.”  This coming from a guy too lazy or inapt to even bother to capitalize the word “I” throughout his four paragraph response, in which he still neglected to answer my question.  BTW, here’s my inquiry: “I would like to know what the rate or project budget will be for this assignment? If the rate is at an insulting pennies per word rate, I must thank you but I really wouldn't be interested in participating.”  Perhaps its me, but I don’t read negativity in my request to know how much I’d be paid for providing unique content that would enhance someone’s business.  I’ve wasted too much of my time and effort applying and submitting samples only to learn the job pays only $3 apiece for 375-400 word articles that as the ad expressed, “expects each of them can pass the scrutiny of Google's duplicate contact checker.”  or $1 for a 500 word article.  I’m trying to write and earn a reasonable wage doing so,  and although I follow a blog entitled Chrystal’s Corner, I can assure you I wasn’t standing on it when I applied for any of the writing assignments, so what makes these employers think they can pimp me or any other Writer?  But I did get an interesting answer from one of the employers: “If you want to thank someone for reformatting the sweatshop for the white-collar, work-at-home, 21st century world, thank Google ... it's all an unintended consequence of the Adword and Adsense bastardization of the Web.”

There is a difference between an Author and a Writer – a Writer wrote this post, the Author is still seeking the realization of a dream – publication of a novel,  neither wishes to be pimped at pennies per word.

Boycott Internet/Writing Sweatshops for Fair Rates Or Be More Selective In Your Choices

Discussion about fair rates for freelance writing is always a hot topic. And if truth be told, most Writers have at some point in time approached the Google search bar seeking current rates, hoping for confirmation of what they know to be a fair rate – if that wasn’t the case, most of you would not be reading this article; hoping to get some insight as to what your writing is worth or what you should charge. This article isn’t going to tell you what you should charge, but may help you to make a determination of what assignments to accept.

Many Writers have wasted far too much time and effort applying and submitting samples only to learn that the job only pays $1 - $3 apiece for a 500 word article and demand that the articles pass the scrutiny of Copyscape, Google, and all other duplicate contact checkers.

The United States Department of Labor regulates that The Fair Labor Standard Act, for work performed on or after July 24, 2009, mandates that the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour – which in and of itself is an insult – seriously, $7.25 an hour to support oneself/family is utterly ridiculous considering the cost of living in the U.S, but at least it is mandated unlike the rates for Freelancers who must perform extensive research in order to provide unique content at the drop of a hat for mere pennies. Should Writers boycott in order to receive fair rates? Some of my colleagues seem to think that can possibly be the answer to achieving the goal for fair rates. That said Writers may wish to…

Keep in mind that the Internet is worldwide and while $5/article may be petty to most U.S. Writers, for someone in another country it may indeed be a worthwhile venture. Yes, it hurts those of us who want and deserve more, but regardless if we boycott those buyers, we can not do anything about the writers who choose to work for lesser sums of money. It is a personal choice. However, if the majority of Writers make the choice not to accept the insulting rates, those choices may indeed be part of the solution.

One of the major contributors to the “lack of pay” for Writers is the Internet which has created such a huge need for bulk that lots of things are passing for "writing" and this need will continue to grow. Unfortunately there are those who yearn to write so much that they readily jump at those so-called "opportunities" and do whatever it takes to fulfill even the most ridiculous demands. Perhaps it comes under the heading of "paying one's dues," but those of us with portfolios, resumes and years of experience know what is involved and (hopefully) won't be tempted. For the most part, it appears that some think that although the money is appreciated, the recognition is what is helpful in actually getting other work. Of course one can't count on that. But learning the "art" of writing online can be valuable, and allows one to expand their horizons and look at other opportunities. The question is, is it beneficial or not to accept mere pennies on the dollar for your hard earn writing efforts, or do you hold out for more, possibly risking losing a writing opportunity? One answer is, it’s a choice each individual needs to make for themselves. Another is it’s not worth the aggravation of ones integrity to stoop to that level.

Final thoughts from some of my colleagues and myself are - boycotting on behalf of writers who are seeing a new iteration of the writing/marketing/publishing business being unleash will be ineffective. Few people care what the publisher paid for the content or who they paid. Believe it or not, some of the sweatshop content at $5 an article is not bad stuff, from writers who never learned to market their work and don't believe they can compete, so they settle - which something most seasoned Writers are attempting to forego.
Each individual makes his/her own decision - We each have to find the markets that fit our specialty, snuggle into our niches, and produce quality. And then we have to spend a huge percentage of our time actively marketing by phone, email or mail to markets that suit our niche. Surfing the web and submitting a bid along with thousands of other people, or sending an application to a website that just got 1000 more today is nonsense. As professional Writers, when it comes to the types of assignments we accept, we must be more selective in our choices. Otherwise, we may find ourselves subjected to and accepted of slave wages/rates.

Internet Sector/Venture Growth Strategist Deven Parekh

Competitively, successful venture capital firms believe that if you want to have true long term defensible traffic for your online business you may want to do it yourself.   Basically, you're the true owner of your own destiny and you can control your own traffic.  And if you don't and you're a category market that monetizes reasonably well, a speculator will do it and they'll drive traffic to your site but at the end of the day they control that traffic.  And if somebody else will pay them more for that traffic, you won't own it anymore.  One of the areas to really focus on is making certain that the traffic that a company has for their online business, whether they’re an e-commerce, a content company, or an Internet service that the traffic is defensible.  And domains is a part of that strategy. It's not the only strategy but it's a part of that strategy.  One of the best persons in the industry to effectively communicate this strategy to clients and executives on a business and individual level is Deven Parekh.
Deven Parekh , currently serves as a managing director of one of the fastest growing venture capital firms, Insight Venture Partners which he joined in 2000.   Insight Venture Partners is a venture capital/growth equity firm that's based in New York.  They have approximately $3 billion of capital under management, focusing on investments in enterprise software, technology and most recently over the last couple of years probably its biggest focus has been the Internet-enabled sector.

• Deven Parekh, was previously a Principal investment banker specializing in mergers and acquisitions at Berenson Minella & Company (1992-1999), a merchant bank in New York.  He graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Economics.
• Prior to Berenson Minella, Deven Parekh was with The Blackstone Group, where he was involved in both M & A advisory and principal activities.
• Deven Parekh proudly sits on the board of Publicolor a non-profit organization that uses color, and painting to engage and motivate disaffected teenaged students.  Publicolor enables students to work together to improve the quality and appearance of their learning environments.
• Deven Parekh is a Henry Crown Fellow of The Aspen Institute. This fellowship honors the memory of Chicago industrialist Henry Crown (1896-1990), whose legendary career was marked by a lifelong commitment to honor, integrity, industry and philanthropy.

The Aspen Institute mission is: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues.  The Aspen institute promotes its mission by sponsoring seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs and public conferences and events.
To get the best return on your investment remember, Deven Parekh has a proven track record with successful results in software, technology, and internet businesses.

An Emperor Of Business Development, Carl Sgro

A tournament-quality bass fisherman, isn’t who you’d normally expect internet and technology companies to seek out for professional advice on expanding their businesses;  but that’s where you’d be wrong, because although he has fished many of the major lakes and inlets from Maine to Florida;  Carl Sgro is an expert with over 25 years of business development experience.  Business professionals seek him as their SEM and SEO specialist to guide their  businesses in search engines ranking by assisting to design, implement, and market technologies; because they know that Carl Sgro’s strategies make an incredible difference.

Carl Sgro takes all aspects of his job quite seriously, particularly recognizing his client’s needs and achieving those desired results by conveying the clients message to their targeted audience, using fresh, crisp, thought provoking styles and techniques.  Crafting copy that catches the readers attention while injecting Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) into digital copy that gets the results clients want. 

Having compassion emphasis that you care about your client’s needs, as well as the community and Carl Sgro  has demonstrated this attribute ten fold; not only in his business dealings by hosting an Internet Reputation Management Blog, providing free insightful advice regarding the relevance of utilizing professional help in neutralizing bad online publicity and moving negative content down the rankings.  But he’s also done so, through his personal efforts as well; Carol Sgro was instrumental in establishing the ‘Take a Kid Fishing’ Foundations a non-profit organization that supports disadvantaged youth and children with special needs of Eastern North Carolina, by hosting a day-long coastal fishing adventure to introduce young children to the sport of fishing.

Businesses know that it would be a tremendous mistake not to let Carl Sgro help them to achieve the results they need, want, and deserve - success.

The Military Get’s Golden Corral’s Appreciation

If you’ve ever stood in a (military) chow line or know someone who did, you can appreciate the irony at The Golden Corral today at the 9th annual Military Appreciation Day as the line was literally wrapped around the building.  However, the old military adage of “hurry up and wait” was anything but the case in spite of the large number of military personnel that stood chatting amongst themselves about their past and present military experiences – with all branches represented by, the young, not so young, and the old.  Instead, servicemen and women inched their way swiftly to the open doors manned by High School JROTC personnel who stood proudly – in full uniform.
    It was reminiscent of yester-years of being in a basic training dining hall, as they went from one food station to another in an orderly fashion, waiting as their fellow serviceman plate filled with large portions of first one dish than the next.  There was an abundance of food choices more than enough to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites.
    The Golden Corral is thankful for the men and women of this country who have fought to make and are still fighting to keep America free.   The free dinner meal is a special "thank you tribute" to any person who has ever served in the United States Military.   Rather you’re are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you were invited to join them for Golden Corral's Military Appreciation dinner, at one of its 485 restaurants nationwide.  Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.2 million free meals and contributed over $3.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.
    America’s freedom comes with a big price tag for our men and women in the military and their families as well, and to say thank you, Golden Corral has  provided a free meal to veterans once a year for the past nine years.   It's come at a cost to the company, but the philosophy of the restaurant chain is that veterans deserve it and more.
    On behalf of the military personnel (past & present) in my family, and there are quite a few, including me - I want to thank the Golden Corral for appreciating all military personnel – active and inactive and for continuing to say thank you, in such a considerate way.

The Marvelous Scent On A Fresh Cut

I have an incredible fondness for fresh Flowers there is nothing like the look and smell of a colorful bunch (aka bouquet) of fresh cut flowers.  The way a vase of flowers enhance a room is breathe taking, they help to keep that summer sunshine and springtime glow constant throughout your home.  They not only brighten an otherwise dull room, they also serve as a natural air freshener for any bathroom.  If I had my way, a vase of flowers would adorn every room in my home, everyday.  It amazes, amuses, and saddens me a bit when I hear women complaining that their husband, spouse, or significant other didn’t buy them flowers for their birthday, anniversary, or some other named occasion.
Whenever I feel the desire to spruce up the house or my spirits, I make a trip to the florist , or simply pick up the phone and order an arrangement or two.  And I don’t see any reason anyone should have to wait for someone else to surprise them with flowers.  Sure, it’s always nice to get an unexpected gift – cash works for me.  But something produced by nature needs no special occasion to be given or received.  So if you want flowers, get flowers – even if you have to get them for yourself.  Or, if you’re the kind of person who’d rather give flowers than receive them, remember, fresh cut flowers aren’t just for the holidays or to cheer up the sick.  They are a delight anytime or for any reason, and whether you buy them at the store or you get them out of your own personal garden, they're always a joy to the person that receives them.
Here’s another suggestion, periodically send yourself a bouquet of flowers to your job, you’ll be amazed at how easily fresh cut flowers can transform the ambiance of a routinely dull environment, while at the same time putting you in a pleasant mood – can you say, better productivity.  
You or that special person you know, deserve the marvelous scent of a fresh cut, so why not get your Flowers from one of the best, and save at the same time with a “free” coupon1800Flowers coupon that you can use immediately on your order at checkout.

Tis' The Season For The Simple Meaningful Gift

For some insane reason I have become my family’s designated-go-to-person for holiday ideas, and they look to me to come up with special events and so forth. So I try to think of different things to do to celebrate and earmark the occasions, because tis’ the season after season ...that warms our table and warms our hearts. Although I want our holidays to be special I don’t want our family members to waste unnecessary money on expensive undertakings.

I’ve sent cards, hosted theme dinners, and arranged out of state adventures, but considering the state of our economy, an out of state adventure can be somewhat costly with large families such as mine. Therefore, this year I was trying to do something special with my family; while still staying within a well-defined budget.

Yet, I was at a lost as to what I should or could do.   I considered perhaps once again sending cards to each family member, but everyone sends cards, plus I’d already done that a few years back…then it hit me, I love fresh cut flowers so instead of cards, sending festive floral arrangements seem a bit more meaningful, it says you took the time to select something special for someone special – and family members will remember that you did. It’s such an inexpensive meaningful gesture of love and affection…

If/when you want to wish everyone you know a holiday filled with all the goodness of the season and plenty of time to enjoy it. I think flowers can say it all.  If you don’t know who to call or where to go, try Flowers they are able to help you with all your occasion needs. They have something for every occasion ; including Christmas, Thanksgiving, Anniversary, Congratulations, Get Well, I'm sorry, Just because, Love & romance, New baby, Sympathy & funerals, Thank you, & Wedding.

1-800-flowers,  offer plants from Bonsai to house plants; they even offer fruit & gourmet baskets-yummy! Don’t forget they offer to hand-deliver the same day! So, tis’ the holiday season, and I decided to think fresh, think flowers, and think 1-800-flowers.

The Unofficial Greatest Fisherman – Sakwinder Narwal

Some do it as a necessity to feed their families; others do it to feed their hunger  for the sport of it, either way, no one knows better than Sakwinder Narwal, a successful businessman and entrepreneur about feeding his hunger for the dedicated passion he has for the sport of fishing. Sakwinder is more dedicated to fishing than some spouses are to one another. He’s even been known to make his own fishing pole on the rare occasion he’s found himself without one of his own many poles.

Sakwinder Narwal may not have been officially declared the greatest fisherman in the world, nor is he as world famous as Zyg Gregorek, the first recreational fisherman anywhere to catch all 27 species in the “royal slams” set by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).  But most sports enthusiast will agree, Sak Narwal comes in as a close second.  Sakwinder Narwal has one of the greatest loves for fishing any true fisherman could possibly have.  Sak has been obsessed with fishing since he was a small boy.  As busy as he is with his many business endeavors, Sakwinder Narwal makes the time to fish just about every week and his voyages have taken him from Bristol Bay in Alaska where he chased the salmon, Dixon Lake where he fished for bass, the Florida Panhandle where he fished for Catfish, and Roscoe NY where he fished for brook trout.  Sak Narwal has even fished for sharks in the waters off Montauk Point, on New York’s Long Island.

Though he loves fishing, Sakwinder Narwal is quick to say that it is the thrill of the hunt, not of the kill, that he enjoys.  A strictly “catch and release” fisherman, Sak says, “There is nothing as relaxing and satisfying as catching fish on a beautiful day on a beautiful body of water.”

Renew International Can Fuel A Conversation

Politics and religion are two topics that are sure to fuel a conversation, which is why I steer clear of both as much as possible. However, when the topic has good content I break my rule of silence and I even sometimes share – as in this case.

I learned through a business acquaintance about RENEW International, a  Roman Catholic ministry which provides dioceses with the structure, training, and resources to administer and empower individuals and communities to encounter and include God in their everyday life,  RENEW fosters spiritual renewal in the Catholic tradition.   RENEW International has helped over 150 archdioceses and has worked to provide programs and materials to help each diocese meet their annual goals.   RENEW has touched the lives of over 25 million people through its ministry services in both the United States and in 23 countries around the world.

RENEW International, helps the entire dioceses to become a more loving community that is more sensitive and responsive to people’s needs.  Through these efforts the dioceses discover that many individuals want to be involved in a meaningful ministry.  Its refreshing to know that RENEW International is helping to provide quality caring ministry to its congregation for as long as people need it.

RENEW also has an Online Store, and offers quite a number of free downloads from their Bookstore.

K-Designers A Strong Commitment To Quality

With today’s busy schedules and tight budgets most people don’t have the time or very much money to tackle those overly neglected repairs or projects. Additionally, in most cases they aren’t confident that they have the skills to do the project well.  That’s why they make the smart choice and rely on K-Designers; the organization of experts committed to quality and performance. They are so confident and committed to the satisfaction of their customers that they offer, no money down – customers pay NOTHING until the work is complete and they are 100% satisfied!  With over 30 years of remodeling experience and over 100,000 satisfied customers they have build up a considerable array of experience and knowledge that enables them to help their clients – commercial or residential – to achieve their goals, from the simplest project to the more complex.

Since they’ve been established, K-Designers has built its reputation on customer satisfaction, it is their primary goal and they are committed to doing so by providing high quality professional workmanship and attention to detail as well as staying within budget.  They are there to service you because YOU ARE THE CLIENT the most important element of their business.

The tools, designs, and methodology have changed considerably throughout the years, and so have the expectations of their customers.  As such, K-Designers’ have stepped up to the plate to meet those demands; by offering the customer and their project the expertise of their thoroughly trained professional staff skilled in all phases of the remodeling industry and remaining current with today’s technology. K-Designers are essentially the leader of home remodeling and offer a full line of home remodeling products.  And their credentials pretty much speak for themselves.

And if that wasn’t enough, Larry D. Judson, the president of K-Designers pledges that they will continue to challenge themselves to be the most innovative, creative and efficient remodeling firm in the United States.  And with the reputation they’ve earned and continue to maintain there is no doubt they will continue to achieve their goal of continued customer satisfaction.

Gina Penzarella The Fashionable Gardener

A Garden is where one’s flowers, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, or herbs are cultivated and presented in a fashionable public display for all to see. Gardening can be a relaxing hobby for some and a way of life for others. It can be a scenic arrangement for the eye to behold. It can be therapeutic to the heart, body and soul. Either way, the popularity for gardening has grown, and along with it so has the resources to help the would-be gardener to the green-thumb expert. Information and resources range from where to buy, how to plant, to formal arrangements and landscaping.

Gina Penzarella the owner of Footlights & Co. Inc. Boutique, a premier retail-bridal fashion vendor in Easton, Pennsylvania.  A fashion designer with an uncanny ability to recognize the latest trends, and knows a bit about presentation has manage to incorporate her keen eye for glamour into gardening as well making her the perfect blend of a fashionable gardener. She not only tends her own garden but, Gina Penzarella also host a blog about gardening – she shares her tips and thoughts on gardening which for her has evolved into one of the most fulfilling and relaxing activities that an individual can perform at home.

Gina’s boutique Footlights & Co., is also one of the favorite prominent names and destinations for young ladies looking for the most unique and up to date styles for prom season. Gina Penzarella has dedicated her energy toward serving the needs of Easton’s fashion conscious female customers.   And she offers the same dedication when providing gardening tips to her readers, always going that extra mile to provide relevant tips for gardening success.

Aside from running, managing, and aiding customers in her Footlights & Co. Inc. Boutique, she contributes to Defenders of Wildlife, arranges fashion shows to benefit the local SPCA and various Catholic charities across the community, is a member of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and gardens, which she writes about on her blog, “Gina Penzarella on Gardening.”

Philanthropist of The Roundtable, Frank J. Hanna III

If you ever have the need or desire to learn the true meaning of money – look to the man behind that very concept .  With credentials far too impressively lengthy to list, Frank J. Hanna III has a vast amount of knowledge on the meaning of money.

Frank J. Hanna III, A leading Catholic philanthropist, entrepreneur, co-founder of the Solidarity Foundation, and author, clearly lays out the meaning of money in his new book, "What Your Money Means and How to Use It Well." The book presents Hanna's perspective on healthy attitudes towards money and his advice about philanthropic strategies.

Frank J. Hanna, III is not only a merchant banker in Atlanta; and CEO of Hanna Capital, LLC but is also heavily involved in philanthropic ventures.  Hanna’s religious philanthropy is a model for donors of many faith traditions. He has helped found three Catholic schools in Atlanta, is a national leader in school reform, and his philanthropic work and pioneering efforts helped produce Georgia's first charter school law. Frank J. Hanna III has even served on the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Frank was honored in 2007 by The Philanthropy Roundtable as the recipient of the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership.  Mr. Hanna is also the founder of the Solidarity Foundation, which has been instrumental in many charitable efforts. Among other efforts, He is a trustee of the Papal Foundation, which supports worldwide charitable endeavors under the direction of the Pope. He also donated the world's oldest extant copy of the Gospels of Luke and John and then gave it to the Vatican.

Frank Hanna III is a man of values and practices what he preaches in his everyday life, he continually gives back to the community; he is a former Sunday School teacher and has coached Little League soccer and basketball.  He received his BBA and JD degrees from the University of Georgia. Growing up around his father's real estate business help prepare Frank for the business world, which proved to be a good foundation for his many business achievements; including: Serving as CEO of administrative services firm HBR Capital, Ltd. since 1992; CEO of investment firm Hanna Capital, LLC since 2006, Director of the Atlanta-based CompuCredit Corporation since 1999; and he was one of three entrepreneurs profiled in the Acton Institute's documentary film, The Call of the Entrepreneur.

Taxi Anyone? Let's Thank Amos Tamam

Technology is astounding,  constantly changing, and it’s just plain wonderful!  Yet most people take it for granted, in their everyday life – with the flip of a switch lights come on, the turn of a knob and water comes out.   Most don’t spend their time wondering how or who may have been responsible for the convenience they readily enjoy.  It’s all taken for granted.

The convenience of our convenient world is made possible through the innovative efforts of pioneers such as: Zenith engineer, Dr. Robert Adler who harnessed ultrasonics to create the first truly practical wireless remote in 1956 & subsequently the couch potato was introduced shortly after.

As for the indispensable “can’t move a muscle without it” cell phone – well we have Dr. Martin Cooper to thank for that clingy device. Cooper invented the technology responsible for the development of the modern cell phone in 1973 while working as the Director of Research and Development for Motorola.

Former Engineer, Amos Tamam who invented the system of allowing cabs to be able to take credit cards for cab fare.  No longer do travelers have to be concerned about not having enough currency to pay for being transported from point A to point B by a whistle-if-you-want-one Taxi.

Amos Tamam was a classic American success story, he arrived in the United States from Israel in the early 1980’s with nothing but his electrical engineer training; he got into the cab business and eventually with diligence and determination made his way up the corporate ladder, from servicing cabs to ultimately becoming CEO of Veriphone Transportation Systems Inc.

Tamam’s system documents and reconciles driving records for taxi fleets.  A summary of credit card transactions include the fare, tolls and tips, the time and date of travel and miles driven.  The system easily enables cabbies to generate a report of the day's total fares and to reconcile credit card charges; allowing for more accurate record keeping capabilities to quickly and easily collect their earnings.

Finally, advances like this by Amos Tamam make a huge impact on so many levels, and are inspirational to novice innovators looking to make a change for the better as well as for our daily convenience.

Steve Stevanovich Supports The Work of the Stevanovich Center & The Strength of Financial Mathematics

Today, with the attention on new boundaries for economic and financial dealings, it’s essential to secure quality information and knowledge from experienced professionals such as,  Steve Stevanovich and academic circles like the Stevanovich Center, which advances the understanding of the increasingly complex world of financial markets by integrating mathematics, statistics, and economics.

Business professionals such as,  Steve Stevanovich and others know; as the market continues to change and experience occasional extremes carefully evaluating & protecting oneself from risk remains a vital part of the financial landscape.  The University of Chicago's Masters Program in Financial Mathematics is designed to provide students with the skills and judgment to do just that.  At the heart of the program is a unique faculty of distinguished professors and highly experienced professionals, who believe that their experience in this very difficult market environment, and acceptance accorded their students, is testament to their dedicated program.

It just makes sense for the academic world to not only edify the essentials of financial mathematics but to also infuse integrity & dedication  into their students who will eventually make their place in the business world toward becoming a reputable Financial Services Professional like,  Steve Stevanovich who like other professionals know that respect is the backbone of business success.  And it’s good to know that the unique role of the Stevanovich Center’s financial math program is its twin inputs of scientifically based research and practice in financial markets, and why the participation of professionals in the markets is a key element of its success.

Child Panic Devices are the cutting edge in securing your loved one's protection

For a couple of years I was fortunate to have worn the hat of a featured columnist for an online publication, which allowed me to express my opinion and write on any subject matter I so desired.    An article I wrote, "A Panic Button Is Long over Due for Children"; appeared in my column, The Way I See It, in September 2007.

Here’s an expert of the opening paragraph:

“A panic button is long over due for children.  I find it difficult to believe that with all the modern technology being used today to invent the newest and latest inspector-gadget type portables, MP3 players, iPod Touch, that sweet-ass iPhone, PSP, the mini-GPS and what-not’s, no one has been able to develop a Child Alarm Alert system device to be worn by a child, a device that would assist in locating or responding to a missing or exploited child?” I even provided a draft of how the CAA Concept could work.

In my 2007 article, I went on to say, that through HomeAgain they’re able to ensure a pets' safety through micro-chipping and enrolling in a recovery database.  With HomeAgain, a lost pet is successfully recovered approximately every six minutes. To date, more than 4.3 million pets in the United States have been implanted with the HomeAgain(R) microchip, resulting in almost 400,000 successful recoveries.  My concern at the time was, why can’t they do the same for a human being?

Well, I’m delighted to say, that technology never ceases to amaze me, especially with companies such as Brickhouse Security, one of the leading providers of safety and security products to major law enforcement agencies; has stepped up to the plate in more ways than one.  First, with the Child Locator and now they’ve gone a step further with Amber Alert GPS (AAGPS), a small but powerful personal GPS tracker.

The Amber Alert GPS device enables parents to remotely locate their children when they are away.  Which differs from the Locator (a great device on it’s on), in that it uses GPS technology to alert parents when their child strays beyond a set distance of up to 600 feet.  Both devices together complement each other very well.  The AAGPS device weighs in at about $300.00 (with a monthly service cost between $19.99 to $49.99, depending on usage) and works well indoors and out, has an SOS button to call for help to up to 5 people at once, supports Geo-Fencing, and can send speed alerts (ie. send an alert if my kid is driving faster than 80 MPH), which is a very handy feature for parents of teen-ager drivers.

And for those of you with limitless income, there’s the  WorldTracker priced at around $600, monthly service costs $69/month, plus there's a one-time setup fee of $90. That's about $830 per year in service fees alone – don’t forget to add the $100 cost for the extended battery you’ll need - not cheap, but the WT’s performance is top notch.   Amber Alert GPS may not have all the extra bells and whistles as WorldTracker, such as being able to configure AAGPS to send location updates – you have to call the device & wait for it to send a message to your phone – how difficult is that, besides you should periodically call your child anyway. Still, Amber Alert GPS is simple to use, and doesn't require a computer to find out where your child is; nor will you have to take out an equity loan to purchase it.  If you already have an internet-enabled smart phone, Amber Alert GPS is a great tool for parents and children alike.

There are other monitoring systems available, but do your homework before investing your hard earned money on something that may not give you the results you want or need.  Functionality should be the first option you look for in a device and cost should be a close second, so shop wisely.  Just because a device cost more or less, doesn’t mean it’s the best product.

Unfortunately, a number of devices which I won’t name here, tend to perform poorly in public places; and are prone to interference, the range is very limited inside malls and supermarkets, and either don’t have a direction indicator on the display, so you have to rely on a series of audible beeps to determine if you're getting "hotter" or "colder" as you panicky run around circles, searching for your child – which is not very practical at all.  Devices like these are better suited for hunting down frequently misplaced items at home, such as keys, wallets, and remote controls.

Although the alert tracking devices may not be designed to prevent kidnappings, abductions, runaways, or missing persons; it is good to know you have an edge against such occurrences.  Amber Alert GPS is a more practical and less expensive solution to ensure that children are safe and accounted for when they're away from home.

To have that extra peace of mind for everyone you care about, children, elderly loved ones, or even pets an AAGPS device is a wise investment.

Sakwinder Narwal Feeds His Passion For Fishing

It was just recently when I mentioned to my spouse that I had seen a man on the side of the road contently sitting in a ditch with a fishing pole.

I wondered then as I do now, why?  And I can only conclude that he needed to feed his family or his hunger for the sport of fishing.  And no one knows better than Sakwinder Narwal, about feeding his hunger for the amazing passion he has for the sport of fishing.

Although Sakwinder Narwal may not officially be declared the greatest fisherman in the world, or be as world famous as Zyg Gregorek, the first recreational fisherman anywhere to catch all 27 species in the “royal slams” set by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).  In my opinion, Sak Narwal is a close second.  He has one of the greatest loves for fishing any true fisherman could possibly have.  Sak has been obsessed with fishing since he was a small boy.  Sakwinder Narwal fishes just about every week and his voyages have taken him from Bristol Bay in Alaska where he chased the salmon, Dixon Lake where he fished for bass, the Florida Panhandle where he fished for Catfish, and Roscoe NY where he fished for brook trout.  Sak Narwal has even fished for sharks in the waters off Montauk Point, on New York’s Long Island.

Though he loves fishing, Sakwinder Narwal is quick to say that it is the thrill of the hunt, not of the kill, that he enjoys.  A strictly "catch and release" fisherman, Sak says, “There is nothing as relaxing and satisfying as catching fish on a beautiful day on a beautiful body of water.”

Sakwinder’s savvy business sense and entrepreneurship has afforded him the opportunity to be able to follow his passion around the country and around the globe.   It is doubtful that I’d ever see Sakwinder fishing on the side of the road, but if his passion directs him there, who knows.

Harley SwiftDeer Reagan - A Real Life "Billy Jack"

People are always looking to find a hero of some sorts one that will fight for the underdog, or just someone that has accomplished a bit more then themselves.   A not so short trip to the past brings forth memories of the 1970s “Billy Jack” action films that provided an anti-authority message combined with the then-novel martial arts fight scenes which predate the Bruce Lee/kung fu movie trend that soon followed.  If you recall, the films’ focused on the plight of Native Americans during the civil rights movement; and the determination of the leading character, Billy Jack to fight for those rights.  Well, an accomplished American, by the name of Harley Swiftdeer, of Cherokee and Irish decent was apparently the inspiration for the movie.  His impressive credentials are seemingly endless.

A national jujitsu champion; father of five sons; a self-made man with Ph.D's in Humanistic Psychology and Comparative Religions; an internationally recognized spokesman for American Indian customs and causes; a man who spent a year in Yuma State prison for killing a man in self-defense.  He is a healer, and teacher, and the leader of the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society, and the leader of the Ten-No-Kishi dojo in Scottsdale, Arizona.  He teaches about spiritual awakening, growth, and healing, and has practiced and taught at least three martial arts in the past as well.

With several books and a variety of training materials available on amazon.com and elsewhere, Harley Swiftdeer continues to strive to bring ancient beliefs regarding balance and sustainable living to our modern times.   SwiftDeer has led a very full and adventuresome life.   He served in Vietnam in 1994, although he was a decorated Marine Corps he was discharged because of his opposition to the Vietnam War.  He was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in honor of his contribution within that field.   He also pursued studies in psychology, philosophy and religion. All of this rich experience and study is integrated into SwiftDeer's style and content of how he carries the Sweet Medicine SunDance Wheels and Keys.

He founded The Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society in 1986 for the purpose of gathering, translating and teaching the Wheels and Keys of the Sweet Medicine SunDance (SMSD) Path of Turtle Island.  For many ancient peoples hair symbolizes knowledge. "Twisted Hairs" refers to those who take knowledge from many sources and weave it together, synthesizing and formulating "braids of truth."  Harley also developed Chulukua-Ryu a fighting art as a synthesis of elements and techniques from the Japanese Karate and Jiu-Jitsu martial arts and 750 techniques learned from different Native American tribes; and Chulukua-Ryu was eventually recognized as a formal martial arts style, which earned him the Golden Life Achievement Award from the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1994.

Harley Swiftdeer, also called Soke Swiftdeer or Head of Family of the Ten-No-Kishi Dojo and American Indian Fighting Arts Association (Chulukua-Ryu system), is a 9th-degree master of these Japanese techniques, which he combined with more than 25 years of research into the Native American fighting arts – resulting to this new and unique martial arts system, which is the only original American martial arts accredited by the International Society of Black Belts.

Most of all, Swiftdeer is a medicine man.  The role of a medicine person combines the powers and skills of a leader, doctor, magician, lawyer, healer, priest, psychologist, teacher, and father/mother. Obviously, a person doesn't become that overnight.  Swiftdeer began his medicine apprenticeship at the age of eight with his Cherokee grandmother, Spotted Fawn, on a reservation in Texas/Oklahoma.  After Vietnam, he continued his study with the medicine chief of the Navajo nation, Tom "Two Bears" Wilson; and studied with a number of teachers thereafter.

Take time to explore the life and adventures of Harley Swiftdeer Reagan.

RENEW International Fostering Spiritual Renewal

When I became a Stephen Minister a few years ago through Ebenezer Baptist Church, I was excited and elated, to be a part of a system that offered its congregation caregivers that provided one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, divorced, unemployed, and others in and around the congregation facing a crisis or life challenge.

Although I was impressed that Stephen Ministry congregations had a way of blending social sciences with a distinctively Christian approach to caring and relating; I also wondered if other denotations or affiliations offered the same or similar services or opportunities to their congregations.   My concerns were put to rest when I learned through a business acquaintance about RENEW International, a Roman Catholic ministry which provides dioceses with the structure, training, and resources to administer and empower individuals and communities to encounter and include God in their everyday life,  RENEW fosters spiritual renewal in the Catholic tradition.   RENEW International has helped over 150 archdioceses and has worked to provide programs and materials to help each diocese meet their annual goals.   RENEW has touched the lives of over 25 million people through its ministry services in both the United States and in 23 countries around the world.

RENEW International, helps the entire dioceses to become a more loving community that is more sensitive and responsive to people’s needs.  Through these efforts the dioceses discover that many individuals want to be involved in a meaningful ministry.  RENEW also has an Online Store, and offers quite a number of free downloads from their  Bookstore.

Its refreshing to know that both the Stephen Ministry and RENEW International have something so very much in common, and that is helping its congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it.

Epsilon Investment Management Invest In Boca Raton

When most people think of Boca Raton, they generally think of warm tropical weather, posh villas, private mansions, exclusive yacht clubs, lazily days, and the like.  With successful businesses like, Epsilon Investment Management who’ve chosen to locate themselves in Boca Raton, the city enjoys a great reputation among tourists and is known for being pedestrian-friendly with its promenade.  So if you’re lucky enough to take advantage of the Ooohs and Aaash of Boca Raton, you just might find some amazing investment opportunities along the way; with Epsilon Investment Management, one of the companies that have taken advantage of the geographic advantages of being part of the thriving city.

Boca Raton is situated in Palm Beach County, Florida.  New roads and landscaping are a part of the city’s redevelopment to attract tourists and become an even more frequent destination area for residents and tourist.  However, even successful companies like Epsilon Investment Management must be careful as Boca Raton has a strict development code, including the size and types of commercial buildings, building signs and advertisements which may be erected within the city limits.  Additionally, no billboards are permitted in the city.  Corporations such as McDonald's have subdued their Golden Arches due to the code.  The unincorporated areas still contain restaurants with the classic arches, but the heights of the signs have also been reduced.  Codes or not,  Boca Raton is a wise investment, both socially and financially.

NES Employment Solutions Offers Thousands A Handful Of Futures

For many people the nation's unemployment rate seems to have risen to a point-of-no-return but during this time of uncertainty it’s good to know that NES Employment Solutions is available and helping thousands of individuals to turn their lives around, by asking them to place their future in NES hands.
Nationwide Employment Solutions is the Internet's premier destination for connecting employees and employers throughout the United States.  Their extensive network of partners and resources allows users to have a nationwide reach while maintaining a local focus.  N.E.S. offers employment positions from Fortune ranked corporations to smaller independently owned and operated companies.  They’re able to staff in several industries and markets in order to provide you with a full spectrum of opportunities.
The NES Employment Solutions network also offers a great deal of resources;  including free career assessments, free magazines and countless job descriptions to aid you in your job search.  They can help you prepare for your job search by giving you the tools you need, from personality questionnaires to helpful articles and videos.
If you are looking for a new job or a change and need a resource that can make a difference, be sure to bookmark NES Employment Solutions and watch as they deliver results!

Muhammad Babangida Makes A Huge Gallop

Muhammad Babangida a Nigerian businessman made a huge gallop in the business world and more; as special advisor to the joint operation committee (JOC) Santa Isabel Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of the China National Petroleum Company (CNPCI). Muhammad Babangida is responsible for negotiating and coordinating with appropriate governmental agencies on behalf of Santa Isabel in the African Nation of Equatorial Guinea where Santa Isabel operates.

Muhammad Babangida is an executive with diverse interests in oil and gas, banking and real estate.  He lives in Niger State, Nigeria with his wife and children.  His Interests and hobbies include:  Jazz, assorted music including R&B, reading, and he is an enthusiastic sportsman and is an accomplished polo player and member of the Kaduna Polo Club.
After returning to Nigeria in 1994 Muhammad Babangida served the mandatory National Youth Service Corp for one year. Thereafter, he formed a group of companies that are actively involved in oil and gas, banking, IT, security services, property management and stock trading. He was appointed Director In 1998 of Intercity Bank Plc and served on the Board Credit Committee as Chairman and also served as a member of the ICT committee until 2004. Later he became a member of the Committee of Directors representing nine merging banks with the task of conducting financial, legal, corporate and HR due diligence. This was successfully done and in 2006, nine banks became one that is now called UNITY BANK Plc.

DISCOVERING YOURSELF IN EYEGLASSES

Discovering that you need eyeglasses can be an emotional experience. The realization that your eyesight is not perfect can be a blow to your self-esteem. Despite newer and more fashionable frames, glasses can seem like a terrible intrusion on your face. You might even have trouble recognizing yourself in the mirror behind even the most stylish frames.

For some people the thought of having to wear glasses may make them feel sad bringing back memories from their own childhood days of a classmate who wore glasses and was teased or called "four eyes" by playmates. The key is to develop a positive attitude toward wearing glasses, and realize that the glasses will make an important difference in one’s eyesight. Also keep in mind that you now have opportunity to expand your world, a chance to see better and the ability to get information more efficiently.
So when you’re ready to discover yourself in eyeglasses,  www.eyeglasses.com offers customers the convenience of direct ordering glasses from their computer with the best service, selection, and price for glasses and lenses and they have those hard-to-find retro glasses or vintage glasses, frames you just can't find in retail outlets or the leading national chains. You can search their extensive database inventory of 200,000+ glasses frames just for the models in your size. Men's glasses, woman's glasses, and children's glasses frames - they have them all. Eyeglasses.com carries Gucci glasses, Armani glasses, Ralph Lauren glasses, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Prada glasses, Marc Hunter and over 500 other brands of eye wear frames. The staff at Eyeglasses.com awaits the chance to help you find vision on the internet with glasses frames and lenses.

Gina Penzarella One Of A Kind

A number of women struggle with self-esteem issues.  Especially true as they begin to age, have children, see their bodies change, and they therefore become content in their relationships.  However, this is definitely not the case with Gina Penzarella.
Gina Penzarella is owner of Footlights & Co. Inc. Boutique, a premier retail-bridal fashion vendor in Easton, Pennsylvania.  And for over two decades, Gina Penzarella has dedicated her energy toward serving the needs of Easton’s fashion conscious female customers.      Penzarella’s uncanny ability to recognize the latest trends, as well as a keen eye for true glamor, has distinguished her boutique as one of the top retailers for bridal and special occasion fashion in the area; as well as establishing herself as a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman.
Gina's boutique Footlights & Co.,  is also one of the favorite prominent names and destinations for young ladies looking for the most unique and up to date styles for prom season.  Her customers appreciate that Gina is always willing to go the extra mile to please her customers.  For example, when it comes to prom dresses, Gina Penzarella will only sell one type of dress to each school, ensuring that each student dress is unique to their prom, and that they will never be embarrassed by seeing someone else in the same dress.
After over 20 years of providing dresses for special occasions to the Lehigh Valley Community, Gina Penzarella continues to own and manage the shop, which has grown to be one of the leading bridal shops in Lehigh Valley.
Aside from running, managing, and aiding customers in her Footlights & Co. Inc. Boutique, she contributes to Defenders of Wildlife, arranges fashion shows to benefit the local SPCA and various Catholic charities across the community., is a member of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and gardens, which she writes about on her blog, “Gina Penzarella on Gardening.”