Memorable Occasions by iPower Global Solutions

Presidential Proclamation--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 01, 2010
Presidential Proclamation--National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

While considerable progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer, it remains the most frequently diagnosed type of non skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in our country. This year alone, over 200,000 Americans will be diagnosed and nearly 40,000 lives will be claimed. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting breast cancer research, and to educating all Americans about its risk factors, detection, and treatment. As we display pink ribbons on our lapels, offices, and storefronts, we also support those courageously fighting breast cancer and honor the lives lost to this devastating disease.

Thanks to earlier detection and better treatments, mortality rates for breast cancer have steadily decreased in the last decade. To advance the life saving research that has breathed promise into countless lives, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Defense are investing hundreds of millions of dollars annually in breast cancer research and related programs. Through funding from the Recovery Act, the National Cancer Institute is also conducting and supporting research and training projects, as well as distributing health information, to help Americans with breast cancer and health care providers face this disease.

Knowing what may contribute to breast cancer is an important part of its prevention. Risk factors for breast cancer include family and personal history, radiation therapy to the chest for previous cancers, obesity, and certain genetic changes. Being cognizant of these possible risk factors, as well as maintaining a healthy body weight and balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting regular screenings, may help lower the chances of developing breast cancer. I encourage all women and men to talk with their health care provider about their risks and what they can do to mitigate them, and to visit Cancer.gov to learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of breast and other cancers.

Screenings and early detection are also essential components in the fight against breast cancer. For women ages 40 and over, regular mammograms and clinical breast exams by health care providers every one to two years are the most effective ways to find breast cancer early, when it may be easier to treat. Women at higher risk of breast cancer should discuss with their health care providers whether they need mammograms before age 40, as well as how often to have them. Regular mammograms, followed by timely treatment when breast cancer is diagnosed, can help improve the chances of surviving this disease.

In order to detect breast cancer early, we must ensure all women can access these important screenings. The Affordable Care Act, which I was proud to sign into law earlier this year, requires all new health insurance policies to cover recommended preventive services without any additional cost, including annual mammography screenings for women over age 40. The Affordable Care Act will also ensure that people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer cannot be excluded from coverage for a pre-existing condition or charged higher premiums.

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we stand with our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends, and we recognize all who have joined their loved ones in fighting their battle, as well as the advocates, researchers, and health care providers whose care and hard work gives hope to those living with breast cancer. By educating ourselves and supporting innovative research, we will improve the quality of life for all Americans affected by breast cancer and, one day, defeat this terrible disease.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage citizens, Government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and all other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent and control breast cancer.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA

Felecia D. Shelton

Don't Miss: July events in NYC

2010-06-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

New York City is a magical place during the summertime: free concerts abound; street fairs and festivals seem to await at every bend; and even the most indoor of activities—movie watching—takes to the outdoors. Top that off with Independence Day celebrations (American and French) and ongoing cultural festivals where guests don’t just watch but can learn to dance or meet Broadway stars, and there should be no doubt that NYC is the place to be when the weather is warm. With so many options, it can be tough to figure out where to start. This slideshow of things to do in July should help.

Event Planning Services and the Event Planning Industry

2010-06-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

The event planning industry is coming into its own. What has been seen for decades as an elite service for the wealthy and/or corporate America is slowly transforming into a service that eliminates the hassle and headaches of planning events for American families and communities. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of event planners is expected to grow 20 percent from 2006 to 2016. Apart from this raw growth of numbers, however, a significant shift in the make-up of event planning services is taking place across the United States.

Corporate vs. Private Event Planning
Much of the anticipated growth in the event planning industry still derives from the corporate world in the form of business meetings, conferences, conventions, etc. Yet, there are also indications that private individuals are availing themselves of these services more and more, especially as the industry becomes more trusted, widely recognized, and cost-effective. Indeed, as the economy has taken its downward turn, event planners have been able to insulate themselves from hardship, or at least keep their business afloat, by marketing their services to individuals and various niches within the larger marketplace. While many failed corporations are no longer spending lavish amounts of money on corporate events, the Joneses, Smiths, and Browns are still here, and they're still getting married, having birthdays, and celebrating rites of passage. As such, capitalism, in its purest form, is not dead: As more and more event planners materialize in the marketplace, the number of options is increasing, and the cost of event planning is decreasing.

How to Find an Event Planner
In truth, it's probably a lot easier to find an event planner than you imagine. There are 50,000-60,000 event planners operating in the United States, and if you live in a major metropolitan area, you're likely to find dozens, if not hundreds, of planners who are willing to bid for your event. What you need to find is the right planner for your event. While the flexibility of the profession helps make it "recession-proof," the wise consumer will still look for a planner with the experience, resources, and fees that match their needs. The planner a Fortune 500 company hires for their annual conference is not going to be the same planner you hire for your daughter's sweet sixteen birthday bash.

Event Planning Checklist
Naturally, you should look for an event planner with a good deal of experience with your specific event. Someone who has meticulously planned a dozen Bar Mitzvahs or large family reunions will bring an impressive catalogue of event options and problem-solving skills. To this end, it's important to realize that just because you can plan your own event doesn't mean you should. By hiring an event planner, you can often create a better event and one that's more enjoyable for you. Along with the specific rituals and etiquette of your event, here are a handful of universal components you should discuss with prospective planners:

    * Budget: Almost all events involve making some tough decisions and/or trade-offs, but these decisions can't be effectively made without setting a budget for the event. Often, you'll discuss the event budget and the event planning fee at the same time, especially with planners who base their charges as a percentage of the event cost, rather than a flat fee.

    * Event Site/Venue: Sometimes people already know where they want to host an event before they even talk to a planner. Other times, finding the right site is the biggest chore on the event planning list. Either way, you'll need to discuss the details, demands, and capacity of the venue/possible venues with your planner.

    * Scheduling and Dates: Setting a date and, if necessary, alternate dates for the event is the obvious priority, but you should also discuss a general meeting schedule for you and your planner as you plan and coordinate the event. On a similar note, event planners are capable professionals, but they're not mind-readers, and you should maintain active lines of communication with your planner.

    * Supplies, Props, Equipment: You and/or your event planner should sit down and make a comprehensive list of supplies and equipment that will be needed for the event. Common items include: portable toilets, tables and chairs, speakers, microphones, signs, electricity capabilities, etc.

    * General Logistics: You might think this is about it for event planning, but there are almost always another handful (it will seem like hundreds) of logistic items that need a planner's touch. Parking and "guest management" are just a few of the stickier items. Permits and security requirements are also too often overlooked with disastrous results: You don't want one of the best nights of your life ruined by a lawsuit the following week.

Marcus Pickett is a professional freelance writer for the home remodeling industry. He has published more than 600 articles on both regional and national topics within the home improvement industry.

The History of Valentine's Day

2010-02-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

According to History.com, one legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine. Through the centuries, the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became a patron saint of lovers.

Gift Suggestions for Her: Pamper Collection offers a wonderful selection of indulgent items to spoil a person from head to toe. Candles, lotions, slippers, a robe, and more … all designed to help bodies and minds relax, unwind, and just enjoy some quiet time alone. (click on link to view gift selection)

Gift Suggestions for Him: Guy Gear Collection has a great selection of "boy toys" for workshops, dens, offices, and more. From the latest electronics, to home repair tools, he's sure to find something here that's just right for him. (click on link to view gift selection)

photo courtesy of: http://www.thegioiwallpaper.com/wallpaper/Happy-Valentines-Day-Rose/

How to Plan A Winning Super Bowl Party

2010-02-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

SuperBowl XLIV
Super Bowl XLIV has finally arrived and after an exciting season it all comes down to this. The Indianapolis Colts will face off against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, February 7 at 6 PM ET on CBS.

The Gathering
According to Hallmark Cards, Inc., Super Bowl parties are one of the top at-home party events of the year. Super Bowl parties have become much more than a gathering of football lovers. In fact, many people attending these parties don't love football as much as they love the excuse to get together with friends.

The Invitation
Create crazy, football-inspired invitations to invite friends and family. Decorate the house with football paraphernalia.

Super Bowl Party Food
The game comes in first and is the strongest focus of the party, but food comes in a close second. Plan a super bowl party menu that anyone would love. Think man-food when establishing a menu. Buffalo wings are always a big hit with guys and gals who love sports. Pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers also makes a great offering at a super bowl party. Set bowls of potato chips and sour cream and chive dips, nachos with creamy cheese, cheese crackers, salted nuts, and corn chips on every stand and coffee table for nibbling. Have lots of paper towels, napkins and rug cleaner handy for messes created during exciting plays.

Super Bowl Party Decorations
Decorating for a super bowl party is quick and easy. When planning the party, be sure to move furniture in order to give everyone a clear view of the television during the game. Use balloons, team pennants, footballs, jerseys, helmets and all things football to decorate the house.

Super Bowl Party Games
Start the party with a football pool. As each guest arrives, ask him or her to join in a betting pool. Have a basket ready to toss in a dollar or two, along with a signed note stating which team will win and what the point spread will be. The pool adds another dimension of interest and fun to the game.

Super bowl commercials have become as much a fun tradition as the game itself. Who will have the funniest commercial? Create categories, such as funniest or most boring, and have participants rate the commercials.

Do a quick “Super Bowl Challenge” – give out small prizes to the winners Example of challenge - who won the coin toss – who will score first? Be creative!

Suggestion for Super Bowl Challenge Winners: The Ribbon Variety Gift Collection offers dozens of current, popular gift items, with something for everyone.

Play Super Bowl Trivia
You will need paper and pens.

Drink Responsibly
If serving beverages that contain alcohol during your Super Bowl party, remember that you can be held legally responsible for your guests after they leave your home. Make sure no one drives while under the influence. Making sure your guests have a great time also includes making sure they arrive home safely after the Super Bowl.

The Fun
A super bowl party with good food, good friends, and good times begins with a simple plan. Make the day fun by using super bowl party ideas that require a minimal amount of effort and time to prepare. The key is to enjoy the party and join in the fun instead of being stuck in the kitchen on game day.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SUPER BOWL XLIV CHAMPIONS

ORGANIZING A DAY OF SERVICE - Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2010-01-18T02:31:00.000-08:00

Last year President Obama incorporated a day of service into his inaugural festivities - In 2010 this call to action is answered by millions of Americans.

Things you can do to Make A Difference:

1. Give your community a landscaping makeover.

Grab a group of friends and some garden tools and go to work. Check with your local parks and recreation department for information on which community parks might need your assistance. Or contact your Keep America Beautiful affiliate to find a way to volunteer in your area.

2. Volunteer at your local food bank.

The effects of the economic recession - high unemployment rates, rampant home foreclosures - have forced one in five Americans to rely on food assistance programs for basic food needs. Use your Day to help support families in need by giving your time at a local food bank.

3. Spend the day with kids.

Investing your time with a child leaves can have a positive impact on their future. Take a few hours to volunteer with a local children's organization or use MLK Service Day as a starting point to become a mentor.

4. Use Your tech skills.

Serve.gov is calling on all web pros to be part of their 2010 MLK Day Technology Challenge. The plan is to connect schools with technology gurus who are willing to volunteer their time and talent to give back to schools that need it. If technology is your calling, this is the project for you. You can check out the full list of service ideas at Serve.gov: MLK Day Technology Challenge.

5. Join an existing project.

If the pressure of planning something on your own or making more than a one-day commitment is worrying you, no need to fret! There are thousands of existing projects already scheduled to take place across the country. You can easily hop on board with what someone else is already doing.

6. Don't stop with MLK Day.

Make community service part of your routine. Whether you have a few minutes, a few hours, or an entire day, you can use your free time to make a difference around you. Plus, it's never too early to start planning big for next year's MLK Day of Service. Begin brainstorming now on ways you can build your own Service Project for 2011. Serve.gov has some great ideas on how to get started and what you will need to pull off a successful and impacting service event.

This article was originally posted on Causecast.org
photo: images.google.com

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

The New Year Gift Giving Tradition

2009-12-31T06:38:00.000-08:00

The New Year gift-giving tradition has a pre-historic root. Despite the 'Christmas presents' culture, 'gift giving' at New Year is still practiced in many parts of Europe, including France, Switzerland, Russia and Greece. In Europe it was prevalent even before Christ was born.

Today here in USA we are more used to gift-giving at Christmas, rather than the New Year's Day. Historically this owes its origin to the old customs of the German and Dutch settlers. The English and French dominated states though continued with the tradition of gift-giving on the New Year's Day for a long while. However, the combined German and Dutch influences, in time, caused this old tradition to be wiped out giving way to the present custom across America.

Long before the world came to accept January 1 as the secular New Year different people from different parts of the world would have different New Year timings. Yet there were some broad areas of convergence in their diverging customs. And gifts on this occasion is among them as are feast, and community revelry. The idea behind all this was, probably, to greet each other with something auspicious on the wake of the new year .

From the Celts to the Romans:
The Celtic-Teutonic Druids used to make a gift of their holy plant mistletoe at the beginning of the Year. Among the Romans such gifts were called 'strenae', a word said to be derived from the goddess of luck, Strenia. At first the gifts were branches from sacred trees meant for wishing recipients an auspicious New Year. Later objects like gilded nuts and coins bearing the imprint of Janus, the god with two faces to whom January was sacred.

Rome had also developed a custom of presenting gifts to the emperor. But later the spirit ceased to exist and a 'forced payment' replaced the 'gifts'. Courtesy, the power wielding Roman despots. It went on for some couple of centuries until the practice was forbidden by Pope Leo I the Great in 458.

The English and the Scotts:
English royalty, also began to force their subjects in the matter of New Year's gifts as early as the time of Henry III (1216-72). Queen Elizabeth was very watchful of the "who's and what's" of the giving and received great amounts in jewels and gold on New Year's Day. She systematized the practice to the extent of keeping descriptive lists of the gifts presented to her from all walks of life. However, following the splendor of Queen Elizabeth's reign, the practice declined. Finally, when Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans came into power, the custom stopped.

The New Year gift exchange was also a common practice among the ordinary English people until the Victorian regime. Gloves were a usual gift. Also popular were oranges stuck with clove, used to preserve and flavor wine. When the English had settled in America they brought in the tradition and continued to exchange gifts and presents at the New Years. So did the French. Thus we find, the predominantly French, New Orleans continued with the New Year's practice for a long time. And in France even today gifts and greeting cards are presented on New Year's Day.

In Scotland, where New Year's is the biggest feast of the year, gifts were solicited by bands of boys who went from door to door begging for money and food and singing the ditty:

" I wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year,
A pocketful of money
And a cellar full of beer,
And a good fat pig
To serve you all the year."

THE CHRISTMAS STORY

2009-12-25T01:29:00.000-08:00

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Wise Men
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
gifts
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."
Fleeing to Egypt
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."
So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

--Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 New International Version

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Every Day is Christmas

2009-12-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

Every day is Christmas
When you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness
And the sweetness it can find.
When you don't need an occasion
To spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving,
Of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas,
With a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you've learned
To see the friendship,
In someone else eyes.
When you try a little harder,
And complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervor
Of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas,
When you've found that you can be
More concerned with words like "you"
And less with "I" and "me".
When it's fun to do a favor,
And to lend a helping a hand,
When being understood means less,
Than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas,
With a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn't matter,
If you're first or if you're last.
When you can face your conscience,
And be glad of what you are,
Then every day is Christmas,
With a stable and a star.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving and I would like to personally express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your continued support. I like to also thank you for spreading the word and inviting other professionals to join and enjoy our growing network.

I wish you and your families and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Holidays, Special Occasions, Observances, and Days to Celebrate For The Month of November

2009-11-15T20:26:00.000-08:00

There are 30 days in November - the 11th month of the year.
November's Birthstone is the Topaz or Citrine.

Holidays & Observances - November 16, 2008 (Sunday):

* Start of American Education Week - November 16 - 22, 2008
o American Education Week is always held the full week prior to Thanksgiving.
* Oklahoma becomes the 46th US State, admitted to the Union on Nov
* November 16, 1952 - Lucy first holds a football for Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoon strip.

Celebrity Birthdays November 16th:
* Ray Coniff
* Dwight Gooden, 1964 - Gift Suggestion
* Marg Helgenberger, 1958
* Burgess Meredith

Holidays & Observances - November 17, 2008 (Monday):

* First session of the US Congress was held at the US Capital building in Washington DC on November 17, 1800.
* Dulles International Airport was dedicated in Washington DC by President John F. Kennedy on November 17, 1962.
* The most watched event in TV Soap Opera history: General Hospital's Luke & Laura's wedding ceremony aired November 17, 1981.
* K-Mart announced it was buying Sears, Roebuck & Co. on November 17, 2004.
* NBC pre-empts the last minute of a very close NFL game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders with the movie Heidi on November 17, 1968. Sports fans were outraged.
* Former President Richard Nixon claims "I am not a crook" (Watergate Scandal) in a press conference on November 17, 1973.
* Arnold Schwarzenegger was inaugurated Governor of California on November 17, 2003.
* World Peace Day (Observed November 17 every year)

Celebrity Birthdays November 17th:
* Gene Clark, Musician - Byrd's, , etc. - Born Harold Eugene Clark on November 17, 1944 in Tipton, Missouri.
* Howard Dean - Politician, former governor of Vermont. Born Howard Brush Dean III on November 17, 1948.
* Danny Devito, 1944
* Daisy Fuentes, 1966 - Gift Suggestion
* Rock Hudson, 1925 (Died 1985.)
* Lauren Hutton, 1943
* Gordon Lightfoot, 1938
* Lorne Michaels, 1944
* Martin Scorsese, 1942
* Tom Seaver, 1944
* Lee Strasberg, Director. Born November 17, 1901. (Died 1982.)

Holidays & Observances - November 18, 2008 (Tuesday):

* Mickey Mouse debuted in Steamboat Willie at the Colony Theater in New York on Nov. 18, 1928.
o History of Mickey Mouse

Celebrity Birthdays November 18th:
* Imogene Coca, 1908. Actress, comedienne. Born in Philadelphia, PA. Died June 2, 2001.
* Linda Evans, 1942. Actress - The Big Valley, Dynasty and more. Born Linda Evanstad in Hartford, Connecticut. Gift Suggestion
* Mickey Mouse, 1928
* Minnie Mouse, 1928
* Alan Shephard, 1923-1998 - Astronaut - first American in space, played golf on moon.
* Sinbad, 1956. Comedian, born David Adkins in Benton Harbor, Michigan - Gift Suggestion
* Brenda Vaccaro, 1939. Actress. Born in Brooklyn, NY but raised in Dallas, TX.

We Celebrate Veteran's Day - November 11th

2009-11-11T02:15:00.000-08:00

Veteran’s Day is a day designated to honor the men and women who have fought and died for our country.

Americans give thanks for peace on Veterans’ Day. There are ceremonies and speeches and at 11:00 in the morning most Americans observe a moment of silence, remembering those who fought for peace.

How to celebrate Veterans’ Day:

-Fly an American Flag from your flag pole at your home or business.
-Observe a moment of silence. Concentrate on remembering those who have died defending the cause of freedom.
-Wear a poppy.
-Go to a cemetery and pay respect to a fallen soldier.
-Locate an American Legion near you and listen to the stories of men who have served for our country.
-Write a letter to a soldier who is currently serving our country and give thanks to them.

Unusual, and Noteworthy Holidays in November

2009-11-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

November marks the shift from fall weather to the beginning of winter weather, and the end of "back to school" days to the beginning of the holiday season.

U.S. holidays and observations in November 2009 include Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and some unusual celebrations like National Cashew Day.

FOR FUN AND EXCITING GIFT IDEAS

So what else is going on in November 2009?
• Forget-Me-Not Day: November 10
• World Kindness Day: November 13
• Operating Room Nurse Day: November 14
• Clean Your Refrigerator Day: November 15
• Button Day: November 16

THIS DAY:
Happy Birthday US Marine Corp
Area Code Day

THIS WEEK:

Pursuit of Happiness Week -- What does it take to be truly happy and have feelings of joy permeate your everyday life?

10 simple steps we can all take to make our lives happy:
1. Plant something and nurture it.
2. Count your blessings -- at least five -- at the end of each day.
3. Take time to talk. Have an hour-long conversation with a loved one each week.
4. Phone a friend with whom you have not spoken for a while and arrange
to meet up.
5. Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it.
6. Have a good laugh at least once a day.
7. Get physical. Exercise for half an hour three times a week.
8. Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day.
9. Cut your TV viewing by half.
10. Spread kindness. Do a good turn for someone everyday
By: Frank McGwire

THIS MONTH:
American Indian Heritage Month
National Inspirational Role Models Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
National Pomegranate Month

Did you know that every Day is a Holiday?

2009-11-02T23:14:00.000-08:00

That somewhere, someone is celebrating something?

Today is November 3rd: General Election Day – Don’t forget to VOTE

Today is also: National Cliché Day

…a phrase, expression, or idea that has been overused to the point of losing its intended force or novelty…*

Cliché: "Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today", ”every cloud has a silver lining”

What’s your favorate Cliché

* source: wikipedia – Cliché

Holidays in November

Today:
Cliché' Day
General Election Day (US)
Sandwich Day
Culture Day (Japan)
National Day (Dominica)
Independence Day (Micronesia)
Independence Day (Panama)

This week:
Dear Santa Letter Week

This month:
American Diabetes Month
Aviation History Month
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Family Stories Month

The Star-Spangled Banner Was First Sung - October 19th

2009-10-17T23:53:00.000-07:00

A Time to Remember October 19, 1814

The Star-Spangled Banner Was First Sung

    O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
    What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
    Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
    O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
    And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
    Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
    O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
    O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

    On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
    Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
    What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
    As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
    Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
    In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
    'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
    O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

    And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
    That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
    A home and a country should leave us no more?
    Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
    No refuge could save the hireling and slave
    From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
    And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
    O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

    O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
    Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
    Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
    Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
    Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
    And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
    And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
    O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


On Sept. 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured after the burning of Washington, DC. The release was secured, but Key was detained on ship overnight during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore. In the morning, he was so delighted to see the American flag still flying over the fort that he began a poem to commemorate the occasion. First published under the title “Defense of Fort M'Henry,” the poem soon attained wide popularity as sung to the tune “To Anacreon in Heaven.” The origin of this tune is obscure, but it may have been written by John Stafford Smith, a British composer born in 1750. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was officially made the national anthem by Congress in 1931, although it already had been adopted as such by the army and the navy.

Make A Difference Day

2009-10-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone can participate. Created by USA Weekend Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. In 2008 more than three million people served. Make A Difference Day connects people with opportunities to serve, increases the strength of communities and promotes civic engagement.

Anyone young and old, individuals and groups, can carry out a volunteer project that helps others. It might be as ambitious as collecting truckloads of clothing for the homeless, or as personal as spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbor or relative. Your project can be as large or as small as you wish! Look around your community and see what needs to be done.

You can Make a Difference by:

Helping the needy or homeless
Assist a disabled person
Mentoring a Child
Making a friendly visit to someone who needs cheering

Millions of people across the country will spend Saturday, October 24, 2009 making our world a better place -- one person at a time.

Every Day should be Make a Difference Day

Gifts and Incentives Buy Good Will

2009-10-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves to receive gifts, especially if you are an employee or that special client. Corporate gift giving is customary as it leads to good will, shows appreciation and rewards for a job well done. The holiday season is not the only occasion to send a gift.

There are other occasions for gift giving:

Promotes your company's products or services.

Shows appreciation to a hard-working employee, a client for new or continued business, someone who has referred business to you.

Motivate or Encourage employees, a get well gift for a client or employee, to say thank you for a job well done.

Celebrate or Congratulate a business anniversary or grand opening, the birth of a baby, a birthday, a retirement, a new job or promotion, completion of an important project.