Successful Newsletter Publishing: Keep Your Focus on What Matters

The other day, I was having an email conversation with a friend about business goals.
She mentioned that she'd started a book only to realize she didn't want to write one *right now* after all.
She had mixed feelings about the decision, though. After all, *everyone* says a good consultant *must* write a book. And she was feeling the pressure.
In a reply email, I offered her a piece of advice that, as soon as I'd typed it, I knew was really advice for *me* and not her.
Have you ever had that happen? You're talking with someone and you hear yourself making a suggestion that you realize (on the spot or later on) is exactly what *you* needed to hear?
This final newsletter ingredient continues to be the hardest for me--I grapple with it in nearly every issue. See, persistence, and staying the course with your newsletter, is all about keeping your focus on the things that matter. Not letting yourself get distracted by all those *other* great ideas. The sections you *could* add to your newsletter. The design changes you *could* make. The requests and reviews and ... that *might* be good to include.
I find myself going around in circles some weeks--not wanting to start the newsletter, and yet being on a deadline and *needing* to start the newsletter. And, each time I get caught in this circle, the solution is consistently the same. Yet, it often takes me several hours to *realize* that I know how to resolve my procrastination.
For me, what works most often is to STOP what I'm doing (surfing the Internet for ideas, reading someone else's book or newsletter, asking someone else what they think I should write about, reviewing back issues) and to simply SIT for a few minutes.
I know that's the solution. And I know it works 9 times out of 10. And yet, I still find myself unwilling to apply it at the first sign of distress.
Then again, I'm the same way about taking medicine ;-). I have to get really, really, really sick before I even think of taking something.
So often, we think of persistence as working harder, as pushing through it, as forcing ourselves to buckle down and "get it done." And there's value to that.
But, in this case, I'm speaking of persistence as more of a willingness to repeat those actions you already *know* work for you. So, if you know that a plain text newsletter format works best for you, don't let yourself wonder if you should publish in HTML every few months. If you know your readers respond best when you talk about your dog, don't listen to that consultant who tells you to be more buttoned up.
By persistence, I'm asking you to commit to blazing your own trail--doing things your own way. Persist in that. And don't worry about what everyone says, or what works for everyone else.
P.S. If you find a magical formula for this kind of persistence, I'm all ears ;-).
Your challenge: Today apply that piece of advice you find yourself repeating, but *never* applying in your own newsletter.
Celebrate your fabulous business with a compelling newsletter. Explore free advice on starting and running a newsletter at http://www.designdoodles.com

Dog Safety

Summer is coming and more and more people are putting the tops down on their convertibles, letting their dogs get fresh air out of an open automobile window, or letting the dear dog ride in the back of an open pickup truck.

This seems like a great idea and dogs do love the wind in their fur; but! It can be a very dangerous thing to allow your dog to do.

Cigarettes thrown out of windows, rocks falling from construction trucks, stones being kicked up by cars and blowing sand can all be very harmful to your dogs well being. Your poor pup can land at the vet due to sand or rocks in the eye, or debris in their nose.

Dogs in open pick up trucks seldom jump out but could be thrown from a vehicle if it turned suddenly to miss something in the road or if the brakes were to be jammed on quickly. If left in the vehicle when parked, passersby could antagonize your dog and provoke him/her to be nasty or to jump out of the vehicle.

Next time you are inclined to let your dog hang out of a window or ride loose in the truck, please think twice. Take your dog to the park to play if s/he needs fresh air!

How I Learned to Sing

Music is the voice of our heart, of our lives. I wanted to be that voice. I wanted to bring joy to the people around me. I wanted to share my pain, my hopes, and my dreams. Truth is singing is the only real thing for me. Sure there are loads of other intangible things that are considered to be real. There is education, love, freedom and justice. However, music transcends it all. It is an education for individuals who are poorer than a mouse. It is love for individuals who are unable to express what is inside of them. It is freedom for people who are suffering from social injustices. And, it is justice for all of us, for we are provided with a creative outlet for our ideas.

Perhaps like you, I was raised in the not-so-ideal neighborhood. My home was a door away from violence. Uncertainty seeped through the thin walls, like the cold winter's air. Money was hard. My mother had to work three jobs for her to provide for us. It didn't bother her as long as we have food, clothes and shelter. I love her more than anything because she provided us with an opportunity. My mother is no fool. She knows that sooner we hit middle school, no amount of love and protection can keep us safe from gangs, drugs and alcohol. How did she keep us on the straight and narrow? By sending me and my siblings to a local church's free vocal lessons program.

Other kids would have begged their way out of attending free vocal lessons. But for me, it was heaven sent! I could not be happier! I get to do what I love and soon enough, what I will do best, which is singing.

The free vocal lessons program was spearheaded by the church to extend themselves to the community. We all have the notion of the church being an elitist organization, only catering to the rich and powerful. I was wrong. They do care. They too are aware of the dangers of the streets. To keep the next generation safe, they established programs that will help children find their passion, express their creative self, and embody the catholic faith.

Through the free vocal lesson program, I was able to learn how to sing properly. I found out that there is more to singing than belting and might I add sheepishly, yelling. Sure I have dreamed of becoming a diva, hitting those high notes with minimal effort. That dream was momentarily thrashed when I started doing it the proper way. There are breathing techniques to master, notes to understand and hit. I also learned discipline. I quit smoking because it will ruin my voice, aside from it being detrimental to my health. On another positive note, being healthy greatly improves your singing ability. I take better care of myself now, thanks to the free vocal lessons program. I eat less mucus-forming foods such as dairy and chocolates. I exercise regularly and conscious of my posture. Overall, the free vocal lessons I took gave me more than I bargained for.

Singing was only an opportunity presented for a better life. Music has been my passion, if not only for the glory it brings. With the free vocal lessons brought to me by the church, I not only glorify myself, but God as well. It is only right for me to use my talents to spread his love and goodness. I now sing in our church choir every Sunday. And before I know it, I am the one teaching the next batch of kids who were once lost in vices and poverty. I staunchly believe that someday, the same free vocal lessons will greatly impact their lives.

Paint by Emotion: Edvard Munch's Struggle With Bipolar Disorder

He was a man surrounded by death, and grief - the blackest sort of emotions and deepest kinds of sadness. When he died in the winter of 1944, he left over 20,000 pieces of his work to the city of Oslo, the place where he was born. Best known for his hauntingly beautiful painting, "The Scream", Edvard Munch was a man who likely had many things to scream about in his own life, not the least of which was his suspected bipolar disorder.
Once called "manic depression" (a term that is now seen as outdated), this brutal psychological condition manifests itself primarily through intense mood changes, severe depression, and swings in energy levels. These changes can disappear as quickly as they come, giving rise to the term "bipolar", literally opposite poles on the emotional spectrum. An exact cause for why bipolarism occurs is thus far unknown, and even less was understood about it during Munch's life. A person suffering from this condition often goes through cycles or periods where they experience abnormally large swings and changes in their moods, energy levels and depression. Some in the medical field feel that traumatic events and excess stress, especially during a patient's youth can greatly increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder, either at the time of the trauma or in the years following it.
In the first few years of his life after he was born in 1863, Munch watched as both his parents, a sister and a brother all died. As the years went on other siblings and close relatives would pass away, and another sister was diagnosed as being mentally ill. With so much death and sickness circulating through his young mind, it is almost too easy to see how and why this Norwegian artist would go on to create pieces of art that dealt less with somewhat cheery impressionism of the time, and more with capturing the essence of emotions and moods. Fraught by anguish and perhaps a sense of loneliness, Edvard decided to enrol in art school in 1881. With his life in tow Munch began going between Paris and Norway (and later Germany), studying the great artists and art movements of the era.
While not entirely macabre for the most part, in general Munch's work was far from the flower gardens and ballet dancers that top impressionist artists were painting by the cartful at the time. Instead, Munch wanted to convey more than just a scene; he wanted his paintings to be riddled with emotion, energy, deeper meaning and complexity. Yet even with that in mind his style of art would change several times (a theme that is also noted in other artists such as Picasso) as he dabbled in impressionism, synthetism, and other genres that were popular then. Borrowing techniques here and inventing others there, Edvard would go on to be a pillar in the creation of the German Expressionism movement. In Expressionism, Munch found a way to look beyond the perfectionism of realists and impressionists and starkly put forth emotion on canvas, wood or whichever of the many mediums he chose to work with. Just as Edvard Munch's work would take on a more optimistic aura in his later years, this gifted artist's moods and emotions changed sharply throughout his life, giving rise to the suspicion that he was afflicted with bipolar disorder.
Munch is not the only artist who is thought or known to have suffered from this condition; in fact some researchers tend to think that it can bring about deep forms of varied creativity. Famous names from Hans Christian Andersen to Virginia Woolf, Napoleon to Marilyn Monroe are but a few of the stars, icons and history makers who may have battled this psychological condition. Now, just as it was in Munch's lifetime, no failsafe treatment exists for bipolar disorder. With his memories as inspiration, and his moods as his medium, there may have been little else to do but turn to art in order for Munch to use his internal earthquakes of feeling, energy and depression to help him cope with his own bipolar disorder. Indeed Edvard Munch turned melancholy and mania into timeless art, and gave the world an incredible collection of creative, poignant work.
Jessica Cander is a professional freelance medical writer who contributes to a wide variety of medical web sites, including the Bipolar Disorder web site.

Celebrity Dads Give Push Presents; Get in on the Trend

Rich celebrities are accustomed to being gifted with expensive jewelry, and the trend extends to the day they give birth. Case in point: Pierce Brosnan gave wife Keely three gold and diamond bracelets when their son Paris was born. Ben Affleck presented wife Jennifer Garner with pricey purple jewelry after she delivered daughter Violet (which the unfussy and practical Mrs. Affleck reportedly made him return). Sarah Jessica Parker got a gorgeous charm bracelet from hubby Matthew Broderick when son James made his debut. Other celeb dads celebrate the arrival of their new babies by buying their wives and girlfriends expensive bling such as diamond rings, diamond earrings, pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, and jewelry made with their baby's birthstone.
Up until a few years ago, these "push presents,"—so named because they're tokens of appreciation for labor—were news to me. All I got when I delivered my son was…my son. Not to say that I'm not immensely grateful; he's my pride and joy. But a nice pair of diamond studs or a pearl cocktail ring, say, to show me that my husband appreciated my months of hard pregnancy and hours of even harder labor would have been "ice" on the cake.
What made the lack of gift worse was that many of my girlfriends got stunning jewelry from their thoughtful and grateful husbands. My favorites were a pearl bracelet, sapphire and diamond earrings, a diamond and yellow gold band, and a princess cut yellow diamond ring.
Poor dear, my husband didn't know it was done.
Apparently, he's not alone. In researching this article, I sent a query to all the guys on my e-mail list (whose wives can thank me later). In addition to wanting to know if they knew what a push present was, I also wanted know if they thought the idea was touching or silly. Did it put pressure on them? Was it just another damn thing they'd have to spend money on?
Naturally, the feedback I got was as varied as the guys on my e-mail list, which includes my boss, my trainer at the gym, my brother, my best friend's brother, my neighbors, my co-workers, and my dentist, to name a few.
First, for the sweet: From Dave: "Yes, I gave my wife a gift. I didn't feel pressured. She deserved it and more."
From John: "I did buy my wife a charm bracelet after our daughter Lindsay was born. It had charms on it for both of our daughters."
From Taylor: "Yes, I bought my wife gifts both times in addition to flowers. The first time was a cultured pearl necklace (like she needs more jewelry). The last was a Kate Spade diaper bag."
From Wayne, father of four: "Maybe for one or two, certainly not all four." [I certainly remember: Wayne's wife, my friend Sandy, was the recipient of the highly coveted and aforementioned sapphire and diamond earrings.]
From Howie: "Considering my wife had a C-section with both girls, is there a cut present?" [Actually, there is, and it's called a 'cut your guts out' present. My friend's daughter Nicole got a sterling silver bracelet from her husband for her efforts]. "I gave my wife a birthstone for each girl, but forget the 'push present' idea. Those nine months are the easy part. It's for the 18 years afterwards that you have to give your wife the gifts! Honestly, those two girls can scream!"
Dennis: "Funny, before my wife was pregnant I never head of a push present. My buddy and his wife had a baby four months before us and his wife was sure to tell my wife about this gift thing. It's not that I wouldn't have gotten my wife and mother of my son a great gift, but it was put into the realm of 'did your husband get you a diamond bracelet?' type thing. It goes to show that keeping up with the Joneses makes some folks do things they might not otherwise do." [OK, maybe this answer doesn't technically fall under the sweet category as it's got some ambivalence tossed in.]
"Not sure spending thousands on a gift is the best thing for the new family. Was this gift idea created by the diamond companies? So, yes, I did get my wife a gift. Before I'd even heard of a push present, I had my son's birthstone set in a ring and necklace."
From Paul: "I gave her a day at the spa."
From Derek, "I gave her a Tiffany ring because it was a nice thing to do, I'd heard, and because she deserves it."
Now, for the incensed:
From Ben: "No, I didn't get my wife a push gift. The only thing on my mind was making sure all the important stuff was taken care of. To add something so stupid on top of this earth-shattering event is ridiculous. The special gift is the gift of life and the creation of a human being. Now when I look back at those times I wouldn't' even recall the insignificant gift. Sounds like some baloney cooked up by a jewelers' association."
From Steve: "I agreed to fund the kids for 22 years each. That was my gift."
Peter L: "Not a big fan of the push present. A woman gives birth to a child and now she expects a gift??? While I have absolutely no idea what it's like to be pregnant, I don't know of any woman who has regretted it. The whole expensive jewelry thing doesn't sit well with me. That's what birthdays and anniversaries are for." [Thank God I didn't marry Peter, not that he asked.]
From Dave H: When Meryl was born I gave my wife a new bike chain for her road bike ($60 value) and installed it for her (free of charge.) It was the least I could do, since I had taken the chains off of all of her bikes around the end of month seven when she refused to give up riding. She promptly began riding two weeks after popping out our kid and since she was lighter than what she was used to, she could climb hills faster than I could. The good news is that she's now four months pregnant and she's slowing down more and more by the day, which enables me to seem faster."
And last but not least, the clueless:
Peter C: "Can't remember but I'm sure I gave something."
Matt: "Oops, was I supposed to give something? Why doesn't anybody let us know these things?
Jim: "Color me thoughtless. It never occurred to me."
John S: "I must be a bad husband. Three kids in four years and I didn't get Kim a gift for any of them!"
What's a guy to do?
Whether you agree with the sweethearts, the cads, or whether you're one of the clueless, consider yourself duly informed, and remember that nine months of pregnancy topped off by excruciatingly painful labor (not to mention sore nipples) is no picnic. It's always nice to be appreciated, especially when you're a new mom, and your hormones are screaming what the heck have I done??? I used to be a sexy, carefree vixen, for Pete's sake!!! What's more, the jewelry you give your child's mother can be passed down to that child when he or she marries or turns 21, say. Best of all, you don't have to spend thousands. Many quality jewelry pieces are just as affordable as they are sentimental.
To help you get started, here are my favorite push presents:
• Pearl studs: Timeless and elegant, pearl studs go perfectly with bathrobes and spit-up. Plus, high quality freshwater cultured pearl studs cost as little as $30 or $40 a pair.
• Diamond studs: A little pricier than pearl earrings, sure, but diamond studs are a jewelry staple. That means your efforts won't be in vain; these sparklers will get a ton of use. And you can have a nice pair for well under $500.
• Birthstone ring: Lots of options and price ranges here depending on the stone and the setting. (Leave out diamond accents and you probably won't break the bank.) Remember, an elegant ring can be handed down to your little one; so make sure you get something of good quality that won't tarnish.
• Nantucket Basket: A gorgeous gold basket pendant necklace that holds the birthstones of your children, the Nantucket Basket necklace is meant to be added to with subsequent births. You might find the necklace pricey, but once you buy the pendant all you have to do is add the birthstones for each subsequent child. (Push present out of the way forever.)
• Mother and child pendant: The sterling silver version of this sweet circle pendant can be had for less than $50.
• Charm bracelet: The sky's the limit here, but the initial investment shouldn't be too bad. Like the Nantucket basket, this piece can be added to on special occasions. Charms are priced all over the place; it's up to you what to spend. Baby birthstone booties are a favorite charm of new moms, though.
• Pearl strand: Traditional and classic, a pearl necklace is a gorgeous choice. If you have a baby girl, she can wear it in the future on her wedding day as her something borrowed and as a reminder of how much her mother means to you. If price is an issue, akoyas and freshwater cultured pearl strands are the way to go. Save the Tahitians and South Sea pearls for when your stock splits or your patent gets approved. You get the point.
Go Shopping!
Okay, future fathers, now that you know about push presents, there is no excuse not to get your children's mother a little (or big) token of your appreciation. And, no, you don't have to be rich and famous like Matt Damon or Michael Douglas, or blow future college savings. There are lots of affordable gift options that don't cost a bundle. Do a little research on the Internet and you can find unique and meaningful jewelry that fits your budget. (Just make sure to have it gift wrapped. We hate when you forget that.) And don't worry too much that we won't like it. It truly is the thought that counts. Not so sure? I'll let you in on a little secret: If you really want a foolproof way to be a hero in your wife's eyes, change a diaper once in a while!
See pearl jewelry push present ideas here.
A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America's Graduate Pearls program, Amy Drescher is a fashion writer and accessories buyer for http://www.moonriverpearls.com She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com

Resume Writing Rules and Guidelines

As part of my job I frequently research what my competition is doing and what other career experts have to say. I would love to think we're all like-minded but I suppose today I got my first real reality check. I was going along in my glory thinking with my experience I have the answers to it all when I abruptly found out that something I had developed was 'inconsistent' with another writers standards. Said writer has a Ph.D in Career Management and a laundry list of other credentials to go with it. Once I got over my natural pangs of rejection any human feels when such an event occurs I frantically began my research. Being the researcher that I am... I wanted to know what about my work was inconsistent with this extremely educated and seemingly overqualified writer (on paper at least). What I discovered was there are no rules... only guidelines...

I frequently find myself frustrated by the large amounts of misinformation out there on the net today about resume writing and interview coaching. Everyone has an opinion and thinks they are the expert. What I judge an expert by is not only their credentials but their real world experience and results.

So how do you know if the information you're reading is right or wrong. Well, first off - there are no rules. I heard this from an amazing person in the resume writing industry, in fact I read it from her book Expert Resumes for Managers and Executives. Her name is Wendy Enelow. She is what I aspire to be as a resume writer in my career. I can only hope to create for my career what she has for hers. When I first read this statement I said, you must be kidding! No rules? That is insane! But what I have come to realize is there really are no rules and it is all a guessing game. But whose guess hits the target the closest? This is what sets us all apart.

Personally, I believe writers and companies that employ former hiring managers, recruiters, top decisions makers, and human resources experts have the advantage. While resume writing training, courses, and books can teach you everything you could ever want to know about the craft what they can't give you is real world experience on the playing field - reviewing thousands of resumes and deciding who gets the interview and whose resumes will go in file 13.

I think having a background in Human Resources Management and recruiting is what sets us apart and gives us the lead on the playing field. I know what hiring managers are looking for because I've been there and done it for the past ten years. And while there are no set rules, there are general guidelines that anyone should follow when crafting a resume. I know what sets me apart as a writer and business owner but have you thought about what sets you apart as a job seeker? What can you offer a company that no one else can?

Answer that question and you are well on your way to creating your personal and professional brand, and developing a killer resume.

Disadvantages Of Hair Extensions And Bonding

Hair bonding uses glue to bond the extensions to your existing hair, but can also be glued to your scalp. You can visit your nearest salon and find out the different types of human hair extensions that they are capable of doing. Taking proper care of human hair extensions is very important if you want your hair extension to last for a long time.

The greatest disadvantages of individual strands are: • Application of foreign chemical or metal substances or objects to your hair;• Hair damage during the removal of the extensions;• Inability to use certain hair care products in order not to damage extensions or your own hair. Future videos will include techniques for hair extensions for professionals and consumers, perming, barbering, coloring, bridal looks, braiding, ethnic hair and straightening just to name of few. You will have 2 basic choices for hair extensions.

Some of the topics available include the tousled look, mid length cut, retro fashion Mohawk, layers with long hair, shine and texture, Spanish look with extensions, texturizing short hair, heavy layered cut, hair color, wedding updo and 5 tail chignon among many others. It also features articles on the care of hair extensions and hair loss information. Human hair extensions are extremely popular with both the younger generation as well as people who are a bit aged.

Hair weaves are another form of hair extensions and can also be made out of synthetic or natural hair. Your hair extensions will not receive the natural scalp oils so you will need to add moisturizing to your routine. It is best to go for a well-known maker of hairpieces and extensions, such as Diva in a Box, Put On Pieces or Raquel Welch.

Jessica Simpson is known for her beautiful hair, but her stylist Ken Paves uses extensions to keep that famous Jessica Simpson Sedu hairstyle. Clip-in extensions are perfect if you want to turn your hair into beautiful flowing locks instantly. No matter where you located your hair extension salon, make sure that your stylist is qualified to apply the extensions.

Amazingly Romantic Ideas - 16 Ways To Win Your Lover's Heart

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Soap (DVD) Review

Nominated for 17 Emmys in its short four-year run, Soap premiered in the Fall of 1977 as one of the most controversial shows in American television history (and all before a single episode ever aired). The show was opposed by many groups who thought its subject matter would be too mature for a prime-time audience. But Soap never overstepped its bounds, and the show became an instant smash hit with its brilliant and satirical spoofs of classic daytime programming. Sporting an all-star cast and talented producers, the show spawned successful spin-off Benson in 1979, a series that launched Robert Guillaume's career to a whole new level...



Set in suburban Connecticut, Soap follows the lives of two sisters - Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond), a wealthy yet dim elitist, and Mary Campbell (Cathryn Damon), a housewife in a more traditional blue-collar atmosphere. But regardless of their social station in life, neither woman manages to escape the scandal and intrigue surrounding a typical soap opera family. Jessica's daughter Corrine (Diana Canova) is smitten with a priest, yet they are both having an affair with the same tennis pro. Meanwhile, Jessica and her husband Chester (Robert Mandan) incessantly cheat on one another. As for the other side of the family, Mary's husband Burt (Richard Mulligan) is certifiably insane, her son Danny (Ted Wass) is a mobster, stepson Jodie (Billy Crystal) is an out-of-the-closet homosexual, and all of them are caught up in a family filled with promiscuous infidelities and quite possibly murder! Throw in the insubordinate and sarcastic Tate butler Benson (Guillaume), and Soap holds its own as one of the funniest sitcoms in TV history…



The Soap DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the series premiere in which the audience learns the background of the two differing, yet similar, families. Jessica overhears Chester making plans to meet his mistress just before she meets her own lover, a local tennis pro named Peter. Jessica leaves Peter just before Corinne arrives for a lesson of her own… Meanwhile, the Campbells are beset by a rift between Danny and Burt, and Burt reveals to Mary that his inability to perform in the bedroom is a result of guilt from having killed her first husband… Other notable episodes from Season 1 include Episode 4 in which Jessica and Corrine encounter each other in Peter's apartment, and Episode 25 in which Charles Lefkowitz (Sorrell Booke of Dukes of Hazzard fame) orders Danny to marry Elaine or else he will kill the entire Campbell family…



Below is a list of episodes included on the Soap (Season 1) DVD:



Episode 1 (Episode 1) Air Date: 09-13-1977

Episode 2 (Episode 2) Air Date: 09-20-1977

Episode 3 (Episode 3) Air Date: 09-27-1977

Episode 4 (Episode 4) Air Date: 10-04-1977

Episode 5 (Episode 5) Air Date: 10-04-1977

Episode 6 (Episode 6) Air Date: 10-25-1977

Episode 7 (Episode 7) Air Date: 11-01-1977

Episode 8 (Episode 8) Air Date: 11-08-1977

Episode 9 (Episode 9) Air Date: 11-15-1977

Episode 10 (Episode 10) Air Date: 11-22-1977

Episode 11 (Episode 11) Air Date: 11-29-1977

Episode 12 (Episode 12) Air Date: 12-06-1977

Episode 13 (Episode 13) Air Date: 12-13-1977

Episode 14 (Episode 14) Air Date: 12-27-1977

Episode 15 (Episode 15) Air Date: 01-03-1978

Episode 16 (Episode 16) Air Date: 01-10-1978

Episode 17 (Episode 17) Air Date: 01-17-1978

Episode 18 (Episode 18) Air Date: 01-24-1978

Episode 19 (Episode 19) Air Date: 02-07-1978

Episode 20 (Episode 20) Air Date: 02-14-1978

Episode 21 (Episode 21) Air Date: 02-21-1978

Episode 22 (Episode 22) Air Date: 02-28-1978

Episode 23 (Episode 23) Air Date: 03-14-1978

Episode 24 (Episode 24) Air Date: 03-21-1978

Episode 25 (Episode 25) Air Date: 03-28-1978

No Loitering Signs - Keep Your Business Safe

Keeping unwanted people off of your property can certainly be a challenging task. While you want to be welcoming to guests and patrons of your business, and others who are genuinely welcome, you also want to keep away those people who shouldn't be there. A no loitering sign is the perfect way to let people know that they are more than welcome to come and visit or patronize your business, but that they shouldn't just be hanging out for the sake of hanging out.

You'll find a no loitering sign on the exterior of just about any business that you walk into these days. The goal of these signs is to keep people out of the way so that paying customers and welcomed guests can come and go as they please, without having to wade through crowds of people who aren't actually serving the business, but merely taking up space and creating a mob of people that blocks your business. Many times, just having people hanging out outside of an establishment makes customers leery. This is the reason why so many companies will put these signs out to deter people from being at their establishment without a valid reason.

While these signs are most often seen in malls, businesses and retail strip mall shopping centers, there are many other applications for them. You can use them at home if you live in a heavily populated area and don't want people hanging around your house. You can even benefit from having them at a school or a church where you don't need people hanging around that aren't welcome. No matter where you are, these signs can come in handy if you want to give your customers a more peaceful and professional business to work with.

When it comes to running a business, a no loitering sign can definitely add to your success. After all, your business is for customers, not for individuals who want to hang out outside for no reason whatsoever. Keep your customers safe and happy and keep troublemakers away by putting up a no loitering sign in your business today. There are so many signs to choose from, and you can even customize one to say whatever you want it to say, which makes it so much better. All in all, this can be a great addition to any business or residence to keep people away that aren't wanted.

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (Season 3) DVD Review

Nominated for 19 Emmys and 5 Golden Globes, including Best TV Series - Drama, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman experienced the rare double victory of audience loyalty and widespread critical acclaim. Premiering in mid-season (January 1993), the hour-long CBS original series illustrated American frontier life like few other shows before it. Like the smash hit Little House On The Prairie, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman vividly portrays the hardship, struggle, and community kinship endemic to the era. One of the first Western-themed shows to cast a female doctor (as the star of the show nonetheless), Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman enjoyed a successful five-year run, marked by two highly-touted made-for-TV movies…
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman follows the exploits of Dr. Michaela "Mike" Quinn, a female doctor living in 19th Century America when that sort of thing was unheard of. Working for years as an assistant in her father's New England medical practice, the death of her father prompts Dr. Mike to answer a want ad for a doctor in the thriving American frontier town of Colorado Springs. When she arrives, the town is taken aback, having expected she was a man. But Dr. Mike quickly endears herself with the townsfolk and expands her family by adopting three orphan children - Matthew (Chad Allen), Colleen (Erika Flores/Jessica Bowman), and Brian (Shawn Toovey). As the show progresses, she eventually marries local Byron Sully (Joe Lando), and the final seasons focus on the lives of their nuclear family. Sporting an assorted cast of loveable, and sometimes eccentric, characters, the town is never short of excitement or drama…
The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (Season 3) DVD features a number of dramatic episodes including the season premiere "The Train" in which Sully tries to convince Mike that it would be in their best interest to move somewhere else if the railroad comes through Colorado Springs… Other notable episodes from Season 3 include "A First Christmas" in which a Jewish family that moves into town experiences prejudice and discrimination, and "Bone of Contention" in which the discovery of dinosaur bones sparks a controversy between local Indians and a paleontologist who wants to host an excavation on sacred Indian ground…
Below is a list of episodes included on the Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (Season 3) DVD:
Episode 44 (The Train) Air Date: 09-24-1994
Episode 45 (Fathers and Sons) Air Date: 10-01-1994
Episode 46 (The Cattle Drive: Part 1) Air Date: 10-08-1994
Episode 47 (The Cattle Drive: Part 2) Air Date: 10-15-1994
Episode 48 (The Library) Air Date: 10-22-1994
Episode 49 (Halloween II) Air Date: 10-29-1994
Episode 50 (A Washington Affair: Part 1) Air Date: 11-05-1994
Episode 51 (A Washington Affair: Part 2) Air Date: 11-05-1994
Episode 52 (Money Trouble) Air Date: 11-12-1994
Episode 53 (Thanksgiving) Air Date: 11-19-1994
Episode 54 (Ladies Night: Part 1) Air Date: 11-26-1994
Episode 55 (Ladies Night: Part 2) Air Date: 12-03-1994
Episode 56 (A First Christmas) Air Date: 12-10-1994
Episode 57 (The Indian Agent) Air Date: 01-07-1995
Episode 58 (The End of the World) Air Date: 01-14-1995
Episode 59 (Pike's Peace) Air Date: 01-28-1995
Episode 60 (Cooper vs. Quinn: Part 1) Air Date: 02-04-1995
Episode 61 (Cooper vs. Quinn: Part 2) Air Date: 02-04-1995
Episode 62 (What is Love?) Air Date: 02-11-1995
Episode 63 (Things My Father Never Gave Me) Air Date: 02-18-1995
Episode 64 (Baby Outlaws) Air Date: 02-25-1995
Episode 65 (Bone of Contention) Air Date: 03-11-1995
Episode 66 (Permanence of Change) Air Date: 04-08-1995
Episode 67 (Washita: Part 1) Air Date: 04-29-1995
Episode 68 (Washita: Part 2) Air Date: 04-29-1995
Episode 69 (Sully's Recovery) Air Date: 05-06-1995
Episode 70 (Ready or Not) Air Date: 05-13-1995
Episode 71 (For Better or Worse: Part 1) Air Date: 05-20-1995
Episode 72 (For Better or Worse: Part 2) Air Date: 05-20-1995

A preview of February's UK Horse Racing

Sandown opens the month on February 4 with an excellent card and
another set of possible Cheltenham clues. In recent seasons the
Agfa Diamond Chase has suffered through small and uncompetitive
fields but that worrying trend has started to change of late and
this year's renewal is sure to be a competitive one.

Alan King's tough stayer Fork Lightning may well be among the
entries for the 'Agfa', and given his preference for racing
right-handed and his fine run behind Joaaci in a strong heat
last time, he is likely to be among the more fancied runners.

Some of the season's smarter novice chasers will be in action in
Sandown's Grade 1 Scilly Isles Chase, a contest that was won
last year by Henrietta Knight's El Vaquero and it'll be
interesting to see whether Ms Knight decides to let her rising
chase star Racing Demon take his place in the select field.

Over at Wetherby on the same day the staying novices strut their
stuff in the Grade 2 Totty Construction Towton Novices' Chase
where the accent is firmly upon stamina in what is always a
gruelling contest. Northern trainer Sue Smith won this race a
couple of years ago with smart stayer Royal Emperor and may have
another similar candidate in Rebel Rhythm, who has already won a
novices' event around the West Yorkshire track.

A week later sees Newbury stage the totesport Trophy Handicap
Hurdle, Europe's richest handicap over timber, on February
11. On a day of cracking action the pulsating two-mile contest
takes pride of place and is always won by a good horse.

Finding the winner is never easy but the bookmakers seems to
think that Martin Pipe's talented novice Acambo is the one to
beat and he heads the ante-post market with most firms. Pipe has
won the race a couple of times in recent years courtesy of
Copeland (2002) and Make A Stand (1997) and Acambo is sure to
figure highly in Pipe's plans for Newbury.

Local handler, Nicky Henderson, has also been a trainer to watch
out for in this valuable event, saddling no less than four of
the last ten winners and the stable's main hope in 2006 looks to
be Grand Jete, a one-time Champion Hurdle hope who looked like
winning at Aintree last April until he went lame approaching the
last.

Twelve months ago Ireland's Essex justified favouritism to give
the Emerald Isle its second winner in three seasons. One year
later there's a strong Irish challenge once again with the
Jessica Harrington-trained Studmaster bidding to follow Essex's
footsteps by winning at Newbury after landing Ireland's
prestigious Pierse Hurdle one month earlier. Significantly, Mrs
Harrington landed this valuable pot with Spirit Leader in 2003.

Top weights boast a good record too and Irish trainer John
Queally believes his stable star Al Eile will go close to
winning the totesport Trophy off 11st 12lb. Queally's gelding
didn't hurt his Newbury chances by winning at Haydock the other
day because he incurs no penalty for that success and has to be
on any one's short-list.

The same is true of the Venetia Williams-trained Chief Yeoman,
who looks terrific value at 14-1 with most bookmakers.
Connections have been pleased with his two runs so far and he
has been aimed at this race since returning to action behind
Acambo at Windsor before Christmas. Expect hi to step up on what
he's done so far this season.

The main attraction on Newbury's supporting card is the Game
Spirit Chase, a two mile and a furlong conditions chase that is
often used as a final preparatory race by trainers for the Queen
Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

This year's race is likely to be won by the current Queen Mother
favourite Kauto Star, who will be using the Newbury event as a
stepping-stone to Festival glory. Over at Warwick course
specialist Voy Por Ustedes will be treading a similar path as he
bids to earn a place in the Arkle Trophy line-up at the Festival
by running well in the coralpoker.com Kingmaker Chase at Warwick
on the same day.

On the following weekend - February 18 - all eyes will be on
Champion Hurdle aspirants in the Axminster Kingwell Hurdle at
Wincanton. Trainer Alan King may well let Penzance, his Triumph
Hurdle hero of 2005, take his place in the line-up at the West
Country venue after a series of disappointing efforts so far
this season.

Who knows, maybe even the elusive Lingo will return to action
for Jonjo O'Neill. He won easier than most horses do at
Cheltenham in November and following good support for the
Champion Hurdle in March would be a fascinating runner.

Up at Haydock on the same day Grand National hopefuls will go on
trial in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, a punishing test of
stamina over Haydock's big drop fences in a contest that has
sometimes exerted a strong influence upon the outcome of the
world's most famous race at Aintree in April.

Trainer Ginger McCain, a four-time winner of the Grand National
courtesy of Red Rum and Amberleigh House, looks to have another
leading Grand National candidate in the guise of Ebony Light, a
surprise winner of January's Peter Marsh Chase from the joint
Gold Cup favourite, Kingscliff. McCain plans to run Ebony Light
in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup before going to Aintree for a
crack at the Grand National.

The best of February's action closes on the weekend of February
25 with Racing Post Handicap Chase day at Sandown Park. The
betting is often a strong guide to the outcome of this classiest
of chases and well-fancied runners boast a good record.

Take note too of the winner and placed horses because this
influential contest has frequently yielded a winner or two at
next month's Cheltenham Festival. Among the more potent
contenders this season are likely to be the well treated
Ladalko, who has been talked about as a possible for this prize
by his trainer, Paul Nicholls, and Lacdoudal from the Philip
Hobbs stable that has sent out three winners of this race in
recent years.

On the same day at Newcastle there's the four mile and a furlong
Tote Northern National, a marathon chase in which shock winners
are a rarity. Stamina is of the essence here and the
locally-trained Ossmoses, who relishes racing over
long-distances and has long looked a natural for this race and
will be a name to note among the entries later in the month.

Buy Term Life Insurance - It's the Best Value!

If you are in the market for an affordable life insurance policy, a term life insurance policy is the best value for you. Not only is term life insurance the least expensive kind of life insurance, but it also allows you to determine how long you want to be covered. These features make term life insurance policies the best policies for the type of coverage they offer.
Term life insurance policies do not include some of the "perks" you will find with whole life insurance. For example, whole life insurance policies may offer guaranteed cash value accumulations and retirement savings plans, but they are also more expensive because of these additions. Term life insurance policies cover you for the duration of the time period you choose, and they cover you with life insurance—period.
Term life insurance policies are perfect for people who are just starting out in the work force and do not have much money, or for people who are suffering from a serious, and perhaps long-term, illness. People in these categories are not usually seeking to invest any a large portion of their paychecks to a life insurance policy that is designed to last for many years. (If a whole life insurance policy did not last for many years, the cash value and investment components would hardly be worth it.) Term life insurance policies are more affordable for those who are just starting out, and more practical for those who are suffering from a serious illness.
If you want the beneficial coverage of life insurance but can not afford all the "perks" of whole life insurance policies, or if you are suffering from a serious and potentially long-term illness and are not looking for years and years of life insurance coverage, then term life insurance is the best value for you! Your next step is to start comparing rates and coverage offered by several different life insurance providers.
View our Recommended Life Insurance Company, a simple site that has an easy to fill out application. It also has a lot of great info about Home Insurance and Car Insurance

Why You Should Back Your Data Up

Have you ever lost an important file on your computer? It is a very annoying feeling, which above the emotional factor involved can have far-reaching consequences if it was a valuable file. Every business and individual will most likely experience the loss of some amount of stored data on their computers sooner or later. This can also happen by mistake, when files or folders are accidentally deleted by human error. Data loss can also be caused by some sort of hardware failure (hard drive issue) or even more drastically an unforeseen accident or natural disaster. The loss of a few files can be a bad experience for most individuals, but it can mean serious trouble when this loss affects entire companies and businesses that may be depending on those files to help them carry on with business as usual.
The only way to forecast the unpredictable so to speak is to be ready for the worst-case sort of scenario. In the field of data recovery, backing up your data and files is this sort of virtual lifeguard. The simple act of backing up information can save you headaches, time and money. As well if the unexpected does come to pass, knowing that you have your most pertinent information stored and filed away allows for a certain (some might say "wonderful") peace of mind.
A backup is essentially the act of routinely creating copies of your (or the company's) important files and storing them on a secure form of media (be it a tape, a DVD, CD, etc). Although a backup plan is critical for the workflow of any good business, there are still many companies out there that don't take the risks of not backing up seriously. As many such businesses and individuals learn the hard way, at some point you are likely to encounter a situation where you will wish you would have only taken the time to backup your files. Whereas retrieving stored data from a CD or DVD is a very basic operation that takes but a few moments and involves no cost factor, recovering data from a faulty hard drive that was not backed up can be a nightmare at best. Latching on to the fact that so many people elect not to (or forget to) back up their data, a multitude of data recovery companies and computer experts have turned the act of recovering lost information into a lucrative business. Worth remembering too is that while it varies greatly from situation to situation, there are times when no matter whom you pay to vigorously search for your lost material, it cannot be retrieved.
Two main types of data recovery exist; they are what are known as "logical recovery" and "physical recovery". The latter is a very costly service, which usually has a starting sticker price of at least a few hundreds of dollars (a whole lot more than a package of writable CDs would have cost). Logical recovery is put into place when a hard drive has accidentally been improperly formatted, or files/folders have been deleted. Several software applications are currently on the market that can achieve a pretty decent job of finding these types of deleted files, but as with any type of data retrieval complete recovery of the missing, deleted or reprogrammed information is very rarely one hundred percent of its original form.
Ultimate data recovery complexity sets in when a hard drive has actually suffered some form of physical damage. This could range from dropping a laptop computer, to a fire to water damage such as that caused by a flood. In this sort of situation, where all or almost all of the hard drive has been lost, the customer will usually be charged per Kb or Mb of data that is actually recovered by the recovery service that they turn to for help. In many cases this type of recovery can lead to a bill in the thousands of dollars and many weeks or even months worth of time. Overall data recovery levels are usually at their very lowest when all of the information on the drives has been lost. Just as you lock your doors at night for peace of mind, an act that takes very little time, it is always wise to backup as much data as you possible can on your computer. If there's one thing we can predict in life it is that the unpredictable can, and does occur to all of us at some point.
Jessica Cander is a professional freelance writer who has moved around a lot and contributes to a wide variety of web sites, including the Data Recovery Basics web site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_Cander

Jessica-champion.com announced grand opening on watch and Jewelry online store.

June 16, 2004 -- Jessica-champion.com - http://jessica-champion.com/ announced grand opening on watch and Jewelry online store. The new Online Jewelry and watches store carry discount price items.



Jessica Champion carries wonderful designer jewelry and name brand watches, including Accessories, Dรฉcor, Fragrances, Jewelry&watches, Men's watches, Men'swatches, Pens, Sunglasses, Unisex watches, Women's watches, and many more



Some of the sample we carry are

Seiko Perpetual Men's Steel Watch. Bold rugged lines for today's man...handsome Perpetual Calendar watch from Seiko. Highly pronounced steel case is presented on the sleek steel link bracelet. Round steel bezel with studded markers at the quarter hours. Green and black dial with luminous hands and hour markers. A magnified window at the 3 o'clock hour reveals the automatic date calendar. Perpetual calendar automatically adjusts the number of days in a month...even adjusts in leap years. Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet). Precise quartz movement. Case is 38mm in diameter and 10.5mm thick. Sale Price: $119.00



Seiko Men's Chronograph. Up-to-the minute Seiko time ... contemporary men's chronograph is sporty and masculine in high performance stainless steel. Comfortable polished steel case is gently curved to fit the contours of the wrist. Case is presented on the striking link bracelet in satin finished steel. Stationary brushed steel bezel with raised markers frames the black dial with three subdials, luminous hands and hour markers. 1/10th of a second, small-seconds and 30-minute registers. Screw-in crown for water resistance to 50 meters (166 feet). Bracelet has a double locking clasp for added security. Precise quartz movement. Case is 37.5mm in diameter and 10.5mm thick. Sale Price: $99.00



Seiko Men's Chronograph. Pace-setting style for today's man from Seiko... dynamic men's chronograph is sleek and racy in high performance stainless steel. Comfortable polished steel case is gently curved to fit the contours of the wrist. Case is presented on the striking link bracelet in satin finished steel. Raised polished steel bezel frames the white dial with three blue subdials, luminous hands and hour markers. 1/20th of a second, small-seconds and 12-hour registers. A window at the 3 o'clock hour reveals the automatic date calendar. Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet). Bracelet has a double locking clasp for added security. Precise quartz movement. Case is 39mm in diameter and 11mm thick. Sale Price: $99.00



For more information about Jessica Champion, please visit http://jessica-champion.com/



About the website above:

Is built for new generation of eCommerce which committed to simplifying the life of millions internet users in a new way online shopping. The site and the supporting staff are dedicated to make eCommerce and online shopping fun, reliable, and easy. The site is easy to use and help merchants to minimize setup and maintenance, while maximizing return on investment. For more information please feel free to contact us.



Disclaimer:

Data and information provided by the above website(s), contents, materials, goods, and or services are for informational purposes only. The creator, webmaster, and the related staff of the website(s) shall not be liable for any errors in the content. For detail please visit the disclaimer section of the website(s).



You can also find this press release on http://free-news-headlines.com/

10 Can't Miss Article Topics Readers Will Love

Copyright 2003, The Write Exposure

You sit down to write the first article for your third issue. That's when it hits you. There's nothing left to write about!

At The Write Exposure, we get lots of panicked calls from clients saying, "I've run out of article ideas!" What we've found is that seldom has our client actually run out of topics, rather they've covered all the topics that came most easily to mind and now are overwhelmed with the possibilities.

It's a little like being told to write a poem. Any poem. Limerick, haiku, whatever you feel like. It's a bit overwhelming, isn't it? That's why we suggest you brainstorm topics within these categories.

So, the next time you think you've run out of article ideas, why not brainstorm all of the customer successes you could write about? Some of the most popular newsletter article categories are:

Customer successes. Has a customer used your product to produce an amazing result? Do you have a customer with a recent success your other customers could learn from? Whether it directly relates to your product or not, success is always newsworthy.

Customer complaints. Receive a couple similar complaints lately? Address them in your newsletter (be sure to point out how you've responded and fixed the problem). By addressing complaints in print, you prove your company is trustworthy and always improving.

New products or services. Customers love the word new. So, if you have a new product or service, don't hold back (just make sure it's really new!).

Frequently asked questions. In fact, you may want to run a regular Q & A column in each edition of your newsletter.

How-tos are must-reads. Is there something you can do to explain the steps pertaining to your product or service. What can customers do with your product or service?

Coupons and special offers. Always include incentives for being a newsletter reader. Show readers why they should come in with special offers.

New customer welcomes. By welcoming new customers, you show readers your business is growing. Also, new customers who are recognized feel like they've made a good decision in choosing your business.

Profile an employee. Newsletters are fabulous internal morale boosters, plus customers will appreciate getting to know someone they're dealing with (or who operates behind the scenes).

Special events. Special events are great for content both before and after. Make sure to include plenty of photos and quotes in the piece written after the event.

Before and after. Makeovers are always popular, whether you make over people or houses or closets. Pictures make these pieces especially effective, so get out the camera.

By deciding to write a specific type of article, you should find yourself back on track and full of ideas once again. Happy writing!

How I Became Wealthy

Someone asked me again today.

"Tony, how did you become wealthy?"

There's probably a lot of answers to that question but the answer I gave (and nearly always do) is simply this:

To become wealthy, you have to think like a wealthy person.

Every week, I talk to dozens of people who dream of becoming wealthy. They're tired of working more hours for less money. They're tired of never seeing their spouse and kids. They're tired of spending their vacation time visiting relatives and letting their kids play with their cousins.

And so they've called me to talk about becoming wealthy. And it's very easy for me to see which ones are going to actually succeed and which ones will continue to struggle.

I simply watch how they think.

For example, if someone is struggling to pay their bills and that is their REASON for why they're starting a business, that person will find a way to be successful. They're motivated. They're focused on a solution. They realize that if things are going to change, it has to start with them. And they're committed to be successful.

On the other hand, if a person says "Oh, I can't get started in business, I'm too broke".....that person is already defeated. Because they are choosing to let their circumstances dictate what they can do. They will continue to use that situation as an excuse for why they can't be more successful. Which means that they are creating their own self-fulfilling prophecy.

I can usually call these people back in 6 months and they're no better off than they were when they first contacted me.

What's the difference?

It's how people THINK. This is what Napoleon Hill meant when he titled his book, "Think and Grow Rich".

Wealthy people think differently than broke people. They don't ask "can I?" They ask "how can I?"

One of my favorite authors, Ayn Rand, once said, "What do you mean who's going to let me? You mean, who's going to stop me!"

Back when Jessica and I chose to start our business, we were broke. We were living in a very small cinder-block house. We had no heat. I was earning less than $1,000 a month. We were a couple of months late on our rent. Our car broke down frequently.

But we believed things could be better. We believed there was a way we could become wealthy and start living the life we deserved.

When it came to finding the money to start our business, we could have easily said, "I don't have the money." But, what would have changed? It's not like either of us had a rich uncle who was suddenly going to remember us on his deathbed. Or that our fairy godmother was going to show up and hand us lots of money just because we wished for it.

No, we did what a lot of people do: we scraped and borrowed and did whatever we had to do. We sold things we owned. Jessica took a part-time job on a short-term basis. I did odd-jobs for a friend of mine.

And when we made the decision that we were not going to let fear or other obstacles stand in our way, things started coming together in a way that we could have never planned or predicted.

So, if the question is, "How do you become wealthy?" the answer is simply, "Start thinking like a wealthy person".

Would a billionaire every say, "No, I can't do that."? No. they say, "That's what I'm going to do" and they go find a way.

There are two kinds of people in the world: stoppable and unstoppable.

Which are you?

Weight Loss Meal Plans That Do Work

Have you been looking for weight loss meal plans that work? Let me save you some time - I will show you what a meal plan should include to deliver the best weight loss results.

No matter what diet or meal plan you choose, there are some things that every meal plan should include, to really help your body release the unnecessary pounds.

#1 - Water.

Every diet should have enough water included. 6, or even 8 glasses of water a day will not be enough. You need to get at least 10 glasses of water every single day. If you find it hard to stick to, just get a bottle of water with you everywhere you go, so you will not forget it. Or, get a habit to get a glass of water every hour or so. Really easy to do, and helps so much in weight loss.

#2 - Moving.

Do not worry - you don't have to exercise to lose weight. If you just stick to a good diet, and just move a little bit more than you are used to, you should be fine. What you can do, is walk instead of driving wherever you can, use stairs instead of elevators, and change similar things so you move more.

#3 - Calorie shifting.

You probably know that metabolism is everything. The higher the metabolic rate, the more calories your body burns. The more weight you lose. So not to keep your metabolism "sleeping", you have to wake it up somehow. To do that, you just "shock" it with some unusual things from time to time. This can be eating a lot less calories for one day a week, or eating completely different foods from the ones you eat usually, for one day a week.

This works like a miracle!

I was VERY LUCKY to lose 39 pounds in 10 weeks. I am now more attractive, full of energy and can play outside with my kids, I am VERY HAPPY! Read my weight loss story at http://www.jessicas-weightloss.com. I was struggling for years, was SICK and TIRED of diets that never worked. I am so glad I decided to go for the FREE TRIAL weight loss supplements that I still use today.

Hair Care: Magic Hair Care Solutions to Transform Your Style

Certain hair care issues, such as greying hair and dandruff, can cause anxiety and distress and be difficult to talk about. However, with the increasingly high quality salon hair products and treatments available to us, there are now ways to solve even the most stubborn hair care problems to leave you with shiny, healthy hair you can be proud of.

Grey hair

For grey hair, the only real, lasting solution is regular dying, although certain products will help to restore shine and health to the hair.

Dying grey hair

If you choose to colour your hair, it’s important to do this no more than once every six weeks, particularly if the hair dye you are using contains bleach. Over-use of bleaching agents can damage the hair and leave it looking lifeless.

For the best results, get your hair dyed professionally – it is easy to go wrong if you try it yourself, and a salon professional will give you a tone and style perfectly suited to you, highly unlikely if you use a shop-bought dying product.

Using salon hair products on grey hair

To help restore lustre to greying hair, use high quality, salon hair masks and conditioners by salon quality brands such as ghd, Tigi and Kerastase. If you have chosen to dye your hair, opt for shampoos for dyed hair. These sometimes contain tiny amounts of pigment which attach to the cuticle and bring out the radiance and colour of the hair.

Dandruff

Dandruff is usually caused by a naturally occurring type of yeast which exists on everbody’s scalp. When this yeast grows too much, the scalp has an inflammatory immune response, and more skin cells grow and die on the scalp. Usually, there are fewer dead skin cells and they disappear quickly.
With dandruff, the dead skin cells form clusters and these start to become visible. The scalp can start to itch and peel.

Using a medicated shampoo

Dandruff affects huge numbers of people but it is usually very easy to deal with. In most cases, the dandruff is treatable with a good quality medicated shampoo. However, if you are prone to dandruff, it is sensible to continue to use the dandruff shampoo, even after he problem has cleared up. If a medicated shampoo does not do the trick, visit a trichologist (hair specialist) for further checks and advice.

Using high quality products

Whatever type of hair you have, it usually pays off to choose salon hair products over typical supermarket brands. This is because they contain superior ingredients and will work to improve the health of the hair, leaving it shiny and full of life. No hair product can fundamentally change the natural structure of the hair, but top quality products can genuinely treat most hair care issues.

It can even cost less overall to pay for the best brands, because they tend to create products with a higher concentration of active ingredients (they are less diluted than cheaper products), meaning that they go further and last longer.

Jessica Alba In Hot News

Celebrities are bound to be embroiled in controversies. The famous American actress Jessica Marie Alba, who is well known for her roles in Dark Angel, Sin City, Fantastic Four and Into the Blue, is no exception.

The recent issue faced by her was when the March 2006 issue of Playboy magazine published Jessica, who is regularly listed by several entertainment magazines as one of the most beautiful or sexiest women alive, in a bikini on the cover.

Boiling the issue, Jessica Alba threatened to sue the magazine, claiming that Hugh Hefner & Co, the publisher of Playboy magazine, is trying to make it seem that she appears in a nude or semi-nude pictorial.

Alba's lawyer has demanded that Playboy magazine stops distributing their magazine and provide the actress with a monetary settlement for its unauthorized use of her image for commercial purposes. Alba's main contention was that the magazine has duped readers into thinking she was nude inside.

Though Playboy magazine had named Alba among its 25 Sexiest Celebrities and also the Sex Star of the Year in the March issue, the litigation did not stop.

In fact, Playboy had initially offered to pay Jessica Alba to appear on the cover, but the offer was refused by the 25-year-old actress. Following this, Playboy magazine had made efforts to get approval from the Columbia Pictures to publish a promotional photograph of bikini-clad Jessica Alba, and the venerable men's magazine published the sultry image from the 2005 film "Into the Blue". Joining the celebrity, the Columbia Pictures also has demanded apology from the magazine for its outrageous and unethical behavior.

The hot news was alive till Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, sent a personal apology and pledged to donate money to her favorite charities.

Personal life of Jessica Alba, whose big break came when the writer/director James Cameron picked Alba from a pool of 1,200 candidates for the role of the genetically-engineered super-soldier, Max Guevara, on the Fox sci-fi TV series Dark Angel, is too haunted by the media.

The recent news that hit the glitterati world was when Jessica Alba said she has curves, but she doesn't really like them and wishes to be skinnier and taller. She was also chased by the paparazzi when she and Cash Warren started hunting for a house in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles. Cash was the director's assistant on Fantastic Four, and they had been having a friendly affair while filming Fantastic Four. In fact, Jessica Alba was engaged to her Dark Angel co-star Michael Weatherly, but it was called off before she began dating Cash Warren.

Jessica Alba, who has no problem with one night stands, prefers a much older man as her ideal partner, making references to Morgan Freeman, Sean Connery, Robert Redford, and Michael Caine. "I have this thing for older men. They've been around and know so much," she said.

Balenciaga Handbags Focus On Flattering Silhouettes

Balenciaga handbags are known for their incredibly soft, lightweight, durable leather with a characteristically distressed appearance of wrinkles, lines, and folds. They feature their purses in both black and white every season, but otherwise vary their wide rainbow of colors. Hardware tends to be abundant and in weathered finishes. The Balenciaga look is so distinctive - and stylishly flattering- that retailers who specialize in handbags count purses inspired by Balenciaga among their most popular selections.

Born in 1895 in the Basque region of northern Spain, founder Cristobal Balenciaga opened his first shops in Madrid and Barcelona in 1915, and then moved to Paris during the Spanish Civil War. His Avenue George V salon quickly gained popularity among such fashion powerhouses as Carmel Snow, the celebrated editor whose famous words, "Elegance is good taste, plus a dash of daring," could have been uttered to describe Balenciaga's style exclusively. Christian Dior once referred to him as "the master of us all" for his impact on couture silhouettes in women's fashion.

His impact was far-reaching, as his prot้g้s included Hubert de Givenchy, Andre Courreges, Emanuel Ungaro, and Oscar de la Renta. Years of training as a master tailor enabled Balenciaga to drape and fit clothing in a way no other designer could, leading to the development of his universally flattering design hallmarks - spare lines, sculptural approaches, and intriguing shapes like the funnel dress, square coat, and bubble skirt.

Balenciaga was a socialite favorite, and his designs epitomized 1950s and 1960s haute couture, especially when worn by such fashion icons as Jackie Kennedy. After he closed his salon doors in 1968, the fashion world felt the loss for decades. Now under the ownership of the Gucci Group, the house is enjoying renewed popularity with French designer Nicolas Ghesquiere leading as creative director.

Ghesquiere joined Balenciaga in 1995, with initial assignments spent designing pr๊t-a-porter for the Asian market. (His earlier years in the industry included stints as assistant to Jean-Paul Gaultier, freelance knitwear designer, and various jobs at several other fashion houses.)

Hailed as one of our generation's most influential designers - and certainly one of the hottest! - Nicolas Ghesquiere has restored the fashion house to its earlier status as a style forerunner. His first line was the eclectic, innovative Le Dix collection, which produced the wildly popular Balenciaga motorcycle-inspired handbags.

Blending classic structure with just enough comfortable slouch to produce one of the most flattering silhouettes on the market, these bags are at the top of the favorites list of seemingly every Hollywood fashionista. Nicole Richie purportedly purchased the Lariat in at least five colors. Other fans include Christina Aguilera, Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller, Jessica Alba, Kate Moss, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Ghesquiere retains these qualities while reviving many of the classic Balenciaga features in the Edition collection. Ladylike glamour enters the Balenciaga offerings in the form of elegant quilting, chic satchels, and special embellishments (like the crystal-encrusted broach and dainty wristlet on one new bag). Lindsay Lohan was recently photographed with the Lariat updated with latticework quilting.

Like his forebear, Ghesquiere is now a designer to watch. His impact on contemporary fashion - especially silhouettes - is growing by leaps and bounds, and his many fans include Anna Wintour, U.S. Vogue's editor-in-chief, as well as a veritable slew of celebrity fashionistas. With him at the helm, Balenciaga will undoubtedly continue to produce handbags that hold top spots on everyone's list of must-have accoutrements.

It's no wonder that Balenciaga's hip, wearable, highly coveted handbags are loved for their distinctively flattering silhouettes. Using form and lines to make women look beautiful is what this fashion house was built on.

Bad Credit Payday Loans - Fast and Quick approval

Usually, a borrower faces many obstacles in making a loan, if he or she is bad credit as such, a borrower is considered at risk for the creditor. But this is not the case with payday loans. Lenders do not hesitate to approve payday loans for people with bad credit. Bad Credit Payday Loans are a source of easy money for people with bad credit. These borrowers have a loan so that not only is easier to obtain, but given the chance to improve credit rating also.A key feature of payday loans bad credit lenders approve these loans quickly usually within a few hours. Therefore, the loan amount is electronically transferred to the bank of the debtor, the same day. In other words, these loans provide instant money to borrowers with bad credit. Will receive £ 100 to £ 1500 as loan bad credit payday based on your monthly salary.Lenders, in fact, do not leave credit for all borrowers in Bad credit payday loan approval. This is because payday loans are approved against paycheqe next to the borrower, if the loan is generally accepted for two weeks. This short duration and repayment through the next paycque cut risks for lenders. Therefore, lenders do not perform any credit verification.However, payday loans to bad credit borrowers, as borrowers of credit are good people who have adopted a regular job, getting fixed monthly salary and have a current account at a bank.Also note that payday loans are associated with high costs of lenders make these loans very expensive. Tax is high, regardless of good credit or bad. However, you should compare lenders for each lender has different fees. So you are sure that the money from the taxpayer a payday loan Low. And refrain from extending the loan, because it is accused of sponsoring improved. Jessica Smith is an expert in finance having completed her master in Financial Stream. She is currently working with payday loans. To find best 3 month payday loans, urgent payday loans advice you need to visit http://www.paydayloans.uk.net

Tips for Healthy Cooking

Overheard in a crowded restaurant: “Now,” said the mother, “you just eat your broccoli. It will put color on your cheeks.” The boy replied, “But Mum! Who wants green cheeks?” People may laugh at the joke but it does drive a point about how the way a certain food looks matters most on its being appetizing. Whenever friends gather for a good night out, they are willing to shell out some extra cash from their payday advance, just to spend on a fancy restaurant or club, with drinks costing $40 or more. That is why food is cooked places an important role in the dining habits of most people, whether they eat out or cook their own food at home.First of all, before starting some healthy cooking, it is best to purchase healthy food. Nowadays, many are more health conscious and watch what they eat. People want to eat “fresh” produce, like fruits and vegetables, all the time. Although, organic food is gaining popularity around the world, not many can sustain eating fresh, organic produce all the time. Most of the food found in supermarkets and even community groceries are laden with additives, like preservatives (either chemical or natural), emulsifiers, food colorings, and edible acids to name a few. With this scenario, it is advisable to read food labels and packaging when buying food for cooking and consumption.After buying, and even studying, the necessary ingredients to be cooked, the next step is to decide how to cook certain types of food. In grilling, boiling, and baking food, heat is the only medium used. To some extent, these are the healthiest cooking options as compared to frying. Frying generates excessive fats when cooking meats, poultry, or fish. Aside from the natural fat stored in the fresh produce, frying needs edible oils in its cooking process, thus it adds more fat to the food. Examples of edible oils are olive, corn, vegetable, coconut, palm, and canola. In the absence of these healthier products, butter and animal fats or lard are replacements. Another healthy and palatable cooking method is the use of sauces and creams. French and Italian cuisines have food preparations that are nutritional. Tomato-based food, using the cancer buster red tomatoes, or Neapolitan Italian cuisine, from Southern Italy, is a popular one around the globe. Like grilling and frying, sauces and creams are only as healthy or unhealthy depending on what ingredients are used. For instance, dairy-based creams can be made from “half-half” (low fat) or even skimmed milk because it has less fat. Soymilk can also be used as a good substitute. The thing to remember is that cooking healthy equals eating healthy.

Bob Dylan

1. Crooning Bob, Hidden Muse2. Masked & Anonymous3. Robert Allen Zimmerman4. Elston Gunn5. A Star Is Born6. A Legend Mends A Legend7. Emergence8. Bringing It All Back Home9. Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid10. Grammy Time11. Pope On The Red Line12. In Their Father's Footsteps?13. Albums Of The Year14. Hollywood Hit List15. Jack Fate16. Award Monger17. The Missing Beatle?"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom." - Bob Dylan1. Crooning Bob, Hidden MuseRecently a Japanese writer named Junichi Saga was astonished and flattered to learn that passages from one of his books apparently found their way into a few of Bob Dylan's lyrics. In Bob Dylan's 2001 song, "Floater", he croons - "My old man, he's like some feudal lord, got more lives than a cat." "I'm not quite as cool or forgiving as I sound" "Sometimes somebody wants you to give something up, and tears or not, it's too much to ask."On page six of Junicihi Saga's book, "Confessions of a Yakuza", he writes - "My old man would sit there like a feudal lord." "I'm not as cool or forgiving as I might have sounded." Then on page 182, writes - "Tears or not, though, that was too much to ask."The practitioner of Chinese medicine resounded that the revelation of Dylan calling upon his own work was surprising. This could be counted as a literary theft of sorts, but the author has stated he has no plans to sue. "Why would I sue? To take something that made people around the world happy and try to exploit it for money - that's poverty.", stated Saga. "This shows that people in other countries can relate to the harsh realities of prewar Japan, which was a poor, struggling nation. I'm just happy somebody read my book and liked it.", said Saga. "My book hasn't even sold that well, and it's out of print in Japan." He further added he has estimated to have only made about $8,475 from the publication.A few weeks ago, Saga bought his first Bob Dylan CD, "The Best of Bob Dylan". 2. Masked & AnonymousWould you reach out a hand to save a drowning man if you thought he might pull you in? This is the tagline for Bob's latest film called, "Masked & Anonymous". In it, Bob plays, Jack Fate, a singer whose career has gone on a downward spiral and is forced to make a comeback to the performance stage for a benefit concert. For this film he was joined by some of Hollywood's hottest and brightest, all of which reportedly signed onto the film at scale rates. The cast includes: John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Luke Wilson, Jeff Bridges, Penelope Cruz, Reggie Lee, Angela Bassett, Steven Bauer, Larry Campbell, Bruce Dern, Alex Desert, Treva Etienne, Dan Frischman, Tony Garnier, Laura Elena Harring, Ed Harris, Shawn Michael Howard, Val Kilmer, Bruce Kirschbaum, Antonio David Lyons, Cheech Marin, Chris Penn, George Receli, Giovanni Ribisi, Mickey Rourke, Sam Sarpong, Charlie Sexton, Jon Sklaroff, Christian Slater and Fred Ward. On top of all of that, T-Shirt King friend, Keri Bruno, pulls 2nd Unit Directing duties on the talent heavy film.The film hits theatres in a limited US release on July 25th.3. Robert Allen ZimmermanAt 5 foot six inches, Robert Allen Zimmerman might be a slight man, but under the name Bob Dylan, he is a legendary giant of a musician.4. Elston GunnRobert Allen Zimmerman was born May 24th 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. His father, Abe, was employed by the Standard Oil Company there, but when Robert was six the family moved to Hibbing, Minnesota. The one riddling note about Hibbing is that is very often the coldest place in the United States. Yikes. Growing up there he taught himself piano and guitar and formed several high school rock bands. Around this time he toyed with the stage name, "Elston Gunn".5. A Star Is BornBy 1959, Robert entered the University of Minnesota and began performing under the name Bob Dylan at clubs in Minnesota and St. Paul. 6. A Legend Mends A LegendIn 1960 he traveled to New York to perform in various folk clubs throughout Greenwich Village. While in New York he spent time with his idol, Woody Guthrie at his hospital room. 7. EmergenceLate in 1961 he landed a contract with Columbia Records and the following year his debut album was released with two original songs. A year after that, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" emerged with an all original album, including a song that became an anthem of the '60's - "Blowin' in the Wind".8. Bringing It All Back HomeIn February 1964 Dylan and a small group of friends drove south out of New York City and stopped in unannounced to see poet 'Carl Sandburg' in North Carolina. Disappointingly, Dylan left only 10 minutes after arriving when he realized he couldn't get the venerable man of letters to take him seriously as a fellow poet.He popped folk-rock into the mainstream after touring with Joan Baez with his own flavor of electric/acoustic swagger, culminating with his hit song, "Bringing it all Back Home". Soon after the Byrd's turned his song "Mr. Tambourine Man" into another hit with their cover version of the famous tune.9. Pat Garrett And Billy The KidFollowing a motorcycle accident in 1966 which took him out of the limelight until 1969. Around that time, Sam Peckinpah asked him to compose the score and appear in his film, "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid". This would be the only the beginning of a long and continuing relationship with Hollywood and filmmaking.10. Grammy TimeIn 1974, Bob Dylan and The Band hit the road to promote their first number one album, "Planet Waves". The next year they had another chart-topper with the release of, "Blood on the Tracks". He followed that with several Rolling Thunder tours, a film called, "Renaldo and Clara" and then stunned the music world with the release of his fundamentalist Christian album, "Slow Train Coming". A song from this album garnered him his first Grammy.11. Pope On The Red LineIn May 1997, he was stricken with histaplasmosis, a possibly fatal infection of the heart sac, but recovered to take on a tour of Europe. He kicked off the trip by September, starting off in Rome by special request of the Pope.12. In Their Father's Footsteps?His son Jakob Dylan has made a good time semi-emulating his infamous father with his own band, The Wallflowers. However, his Jesse Dylan has taken a slightly altered route to stardom, opting for the glamour of Tinsletown. His first major directing gig is about to be released, "American Pie 3". Jesse also directed a film called, "How High" and appears with a special thanks credit on "The Matrix Revisited".13. Albums Of The YearHe is truly legendary, his 1997 album, "Time Out of Mind" and his 2001 album "Love and Theft" were both voted Album of the Year by the Village Voice's annual critics' poll. Seems like a no-brainer to us.14. Hollywood Hit ListHe has composed and recorded songs or had his recorded songs used in the following films:Gods & GeneralsDivine Secrets of the Ya-Ya SisterhoodVanilla SkyBanditsBlowRemember the TitansHigh FidelityWonder BoysThe HurricaneAmerican BeautyHope FloatsFear and Loathing in Las VegasThe Big LebowskiJerry MaguireBreaking the WavesWith HonorsDogfightBand of the HandAmerican PopRenaldo and ClaraPat Garrett and Billy the Kid15. Jack FateThe small $10 million dollar film, "Masked & Anonymous" was directed by veteran TV comedy director, Larry Charles, who has also helmed shows for, "Mad About You", "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm".He appeared on the TV show, "Dharma & Greg" playing himself. When he met Conan O'Brien at a recent concert, Bob was quoted as saying, "I know you from the TeeVee."16. Award MongerHe has received numerous awards of note, including: The Polar Music Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 2000, The Commandeur dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France in 1990, an honorary doctorate from Princeton University in 1970 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Bruce Springteen at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1988.17. The Missing Beatle?He appears on the sleeve of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club".At the famous "Johnny Cash at San Quentin" concert, Johnny Cash introduced a song he co-wrote with Dylan by describing his as "the greatest writer of our times."

Backstage Pass: 2004 Breakout Year To Meet Bands, Artists, Get Backstage Tour Access

April 24, 2004--With the ongoing trend to consolidate record labels in the music business coming to a head in 2004 and the depressed music market, there are fewer and fewer record labels and opportunities for even the most established bands and artists. We are seeing fewer and fewer label reps and promotional dollars being spent. Record labels across the globe are tightening their belts and their willingness to develop new artists and to support existing acts with promotional dollars, according to Carric Durran with ROCK&ROLL.COM MAGAZINE.Durran added that Those bands and artists that get it' are making more of an effort to win fans over and this is why many artists are more appreciative of their fans. Many touring bands and artists are being forced to be more fan-friendly and to work harder with promotional events, meet-n-greets, sound check parties etc. All of these factors make 2004 perhaps the best concert season to see and/or meet your favorite artists and bands.ROCKANDROLLUSA.COM has published a pair of 2004 concert and tour guides with contact information and how to instructions to meeting your favorite performing artists and bands. You can find out more about their guides at:http://www.rockandrollusa.com/howtogetbackstage.htmIf you order right away, you can lock in the lowest prices ever for all three of our guides (25 percent off). These guides should pay fior themselves hundreds or even thousands of times over. Only $29.95 to learn how to get the best seats, best tickets, backstage access, free tickets and much more. With 226+ pages of info, this is the biggest, best and most comprehensive source of backstage pass, free tickets and other industry information. Order right away to lock in these temporary sale prices.http://www.rockandrollusa.com/howtogetbackstage.htm2004 features breakout U.S. touring bands from Australia and elsewhere down under such as The Vines, Jet, The Living End, Birtles, Shorrock & Gobles, Neon and others. Some Other Noteworthy Artists & Bands Touring in 2004: Crosby Stills & Nash, Elvin Bishop, David Byrne, Incubus, Jewel, Kid Rock, Dave Mathews Band, Bobby McFerrin, Sarah McLachlan, Mo'nique and friends (Monique & friends), Megan Slankard Band, Billy Joel, No Doubt, Blink 182, Van Halen, Rush, Gipsy Kings, John Hiatt, Fleetwood Mac, Sheena Easton, Dennis De Young, Island (Scott West), The Wonderbread 5 (Five), The Cheeseballs, Tainted Love, Mercy Me, Jackie Green, Out of Place, 2Me, Styx, Dave Chapella, Los Tigres Del Norte, Mumbo Gumbo, Slipknot, Fear Factory, Chimaira, Hostility, Solas, David Spade, Britney Spears, Sting, Annie Lennox, Peter Frampton, Third Day, Vans Warped Tour, New Found Glory, Coheed & Cambria, Taking Back Sunday, Flogging Molly, Anti-Flag, The Bouncing, Souls, Bad Religion, NOFX, Yellowcard, Montgomery Gentry, Burning Spear, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Marcia Griffiths, Israeil Vibration, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Femi Kuti, El Gran Silencio, Tower of Power, Chris Dave, 90 Day Men, Beans, Mary J. Blige, Clutch, Suzanne Vega, Todd Rungren, Yes, Z100 Zootopia, Avril Lavigne, Black Eyed Peas, J-Kwon, Jessica simpson, Liz Phair, Maroon 5, William Hung, The Who, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Marc Anthony, Prince, Phil Collins, And 1 Mix Tape Tour, Alejandro Sanz, Julio Iglasias, Ricky Martin, Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Buffett, Metallica, Bare Naked Ladies, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eagles, Van Morrison, Kinky, Ozomatli, Plastillina Mosh, Rick Springfield, Carlos Vives, Rock & Soul 2004 Revue, Average white Band, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Michael McDonald, Banda El recodo, Alejandra Guzman, Vicente Fernandez, George Carlin, Brian Setzer Orchestra, George Lopez, Dashboard Confessional, The Get Up Kids, Thrice, K.D. Lang, Rufus Wainwright, Ernestine Anderson, Dianne Reeves, Diane Schuur, Sidestepper, Harry connick Jr., Cassandra wilson, Rita Coolidge, Petula Clark, Nancy Sinatra, Eliane Elias, Tracy Chapman, Oumou Sangare, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Peter cincotti, Kevin Eubanks, Femi Kuti, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, BWB, Playboy Jazz Festival, Yerba Buena, Michael Lington, Hugh Masekela, Etta James & The Roots Band, Christian McBride, Brian Culbertson, Big Bad voodoo DaddyFourplay, Groovin for Grover, The Neville Brothers, Los Van Van, Irvin Mayfield, Bill Summers, Los Hombres Calientes, Feat, Mayfield & Summers, Ramsey Lewis, Jeff Lorber, Paul Taylor, Richard Elliot, Dave Holland, Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate, Control Machete, DJ Z-Trip, Manu Dibango, Wyclef Jean, Rod Stewart, Kurt elling, Lawrence Hobgood Trio, Nickel Creek, Lyle Lovett, shelby Lynne, Paul McCartney, Dominic Miller, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Evelyn Champagne King, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Martha Walsh, The Trammps Feat, Earl Young, Village People, Elvis Crespo, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Oscar D'Leon, Tony Bennett, donovan Frankenreiter, G. Love & Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, Deep Purple, Olivia Newton-John, Santana, Match Box 20, Patty Loveless, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Rebecca Lynn Howard, The Del McCoury Band, Vince gill, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Bad Acid Trip, Saul Williams, System Of A Down, Zach Hill, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Vince Neil, Third Day, Tobymac, Warren Barfield, Jorge Santana, Little Willie G., Malo, Tierra, War, The Isley Brothers, Ron Isley, Kenny Loggins, NYPD's Daniel Rodriguez, Garrison, Keillor, Gipsy Kings, LeAnn Rimes, Pepe Aguilar, Diana Krall, Cyndi Lauper, Enrique Iglesias, Julio Iglesias, Heart, Al Green, Lisa Loeb, Amy Hanaiali'i gilliom, Sister Robi, Willie K., Butterfly Boucher, Nelson, Phantom Planet, Robert Hunter, The Dead, John Mayer, Dominic Miller, Jason Mraz, The Warren Brothers, Maroon5, Thursday, DJ Logic, The Vandals, The Underminded, The Sounds, The Red West, The God Awfuls, The Early November, The Casualties, The Boucing Souls, The Beautiful Mistake, Taking Bnack Sunday, Story Of The Year, Senses Fail, Rise Against, Revolution Smile, Vans Warped Tour '04, Alkaline Trio, Amber Pacific, The Dead, VH1 Classic Summer Hits, Atmosphere, Bad Religion, Bleed The Dream, Don't Look down, Hazen Street, Ima Robot, Jackson, Letter Kills, Lillix, Mae, Melee, My chemical Romance, NOFX, Pulley, Celine Dion, Seal, Dave Mason, Cowboy Crush, Tom Jones, Manhattan Transfer, Woggles, Gov't Mule, Little Feat, 38 Special, The Croutons, Big Bad Zero, Jordan Knight, Steve Wright, Authority Zero, Method Man, Jello Biafra, Punk Voter, On The Speakers, Hatebreed, Unearth, Dana Carvey, Damageplan, Drowning Pool, Queensryche, Snake River Conspiracy, Brian Adams, Keith Sweat, Lonestar, Reba McEntire, Air Supply, Backstreet Boys, Dido, Godhead, Orgy, A Perfect Circle, The Beach Boys, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kansas, Kenny Chesney, Hoobastank, POD, Linkin Park, Ozzfest, Ozzy Osbourne.Many of the above listed artists will be appearing at the following and other venues:Sleep Train Ampitheatre - Marysville, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival " Angels Camp, Mondavi Center UC Davis, Community Center Theater - Sacramento, University Theatre CSUS, The Grand at the Regency Center " San Francisco, Feather Falls Casino " Oroville, Arco Arena, Memorial Auditorium " Sacramento, Billy Bob's Texas, Universal Ampitheater, Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Gardens, The Hollywood Bowl in California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Miami, Florida and Chicago, Illinois, HOB, House Of Blues.

7 Reasons You ARE Your Own Best Product, or Lessons From the 2004 Presidential Election

The 2004 election is over--at least in the minds of the public--and analysis runs rampant as to why Senator John Kerry lost. From a business viewpoint, one could say that he simply didn't sell the product. Or more accurately, he didn't sell the American voters on himself, and by extension the Democratic Party, as the product. We all remember phrases such as "This is the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time" and "I voted for the invasion of Iraq before I voted against it."Imagine if Bill Gates took to the airwaves and said, "We're against business. Our aim is to completely sandbag business [N.B.: some Microsoft foes may quip that he's succeeded.] But even though we're anti-business our software can do business better than our competitors' products. So buy Microsoft even though we're anti-business."Even all of Bill Gates' millions couldn't stop stockholders from hauling him before a Wall Street firing squad. Die-hard Windows lovers, like true blue Democrats, would continue to support Gates nonetheless. They might even do it to spite Apple Computer, the way so many Kerry voters chose to support Kerry because he wasn't Bush. "The Uncola" slogan worked for 7-Up, but that's the exception. Most successful business enterprises win loyalty by telling customers who they are, rather than who they're not.Consider the mundane example of juicers, specifically an online store front called LivingRight.com, one of a family of health appliance and lifestyle product Web sites operated by Arizona-based company Open Chute. There are literally hundreds of juicer Web sites, so what can Open Chute do to convince customers to buy from LivingRight.com? Except for saying, "We will meet or beat any of our competitors' prices," LivingRight doesn't waste much time reminding you of the competition. Consider the statement on their homepage:"We supply commercial juice extractors and industrial juicers to businesses and also carry the best juicers for at-home juicing junkies. We have gift ideas for the health nut in your life, juicing recipes and tips on juicing for healthy living, as well as a Best Price Guarantee."Let's look at what LivingRight has just told you about itself:Fact: It cares about your health, and to prove it, there are pictures of spiffy-looking juicers surrounded by fresh fruit. Mm-mm. It even wants your friends and family to be healthy!Fact: It supplies commercial juicers, and links to those products are right up there on the home page. But those juicers seem affordable for "at-home juicing junkies." Open Chute knows that if you're going to invest in a juicer you're going to get something that lasts. And hey, there's a Best Price Guarantee!Fact: It is so sure that LivingRight will make a difference in your life that it offers recipes to go with the juicers, as well as tips on juicing for healthy living.So in one short paragraph, LivingRight has sold itself as a caring consumer advocate and supplier of these nifty health appliances. After all, everyone wants to be healthy.Contrast this with Kerry's message, delivered not in one paragraph but in hours of negative campaigning, debates, and speeches. For those of you who can't remember what it was, "I'm not Bush" comes pretty close. Although "We have better hair" also surfaced as a slogan. Reality check: People only vote for hair and make-up at the Oscars. Hillary Clinton herself denigrated the media fascination with her hair. Imagine that: Hillary's a better business leader than John Kerry. After all, she survived Whitewater, didn't she?So what could the Democrats have done differently and what can you learn from them? For a start, you can realize and affirm the seven reasons why you are your own best product.1) You are successful in what you do. LivingRight's Web site says, "More than 25,000 health appliances shipped!" "Shipped" communicates follow-through, as in a former McDonald's slogan "Over one billion served."While going to war isn't a popular decision (as even Joan Rivers remarked at the 2002 Oscars, "Every idiot in the world wants peace"), President George W. Bush successfully prevented attacks on American soil by first going after al-Qa'eda, then in toppling Saddam Hussein from power.2) You believe in your product, and by extension yourself and your vision, so much that you use it yourself. Those cheesy Hair Club For Men ads hit it right on the head, pun intended: "I'm not only the Hair Club president, I'm also a client." If John Kerry was so against the action in Iraq, why did he initially vote for it?3) You are so compelling that you surround yourself with people who build up (not necessarily brown-nosers) rather than tear down your image. Bush has benefited from Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Vice-President Dick Cheney, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (another businessman successful at selling himself), Rudy Giuliani, Georgia Democratic Senator Zell Miller, and especially the legacy of former President Ronald Reagan. Now Bush has truly moved into bold territory by appointing his own father and former President Bill Clinton, one-time political rivals, to head the Asian tsunami relief.I have to concede partial credit to Kerry and the Democrats for being associated with, or at least profiting from, a successful movie franchise--though let's not call "Fahrenheit 9/11" a documentary. Unfortunately, Michael Moore himself has proved to be less than stellar at being his own product. Although as of this writing he won the People's Choice Award for Best Film of the Year, he's also developed a reputation for lack of integrity, not to mention bashing the USA that has given him his career. Moore's whole image as "a man of the people" has been called into question many times. Although the marketing of Michael Moore is an Oscar-worthy production, 51 percent of Americans didn't find him credible.Celebrity endorsements are only as good as the celebrities themselves, and many Americans found the Dixie Chicks, Barbra Streisand, Sean Penn, Martin Sheen, Jessica Lange, Ed Asner, Janeane Garofalo, Whoopi Goldberg, and many of the supposed elite to be less than convincing, particularly with the way Hollywood keeps selling crudeness, vulgarity, violence and intolerance for any point of view but its own. The multiple military backgrounds, Ph.D.s, and public service records the Bush team collectively holds puts in perspective the glamour of a few Academy Awards and hit TV shows, movies or albums.4) You are confident enough in yourself not to deride people who opt for an alternate product. The British newspapers derided the majority of Americans who voted for Bush as being "dumb."As my voice acting teacher, Samantha Paris, founder of Voicetrax San Francisco/Desert Cities says about casting for radio, narration, animation and TV commercial jobs, "It's selection, not rejection."5) You thrive on competition, not taking it as a personal attack, and you don't turn the competition into personal attacks. Politics violates this rule too often, and the 2004 campaign was nastier than most.Contrast that with Coke and Pepsi. The competing celebrity endorsements (Santa and the polar bears on the Coke side, Ray Charles and Faith hill on the Pepsi side) only prolong an ongoing competition that isn't likely to be resolved any time soon. The Pepsi Challenge shook Coke out of it's 1980s complacency, and Coke learned from its abysmal New Coke mistake. Although to be fair, Pepsi had its own klunker with Crystal Pepsi, although they rebounded with Pepsi Twist.These days Coke has brought back Cherry Coke, Vanilla Coke, and even branched out into Coke with lime. Notice that Coke isn't telling investors how awful Pepsi is, and vice versa. It's just good old-fashioned competition in which you, the businessperson, puts your best foot forward.6) You don't change who you are. People were never sure of who John Kerry was, whereas George W. Bush's swagger ("which in Texas is calls walking," he remarked in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention) doesn't hide itself. Bush has made no attempt to correct his oft-remarked-on slips of the tongue and even owns up to it ("People sometimes have a tendency to correct my English--I knew that I was in trouble when Arnold Schwarzenegger started doing it.") Bush's folksy ways make a statement that he is comfortable in his own skin. Likewise, Bill Clinton didn't switch to caviar from McDonald's (much to his regret later). Costco hasn't added high-end coffee bars and gourmet food stands, but the lines at the checkout are still as dauntingly long as ever.7) You focus on who you are for the present and future, rather than who you used to be. Senator Kerry's rehashing of the Vietnam conflict, and the Swift Boat controversy that cropped up to haunt him, illustrated how drawing on past glories (or controversies) only make people confused about who you are in the present. Imagine if Coke and Pepsi trotted out all their marketing missteps, and imagine if Pepsi tried to resurrect its ad campaign with the embattled Michael Jackson. Dated at best, controversial at worst.People connect with who you are in the moment and who you will be in the future. When someone buys, say, a juicer, she envisions many mornings of fresh homemade nutritious juice and the well-being that she receives, well-being that she comes to associate with the company or store that makes and/or sells the juicer. A past track record is helpful, particularly in maintaining relationships with customers, but don't keep rehashing it. "You've always been there for me" sets up the expectation that, like State Farm, you will be there in the future. You can enjoy a restaurant twenty times, but have you ever noticed that one bad meal can make you think twice about going there?A coda to this list: Fortunately, if you've made yourself your primary product, even the most critical of diners can forgive a slip-up, because they've already invested in you. So make sure you are an investment they'll want to hang on to, and in the Democratic Party's case, a future they believe in.Kristin Johnson is co-author of the "highly recommended" Midwest Book Review pick, Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). A downloadable media kit is available at our Web site, http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com, or e-mail the publisher (info@tyrpublishing.com) to receive a printed media kit and sample copy of the book. More articles available at http://www.bakingchristmascookies.com