WRITINGS: Certified GOOGLER!

I accredit much of my expertise and knowledge to Google. You can Google just about anything you want to know..... No excuses, Google it. Also try WikiHow and Wikipedia or let Google take you there...

http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page

http://www.wikipedia.org/

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WRITINGS: Around the Globe

When I was a kid I had a world globe. I use to spin it around fast and imagine where ever my finger landed is where I'd end up in the future. I had such an imagination, anything was possible.

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POEM by Matt: Stood Up

"Lets go out on a date"
Tomorrow night on the beach, we'll have a picnic; only deserts
Sweet morsels touching your lips by accident
Then snapping at the spoon just before the cream falls
Oh, I get butterflies just thinking about it
Mixed with the smile you give me when I describe the menu
I'll prepare for this "kindergarten crush" date
I'll workout, reserve the spot, and of course think about it ALL day
An hour before, I call and no response
Maybe she's in the shower :)
I'll add a text, "call me back"
An hour later, no response :(
I've been stood up
This feeling is one of a loser that has paid his heart as the entry fee
Only to be told, you're disqualified
It happens, but it hurts
I guess... more desert for me

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CHARITY: Happy Hearts Fund - Celebration of Progress

The month of November was full of excitement and progress at Happy Hearts Fund. We began the month hard at work planning and executing our very special annual Land of Dreams gala and ended it with joy as we saw the results of our efforts and your incredible support at yet another school opening. 

Here are just a few exciting results of the gala: 
* More than $2.3 million raised that will be leverage by IDB in Haiti and ING in Latin America to provide students with brighter futures
* 11 schools auctioned for rebuilding - and the success of the evening will allow for many more schools to be built
* Over 300 deserving boys and girls treated to our afternoon family hours

Land of Dreams: Haiti, Showcasing Haiti's Treasures On November 5th, we hosted the Happy Hearts Fund Land of Dreams: Haiti event, transporting guests into one of the countries we support without having to leave New York. Guests experienced Haitian culture through participating in exhibits that brought them to the Iron Market, Cap Haitian Beaches, La Citadelle, Tortuga, an Art Festival, and gave them the opportunity to learn about the educational limitations following a natural disaster through the viewing of a temporary school structure.

Feet of Rhythm Dance Troupe performs traditional Haitian dances for the guests.

Remarkable Program Guests sat in awe during Josh Groban's captivating opening performance. We were honored to be addressed by President of the Republic of Haiti Michel Martelly, First Lady of the Republic of Haiti Sophia Martelly, and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President Luis Alberto Moreno. President Martelly greeted the guests through a special recorded message and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Inter-Development Bank, Julie Katzman, personally greeted the guests on behalf of Mr. Moreno. Ms. Renee Haugerud, Founder and CIO of Galtere Ltd., was honored for her philanthropic work and received the Happy Hearts Fund Heart of Gold Award while Sean Penn, Founder and CEO of the J/P Haitian Relief Organization, received the Happy Hearts Fund Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian efforts in bringing hope, light and empowerment to the survivors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Josh Groban woos the crowd with his opening number.

The evening was full of opportunities for HHF supporters and their families to experience these same Haitian destinations while connecting firsthand with the mission and accomplishments of the foundation. Together, friends and families discovered the simple yet remarkable blueprint that HHF has implemented to help children who have survived disasters.  The night was a celebration of the Haitian culture and inspired everyone in the room to lift Haiti up and continue to bring progress and hope to the country. The joy filled the air as everyone jumped to their feet to dance together on stage during Wyclef Jean's thrilling closing performance.

Wyclef performs an energizing and uplifting set as the Haitian flag waves over the crowd.

The Afternoon Children's Event During the special Children's Dream Hours earlier in the day, underprivileged NYC area school children were able to experience the same exhibits highlighting Haiti's culture that were present at the evening event. They delighted in getting their faces painted, sampling mangoes, and meeting our talking parrot while learning all about Haiti and its rich culture.

Children meet the talking parrot as they walk around the Haitian experiences.

Celebrations in Indonesia At the closing of the month we traveled to the other side of the globe to share in another celebration - the opening of the TK Pelita Hati Kindergarten in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. The previous school was destroyed in a devastating earthquake on September 26, 2009. Thanks to the generosity of Chaz Dean and his family, we are very happy to report that the more than 146 students who were affected by the disaster now have a safe new building to continue their education and a playground to enjoy as well.

Chaz Dean joins the students of TK Pelita Hati as their new kindergarten is opened.

A special thank you to the many volunteers and supporters who made the happenings in November such a wonderful success for all to enjoy. Your selfless hearts have paved the way for many more children to have a strong future.

HHF receives specific donations to underwrite all administrative and fundraising expenses, allowing all public donations to support our programs. HHF is extremely grateful to our corporate partners - Continental Airlines, DLA Piper, HP and ING - for their philanthropic commitment to help build a future for children affected by natural disasters.

HHF is committed to help accomplish the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

WRITINGS: Is there something missing in our schools?

Have you noticed that there has been an gradual deterioration of basic human decency? Basic decency has been traditionally instilled at a very young age by our parents. The world is changing, parents are not often unavailable. So what happens when parents cannot deliver? Children learn from television and the Internet or worse. We as a society must address the problem, so what's the solution? We have addressed the problem of hungry children with school meals... Lets take an extra step in the right direction. There are three basic needs that can be met in an scholastic environment, literacy, food and basic decency. If we take the extra effort to teach basic decency in our Elementary schools without interfering with ones religious views the now difficult task of teaching will be made easier. There will be less bulling and less violence... Overall the extra effort will pay for itself. It may have the power to change the direction of society as a whole. If your saying to yourself "this doesn't effect me" think again our children are going to be in your future like it or not. Let's start to think about it, let's open up a dialogue.

Written by: Annette

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WRITINGS: Are your TEXT MESSAGES really safe?

The answer is NO. It is important to consider the fact that your text messages or Facebook messages can easily be shared with others.. Not to mention the recipients phone or mobile device could be lost or stolen. How can we ensure our privacy in a public world of social media and texting? We are living in a world in which face to face conversation is becoming obsolete. Texting and Facebook is the craze and for most a primary mode of communication.

The Apple iPhone keeps records of text messages that can easily be shared by snapping photos of the conversation. The photo images can then be sent to a third party via text message (MMS) or emailed. The contact person's name is the header in the text message so you can identify who the messages is from. Although however a contact name can be changed under Contacts in the iPhone to deceive the reader and sections of the text message conversation can be deleted. Are you getting the full story in the photo snap shot you receive?

Facebook messages and news feeds or wall posts can also be shared this way. Consider this when you text or post personal information, photos or gossip.

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POEM by Matt: Freedom to Fail

"Go to school" my parents say
"Soon" is my response
I want to live life with the morals instilled in me
And the dreams created by my desires
"You've gotta have a backup plan" my friends say
"Ok" is what I always say
I appreciate your concern for my future :)
But your suggestion is only a rice grain in my chicken fried rice
YUM!
My resolve is as firm as a mountain
And as resilient as a rubber band
For my life is my own
And with my choices come my responsibility
I mark the future with hope for success
But the freedom to fail

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WRITINGS: Cages for Man's Best Friends?

 

  There's a new phenomenon in the United States called Crate Training. As a long time animal trainer, I can assure you nothing can be learned in confinement. The very words crate training are in opposition to each other. When you go to a pet super store they automatically tell you you need a crate for your beloved new friend. This is the most embraced lie in so called dog trainers and the general public ever put out there. I'll bet when you first put your puppy in the crate and he screamed in horror pleading and begging to get out your instinct told you this was wrong, didn't it? Did you find your puppy covered in urine and feces? They told you you needed this for house breaking, didn't they? And you said to yourself theses are professionals they know what their doing. Well it's a perpetuated lie. Let's get to the facts about crates.

Crates were originally used for transportation purposes especially for those animals in the show circuit. They where never intended for home use of any kind. One day a U.S. marketer devised a way to sell more crates... Let's tell everyone this is the solution to all their puppy problems! We will attach the word "training" to crates. We will have our personally trained in house dog trainers teach people to use this new concept "crate training". A quick easy fix! sell! sell! sell! To make matters worse in house trainers leave the pet super store, go out on their own and continue to in all innocence perpetuate the lie. It is so pervasive it seems everyone in the U.S. has adopted these flawed concepts from veterinarians to breeders to the child next-door!

Ok let's get to some puppy facts... Puppy's can not hold their bowels any more than a new born baby, they can only begin to around 6 months. A crate is just solitary confinement, it causes all types of long standing behavioral problems from separation anxiety to pica. These types of behavioral problems were never or rarely heard of before so called crate training. All highly developed creatures have an early window of opportunity to learn, if that window is not taken full advantage of it will close and there will be no going back. Every minute spent in confinement robs him of that opportunity. Remember an hour in his life is like a day in ours. Crate confinement also exasperates hip dysplasia, it's wrong at so many levels.

Here's something that Steven R. Lindsay a world renowned animal behaviorist and author has to say about crating: "Many advocates of long-term crate confinement claim that dogs are phylogenetically preadapted to live in a crate. These conclusions are based on various fallacious assumptions derived from inappropriate comparisons with the use of dens by wild canids and feral dogs. In reality, a crate has far more in common with a trap (or grave) than it does with a den [emphasis mine]. Further, a den actually has far more in common with a home, the natural environment of a dog, providing access to communal indoor and outdoor living spaces via a two-way door. An obvious distinction between a den and a crate is physical entrapment, isolation, and inescapability. While the den provides the mother with the seclusion and security that she needs to deliver and care for her young, it does not restrict her freedom of movement, as the crate does. Instead of providing a safe environ for her young, the crate serves the express purpose of separating the dog from social attachment objects. Further, instead of promoting comfort and safety, the inescapable exclusion imposed by crate confinement appears to confer an increased vulnerability for disruptive emotional arousal and insecure place attachments. Most puppies and dogs show a high degree of aversive arousal when first exposed to crate confinement, which is consistent with the foregoing comparison. After learning that the crate is inescapable, however, dogs appear to treat the crate in a paradoxical manner analogous to persons affected by the Stockholm syndrome; that is, they appear to form strong attachments with the crate, which becomes the place they identify as home" [emphasis mine].

Well, there you have it! This is what the pet super stores don't want you to know. If the truth got out about crates sales would plummet. A lot of so called dog trainers wouldn't be needed as much and wouldn't get very many calls. Just remember dogs are extremely intelligent and willing. They learn very quick if given the right opportunity. So next time follow your instinct and say no to that crate and ask for an alternative solution. There are kinder and more beneficial ways to raise your pup. Let's stop perpetuating the lie!

Please send this to everyone. It will save all those innocent puppies from unintended abuse and their owners from future frustrations.

Written by: Annette  

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WRITINGS: FACEBOOK, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

There was a time the only way to get to know a person was face to face interaction, gathering information from all those subtleties such as facial expressions, demeanor, idiosyncrasies, etc. In the new age social networking we get an edited version of our pseudo friends, but how about all those unintentional little give always. I noticed a lot of braggarts, they boast at every given opportunity and every post include words like I, ME and MY. They just have to many flattering pics of themselves, have you ever noticed theses people have hundreds of friends! How can friendship be divided into so many pieces?

Has the word friendship taken on a new meaning? And whats with those profile pics? Some of inanimate objects or animals.... ? and some when they where 80 pounds thinner and 20 years younger?  Do they suffer from such shyness or such low self esteem they dare not use picture of themselves? And then there are those that are darn right nasty! I don't want to see your porn or your dirty jokes or your slutty girl friends posted on your wall or run through the news feeds...

And  there's  the opportunistic. Buy my stuff! Its the best! You want it, You'll need it! You'll like it! (isn't that what friends are for? You are my friend aren't you?).

Oh and let's not forget the most opportunistic of all, those cheating men, how convenient it must be to edit your profile for a particular audience. My wife sees this and my girlfriend sees that and everyone else sees something else. Because on Facebook you can be anyone you want to be.Wow what a cheater and liars paradise!

And what's up with un-friending? There was a time a dialogue took place before deciding to end a friendship or at least you kind of knew why. Now if your upset with a friend or family member you can un-friend and they just disappear in an instant like some kind of cyber execution. What if my friend request gets refused by a loved one? That would hurt! or a casual friend, ouch how embarrassing.
                   
Hmmm I'm not so sure I like  Facebook, I don't think social networking will ever take the place of those beautiful scented handwritten love letters with lip stick kisses and pressed flowers that you keep in your top drawer forever. Doesn't that sound nice! people really did use to do that. Although  I do like sharing pics with family and friends on Facebook, and it is nice for long distance relationships! And of course there are a few normal honest people left in the world isn't there?

Written by: Annette 

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LOCAL: Chalk Ping Pong - Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals

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WRITINGS: When I was a little girl

When I was a little girl it was very peaceful growing up on the lake. The days where long, quiet and solitude. I spent most of my time catching fish with my bare hands and trapping wild birds just to look at them and let them go. There were manatees in those days.. They would come in the winter, my mom would give me heads of cabbage to feed them. They where so gentle you could swim with them although they would swim to the deep whenever you touched them. One year I saw a cormorant while swimming in the canal, he followed me home. The next day I saw him again and he became my friend. He would play games swimming with me. We would swim under water synchronizing our moves sometimes he would swim with incredible speed and bite down on my toes very hard. After a few months he disappeared.

I had other friends though, There was an old tree over looking the water with a hollow in it. Every summer wood peckers would raise their young. I would catch tiny fish and feed the fledglings while the parents where away. I looked forward to this more than Christmas. I loved their smell, they smelled like pink skin puppy's. They had long strait necks, all popping up at the same time with huge yellow mouths gaping open at the slightest vibration. Then one year their home became rotten.. Sadly I knew they wouldn't return. Later that summer I found a very tiny blind and naked bird on the grass. He had fallen from a nest at the top of a giant palm. I took him home with me and fed with an eye dropper every 4 hours. My father would get up in the middle of the night to feed him for me. He eventually grew into a beautiful sparrow. I taught him how to fly by having him chase me. He would run and flap his wings taking flying leaps through the air to catch me as his favorite perch was my head. He was a lovely companion that enjoyed his freedom, that he eventually took full advantage of. 

 There where no ducks on the lake back then as the lake was new. But for some strange reason I found a very sick half grown duck. I brought her home and my father and I cared for her for several weeks. Then one day I came home from school and my father was digging a hole with a pickaxe. He said she was dead, that rigamortis had set in. I cried and begged him not to bury her. I cried tears over her and begged her to come back. Then I noticed her eye blink and to my parents amazement she lived... this made us all wonder about miracles. She was what I loved most about coming home from school. One day she left and I was heart broken... I waited for her for months... I knew she would return and one day she did with a dozen or so baby's. After that she would lay her eggs under a bush by the side door. Every day I would inspect them. I could hear the ducklings calling in the eggs pecking there way out.

My  father was a kind man that taught me to respect animals and their right to freedom. It pains me greatly to see them in cages. Once my older sister Helen took me to a circus, I hated it. It made me cry to see the tigers and bears being bullied. I felt their emotions, their unhappiness, even at that distance. What's wrong with everyone? How could people enjoy this? My sister said that something was wrong with me, that all children loved the circus. I think at that moment I realized the world of people and I were disconnected. I understood animals but didn't understand people.

 

Written by: Annette 

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LOCAL: Job Posting - Florida Breast Cancer Foundation

Development Manager Employer Information: About the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation:  Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) is a 501c(3) grassroots organization with the mission to end breast cancer through advocacy, education, and research. FBCF works statewide to raise awareness and mobilize Floridians to ensure sufficient public funding for breast cancer research, quality health care for all without fear of discrimination, and an environment free of carcinogens. FBCF is the organization in the State of Florida with the End Breast Cancer license plate. All monies raised stay in the State of Florida to support advocacy, education, and research programs for Florida residents and institutions.  Job Description: The Development Manager is responsible for the achievement of the Foundation's goals and objectives, including but not limited to fundraising, stewardship, grant writing, new board member prospecting, and major donor identification.  The Development Manager is a full time position dedicated to assisting in the successful implementation of a comprehensive development program and reports directly to the President & CEO.  Job Responsibilities include: Special Events Successfully plan, manage and execute all FBCF sponsored special events, with a major fundraising component and/or donor cultivation component; Assist when needed to staff FBCF events; Communicate possible partnerships, funding opportunities for sponsorships; Identifies possible in kind donations in community for raffles, silent auctions etc. Marketing/PR Coordinates feature Development program/stories on fundraising, development, planned giving etc for monthly newsletters, and the bi-weekly FBCF website updates; Develop Relationships statewide, especially in key areas of focus. Fundraising and Development Leads the development of statewide corporate relationships to produce donations, volunteers and sponsorships; Coordinate and manage the preparation and follow-up process of quality and timely proposals for grants, corporate support, and other funding opportunities; Maintains high level giving program by: gaining new members, renew old members and raise the amounts previously given; Work with staff and board members to successfully meet or exceed annually determined budgeted fundraising goals; Identifies grant opportunities and secure additional funding; Solicits corporations for gifts and volunteer opportunities; Assists the President & CEO in preparing Development reports; Coordinates with Operations Manager to prepare and ensure timely processing of all  solicitation requests, thank yous and acknowledgements; Builds and manages a list of 100 major/medium gift donors/prospects to help meet fundraising goals, both Corporate and Individual; Reports regularly on achievement of fund raising objectives related to individual giving to President & CEO and, if necessary, to Board of Directors; Develop statewide fundraising opportunities; Cultivates, nurtures, and grows individual and corporate relationships with current and potential corporate, foundation, and individual donors to secure major gifts; Work closely on fund raising activities and plans with the President & CEO, Board Chair entire board, and staff; Plans and coordinates programs and events for current and potential donors with the goal of strengthening their association with FBCF by increasing their involvement, and their giving; Represents FBCF with donors and the public as determined by President & CEO; Responsible for ensuring all acknowledgements of events and personal donations are timely, including monetary and in kind services and gifts - excludes donor gifts. Miscellaneous Continuously recommend for recruitment of committee members, advocates, and potential new board members; Continuously provide leads for fundraising and promote LP Sales; Submit weekly and quarterly accomplishment and summary report to President & CEO by email; Attend weekly staff meetings; Track all expenses for each event and initiative by relevant categories; Performs other duties as directed Qualifications & Skills Required  Excellent PC skills, including but not limited to: word processing, presentation & data base programs; Ability to work independently and in a team setting; Strong desire, passion, and motivation to be successful, combined with hard work necessary to actualize that desire; Self-starter with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously; Excellent writing skills; Strong "people skills" and the ability to work well with and support volunteers, staff, donors, and the public; Strong marketing and communication skills, both verbally and written; Pro-active, energetic, organized, flexible, creative, and calm despite pressure work style; A strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit, committed to achieving goals; Minimum of Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience; Previous proven Development/Sales experience is a must; Work within the annual plan and budget to achieve goals. More information about the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. is available at www.FloridaBreastCancer.org. Send by mail or email to: James R. Konschnik, President & CEO ATTN: Development Manager Search The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.  11900 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 806 North Miami, FL  33181 or ceo@floridabreastcancer.org.   Review of applicants will begin immediately until the position is successfully filled.    Together we WILL end breast cancer!

WRITINGS: Q & A with Dr. Carlos Wolf - Nasal Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Q.  I am a 28-year-old man thinking of having nasal surgery. I know you say that men are chickens, but I am really one. Can you walk me through the steps of undergoing a nose job and also fixing the inside of my nose as I have trouble breathing?

A. Of all types of patients and surgeries, men and their noses are the most demanding. Here is the step-by-step procedure that I use: I will consult with a man, knowing that he has been thinking about nose surgery for years, prior to surgery. I will discuss his goals and desires and finally ask what exactly he would like to have done. Very often there is a functional component (breathing problem) that must be addressed. 

Finally, I will show pictures of other patients who have undergone surgery and then proceed to take photos of the patient. I essentially “photo shop” the picture so as to give my patient a reasonable idea of what he can expect as a result of surgery.Once expectations, risks and benefits are discussed, the surgery is performed, usually as an outpatient procedure. It takes one to two hours under general anesthesia. The patient remains in recovery for approximately one to two hours and then leaves. I remove the cast after seven days. The patient can resume reasonable activity within eight days and full activity in one month.

There is minimal pain with this procedure. Most patents require very little pain medicine. I have continued to decrease the number of pain pills that I prescribe, as people find that it is a waste of money. If a patient is not happy, a revision may be required, although this is rare.

 

Connect with Dr. Carlos Wolf on FACEBOOK, Click HERE. 

For more info visit Miami Plastic Surgery, Click HERE. 

Email: CWOLF@MIAMIPLASTICSURGERY.COM

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