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Have you checked out From A Writers POV this week?

Posted by Dominique on January 7, 2009 at 5:56am

From A Writers POV has been updated!New This Week!New Weekly Feature by Delisa Y. Jones. Check out her poem here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/weeklyfeature.htmNew This MonthFrom A Writers POV has returned it's Writing Events. In February, we are bringing back our writing events with a little kick. February is the month of love and this month's writing is "Love's Dedication". We are looking for four writers who would like to submit a short story about love. Your writing can be about a marriage proposal, your most memorable Valentine's Day or your first love. The choice is yours as long as it's about love. Sign up here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writingevent.htmBusiness Interviews & Ads have arrived! We have two interviews to check out this month with Geri Ahearn & Sharen Rooks!Are you a published author with an event coming up in June or August? If so, check out the details on this event here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/newslinks.htmFrom A Writers POV has lots of things going on this edition. Check out more info on the events here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/newslinks.htmComing in February: Weekly Features Honors Black History Month! Sign up starting January 23rd to express your feelings about Black History Month!We look forward to hearing from you!Dominique

Today's Debut - Don't Stop Massage Candle

Posted by Debrah on January 6, 2009 at 9:07pm

This is Booty Parlor’s gorgeous, sensual and totally sophisticated DON’T STOP MASSAGE CANDLE!You‘ll set the scene for seduction with the glow of this luxurious candle and let the thrilling aphrodisiac fragrance arouse your senses. When you’re ready to play, blow out the flame and drizzle the warm oil onto bare skin for a uniquely intimate, exciting massage experience.This emollient massage candle is made of a rich blend of shea butter, vitamins A & E, jojoba, olive and coconut oils, and clean-burning natural soy wax. The formula melts at a low temperature to become a silky, long-lasting massage oil that will warm and nourish your body. It burns at just over body temperature, so it will feel excitingly warm, but won’t burn your skin.This is the ultimate romantic treat and bedroom accessory—it will create a sensual, intimate and exciting massage experience that plays on the racy fantasy of dripping hot wax on a lover’s body. Ooh la la!!It comes in two incredible aphrodisiac-inspired fragrances: Spicy Chocolate Cinnamon and Exotic Sandalwood Vanilla… It burns for up 46 hours and you’ll get up to 10 full body massages out of each candle for just $36.00.Hot, right? Now, which one do you know you have to have?

Looking for Legitimate and Lucrative Business Opportunity

Posted by La'Shon on January 6, 2009 at 8:59pm

Can someone please let me know of a legitimate yet lucrative business opportunity. I would also like an opportunity that will allow me to be successful without harassing friends or family members.Thank you

Tune in for "Living Single"!- Listen online...

Posted by Sharvette, Radio Host on January 6, 2009 at 8:17pm

Low Cost Mini Media Marketing

Posted by Lisa Henry on January 6, 2009 at 7:30pm

Greetings!When working with low or no marketing budgets, I find it highly effective to take full advantage of mini-media marketing. It goes hand in hand with my belief to market where the fish are plentiful and the fisherman scarce.Sometimes you can’t get around what things are. It is what it is! Marketing for the legal community using mini-media marketing carries the image of a check advance cash business where the bricks are painted neon yellow and red. So please understand, mini-media marketing may not be for all businesses, depends on your target audience and professional image you created for your business. My clients are just starting in their professional careers or launching their private practice. Most will become standard marketers after about a year. It is good to explore most forms of marketing to know what works best for you.Mini-media marketing is canvassing, writing personal letters, posting signs on bulletin boards, passing out or distributing flyers/circulars, on-hold marketing and marketing by phone. Standard marketers rarely or never use mini-media marketing and conventionally fish where the fisherman are plentiful and the fish are scarce. Mini-media marketing requires attention to detail and a rigid marketing schedule. Production costs are low, however management of your mini-media projects are time intensive. Marketing on a low budget and low production costs do have a price and that price is time.Start today, develop your mini-media marketing campaign. Write down exactly if you will distribute flyers, post signs, or community market. Now that you know which mini-media strategies you will use, design the collateral, flyers and signs according to your target audience. For your campaigns to be effective schedule all projects. Make a note on your project calendar who, what, where, when and why about your mini-media marketing event. Everyone should understand the purpose and intent of the event and it should be timely. This is a guerrilla marketing strategy and at least two strategies should be implemented daily. Make yourself visible! Repetition is the Mother of invention. In this case start building share of mind with your target audience.Our mini-media marketing project to promote our social network begins today. Follow our tight schedule on twitter.Always a Blessing to Share, Dream your World!

Skin Care Means Self Care for One Self

Posted by Sheya on January 6, 2009 at 5:54pm

It is really important to have a healthy-looking skin because it sometimes serves as an outlet to what we really are. People would think that if you have a healthy skin, you take good care of yourself properly, but if you have a skin as rough as a tree, then people can misjudge us by our outer appearance. Our skin is the largest organ of our body. And since it is on the external, scars from pimples and other wounds would be very visible.Now, how would you feel if you have a blemish skin and somebody keeps on staring at you? Would you be proud of your skin? Would you have the courage to stare back to that person?Definitely the answer is no. But if you have the kind of skin that is soothing to the eye and wanted to be touched you will be proud to show how beautiful your skin is.Now, if you want to have a more beautiful skin, here are some tips that will help you with at 100 percent guarantees:1. Do not over due your skin with so many cosmetics. Different cosmetics, definitely contains different ingredients which are really not good for your skin. Stick with one line of products which are formulated to work together.2. Take a 30-minute exercise. This will increase your blood flow, which brings more nutrients to the skin.3. Eat healthy foods. What I mean with healthy are the fruits, vegetables and juices. Avoid too many fats and carbohydrates.4. Cleanse after make up. Use a mild non-soap cleanser to remove your make up.5. Pimple hands-free. Do not poke, prod, and pop your pimples. It might make your problem worst. It may cause scaring and spreading of infection can also be possible.6. Give yourself a break. Sleep for at least eight to nine hours.7. Drink a lot of water. Drink at least six to eight ounce glasses of water everyday.Now, if you are not content with the above guidelines and doubt if it will really work for you, you can also try the following skin care tips. This tip is suitable for people with sensitive skin and for busy working people.The simplest factor to beautiful skin is to keep your skin clean. Find a good cleanser that will respond well to your skin and stick with it. If possible avoid using soap as your cleanser. Splash yourself with lukewarm water. Do not use hot or cold water.The most important in making your skin glow is to gently exfoliate it. If you have an oily skin or combination, you will need to exfoliate four to five times a week after you cleanse. But if you have dry and sensitive skin, it is recommended that you exfoliate once or twice a week.Use a moisturizer. It attracts moisture and draws it into the skin.And lastly, apply sunscreen. The number one cause of wrinkles is sun damage. So, in order to avoid this, use a sunscreen on your early years. Use one for night time and another in the morning which has UV protection.The above guidelines and tips can be very helpful so please use it properly.Remember, once you take care, nourish and pampered your skin, it will react in gratitude and an instant you will collect the benefits it will give you.SheyaCreate Your Own Defintion of Beauty "Naturally"www.naturallynuturingbeauty.com

I Feel Good!

Posted by Tonya K. Freeman on January 6, 2009 at 4:06pm

Greetings SiStars!How wonderful to be alive this day! I don't just mean being alive because I woke up this morning but being alive because I FEEL GOOD ALL OVER!I feel good in my spirit, in my body, in my mind, in my WombHeart!I feel good because I see a vision most beautiful this day!I feel good because I am beginning this year of 2009 with renewed insights, renewed wisdom, new friends and of course old friends.I feel good because I am loved by the most wonderful man on the planet! At least to me he is that :-)I feel good because I KNOW that life is blissfully orgasmic and I love flowing with that energy!I feel good because I am a Child of the Universe, no less than the stars and the planets!I feel good because I have left 10 pounds in 2008!I feel good because we are preparing to travel to a new place!I feel good because I am being interviewed on the subject of Looking Good, Feeling Good and Smelling Good! YES!!!I feel good because I do!Yes, it is a beautiful morning, it is a beautiful day and I've got a wonderful feelilng, everything's going my way!Holding the VisionTonya"I want for my SiStar, what I want for myself!"

Allowing Success in 2009

Posted by Zhana on January 6, 2009 at 2:30pm

How can African American people achieve our goals in 2009? The more we dwell on our successes, the more successful we become. The Law of Attraction says that in order to achieve success, we need to vibrate at the level of success.Can you talk about your successes openly, freely? Or are you afraid people will think you are 'big-headed'?Often, we do not own our successes. We say, 'Anyone could have given that presentation/solved that problem/written that paper/prepared that meal'.Can you talk about your successes openly, freely? Or are you afraid people will think you are 'big-headed'?Often, we do not own our successes. We say, 'Anyone could have given that presentation/solved that problem/written that paper/prepared that meal'.To read the rest of this article, visit: Allowing SuccessI would very much appreciate your feedback on this article. Click here to join my Nurture Success group.Wishing you all the best for 2009!

What do you have in common with Oprah?

Posted by Katrina on January 6, 2009 at 8:42am

Lessons from “O”It’s January 5, 2009. I am watching Oprah. Oprah has declared that 2009 will her year for joy, hope and balance. She has made a conscious decision to put herself at the top of HER to do list. How awesome is that?So what do you have in common with Oprah? Do you need joy, hope or balance? If your answer is yes, Read on…. Let’s spend a few moments talking about balance.What is balance?When I think of balance I imagine the scales of justice, where there is equal amount of weight on each side. Unfortunately most entrepreneurs have lives that are out of balance; where one side of the scale weighs much more than the other. We spend more time at the office than with our families. We work harder on our developing our intellect than growing spiritually. We spend more hours in front of our computer than resting or relaxing. Decide today to make a conscious effort to even out your personal scale.Your assignment: Make your to do list. Item #1. Make yourself a priority today.To get started I recommend the book:How did I get so busy? By Valerie BurtonValerie offers a 28 day plan to free your time, reclaim your schedule and reconnect to what matters the most.http://valorieburton.com/catalog.php?item=43&catid=BooksFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/katrina_michele

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!

Posted by Yvonne Long on January 6, 2009 at 12:10am

Mortgage rates fall to third straight record low Mortgage Rate Trend IndexMortgage rate experts polled by Bankrate.com last week don’t know what to expect. While 40 percent predict rates will continue to fall, 30 percent foresee and increase and the remaining 30 percent expect no change of the next 30 to 45 days.WASHINGTON – Jan. 5, 2009 – Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to a record low for the third straight week and borrowers took advantage of the drop, sending new applications soaring.With the Federal Reserve on the verge of pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into the devastated U.S. housing market, mortgage rates have plunged to the lowest level since Freddie Mac started tracking the data in April 1971.Low rates are a great opportunity for borrowers with solid credit and plenty of equity in their homes. But those in danger of foreclosure are still sidelined, and defaults are expected to keep rising in the coming months.Freddie Mac reported Wednesday that average rates on 30-year fixed mortgages dropped to 5.1 percent this week, down from the previous record of 5.14 percent set last week. It was the ninth straight weekly drop. The survey was released a day early due to the New Year’s holiday.Mortgage rates have plunged by about 1.3 percentage points since late October, Freddie Mac said. For a borrower taking out a $200,000 loan, that means a savings of more than $170 in monthly payments, according to Frank Nothaft, the mortgage finance company’s chief economist.Meanwhile, mortgage applications last week remained at the highest level in more than five years, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.The trade group’s weekly application index was essentially unchanged for the week ending Dec. 26. Applications surged earlier this month to the highest level since July 2003, when refinancing activity boomed at the peak of the housing market.More than 80 percent of applications came from borrowers looking to refinance at more affordable rates, the trade group said.Interest rates have plunged since the Federal Reserve pledged last month to buy up mortgage-backed securities in an effort to bolster the long-suffering housing market. The Fed, starting early next month, will buy up to $500 billion in securities guaranteed by the government-controlled home loan giants Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, a federal agency.“It’s a huge number,” said Derek Chen, an analyst at Barclays Capital, who noted that mortgage rates are still high when compared with yields on long-term Treasury debt.With the Fed and Treasury Department buying up a significant portion of the new mortgage securities issued by Fannie and Freddie next year, that gap, or spread, could narrow.If that happens, mortgage rates could fall further, possibly as low as 4.5 percent, Chen said.The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 4.83 percent, the lowest point since March 2004. That rate was 4.91 percent last week, Freddie Mac said.Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages rose to 5.57 percent, compared with 5.49 percent last week. Rates on one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages fell to 4.85 percent, from 4.95 percent last week.The rates do not include add-on fees known as points. The nationwide fee for 30-year, 15-year mortgages and five-year adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.7 point last week, compared with 0.5 point for one-year adjustable-rate mortgages.Meanwhile, home prices dropped by the sharpest annual rate on record in October and there are no signs the housing pain is over.The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city housing index, released Tuesday, fell by a record 18 percent from October last year, the largest drop since its inception in 2000. The 10-city index tumbled 19.1 percent, its biggest decline in its 21-year history. Prices are at levels not seen since March 2004.Copyright 2008 The Associated Press, Alan Zibel (AP Real Estate Writer). All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Related Topics: Mortgage rates

The Daily Ritual of a True Overcomer

Posted by Renee Hornbuckle on January 5, 2009 at 11:46pm

7 Keys To Your SuccessHave you ever wondered what it is that causes some people to be at peace, to be able to overcome anything, to acquire great success and be able to arise as a true overcomer? What is it that makes the difference?It’s in their daily routine. There are some daily habits that you can learn from others and then begin to implement in your life as part of your daily routine that will make you a true overcomer!After surveying a number of successful overcomers, I found the following similarities in their daily routine. If you will begin to restructure your life around these life principles, you too will become a true overcomer.These are the 7 keys that I believe will start you on the way to becoming a TRUE OVERCOMER!1. Pray - Begin each day with prayer.God wants us to pray. Prayer is how we communicate with Him. James 5:16 says, “the effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Prayer is our way of expressing our thanks, supplications, our adoration, and our confession to God. When we sincerely pray, bodies are healed, walls are torn down, people are lifted up and we get direction for our lives. God wants us to be in constant communication with him.1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “pray without ceasing”. God wants us to pray. God wants people to seek HIM for direction for life. God wants total commitment! God wants to lead the path of the people so they will go the right way and receive the blessings HE has for us. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Yes, the things that you tried to attain but couldn’t; was God sought first? The decisions that were made but turned out to be the wrong one; was God sought first? We often “have not” because we “ask not” or we ask amiss. We should ask God to give us the plans as we begin each day.2. MeditateTo mediate means to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one's breathing or repetition) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. So, meditation is necessary for us to become more spiritually attuned. Jesus said that we are not to "live by bread alone, but by EVERY Word of God". (Lk.4:4). He was teaching by illustration. How often do we eat each day? We eat in the day, and we eat at night. That is WHY God's Word admonishes us to MEDITATE (chew your food, the Word of God, slowly) upon His Word day and night. (Ps.1:1-3; Joshua 1:8). We must learn to sit still and think on the Word! Mediation allows you to get focused and organized.3. Learn to Hear from God – get your daily ordersHearing is the ability to perceive or apprehend by the ear: to gain knowledge of by hearing: to listen to with attention.God is clear on his instruction on how we should hear and he warns and encourages us as well: Luke 8:18 So be sure to pay attention to what you hear. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they think they have will be taken away from them." NLTRev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says. How we listen and what we do with what we hear determines what we receive. Proverbs 8:34-36 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. 36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; NIVGod speaks daily into our lives; the voice of God is always speaking to us and always trying to get our attention.We miss what God is saying because we expect fire, lightning and thunder to appear, not recognizing that oftentimes God’s voice is a “small, still voice. Even in church, most people are more interested in entertaining speakers than they are the content of the message, so they hear sounds, but really don’t listen to what they need to give consideration to for their lives.We often miss what God is saying…we hear a sound, but we are not really listening, so we miss what God is speaking into our situation. God speaks daily into our “routines” of life. We must learn to hear his voice. How can we follow him if we don’t recognize his voice? So, learn to hear what HE is saying daily!4. Give God all your cares. 1 Peter 5:7 tell us to …Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. TLB In times of trouble, cast your cares upon the Lord. Even if you are not troubled. Give your cares to God – He’s the most qualified to handle them. Then choose to trust HIM! He cares for you and He will work it out for your good.5. Count your blessings and be thankful for what you have! No matter what problems you have or how bad things may seem, there is always something to be thankful about. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessolonians 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. TLB Don't dwell on the negative and certainly stop the complaining. Think of the good things you have, and the problems and challenges will soon diminish or even disappear. Learn to appreciate where you are and to give thanks for ALL things.6. Live each day as a True Overcomer! Live life to the fullest! Begin to act and feel like you can achieve anything. You deserve it! You can be an overcomer in anything you do, but you must master some basic life principles.Be Disciplined You must establish some disciplines in your life. Evaluate every area of your life and determine where you need to become more disciplined. Set some goals, and develop the steps you need to take for you to achieve them. Set some boundaries.Be healthy Take care of yourself. Strive to be physically, mentally and spiritually healthy. You feel good when you're healthy.Be knowledgeable Always seek to learn, so that you'll be skilled in what you want to do. You feel sure when you're knowledgeable.Be excellent Strive to achieve your goals, do a good job and have confidence and self-esteem. Always made certain that you give it your absolute best in everything you do! God’s starting point is EXCELLENCE! Get rid of your mediocre thinking, and stop just being average. If you are going to be the best, then that’s what you have to give! God gave us HIS BEST!Be valuable You have value! And you must be confident in your value! In all that we do and even in any type of relationship (family, business, community, etc.) we should bring value to it. Seek to find your value. Strong relationships can be a valuable commodity. When each person brings value, there is a positive exchange. People reciprocate your actions by providing something valuable to you.Be honorable Proverbs 11:3 the integrity of the upright guides them NIV Your honor and integrity is what will guide you to do the right things. Try to always be honest, courageous and reliable. Try to be a person of good character. Others will respect you for your integrity.Be a servant! Commit to a life of service. We are called to a life of service and if we develop a servant’s attitude it will promote you to greatness. Eph 4:12-13 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. NIV We must serve others until we all reach unity!7. Finally, ENJOY your life and learn to help others enjoy theirs!Make it a point everyday to celebrate life. Celebrate your achievements. Use your set-backs as opportunities to learn how to overcome. Everything that we go through in life is an opportunity for us to learn.A major part of enjoying your life is to help others enjoy their lives. Help people succeed. That is what it is all about. That is your purpose.So, remember God has put you in this earth to make a difference! He wants you to be an OVERCOMER!If you commit to trying these keys for at least 21 one days (it takes 21 days to develop a habit), you will find yourself on the way to becoming a true overcomer!!!

It's Okay

Posted by Author Patricia Yarbrough on January 5, 2009 at 11:06pm

walked around this morning telling myself it's okay. The reason I say it's okay,today is the day my life changed forever.I received the call no parent ever want to receive my son,my best friend had died.It's been 20 years today, yet I can close my eyes and it can feel like yesterday.I know a true and loving God who is right here with me today, if I decided I am going to cry. he will give me the strength to gently wipe away my tears.I thank God for allowing me to look back on this day 20 years ago,I was a broken hearted mother, a suicidal mother,a depressed mother,a lonely mother, a sad mother, I was a mother who saw nothing but death.Today I am thankful for all those things I was, because I am a mother who wants to live again.I have one more hurdle to cross over,my son, my best friend birthday is next month it's okay, I'll make it.When I share my story I don't look for sympathy,sympathy can't heal my broken heart only God can and he did.I guessed I tried not to cry,but my eyes are full of water, but the tears will not drop, I guess God is right here,doing what he does best comforting me in the midst of my storm.I want all of you to know I appreciate all the wonderful people I met at the end of my journey.Had I not believed that God will heal my broken heart I would not have met you.www.authorpatriciayarbrough.comShare

The Velvet Rope Theory: Screen your clients?

Posted by Lisa Henry on January 5, 2009 at 7:24pm

Greetings!Imagine you are invited to an exclusive party. You arrive and stop at a beautiful velvet rope between two brass poles. A young lady asks you for your name, you give it and one end of the velvet rope opens for you to enter. You passed the screening. The exclusive party clearly is something the host knows you would benefit from and enjoy.It is absolutely divine to work with clients you enjoy. It makes the work you produce better and promotes superb mental and emotional health for you personally. Having great relationships with clients creates a quality of life that extends to all areas of your life. When you work with clients who are not ideal for you, at some point you’re going to create a conflict, whether intentionally or not, because you’re going to be frustrated with those clients, and those clients will think you’re not providing them with good service and they’ll be right. I’ve made that mistake many times. I’ve worked with over thirty criminal defense attorneys over the years and personally found only two that I bend over backward for.I did not screen any client in the beginning. I should have asked the right questions. All business relationships must be equally yoked and all parties must be of like mind. This is especially true for the nature of the business and venue I provide services to. We are virtual assistants and have contact with our clients on a daily basis. There is a wise saying, “All money ain’t good money” a true saying I personally learned the hard way.There was a time I worked with five attorneys or law offices simultaneously and not one of the firms were a fit. It is awful when you hate going to work for yourself. It should have felt rewarding to have clients. It should have been a blessing especially then. Never have I had so many headaches as I did at that time. What was causing this stress? It was not the work. I enjoyed marketing. It was who I chose to do business with. It is draining and exhausting working with challenging client-relationships.We are dedicated screening our clients now. It is not elaborate; we simply take the time to talk with potential clients over coffee or lunch. Character, willingness to fight for clients, and humble egos is what we look for.This approach may not be best for your business, but if you have more challenging client-relationships than enjoyable client-relationships, it may be time to introduce the velvet rope theory.Always a Blessing to Share, Dream your World!

FREE WEBINAR: JOIN US WEDNESDAY

Posted by THE CONFIDENCE ARCHITECT on January 5, 2009 at 6:42pm

CONFIDENT ABOUT CONFIDENCE: THE WEBINAR Reserve your Webinar seat TodayJoin me in the FREE WEBINAR on Wednesday, January 7Dedicated to greatness, This FREE WEBINAR, Confident About Confidence: The Webinar was created to share tips and techniques with Success-Driven Women on a dedicated journey involving the breaking of personal barriers and shift thoughts and paradigms regarding the most important investment in each of their lives....Themselves.Confident Women are Successful Women!"As you believe, so you behave." ~Tommy Newberry

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by iamlivingbydesign ________________________________________________ Seating is LimitedReserve your Webinar seat Today*Upon successfully registration, attendees will receive a complimentary copy ofConfident About Confidence: The Guide and Journal by V. Ivana Fosterand one FREE 15 Min Life Empowerment Coaching Session.

I might be a blogaholic!

Posted by Eddie on January 5, 2009 at 5:47pm

Comment | Copy This

I'm probably late as HECK, but I LOVE snapevine...I love to blog and TALK; what better way to combine the two than through snapvine! IF yo uare a member, hit me up and add me to your friends list

Journey to Beautiful Healthy Hair...AGAIN

Posted by Eddie on January 5, 2009 at 4:37pm

Starting Point

I didn’t really make any New Year’s resolutions, but I did set a goal for my hair for this year. I am going on an exciting vacation in July and I want my hair to be at its absolute best. For the first couple of years of my hair journey, I took impeccable care of my hair. I washed, deep conditioned it and twisted it faithfully. I experienced growth OUT OF THIS WORLD. My hair grew longer in two years than it had ever grown during my lifetime. Since I’ve become and entrepreneur and I pretty much working around the clock, I’ve neglected my own hair terribly. I’ve gone from washing it weekly to every other week! Sometimes it gets deep conditioned, sometimes it doesn’t. I use to take time to separate my hair before washing it to avoid the dreadful detangling process, now I just jump in the shower, wash and go! Before I go any further I would like to take this moment to apologize to my lovely tresses and to tell them that I do love them and I am begging for their forgiveness! Fortunately my hair didn’t get too damaged because it was in such great condition to start, but I am looking to gain 4” of new growth (trimming 1” so ending with about 3”) by July. I want my hair to be SUPER soft, manageable, and healthy so here’s what my regimen will be:•Get braid extensions•Wash EVERY Friday (Sweet Nature Natural Shampoo) http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com/Shampoo.html•Deep Condition Every Friday (Sweet Nature Stimulating Deep Conditioner) http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com/LoveDeepConditioner.html•Moisturize Daily (Sweet Daily Growth Spray) http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com/Moisturizingspray.html•Apply Growth Serum every other day (Sweet Nature follicle stimulator) http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com/spiritfolliclestimulator.html•Massage daily for 10 minutes•Take vitamins Daily http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com/HairVitamins.html•Get extension re-done every 6-8 weeksCheck out OVER 120 Testimonials on Sweet Nature products!http://public.fotki.com/AngelNapps/guide-to-growing-yo/book/viewcomments.html

New Year, New Services

Posted by Rikki on January 5, 2009 at 4:30pm

I trust that you have had a great start to 2009, are forming new, productive habits and ready to charge the world!We've made a few changes at MizzEllaneous.com for the New Year. I'll share them with you here:PrintingWe now offer print services - business cards, post cards, book marks, flyers, posters, yard signs, brochures, etc. Discounts on our design services if you print with us as well.WebsitesWe are no longer doing full on HTML websites. Truth is, those projects never seem to end. Instead we will be producing websites in the following formats:CMS (Joomla)CMS - or content management sites - allow clients to make changes to their sites without disturbing the site's structure (provided their instructions are followed). Very similar to the free versions of Yahoo and MSN sites, but with a lot more freedom. You can also add your own newsletter system, complete with captcha, opt in and opt out functions. starting @ $900ECommerce (ZenCart)If you have a need for an online store, without the extra charges that other providers charge you for each transaction on top of your PayPal/merchant account, this solution may be for you. It has an integrated email system and customer management right there. starting @ $900CMS and ECommerce are programming heavy and rates include up to 40 hours. Also includes domain name, email address and hosting for 1 year; updating manual. Based on schedule availability.Starter SitesThese sites are HTML/php based but 1 (one) page, up to 350 words and 4 pictures. 50% better than "site cannot be found" or "this site coming soon" messages. You can also have a 4 field email capture form on that page, so that potential clients/customers can join your list and be notified when you fully launch. $125 includes domain and email for one year.Ning BlingSounds corny but... if you're networking on Ning to promote your business, why not have your Ning page match your website, business cards, post cards and brochures? You can get this done here - and we're also giving away 4 more customizations. Need to see it? Check out Events of a Lifetime by Telli. The first 100 people to sign up by January 20, 2009 will be eligible for $7 customization.That's about it in a nutshell! You can also talk to us straight from our ning page - you don't need a Yahoo account, just type and send. We look forward to hearing from you and all you're doing in 2009!Rikkiwww.mizzellaneous.com

BREAKFAST TO HOST COMMUNITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HISTORIC INAUGURATION

Posted by Edwina on January 5, 2009 at 4:00pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5th, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Email: l.fountain@juneteenthamerica.us
Leslie Fountain
Telephone: (909) 621-9707
Website: www.JuneteenthAmerica.us

KING BREAKFAST TO HOST COMMUNITY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HISTORIC INAUGURATION

ONTARIO, Ca. – January 5th, 2009 The upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday is expected to represent a strong significance for the country, more than ever before, as it precedes the historic inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. The 8th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast Tribute intends to honor that significance in the community on Monday, January 19th, 2009, with special performances and guest speakers acknowledging “the Dreamer” and “the Dream”. The event will be held from 8:30AM-10:30AM at the Ontario Airport Doubletree Hotel, with doors opening at 8:00AM.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast Tribute has been a traditional event, creating a forum for a diverse community to “Come Together and Share the Dream”. This event presents the opportunity to reflect on the Civil Rights Movement in the country, and embrace the impact of the progresses made by individuals like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as evident in the election the first African-American president of our country, and other successes made in the minority community.

This year’s participants include Master of Ceremonies Rev. Jennetta Harris, of J-Joy Ministries, commentaryand performances by Pastor Brian E. Kennedy and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Choir, Pastor Diego Mesa and the Abundant Living Family Church Choir and Mt. Sinai Church of God In Christ Choir. Participating sponsors include Ontario Volvo and Volkswagen, Verizon, Southern California Edison, California Bank & Trust, Ontario Airport Doubletree Hotel, and SLJ Pro Audio Services and eBiz Marketing

Sponsorship and Advertising opportunities are still available for this event. For more information or to purchase tickets directly or to RSVP, visit www.juneteenthamerica.us, call (909) 621-9707 or e-mail jai@juneteenthamerica.us. This event is produced by Juneteenth America Incorporated.
Juneteenth America Incorporated (JAI) is a non-profit organization, that has produced community events for over 15 years in the Pomona Valley. Since 1996, JAI has operated on the objective to educate the public about the significance of “Juneteenth” or “June 19th, 1865” and promote the observance of the California Juneteenth National Freedom Day, signed into law in 2002.

Attached Photos: - Attendees at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast and Pastor Brian E. Kennedy of Mt. Zion Baptist Church speaking to attendees.
Photography: Michael D. Thomas

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Buying a Home is a Process

Posted by Yasmin Sabur on January 5, 2009 at 2:19am

Buying a home is not a spur of the moment decision. Taking time to prepare and doing the homework not only makes the process less stressful, but will make homeownership a pleasure.Getting OrganizedStart with a loose-leaf notebook and some sharpened pencils. Manilla file folders are helpful in organizing bills and other documents needed for loan applications. Having a business telephone directory on hand or access to a computer is a good idea. After making calls, record the phone numbers, contact name and a short note on the conversation in the notebook under a reference tab.Rent vs. HomeownershipFor some renting makes more sense than purchasing a home. The only way to determine this is by comparing the costs of homeownership to renting.In addition to mortgage payments (first and second mortgages) taxes and insurance (mortgage insurance and homeowner insurance) must be included in the owning a home column.The next items in the column should be utilities. For a home these include gas, oil, electricity, water, waste disposal (garbage pickup), and optional telephone and cable costs.Condominiums and Co-op FeesSome first time homebuyers decide to purchase condominiums or co-operative units because many of the utility and maintenance costs are included in the homeowners’ association (HOA) fees. Include these fees on the list and remember that all utilities may not be covered. Contact several homeowners’ associations to get an idea of what the HOA fee covers.Mortgage Credit CertificateThe Mortgage Credit Certificate program offers a federal tax credit for mortgage interest paid. Most states participate in this program. The credit can be used to increase the homeowner’s take home pay and offset the costs of owning and maintaining a home. Contact area real estate agents, state and county housing departments and employer payroll departments for information on this program. Deduct the amount of the credit from the cost of owning a home.Maintenance CostsMaintenance costs cover a wide range of items from lawnmowers to roof repair. Trees have to be pruned, lawns mowed, heating systems maintained, windows caulked in cold climates, broken pipes and windows replaced, leaky faucets repaired. Make maintenance costs an item in the homeowner column.Call local utility companies and work with a local real estate agent to establish a good estimate of these costs. Always go with the higher estimate.Home Improvement GrantsMany states and counties offer home repair and improvement grants to homeowners. Homeownership is a requirement for most of these grants. Knowing the eligible areas, property types, and grant uses will assist in determining if the grants can be useful after purchasing a home. Visit myhomedownpayment.com, and contact state and local housing departments for grant information.Intangible costsMortgage payments, utilities, maintenance and repairs are the tangible costs of owning a home. Intangible costs require another list that should include the following questions:Why do I want to purchase a home?Do I have enough time to maintain a home? (Not maintaining a home will decrease the property’s value.)Can I change a light bulb, mow a lawn, paint the front door, replace a lock, caulk a window, repair a faucet, trigger an electrical circuit, recognize mold or termite damage?Do I have a tool kit?Am I willing to make financial sacrifices if owning a home costs more than I am paying in rent now?What am I willing to cut back on financially to own a home?Will a major financial emergency (health, car repairs, or job loss) impact my ability to make my mortgage payment?Do I have a savings account?If I create a budget will I stick to it?If owning a home requires a lifestyle change, am I sure (as much as it is possible to be) I want to change for the long term?How often do I call my landlord to make simple repairs?The author, Yasmin Sabur, is the founding member of My Home Down Payment and myhomedownpayment.com, e-education businesses promoting affordable housing through mortgage down payment assistance programs for low-to-moderate income families.

The Strong Black Woman: Myth or Reality?

Posted by Pastor Aminata on January 5, 2009 at 1:25am

The Strong Black Woman: Myth or Reality?I was having a conversation with a group of women today, and the subject of the "Strong Black Woman" came up. It was with a mixed group and I found the discussion absolutely fascinating.So I want to engage your thinking (my brothers and sisters) as well. What is your definition of a Strong Black Woman. Is she a myth or reality?Brothers: How do/would you define her? Do you or would you embrace her as your partner in life? If yes, why so? If no, why not?Sisters: How would you define her? Is she a myth or reality? Do you consider yourself a Strong Black Woman? If yes, why so? If no, why not?It is my hope that this year 2009 will be the year of truth and honesty, openness and kindness, generosity of care and genuineness love.I look forward to your comments and feedback.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.