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It's Not About You

Shame On You If You Pull the Ladder Up After You

Earlier this month, while I was on Capitol Hill and at the FDA advocating Indie Beauty Network member positions against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, I was accompanied by 4 amazing women. Each has at least one successful and profitable business, yet, she took time away from her rice bowl to join me in a fight that will positively impact business owners around the country for years to come.

Capitol_reflection

Kayla Fioravanti, Anne-Marie Faiola, Lela Barker and Jamila White are screaming examples of women who are not so wrapped up in their own success stories that they abandon a moral obligation to pave the way for others to enjoy the same opportunities they have.

In one of our meetings, Lela told a Congressional staffer that her business could pay the $12,000 in fees that are contemplated by the draft law. As she put it, "I won't like it, but I can and will write the check if I have to."

Then she said this: "Even though I can pay the fees and keep up with the paperwork, my concern is that there are many others who cannot. I'm here because I do not want to enjoy the fruits of entrepreneurship and then pull the ladder up after me."

Don't Pull The Ladder Up After You

This summarizes all of our efforts. Those of us who traveled to Capitol Hill have been blessed with profitable businesses. We have been blessed with good health and with friends, family members, industry colleagues clients and customers who have supported us along the way.

But we started our businesses in an environment that has a level playing field. And now, just as the Indie Beauty industry begins to take flight, new laws threaten to replace the level playing field with an ocean of paperwork and a mountain of fees that would make it impossible for anyone to follow in our footsteps.

We are not about to let that happen without a battle.

It's Not About Us

You may have watched A Civil Forum on Saturday evening on CNN, featuring Barack Obama and John McCain being "civilly" grilled separately for an hour a piece in a non-debate format by Rick Warren, author of the best selling book The Purpose Driven Life.

Warren's book begins with the words, "It's not about you."

Kayla, Anne-Marie, Lela and Jamila's example reminds all of us that it's not about us. Nothing ever is. While our businesses may be "secure," for the short term, we cannot rest on our laurels with the attitude that, security for our lifetime, 50 years give or take, is good enough. It's not.

Fifty years is a drop in the bucket. After that, what about our children? What about their children? Their spouses? What Indie options they have? Will they be stuck buying from big box cookie-cutter stores? Or will they be able to start their own Indie Businesses, and also patronize their fellow Indie Business owners? Those future opportunities, if they are to be had, must be secured now.

We cannot let the chips fall where they may, get on with our businesses and leave the consequences to be sorted out by future generations.

American's Economic Future Depends On Preserving The Ladders We Now Climb

Our country is at a critical time in its history. We are in debt to foreign countries like China and numerous Middle Eastern nations. America's biggest and most successful companies are being purchased by overseas companies, a recent example being the purchase last month of Anheuser-Busch by Belgian Company InBev (pdf).

American companies are laying off workers at a rapid clip. These workers are finding new jobs at foreign owned companies that have US operations. A case in point: Haier Group, a multinational manufacturer of consumer appliances that was founded in China in 1984. One of Haier's main manufacturing arms is staffed by workers in a Camden, South Carolina plant who once worked for US-owned textile manufacturing companies.

Even American companies that can keep people on the payroll are offering increasingly fewer benefits. Pay increases, when they do come, are not keeping pace with inflation, the increasing cost of food and gas and the ridiculously staggering cost of an undergraduate college education.

Some say America is losing its edge. That may be. But if we don't ensure that mothers, fathers, sons and daughters are able to own and manage Indie Businesses in years to come, America will lose much more than an edge. It will lose the very foundation of its Constitution: the unalienable right that each family members has to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The Indie Business Revolution

I believe this nation is in the midst of what I call the Indie Business Revolution. People are rising up in the face of numerous governmental and big business failures to take care of themselves and each other. We are reaching across state boundaries and traditional distinctions of all kinds to uplift and motivate one another to new heights as individuals, families and business leaders.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships

I am honored and humbled to be working with women like Kayla, Anne-Marie, Lela and Jamila who are determined to do everything within their power to ensure the continuance of a level playing field in our industry, and across all industries, for generations to come. These women understand that their success must also pave the way for others to be successful.

They feel a sense of urgency. They know they must act now. Before it's too late.

This is not about them. It's about fashioning an economic landscape where everyone has a chance to enjoy the benefits of business ownership, and is able to use their business to provide for their needs and also for the needs of those who will one day stand on their shoulders.

It's about building a ladder and then leaving it in place so that others may climb it behind them.

What about you?

Have you signed our Petition to fight the FDA Globalization Act of 2008? Over 2,600 people have. Why not you? Have you written a letter to your Congressional representative? To a media representative in your area? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on how you are making a difference so future generations can be economically independent.

And don't forget to leave a link so we can visit your site to find out more.

For more inspiring stories and updates like this one, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.

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Indiecation Nation

With More Americans Becoming Entrepreneurs, Indiecations Are the New Vacations

A lot is being discussed these days about "staycations". These alternatives to vacations are taking place more and more as families find that the rising cost of gas and other consumer goods is making it more difficult to vacation away from home. They are meeting this challenge by taking time off, but staying at home to "staycation."

Ocean_kids

Last week, I was on "indiecation," a term I coined to describe the kind of vacation Indie Business owners like me take. Indiecations are enjoyed by solo and family owned businesses who take traditional vacations away from home, but who still have to manage their businesses day to day, even while away. Indiecations are characterized by a mixture of traditional vacation time and work time, often done at the same time. Here are some tips you can use to enjoy your Indiecation.

1. Take Your Indie Business Mindset

Since indiecation is a mixture of vacation and Indie Business management, you have to take your Indie Business mindset with you. This is especially important if you are traveling with your family.

Indie Business ownership is different from traditional work where you are employed by someone else. As an Indie, you are always "on" as a family member and as a business owner -- always. Even when on vacation.

An Indie Business mindset is one that acknowledges in advance that, while there will be times when 100% of your attention will be devoted to family, there will also be times when you will split your attention between family and work. In both cases, always be ready to transition fully or partially from one to the other.

Relax into your various roles. See yourself as one person with two important and overlapping commitments: work and family. Each is important. Each is interdependent on the other.

2. Let Others Know Your Plan

The biggest mistake you can make is to plan for indiecation while the rest of the family is planning for vacation.

If you plan to work during your vacation, let your traveling partners know that you will be working. Try to schedule time when you are 100% devoted to them. For example, on our indiecation last week, my 100% family times were meal times and after 10:00pm when the kids when to bed.

While we ate, we enjoyed uninterrupted conversation. No ringing, vibrating or buzzing. After the kids were asleep, my husband and I could enjoy doing whatever we wanted to do. Interestingly, since both my husband and I have businesses, we found ourselves working together after the kids went to bed. There we were, side by side at the dining table, enjoying what we love -- the work we do, that supports our family.

It's an interesting juggle, made easier by the fact that we are both self-employed. Whether you and your significant other are both self-employed, or whether just one of you is, plan in advance whether and when you will be combining business and pleasure. This will avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

Ask me how I know.

3. Digitize

Make it easy to be effective and efficient while on indiecation. Take your laptop. Stay at a location that is Wi-Fi enabled. Take your Blackberry or iPhone, and remember the chargers.

The more access you have to digital technologies and accessories, the easier it will be for you to complete work-related tasks quickly and correctly so you don't waste a moment of time.What do you think?

Since everyone should have a stream of income that they control, even if they also have a traditional job (or two), I think we are becoming an indiecation nation. When you go away on vacation, do you find that, like me, you are actually on indiecation? What insights can you share from your experiences? If you have additional tips to offer, please leave them in the comment section below.

What do you think?

Since everyone should have a stream of income that they control, even if they also have a traditional job (or two), I think we are becoming an indiecation nation. When you go away on vacation, do you find that, like me, you are actually on indiecation? What insights can you share from your experiences? If you have additional tips to offer, please leave them in the comment section below.

For more inspiring Indie Business tips and stories, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.

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Communicate & Praise Your Mate

I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase “if you give someone what they want, they’ll give you what you want.” Well, that doesn’t happen as often as we wish. What many people don’t realize is how they go about getting what they want from the person they want it from. The person here is your mate. Allow me to share with you a very effective and easy technique that my wife and practice with each other from time to time. I like to call it the Communicate & Praise technique.It’s easy to tell your mate what he or she did wrong and, then tell them how they should’ve did it so that it would’ve been done right in the first place! However, this often leaves your mate feeling ridiculed and embarrassed. Surely it is not your intent to make them feel this way. Unfortunately, it’s a common practice of ineffective communication amongst couples. This is why the undesired act or behavior often doesn’t change.For example, last year during football season I would often attend the Bucs games with a couple of buddies. Before I left home, I would always tell my wife that I would be home after the game within a certain timeframe and that I would call her if I was running late. When the game was over, my friends and I would go to a sports bar and watch the other televised games. I would call British and let her know where I was and give her a new time that I would be arriving home.What would happen is that specific time would lapse and I hadn’t called her. This would annoy her no end. Instead of getting upset with me and telling me what I need to do, like she had done before, we talked about it. We communicated! She expressed how it made her feel when I didn’t call her if I was going to be late and, she provided suggestions of what would work best for her regarding possible solutions for this particular situation.The next time I went to a Bucs game and gave her a time of arriving home (and those plans changed) I called her and let her know that the plans had changed. And later when I realized that I was going to be running a little late I called her and let her know I was on my way home. She praised me! She simply said “baby thank you so much for calling me. I appreciate it. I’ll see you when you get home and drive safely.” That resonated with me. It made me feel good about what I did and more importantly what it did for her. So now, I call home when I’m going to be late or if plans change so that she is not upset or stressed. This makes for a very healthy and positive atmosphere at home.Communicate and Praise your mate, we all need to be recognized. When we’re at work and we do a good job on a project, or presentation, we want to be praised for what we did right and coached on what we could’ve done better. It’s never is effective to come down on someone when they do something not according to your preference. Often if effective communication hasn’t happened the issue persists. Praise their effort and then show them how to do it better. You’ll find that you are in a happier and transparent relationship that embraces communication and constructive feedback with genuine appreciation that can potentially go the distance.Shelby HillDating/Relationship Empowerment Coach
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Quarter Auctions

Good Afternoon ladies. I would just like to take the time to invite you all to one of the many quarter auctions that are running around Maryland. the quarter auction is an event where multiple vendors such as Mary Kay, Home Interiors, Cookie Lee, Tastefully Simple, Avon, and many more auction merchandise for as low as a quarter! The maximum bid for an item can be $1.00 dependong on the retail value of the item up for bid. for Example, a package from Home Interiors worth $100.00 will be put on the auction block for $1.00. If you would like to bid on that particular item, all you have to do is place 4 quarters in the container, and hope that the auctioneer calls the number on your auction paddle! It's that easy, and its FUN! If you are interested in attending, or of you would like to become a vendor, feel free to send me an email!
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And the winner is....

Thank you all for stopping by my page and giving much appreciated feedback. I have been trying to keep it up making changes on the website, and will continue to update my page. Please continue to stop by my website and let me know if there are any areas for improvement. I'd like to keep my site updated and fresh and the only way to acheive this is to ask the customer, right? Thank you all for your comment, criticisms and supportNow down to business. There were alot of entries, but there could only be one winner. I was surprised to see a BBWO member was picked. She's a wonderful artist that designs hand drawn cards. If you haven't already, you must stop by Pamela Council's page and congratulate her and check also out her adorable items.Thanks again to all who stopped by and gave advice!!God Bless,Michaela Butlerwww.mylasbags.com
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Crisp, Clean & Cheap Website Design Services

At MY Multimedia Designs, we give a complete service to our clients, offering a wide range of services, including website designs, logo designs, MySpace custom designs, web hosting, domain registration, color flyer and business card designs and printing.Ask about $300 website designs- no joke get your own website design for $300 C heck us out at mymultimediadesign.com now!Give us a brief description of your needs — receive a top notch unique web design in less than 14 days! We provide services for a diverse range of clients, with an emphasis on small businesses, entertainment firms, education, arts, and non-profits. Our staff is made up of innovative designers and technologists who have built foundations of work experience in a number of different areas. Together, we form a unique team of conceptual and creative thinkers who offer a wide range of services and skills.
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I have been writing my poetic memoir. It is due to my book editor and copy editor in three weeks. So I am a busy little bee.... Today I wrote about my 15 BAP Commandments. Check them out below. Let me know what you think.Excerpt from That Which Awakens Me by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn LeekeCopyright 2008 by Madelyn C. Leeke.For me, a BAP is a woman who is:B - BeingA - AtP - PeaceBeing At Peace with who I am and who I am becoming as I walk Mother Earth clothed as an African American woman is a lifelong process that calls me to discover, embrace, and accept my whole self ... the stuff I like and the stuff I hide from... my fears, anger, mistakes, shame, guilt, weaknesses, and emotional wounds ... all of my multilayered complex identities.As I have walked the path of Being At Peace, my BAP experience has deepened. I have discovered that BAP has several additional meanings. My discoveries helped me develop my 15 BAP Commandments. See below. I use them as personal intentions that remind me how I have chosen to live.Do you have a set of personal commandments that you use to guide your life?Ananda's 15 BAP CommandmentsBAP Commandment #1B – BeingA – AtP - Peace is the greatest gift I can give to myself and othersBAP Commandment #2B - Becoming anA - AuthenticP - PersonBAP Commandment #3B - BeA - Aware of myP - Power, Passions, and PotentialBAP Commandment #4B - Bring myA- Absolute best self to theP - Playing field of lifeBAP Commandment #5B - Brilliantly shine myA - Amazing light so that itP - Produces goodnessBAP Commandment # 6B - Blessing the world withA - All my gifts and talentsP - Puts value in my community and Mother EarthBAP Commandment #7B - Begin right where IA - Am to give myselfP - Permission to speak my truthBAP Commandment #8B - Break downA - Any barriers that hold me back throughP - Prayer, meditation, and affirmationsBAP Commandment #9B - Be my ownA- Advocate for health, healing, wellness, creative expression, safety, fulfilling relationships, satisfying career choices, and financial responsibility byP - Practicing self-care, self-love, self-empowerment, and self-disciplineBAP Commandment #10B - BoldyA - Applaud and give thanks for my own efforts and the efforts of others withP - PraiseBAP Commandment #11B - BaskA - Always in the land ofP - PositivityBAP Commandment #12B - Bear in mind thatA - my Attitude directly impacts myP - Presence in my own life and the lives of othersBAP Commandment #13B - Be willing and able toA - Apologize for and forgiveP - Past, present and future actions that hurt, harm, and wound myself and othersBAP Commandment #14B - Battle with no one, not even myselfA - Ask Creator for support and wisdom on how toP - Put things in orderBAP Commandment #15B - Basic kindness and compassionA - Are mine as long as IP - Pause and live in the present moment with mindfulness and an open heartMy intention is to allow my spiritual practice to frame my existence as a BAP ... a woman Being At Peace ... a woman Becoming an Authentic Person who offers herself compassion and forgives as she overcomes her fears, heals her wounds, learns from her choices, improves her communication and relationships skills, trusts her intuition, releases emotional patterns and choices that no longer serve her greater good, takes responsibility for her actions and choices, speaks her truth, and lives as Creator made her to be one breath and one step at a time. It is a journey that I humbly walk with Spirit and the ancestors leading my way. My prayer is that I always live my best life knowing what Lorraine Hansberry wrote:“…life has within it that which is good, that which is beautiful and that which is love. Therefore, since I have known all of these things, I have found them to be reason enough and—I wish to live. Moreover, because this is so, I wish others to live for generations and generations and generations.”
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Job Title: Senior Advertising Account ExecutiveMy client seeks a senior level, personable account executive with strong a entrepreneurial spirit, an impressive record of business achievement and a proven ability to deliver advertising sales for our Los Angeles office. You will put your skills and expertise to work implementing our current marketing strategies by selling print advertising. You will call on current & prospective accounts and contribute to our advertising sales objectives. BA/BS, with minimum 5 years media or related sales experience preferably for a national publication, required.Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills are a must.We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package.Please send résumé & cover letter, along with salary requirements, to simoney@mymultimediainc.comMust be located in the NYC Area
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Reserve your spot! Just a few weeks left!

From A Writers POV Online MagazineMonthly Corner ads for only $5. We offer 5 spots throughout our magazine where your ad will be displayed for one full month. ONLY $5!!!!Half Page Ads for only $15. We offer 2 spots throughout our magazine where your ad will be displayed for one full month. Only $15!!!Book Ads or booked until January 2009 but we are stil reserving spots if needed. This ad is $15From A Writers POV Weekly Feature is now open. You can reserve your spot below.So if your interested, reserve your spot today here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/advertisementinfo.htm*Be sure to check out From A Writers POV Calendar to see what's coming up and what's already reserved.Your ads will be noticed by many. From A Writers POV is a very active magazine!Also, I am accepting promo items! If you would like to send me any, please contact me.Ladies Of Christ is looking for Christian women to do an interview with. If you are interested in empowering women of all ages and are insterested in doing the interview, contact me.I look forward to hearing from you!Dominique
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Are You Going Places??? We Are!!! JOIN US

photos copyright 2008 Clarence Coggins

I was on the light rail in Newark earlier today. I decided to take a picture to share with you more elements of my life. It was soo good the feeling of freedom that comes from earning money from your own enterprise.I am so glad that we have the Black Business Builders Club where I'm building a residual income. But what's really awesome is I'm getting built in Paid Automatic Referrals. This means that everyone who pays me to be on my list, has to give me two paid referrals in order to be qualified for the instant pay, residual pay and automatic paid referrals. Cool or COOOL?Life is good. I'm just happy to be part of such an awesome program. Join Us.

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Featured Las Vegas Golf Courses

Arroyo at Red Rock Country ClubThe Arroyo is the only golf course available to the public at the Red Rock Country Club, located close to Red Rock Canyon, golfers can expect amazing views while playing this golf course. This Arnold Palmer signature course has gone through recent upgrades on holes 17 through 19, if you haven't played the Arroyo in a while, we recommend you do for a new experience.The Red Rock Country Club ExperienceBecause the Arroyo is located at Red Rock Country Club you can expect a true country club experience. Red Rock Country Club was originally built as a private club featuring an 18 hole golf course. An additional 18 holes were added and the combined 36 holes were divided between two golf courses. The Arroyo features several holes that were part of the original Red Rock Country Club.Playing the Arroyo Course at Red Rock Country ClubThe Arroyo Golf Course is not overly long, only 6,800 yards, but it makes up for it on the par-3's. This is a classic golf course offering different sets of tees to accommodate any level of golfer. The fairways are generous but the greens are well protected by water and sand.Las Vegas Country ClubThe Las Vegas Country Club offers a vintage experience for golfers who want to experience some true Las Vegas history. With panoramas of the Las Vegas cityscape, this private golf course is a pure pleasure to play. It will test players' shotmaking skills throughout the round. Designed by Edmond B. Ault, the course first opened in the fall of 1967 and has been a staple of Las Vegas golf ever since. Enjoy the 44,000 square foot clubhouse, along with the grill and atmosphere you'll find here.Reflection Bay Golf ClubReflection Bay Golf Club was the first public golf course to open at the Lake Las Vegas Resort. The golf course plays host to the nationally televised "Wendy's Three Tour Challenge".Reflection Bay is fairly long playing over 7,200 yards but several elevation changes shor ten the golf course from the card length. One of the main features of Reflection Bay Golf Course is the use of water as both a hazard and visual enhancement, the course features 5 holes which play along the shoreline of the beautiful Lake Las Vegas.Reflection Bay Golf Club features many of the characteristics that you would expect to find on a Jack Nicklaus design as well as a 5-Star golf resort. Wide fairways, large greens, a n innovative forecaddie program and great course conditions can always be expected at Reflec tion Bay.Siena Golf ClubSiena Golf Club opened in 1999, the golf course couples deep bunkers and several reachable par-5's to provide character to the course.Great Course Conditions Year Round at Siena Golf ClubSiena Golf Club prides itself on great course conditions and fast greens. The greens utilize a special grain of Rye Grass which thrives in both hot and cold conditions, making Siena one of the best choices for Summer and Winter golf in Las Vegas. Siena measures only slightly over 6,800 yards from the back tees but still challenges golfers of all skill levels.Siena Golf Club was designed by Schmidt-Curley, who spent much of their early career studying under Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. The greens at Siena represent the putting ability of Jack Nicklaus. These greens are typically fast, large and have lots of swells on them. Checking the location of the pin is a must at Siena Golf Club.Playing Siena Golf ClubThe 18th hole on the Siena Golf Course is a great finishing hole. This short par-4 is onl y 400 yards but plays uphill from the tee. The tee shot must carry to the upper level of the fairway to have any chance of going for the green. On the right side of the hole is another menacing bunker and out of bonds. The best line on this hole is the lone tree that sits on the left side of the fairway. Try to hit the power fade and get as close to this green as possible. The fairway slopes from left to right so the ground will act as a buffer from the left rough.Silverstone Golf ClubSilverstone Golf Club in Las Vegas offers 27 championship holes surrounded with lush greens, rolling mounds, and spectacular views of Sheep Mountain.Silverstone will test the best of golfers. With four sets of tee boxes on each hole, this golf course provides a challenging and memorable experience for golfers of all levels.Silverstone is conveniently located 25-30 minutes from the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Definitely three unforgettable nine-hole layouts you'll enjoy again and again and again.The Falls Golf ClubThe Falls Golf Club is one of the signature golf courses located at the Lake Las Vegas Resort. This resort is located about 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. The golf course was designed by Tom Weiskopf who directed the Falls between rugged desert landscape and shoreline holes.The Falls Golf Club recently introduced a forecaddie program that pairs one caddy with each group to help with local golf course knowledge and perform the duties you would expect from the a tour caddy. These duties include raking bunkers, cleaning golf balls and reading putts.The Falls Golf Club is very well manicured and golf course conditions are extremely important. Both the fairways and greens are fast and the ball tends to roll. This will be another factor in shortening the length of this golf course. It is not unusual to hit several 300 yard drives during the day.The back nine starts across the road and into the hills that surround the lake. The back nine has far more dramatic elevation changes than the front nine. The 12th hole is a medium length par-5 that features a semi-blind tee shot. The best line off the tee is toward the bunker located on the right side of the center fairway.The Falls Golf Club is a great test of golf. The numerous sets of tees, fast fairways, good variety of holes and great courses conditions make it fun for any skill level of golfer. The added touch of a forecaddie really enhances the experience. With several hotels in the a rea this is a great place to spend the week.TPC Las VegasTPC Las Vegas (formerly TPC Canyons) is the only PGA Tour owned public facility in Las Vegas. TPC Las Vegas has been hosting professional golf events for the past decadeTPC Las Vegas offers you A PGA Tour ExperienceTPC Las Vegas is a great chance for the average golfer to play a golf course the PGA pros play. In an attempt to make the experience as real as possible, TPC Las Vegas has a forecaddie program in place depending on the season. Each group has one caddie that will act as a guide around the golf course. They will let players know yardages, tend pins and help the players out in any way possible.Playing TPC Las VegasTPC Las Vegas plays slightly over 7,000 yards and cuts a path through the rugged desert that surrounds the golf course. On many holes the player will be forced to carry a desert area in order to find the fairway. There is only one hole on the golf course that has water next to the green. The 18th hole is a very dramatic and demanding finishing hole.TPC Las Vegas is PGA Tour Conditions Open To the PublicTPC Las Vegas is usually in tournament condition. Many touring professionals who reside in Las Vegas like to practice at this facility. Touring professionals like to practice in conditions they experience week in and out on the tour, TPC Las Vegas provides this on a regular basis.
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New Book Coming...

“The Tension Reliever”Volume 1A Poetry CollectionBy: Dominique L. WatsonMy 4th book coming this fallview a sample of my poems on my bloghttp://blog.myspace.com/mrs_creative_diva
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Use these Samples to Prepare Your Own Letters!

My last post offers tips and strategies to help you impact the political process in your favor. Now that you have an overview of the process, here are some sample email letters you can use to reach out to the media and your representatives in Congress.

Capitol

Remember that these letters are meant to be samples and they have already been used effectively by IBN member Lisa Rodgers of Cactus & Ivy to set up a conference call meeting with a South Carolina Senator's staffer, and also by IBN member Starlene Moore of Supplies by Star so set up a conference call meeting with a Texas Congress woman. It's always a good idea to include a sentence or two that personalizes them so that they don't appear cookie-cutter to the person receiving them. While these samples are designed to address issues associated with the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, they can be used for most any political outreach you may be involved in at the federal, state or local level.

Sample Initial Email to Congressional Representative

This letter can often be easily and quickly sent through email forms that most political representatives have at their websites. Choose representatives whose websites indicate a small business-friendly commitment.

Dear Representative [or Senator] Name:

I own a small cosmetics business in [state] and I am writing to you because I am familiar with your commitment to small businesses in our state. The draft discussion of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 is now being marked up in the House Energy & Commerce Committee and I am strongly opposed to it.

The stated purposes of the draft law are to provide FDA with funding and to protect consumers. But cosmetics have a stellar safety record and there is no need to pass laws that would hurt small businesses while offering no safety benefits consumers.

If passed, the new law would impose fees on my business of from $2,000 to $12,000 per year and require me to comply with burdensome paperwork and manufacturing requirements that no small business can afford.

I write to ask you to vote against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 when the time comes. At a time when small and family businesses like mine are dealing with increased shipping and materials costs, as well as increases in consumer prices, it is unfair and unnecessary to enact new laws that would put small businesses out of business. Please refer to a Petition that a trade group I belong to [am familiar with] has prepared to help spread the word. At the link, you can watch a short video, read the Petition and then read the comments of literally thousands of people across the nation, many in our state, who oppose this new law.

I would like to request a short telephone conference call meeting with a staffer in your office who handles important issues affecting small businesses. Please call or email to let me know who to contact about this urgent issue.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[signed]

Sample Initial Email to Media Representative

Dear Mr./Mrs. Media Person:

I have been a longtime fan of your [show/column/segment] in [name media outlet]. Thank you for using your platform to inform the community about issues affecting families and small businesses.

I own a small cosmetics business in town and I am writing to you because I think your audience [readers/listeners] should know about the draft of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, which is now being marked up in the House Energy & Commerce Committee. This new law, if passed, would put me and hundreds of other small cosmetics businesses in this state out of business.

The stated purposes of the draft law are to provide FDA with funding and to protect consumers. But cosmetics have a stellar safety record and there is no need to pass laws that would hurt small businesses while offering no safety benefits consumers.

If passed, the new law would impose fees on my business of from $2,000 to $12,000 per year. What small business can afford that??! It would also require me to comply with burdensome paperwork and manufacturing requirements that no small business can afford.

At a time when consumers and small and family businesses in our state are dealing with skyrocketing gas prices and the ever-increasing cost of everything from eggs and bread to back to school supplies, it is unfair and unnecessary to enact new laws that would put small businesses out of business.

I would like to provide you with more information about how this new law, if enacted, would hurt so many small businesses like mine in our community. Please refer to a Petition that a trade group I belong to [am familiar with] has prepared to help spread the word. At the link, you can watch a short video, read the Petition and then read the comments of literally thousands of people across the nation, many in our state, who oppose this new law.

I will contact you to follow up in a few days. In the meantime, if you feel that this information would be of interest to your viewers, please do not hesitate to contact me at phone/email.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[signed]

What about you?

Have you reached out to the media or your Congressional representatives about the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, or anything else for that matter? Do you have some tips and experiences to share? Please post them in the comment section below so others can follow your example. It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

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Virtual Makeover

Breaking News! Try the all-new Free MK Virtual Makeovers...Go from Virtual You to Beautiful You....with the all-new Free MK Virtual Makeover.Features Like-*Photos Upload*Pick a model who looks like you.*Try looks created by Professional makeup Artists*Customize your own look*Save up to 10 Looks*Plus, print and email looks to friendsFind your perfect look now!Visit my website at www.marykay.com/cmitcham and click on Virtual Makeover...Corinne
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Hi All.Well it happened to me ... Twitter has got me.... You can now follow my adventures as a Go Green BAP Author/Yogini on Twitter. Stop by and check me out: http://twitter.com/anandaleeke.I also posted a Twitter box on this blog. See the green box on the right hand side of the blog. I am a big Twitter fan because it forces you to write with a few words. That is a great thing for the writer in me. I think it also helps me with my poetic memoir writing. I am shifting my writing style a bit in some parts of the memoir with Twitter Poetry.... What is Twitter Poetry? Read the poem below.My Twitter Poetry by Ananda LeekeCopyright 2008 by Madelyn C. Leeke.short sentences, fragment blurbs, blink of an eye thoughts ...they come so faststay for a few momentsand move on with rapid speedtwitterwhat is it?why am i falling so deeply in love?real quick in twitter stylelet me explaintwitterelectronic communication toolsocial media's newest kid on the blocksome folks call it e-crackan addiction hard to breaktwitter and mea social media marriage made in electronic heaventogether we are a new creative sensationour journey captures the core of thoughts in my mindwe are saving me a lot of brain space and word energygiving go green new meaning in cyberspacewhen i log on in the morning or eveningthe space of the update box offers minimalist expressioni jump at the chance to reduce my use of wordsit is an exercise in brevitya new way to conserve creative energyi flow naturallythe space in the update box is filledmy fingers press clickmy expression is released without censurei make another discoverytwitter can be poetry that reflects NOW momentsa form of mindfulness on the keyboardi smile at the thoughtit travels into a yogic deep breaththe victory onein and outin and outin and outi drift into an om-like statewhere namaste greetings echo in my soulthis is my inner sanctuarywhere my creative garden growsthe organic word farmer in me plants seedsthey give birth to twitter poetryshort sentencesfragment blurbsblink of an eye thoughtsheart openersgiggle makership happeningsinfo bytesnews from the worldtidbits i didn't knowwhat more could a writer with a poetic memoir due in a few weeks ask for?Here is my second twitter poem... Enjoy!good morning twitter message 8.14.08 by ananda leekecopyright 2008 by madelyn c. leeke. all rights reserved.be kind to yrself.give yourself space to breathe.nurture, nest, and learn to say no.my three mantras for the day.Enjoy your day!Peace and Positive Go Green Energy,Ananda
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