7 Steps to Writing an Amazing Cover Letter

Cover letters, like cakes, come in different flavors. Some are as predictable as plain vanilla. Others catch the hiring manager by surprise—like fresh strawberries under a layer of fudge frosting.

If you'd like to surprise the employer ready to fill the job you want, learn to write a cover letter that brings a smile and a nod of recognition that you're the one he or she has been waiting for.

Here's a no-fail recipe that will give your cover letter the edge.

Express yourself in a clear and friendly manner, using words that draw in the reader and compel him or her to read from top to bottom without a pause.

Write as though you were sitting together over a cup of coffee.

1. Greet the hiring manager by name whenever possible (not Dear Sir or Madam).
2. Create an attention-getting headline, such as: Available Immediately: A Sales Manager Who Manages––And Cares
3. Write one or two sentences about your work experience. Pick something unique. "I expanded my sales territory by 30% without leaving my office." He or she can read more in your resume.
4. Request an interview, providing a selection of available dates and times.
5. Include your contact information—especially your cell phone number so you can be reached around the clock. Make sure your voice mail message is professional.
6. Thank the hiring manager for reading your letter, making it clear that you understand he has many to choose from.

Sign your name and then add a P.S. in a positive tone. Example: "Looking forward to shaking your hand in person." A well-written cover letter that commands attention may bring you a quick reply––offering you an interview and perhaps the job itself.

authored by Jimmy Sweeney President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new, “Amazing Cover Letter Creator” Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the new, www.amazing-cover-letters.com. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”

April 24 Job Fair target young people

Four free summer youth job fairs aimed at young people ages 16-25 will be held Saturday, April 24, throughout Orange County. The fairs — in Anaheim, Irvine, La Habra and Orange — will provide a one-stop opportunity to check out a variety of jobs and and interview with employers.

Those hiring range from retailers like Kmart, Old Navy and Bath & Body Works to food services like KFC, Jamba Juice and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and summer kids' camps like James Event Productions and Skyhawks. Several military recruiters also will attend. It's been a particularly tough year for young workers to find jobs. Statewide unemployment among those ages 16 to 19 was 33.6% in March, according to the California Employment Development Department Job fair organizers, however, say the employers who are participating will have positions to fill for both the summer and permanent employment. "They may not be hiring as many, but they are still hiring," said EDD marketing rep Judy Haugen, who is overseeing the Anaheim, La Habra and Orange job fairs. Karen Springer, who is planning the 15th annual Irvine job fair, said that employers are more upbeat this year than last year. "What I'm hearing from a lot of employers is that business is doing well," Springer said. Although the events are designed for young people with mostly entry-level jobs being offered, the fairs are not limited to those under age 26. Anyone may attend any of the fairs. Organizers recommend applicants come dressed in appropriate clothes for business and prepare a resume with references, even if it's just for volunteer work. Also make sure to bring right-to-work documents — a Social Security number or a certified copy of your birth certificate. The job fairs in Irvine and Orange are the largest, expected to attract as many as 1,000 job seekers. The Anaheim and La Habra job fairs are smaller and typically involve nearby employers. In Irvine, there also will be a boot camp the hour before the job fair begins. Job seekers are encouraged to attend the boot camp to get tips on interviewing, how to select employers and how to make a good impression.

Job fair details:

ANAHEIM
Time: Sat., April 24, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: EDD office, 2450 E. Lincoln, Anaheim 92806
Employers expected: 20

IRVINE
Time: 8:30 a.m.-12: 30 p.m. (Boot Camp: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.)
Where: Lakeview Senior Center, 20 Lake Rd., Irvine 92604
Employers expected: 26
Information: 949-724-6740 ext.7 or Irvine Youth Employment
Pre-registration encouraged: Irvine Youth Employment

LA HABRA
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: La Habra Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra 90631
Employers expected: 15

ORANGE
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: The Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd., Orange 92868
Employers expected: 40

San Diego Southwestern College + Naval Sea Systems Command Apprenticeship Program - April 17th

Southwestern College is proud to announce the commencement of the Southwest Regional Apprenticeship Program at Naval Air Station North Island, in partnership with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. PSNS & IMF, a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, encourages individuals interested in career opportunities to join the Navy's civilian workforce through educational partnerships.

The Southwest Regional Apprenticeship Program follows a co-operative education apprenticeship model, featuring Southwestern College as the academic educational provider. Military commands in, and near, San Diego have collaborated to bring their apprentices together to a common facility for formal instruction centering on naval maintenance and repair trades. Students earn pay while attending classes and all tuition and fees are paid. Regular pay increases occur at periodic intervals as students progress through the program.

The program features both academics and trades training as part of a four-year, college-accredited, Department of Labor (DoL)-certified apprenticeship. In addition to DoL certification, graduates will earn a certificate of proficiency awarded by Southwestern College and a Certificate of Apprenticeship from the Department of the Navy. Graduates will also be converted to career civil service appointments at their participating commands.

Participating activities include Naval Sea Systems Command field activities PSNS & IMF and Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, as well as Naval Air Systems Command's Fleet Readiness Center Southwest. NAVSEA's Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's San Diego detachment is also expected to join the partnership.

Job announcement will open on Saturday, April 17th and run until 9:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 20th to fill the inaugural class of approximately 30 students. Additional classes are anticipated each year thereafter.

Interested parties should watch Jobs, Jobs, Jobs at
https://www.donhr.navy.mil/Jobs/default.asp or DoN CHART at
https://chart.donhr.navy.mil for the actual apprenticeship announcements.

More information on PSNS & IMF's Southwest Regional Apprenticeship Program is available at:

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/shipyards/puget/page/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx

FREE San Diego SAT/ACT prep - 4/17 + 4/24 + 5/22

FREE exam SAT/ACT preparation workshops to help students prepare them to take these important workshops. We strongly encourage 11th grade students to participate in these free preparation workshops. Parents are welcome, but not required to attend.

April 17: General Strategies and Essay preparation: workshop will cover the difference between the SAT and the ACT and which will suit each student better; which colleges require the SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT/ACT and what subjects are offered; how the tests are structured and scored; tips and strategies for preforming well; when to guess; how to prepare for the essay.
April 24: SAT sample problems and preparation.
May 22: ACT sample problems and preparation.

All workshops will be held at UC San Diego, Center Hall 101, Saturday 9AM-12noon, 9500 Gillman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093

Register at www.sandiegocalsoap.com Click on Events to register.
Questions please contact Karla Whitaker kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu or 858-569-1866 ext. 216

$180k Navy ROTC college scholarship

$180,000 in scholarship money & earn Naval Officer commission

Scholarship requirement:
- take either SAT or ACT
- SAT requirements: 530 critical reading + 520 math
- ACT requirements: 22 English + 21 math
- Release scores to code 0656 via CollegeBoard.com or ACTstudent.org
- Scholarship open to high school juniors and seniors (age 16+) through college sophmores
- Nursing option available, become a commissioned naval nurse officer

Applicants must either meet the SAT/ACT minimum scores or be in the top 10% of their high school class with non-qualifying scores.

Complete application online at https://www.nrotc.navy.mil

For more information contact:
NROTC Scholarship Office: 858-537-8044
Chief McDonald, NROTC Coordinator: 951-551-9416 gary.r.mcdonald@navy.mil
Petty Officer Matsui, NROTC Coordinator: 858-583-8420 joy.matsui@navy.mil
Petty Officer Erickson, NROTC Recruiter: 858-967-2184 edward.erickson@navy

DC Innovation Lab Fellows application - April 12th deadline

This spring, the Democratic National Committee and Organizing for America are looking for talented undergraduate and graduate students to become Innovation Lab Fellows and pursue special projects at our Washington, D.C. headquarters. Innovation Lab Fellows will work with the Labs team to create innovative new tools for the DNC and Organizing for America. We're excited about opportunities to empower our activists to reach and organize more voters:
-- Fellows will work on new tools that will have wide use and practical impact .
-- This is a great opportunity to learn agile software development methodology.
-- Applicants should have a strong technical background, with course work in Computer Science or equivalent experience.

We'll work with individual fellows to set specific start and end dates; compensation is commensurate with experience. To learn more and apply online, please visit:

http://my.barackobama.com/InnovationLabFellow

Applications must be submitted by April 12th.

If you live in San Diego - you should read this

As you may or may not know, Shelia Jackson is running for election to the SD County Board of Supervisors 4th District. This district is predominately urban and this seat has been held by a 15-year incumbent Republican Ron Roberts. Shelia, the immediate past President of SD Unified School District Board of Education, has put her 'hat' into the ring along with three other Democratic candidates. The SD County Board of Supervisors controls millions of dollars of CA state funds and is the ultimate arbiter of land use for San Diego county. For years democrats have been locked out of the Board of Supervisors and there has NEVER been a women or person of color who has served on the SD County Board of Supervisors.

Today, or exactly 66 days from today, we have an opportunity to elect a women and a person of color to this powerful agency. I have recently become active in Shelia's campaign because I believe it is important that we help her become a member of the SD County Board of Supervisors. I believe that she will be an advocate for openness, transparency, and accountability as she has done while serving on the SD Board of Education.

I have attached additional information for you to review and here are two links that you can visit today:
Facebook: Click Here
Twitter: Click Here

I would like for you to consider helping the campaign directly by either: becoming an Election Watch Captain for your church and organize voters at your church; or by participating in a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) Party and call registered voters in the 4th District on behalf of the campaign; or by hosting a fund raising party to help secure funds for the campaign which is being outspent by the Republican incumbent 100-to-one.

You can make a difference in this election and you have the ability to support positive CHANGE for our community. TOGETHER, WE CAN TAKE ACTION... for Our Family's Sake! Please help elect SHELIA JACKSON to SD County Board of Supervisors. Thank you for your consideration.

http://www.sheliajackson2010.com/

campaign contact: Ms. Kendra Jackson, 619-549-8305, kendrajackson@att.net

San Diego National Council of Negro Women STEM Workshop - May 1st deadline

National Council of Negro Women - San Diego Chapter
"Skills to Make It In Life" present their 9th Annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - STEM Workshop for Girls on Saturday, May 1, 2010

Are you interested in how things work? Have you wondered about the cool jobs for girls who like science, computers, engineering, and mathematics? Would you like to meet women in these fields and see what's involved in their daily work? The STEM Workshop is all of that!

Girls in 5th - 10th grades
Saturday, May 1, 2010, 8:30AM - 3PM
Bethune Elementary School
6855 Benjamin Holt Road, San Diego, CA 92114

Registration forms must be completed and postmarked by April 26, 2010.
Contact: NCNW STEM Co-Chair Carlean Arnold at 619-479-7375 or carlean262@att.net
National Council of Negro Women, PO Box 740332, San Diego, CA 92174

Footlocker College Scholarships - April 15th deadline

Founded in 2001, Foot Locker Foundation, Inc. provides support for educational and sports programs across the country that equip children and young adults with the necessary tools to achieve their goals and be successful in life. Continuing in its efforts to serve in the community, Foot Locker Foundation, Inc. has partnered with UNCF to fund this scholarship program for high school seniors or students attending or planning to attend a UNCF member college or university during the fall of 2010. A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to selected students.
http://www.uncf.org/forstudents/scholarDetailSGA.asp?id=442

Every Sigma Knows

The military can train a man to react without thinking when he is under enemy fire. A good accounting course can teach any businessman how to read a spreadsheet with absolute ease. A seasoned quarterback can know what play to call, almost instinctively, in the heat of even the closest game. But the sight of a would-be love interest, the prospect of a dinner party, or the presence of a bereaved coworker can reduce even the bravest hero to mumbling gibberish. Even though he has the best of intentions, a Sigma often times finds himself fumbling for words. He means well, but for the life of him he can't think of what he means to say at the moment. When he should be taking a deep breath and composing his thoughts, he finds himself blurting out something he would never intentionally say.

Of course a Sigma knows what fork to use, he opens the door for others, and he always puts the toilet lid back down. But the true mark of a Sigma man goes deeper than mere nice manners. A Sigma man can do his part to make the world a much nicer place in which to live. Because he knows that a thoughtless comment can forever diminish the way others view a person, a Sigma does not open his mouth without thinking ahead. Oftentimes a Sigma is put to the test when he is least expecting it. He is introduced to a new friend at a party, and he can think of nothing except the ungainliness of the new friend's shirt. A longtime acquaintance strides up,extends his hand, and the Sigma's mind goes blank. A coworker has just had a miscarriage, and the Sigma wants to say something, but he does not know, precisely, the right thing to say. These awkward moments, and others like them, come to a Sigma far too regularly over the course of his life.

If a Sigma is prepared, he can handle almost any awkward social situation. The basic rule is to say as little as possible, and to choose those few words with the utmost care. A Sigma knows that when he expresses his sympathy, he is not expected to heal the pain of parents who have lost a child in a horrible automobile accident. At the same time, he knows that even in lighter moments he is not perfect. If he forgets a name, he can admit the gaffe and be forgiven. He knows, too, that he must stand up for himself and whenever possible say what he thinks. If a friend asks him to lie, he declines to participate in the deception. If he is treated rudely in a restaurant, he knows how to lodge his complaint as well as how to determine the person with whom it should be lodged. If he has strong feelings about politics or religion, he knows when and where those opinions should be voiced. In matters of love and friendship, saying the right thing is of vital importance. But a real Sigma knows that sometimes, when words seem to have lost all usefulness, being silent can be the right thing too.

Knowing what to say, and more importantly what not to say, in life's important situations, is a priceless skill. The drill sergeant trains his soldiers to react without thinking under enemy fire; the professor teaches the businessman to read a spreadsheet; the coach prepares his quarterback to know what play to call. The following examples can help prepare a Sigma for those moments when he, too, will have to spring to action. It provides the ammunition and the strategies he will need to survive even the most embarrassing encounters.

A Sigma knows that saying the right thing is not about being quick and clever. Instead he has higher priorities. A Sigma makes others feel better about themselves. He wants to put himself in the other person's place. He wants life to run more smoothly not just for himself, but for the people he encounters in the normal course of life. He wants to be part of the solution to life's problems — especially the ones over which he has some small amount of control. At the very least, he does not add to the unavoidable awkwardness that is an all-too-common part of human existence. That, he knows, is what being a Sigma is all about.

A Sigma knows how to begin a conversation.

A Sigma always thinks before he speaks.
He also thinks after he speaks, in order to build upon the rightness,
or correct the wrongness, of what he might have said.

If a Sigma is subjected to a rude remark or rude behavior,
he does not offer rudeness in return.

A Sigma allows others to finish their sentences.
Even in his most brilliant moments, he does not interrupt others,
no matter how dull their opinions might be.

A Sigma is slow to judge the actions of others,
either in their public or private affairs.

A Sigma does not take part in major arguments over minor issues.

When a Sigma learns that two friends are to be married,
he tellsthe groom-to-be, "Congratulations,"and
says, "Best wishes" to the soon-to-be bride.

A Sigma makes a conscious effort to use correct grammar,
but he resists all temptation to sound stuffy and overly grand.

A Sigma does not correct another person's grammar,
unless he is teaching an English class.

A Sigma does not use foreign phrases, unless he is absolutely
sure of their meaning and their pronunciation.

A Sigma does not pretend to speak languages that he has not made his own.

A Sigma is careful of what he says in the presence of people speaking foreign languages.
They may understand what he is saying eventhough he might not understand them.

A Sigma does not use words that he can define only by looking them up in a dictionary.

A Sigma never asks a woman if she is pregnant.

A Sigma avoids raising his voice,even in the most heated discussion.
He does not shout others down. Often the most important person in the room speaks the softest.

A Sigma never says, "I'm sorry," unless he has given offense.

When a Sigma inconveniences another person by asking him or her to shift so that he can move through a crowded room, he says, "Excuse me." He does not say, "I'm sorry," since there is no reason for him to apologize.

A Sigma never begins a statement with "I don't mean to embarrass you but . . ."

A Sigma does not ask anyone, male or female, to divulge his or her age.

When a Sigma initiates a telephone conversation, he knows it is his responsibility to end that conversation.

A Sigma does not use his cell phone when he is at a table with others.

A Sigma does not engage in arguments, of any sort, at the dinner table.

When a Sigma is confronted by arguments that he considers foolish,
he does not attempt to refute them with reason. Instead, he keeps silent,
knowing that logic is useless in the war against irrationality.

A Sigma gives direct answers, especially to controversial questions.
Being direct, however, is not the same thing as being rude.

A Sigma never claims to have seen a movie he has not seen or to have read a book about which he has only read reviews. He knows how to say, "I haven't read (or seen) that yet, but from what I hear about it, it sounds very interesting. What do you think?"

A Sigma asks the question, 'What do you think?" as often as possible.

A Sigma does not brag, especially about his own accomplishments.

A Sigma knows that the best kind of small talk consists of asking questions,
not volunteering information about himself.

A Sigma never says, "I told you so."

A Sigma knows how to make an apology, and how to accept one.

A Sigma knows how to extend a compliment, and how to receive one.

A Sigma does not spread rumors.

A Sigma always remembers to say, "Please." And he is quick to say, "Thank you."

A Sigma understands the meaning of the word no.

A Sigma knows how to listen.

A Sigma knows that listening is a skill that improves when it is regularly practiced.

When a Sigma feels that he has been subjected to an insult, he immediately knows the right response: He responds by saying nothing at all.

A Sigma has definite beliefs, but he thinks before voicing his opinions.
He recognizes that other people's beliefs are valid. He argues only over an issue that could save a life.

A Sigma does not openly attempt to correct the behavior of his friends. Instead he teaches by example.

A Sigma takes no part in petty arguments over unimportant topics.
Instead, he takes action to bring about change that is lasting and momumental.

When a Sigma speaks, he hopes to sound wise, or at the very least, he hopes to bring a smile to someones face. He never uses words to harm or demean another person. Even when he is silent, he can be eloquent, offering a listening ear, or a shoulder for a brother to lean upon.

adapated from "As A Gentleman Would Say" by John Bridges and Bryan Curtis

Verizon Wireless Black History Month Essay Contest (Northeast Area) - March 15th deadline

UNCF and Verizon Wireless have partnered to support high school seniors who are college-bound. The 2010 UNCF/VZNW Black History Month Essay contest is designed to allow qualified high school seniors the opportunity to earn college scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year.

If you know of high school seniors with permanent residency in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland or the District of Columbia, please tell them of this opportunity to receive a Verizon Wireless Black History Month scholarship and prize package. Seniors must apply by March 15, 2010.

Twenty-five eligible students will be selected for the 2010-2011 academic year. The winners will receive scholarships of up to $5,000 and select students will also receive a personal technology make-over including an HP Netbook, a Motorola DROID cell phone and/or Verizon Wireless gift cards.

http://www.uncf.org/forstudents/scholarDetailSGA.asp?id=445

Jelly Belly ?

Developing a tummy bulge is much more than a cosmetic problem

Everyone likes a flat tummy. You look better in your underwear, jeans and bathing suit. But there are more serious consequences to belly fat. That's because belly fat, also called visceral fat, is metabolically different from the subcutaneous fat under our skin that insulates us and keeps us warm. "Belly fat is like an endocrine organ," says Arthur Agatston, M.D., author of The South Beach Diet Supercharged. "Because of this, belly fat puts out a lot of chemicals, including inflammatory cytokines, which can injure normal tissue."

But belly fat wasn't always bad for us. In fact, early man benefited from a little extra fat around the middle. "It was a survival mechanism," he says. "Early man was always going through periods of feast and famine and without belly fat wouldn't have had any energy reserves."

The hormone insulin is a major player in the storage of fat and helps store excess food energy in a "fuel tank reserve" in the belly. But if you don't regularly burn off the belly fat, "as your belly fat swells, you develop insulin resistance," says Dr. Agatston. "This means even bigger swings in blood sugar, which makes you hungrier, so you eat more. What saved people in the wild is killing us today. We were never meant to be carrying around belly fat to this extent."

Fat Facts

You can think of fat cells as energy-storage sites. "Fat cells are like a sponge," says Pete McCall, M.S., an exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). "There are three times in your life when you will develop these fat cells, or storage sites: when you are in the uterus, during childhood at about age 4 or 5 and when you are an adolescent. If you're exposed to a high-fat diet in these stages, your body will produce more fat cells. You are training your body to take in more fat and store energy."

When we are babies, we also naturally have what is known as brown fat. Brown fat contains mitochondria, the part of the cell that produces energy, heat and blood flow. This is why it's present in babies, as a kind of natural insulation. But as we age, we lose our brown fat. Some people believe that if you could change white fat into brown fat, you would be able to lose weight more quickly, but to date there is no proven way to do this. Your best bet is to concentrate on the basics: diet and exercise.

Fat, Be Gone!

To help trim belly fat, look to your diet first. Dr. Agatston recommends avoiding refined carbohydrates (for example, sugar, white flour and products made with them; white potatoes; and pasta). He also suggests cutting out saturated fats (found primarily in fatty cuts of beef, lamb and pork; in poultry with the skin left on; and in high-fat dairy products) and trans fats found in stick margarines and vegetable shortenings (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils). Aim instead for the nutrient- and fiber-rich carbohydrates found in whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

"Your body digests these complex carbohydrates more slowly, so you don't get the exaggerated swings in blood sugar that you do with refined carbs. Consequently, you're not as hungry," he says.

The other important element in controlling belly fat is exercise. "The best exercise," says McCall, "is the kind people are going to do on a regular basis." For many, walking is one of the most effective ways to expend energy. "When we don't walk enough, things start to break down," says McCall. "It's like leaving your car sitting in the driveway for two years. If you try to drive it, it's not going to work very well." So it's important to make walking a daily habit. "Walking two to three miles a day is excellent," he says.

Dr. Agatston feels that interval training—alternating short bursts of intensive effort with easier recovery periods—is another good option. "When you work at a higher intensity for part of the time," he says, "you end up burning more calories and fat (including the fat in your belly) in less time than you would if you maintained a steady pace." And there's a bonus, Dr. Agatston says. "With interval training, the higher the intensity of the exercise, the longer you'll continue to burn fat and calories after you've completed your exercise session."

Dr. Agatston recommends doing interval walking outdoors or on a treadmill or elliptical-trainer for 20 minutes every other day, alternating with core-strengthening exercises.

Belly Fat vs. Subcutaneous Fat

Superficial fat, or Subcutaneous fat, which is found under the skin, is meant to keep us warm and maintain normal bodily functions. It doesn't produce the inflammatory chemicals that the visceral, or "belly", fat does.

Visceral fat is attached to the outside of our abdominal organs, including the stomach, liver, spleen and bowels. "Visceral fat interrupts the normal production of hormones such as insulin, which breaks down carbohydrates to be used as energy," says McCall. It also disrupts the normal chemical controls for your body, and that can lead to type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure."

Belly fat is a risk factor for heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and cancer. It also is a frequent precursor to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and prediabetes. The bigger your waist is in relation to your hips, the more you may be at risk for these conditions. Typically, the risk is associated with a waist of 40 inches or greater in men and 35 inches or greater in women.

by Chrystle Fiedler
Remedy, March 2009, p.54
www.HealthCommunities.com

Brad Fowler Scholarship - April 5th deadline

The Brad Fowler Memorial Scholarship Fund offers a one-year, $3,500 scholarship to five high school seniors in San Diego County. The nominees must have demonstrated his or her ability to overcome personal obstacles associated with drugs or alcohol, a strong commitment to athletics, and continuing their personal growth and development through higher education. If you have any questions, please contact the San Diego Hall of Champions www.sdhoc.com

Payless Scholarship - March 31st deadline

Payless “Inspiring Possibilities” Scholarship. The scholarship directly supports youth enrolled in the Project Ready program who will enroll in an accredited college or university this fall.

To be eligible for a 2010-2011 Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarships, students must be a registered Project Ready participant, and submit materials by the scholarship deadline of March 31, 2010. For additional information about the nomination process, please visit www.nul.org or the local NUL affiliate office.

When I Grow Up

Boys call you sexy
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around
They screaming your name

Boys call you sexy
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around
They screaming your name

Now I've got a confession
When I was young I wanted attention
And I promised myself that I'd do anything
Anything at all for them to notice me

But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say

You don't know what it's like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
Cuz see when I was younger I would say

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

They used to tell me I was silly
Until I popped up on the TV
I always wanted to be a superstar
And knew that singing songs would get me this far

But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say

You don't know what it's like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
Cuz see when I was younger I would say

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

I see them staring at me
Ooh I'm a trendsetter
Yes this is true cuz what I do
No one can do it better

You can talk about me
Cuz I'm a hot topic
I see you watching me watching me
And I know you want it, oh

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it


Songwriters: Jerkins, Rodney; Mccarty, J; Samwell-Smith, P; Thomas, T;

San Diego MLK Foundation Scholarships - deadline 3/5/2010

The San Diego Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation will award three College Scholarships this year:
two for $7,500 each, and
one for $5,000.
The scholarships can be used at any fully accredited, four-year college or university of the recipient's choice. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors in the San Diego Unified School District.
The deadline for applications is March 5, 2010.

Mary Hubbard
Scholarship Coordinator
San Diego Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation
(619) 463-1702
hubbworld@cox.net

The application form is located at www.carterreese.com Click on "community service."

Is it too soon to petition the Supreme Court on gay marriage?

Olson-Boies team hopes for a Supreme Court ruling that will transform the legal and social landscape nationwide, something on the order of Brown v. Board of Education, in 1954, or Loving v. Virginia, the landmark 1967 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
Olson, who is sixty-nine, in early December, he sounded confident and impassioned; the case clearly fascinated him both as an intellectual challenge and as a way to make history. "The Loving case was forty-two years ago, and it's inconceivable to us these days to say that a couple of a different racial background can't get married." Olson said, "Separate is not equal. Civil unions and domestic partnerships are not the same as marriage. We're not inventing any new right, or creating a new right, or asking the courts to recognize a new right. The Supreme Court has said over and over and over again that marriage is a fundamental right, and although our opponents say, 'Well, that's always been involving a man and a woman,' when the Supreme Court has talked about it they've said it's an associational right, it's a liberty right, it's a privacy right, and it's an expression of your identity, which is all wrapped up in the Constitution."

-excerpt from "A Risky Proposal" by Margaret Talbot
The New Yorker, January 18, 2010, pps 40-52.

HACER scholarship deadline - Feb 16, 2010

Apply for a $100,000 Hispanic college scholarship

Since the inception of the RMHC/HACER program, more than 13,000 Hispanic students have been awarded more than $19.1 million in scholarships to support their college education.

The program nationally offrs four $100,000 scholarships eah year, as well as other local scholarships. Get you application and full details at MeEncanta.com. Reach for your goals! Entry deadline is February 16, 2010.

Giving and Getting – Philanthropic Activity among BGLO

According to C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence H. Mamiya, "The tradition of mutual aid lay deep in the African heritage, which stressed a greater communalism and social solidarity than either European or American customs allowed. These incipient traditions of mutual aid and self-help in the slave quarters were formalized and legitimated with the Christianizing of the slaves in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries."[2] The growth of separate black churches gave African Americans the opportunity to establish the "first black-owned and operated institutions."[3] Since its inception, the black church has been the single most important institution involved in black philanthropy.[4] It has also been the chief beneficiary of the black community s giving efforts. According to Ann Abbe, "Clergy are often the most influential members of their communities, and church members are expected to support the church with frequent and/or large gifts."[5]

The majority of African Americans are taught from a young age that they have an obligation to give to the church. Through personal engagement and the establishment of a trusting bond, black preachers convey the needs of the church and consistently encourage their parishioners to support the work of the church—the will of God.[6] This obligation to give has provided the backbone for many black social movements in the United States, including the civil rights movement.[7] Black ministers were cognizant of the effect of racism on economic mobility in the United States and sought to create a sound financial base from which political and social change could take place.[8] Since their beginnings, black churches have acted as collection points for money, services, and goods that are pooled and redistributed.[9] According to Bradford Smith and colleagues, "the creation and evolution of the black church has been the most significant factor in the political, social, cultural, spiritual, educational and philanthropic development of African Americans in this country."[10] Thus, the black church is a key example of African American agency. Although forced on blacks by white slave owners, in the hands of black leaders, Christianity became an instrument for black emancipation.[11]

Often started as an arm of the church, mutual aid societies were also among the earliest organizations created by African Americans.[12] These societies began in the North and were typically founded by freedmen. In addition to meeting the spiritual needs of blacks, they addressed their physical and social needs.[13] The first recorded mutual aid society was the Free African Society, which was established in 1787 in Philadelphia by the African Methodist Episcopal and African Protestant Episcopal churches. Other organizations included the New York Society, the Union Society of Brooklyn, the African Union Society, the Wilberforce Benevolent Society, the Woolman Society, and the Clarkson Society.[14] Eventually, the mutual aid societies developed into cultural, eco­nomic, and political forces that helped advance blacks. Under the aegis of these organizations, African Americans joined together—trusting and relying on one another in dire circumstances. According to Lincoln and Mamiya, these loosely organized societies were the forerunners of national organizations such as the Urban League and the NAACP.[15] Further, Smith and colleagues note that influential black businesses such as the "National Benefit Life Insurance and the Central Life Insurance companies also owe their origins to mutual aid organizations."[16]

Beginning in 1775 with the establishment of the Prince Hall Masons, fraternal organizations began to work closely with the black church. These organizations were, first and foremost, communal and social, but they were also committed to healing social ills and contributing to the community. They often secured funds and gifts in kind from their members for poor and indi­gent women and children. Black fraternal organizations consisted of two types: those that were black chapters of already existing white organizations, and those that were established specifically for African Americans. Blacks created their own versions of the Masons (as mentioned), Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Eastern Star, Household of Ruth, Foresters, Shriners, and Elks. Those organiza­tions created by blacks for blacks included the Grand United Order of Galilean Fisherman, Colored Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Honor, Friends of Negro Freedom, International Order of Twelve, African Blood Brotherhood, Colored Consolidated Brotherhood, African Legion, and Knights of the Invisible Colored Kingdom. Many of the fraternal organizations established an auxiliary group of women, such as the Daughters of the Eastern Star for Masons.[17] Fraternal organizations were most prevalent in northeastern cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, and New York. These organizations contributed to a culture of "giving back" and "uplifting the race."

During the antebellum period, black women devised a variety of means of supporting causes that were important to the community. For example, they participated in "fairs" with white abolitionist women to support antislavery legislation. These black women also sponsored their own fairs to support the African Methodist Episcopal Church, abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and the Union Anti-Slavery Society. Other African American women's organizations held fairs to support the black press or orphaned black children.[18] These efforts by black women are yet another example of the importance of uplifting the race as a motivation for giving. African American elites (those in business and professional circles) have also created many social and service organizations for themselves. Because of the insular nature of these organizations and the fact that their membership is exclusively black, their philanthropic efforts go unnoticed by nonblacks and are often overlooked in discussions of African American philanthropy Among the women's groups in this category are the Links, Girl Friends, National Smart Set, Drifters, and Northeasterners. For men, the organizations include the Boule (Sigma Pi Phi), Comus Club, Reveille Club, Ramblers, Bachelor-Benedicts, and Guardsmen. African American children also belong to elite organizations—the most prominent being Jack and Jill.

According to a member of the Links, "Once you are a part of one of these groups, you end up knowing many more people in all the other groups too."[19] Because most of the elite organizations were founded on the premise of volunteerism and charitable giving, the potential for black philanthropy in these groups is obvious. For example, the Links proudly claim, "[Our] tradition is based on volunteerism. For over fifty years, the organization has gathered mo­mentum, continuously redefined its purposes, sharpened its focus, and expanded its program dimensions in order to make the name 'Links' synonymous with not only a chain of friendship, but also a chain of purposeful service."[20] Within these elite organizations, giving is an expectation—a requirement, in fact, of membership. The success of these black elite organizations in supporting a wide variety of philanthropic endeavors is made possible by the strong bonds of trust within the organization.[21] The historical origins of African American giving have shaped the current practices of the BGLOs.

“Giving and Getting – Philanthropic Activity among Black Greek-Letter Organizations” by Marybeth Gasman, Patricia Louison, and Mark Barnes
Gregory S. Parks, Editor, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century, University of Kentucky Press, 2008, pp187-191

Notes
[1] To more fully understand the actions of these organizations, we drew on their published histories and secondary sources. To augment this knowledge, we conducted interviews with members of BGLOs—capturing the voices of those closest to the phil­anthropic action.
[2] C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence H. Mamiya, The Black Church in the African American Experience (Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1990), 242. This idea is reiterated in James A. Joseph, Remaking America: How the Benevolent Traditions of Many Cultures Are Transforming Our National Life (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1995).
[3] Bradford Smith, Sylvia Shue, Jennifer Lisa Vest, and Joseph Villarreal, Philan­thropy in Communities of Color (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999), 10.
[4] Ibid.; Alicia Byrd, ed., Philanthropy and the Black Church (Washington, D.C.: Council on Foundations, 1990); E. Franklin Frazier, The Negro Church in America (New York: Schocken Books, 1963); C. Eric Lincoln, The Black Church since Frazier (New York: Schocken Books, 1974); E. Franklin Frazier, Black Bourgeoisie (New York: Free Press Paperbacks, 1997).
[5] M. Ann Abbe, "The Roots of Minority Giving: Understand the Philanthropic Traditions of Different Cultures to Solicit Them More Effectively," Case Currents (July 2002): 4.
[6] Lincoln and Mamiya, The Black Church.
[7] David Garrow, Philanthropy and the Civil Rights Movement (New York: Center for the Study of Philanthropy, 1987).
[8] Eric Anderson and Alfred A. Moss Jr., Dangerous Donations: Northern Philan­thropy and Southern Black Education, 1902-1930 (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1999).
[9] Lincoln and Mamiya, The Black Church; Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Righteous Discontent: The Womens Movement in the Black Baptist Church, 1880-1920 (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1993).
[10] Smith et al., Philanthropy in Communities of Color, 9.
[11] Anderson and Moss, Dangerous Donations.
[12] Lincoln and Mamiya, The Black Church.
[13] For more information, see Emmett D. Carson, A Charitable Appeals Fact Book: How Black and White Americans Respond to Different Types of Fund-Raising Efforts(Washington, D.C.: Joint Center for Political Studies, 1989); Emmett D. Carson, A Hand Up: Black Philanthropy and Self-Help in America (Washington, D.C.: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Press, 1993); Emmett D. Carson, "Black Philanthropy. Shaping Tomorrow's Nonprofit Sector," NSFRE Journal (summer 1989): 23-31; Emmett D. Carson, "Despite Long History, Black Philanthropy Gets Little Credit as 'Self-Help' Tool," Focus 15, no. 6 (June 1987); 3, 4, 76.
[14] Smith et al., Philanthropy in Communities of Color.
[15] Lincoln and Mamiya, The Black Church. More information on mutual aid societies can be found in V. P. Franklin, Black Self-Determination: A History of African American Resistance (New York; Lawrence Hill Books, 1992).
[16] Smith et al., Philanthropy in Communities of Color, 11.
[17] Lawrence Otis Graham, Our Kind of People: Inside Americas Black Upper Class (New York; Harper Perennial, 2000).
[18] Beverly Gordon, Bazaars and Fair Ladies: The History of the American Fundraising Fair (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1998).
[19] Graham, Our Kind of People, 113.
[20] Links Inc. publicity materials, 2001.
[21] Graham, Our Kind of People.

Why is the unexpected any kind of surprise anymore?

We live now in a vicarious age, but we don't live our lives through other people. Instead, we live our own lives vicariously through what our technology creates. It brings us community by allowing us to gather together, without really moving, in a virtual space far from the reality of events, and the more sophisticated the technology, the farther that distance, until we find ourselves with several personal realities from which to choose. We live our lives through things, not in them. We invest ourselves in our artificial realities rather than involve ourselves with the actual one, which is boring and slow and not as efficient. It becomes easy then to categorize the events that happen, to compartmentalize them within the parameters of our created realities — Republican and Democrat, red and blue, liberal and conservative, urban and rural — so that they make some sort of sense. The technologies that are now at our fingertips promise a reality as efficient and logical as they are. They represent us in those realities, and we live vicariously through our little machines.
So why are we surprised by surprises? Because even the shocking is supposed to be predictable now. We carry computers now in our pockets and in our purses and on the dashboard of the car. Because at those moments when the towers fall or the city drowns or a balloon goes up, there is a long moment before we're able to work the actual events into the realities we have created for ourselves. That is what passes for surprise these days — that long moment of hesitation when the real world cracks through again, those first few hours before we have had a chance to remove ourselves again through our technologies to that distant place within which they bring us together, the places we can go without ever moving at all. Things are real again, and then gone.
- Charles Pierce, Esquire, January 2010

Washington DC Summer Leadership Program - Jan 29th deadline

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer leadership program in Washington, DC. The Institute provides America’s best and brightest African American male college students with unparalleled networking opportunities, leadership development, and life-long mentorship.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Exposure to congressmen, Supreme Court justices, doctors, business executives, educators, and other influential leaders
• Rigorous academic seminars
• Roundtable discussions, including seminars on leadership development
• High-level internships around Washington, DC
• Activities that promote strong bonds with each other

PROGRAM DETAILS
• The program runs from June 5 to July 31, 2010
• Students must commit to two-summers
• Housing is paid for by the Institute
• Students work at paid internships based on their career interest

You should be a college sophomore to apply. The Institute does not have a GPA requirement. However, the median GPA for recent classes is 3.65. An applicant’s GPA is not the only criterion that is evaluated during the admissions process. Campus involvement, awards earned, athletics, and volunteer work are also important factors.

The application can be found on the web at www.i4rc.org/application.htm. Applications must be received, not postmarked, by the deadline - January 29, 2010. Inquiries should be directed to info@i4rc.org or (202) 659-2831.

The Institute for Responsible Citzenship
We Inspire the best and brightest African American men to be men of great character who will make significant contributions to their communities, their country, and the world.
1227 25th Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20037 www.i4rc.org

Bank of America Student Leaders Program - Feb 17th deadline

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative® is accepting applications for 2010 awards. This program recognizes and rewards individuals and organizations making a difference in communities across the country, and is divided into three categories: Neighborhood Builders®, Local Heroes and Student Leaders®.

We would like your help to spread the word about the Student Leaders Program, an exciting opportunity for high school juniors and seniors.

Since its inception in 2004, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program has recognized more than 1,000 high school juniors and seniors identified as exemplary young people with a passion for improving their communities. The program helps students gain a greater understanding of how nonprofits create impact in the community and helps develop them as the next generation of community leaders through two components:

• A summer 2010 eight-week paid internship with selected nonprofit organizations designed to provide opportunities for the students to develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience, while raising their awareness of community issues addressed by their Host Organization.

• A week-long all-expense paid Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Conducted in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, the Summit introduces students to aspects of civic, social and business leadership and provides them with knowledge and skills they will use throughout their life to create positive community change.

If you would like additional information regarding the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Student Leaders program, please send an email to debbie.gonzales@bankofamerica.com. Please note the fast approaching application deadline of February 17th for the 2010 Student Leaders Program.

We appreciate your help to spread the word about the Bank of America Student Leaders Program.

Thank you,
Debbie Gonzales
Corporate Social Responsibility Market Specialist
Bank of America - San Diego County
Tel: 619.515.7101 / Fax: 213.457.2576 / Email: debbie.gonzales@bankofamerica.com

Live Your Life by T.I.

You're gonna be a shining star (That's right)
With fancy clothes and fancy ca-ars (Hey, hey, hey, yeah)
And then you'll see, you're gonna go far (Go, hey)
Cause everyone knows (They know), just who you a-are (Rihanna, let's get it!)

So live your life,
You steady chasing that paper
Just live your life
Ain't got no time for no haters
Just live your life
No telling where it'll take you
Just live your life
Cause I'm a paper chaser

Just livin' my life (Ay!)
My life (Oh!)
My life (Ay!)
My life (Oh!) (Put your hands up!)
Just livin' my life (Ay!)
My life (Oh!)
My life (Ay!)
My life (Oh!) (Let me see you put your hands up!)

Hey, Never mind what haters say, ignore them 'til they fade away
Amazing they ungrateful for after all the game I gave away
Safe to say I paved the way, for you cats to get paid today
You'd still be wasting days away, now had I never saved the day

Consider them my protégé, homage I think they should pay
Instead of being gracious, they violate in a major way
I never been a hater, still I love them in a crazy way
Some say they so yay and no they couldn't get work on Labor Day

It ain't that black and white, it has an area that's shaded gray
I'm west side anyway, even if I left today and stayed away
Some move away to make a way not move away cause they afraid
I brought back to the hood and all you ever did was take away

I pray for patience but they make me wanna melt their face away
Like I once made them spray, now I could make them put their taze away
Been thuggin' all my life, can't say I don't deserve to take a break
If you ever see me catch a case, and watch my future fade away

You're gonna be a shining star (That's right)
With fancy clothes and fancy ca-ars (Hey, hey, hey, yeah)
And then you'll see, you're gonna go far (Go, hey)
Cause everyone knows (They know), just who you a-are

So live your life,
You steady chasing that paper
Just live your life
Ain't got no time for no haters
Just live your life
No telling where it'll take you
Just live your life
Cause I'm a paper chaser

Just livin' my life
My life
My life
My life
Just livin' my life
My life
My life
My life

I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished with
The spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid
Allergic to the counterfeit, impartial to the politics
Articulate but still would grab a nigga by the collar quick

Whoever having problems with, their record sales just holla Tip
If that don't work and all else fails, then turn around and follow Tip
I got love for the game but ay I'm not in love with all of it
'Could do without the fame and the rappers nowadays are comedy

The hootin' and the hollerin', back and forth with the arguing
Where you from, who you know, what you make and what kind of car you in
Seems as though you lost sight of what’s important with the positive
And checks until your bank account and you up out of poverty

Your values is a disarray, prioritizing horribly
Unhappy with your riches cause you're piss poor morally
Ignoring all prior advice and forewarning
And we mighty full of ourselves all of a sudden aren't we?

You're gonna be a shining star (That's right)
With fancy clothes and fancy ca-ars (Hey, hey, hey, yeah)
And then you'll see, you're gonna go far (Go, hey)
Cause everyone knows (They know), just who you a-are (Okay, now)

So live your life,
You steady chasing that paper
Just live your life
Ain't got no time for no haters
Just live your life
No telling where it'll take you
Just live your life
Cause I'm a paper chaser

Just livin' my life
My life
My life
My life
Just livin' my life
My life
My life
My life

Got everybody watching what I do
Come walk in my shoes
And see the way I'm livin' if you really want to
Got my mind on my money, and I'm not going away

So keep on gettin' 'ya paper (Ah)
And keep on climbin' (Ah)
Look in the mirror (Ah)
And keep on shinin' (Shinin')
'Til the game end,
'Til the clock stop,
We 'gon post up on the top stop

Livin' my life
My life
Got a brand new CD
Got my whole team livin' life
My life
I do it how I wanna do
I'm livin' my life
My life
I will never lose
I'm livin' my life
My life
And I'm not stoppin'

Ma ya hee, ma ya haa
Ma ya hoo, ma ya ha ha
Ma ya hee, ma ya haa
Ma ya hoo, ma ya ha ha

Ma ya hee, ma ya haa
Ma ya hoo, ma ya ha ha
Ma ya hee, ma ya haa
Ma ya hoo, ma ya ha ha (So live your life)

Challenge – Day 5

I added “Crunchy Bugs on A Log” - celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins/granola to dinner tonight. Barbara and I liked it, Andrew said it is different. Note to self, to increase time spent during morning workout to increase my caloric burn.

I am happy to report that I’ve saved $3 by bring my own coffee into work and not supporting Starbucks. While I do like the crew at "my" Starbucks, I read that I could save over $350 dollars annually if I brought my coffee from home rather than at Starbucks. Like my grandmother said, “Dimes roll up into dollars.”

Did you know that it will take you 41 years to pay off a $2,500 balance on a credit card with 19% interest if you make only the minimum monthly payments. At the end of that 41 year period you will have paid the credit card company $10,598 on top of the $2,500.

½ cup of coffee
1 bottle of water
Lunch: bowl of tomato basil soup w/two rolls and glass of ice water
Dinner: cold chicken salad w/low fat French dressing and unsweetened ice tea.

Tuesday
December 1, 2009 @ 749 hrs
BP: 124/93
Pulse: 93
Weight: 229.0 lbs

Visit my blog http://whyalmost50.blogspot.com/

Challenge – Day 4

Back to work. Not complaining, just not that much freedom to do as I please – but that’s why they call it work. Otherwise it would be play.

½ cup of coffee
1 bottle of low-cal Gatorade
Lunch: Thanksgiving leftovers: turkey and stuffings w/gravy, snow peas. Unsweetened ice tea
Dinner: Thanksgiving leftovers (again): turkey and stuffings w/gravy, snow peas, mashed sweat potatoes. Unsweetened ice tea.

Monday
November 30, 2009 @ 2135 hrs
BP: 127/93
Pulse: 94
Weight: 229.5 lbs

Visit my blog http://whyalmost50.blogspot.com/

Challenge – Day 3

A little treat today because our grocery chain over stocked (?) on turkeys. Fresh turkeys were on sale $.99/pound. I had to buy one! So we’re having turkey for dinner tonight with stuffing and gravy. I’m wondering if this is going to put me well over 233, since I bounced up to 233 on Thanksgiving and back down to 230 by Saturday.

I need to look at recipes that reduce the amount of fat and calories that we’re eating. I saw an entertaining and interesting item on food and fat today. This story is so me!!! Here is a link to the story


It begins “when I was growing up there was no one skinnier than me! I could eat anything I wanted and I would not put on weight. As a result I never learned how to eat…” The video goes on to explain food, weight, and BMI (Body Mass Index). Your BMI is an estimate of your body fat, based on your height and weight. So my BMI is in the obese range - but I already knew that. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of developing such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. To calculate your BMI you can use this BMI calculator at aarp.org

Breakfast: four cinnamon rolls five bacon strips w/glass of orange juice
Dinner: a full Thanksgiving dinner (again): turkey w/stuffing and cranberry sauce, snow peas, sweet potatoes with unsweetened ice tea

Sunday
November 29, 2009 @ 1335 hrs
BP: 137/99
Pulse: 94
Weight: 230.5 lbs

Visit my blog http://whyalmost50.blogspot.com/

Challenge - Day 2

Saturday is always filled with errands and grocery shopping. I wanted to be better prepared. I really wanted to have identified 4 or 5 dinner recipes listed their ingredients and THEN go grocery shopping. I am doing this BACKWARDS which may be the reason I have so few choices when it comes to cooking dinner during the week. I’ve got to get my act together.

My sister-in-law (doctor) applauded my desire to lose weight, but she was really concerned when she read my blood pressure. My doctor was monitoring it at the beginning of this year and prescribed Lisinopril 20mg daily. Lisinopril is standard treatment for patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) and considering that my BP was clearly in the 140/90 range on a daily basis, this treatment was recommended for 120 days. He also prescribed Lovastatin 20mg for the treatment of high cholesterol. It is sold under the brand name Mevacor® but is also available as a generic called Lovastatin tablets. He wanted to reduce my LDL cholesterol levels into a normal range. This treatment lasted 90 days, which ended about 15 days ago.

My thinking here is to reduce my weight which will have an impact on my LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure. The goal is to REDUCE my weight + dependence on medication.

½ cup of coffee
Lunch: 2 wings, 2 legs and 2 chicken breast grilled with 4 rolls with water
snack: 15 Oreo cookie
Dinner: chicken melt sandwich with French fries with unsweetened ice tea

Saturday
November 28, 2009 @ 1036 hrs
BP: 147/111
Pulse: 89
Weight: 230.5 lbs

Challenge - Day 1

Day 1
20 sit-ups and 5 push-ups. I didn’t expect that it would be so difficult to get to either number. I’m told that it will get easier after each day – I wonder. If today was a work day, I wouldn’t be wondering if I should eat breakfast and skip lunch, so I might eat a banana and think about a salad for lunch. I don’t have a plan for dinner, since cooking Thanksgiving leftovers seems to be the easy answer. I am disappointed that the scale shows a 3.5 pound increase, considering I didn’t eat lunch yesterday – however I did down about twenty pigs-in-a-blanket before our Thanksgiving dinner.

Lunch: ham+cheese+bacon sandwich plus a cup of New England clam chowder soup with water.
Dinner: leftover turkey+stuffing with gravy with 8 oz bottle of sweeten ice tea.
No snacks.

Friday, November 27, 2009 8:20AM
BP: 137/102
Pulse: 88
Weight: 233.5 lbs

My Thanks Giving challenge

It seems that today, one should reflect on what one has to be thankful for, before racing off at 4AM to take advantage of Black Friday sales. I have much to be thankful for: I am happily married to a woman who loves me more than I love myself; I have two well-adjusted sons (emphasis on the “adjusted”). I have a fairly normal relationship with my family and friends and I try to give more than I take. There are a few missing items: enough money to get ahead of the bills, a HD motorcycle, and the freedom to visit the Pyramids of Giza. So while I would like to have more money, or at least an 2009 FLHT Electra Glide, I think is might be easier to adjust my attitude and my weight.

I am bombarded with daily messages that I should lose weight. It will reduce the strain on my heart, it will reduce the threat of diabetes, and it will add years to my mortality meter. But the difficultity that I find in getting this weight off, is well…a challenge. I’ll have to adjust my diet. I’ll have to exercise.

So here is my challenge: to lose 60 pounds….

Every day I will post my weight, blood pressure, pulse and menu for dinner + lunch. I don’t know if you want to take this journey with me, but I figure that the Biggest Loser is number one in its time slot, there are probably many people out there who might be interested in my weight management. I will greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions on my blog http://whyalmost50.blogspot.com Wish me luck.

Date	Time	BP	Pulse	Weight
Thursday 11/26/2009	8:44 AM	144/100	94	230.0 lbs

Know When to Hold 'Em

How playing poker taught me almost everything I know about running a not-for-profit
by Nancy Lublin

I used to play a lot of poker. Every Friday night for nearly three years, I was at the May fair, a poker club in a Manhattan basement. There were big games in the other room—with Joey Bagels (he became Joey Knish in the semi-fictional film Rounders) and dotcom kids. I played in a small 5-10 stud game with Big Phil, Arnie the Garmento (he always wore the same sweater with holes in it), Gracie (she brought class to the place), Trichter, Scott (our fish), and a bald Aussie math major.

I made shoe money. One day, I spotted some gorgeous $550 cream-colored, patent leather, knee-high Nancy Geist boots. I had to have them, but that wasn't going to happen on my Dress for Success salary. It took me nearly 20 hours of play over two weeks, and those people bought me the boots.

Ultimately, those boys from Staten Island and South Philly gave me more than sexy boots. They taught me nearly everything I know about running a not-for-profit. With apologies to Kenny Rogers, here are four lessons.

You've got to know when to hold 'em .. . Every poker hand is like a fund-raising pitch. Your first bet needs to be high enough to garner respect from the other players, but not so high that you scare them all away. It also can't be so low that you make them think you're desperate. And that first bet has less to do with your cards than with who's at the table, where you're seated (are you the first to bet? the last?), your reputation, and chutzpah. I've heard foundations say they ignore requests for under $100,000, but a first-time ask for $5 million won't get a second look either. Every entrepreneur knows that chasing early funding is similar: What can you request with a straight face and still get a "yes"?

Know when to fold 'em ... You should fold about 80% of the hands you're dealt. That's hard to do—you get itchy to play or you're tempted to see if you can string something together. Dress for Success was once asked to provide suits for women seeking restraining orders in court. We wanted to help. We had the inventory. But our purpose was to support women looking for work. Our board debated it passionately and decided that we shouldn't muddy our mission by getting involved in something complex that we didn't fully understand. That slope would have been too slippery—we wanted to say yes, but we had to say no.

Know when to walk away. And know when to run. Sometimes you suffer a bad beat and you have to move on. In the office context, this is especially relevant to personnel. Firing an employee is never fun, especially if you hired the person. It's like starting out with a nice pair in the hole. You're starting strong, but it never gets better. The best thing is to just cut your losses quickly. If that new employee turns out to be a loser, better to fail fast.

This has been the hardest lesson for me: I fall in love with cards, and I fall in love with potential in employees. Do Something, my current not-for-profit, once hired a successful tech entrepreneur to be our CTO. He took a huge pay cut, which made us feel lucky to have him. He wanted to redesign our site. This was a bad use of our time and resources, but he kept arguing for it. I'd be crazy to ditch the genius, right? Wrong. He didn't understand our priorities or our agenda. Delaying a decision to cut bait is expensive and affects your head. We finally let the guy go.

You never count your money when you're sitting at the table. There'll be time enough for counting when the deal is done. Don't gloat. Even when you win a gigantic pot, you don't want your benefactor to feel cheated—or stupid— because you want to play with her again. And counting your chips is distracting. Every second spent examining your own stack is a second you're not using to suss out others' cards and nerves. In the not-for-profit context, droning on about how much money you've brought in doesn't help bring in more. Plus, it's off-topic. Your goal is to build a more effective organization and reach your group's goals, right? So communicate your strategy for change, not how much change you've got.

About seven years ago, I had my first-ever straight flush—and two dumb, beefy guys stayed in with me until the river. It doesn't get sweeter than that, so I no longer play. But I still have my boots and my lessons. Every day at the office, I remember that it's not about the hand you're dealt, but how you play it.

Nancy Lublin is CEO of Do Something
lublin@fastcompany.com
Fast Company, September 2009, p62

How to Win an Argument About Vaccines

The anti-immunization crowd clings to well-worn myths.
Arm yourself with facts.

MYTH: Vaccines cause autism.
FACT: Until 2001. vaccines included thimerosai, a preservative containing ethylmercury. Mercury, of course can cause neurological damage. But there's scientific consensus that the amount once used in vaccines—around 50 micrograms per 0.5-ml dose was far short of toxic. And autism rates have continued to climb, suggesting that there's either a different cause or, more likely, that a better understanding of the condition has increased diagnoses;. A comprehensive review of the research, conducted in 2004 by the prestigious Institute of Medicine, found no evidence of a connection between vaccines and autism. None.

MYTH: Giving too many vaccines overwhelms a child's immune system.
FACT: This argument echoes the "too much of a good thing" chestnut. but there's no science behind it. With millions of vaccines administered every year, a handful of allergic reactions do happen. But severe cases are so rare that the CDC cannot calculate a statistical risk for the population - the numbers are just too small.

MYTH: Vaccines cause diabetes.
FACT: This idea relies on the flawed work of one doctor, who gathered data on a slew of vaccines and failed to follow standard study protocols, No other study-including those using the same data—could reproduce the results. The CDC and the Institute of Medicine have both dismissed any possible link. This argument also ignores the obvious and well-established fact that diabetes rates in children are climbing because obesity rates are climbing.

MYTH: Vaccines are no longer necessary, because the diseases are no longer a threat.
FACT: The opposite is true. Because of vaccines, diseases that once killed millions are now invisible. But if only a few families stop vaccinating, the illnesses could reemerge in a community, And the diseases are horrible—mumps and Haemophilus influenzae type b cause meningitis, which can lead to deafness, epilepsy, and cognitive impairment. Measles can lead to encephalitis, blindness, and death.

MYTH: Scientists are divided about the safety of vaccines.
FACT: By any measure of scientific consensus, there is total agreement. Vaccines are safe, effective, and necessary. Twelve studies have shown that the measles/ mumps/rubella vaccine is safe. Many other studies have disproved the theory that the Hib shot is toxic. The few dissenters get lots of attention, but it's always the same old names.

MYTH: Aluminum in vaccines is just as toxic as mercury.
FACT: Aluminum, the most common metal in nature, is perfectly safe in small amounts. (A dose of antacid has about 1,000 times as much as a vaccine does.) Aluminum salts are used in vaccines to increase antibody response. They make it possible to use less vaccine less often.

Erin Biba
Wired, October 2009

How to Locate and Apply for College Scholarships

Scholarships are private funds awarded to students who meet specific criteria set by the donor(s). The criteria can be as specialized as the donor(s) may choose and, consequently, are competitive. Frequently used criteria include: academic performance, community service, ancestry, career/profession, race, religion, gender, and specialized skills or talents.

PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING SCHOLARSHIPS

1. Research/Network - places to look for scholarships
Off Campus:
• Employer/parents' employer
• Employment personnel office
• Public Library
• Unions
• Church
• Clubs and Organizations
• Community-based groups
On the Internet:
• http://www.fastweb.com/
• http://www.supercollege.com/
• www.collegenet.com/mach25
• http://www.srnexpress.com/
• http://www.scholarships.com/
• http://www.maldef.org/
At School:
• Counseling Office/Career Center
• Bulletin boards
• Daily school bulletins or public announcements
• Special scholarship bulletins
• Teachers and counselors
• School library and internet
• Fellow students
• Scholarship handbooks or guides

2. Keep a portfolio folder of scholarship documents and include the following:
a) Personal Statement - express strong, clear, positive information on your background (past), current activities and challenges (present), and your enthusiasm regarding your goals and aspirations (future)
b) Letters of Recommendation - highlighting your strengths, abilities, goals, personality, and an indication of your financial need and potential for success. If a letter is addressed, "To whom it may concern," and you are given a copy, it may be used for more than one application. Ideal recommendations are from teachers, employers, and/or community members.
c) Transcript - Cumulative Student Record (CSR) must be sealed in an envelope by the school to remain official. (Keep your own photocopies of your transcript, in the event unofficial transcripts are acceptable.)
d) Personal Budget - detailed list of expenses and any income to be received. Costs should include tuition, books, transportation, housing, meals, medical, and personal expenses. Student-budget forms are usually available from the financial aid office or college catalog.
e) Miscellaneous - sometimes a photo is requested. Samples of work may also be requested for competitive awards. Your high school portfolio may also be helpful.
f) Copies of application - be certain to keep copies of all applications to colleges and scholarships so that information can be quickly revised. If you are using a computer, save essay information on a disk.

3. Be persistent! It pays!!!
Meet deadlines and follow through as appropriate. Take advantage of every opportunity to network, get to know yourself better, and benefit from the results. Scholarships can be worth your time and effort, but - YOU MUST APPLY - APPLY FOR ALL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WHICH YOU MAY QUALIFY. It is FREE MONEY which can help you through school. The more scholarships you apply for, the more opportunities for FREE MONEY.

Note: Be extremely wary of individuals or companies who offer to locate or "guarantee" scholarships or financial aid assistance for a fee (e.g., www.fafsa.com). Do not pay money to apply for scholarships. To learn more about "scholarship scams" visit: www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml or by calling 800.433.3243

Tips regarding letters of recommendation:
1. Ask only those who will give you a positive recommendation (do not ask to see it).
2. Request the letter three or four weeks in advance so the writer is not rushed.
3. Provide the writer with the name, address, due date, and any particulars to be included in the letter. (A helpful gesture is to provide a correctly addressed, stamped envelope and tuck inside a list of particulars, e.g., achievements, awards, community service, talents, challenges, to be mentioned by the writer.)
4. Send a "thank you" letter to the writer sharing the outcome of your scholarship application.

more information can be obtained at http://www.sandiegocalsoap.com/
an outreach program of the California Student Aid Commission

Into to Student Financial Aid

THERE IS FINANCIAL AID TO HELP YOU PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION

The California Student Opportunity & Access Program (Cal-SOAP) and your high school counselor can help you apply. Financial aid is available in the form of grants and scholarships (which do not have to be repaid), student employment or"work study"(a part-time job while attending school), and low-interest loans (which must be repaid). Information on financial aid application deadlines and maximum award amounts is available in the fall of your senior year in high school. Students should be certain to apply for the following:

1. CALIFORNIA GRANTS
If you are a California high school senior (or a graduate) planning to attend a community college, a four-year college, a university, or a vocational school located within California, you need to apply for a Cal Grant by making sure that a GPA Verification Form is sent by the March 2 postmark deadline, and by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2nd or earlier (deadlines vary by college). It is important to get Certificates of Mailing at the Post Office at the time you mail both forms; keep them in a file.
• CAL GRANT A: The purpose of the Cal Grant A is to provide financial assistance to students from low- and middle-income families in meeting tuition and fees. Cal Grant A recipients are selected on the basis of financial need and academic ability. For the year 2009-10, grant awards ranged from $2,772 to $9,708 per year depending on the institution. A student who decides to attend a community college must request that this grant be held in reserve until they transfer to a four-year institution.
• CAL GRANT B: The Cal Grant B is for high-potential students from disadvantaged or low-income families who otherwise would not be able to pursue a postsecondary education. Cal Grant B awards for first-year students are usually limited to assisting with living expenses, books and supplies, and transportation (a living allowance or monthly access grant). When renewed by sophomores, juniors and seniors, a Cal Grant B may also coverall or part of tuition and fees. For the year 2009-10, the maximum access grant was $1,551 and the maximum award for tuition and fees was $9,708.
• CAL GRANT C: The Cal Grant C was developed to assist vocationally oriented students to acquire a meaningful and marketable job skill in occupations designated by the state as being in demand. This grant may not be used to pursue a four-year degree program. To qualify, vocational training must be on a full- or part-time basis. For the year 2008-09, Cal Grant C awards were up to $3,168 for training related costs and $576 for books and supplies.
•Students apply for federal, most state and some private aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); however, certain state and private aid programs have priority deadline dates and require an additional form(s).To find out more about deadline dates and which forms are required, contact your high school counselor, college financial aid office, or state scholarship/grant agency. Note: Pay attention to priority/deadline dates and photocopy all completed applications and forms for your files. Mail originals and request a "Certificate of Mailing" from the U.S. Post Office. Note: You may apply FREE over the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov

2. FEDERAL GRANTS
• FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM: The Federal Pell Grant is intended to assist eligible low- and middle-income students to attend a college or university of their choice. Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students with financial need who will be attending an eligible college or vocational school at least half time. For the 2009-10 school year, Pell Grants will pay up to $5,350. The maximum expected family contribution to be eligible for a Pell Grant is $4,617.

• FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (FSEOG): The Federal SEOG Program provides supplemental funding for students with exceptional financial need. Once the Federal Pell Grant is awarded, the college financial aid office will assist eligible students in determining whether or not they qualify for Federal SEOG.

3. BOARD OF GOVERNORS ENROLLMENT FEE WAIVER (BOGW)
The state sponsored program that waives an eligible California resident's enrollment fees at a California Community College is the Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver or "BOGW." Contact the EOPS office at the Community College for application information. Or go to www.cccco.edu.

4. CAMPUS-BASED FUNDS
Colleges and universities offer several types of scholarships and financial awards (such as employment under the Federal College Work-Study Program). Students apply for these campus-based funds by completing the appropriate financial aid forms which may be obtained from the financial aid office of the institution they plan to attend.

5. COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
Some scholarships are offered through organizations, groups, or businesses of which the parent is a member or employed. Many local service organizations also award scholarships and grants. Information about applying for these awards will be announced by your high school scholarship counselor. Pay careful attention to the school bulletin, and check with the counseling office for bulletin boards with scholarship information, applications and deadline dates. Some school districts publish scholarship/grant handbooks for senior students with specific information about available local awards. Outstanding Pell Grant eligible students: Get information on the Gates Millennium Scholarships www.gmsp.org For more information on scholarships, see section below.

6. CALIFORNIA VETERANS DEPENDENTS COLLEGE FEE WAIVER
Under this program, "state mandated" and "per unit" fees are waived for qualified students. The waiver is applicable at any California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. Eligibility is determined by the County Veteran Services Office: www.cacvso.org. For more information regarding eligibility questions, contact the appropriate Veteran's Service Office.

7. CALIFORNIA CHAFEE GRANT
Foster youth or former foster youth (ages 16 through 21) in California may qualify for the Califor­nia Chafee Grant administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Eligible students may receive up to $5,000 a year for college or job training. Learn more about this program at www.chafee.csac.ca.gov or call toll free: 888.224.7268

8. LOANS
Loans should be considered only as a last resort to finance your education. If you need to apply for a low-interest loan, discuss your options and the best loan package available with the financial aid officer at your college of choice. Sometimes low-interest loans are necessary. Remember: Loans must be repaid!

Learn more about financial aid and how to apply for it, go to:
www.finaid.org and www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov

Complete and file the FAFSA online following step-by-step instructions:
www.fafsa.ed.gov

Go to www.californiacollegs.edu for more information on admissions, financial aid, and career exploration.

Marketing You

Resumes still matter, because they are the best way for job hunters to present a quick synopsis of their skills - to make a compelling argument for why they are the best choice for the job. But just slapping all your degrees and accomplishments on an 81/2-by-11-inch sheet of paper and adding your contact information isn't enough. Design matters, because you want your skills and experience to leap out at hiring managers.

One group that takes resumes very seriously is Career Directors International. It hosts an annual competition among professional résumé designers, and it also makes some résumé professionals available at career fairs to provide brief critiques of people's resumes. (Goto NationalCareerFairs.com to find out when a fair will be held near you.)

You might also keep an eye on the CareerDirectors.com site to see whether winners of this year's résumé competition - which was held on Oct. 17 - have been posted, as they have been in years past.

One intriguing approach that was used by the winner of last year's contest seems especially adaptable for IT workers. Sharon Williams of JobRockit.com used an eye-catching chart in a résumé for a sales manager. The chart illustrated retention rates for clients of a weight-loss clinic, but it could just as easily have shown network availability under your stewardship or a decline in data breaches since you took over security at your company.

ComputerWorld, Nov 2, 2009, page 40