EDUCATION: Playing our part in the SOLUTIONS for Saving Our Schools

JB Productions Presents: “Conversations” – A fun, kinda let your hair down type of event! Focusing on discussing real – life topics & issues that we deal with on a day – to – day basis in an open forum! The intention is to create the atmosphere for interactive/mutual dialogue between attendees & host(s). All done for fun, but designed for guests to have open, honest, candid, mature, RESPECTFUL & down to earth dialogue that would allow for potential solutions to some of the challenges we face on an individ...

ual level.

This month’s topic of discussion will be: "EDUCATION: Playing our part in the SOLUTIONS for Saving Our Schools!” We will discuss the importance of taking personal accountability and assisting with developing implementable solutions to help save our schools!!! We will be bringing in individuals to educate and dialogue with the audience about the current state of affairs; the importance of the public’s involvement; the impact of NOT being involved; and identifying a targeted list of supportive, implementable solutions to save our schools!!! We are also pleased to have Dr. William Hite, the new Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, participating in the discussion! Please spread the word and show up at this life changing event!

When: Tuesday, November 20th
Time: 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Details: Networking/Chat & Chew: 6:00 – 6:30PM
Conversation begins: 6:30PM (SHARP)
Wrap – Up: 7:45PM – 8:00PM

Where: School District of Philadelphia, 440 N. Broad Street, Room 1075
Dress Code: Fashionable
Cover: FREE
Parking: Metered Street & paid lot parking available!!!
Amenities: Complimentary Refreshments provided by Eatible Delights Catering

We are hoping for a successful, engaging & fun event. Looking forward to seeing you there. Help us spread the word and invite others to join you and participate in a very mature, life – changing chat!

Sponsored by: Eatible Delights Catering www.eatibledelights.com; Eye Innovations www.eyeinnovations.net; and Black Professional News www.earlharvey.com.

Vacation time: Use it or Loose it!

If you’re like me, the second someone says let’s go, you’re ready! You really don’t need a reason to travel. Just the fact that you are over worked and stressed is good enough. Now, while that may work for you and I, there are lots of people out there who actually need a “reason” to come out of their never changing 4 wall city to see what the rest of the world has to offer.

The next few paragraphs I’ll give you some of the best reasons to travel and even offer ways to make it happen. Trust me; this is the last year you’ve decided to stay in your city! Ready? Here we go…

Reason #1

YOU need a break. If your over worked and stressed out, why not treat yourself to a nice weekend getaway? Don’t you think YOU deserve it? A nice trip to the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Montego Bay, Jamaica or even Puerto Vallarta, Mexico should get you back in the swing of things. Or, take a 7 – 10 day guided tour of South Africa or Europe. Notice how refreshed you’ll feel upon your return home. Not to mention I am sure you’ll want to return soon!

Reason #2

When I worked in corporate America, there was a saying that went “Use it OR Loose it”. That term was regarded toward my vacation time. If I didn’t use it, I’d loose it. Although I no longer work for corporate America, to my knowledge, that rule still stands. Need I say more?!

Reason #3

Now in days, vacations are super super affordable. Most agencies, including myself, offer payment plans so that clients can pay their trip off and not be overwhelmed with paying for their vacation upfront. At Wallet Happy Vacations, we offer EZ payment plans tailored specifically for our clients’ budget. This way, not only do you have a trip to look forward to but, the ease of paying on it is also available.

In sum, get out of your town and explore what the rest of the world has to offer!  Take a break from work. Treat your stress to a nice day in the Spa while on the beautiful Caribbean Beaches. Use your vacation time and treat yourself. Utilize your Travel Professional’s EZ payment plan programs. It’s the best option for making your vacation a reality!

Cheers to a reason to travel and taking advantage of your vacation time in 2013.

Anitra R. Byers

Travel Professional/Owner

www.wallethappyvacations.com

215.200.8311

Wallet Happy Vacations

Living and Growing in the Valley

Wow.  I haven't actually written anything in a long time.  Here it goes...

I was recently blessed by a sermon during the Enon Tabernacle Church’s revival.  Although I can’t remember the name of the sermon, what I walked away with is the realization that “It’s in the Valley that I Grow.”

Just the week before, I was whining about living in a valley.  You see,  I felt that being unemployed, unpopular, unappreciated, and unattached were all valleys.  On top of that, I LITERALLY LIVE in a valley!  I felt stagnant, like I wasn’t moving forward and had not accomplished much of anything in my 48 years here on this earth.  Yeah, I was having myself a good ole pitty party…in my valley.  Then I realized how much I HAD actually grown living here in this valley for the past 3 years.  I have grown spiritually and emotionally.   It’s a miracle that I am even living in the valley because rightfully I should have been homeless.  This cute little apartment is my “stones from the Jordan River”; a constant reminder of what God has done for me in the past and a glimpse of the wonderful things He has in store for my future.  So I began to praise God for this “Valley” season of my life.  Then came hurricane Sandy…

Sandy blew thru the eastern borders like nothing we’d ever seen.  My apartment is surrounded by trees and I decided to stay home this time.  I didn’t sleep a wink on Sunday night.  I was scared.  I was up praying and reading and when I did finally lay down I tossed and turned the rest of the night.  Got up Monday morning and watched Sandy roll in and was sleep by 6pm with the TV on all night; something I almost NEVER do.  I slept from6pm Monday until 6am Tuesday.  Slept peacefully thru the entire storm!  Guess what?  Living in the valley kept me safe from the storm!  All around me people were experiencing power outages and trees falling down.  I never even lost my directtv which was really unusual because that will go out if a neighbor sneezes too hard. 

So today I am truly grateful for ALL my valleys.  They really do help us to grow.  I hope you clicked the link and read the poem. 

On another note, around 2 years ago I met a gentlemen by the name of Mr. Scott.  We were watching people play tennis at the black tennis club behind my apartment.  Mr. Scott was 82 years old.  Out of nowhere he asked if I lived on Rubicon Street.   It’s actually pronounced Rubicam and I told him so.  He said well for you my dear, it is the RUBICON;  You have crossed the Rubicon.  Do you know what that means?”  I said “No.”  He told me to google it and gave me his phone number to call him after I googled it.  Which I did, but I still didn’t get it…not until today.  All I understood was that Julius Ceasar crossed the Rubicon river and started a war.  For some reason I looked it up again today and found this definition: Crossing the Rubicon - to do something which will have very important results, which cannot be changed later.  Hmmmmm.  It’s still not FULLY hitting home yet, but when it does I’ll be sure to write about it!

 

Please Support My Daughter's Generation Give Back Initiative

Peace and Blessings Family and Friends,

This year my organization, Mic Check 1-Two! , has joined Sporty Marketing and The Circle Ent in planning the 2nd Annual Inter-Communal Giveback Feast & Concert. Last year The Giveback was held in West Philadelphia at Haddington Recreation Center. They fed and clothed close to 500 people with the help of volunteers and clothing & food donations from some of YOU (remember I was driving around the city stuffing my car with trash bags full of your stuff? haha).

Hunger affects close to one million individuals in the Delaware Valley. In many and various communities throughout our region families and individuals experience food poverty and live in communities that qualify as food deserts, regions with limited access to nutritious food. Residents’ low-income status affects both the quality and amount of food that enter their homes and their acquisition of other basic needs such as clothing.

We want to help and reach even more people this year, so we are engaging people earlier and moving to a new location (TBD). Starting Election Day (11/6/12) we are collecting non-perishable food items and gently-used clothing & shoes at select Philadelphia polling places and two businesses. We will continue to collect donations at area businesses and accept donations from individuals until the day of The Giveback. Please donate - no donation is too small, if you have even one shirt, one pair of shoes or one canned good we will accept and it will help those in need!

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this email or the attached flier to your network or simply by telling someone.

Look for Mic Check's article in The Philadelphia Tribune later this week (I'll send out the link when posted).


 Mark your calendars...

  December 21, 2012
 ...we would love for all of you to be in attendance at The Giveback. If you want to volunteer your time (we'll need volunteers) or make a monetary donation, let me know.

   The day of The Giveback begins collection for Mic Check 1-Two! Prom Drive 013 (this year we're collecting suits!!)


Thank you for your continued support,
 -- Portia M Fullard
"One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, how big my house was, or what kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a child."