Save Quality Child Care in California!

Help save quality child care programs in California from being cut in the California State Budget. All child care programs in California have received a 15% across the board cut. But now, quality preschool and infant toddler centers that meet the highest quality standards are at risk of being cut by AN ADDITIONAL 10% CUT OVER the 15%. These centers will not be able to stay open if they are cut. Over 30,000 children will lose care. We are calling upon the Legislature and Governor to stop high quality centers being singled out for an unfair ADDITIONAL CUT.


They need 5,000 signatures!  Please help our countries future.  Studies show that appreciation for academics and education start as early as preschool. 
 
Click on the following link to let our legislatures know that we value our children's future.

http://signon.org/sign/save-quality-child-care-2

Just remember Velvet Eyes

An American Film Icon passed away today, Elizabeth Taylor. In the midst of the nice tributes are the attention seeking _____ (fill-in the blank) people who focus on the human things about her.  To those people I say look in the mirror and realize that your closet has a few (or many) items in there.  We all do! 

Now I can't argue these items.  Ms Taylor was sexually liberated in an era when woman "didn't have sex".  She challenged studios when they had the power.  She had a strut about herself when actresses were second to their male counterparts.  She even befriended Michael Jackson during a period when most were running from him. 

But her biggest contribution as a human being may be her dedication to the AIDS cause.  She brought in her powerhouse name and status to help educate during a time when ignorance about the disease and the disease itself was out of control. 

I don't know what it is to be in the spotlight every where you go.  So I am sure the anxiety of being on your game can take its toll on a superstar like Ms Taylor.  She was always elegant and classy.  So if you have anything negative to say why don't you say nothing.  If you don't know what to say, learn about her and then say a prayer for her. 

She may have been different but she did a whole lot of good.  So remember her as a great contributor to American society.  

Marketing Excellence Inc getting the word out:Edison International scholarship opportunities

Marketing Excellence Inc has partnered in the effort to get the word out about Edison International scholarship opportunities to as many students as possible.


Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, welcomes applications for the Edison Scholars program, which supports the study of math, science, engineering and technology.The Edison Scholars Scholarship program is a part of Edison's long standing tradition of investing in the future by making the dream of a college education a reality for deserving students.

In celebration of our 125th anniversary, Edison has expanded the program from 75 to 125 scholarships. In addition, we have made changes to our current eligibility requirements. Recipients are no longer limited to attending an accredited four-year college or university within our service territory. The program has been expanded to include attendance at any accredited four-year college or university across the U.S. Each selected high school graduating senior will be awarded a $2,500 college scholarship. Awards are renewable an additional three years for a total of $10,000, provided recipients meet all eligibility requirements.

The Edison Scholars application postmark deadline is March 15, 2011. Please encourage potential scholars to visit www.edison.com/edisonscholars for more information.

Please encourage potential scholars to visit www.edison.com/edisonscholars for more information. And please remember who told you.

Public Service Announcement: Facebook Safety for Kids

After tossing her books on the sofa, she decided to grab a snack and get on-line. She logged on under her screen name ByAngel213. She checked her Buddy List and saw GoTo123 was on. She sent him an instant message:

ByAngel213:
Hi. I'm glad you are on! I thought someone was following me home today. It was really weird!

GoTo123:
LOL You watch too much TV. Why would someone be following you? Don't you live in a safe neighborhood?

ByAngel213:
Of course I do. LOL I guess it was my imagination cuz' I didn't see anybody when I looked out.

GoTo123:
Unless you gave your name out on-line. You haven't done that have you?

ByAngel213:
Of course not. I'm not stupid you know.

GoTo123:
Did you have a softball game after school today?

ByAngel213:
Yes, and we won!!

GoTo123:
That's great! Who did you play?

ByAngel213:
We played the Hornets. LOL. Their uniforms are so gross! They look like bees. LOL

GoTo123:
What is your team called?

ByAngel213:
We are the Canton Cats. We have tiger paws on our uniforms. They are really cool.

GoTo123:
Did you pitch?

ByAngel213:
No, I play second base. I got to go. My homework has to be done before my parents get home. I don't want them mad at me. Bye!

GoTo123:
Catch you later. Bye

Meanwhile, GoTo123 went to the member menu and began to search for her profile. When it came up, he highlighted it and printed it out. He took out a pen and began to write down what he knew about Angel so far.

Her name: Shannon
Birthday: Jan. 3, 1985
Age: 13
State where she lived: North Carolina

Hobbies: softball, chorus, skating and going to the mall. Besides this information, he knew she lived in Canton because she had just told him. He knew she stayed by herself until 6:30 p.m. every afternoon until her parents came home from work. He knew she played softball on Thursday afternoons on the school team, and the team was named the Canton Cats. Her favorite number 7 was printed on her jersey. He knew she was in the eighth grade at the Canton Junior High School. She had told him all this in the conversations they
had on-line. He had enough information to find her now.

Shannon didn't tell her parents about the incident on the way home from the ballpark that day. She didn't want them to make a scene and stop her from walking home from the softball games. Parents were always overreacting and hers were the worst. It made her wish she was not an only child. Maybe if she had brothers and sisters, her parents wouldn't be so overprotective.

By Thursday, Shannon had forgotten about the footsteps following her.

Her game was in full swing when suddenly she felt someone staring at her. It was then that the memory came back. She glanced up from her second base position to see a man watching her closely.

He was leaning against the fence behind first base and he smiled when she looked at him. He didn't look scary and she quickly dismissed the sudden fear she had felt.

After the game, he sat on a bleacher while she talked to the coach. She noticed his smile once again as she walked past him. He nodded and she smiled back. He noticed her name on the back of her shirt. He knew he had found her.

Quietly, he walked a safe distance behind her. It was only a few blocks to Shannon's home, and once he saw where she lived he quickly returned to the park to get his car.

Now he had to wait. He decided to get a bite to eat until the time came to go to Shannon's house. He drove to a fast food restaurant and sat there until time to make his move.

Shannon was in her room later that evening when she heard voices in the living room.

"Shannon, come here," her father called. He sounded upset and she couldn't imagine why. She went into the room to see the man from the ballpark sitting on the sofa.

"Sit down," her father began, "this man has just told us a most interesting story about you."

Shannon sat back. How could he tell her parents anything? She had never seen him before today!

"Do you know who I am, Shannon ?" the man asked.

"No," Shannon answered.

"I am a police officer and your online friend, GoTo123."

Shannon was stunned. "That's impossible! GoTo123 is a kid my age! He's 14. And he lives in Michigan !"

The man smiled. "I know I told you all that, but it wasn't true. You see, Shannon , there are people on-line who pretend to be kids; I was one of them. But while others do it to injure kids and hurt them, I belong to a group of parents who do it to protect kids from predators. I came here to find you to teach you how dangerous it is to talk to people on-line. You told me enough about yourself to make it easy for me to find you. You named the school you went to, the name of your ball team and the position you played. The
number and name on your jersey just made finding you a breeze."

Shannon was stunned. "You mean you don't live in Michigan ?"

He laughed. "No, I live in Raleigh . It made you feel safe to think I was so far away, didn't it?"

She nodded.

"I had a friend whose daughter was like you. Only she wasn't as lucky. The guy found her, did bad things to her and then murdered her while she was home alone. Kids are taught not to tell anyone when they are alone, yet they do it all the time on-line. The wrong people trick you into giving out information a little here and there on-line. Before you know it, you have told them enough for them to find you without even realizing you have done it. I hope you've learned a lesson from this and won't do it again. And, please tell others about this so they will be safe too, okay?"

"It's a promise!"

That night Shannon and her Dad and Mom thanked God for protecting Shannon from what could have been a tragic situation.

Sept 11 Float (Remember, Reflect, Renew) at the Rose Parade

Sept 11 Float at 2011 Rose Parade (Pasadena CA)

If you watched the Rose Parade, you may have seen a float dedicated to Sept 11. We at Marketing Excellence Inc have a couple of friends that were responsible for putting the float together. We are proud to know them and want to say Thank You.


But seeing the image of the NYC Firefighters raising the American Flag and listening to comments made by the parade's TV host really moved me. It was very interesting when my children realized it will be 10 years this year.

It also brought back a memory of my childhood. When I was a kid, December 7, which marked the sneak attack by Japan on the US at Pearl Harbor, was a big deal. We discussed it in school; parents really reflected; WW II Veterans were somber; and the press really addressed it. By the middle of the second generation removed from December 7, it was becoming just a discussion point in the news and a 3 minute history lesson in the classroom. Today it seems to be just another day. People are so into the holidays that it has sort of been forgotten. Can you imagine how days after Thanksgiving and days before Christmas and Hanukkah our country was attacked by a country with the capability of destroying us?

So as the September 11th's Float's inscription suggested to "Remember, Reflect, and Renew", please do so now and well past the 9-11 generation.

Lets truly "Remember" our history both good and unpleasant. Lets truly "Reflect" on the lessons learned. And , lets "Renew" our Patriotism.

Marketing Excellence Inc Honors US Veterans

Marketing Excellence Inc sends a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the men and women who have proudly served in our military both past and present.


There are many great promotions for Veterans on Veteran's Day.

If you are a Veteran, check out the link below.

If not tell a Veteran.

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-day-discounts.html

Don't forget to thank EVERY Veteran you know today!

Happy Veteran's Day!
From a Proud Veteran

Marketing Excellence honors our fallen

This Memorial Day (and everyday) Marketing Excellence Inc would like to express the utmost appreciation and admiration to those military service men and women who paid the ultimate price in defense of our country. May God Bless you and America.

My Day at the Michael Jackson Memorial Ceremony July 7 2009

Los Angeles California--On July 7 2009, my daughter and I had the honor and privilege to attend the Memorial Service for Michael Jackson. It was an interestingly moving experience. I am not going to go over too much of what you saw on TV. I want to share with you what you didn't see or feel if you were not there.

We arrived at 8:30 AM for the 10 AM service. The LA Police had created a 5 block perimeter of limited access around the Staples Center (a sports complex in LA where Michael Jackson was rehearsing for his come back). It was not as chaotic as I thought it was going to be. The Los Angeles Police Department did an excellent job of maintaining control and preventing the scene from becoming a circus or riot. As we walked from the car to the arena, we went past dozens of street vendors selling all kinds of Michael Jackson souvenirs. They had posters, portraits, books, CDs, t-shirts, sparkling gloves, black hats, vintage red leather jacket with the zippers, and many more. If you could image something associated with Michael, it was out there for sale.

We entered the Staples Center at about 9AM. We were pleasantly surprised and excited that we had great seats. We were 11 rows up from the main seating area for all the celebrities and honored guests. For the hour before the ceremony started, we just watched star after star arrive and walk by us about 20 feet away. I noticed that there was a ritual amongst the celebrity community that requires that they enter almost on cue without the distraction of another celebrity entering the area at the same time. Then they have to look for people they have to mingle with. It was like a party where everyone knew each other.

As the hour approached 10AM an announcement was made to take your seats as the service was about to begin. Everyone seemed to comply with eager anxiety about what they were about to witness. At exactly 10AM the announcer introduced Smokey Robinson. Smokey read several letters from individuals who could not attend. And after he was done there was a pause of about 20 minutes. For those 20 minutes, it was eerily silent. It was so quiet that you could here the band members talking (and it was NOT through the sound system).

At about 10:20 Michael Jackson arrived. The crowd rose to their feet and applauded like crazy. People were surprised as that was certainly not expected. Then the ceremony resumed. Many of the presenters and singers kept saying that this was a celebration of Michael Jackson's life. Though that may have been their intention, it was very very emotional in that building. Everyone was choked up through out the ceremony. If they weren't, they were passed out.

Each presenter seemed to out do the one before them. Several of the speeches were very memorable for me. Brooke Shields made many people cry. In my immediate vicinity you could hear a lot of people crying with passion. You know how you cried as a little kid where you stopped crying for a second or two to gasp for air. She was very moving. Reverend Al Sharpton was very inspirational. Now I am not a big Rev. Sharpton fan but he was amazing. He uplifted the crowd. Magic Johnson had people laughing with his grilled chicken comments.

After a speech you could tell how moved the crowd was by their lack of reaction. All the presenters received a standing ovation when they were done. But the more moving the commentary the less clapping. As I looked around it was because people couldn't clap as they were wiping tears from their eyes or hugging the person next to them. At one point the crowd started to cheer Michael, Michael, Michael but we just didn't have the energy to sustain it.

Jermaine singing Smile and Michael's daughter Paris' impromptu comments was tough for even the toughest of the toughest to not cry. I don't know how it came across on TV but being there was a powerful experience. I have experienced the death of both of my parents and many friends and family members. The love and closeness that the Jackson family has for each other is powerful. They really love each other. It showed throughout the ceremony.

When the ceremony ended, the Jackson brothers escorted the coffin out of the arena. Then the vacant stage had a microphone with a single spot light on it. The screams of "I love you Michael" came from all directions. The Jackson family pastor, Reverend Lucius Smith, asked us all to join hands in a moment of prayer. His prayer was so appropriate for the moment.

Even in death Michael Jackson can be amazing.

Outside the media was literally hovering to get interviews and fan reaction. I counted 11 helicopters flying above. There were lines of TV broadcast trucks lined up outside of the Staples Center. In the larger plaza outside the Staples Center, all the TV stations had set up their on site studio. They would grab people from the crowd to interview them and try to get an emotional reaction. We spent about an hour outside watching the Jackson family motorcade leave and the news crews try to get a scoop or a sensational story. My daughter and I "worked" our way into the press area and we had the best seat in the house. Both of us were interviewed by various TV stations. My daughter was interviewed by an Australian and Arab TV station. CNN was my moment.

Take a look at some pictures of the day at http://picasaweb.google.com/MarketingExcellenceInc

Getting Tickets for the Michael Jackson Memorial service

San Diego California-- Today a very nice friend mentioned that she had won the opportunity to attend the Michael Jackson Memorial service to be held tomorrow July 7 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles. I congratulated her and jokingly asked her about her moon walking skills. After a brief discussion, she mentioned that she could not go and if we were interested. Without much hesitation I said YES. I can't say that I am as big a fan as I was in the 80's and 90's but his music does bring back some fond memories and allows me to relive some of the best times of my teenage and young adult years. My kinda smooth attempt to moon walk, do the Michael spin, and the rest of his dance moves were part of that time in my life. Also for me he was the most talented and creative singer, dancer and entertainer of my life time.

So anyway. After I said yes to the tickets, the real work began. I had to go pick up the voucher from her house and then drive about 2.5 hours to Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles to pick up the tickets. The drive was uneventful except for the LA traffic that makes the trip longer and more boring than it should be. As we pull up to Elysian Park Ave to head into the stadium, we and all the cars making our way into the stadium are greeted by a bunch of fans begging and pleading for our ticket vouchers. They had signs that read 'I came from xyz place for Michael. Please give me your voucher' and one read 'I can't afford the scalpers prices look at the economy. Can I have your tickets?'

There were cops every where. A cop checked my voucher on one corner and then another cop checked it again at the next corner. A half a block later, a security person checks my voucher to allow passage to the gates of Dodger Stadium. At the gate they scanned the bar code on the voucher and give me some semi-intelligible instructions as to what to do next. I drove about 30 to 45 seconds to where the tickets were being handed out and one more check of my voucher.

I finally entered the real "holding area" of the tickets. First I am asked for my voucher again and I am handed two golden colored wrist bands. Then as I ask for my tickets I am told to pull up to the next line. That is where the golden tickets are. There are 2-3 police officers assigned to each person handing out the tickets. So as I approach I have my voucher ready. The person snatches my voucher and rips it. Just as I am about to jump out of my car and put him in a head lock, he pulls out the 2 tickets and hands them to me. He says "It starts tomorrow at 10Am. Enjoy!". As I pull away and exit the stadium parking lot, I think to myself ...Enjoy? Enjoy? What do you mean enjoy? This is a memorial service right? But then I remember this is not going to be any ordinary memorial service. I'll tell you all about in a day or two.

Behind the Soldier: My Father

When September 11 occurred, it became clear that America would go to war, but I never thought my dad would be one of those sent out.

read more digg story

Yankee Stadium is gone. My memories

Today Sept 21 2008 marked the last baseball game played at Yankee Stadium. Many talked about memories and how knocking down the building was not going to take those away. That is very true!

BUT

I will never be able to point out to my children where I sat when Reggie hit 3 home runs in the 1977 World Series. I will never stand at the same spot where I took pictures with Mickey Rivers and Sparky Lyle. In fact I will never be able to show them where I stood next to my Dad and watched Thurman Munson slide in spikes high on Carlton Fisk (oh and the fight that followed). I will never be able to take them to the place where I caught the ceremonial first pitch before game 4 of the 1978 World series that was thrown by Bob Hope. Lastly,I won't be able to show them where we sat June 22 2008.

If you don't know what I am talking about then you won't understand why I shed a few tears tonight when the game was over.

I thank "The Stadium" and the Yankees for the fantastic memories that I can no longer relive!

What is your memory of The Stadium?

My friends for life: OLC Class of 1979

A couple of weeks ago, I got together with some childhood friends from my elementary school graduating class. We attended a Catholic School so we graduated from 8th grade as opposed to 5th or 6th grade like most other schools.

At the reunion we had a grand time remembering events and "firsts" and crushes and all those great childhood memories. It was filled with feelings, ideas and memories from a period before you were tarnished by the tough lessons of life and the world. It was a time in our lives that we were starting to lose our naivete and childhood innocence. We still were inexperienced and novices at all that we discovered.

My friends had aged. But their voices were almost the same; their attitudes about life were still consistent with their childhood attitudes; and most importantly their chuckles and laughs were spot on as I remembered them when we were kids. The jokesters were still joking. The quiet ones were still quiet. The smart ones were still smarter than the rest of us. The good looking ones still had a sense of style.

To all the classmates that attended thank you!!!! To all the ones that did not make it I hope to share a laugh, a story, a hug, and a meal with you next time. I can honestly say that we all felt blessed to have been with each other as kids 30 years ago and as older kids in June 2008.

Love you all and God Bless.

Wildfire San Diego 2007 Survival stories

As the wildfires in San Diego burn out or are completely extinguished by the fine men and women firefighters from all over the world, the stories of survival begin to be told. Up the road where many homes were lost in Poway, a couple survived by jumping in their pool. They watched the fire burn all around them for 3 hours. Imagine watching your home burn to the ground and just watching it go--completely helpless.

The couple survived. Thank God they have the opportunity to rebuild.

San Diego Wildfire Poway Day 3

Day three after the wildfires of San Diego that almost reached our house in Poway.

We were out cleaning today and found a neat pile of ash in front of the house. I looked around to find that a wooden shelf which sits below a front window was partially charred. The fire came THAT close. Seeing the neat pile of ash, I could only think how lucky and blessed we were. We have now discovered that eight (and counting) of our friends were not so lucky. They lost their homes and all of the things they left behind. Some are in high spirits and others are in shock. Time will heal their pain. As friends we feel so helpless. Whatever we offer to help them through this difficult time, is just not enough. I sense that they feel happy that we offered, but we walk away thinking what else can we do to help.

Also today President Bush visited an area hit extra hard in San Diego--Rancho Bernardo. He seems to be doing an excellent job helping our victims. Support programs are in place already. His visit was comforting to many as he told San Diegans that the country is behind us. He was well received and the victims, emergency workers and people of San Diego seemed very pleased by his visit and support.

May God Bless all the victims and their families.

One day after the San Diego Wildfire (Poway)

ON the day after the fires in San Diego, I find some interesting sets of people. I found out today that my home was spared. Unfortunately we have several friends who lost their homes in the wildfire. This morning I returned to my home to find out that it was saved. The inside of the home smelled like smoke. I decided to try to find an air purifier. I went to a Costco nearby. It was smoky and almost empty. I applaud the employees that showed up for they were really helping those in need. Most of the people were buying water, food and other basic necessities. Then I was surprised by this one couple. They were browsing and shopping as if nothing happened. They were looking at the special order items for a great deal. At first I was angered by their disregard for the suffering that was occurring within feet of them. Then my wife reminded me that people deal with stress in different ways. I guess she was right.

My Home is Burning? Poway San Diego Wildfire 2007

Today we evacuated our home in Poway. What an incredible set of emotions! You wonder if you are saying good bye to years of memories. You wonder whether you made good choices with insurance. You even second guess your own choices of what you took with you and what you left behind. The mental game of whether or not you have a home to return to. Then you start hearing about the friends that have lost their homes. You can never understand the emotions of losing your home until you do.

Thank God for my family is safe.

Set a family date

Tonight was family night. My 7 year old son insisted that I turn off the baseball game and play a board game with his sister and Mom. Of course I won. No mercy in this house (haha).

We laughed and had lots of fun. It was one of those special moments that I will remember and some day we will all talk about.

What a great family date it was! I am sad to say that it took us so long. We will make this a regular part of our week.

Every family should try it.