Judy Crockett

Judy Crockett
Judy Crockett

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Directions For Eating Chocolate a Life Lesson

While on a consulting job in the Chicago area, my husband and I have had the pleasure of staying with his sister Diane for nearly a month. It was such a blessing to share so much time with her and her husband Nick. After a fabulous gourmet scallop dinner, Diane "presented" a dessert with a ritual - - that translates well into a lesson on living life.

Dessert was a square of Vosges Hout Chocolate Goji bar. Diane opened the package, broke it into squares for each of us, then began reading the directions on the back of the package as follows:

How to Enjoy an Exotic Candy Bar

BREATHE - Engage your senses. Take three deep ujjayi breaths, quiet the chattering mind and be in the presence of the moment.

SEE -- A darker milk chocolate speckled with hues of pink.

SMELL - - Rub your thumb on the chocolate to help release the mineral aromas. Inhale deeply.

SNAP - - Break the bar in two pieces. Hear the crisp, ringing pop, which indicates a well-tempered bar of chocolate. You will hear the loudest snap with dark chocolate, a soft break with milk, and a faint whisper with white.

TASTE - - Place a small piece of chocolate on your tounge and press it to the roof of your mouth. Within thirty seconds the flavors of goji berry's respberry, plum and current undertones exude from chewy bites with a hint of salt fueling the craving for more sweet.

FEEL - - -The mystique of these little pink gems is so cherished in the native Tibet and Mongolia that festival are held each year to celebrate their renowned body-beautiful attributes.

Peace, love and chocolate, Katrina
www.vosgeschocolate.com
After we savored this experience, I could not help but think we should enjoy each moment of each day by savoring all the little gems.

Enjoy your chocolate today - - and your day.
Judy

Friday, March 25, 2011

Tips For Leaving Work...at Work

Strategy for Professional Women
There’s a wonderful saying, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person." Effective professional women are busy women—who can organize, multitask and deliver. The workload requires so much focus and energy that, by the end of the day, few women have the mental reserves to unwind, defuse criticisms or come up with Plans B, C or D. Here are some tips to prevent bringing home workplace woes.

1.Set aside time to decompress. It takes time for the brain’s neuro-hormones to "re-set" from overdrive to cruising gear. Speed up this process by enticing the brain to calm down. If you use public transportation, plug in your headphones to soothing music. Try Chopin piano pieces, smooth jazz or love songs. If you’re in the car, tune your radio to the stations that play this kind of music.
2.Get solution-focused with criticisms and unresolved problems. Ruminating about your mistake or fuming about the incompetence of your boss and colleagues will sustain your stress and keep you in reverse gear. Instead, move forward and develop proactive solutions. Jot down your ideas on the ride home or speak them into a recorder when you’re stopped at red lights. By developing plans, you trigger a sense of control and diminish the power of the evil twins of depression and helplessness.
3.Don’t call everyone on your speed dial to review all the events at work. Instead, pick one person whose opinion you trust and run some of your proactive ideas by him or her. If your trusted work advisor is your spouse, call and ask him ahead of time if the two of you can carve out some time to talk about your work problem. Be sure to ask him how his day is, too. If he’s in similar crunch and crisis mode, don’t panic and continue to develop your solutions.
4.Review how you spend your time at work. We all need "down time." Even a few minutes away from a project can refresh us. However, when I asked a large group of professional women to write down how they spend time at work, they were surprised at the amount of time they spent on personal calls and Internet surfing. Get stingy about your free time. Use that time at work to work—so you don’t bring as much of it home.
5.Learn to say no. In the same group of professional women, I asked them to write down the things that in the past three weeks they said yes to at work when they wanted to say no. You don’t have to be part of every committee or volunteer project. Prioritize. Choose activities that directly relate to your specific assignment. Using free time to attend meetings that include upper management will maximize your exposure. Find relevance to your current work.
6.Prioritize, organize and delegate at home. Give up the idea of perfection. Your family won’t fall apart if all the laundry isn’t done—or done perfectly. Develop expected tasks and responsibilities on a regular, ongoing basis. Children respond best with structure. Decide who sets the table, puts food in the oven or washes the dishes. Help with children’s homework—don’t do their homework for them. Use that freed up time to be with your spouse.
7.Hug and kiss your spouse and children as soon as you get home and again before bedtime. Human contact, especially amongst loved ones, is one of the fastest most effective ways to kick in the hormones that soothe.
Written by Dr. LeslieBeth Wish www.lovevictory.com for w2wlink.com.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

IAAP Update - - Program Rescheduled

Due to weather conditions the FREE program “The Principles of Networking and Marketing Yourself and IAAP: What’s in it for me?” has been rescheduled to March 29 at 5:30 pm. There will be door prizes and goody bags (limited to 50) for those in attendance. For more information contact Kathleen, 231-398-3887 or Dianna at 231-723-2575. Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce Manistee Area Chamber

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Inforum Dinner Event to Feature Host of Bravo’s “Top Chef”

April 13: Inforum Dinner Event to Feature Host of Bravo’s “Top Chef”


GRAND RAPIDS // Padma Lakshmi, actress, super model, award-winning cookbook author, and host of Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning series, “Top Chef,” will be the keynote speaker at Inforum West Michigan’s spring dinner event.

The dinner, which will be held in partnership with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, is scheduled for 5:30-8 p.m. on April 13 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids.

Lakshmi will share the story of how she started her career as an international model, and evolved into the multi-faceted businesswoman she is today. Her presentation “Live Well …Give Back,” will highlight Lakshmi’s her work with the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA), which she founded.

EFA is a nonprofit organization focused on fighting against the devastating effects of a disease that affects millions of women and adolescent girls. Through increased awareness, education, research and legislative advocacy, the EFA is committed to improving affected individuals' lives by early detection and treatment.

Lakshmi’s visit to Grand Rapids includes her participation in the MSU College of Human Medicine’s Women’s Reproductive Research Symposium.

Event Details:
Date: April 13
Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Location: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids
Cost: $75 for Inforum members; for $100 nonmembers; $1,000 for a table of 8 (includes special seating, recognition and tickets to a VIP reception.

Tickets can be purchased at www.inforummichigan.org or by calling (616) 588-9400.

Women's History Day Event Planned

one more week to Women's History Day...

There's just one more week until our full-day event at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Frankfort on Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.


For all those who are planning on coming, we hope you can register today or very soon to receive the discounted rate of $20 for the day, which includes lunch, or the student rate of $15. At the door the fee will be $25. Call Jane Purkis to register at 882-5373. There is also more information and a registration form to download at our website: http://www.bawhp.org/historyday.html


We've got a wonderful program planned for you. Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day, we'll start with Julie Guevara, Professor of Social Work from Grand Valley State University, who will talk about her experiences in El Salvador working with women there and documenting changes in their lives since 1995. Dede Alderman will present some interactive drumming and tell us about the history of women and drumming. Women from the Run Across Ethiopia group will show slides and talk about their ongoing project. Susanne Glynn will tell us of her time in Nepal and a group called ANSWER working to change the caste system and educate children. We'll feature some activist poetry, music from the Song Spinners and Mary Anne Rivers and a wonderful lunch catered by Still Grinning Kitchens. All are welcome!


The Trinity Lutheran Church is wheelchair accessible and personal hearing clarity and amplification devices will be available.


Hope to see you there!




Benzie Area Women's History Project
http://www.bawhp.org
infobop@bawhp.org

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

LACA Celebrates Women's History Month

LACA Celebrates Women's History Month

The Ludington Area Center for the Arts celebrates Women's History Month with an exhibition and film screening focused on women artists.

Ladies Night Out features the paintings, photographs, and mixed media work of 13 women artists from the Ludington area. Exhibiting artists include long-time favorites Yvonne Carlson and Shirley Shillinger, newcomer Emily Kunsky, and mixed media artist Rebecca Fox.

The public is invited to see the exhibition and meet the artists at an informal reception Saturday, March 19 from 3-5 p.m.

Ladies Night Out runs through April 15 in the Center's gallery, which is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, although donations are always welcome.

The Staff
Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Breaking Night Book Review

Rebecca Fedder, another member of the Women's netWork in Manistee wrote this review of the book "Breaking Night"


BREAKING NIGHT – by Liz Murray


This is an inspiring true story of a young woman who overcame incredible odds
to graduate from Harvard. She was born to drug-addicted parents and as a teenager skipped so many classes at school, she was put into a girls home. At age 15, she
found herself on the street and homeless. She decided she had to take control of
her life and went back to high school, completing it in 2 years. After graduation,
she was awarded a scholarship to Harvard through the New York Times. This is
a story of survival and shows what will and determination can accomplish. She
is to be commended for her present work of motivational speeches and helping
others find meaning in their lives.


Rebecca Fedder

Book Review "Jewell" By Brett Lott

Thanks to Women's netWork member Marion Rorich for providing this book review.

JEWELL by Brett Lott

I picked this book up from the Eastpoint, Florida public library book sale as I needed a "beach read". I found it a powerful story of a family in the deep south of Mississippi in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. The story evolves over several decades and the reader experiences the social changes taking place in education, medical treatment, as well as racial and gender relations. The family struggles with a five children the last child born with Down Syndrome. The author is graphic in the description of race, treatment of the mentally retarded, and gender roles but is honest in the use of terms which are often hard to read and accept as common language of the time. This book explores the strength of maternal/parental love, marital struggles, racial enlightenment, and educational reform for the mentally retarded. I found this book an enjoyable and informative read much more than a "beach read".

Marion Rorich

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Women Backbone of the Economy

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41914274/ns/business-consumer_news/

By Kate Snow
NBC News NBC News
updated 3/4/2011 9:05:23 PM ET 2011-03-05T02:05:23
Share Print Font: +-Editor’s Note: This week, NBC is taking a look at America's challenges and opportunities. As part of the series, "America at the Crossroads," NBC's Kate Snow explores how women are changing the marketplace because they hold more college degrees and are taking over the labor force.

At a recent training session for new employees at the Ogilvy ad agency in New York, you couldn't help but notice all the estrogen in the room.

Preeti Shah has never felt held back by her gender. Ten years ago she got excited about a new frontier in advertising. Now she oversees digital projects at Ogilvy.

Story: The history-making moments of women's history
"There was never a point in time where I thought I couldn't do this," she said.

America at the Crossroads: The Series Nightly News: Women backbone of U.S. economy
Women understand 'what's going to motivate people'
Nightly News: U.S. losing immigrant brainpower
Kunal Bahl video extra: 'I didn't have an option'
Tough choices for 'financially distressed' city
Finding the 'next big thing' to create jobs
Do you need a job? Then get some skills
..Shah is an example of how the role of the American working woman has undergone an extreme makeover.

Women are now the backbone of the U.S. economy. About 60 percent of them work, and they comprise 46 percent of the labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Women now occupy 51 percent of managerial and professional jobs, up from 26 percent in 1980. More women are graduating from college than men. Seventy-five percent of women say they make the shopping decisions, so they're the consumers too.

Video: Women helping fuel economic comeback (on this page)
And like Shah, 40 percent of working women are the primary breadwinners for their families.

That kind of change is transforming not just the workplace but it's having a profound effect on the economy.

It makes sense. You don't need Rosie the Riveter muscles to land a job in industries driven by brain power.

Females hold the majority of positions in the five fields expected to grow the most over the next decade: nursing, customer service, food and beverage, personal aide and health aide.

All that change is changing the bottom line, too.

David Ross, a professor at Columbia Business School, did a comprehensive study of over 2,000 of the largest U.S. companies found companies performed significantly better when they had women in the management ranks than when they did not.

“On average women may approach management in a more democratic, less dictatorial, more collaborative manner than men,” Ross said. “And on certain kinds of tasks that can have a significant impact on the performance of an entire organization.”

The top tiers of the hotel industry used to be a men's club. But at Kimpton Hotels about half of the managers are now women thanks in part to a mentoring program founded by the female president nearly 15 years ago.

Video: Women understand 'what's going to motivate people' (on this page)
Kimpton President Niki Leondakis says it makes a difference in the culture of the organization. In the '90s she was nicknamed "The Terminator." She felt she had to manage like a man. No more.

"I started to realize I could be as tough as a man and at the same time show compassion and be a good listener and create an inclusive work environment," Leondakis said.

It's why business schools are teaching about empathetic leadership.

It's why Norway has mandated that corporate boards be 40 percent female.

Of course for women in America, it's not all rosy.

A new projection by the Institute For Women's Policy Research for NBC News shows women won't make the same salaries as men until 2056.

In the Fortune 500, there are still only 15 female CEOs.

Still things are changing. It may not be perfect, or easy, but Shah sees a clear path for her 5-year-old daughter.

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Strange phone call leads to 'the bald head'
.."My mother was a full-time pediatrician; I'm a full-time working mom," Shah said. "I have no doubt that she will be brilliant at whatever she does and that she will be a working woman."

Eventually all those little girls who grow up to work in a more equitable job environment will tip the scales even further, joining the generations of women who are already an engine for this new economy.

© 2010 msnbc.com Reprints

Friday, March 04, 2011

Rock Your Future!






For area young women, 14-19. 4th year, free annual event, personal growth, employment resources, guest panel & speakers, luncheon, door prizes. sponsored by Mills Community House and Crystal Mountain Resort. Register: millshouse01@att.net

Thursday, March 03, 2011

LWV Hosts Evening of Laughter

March 2, 2011 Contact: Linda Albee
New Release Phone: 231.723.0032
For Immediate Release E-mail: ralbee0032@charter.net

AN EVENING OF COMPETITION AND LAUGHTER

Manistee---Come One, Come All on Friday, April 15, 2011, 7 pm to the 1st Annual
Pictionary Olympics sponsored by League of Women Voters (LWV) Manistee County.
If you have ever played the game of Pictionary you know how much fun it can be. It is
even more fun when played as a team against other teams in our community. This
event will be held at the Manistee Golf and County Club, 500 Cherry Street, Manistee.
We will be celebrating the Clubʼs 2011 “opening day” on April 15th, too!!!
The competition will be between teams from our area businesses and service clubs as
well as any group of four individuals who wish to compete. The teams can come up
with unique names to add to the fun. Sign your team up today to challenge other teams
to win the first place “coveted trophy”. The game is played with one team member
attempting to get the rest of the team to guess a word based on their “pictures”
describing that word. Each team will have four opportunities to draw, team members
drawing once each. The team with the shortest time after four drawing opportunities will
win. Mark Sandstedt is on board to handle the MC duties to keep things lively. It will be
an evening of fun, something to end the long winter...get us out of our doldrums, have
some laughter and friendly spirited competition.
For the small sum of $100 your company, service club or group can sponsor a four
person team to participate in this event. It is certain to be one of the funniest nights of the year in Manistee County. This event will help your business by increasing public awareness of your company through LWV advertising of this event, promote and enhance team spirit with your employees and be the most memorable and funniest night of the year for your staff.

Admission is only $2 for non-team members to join the merriment and cheer on their
favorite team. Snack foods and a cash bar will be available. We will also have a 50/50 drawing during the evening. All proceeds for this event will support the mission of the LWV Manistee County, to provide non-partisan voter service information to citizens, a vital service in a strong democracy.
If your company or group has a competitor or two in town, CHALLENGE them,
especially if you represent a real estate or insurance company, hair salon, or restaurant.

It is easy to enter and at the end of a long winter, we all need some laughter and fun to pull us out of the winter blues. Call Linda Albee, 231.723.0032 or the Manistee Chamber of Commerce, 231.723.2575 to sign your team up today!

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Leadership Institute for Women

Don’t miss this year’s Leadership Institute for Women.
Our focus is strategic planning and the theme is “Women of Wisdom – WoW!” Speakers are Certified Women Business Owners with at least 20 years of strong business experience, giving us a total of over 100 years of wisdom. This all-day event will again take place at Davenport University:
 Grand Rapids will host the event on May 13, 2011
 Livonia will host on May 20, 2011.

Keynote
Melanie Burgeron
CEO, Two Men and a Truck
REGISTER NOW
Registration is $79.00 before April 15 and $90 after
Register online at www.miceed.org under “Event Registration
Scroll down to the Leadership date best for you. Seating is limited
Continental breakfast and lunch are included with registration.

Some comments from past Leadership events include:
• “This event was incredible and very helpful. Thank you. It is helpful to us, our economy, and our State.”
• “Absolutely wonderful flow of content, as well as a wealth of knowledge imparted.”
• “This event was jam-packed with great information and delivered with wit and humor.”
• “As much as I enjoyed this wonderful, comprehensive program, I enjoyed the women I met even more.”
Save the dates! You do not want to miss this event. For additional information, contact Kathi Boyle at kboyle@miceed.org or call 734.926.0332.

IAAP to Host Networking Opportunity

The Sandy Shores Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will be presenting a program titled “The Principles of Networking and Marketing Yourself on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in the Scottville Library (see attached invitation). There is no cost to attend. Networking is the secret to getting ahead in the present and future workplace. By attending you will learn the importance of networking and the need to market yourself in today’s business environment. Please join us for this interesting program, door prizes and free sample packs from Avery (limit of 50).

Feel free to pass along this invitation to others that might be interested. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Cindy Lokovich

The Sandy Shores Chapter of IAAP
Will be presenting:
“THE PRINCIPLES OF NETWORKING AND MARKETING YOURSELF”
March 22, 2011
Scottville Library located at 204 E State Street, Scottville, MI,
Program begins at 5:30 p.m.
There will be door prizes and
Avery has provided goody bags for those in attendance.
This is a free event!!!
If you have any questions call Kathleen at 231-690-5156 or email kathleenr@lrcr.com