Johnson & Johnson vows to fix plant problems as scrutiny grows following Tylenol recall - CSMonitor.com

Johnson & Johnson vows to fix plant problems as scrutiny grows following Tylenol recall - CSMonitor.com

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Sleeping Problems During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Sleeping Problems - March of Dimes

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Swelling During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Swelling - March of Dimes

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Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Shortness of Breath - March of Dimes

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Nausea During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Nausea - March of Dimes

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Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Hemorrhoids - March of Dimes

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Leg Cramps During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Leg Cramps - March of Dimes

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Heartburn and Indigestion During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Heartburn and Indigestion - March of Dimes

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Headaches During Pregnancy March of Dimes

Headaches - March of Dimes

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Backache During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Backache - March of Dimes

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Backache - March of Dimes

Backache - March of Dimes

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Skin Changes During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Skin Changes - March of Dimes

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Abdominal Pain or Cramping During Pregnancy

Abdominal Pain or Cramping - March of Dimes

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Breast Changes During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Breast Changes - March of Dimes

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Gum and Teeth Changes During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Gum and Teeth Changes - March of Dimes

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Hair Changes During Pregnancy March of Dimes

Hair Changes - March of Dimes

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Stress During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Stress - March of Dimes

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Pets and Other Animals During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Pets and Other Animals During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Seat Belts During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Seat Belts During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Mercury During Pregnancy March of Dimes

Mercury - March of Dimes

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Hazardous Substances and Chemicals - March of Dimes

Hazardous Substances and Chemicals - March of Dimes

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Prescription Drug Abuse During Pregnancy

Prescription Drug Abuse - March of Dimes

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Drugs, Herbs and Dietary Supplements During Pregnancy

Drugs, Herbs and Dietary Supplements - March of Dimes

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Abuse During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Abuse During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Marijuana During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Marijuana - March of Dimes

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Smoking During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Smoking During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Tips for Giving Up Alcohol During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Tips for Giving Up Alcohol - March of Dimes

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Workplace Issues During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Workplace Issues - March of Dimes

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The ABCs of a Healthy Pregnancy - March of Dimes

The ABCs of a Healthy Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Childbirth Education Classes - March of Dimes

Childbirth Education Classes - March of Dimes

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How Your Baby Grows - March of Dimes

How Your Baby Grows - March of Dimes

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Sex During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Sex During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Pregnancy and the Overweight Woman - March of Dimes

Pregnancy and the Overweight Woman - March of Dimes

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Weight Gain During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Weight Gain During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Warning Signs to Stop Exercising and Call Your Health Provider - March of Dimes

Warning Signs to Stop Exercising and Call Your Health Provider - March of Dimes

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Spotlight on Exercise - March of Dimes

Spotlight on Exercise - March of Dimes

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Your Healthy Diet During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Your Healthy Diet During Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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Fertility Treatments and Multiple Pregnancy: Twins, Triplets and More - March of Dimes

Fertility Treatments and Multiple Pregnancy: Twins, Triplets and More - March of Dimes

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Your Pre-Pregnancy IQ - March of Dimes

Your Pre-Pregnancy IQ - March of Dimes

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At-Home Genetic Tests: What You Should Know - March of Dimes

At-Home Genetic Tests: What You Should Know - March of Dimes

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Thinking About Fertility Treatment - March of Dimes

Thinking About Fertility Treatment - March of Dimes

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Thinking About Pregnancy After Premature Birth - March of Dimes

Thinking About Pregnancy After Premature Birth - March of Dimes

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A Mommy After 35 - March of Dimes

A Mommy After 35 - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

Contraception - March of Dimes

Contraception - March of Dimes

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Choosing a Multivitamin Before Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Choosing a Multivitamin Before Pregnancy - March of Dimes

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How Will You Know When You’re Pregnant? - March of Dimes

How Will You Know When You’re Pregnant? - March of Dimes

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Getting Pregnant - March of Dimes

Getting Pregnant - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

Getting Fit Before Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Getting Fit Before Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

9 Questions to Help You Get Your 9 Months - March of Dimes

9 Questions to Help You Get Your 9 Months - March of Dimes

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Ka-ching! Financial Planning for Baby - March of Dimes

Ka-ching! Financial Planning for Baby - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

Ka-ching! Financial Planning for Baby - March of Dimes

Ka-ching! Financial Planning for Baby - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

10 Steps to Getting Healthy Before Pregnancy - March of Dimes

10 Steps to Getting Healthy Before Pregnancy - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

Before You're Pregnant - March of Dimes

Before You're Pregnant - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

How Will You Know When You’re Pregnant? - March of Dimes

How Will You Know When You’re Pregnant? - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

Your Pre-Pregnancy IQ - March of Dimes

Your Pre-Pregnancy IQ - March of Dimes

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Due Date Calculator - March of Dimes

Due Date Calculator - March of Dimes

Need a baby gift basket? Visit Shop The Gift Basket Store for the best selection of presents for baby boys and baby girls.

Ovulation Calculator - March of Dimes

Ovulation Calculator - March of Dimes

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Folic Acid IQ - March of Dimes

Folic Acid IQ - March of Dimes

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Daily Pregnancy Tips to Your Mobile Phone, IM or on the Web - March of Dimes

Daily Pregnancy Tips to Your Mobile Phone, IM or on the Web - March of Dimes

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How Your Baby Grows - March of Dimes

How Your Baby Grows - March of Dimes

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Ovulation Calculator - March of Dimes

Ovulation Calculator - March of Dimes

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House

House

Grandparents Spending Time w/Grandkids at College

Grandparents
Spending Quality Time With Grandchildren...In College


"I wanted to create a space on campus where different generations can interact and have fun," explains the program director, Mary Braz, an assistant professor of Communication Studies.


This summer, West Chester University in West Chester, PA will see a whole new group of students when the University holds its first "Grandparents University" from June 28 - 30. This unique collegiate learning experience is open to grandparents of all ages and their grandchildren, ages 8 to 14.
At Grandparents University, grandparents and kids will attend college together as West Chester University "students." For two nights and three days, students will live in the new dormitories, share meals at Lawrence Dining Hall, enroll in courses, attend classes taught by University faculty, explore campus and enjoy evening entertainment and activities. The program concludes with a Sunday graduation ceremony and family celebration complete with an awarding of diplomas to every "graduate."
An "early bird" registration is available through April 30, and a discount is offered to University alumni. For program information, contact Mary Braz at 610-436-3328 or mbraz@wcupa.edu.

To register, call 610-436-6931 or contact cfaust@wcupa.edu. To download a brochure on the program, go to www.wcupa.edu/gpu

Mother's Day, Don't Just Give A Gift, Give A Memory!

Mother’s Day will be with us in just a few short weeks. At this point in your life, you may be a mother yourself, living miles, even states away from your own Mom or mother-in-law. That doesn’t mean you can’t surprise them with a special gift on Mother’s Day. Our favorite gift recommendation is the moment. You’re probably wondering what we mean by “the moment”. Well, we mean the moment the UPS or FedEx driver walks up their front walk with that mysterious brown box. What could it be they wonder?

It’s the moment they take that big box inside and place it on the kitchen table and examine it. First, they look at the return address, and see that it is was shipped from Shop The Gift Basket Store. Now you’ve really whetted their appetite. They start wondering if it could be a gourmet gift basket, a fun cookie bouquet or a pampering spa gift basket. They eagerly cut open the tape and start reaching through the packing “popcorn” or papers and pull out a magnificent gift arrangement.
All this time they are wondering who actually ordered this festive present. They peer through the cellophane wrap that is tied neatly with a bow on top and marvel at all of the chocolate, treats , cheese and crackers or even decadent cookies, looking for the gift card. Soon they spy it and eagerly tear open the flap and pull out the message. With tears in their eyes they read the words that mean so much to them “I miss you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day, Love Your Daughter (or son).”

You may not think this means much to a Mom, but trust us, it does. No matter if you see her once a year or once a week, it is so good to take care of the woman who supported you through soccer, the endless talent shows, dance class, marching band or football games. On the rainiest days of the year she sat in the minivan waiting for the school bus to drop you off so you didn’t have to walk the one block home in the rain. (She was also there on the sunniest days of the year too!) This is the woman who helped you with your college applications, drove you to move in day at the dorm, carried boxes of your stuff up to your dorm room on the hottest day of August while you tried to act real cool in front of the other incoming freshman, and finally, the woman who drove away leaving you on your own for the very first time of your life. Not alone, but on your own.

So, no matter how far away your mother lives, she is always with you in your heart, and you in hers. Go ahead, order her one of those beautiful gift baskets . Create a special moment. Don’t just send a gift, send a memory!

Visit our large selection of Mother's Day Gift Baskets at: http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/modaygi1.html

Double Down Sandwich Is Here!

The new KFC Double Down sandwich is real and it's coming April 12th! This one-of-a-kind sandwich features two thick and juicy boneless white meat chicken filets (Original Recipe® or Grilled), two pieces of bacon, two melted slices of Monterey Jack and pepper jack cheese and Colonel's Sauce. This product is so meaty, there’s no room for a bun! » Watch the Double Down TV Commercial
The Double Down comes in two versions – Original Recipe® or Grilled and the nutrition information is below.



Sandwich Calories Fat (g) Sodium (mg)
KFC Original Recipe® Double Down 540 32 1380
KFC Grilled Double Down 460 23 1430

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Administrative Assistant Responsibilities

Description
Title: SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTLocation: New Jersey

Rrecruiting for a Senior Administrative Assistant Position. This position will be based in NJ. This confidential company provides account management and customer support services to key health care customers, including hospital systems and group purchasing organizations, leading health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and government health care institutions. The company also provides contract management, logistics and supply chain functions for the major franchises.

The Senior Administrative Assistant will be responsible for providing advanced administrative support to the Vice President of Enterprise Marketing & Research (EMR), seven (7) Employer/Customer Directors and additional team members. Responsible for expense reports, budget management, service request management, ordering office supplies, setting up new associates, setting up on/off-site meeting, external customer meetings, and travel arrangements.

Manage large Conventions, Business and Technology Forums and Executive Exchanges. Processing departmental communications including phone calls, emails, correspondences, meeting minutes, mail, agendas, reports and presentations. Handle confidential matters requiring discretion and judgment. Acts as a liaison with other departments such as Human Resources, Building Management and with Compliance Teams by preparing the necessary materials and inputting Totality submissions, attending and making updates for Copy Review and Health Care Compliance submission. Effectively act as back-up when necessary for other EMR Groups, the President of Strategic Account Management (SAM) and other SAM administrative assistants.

A minimum of a high school diploma is required; an Associate Degree is preferred. A minimum of 5 years Administrative Assistance experience is required. Must have previous administrative experience supporting a Vice President. Candidate must possess the ability to process a high volume of activity, problem solve, have strong organizational skills and excellent judgment while handling sensitive and confidential information. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.

Experience using Live Meeting or other audio/web conferencing system, CTO or other online travel booking system, GXRS or other expense reporting system, and ARIBA or other electronic order/purchasing and payment system. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels from Senior Management down through the organization internally and with external customers.

Don't forget to recognize your Administrative Assistant on Administrative Assistant Day. Select her gift from Shop The Gift Basket Store: http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/admin.html

Typical Administrative Assistant Job Descripton in New Jersey

Description

Business Title Administrative Job Category AdministrationLocations USA - Princeton, NJShift 1Job Posting ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT- EXPERIENCE AT A SCIENTIFIC COMPANY PREFERRED! STRONG COMPUTER SKILLS A MUST!

As an ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT your daily job duties would include the following:* Heavy calendar and meeting management. Heavy travel scheduling, both domestic and international* Requires high level of professionalism, someone that is very detail oriented, a team player and someone that can work in a fast paced corporate envirnoment* Provides administrative support in the department (e.g., opening mail, screening phone calls, facsimile transmission, photocopying, and word-processing)* Supports department's efforts on scheduling activities (e.g.; studies, client visits, travel arrangement, obtaining and tracking financial and/or manpower data, scheduling meetings, maintaining calendar, agendas, milestone scheduling and entry, etc.), as appropriate* Maintain all Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Policy and Procedure binders within the department, as appropriate*

Creates and maintains central files for department, as appropriate* Maintains departmental databases (e.g., study information, methods, SOPs, mnononics, Policies and Procedures), as appropriate* Reviews, proofs and types reports/documents/minutes

The Minimum Education for the Administrative Assistant position includes:* High School diploma or equivalent plus 5-6 years of applicable experience* Bachelors Degree with 1 year of applicable experience in administrative supportPreferred Experience for the Administrative Assistant position includes:* 5+ years of high level administrative support required* Requires excellent customer service skills, meticulousness, and ability to be persistent while maintaining tact* Strong writing and communication skills* Ability to type 50 wpm preferred* Advanced knowledge of computer software and database management (Excel, Word, Outlook). Experience with Visio is highly preferred.

Because of our passion and drive, we attract the kind of people whose contribution has resulted in our exceptional growth. Once a part of our talented team, our employees stay to work in an environment that encourages career development, allows them to work alongside respected colleagues on challenging projects and provides a diverse global culture.There is no better time to join us!

Need to send your Administrative Assistant a gift on Administrative Professionals Day? Select one now at: Shop The Gift Basket Store http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/admin.html

Steps to Become an Administrative Assistant

Mark A Murphyhttp://www.administrativeassistantjobs.info/
Copyright by Mark A MurphyReproduction is granted only if hyperlink to original website and author name is remained intact.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_A_Murphy

If you have a knack for administrative work and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and remain professional all the time, than you might consider becoming an administrative assistant. An administrative assistant essentially manages all administrative functions of any business.

Responsibilities of an administrative assistant include -
• Handling office correspondence and other communications, • Documenting work like writing reports, memos, meeting minutes • Managing supply and stocking of office stationery • Filing and record keeping • Overseeing the maintenance and ordering of office equipment and furniture • Secretarial work like managing work schedule and paperwork etc. • Front office work like handling calls, reception etc

To become an administrative assistant, you need minimum of a high school graduation. However higher education levels can help you get better jobs and get promoted easily as well. You will of course need to undergo an administrative assistant training. These training modules are available at schools, community colleges, and certified institutions and even online.

Depending on your level of education, and specialization desired you can choose the level of your administrative training course. For instance there are short basic administrative training courses that teach typing, front office work etc which can get you a job at junior level.

If you are more serious and want to specialize in the administrative work for the medical or legal field, you might consider a one or two year course from a reputed institute. If you are a graduate with degree in financial or human resources, a good administrative training course will probably be enough to get you a good job.

The cost can vary from as low as $60 for short online courses to more than $600 for accredited courses. There are also various financial help schemes available for students from low income families, adult education programs, disable or veterans etc.
This training will simply give you the tools of the trade. The actual training will come on the job when you will be handling multiple tasks simultaneously.

Administrative assistants are also required to have strong communication and interpersonal skills as they need to work with all departments in the office as well as visitors and clients. Some administrative training will also cover this kind of grooming. This is essential for future growth in this field.
After sitting through your secretarial examination you can either go for an apprenticeship if such a program is available in your institute or start hunting for a job right away. You might have to start working from the ground level as receptionist and front office executive. With some experience under your belt you can move up to secretarial roles.

If you are only a high school graduate this might be the best time to earn a bachelors degree through adult educations schemes while working. A degree will make it easier for you to go up the ladder. Otherwise you may find yourself stuck at one level despite your experience.

Once you have worked around two years, you can start sitting for secretarial examinations for Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Certified Legal Secretary Specialist (CLSS) etc. These certifications will rather like letters after a doctors name, more the better. While a junior administrative assistant can earn about $20000 per annum, an experienced senior executive secretary can command up to $60,000 a year. And every year, thousands of administrative assistant jobs are added to the market making it a level playing ground.

Mark A Murphyhttp://www.administrativeassistantjobs.info/
Copyright by Mark A MurphyReproduction is granted only if hyperlink to original website and author name is remained intact.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_A_Murphy

Send a gourmet gift basket to your Administrative Assistant to recognize their efforts on Administrative Professionals Day. Make your selection here at: http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/admin.html

Virtual Assistants by Jan Harris

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_Harris

A virtual administrative assistant trained in database management will have no trouble finding clients that really need their help. All businesses must organize and protect their client's files, along with their own business files, which means a lot of papers and filing work. All this paperwork can be made much easier with the services of a virtual assistant database manager who can quickly set up a database to bring the chaos under control.

It would be great if business owners could spend their time advertising their products or providing their services, rather than spending their day on filing and paperwork. Unfortunately there is much more to running a business than that. Someone needs to organize and maintain all of the vital information for the business and their customers or clients.

Businesses today need statistical analysis and accurate reports in order to track the success of their sales or services. To maintain valuable information and be able to retrieve it quickly is a necessity for today's business owner. A virtual administrative assistant knowledgeable in database design and management can be just what these business owners need to grow.
Any business with a weak and unorganized data system will suffer. For instance, without an efficient way of tracking sales, how would a company learn how well their products are doing in a particular region? A business owner can also effortlessly stay in touch with valuable customers and follow up with potential customers with an efficient database.

What type of business would benefit from the help of a Virtual Administrative Assistant database manager?

Any business that doesn't already have a well organized method for keeping track of all of their customer's information. A database stores the valuable data businesses must have to run efficiently and prosper.

To that end, it's important to deal with data in an organized manner. Databases are used to store customer's data, study demographics, track customer comments and generate important reports,
Database administration is another area that small business owners particularly don't have time to take care of. It takes time and expertise to set up a database. Time most business owners would rather spend promoting their business and creating new products. It is a catch-22 that a virtual administrative assistant can help with.

Are you experienced in creating and managing databases in different formats? If so, you can be a great asset for many online and offline businesses. Every business needs an efficient and secure way to organize and maintain their records.

Virtual Administrative Assistants who specialize in database setup and management can provide such services as:

o Database creation and maintenance
o Data entry of client's names and information
o Compile records to produce spreadsheets
o Process new data
o Produce reports for clients
o Make graphs and other visuals
o Technical assistance for customers using new databases

Databases provide an easy way to retrieve vital data quickly. Everyone can learn to access the databases created by a Virtual Database Assistant after a little bit of training. Once the database is set up, gathering information is streamlined for greater efficiency.

The basic infrastructure of the company's data is in your hands. A proficient virtual professional can turn a desk with piles of paper into a well-organized database than can be updated with a few keystrokes. Any data that the client needs right away, they can retrieve easily as a result of your virtual administrative assistant skills.

If you like working with records and are excellent at organization, learn if database management may be the virtual specialty for you.
Learn more about becoming a virtual assistant with my free report here
Jan

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_Harris

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New Baby Teddy Bear Gift Basket

First Teddy Bear Gifts For New Baby from Shop The Gift Basket Store

It's only Natural! Babies love soft and clean, and the "My First Teddy Bear" First Essentials Baby Gift Set delivers both and then some. The 100% cotton footed romper with matching hat along with the big footed Teddy bear provide the soft while the Johnson's Soothing Naturals Baby Hair and Body Wash brings the clean.This great gift is completed with a Nuby Thermic Bottle with Heat Sensor. A great practical and loving gift for both boy and girl newborns.

This Baby Gift Basket Features:

Soft Pattern Bear Footed Romper - Size 0 - 3 Mos
Adorable Bear Bib - Size 0 -3 Mos
Newborn Baby Hat (Assorted matching colors) - Size 0 - 3 Mos
Johnson's Soothing Naturals Baby Hair and Body Wash
Classic Huge Big Footed Bear
Nuby Thermic Bottle with Heat Sensor (5 oz)
White Wicker Nursery Basket

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Sports Themed Get Well Soon Cookie Bouquet

Sports and Inspirational Cookie Bouquets - You'll Bounce Back

Do you know an athlete who is being benched for an injury? Send a get well soon cookie bouquet. Makes a wonderful get well gift for a teenager, college student or young adult.Our You'll Bounce Back cookie bouquet will show how much you care, and will help make them feel better knowing you care. Of if you need to send an inspirational message to an athlete or sports fan, this You'll Bounch Back Cookie Bouquets will deliver your message.

These sports themed cookie bouquets are made from delicious butter creme cookies, baked fresh each day and individually hand-decorated by one of our icing artists. Each bouquet is wrapped and packaged with delicate care to insure it arrives safe and sound into your recipient’s hands.

All cookies are produced in a facility that uses peanuts & tree nuts

"Size Matters" - these hand decorated cookies measure approximately 4"-6" tall , 3/8"-1/2" thick, and 4 oz.All Cookie Bouquets are shown as a 9 Cookie ArrangementPlease note: We strongly advise against hospital deliveries. Gifts sent to hospitals are usually delivered as freight and sent to their shipping department where they may remain for long periods of time.

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Business Get Well Gift Baskets: Bee Better Soon

Do you need to send a sophisticated or elegant get well gift to a client, or business associate? Send someone a gift that will make them smile.This item is decorated with adorable bees and bears. A good choice for get well gift baskets for a coworker co-worker from the office to help them feel better soon.You have the choice of having the get well ribbon personalized.

FeaturesBears & Bees MugBears & Bees NapkinFoccacia CrispsEnglish Tea CookiesMeyer Lemon TeaHoney Butter Crunch PopcornHarry London Dark ChocolateMini Fruit Bon BonsEast Shore Dipping PretzelsMrs. Mays Strawberry Cashew CrunchSummer

Shipping: We may substitute for chocolate with items of equal or greater valuePlease note: We strongly advise against hospital deliveries. Gifts sent to hospitals are usually delivered as freight and sent to their shipping department where they may remain for long periods of time. Any additional shipping charges and penalties incurred from UPS or FedEx will be charged to your account.

Order yours today at: http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/getwegibawip.html

Get Well Gift Baskets: Chicken Soup For The Soul

http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/chicken-soup-for-the-soul-gift-basket.html

Chicken Soup For The Soul Get Well GiftThis get well gift basket is a perfect choice to send an employee or office co-worker. This present will let your fellow co-worker or family member know that you are sending your best wishes for a speedy recovery. It is chock full of activity books to help spend the time while they are on the road to recovery.

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL bestselling inspirational book of uplifting short stories sure to make anyone feel better on the inside.

PUZZLE BOOKS: A Variety puzzle book and a Crossword puzzle book provide fun and a challenge. A pen and pencil are handy for solving those puzzles!

FEEL BETTER FOOD: Chicken noodle soup mix, crackers, cheese, sausage, fruit and nut bars, sweet and salty snack mix, low fat divine meringues, lemon candy and Chai green tea singles.
Your gift arrives in a get well theme gift box decorated with a bow and a gift enclosure card.Ship Box: 14 x 10 x 8 / Ship Wt. 6 lbs.

Please note: We strongly advise against hospital deliveries. Gifts sent to hospitals are usually delivered as freight and sent to their shipping department where they may remain for long periods of time. Any additional shipping charges and penalties incurred from UPS or FedEx will be charged to your account.

Get Well Teddy Bear "Break A Leg" with Balloons and Candy

This get well teddy bear with a crutch makes a great get well gift for someone who had an accident. Perfect for children or teenagers, this bear has a white cast which reads, "Get Well," and he walks with a crutch under his right arm.

The 8.5 " "Break a Leg" Gund Bear gift set comes with a 4" Get Well balloon, a beautiful Yellow Satin bow, and 8 oz. of hard candy.

Order yours today at www.shopthegiftbasksetstore.com or
http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/getwetebeble.html

Half Price Shipping for Active US Military

ShopTheGiftBasketStore.com is pleased to announce that they will offer half price ground shipping for active US military personnel who are stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan this Easter season, for Easter gifts being delivered within the 48 contiguous states.

“We get many orders from active military personnel around the holidays. They send gift baskets to their children and other family members back home. We would like to do something to help, and let them know that all of us here appreciate what they are doing for the United States,” explained Suzanne Salzmann, Sales Director of Shop The Gift Basket Store.

“We started our half price shipping program last Christmas,” she continued. “We’d like to try and get the message out to them that ShopTheGiftBasketStore.com will cut their ground shipping cost in half before their credit card is charged for any Easter gift basket going to family members back home in the lower 48 states.“

“It’s amazing how many Moms are over in Iraq or Afghanistan, and we have nothing but the utmost respect for them. In fact, every person serving over there is someone’s son or daughter, and we are eternally grateful to them, and we’d like to help them get an Easter present to their Mom or Dad, spouse or child. As far as ordering, all they have to do is drop us a line in the general comments area, and we will make the necessary adjustments to their shipping charge,” Salzmann instructed.

ShopTheGiftBasketStore.com, a division of TBSS Enterprises, is based in Somerville, NJ and offers over 1500 gifts and gift baskets for all special occasions and holidays, including new baby gifts, gourmet food gift baskets, cookie and candy bouquets, and get well gift baskets. This Easter holiday season, they are featuring dozens of Easter presents from Easter fortune cookies to Easter Cookie Bouquets and Easter Candy Baskets stuffed with the most tempting chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps, jelly beans, chocolate eggs and more…all at Shop The Gift Basket Store.

Salzmann concludes: ”We make gift giving easy. When you can’t get to the mall or make unnecessary shopping trips, just go online and pick, click and ship.”
# # #

Shop The Gift Basket Store has quickly become one of the leading online gift basket stores in the United States. They specialize in new baby gifts, get well gift baskets as well as custom cookie and candy bouquets.


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Easter Gifts and Baskets for Kids and College Students

Mar 06, 2010 – Easter is right around the corner and parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles will be clamoring to send Easter baskets to their kids, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Make sure the Easter bunny doesn’t forget any of your loved ones. Shop The Gift Basket Store carries a large selection of Easter gift baskets, Easter candy and cookie gifts for “kids” of all ages. Most of the baskets contain traditional Easter candy: chocolate bunnies, malted eggs and marshmallow peeps. Many are age appropriate and also include toys and activities for children, along with adorable plush bunnies. Others are mature and sophisticated, perfect for sending to in-laws or business clients.


Don’t forget that special college student who can not make it home for Easter. They may be dreaming of spring break in Cancun or Daytona Beach, but in their hearts they would love to be with family, eager to see what the Easter bunny brought them and hunting for Easter eggs. Shop The Gift Basket Store has Easter Baskets geared toward the college crowd. They are funny and upbeat and can help take the edge off of any homesickness they may have.


Many members of the military won’t be home this Easter holiday either, serving our country in different parts of the world . Once again, www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com is offering half price ground shipping for Easter gifts that are being ordered by active military based in Iraq and Afghanistan being shipped to their families in the USA. Shipping charges will be adjusted after the order is placed. Does not apply to items being shipped TO military overseas.


Shop The Gift Basket Store is fast becoming America’s favorite gift basket store for gifts and gift baskets for all special occasions and holidays, including new baby gifts, get well gift baskets, gift baskets of books, cookie gifts, birthday gifts, gourmet gift baskets, corporate gift ideas, spa gift baskets, college care packages and more. All at Shop The Gift Basket Store! Just pick, click and ship! They are located at www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com


Shop The Gift Basket Store carries over 1500 gifts and gift baskets for all special occasions and holidays, specializing in new baby gifts and college care packages. They offer old fashioned customer service, just like you remember from shops on Main Street USA.

St. Patrick's Day Gifts and Gift Baskets

The O'Briens and Ryans and Sheehans and Meehans all come from Ireland. Heck, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Make someone's Irish Eyes smile this March 17th with a whimsical and delightful St. Patrick's Day Gift Basket or gourmet gift. There's even a St. Patrick's Day gift for the dog too!! And he doesn't even have to be an Irish Setter to celebrate.

Shop The Gift Basket Store has dozens of whimsical St. Patty's Day gifts and gift baskets to send to all your Irish friends to make their eyes smile on St. Patricks Day. See our selection at: http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/stpadaygi1.html

Pawparazzi Pets now at Shop The Gift Basket Store

Shop The Gift Basket Store is proud to present the best selling children's toy, Pawparazzi. You can now order them direct from us and have them delivered to your home in no time. Find them now at:

http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/papeforyogi.html


Pawparazzi Pets for Kids. The latest rage in kids toys is the adorable Pawparazzi Line of "pets". Pawparazzi aren't just plush toys, they're an experience! Pawparazzi Pets have unique personalities. Playing with them encourages young girls to use their imaginations to explore the exciting world of these tiny superstars. The pets are "old fashioned toys with a new twist" that allow children to be creative, and also encourage social interaction and collaborative play. Great gift for grandaughters, nieces, daughters. Pawparazzi Pets: Misty Indy Daisy Lexi Roxy Toby.

E*TRADE BABYMAIL

Nina Schneider

PIZZALAND/SOPRANOLAND
I schlepped home to Jersey for the first time in years, mainly to take a picture of Pizzaland, which is nothing more than a greasy spoon no doubt fronting for some shady goings-on in the back room. North Arlington -- the whole town is one gritty square mile, of which one-fourth remains open space -- Holy Cross Cemetery. Florists and monument stores still flourish along the main street, Ridge Road.

“The Sopranos” opening segment on HBO entices me to revisit Pizzaland every week, even though I spent the first 17 years of my life singing:

We gotta get out of this place

If it’s the last thing we ever do

We gotta get out of this place

‘Cause girl, there’s a better life for me and you.

--Original soundtrack by The Animals

Before Giants Stadium was built, there was the gaseous stink of the euphemistically named Meadowlands. The unmistakable smell rose through 6 story-high layers of dumped garbage, and gently but relentlessly wafted from Secaucus to ticky-tack storefronts and houses built along the hillside overlooking a hopeful post-WW2 New York City skyline. Here was home to upwardly mobile lower middle class families migrating from the tenements of Jersey City (my father’s home), Hoboken (home of Frank Sinatra) and Bayonne (home of Congressman Barney Frank). Here was the destination of my Jewish family’s re-enactment of Westward Ho! – 9 miles west across the marshes, into the legendary suburban wilderness of Kearny, North Arlington, Belleville, and Lyndhurst. These communities also became home to middle management Mafia (before they moved to Paramus and Lodi), and were memorialized some 50 years later on “The Sopranos.”

Art Imitates Life/Life Imitates Art
I heard there is now a “Sopranos Tour” that traces the route of the tragic anti-hero mob boss, Anthony “Tony” Soprano, as he drives from Manhattan through the aesthetically challenged landscape of Northern New Jersey. There’s even the fictitious Bada Bing nightclub, a lowlife strip joint, built on the site of a former slaughterhouse. Who needs a tour when you’ve lived it? On TV, we’re visually bolted to the passenger seat as Tony crosses the Meadowlands via the NJ Turnpike (the Soprano’s teenage daughter is named Meadow-get it?). We see “original” Jersey barriers on the highways, tollbooths, and rust-belt era elevated roads like the Pulaski Skyway. Jagged steel beams nudge the ribs of the clouds as Tony drives by with a fat cigar in his mouth and the music reaches a crescendo.[1]

Shame turns to pride and then to horror. I am home, and enjoying it for the first time in my life. Perhaps because I escaped. And Pizzaland is still there. . . in memory, in reality, and on TV. I tell my amazed New England suburban friends, “Pizzaland is no façade.” Even a distant cousin from the rich side of the family, a professor at Columbia University who lives in Ho-hokus, is impressed…he howls when I tell him I escaped Sopranoland. I ho-ho-ho at Ho-hokus. Meadow Soprano (or someone just like her) is probably one of his students.

The “Tony” Awards
I graduated high school with some of the guys in Tony Soprano’s senior management. Seems like every guy in my senior class was named Tony, Joe or Frank. Back then, a “hood” referred to a greaser, a delinquent who dressed tough in jeans, tee shirt and a black leather jacket (yeah, how cliché) and duck’s ass (DA) hair. He smoked Camels and cruised Belleville Turnpike near Pizzaland in a souped up convertible.
They thought they looked like Michelangelo’s David.


The female hoods wore gravity defying teased hair, heavy black eyeliner and short tight skirts with mohair sweaters. They were mostly named Linda, Marie and Angela. Tony’s wife Carmela could have been in my yearbook.

There were two high schools in town: Queen of Peace School was the parochial school next to the church with the white spire, the tallest point in town. The dropouts from QPS (referred to by us townies as Quarter Pound of Shit) transferred to my public school, where the highest ambition of most students was to graduate and become an auto mechanic or hairdresser, depending on gender, with few exceptions. This was a homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic and sexist stronghold; still is. Make no mistake, though, everybody looked GOOD. Beauty was a serious aesthetic here. Morality was on the back burner, and academics…c’mon.

When I volunteered in the guidance office, a cute hood wannabe named Joe used to share his troubles. In “The Sopranos,” Tony the mobster pours out his heart to a psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, about such dicey issues as infidelity, panic attacks and a dysfunctional family. For example, in a tense couples therapy scene, Carmela reveals to Dr. Melfi that her husband “will screw anything that moves.” Tony shrugs and checks out Dr. Melfi’s legs. Following the session, Dr. Melfi, a stone-faced professional in a short skirt, starts drinking over her conflicted feelings toward Tony and seeks help from her own therapist.

This approach has been heralded by critics as “cutting-edge.” In an on-line interview, Sopranos creator David Chase said that while growing up in an Italian family in Northern New Jersey, he was fascinated with old gangster films like “The Public Enemy.” The Mafia icon of this 1937 movie, played by James Cagney, unintentionally appeared to glamorize criminal activities. Hence, the film hastened efforts of Hollywood’s self-imposed Production Code …to strictly censor films…that depicted undesirable social figures or sexual subjects in a sympathetic or realistic way.2 Chase now gives us Tony Soprano—in a sympathetic and realistic way, except when he’s ordered a hit or “whacking” someone himself. There’s also the womanizing, the racism, the homophobia, the Malapropisms, and a Doctorate in Street Smarts.

Reunion

When I received an invitation to my 25th high school reunion, I couldn’t resist. My mother was still living in town at the time, and so I left my two kids with her and gave my husband instructions before we left: act like the heavy boyfriend. He is 6 feet and can pretend to be intimidating, but not for long.

The reunion dinner was held at an Italian (what else) restaurant in Lyndhurst. I used to be one of the nerdy girls, so I decided to be reckless and guided my Harvard educated husband to a table of middle age “hoods.” A big guy named Vinnie started talking to us in a heavy Jersey accent, and informed us proudly, “I’m in construction.”

“Oh, do you own your own company?” my heavy date asked.

“No, I’m a construction worker,” he replied, with blue-collar swagger.

“Oh.”

The evening was like that. There was a moment of silence for the five boys who would never make it to a reunion. Two died from drug overdoses, three came home in body bags from ‘Nam.

Another classmate stopped by to say hello. He now ran his dad’s funeral business, where I witnessed my first wake. Tony and I used to take violin lessons together in elementary school. I’ll never forget our screeching Bartok duet performed at the sixth grade graduation of the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

“Why are you taking violin lessons if you hate it?” I had asked.

“Because my father made me…for manual dexterity.”

“Oh.”

One girl, who edited the school newspaper, now worked as a 911 operator. She was a single mother and looked, as a few people whispered, “like she’d been through the mill.” To be fair, a few of us had indeed escaped. One guy, my first boyfriend, was a jewelry wholesaler; a former nerdette taught Spanish at a “ritzy-titsy” private school.

Most of the hoody girls had lyrical names, like Lynda Rovetella and Cindi Venterini, with an accent on the third syllable. Now many were stay at home mothers; one owned a restaurant, and another managed a hair salon. The DJ played, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and bodies spilled onto the dance floor like we did in high school, feet not moving, but shoulders and hips doing the work, with knees following. “Honey, honey I know, that you’re lettin’ me go…..” Marvin Gaye’s voice was the only black presence in the function room.

Every able-bodied girl in town had attended the local dancing school, Miss Vivian’s. I dropped out in third grade, but sheepishly returned in high school to hone my gymnastics skills as a junior cheerleader. (There were no girls’ sports back then, so I needed the exercise. For the record: I hate football). I recently took a writing class from Miss Vivian’s grandson, who wrote a book called “The Lost Legends of New Jersey.” My recollections are far less lyrical, I’ll admit. In the yearbook, the headline above the girls’ marching squad was: “The Women Behind the Men.” So much for gender equity. “The Sopranos” generation lives on, in memory, in myth, on TV.


Some of My Best Friends are Italian
Didn’t I mention that some of my best friends are Italian? Maron! My Italian friends love “The Sopranos.” Pisano! During high school, I steered clear of the hard-core hoodettes, who used to swear in Italian. One girl drove to school in a pink Cadillac (I kid you not), a present from her Daddy (he was officially in waste management, like Tony Soprano). I remember this girl always screaming in the locker room, “Kiss my twat.” I wasn’t sure if twat was Italian or not, but I was pretty sure it was dirty.

In homeroom, I became buddies with one of the glamour queens, who turned out to be really nice. Another girl, I remember, was very very mean. She reminds me of Janice Soprano, Tony’s sister, a very nasty and petty character. She’s the chubby one who refused to sign my yearbook, the twat.


One friend, an Italian lawyer who lives in Providence, Rhode Island, is an exception. He won’t watch “The Sopranos” because he finds it “too vulgar and violent.” That’s fair. I cringe at the vulgarity and violence, yet it transcends into … art? Why does watching “The Sopranos” feel so redemptive to me? Perhaps my Jewish friend Eric Wasserman said it best. "On a very basic level, art is concerned with the confrontation between who we once were and who we have become.” But can you really ever go home? The Sopranos give me a virtual home, at best. But. yet….is it live, or is it Memorex? While I returned to N.A. and took a photo of Pizzaland, the old Bowl-O-Drome at the bottom of the hill was gone, replaced by a huge video and DVD rental store.

For the record, actor James Gandolfini, who pays Tony Soprano, grew up in northern New Jersey, where his mother was the cafeteria lady and his father was the school janitor. His Emmy award-winning performance “reeks with authenticity,” says my Italian (pure blooded Sicilian) friend Denise. Denise doesn’t buy the mob icon portrayals by such Hollywood stars as Al Pacino (“Scarface”) or Marlon Brando (“The Godfather”). “Pacino is too pretty, and Brando overacts,” she said. “Their daily lives aren’t prosaic enough.” She reminded me of the episode where FBI agents staked out Tony’s house, suspecting a mob summit meeting, but all the excitement inside was over a leaking water heater in the basement.

Denise and I met in Boston. Both professional women and pregnant for the first time. We had enrolled in the same hospital birth class. Our sons were born on the same day, May 3rd, 1979. She named her son David, as in the Old Testament king and Italian statue; I named my son Michael, as in the Hebrew archangel and the fictional Godfather’s son, Michael Corleone.

I grew up in the most anti-intellectual town in Bergen County. The library was located in a dingy storefront,” Denise boasted.

“No you didn’t. I did,” I retorted.

After this banter dragged on for too many minutes, her husband, in exasperation, shouted, “So what town did you come from?” My reply begat stunning silence.

Denise, who is two years older than me and holds a Ph.D. in French Intellectual History, graduated from Queen of Peace High. We’d never met.



N.A. Public Library
RECENT ACQUISITIONS (1969 -1970)
Iconic Archetypes in Mafia-themed Literature by Mario Jung, Ph.D.

Bang Bang You’re Dead: cinematic portrayal of psychopathology in Italian mob families, by Pauline Kael as told to Woody Allen

Neo-classical Lawn Ornamentation in Post-World War 1I Suburbia, by Martha Stewarti

Rome: a Pictorial History, by Nero Grappa

Famous Lunch Spots of La Cosa Nostra, featuring Pal’s Cabin, by Joe Bonanno

Secaucus, Hog Butcher of North Jersey, by “Piggy” Galore

Jimmy Hoffa is Buried Under the Pulaski Skyway by Eliot Ness III

Poisonous Flora and Fauna of the Meadowlands by the Rutgers U. Toxicology Lab

Sicilian Migration from the Lower East Side to Lower Bergen County, 1945-1960 by Shirley Katzman-Messina

You Dirty Rat: an unauthorized biography, by J. J. Cagney

I Did It My Way by Frank Sinatra

Sinatra Slept Here: Copacabana Before Castro by Ernesto “Che” Hemingway


I learned to swim in a Miami Beach hotel pool while visiting my rich aunt Sonia in the 1950’s. Sonia, who married twice and made a fortune in commercial real estate, retired to the same condominium complex as the notorious Jewish gangster, Meyer Lansky. Everyday she’d see him in the elevator, taking his poodle out for a walk. Unlike his flamboyant Italian partners in Murder, Inc., Lansky was a low profile family man who died of old age. I recall the Sopranos episode when a family of ducks lands in Tony’s backyard pool. Tony becomes obsessed with “the ducks,” which Dr. Melfi, in therapy, explains was a metaphor for his family. The sentimental characterization of Tony temporarily charms us, until his next egregious act.

In high school, the hoods treated me as “off limits” because my father, a small-town criminal attorney, once got some of their friends off on a drug charge. Daddy, who secretly fancied himself a consigliore, also represented the best family owned Italian restaurant in town, The Open Door. That’s where I learned to eat my favorite pasta dish, manicotti. My father, however, forbade me to go out with the local Italian boys. In those days, girls were strictly categorized as either a Madonna or a Whore, so I reluctantly assumed the role of a Jewish Virgin Mary…until I escaped.

The Garden State/The Toxic State

In seventh grade I had to do a report on a book called Jersey’s Story. Here I learned that New Jersey calls itself the Garden State, as in Garden State Parkway. Actually, I already knew that from the license plates, and the Parkway, which we took in the summer to drive “down the shore.” The shore could mean anything from Long Branch to Cape May, but in high school during the 1960’s, we mostly hung out near or under the boardwalks of Bradley Beach, Belmar or the Asbury Park of Bruce Springsteen, who also admired The Animals’ lyrics. Outside town limits, my non-hood friends and I wore college sweatshirts with the University of Florida or University of Miami emblazoned happily across our tits. This was not considered pretentious because it conjured up images of summer vacation or movies like “Where the Boys Are.” I didn’t dare wear a Harvard sweatshirt …that was just too pretentious. In fact, as I write this, the old fears return . . .

A few years after graduating from college, I worked as a public information officer for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. I obsessed over a national “Cancer Registry” map being prepared for public release. I anticipated panic, as it was color coded for cancer rates by region, and my own hometown in Jersey sat smack in the middle of a fluorescent orange “cancer zone.” Once, to liven up a lengthy staff meeting, I announced to colleagues that I grew up in the toxic state. A Ph.D. statistician from the Harvard School of Public Health asked jokingly if I were some sort of mutant. Seething, I aimed my slime green marker and launched it – a perfect arc across the conference table – as everyone witnessed a direct hit on his white oxford-clad prissy heart. My boss, a former gang leader turned administrator and Tony Soprano look-alike, roared. He gave me considerably more respect after that.

1.5 Seconds of Fame

Artist Andy Warhol, musing upon the synergistic relationship between celebrity and mass communications, said, “Everybody will be famous for 15 minutes.” At this moment in time, the 15 minutes of fame have been compressed to 1.5 seconds – PIZZALAND. However, take heart… if you watch “The Sopranos” every week, re-runs and video/DVD rentals, as well as read this story, then what the fuck, the effect is cumulative.


[1]Theme Lyrics to HBO's The Sopranos

You woke up this morning

Got yourself a gun,

Mama always said you'd be

The Chosen One.


She said: You're one in a million

You've got to burn to shine,

But you were born under a bad sign,

With a blue moon in your eyes.


You woke up this morning

All the love has gone,

Your Papa never told you

About right and wrong.


--Alabama 3



2 www.thecrimelibrary.com; also check www.thesmokinggun.com

Conan O'Brien is a class act

"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

Conan O'Brien January 22, 2010

Valentine’s Day is truly from the heart this year

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. We know that everyone loves to receive a special Valentine’s Day candy gift, a dozen roses, Valentine’s Day gift baskets, or even Valentine’s Day cookie bouquets. This year, Shop The Gift Basket Store is giving something back for Valentine’s Day. We have pledged to donate 10% of our sales on February 4th to the American Red Cross to support their operations, and especially their huge undertaking in Haiti. This year, when you order a Valentine’s Day Gift from Shop The Gift Basket Store, not only will you be making someone you love smile, you will be helping someone who truly needs all our help.
The following businesses have pledged along with Shop The Gift Basket Store, to donate to one of the many relief organizations that is giving tirelessly to the rescue and recovery operations in Haiti.

Brides' Village (www.bridesvillage.com)
Bright and Bold (www.brightandbold.com)
ET Productions (www.etproductions.com)
Katbird (www.katbird.com) -
Nature Chest (www.naturechest.com)
Process for Less: (www.processforless.com)
Shop the Gift Basket Store (www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com)
Shower-Curtains.com (www.shower-curtains.com) -
Titanium-Buzz: (www.titanium-buzz.com)
EY Studios: (www.eystudios.com)
Classic Charms - www.classic-charms.com
Your Store Wizards: (www.YourStoreWizards.com)
Exclusive Concepts (www.ExclusiveConcepts.com)
All Things Jeep (www.allthingsjeep.com)
Nature Chest (www.naturechest.com)

For more information on these stores and the organizations they are supporting visit: http://www.bridesvillage.com/one-day-for-the-red-cross.html

This year, please remember those who have become victims of a terrible natural disaster. Your Valentine’s Day purchase at www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com on February 4th will help a person in need. It will truly be a gift from the heart.


Shop The Gift Basket Store is fast becoming America’s favorite gift basket store for gifts and gift baskets for all special occasions and holidays, including new baby gifts, get well gift baskets, book bouquets, cookie gifts, gourmet gift baskets, corporate gift ideas, spa gift baskets and more. All at Shop The Gift Basket Store! Just pick, click and ship! Visit them at www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com

How to Make Valentine's Day Fun for Toddlers by Arlene Pellicane

Holidays are a great time to make memories with your toddler. Here are ten easy, cheap ways for moms to make a big impression on this Valentine's Day:

1. Fill their shoes with a sweet treat. When it's time to put their shoes on, they will be thrilled to find a little Hershey's chocolate kiss with an "I love you from head to toe" note or a small toy like a Hot Wheels car.

2. Decorate your toddler's room with hearts. While your child is sleeping, go in his or her room and decorate the walls with construction paper hearts. When he or she wakes up, there will be a room full of love waiting.

3. Make a Valentine collage. Cut out different shaped hearts on different colors of construction paper. Glue on a piece of cardstock and you have a collage to decorate your kid's room or a card for grandma and grandpa.

4. Bake heart shaped cookies. While you're measuring and mixing, tell your toddler the things you love and appreciate about him or her. Be specific and shower your child with encouragement. "I love how you are such a good builder. You're great at making creative things with blocks" or "I appreciate how you give mommy hugs every day."

5. Make a book of things your toddler loves. Have your toddler look through magazines and cut out the things he or she likes (cars, animals, favorite foods, etc). Glue these into a "Things I Love" book. Your toddler will delight in sharing his or her favorite things with friends and family.

6. Enjoy a Valentine's dinner of red foods. Serve pasta in red sauce or pizza for dinner. Drink cranberry juice and have strawberries and red jello for dessert.

7. Create a love treasure hunt throughout the house with a prize at the end. Use simple rhymes like "Rose are red, violets are blue, go into the kitchen, where there's something for you."

8. Make shapes out of candy hearts. Don't want your toddler to eat all those tiny sugary candy hearts? Glue them on pieces of paper to form hearts, circles, squares, whatever shape you want.

9. Give your toddler a coupon book. Include coupons like, "Watch your favorite video," "Have a friend over for a popcorn party," "Go out for ice cream," or "Trip to the zoo."

10. Make a trail of hearts to a treat. Put hearts on the floor leading from their bedroom to a surprise like a small toy or a Rice Krispy treat.

You'll have as much fun as your toddler when you take time to make Valentine's Day something special!

Arlene Pellicane, mother of a toddler and infant, helps women lose their baby weight and thrive as wives and mothers. Her weekly podcast "Losing Weight After Baby" is full of practical ideas that work for busy moms. Visit Arlene's website for FREE articles and exercises at http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com and blog at http://losingweightafterbaby.wordpress.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arlene_Pellicane

Need a Valentine's Day Gift Basket? Visit www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com

Avoid the Predictable This Valentine's Day by Harvey McEwan

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, which means now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you might want to do for that special someone in your life. Of course, if you're like countless others with regard to Valentine's Day gift-buying, finding the perfect gift is no easy task. All too often, well-meaning Valentines are left scouring their thoughts for clever gift ideas, only to settle for usual or more predictable gifts - such as jewellery, chocolates, or flowers. But why settle for common and predictable gifts, when there are so many exceptional gift ideas to surprise your Valentine with? While it might seem like a challenge to hone in on that ideal gift, sometimes all you need is an idea or two to prompt your creative thinking.

For instance, why not surprise your Valentine with a couple's massage session? Many spas now offer massage therapy sessions for couples in the same room, so you and your Valentine can enjoy a blissful, relaxing spa experience together. Make a day of it by ordering a spa lunch, champagne, and perhaps some chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert, and your special Valentine's Day gift is sure to be one of the most memorable your Valentine has ever received.

However, if you want that blissful experience to last longer than just a day, consider booking an extended luxury spa break. A luxury spa break will offer you and your sweetheart all the benefits of a day at the spa - but much more. Imagine waking up every morning with no itinerary - except, of course, to relax during an array of massage and body therapy sessions. Pair the experience with a beautiful and serene holiday destination, and you're set to enjoy a truly exceptional Valentine's Day gift with your loved one.

Another great Valentine's Day gift idea is to arrange for a cooking course that you and your Valentine can attend together. In choosing a cooking course, consider the types of foods that you and your loved one enjoy eating; then simply find a course to match. The culinary experience is sure to be fun, and you'll both gain a skill that you can always apply and enjoy together at home. If you're wine enthusiasts, consider surprising your Valentine with a wine-tasting getaway or local wine-tasting course.

Ultimately, in searching for that perfect Valentine's Day gift idea, try opting for something that you can enjoy together, or that will create memories for you and your Valentine to look back on for years to come - for example, a couple's massage, luxury spa breaks, or a cooking and wine tasting course. All it takes is a bit of thought with regard to the activities you and your loved one enjoy most, to have a truly memorable Valentine's Day gift-giving experience.

Harvey McEwan writes about holidays, special occasions and luxury spa breaks

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harvey_McEwan

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Chocolates for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another “Hallmark” holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine’s Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.

Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand “thank you’s”, “good luck”, or “I love you”. Chocolate can be given as a way of saying “congratulations”, “I am sorry” or “get well soon”. On Valentine’s Day chocolate clearly says “I LOVE YOU!” Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote “Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy … chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy.” What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means “food of the gods”.

Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is “… the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food.” From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.

Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as “runners high” is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to “falling in love”. One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don’t know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

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