LOHAS Online Marketing

World Fantasy Award Winning Author Michael Shea

2012-02-24T00:18:00.001-08:00

Michael Shea is an award winning and bestselling author of Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy books.

Michael A. Shea was born to Irish parents in Los Angeles. There he frequented Venice Beach and the Baldwin Hills for their wildlife.

After attending UCLA on the advance Placement program while still in the tenth grade, he made his way to UC Berkeley for the wild-life there during the Time of Troubles.

He hitch-hiked twice across America and Canada, and at a hotel in Juneau Alaska, chanced on a battered book from the lobby shelves: Cugel the Clever, by Jack Vance.

Not till four years later, after a brief first marriage, and a year spent hitch-hiking through France and Spain, did he write homage to Jack Vance, for which that great man graciously declined to share the advance offered by DAW Books. Shea's first novel, A Quest for Simbilis (1974), was an authorized sequel.

Subsequently he ranged all over the L.A. Basin, painting houses and teaching Adult ESL by night. In 1978 he had the blessed luck to meet his wife, artist and author Lynn Cesar. Shea then moved to the Bay Area.

His other novels include:

Nifft the Lean (1982) - received a World Fantasy Award
The Color out of Time (1984) - homage to H. P. Lovecraft's "The Colour out of Space"
In Yana, the Touch of Undying (1985)
I, Said the Fly (1993)
The Extra (2010)

The Novella "The Growlimb" (2004) was also a winner of the World Fantasy Award, in the 2005 Novella category. Shea has received many other awards for his writing.

Shea's interest in Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos continues. Copping Squid and Other Mythos Tales (2010) is a collection of such tales.

Reviews

SF Site

The Extra, A review by Seamus Sweeney.

“With its plentiful gallows humour, competitive struggling in a world of scarcity, and dark extension of the reality TV concept to a logical extreme, The Extra is an entertaining mirror of our own strange days.”

The Extra, by Michael Shea

(Reviewed by Robert Thompson) on January 27, 2010

“Michael Shea’s “The Extra” is an exhilarating thrill-ride full of creativity, insane action, and accomplished writing. Hugely entertaining, I can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy…”

To know more about Michael Shea and all of his books visit, http://www.michaelsheaauthor.com or call (707) 838-2523 to set schedule for interview.

My Earth Day Marin offers outdoor community service projects to protect the environment, creeks, watersheds, and fish and wildlife in Marin County

2012-02-23T18:04:00.001-08:00

About Us

The "My Earth Day Marin Coalition" was founded by the Marin County Parks and Open Space District, the City of San Rafael Volunteer Program, the San Rafael Clean Program, the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin, and the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program. Together we sought to increase the number of service projects in Marin, abate litter in our watersheds (beaches, creeks, parks, open space preserves, cities and towns), remove invasive plants, restore trails, watersheds and sensitive habitat areas, remove graffiti, encourage community involvement, inspire youth, and enjoy our beautiful, natural environment!

Inspired by the incredible success of California Coastal Cleanup Day, we saw Earth Day as an opportunity to organize, promote and publicize multiple environmental service projects in Marin. Together, we organized large groups of volunteers who participated in cleanup events at several different locations. For example, at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael, over 100 people removed countless pieces of litter from local streets and beautiful marsh areas bordering the bay. Local Rotary Clubs prepared and served food to smiling volunteers, musicians donated their time and skill on stage, fruit smoothies were made by bicycle pedal powered blenders, knowledge was gained and great differences made, a solid stepping stone was set!

The My Earth Day Marin Coalition is dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for people of all ages and experience levels to get involved in their community and environment. Our list of partner agencies and project opportunities continues to expand.

We are now grateful to have planning and other assistance from the Marin County Community Development Agency, the Marin Municipal Water District, the Marin County Department of Public Works, and the San Rafael Department of Public Works. We’re promoting our own Earth Day service projects as well as those of many amazing organizations throughout Marin, including, but not limited to, the Marin Audubon Society, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model Visitor’s Center, City of Novato, City of Mill Valley, Gallinas Creek Watershed Council, Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, Conservation Corps North Bay, Friends of Corte Madera Creek, Willow Creek Academy Charter School, Safe Passage Along Lucas Valley Road, and the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary.

And we could not have produced our website without a Marin County Parks and Open Space District volunteer, Alex Kahl of Kahl Consultants (http://www.kahl.net), who donated his time to design and build the site. We’re grateful to all the agencies and volunteers who work to abate trash and care for our natural environment on Earth Day!

For more information about activities and events visit http://www.myearthdaymarin.org or call 415-499-3778.

Web services and internet consulting for small business and Nonprofits by Kahl Consultants

2012-02-22T19:19:00.001-08:00

For your small business and nonprofit internet marketing services you can trust Kahl Consultants.

Kahl Consultants consists of an experienced team of web designers, programmers, internet consultants and online marketers. Our team is creative, professional, and environmental. We are a solar powered certified green business serving small business and nonprofit clients.

Based in San Rafael, CA (near San Francisco), we service hundreds of satisfied customers in the San Francisco Bay Area, Marin County and Sonoma County, as well as our national and international clients.

Complete Online Marketing

Not only do we design, program, host and market websites, but we also develop e-commerce shopping carts, manage email newsletter campaigns, build and maintain your blogs and social media sites (such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn).

Our Internet Services include:

• Full spectrum of Small Business Web Services

• Website Design and redesign

• Web Hosting

• Web Site Maintenance

• Internet Consulting and Training

• Content Management Systems (CMS) / Website redesign

• Search Engine Optimization and Marketing (SEO / SEM)

• E-Commerce Shopping Cart Development and Hosting

• Email Marketing

• Blogs and Social Media

As internet consultants we provide our services to a wide variety of small business and nonprofit clients from many industries including:

• Professional and tech firms

• Environmental and energy firms

• Sole proprietors

• Non-profits and NGOs

• Social and environmental groups

• Health and Wellness

• Green products and green services

• Other small business websites

ABOUT KAHL CONSULTANTS

Trust Kahl Consultants for all your small business and nonprofit internet services, from website design to web hosting and online marketing.

Since 1996 our team of web designers, programmers, internet consultants and online marketers has been developing and maintaining the online presence for hundreds of clients.

We are an environmentally friendly business founded and operated by Alex Kahl. To show that we walk the walk we are certified green and are an approved member of the Green America Business Network, the Bay Area Green Business Network, and a Marin County Sustainable Partner.

We are also proud to be solar powered and are constantly investing in becoming more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. We also help our clients to be environmentally conscious as well. Our team serves small business and nonprofit clients worldwide.

Our mission is to help small business and nonprofits with appropriate online technology in order to establish and maintain an online presence and an online marketing campaign in an environmentally and socially conscious manner.

Our internet consulting company is based in the San Francisco Bay Area in San Rafael, California, USA, where we have satisfied hundreds of customers. Many of our clients are based in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially in the North Bay in Marin County and Sonoma County. We also work with companies and nonprofits nationally and internationally.

Kahl Consultants specializes in providing a full spectrum of environmentally friendly web services to small businesses and nonprofits. From website development to online marketing strategies, we have completed over 500 contracts worldwide for customers from almost every industry, including many professionals, green businesses, energy and environmental firms, social organizations, non-profits and NGOs. Select nonprofit customers benefit from our pro bono and reduced rate nonprofit work, one of many ways in which we support environmental and social nonprofits.

Visit http://www.kahl.net for more information about Kahl Consultants web services. Call us at 415-499-0838.

Theatre Flamenco, San Francisco

2012-01-18T18:41:00.001-08:00

HISTORY

THEATRE FLAMENCO of San Francisco is the second oldest dance company in the Bay Area (after the SF Ballet).

Founded in 1966 by Adela Clara, Theatre Flamenco was conceived during a flowering of cultural pride in the 60’s that led to the revival of Latino arts; the Company’s purpose was to fill what was then a dearth of Spanish dances in the Bay Area.

Theatre Flamenco was the first American dance company to stage full productions of Spanish dance in the U.S., and is one of the oldest dance companies in California. Every year since its inception Theatre Flamenco has presented a home season of performances in San Francisco.

Over the years, Theatre Flamenco has served as a beacon of cultural pride, a reservoir for the diverse traditions of Spanish culture, and a vital source for artistic collaboration. The Company is dedicated to the research, presentation and education of a full range of Spanish dance including classical, neo-classical, regional, folk and escuela bolera.

In 2008, Theatre Flamenco’s long-time artistic director, Miguel Santos was recognized for his substantial contributions to the Bay Area and to the art of flamenco by the Isadora Duncan Dance Award (IZZIE) whereupon he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, an award for re-staging MISA FLAMENCO and a Lifetime Achievement Award from World Arts West Ethnic Dace Festival. Mr. Santos continues to work with Theatre Flamenco as a Board Member.

Artistic director Carola Zertuche’s vision for Theatre Flamenco is that of a highly professional company that, in addition to the annual home season, has an annual touring schedule and presents a quarterly community outreach series. Renee Renouf observed in Ballet.co.uk (November 2008): “This is my first Theatre Flamenco season seen since Carola Zertuche assumed artistic direction; the ensemble has shifted from essentially a community-oriented emphasis to one leaning heavily on professional aspirations, limited to five dancers, and doing well by the change…If the changes progress in this spirit, the Bay Area might add a highly polished flamenco ensemble as well as Theatre Flamenco’s longevity to its roster of dance jewels.”

In 2009, Theatre Flamenco’s Juan Siddi and Carola Zertuche have the honor of being nominated for the Isadora Duncan Dance Award (IZZIE’s) Outstanding Achievement in Ensemble Performance for ENCUENTRO Theatre Flamenco 2009 San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival weekend 1. The IZZIE award celebrates the richness, diversity, and excellence of the Bay Area dance the video above with Carola Zertuche & Juan Siddi. This dance was a 2009 Nominee for Most Memorable Dance from the Isadora Duncan Dance Committee.

Carola Zertuche - Artistic Director

Carola Zertuche entered her dance career in Mexico City’s Tablao Meson de Triana. Her studies have led her to such renowned teachers as Manolo Vargas; Ciro; Belen Maya; Andrés Marin; Israel Galván; and Jota Master, Pedro Azorín. She has been featured as a soloist in Pilar Rioja’s company “Reflejo Español” and danced with the Maria Elena Anaya Company under the artistic direction of Manolo Vargas. In addition, she has performed with many different companies such as “Los Tarantos “, La Tania’s Teatro Flamenco and Maria Benitez’ Company. Her dance has been showcased in such festivals as the Ethnic Dance Festival in San Francisco; the Santa Barbara Flamenco Festival and the Monterrey Mexico Flamenco Festival. The year 2002 found Carola touring Mexico and the U.S. with the “Sentido Flamenco” Show starring Alegría Suarez, Cano, Mercedes Amaya and Santiago Aguilar; in the same year Carola was nominated for the Isadora Duncan Award in the soloist category. In 2003 she toured with the Maria Benitez Company and presented her first full show of flamenco “El Color del Flamenco”.

Most recently, 2005 witnessed her presentation of “Verde” with the participation of Pastora Galván and Jose Anillo. In October 2005 She danced as a guest Artist with Domingo Ortega Flamenco Company in Los Angeles and Andres Marin Company in the First Flamenco Festival in San Francisco. And in 2007 Carola she become Artistic director of Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco. In 2007and 2008 she was awarded Best Flamenco Classic in San Francisco Magazine and Best flamenco show in SF Weekley. In Spring 2008, she toured the Middle East with the Juan Siddi Flamenco Theater Company and Performed at the Summer Season in Santa Fe.

Miguel Santos - Company Manager

Miguel Santos has been with Theatre Flamenco since its inception, serving as principal dancer, choreographer, and since 1987, artistic director. He began his studies in classical ballet with Carmelita Maracci. His Spanish dance training began in Los Angeles in 1954, and soon thereafter he traveled to Spain where he studied with all the major flamenco teachers. Mr. Santos has performed with Teatro la Zarzuela of Madrid and both José Greco’s and Lola Montes’ companies.

While Mr. Santos was performing with the José Greco company, he appeared in the film Around the World in 80 Days. He has performed in La Traviata for the San Francisco Opera and for the Seattle Opera with Beverly Sills.

Mr. Santos continues to refine his flamenco skills by taking master classes with José Galván, La Quica, Javier La Torre, El Guito, Merche Esmeralda, and José Antonio. A three-time NEA Choreography Fellowship recipient, Mr. Santos’ major works include Misa Flamenco, Concerto No. 2, and Regionalismos, among many others. Mr. Santos has served as a panelist for the California Arts Council. Miguel Santos was also recognized for his substantial contributions to the Bay Area and to the art of flamenco by the Isadora Duncan Dance Award (IZZIE) and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival for 2008. He currently teaches flamenco at the San Francisco Dance Center and is artist-in-residence at Fair Oaks Elementary School in Redwood City, California.

45 Years of Flamenco

In November 2012 Theatre Flamenco celebrated four decades of artistic evolution and perseverance with the world premiere performance event “45 Años de Arte Flamenco” (45 Years of Flamenco), a tribute performance that reflects Theatre Flamenco’s creative progression and the evolutionary art of flamenco dance. The transition in styles – whether it is music, dance, costume and instruments – represent the growth and maturity of the society that connects with this art.

Carola Zertuche, Theatre Flamenco’s Artistic Director, confronts the traditional anniversary retrospective from a wide angle. “45 Años de Arte Flamenco” (45 Years of Flamenco) is rooted in the soul of flamenco with an eye on the past, present and most importantly, future. Rather than present highlights from the company’s extensive repertoire, Zertuche featured her world premiere productions, and pay tribute to the traditional dance performance of the founders through a series of original works inspired by Theatre Flamenco’s legacy.

Four dancers – Carola Zertuche (Artistic Director), Manuel Gutierrez, Juan Siddi, and Cristina Hall- joined by five musicians and two singers in a remarkable event that looks back at the roots of flamenco to the modern style we enjoy today. Gypsy singers José Cortes and Kina Mendez was accompanied by percussionist Sudhi Rajagopal, pianist Alex Conde; violinist Treggar Otton; cellist Jesse Wolff.

To get updates of Theare Flamenco schedules of show visit http://www.theatreflamenco.org or call 415-826-2477

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy for professional adults, educators, medical professionals by Achievement Solutions Hypnotherapy

2012-01-13T00:10:00.001-08:00

Do you have bad habits that leave you feeling trapped?

Do you want to be a non smoker?

Do you feel stressed to the max?

Do you want to gain more confidence?

Hypnotherapy can help if you have answered “yes” to any of these questions. As an extremely effective solution for numerous issues, Hypnotherapy is proved to be a useful tool to stop smoking, achieve your ideal weight, or overcoming phobias, addictions, low self-esteem, insomnia and many other problems. Imagine the sense of pride and satisfaction you would feel as you accomplish your goals and feel in control of your own destiny!

About

Achievement Solutions Hypnotherapy has one mission: to partner with you in order to provide you with self-empowerment tools to help you achieve your goals and have more control over your physical, emotional and spirtual health. As a result YOU help create lasting positive change so you can have the life you dream of.

Dori Strait, Ed.S., School Psychologist, Certified Hypnotherapist, is highly trained in psychology, counseling, and hypnotherapy. She brings more than 13 years of successful experience as a school psychologist in public school systems in Georgia and Tennessee, where she has helped numerous parents, educators and children overcome obstacles to success. She will work with you to help you achieve your dreams to stop smoking, achieve your ideal weight, increase self-confidence, eliminate phobias and unnecessary fears, and change bad habits. Ms. Strait stands behind her work and in her ability to empower people to change their lives for the better. She is certified hypnotherapist who is credentialed by the National Guild of Hypnotists.

Quit Smoking

Sound Familiar?

I can quit any time, but I don’t want to.

I know I should quit smoking, but I enjoy it

My friends all smoke; it’s unfair that I have to quit

It’s my right to smoke.

If I quit smoking, I know I’ll gain weight.

I want to quit, but don’t have the will power.

Have you said any of these things? How often have you tried to quit smoking? Are you frustrated because you cannot stop the cravings and become a nonsmoker? Smoking is one of the toughest addictions to overcome, as tobacco is one of the most addictive substances known to man. The American Council on Science and Health reports that smoking has become the leader in preventable deaths in the United States.

Hypnosis is an effective, safe way to stop smoking. Hypnosis works through suggestion to your subconscious mind, where habits, both good and bad are housed. Through hypnosis the desire to smoke is replaced by healthy alternative behaviors.

Weight Loss

DIETS DON’T WORK

Tired of dieting? We all know that diets don’t work long term. At Achievement Solutions Hypnotherapy, we begin by changing your behavior

The second step is to resolve and reprogram the underlying causes of current eating habits and then reinforce and add new empowering thoughts and behaviors to permanently change the way you eat. Using hypnotherapy we remove the emotional reasons for eating and reinforce new behaviors.

Weight loss sessions are customized to the individual. The diet plan we provide is not just another diet. It is a way to permanently change your habitual ways of interacting with food.

Phobias

DO YOU FEAR SNAKES, SPIDERS, HEIGHTS, OPEN SPACES?

Phobias are very common. One in nine persons have some type of phobia—more than eleven percent of the population. One in twenty has panic attacks at some time in their life, often triggered by a phobia. There is little that conventional medical science can to for phobias, other than prescribing medication.

Hypnosis can in many cases alleviate or eliminate the phobia. I have known clients who have had a fear of flying. In the past they have either avoided flying or gone through agony and a great deal of mental pain when they boarded an aircraft to go on vacation. A number of these persons spent their vacation time in fear of the return trip.

Hypnosis can reverse the fear that caused the phobia through regression therapy to the original event. We use desensitization techniques to dissociate clients from the original trauma.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Addiction :

Millions of people turn to addictions for temporary relief. Are you one? An addiction is a behavior that you consistently give in to, which can bring you more problems than benefits. What is important to understand about addiction is that it is an attempt to fill some sort of emotional need, to fill a void in your life.

Some of the most common addictions today include gambling, exercise, work, extreme sports, computer gaming, and shopping. Although most of these are natural and can be a normal part of your daily life, in excess they can cause you real problems.

To permanently treat addictions, it is very important to first understand the nature of the emotional void you are trying to fill through your addiction. It must be explore and understood, so you can comprehend the root of your addiction. Through hypnotherapy you can establish a firm foundation where recovery begins.

Pain

Do you want to control the pain instead of the pain controlling you?

Hypnosis is extremely effective in alleviating pain and has proven to be possibly the best method for managing acute and chronic pain, without the use of drugs. For example, studies have shown hypnosis to be effective for the relief of pain in pre and post-surgical operations, dental procedures, and in childbirth.

With hypnosis we can communicate with the brain to change the message loops by communicating messages of healing to replace old pain signals.

Proof Hypnosis Affects the Brain

According to Science Daily (April, 2005), brain imaging studies allow a greater understanding of what is happening in the brain when one experiences hypnosis. Sebastian Schulz-Stubner, M.D., author of the study, reported, “…it helps to dispel prejudice about hypnosis as a technique to manage pain because we can show an objective, measurable change in brain activity linked to a reduced perception of pain.” For more information, go to healthcare.com or sciencedaily.com, release date: April 8, 2005.

Stress

FEELING OVERWHELMED?

Are you stressed or anxious most of the time? If you are, this is an unhealthy state which could lead to many other problems and challenges. When you experience excessive anxiety and stress, your health, stamina, and ability to sleep could all be affected. It may feel as if you are just barely getting by in life.

Stress also affects your ability to concentrate and to focus. In relationships, too much stress can negatively affect your personal relationships and your level of joy. You may have read that scientific research has confirmed the crucial role stress plays in contributing to such disorders as hypertension, stroke, heart attack, ulcers, pain, and cancer, to name a few.

To learn more about hypnotherapy visit, http://www.ashypnotherapy.com/ or speak directly to Dori (404) 421-9809.

English Country Pine & Design provides custom kitchen cabinets, tables & chairs, Traditional & Country Design Furniture, Remodeling and Woodworking in Marin County.

2012-01-04T17:24:00.001-08:00

English Country Design was established in 1986 by John Varney, an English Craftsman and Designer with patience and an eye for detail.

In the well-equipped workshop everything from a coffee table to a large kitchen job flows with ease and confidence. A separate building for finishing offers a dust free environment for a variety of eco-friendly finishes.

The showroom is a perfect designing space loaded with samples of wood, hardware, moulding, colors, etc. and lots of pictures to aid in the designing process.

In the showroom you can also purchase:

• Fiddles furniture wax

• Rocky Mountain Hardware

• Sun Mountain Doors

• Michigan Maple Butcher Block tops

• Spekva Scandinavian countertops

• Raymond Enkeboll carvings

• Shaw farm house sinks

• Rohl taps and faucets

Wood Choices

Pine, cherry, oak, maple, alder, teak, mahogany... Don’t be overwhelmed. As you see what you don’t care for, it becomes clearer what you do like. You seek can advise on the pros and cons of different wood species and show you an array of color samples. The showroom is a wonderful and vital aid in assisting with the design process and our multitude of samples are available to be taken home so you can be sure of your selection.

Designing

Designing is John’s strong point. With over 25 years of experience, a trained eye, and a good ear, John first listens to your needs then puts pen to paper and starts to sketch for you. Combining this art with examples in the showroom and a myriad of wonderful photographs your idea becomes a reality. John has lectured for the A.S.I.D. on furniture design addressing how to incorporate modern technologies into a traditional design. He’s also a problem solver for those awkward spaces and can always find the perfect balance between function and aesthetic.

Reclaimed Lumber

Typically, reclaimed timber is obtained from the roof joist or flooring of old buildings which are scheduled to be torn down. Although reclaimed timber is usually more expensive than new wood, its rich character and proven quality make it an attractive choice for the discerning furniture buyer.

By the time it reaches your home, reclaimed timber will have endured decades, if not centuries, of seasoning. Its low moisture content and tight grain make reclaimed timber much more resistant to cupping, cracking, curling, splitting, or twisting than new wood.

Reclaimed timber is available in a wide variety of colors and grain patterns. Every piece is unique in its character, often bearing subtle signs of previous use, and can add instant atmosphere to any room in your home or office. At English Country Design, you can personally select the degree of distressing to best suit your taste.

Lastly, by choosing to have your furniture built with reclaimed timber, you will contribute to saving our old growth forests.

Pine Furniture

Antique pine furniture, as we know it today started in popularity in the late 1960's. Young homemakers not wanting the mass produced melamine cheap furniture turned to the auction rooms and secondhand furniture stores for the old pine furniture that had survived from the previous century. Often covered in many coats of paint, a chest of drawers was a bargain at $10.

First they would strip their newly acquired antique down to bare wood, then polish with Briwax, an inexpensive wax polish with a light brown color and this was the birth of STRIPPED PINE FURNITURE, later to be labeled country pine furniture. The antique trade at the time disowned it, considering it junk furniture and not a fine hardwood antique.

Little did they know because over the following 30 years it grew in popularity and prices rose dramatically and a new cottage industry was born. That $10 chest of drawers would sell for $500 in the 90's.

In England a dresser (or hutch as it's called in America) will differ in style depending on the region of its construction, and named after that region i.e. Cornish dresser, Irish dresser, Welsh dresser, Lincolnshire dresser, Scottish dresser.

Differences may at first appear subtle but once one knows what to look for it becomes obvious, much like seeing a Mercedes, BMW, or Jaguar without the emblem, one would still be able to identify it.

Throughout Britain people were stripping their interior room doors and adding a wax finish as most houses have interior wood work of pine. Still to this day watch and English movie and note the pine doors and pine kitchen furniture.

Visit http://www.englishcountrypine.com/ to see our sample designs. Hours is by appointment only please call first (415) 382 1952 to book for appointment.

SonoMarin HypnoBabies offers Hypnosis for Childbirth, Education and Doula Services in Sonoma and Marin Counties

2012-01-02T19:02:00.001-08:00

HypnoBabies is a complete 6 week, child birth education class appropriate for moms birthing in a hospital, birth center or home environment. HypnoBabies Childbirth Hypnosis teaches hypnotic anesthesia techniques used by people who undergo surgery with hypnosis as their only anesthetic. Both of these elements have been carefully designed to work together and the results are truly amazing.

HypnoBabies provides excellent and Complete Childbirth Education. Providing this *Complete Childbirth Education* ensures that my students will not have to take other childbirth preperation classes whose philosophy is so different that it negates what they have learned in our birth hypnosis class. “Pain management and coping skills” are actually opposite of what is learned in HypnoBabies; we teach Pain Elimination by using real hypno-anesthesia.

HypnoBabies also has “Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis”, which allows each Hypno-mom to walk and talk and move around freely yet remain very relaxed, fully present, aware and in touch with her body and baby and *completely comfortable while doing so*. Other programs rely on complete immobility for focus and concentration, which can severely impede the progress of labor and the descent and positioning of the baby. An upright, “Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis mommy means a faster and easier birthing!

Owner Hattie Engel talks about herself:

“I have been an Occupational Therapist, since 2003, and have worked in many different health care settings. I have two amazing boys who were born in 2008 and 2010, both at Kaiser Santa Rosa. If there is a third child in the future I plan on having a home birth.

What a great experience I had each time I gave birth with the support of an amazing doula that I became a doula to support other women who were birthing. However no matter how magical and peaceful the births I supported were, there was always a lot of pain. I knew that there was a better way. I also knew that the parents who spent a lot of time preparing for childbirth, had more satisfying empowered birth experiences.

What I wanted was a class that not only encouraged the partner to be involved, but that would help couples to grow into their new roles as parents together. So I went in search of different child birth education methods, and while there were many out there, only HypnoBabies offered a complete child birth education prep class with hypno-anesthesia. It was so clear that this class had all the elements that really could help make birthing joyful, calm, and comfortable.”

HypnoBabies Classes

Group classes are limited to five couples to ensure personal attention. Classes meet for six weeks, 3 hours each, for a total of 18 hours (40% more time than other childbirth hypnois methods). Group classes are priced at $400 per couple, which includes18 hours of classroom time, and the HypnoBabies course materials

HypnoDoula Services

Traditional doula training provides the birthing woman with much more physical activity to stay comfortable, while using hypnosis entails much more “going inside” and specific cues that have been programmed subconsciously.

HypnoBabies moms can indeed use upright positions, birth balls and walk if they want to, but this will be for progress if needed or descent and positioning of your baby, and not to maintain comfort. Unless a doula is familiar with all of this, she may not help the woman in the ways she truly needs to give birth using hypnosis.

HypnoBabies Benefits

HypnoBabies’ Complete Childbirth Education includes the following:

Staying healthy and low risk
Comfort in Pregnancy
Detailed Birthing Choices
Creating Informed Consent
An in-depth Nutrition and Exercise program
Avoidance of Toxic Substances
Optimum Fetal Positioning
Turning a Posterior Baby
Stages of Labor
Anatomy and Physiology of Birth
Prenatal Parenting
Avoiding Back Labor with the Abdominal Lift and Tuck
Baby Kick Counting
Belly Mapping
The Risks, Benefits and Alternatives to Common Labor Interventions
Birth Empowerment Skills
Birth Plans & Baby Plans
Touring the Birth Facility
Doula and Midwifery information
Avoiding Induction and Cesarean Section
Delayed Cord Clamping and other Baby Kindness information
Using hypnosis for 3rd stage
Comprehensive and detailed birth preparation and labor support training for Birth Partners
A 28 page Quick Reference booklet for labor
Birthing Rehearsals using HypnoBabies techniques in class.
Information on New Baby Care, Breastfeeding and Postpartum care for our moms.

To learn more about Doula services from SonoMarin Hypnobabies and Hattie Engel visit http://www.sonomarinhypnobabies.com/ or call 415-203-1867.

Panchitos Mexican Restaurant in Terra Linda, San Rafael serves outstanding Mexican food.

2011-12-28T21:47:00.001-08:00

With reasonable prices, quality Mexican food and a wide variety of offerings for every appetite and diet, Panchitos is the perfect place for couples, single diners, families, and groups in North San Rafael.

Since 1979 Panchitos offers:

Traditional Mexican dishes, outstanding soups and salads
All lunch items available for take-out.
Delivery available for larger orders to your office within the area and with notice.
Great chips and salsa!

PANCHITOS SERVES:

LUNCH

A Terra Linda lunch favorite for 32 years. Featuring traditional Mexican dishes, outstanding soups and salads as well as a wide variety of house favorites to match every ones appetite and diet desires.

Fast in and out lunches, superior service and exceptional food and beverage choices make Panchitos a great choice for lunch. Bring yourself or the whole office, they can handle large parties up to 26 people.

All lunch items available for take-out.
Delivery available for larger orders to your office within the area and with notice.
Great chips and salsa!
Wide variety of choices to satisfy every appetite as well as healthy choices to meet special dietary needs.

DINNER

Proudly serving the Terra Linda community (and beyond) since 1979, Panchitos Mexican restaurant continues the tradition of outstanding Mexican food and exceptional service.

Original dinner favorites such as enchiladas, Chile rellenos, taco, burritos and tostadas as well newer house specialties including carne azada, tilapia fish tacos and shrimp diablo keep the families, couples and singles coming back again and again, year after year.

With a warm, friendly and exceptional commitment to service, they strive daily to be known as Marin’s Best Mex!

Kids Menu from $4.95.
Dinner specials and healthy choices to satisfy all appetites.
Large parties up to 26 people.
Nice selection of beers wines, and popular beverages.
Reservations taken for 5 or more.

CATERING

Would you like to serve Marin’s best Mexican food at your next party or special occasion?
It easy, fun and affordable! Panchitos offers a variety of famous traditional Mexican in party trays. They can handle all your party food needs from five to five hundred and even ask special request that you would like to be included on your menu list.

Free delivery and set-up.
Served in “stay-hot” aluminum party trays.
Beverage service available.
Can handle 5 to 500!
Can handle most special requests.

ABOUT PANCHITOS

Located in the heart of the Terra Linda community, Panchitos Mexican Restaurant has served up an exceptional combination of friendly fast service along with outstanding Mexican food since 1979.

Original owners Pancho and Yolanda Aceves 19 year Panchitos tradition was passed along to Leo Limeta and Jeffrey Jauch in 1999. With combined nearly 60 years of restaurant experience, Leo and Jeff are dedicated to keeping the outstanding original recipes intact while expanding the menu with exciting new tasty offerings.

In a clean and inviting atmosphere, Panchitos strives to serve the Terra Linda community and beyond with the goal of building and keeping relationships from generation to generation. With reasonable prices, quality food and a wide variety of offerings for every appetite and diet is perfect place for couples, single diners, families, and groups–Lunch and Dinner.

Visit http://www.panchitosrestaurant.com/ to see Panchitos Restaurant online menu. For reservation call call (415) 472-6766.

Indian Restaurant serving Authentic Indian Food: Taj of Marin in San Rafael, Marin County

2011-12-12T00:54:00.001-08:00

Taj of Marin on 4th Street in San Rafael, CA provides authentic and delicious Indian food at a great price. The restaurant is run by the Singh family and is truly dedicated to providing an upscale experience at an affordable price. Situated in the heart of downtown San Rafael, Taj of Marin offers the most exquisite and authentic Indian cuisine in North Bay. The restaurant, adorned with traditional Indian artwork and décor, provides a serene and comforting atmosphere.

The menu encompasses the very best of North and South Indian cuisines and includes vegetarian, meat, seafood, gluten-free, and vegan options. To complete the dining experience, Taj of Marin carries an exceptional selection of beers, fine wines, and traditional Indian drinks.

At Taj of Marin, you will find impeccable food, outstanding customer service, and a delightful environment.

TAJ OF MARIN is unique like Marin County. Come in to cool off, have a great dinner and listen to some amazing music. We are also buying locally grown organic and sustainable produce when possible.

We would also like to partner with you in terms of fundraising so if you have an organization, club, church, need to raise funds to stay alive in this economy–come on in and talk to us. We would love to partner with you and give a percentage of dinner sales to your group for one month! Come on in and talk to Gurpreet Singh.

We also ask you to YELP about TAJ OF MARIN and like us on Facebook. Tell us when you get your bill—we will give you 20% discount on your ala carte dinner.

Check our website http://www.tajofmarin.com/ to find out more of our deals. For reservations call (415) 459-9555.

Customer's Review:

Terrific dinner - my mom and dad took me here last night and I left completely satiated. The meal was delightful. We had ground lamb somosas, coconut, shrimp masala, garlic naan, yellow lentil dal and mango chicken:) DELICIOUS. I hear they have a nice lunch buffet too:) Review by Erin S., San Mateo, CA on Yelp

I have been here atleast 5 times. And was very satisfied with the quality and quantity of the food. They have almost double the options for buffet than any Lotus restaurants. Review by Prasanna B., Novato, CA on Yelp

MountainView Recovery Center Offers Drug & Alcohol Facility in San Rafael, CA.

2011-11-22T23:56:00.001-08:00

MountainView Recovery Center is an innovative drug and alcohol treatment facility located in San Rafael, California, dedicated to helping young men heal and move forward with their lives.

We provide full-immersion treatments for clients at every stage of drug and alcohol recovery. We understand that when treatment is not successful, faith is broken and hope fades. This is why our approach is different.

We offer:

Phase-appropriate strategies where clients are given the right level of structure, limits and freedom for their current level of addiction, preparedness and maturity
Real-life tools beyond support therapies to build accountable and functional people in the real world
Comprehensive participatory therapies that assist in understanding the complex factors that created their situation, and healthy, effective strategies that allow clients to exploit what they have learned
A single-sex, all-male setting where people can recover and readjust in a safe and distraction-free environment
Clinically driven social-model atmosphere

Mission

Our mission is to offer treatment programs that provide the utmost support to clients and their families as they face these uncertain and difficult times. We provide an upbeat and compassionate treatment experience with an emphasis on life-long sobriety.

Philosophy

We believe that when clients participate in their own healing and positive therapeutic opportunities are utilized, long-term recovery is achievable. We also know how important it is to integrate real life and community from the very beginning of this process. Real-time intervention is also essential, while incorporating 12-step beliefs and principles.

PRIMARY CARE

Where We Begin: Personalized Treatment

No two individuals have the same addiction history or face the same set of circumstances while getting clean and sober. Consequently, the methods by which each person achieves sobriety are unique. MountainView addresses the individual needs of those suffering from alcohol and chemical dependency. We also treat process addictions, such as sex, relationships, and gambling that may surface once a person’s primary addiction is under control.

Admission

Soon after arriving at MountainView, a client will meet with his admission counselor and primary therapist to do a psychosocial assessment; discussing his drug and alcohol use, family history of addiction, and other important factors related to treatment. A client will then receive a psychiatric assessment by our psychiatrist and also meet with an addiction specialist, an M.D., to address his detox needs

90-day Recovery Program

Our 90-day Recovery Program is the cornerstone for maintaining sobriety. It begins with an initial global assessment and stabilization period. During this time our clinical team establishes a formal Individualized Treatment Plan. Our goal is to identify the participant’s core issues and major stumbling blocks to recovery.

Detox

It is not uncommon for a person entering addiction recovery to require detox. In such cases, our professional staff makes sure individuals get the proper and necessary medical attention.

The length of detox will often vary depending on the type of addiction, though a typical detox period lasts between 2-3 days.

EXTENDED CARE

Additional Support for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

The road to recovery is unpredictable, and after primary care clients will often need additional support before transitioning back to everyday life. Extended care, to be sure, diminishes the likelihood of further relapse and presents an opportunity for additional healing.

Deciding whether to undergo extended care should be done with the assistance of a supportive team of professionals, the encouragement of loved ones, and reflecting on the life skills one has cultivated while going through primary care. The decision should never be made lightly: Addiction is a complicated brain disease, and relapse is a common experience for those in all stages of recovery.

Our extended care program is available for those who are seeking help in restoring hope and breaking the cycle of addiction.

When a commitment to sobriety is made within a therapeutic setting, a life that is deeply out of balance can be fully restored

Residential Treatment Programs

Dual Diagnosis

For people in recovery, a dual diagnosis of a drug addiction combined with a mental health disorder is quite common. Our staff has significant expertise and experience at handling the added complexity of addressing overlapping symptoms of such a diagnosis.

It may not be clear whether the substance abuse or the mental health illness came first; nevertheless, it is vital for someone in detox to receive treatment for both their mental health issue and substance addiction. Our integrated treatment options help individuals with prescription medication, individual counseling and/or group therapy.

Family Therapy

The motivation and encouragement of family can play a significant role in a person’s addiction recovery. Family therapy can help break the addiction cycle by encouraging better ways for a substance abuser and his family to communicate and resolve problems.

Family Therapy often identifies and helps resolve significant issues that inhibit interpersonal growth. The tools learned in family therapy can also help guide the addict and his family toward making better choices related to unhealthy family patterns.

Group Counseling

Social reinforcement is a key benefit offered in group counseling because it brings greater clarity to rehab and recovery.

Group discussions focus on all aspects of recovery and encourage a drug-free lifestyle. The principles of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy are often utilized. Positive outcomes are enhanced when group counseling is offered with other programs offered in individualized care.

For more information, speak directly with one of our team member (800) 617-5312 or visit our website @ http://mountainviewrecovery.com.

Spiritual Journey of a New Age seeker to Jesus Christ and Eastern Orthodox Christianity

2011-11-02T01:56:00.001-07:00

How did a New Age seeker wind up in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

The Pearl of Great Price is the story of a unique Christian conversion. It is about the spiritual journey of a wayward Catholic New Age Baby Boomer to Jesus Christ and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

"If you don't believe in the reality of spiritual warfare,
if you are convinced that miracles belong to a bygone era,
if you have always assumed that all paths to the Orthodox Church are basically the same,

then you must read The Pearl of Great Price.

The book is likewise a precious gem—a moving memoir that you are sure to treasure for its grateful testament to the grace of God."

Bobby Maddex, Operations Manager, Ancient Faith Radio Senior Editor, Salvo Magazine"

About the Author

My book is about seeking and finding. It is a unique story of Christian conversion. "I journeyed long and far to discover my Pearl of Great Price." As many youths in my baby boomer generation, I became disillusioned with the Catholic Church. Eventually, due to a severe health crisis which traditional medicine could not effectively treat, I turned to alternative medicine treatment, the teachings of a guru, meditation, Eastern religions, and metaphysics. I became a massage therapist, spiritual healer and teacher. Yet for all my meditation techniques, fasting and praying; true inner peace eluded me. I was told "follow your heart", but the spiritual paths and meditation techniques I used and practiced in the end did not truly quench my inner spiritual thirst.

Through a series of remarkable relationships and deep reflection I realized I had to come to terms with my past and my issues not only the church, but Christianity in general. Not until I had healed and reconciled both personally and with the church could I move beyond judging it and myself to be able to touch the heart of my personal struggles to find the "Truth, the Way and the Light" in Jesus Christ and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. How God could bring me from a total immersion into Eastern Religions and the New Age to the Eastern Orthodox Church amazes me still! I would not have imagined becoming Christian would have been the outcome of my struggles and spiritual journey.

I live in Marin County, California, with my husband, Gregory, and our two adorable dogs, Bisou and Bubba. We currently attend St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in San Anselmo, where I sing in the choir. I am quite involved in the study and spiritual practices of the early church. I especially want to connect with other Orthodox women about how to bring others to Eastern Orthodox Christianity and how my book would be helpful in their Christian ministry.

Review by Daniel R. Duncan, San Francisco, CA USA:

What's remarkable about Veronica Hughes' "Pearl" is its quiet candor, where one usually finds a strident and defensive proselytism.

She describes her previous spiritual explorations with even-handed respect, even when she has found a greater fulfillment in Orthodoxy. Especially interesting is the respectful way she describes her previous relationships in New Age organizations in which she was even a pioneer. This readiness to describe while being reluctant to judge seems to be part of an Orthodox perspective.

She does not call names, but describes events, again, in an even-handed and honest way that is rare in accounts of conversion. She thus honors the search that has led her, and may lead others, to Orthodoxy.

And now that she is fully immersed in Orthodoxy, this reader looks forward to her further adventures in its spiritual landscape for, indeed, every Christian must heed Christ's admonition to seek and to knock so that the truth may answer. For when truth is alive, it does not stand and stagnate. Veronica's account so far promises a similarly quiet candor as she finds the next steps in her journey.

Indeed, her measured perspective will be especially welcome as she goes more and more deeply into this great tradition.

Order The Pearl of Great Price from www.pearlofgreatpriceorthodox.com

INTERPROJECTS

2011-10-18T18:06:00.001-07:00

Optimising Organisational Health

Led by internationally acclaimed multi-lingual expert Reavis Hilz-Ward, INTERPROJECTS is a company with corporate capability and a very human face. A consulting firm that knows that in a competitive environment it’s smarter not harder that will liberate your success.

SOLUTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS

• LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

• RISK ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION

• CRISIS INTERVENTIONS – PROJECT FIREFIGHTING

INTERPROJECTS has a track record of achievement in optimising people, processes and complex organizations – making them more efficient and more effective. From one-to-one professional coaching to global scale complexity issues, INTERPROJECTS takes the time to be considered, understanding, innovative, enlightening and endlessly passionate about assisting you in achieving your goals.

Reavis Hilz-Ward is a management consultant specializing in international and intercultural project management, risk management, process optimization, and change management for financial services, pharmacy, and automobile industries and for multinational organizations. From offices in Frankfurt, Germany we bring business executives to international success.

Interprojects Services:

• Executive Coaching and Leadership Development

• Risk analysis and mitigation

• Transformational Leadership

• Employee Empowerment

THE INTERPROJECTS APPROACH

The tools and approaches created by Reavis are a reflection of the considered and compassionate way in which INTERPROJECTS optimizes success. The methods of work are guided by honesty, integrity, deep knowledge, sensitivity and focus. The journey for each client and project will be different but the destination is always improvement and success. INTERPROJECTS visits ‘way-points’ on your journey that will vary in length and content for each client. A typical journey might include:

Initial non-binding consultation – establishes ‘fit’ between INTERPROJECTS and the needs. Broadly defines challenges, goals and time frames.

Analysis sessions – using extensive interviews and state-of-the-art tools to clarify the issues, uncover root cause and deliver a firm understanding of the context of the environment.

Goal identification – uncovering agreed goals and measurement indicators for success.

Implementation – a programme designed to address the issues which might include individual andgroup coaching sessions, training, performance management, risk assessment and change process design.

Mid-term review – assessment and orientation ‘health check’ for the project.

Second implementation phase – a continuation of work.

Success review – appraisal and evaluation of works against the indicators of success.

To find out more about how Reavis Hilz-Ward and the INTERPROJECTS team might help call +49 (69) 75600-10, email us or explore our site, http://interprojects.de.

How-to Guides to Running Your Small Business from Work.com

2011-06-23T18:35:00.001-07:00

Check out this website I found at work.com

Business Growth | Funding Solution | Marble Bridge Funding Group, Inc.

2011-05-02T15:10:00.001-07:00

Your Bridge to Success

Marble Bridge Funding Group is your source to immediate cash to grow your business. Since 1997, Marble Bridge has provided more than $500 million of funding to hundreds of companies. We provide ready cash through financing your accounts receivable and purchase orders.

For companies looking to grow, Marble Bridge is your bridge to success. We are a direct lender, providing flexible, quick, reliable, custom funding solutions, and superior customer service.

Find out how we can help you:

Expand your business

Purchase additional inventory

Acquire larger customers

Get cash in 24-48 hours rather than waiting 30, 60 or even 90 days

Simply make the payroll

Contact Us Today!

Tel 925-977-8210

via marblebridge.com

Kahl Consultants client Marble Bridge Funding Group is a progressive commercial finance company headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 1997 this privately held direct funder has been financing growing businesses – from start-ups to companies with $100 million in sales – via a range of innovative programs:

Account Receivable Financing
Purchase Order Financing
Receivables Management
Other Related Financial Services

Marble Bridge also maintain a visible presence in the community, assisting government and private institutions that serve small businesses.

Entrepreneur Magazine Tips to Start Your Own Business

2011-04-22T12:09:00.001-07:00

Or almost nothing. Before you sign a lease (or buy a phone plan or make a hire), find out what's available for free.
You don't need a fancy telecom system and an office full of equipment to get your business off the ground. Hell, you don't even need an office, especially with the ever-growing array of virtual services at your disposal. --E.W.
The un-office
Save the rent and work with your colleagues anywhere that has a Wi-Fi signal. Basecamp--a web-based project-management app--lets you assign tasks, send instant messages, collaboratively edit documents, create presentations and track projects with employees and clients. A good service for web design professionals and other creatives completing longer-term assignments. Plans start at $24 a month for as many as 15 projects and go up to $149 a month for unlimited use. But if you can find office space at that price, we suggest you take it.
Basecamphq.com: From $24 a month.
Credit cards
Setting up a conventional credit card payment system involves contracts, equipment rental and thousands in transaction fees. Ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has a new startup called Square that allows you to swipe plastic with your iPhone or iPod. Simply plug Square's, er, square, into the headphone jack and your customers can make a purchase from anywhere. With instant photo verification, on-screen signature technology and e-mail receipts, the system is paperless, too. It's still in beta testing, but expect Square to arrive this summer.
Squareup.com: $1 for the app, plus 2.9 percent of each transaction. Hardware will be free.

The phone
Telecom systems killed the receptionist. Now Google Voice is set to kill telecom. Voice gives you the local number of your choice and lets you forward it to as many landline or cell phones as you please, giving you an "office number" even if said office consists of nothing more than you and your cat. Voice kindly transcribes voicemails for access through text message or e-mail, and incoming calls can be recorded and played back on the web. Local calls are free; long distance starts at just 2 cents a minute.
Google.com/voice: Free, or close to it.
The fax
Buying a bulky fax machine is so 1993. And then there's the monthly cost of the dedicated landline needed to run the thing. With eFax, $16.95 a month gets you a local fax number of your choosing and 130 incoming pages each month. And eFax sends incoming faxes as e-mail attachments--very 2010, indeed.
Efax.com: $16.95 a month.
IT department
Get the perks of a corporate computer network with Dropbox's free downloadable software: Just drag and drop files into a desktop folder to sync them to computers and PDAs--no IT guy needed.
Dropbox.com: Free.
Accounting department
Freshbooks--an online invoicing, time-tracking and expense service--automates the accounting department with an easy web interface that sends documents (with your logo) to clients. Manage as many as three clients for free; a $19 monthly upgrade increases that to 25. Getting clients to pay on time? That's another matter.
Freshbooks.com: Free.
Complaint department
Get Satisfaction--a startup that mint.com and Nike are already using--collects questions, complaints and feedback from throughout the social media universe and organizes it into a customer service platform that can be used on your website. Led by CEO Wendy Lea, Get Satisfaction has plans starting at $19.
Getsatisfaction.com: From $19 a month.
Make it legal
Create a simple LLC or trademark your business name with LegalZoom, a low-cost alternative to hiring counsel. LLC document preparation starts at $149 (about one-tenth of what an attorney would charge) and includes all filing fees and a custom operating agreement.
LegalZoom.com: $149 for an LLC document.

via entrepreneur.com

Ready to start your own business? Worried about the expenses?

This article has excellent tips for free or almost free services and tools to get you going when you are short on money.

myearthdaymarin.org

2011-04-21T16:20:00.001-07:00

Thank you for visiting the My Earth Day Marin Coalition Homepage – your source for information on environmentally focused service projects organized in honor of Earth Day throughout Marin County! Opportunities abound for those interested in giving back to mother nature, but sometimes it is difficult to know where to begin. That is why agencies across Marin have come together to collectively advertise Earth Day service projects and celebrations. We hope that your celebrations this April leave you with a greater understanding of, and appreciation for the incredible land and wildlife of Marin County, and the people who reside here. Together we can make a great difference; thank you very much for your time!

“Let it rain, let it pour, let the sun rise and roar, whatever the weather we are here to serve, to celebrate, nurture, preserve and observe, the endless wonders of earth!” -Marin County Park Ranger Kirk Schroeder

If you are interested in volunteering for an Earth Day service project, please visit our VOLUNTEER page for information on a wide variety of projects across the county. For more information on the My Earth Day Marin Coalition, please visit our About Us page. If you have general questions about the My Earth Day Marin Coalition, visit our Contact Us page. Note that our listed volunteer opportunities have specific contact persons pertaining to each event. If you are interested in promoting a volunteer event that is not listed on our VOLUNTEER page, visit our Add an Event page. We look forward to hearing from you!

[View with PicLens]
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My Earth Day Marin Partners:

Marin County Parks and Open Space District
City of San Rafael Volunteer Program and Public Works Department
San Rafael Clean
Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program
Marin County Department of Public Works
Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin
Marin Municipal Water District
Marin County Community Development Agency

Founded by:

Marin County Parks and Open Space District
City of San Rafael Volunteer Program
San Rafael Clean
Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin
Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program

via myearthdaymarin.org

April 22 is Earth Day! Celebrate Earth Day by giving back to Mother Earth and volunteering for community service projects.

Attend LOHAS Events to Promote your Business

2010-11-16T20:40:00.000-08:00

What if I told you there is a way to promote your business and learn about new LOHAS products and services at the same time?

Yes, that is what you can do at any LOHAS related business events. Ask your Chamber of Commerce or check local calendars. If you don't belong to a chamber then check out the national Green Chamber of Commerce.

At the annual LOHAS Forum you can network with representatives of like-minded LOHAS companies. Understand the latest marketing trends. This Forum is the best place to discover all your opportunities in the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability marketplace!

The Green Festivals are events organized by environmental and social justice nonprofits Green America and Global Exchange. These events happen throughout the year at various locations in the USA.

The November 2010 Green Festival held in San Francisco was a huge success. Attendees learned about healthier environmental, economical and social solutions. They also listened to great speakers, watched film screenings, and had many many exhibit booths to stop at.

While at such events you'll need to make an effort to meet and greet people, rather than just looking around the entire time. Ask lots of questions and introduce yourself to everyone you talk to. Discuss your business, your needs and your goals. Try to compare products and services with competitors if you can.

Green events are a great opportunity to network. Come prepared with lots of business cards, a can-do attitude, and don't be afraid to approach strangers. After the event be sure to follow up with phone calls and emails!

VB8K656NTBWZ

SEO 101 for Online Business Owners

2010-09-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Introduction
By now, most web site owners appreciate that optimizing for search engine visibility can have a real impact on both their site traffic and online profits. Still today, a large percentage of websites are found through search engines.

Web Designers and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Marketers may have different opinions on how to best design and promote websites. One thing about SEO that is sure, it's not the quick and easy solution it once was a few years ago. Nonetheless, by understanding the evolution from 'old to new' SEO rules, you can position your site for the search engine visibility you're seeking.

Engine Algorithms

Search Engine ranking algorithms are usually secret mathematical formulas. These engines test for many different factors before indexing and ranking a web site.

Though algorithms (or rules) can and do change, there are some things that remain fairly constant. Here is a sampling of important things to consider when optimizing your site:

Age of site
Length of time domain has been registered
Age of content
Regularity with which new content is added
Age of link and reputation of linking site
Uniqueness of content
Related terms used in content (the terms the search engine associates as being related to the main content of the page)
Key word driven internal links identifying primary source of search information
External links, the anchor text in those external links, and in the sites/pages containing those links
Depth of document in site
Use of 301 to redirect moved pages
Hosting uptime
Whether the site serves different content to different categories of users (cloaking)
Broken outgoing links not rectified promptly

Search Engine Optimization: Then and Now
By comparing how the internet and SEO have changed over the years, you can identify how and where you need to roll up your sleeves just a bit more in order to get found by the engines:

Keywords

Then:

Add all applicable Keywords to your Meta Tags.

Now:

Research keyword phrases that best define your business, products and services - study competitor sites and use key word tools (e.g. Word Tracker or KeywordDiscovery) to find further key word niches with fewer competitors. Choose a handful (at the most) of the best niche keywords and use them in your site links as well as your titles and meta descriptions.

Competition

Then:

In 2000, a few hundred to the lower tens of thousands of competitors was normal for the number of websites that would show up for a search on a 'competitive keyword phrase.'

Now:

Today, several hundreds of thousands to several million is the standard number of web sites that appear in a search result for a given competitive keyword phrase. One way to learn who your primary internet
competitors are, is to do a search for your products/services and see who is listed in the top 10-30 positions.

Links

Then:

The more incoming links a web site had, the higher it ranked.

Now:

Links to your site still help to determine your search engine ranking but the quality and click-through-rate of links to your site have gained in importance. Build quality external links to your site via engine/directory submissions, affiliates, and high quality web sites within your own theme area (good: DMOZ.org (Open Directory); bad: link farms and 'less popular' sites). Add links to your site on a regular ongoing basis and pace these conservatively (i.e. 1-2 a week not 400 a day!).

Dynamic Database-driven Web Sites
Then:

CMS driven web sites were not search engine friendly and they often did not get indexed at all.

Now:

Today, though search engines can generally crawl and index database-driven sites, the presence of query strings in the URLs of the pages can still block the likelihood of engines indexing all of the pages on a CMS site. And because of this limitation, dynamic sites still face a visibility disadvantage that simple HTML sites enjoy. The good news however, is that there are tools available to rewrite the URL strings so that your database-driven website can be fully search-engine friendly.

Local

Then:

Most searches were done with the major Search Engines.

Now:

There are now many local search engines, directories and databases that are used for searches, e.g. Google Local and Yahoo Local. If your business is local in nature then you should register with local search engines, databases, and directories.

Summary

In the earlier days of the internet, many website owners assumed they would receive plenty of targeted traffic as soon as their site was built and online. In the early days of the web you actually could 'build a site and they would come', just by implementing targeted keyword phrases in titles, meta tags and site content then submitting to the main search engines. This was largely due to the lack of web sites around at the time and search algorithms were simpler - thus top positions were that much easier to secure.

With the enormous online growth over the last few years, just getting indexed has become more complex, particularly if you are using a brand new URL address. Researching your target audience, competitors, keyword selection and building good links is now more important than ever. Think of your site as a shop and a search engine as a shopping mall. Your shop is not visible in the mall without a sign, and well distributed marketing information to inform your online market where you are and how you can meet their needs.

Best Practices
Here are some best practices that are relevant today:

Build clean, standards-compliant websites that load fast, have rich content, and are regularly updated
Follow basic conventions like short descriptive titles, easy navigation, no disabling of browser buttons, no keyword stuffing or other unethical SEO methods
Build links naturally; do not manipulate (buy/sell) links, and do not use outward links to less reputable sites
Use original content
No technical errors
No duplicate pages

By Martha Lee, Get In Position and Alex Kahl, Kahl Consultants Web Services

Recycle your Wine Cork!

2010-06-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

In Europe wineries have been encouraging cork recycling for decades. Now the idea of cork recycling has caught on in the good old USA.

Yes you read that right, cork can be recycled.

Cork is a renewable resource is does not have to be landfilled. You can recycle cork into many useful products. And I don't mean this idea.

If you like to DIY then collect cork and use it for create projects such as making a cork board or for other fun projects.

Learn more about cork recycling:

ReCORK

ReCORK is largest global producer of wine bottle corks. They really want wine drinkers to recycle cork.

ReCORK lists places to drop off cork for recycling.

Read the North Bay Biz article "A Cork of a Different Color"

Cork ReHarvest & Whole Foods Markets

Cork ReHarvest managed to convince a big American grocery chain to recycle cork. Hoorah Whole Foods for providing receptacles in all your stores to recycle cork. Lets hope all groceries and other stores that sell wine will emulate your company-wide wine cork recycling program.

Cork is a natural resource.

Please recycle cork!

10 Tips for a Green Kitchen Remodel

2010-04-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

So you finally want to remodel your kitchen?

Naturally you want your renovation to take into account all the best green features, right?

Well here are ten tips to help you on your quest to green your kitchen!

Visit our squidoo Lens with 10 Tips for a Green Kitchen Remodel.

Have you heard of ChiWalking and ChiRunning yet?

2010-03-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

If you like to excercise then you know about Tai Chi - that meditative form of martial art (it looks like slow-mo kung fu). But have your heard about ChiRunning® and ChiWalking® yet?

ChiWalking blends the health benefits of walking with the core principles of Tai Chi. Walking is low-impact, and probably the healthiest form of daily exercise for all of us.

As with Pilates, yoga and Tai Chi, ChiWalking and ChiRunning both emphasize body alignment and mindfulness and at the same time they strengthen the core muscles of your body.

Advantages include:

Reduce pounding and pain
Reduce dependence on leg muscles
Run hills safely and effectively
Reduce the chance of injury
Increase your endurance

I recently had a Chi Walking and Running class with Hazel Wood from StridebyStride.com. Hazel is a Certified ChiRunning and ChiWalking Instructor who has learned from Danny Dreyer, the inventor of these techniques. Hazel now teaches these techniques to individuals and groups. They are great techniques for injury free walking and running based on Tai Chi principles.

The five mindful steps of ChiWalking:

Get aligned
Engage your core
Create balance
Make a choice
Move forward

Stride by Stride coach Hazel Wood teaches ChiRunning® and ChiWalking® to runners and walkers of all abilities. Think this kind of health coaching can help you out? Contact Hazel for a free consultation.

The Chi Walking and Chi Running books by Danny Dreyer are also highly recommended:

20 Best LOCAL Business Listing Sites

2009-09-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

Are you marketing your LOHAS Business locally?

Here's a tip:

Get your website listed on as many of these LOCAL Business Listing websites as possible.

Start at the top and work your way down the list!

20 Best LOCAL Business Listing Sites

What does LOHAS stand for really?

2009-08-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

The acronym LOHAS stands for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability.

This is a demographic defining a particular market segment focused on sustainable living, health and fitness, "green" environmental products and services, personal development and social justice.

LOHAS consumers are a relatively upscale and well-educated population segment. Many realize that being green and healthy does not always come with a price premium.

The term LOHAS was invented by the lifestyle company Gaiam to describe the rapidly growing multi-billion dollar market of healthy green consumers.

LOHAS businesses practice "responsible capitalism" with environmentally sustainable goods and services. In this way LOHAS businesses help make the world a better place.

The LOHAS marketplace includes goods and services such as:

Organic and locally grown food and beverages, health food
Organic and natural personal care products
Holistic health
Hybrid, electric, alternative transportation
Green and sustainable building
Alternative and Renewable Energy
Energy efficient electronics/applicances
Socially-responsible investing
Natural household products (paper goods and cleaning products)
Complementary, alternative and preventive medicine (Naturopathic, Eastern)
Fair trade products
Mind/Body/Spirit and New Age genres
Social Justice
Eco-tourism and eco-adventure travel

LOHAS consumers come from all age and demographic groups. They are comprised of artists, writers, designers, scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, creative professionals, managers, venture capitalists, technicians , solution seekers, and socially conscious consumers.

Paul Ray is the eminent sociologist who coined the term "cultural creatives" for the LOHAS consumer group. He determined that this category includes one out of every four Americans.

The five LOHAS segments as defined by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) include:

LOHAS (17 percent):
Active environmentalists dedicated to personal and planetary health. Heaviest purchasers of green and socially responsible products. Early adapters who influence others heavily.

Naturalites (17 percent):
Motivated mostly by personal health issues. Tend to purchase more LOHAS consumable products vs. durable items.

Drifters (24 percent):
People with good intentions who follow trends when it’s easy and affordable. Currently quite engaged in green purchasing behaviors.

Conventionals (26 percent):
Pragmatists who embrace LOHAS behavior when they believe they can make a difference. Primarily focused on being careful with resources and doing the ‘right’ thing when it saves money.

Unconcerned (16 percent):
Focused on getting by, they are either unaware or unconcerned about the environment and societal issues, mainly because they don’t have the time or the means.

Now that you know more about this market segment we leave you with some more information from Green America on the LOHAS marketplace.

Online Marketing for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) businesses

2009-08-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

You're at the right spot for marketing advice blog for LOHAS businesses by Kahl Consultants

We at Kahl Consultants want to show Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) businesses valuable marketing information and give you tips on marketing - both online and locally.

The focus of this blog is on the many small LOHAS firms whom we have already assisted to market their services.

Kahl Consultants is a web services and internet consulting company based in San Rafael, California. Our clients include small businesses based in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world.