Who Else is going…

. . .   entrepreneurs in the never-ending pursuit of perfection in an ever-changing digital landscape. Seeking to optimize your minimal marketing dollar and stretch your sweat equity to the outer most limits. Your success is a necessity – failure is not an option. You must evolve or die.

. . .   digital brand managers who are responsible for generating complex ideas and a new perspective in our new digital economy. You are a social media expert who “gets it” and you’re ready to take your day-to-day interaction to the next level and ensure the success of your brand.

. . .   companies that has already defined digital marketing (email, social media, SEM, SEO, performance based marketing, affiliate marketing) as your focus for 2013. You’ve tried it all, but you’re results aren’t matching the money you’ve spent on disappointing vendors and so-called “experts.” You need to get in touch with the best – not just the best who are local to your business. You’re ready to take the next step. You just need some helping finding the right path.

. . .  marketing experts who understands the impact of digital on our culture and can see that in order for you to stay relevant you must reinvent yourself as a digital expert. The Westchester Digital Summit is the best way for you to do it.

Hey, if you like social media and you like marketing…you may actually dig this gig. ENTER “STACYKNOWS” for a 20% discount on the tickets!!!

The Westchester Digital Summit will be held on May 14th, 2013 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. The venue will host 3,000 digital marketers and internationally renowned entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia and author of The Thank You Economy and Crush It will deliver the keynote. It’s the only gathering of its kind in Westchester. Silverback Social, a globally recognized leader in social media marketing, is producing the summit in partnership with Zanzarella Marketing Consultants. The summit will include presentations from digital marketing leaders like David Kidder, author of The Startup Playbook; Alex Zhardanovsky, CEO of Petflow; Avi Savor, Founding Partner of BigFuel; David Guy, CEO of LoudDoor; Dan Merritt, CEO of F#; and Rick Burnes from Hubspot, to name just a few. Attendees will be able to capitalize on an array of networking opportunities to help prospect for sales, increase productivity and stimulate employees’ intellectual curiosity.

The Summit’s panel discussion includes powerhouse media personalities like Ed Butowsky of Fox Business, an internationally recognized expert in the investment wealth management industry. Ed will be joined by Jeff Pearlman and Mike Edelhart for the discussion, when they will tackle how digital marketing is changing the face of traditional media. Jeff is the author of five books, three New York Times best sellers. His most recent, Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton, was called “the best sports biography” of 2011 by Sports Illustrated. Mike is a long-standing media and Internet start-up investor and executive. Currently, Mike is CEO of The Tomorrow Project, LLC producers of The Pivot Conference, hosted by Brian Solis and Social Week in NY.

“The Westchester Digital Summit will change the face of business in Westchester, New York forever,” said Chris Dessi, CEO of Silverback Social. The manner in which we aggregate and disseminate information as a culture has changed, and the summit will offer marketers the proper tools to engage with their clients like never before,? added Dessi.

The Westchester Digital Summit is a global gathering of the most innovative minds in the digital economy today, allowing attendees to interact with celebrities, professional athletes, geniuses and the most compelling personalities who are changing the way our culture interacts with businesses online. To learn more, and to register for the Summit, visit http://www.westchesterdigitalsummit.com

Related articles

• Gary Vaynerchuk to Keynote the Westchester Digital Summit
• 26 Acts of Kindness Dinner Stacyknows & Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester

The post Westchester Digital Summit This Tuesday appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Any Mad Men lover knows that Don Draper is the ultimate womanizer. His good looks, charm, and intelligence may have been enough in the 1960s dating world, but today, savvy women can spot his contradictions before they even meet him in person.

If a modern day Draper signed up for PlentyofFish, his profile would be vague, but here are some tips to navigate through his sparse words.

As a Product Manager with PlentyofFish (POF.com), Sarah Gooding has reviewed nearly every type of profile. Here is how she says women of Westchester can read through the details of a Draper-esque dating profile.

1. Marital Status

   - Quite frankly, this changes too much to be noted on the profile. If possible, today’s Don Draper would withhold his true marital status.

2. Profession

   - Draper’s identity centers around his job. Expect to see some sort of executive title listed. You’ll definitely be able to find him on LinkedIn too.

3. Children

   - In spite of appearing noncommittal when it comes to family, a Draper will be loyal, loving, and attentive to children he does have, even if he doesn’t always show it. When Don Draper truly cares about people (think Anna, Peggy, and his kids), he takes care of them. A Draper profile will not hide that he has children.

4. Intent

   - Online dating sites allow users to indicate if they are looking for a serious relationship, something fun, casual dating, and even marriage. Don Draper might indicate he is looking for a relationship because he wants the outside world to view him as someone who is capable of a relationship, but once you dig a little deeper, perhaps on that first date, you will see signs of his wandering eye.

5. Education

   - If you don’t see some sort of college degree listed, you are not looking at a modern day Don Draper. His intelligence is part of his charm, and he is going to showcase it.

6. Income

   - While his steady job also contributes to his charm, Draper would be too respectable to brag about his salary. Income will not be listed anywhere on the profile.

Now the question is: do you date him?

The post Are you Dating a Don Draper? appeared first on stacyknows.com.

The post Crowne Plaza Mother’s Day Brunch Delight appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Is posting a Happy Mother’s Day message on mom’s Facebook page the new Mother’s Day card? In order to do that, parents and their children have to be Facebook friends and that can be potentially awkward. How do parents feel about “friending” their kids and how do parents feel about their kids even having their own Facebook page? We take on those questions and more in this special Mother’s Day Gadgetology report.

THE FINDINGS:

Half of Facebook-Using Parents Are Friends With Their Kids

When a 2010 Gadgetology study asked parents if they were Facebook friends with their children, 48% of Facebook-using parents said yes. Three years later that number has increased slightly to 50%. The number increases to about 67% for parents of teenagers and older children, which tells us that it’s a pretty widely accepted practice among parents and their children.

Moms take heart, you’re much more likely to be Facebook friends with your kids than dads are.

Teen-Age Years Appear to Be the Appropriate Age for Social Media

Despite the fact that it might be difficult for parents to prevent their children from creating and using their own Facebook page, it appears that most parents agree that children should wait until they are teenagers before entering the social networking world. We also found that parents of very young children who are most likely active social media users themselves, are slightly more conservative when indicating the age for a child’s first Facebook page with half as many as parents of older children saying 9 – 12 was old enough.

Is Social Media One More Thing for a Parent to Worry About?

The dangers of social media are on the minds of more than half the parents who responded to this study with 7% of them having good reason to do so. On the other hand almost half or the respondents said they weren’t losing any sleep over the perils of social media.

It looks like most parents feel a need to restrict what their children can do online with more than 80% saying they control how their children use the Internet. A little over half of those parents say they use parental controls while the other half say they just tell their kids what they can and can’t do online.

Parents of Teenagers Are Checking Out Their Kids Dates Online

Although the majority of parents (69%) of children with children in the dating years say they don’t use Facebook to check out their kid’s dates it appears to have uncovered some disturbing information for the handful of parents who have taken advantage of amount of data mining available on social media sites like Facebook.

Texting During Family Meals is Very Restricted

When we asked the question whether texting was allowed at the dinner table three years ago, less than a third of the respondents said it wasn’t permitted. Three years later, if this study is any indication, there is virtually no texting taking place during family meals and that now means parents too.

Conclusion:

As social media becomes more and more part of everyone’s lives, it’s no surprise that the majority of Facebook-users are “friends” with their children. We also found a healthy respect among parents for the risks of social media and see a general acceptance that children should be discouraged from getting involved with social media until they reach their teenage years.

About the Study:

The study was conducted via the Bizrate Insights survey platform and offered to online buyers immediately after purchasing from the Bizrate Insights Network of over 5,200 ecommerce retailers in the US and Canada. Data from this study was collected from 4,121 online buyers from April 19th – 22nd 2013.

About Retrevo:

Retrevo.com has been helping shoppers discover, evaluate and buy gadgets since 2006. The site offers product reviews, product ratings, editorial recommendations and other product landscape perspectives that inform what, when and where-to-buy decisions.

The post PARENTING + SOCIAL MEDIA: Mother’s Day 2013 Gadgetology Special Report appeared first on stacyknows.com.

These are just a few of the vignettes portrayed in “‘The Evolution of Mom Dance!”Mother’s Day video from MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground grassroots organization for moms and everyone who has a mom. MomsRising.org has more than a million members who will be receiving the personalized e-card this weekend.  They will then be able to send the card to their own mom, or other mom friends, customizing it by inserting the individual names of the recipient.  The card can be personalized by the sender by visiting http://momdance.com/.

“‘The Evolution of Mom Dance!’ shows the many dances that moms have to perform in order to work and to care for their families, as well as to push for better economic and family-oriented policies,” said MomsRising Executive Director Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. “The video makes people laugh, but also reinforces our resolve to keep fighting for family-friendly policies including fair pay, access to earned sick days, affordable childcare, family leave policies after the birth of a child, reducing toxins in our homes and environment, improved health care, flexible workplace policies, and much, much more.”

A clever mix of issues that moms take on is interwoven into the remainder of the video.  The challenges all moms face are carefully choreographed in “No Sleep ‘TIL Kindergarten,” “The Flexible Work Schedule,” “The Fair Pay Fandango,” and “The I Still Got It, Right?” The penultimate number is a dramatic dance performance called, “Break the Glass Ceiling,” complete with a leaping mom with a sledgehammer breaking a “glass” ceiling above her and being rained upon by silver streamers. The final dance showcases all the moms dancing and holding up banners reading, “You’re the Best Mom Ever” and “Happy Mother’s Day.”  The video ends with your customized message telling that special mom, “You’re an amazing mom” and “Happy Mother’s Day.”

The Mother’s Day e-card is a perfect way to celebrate all the actions MomsRising members have taken over the years. They include sending email messages to policy makers; sharing personal stories about the need for family-friendly policies; meeting with policy makers and making in-person deliveries of messages; signing onto petitions encouraging companies to improve their policies; rallying at state houses and the Capitol; and more.

Dozens of diverse organizations across the country have signed on to share the love and encourage their members to use the video.

The post New Mother’s Day E-Card Features Music and Dance in Celebration of All the Feats Moms Accomplish Every Day appeared first on stacyknows.com.

EVERY MOTHER’S DAY WE STRUGGLE WITH HOW TO SHOW MOM HOW MUCH SHE TRULY MEANS TO US. THIS MOTHER’S DAY, WHY NOT FOCUS ON THE EXPERIENCES THAT MOMS TRULY APPRECIATE IN LIFE. HERE TO GIVE US SOME GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR ANY BUDGET THAT WILL SHOW MOM SHE’S A QUEEN IS THE LIFESTYLE MOM, DANA HILMER.

Dana Hilmer, a.k.a. The LifestyleMom®, is the President of LifestyleMom, Inc., a media and marketing company dedicated to helping women live a healthier, simpler, more passionate life while raising a family. Dana is the host of The LifestyleMom Radio Café podcast, the author of Blindsided by a Diaper and the creator of the recently launched Take Back Family Time initiative, the mission of which is to help families stress less and enjoy their family time more.Dana is a media-savvy interviewee and her lively and engaging style makes her a sought-after spokesperson and expert in the media. Dana has been featured on over 200 television and radio shows across the country and she appears regularly on the Daily Buzz.

The post Mother’s Day Gifts Interview With Dana Hilmer, The Lifestyle Mom appeared first on stacyknows.com.

ArtsWestchester, your complete guide to arts and culture in Westchester, is excited to provide StacyKnows readers with monthly updates on upcoming, don’t-miss events in the county.  Don’t be left out by missing the next-big-thing.  For a full list of events, including dance, art, music, family-friendly activities, theater and more, visit: www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do.

A Funny Girl in Westchester…

May 10, 8pm

Lily Tomlin
Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown, NY)

Actress Lily Tomlin, one of America’s foremost comediennes, continues to venture across an ever-widening range of media – and now right into our own backyard! Tarrytown Music Hall, along with Music Without Borders, brings the funny woman to Westchester for a fun-filled evening of her matchless wit and inspiring talent. A comedic powerhouse since the ‘60s, Tomlin is well-known for her role on the TV series Laugh-in, and boasts shelves-full of awards including six Emmys; two Tonys; a Grammy for her comedy album, This is a Recording; and a Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics’ Circle Award for her one-woman performance in Jane Wagner’s The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. For more info, visit: www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do/event/lily-tomlin

Rockin’ Roots…

May 11, 8pm

Amy Helm Band
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts (Katonah, NY)
Amy Helm’s musical roots run deep. The daughter of rock legend Levon Helm, she grew up surrounded by musical creativity and spent many years singing and playing alongside her dad, absorbing the influences of such industry greats as Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris and Dr. John. As a member of the “rootsy” band Ollabelle and the Levon Helm and Dirt Farmer bands, Amy honed her soul-inflected vocal delivery and mandolin playing. Now she brings her years of experience to Caramoor, backed by an acoustic powerhouse featuring Byron Isaacs and Justin Guip of the Levon Helm Band, and extraordinary guitarist Dan Littelton. With strains of folk, gospel, blues and R&B, the music is uplifting and moving – and makes for a perfect Saturday night out. For more info, visit: www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do/event/amy-helm-band

Party for the arts…

May 17, 6-9pm
ArtsBash
ArtsWestchester (White Plains, NY)
Love great art and fantastic food? Look no further than ArtsBash – ArtsWestchester’s annual spring party for the arts! The festivities at our historic building in downtown White Plains include samplings of fine wine and delectable dishes from Westchester’s top restaurants and the premiere of an exciting new art exhibition, Placemaking: Re-envisioning White Plains.  Resident artists invite guests into their open studios throughout the 9-floor building while live music and a spirits lounge provide the perfect backdrop to the evening.  The best of Westchester is truly on display at this electric evening of food, fun and fabulous art. Plus, ticket purchases support the arts and cultural programs of ArtsWestchester. It’s a party and a great cause! For more info, visit www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do/artsbash

Free family fun…

May 18, 12-5pm

Family ArtsBash
ArtsWestchester (White Plains, NY)
When ArtsBash ends, the fun is far from over! Come back the following day for our FREE Family ArtsBash event. Visitors of all ages can tour our resident artists’ open studios and participate in family art workshops, including LEGO building, clay sculpting, portrait drawing, hat decorating and more. Kids can play interactive games, get their faces painted and decorate delicious cookies. There’s something for everyone during this fun-filled day of arts and discovery! It’s the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon with family or friends. For more info, visit www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do/party-for-the-arts/artsbash/family-artsbash

Get your pop culture fix…

May 17 & 18, 7:30pm
Pop Culture! Dance and Music
Irvington Town Hall Theater (Irvington, NY)
Popular culture defines us as a nation and is the foundation of our day-to-day entertainment, gossip and glee. The Sleepy Hollow Performing Artists present an energetic contemporary show exploring pop culture and its influences through fast paced, iconic American dance and music styles from the last twenty-five years. Prepare to be delighted and inspired by this award-winning company of truly unique and cutting edge talent. For more info, visit: www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do/event/pop-culture-dance-and-music

Art enlivens the streets…

May 21-July 13
Placemaking: Re-envisioning White Plains
ArtsWestchester (White Plains, NY)
White Plains is a happening place – restaurants, bars, shopping centers, arts venues – there’s always something to do! Shouldn’t the look of the streets match the vibrant pulse of the city? See how it can, in ArtsWestchester’s new exhibition, Placemaking: Re-envisioning White Plains. In this show, 26 talented artists present imaginative concepts for using art to enliven the downtown White Plains area. Their artistic visions for White Plains’ most visited and trafficked corridor will give residents a sense of how public art can animate and distinguish the streetscape. Public art livens up outdoor settings, inspires civic pride, attracts visitors and provides access to the arts for local residents. What’s not to love? This exhibition will inspire you to think deeply about how the city you hold dear can be the best it can be. For more info, visit www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do/placemaking

Stand-up stars…

May 31, 8:30pm

Laughing Out Loud: A Night of Stand-Up Comedy
Emelin Theatre (Mamaroneck, NY)
Everybody can use a good laugh! Two of Westchester’s best comedians, joined by two of their NYC buddies, come to the Emelin Theatre for a night that will make you laugh yourself silly. Host Sean Donnelly can be found headlining clubs all over New York and can be seen on the forthcoming season of Adam Devine’s House Party on Comedy Central. Comedian and writer Jonathan Morvay has written for nationally recognized comedy websites and has performed all over the U.S. and hosts a monthly show at Legion Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Josh Rabinowitz performs on the “CollegeHumor Live Tour” and was named one of Comedy Central’s “Comics to Watch” at the New York Comedy Festival. And rounding out the group – headliner Jon Fisch has been featured on Celebrity Apprentice, Late Show with David Letterman, and Last Comic Standing. Not to mention, he was hand-picked to open for Jerry Seinfeld at the Gotham Comedy Club. Enjoy a side-splitting night with these stand-up stars that you won’t soon forget. For more info, visit www.artswestchester.org/things-to-do/event/laughing-out-loud-a-night-of-stand-up-comedy

The post ArtsWestchester Presents… May Arts Highlights appeared first on stacyknows.com.

For the Stylish Housewife

Every gal can appreciate the indulgence of getting a Diptyque candle (cost: $28-$65). The French brand has a cult following of beauty and fashion aficionados around the world, as well as Martha Stewart devotees who are committed to treating guests to a memorable and welcoming experience when at their home. Some best-selling fragrance options include:

• Baies: light and fruity with a scent of roses and blackcurrant leaves.
• Rose duet: a limited-edition blend of the brand’s two most popular scents, roses and baies for a fruity and floral experience in a chic pink jar.
• Verveine: this scent is refreshing and clean smelling.
• Pomander: this spicy scent is a blend of orange, cinnamon and cloves.
• Feu de Bois: warm and woody, this scent is cozy and sophisticated.

Pair the candle with a bouquet of fresh flowers for a thoughtful gift that will really make her feel special. Add an element of surprise and have flowers delivered; FTD delivers flowers that are already arranged in a vase for a gorgeous presentation that your mom will surely love.

For the Mom About Town

Get your fashionable mom a designer handbag, the current handbag shape of the season, in a bright color. Whether you choose a small or large one, the proportions and detailing should be classic and ladylike. Look to the Hermes Kelly Handbag for inspiration. For material, leather is best in this style. Look for bold hues like neon pink, creamsicle orange and bright lavender. J. Crew’s Edie Purse (cost: $238) and Kate Spade’s Bow Terrace Bradshaw Handbag (cost: $498).

For the Aspiring Chef

She’s always cooking up something new, and with love as an ingredient in everything she makes, the results are always delicious. Get the aspiring chef a new cookbook to add to her collection. Choose one that has more than just basic recipes, but also offers insight into technique to provide a deeper understanding of how to prepare each dish. Some great options include:

• “The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America’s Most Imaginative Chefs” by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
• “Sauces: Classical and Contemporary Sauce Making” by James Peterson
• “I Know How to Cook” by Ginette Mathiot
• “The Science of Good Cooking” by the editors of America’s Test Kitchen and Guy Crosby
• “The Silver Spoon New Edition” by Phaidon Press

For the Athletic Mom

Whether she runs marathons, is a spin fanatic or starts each day on her yoga mat, one thing is certain, she takes her fitness very seriously. Get your athletic mom a gift that will help her keep track of her fitness goals so she can continue making strides to being her best self by getting her an UP by Jawbone   (cost: $129.99). This high-tech wristband tracks your movement 24/7 and offers insights into your habits with a coordinating app to help improve overall health and wellness.

Photo by Flickr user Loozrboy

The post Mother’s Day Gifts She’ll Love appeared first on stacyknows.com.

If you’ve landed a summer internship, congrats! Now you’re probably thinking about how to maintain the momentum to either transition to full time, or come back as a full time employee once school is over.

1. Go above and beyond. This helps you prove to your supervisor that you’re efficient and energetic about your work, which is only something you can prove through your actions.

2. Look the part. You don’t have to be a fashionista to get this part right … just follow the basic rules of appropriate office dress. Don’t let your attire get in the way of making a good impression!

3. Stay in touch with your adviser/supervisor. Drop them an email every now and then to catch up and make sure they know you’re interested if a position opens up. By nurturing this relationship, they are sure to remember you — and potentially recommend you for a position — long after you’re gone.

4. Ask for a recommendation letter before you leave. A perk of getting the letter before you leave is that your work abilities are still fresh in their mind. If you’ve got the support someone who works there, it’s a good indicator that you would fit in well long term.

5. Ask a current employee you trust for advice. Hiring is different from company to company. Some companies really value promoting from within, while others care more about finding the best candidate for the job.

And the conversation doesn’t stop there. For 20-somethigns who are as uncertain about their future as the cast of HBO’s hit show Girls,  U Chic’s Diploma Diaries: The Chic Grad’s Guide to Work, Love, and Everything in Between   is a collection of real advice from real young women who have lived through post-college life, and survived it, compiled by U Chic founder Christie Garton.

The post How to Turn an Internship into a Full-time Job appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

“Innovation happens because someone conceives of an idea that will make the world better, more efficient, or more interesting. We need more innovation, and it starts with entrepreneurs, designers and developers. Innovation starts here at Start Up Weekend,” says Chris Dessi, founder & CEO of Silverback Social: a social media marketing agencyrepresenting organizations like The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Dessi is hosting the Westchester Digital Summit, a
global social media & technology event being held at the Westchester County Center a few days before speaking at the
kickoff of Startup Weekend White Plains.
On Friday night, attendees will take the open mic to pitch their ideas to the group in 60 seconds or less. After groups
form, the rest of the weekend will be spent formulating the most popular ideas with the help of mentors and seasoned
startup entrepreneurs. By Sunday, teams will be ready to present their ideas in front of a panel of judges who will
award prizes, including a coworking membership at the Digital Arts Experience, a logo from the DAE’s creative team,
and a valuable social media consult with Silverback Social founder & CEO Chris Dessi, all of which are targeted to help
teams build their startups after the weekend. In addition, entrepreneurs-in-training will enjoy their fill of Starbucks
coffee, treats from Whole Foods, and beer courtesy of Yonkers Brewing Co.

Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups. If you want to put yourself in the shoes of an entrepreneur, register now for the best weekend of your life!

Related articles

• Startup Weekend Orlando 2013

The post Startup Weekend White Plains appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Image via CrunchBase

They say that the best camera is the one you have with you. That’s the main reason why iPhoneography has become a new national pastime. Compared to a DSLR camera, your iPhone is small, it’s already in your pocket, and it happens to take great pictures, too!

Whether camera-shy, camera curious or a bit too wiggly, snapping the perfect shot of your kid is often a challenge though. While the iPhone, with its smaller, less intimidating size, can definitely make things a little easier, here are some tips to help you capture every moment.

1.    There’s an App for That.
Sometimes, the camera on your iPhone just isn’t enough. There are 100s of photo apps available now, so play around and see which one you like best. Camera+ is a great one to try because it’s easy to use and lets you experiment with borders, filters, cropping, and more. For editing, Snap Seed is a user-friendly way to enhance your photos and, if you desire, add effects.

2.    Location, location, location.
iPhones are handy to capture the unexpected moments. But, if you’re planning a photo session with your little one, be sure to scout the best location. You want to have a nice backdrop that doesn’t distract from the focus of your picture. A place with natural light is always best as well.

3.    Hold on tight.
Holding your iPhone steady, when also wrangling a squirmy subject, can be tricky. Rather than trying to hold with one hand and take the picture with your thumb on the same hand, try holding your iPhone with one hand, and using the other hand to snap the picture.

4.    The right stuff.
Everybody needs a little help sometimes. There are a lot of fun accessories available to help you take the best pictures with your iPhone. MirrorCase, for example, lets you hold your iPhone horizontally and away from your face so you don’t miss the action with your own eyes. What’s more, your kids aren’t distracted because they don’t see your phone in “camera position.” Tripods, like the super versatile Joby GorillaPod, are great too – you can position your camera anywhere, and even get in on the photo yourself!

5.    Take aim.
Be creative when lining up your shot. If you take all of your photos from your perspective, you will have a lot of unflattering angles of your child looking up at you. Get down to your child’s level, or maybe even lower, to take advantage of some unique angles.

6.    Let there be light.
Regardless of whether you’re using an iPhone or an expensive professional camera, lighting will make or break a photo. Bright, natural light is best, but try to avoid aiming your iPhone camera directly into the light. Alternatively, watch how the light affects your kids – you don’t want them squinting into the sun, or to have harsh shadows across their face.

7.    Just keep shooting.
The beauty of digital is that you can take as many pictures as you want, and they don’t all have to be perfect. Don’t worry about taking a bad shot while you’re taking the photos, just take as many as you can and pick out the best few later on.

8.    Live action.
Similarly, you can also opt to take a short video instead of a still picture. This is an especially ingenious idea if you’re trying to capture a specific moment centered around action – first steps, swinging at the playground, throwing an adorably heinous tantrum. Grab a short video of the moment and then take multiple screen captures from the footage later on to get that perfect still shot. 

9.    Get close.
Whenever possible, avoid the zoom on the iPhone camera itself and get physically closer to your kids when taking the picture. You’ll sacrifice quality the more you zoom, and being closer picks up on details your camera may miss from far away.

10.    Keep it clean.
Most of us are good about wiping the screen of our iPhones, because it’s the part we see everyday. But, it’s the lens on the other side that captures the beautiful pictures! Be sure you’re cleaning the lens regularly – with a microfiber cloth, no liquids – so that perfect shot isn’t photo bombed by a dust bunny!

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to take beautiful iPhone photos of your family with confidence. Now, get out there and make some memories!

The post 10 Tips to Take Great iPhone Photos appeared first on stacyknows.com.

 
There is nothing like the freedom of the sea-walking along the shore, collecting seashells, and breathing in the salt air. That’s why we love this beautiful table décor from patrice. It’s the closest thing to being on the beach without stepping foot on the sand. Classic nautical colors like Mediterranean blue and pure sandy white dress up your table in a beautiful pattern inspired by beaches from around the world.
These tablecloths, napkins and placemats bring both style and serenity to the table. A welcome pop of color and intricate detail make this collection perfect for summer entertaining, special occasions or simply a year-round reminder of the shore. Surround yourself with seashells and coral, and have dinner By the Sea.

patrice
A Lifestyle Collection

Hand embroidered Tunics in bright patterns
Hot trend of the season – Cotton Eyelet Tunics
Jewelry that complements the Tunics
For more information please contact:

patrice.1collection@gmail.com

The post By The Sea on Your Table appeared first on stacyknows.com.

REMIX & REOPEN:

NEW, TIMELY EXHIBITION AT NEUBERGER MUSEUM OF ART OF PURCHASE COLLEGE OFFERS FRESH VIEW ON PRE-COLUMBIAN PAST 

NEUBERGER MUSEUM REOPENS WITH A DAYLONG CELEBRATION

Pre-Columbian Remix:

The Art of Enrique Chagoya, Demián Flores,

Rubén Ortiz-Torres, and Nadín Ospina

April 28–July 14, 2013

Celebration on Sunday, April 28 is free and open to the public

The Neuberger Museum of Art of Purchase College reopens on Sunday, April 28^th with the provocative exhibition Pre-Columbian Remix: The Art of Enrique Chagoya, Demián Flores, Rubén Ortiz-Torres, and Nadín Ospina, and a grand daylong celebration which is free and open to the public. (The Museum had been closed for ten months during extensive HVAC renovation work.) Free admission with tours of the exhibition, Latin jazz, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and activities for the entire family are planned for opening day.

The memory of pre-Columbian cultures, of its icons and myths, is ever present throughout Latin America. In fact, in most Latin American countries, the very idea of Pre-Columbian heritage (indigenous culture before European colonization) has been a strategy to reinforce national unity. But this trend is being challenged by four leading Latin American artists, whose work is the focus of the exhibition Pre-Columbian Remix, on view at the Neuberger Museum of Art, from April 28 through July 14, 2013.

By fusing ancient Aztec, Mayan or Incan art forms with pop-culture imagery in an ironic and often humorous manner, the artists address present day concerns relating to universal themes of consumption, corruption, and globalization. The result is an engaging, provocative, twenty-first century composite portrait. Re-mixed, and renewed, the past becomes accessible under very different perspectives.

“By re-mixing elements from different times and places in novel ways, the work of the artists presented here offers a new reading of history,” notes Patrice Giasson, curator of the exhibition. “The past is not conceived as a long narrative of successive events in time but rather as something integrated into the present. This allows the artists to inscribe their own time and concerns into the historical framework.”

Pre-Columbian Remix, features more than 90 works of art, including stone sculptures, lithographs, large-scale paintings, platinum and cyanotype prints, and a monumental outdoor inflatable sculpture, on loan from different locations in the Americas (Bogotá, Mexico City, San Diego, New Jersey, New York). The works are by Enrique Chagoya, Demián Flores, Rubén Ortiz Torres, and Nadín Ospina. 

Enrique Chagoya  (b. 1953, Mexico City, Mexico; lives and works in San Francisco, CA)

Chagoya makes paintings and prints about the changing nature of culture. By juxtaposing secular, popular, and religious symbols, he creates deceptively friendly points of entry for the discussion of complex issues. Pop icons such as Mickey Mouse and Superman are placed side by side with ancient sacred images to create a tension and dialogue between different cultures. The artist addresses colonialism and oppression. Explains Chagoya: “Cultures are transformed and often completely destroyed by conquering ones. The world is endlessly re-mapped and re-named, with new rules and rulers in recurrent holocausts… This is the raw material for my art.”

Demián Flores (b. 1971, Oaxaca, Mexico; lives and works in Mexico City and Oaxaca)

This is the first exhibition of Demián Flores’ work in New York and the most complete survey exhibition he has had in the United States to date. With an intense direct style, Flores anchors his work in the reality of contemporary Mexico. He mixes images from Mexico’s past and present – pre-Columbian warriors, fertility figures, and pyramids, with present day comic book characters and appropriated images from pop culture, such as baseball, soccer, and boxing.  This hybrid product reflects controlled violence, and his concerns about the survival of pre-Columbian roots in a world increasingly homogenized by globalization and a different sort of colonization achieved by the bombardment and power of mass media imagery. All this, the artist believes, leads to alienation and a cultural identity crisis in Oaxacan communities.  

Rubén Ortiz-Torres (b. 1964, Mexico City, Mexico; lives and works in Los Angeles and San Diego, CA)

The work of Ortiz-Torres also addresses hybridization, the blend of Mexican and American cultures and what happens when those cultures come together. A resident of Los Angeles, Ortiz-Torres is concerned with transnational cultural media and objects … photography, video, film, painting, baseball caps, custom cars, machinery, puppets, and the collisions of art and culture. “My work interacts with the cultural and iconographic post-national chaos,” he once commented. He sees uncertainty, dislocation and the creative compromises that characterize peoples and places–and considers the possibilities. With the world in transition, he addresses the implications of multiculturalism and the politics of identity.

Nadín Ospina  (b. 1960 Bogotá, Colombia; lives and works in Bogotá)

Pre-Columbian Remix is the most representative and complete exhibition of Ospina’s work to be exhibited in New York. It includes works from one of the artist’s most significant body of work known as El sueño americano  (The American Dream). This exhibition also includes Ospina’s giant inflatable sculpture, The Stroller, which was presented at the 7th Havana Biennial (2000) and at the 49th Venice Biennial (2001), and on view now for the first time in New York.

Pre-Columbian Remix: The Art of Enrique Chagoya, Demián Flores, Rubén Ortiz-Torres, and Nadín Ospina is organized by Patrice Giasson, Alex Gordon Associate Curator of Art of the Americas. The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue edited by Giasson, with additional essays by Joaquín Barriendos, Jaime Cerón, Serge Gruzinski, and Julian Kreimer

Support for Pre-Columbian Remix is provided by the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art, and ArtsWestchester, with support from Westchester County Government.   Additional funding is provided by Krytzia and Eugenio Minvielle, the Alex Gordon Estate,  and the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York.

The Neuberger Museum of Art has organized the following exhibition-related programs and events in conjunction with the exhibition. They are free with Museum admission, unless otherwise specified.

Sunday, April 28

1:00–4:00 pm

Public Opening Celebration of Museum and Pre-Columbian Remix

Latin jazz; white wine sangria; empanadas, salsa, crab cakes, vegetable burritos, and more! Pre-Columbian Remix curator Patrice Giasson and the artists will be in attendance. Family activities occur throughout the afternoon.

Admission and refreshments are free.

Wednesday, May 1

4:45–8:00 pm

Neu First Wednesdays: Pre-Columbian Sacrifice Remix (Devotional Altar)

Underground video, music, and performance artist group Sonido Apokalitzin visit the Neuberger Museum from Mexico City to perform with Purchase College student musicians and dancers for an all-out party, celebrating the re-opening of the Museum and the exhibition Pre-Columbian Remix. Witness a neo-mambo performance in the flesh: dj/vj artists live-mix videos of contemporary Mexican and pre-Columbian life, and dancers perform to live music, creating an experience that can’t be replicated. Come dance with us!

Admission and refreshments are free.

Thursday, May 2

7:00 pm

Art Comes to the Street: Sonido Apokalitzin and Joanquín Barriendos in Conversation

Join Mexico-City based performance artist group Sonido Apokalitzin and Joaquín Barriendos, a professor in the Department of Latin American and Iberian Cultures at Columbia University, and exhibition catalgoue essayist, in a conversation about urban culture and society in contemporary Mexico.

Open to the public.

Sunday, May 5

2:00 pm

Commemorate Cinco de Mayo with a special tour

Join us when we commemorate this historical day with a special docent-led tour around its cultural significance as reflected in the artworks included in Pre-Columbian Remix.

Saturday, June 1

1:00–4:00 pm

Family First Saturdays: Personal Stories, Ancient Books

Workshop for kids tots to ten, accompanied by an adult: look at the work of artist Enrique Chagoya, who connects ancient Aztec book-making traditions with his imaginative stories of popular characters, then illustrate a book which tells a story of an imaginary character.                                                                   Admission and refreshments are free.

Friday, June 21

7:00 pm

Art in Dialogue: a single work of art from Pre-Columbian Remix

Join in an extended conversation with a museum educator around a single work of art from the exhibition Pre-Columbian Remix. Enjoy the opportunity to have “a long look” at a great work of art, and the chance to converse with fellow art-lovers.

Reservations are required due to space limitations. Art in Dialogue takes place after the galleries are closed to the public.

—–

The Neuberger Museum of Art of Purchase College engages and inspires diverse audiences by actively fostering the study, appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of modern art, African art, and the art of our time. The Museum is located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, New York (Westchester). 914-251-6100

Museum Hours

Tuesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 5 pm

Closed Mondays and major holidays

Group tours by appointment only on Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 am to 12 noon

For persons with special needs, designated parking is available at the south end

of the Museum building. Call ahead for wheelchair accommodations.

Museum Store                                                                                                       

Open during Museum hours. The store features a broad selection of art books,

art cards, handcrafted jewelry, children’s items and one-of-a-kind limited edition gifts.

Admission

$5.00 General Public

$3:00 seniors and students with valid ID.

Museum members, children 12 and under, Purchase College students and faculty admitted free.

Directions

The Neuberger Museum of Art is easily accessible by car or bus, and may also be reached by Metro-North. By car: From the North or South – take the Hutchinson River Parkway to Exit 28. Head north on Lincoln Avenue to Anderson Hill Road. Turn right onto Anderson Hill Road. Left at first traffic light into Purchase College campus. From 684 – take Exit 2 South on Route 120 to Anderson Hill Road. Turn left onto Anderson Hill to 2nd traffic light. Turn left at Purchase College campus.  From the East – take Route 287 (Cross Westchester Expressway) to Exit 8E. Take second left over Expressway onto Anderson Hill Road. Follow signs to SUNY Purchase.

The Neuberger Museum of Art is an integral part of Purchase College, State University of New York. The

Museum is supported in part by the State University of New York. Support for the Museum’s collection, exhibitions, publications, and education programs is provided by grants from public and private

agencies, individual contributions, and the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art’s members and Board. Additional funding is provided by ArtsWestchester, with funds from Westchester County government, and the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

The post Neuberger Museum of Art Reopens with Provocative Exhibition and Daylong Public Celebration (free) on Sunday, April 28 appeared first on stacyknows.com.

 Whether a horse race fan or not, throwing a Kentucky Derby party can liven up the sometimes lackluster month of May. With a nearly 140 year history, the Derby (also known as the Run for the Roses, because of the rose covered blanket the winning horse earns) offers a vibrant theme for party organizers. 

Interested in planning your own Kentucky Derby Party? Incorporate these ideas:

• Plan your party for Saturday, May 4th – the race will begin around 6:30 p.m. (ET), so have your guests arrive early for a late afternoon celebration.
• Fashionable attire is a must at the Derby. Linen suits and oversize hats are common. Encourage your guests to bring their own, or pick up a selection from a thrift store.
• Serve Mint Juleps. Add an extra twist to the traditional Derby drink by adding a dash of Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Pure Orange Extract to each beverage.

• Set up a photo booth, with extra hats, fake mustaches, or jockey attire.
• Burgoo, a thick and spicy stew, is the traditional meal. Make yours with a splash of Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Pure Coffee Extract, to deepen the flavor.
• Have guests pick a horse. Have a prize on hand for the person who selects the winning stead – a red rose bouquet would make a theme-appropriate prize.
• Treat guests to a slice of rich pecan pie for dessert. Flavored with Nielsen- Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste (recipe below), the pie will make all your guests feel like a winner.

A from-scratch pecan pie will be the hit of the party. This carefully developed recipe makes sure every bite, including the rich crust, is flavorful with just a touch of crunch. Serve it warm, with a small scoop of high quality vanilla ice cream.

Pecan Pie
Sweet Flaky Pastry Dough
2 cups plus 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
4 tablespoons superfine sugar
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter, chopped into pieces
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Paste or Extract

1. Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Using your fingertips, rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs.

2. Make a well in the center and add the rest of the ingredients. Again using your fingertips, mix together to make a smooth dough.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and lightly knead two or three times. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes before using.

4. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface or piece of plastic wrap to 2 inches larger than you pan.

5. Grease a 9 inch diameter shallow pie plate or tart pan, then lift the dough over a rolling pin and lightly drape it over the pan. Peel away the plastic wrap, if using.

6. Gently lift the edges of the dough upward and ease the dough into position. Press the dough firmly but gently into place with your fingertips, making sure that there are no gaps between the dough and the pan.

7. Turn any excess dough outward over the run of the tart pan, then run the rolling pin over the top of the pan so that any excess dough is cut off. Smooth any rough edges with the side of a blunt knife. Prick the bottom of the pastry shell with a fork. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. (This will help to stop it from shrinking during baking.)

8. Place a large piece of nonstick parchment paper over the bottom and sides of the pastry shell. Fill the bottom with pie weights. (These are available from cookware department of large department stores and specialty cookware shops—or use dried uncooked beans.)

9. Bake in a preheated oven, at 350°F, for 10-15 minutes, or until the shell is just set, then remove the paper and weights and cook empty for another 10 minutes, or until the bottom is dry and crisp and the top edges of the tart are golden. Leave the piecrust in the pan and continue with the recipe.

Pecan Pie Filling
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 2⁄3 cups chopped pecans
1 cup pecan halves
2 1/2 oz semisweet dark chocolate, chopped
3 eggs
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
2⁄3 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons bourbon whiskey (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350°F.

1. Place the chopped pecans and pecan halves on separate baking sheets and roast them in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until golden and fragrant.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl set it over a saucepan of barely simmering water, making sure the surface of the water does not touch the bowl.

3. In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and bourbon, if using, then beat in the melted chocolate and butter.

4. Place the chopped pecans in the lined pie plate, cover with the maple and chocolate mixture, and arrange the pecan halves on top.

5. Bake in the oven for 50 minutes, or until golden and set. Serve warm, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Serves 8

Tip: When roasting nuts in the oven, keep an eye on them at all times and don’t leave them unattended, because they can burn quickly.

This enticing recipe is provided by Chef Eric Lanlard from his cookbook Tart It Up! Sweet & Savor Tarts & Pies.

About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar and Certified Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Beans.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas recently introduced a line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are Allergen-Free and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free.

The post Kentucky Derby Party Ideas appeared first on stacyknows.com.

He says many things that we take for granted today were once considered impossible, but visionaries know that what can be imagined can be achieved. For example: people laughed at the thought of putting a man on the moon, or who would have ever conceived the idea in the days of the Pony Express that one day we’d be able to send mail electronically in seconds?  What about building a car, computer or even the internet?

Bet-David says doing the impossible is not for the timid, and it’s not the safe and secure road. It means taking a leap of faith, leaving your comfort zone and risking failure.

His tips:

-          Know your why.  If your why is strong enough, the how doesn’t matter. Your why is what fuels your life, and it’s what keeps you going when you feel tired, overwhelmed or disappointed.

-          Decide to be the chosen one.  Those who dare to do the impossible desire to be the solution to a problem. They thrive on people relying on them.  They enjoy delivering on their promises. They seek out responsibility. 

-          Go all in with one industry. Everyone is looking for the latest and greatest thing, but the great ones devote their passion to the one thing they love and stick to it. It means putting all your chips in the pot and becoming the best.  Good examples are Michael Jordan with basketball or Donald Trump with real estate.

-          Push the envelope. This means go beyond the limits of what you know you can do and find out what you are capable of. Growth comes from resistance. If you’re not experiencing any resistance in your life, you’re probably not growing personally and professionally. 

-          Silence your critics.  Doing the impossible means moving beyond the naysayers, those who doubt you and say you’ll never do it.  It will come from family, friends and colleagues, but turning the criticism into motivation is the key. Take their “it can’t be done” and turn it into “I’ll prove you wrong.”

Bet-David says if you don’t have a vision that drives you to do the impossible, the mechanics of how to get there are irrelevant. Once you fully commit yourself to the process, he says anyone can do the impossible.

www.patrickbetdavid.com

http://patrickbetdavid.com/doing-the-impossible.html

The post Expert Tips for Making the Impossible Possible appeared first on stacyknows.com.

Lover’s Day is the perfect time to take time out of our busy schedules and remind your partner what he/she means to you. In honor of Lover’s Day, below please find a few “Tips for Enhancing a New or Existing Relationship” along with statistics and data from LifeStyles recent Sexual Satisfaction Survey that support these ideas:

• Build a strong foundation first.

•  It’s cliché to say “the best relationships always start out as friendships…” but honestly – this is often true. Even a physical connection is typically much better with someone you know, like and trust over a person you just met out at the bar. And although it may seem like casual hookups and one night stands are taking place everywhere, promiscuity is actually overrated (and over reported). In reality, Americans aren’t sleeping around as much as the media may portray. In fact, about 50% of males (49%) and females (48%) from LifeStyles Sexual Satisfaction Survey have had fewer than 4 partners in their lifetime.

• Mix Things Up (In and Out of the Bedroom!) 

  No matter how much you love your partner and enjoy his/her company, everyone likes to feel appreciated. Whether you decide to mix things up by surprising your significant other with concert tickets to her favorite band or courtside seats for his favorite team, the gesture will not go unappreciated. If you’re trying to do something to keep the spice alive behind closed doors, don’t count out toys. LifeStyles survey finds that 55% of females want to incorporate sex toys into their bedroom behavior, and 26% of them already do. Guys wouldn’t mind getting in on the action either, with 59% reporting they’d like to take females up on this offer.

• Be direct about your wants and needs in a relationship.

• Often times in a relationship it is easier to say nothing than to rock the boat (this is usually especially true of women.) Your partner is not going to recognize or acknowledge an issue unless you express how you are feeling. Open communication can also be helpful in the bedroom – 51% of men say they openly talk to their partner about sexual fantasies while only 46% of women can say the same.

• Don’t turn in to the paranoid partner.

• For a relationship to succeed, you must make the conscious decision to trust your partner. Constantly accusing them of cheating, going through their phone or emails to find evidence of cheating, etc. can often create a problem that never even existed. And the good news is – fidelity is not dead! According to LifeStyles Sexual Satisfaction Survey, more than three-quarters of respondents (77%) have never cheated on their significant other, and the same number still wouldn’t cheat, even if they knew they wouldn’t get caught.

The post April 23 is “Lover’s Day”- Tips to Enhance Your Relationship appeared first on stacyknows.com.

   All pre-registered attendees will be entered into a raffle for an iPod mini.  Registration can be accomplished by logging into bedford2020.org/carshow201

Get behind the wheel of today’s most advanced Hybrid, Electric and Plug-in Hybrid cars with MPGs from 45 to 105!

Get the complete picture about Electric Drive Vehicles, in one place, at one time — every Electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid car available on the market in New York State.

Sunday, April 28 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (rain or shine)

Grand Prix New York at the Park

333 North Bedford Road, Mount Kisco, NY

What’s Happening at the Car Show?

Get the complete picture about Electric Drive Vehicles

In one place, at one time, see the complete picture.

Every Electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid car available on the market in New York State.

Ride/Drive or Talk with the Dealer:

Tesla Model S

Nissan Leaf

BMW Active E

Chevy Volt, Malibu Eco

Toyota Prius, Prius v, Prius c, Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Honda Accord Plug-in, Civic, CR-Z, Insight

Lexus RX550H, CT200H, ES300H …and more!

Owners’ Corner: Get the Inside Scoop

Talk to the owners of the Electric Drive vehicles.  Ask them the benefits and issues of each of the cars

Learn How to Charge Your Electric Drive Car

• Discuss with the experts — charging in off-peak times,
• using solar power
• See demonstrations of Charging Stations
• Solar panels for garages
• Talk with Solar Power Installers
• Walk into the future and see how train stations, equipped with solar roof panels are perfect spot to charge your car

Municipal Fleet Vehicles: Learn How to Save Money and Reduce Pollution

• Check out what local towns are doing with electric drive vehicles — traffic enforcement electric cars, hybrid sanitation trucks, hybrid transit buses
• Find out how to analyze cost savings for your municipality over the lifetime of the vehicle

Business Owners: find out how to save money with electric fleet vehicles

Farmers/Landscapers/Horse riders: Check out Electric pick-up trucks and other farm equipment

Students and Parents: Talk to the experts about how to build an Electric Car; check out the fuel and maintenance savings on electric drive vehicles

Check Out the Future — It’s Here Today!

Why Switch to Electric Drive Vehicles?

Because they save money, reduce pollution, increase energy independence, and create jobs.

Right now, dependence on oil threatens our nation’s economic, environmental and national security. And two-thirds of our total oil consumption is used just for transportation. If we electrified just half of cars and light trucks in America, we could reduce oil consumption by nearly 5 million barrels a day. We’d also improve human health and the environment. Cars and trucks in the United States emit about one million tons of CO2 every day.

Bedford 2020 Coalition, the sponsor of the Car Show, is a nonprofit committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving our natural resources and educating the community about actions they can take to achieve these goals.

For more information, go to www.bedford2020.org/carshow2013

The post GPNY Hosting New York’s First Fuel Efficient Car Show appeared first on stacyknows.com.

What makes Hudson Learning Lab different from traditional tutors?

Each child is a unique learner.  Some may have challenges with academic skills and organization which prevent them from getting the grades they deserve.  This can lead to poor self-confidence and lack of motivation.

Dr. Mitchell Samet and Marcella Moran founded Hudson Learning Lab as an alternative to traditional tutoring centers which rely on subject-area specialists (study buddy) or a “one size fits all” system.  Hudson Learning Lab offers CUSTOM-DESIGNED interventions based on your child’s specific learning profile and needs.  Each child receives a customized learning program utilizing scientifically based interventions and learning strategies, and progress is monitored continually for optimal results.

Tell me about the founders:

Dr. Samet is a well-known school psychologist, educational psychology professor, and NYS licensed psychologist in private practice.  He has over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families.  Marcella Moran, MA, LMHC is a licensed psychotherapist who works with families to develop positive strategies for students who are disorganized.  She is the co-author of Organizing the Disorganized Child along with internationally renowned Neurologist, Dr. Martin Kutscher.

How do I get my child/adolescent started?

Hudson Learning Lab begins with a comprehensive intake in which parents meet with the directors to review prior test results, teacher comments and school records and discuss a variety of customized intervention available to help their children achieve optimally.  Educational screening is also available to help clarify each student’s strengths/challenges and identify their learning style.

What supports are available through Hudson Learning Lab?

Our learning specialists are certified master teachers with expertise in special education, time management, organizational coaching, writing, subject area specializations, mathematics, and literacy. They provide effective interventions for students with a variety of academic challenges including mild learning delays, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, organizational challenges, Dyslexia, ASD, language and auditory delays, including:

What are the locations for Hudson Learning Lab?

351 Manville Road, Suite 104, Pleasantville, NY 10570

111 N Central Ave, Suite 410, Hartsdale, NY 10530

How do I contact Hudson Learning Lab?

Phone: 914-579-2224

Email: info@hudsonlearninglab.com

http://hudsonlearninglab.com

The post It’s Not Just Tutoring appeared first on stacyknows.com.

  

On April 22nd, the world will celebrate Earth Day. Sustainable food and agriculture systems can play a big role in preserving the environment by helping to improve soil health, protecting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. Earth Day is a great opportunity for eaters, farmers, and food businesses to make changes in their diets, shopping habits, and production practices that will promote sustainable, healthy food throughout the year.

Agriculture contributes to some 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. And the environmental damage brought on by the agricultural sector poses significant threats to the industry itself.

But there’s a better way to produce—and eat—food.

“The rise of processed foods and a push for high yield, single-crop farms, is leading to not only soil degradation and water scarcity, but also unhealthy consumers,” says Ellen Gustafson, co-founder of Food Tank.

The time to act is now – and the good news is that breakfast, lunch and dinner are all easy places to start making a difference. Being aware of the environmental costs that unsustainable farming and eating practices can have on the environment, and making food choices accordingly, can help to fight climate change and protect the environment.

“From Uganda and India to the United States, farmers are gaining economic stability and supporting healthy communities through sustainable agriculture practices,” says Danielle Nierenberg, co-founder of Food Tank. “As eaters, we all can do our part to support systems that protect both human health and the planet.”

This year Food Tank: The Food Think Tank is celebrating the ways everyone can protect the planet, on Earth Day, and every day this year.

Here are 13 recommendations from Food Tank for ways to support the future of food, health, and agriculture:

Eat more colors
The colors of fruits and vegetables are signs of nutritional content. A richly-colored red tomato has high levels of carotenoids such as lycopene, which the American Cancer Society reports can help prevent cancer, as well as heart disease. The relationship between nutrients and color is also true for other foods. Eggs that have brightly orange-colored yolks are also high in cancer-fighting carotenoids, and are more likely to be produced by healthier chickens.

Buy food with less packaging
Discarded packaging makes up around one-third of all waste in industrialized countries, with negative impacts on the climate, and air and water quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s analysis of different packaging for tomatoes found that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) clamshell packaging increases tomatoes’ associated carbon emissions by 10 percent. The most effective way to limit the impact of packaging waste is to prevent it. Choosing foods with less packaging can also be better for our waistlines, since highly processed foods that are low in nutrients generally use more packaging than more healthful, less processed options.

Choose seasonal produce
Earth Day offers a great opportunity to bring more seasonal fruits and vegetables into diets. Many farmers markets, including the New York City Greenmarkets, offer guides about which products are in season. Locally sourced, seasonal products can also be found at major grocery stores. Another way to get seasonal foods is to sign up for a weekly CSA, which provides a mix of fresh, seasonal produce throughout the year. Other programs, such as Siren Fish Co.’s SeaSA in San Francisco, offer seasonal meats and seafood.

Get in touch with agriculture
This time of year, many people are starting to plan vacations. A great way to skip the crowds, save money, and get both children and adults in touch with agriculture is to book a farm-stay through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms(WWOOF). WWOOF runs networks in most countries around the world, offering individuals and families the opportunity to directly support small-scale family farmers. Participants spend a few days or weeks living with a host family and helping with tasks around the farm in exchange for free food and lodging.

Get creative in the kitchen
Shopping at farmers markets, which often have a wide selection of less-ordinary produce such as celeriac, sunchokes, or kohlrabi, can prevent “food ruts” by helping consumers try new foods. When looking for inspiration, many popular recipe blogs, such as smitten kitchen, allow users to search by ingredient, as well as season.. Publications such as Diet for a Small Planet and the Boston Globe’s new Sunday Supper and More e-cookbook series also offer tips on reusing leftovers to reduce food waste.

Invest in perennial crops
Perennial plants—plants that grow back every year—tend to hold water in soil more effectively than annuals and help prevent erosion. Their extensive roots also allow them to better access nutrients and water, reducing the need for artificial fertilizer. Researchers from the University of Illinois found that perennial prairie grasses are up to four times as water efficient as row crops such as corn and wheat.  The Land Institute works to breed perennial varieties of corn, wheat, rice, and other annual crops.

Reclaim abandoned spaces
As populations continue to expand, especially in cities, reclaiming unused land and buildings for food production can help meet growing demand. One new model is The Plant, a former meatpacking plant in Chicago that has been converted into an indoor vertical farm. The Plant currently runs an aquaponics farm, growing plants without soil using waste from its man-made tilapia pools. It also offers shared kitchen space for small businesses, and other services.

Build local and global food communities 
A great way to get involved in food and agriculture issues is with Slow Food International, an organization with more than 1,300 groups around the world called convivia. These groups support healthy, sustainable diets and traditional food cultures. In addition to local initiatives, Slow Food convivia also arrange regional and international events on important food and agriculture issues, such as Slow Food València’s recent conference on the influence of food in health and disease.

DIY
Many Do-It-Yourself (DIY) food projects are easy and fun. Turning old t-shirtsinto produce bags to save plastic, starting seeds in eggshells, which can then be crushed for transplanting into the soil, and DIY foods such as homemade oat oralmond milk can all add a creative twist to healthy eating and sustainable agriculture. Plus, they are lots of fun for families.

Cook in batches and freeze for later
Planning meals in advance can help reduce stress around cooking. It also helps reduce food waste, which is a big problem in industrialized countries A great way to reduce waste and make planning easy is to cook large batches of a single meal, such as soups or curries, which can be frozen and reused on short notice later in the week. Preparing large amounts of food at once saves energy during cooking, while freezing helps prevent nutrient loss in fruits and vegetables. For those days when there is more time to cook, tools such as Love Food Hate Waste menu planner shopping list can help organize grocery trips.

Brighten your outlook
At the recent Warwick Economics Summit in February, Warwick University Economics Professor Dr. Andrew Oswald presented his research on health and happiness, focusing on the link between happiness and consumption of fruits and vegetables. His team of researchers found that eating more fruits and vegetables directly improves a person’s mental wellbeing, separate from other variables such as income level and how much meat a person ate. This research is supported by asimilar study from the Harvard School of Public Health, which found a link between patients’ blood-level of carotenoids, compounds commonly found in colorful fruits and vegetables, and their feelings of optimism.

Use crop rotation
Crop rotation is an important way to preserve soil nutrients, prevent erosion, and protect against crop diseases and pests. In the central Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, agronomists at Agro Norte have developed new varieties of rice and dry beans that are well suited to the region’s tropical climate. By incorporating rice and beans into their yearly harvests, local soybean farmers can reduce the spread of soybean rust and nematodes, two of the biggest threats to their crops. The system also improves soil quality and provides jobs at times when soy and corn are not harvested.

Embrace conviviality around the table
Talking and laughing while sharing food is a uniquely human experience. Conviviality, joyful and friendly interaction, is found at markets and around the dinner table, and it supports healthy relationships and healthy bodies. The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition considers convivial food culture one of the most critical aspects of food and agriculture, alongside health, hunger alleviation, and sustainable development. Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Minnesota agree, reporting that the reported benefits of family dinners on children’s mental health and achievement levels depend on engagement with their parents at these meals.

Standing up for the future of people and the planet is important on Earth Day and every day. This week is a great chance to work toward making 2013 a year for sustainable food and agriculture!

About Food Tank
Food Tank: The Food Think Tank (www.FoodTank.org), founded by Danielle Nierenberg and Ellen Gustafson, is a think tank focused on feeding the world better. We research and highlight environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity and poverty and create networks of people, organizations, and content to push for food system change.

The post Earth Day: 13 Things Everyone Can Do in 2013 appeared first on stacyknows.com.

The post Divorce 101 appeared first on stacyknows.com.