Simple Ways College Grads Can Give Back to their Alma Maters
(ARA) – A college education does far more than give graduates a competitive edge when entering the working world. For many people, college marked a time when they forged friendships and romances that last a lifetime. Is it any wonder, then, that so many college graduates seek creative ways to nourish their bond with their alma mater years – often decades – after they’ve left the college’s hallowed halls?
From following their college’s sports teams to carrying the same school coffee mug from job to job, many alumni are passionate about their schools. In fact, 57 percent of college graduates say their college years were the best years of their lives, according to the MyExpression(TM) Alumni Survey sponsored by Bank of America. Nearly 50 percent still consider themselves college sports fanatics and 58 percent would like their children to follow in their collegiate footsteps, the survey found.
With prices rising on everything from gas to groceries, it can become challenging for some alumni to make cash donations to their colleges or universities. More than half (55 percent) of survey respondents don’t donate to their alma maters, and just 27 percent donate $100 or more per year. Of those who don’t donate, 38 percent say it’s because they just haven’t gotten around to it, or that it is difficult to juggle donations amid other financial and time obligations.
There are, however, creative ways to support your school without spending a dime. If you still live near your school, you can volunteer with programs and campus events, provide tutoring in your major field or donate your time and professional experience by speaking with current students. If you no longer live close to your alma mater, contact the student services department to find out if there are ways you can participate remotely – whether it’s offering tutoring services online or volunteering a few hours for the school’s student information hotline.
Another easy way to support your alma mater is through affinity banking products. Bank of America offers branded credit cards, check cards and checks that support a variety of alumni organizations, professional organizations and charitable causes through its MyExpression product line. For passionate alumni, every time a new MyExpression alumni checking account is opened and for every subsequent purchase made with a MyExpression check card, a contribution is made to the alumni organization featured on the card. Given that two-thirds of alumni own college-branded gear, and nearly 50 percent proudly don a college-branded sweatshirt, a college-branded check card that gives back may be just the hassle-free combination of pride and passion alums are looking for.
“People are always looking for easy ways to support what’s important to them. However, prioritizing one’s college or university among so many other responsibilities – financially and otherwise – can be a tall order,” says Stephen Gillin, Affinity Banking executive. “That’s exactly where the Bank of America MyExpression alumni accounts fit in. Alumni can easily convert their school passion into support for their school, simply by making their everyday purchases with their MyExpression alumni account.”
Alumni and university fans can learn more about MyExpression Banking products at more than 6,100 Bank of America banking centers, or online at www.bankofamerica.com/myexpression.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
‘Tis the Season for Easy and Affordable Handcrafted Gifts
(ARA) – The holiday season is a memorable time associated with fun, family and lots of presents. As you consider what to give the people on your gift list, why not try something different this year?
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores suggests, “Let’s make Christmas!” Handmade gifts are a trend across the country due to their highly personal nature and the fact that they often cost less than store bought items.
“This holiday, forget about that boring or expensive store-bought present. Handmade gifts are more popular than ever, and for good reason,” says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “In the current economic climate, people are turning to crafting presents to save money and are discovering that these gifts are so unique that they’re often the gifts that are remembered most.”
Atchison explains that many great gifts can be made for less than $25. She advises aspiring crafters to choose a favorite project and make things in quantities. You’ll save even more money because you buy the supplies and then split the cost. Consider gathering a few friends or family members and creating a gift-making get together! You’ll get crafts done efficiently and spend quality time with the ones you love.
Here are some ideas to inspire you in creating homemade gifts this year:
*An apron is easy to personalize for the baker, chef or grill master.
For the top chef of the family, consider buying a basic apron and decorating it to appeal to their personality. Add that famous family recipe in fabric marker to the front, a clever cooking saying, or even handprints of the grandkids. They are sure to love how unique and useful it is.
* Personalized note cards are fun, festive and useful.
There are always times you need a card to send out to a loved one. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a supply readily at hand? This is a useful gift you can create for anyone from mother to teacher to mail carrier. Buy blank cards and envelopes and decorate with a variety of coordinating papers, ribbons and stamps. You can keep them general or create cards for different occasions such as birthdays and holidays for use throughout the year.
* For the host or hostess who always gives their all.
Traditionally, you might consider sewing a wine bag and bring a bottle of wine to your next holiday gathering. But why not step it up and make a bag for that baguette you’re bringing or a nice container for the appetizer you were assigned for the pot luck?
* Clever pet toys keep furry friends happy.
Creating a gift for the family pet or for your friend who loves animals is the perfect way to show you care. Cat toys can easily be made out of leather and feather pieces. Add a bell and some catnip for some extra pizzazz. Dogs also love homemade toys, just make sure they can stand up to tougher play — rope and thick material work best.
* Deck the halls and deck your friends with stylish clothing and accessories.
Winter-themed clothing is great during the cold months and homemade items are the most cherished. A fleece scarf in a bright color will not only keep the wearer warm, but brighten the wardrobe. Knit hats and mittens are trendy in fashion circles and useful too. Even a hand-sewn fleece poncho can keep your favorite outdoor walker warm during brisk morning jaunts.
* Religious-themed gifts get kids involved.
A homemade gift incorporating the recipient’s religion is something that will definitely stand out. For example, making your own menorah out of fun colored paper and flameless tea lights is an easy and safe gift for a child. When giving, you can explain how the item ties into the time of year and help them to learn about the real reason for the celebration.
* Add a little sparkle to make the season merry and bright.
Nothing brings out the brilliance of the season more than the shimmer of holiday decor. From shiny, handcrafted ornaments and beaded tabletop trees, to sparkling votive holders or a joyful holiday planter, anyone on your list can celebrate in style with these decorations made just for them.
For more ideas and project instructions for homemade gifts, visit your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) – If a man’s home is his castle, shouldn’t there be one room in it where he can “hold court” with his noble peers and watch the game? Or where he can retire for solitude to take care of some paperwork or indulge in some woodworking?
Welcome to the concept of the “man cave,” guys. You can create the sanctuary of your dreams and enhance your home value at the same time by renovating your basement into the ultimate guy retreat.
More than half of home buyers say they want a finished basement, according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders. Real estate experts agree that adding square footage to your living space will deliver the dollars when it comes time to sell. How you decorate that extra space will be secondary.
Here are the top 10 things you’ll need to turn your basement into the ultimate “man cave”:
1. Finish it. – First, finish those cinderblock walls and concrete floor. If you’re a real handyman, you can do the job yourself the old-fashioned way with framing and drywall. Or, you can go quick and easy – and only slightly costlier – with a professionally installed basement finishing system that will cut construction time to just a couple of weeks, rather than months.
2. Get wired. – You have to have a TV – big screen preferred. And tunes, man. Getting wired can be as easy as connecting cable to your portable TV and strategically placing a boom box, or as grand as a wall-mounted, high-def, flat screen TV with surround sound.
3. Go wireless. – A laptop or desktop is a man-cave must for work and play. But you don’t want wires cluttering up your kingdom. If you haven’t already done so, install wireless connectivity on the primary computer on the main floor of the house. That way, you can use the Internet in the basement without the expense and inconvenience of a lot of wires.
4. Get “guy” with the décor. – Nothing says “This space belongs to a guy” like sports décor. Frame and hang your old high school or college jersey. Mount that foul ball you caught in the bottom of the ninth. Put up a wallpaper mural of your favorite sport. From scenes that give you a pitcher’s-eye view of home plate and the stadium, to images that make you feel like you’re on the green at Pebble Beach, you’ll find easy-to-hang wallpaper murals at www.muralsyourway.com. You can customize the mural size or even have one made from a picture of your own sporting glory days.
5. Drink up. – Watching the game? You’re going to need liquid refreshment. A wet bar is every guy’s dream, but you can also cool off effectively and economically with a small refrigerator or even a portable wine keeper.
6. Snack attack. – The guys are going to work up appetites playing friendly poker and it could get ugly if you don’t have any snacks on hand. Be sure to include space for snack storage in your design, whether it’s a pantry or some cabinets.
7. Sit on it. – You’ll need the armchair of your dreams in order to be an armchair warrior. Make sure there’s some comfy – and durable – seating for your buddies too.
8. Work it out. – Sometimes a guy just wants to work up a sweat. Portable treadmills and exercise bikes are better than ever and easy to store. Set aside a corner of your man room for the manliest activity of all – exercise.
9. Or work on it. – If you’re a doer rather than an observer, you’ll want a well-equipped workbench.
10. Sit on it, part II. – It wasn’t just Al Bundy’s dream. It’s the ultimate man room upgrade – your own private bath.
(NewsUSA) - Farmers’ markets are not new, but they are gaining popularity in the United States.
In general, farmers’ markets comprise area farmers convening in one location, indoors or outdoors, to offer the freshest food available, including many canned or bottled goods and handcrafted items such as soap and clothing. Specialty items like jam and honey are also prominent at year-round markets.
The number of farmers’ markets has recently seen a dramatic increase. According to the USDA, the number of farmers’ markets in the U.S. increased almost 20 percent between 1994 and 2006. And in 2000, 19,000 farmers reported selling their produce only at farmers’ markets.
Honey, a year-round mainstay at most markets, is an all-natural food that leaves a small eco-footprint. Purchasing local honey may be beneficial to the environment because it promotes sustainability. Many farmers have hives on their land, in part because bees are responsible for one out of every three bites we consume. If there were a decline in honey bees, we could suffer from a limited supply of oranges, apples, blueberries, cucumbers, strawberries and other farmers’ market staples.
There are more than 300 different types of honey in the United States, each with a unique flavor and color profile influenced by the types of blossoms bees visit when searching for nectar. Floral source, location and climate affect local honey production. Regionally, one can find avocado honey in the west, blueberry honey in the northeast, cotton honey in the south, and one of the country’s favorites, clover, around the globe.
The following recipe, courtesy of the National Honey Board, highlights some of the freshest ingredients available at local farmers’ markets.
Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
Serves 6
Ingredients:
2 1/2 pounds ripe yellow tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped red onion
3 cups tomato juice
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) chicken broth
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients; whisk together until well blended. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover and refrigerate one hour or overnight.
To ease the hassle of trying to find that perfect gift, here is a list of gift ideas in a variety of price ranges that might be right for your dad this Father’s Day.
Catch These Gifts Under $10
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. If that’s true, your dad will love you even more after he opens your gift of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky. Whether he’s at work, in the car, fishing with the guys or watching his favorite game, Jack Link’s has the 100 percent beef flavor that dads — men, for that matter — can’t seem to get enough of. Jack Link’s Beef Jerky has more than a dozen great flavors to choose from. Here are a few:
* The Original: Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky or Original Steak Nuggets
* The Classic: Jack Link’s Original Hickory Smokehouse Beef Jerky
* The Supreme: Jack Link’s Prime Rib Tender Cuts
Skip the necktie this year and give dad what he really wants — food that he loves. With this gift, satisfaction is in the bag. For more information, visit www.jacklinks.com.(Suggested retail price: $5.99)
If casting a line and reelin’ in a behemoth is on your dad’s “to do” list, then make sure he’s armed with the latest lure from Rapala. Among the newest lures on the market is the X-Rap Shad. Combining the legendary Shad body shape with the attitude of an X-Rap creates a one-of-a-kind action with the X-Rap Shad. Features like suspending action, feathered tail hook and holographic foil makes this lure the new bad boy on the block. (Suggested retail price: $6.99 to $7.49)
Cool and Cutting-edge Gifts Up To $100
The next time your dad heads out fishing, make sure he’s the envy of the group with the Witch’s Tooth Collector Fillet from Rapala. This one-of-a-kind fillet knife features a small rock placed inside the curly birch and reindeer handle that replicates the traditional drum sound that the witches of the Lappland area in upper Finland played during rituals that were believed to protect the drum’s owner from evil spirits. Featuring a stainless steel blade and leather sheath, the knife is packaged in a Rapala collector tin. For more information, visit www.rapala.com or www.rapalagear.com. (Suggested retail price: $99.99)
Make sure your dad is looking cool and in style with Cylinder Performance Eyewear from Harley-Davidson. Convertible eyewear provides two pairs of protection in one: performance eyewear and sunglasses. A specially designed patent pending detachable foam mid-frame snaps into place to seal out the elements on or off his bike. The mid-frame snaps out to convert the goggles to a great pair of sunglasses with frames designed to easily change lenses. Convertible eyewear is latex free and prescription lens service is available (U.S. only). Please visit a Harley-Davidson dealer for details. (Suggested retail price: $100)
The Ultimate Father’s Day Gifts
If you’re looking to make this Father’s Day extra special, get him the 105th Anniversary Leather Jacket from Harley-Davidson. The black, midweight leather subtly sets off the custom Harley-Davidson embroidery on the left chest pocket, and on the back, the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary logo. This jacket features a mandarin collar with contrast piping to add that extra little swagger. The look is completed with two zippered hand-warmer pockets, two inside pockets, a two-way zip front and zippered cuffs. Visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer for more details. For more information, visit www.harley-davidson.com. (Suggested retail price: $375 - $415)
Sometimes you need to get a gift that dad and the whole family can enjoy. The Prowler Trident 15 from Ocean Kayak represents a feature-packed fishing kayak unlike anything else the market has seen. The Prowler Trident 15 offers the couch-like Comfort Plus seat back, a Rod Pod for convenient storage, and the innovative Sonar Shield to reduce glare and protect your fish finder. Other key features include flush mounted rod holders; bow hatches with the easy-to-open Cross Lock system; extra long leg capacity in the cockpit, and an optional rudder. For more information, visit www.oceankayak.com. (Suggested retail price: standard $1,100; rudder equipped $1,350; complete angler package $2,450)
Courtesy of ARAcontent
EDITOR’S NOTE:
For more information or photo resources, please contact Brian Anderson at (612) 375-8514 or http://www.brian.anderson@clynch.com .
Cary, NC — The Itsy Bitsy Baby Spa, a new center for the well-being of moms, dads, and babies from early pregnancy through the toddler years, is opening its doors to the Triangle Community with a mission to raise the bar in healthy parenting. Through a wide selection of programs, workshops and resources, the new Itsy Bitsy Baby Spa aims to help parents bond with and nurture their children, get fit and allow them to embrace the natural process of parenting. The goal is that parents, babies and toddlers alike will leave feeling peaceful, happy and re-energized. Programs provided at the baby spa include Infant Massage, Mommy and Baby Yoga, Mommy and Toddler Yoga, Mommy and Baby Belly Dance, Prenatal Yoga and Pilates, Belly Dance, Prenatal Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Support Group, Baby Sign Language, Sing and Sign Playtime, and many more.
The baby spa, designed as a supportive, therapeutic, and luxurious environment, is staffed with certified, credentialed experts and offers a variety of hand-picked natural products for a mother’s prenatal and postnatal care, as well as for the care of her baby. The spa also features a gift store offering unique baby gifts and custom gift packages.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
APEX, N.C. — Creative Gifting, a business that specializes in unique, creative gift designs, has been named to Rave Reviews Magazine Top 100 List. The Top 100 list was created by Rave Reviews Magazine from a nationwide survey of business owners in the gourmet/gift basket industry.
“For Creative Gifting to be named to Rave Reviews Magazine’s Top 100 List is very reaffirming of our work,” said Debra Simonette, owner of Creative Gifting. “To be selected due to our growth over the past seven years makes this award to be even more significant.”
In 2005, Creative Gifting was recognized by Gift Basket Review as one of the Top 100 Gift Basket Businesses in America.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
(ARA) - With the onset of spring comes the Easter holiday and the celebration is not complete without the traditional treat-filled basket. For those looking for a unique twist to this holiday ritual, consider customizing the Easter baskets you give your loved ones. Include a variety of trinkets and toys that match your little (and big) ones’ interests to create a fun, personal Easter celebration.
Here are some ideas for every personality type:
The Sports Fan: Spring means one thing to the sports enthusiast: baseball season! Complement the traditional jelly bean and bunny-shaped confections with trading cards and stickers from their favorite team. Throw in a catcher’s mitt and baseball and you will hit a homerun!
The Little Princess: Some girls’ love of the color pink never fades, so bring a smile to the face of your “girliest” girl this Easter with a pink-inspired Easter basket. Costume jewelry, lip gloss and a beaded purse give her the perfect dress accessories. Customize the “basket” further by delivering the items in a pink duffle bag or carry-all, leaving her with a basket she can use year round.
The Practical Joker: The refreshing humor of practical jokes and silly toys never gets old. Consider designing a basket filled with gag gifts and funny items. Clever treats like the Hubba Bubba Cluckers, a wind-up chicken that lays tasty gum eggs, are a great basket centerpiece for that true comedian at heart. Finish the basket with classic “funny” items like a whoopee cushion, slinky, googley eyeglasses and a movie starring your loved one’s favorite comedian.
The Intellectual Game Guru: Sudoku and crossword puzzles keep even the brightest of players on their toes. Keep brainteaser and puzzle fans guessing with a game-inspired Easter basket. Card games and mini board games provide hours of entertainment, particularly if your family is traveling over the Easter holiday or during spring break. Gift the items in a “basket” that can also be used to store the games once the season ends.
The Artist: For the creative one in your family, fill his or her basket with a small sketchbook, watercolors, paint brushes and a music CD. Add some colorful candy, like an assortment of jelly beans, to inspire their inner artist. You might end up with a new work of art for the refrigerator.
The Health Nut: Even the healthiest, most fitness conscious folks don’t want to miss out on the Easter basket tradition. Create a “wellness” basket with active lifestyle items like a jump rope, a training watch, a pedometer or an inflatable Pilates ball to keep your athlete on the move. Substitute traditional sweets with low-calorie alternatives like Extra sugar-free gum, which recently earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance for helping to improve dental health.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Clark Hipolito, the Raleigh artist who originally honed his skills at MTV, has created a hip ambience for Catch 22, a new clothing boutique on Raleigh’s trendy Glenwood South district, through his signature specialty painting effects.
Located at 322 Glenwood Avenue, Catch 22 features a turquoise wall emblazoned with gold script and eggplant walls where Hipolito free-handed scrollwork that pops behind the store’s collection of hand-picked collections from up-and-coming designers around the world.
The boutique is owned and operated by Heather Long who sees Catch 22 as “bridging the gap between Raleighwood and Hollywood.” The store carries some of her favorite styles for men and women as well as her own line of “super glam cocktail dresses.”
“I had some great inspiration working with Heather,” Hipolito said. “She has incredible design sense, so it was easy to bounce ideas back and forth and make things happen on the fly. She was so much fun to work with, and extremely easy going throughout the entire process.”
Catch 22 is also displaying some of Hipolito’s hand-painted woodgrain surfboards from his “Against The Grain” and “Surf du Jour” collections, which he creates through his new company ArtCo Surf
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
ARA) – Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you are like most people, you’ve left the shopping until the last minute. So ,do you buy the $70 roses like everyone else, take a gamble on an online gift that might not show up in time or can you quickly find a personalized gift that shows you put some thought into it?
A new online service from NearbyNow has created a new way for last minute shoppers to find the perfect gift at their local mall, and even pick it up the same day. Over 190 malls across the US run the NearbyNow service, allowing shoppers to search inventory in nearly every store in the mall using the Internet or mobile phones, check availability on an item in 10 minutes or less, and even reserve products to pick up. Shoppers who use the mobile phone service may even receive special offers for free chocolate and other Valentine’s Day specials.
The service is the brainchild of Scott Dunlap, from Los Altos, Calif., who says he developed the product search for “quite selfish” reasons. “One afternoon, my wife saw a pair of boots in a magazine and tried to find them at her favorite mall while I was stuck on the bench with all the other spouses. I realized I could develop a program that would make these trips more efficient, allowing my wife to always know who carried the products she wanted, and if they were available in her size. That would make the shopping experience more pleasant for all of us – me, my wife, the retailers, and the others on the bench.”
Here’s how the service works: consumers log on to www.nearbynow.com from their home computer, find their local mall and select the “Product Search” button to navigate through the process. If they know their loved one wants Kenneth Cole boots, for example, they type “Kenneth Cole boots” in the search box, and all retailers in the mall who has the shoes in stock will be listed. A customer can then click on a particular shoe, see the details, use the ‘check availability’ feature and “reserve” the product on-line for pick up at the mall. NearbyNow contacts the store, reserves the product, and sends the customer a confirming e-mail or text message. Shoppers can also send an SMS text message to NEARBY (632729) to get connected to the service at their local mall.
Gretchen Mathews of Portola Valley, Calif., found the site by chance one day and has already used it a couple of times to reserve an item online. She says it’ll be a real time saver this Valentine’s Day. “I’m a busy person and my shopping strategy for Valentine’s Day has always been to preview and reserve items online before heading to the store. I used to have to log on to several different store Web sites to do that, but now I can search the whole mall from one place. It’s a fabulous tool,” she says.
“Shoppers call our service ‘Google for malls’ because they can search every brand, product, and sale at the mall,” says Dunlap. “It is the most stress-free way to shop your local mall. It helps keep the focus of Valentine’s Day on the right thing – your loved one – rather than the hassles of gift buying.”
If you agree, be sure to log on to www.nearbynow.com before heading out the door or send an SMS text message to NEARBY (632729)
Courtesy of ARAcontent
EDITOR’S NOTE:
NearbyNow is headquartered in Los Altos, CA. Additional information can be obtained by phone at (650) 947-1300 or via the Web at www.nearbynow.com.
