Oranges, lilies and the podocarpus tree

Posted on 27. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in environment

The rain makes my oranges look more luscious than ever. Please let me know if you’d like to pick some. We make great orange juice from them.

I love the way calla lilies look with drops of rain on them. I should stop blogging and garden more. Hahaha, as if that’ll ever happen!

Too bad the rain made this branch fall from our podocarpus tree. It woke my mom up this morning. I’ve got to get that trimmed.

I hope everyone’s ok in the mudslide zones. This was a pretty intense storm this morning.

Watch “The Butterfly Circus” and feel the hope

Posted on 26. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in movies

The Doorpost Film Project is a short film contest with seven categories every year: Authenticity, Community, Sacrifice, Commitment, Truth, Identity and Hope. Entries must be less than seven minutes long, and focus on one of the seven categories.

I watched the finalists from last year’s contest, and I agree that The Butterfly Circus deserved to win. Gather the family around and watch this thought-provoking, uplifting film about what happens when some travelers come upon a Depression-era freak show and befriend a man with no limbs. It’s a wonderful illustration of how we’re all worthy of being loved and forgiven.

If I were running a film competition, I’d want to run it like the Doorpost. Their mission is to seek truth, honor creativity, serve visionaries, build community and share discoveries. Their website says that they allow the finalists to meet each other and the Doorpost staff, and that their events have “marked the beginning of various creative and professional partnerships among filmmakers as well.” It sounds like they’re not stereotypical Hollywood bloodsuckers.

Speaking of freak shows, yesterday I heard someone on NPR compare the animal shows at SeaWorld to 19th century freak shows. I’ll admit that I’ve enjoyed my share of SeaWorld shows and 3-ring circuses, but I’d never looked at them that way. I think he’s right, and hopefully the other day will open peoples’ eyes so that we do right by orcas, elephants, and other animals who live in inadequate conditions so that they might be available to entertain humans. I’ll keep this in mind when I watch the DVD of The Cove that we received from Netflix.

La Canada High School seeks gently-used piano

Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in education, music

Do you have a gently-used upright piano gathering dust? Give it new life and get a tax-deduction by donating it to the La Canada High School instrumental music program. Funds are tight, so please consider doing your part to keep the music coming.

If you’re interested in donating your piano to this incredible program, please contact Fernando Aenlle-Rocha at or .

Please spread the word to anyone else you know who might have a piano to donate!

San Gabriel Valley Bloggers Potluck 3/20

Posted on 24. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in local news

All San Gabriel Valley* bloggers, families, fans and groupies are welcome to the 2nd Annual SGV Blogger’s Potluck at noon at Farnsworth Park in Altadena. We’ll meet rain or shine at the covered picnic area on the north end of the park. BBQ’s are available. To rsvp, call or email or . Hosted by Altadenablog, Altadenahiker, Altadena Above it All, Altadena Daily Photo and Open Mouth Insert Fork.

I love meeting great new people and catching up with the wonderful people I follow online in person, so I wouldn’t miss this! I hope to see you there!! Now to decide what yummy food to make…

* Hopefully we’ll see bloggers from Eagle Rock, La Canada, La Crescenta, Glendale, etc. there, too!

Let the merriment begin!

Gunslinger spotted at local Starbucks

Posted on 23. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in local news, politics

Until last night, the only thing I feared when I entered my local Starbucks was that I’d order something that I’m allergic to. That was before a friend told me that when she was at the La Canada Starbucks yesterday, a man entered with a pistol in a holster strapped to his thigh. Here’s the email she sent to me:

I was at Starbucks on Gould today.  A guy arrived shortly after I arrived with a pistol in a holster strapped to his thigh.  He was wearing a blue jump suit with some type of helicopter insignia.  I glanced at the insignia and it looked “made up” to me, sort of a pseudo uniform, but I’m not really sure of that.  He was with two friends and they sat down outside.

I was with a friend who said, the guy might be reliable, but it looks like it would be easy to distract him and disarm him.  What if some nut took the pistol?  Then what?  My friend also looked around the parking lot for an official vehicle.  We didn’t see anything.  Wow.

This is still bothering me, eleven hours later.

She emailed me because several days earlier, I’d emailed her a link to a petition from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence that encouraged people to ask Starbucks to prohibit guns on their premises. I’d been spurred to action by an editorial titled, “Who Can Relax This Way?” that I’d read in the New York Times. Here’s the email I had sent her:

Over the past few months, more and more gun owners have been gathering at restaurants and coffee shops like Starbucks with guns strapped to their hips, intimidating fellow patrons. They are testing open carry laws to see how far they can go. Businesses can legally create policies to prohibit guns from being carried in their establishments — and so far, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and California Pizza Kitchen have heeded customer concerns and barred open carrying.

But Starbucks is refusing to prohibit the “open carrying” of firearms in its stores, despite protests from loyal customers. Starbucks has declined to elaborate beyond this statement: “Starbucks supports the federal, state and local laws of the communities in which we do business.”

The practice of packing heat in places like Starbucks is intimidating and could be potentially dangerous to our families and communities — and it must be stopped at Starbucks.

I just signed a petition telling Starbucks to stand up for the safety of their customers and adopt a nationwide, gun-free policy in all Starbucks stores.

This is surreal. I can’t believe this is actually an issue. But it is, and I have no desire to see someone packing a gun the next time I take my sweet 7th grade small group to Starbucks.

Isn’t it ironic that someone can’t smoke in our Starbucks, but they can pack a gun?

Source: Los Angeles Times, Feb. 11, 2010

The Brady Campaign reports that California actually has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, although it scores poorly when it comes to gun shows. Wikipedia sums up California’s open carry gun laws the best:

Personal possession (i.e. carry) of a loaded firearm is prohibited in incorporated areas (such as inside city limits) or prohibited areas of unincorporated territory without a license to carry or other exemption provided for by law.^[15] A license to carry “loaded and exposed” may be issued by a Police Chief or County Sheriff in a county with population of less than 200,000 persons at the last census.^[16] No license or permit is required to openly carry a loaded firearm in unincorporated areas where discharge is not prohibited by local ordinance.

Despite these restrictions, there is no section of the California penal code that specifically prohibits open carry of an unloaded handgun (though possession may be restricted or prohibited in certain areas such as a State Park (CCR Title 14, Div.3, chap. 1, s 4313 (a), in a school zone (PC626.9) or federal properties like a Post Office or National Park (36 C.F.R. 2.4(a)).

Carrying a loaded magazine separate from the handgun is also not prohibited under the penal code (Subdivision (g) of California Penal Code 12031 defines what constitutes a loaded weapon).

Just because something’s legal, it doesn’t mean you should do it. When a private citizen carries a gun in public, we don’t know his intentions or whether he’s been trained to use the gun safely. When in danger, I’ll call 911, not the guy at the next table. In the editorial, “Message to Open Carry members: It’s time to put the guns away,” the Contra Costa Times pointed out that “the open carry of weapons could prompt all sorts of consequences never intended or considered by the person exercising his or her constitutional right.”

According to the Popehat blog, even the NRA doesn’t allow people to bring guns onto its premises.

Sign the petition and ask Starbucks to do the same. And, for extra measure, ask your elected officials to close up the gun show loophole.

La Cañadans needed for “Mega Bites” TV pilot

Posted on 23. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in food, local news

Here’s a message from the Community Center of La Canada:

Do You Want To Be On TV? CASTING CALL

La Cañadans wanted for Pilot Episode of a new TLC television series “Mega Bites.”

The premise of the show is to partner with food scientists and engineers to create the “World’s Biggest” edible item and to get the community’s assistance in making the item in order to auction it off as part of a fundraiser. The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge and our community is the subject of the pilot episode! We are proud that La Cañada has been selected, and are really excited about the filming and the opportunity to bring the community together.

CAMERAS WILL BE ROLLING
On March 11, 12, 13 the residents of La Cañada will be making the “Mega Bite” item out in our field. Cameras will be rolling as kids, teens, adults and seniors work together to create the “Mega Bite.” Are you wondering what the Mega Bite item for La Cañada is going to be? Chefs from our very own DISH restaurant will be working with the show’s food scientists to create…A GIANT KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIE TREAT! This is so exciting!

THE GRAND “UNVEILING”
On Sunday March 14th from 1-4pm the Community Center will host a Carnival where the “Mega Bite” will be “revealed” for the community and the cameras. The Carnival will feature game booths, prizes, drawings, arts & crafts and food from Round Table Pizza, Jersey Miles Subs, and Los Gringos Locos.

BOOTH SPONSORS:
Carnival Booths will be sponsored by Sports Chalet, Doug Drummond, Dickson Podley Realtors, Plan-Spec Construction, Gilmore Bank, Flintridge Family Chiropractic, Inverse Logic, Dish, Jersey Mike’s Subs and Verdugo Hills Hospital.

NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO BE ON TV! WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:
We need “Cast Members” or Volunteers of all ages to participate in making the food item in 2 hours shifts on March 11, 12, and 13th. We also need volunteers ages 16 and up to work 2 hours shifts at the Carnival on Sunday March 14 from 12-5pm. Bring your friends, ask your social groups, employees, email your contact list…put the word out. We want 200+ people from all over the Community; Students, City Employees, PTA, Sports Teams, Girl and Boy Scouts. It’s time for La Cañada to shine for the whole country!

If you are interested in being “Cast” on the show please promptly email .

See you on TV!

Wendy Alane Smith and Megan Nordvedt
—————————————————-
Community Center of La Canada Flintridge
Event Coordinators / TLC “Mega Bites”
cell

Top 10 Lessons Learned from nearly 14 years as a Soccer Mom

Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in life lessons, parenting, sports

When I registered my preschoolers for soccer in the Fall of 1996, I never imagined that I’d be a soccer mom until 2010. My soccer-viewing days ended last Friday when my daughter’s high school team lost in the first round of CIF playoffs. Our soccer experience was sometimes rewarding, and sometimes frustrating, but always an adventure.

Along the way, I learned or confirmed the following lessons:

1. Don’t become the frog in boiling water. If someone had told us how much club soccer would impact our family, we may not have chosen to do it. Instead, the warm water just got hotter and hotter.
2. Find your niche. I had no interest in being a referee, but I loved making AYSO team banners.
3. Even though it’s hard to make a banner of a hyena, whatever you design will be ok since no one’s sure what a hyena looks like. Use lots of fur. Best mascot ever.
4. Don’t question the refs. They’re trying hard, and they’re no more perfect than anyone else. Complaining won’t change the call, and it’ll just make things stressful.
5. Expect little, so you won’t be disappointed.
6. Get a chair with a built-in umbrella.
7. Kids don’t need snacks at the end of the game. But they like them as long as they’re not healthy.
8. Always carry a blanket, extra water and a first-aid kit in the car.
9. Bad coaches don’t get better.
10. Sports aren’t as enjoyable when winning becomes more important than having a good time.

My daughter says that she learned:

1. You should always work really hard, but
2. Hard work won’t always pay off, but
3. It’s worth it when you love the sport.
4. How to get along with all sorts of people.
5. How to deal with all sorts of coaches, which has helped her to adapt to different teachers, and some day, bosses.
6. How to be a team player.

Those are good lessons.

Would I do it over again? Only if the kids wanted to. They probably would.

“Building a Healthier Community” Fair 2/27

Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in health

Eat free food, listen to live music, meet local politicians and celebrities and get your H1N1 flu shot all at once. There’s even a drawing for great prizes. What could be more fun? Check out the “Building a Healthier Community” Fair this Saturday at LCPC. More details are below.

After spending Saturday being healthy, you can join State Senator Carol Liu in walking in the Chinatown Firecracker Run this Sunday, 2/28. See more information here. This is a great opportunity to get to know your State Senator. Download the pdf here and bring it on the day of the run along with a check for $22 made out to the Los Angeles Firecracker Run Committee. It’s a $5 discount off the regular price. Meet at Senator Liu’s booth at the start line on North Broadway, Los Angeles at 7am. Please RSVP to or call .

Using Open Government to Create Change – Forum

Posted on 20. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in politics

Monica Hubbard alerted me to this great League of Women Voters event on March 6th in Pasadena:

From Media Liaison Jackie Knowles:

Subject: Saving democracy

Hedab Tarifi, who was raised in Kuwait, knows what it is like to live under a tyranny and closed government. She relishes the transparency of government in a democracy. But she also knows citizens need to know how to access information and put it to work to improve their communities. A case of use it or lose it.

She will be the keynote speaker at a free public forum, Access to Impact: Using Open Government to Create Change, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Pasadena Area on March 6. Pete Peterson, executive director of Common Sense California, will emcee panelists from media, libraries and government about the challenges and dangers of information gathering.

This community forum is being held on Saturday, March 6, in the vicinity of Northwest Pasadena at the Neighborhood Church to reach a wider audience. Spanish translation will be provided.

This should be an eye-opening event you and your readers/listeners won’t want to miss.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PASADENA AREA
NEWS RELEASE BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CONTACT: Monica Hubbard, Social Policy Director League of Women Voters Pasadena Area ()

COMMUNITY INVITED TO FORUM ON CITIZENS RIGHT TO KNOW

Community members in the ten cities served by League of Women Voters Pasadena Area are invited to participate in a forum to discuss open, accessible and transparent government.

“Access to Impact: Using Open Government to Create Change” is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena.  The forum is free.  An RSVP is requested at or

Links to the articles referencing Access to Impact in the League’s newsletter are here:

LWV Voter articles (page 1 and 4):  http://www.lwvpasadenaarea.org/marvoter.pdf

A flier in English and Spanish is here: http://www.lwvpasadenaarea.org/access%28english&spanish%29.pdf

League of Women Voters Pasadena Area
1353 N Hill Ave
Pasadena CA 91104
Tel (LWV Office)

Off-roading in my Prius

Posted on 20. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in travel

This morning I headed east to pick up my son from camp so that he could attend a meeting back here for a few hours. On our way back, we noticed that my GPS showed us driving through a river and over the desert sand. Apparently my GPS software doesn’t realize that the 210 Freeway now extends out to San Bernardino.

We held our breath as we went through the water. Thankfully, the riverbed was dry and we were on an 8-lane freeway.

Assemblymember Portantino introduces 911 Immunity bill

Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in politics

Imagine this: Your underage child is at a party, and like many of his peers, quaffs a few too many brewskis. He manages to remain standing, but one of his buddies falls unconscious on the couch. As the law now stands, if your child calls 911 for his friend, your child could be arrested for the misdemeanor of underage drinking. Therefore, he might decide not to risk calling 911, and hope that his friend “sleeps it off.” That decision could prove deadly. Unfortunately, this decision is made every week in California, sometimes with disastrous results.

California Assemblymember Anthony Portantino has introduced AB 1999 in order to remedy this situation and give young people the incentive to help a friend in need of emergency help. I’d like to think I helped make this happen, as about a month ago I forwarded him an LA Times opinion piece that had been forwarded to me which suggested adopting 911 immunity legislation. I’m proud that our Assemblyman is taking the lead on this. We’d all like to hope that this situation will never occur, but we need to face reality and make sure that when it does, young people have the incentive to do the right thing and help each other out.

Here’s his press release about it:

Assemblymember Portantino Puts Public Safety First With his ‘911 Immunity’ Legislation

Assembly Bill 1999 would protect children seeking assistance for underage drinking.

SACRAMENTO, CA- Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D- La Cañada Flintridge) introduced AB  which would protect children engaged in underaged drinking from being prosecuted for seeking medical attention.

This bill would protect an underage drinker, or one or two peers working in concert, who seek emergency medical attention due to alcohol poisoning by granting immunity from criminal prosecution.  The immunity could only be granted to the victim and the one or two underage peers acting in concert if they were the original callers and stayed at the scene until the authorities arrived.

“Let me be clear, this bill does not condone underage drinking,” says Assemblymember Portantino. “What it does is decrease barriers for young people that need emergency medical care but are scared to call because they made a mistake.”

Over the last year, there have been several underage Californians that have died due to suspected alcohol poisoning that may have benefited from this law. Friends of the deceased teens have said that they were scared to call for help because they did not want to get in legal trouble.

“This law is about saving lives,” Assemblymember Portantino continued. “It is important that we make sure young people are getting the medical care they need regardless of the circumstances. After they are safe, the consequences of the young person’s actions will be between him or her and their parents.”

A few other states have adopted similar “911 Immunity” laws, and in each there has had bi-partisan support.  If this proposal is adopted, California would join Colorado, New Jersey, and Texas in giving underage drinkers a safe way to call for help.

“Underage drinking is a constant problem that we need to continue to improve on, but this proposal is a harm reduction measure that will make calling 911 easier for underage people that really need it,” Assemblymember Portantino concluded.

The bill reads as follows:

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.    Section 25662.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

25662.5.
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, it shall not be a crime for a person under the age of 21 years and one or two other persons to knowingly possess or knowingly consume one or more alcoholic beverages if all of the following circumstances exist:

(1) One of the persons under the age of 21 years called 9-1-1 and reported that another person under the age of 21 years was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption.

(2) The person under the age of 21 years was the first person to make the 9-1-1 report.

(3) The person under the age of 21 years and, if applicable, one or two other persons acting in concert with the person under the age of 21 years who made the 9-1-1 report remained on the scene with the person under the age of 21 years in need of medical assistance until assistance arrived and cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel on the scene.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, it shall not be a crime for the person under the age of 21 years who received medical assistance as provided in subdivision (a) to knowingly possess or knowingly consume one or more alcoholic beverages on private
20 property.

(c) Nothing in this section shall affect liability for any offense that involves activities made dangerous by the consumption of alcohol, including, but not limited to, violations of Section 23152 of the Vehicle code.

Learn how to cut through social media clutter

Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in social networking

My friend/client Stephanie Michele of SocialBling is putting on a “Communications, Relations and Social Media Frustrations Seminar” this coming Tuesday, February 24th at the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse. It’s a two-part series that will help you to get answers to questions like:

• What is social media?
• Why should I use social networking sites?
• What is the difference  between LinkedIn, Facebook and twitter?
• What secret tips am I not aware of?

Here’s more information from her blog:

FOCUS TOPICS:

• February: Goal Setting and How to use Social Media to Achieve Goals.
• March: Measuring Your Results against Time You are Spending Online.

WHEN: Last Tuesday and Thursday Night of the Month 6 pm -8:30 pm

DATES AND LOCATIONS:

• Tuesday February 23rd & March 23rd – Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 964 Foothill Blvd 91011
• Thursday February 25th & March 25th -Los Angeles Meeting Center, 10601 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90232

COST: $115 per night Register Here.

NOTE: Focus topic will be the first 45 minutes of presentation, the remaining time will be used for hands-on demonstrations and open Q & A. Bring your laptop to access free Wi-Fi  and work along with instructor. When you pre-register, you will be able to submit your social media questions and concerns to ensure it will be covered in the open demonstration/Q&A at the seminar you attend.

SPACE IS LIMITED, ADVANCED SIGN UP IS ENCOURAGED.

Taught by Social Media Strategist, Connection Artist and Founder of SocialBling.com, Stephanie Michele. Stephanie Michele has been managing social networking plans for companies and individual for over 10 years, even before online social tools existed.  She cuts through the confusing jargon associated with social media and teaches people how they can use the tools to benefit their unique goals. Stephanie teaches best practices in popular social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Her methods are fun, encouraging and practical. In 2009, she formed SocialBling.com under the premise, if today’s social tools allow us to connect with anyone and everyone then why not set goals and connect with exactly who you need to meet and know to make those goals happen. To learn more about Stephanie visit LinkedIn for references:

How to create a great business blog

Posted on 16. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in work

What’s worse than not having a blog for your business? Having a bad one, or not updating the one you have. I’ve designed blogs for many clients, but very few of them have developed those blogs into high-quality vehicles for conveying information about their organization or industry. That’s why I’ve decided that from now on, when I create a blog for a business, I’m going to make sure they know what they’re getting into, and how to make blogging worth their while.

I recently gave such a presentation to a law firm that’s starting a blog. They’re very enthusiastic about blogging (or “blawgging”), and I’m confident that once they start posting, they’ll have a great law blog. Here are some of the points that I brought up in my presentation that can also be applied to other businesses:

Does your business need a blog?

I don’t think that every business needs a blog. There may be better ways to communicate with customers, and you may not have the time or the content to maintain a blog. But if you’re an enthusiastic writer with lots to say, here are some reasons you may want to blog:

• An impressive blog may help you:
  • Attract new clients or customers
  • Attract referrals
  • Retain existing clients or customers
• To create dialogue about your product or services. Just as I blogged about in my post about “Undercover Boss” yesterday, it’s important to get many different perspectives when running a business.
• To create writing opportunities that push employees to be better communicators.
• To influence others.

A good business blog should do as many of the following as possible:

• Inform: People will look for information about your company, its products, and your industry on your business blog. Cabana Mobile blog does a great job of informing people about trends in mobile entertainment via well-written, frequent, appropriately-sized posts.
• Inspire: I love it when a business blog inspires me to learn about a new product or technique that will help me to be more efficient or effective. An example of a blog that successfully does this is The Mac Lawyer, which shows law firms why they should incorporate Macs into their practices.
• Entertain: I’d rather read something that makes me laugh instead of boring me to tears. The law firm of Harrison & Ford has a fun blog about “The Office” called That’s What She Said, which details the legal ramifications of each Office episode. Even though I’m not a lawyer, I enjoy reading it and sharing it with my kids.
• Engage: Get a good discussion going. If people feel like you care enough to respond, they’ll be more likely to hire you or shop with you. SocialEdge fosters great discussions about micro-lending.
• Have a voice: Don’t be dull. No one wants to read a blog full of press releases. If you show the personality of the writer behind each post, your company will start to feel like a place with real people the reader can trust.
• Have a purpose: Don’t meander too much. If you’re a law firm, don’t write about donuts unless it’s somehow relevant. The Thin Pink Line blog is a great example of a blog with a purpose, which in their case is to advise women professionals.
• Take risks: Show that you’re willing to do what you need to to get something done. Be careful, however, that you don’t reveal sensitive information, and that your views align with the company or firm mission.
• Be unique: There are tens of thousands of blogs out there. Be different and get noticed.
• Post frequently: You don’t have to post every day, but post frequently enough that people will return, and won’t think that you’re lazy.

Characteristics of a good blog post:

• Enthusiasm: Don’t write boring posts. If you wouldn’t want to read your post, then no one else either.
• Fits the blog’s mission: If people are coming to learn about your company or industry, don’t distract them with an irrelevant post.
• Good headline: It should be succinct, engaging and informative. It’s the first thing that people see, and they’ll either decide to read or abandon your blog based on it. It will also help you with search engines.
• Engaging writing: People are more likely to come back if they enjoy and respect your writing style.
• Appropriate length: People have short attention spans, especially on the web. Don’t make your post too long, and be sure to use bullet-points where possible.
• Analysis: If you’re going to talk about a news item that’s been published elsewhere, provide your analysis of it. Otherwise, people might as well just read the original article.
• New idea: Don’t just regurgitate old ideas; write about new ones. Become an influencer.
• Well-researched: Write bulletproof posts. If you’re referring to outside information, refer to it by name and link to it.
• Appropriate graphics: People are drawn to pictures. Include a graphic with each post, if possible, but make sure they’re appropriate and aesthetically-pleasing. And legal. I love iStockphoto.com for photos and graphics, and they usually cost $1 apiece.
• Categorizing, tags: Put your post in the correct categories, and create appropriate tags for the post. Google will search on the post content and on the tags. You may write a post about a Supreme Court decision, but not have the phrase “Supreme Court decision” in the post. Make that a tag, as someone might type “supreme court decision” into Google and find you.

Potential business blogging pitfalls:

Business blogging isn’t for the faint of heart. Be armed and ready for the following potential minefields:

• Burnout: According to a 2008 Technorati survey, over 95% of blogs that have been started have been abandoned. Don’t join that statistic, or you’ll be worse off than when you didn’t have a blog because you’ll look lazy.
• Infrequent posts: Don’t bother blogging if you blog so infrequently that people check out your blog only to see the same “recent” post they saw last month.
• Patience: It takes time to build readership. Don’t be discouraged.
• Comments: Be willing to publish dissenting comments. If you respond well, you’ll build loyalty.
• Be 150% sure before you hit “publish”: You may be quoted from your blog some day. Make sure you’re willing to stand by what you say for a long time. Also, be sure it’s well-written and reflects your company or firm’s high standards.
• Graphics: Make sure you’re legally able to include the graphics that you do.
• Attribute sources: Don’t steal content from others, and be sure to attribute quotes and statistics.
• Don’t send people away: If you link to another site, be sure it opens in a new window.

How to get the word out about your blog and specific posts:

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? The same holds true for blogging.

• Tell people about the blog and new posts via email, Facebook (including via Networked Blogs), Twitter, LinkedIn, your company or firm website
• Ask other sites to link to it
• Technorati, other blog aggregators
• “Favorite” posts on Digg, Delicious, Reddit, Metafilter, StumbleUpon, etc.
• Comment on other blogs and leave your blog URL. Not only will that provide a valuable link back to you, but someone might think that your comment is so insightful that they’ll be eager to read what you write on your blog.
• Tags, categories (see above)
• Encourage people to add you to their RSS feed

Hopefully these tips help you to enter the world of business blogging with your eyes wide open.

Tivo this: “Undercover Boss”

Posted on 15. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in tv, work

When I studied Industrial Engineering, it seemed like everything was reduced to an acronym. Even simple concepts were reduced to three- or four-letter words. I thought that the silliest was MBWA: Management by Walking Around. Isn’t it obvious that you’ll be a better manager if you get out of your office and find out what’s going on at all levels? It’s probably the oldest management technique that exists. Apparently not everyone follows it, however, which is why the new reality show, “Undercover Boss,” is able to find company presidents whose eyes are opened to what’s really going on when they go undercover in their own organizations.

Although it’s sad that these people haven’t taken the time to do this before the show filmed them, I’m impressed that they cared enough to participate and air their company’s dirty laundry in order to make things better. The first episode followed Larry O’Donnell, the President and COO of Waste Management. He spent five days at different locations doing everything from picking up garbage on a windy hillside to accompanying a garbage truck on its daily run. He learned that directives to increase productivity were having unintended consequences such as not allowing female truck drivers to use a restroom on the route, and that staff reductions were forcing some people to do that work of five people. He met a man whose attitude towards cleaning out portable restrooms is so sunny that he inspires everyone who works with him. At the end of the show, O’Donnell brought all the people he met to the company headquarters, and when he revealed who he really was, he also promised to take what he’d learned and who he’d met to make the company better.

Last night’s episode followed Hooters’ CEO, Cody Brooks. He took over the management of the company from his father, who founded it. His father was very hands-on, and was known for visiting different stores and facilities, but Brooks hadn’t done much of that before this show. Like many women, I’m not a fan of Hooters, and this show didn’t change my mind. When a company calls women “girls”, dresses them in tight shirts with big owl’s eyes reminiscent of breasts, and has a “Humps Ahead” sign in its boardroom, I don’t consider them to be very respectful of women. I was amazed that Brooks didn’t realize the extent to which women don’t like his restaurants, but I wasn’t surprised that this company image would foster a restaurant manager who would “inspect” the “girls” before each shift and make them play “reindeer games” where they’d have to eat beans off a plate without their hands or utensils. I’m happy that Brooks had his eyes opened to what is really going on in his company and the image it has with the public, but I think it’ll be tough to surmount Hooters’ reputation.

I look forward to next Sunday’s show, which features 7-11 CEO Joe Depinto. I doubt this series will be able to continue for very long, because it’ll be harder to convince workers that a trainee with a camera crew isn’t being filmed for a reality show.

Here’s what I think the next reality show should be: “Undercover Student.” I wish someone would put a hidden camera on a student at an American high school, and see what happens on a regular day. Although there are, of course, wonderful stories of learning and friendship that take place, I’m stunned at some of the stories I hear from my kids. Perhaps I’ll blog about that in June, 2011.

Note: If you missed the first few episodes of “Undercover Boss” you can view them on the CBS website.

Katrina Kenison to speak this Thursday at LCPC

Posted on 13. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in books, parenting

When my kids were little, they didn’t understand why someone would cry if they weren’t hurt. They thought I was crazy for getting teary-eyed when we’d pass a wedding party outside of a church. I think they’re starting to understand, however, as we all broke down recently while watching Marley & Me. Some things just hit you harder, and as you grow older, there are more life experiences you can relate to.

That’s what Katrina Kenison does for me. When someone emailed me a link to a video of her reading from her most recent book, , I almost didn’t watch it. I didn’t want to sacrifice 7 minutes to watch a YouTube video. But I trusted the judgment of the person who sent it to me, so I finally clicked on the link. I’m so glad I did. It made me reflect upon the joys and challenges that have come with parenting, and how much my children and I have grown. It also reminded me of how much I’ve been blessed by being a mother for the past 18 years. Grab the tissues and check this out:

You can hear Katrina in person this Thursday, February 18th at La Canada Presbyterian Church. She’ll be speaking during my Parent Ed class, but it’s open to the public. The program starts at 12:30 pm, and she’ll sign books after the presentation. Please rsvp to . Babysitting is available for $10 per child. If you would like to have babysitting for your child, you MUST confirm a spot with Sandy at before Feb. 18th.

Here’s the official event flyer. I hope you can come!

I’ve shipped or received over 100 books via Bookins

Posted on 09. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in books

Since I joined Bookins just over two years ago, I’ve shipped 56 books and two DVDs, and have received 46 books. No wonder my bookshelf is so full of great books!

Bookins fits my hectic lifestyle perfectly. When there’s a book I want, I look it up by title, author or ISBN, and add it to my Want List. When the book becomes available, I get an email saying it’s on the way, and I automatically pay a nominal shipping fee. When I have a book to trade, I enter the ISBN number on my Trade List. If someone wants it, I get an email with a link to print a USPS label for it. I put the book in an envelope, tape the label to the outside, and put it in a mailbox. I don’t need to pay shipping for books I trade, and I don’t stand in line at the Post Office.

It’s good for the environment, good for the pocketbook, and good for the mind. And it’s why I’m not rushing out to get a Kindle or an iPad.

Bookins has a new feature that shows you where you’ve shipped books to or received them from. Here’s what my map looks like:

I’ll assume that the R in the lower right part of the map is in South Florida, not Cuba…

The Super Bowl ad I liked the most

Posted on 08. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in advertising

Here’s the Super Bowl ad I liked the most: Google’s “Parisian Love” ad. Is it because I became engaged in Paris, or because I rely on Google countless times a day? Peut-être tous les deux.

Or perhaps, it’s just because this awesome ad not only gets across the company’s message with grace and simplicity, but because it was so sweet that it even brought tears to my eyes.

You can see all the commercials on the CBS Website.

How does Tim Tebow offend and Danica Patrick doesn’t?

Posted on 07. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in advertising, religion, things that bug me

For weeks, I’ve been hearing about how offensive was going to be. A coalition of women’s groups called on CBS not to run the ad.

When I finally saw the commercial, I was indeed stunned: I couldn’t believe the brouhaha was over this.

Here’s the script. What’s offensive about it?

Tim Tebow’s mother: “I call him my miracle baby. He almost didn’t make it into this world. I can remember so many times when I almost lost him. It was so hard. Well, he’s all grown up now, and I STILL worry about his health. You know, with all our family’s been through, we have to be tough!”
[Tim Tebow comes out of the side of the screen and tackles her.]
Mom: “Timmy! We’re trying to tell our story here.”
Tim: “Sorry about that, Mom! Do you still worry about me, Mom?”
Mom: “Well yeah! You’re not nearly as tough as I am!”
For the full Tebow story, go to FocusOnTheFamily.com.

Frankly, I could have filmed that commercial. My son was in neonatal for eight days after he was born, and I didn’t get to hold him until he was five days old. I still worry about him, especially when he plays football, and with good reason. He used to tackle me when he was two years old, and I’m glad he doesn’t anymore.

Where’s the feminist outrage over the GoDaddy commercial where Danica Patrick gets a massage from a woman who rips off her shirt to declare that she’d be a great GoDaddy girl (and if you see the internet version, dances like a skank)? Is this what “equal rights” means? Or how about the , where Kim Kardashian seduces a salad and winds up eating it in a bathtub? And speaking of bathtubs, how about the Motorola commercial where the woman takes a picture of herself and sends it over the internet, including to a young boy behind a closed door? So much for all the anti-sexting lectures we give our kids!

My husband and I have long disagreed about abortion: he’s pro-choice, and I’m pro-life. But even he’s stunned by the negative reaction to this ad. It’s sad when something this benign is slammed, even as people close their eyes to other offensive material playing all around them.

A few more notes:

Check out the Focus on the Family link. Tim Tebow’s parents talk about how they were advised to get an abortion because of medical problems. They chose not to, because they had faith that God had a plan for their baby. Later in the interview, when asked what she’d tell a young woman who’s pregnant and thinking of aborting her baby, Tim’s mother says,

“I would say that baby’s not a mistake, even though it might seem that way to her, and that God will enable her to do the right thing, and to give her the encouragement she needs, that there’s also help for her, and there’s help that she doesn’t even know about yet. There’s so many people, so many pregnancy crisis centers across the country just waiting to encourage someone in her position. And girls have those options. They have a choice.”

Isn’t it ironic that pro-choice people are complaining that someone is reminding people that they have a choice?

By the way, I’ve been switching accounts away from GoDaddy ever since I saw one of their offensive commercials a few years ago. These days, I choose Bluehost.com instead. They’ve got great customer service, and are good for not only regular websites but for Wordpress installations.

Video footage of La Canada mudslides

Posted on 06. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in local news

Yesterday’s weather forecast led me to believe that this storm would just bring light rain. Wrong! There was so much rain that at least 41 homes in or near La Canada have been damaged or destroyed, and 500 homes have been evacuated.

Check out this dramatic video of the mudslide traveling down Oceanview Blvd. in La Canada Flintridge. The video was taken by Amy Judd and is featured on NowPublic and .

Here’s a picture of Oceanview Blvd. from The Associated Press:

Rain is in the forecast for six of the next ten days. I wouldn’t count on it being light. I live far enough away from the mountains not to have to worry about mudslides, but judging by how super saturated our yard is and how much damage has already occurred, hopefully everyone’s taking this seriously.

How do I communicate with you? Let me count the ways…

Posted on 04. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in social networking

It’s ironic that what is meant to make our lives simpler often complicates them.

Even though new technologies have given us more effective means of communicating, my communications are complicated by the fact that I have to keep track of how all the different people in my life prefer to communicate. Here’s a short version of the list I maintain in my brain:

• Son: Facebook, text messaging
• Daughter: Facebook, email, text messaging
• Husband: Facebook, email, call work phone not cell phone
• Mother: Email, home phone, some Facebook
• Father & stepmother: Email, cell phone, home phone depending on which state they’re in
• Sister: Home phone
• Stepfather: Email
• Aunt: Email
• Brother-in-law: Texting, Facebook, email
• Lisa: Email, or she’ll call me on the way to work
• Monica: Email, texting
• Jaclyn & Holly: Facebook, texting, email
• Grandparents: Email, home phone

Of course, face-to-face interaction is the best, but that’s not always possible. Thankfully, I’m comfortable using all of these forms of communication.

This list is constantly evolving. My son will need to start checking his email over the next year as his guidance counselor and colleges start emailing him information. My mother will eventually get more comfortable on Facebook, and I hope that my father and stepparents will give in and join Facebook.

I’ll get a smarter cellphone in the next year or two, and will probably start depending on it more. Until then, when people send picture messages to my phone, I can’t see them well enough to distinguish if they’re pictures of babies or dogs.

Maybe I’ll just start sending letters again. Probably not.

Note: The picture above depicts Ernestine, the character Lily Tomlin played in “Laugh-In.” I played that character in my elementary school play, and can still do a pretty mean Ernestine impression. Young’uns who aren’t familiar with Ernestine may enjoy this video where she explains her position on healthcare:

My son of a gun

Posted on 01. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in parenting

When my daughter was little, I bought her a dump truck. She used it to store blocks.

When my son came along, he loved that dump truck. He loved anything with wheels.

So on his first Christmas I bought him a doll. He seemed to like it, but he wouldn’t name it. It became “Baby Doll.” It was ignored. When he was old enough, he threw it into the pool and rescued it. I was encouraged; perhaps he was starting to bond with the doll. Alas, after several tosses, Baby Doll became a pool toy. She floated face down in the pool.

In the Toy Battle of Nature vs. Nurture, Nature won, doll down.

When my son got older, he wanted an airsoft gun. I held my ground until he was 15, when I allowed him to purchase an airsoft pistol. It has an orange tip, and shoots little plastic pellets that don’t penetrate the skin. He soon graduated to an airsoft rifle, which he would use in epic battles in the local hills. When his rifle broke, we went to the mecca of airsofting, the Evike store in San Gabriel. (see photo to the right)

I’ve never seen a store less targeted towards me; I’m less likely to buy something there than Cabella’s. Whether it’s the big Chinese lion statues, the Playboy centerfold autographs, or the endless supply of realistic-looking clothing and weaponry (with orange tips), I don’t ever expect to visit Evike without my son in tow or in mind.

However, when he tested his new rifle, I insisted on donning goggles and taking a few shots. I was pretty darn good, and humbly admit that it was fun. The young woman who helped us was bright and knowledgeable, and I got a kick out of the fact that she was wearing Hello Kitty shorts. I doubt that my knees are up for crawling through rattlesnake-ridden underbrush, or that the adolescent boys would appreciate me joining them, but I think I understand why they play with the airsoft guns. It’s exciting and active, and requires teamwork and strategy. They’re too old to play tag, so I should be glad they’re getting away from their video games and computers and doing something together.

As long as they don’t take it any further. I’m glad there’s not an Army Experience Center here. The one at the Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia boasts a video gaming arena, warefare simulators, a tactical operations center and more. There are Army recruiters ready to discuss enlisting with the young people that are eligible.

I’m not ready for that. I’m still hoping for something a little more nurturing for my guy.