Latest Press Releases Articles

Guiding Lights: New Support for Triangle Caregivers

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:18:20 +0000

Guiding Lights Caregiver Support Center announces its Grand Opening, celebrated by a public open house on October 21, 3-6pm at its Raleigh location: 3724 National Dr. Suite 130. Guiding Lights is a private nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive array of services to support family and professional caregivers.

Recent surveys have shown that caregiving for people with serious, ongoing healthcare needs is most often provided by their family members. The large and growing population of private caregivers needs a place to go for information, training, and moral support. Most importantly, and often missing, each caregiver needs assistance finding solutions for their specific situation. Guiding Lights Caregiver Support Center fills this need.

Guiding Lights services include a life management program for individuals living with dementia, a skills lab (sponsored by Triangle After Care) to train caregivers to care for loved ones' physical needs, a lending library of resource materials (sponsored by Heartland Home Health and Hospice), a sharing suite to facilitate free meetings between caregivers and industry professionals, a referrals specialist, care coordination, support groups, and educational seminars.

Professional caregivers also benefit from training in areas such as serving people living with dementia. And, Guiding Lights will offer corporations caregiver support services as a benefit to their employees.

Julie Falconer serves as Director of Programs and says, "I am so proud to be a part of this collaborative effort and to be able to bring joy to people who live in frustration and desperation because they cannot get the help they need to provide adequate and appropriate assistance to their loved ones. Guiding Lights is for each and all of them!"

Through her experience caring for her mother who suffers from dementia, Stacy Milburn, Referrals Specialist, knows firsthand the challenges faced by caregivers. "What a significant difference it would have made in our struggle with mom’s Alzheimer’s to have someone answering our many questions, providing a managed care plan based on her individual needs, steering us through the complexities of long distance caregiving, and offering emotional support throughout the process. This is exactly what Guiding Lights is providing the Triangle community."

"Our mission is to be the comprehensive support center for family and professional caregiving," said Nicole Bruno, Executive Director. "Offering the very best resources and means of support to all local family and professional caregivers, we seek to diminish the fear, doubt, and stress that accompanies this very important role in which many of us are called to serve."

Guiding Lights will be open to the public starting October 4th.

For more information, contact Nicole Bruno at nicole@guidinglightsnc.org.

About Guiding Lights Caregiver Support Center

Guiding Lights Caregiver Support Center is a private nonprofit organization serving residents of Wake County, North Carolina. Based in Raleigh, Guiding Lights offers a comprehensive array of services to support family and professional caregivers. www.guidinglightsnc.org

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Raleigh Area Dentist, C. Ashley Mann, DDS, Raises Funds for Wake Smiles Dental Clinic

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:13:33 +0000

Raleigh, North Carolina - Every year, the dental practice of Dr. Ashley Mann donates the proceeds from a spring fundraiser for the Wake Smiles Dental Clinic to benefit those who can not afford dental care.

This spring, Dr. Mann's office raised nearly $4000 for the Wake Smiles clinic from the sale of in-home teeth whitening kits. Patients appreciate that their purchase gives back to the community.

Teeth whitening helps people look their best and feel more confident when smiling. Coffee, tea and soda stain teeth increasingly over time. There are many choices for teeth whitening, from toothpastes, an assortment of in-home kits, and in-office treatments. These differ in the degree of whitening, how long it takes, how much effort is involved and the price.

For busy professionals and parents, in-office teeth whitening is the fastest and easiest way to whiten teeth. Dr. Asheley Mann's office will be offering a discount on Zoom! Teeth Whitening in-office treatments through October 2010.

Dr. Ashley Mann's dental practice values giving back to the community; earlier this year two mother daughter teams participated in the Race for the Cure event in Raleigh.

About Wake Smiles:

Wake Smiles is a dental clinic on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, North Carolina that serves residents of Wake County who could not otherwise afford dental care. Their goal as stated on their Web site is, "To increase the number of uninsured patients, both children and adults, receiving comprehensive preventive and restorative dental services in the Wake County Area."

For more information, visit their Web site at http://www.rwcds.org/wake/about.htm.

About C. Ashley Mann, DDS:

Dr. Ashley Mann's dental practice offers the best in cosmetic dentistry and family dentistry for Cary and Raleigh professionals and families. The practice is highly regarded for its excellent and kind patient care, as well as its use of advanced technology for state-of-the art treatments. The team welcomes dental questions by phone (919) 462-9338, email or texting on their Web site. http://www.drashleymann.com

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Raleigh Area Businesswoman Christine Engelbrecht Earns Top Award Again from BeautiControl in Texas

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:34:24 +0000

Christine Engelbrecht, a director with the Dallas, Texas spa, skin care and beauty products company, BeautiControl, was recognized as the top performer in recruiting and team building at the company's annual sales conference in Texas.

BeautiControl has a National Sales Conference in Dallas every year where it recognizes outstanding performers for the prior year. Already in the top ten, Engelbrecht was on stage with nine other top consultants when they announced her name: she had earned first place as BeautiControl's best recruiter and team-builder, the second time in three years.

"It was absolutely one of the most exciting events in my life," Engelbrecht said. "To be recognized before a cheering audience of 5000 of my peers was unbelievable! I wish every man and woman could have that kind of experience once in their lifetime; it's life changing." At the event, Engelbrecht was also recognized as one of the top ten directors for BeautiControl. The company has 1500 directors.

Engelbrecht has had a solid and successful business career with two decades in hotel management as General Manager with several different hotel chains. She joined BeautiControl as a sales consultant in 2003 and created The Total Spa Escape in Cary, North Carolina.

As Owner and Spa Director of The Total Spa Escape, Christine Engelbrecht, brings spa experiences into homes and the workplace. She is also a trainer and mentor for BeautiControl consultants, and her workshops attract consultants from around the country. Engelbrecht's success in sales and team-building has earned her the coveted reward of a red Mustang Convertible, and diamonds, cash bonuses, trips, and gifts.

For more information see her contact details below and visit The Total Spa Escape Facebook Page to connect, see pictures and get the latest news and events.

About BeautiControl:

BeautiControl is a direct sales beauty products company specializing in spa treatments, personalized skin care, cosmetics, and anti-aging treatments including: MicroDerm Abrasion, Better Than Botox treatments, Dermal Line fillers, Instant Facelifts, and Resurfacing Chemical Peels. All are delivered through in-home spa events. BeautiControl offers individuals opportunities to start their own business as sales consultants. The Dallas Texas company is owned by Tupperware Brands.

About The Total Spa Escape:

The Total Spa Escape in Cary, North Carolina offers relaxing spa experiences in homes and office settings. The Owner and Spa Director is Christine Engelbrecht. Spa treatments include personalized skin care, cosmetics, and anti-aging treatments. Engelbrecht also trains and mentors BeautiControl consultants and manages a team of 300 Spa Consultants around the U.S., helping men and women start their own successful spa businesses.

“The Total Spa Escape” is a one-hour spa experience featuring complimentary Skin Care and Spa Treatments from BeautiControl offered in the home or in the workplace. The “Spa at Work” is a Health and Wellness Program, offered at work to reduce stress and improve attitudes and productivity.

For more information on the The Total Spa Escape, the business opportunity with in-home spa experiences, or sales training contact Christine Engelbrecht at 919-465-0334.

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The Dog Ate My Homework: Leadership Lessons with a Twist

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:00:07 +0000

August 23, 2010 — Remember when teachers gave zeroes for missing homework? Remember when the neighbors expected you to work off the repairs when your baseball came crashing through their window? Remember when your co-worker didn’t have that report ready and your boss made it seem like it was your fault?

Management consultant Gary Davis of Dorrier Underwood has developed a new keynote address that harkens back to those days. “The Dog Ate My Homework” examines common misunderstandings about responsibility and gives leaders new ways to think about holding others accountable.

“Responsibility is a skill people are quick to talk about, but most of us fall short when we’re driving for accountability.” Gary says. “Everybody’s got some version of the dog ate my homework, and they think they’re being responsible. We give ourselves permission to tease, and gossip, and talk behind each other’s backs, and pretend it doesn’t affect what gets produced.

“People know what it means to be responsible for something in the past, but leaders are people who take responsibility for the future – not a 50/50 split, but 100% responsible, no excuses, the buck stops here. Being responsible means being willing to promise impossible things.

“What’s crazy is thinking breakthroughs will happen without giving your word to more than what you know how to deliver,” Gary says. “With companies needing people to do more with less, it’s essential employees be able to tap their own power to make a difference.”

About Gary Davis. Gary Davis is a writer, consultant, and keynote speaker who is known for his insight, humor, and ability to forge connections with others. To book Gary for your event, visit dorrierunderwood.com or call 704-343-9092.

About Dorrier Underwood. Dorrier Underwood is a management consulting firm that develops people and organizations to produce unprecedented results in short periods of time. Founded in 1988, Dorrier Underwood is a leader in the fields of breakthrough performance and organizational transformation. Dorrier Underwood has consultants in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh, NC. Dorrier Underwood’s client base ranges from software and education to the health sciences and financial sector.

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Real Ad Man Still Seeks to Be Television Mad Man

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:34:50 +0000

Real Ad Man Still Seeks to Be Television Mad Man

August 24, 2010 – Jeff Bowman, freelance art director, is on the path to go from behind the scenes to the silver screen. Bowman, who entered the “Mad Men” Casting Call Contest last month, is competing alongside nearly 4,000 entrants for a coveted walk-on role on the Emmy-winning AMC television series “Mad Men.” The two winners will be selected by “Mad Men” creator Matt Weiner from the top 10 male and female semi-finalists, voted online by viewers and fans. Bowman currently has over 7000 votes and is in the top 30 among male contest participants.

“When I entered the contest, I had no idea what I was doing, how to win or really what I was thinking,” Bowman said. After sending an e-mail encouraging family, friends and past colleagues and schoolmates to go online to vote, Bowman quickly turned to social media outlets Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to spread the world. After 48 hours he was in 4^th place with over 1,000 votes.

“Up until now social media was for me mostly about, well, being social, but, after seeing the numbers, I have learned the power and the possibilities of social media,” said Bowman. While some competitors may be utilizing auto-voting software to increase their numbers, Bowman attributes his success to his network of family, friends, work associates and acquaintances.

“After the contest, though, it’s not over,” Bowman said. “The journey has just begun and the competition is just one milepost along the way.

The contest is open for public voting until September 17. To vote for Jeff (aka Mr. Dapper Don) visit www.madmencastingcall.amctv.com/browse/detail/RDICLA or http://bit.ly/DapperDon. Voters may vote once per day per computer. You can also follow Jeff’s journey at www.madmenmakingchange.wordpress.com.

About Jeff Bowman:

Born on a small, tobacco farm near Madison, N.C. in the early 60’s, Jeff was gifted in art from a very young age and became determined to study art in college. Despite his father’s tragic death during his senior year at Madison-Mayodan High School, he made it to college. He graduated Cum Laude from ECU’s School of Art with a BFA degree in Communications Arts/Graphic Design in 1983. Jeff interned during his last semester with the Dep’t of Natural Resources in Raleigh, N.C. After falling in love with the city, and a girl named Joy, as well as having few funds to go elsewhere, he decided to stay. He soon found work as an art director at Howard, Merrell, and Partners Advertising. His career has taken him to many other ad agencies, firms, and other organizations in the Raleigh area, like Rockett, Burkhead and Lewis/Winslow, The Stone Agency, and eventually The Catevo Group, which closed due to the economic downturn in Nov. 2009. This was just weeks after he’d had the biographical photo taken which he’s now using as his entry photo in the “Mad Men” contest. He now freelances as Bowman Creative, while doing some contractual creative/art direction for Ogilvy & Mather in Durham. Bowman Creative offers creative director, art direction, graphic design, brand building and brand strategy services. The economic downturn has caused his business to experience its slowest period ever in his career from mid-spring throughout this summer. However, there are promising signs of things picking up. Jeff feels this is due in part to the increased and renewed connections he has made, as well as the encouragement and motivation from his communities, friends, and family he has gained since entering the contest.

VOTE: http://bit.ly/Vote4DapperDon or http://bit.ly/DapperDon

www.prsurvival.com

Raleigh Ad Man Still Seeks to Be Television Mad Man

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:54:12 +0000

August 23, 2010 – Jeff Bowman, freelance art director, is on the path to go from behind the scenes to the silver screen. Bowman, who entered the “Mad Men” Casting Call Contest last month, is competing alongside nearly 4,000 entrants for a coveted walk-on role on the Emmy-winning AMC television series “Mad Men.” The two winners will be selected by “Mad Men” creator Matt Weiner from the top 10 male and female semi-finalists, voted online by viewers and fans. Bowman currently has over 7000 votes and is in the top 30 among male contest participants.

“After the contest, though, it’s not over,” Bowman said. “The journey has just begun and the competition is just one milepost along the way.

About Jeff Bowman:

www.prsurvival.com

Catering by Design to Cater Hospitality Suites on 10th Anniversary of SAS Championship

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:05 +0000

Cary, North Carolina - The SAS Championship Golf Tournament will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in September 2010. Sponsored by Bloomberg Businessweek, the event will draw media coverage and thousands of visitors to Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.

Catering by Design http://www.catering-by-design.com was the local caterer selected to cater the hospitality suites this year, their second year in a row.

Mark D'Ambrosia of Classic Sports Catering is responsible for the championship concessions and for choosing the caterer. "Catering by Design has a great staff. They are good with detail, on time, and customers always say what a great job they do," D'Ambrosia said. http://www.classicsportscatering.com/

Catering by Design will be catering elegant lunches, snacks and dinners at the business-sponsored private sky boxes with servers dressed in black bow ties, cumberbunds and white shirts.

Chef Greg Lewis, owner of Catering by Design told us how proud their team was to be awarded the championship event in 2009, and said, "It is absolutely fantastic that we've been awarded it for the 10th Anniversary in 2010!"

Steve Zapadinsky, Catering by Design's operations manager, commented about the 2009 experience. "Our staff was phenomenal. Everyone worked together and performed well. It was liked being in the playoffs; they really stepped up to the plate. We shined and were asked to come back!"

Catering at the SAS Championship last year included learning golf etiquette, transporting food in the golf carts, and watching for the quiet signs. All the foods and drinks are staged behind the grandstand, inside a tent with flaps.

The 2010 event begins Monday September 20th and lasts the whole week. For more information about the SAS Championship visit their site at http://saschampionship.com/.

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Travis Janovich, Kendra Leonard Named 2010 Man & Woman of the Year

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:28:35 +0000

Cary, NC

It takes a special person to give tirelessly of their time and energy to help others, but that’s what makes a true “Man or Woman of the Year.” The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) annual Man and Woman of the Year fundraising competition calls on Eastern N.C.’s business and community leaders to demonstrate this compassion. At the close of this spring’s ten week campaign, Travis Janovich, Etix, and Kendra Leonard, The Art of Style, were named the 2010 Man & Woman of the Year. These two individuals were the highest fundraisers in the campaign and both went above and beyond in their efforts to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Leonard and Janovich committed themselves to this mission and significantly contributed to saving lives from cancer by raising more than $30,000 and $111, 000 respectively. These vital funds support LLS programs including financial aid, support groups, and peer counseling to patients and their families, and LLS’s investment in research, including $6.5 million in current projects at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill. Travis Janovich is one of only ten individuals out of more than 600 candidates in the nationwide competition who raised more than $100,000 . He will be honored with naming rights to an LLS-funded researcher, and both local winners will be recognized in a full page Man & Woman of the Year advertisement in USA Today.

All of this year’s candidates made a huge difference in the lives of the nearly 1 million blood cancer patients and their families nationwide including our local honored patients, Boy of the Year, Kaden Mills, 4, and Girl of the Year, Haidyn Reinhardt, 6. Other 2010 candidates included Jody Anglin, Cephalon, Jeffrey Bandini, Parker Poe Adams and Bernstein, Casey Blalock, the Virginia Gail Collection, Craig Brodsky, Best Buy Stores, Michael Dean Chadwick, MD Chadwick Co., Blossom Damania, PhD, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sharon Anita Hill, Sharon Hill International, Chanel McIntyre, The Lundy Group, Jennifer Perkins, RE/MAX Preferred Associates and Jeff Zirker of Cisco Systems Inc. These thirteen individuals celebrated a grand total of more than $279,000 raised for the cure at a memorable Grand Finale at the Raleigh Marriott City Center on June 10. To read more about all of the candidates and the campaign, visit www.mwoy.org/nce.

The North Carolina Chapter of LLS serves patients battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma statewide out of offices in Cary and Charlotte. The chapter raises money for research leading to a cure for blood cancers, the nation’s No. 2 cancer killer, and to enhance the quality of life for local patients through services such as family support groups, educational programs and financial aid. For more information about LLS, visit www.lls.org or call the Chapter office at (919) 367-4100.

Raleigh Author Releases New Book About Depression

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:11:40 +0000

July 24 – North Carolina writer Maureen Sherbondy has published her third book of poetry, Weary Blues. Sherbondy, a Raleigh, North Carolina fiction writer and poet, has written a poetry collection that will help individuals affected by depression.

Sherbondy is an award-winning poet and fiction writer. Her stories have appeared in Stone Canoe, the North Carolina Literary Review, Southeast Review, and the Sierra Nevada College Review. She is a previous winner of the Piccolo Spoleto Fiction Open, as well as a finalist in Southeast Review’s Best Short-Short Story Contest. Her previous poetry collection, Praying at Coffee Shops, won first place in the Poetry Category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Her first poetry collection, After the Fairy Tale, was published in 2007 (Main Street Rag).

Georgia poet Linda Lee Harper describes Sherbondy’s new collection: “This is a musical poet who compellingly voices the complex strains of love, grief and survival. Her intimate and darkly memorable poems echo with regret for what breaks our hearts and spirits, but these brave poems also reverberate with stubborn hope.”

Weary Blues is now available through Big Table Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9842473-8-7. The book is $12.00 and can be ordered directly from the author at www.maureensherbondy.com or from the publisher at http://www.bigtablepublishing.com/chaptitles.html , and also at select independent booksellers.

Media Contact: Maureen Sherbondy

Phone: (919) 847-9108

321 Jellison Court

Raleigh, NC 27615

msherbondy@nc.rr.com

www.maureensherbondy.com

www.bigtablepublishing.com/chaptitles.html

Review Copies and Interviews Available

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Separation and Divorce Seminar

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:48:11 +0000

Smith Debnam will be holding a Separation and Divorce Seminar designed to offer valuable information and provide supportive professional resources from a legal, financial, and emotional perspective for those going through or contemplating a separation or divorce. You will come away with practical knowledge and a road map for navigating through this challenging process.

You’ll learn:

Your legal rights and options: Max Rodden, Board Certified Family Law Specialist, Smith Debnam
Important financial concepts you will need to know: Robert T. Watral, Jr., CFP®, CMFC®, CDFA™, Financial Planning Specialist, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Healthy ways to recover from divorce and separation: Donna Moore, LCSW, Divorce Therapist

Tuesday, September 14, 2010
6:30pm - 8:15pm
at Smith Debnam, 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27609

Register Online at http://divorceseminar.eventsbot.com, call Crystal Mathew at (919) 250-2157, or email cmathew@smithdebnamlaw.com