Quick Jump:

• Party Pics
• Spotlight
• Play
• Health & Beauty
• Shop
• Work
• Art&Culture
• Eat
• Drink
• Travel & Recreation
• Home Living
• Green Lifestyle
• Community & Charity
• Wheels & Gadgets
• Sweet Deals
• What's Hot
• Bulletin Board

Featuring pictures from past events

Houston Greeters’ Winter Gathering

Houston Greeters hosted a Winter Gathering at the Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Houston. Guests of Houston Greeters, a nonprofit organization that connects visitors to the city with local volunteers, enjoyed s’mores and festive cocktails at the Rooftop Pool Veranda. Guests included Houston Greeters Founder, Susan Borches; Board Members, Betsy Griffin, Greg Barnes, Michael Jhin, Ursula Muenzel, Craig Vollmers, Sue Sutton and Gordon Quan; Friends, Ellen Goldberg, President, Sister Cities Houston; Amy Leggio, The University of Houston; John & Sylvia Sullivan; and Greeters Cheryl May, Sharon Williams, Wells Rader, Laolu Davies-Yemitan, Monica Rhodes, Katy Kleinman, Gay Ann Gustafson, Bill Sharber, Lois Hardt, James O’Reilly, Andrea Bryant, Janis Scott, Katherine Lay and Sonia Garza-Monarchi.

Special Thanks to Amy Popp and The Four Seasons for hosting the event.

Premiere Celebrated Christmas in Style!

Ei8ht Lounge was host to Premiere Promotions’ Annual Christmas Party & Fashion Show! They kicked off the party with a video presentation of all the model's 2009 print work, promotions & shows. This private event is an annual show with over 20 models showcasing their talents while modeling in a themed fashion show show. Some of the routines included; Bad to the Bone, Rich Girl, These Boots are Made for Walking, Girls Just Want to Have Fun & Sharp Dressed Man. Gordon Lam and Carl Frey Photography, along with Plan B Television were on hand to capture photos and to film the video shoot. Delicious food was served from Crave Sushi and Ei8ht Lounge and attendees enjoyed happy hour drink specials all night long!

FUN PICS PHOTO BOOTH provided by Chris Wineinger Photography, was there to capture the memories in their fun booth. The models enjoyed dressing up in costumes & modeling props. They all got to take home instant photos~ Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of a check from Premiere Promotion's 8th Annual Darque Tan Charity Golf Tournament, which raised over $4,100 for the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Director, Jay Branson, was presented the check on stage during the event. And a big thank you to Salon Metro our official hair stylist for the show and to Kamryn Mansoury with Nebuloni Italian Men’s Clothing for providing our male model's and some of the female's clothing for the show.

The Launch of Hotel Sorella

Hotel Sorella rocked Houston's typically subdued west side recently, as nearly 2,500 guests "sipped, tasted and celebrated" at the grand opening of the chic new boutique property – a sister to San Antonio’s acclaimed Valencia and anchor of the $500-million CITYCENTRE district.

Executives of the Valencia Group and Midway Companies left no stone unturned creating a night of fabulous fun that lasted well into the wee hours with fireworks, fire dancers, a performance by the Houston Texans cheerleaders and nibbles from some of the hottest new restaurants in town like Alex Brennan-Martin’s Bistro Alex and Café Rose, Straits, Eddie V’s, RA Sushi, Brio and Yard House. Party people of all ages including Dr. Lucho Rossman, Stacy Soefer, Ceron, Yolanda Williamson, newly elected City Council person Oliver Pennington and wife Beverly, dapper chef Philippe Schmit, architect Ian Rosenberg, stylist Todd Ramos, Fredell and Bobby Deutser, Joann and Bill Crassas, Caroline Starry LeBlanc, Elisa and Chris Pye, Peter and Sarah Tripoli, Harriet and Gil Gertner, Mauney Mafrige, Pepper and Ashley Edens, PR gal Kristen Cannon, Tamara Brock, Lauren Levicki, designer Mia Jones, plus brother and sister duo Jose and Claudia Solis to name a few, wandered from floor to floor with DJ’s and bands – including Austin’s Erin Ivey - filling the hotel, rooftop pool terrace, CITYCENTRE’s central plaza and the adjacent Red Oak Ballroom and Houston Motor Club.

Hotel Sorella - 800 West Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston, TX 77024 - 713/ 973.1600 - www.hotelsorella-citycentre.com

Christmas Spectacular At Hans’ Bier Haus

Hans' Bier Haus was swingin' on the 13th when Ronnie Renfrow and his 18-piece orchestra played a hit parade of classic tunes from the 40's through the 60's for the pub's "Christmas Spectacular". The scene had a New Orleans look about it. A high-spirited crowd of over 100 filled the pub's decked beer garden to party and dance the night away in casual style.

Hans’ Bier Haus – 2325 Quenby (in the Rice Village) - 713/ 520.7474

SNAPshots fashion show

Photos: Brett Chisholm

The 4th Annual SNAPshots Celebration and Fashion Show was presented by Brett Chisholm Photography at Winter Street Studios on December 03. The event featured a fashion show featuring Billy Reid and Chloe Dao with models from Neal Hamil Agency. Title sponsors included Capital One Bank, Pride International, and Tito's Vodka. The event raised more than $40,000 for SNAP, a Houston-based non-profit agency whose mission is to prevent the suffering and death of cats and dogs due to overpopulation, especially in low-income areas. For more info visit www.Snapus.org/

European Wax Center and Massage Envy’s Joint Holiday Party!

Photos: Frederico Villamayor for www.LastNightPics.com

Houston’s hot spot Lucky Strike was the select location to host European Wax Center and Massage Envy’s Joint Holiday Party on December 19th. Staff and franchisees from both entities enjoyed mingling, shooting pool and bowl all night long.


Photographer Frederico Villamayor for www.LastNightPics.com was there to snap pictures. Food, libations and incredible prizes were given away, including iPods, xbox, and gift cards from EWC and Massage Envy.

This was the first joint party for European Wax Center and Massage Envy, which made perfect sense since many of their franchisees own both.

Despite the hairy economy, European Wax Centers is one of the fastest growing franchises in the United States. In just 12 short months, they have granted over 75 franchises in 15 states. Over 30 locations are already opened nationwide with 10 locations in the state of Texas. For more information about owning and operating your own European Wax Center franchise in the State of Texas, contact Judd Miller at jmiller@waxcenter.com or visit their website atwww.waxcenter.com

For more info on waxing at any of these locations in River Oaks Plaza at 1564 West Gray, call 713-524-4929; West University location at 5154 Buffalo Speedway, call 713-667-2929; The Galleria area at 5000 Westheimer, call 713-622-4929; in Bunker Hill at 9758 Katy Freeway, call 713-481-1266, and the upcoming Copperfield at 7014F Highway 6 North, call 281-773-2119, or visitwww.waxcenter.com

SpotLight

Due to popular demand, our SpotLight section was created to feature exciting, cutting edge, successful individuals, whose work / business, style, or expertise may inspire others. If you have any candidate suggestions, please send an email to info@mikelmarketing.com.

10 local innovators

It is our honor to SpotLight the select “10 Innovators” who were featured in the Mikel’s Perfect 10 party recently. Each innovator represents the inspiring and sometimes breath-taking achievement of the American Dream by demonstrating that innovation starts with humble ideas and solutions whose successful realization can literally change lives. As Master of ceremony Bob Boudreaux introduced each innovator, and city officials were on hand to present each with a congratulatory certificate from Mayor White.

By showcasing these motivating examples, Mimi Dinh, president of Mikel Marketing, hopes to inspire more and more people to become innovators in their own right. Only through invention and continual improvement can Houston and the larger community surmount current challenges in the economy and marketplace.

Featuring upcoming parties & events around town

Featuring spas, hair salons, sports clubs, or beauty products

Have you stopped waxing in this hairy economy?

We've hit hard times, and wallets have closed up tighter than bank lenders. Sadly, luxury expenses are always the first budget-busters to go. As a result, personal indulgences like waxing start waning.

Does this mean the economic recession is about to breed a new generation of hairy people? Not so fast. The gurus at European Wax Center have some wax wisdom to impart to ensure skin stays smooth even in the roughest times.

European Wax Center is one of the hottest new properties in Houston. They recently opened their fifth location in town – you'll find them in River Oaks Plaza, West University, Bunker Hill, Galleria and Copperfield areas – with twenty five more (and 85 total in Texas) scheduled to open. They use a proprietary wax developed in Paris, along with a unique four-step process of cleanse, protect, wax and rejuvenate, to create a faster, easier and virtually pain-free experience. They use a proprietary wax developed in Paris, along with a unique four-step process of cleanse, protect, wax and rejuvenate, to create a faster, easier and virtually pain-free experience.

Better yet, they're more than happy to share their expertise with do-it-yourselfers. “To be honest, we like it when people try waxing at home,” says Loren, Regional Trainer for all Houston locations. “Most people think waxing is just 'wax on, grit teeth, wax off.' When they try it at home, they understand why $39 is such a fantastic value.”

Wait, $39? “Our Brazilian wax service costs $39,” Loren confirms. “Plus, we offer the initial waxing for free.” Is it possible to beat that price at home? “Possibly,” she says, “depending on the products used and how you value your time. The first rule of at-home waxing is to go slowly. Speed is a function of experience and training.”

In other words, a rushed job is likely to turn out badly. She recommends setting aside some time when you know you won't be interrupted. She also suggests testing whatever wax you use on a small area first. This will help you verify the waxing product works, give some practice in the process and allow you to gauge if the discomfort (that's wax expert code for “pain”) exceeds your tolerance. Finally, slow-going means you're less likely to damage tender skin while ripping those hairs out, and that means you're less likely to suffer burns from overheated wax, or a pesky infection taking root.

“Always follow the manufacturer's directions,” she continues. In fact, one of the most common mistakes is using too much wax. Rather than pulling out more hair, too much wax tends to pull out less. It only takes a thin layer, depending on the specific wax product.

What about products to use? Wax strips are most common, but they're also the most painful. European Wax Center's proprietary wax is stripless, which allows faster application and less pain. Loren confirms, “Higher quality wax means higher quality waxing. Look for higher-end products for smoother at-home waxing.” She also mentions one of European Wax Center's most important steps – a pre-depilatory oil which ensures the wax attaches only to hair, not skin. Like wax products, consumers can purchase similar oils themselves, but quality varies widely.

European Wax Center offers its own line of products that can ease the experience. These include a Body Lotion for slow growth, an Ingrown Hair Serum for post-waxing to prevent ingrown hairs, and their signature product: an Exfoliate for post-waxing that leaves skin soft and supple without abrasiveness. “Big sellers for Valentine's Day,” Loren confides. No surprise there: what's sexier than sharing smooth skin?

She adds that self-waxers should keep their expectations in check. Professionals are practiced experts who work faster and more efficiently. Those at home, especially first-timers, are unlikely to get all the hairs, especially in the hard-to-reach places. Success is most likely for do-it-yourselfers who work slowly, thoroughly and are willing to wax the same area more than once to get all the hairs.

“But stop if the area becomes too red and painful,” Loren cautions. “Wait until that goes away before continuing.” But what if you haven't gotten all the hairs? She shrugs. “I'd rather be hairy and healthy than smooth and damaged.” Ouch. In fact, if there's any bleeding, don't just stop, also disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

And what if the at-home waxing doesn't work ideally? Loren laughs. “We see that more often than you'd think. We don't ask questions. We just make it better. There's a reason we hire only licensed estheticians and then require 40 more hours of training. ”

To purchase European Wax Center-brand products or if you prefer professional service to do-it-yourself-ing, contact any of the four local European Wax Centers: in River Oaks Plaza at 1564 West Gray (713-524-4929), West University location at 5154 Buffalo. Speedway (713-667-2929), The Galleria area at 5000 Westheimer (713-622-4929), in Bunker Hill at 9758 Katy Freeway (713-481-1266), and the upcoming Copperfield at 7014F Highway 6 North (281-773-2119), or visit www.waxcenter.com

For more information about owning and operating your own European Wax Center franchise in the State of Texas, contact Judd Miller at jmiller@waxcenter.com or visit our website at www.waxcenter.com.

Featuring shops and related news

Shop ‘Til You Pop

(Taken from Houston Tidbits)

You justify that pastry habit at the Nordstrom coffee shop because you need fuel to shop. Lunch at Saks? Well, that’s to celebrate your purchases.

Consider Coquette, which opened last weekend where Pixie & Ivy used to reside. The Montrose corner spot still has the chic red door, but inside, you’ll find a boutique and bistro. They offer snacks from Krafts’men Bakery that you can enjoy perched at one of the tiny tables amongst well-priced sequin leggings, snug blazers and funky jewelry. Coming soon: an after-hours speakeasy where you can imbibe.

Cocktailing while clothes-shopping? Imagine the possibilities. Coquette - 1848 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098 - 713.527.7377

Eve Francis Boutique

Featuring seminars, business news, and business events

Read Mimi Dinh’s “Marketing Trends 2010” in the TexasOnTheGo.com on line magazine

First launched in 2004 from a Harvard dorm room, Facebook now has 350 million users (grew 40 percent); and Twitter’s service grew more than 50 percent month-over-month, according to the latest from Nielsen Online. Even old school companies finally gave in to the pressure and have jumped on the band wagon. 
In the wild new frontier of social marketing, most firms fall flat in their use of social media because they fail in one crucial regard: Mastery of social media requires a union of both technical skill and marketing acumen.

But Dinh cautions that just because someone has their own Facebook or Twitter page does not mean they have mastered the craft. That’s why Mikel Marketing has partnered with Prolink Media.  “It’s the combination of our skills that make us more effective with social media and unique among the rest of the competition,” says Trevor Hatfield, president of Prolink Media.
Dinh adds that social media marketing, like any good ad campaign, must do more than simply communicate facts.  It must drive both emotion and action with:

• Box-bursting vision - Social media pros marry technical “how” with innovative “what” to create an amazing “wow.”
• Results-oriented approach - Good social media marketing is not nebulous, but yields measurable returns.
• Awe-inspiring juggling - Because social media ventures are multi-jointed and multi-dimensional, success requires the ability to manage a multi-jointed marketing campaign.

In short, effective social marketing requires a rare and enviable combination of skills: invention, design, programming, communication. It requires professionals who can drill down to the barest detail while retaining the big picture for a comprehensive, cohesive effort.  It’s time to sharpen your social media skill because it is here to stay.
Houston’s first “Meet & Tweet” Party:
To celebrate their new joint venture, Mikel Marketing and Prolink Media will be hosting Houston’s first “Meet & Tweet Party”.  Date and place to be announced later. Open to the public, the event is aimed at social media newbies and experts alike.  This party presents a great opportunity for local Tweeters to meet and increase their own networks, as they learn about exciting new tools.  To receive an invitation to this event, click here , or for more info contact mikel@mikelmarketing.com
We invite all of you to get a discussion going.  Please submit your comments at the end of this article, Thanks.

About: Mikel Marketing is an award-winning, full service marketing company based in Houston. Visit www.mikelmarketing.com

Tech Connection – An HTC event

Tech Connection
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Houstonian Hotel
Keynote by Michael Garfield, "The High-Tech Texan"
5:30 -8:30 pm
Cost: $25
Register Here

Featuring art exhibits, gallery openings, theater, plays

DAMIAN PRIOUR: WATER SPARKS

January 23—February 28, 2010
ArtWalk Opening, Saturday, January 23, 6 to 9 pm
Gallery Talk at 6:30 pm .

Galveston Arts Center is pleased to present Water Sparks, a thirty-year retrospective of glass and stone sculptures created by Austin-based artist Damian Priour.

The exhibition, organized by Galveston Arts Center’s curator Clint Willour, was originally scheduled to be on view this past fall, but was postponed due to Hurricane Ike. It instead premiered at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum in Austin in September 2009.

Galveston Arts Center is currently operating “in exile” from our second temporary downtown gallery space—the site of the former Maceo’s Spice and Import Company located on the corner of Market and 25th Streets. The administrative offices are also at this location. The gallery and selections from GAC’s museum shop, ArtWorks, are open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. A flyer listing all ArtWalk participants with times and locations can be downloaded at www.galvestonartscenter.org.

LOCATION AND HOURS
Galveston Arts Center is located on the corner of Strand and 22nd (Kempner) Street in historic downtown Galveston. The building is currently closed until further notice for repairs to damage from Hurricane Ike. We anticipate re-opening in 2010. For more information, call 409.763.2403 or visit www.galvestonartscenter.org.

Galveston Arts Center in Exile 2 is located at 2501 Market Street, Galveston, TX, 77550 - 409.763.2403. The mailing address for GAC remains the same: 2127 Strand, Galveston, TX 77550.

Featuring restaurants and related news

Featuring bars, lounges, clubs, and related news

Featuring travel destinations and recreation

What’s New, on and Off the Slopes

Taken from the New York Times – December 13, 2009, by LIONEL BEEHNER

THOSE hoping for shorter lift lines and emptier ski lodges may be disappointed this winter. Sure, the recession may scare off some fair-weather skiers. But cheap flights, discounted passes and fewer blackout days on ski-and-stay packages will lure even the thriftiest of skiers — not to mention the earlier-than-expected snowstorms that buried the West last month. A bad economy may also mean more bankers-turned-ski bums.

Still, don’t expect your favorite ski mountain to look too different from past seasons. Most resorts did not roll out expensive new lifts and lodges, but rather just tweaked around the margins. New trails or bowls? Not many this winter.

There are exceptions, of course. A few resorts in Utah and Colorado are opening luxury condos and faux Alpine villages with Trump-like aplomb. But those were green-lighted before the economy hit the skids. Not all upgrades require multimillion-dollar investments. Old stalwarts like Jackson Hole, Wyo., for example, have jumped on the iPhone bandwagon with a new app that offers up-to-the-minute ski conditions and GPS tracking.

Here’s a roundup of what else is new at North America’s ski resorts this season.

East

A recession, the thinking goes, keeps skiers closer to home. That is good news for Eastern ski resorts. Though not many new trails were cut, the region still has some tricks up its sleeve.

In New York, Gore Mountain (518-251-2411; www.goremountain.com), an unpretentious resort in the heart of the Adirondacks, is opening a snazzy Ski Bowl Lodge this season to replace a rundown one, but salvaged the original fireplace. The mountain also opens a steeper, wider half-pipe at its Ski Bowl Park.

Up in Tupper Lake, Big Tupper (www.skibigtupper.org) folded in 1999 after financial difficulties. The mountain is set to reopen Dec. 26, thanks to a staff of 60 volunteers. Its $15 lift ticket feels very 1999.

Not since Woodstock has so much holistic therapy hit upstate New York. Zen-minded skiers can relax at Belleayre Mountain’s meditation, yoga and tai chi courses, all part of its new “snow therapy” program to avoid injuries (845-254-5600; www.belleayre.com).

In Vermont, après ski at Stratton (802-297-4000; www.stratton.com) just got sweeter. The day lodge at the Sun Bowl Adventure Center now stays open late for after-parties at its spiffy new Loft bar, which offers nice mountain views. Families, on the other hand, may appreciate the new four-lane snow tubing park at Sun Bowl.

And at Stowe Mountain Resort, expect to be pampered at the new Front Four Private Club (802-760-4700; www.stowemountainlodge.com), a palatial three-story penthouse at the Stowe Mountain Club at Spruce Peak. The club’s 34 luxury suites come equipped with full-service kitchens, flat-screen televisions and a private lounge, with top units fetching a cool $5,519 a night.

Canada

For skiers flying into eastern British Columbia, the runway at the Kelowna Airport was recently extended by 1,700 feet, allowing for larger airplanes to land and thus for travelers from the United States to bypass transfers in Calgary or Vancouver. That’s good news for Big White Ski Resort (250-765-3101; www.bigwhite.com), an out-of-the-way resort with big ambitions. Situated less than an hour’s drive southeast of Kelowna, the mountain opens the second phase of its 96-unit Stonegate Resort (250-491-8200; www.stonegatespa.com), an earthy-chic residence with an attractive, oblong outdoor pool.

Not far from Kelowna, little-known Silver Star Mountain Resort is planning to open new luxury homes at FireLight Lodge (800-663-4431; www.firelightlodge.com). The 96 units have a contemporary feel — outdoor hot tubs, barbecue pit, a movie theater — not to mention impeccable views of the Monashee Mountain range.

Canada’s newest megaresort, Revelstoke, is finally starting to take form. After much fanfare, the Nelsen Lodge (604-730-6600; www.thenelsenlodge.com) opened last March. A new wing goes online this winter, offering 56 pet-friendly suites with private balconies overlooking the mountain. The lodge also houses the Rockford, a new Asian-theme restaurant, and the Revelstoke Outdoors Center, a one-stop shop for daredevil skiers that offers clinics on avalanche survival and tutorials on heli-skiing.

And, of course, there’s Whistler Blackcomb (800-766-0449; www.whistlerblackcomb.com), which is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. The resort is already swarming with world-class athletes and pre-Olympics buzz. Yet, unnoticed amid all the hype, the mountain has quietly begun a renewable energy project that pumps water from Fitzsimmons Creek to power the entire resort year-round. Meanwhile, its ski school has gone Big Brother: Students get a nifty GPS tag slapped on their jackets to prevent them from getting lost.

West

Don’t tell the folks in Park City, Utah, that there is a recession. The Canyons Resort is opening not one but two ski-in ski-out properties this season. The 84-unit Escala Lodges (435-649-5400; www.thecanyons.com) mixes Old World charm — stone fireplaces, knotty alder cabinets — with modern luxuries like whirlpool tubs and heated parking lot. Even nicer is the 175-unit Dakota Mountain Lodge (435-647-5500; www.dakotamountainlodge.com), the first slopeside property in the Waldorf Astoria Collection. It includes a 16,000-square-foot spa, personal ski valet and the Spruce restaurant; an 18-hole golf course is expected to break ground later in 2010.

The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort (435-940-5700; www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis), which just opened in nearby Deer Valley, may be Utah’s most exclusive new resort this winter. Situated in a gated community reachable by funicular, the resort’s 181 guest rooms come with flat-screen TVs, nightly turndown service and, in suites, even a butler — this is a St. Regis, after all — not to mention a split-level infinity-edge heated swimming pool, a 30,000-square-feet spa, and a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant.

Don’t forget to bring your iPhone charger to Jackson Hole (307-733-2292; www.jacksonhole.com) this winter. The ski resort released a nifty JH Tapped app ($6.99), the first of its kind for a major ski area, which allows skiers to track their friends, check the latest snow and weather conditions, and see Web-cam views of trails.

In Truckee, on the northern part of Lake Tahoe, the Ritz-Carlton Highlands Lake Tahoe (530-562-3000; www.ritzcarlton.com/LakeTahoe) scheduled its opening for Dec. 9 with 170 rooms midmountain and offers terry bathrobes, turndown service and a 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center with two swimming pools.

And finally in California, commercial air service to Mammoth Mountain (760-934-2571; www.mammothmountain.com) is scheduled to begin Dec. 17.Horizon Air (800-547-9308; www.horizonair.com) is running direct flights from San Jose from $69 each way, making the resort accessible to a broader population. To reduce congestion on its Village Gondola, a new trail will link the base lodge to the town of Mammoth.

Colorado Rockies

The greening of America’s ski resorts continues. A LEED-certified hotel, Viceroy (866-326-9765; www.viceroysnowmass.com), opened at Snowmass late last month. With rustic-chic décor and 173 custom-designed suites of reclaimed timber, skiers can kick back on the pool terrace or sip martinis at its cocktail lounge. The condo-hotel is part of a $1 billion development at the Snowmass base village.

By comparison, the upgrades at Crested Butte (800-810-7669; www.steamboat.com) are relatively minor. It doubled the size of the Ice Bar restaurant and opened a skating rink at the base area.

Likewise, Steamboat (970-879-6111; www.steamboat.com) may put a few bus drivers out of work after opening its Wildhorse Gondola in February. The lift whisks skiers from the Trailhead Lodge in Wildhorse Meadows to the slopes in just four minutes. Zippier still is a new Web site, www.flysteamboat.com, that makes it easy to visualize and book flights to the resort.

To kick off its 70th season, Winter Park Resort (970-726-5514; www.skiwinterpark.com ) put the finishing touches on a new base village that combines modern conveniences (Starbucks; 200 new condos) and old-fashioned charms (soda foundation, gazebo, cabriolet). There’s also a pond for ice-skating and a new play den, the Winter P’arkade, for kids who prefer playing video games to hitting the bunny trails.

Breckenridge may become the Amsterdam of the Rockies, thanks to a new local ordinance that decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana. There are other perks, too. A new, couples-friendly spa called Soothe is adding a touch of romantic luxury to the yet-unfinished Grand Lodge on Peak 7 (866-664-9782; www.grandlodgeonpeak7.com). Next spring, One Ski Hill Place (888-652-9120; www.oneskihillplace.com), the centerpiece of the resort’s Peak 8 renovations, is scheduled to make its debut, offering 88 ski-in, ski-out suites.

Telluride in southwest Colorado is one of the few mountains with new terrain. The resort carved out several chutes along the backside of its Gold Hill Ridge, a 1,600-foot vertical drop that is among North America’s steepest. It is also welcoming new, high-end hotels: lumière (970-369-0400; www.lumierehotels.com/telluride) is a 30-room boutique hotel perched above the village, and Capella Telluride (970-369-0880;www.capellatelluride.com) features 100 stylish suites.

And last but never least, Vail is expected to get even bigger and more glamorous next year with the addition of a Four Seasons, a Ritz Carlton and a luxury complex called Solaris (970-479-6000; www.solarisvail.com), a 79-unit property with a skating rink, shopping plaza and bowling alley. Who said it was all downhill at ski resorts this winter?

A note from Mimi Dinh of Mikel Marketing: We’ll be snowboarding in Salt Lake City. Look for a report in a future Mikel newsletter.

Featuring furniture, architecture, and real estates news

Cantoni Helps “Lodge” Style Living Room Go Modern

One of our constant themes is: “Whether it's a single accessory, a single room, or your entire home, come in and talk it over with a Cantoni designer.”

A client recently walked into Cantoni Dallas wanting to completely make over the den in her 1940s-period home. She described the room's décor as reminiscent of an elegant upscale Colorado lodge, handsome but dated and definitely overcrowded. She visualized something more modern: simple, open and calm.

Cantoni Dallas Designer Elizabeth Lewis recommended eliminating two pairs of chairs and the sofa and replacing them with one large Mondrian sectional and two armless Shuffle chairs in custom leather to establish the open feel the client wanted.

“We even brought a Mondrian sectional to the house to see how it would look before we ordered the custom-built version. And we took our time to choose the other pieces so that everything in the room is original and has a purpose.

“The floating walnut and travertine Grumeti coffee table brings another natural element to the room, while the metal and glass Modulus and Cubic accent tables heighten the modern feel.”

Elizabeth had noted that the client loves nature and organic forms, especially plant forms–leaves, flowers, foliage, vines, twigs, bark–and that these motifs appear throughout her home in the form of art, lighting and accents. The floor to ceiling windows in every room serve as the backdrop that has inspired her to bring the outside in.

For instance, hung over the sectional is an original oil painting comprised of boldly colored stripes. This piece, created by renowned artist John Hall Smith, Fort Worth, Texas, is actually painted from a photograph of foliage and flowers taken in the client's backyard. The image was then digitally stretched to reduce the elements to the purest forms and colors in a linear pattern. This then became the "blueprint" for Smith's painting that brings the natural colors inside.

“In keeping with the touches inspired by nature,” Elizabeth says, “we chose the Shape buffet in wenge wood and ordered a custom glass insert that has a bark-like embossed pattern. Above it you see Murano sconces in the form of stylized leaves.

“We thought these echoed the extraordinary leaf-forms glass chandelier in the foyer, which is a Venini from the 1940s. The client loves this piece for the entry, as it is the same age as the house. Her entire home, in fact, is about maintaining the integrity of the period with modern decorating accents.” • Modern Nature Project • Elizabeth Lewis Bio, Portfolio, and Contact Information .

To share your tips, ideas and information about how to live a greener lifestyle, please click here.

Ruggles Green™, Certified Green Restaurant™,Opening Second Restaurant

Ruggles Green (2311 West Alabama, Tel: 713-533-0777) is proud to announce the opening of its second Certified Green Restaurant™ in CityCentre, located in the Memorial area of West Houston, in MARCH 2010.

The Ruggles GrillTM and related RugglesTM restaurants have been Houston landmarks for over twenty years. “Our focus is on using locally grown, all-natural, and organic menu items whenever possible. Our customers have been very happy with the product and overall experience we deliver.” says Co-Founder, Chef Bruce Molzan.

The new Ruggles GreenTM location will continue with the same style menu as its original location in River Oaks offering a menu that is a diverse collection of comfort foods like Spicy Fish Tacos, Warm Goat Cheese Salads, Lean Buffalo Burgers, and Wood-fired Pizzas. Ruggles will also continue to deliver their famous desserts that have found a large following in the Houston area.

“At Ruggles Green, we are learning to operate more efficiently with less environmental impact,” says Co-Founder, Federico Marques. “We recycle about 65% of our total waste output, we are more energy efficient, and we continue to find new ways to become greener. Our primary goal, however, is to always provide a great dining experience to our customers.” Ruggles GreenTM is years ahead in their sales projections by offering healthier, great tasting, and diverse menu options with the consistent RugglesTM flair. For more information visit: www.rugglesgreen.com

About CITYCENTRE:
Developed by Midway Companies, CITYCENTRE is a thoughtfully planned and meticulously executed self-contained community of sophisticated retail, elegant dining, Class-A office space, 22 corporate penthouse residences, luxurious brownstones and lofts, upscale apartments and the 244-room Hotel Sorella, a world-class hospitality and conference facility.  Surrounded by European-style open-air plazas and beautifully designed green spaces, CITYCENTRE is also home to Life Time Athletic, a state-of-the-art urban fitness facility and spa, and Studio Movie Grill, a nine-screen premier cinema.  For more information, please visit www.citycentrehouston.com. For more info contact Federico Marques at federicom@rugglesgreen.com or call 713-533-0777

Featuring charity & non-profit organizations,
community news, volunteer opportunities,...

Local Surgeon Offers to Help Mutilated Boy from Vietnam

(Taken from www.39online.com)

By: Andrea Nguyen KIAH

Travelling from half a world away for a new chance of a normal life, the so-called "Vietnamese Miracle Baby" is finally in the hands of a local plastic surgeon who is willing to help him.

"All these people come together to help him and I think he has a very compelling story," said Dr. Tue Dinh of Methodist Hospital. "I just try to do my part."

Three year-old Phung Thien Nhan had lost his entire right leg and his genitals during a wild animal attack, after his biological mother abandoned him in the jungles of central Vietnam shortly after his birth.

Dr. Dinh, whose also a native of Vietnam, has lend his expertise in the case of a local infant whose genitals was allegedly mutilated by his mother and has performed several successful adult penile reconstructive surgeries.

He said luckily for Thien Nhan, the boy's testicles were saved during the horrific animal attack because they had not descended.

"There is a risk of the testes becoming cancerous if left inside the abdomen," said Dr. Dinh. "So for that they need to be brought down and since he doesn't have a scrotum anymore we have to construct a sac to contain the testes."

The boy's adoptive mother says it pains her when he keeps asking why he's different from her other sons.

"He always has questions, but I told him you are not different," said Mai Tran. "You have everything the same like your brothers, just a little bit shorter."

She said she has declined other doctors' offers to turn Thien Nhan into a girl.

She said thanks to philanthropist, Greig Craft, and the group "Kids With No Borders" she has found the doctor her son really needs.

"Obviously Thien Nhan is acting like a boy so we need to keep him as a boy," said Dr. Dinh. "For the missing leg that's easy enough to treat. The other question is whether or not he needs an artificial penis during this time so that he'll feel like a boy... That's a temporary solution. In the long run we reconstruct a functional penis so that he can have adult relations and eventually children."

Copyright © 2009, KIAH-TV

Featuring automobile and electronic news

Lamborghini Houston

Large selection of low mileage Pre-Owned exotic and luxury vehicles including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Ford GT, Bentley, Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes and Lotus.
Inventory Service Parts Merchandise Lamborghini LP640 Special Financing Rates Special financing offer for new Lamborghini LP640 Coupes and Roadsters. If you have a specific new LP640 you are looking for, we can locate one and apply these special financing rates. 2009 LP640 Coupe & Roadster! Call for pricing! Rates as low as 0% The lowest monthly loan payment Terms up to 12 years Down payments as low as 10% 2009 LP640 Roadster 6.5L V-12 640hp/E-Gear Offer Expires: 12/31/2009
	2005 Lamborghini Gallardo - $116,750! 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo E-Gear Coupe in Giallo Midas (Pearl Yellow) over Nero Perseus (Black) Leather. Only 1,926 miles! Equipped with the Yellow Brake Calipers, Lifting System, Transparent Engine Bonnet, Yellow Stitching, Coming Home Function, Anti Theft System, and Special Paint Color.
	2008 Ferrari F430 F1 Spider - $199,750! 2008 Ferrari F430 F1 Spider in Nero Daytona (Black Metallic) over Black and Red Leather. Only 394 miles! Finely crafted with the F1 Transmission, Carbon Ceramic Brake System, Silver Painted Brake Calipers, Ball Polished Wheel Rims, Power Operated Seats, 2-Tone Interior featuring Red Leather Seat Inserts, Door Panel Inserts, Parking Brake Boot, and Center Console Storage Cubby, Red Stitching, Daytona Leather Bench, Leather Door Moldings, and iPod Connection. The a/c vents, radio surround, and center console upper section are Carbon Fiber and the Tachometer Dial is in matching Red.
	2006 Bentley Flying Spur  - $99,750! 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur in Glacier White over Portland Leather, Porpoise Grey upper dash and steering wheel, Bird's Eye Maple Wood Trim, 4 Spoke Heated Steering Wheel, Spare Tire, and Valet Key. 1-Owner! Well kept with just 24,481 miles. Dressed with a beautiful set of 22" Asanti Rims and tinted windows. 3 Year Mechanical Service performed in April '08.
	2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster - $112,750! 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster Sportshift in Morning Frost Pearl White over Sandstorm Light Beige Leather and matching Sandstorm Tan Convertible Top. Just 3,002 Miles! Loaded with the Sportshift Transmission, Silver Brake Calipers, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Xenon Headlights with Washers, Bright Front Grill, Heated Seats, Memory Seats, Wind Deflector, Umbrella, Satellite Navigation, Bluetooth, and Cruise Control. 19" 20-Spoke Wheels are now standard equipment. Also includes both keys and Owner's Guide.
Gary Seale Raj Magon Terry Ford Randy McCall
www.lamborghinihouston.com 866-443-4370

Featuring sweet deals of the month

Featuring what's hot or the next big thing

The Bulletin Board section is for you (our newsletter subscribers) to post professional announcements, promotions, sales, or press releases. To learn more about how your info can be listed, please click here. Images must be e-mailed in a JPEG file (72 dpi please).

Top 10 Social Media New Year’s Resolutions for 2010

By: Mimi Dinh

2010 is fast approaching and while personal resolutions are- well, too personal to share- I wanted to share with you our top 10 social media resolutions, style.  Hopefully you will find them helpful in creating a better social media presence in 2010.

1. Learn, really learn, what social media is all about is the first step in understanding what it can do for your business.

Effective social media marketing, if done right, reaches a huge number of people, including YOUR ideal target market, in a maximally cost-effective way.  But just because someone has their own Facebook or Twitter page does not mean they have mastered the craft. Research on social media as much as possible before creating your accounts.  This is a good article to learn about what social media can do for your business.

2. Have a social media strategy

Now that you have a solid understanding of social media, create A PLAN.  Sit down and put together a list of goals, then create a strategy to achieve them.  Don’t make a Facebook page just because everyone you know did; don’t just Tweet aimlessly. Plans and strategies are vital in social media.

3. Train & educate your staff

Assign one person who is most knowledgeable about your company and has full comprehension of the networks to speak on behalf of your company.  Policies should be implemented to ensure employees are not giving out inaccurate information, writing anything inappropriately, or breaking terms of use.  Social Media, when done well, will strengthen your brand. When executed poorly, can do more harm than good.  Education and clear communication to your staff is the key. 

4.  Take the time to create a good “face” on line

Your social media profile is an extension of your brand, so take the time to do it right.  Make custom background, use your brand colors, create powerful and rich Facebook tabs, devise a unique way to describe your company to distinguish yourself from the rest. 
Like any good ad campaign, social media do more than simply communicate facts.  It must drive both emotion and action with:

Box-bursting vision - Social media pros marry technical “how” with innovative “what” to create an amazing “wow.”

Results-oriented approach - Good social media marketing is not nebulous, but yields measurable returns.

Awe-inspiring juggling - Because social media ventures are multi-jointed and multi-dimensional, success requires the ability to manage a multi-jointed marketing campaign.

When in doubt, hire a professional to get this done right because it will be the most well-spent money.  

5. Mastery of social media requires a union of both technical skill and marketing acumen.

Most firms fall flat in their use of social media because they fail to realize the above.
Effective social marketing requires a rare and enviable combination of skills: invention, design, programming, communication. It requires the right skills to drill down to the barest detail while retaining the big picture for a comprehensive, cohesive effort.  Don’t just hire a company to handle the tech side of your social media.  Make sure that company has a marketing background.  This is crucial to devise a strong strategy with a sound plan-of-action.  

6.  Give them a reason to join in (reward them)

The notion that “If you build it, they will come” doesn’t work in social media. You should give people a reason to join in, whether it is offers, news-you-can-use, give-aways, sales, company updates, etc.  And do this regularly and consistently.  If you give them “values” that are available exclusively just for them, your followers will feel special that they are getting something of value that not everyone has.  If users see no benefits to join all of your social media accounts, overtime you will lose them as they will un-join with a click of a button. 

7.  Give them different reasons to join all your different social media accounts

This is a part of your strategy, to plan ahead of time which info will be used for which social media outlet, how often, etc.  If you distribute the same updates and info to each of these outlets, you are giving people no incentive for them to be a part of all of your outlets. 

8. Promote the heck out of your social profiles off-site

Now that you have created an awesome social profile, it’s time to get the word out.  Research on the many options out there: rage real estate on your site to accomplish your social goals: list your social media accounts in your email signature, print new business cards that include these social media addresses, use Digg Widget, Facebook Fan Boxes, etc.

9.  Be up-to-date with innovative social media tools

There are many tools out there to help you track mentions, add Twitter network, schedule your Tweets, etc.  Research on a regular basis to find out the most innovative tools out there to help you make the most of your social media efforts.

10. Explore more outlets & be creative

Twitter and Facebook are not the only game in social media. Check out other outlets that may work for you, such as Digg, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, RSS, and WordPress.  
Furthermore, distinguish yourself from the competition by forming your own e-newsletter with good content that is well maintained and cultivated.  His is one area you don’t want to be frugal and do it yourself.  Hire someone who knows what they’re doing to not only create a custom design newsletter for you, but also develop content.  Once you have decided to launch, be sure to stick to publish it on a regular basis, whether it be weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or annually. Publish it consistently and never skip any issue.  

Lastly, don’t forget your website is still a powerful way to be social.  At the end of the day, your website is your ultimate branding.  Take care of it and maximize its use and potential.
That’s it for our Top 10 Social media New Year’s Resolutions for 2010.  It’s time to sharpen your social media skill because it is here to stay. If you have a resolution to share or add, please let me know via my social media outlets at the bottom of this newsletter.  Click on the buttons below to join.  Happy New Year!

Mimi Dinh is president of Mikel Marketing LLC, a full service marketing company with dozens of local, national, and international awards, in marketing, promotion, event coordination, graphic & web design.  Known for their creativity and “outside the box thinking”, Mikel Marketing was among the first few companies in Houston to offer on-line marketing as an effective and efficient way to market - through email customization, “append” solutions, and social media.  Visit www.mikelmarketing.com

EWC-Galleria

Check out European Wax Center’s SKIN 3 party, for the launch of The Galleria location, featured in the 002 magazine on-line