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Marketing's January
2008
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Quick Jump:
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January 2008 - Issue
81
The Mikel Marketing e-Newsletter is a FREE, online newsletter
that comes out on the 1st of every month listing business
news, high-profile parties, openings, exclusive events,
both locally and nationally; our recommendations of outstanding
seminars, workshops and readings focus on improving skills,
furthering professional and personal growth & development.
who are we?
Headed by Mimi Dinh, Mikel Marketing is an award-winning full
service public
relations and events production company with services such
as promotion, event coordination, fashion
show production, advertising, marketing, public relations,
graphic design, and website design. To learn more about us,
check out our website at www.mikelmarketing.com.
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| about our newsletter:
Our e-Newsletter was established in 2000. Throughout
the years, our e-Newsletters have been opened, read
and passed along enthusiastically between readers.
Subscribers and clients alike continue to rave about
its content and design and look forward to each monthly
e-Newsletter with great anticipation. Our e-Newsletter
has become a forum for information as well as an excellent
way to promote businesses and products, and raise awareness
for worthy causes.
To find out more information on how to be listed
in our newsletter, please contact us at info@mikelmarketing.com or
713/807.1133.
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Featuring
pictures from past events |
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mikel's
infinite 8 anniversary & holiday party
December 18, 2007
  
It's been 8
INFINITE YEARS IN THE MAKING and
in true spirit of the season of giving, Mikel
Marketing rallied their clients and supporters
to their ‘Infinite
8’ party held at Mikel’s offices to support
and raise funds for eight non-profit organizations,
all the while celebrating their 8th year in
the business.
Infinite is truly the word to describe the atmosphere
at 2000 Bagby on the evening of December 18,
2007.
It was a night to put in the date book as Mikel
Marketing threw their 8th
Anniversary Party with an ‘Infinite
8’ theme to celebrate this milestone, and yet
another award-winning year. The party was plentiful
of Houston’s finest, who were nicely dressed,
nicely coiffed, and ready to celebrate a great cause
that was hosted by Mimi Dinh, president
of Mikel Marketing,
along with her staff.
THE INFINITE 8: Mikel Marketing has an influential
platform to run off, and this year wanted to recognize
the Infinite 8 non-profit organizations:
1) ESCAPE
Family Resource Center whose mission is to prevent
child abuse.
2) Support
Our Troops who offer simple,
easy, everyday methods through which you stick up for
those who stick
up for all of us.
3) The
Women’s Fund who provide study and
research into the medical problems of women.
4) UNICEF USA-Houston Chapter whose
focus is the importance of child health, education,
equality and protection
in advancing humanity.
5) Cancer Counseling who
assists cancer patients, their families, and friends
in coping with the emotional
effects of cancer on their lives through no-cost professional
counseling and community education.
6) Green Building
Initiative whose program is designed to
help bring more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly
homes to the Houston area by providing a baseline for
practical green building approaches for local builders.
7) HOPE Initiative who
seeks to develop vibrant and prosperous Vietnamese
communities in Vietnam and
abroad
through poverty reduction, child development, and community
enrichment programs.
8) World Foundation
for Medical Research and Prevention which, among other things, funds AIDS clinics in
the most difficult-to-serve parts of Africa.
THE INFINITE SPONSORS: Texas
Tents and Events along
with Keisha’s Kreations created
a lovely setting out front that housed the gracious
staff of Renaissance
Food & Entertainment. EXCELPOURS
Bar Catering kept
everyone on ice while pouring Don Tepo Tequila and
360 Vodka throughout
the event. The ladies of Premiere Models,
glammed in “Eco-chic” clothing by Green
By Adeline were graced with make-up by Danielle
Phan Make-Up
Art while grooving to the melody of Moodafaruka. If the
guests weren’t standing in line for the ever-so-popular
Catch The Moment green screen photography set-up, they
were being caught in the lens by COLT Photography.
Southwest Infiniti also brought out the new ‘08
M45 Sport to dazzle the guests.
ABOUT MIKEL: Located in midtown, Mikel
Marketing is
a full service public relations company
with services in marketing, publicity, promotion, event coordination,
graphic design,
and advertising. Mikel fills a niche
in the industry offering a valuable service to high
end clients who place a heightened value on image,
creativity, and concrete results. For more info about
Mikel Marketing, visit www.mikelmarketing.com or
call 713/807.1133.
  
chrysalis
spa casino royale party
December 6, 2007
  
With over
300 customers and friends in
attendance, Chrysalis Skin Rejuvenation Center & Day Spa celebrated its 7
year anniversary with a Casino
Royale themed holiday soirée on Thursday, December
6. The
celebration was an evening of ultra glamour – 007-style – where
guests received celebrity treatment
with a playful mix of partying and pampering.
The
event kicked off with models
greeting guests and
leading them into the casino
area where they played roulette and blackjack while sipping
on 007-tinis provided by Finlandia Vodka and beer provided by
Heineken. The event was complete
with hors d’oeuvres and
savory sweets being served
by Premiere Models in tuxedo
halters, DJ Senega spinning
an array of lively hits, and
a real-life James Bond extraordinaire and his ravishing “Bond
Girls” in fabulous evening
gowns provided by Rental Couture Boutique. The elegant, 007-chic
furniture was provided by Design Within Reach, and Twins Design Christmas did the ever-so-elegant
job of decorating for the celebration.
Sweet Delights was kind to
provide the delicious organic
cakes, and Lutrick Coffee provided
the flavorful specialty coffee
that guests enjoyed with their
dessert.
Chrysalis took the opportunity
to demonstrate their medi-spa
services to guests such as
a soothing chair massages,
hand massages, and face mappings.
To add an amusing touch, a
numerologist was available
to reveal to guests their life
destiny and supposed influence
on human life through Life
Path number figuration.
In the
spirit of the holidays,
Chrysalis wanted
to give to an organization
that they firmly
believe in, ESCAPE
Family Resource Center (www.learntoparents.org),
a non-profit organization whose
mission focus is on parenting
and child abuse prevention.
Chrysalis donated
10% of the
total sales to ESCAPE after
offering 10% off on all gift
certificates and retail products
during the party. Chrysalis
also held a raffle in which
the entire proceeds of ticket
sales went to the organization.
Guests were eager to purchase
the raffle tickets where they
had a chance to win Chrysalis gift certificates for services
such as manicures, pedicures,
facials, massages, microdermabrasion
treatments and Revitalight
LED light therapy, a weekend
rental in a 2008 BMW Z4 courtesy
of Momentum BMW West, and gift
certificates for hair and make-up
sessions from Norris of Houston Salon.
002
Magazine was the press
sponsor for the event, who
was on hand to capture the
festivities the entire night.
Attendees
included: Dr. Juan
Stern & Mrs.
Susana Brener de Stern, John
Kuhl, Dr. Stephen
Moore, Chau Nguyen, Rob Todd,
Patricia McFarland, Ashley
McAfee (Miss Texas Galaxy),
Santosh Varughese, Vickie Tran,
Chris Smith, Stephen Lewis,
Valerie Horwitz, Jessica Meyer,
Kristin Blackmon, Lidya Osadchey,
Dr. Antoni Alverez, Ernest
Lizcamo, Selena Khan, Dr. John
Alapat, Nebo Bandovic, Dejan
Sekulic, and Gloria Silverman.
Chrysalis
Skin Rejuvenation Center & Day
Spa, owned
by Sabina Khan,
is dedicated to helping you
look and feel
your absolute best at every
age. Sabina Khan, with more
than ten years of training
and experience, founded Chrysalis
in 2000. In a few years, Chrysalis
has grown to offer a full
range of medi-spa services,
facials, powerful
peels, body
treatments,
massages, manicures, pedicures,
waxing & tinting, and make-up
artistry. Specialty retail
product lines are also available.
Chrysalis is located at 3910
Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas
77098. For more information,
visit www.spachrysalis.com or
call 713/522.2111.
  
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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. |
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 richard
stanley: volunteer score counselor
Richard Stanley is one of approximately 14,000
nationwide volunteer counselors for SCORE, a resource
partner for SBA (Small Business
Administration). With experience in 3 reputable
professions: president
of a medical supplies and equipment corporation,
national marketing director for a cardiac pacemaker
manufacturer, and president/co-founder (with his
wife) of a graphic arts and printing company for
a successful 21 years, makes Richard more than
qualified to be a SCORE business counselor. SCORE,
which stands for Service Corps of Retired
Executives and now includes business leaders from the community
who are still actively involved in their business,
has 8 locations in the Greater Houston area and
has been helping Houston small business owners
for over 40 years. For locations and more information,
visit www.SCOREhouston.org or call 713/773.6565.
1. Why did you become a SCORE business counselor?
I have a long history of volunteering, starting
with the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, and continuing
with the Ft. Worth police department, and my
favorite activity, the Boy Scouts of
America,
where I have been involved for over 30 years,
and still am. I have started a Boy Scout pack,
a Boy Scout troop, a Venturing crew, and have
currently been the Troop committee chair for
over 10 years. When I sold my printing company,
I wanted to keep mentally active and I had a
desire to help people in business as well as
utilize my experience in sales, marketing and
the general field of entrepreneurship to help
achieve their business dreams.
2. What is SCORE and what does it offer?
SCORE is America's premier source of free and confidential
small business advice for entrepreneurs, and
the volunteers conduct our free counseling services
in our offices or at our clients’ place
of business, as well as ‘cyber-counseling.’
Our primary goals are 1)
to help entrepreneurs start new businesses by
counseling, and 2) assist
established concerns seeking guidance to strengthen
and grow their operations. Often times, new start-ups
are missing some of the key components necessary
to start a new business successfully, in which
after consulting with them and informing them of
what else they may need, we send them off and
encourage them to come back for counseling when
they have all the necessary elements.
3. What is one key advice you would give to a
start-up entrepreneur?
The 3 must-haves for an entrepreneur are: adequate
capitol, a service or product that is desirable
in a market place and the knowledge of it, and
the passion and dedication of time that a new business
requires; but I feel a good business plan is everything.
Prepare a business plan, have it reviewed and fine-tuned,
if necessary, by SCORE volunteers. With a sound
business plan, not only will it facilitate securing
a bank loan (often guaranteed by our resource partner,
SBA), but it will be an effective ‘road map’ for
the new business going forward.
4. Describe your journey you have endured with
GREEN by Adeline?
One of the greatest aspects of SCORE is the ability
to call upon other SCORE volunteers who have expertise
in other areas to compliment your own field of
knowledge through a program of co-counseling as
new interests arise. When I was assigned to Adeline
Sung, I quickly realized I needed an expanded knowledge
base in order to counsel with Ms. Sung, and help
her on her journey to open her boutique/showroom,
and begin distribution of her unique 100% eco-friendly
women’s fashion wear. I was very privileged
to be surrounded by prominent CEOs of major clothing
chains including Marvin Aronowitz, past-CEO of
Oshman’s now Sports Authority, and Allen
Shapiro, past-CEO of Palais Royal. In addition,
Mikel Marketing has been so creative in getting
substantial press and media coverage, and getting
the word out about GREEN by Adeline.
In addition to assisting
her in the creation of her effective business
plan and amending it over
the past 1 ½ years, I interacted in her
behalf with the architect and contractor in the
construction of her showroom/retail space. Adeline
Sung has been an enjoyable, and unique client in
the fact that she was open for help from me, willing
to act on my ideas, and that she brought so much
more to table as for me to learn from her as well.
My learning curve has had to be quick, and fortunately
I was able to acquire the needed additional knowledge
form my fellow SCORE counselors.
5. What are your future plans with GREEN by Adeline?
The main focus for GREEN by Adeline is to open
up her line for national distribution, so we
are currently screening potential sale representatives
that call on department stores and boutiques
across the United States and globally. Other
plans include wholesale distribution of her exclusive
eco-fabrics.
*
Because of the large geographic
area of Houston,
SCORE is always looking for
more volunteers to service our growing population.
If you would like
more information on becoming a volunteer, call
Richard Stanley at 713/773.6565
or visit www.SCORE.org/volunteer.html.
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Featuring
upcoming parties & events around town |
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club level
black & white ball: new year’s
eve 2008
December 31
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moody gardens
festival
of lights
Now through January 5
from moodygardens.org
 The holiday magic glistens at the Sixth
Annual Moody Gardens Festival of Lights with
more than a million lights and dozens of festive
scenes. It’s
a winter wonderland with holiday shopping, pictures
with Santa and ice skating at the area’s
only outdoor ice rink.
This year the Festival has an extended trail
of holiday light displays accompanied by synchronized
audio
effects
and music that create the Gulf Coast’s
largest holiday lighting event. Classic themed
scenes
including the Christmas Story and Toyland
at Moody Station, plus whimsical displays including the Magic Castle, Arctic
Express, Fantasy Forest, Wild Africa, Tropical Jungle are just a few of the attractions
that visitors can enjoy. Moody Garden's new, state-of-the-art
sound system will
fill the
night air with sounds of the season
that are coordinated with the scenes.
Festival of Lights
Ticket Prices:
$5.95 per person (children 3 and under free)
The Festival begins on November 17 and runs through January 5. For more information,
visit www.moodygardens.org or
call 1.800.582.4673.
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 andrew
lloyd webber's broadway
January 4 - January 6
From HoustonSymphony.org
Head for the Great White Way with Andrew Lloyd
Webber songs from Cats and Phantom
of the Opera.
Tap your toes to other Broadway melodies from Beauty
and the Beast, A Chorus Line, Wicked, The
Lion King and Chicago.
Conductor: Michael Krajewski
Guests vocalists:
Debbie Gravitte,
Doug LaBrecque, and
Anne Runolfsson
To
purchase tickets, click
here or call 713/224.7575.
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2008
bridal extravaganza
January 5 & January 6
from www.bridalextravaganzashow.com
 This
is the best weekend to meet face to face with
Houston's top wedding vendors. See in person
all they have to offer, including samples of
their designs, photos and video of reception
locations, displays and new ideas to make your
wedding special, various styles of photography,
and, as we say, "everything from the garter
to the getaway car" will be under one
roof during the show weekend.
Brides, grooms and
their families can save time, gas, energy, confusion
and money by attending the
Bridal Extravaganza. Brides for 24 years have
found that attending this Main Event skips all
those wasted steps of phone tag, appointments and
e-mails because they will be meeting the key personnel
of each
participating
company
on the show floor.
Each participating vendor
will be offering their best prices during the
show. Bridal couples will
benefit from the wealth of competition at each
Bridal Extravaganza event. This in turn creates
the best values for the services and products that
are offered. The
majority of the companies will offer special "show
prices" or discounts for immediate bookings
-- usually this is a big difference from the prices
they normally offer at their locations if you just
walked in off the street. Some also offer the perk
of a special "gift" with a purchase.
Discount tickets are now available for $8 at
our
online
box office or $9 at your local Randall's.
Tickets may be purchased on the days of the event
at the George R. Brown Convention Center for $10
each (cash only). There is an unlimited supply
available at the show.
Saturday @ 2:37 PM, $15.00: H Texas Weddings
Couture Fashion Show.
Saturday @ 3:40 PM, $25.00: H Texas Weddings and
Designer Destination Weddings Fashion Show.
Click here view the ticket options.
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martin
luther king, jr. day grande parade
January 21
The MLK Grande Parade
is the third largest Parade in the U.S. behind
The Rose Parade and The
Macy’s Day Parade. The 14th Annual
MLK Grande Parade starts at 1PM and
will be televised by KHOU
TV/ Channel 11, a CBS affiliate, and 500,000
Spectators are expected. The
parade consists of 20 professionally designed floats,
40+ marching bands, and 36,000 participants.
Estimated route and duration:
1.5 mile/3 hours
*Nationwide/Multicultural Broadcast:The 2008
MLK Grande Parade will also air and be shown
to a National and International TV Viewing
Audience in Spanish
and Chinese through our Broadcast Partnerships with NTD TV-New York and UNIVISION
TV. High School Battle
of the Bands, presented by Battle
America, LLC, will follow the parade.
Location: Berry Center Stadium
8877 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77433
(Located
off of Highway 290 and Barker Cypress Rd.)
For more information, visit www.mlkgrandeparade.org.
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mardi gras galveston
January 25 - February 5
from www.mardigrasgalveston.com
 Don’t
miss the revelry at Mardi Gras! Galveston! The
island comes alive with 11 extravagant parades,
more than 50 galas and festive events, bead throwing,
exhibits, live entertainment in local clubs,
and the best Gulf Coast cuisine in the world.
One of the most popular annual events to take
place in Texas, the event is rich with laughter,
celebration and people watching. There is something
for everyone including a beachfront carnival,
shopping, and nightlife featuring everything
from Cajun and salsa to jazz and rock and roll.
Returning this year – the incredible Philadelphia
Mummers who take to the streets in colorful costume
to entertain young and old.
Rich in history, Mardi
Gras! Galveston celebrates its 97th event since
it’s inception in 1867.
See where it all began at the Mardi Gras Museum
located in the Historic Strand District. Make your
mark in history – attend Mardi Gras! Galveston
2008! Twelve days of fun and entertainment! Beginning
on January 25 and it's not over until the Fat Lady
sings! Fat Tuesday, February 5.
More than 250,000 people
attend Mardi Gras! Galveston each year to experience
the party of a lifetime.
Join us for the party of the year. Call now to
reserve your accommodations at one of the Island’s
quality hotels or inns and plan to have the time
of your life! A memorable event on a romantic island!
Mardi Gras! Galveston.
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houston
tango festival
January 25-27
Photo by: Laura Burlton
The tango community has come of age and this festival is a celebration
of its growth and inspiration for the future. The Houston Tango
Festival follows in the footsteps of dancer-centric tango festivals they enjoy,
such as those in Atlanta, Ann Arbor and Denver.
They sought and invited
instructors and DJs who not only are great dancers themselves but who,
through their talents, foster social dance and shape the tango world.
They shall have the pleasure of a world-class Glovertango Orchestra playing for the festival live.
Those who come shall dance, learn, connect
and dance some more. Houston tango is diverse,
vital and creative. Come see it for yourself, contribute
your energy and share your tango with
them. Come dance tango with them.
Rice
Student Union Center -- 6100 Main.
Click here for
a schedule of the festival activities.
To receive
the Houston Tango Festival updates and notifications, please
send an email to houstontangofestival@gmail.com with NOTIFY in subject line.
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winter
formal @ the wortham center
January 26
Don’t miss the Winter
Formal – Dance
Houston’s 2nd annual hip hop dance festival.
This elegant evening gathers together over
150 local dancers from Houston’s
finest hip hop companies to celebrate the various
styles of urban
dance
native to our city. Headliners include Marvelous
Motion, FLY KiDS and Revolve
Dance Company.
Dance styles of the Winter
Formal range from smooth R&B to rough krumping,
and intricate popping to wild break dancing.
This startling variety portrays
Houston artists as diverse, talented and sophisticated.
To mix things up, FLY KiDS will set their signature
hip hop moves to classical music, and Revolve Dance
Company will perform their polished contemporary
dance with a hip hop soundtrack. Also in the lineup
are performances by Planet Funk and a debut by
Ghost Crew.
The Winter Formal highlights
the most progressive and organically trained
dancers in Houston. It’s
the one chance you will have all year to spend
an evening enjoying the dance that defines today’s
youth culture.
 January
26, 2008 at 8PM
Wortham Center, Cullen Theater
501 Texas, Houston, TX 77002
For tickets and more information,
visit
www.dancehouston.org
or
call
713/526.1049. |
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Featuring spas, hair salons, sports clubs, or beauty products |
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Featuring
shops and related news |
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GREEN by Adeline,
Houston's only 100% eco-fashion boutique,
is located at 5136 Richmond Ave.
For more information, visit www.GreenByAdeline.com or
call 713/871.1888.
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Featuring
seminars, business news, and business events |
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the
UP experience
from www.theupexperience.com
 20 renowned experts.
20 power-packed presentations.
20 minutes each.
Makes UP one amazing day.
February 7, 2008 @ 8AM
Stafford Performing
Arts Theatre & Centre
10505 Cash Road, Stafford,
TX 77477
It's
fresh ideas, stimulating conversation, a glimpse
of the future and networking with the most
fascinating people. It's a peak experience that
will elevate
your mind and energize your life. And, oh,
by the way, did we mention lunch from Tony's?
WHAT'S
UP FOR DISCUSSION:
Gladwells’ Perspective, Humans Transcending Biology, Living Younger Next
Year, Artificial Intelligence, Science of Happiness, Enhancing Creativity, Sustainable
Development, Our Future Economy, Global Trends, Personalized Medicine, Future
of Fine Dining, Alternative Energy, Social Consciousness,
and much more!
Click here to register.
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Featuring
art exhibits, gallery openings, theater, plays |
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|  Travel To China Without Leaving Texas
East Meets West in the Heart of Texas.
Visit
the one-third scale 6,000 piece
terra-cotta
army and the 40,000 sq. ft.
model of the
Forbidden City.
Open to the public: Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday
10am-5pm (entrance
gate closes at 3:30 pm)
Tours: 11 am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and
3 pm.
Other days and times available for prearranged
tours.
23500 Franz Road, Katy, Texas 77493
For more information, visit www.forbidden-gardens.com or
call 281/347.8000.
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'jersey
boys' in houston!
BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com
January 16
- February 9
For more information, click
here.
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Featuring
restaurants and related news |
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Featuring
bars, lounges, clubs, and related news |
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Don
Tepo Tequila
 Don
Tepo, Mexico’s Premiere Artisanal
Tequila, produced by true old world craftsman
by hand
the way it was meant to be. Don Tepo
Tequila is
a truly magnificent representation of traditional
hand-made tequilas. As a true artisanal tequila,
Don Tepo is hand processed
from beginning to end, including the hand
blown bottles and hand
cut corks, by a company with three
generations of
tequila production from a one hundred year old
recipe. The distiller is located in Jalisco,
Mexico, the heart of the tequila tradition
and the location of the best tequilana blue agave
weber in the world.
This tequila is so pure and authentic that
it tastes great by itself. It just won the San
Francisco World Spirits Competition,
recognized throughout the industry as the main
arena where all the
liquor products of the world converge to compete
and to prove their worth. Don Tepo's
Blanco (white) and the Reposado (rested) both respectively
walked away from this highly recognized
competition with silver and bronze. These first time entries
from ZERGES, LLC, its exclusive importer, has
won their respective coveted awards for the exceptional
quality of their line of ultra premium tequila.
For more information on wholesale distribution
of this great product, please email Renise Leresche
at RLeresche@excite.com.
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Featuring
travel destinations and recreation |
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¡Bienvenidos
A Miami!
 By: Mimi Dinh / Mikel Marketing
There’s something about Miami that keeps
me coming back over and over again. Maybe it’s
the warm, balmy air with palm trees swaying
in the light breeze. Or it could be the never-ending
strip of stylish bars that rivals any upscale
European ones, or the gorgeous beaches and
infinity pools in SoBe’s hip hotels.
Whatever it is, every time I visit, I discover
new things to love about the City of
Magic.
This last time was no exception.
It didn’t take much twisting of my arm
to get me to attend the annual Symposium
De Amériques, a French convention created
to help 100 companies from France to market
their products and services in the US. I knew
that it would be a great opportunity to develop
some relationships with French companies. Paris
is another favorite city of mine, and I could
definitely see myself jet-setting over the
pond to attend “very important” business
meetings. What can I say; I am a dedicated
hard worker. Paul Bensabat, the organizer of
the Symposium, invited me to be one of the
four speakers at the convention addressing
the topic of marketing, which is my forte.
I was recommended to Paul by the folks at the
French American Chamber of Commerce, of which
I am its PR chair. So after saying yes, yes,
yes, I packed my bags and headed to Miami.
There is no wonder why it’s called the
City of Magic. Sure the real reason is that
it experienced such a high growth in population,
going from 1,000 residents to about 5.5 million
between the years of 1896 and 2006, but many
other reasons come to mind when describing
the magical essence of this city. There are
endless possibilities of things to
do! The
historic Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is a
pool unlike any other. Built in the 1920s by
a man named Denman Dink, the pool was formed
from a limestone quarry, and features 2 waterfalls,
coral caves and grottos. There’s also
the Holocaust Memorial, Coral
Castle and Little
Havana to visit on your travels. My trip was
for business, but that didn’t mean I
couldn’t experience some pleasure too.
I was felling stressed and low on energy, so
the timing was perfect for me to do some relaxing
and recharging. I made sure to schedule my
flight a few days before the conference so
I could soak up some magic of my own.
 Miami
has a plethora of stylish and chic boutique hotels.
I stayed at the beautiful Miami Beach Resort and Spa,
which was also where the convention took place. I arrived on Monday,
a usually quiet night since most
people are recuperating after Nikki Beach’s Sunday blow out.
I was invited to attend the kick off party
for the legendary
White Party, the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser in
the world, but it was held in Ft. Lauderdale and instead of making
the 45-minute
cab ride, I opted to ease into my travel plans
with dinner at the
Delano Hotel’s Blue Sea restaurant. The French
architect, Philippe Starck, sure knew what he was doing when he designed
this diamond of
a hotel resting in the heart of South Beach.
The airy, open atmosphere makes it hard to decipher between being
indoors and out. Guest rooms
are sparkling white, with cloud-colored furniture
and décor.
The Olympic size swimming pool seems to go
on forever under rows of palm trees. Every time I’m in Miami,
I always find myself hanging out here most of my trip, as it is always
an inspiring place to be.
The Blue Sea restaurant is not only known for
their caviar, sushi and seafood, but for
the ingenious ways of entertaining. One of
which is their community table, where complete
strangers become dining buddies and friends
by dessert. I recommend dining here, especially
when traveling alone. It’s a great
way to test your self-confidence and meet
new people.
 This
particular evening, I met two very cool
ladies, one from New York, and one from
Texas. We became buddies and hung out most
of my trip. We had an adorable Greek
server
with piercing blue eyes who was also very
resourceful, telling us where we should
visit
each night.
The hot spot for that evening was Tantra,
one of Miami’s many nightclubs/ restaurants,
but we were feeling lazy and not in the
mood for club hopping, so we decided
to slip outside to the
hotel bar under the stars. We had
a low key, lovely time as we sipped mojitos and had fun “girl
talk.” The scene could have been taken straight out of
one of “Sex
in the City ” episodes.
Our Greek hottie also told us to return the
next night as it is the happening to be on
Tuesday night – and he was right. There
was a long line full of fashionistas, models
and beautiful people everywhere. The Delano’s
Rose Bar is famous for its flattering
pink light, making everyone look rosy and sexy.
Rose colored curtains drape from ceiling to
floor and Venetian chandeliers sparkle over
a long bar, where attractive bartenders concoct
special drinks to reward you for the wait,
and hidden speakers pump out good rhythms to
shake your hips to. The last time I was here
I loved the sounds so much that I convinced
the DJ to sell me the music CD he was playing
on the spot!
I met and made new friends from places all
over the globe like Holland, Naples, Rome,
the Dominican Republic, even San Francisco and Michigan. After getting our fill of the
Rose Bar, we followed the crowd over
to Mokai;
one of Miami’s most exclusive after hour’s
night clubs. On any given night, be prepared
to see celebrities like Taye Diggs, Jeremy
Piven, Kanye West and even
Mr. P. Diddy himself!
The atmosphere is always energetic, and full
of attractive and diverse party-goers.
 Wednesday
night was my
favorite night
because we
went to my
favorite lounge, the
Skybar at the Shore Club.
This place
is filled with
different rooms
to match your different moods each
night. The
Red Room glows
with crimson
colored décor while the Red
Room Garden is a tropical
paradise filled with bright
Perennials,
Passion flowers and Bougainvillea,
a flower native
to South America.
Step
into the Sandbar where iron
lanterns float
from the sky,
or stumble
over to the Rumbar where 75 different
types of the
namesake are
at your disposal.
White gauze curtains
flowing in
the wind, candles
flickering
everywhere – even
floating in
the pool – and white
bed seating
surrounded
by tropical
flowers and plants, made this place – hands
down – the most sexy
lounge/bar anywhere.
Other noted
places to clank
cocktail glasses
in Miami are the Raleigh Hotel,
a modern architectural dream, the Ritz-Carlton,
the
Lido Beach Club,
the Champagne Lounge at the Pearl restaurant and
the Setai Hotel. The Setai
is an art deco masterpiece that seems to be
dipping its toes into the
ocean where you can relax on one of the wicker
chairs set out on the beach or sit down for
dinner
outside
where your table is lit up with serene candles.
You’ll feel like you are floating in
Bali.
 Don’t
forget about
two of my favorite
dining places, Joe’s
Stone Crab and
Prime One Twelve.
Joe’s is famous
for their savory
cuts of meat,
key lime pie
and of course
their succulent
crabs, each
claw as big
as your palm,
and so flavorful
you can eat
them cold. Visit Prime
One Twelve on Ocean Avenue to give
your taste buds a wake up call with delicious
steaks and
desserts, served in a swanky and classy atmosphere.
Miami remains
one of my favorite
places for
a quick
getaway to
be recharged
and
motivated.
The city is full of art, ideas and
inspiration to
get your creative juices
going. Don’t
be wary if none of your travel partners can
make the trip. Traveling alone
is one of the
best ways to
get back in touch with yourself,
as well as meet some new friends. It’s
a self-discovering experience that
gives you the chance to grow as a
person in
many ways.
Ask your hotel about special events, strike
up a conversation
at the pool and always ask
for the community table, and by the end of
the trip, who
knows, maybe you will replace
your
old travel pals. By the way, my new friend
from New York and I are already planning
to return to Miami for Fashion Week in April ‘08!
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Featuring
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tips, ideas and information about how to live a greener
lifestyle, please click
here. |
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Featuring
charity & non-profit organizations, community news,
volunteer opportunities, ... |
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the women's fund
 The
Women’s Fund for Health Education and
Research is a nonprofit organization
whose mission is to provide leadership in funding
medical research
and to provide health education for women of
all ages. Each year The Women’s
Fund reaches
over 100,000 women and girls from
all walks of life through publications and outreach
programs.
To date, The Women’s Fund has provided
funding for more than 157 research
grants for
a total
of over $1,338,000. All money is raised and spent
in the Houston metropolitan community. www.TheWomensFund.org
|
 unicef
usa -
houston chapter
UNICEF
USA was founded in 1947, and supports
the
work of
the United Nations Children's
Fund by
raising
funds for its
programs and increasing awareness
of the
challenges facing
the world's
children.
The
oldest of
37 national committees for
UNICEF
worldwide, UNICEF
USA is part of a global
effort to
save,
protect
and
improve children's lives. www.unicefusa.org |
hope initiative
 Hope
Initiative seeks to develop vibrant
and prosperous Vietnamese communities in Vietnam
through poverty reduction, child development,
and community enrichment programs. Hope
Initiative anticipates expanding
its network of recipients to
include more orphanages as well as other centers
for social aid, and aims to further expand its
programs and recipient base both in Vietnam
and for Vietnamese communities in the United
States.
Hope Initiative determines the programs which
are most congruent
with their mission and are in the
most need. To provide a more robust base of programs,
Hope Initiative also plans to support programs,
which not provide aid but a long-term means for
poverty reduction by including such assistance
as micro loans in rural areas, and support
of educational programs. For this reason, Hope
Initiative is initiating various Medical Missions in partnership
with Miracles Abroad and Nhom Tinh Thuong. www.hionline.org
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green
building initiative
 The
Green Building Initiative is an environmentally
friendly construction program that is designed
to help
bring more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly
homes to the Houston area by providing a baseline
for
practical green building approaches for local
builders.
GHBA program is relatively new, with 2007 being
just its
second year in full swing, and is expected
that as many
as 20,000 homes will be built
in the program this year.
The Green Building Initiative
includes many different aspects
of the home, from
planting shade trees to save energy to installing
water efficient plumbing, and while green building
is driven by a desire to reduce the environmental
impact of your home, it's also good for you.
Green homes consider your pocketbook.
They cost less to heat, cool and maintain, and—if you
ever decide to sell—they are usually worth
more. Green homes consider your health because
they are built to minimize chemicals, mold
and other harmful substances, and they protect you
and your family from exposure. Lastly, green homes
are quality homes and are built for durability,
so in the end they require less maintenance. www.ghba.org
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cancer counseling, inc.
 The
mission of Cancer Counseling, Inc. is
to assist
cancer patients,
their families, and friends
in coping
with the emotional effects of
cancer on
their lives through no-cost professional
counseling and
community education. Cancer
Counseling has
expanded over the last 25 years from a clinical
staff of 2 to 42. Cancer Counseling remains
the
only local not for profit agency in the Gulf
Coast Area that provides free professional
emotional therapy and education for cancer patients
and
families regardless of age, race, gender, religion
or socio-economic
status. Cancer Counseling now
serves in excess of 3,000 patients
annually through
individual and group counseling and educational
programs.
www.cancercounseling.info
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escape
family resource center
 ESCAPE
Family Resource Center is a non-profit
organization whose mission is to prevent
child abuse and neglect.
ESCAPE is dedicated to children coping and teaching
parents communication and discipline
skills so
can live together safely and supportively.
Parents can only teach children what they
know and adults who suffered through child
abuse when they were young often repeat the
hurtful behavior in their own families. Even
those who love their children may become abusive
when angry or under stress, and ESCAPE
Family Resource Center focuses on stopping
child abuse
before it starts. www.learntoparent.org
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support our troops®
 Support
Our Troops® enables people to show
support for their deployed neighbors, and to aggregate
patriotic private money™ to bolster the
families of their neighbors who are sacrificing
to protect us and our families.
Support Our Troops® is non-partisan, non-political
civilian organization, welcoming everyone
to join in on the simple, everyday ways to show
support for those who stick up for all of us:
official license plates, yellow
ribbons, apparel,
and accessories, knowing that it will benefit
the troops and their families by offering help
with education, car
repairs, medical and home
needs, emergencies, and the like -- the kinds
of things that dad or mom could do if they were
home, except they’re off protecting all
of us and our families.
This is a tall moral obligation, and Americans
are well up to it. To prove it, the “Support
Our Troops!” license plates have
been issued by 24 states to date, and they expect
to finalize
issuance of the plate in about 18 more over the
coming year. They are presently shipping $5
million dollars of free popcorn treats to the
troops and
their families around the world. And they are
preparing to ship $¼ million worth
of UV-skin protection to the troops. www.SupportOurTroops.org
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world
foundation for medical research and prevention
 The
World Foundation for Medical Research and Prevention is an organization that supports medical research
aimed at the design of new types of protective
and therapeutic AIDS vaccines, and funds
AIDS clinics in the most difficult to serve parts of Africa.
The World Foundation
for Medical Research and Prevention also
supports medical research
targeted at prolonging the active
life of aging people and the diagnosis
and treatment of microbial and viral factors
associated with cancers,
neurodegenerative, auto-immune and other multi-factorial
disease processes such as Autism, Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's.
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Featuring
automobile and electronic news |
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southwest
infiniti
Mikel
would like to thank Southwest Infiniti for being
a part of our Infinite 8 Anniversary & Holiday
Party. We thank you for all your support.
For
information of the all-new, redesigned 2008 Infiniti
M, click
here.
The
Southwest Infiniti Internet Sales Managers will be glad to assist you!
Please
call Larry
Olson or Ken Wise at 713/779.2800,
or
email sales@southwestinfiniti.dealerspace.com.
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Featuring
sweet deals of the month |
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Featuring
what's hot or the next big thing |
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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). |
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2007 gold davey award for mikel and client
Mikel
Marketing is proud to announce their client’s, Health
Careers Houston,
recent award from the 2007 Davey Awards in Gold for the design
and creation of the Health Careers Houston website in which Mikel shares
the award for the art direction contribution. The Davey Awards is
all about intelligence, out-of-the-box thinking, and exceptional
execution. Simply by entering the Davey Awards, you show your team
that you consider their contributions first rate. And by winning,
you prove to clients, prospects, and peers that your work is award
winning.
The Gold Davey Award is the highest honor and means
valuable publicity by providing
the Winners with tools, details, and assistance to
create high-impact press releases and other useful
communications touting their achievement.
Entries are judged to evaluate distinction in
creative work by the International Academy
of the Visual Arts who oversees all judging
and maps the strategic direction for the Davey Awards
program. To learn more about the IAVA, please visit iavisarts.org.
For the complete list of Davey Awards & Winners, please visit www.daveyawards.com/winners/.
Join Mimi Dinh (president of Mikel
Marketing) and her friend Karen Slaton as we celebrate our Aquarius birthdays with a JUMP at Skydive
Spaceland - Saturday, January 19, 2008. We are gathering a group of friends to skydive with us, and we are extending the invitation to all of you dare
devils out there to join us. Let us know if you are interested so we can get you group discount.
Tandem jumping is really safe, worry-free and a lot of fun. This would be Mimi’s second time and Karen’s first. No, we are not crazy or have a death wish. Besides the exhilaration and rush from the sport, the experience is also good exercise to force one to push past the threshold of fear and focus on the priority at the moment. Many corporate adventurers have claimed that the experience has taught them that the opportunities missed from inaction can actually be riskier than action, and that the best way to address the situation is to just “take
the plunge.”
“I’ve been to many company retreats and they didn’t
do a fraction of what skydiving did
for me in terms of team building, personal and
professional growth,” says Mimi.
Read about Mimi’s first experience skydiving in the October issue of Mikel newsletter.
If you just want to watch first before you
ease into this adventure of a lifetime, spectators
are welcome too. We’ll just bring our cooler,
our own lawn chairs, and have our own little
party before the jump. Please RSVP to us by
January 7, 2008 and indicate whether you are
interested in being a jumper or a spectator,
by sending an email to info@mikelmarketing.com.
We will send you more details later.
Skydive Spaceland is located
at 16111 FM 521, Rosharon, TX 77583. For more
information, visit www. SkydiveSpaceland.com or
call 281/369.3337 or toll free at 1.800.SKY
DIVE (759.3483).
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| testimonial
of the month
“On
behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Women’s
Fund, we would like to acknowledge Mikel Marketing
and their unlimited talent, immeasurable creativity,
and, your tremendous care for the Houston Community.”
Sarah
Koller, Special Project Coordinator
The Women’s
Fund for Health Education and Research
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quote
of the month
"Achieving strategic alignment
is a major undertaking for any organization,
but it
is worth the effort."
Jim Bolt, founder
Executive Development
Associates
Fast Company Quote December 2007
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Our mailing address is P.O. Box 58912, Houston TX 77258.
For more information about how to
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