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Featuring pictures from past events

Brazilian Party by Rendez-Vous International

Stephanie Talafuse Awarded “Women of Excellence”

Photos: Gil Talafuse

Stephanie Talafuse, owner of Premiere Promotions, Inc. was awarded the Woman of Excellence Award on September 19 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Stephanie was one of 37 women recognized by the Federation of Houston Professional Women (FHPW), who along with the FHPW Educational Foundation holds this annual event to honor outstanding business women from their member organizations and to raise funds to support scholarships for women in our community. The Fashion Group International of Houston (FGH) announced Stephanie as their selection for the award and to represent (FGI) their organization as Programs Director for 2009/2010. Pat Lykos, Harris County District Attorney, was the speaker for the evening, while over 800 guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and fabulous silect auction.

The First Houston Indian Film Festival

Photos: Ms. Misha Morê

The First Houston Indian Film Festival debuted Monday, Sept 21, 2009 at Studio Movie Grill at CityCentre with an Opening Night Cocktail Reception at Hotel Sorella.

The festival showcases movies from India and beyond, including regional films in three categories: feature films, short films and documentaries.

The festival kicked off with the world premiere of acclaimed director Umakanth Thumrugoti newest film, "Seven Days In Slow Motion,” starring Rajeshwari Sachdev.

Sutapa Ghosh, the creative force behind creating the Houston Indian Film Festival, has produced several award-winning films in India. "Houston is a natural selection to become another Bollywood location," Ghosh said. "There is a large Indian population here and throughout Texas and Houston has become an important film center. I am pleased to announce that I will be working with Worldwide Stage, Inc., the producing company of numerous international festivals and celebrity events."

For more information regarding the Festival, visit the Indian Film Festival of Houston website at www.iffhinc.org

Mix & Mingle Fashion Show

The Fashion Group International of Houston (FGI) hosted a Mix & Mingle Fashion Event on August 13th at Pravada. They showcased five talented local fashion designers & boutiques; Lucho, POSH Boutique, F.Nebuloni, Au Paradis Swimwear and Kelly Kathleen Designs provided the accessories. Hair Stylist - Janelle Alexis of Norris Day Spa & Salon and Make-Up Artistry from Tree Vaello enhanced the beauty of the models, provided by Premiere Promotions.

Delicious appetizers were provided from Shahnai Restaurant & Catering while Plan B Television and Carl Frey Photography captured the moments on video and film. The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the event with the Fashion Group of Houston, which raises scholarship money for local students in Fashion Merchandising and Interior Designs.

Fashion Group International is the pre-eminent authority in the business of Fashion, Beauty and Interior Design. Established in 1928, by Edna Woolman Chase, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, in New York City, it is now a global, non-profit, professional organization with over 6000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. It provided an international professional umbrella for its members. For more information please visit their web site at: www.fgihouston.org.

Simon Galleria Show Rocked Again!

Photos: Dr. Diane Do and Kristi Nguyen

On September 17, The Galleria and Cadillac sponsored the Simon Fashion Show Now event, showcasing the season’s latest frocks from the hottest fashion retailers in The Galleria: Neiman Marcus, Saks, Barneys NY Co-Op, Ed Hardy, Jimmy Choo, M Missoni, Tory Burch, and more. Guests attended the kick-off fashion show and munched on tantalizing hors d’oeuvres from Gigi’s Asian Bistro & Dumpling Bar. Exclusive in-store post parties at Anne Fontaine, Billy Reid, and Anne Fontaine (to name a few) kept the party going!

Saturday and Sunday, the shows were open to the public and featured new the fall collections from various designer stores in The Galleria. If you missed this year’s events, be sure to catch them next year.

The Galleria (Simon Malls) – Westheimer & Post Oak Blvd – 713-622-0663

King of Pop Party

Carpe Diem Productions hosted a Michael Jackson Birthday Bash at The Drake to celebrate what would have been the King of Pop's 51st birthday. Guests dressed in their favorite 80's, 90's and MJ attire and danced the night away to the singer’s greatest hits courtesy of Drake resident DJ Little Martin. Guests sipped on "Dirty Diana Martinis" and satisfied their sweet tooth, noshing on a one of a kind cake adorned with MJ striking a pose which was provided by Three Brothers Bakery. Grey Goose and Bacardi provided the beautiful ice sculptures, one with his initials and another one made into his signature glove. A costume contest and dance contest was held with the winners receiving Michael Jackson CD's and t-shirts. A portion of the proceeds were donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation, one of the many charities he supported during his life.

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.

Sheri Parrack: Walking Her Talk

By: Mimi Dinh

For Sheri L. Parrack, finding transportation on the road to success comes down to “walking her talk.” Let me explain...

I have been to innumerable business luncheons; they’re great opportunities to network, meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces and simply learn new things. Sadly, I don't go as often anymore; my own business tends to overwhelm my time.

So I'm delighted I made it to NAWBO’s (National Association of Women Business Owners) latest meeting, where I met this inspirational entrepreneur and past president of this organization. I've seen and heard of Sheri many times over many years, but we hadn't actually met until now.

As Owner/Founder/CEO of Texas Motor Transportation Consultants, Sheri's passion and enthusiasm have helped her overcome tremendous obstacles to find success in a field dominated by men. Knowing this, I was surprised at the unassuming, soft-spoken and down-to-earth way in which she carries herself. Perhaps I expected the stereotypical aggressive, playing-with-the-big-boys type of executive? But she proves those qualities are decidedly not required for success – a primary reason I wanted to introduce her to my readers as this month's spotlight profile.

In fact, everyone at out table was hanging on to her every word as she was telling us her “story” - her soft, quiet demeanor just commanded attention and respect.

Sheri started at the bottom of the ladder. Originally employed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TX-DOT), she was the only female supervisor, and was too good at her job (if there is such a thing). After repeatedly garnering “Excellent” and “Superior” in evaluations, she was shocked to hear her supervisor tell her in one review, “Sheri, I'm going to down-grade you in an area: You help the public too much.”

No, he wasn't kidding. He actually reprimanded her for doing her job too well.

But in true entrepreneurial spirit, Sheri took it as a wake-up call. She realized, “I needed to be doing this for myself and not the State of Texas.” And so Texas Motor Transportation Consultants was born.

This all happened back in 1980. With fewer women in business (and none in her field), she faced some steep challenges to overcome both the ordinary hurdles of a new business and the unfortunately tenacious glass ceiling. But with the support of the American Business Women Association and her own fantastic attitude, her company has achieved enviable stature: “Today, I have no challenges, nor do my staff members. TMTC is a very well established company with many awards and honors. Not only do the awards support the company name but also the clients are awesome in their support and referrals.”

What qualities, attributes or experiences have enabled this success? It all starts with authenticity. Sheri says that it is crucial for a business owner to “walk your talk.” By cultivating trust through consistency and reliability, a business can overcome those challenges (like sexism) that ultimately turn out to be more fleeting than one might expect. “If you sincerely treat people with respect, in turn, they will give you the same respect,” Sheri said sweetly but firmly.

What else has empowered Sheri's triumphs? Read on for her inspirational story...

Tell us a little bit about your company and its services.

Texas Motor Transportation Consultants (TMTC), which I started and own 100 percent, was founded in 1980 with 10 professional women as the backbone of the company. TMTC facilitates trucking companies, leasing/rental corporations, banking institutions, attorneys and individuals in 48 states.

We just love your story of how you got started. Could you share it with the rest of our readers?

In 1980, I was employed by the State of Texas, Department of Transportation, in a position I truly enjoyed and had been in for 11 years. I had never thought about leaving my position with the state. In the Houston office I was the only female supervisor. I managed 3 departments, my male counterparts managed one department, but I was happy, I loved my job! We get evaluated on our job performance every six months, and I looked at him and said, “I thought as a state employee, that was my job.” I knew then, I was on the wrong side, per say. I needed to be doing this for myself and not the State of Texas.

When you first started out, whom or which organizations helped you the most? And how did they help you?

It was the members of the local chapter of the American Business Women Association (ABWA) who were very instrumental in encouraging me to “step-out” and form Texas Motor Transportation Consultants. In my three short years of membership, they had seen a leader born. I had already helped form a chapter in the Greater Houston area and was serving my chapter as President and had attended my first National Convention as the chapter’s Woman of the Year. It was through various members mentoring and encouragement that I knew I could give up an 11-year position and form my company.

Although you have been in the business for a long time, did you still come across challenges being in such a male dominant business?

In the beginning years of ownership, I did have various challenges as a woman-owned business in a male dominated field, but not anymore.

Women professionals have come a long way, but let’s face it, the glass ceiling is still there. What advice can you give other women professionals on how to handle discriminations and/or sexist treatment from male professionals, in a productive way that would gain respect from them in the end?

Yes, women professionals have come a long way, but unfortunately there will always be sexist behavior in all industries. The best advice I can give and what I live by is to always “walk your talk”. As we all know, women and men do not think alike, but I’ve learned that IF I always “walk my talk” and do what I promise, as well as my female staff, then there is no room for sexist behavior. In my career of 29 years, I have lived faithfully by this and have only had a couple of encounters of sexist behavior.

In general, would you prefer to work with women or men? And why?

It honestly does not matter to me if I work with women or men. I have an AWESOME all woman staff. These women are incredible!! My clients are mostly male, and we have no problems working with men. My staff has learned through me, it’s how you treat people, not the gender, but the person.

You were last year’s president of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business owners) – Greater Houston Chapter. How was that experience?

Being the President of the Houston Chapter of NAWBO was a great experience. I have always been a leader, but I also draw from other people’s experiences and truly enjoy learning from them. I was blessed with an OUTSTANDING Board. I have an easygoing leadership style. I never expect ANYONE to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself. I set the pace at the beginning of the board year, July 1st, and fortunately everyone followed through.

What is the most rewarding thing about owning your own business?

My year ended with many successes, and I was so honored. There is not just one rewarding thing, but many, about owning my own business. The first thing that comes to mind is HAPPINESS! Happiness is for everyone…myself, my staff and my clients. If everyone is happy and satisfied, then I have no problems!

Most of your employees have been with you for over 10 years, some 20 years. Good people are hard to find. What is tour secret for spotting good candidates to work for you?

The outstanding women that are employed with me, most of them 15 years and more, are a blessing from God. Yes, it is difficult to find good people. I’ll address the two most recent staff members. One has been with me 3 years and the other 2 months. When I interviewed each of them, it was a feeling in my “gut”. Perhaps it is the questions that I ask and/or the way I present the position for the company. I can honestly look at a women and/or man and KNOW if they will be a “FIT” for me, my other staff members and the work we do. The work of TMTC is very specialized and extremely timely. Perhaps it is a sense I’ve developed during these 29 years of ownership, I don’t know. I can just say, I can tell in the interview, if the person will fit. It is very important to me that the person being interviewed will “fit” with the other staff members, as they are the backbone of the company.

When we met, you told me that you took well care of your employees by providing them great benefits and insurance packages. How were you able to afford these when you first started your business? And what advice can you give start up companies on how to provide these benefits without breaking the bank?

When I first started my company, I couldn’t afford employee benefits. In fact, I couldn’t afford an employee for about 6 months and then I could only employ her for ½ day. I worked extremely long days, most days 14 hours to take care of everything. After being in business for about 3 years, then I secured health/dental insurance for my 2 employees. I would not advise anyone to take on any benefits unless they can afford them. I NEVER put myself in any type of debt; I never borrowed any money from anyone and never ran my company on credit cards as so many start-up businesses do today.

What are some of the fun things you do when you are not volunteering?

I love to travel! I’ve traveled many places through out the United States; we have so many beautiful places in our country! I’ve traveled to China, twice; Japan, Russia, Panama, Canada, four times; Sweden, Mexico and Aruba. In 2010, I’ll be traveling to Germany and again to Aruba. In 2009, the Aruba trip was so much fun that a friend and I purchased a timeshare! In addition to traveling, I enjoy being with my family, especially my two granddaughters, eating at great restaurants, movies, working in my flower garden.

Who is your role model?

I have two role models. My maternal grandmother, who was an awesome lady! I always said if I were just half the lady she was, I’d be everything! She was the most elegant, graceful lady. My grandfather died when I was 10 years old. I was blessed that I got to live with her from age 10 – 13. It was a wonderful time of my childhood. She taught me so much, but most of all, to be confident in who I was. She died when I was in my mid 30’s. I’ve always felt the lost, feel she’s an angel watching over me.

Second was my father. He was a very handsome man, very intelligent and a good businessman. I admired him very much! He feared for me when I started my company, but certainly saw my success before he passed away in 2000. I had been in business for 20 years. He was an incredible role model as a business owner and as a parent. There has not been a day to go by, since his death, that I have not missed my dad.

You set a great example as a woman business owner. How do you plan to pass your entrepreneur traits on to your children?

Passing entrepreneur traits on to my daughter has been in place for many years. I have one child, a beautiful, amazing daughter. In my opinion, she is the most intelligent young woman of her age I’ve ever known. My daughter started working for me when she was in high school. She continued working through marriage, college and pregnancy of two daughters. She has the heart of the business 110%. She wants ME to rest and take it easy when I need to be 110%. She has become the HEART of TMTC. My daughter has all of my heart and passion and more. She wants to carry the legacy that I started. It is very humbling for me. I am so proud of her.

What are your future plans with your company?

My future plans with TMTC are to continue to teach my daughter so that she is very comfortable in the full management. Then slowly, within 2 - 3 years, I will be there in name only. I will be there for her, whenever she needs me.

What characteristics and skills does one need in order to be a successful business owner?

The first trait I believe a successful business owner needs to have is passion. Without passion and the love for what you do, you will never fully succeed. Anyone can work in a job, but not everyone can be successful as the owner. There are times you have to give up a lot, such as free time, i.e., the many 14-hour days I worked for years. Not everyone is meant to own a business. I believe you have to have strong leadership skills. Either you’re born with them, or you're taught them. An owner has to know how to protect their assets and when to spend and wisely.

Is there anything negative about owning your own business? Have there been days that you wished you were working for someone else instead of running your own company and be responsible for everything?

Personally, I don’t feel there is anything negative about owning my own company. I can honestly say I’ve never had a day that I wished I were working for someone else. I can say that in the first 2 years of business, I recall some low INCOME days where I prayed to God to help me find a way so I WOULDN’T have to ever work for anyone else again! I don’t have a negative attitude; I always see the glass half-full!

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?

The advice I have for young entrepreneurs, I said earlier: “Walk your Talk!” Never go outside your boundaries and be true to what you do and give an honest day's work. Don’t expect more than you are willing to give. So many young entrepreneurs are not willing to see the big picture and wait. They WANT IT NOW!!

Describe a typical day in the life of Sheri Parrack.

That’s interesting, because I don’t ever see a day as typical! Everyday is ever changing for me. I may have it planned out and the next morning it totally changes. I actually carry correction tape in my purse, because I’m continuously correcting my planner. If I’m NOT traveling, a typical weekend is rest, enjoying my home, which I love, and working with my flowers. I live on a golf course and love the beauty of the course. I sit on my patio and think and plan. I’m currently planning to write a book, so the patio is my planning area.

Featuring upcoming parties & events around town

The Texas Renaissance Festival

The Texas Renaissance Festival is one of the nation's largest, most acclaimed renaissance theme parks where the sights, sounds, tastes and beauty of the 16th Century come alive every Saturday and Sunday for 8 weekends. October 10 - November 29 from 9:00AM to Dusk. This season they are pleased to announce Thanksgiving Friday as well as Eight themed weekends to choose from. For more information: www.texrenfest.com

Saturday, October 31st

Alden-Houston, Prairie street at San Jacinto
your headquarters for downtown's Halloween happenings

8 pm - 11 pm on the Veranda
DJ Hannibal Hector

no cover . cash bar
celebrity judges and prizes for best costumes:
sexiest / couples / creative
rsvp: aubree.gencarelli@aldenhotels.com
or call 832.200.8843

so spooky packages starting at $139 for two
includes room Saturday night / two premium drink tickets at Halloween veranda party.
2-night packages available with transportation to/from Discovery Green to view the movie Young Frankenstein with picnic basket prepared by chef, chip hight. details at www.aldenhotels.com

bar bites menu in bar and grille
valet parking available

Alden Hotel - 1117 Prairie street at San Jacinto / 832-200-8800

Project Pink

Enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, an educational seminar, style show, silent auction and much more! For the 3rd year, North Cypress Medical Center is helping in the fight against breast cancer with this fabulous event on October 17th starting at 11:00 am! You don't want to miss it...

Please click here for more info

Wings Over Houston Air Show

The 25th Annual Wings Over Houston Airshow takes flight Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will take to the sky as well as numerous aerobatic and military demonstrations. Aviation enthusiasts will not want to miss visiting with legendary aviation heroes and current military and civilian pilots. $25; 1 PM – 6 PM; Ellington Airport Brantley Street Houston, TX 77034 please visit www.wingsoverhouston.com for more info

The Fashion Group International of Houston, Inc.

Invites YOU to its
Night of Stars Gala

Featuring Celebrity Guest
Cesar Galindo



Tuesday, November 3, 2009
6:30 P.M.

The Junior League of Houston
Cocktail attire
Cash bar, silent auction, dinner and fashion show
Honoring Houston’s top Fashion Designers:

Gayla Bentley, Pat Dahnke, Chloe Dao, Mary Denney, Jane Carlton
Hall, Linda Segal and Sally Templeton
Tickets: $75 each
Table for 10 for $700
To secure your tickets contact gloriapearson@sbcglobal.net
713-781-4953 or http://houston.fgi.org/index.php?news=1686 to learn more about our honorees

The Fashion Group International, Inc. is a global, non-profit professional organization with 5,000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home, including interior design

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

European Wax Center Opens 3rd location - in The Galleria Area

Not content simply to revolutionize waxing by rendering the process both pain-free and pocketbook-friendly, European Wax Center now aims to extend its reach to every Houstonian seeking sexy, smooth skin for the summer season.

What: European Wax Center will celebrate its third Houston location, in the Galleria area, with an “I Love Paris” themed party on October 1, 2009 from 6 to 9 PM. The Center will offer volunteer guests free waxing services to demonstrate the enjoyably easy and virtually painless Parisian wax and four-step process. Guests can enjoy a wax unlike any they've ever experienced and then immediately return to the festivities to sip wines and sample delish French delicacies and play games for prizes. Meanwhile, models wearing sexy Au Paradis swimwear (www.shopAuParadis.com) will tantalize guests with glimpses of their flawless, freshly waxed skin. The event is FREE and open to the public.

Secrets to Their Success: European Wax Center's founders -- siblings Joshua & David Coba and Jessica Streiner -- use an exclusive, patented wax along with an innovative process so that the wax adheres only to hair, not skin, to create a premium, painless waxing experience not found anywhere else.

"European Wax Center introduces The Ultimate Body Wax Experience," explains Judd Miller, Texas Area Developer for the franchise. "It's specifically designed for sensitive skin, with significantly less pain and a much quicker application time. It offers better results without any downtime." Those ingredients alone might ensure success, but Miller says the Center offers even more. "We're the only business dedicated solely to waxing. As a result, no one knows waxing as well as European Wax Center. In addition to hiring only licensed estheticians, we require an additional 40 hours of training in how to use our wax and exceed customer service expectations."

Their Story: For this remarkable achievement, the founders "spent 10 years refining every aspect of the company and scouring the earth for a wax that wouldn't scour skin." According to Miller, that explains European Wax Center's tremendous success since the first stand-alone facility opened only five years ago. Today, there are over 75 franchises in the United States (17 already open, with the rest slated to open soon). Houston alone can expect 30 more locations over the next few years, including new spots opening in Memorial, and I-10 & Bunker Hill areas. Already opened are locations in River Oaks and West University areas.

All told, European Wax Center is waxing idyllic. With a goal of 1,000 franchises over the next six years, the founders are well on the way to transforming wax from a grooming event to be endured into a spa experience to be savored.

Their Products: The same expertise opens an additional avenue of service for the franchise: European Wax Center brand products. Their first product is a serum to prevent ingrown hairs, but guests can expect a full series of specialty items designed specifically to increase the benefits of waxing. -- From the slow grow body lotion that encourages finer and softer hair re-growth to the eyebrow sealer that keeps unruly eyebrows in place all day to the pre wax exfoliate made with no texture, and all natural ingredients that goes on feeling smooth but within seconds of massaging it into the skin, fruit enzymes work their magic to remove dead skin leaving your skin feeling baby soft. -- All products are designed to be used with the European Wax Center ultimate waxing system and many of which don't exist on the market in any other form. The full line will be introduced within the next 5 months.

Visit European Wax Center in River Oaks Plaza at 1564 West Gray (713-524-4929), or West University location at 5154 Buffalo. Speedway (713-667-2929), or third location in The Galleria area at 5000 Westheimer (713-622-4929). Thirty more locations slated to open in Houston (and 85 in Texas) will make the pleasing, affordable experience convenient for all Houstonians. For more info visit www.waxcenter.com

The Women's Fund -Fall Luncheon

Featuring shops and related news

Bibi Bridal Show

NY/NJ: Oct.11 Crowne Plaza and the Crystal Falls Ballroom, Fairfield, NJ

Houston: Oct. 25 Houston Renaissance Hotel at Greenway Plaza

What to Expect

From catering to mandaps, each of Bibi's Bridal Shows are an exclusive showcase of the top echelon of bridal vendors who set the standard in their respective fields. Join Bibi Magazine in either New Jersey or Texas for a fun-filled day of the latest bridal trends, the most exclusive of wedding designs and the zenith of gourmet cuisine. Enjoy the Bridal Couture Fashion Show for both brides and grooms, enjoy complimentary facials and makeovers in the Bridal Beauty Room and sip champagne or refreshments as you mingle with other brides.

COUTURE FASHION SHOW CUISINE SAMPLING BRIDAL SHOPPING ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE CAKE GALLERY PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION TABLE SCAPES BRIDAL BEAUTY ROOM LIGHTING DESIGN RAFFLES AND GIVEAWAYS

DOLCE&GABBANA The Make Up

The new Romantic Collection Exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue

Come experience the world of Dolce&Gabbana and celebrate the opening of our new boutique. Meet Dolce&Gabbana Regional Makeup Artist, Ernesto Anayo.
Receive a gift with any $75 Dolce&Gabbana cosmetic purchase.*
Thursday, October 15
1 to 8 PM
For more information, please call 713.627.0500 ext. 5101 or 5102

*One per customer, please. While supplies last.

Featuring seminars, business news, and business events

The Texas Conference for Women

November 12th
George R. Brown Convention Center

Rethink Resolve. Renew. The Texas Conference for Women will feature nationally recognized speakers who will address the critical issues facing women today. This conference will lead you finding clarity on your goals and what you need to accomplish them. Women can expect to learn about dealing with change, reinventing their career, how to manage your money, how to market yourself, how to network effectively, and much more. Anyone who is in search of information and inspiration should come to this event.

For more info please visit www.texasconferenceforwomen.org

Featuring art exhibits, gallery openings, theater, plays

Galveston Art Walk

Opening: Saturday, October 10th 6 – 9 PM Galveston Arts Center is pleased to present two exhibitions in conjunction with the October 10 ArtWalk. Chuy Benitez: Summer in the City and Mark Schatz: Earth Below us will remain on view through November 22, 2009, and are free and open to the public. Curator Clint Willour will lead a gallery talk with the artists at 6:15 pm.

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

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.
The mailing address for GAC remains the same: 2127 Strand, Galveston, TX 77550

Ellen Frances Tuchman and Claire Cusack exhibits

S. Bennett, The Observer, acrylic, mm on canvas, 41” x 43” Exhibit: October 8th – October 31st
Reception: Thursday, October 8th 6-9 PM
Koelsch Gallery - 703 Yale St. Houston, Texas 77007 - 713.862.5744 koelschgallery.com

Featuring restaurants and related news

Come Join us as we kick off our weekly specials at Cielo Mexican Bistro:

Monday Night Football $2.00 drafts and $8.00 Pitchers/ 10 wings for $7.95 and 20 for $14.95

Tuesday $1.00 Taco Night with $2 Domestic Beer

Wednesday Half Priced Margaritas and Sangrias.

Thursday $3.00 Thursdays Ladies Night!!! Mojitos and Well Martinis

Friday $5.00 Fridays with specialty drinks, shots specials!!!

Saturday Live Salsa Music!!! $4.00 Well Drinks!! Free Appetizer at the Bar.

We are located at:
Cielo Mexican Bistro 713-229-9500 300 Main Houston Texas 77002 (Main & Congress)

Featuring bars, lounges, clubs, and related news

Houston Finally Has a Champagne Bar

Opening in October 2009.

Segreto is Houston's first and only champagne and wine bar dedicated to the afficiando or the novice in you. Segreto presents a brilliantly constructed wine list containing over 50 champagnes and sparkling wines from all parts of the globe along with a diverse and reasonably priced array of still wines by passionate and talented wine makers. Delectable bites provide the perfect finish. The vibe inside insists that you relax and enjoy the incomparable service. Positioned conveniently near Downtown, the Heights, Midtown, River Oaks and Montrose, Segreto introduces the beginning of a new era.

Segreto - 810 Waugh Drive.

Featuring travel destinations and recreation

Taken from Yellow magazine, written by Chau Nguyen-Todd

When I tell people I recently traveled to Micronesia, they usually ask me where it is located. I would ask the same question had I not lived in that region many years ago. In Greek, Micronesia literally means small island. As geography goes, the region is comprised of several small islands along the western Pacific Ocean, with many close to the equator.

Now, when I say western, I mean it’s almost four thousand miles west of Hawaii. Getting to Micronesia is no hop, skip and a jump. An eight hour flight from Houston to Honolulu, followed by another eight hour flight to Guam. You will cross the International date line, meaning you lose a day upon arrival. Once in Guam, however, you are on home base to begin the island hopping. And that’s exactly what my husband and I did for 16 amazing days. Thank goodness for Continental Airlines, our exclusive vacation airlines, which made the planning so much easier.

Saipan
A place I consider my second home (I lived there in my early 20s), Saipan is an easy a 30 minute flight from Guam. It’s a United States Commonwealth and has huge historical significance in terms of World War II. A bloody battle was fought there and thousands of Japanese soldiers literally jumped to their deaths rather than surrender to the Allied troops. War history aside, this island is as beautiful as they come. Just 44 square miles, you can take a drive (or a hike) to the top of the entire island and view it from all sides. As many times as I have been on top of Mt. Tapochau, I never tire of its spectacular view. I highly recommend an island tour booked through Marianas Trekking (marianastrekking.com), that offers everything from hiking, biking, kayaking, and snorkeling tours of the island. My favorite hiking and swimming spot is Forbidden Island. Unless you’re a local, Forbidden Island is not a hike you readily find on Saipan. Ask for Chris Nelson at Marianas Trekking, and he will totally take care of you. The 20 minute hike takes you to a gorgeous rocky beach line, not to mention great swimming holes and some neat cave pools. For scuba diving, make sure you hire a guide to take you to the Grotto, a gorgeous swimming hole with three underwater swim throughs for scuba divers. Ask for Eric at Speedy Tertle Scuba Diving (speedytertle.com). He has been diving on Saipan for more than 10 years and knows all the dive spots well. As for the Grotto, scuba enthusiasts rank this one of the top dive sites in the world. While I have dived the Grotto in the past, this time around, my husband and friends decided to swim and snorkel. It’s simply perfect for swimming. The water is warm and clear, making the 100 steps to the Grotto hole worth the walk.
There are a number of hotels on Saipan, many of which are managed by Japanese or Koreans. (Saipan is a close destination for Japanese and Korean tourists). My pick is the Hyatt Regency Hotel Saipan (hyattregency.com). This place offers all the modern amenities of a five star hotel, not to mention some great dining. Sunday brunch at the Hyatt is a must and a favorite for the local expats.

Yap
Our next four day jaunt was to the island of Yap. This place is so unknown that they even make t-shirts that say “Where the heck is Yap?” In Yap, things are still very traditional, as the men still wear lava lavas (skirts) and the women can still be seen going topless. Most Yapese fish for food and television wasn’t introduced until 2001. Yap is just a one hour ten minute flight from Guam. You know you are in a remote place when your plane has to be pulled in because a small earthquake damaged the tiny airstrip. Nice. There are only a handful of hotels on this tiny island, which is about the same size as Saipan. We chose Trader’s Ridge Resort (tradersridge.com), because judging by the photos we saw online, it seemed to be the nicest. We chose wisely. This 22 room privately owned hotel had a small swimming pool and overlooked the bay. The service was friendly, and the dive shop and its guides were very accommodating.
One friendly reminder, however. Should you decide to travel to Yap, bring cash! Just as we arrived, we quickly learned that there were no ATMs on the island. Yap’s currency is the U.S. dollar. Locals working in the private sector earn a paltry dollar and change an hour. Tip well. They really appreciate it. So, what draws 5,000 visitors a year to this island of just 20,000 people? Manta rays, manta rays and more manta rays. Scuba divers from all over the world come to Yap just to see these big, beautiful creatures. Of course, this is what drew us. Vince, our dive guide, assured us that we would see some. On our second dive, we witnessed our first manta ray of the trip. They are beautiful. We parked on a sandy bottom along the manta ray’s feeding station just to watch these wonderful creatures glide by. Way cool.
Still, the highlight of scuba diving for us would be the shark feeding. We had two options: bring down the chum (fish food) and watch the reef sharks munch on what Vince gave them as we swam alongside. Throw in some cookies for the smaller fish to feed and watch the sharks as they circled us. Something about diving near a bunch of sharks feeding on bloodied chum made me nervous. We chose the cookies option.

So, what draws 5,000 visitors a year to this island of just 20,000 people? Manta rays, manta rays and more manta rays.

What happened once we descended definitely earned a spot as a top ten lifetime experience.
As soon as Vince released the cookies to the small fish, the reef sharks started circling. Within minutes, there were twelve sharks. Like a scene out of a movie, I looked over at my husband to see if he was in awe as I was. Was I afraid? Not at all. I trusted my dive guides. They knew what they were doing and that the sharks were so well fed that they didn’t need to snack on us. I don’t carry an underwater camera when I dive, so I am grateful to William Massey for taking some amazing photos of our shark experience and sharing them with us. Will is a 24 year old from Savannah, Georgia who moved to Yap to teach. I’ve always found one of the greatest things about travelling is the interesting people you meet. My husband and I spent a great deal of time with Will, who would come to serve as our tour guide, showing us some of the neat beaches and acquainting us with the local culture. We loved the Yapese people, and we appreciated our friendship with Will. Thank you Will. See you in Houston.



Palau
There is a reason the popular reality TV show Survivor was filmed in Palau not once, but twice. It’s plain beautiful. Gorgeous. Heaven on earth. This place is hands down my favorite in Micronesia, not to mention home to some of the best scuba diving in the world. Palau (as former Survivor contestant and Houston City Councilmember Jolanda Jones will attest) is one of the places you really have to experience before you die.
Our stay took us to the famed Palau Pacific Resort (palauppr.com), a five star hotel which is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary. The resort is perfectly maintained and groomed. It has a private beach complete with dive facility and offers great snorkeling in the bay. The pool area boasts a fabulous beach bar and large Jacuzzi, where we found ourselves after our daily dives. Palau’s beauty lies in its rock islands, a chain of tiny, uninhabited islands that look like big bushes jutting from the clear blue water. Whether you wish to dive or snorkel, boats will weave you in and out of the rock islands. Our kayak guide likened them to big chia pets. These islands were once coral formations, which were transformed over tens of thousands of years.
There are so many ways to see Palau. Our first choice was by scuba diving. We chose Fish and Fins (fishnfins.com), since the dive operator limited the number of divers to six per boat. We had a small boat with just a handful of divers, and our two days of diving was comprised of four great dives. Blue Corner, touted as one of the best dive sites in the world, lives up to its reputation. There was an abundance of marine life that included sharks, schools of barricuda, and gigantic Napoleon Wrasses. I would not recommend this site for the novice diver. The currents are so strong we had to use a hook to attach ourselves to the coral wall to avoid being swept away. We spent our final day kayaking the rock islands. It is a great way to float around the islands and snorkel in some calmer waters. Planet Blue Kayak Tours (samstours.com/kayak.html) offers a one-day kayak tour through Palau’s rock islands and crystal blue lagoons. We saw old World War II planes and relics underwater, and parked for lunch on a rock island which served as a command post and jail during the war. One last and incredible attraction is Jellyfish Lake, a saltwater lake that is home to ten million jellyfish that have lost their sting. You can snorkel and play with them after you pay a $30 park fee.

Guam
Our last stop before heading back to Houston was the island of Guam, a U.S. Territory, which I always tell people is like a mini Honolulu. It has all the American amenities such as malls, movie theatres, and a huge Kmart. Guam’s Waikiki is Tumon Bay, where hotels line the beach and shops line the streets. We decided to make Guam our final stop and it was a good choice. After spending several days on very remote islands, Guam gave me a certain comfort that I was once again, on American soil.
We stayed at the Guam Hilton, (guamhilton.com) one of the older hotels on the island which, like the Palau Pacific Resort, was very well maintained. The island is a favorite among Japanese tourists, many of whom were staying at our hotel. The Hilton is the southernmost hotel on Tumon Bay, providing unobstructed views of the bay.
Our day trip was comprised of driving south past the military base to reach Jeff ’s Pirate’s Cove. It is a touristy yet quaint beach restaurant and bar once visited by Carlos Santana. (Yes, Santana actually visited Guam). The beach at Jeff ’s Pirate’s Cove has a volleyball net and is where concerts are often held. If you need a Guam souvenir, this is your place. Guam’s population is about to expand when the military operations in Okinawa are moved there in a few years. So, the island’s population of about 175,000 will grow even larger. Guam is much more Westernized compared to its Saipan, Yap and Palau neighbors. Only a few still speak the indigenous Chamorro language. Still, it has a certain charm. Part American, part local. I was grateful to catch up with old friends, including my former Saipan coanchor, Travis Coffman, who now hosts a radio talk show on Guam.
(bigshowk57.blogspot.com). Travis represents those who moved to the islands from the U.S. mainland, only to settle and never come back. We’re jealous, Travis. Island Adventure Ending
My husband and I returned back home to our busy lives, lamenting that we didn’t have more time on the islands. We loved the scuba diving, but mostly, we loved the people we visited and met along the way. Travelling changes you. There’s a world out there unlike the world we know. These islands will always have a place close to my heart, even if they are remote and far away.

Featuring furniture, architecture, and real estates news

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

A New Breed of Eco-Designers Reimagines the Items of Their Daily Lives

Taken from Fast Company magazine, by: Anne C. Lee

Eco-designers are crafting clever solutions that will divert tons of waste from landfills.

Garden Greetings - Botanical PaperWorks

Most people bury the greeting cards they receive in drawers, but you can bury Garden Greetings in the backyard and watch them sprout into flowers or herbs. Embedded with seeds, the cards are "tree-free" -- instead, Botanical PaperWorks uses 3.5 tons of paper waste a year. The cards retail for $5 apiece at specialty stores such as Paper Source.





Din-ink - Zo-Loft

Approximately 39 billion pieces of disposable cutlery are used in the United States each year; that's 42 place settings per person. Made from natural starch and fiber, the reusable caps, a Designboom "Dining in 2015" winner, will be available in October.

















Green Box - Environmentally Conscious Organization

Americans "use a pizza box for 30 minutes and then throw it away," says ECO chief executive William Walsh. They toss up to 2.2 billion boxes a year. Walsh's idea: more mileage per box. By adding perforation marks to divide the top into their plates, he eliminates additional waste. And the bottom can be folded into a fridge-friendly leftover case.









Ditto Hangers - GreenHeart Global

Every year, 3.5 billion wire hangers and 8 billion plastic ones rack up landfill space. "It's hidden," says CEO Gary Barker, "but they're just a tremendous burden on the environment." Barker's primary goal is to replace the disposable hangers of dry-cleaners, hotels, and retailers, and he has won design awards for the pressed-paperboard hanger he created exclusively for Adidas’ Silver stores. Growing consumer demand for the hangers, which hold 20 pounds, has led him to sell 10 for $15 via Amazon, and Bed Bath & Beyond commissioned its own 10-pack ($10).






Dinnerware - VerTerra

"The next wave in eco-awareness is compostability," says VerTerra chief operating officer Josh Parker. VerTerra steams, heats, and pressurizes fallen palm leaves, processing 10 to 12 tons a month into high-end disposable dinnerware. The plates, bowls, and trays aren't just compostable but also biodegradable, and they're the china of choice in tier-one luxury boxes at the new Cowboys Stadium. They're also being rolled out at Whole Foods for just $6.50 for eight.













EcoCradle - Innovative Design

Imagine a Styrofoam replacement so natural it could be mistaken for mushroom risotto. EcoCradle is made from agricultural by-products, such as rice hulls, and mushrooms, which serve as a binding agent for the packing material. "In nature, there is no litter," says CEO Eben Bayer. EcoCradle can then be molded to fit products as varied as TVs and glassware. To meet demand, Ecovative Design will scale up production to 10,000 units of packaging a month by the end of the year

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

Bake a Difference

Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique is proud to launch Bake a Difference - an initiative to bring a little unexpected joy into the lives of some special members of our community. These groups include individuals in nursing homes, children's medical facilities, family shelters and outreach programs, hospice and terminal care groups, plus their families and caregivers, and other members of our community that could use a little "something sweet" to brighten up their day.

Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique-3310 S. Shepherd-Houston 77098-713/52.SUGAR For more information visit www.bakeadifference.org

Pink Room

Hotel Derek introduced five Lady Pink Rooms in 2007 to help raise money for the fight against breast cancer by donating 10% of the monthly room revenue to the Komen Houston Affiliate. The beautiful rooms are accented in pink and offer travelers all the comforts of home and extend the opportunity to give back to the community without lifting a finger. Rates start at $139 for single or double rooms on the weekends and $269 on weekdays. Visit HotelDerek.com for more information!

Featuring automobile and electronic news

Green Wheels

As seen in E Magazine, September 2008...
...and in the Boston Globe December 10, 2007

The eGO Cycle2 is a pedal-less electric cycle. Turn the throttle and go! The eGO is easy to ride, has great performance on flat and moderate hills, and is reasonably priced. It’s the best choice for “no-sweat” trips to the grocery store, work or school, around the neighborhood, or across town. Conveniently plugs into any 110 volt outlet.

Note: We do not recommend the eGO for areas with signficant hills such as those found in San Francisco or the Berkeley/Oakland hills. The eGO does not perform well on steep hills. For areas with less-than-steep hills, the eGO will perform fine. With steep hills, our shops and customers have reported the eGO can have trouble with hill climbing and resulting repair problems.

eGO Vehicles LLC has moved to Music City Nashville, TN! 1911 Nolensville Pike - Nashville, TN 37211 - (615) 692-1970

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.
	2005 Lamborghini Gallardo - $109,750! 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe. This Lamborghini is finished in Arancio Borealis (Pearl Orange) over Avorio Lilium (Ivory) leather interior with contrasting Orange stitching. Loaded with options: power seats, lifting system, upgraded exhaust and upgraded stereo system.
	2006 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe - $164,750! 2006 Ferrari F430 F1 Coupe in Black over a Black Leather interior. We sold this Ferrari to a local client 2 years ago and he has only put 400 miles on it for a total of only 1,992 pampered miles. Beautifully equipped with the F1 Transmission, Yellow Painted Brake Calipers, Scuderia Ferrari Shields, Power Operated Seats, Daytona Seats, and more!
	2006 Bentley Flying Spur - $109,750! 2006 Bentley Flying Spur finished in Silver Tempest paint over rich Black English leather hides. This Flagship Bentley is perfectly loaded with all the right factory options: 20” 7-spoke painted wheels Leather and wood steering wheel Convenience Package (garage opener and Bluetooth) Drilled pedals Sport chrome and leather shifter Dark Burl Wood trim- standard Sunroof- standard Its in pristine condition with only 3,101 miles! We've priced it to sell quick!
	2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S - $66,750! 2007 Porsche Carrera S in Black exterior over Black leather interior. 1-Owner.Only 3,345 miles. This Porsche is fitted with the Porsche Tiptronic S transmission and comes with a list of options. Options include 3-Spoke Steering Wheel w/Multifunction, Power Seat Package, Self Dimming Mirrors, Wheel Caps with Colored Crest, Parking Assist System, Sport Chrono Package Plus, Module for Telephone PCM, Navigation for PCM, Bose High End Sound Package, Black Mats w/Porsche Lettering and more! This Porsche won't last long so call us today!
Inventory Sales Service Parts Merchandise
www.lamborghinihouston.com 866-443-4370

Featuring sweet deals of the month

Featuring what's hot or the next big thing

Nightclub Cardio

Shorts and T-shirts are not the typical wardrobe seen at Pravada nightclub, but on Tuesday evening’s sneakers replace stilettos and bottled water trumps bottle service for Nightclub Cardio, a workout hybrid of dance and aerobics. The hour-long class is ideal for those who just can't stand the thought of one more treadmill stint and want to show off their dance moves. The boom-boom-boom can be heard from the Pravada parking lot. DJ BT (Brett Thomas) spins everything from disco to hip-hop, choosing familiar favorites to energize the crowd -- typically 40 to 70 people. Led by fitness instructor Stacie House, the routines are broken down into stretching and cardio, allowing for free movement throughout.

Pravada Night Club - The bar is closed, but chilled and vitamin water is available for $1. $5 to $10; Every Tuesday this summer. Doors open at 6:00; Class from 6:30 - 7:30PM at Pravada, 2815 S Shepherd Dr. Houston, TX 70098.

For more information visit www.nightclubcardio.com

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).

The 43rd Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film & Video Festival

Drummond Public Relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Linda G. Drummond
linda@drummondpr.com
281-460-0077

NAWBO Houston ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR THE
WOMAN BUSINESS OWNER OF THE YEAR AWARD

September 28, 2009…The Greater Houston Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO Houston) is pleased to announce the finalists for this year’s Woman Business Owner of the Year award. This award is the only award given to Women Business Owners, by Women Business Owners. The finalists for this award must demonstrate excellence as a business owner, initiative and creativity in overcoming obstacles in her business, civic and community involvement and professional accomplishments and contributions.

The 2009 finalists are:

Pamela Ahlers - VP of Ahlers & Stoll, PC (www.ahlersandstoll.com)
Deavra A. Daughtry - CEO/President of Excel - E - Care (www.deavradaughtry.com)
Karen Draper - CEO of S&N Pump (www.snpump.com)
Jayne Edison - CEO/Presidnet of Office Furniture Innovations (www.ofillc.com)
Janice Jucker - President of Three Brothers Bakery (www.3brothersbakery.com)
Deborah E. Nowinski - Founding Artistic Director of Dionysus Theatre (www.dionysustheatre.org)
Mary Jo Poindexter - Principal/President of Engineered Construction Specialists, Inc. (www.ec-specialists.com)
Debra Schindler-Boultinghouse - President of Genesis Business Communications Systems (www.genesisbcs.com)
Kaitlyn Sharp - President of Custom Plumbing & Hardware (www.customplumbingandhardware.com)
Doreen James Wise - CEO of Medical Research Consultants (www.mrchouston.com)
This year’s event will be held at the Hotel Derek on October 22, 2009 with networking beginning at 6PM and dinner beginning at 7PM. Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle will benefit The Rose. The Rose is the Houston area's leading 501(c)(3) non-profit breast cancer organization providing mammography screening, diagnosis, early access to treatment and support to all women regardless of their ability to pay.

For additional information, or to place an ad in the program or donate an auction item, please visit www.nawbohouston.org.

NAWBO is a non-profit national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses. The organization currently has over 75 chapters and membership is open to sole proprietors, partners and corporate owners with day-to-day management responsibility. NAWBO is a 501C(6) organization.

Did you see European Wax Center featured on ABC 13 News Free Stuff Friday segment on Friday 9/11?

Visit European Wax Center in River Oaks Plaza at 1564 West Gray (713-524-4929), or West University location at 5154 Buffalo. Speedway (713-667-2929), or third location in The Galleria area at 5000 Westheimer (713-622-4929). Thirty more locations slated to open in Houston (and 85 in Texas) will make the pleasing, affordable experience convenient for all Houstonians. For more info visit www.waxcenter.com

Our New Service - Email Marketing

Mikel Marketing is excited to announce the newly added service of Email Marketing - A cost effective way to market your business, especially in this economy. We can create for you a customize e-mail list that suits your needs or help you expand an existing list by append solutions.

To ‘append’ means to ‘add on’, as in adding email addresses to existing client and prospect records for those you don’t have yet. Don’t have an existing database? That’s okay, we can create an entirely new list of qualified, permission-based consumer OR business email list, customized to fit your needs. Consumer emails can be customized by with specific criteria (from household income to age, from gender to zip code, etc.); and business emails can be customized by with specific criteria (from title codes to major industry, etc.). Your list can be comprised from anywhere in the US.

Why is Email Marketing effective? Email Marketing is the ideal tool for anyone interested in gaining leads or increasing exposure of their products/services in a cost effective and efficient manner. In addition to a higher response rate from your target audience than direct mail, Email Marketing also saves time and money. It also brings in more quantifiable results, deliver credible, quantifiable, documented leads, and what’s more, a campaign can also track read rates, click through rates, and sign-ins.

Where are the qualified email addresses derived from? In addition to our own list of Mikel Marketing Newsletter subscribers comprised of more than 50,000 email, our Master Database are derived from a third party partner with solid privacy policies and opt-in data fields. We guarantee a clean list everytime and will give you a full refund for every email that’s bounced or not workable.

What is a qualified email address? To ensure that your email will not be sent straight to the junk box, all of our email address databases are 100% opt-in and permission based. This means that every recipient has expressively given permission to receive third party communication.

How do I know these address are current? The master database from which we pull all addresses is continuously updated from new sources on a monthly basis. The database is also processed against both the USPS National Change of Address File (NCOA) and the Delivery Sequence File (DSF).

Our 3 Email Marketing Services:

Additional Service: Content / Artwork
The effectiveness of Email Marketing is a direct result of quality content/artwork being sent to a targeted yet receptive Web-based audience. Not everyone is capable of creating such emails. As a full-service marketing firm, we take pride in our marketing and graphic design team to develop strong themes, powerful messages, and visually stimulating designs.

Whether you need an email list or designing content, Mikel Marketing will be happy to help with all of your Email Marketing needs. Please contact us for more details and a complete list of pricing at info@mikelmarketing.com