NFC Wrap-Up:  Even the Gods Were Crying

Saying it was a good game; saying it was a truly close game; saying everybody did really well – all of these statements are a lot like when an Oscar loser says, “It’s an honor just to be nominated.”

Can the San Francisco 49ers be proud of their season?  Absolutely.  But, sorry, even with all the hard work and busting of guts, the Giants still walked away with the win.  Whether by one point, three points, or fifty points, the 49ers did not renew a dynasty – they simply fell by the wayside yet again.

No.  Before you all get mad out there I AM a 49ers fan and, like my mother who has routed for the Packers since the Lombardi trophy was first given out (and, let’s face it, there were A LOT of years where her team really stink, stank, stunk in there) – I have stood by the 49ers.  From their Montana/Rice/Young heyday, to the many years when no one even knew who they were and thought Candlestick Park was an N’Sync song, I have been there.  So yesterday I was there – I was on it – I was cheering – this was it.  The red and gold were back on the scene!  And what happens?  The Giants come in and take them into OT just so we can receive a really boring ending and a Super Bowl match-up that has already been seen.

I have to tell you, there are other articles this week about the NFC, AFC, and Super Bowl predictors.  You know, the experts.  I love that word.  Come on, the only expert was Obi Wan Kenobi and even he had to go into the force.  For the past week the predictors were all about the fact that the 49ers were going to win.  Most of the headlines stated that it was going to be all about the quarterback play.  Of course, it wasn’t, it was all about the two defenses that just refused to let the quarterbacks do much of anything; and, unfortunately, the turnovers and mistakes that ended up to be seriously costly in the end.

Alex Smith has had a nice, breakout season – this is true.  After having six extremely unremarkable years with the franchise, he did well.  But, of course, for San Francisco the defense and special teams were where their power was at.  Smith threw just five interceptions this year – which was great – but he also racked up only seventeen touchdown passes.  It was against the Saints two weeks ago that Smith showed that he did have an arm (not Montana’s…but Joe Cool was a robot).  Those experts (with the exception of two that I found) said that Alex Smith would face a relentless Giants pass rush and a back seven that has finally seemed to gel over the past month, but that with his front line and his defense, the 49ers had it in the bag.

On the other side, Eli Manning has been nearly flawless in the postseason, throwing for 607 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception in the two playoff games. Manning, unlike Brady who he will face on February 5^th,  has gone up the ladder “quietly.”  He’s joining Brady in the elite quarterback category, but his mouth stays closed.  He simply brings his ‘game’ on the field.

The NFC game began with both teams trying to establish a run game right off the bat.  The 49ers depend on their running game, but I don’t think they had any idea that their big runner was actually going to be their quarterback.  In this facet of play, Alex Smith reminds all 49ers fans of Steve Young; when Smith can’t find something, he simply takes off and goes.

If the ‘new’ dynasty could have been created yesterday, it would’ve excited fans because this new 49ers team is not about flashy statistics.  Their ‘old-school’ game of running the ball, a hard defense, and a fantastic special teams has proven to be their winning formula.  Part of that formula is winning the field position battle which they do on a weekly basis because they own the best punter (Andy Lee) and return units in the league.  But when the chips were really down, that special teams in OT turned out to be not so special after all.

The Giants and 49ers last met in the NFC Championship Game twenty-one years ago this past Friday at Candlestick Park – where the top-seeded 49ers – and the defending Super Bowl champions – were favored against the second-seeded Giants.  It was a defensive battle throughout, with only field goals on the board through the first half which ended in a 6-6 tie. The 49ers scored the game’s only touchdown in the third quarter on a 61-yard pass from Joe Montana to John Taylor that gave the hosts a 13-6 lead.  But the 49ers didn’t score the rest of the way and the Giants eventually came within a point, 13-12, after two field goals. And as time expired, Matt Bahr nailed his fifth field goal, a 42-yarder, to send the Giants to Super Bowl XXV, where they defeated the Buffalo Bills (another boring Super Bowl.)

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Coming into the game yesterday, the 49ers pass defense was average, and the Eli Manning’s of the world can take advantage of that.  The 49ers finished 16^th against the pass, having allowed 230.9 yards per game during the regular season.  Against the league’s most prolific throwers, the Niners can be exploited.  Two weeks ago, Drew Brees threw for 462 yards and four touchdowns. It was the third time this season the 49ers allowed more than 400 yards passing, and the sixth game where an opposing quarterback accumulated more than 300 yards. One of those 300-yard passers was Eli Manning, who threw for 311 against the 49ers in Week 10.  Much like the Packers, the Niners rely on forcing turnovers to offset their deficiencies on defense.

Another issue is the fact that, with the exception of Vernon Davis, Alex Smith has barely anybody to throw the ball to.  Davis posted 180 yards for receptions in this postseason – which is a record for a tight end – and two touchdowns. What makes it more amazing was the Saints, as well as the Giants, knew where the ball was going and still couldn’t defend him.

This game yesterday was a game of an ancient rivalry.  And it showed.  No one could do much of anything most of the time.  It seemed that all you saw was the punter headed to the field.  And there were more than a few times when it looked like a bunch of angry boys on the playground – with some face masks pulled and unsportsmanlike conduct at absolutely the worst times. The funniest part was the cameraman who seemed to be in love with Giants’ coach, Tom Coughlin.   Every time the camera went to him he was swearing up a storm.  You didn’t have to be a professional lip-reader to see that obscenities were what he was using to coach his team.

So the rivalry stands and the Giants walk away the winners, and they are headed into a Super Bowl where it actually will be the battle of the quarterbacks.  Manning is good, he’s beaten them before…but Brady is the robot this time out.  He’s the Montana and with his ‘no-huddle’ offense against a Giants defense that has really JUST started to gel and play together as a team, I have to call for the fact that the Patriots will win their fourth. (And no, I’m not happy about it.)

But the Niners would have been the “Cinderella” team that almost everyone (Giants fans aside) wanted to see go to the ‘big show.’  Did you see all that rain?  Even the gods were crying on this one.

This Article is Sponsored by:  www.befirstinc.com   www.preciousgemspublishing.com  and  www.roadtrekin.com

Until Next Time, Everybody.

Amy

One of the most beloved Super Bowls, and one that sits very high on the ‘Top Ten’ list of best games of all time, was actually referred to as the “dot-com” Super Bowl, being as that it was held during the height of the “dot-com bubble” and several internet companies purchased television commercials that seemed to run on forever.

The actual game, however, was fantastic, and added “The Tackle” into the record books for all time.  Super Bowl XXXIV pitted the NFC champion, St. Louis Rams against the AFC champion, Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The Rams entered their second Super Bowl in team history with an NFC-best 13–3 regular season record. It was the franchise’s first playoff appearance in ten years. The Titans also finished the regular season with a 13–3 record, but this was their first Super Bowl in team history after entering the playoffs as a wild-card.

The first two quarters of this Super Bowl were largely a defensive battle.  This is a nicer way of saying that it was like watching a really boring movie for hours on end.  Between injuries, missed field goal attempts and punts, this was one of those games that wasn’t exactly action-packed from the opening play.  Despite out-gaining the Titans in total offensive yards in the first half, the Rams held only a 9–0 halftime lead with three field goals.  But, yes, there IS a very big reason why this game is on the list of the top ten.

The Rams literally shocked the NFL in 1999 with an NFC-best 13–3 regular season record, only a year after finishing 4-12.  St. Louis was led by quarterback, Kurt Warner, who started the season as a backup but, due to injuries, became the starter.  In his first NFL season in 1998, Warner played only one game and threw just eleven passes. But in 1999, he experienced one of the most spectacular seasons ever had by a quarterback, recording a passer rating of 109.2.  He was not the only Ram compiling amazing stats, however.  Running back, Marshall Faulk, in his first year in St. Louis after spending five seasons with the Colts would win the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, gaining a record 2,429 total yards.

The Rams’ defense also led the league in fewest rushing yards allowed and fewest rushing touchdowns allowed, ranking 4^th in the league in fewest total yards allowed (5,056).

On the other side was the Tennessee Titans, who advanced to their first Super Bowl in team history. From 1960 to 1996, the team was known as the Houston Oilers.  But in 1995, they were lured from  Houston to a brand new stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.  The 1999 Titans were led by quarterback Steve McNair and running back Eddie George.

The Titans were the most memorable team in postseason play when they narrowly defeated the Buffalo Bills, 22–16, on a famous, “trick kickoff return play” that became known as the Music City Miracle.

When January 2000 appeared, so did two ice storms that slammed the Atlanta area within a week of each other. The second occurred during the week of the Super Bowl and made everything around the stadium a great big mess.  But the game, of course, went on as planned.  One of the most frightening moments was when cornerback, Blaine Bishop, made a tackle, but suffered a spinal injury and had to leave the game. The game was delayed for several minutes while Bishop was being treated.

But with only six seconds left in the game, a play occurred that went down in NFL history as simply “The Tackle,” and all of a sudden this slow game became one of the most memorable of all time.

The Titans had just used their final timeout with six seconds remaining.  With no timeouts and the ball on the Rams’ ten-yard-line, the Titans were trailing by a touchdown and had only one final opportunity to tie the game. The ‘plan’ was to use tight end, Frank Wycheck, as a decoy; he would run straight up the field on the right side to lure linebacker, Mike Jones, away from the receiver, Kevin Dyson.  Dyson would then slant left through the middle of the field.  With Jones occupying Wycheck, the quarterback would pass the ball to Dyson, who would then be open from about five yards out for the score.

As the play began, everything appeared to go perfectly, as Jones ran with Wycheck up the field at the beginning of the play. However, as the pass was being delivered to Dyson, Jones – who was at the goal line – glanced over his left shoulder and noticed an open Dyson catching the ball.  Jones quickly switched directions and ran towards the Titans’ receiver.  As Dyson ran directly toward the end zone, his legs were wrapped up by Jones with about two and a half yards left to the goal line.

Since Dyson was being tackled by the legs, there was still the possibility he could ‘reach out’ towards the end zone and get the ball over the goal line.  Both players went into a rolling motion as Dyson stretched out his hand in the hopes of scoring.  Although he was close, and the ball was mere inches away from the end zone, it was still not quite enough to score. As the rolling motion came to an end, with Jones on top of Dyson’s legs, his shoulder touched the ground…and the game was over.  Had Dyson scored and the extra point had been made, it would have been the very first Super Bowl in history to go into overtime.

“The Tackle” is still considered to be one of the greatest and most exciting game-ending plays in modern NFL history.  The image of Dyson stretching the ball towards the goal line with Jones wrapped around him has become a staple of NFL highlights. ESPN.com even ranked it as the 35^th greatest moment of the past twenty-five years in sports.

A great ending to a rather lackluster game!  I wonder what the 2012 Super Bowl will add to those historic highlight reels?

This Article is brought to by: www.befirstinc.com   www.preciousgemspublishing.com  and  www.roadtrekin.com

Until Next Time, Everybody.

Amy

Portland-based band Blind Pilot will continue to tour this winter in celebration of their sophomore album, We Are The Tide (Expunged Records). See reverse for complete details. Released to widespread acclaim, the new album debuted at #56 on the Billboard “Top 200” chart, #22 on the “Overall Digital Albums” chart and was featured in NPR Music’s “First Listen” series. Additional upcoming appearances include a performance today on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” and a January 6 booking on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

We Are The Tide follows the band’s grassroots break-out debut, 3 Rounds and a Sound, which has sold over 60,000 units to date and was featured in NPR’s “Best Music of 2008” roundup. Recorded at Type Foundry in Portland, OR during the spring of 2011, the new album was produced by the band and Skyler Norwood and mixed by Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket). Of making the album, founding member Israel Nebeker comments, “We had a good idea of what we wanted the album to sound like and what all the instrumentation would be. There was excitement and anticipation but that came with a fair amount of challenges for me as the songwriter, since I had never written in that atmosphere before. Fortunately, the creative process has a way of obliterating your expectations, and while we had a plan for each song, eventually the songs told us the way they needed to be. We learned a whole lot in the process and when I listen to the album now, I hear all these good surprises we didn’t know were going to be on there.” Co-founding member Ryan Dobrowski goes on to say, “I love the first record, but it was really exciting to work on arrangements with the whole band in mind. There are some songs on We Are The Tide that sound like an extension of 3 Rounds and a Sound, but a good number that are exploring new areas.”

Blind Pilot began in 2007 when Israel (vocals, guitar) and Ryan (drums) embarked on a West Coast bicycle tour playing mostly to unfamiliar listeners at small-town venues. The band now exists as a 6-piece ensemble featuring fellow Oregonians Luke Ydstie (upright bass, backing vocals), Kati Claborn (banjo, dulcimer, backing vocals), Ian Krist (vibraphones) and Dave Jorgensen (keyboards, trumpet). In the years since it’s inception, the band has toured with various world-renowned musicians including The Decemberists, Josh Ritter, The Low Anthem, Laura Viers and Andrew Bird and have appeared at the Sasquatch! Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. Additionally, multiple music placements have been confirmed in episodes of “Chuck,” “Covert Affairs” and “One Tree Hill.”

BLIND PILOT CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

January 27 Boise, ID Knitting Factory

January 28 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge

January 30 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater

February 1 Omaha, NE Waiting Room

February 2 Iowa City, IA Blue Moose

February 3 Madison, WI Majestic Theater

February 4 Urbana, IL Canopy Club

February 6 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall

February 7 Pontiac, MI Crofoot Ballroom

February 9 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom

February 10 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small’s

February 11 Ithaca, NY The Haunt

February 12 Northampton, MA Pearl St.

February 14 Woodstock, NY Bearsville Theater

February 16 Baltimore, MD Ram’s Head Live

February 17 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theater

February 18 Norfolk, VA The Norva

February 21 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle

February 22 Asheville, NC Grey Eagle

February 23 Charleston, SC Pour House

February 24 Orlando, FL The Social

February 25 St. Petersburg, FL Crow Bar

February 27 St. Augustine, FL Café Eleven

February 28 Tallahassee, FL Club Downunder

February 29 Athens, GA 40 Watt

March 2 St. Louis, MO Plush

March 3 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater

March 5 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater

March 6 Fargo, ND The Aquarium

Den.i.zen (noun formal or humorous,  an inhabiant or occupant of a particular place: Denizens of field and forest

The First & Only Name in Home Healthcare!

With more and more ‘baby boomers’ choosing to stay at home throughout their senior years, there is a far greater need to have home health aides available, so that they can have live out their lives the way they want to.  These are strong human beings, to say the least.  This demographic – being born during the post WWII era – have shown throughout the decades that they come from the strong, courageous, and ‘never give up’ mentality that their generation provided.

First Step HomeCare is one company – THE company, in fact – that has become the premier home health care agency built upon the fact that home health care should not be just a ‘job.’  First Step HomeCare knows about this strong generation and has prided themselves on the fact that they want nothing more than to give back to their seniors.  They wish to provide the elderly with true friends who certainly own the skill and knowledge that is needed in their chosen profession, but also people who have the heart and soul necessary to really love their job and desire to become a ‘true friend’ to their client.

This is not only a time period that is boasting a larger amount of seniors who wish to live out their lives in their own homes, this is also a time period where the number of home health care jobs and franchises are growing larger every day.  When we look toward 2012, there is a wealth of optimism that our economy and the job market will continue to improve. The National Employment Report that was recently released, actually showed private employers have added over two hundred thousand jobs in just the month of November.  This and other reports have also commented on studies that the jobless rate should continue to drop to below nine percent by the end of 2012.

This is truly hopeful news for college students who will soon graduate and approach their futures.  The National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook, 2012 survey, also gives them more hopeful material by showing that employers plan to hire almost ten percent more graduates from the Class of 2012 than they hired from 2011.

There are some very specific industries that are going to see monumental growth, per various reports.  From biomedical engineers to computer software engineers to customer service representatives, looking for graduates who are fluent in multiple languages, there are industries that are just waiting for the Class of 2012 to be ready to go!  What is the largest industry expecting the most growth?  The medical and health care industry.  From medical assistants to registered nurses for hospitals as well as doctor’s private offices, the medical industry needs more people!  And in the lead are home health aides that will provide in-home care; a service that will continue to be important as the elderly population, with those ‘baby boomers,’ continues to grow. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the number of Americans sixty-five and older is projected to be almost ninety million by 2050, more than double its estimated 2010 population.
This particular industry is not only ripe for rapid growth, it’s also maturing and evolving in new directions that cater to a changing generation of seniors.  These are people who are adamant about living in their own homes and on their own terms, but that comes at a price.  They will need assistants and home health aides in order to live their lives the way they want to – and First Step HomeCare is THE company they want to turn to.

There are a great many families who report how difficult it is to find home health care for their aging parents, grandparents, or other family members.  They want to find the best care available, but they also are trying desperately to find a ‘companion’ – a friend who actually cares more about them then their job. There are true challenges in finding the right provider, which is exactly how First Step HomeCare came into being.  Patrick O’Hare, the founder and creator of First Step HomeCare, also experienced the difficulties of finding in-home care for a loved one.  After that particular event, he not only wanted to create a company that offered dependable and reliable healthcare in a person’s home, but he also wanted to invent a system of being able to “match” a client with the best possible caregiver (companion) that they could have.  Thus, First Step HomeCare was born.

A decade ago, the public had very different perceptions about what the home health care industry was all about.  Today, these are people who perform duties from driving to administering drugs to light cleaning to, ultimately, companionship.  It is no loner just about health care.  This industry that was once based on getting the ‘task’ done has developed into a ‘caring’ model that focuses on a person’s quality of life, and franchising has become the established method of expansion in the industry.

First Step HomeCare has made a tremendously positive impact in the communities they serve.  After the absolute huge success that First Step HomeCare had in San Antonio, they went on to open a second office in Dallas (Caring Companions), proving that the First Step idea of in-home private duty senior care was far more important than yet another ‘generic’ look at the senior population.

First Step HomeCare is also not just “in business.” They provide YOUR loved ones with the highest quality non-medical in-home senior care possible.  With First Step HomeCare, people are able to live their lives with dignity and respect – in their own homes – and have one of the best caregivers in the industry by their side.  The perfect caregiver is matched with the client, offering a life enhancing relationship.

So not only will 2012 be the age of expansion and franchisees who wish to open an First Step HomeCare in their own neighborhood, but it will also be a time when the job market for home health aides becomes huge – offering college graduates the perfect time to get the job they want with a company they truly love!

Until Next Time, Everybody.

For more information go to:

http://www.firststephomecare.com

Human Resources is a relatively new management term that came about in the late 1960’s.  The function of a human resources department was to allow organizations to introduce ‘welfare management’ practices. This became a largely ‘administrative management’ activity, where people were hired to coordinate a range of workers who acted as a strategic team – a workforce that helped corporations gain a competitive advantage by finding and utilizing highly skilled workers to increase their business.

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Over time, the human resources role has changed, as technology and business has transformed over the years.  But one of the primary functions of the human resources sector is still trying to find and interview people in order to hire the absolute best workers they can for their company.

There are a great many organizations that will always advertise a position and tell you to speak with the ‘Human Resources Department’ before ever speaking with, let’s say, a sales manager or the CEO of the company.  Although the accounting role took up most of the human resources time at the very beginning, recruiting, hiring, and training are now also provided by the ones in charge. Therefore, as an organization  grows, so does the responsibility of human resources.

Caramanico Maguire Associates is a company that we have been speaking about for several months.  In fact, in a way they act as THE human resources for the 21^st century.  They are the Sales Force Development Experts, who have established the number one track record of being able to supply each and every business with the optimal salespeople they need in order to make more money and achieve greater success.

They have the ability to come into your business and do the job of human resources in the recruiting and hiring sectors, in order to make sure that your company is establishing the best sales force possible.  They are not ones who sit behind a desk with pre-arranged screening forms, Caramanico Maguire Associates are hands-on ‘instructors’ that help the management to see exactly who they are hiring, and they do all the heavy ‘work’ that comes with recruiting and evaluation of applicants.

The staff of human resources in any organization are essentially the people who operate the business.  However, many times the department relegates humans to the same category as financial and material resources – which is not the best way to hire, by any means.  Material resources, services, and programs are extremely important to a company‘s growth however, human beings need to be dissected.  Their talents, skills, and what they can ultimately bring to the company that wishes to hire them, is what needs to be evaluated before moving any further in the recruiting process.

So while the Human Resources Department is the policing arm of executive management, Caramanico Maguire Associates is the arm that provides the optimal salespeople the company needs in order to keep growing and expanding, enabling them to keep there business afloat and maintain a reputable name in their industry.

In today’s organizations, to guarantee their viability and ability to contribute, HR managers need to think of themselves as strategic partners. In this role, the HR person contributes to the development of the organization-wide business plan and objectives.  The more ‘tactical’ HR representative is deeply knowledgeable about the design of work systems, and this knowledge helps them to design work positions; hire; offer rewards, recognition and strategic pay; aid in performance development and appraisal systems; career and succession planning; and employee development.  In this role, the HR manager also provides employee development opportunities and programs, such as profit-sharing strategies that keep employees happy, which then translates into them wanting to stay with their  organization.

When recruiting, selecting, staffing and hiring, companies need to pick the smartest people they can find.  Because not only is hiring a chore, but retention of your best employees has to begin with a company’s policies and procedures that may be out of date.

Caramanico Maguire Associates are the expert ‘human resource’ strategists.  With their long-time experience in the field of hiring and recruitment, they save a company’s owner, marketing manager, and CEO a great deal of worry because they already know how to look for and discover the skills that are necessary for someone to be an optimal salesperson.

The old way of doing things, such as posting an employment ad that attracts many applicants, and then selecting the best applicant to come in for an interview sometimes feels more like a ‘lucky roll of the dice,’ and not any actual strategy that will make sure that only qualified potential employees are asked in for a sit-down interview.  Caramanico Maguire Associates alleviates this burden.  They know how to conduct a safe, legal interview that also enables the company to select the best candidate for their open positions.  The interview is one of the significant factors in hiring, so having the knowledge of knowing the ins-and-outs of interviewing techniques and the process of evaluation is a powerful tool that Caramanico Maguire Associates  provides.

Optimal salespeople are a much sought after commodity in this business world, and the need in 2012 is growing greater by the moment.  Corporations are sick and tired of poor sales performance – they want results in three months, not three years – and they are no longer willing to wait while someone hones their skills and ‘learns’ their new job.  The applicant must walk through their door with the talents necessary to make the company money immediately.

We’ve spoken about how highly competitive the sales industry is, and people must utilize due diligence before accepting a job offer in order to get a realistic grasp of their earning potential.  Some salaries, especially in the tech industry, are on the high end – which means that people need to make sure that their applicants have worked with a company like Caramanico Maguire Associates in order to get the information, data and spirit needed so that they become the optimal salesperson that a company wants to give a salary to.

The recruitment process of Caramanico Maguire Associates begins with identifying a company’s needs in order to put together a tremendous team of business experts.  These Sales Development Experts then meet with the boss to discuss the position that they are hiring for, as well as gather all the figures regarding salary and compensation packages that are being offered. It is no over-embellishment to say that   Caramanico Maguire Associates are proven financial wizards, and they are the only company on tap for 2012 that has the ability to build every company’s sales force by inundating them with the optimal salespeople they can count on to build business faster and bring in more money.

There is a need, and always will be, for a good Human Resources Department.  However, when thinking about recruitment or hiring, Caramanico Maguire Associates, Inc. is the first step and the only choice to bring on board the optimal salespeople that you and your business require.

Until Next Time, Everybody!

For More Information go to:

http://optimalsalesperson.net/

www.caramanico.com

Nash Hand and his wife, Amanda Forsythe, of Suncoast, said their cat, Nene, gave birth Monday and they were shocked to see the kitten had two faces, a condition that earns such felines the nickname Janus cat, after the Roman god with two faces, WWSB-TV, Sarasota, Fla., reported Thursday.” UPI

The Florida couple named the kitten Harvey Dent. after the Batman villain Two-Face. They should have named the cute little creature Mitt Romney, after the most two-faced politician in American history.

In spite of his two faces Harvey is in good health, his respiration and heart rate are normal. Harvey is destined to live a happy life with a couple who adore him.

The couple put up a message on Craigslist seeking advice on how to raise and take care of their unusual kitty. They were shocked when they received many replies condemning them for wanting to raise an “abomination.” A kitty with two faces isn`t an abomination, he`s a blessing.  A politician who can be mistaken for a weather vane, now that`s an abomination.

We need to learn to see beauty in everything and everyone, don`t judge a book by its cover.

Link to video of the adorable kitten: http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2012/02/02/Cat-born-with-two-faces/UPI-15721328208697/

Follow Robert Paul Reyes on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertpaulreyes

The first recorded wedding in St. Augustine is dated January 24, 1594 – 29 years after the city’s founding and 13 years before the English arrived at Jamestown, Virginia. The groom was Gabriel Hernandez and the bride’s name was Catalina de Valdes. Although their happiness on that day was undoubtedly remembered for the rest of their lives, it would have been even more special if they had known they were the first of thousands of couples who could not resist the romance of the nation’s oldest city. For centuries, it has beguiled romantics. The shining sea, fresh breezes, horse-drawn carriages bedecked in colorful flowers, romantic strolls beside a star-spangled bay, the moonlit ramparts of a 17th century Spanish fortress…and so much more to be discovered. This is a city with nearly 450 years of history and authentic European architecture bathed in the Florida sun. It’s no wonder that Travel + Leisure magazine made St. Augustine it’s number one pick for an American destination where visitors could feel as though they are in Europe.

Plus, just up the coast in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, world renowned resorts like the AAA.

5-Diamond Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, the Lodge and Club and the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa offer unmatched pampering-and great tennis and golf on some of the world’s most famous courses including the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass, home of the THE PLAYERS Championship each May. Also, the Renaissance World Golf Resort is not only AAA 4-Diamond-rated, it is next door to the World Golf Hall of Fame and features two championship courses.

Despite the year-round appeal to lovers, February’s arrival on Florida’s Historic Coast gives even the most reluctant romantic a valid reason to utter sweet-nothings while experiencing the blushes brought forth by a direct hit from one of Cupid’s arrows. Here, all of the elements needed to transform a mild infatuation into a full-blown, four-alarm romance are readily found.

Start with one of the basics – chocolate. Begin with a tour of the Whetstone Chocolate Factory Whetstone Chocolates where master confectioners explain how its done and offer samples of their delectable product – plus, they explain why chocolate is really good for you – no need to feel guilty, indulge yourself. Plus, the have chocolate and wine pairing at their Anastasia Island location Next, head to Claude’s Claude’s Chocolates and sample hand-crafted Belgian chocolates that offer the best in Old World richness or stop at Peterbrooke’s Peterbrooke Chocolates and experience imaginative concoctions including their famous chocolate-covered popcorn. Or get totally immersed in the flavor and lore of chocolate on the Tour de Chocolate presented by St. Augustine City Walks or take a ride through the world of chocolate on the original chocolate tour offered by Old Town Trolleys.

Euripides once wrote “where there is no wine, there is no love.” So make sure to experience the wine pairings with chocolate presented at Whetstone’s shop on Anastasia Island or take part in the daily wine tastings at San Sebastian Winery and discover the tastes the have received more than 400 awards in domestic and international competition.

Romantic music? It’s performed each evening, most frequently outdoors, at numerous restaurants and watering holes around the city. Plus, the February lineup at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Flagler Auditorium, and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall offers something for every musical taste -They Might Be Giants (2/7); Russia’s Kremlin Chamber Orchestra (2/11); Robert Cray (2/14); Patrizio Buanne (2/17); Brandi Carlile (2/18); Saw Doctors (2/22); Pablo Cruise (2/25); and Dark Star (2/29)/

St. Augustine features dining that incorporates everything needed for romance – exquisite food and impeccable service in settings that create a lasting memory — the sea at sunset, the famous Bridge of Lions opening at twilight for the passage of white-hulled shrimp boats, the clip-clop of passing horse-drawn carriages in the glow of 19th century street lamps, happy couples strolling through the Plaza de la Constitucion.

The perfect ending for a day of romance can be found at any of dozens of accommodations on Florida’s Historic Coast. The charm of an award-wining bed and breakfast inn is readily available, as is the romantic allure of historic hotels, elegant beachfront resorts and the very best of contemporary lodging provided by the most distinguished names in the industry. In fact, planning a romantic getaway to St. Augustine is easy. Simply go to: FloridasHistoricCoast.com/ROMANCE

Romantic February Events on Florida’s Historic Coast:

February 7
Sunset-Moonrise at the St. Augustine Lighthouse

See the sun set behind the skyline of the nation’s oldest city and then watch the full moon rise from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean – all from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Repeatedly selected in polls as the most romantic place to propose marriage in all of Northeast Florida, the lighthouse offers a magnificent view of the change from day to night in an unforgettable coastal setting. Plus, the event includes a champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres. For reservations, call 904.829.0745.

February 11 – 14
Couples’ Valentine Eco Adventure

Join the professional Guides and Naturalists of St. Augustine Eco Tours for a one of a kind Valentine’s experience! Choose the excursion that’s perfect for you and your sweetie! Paddle in a tandem kayak into the beautiful and tranquil salt marshes, look for wildlife as you explore the rivers and creeks on the Dolphin & Nature boat tour or kick back and relax on a peaceful 2 hour sail aboard our stable 27′ catamaran —the choice is yours! St. Augustine Eco Tours specializes in small tours, taking groups no larger than six on most excursions so you’ll never be lost in the crowd. St. Augustine Eco Tours is located at St. Augustine Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. Kayak tours are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All other tours are by appointment. For rates and more information, visit staugustineecotours.com, or call (904) 377-7245.

February 11 – 19
St. Augustine Air Tours Special Valentine Tours

Fly high with your sweetie pie. St. Augustine Air Torus is offering special discounted airplane sightseeing tours, sunset and aerobatic flights over St. Augustine. Take your sweetie up and save 10% through Valentine’s week. Each of St. Augustine Air Tours vintage aircraft are fully restored and among the finest examples of their kind in the country. St. Augustine Air Tours is located at St. Augustine Regional Airport, 4900 US 1 North in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904-819-0002 or visit StAugustineAirTours.com.

February 12
Ripley’s World Record Wedding Vow Renewal Event

Renew your wedding vows and be a part of a world record setting event! Ripley’s Original Believe It or Not Museum will host this attempt to set a new Guinness record for the largest wedding vow renewal in history! Help shatter the current record of 1,087 couples, receive flowers and a fun tour of St. Augustine — the nation’s oldest city aboard a red train. It’s all free! Advance registration required for this noon to 2 p.m. event. Email the name of the bride and groom and the state and date of their original wedding to mock@ripleys.com.

February 14
Valentine’s Day Sunset Sail

Savor the most romantic day of the year on a two-hour sunset sail aboard the schooner Freedom. This sail into the sunset will be truly special with complimentary drinks, chocolates, live music and a warm blanket to cuddle under. The schooner sets sail at 4:15 p.m. and reservations are required. Tickets are $45 per person. Phone: 904.810.1010

February 18
Uncorked Wine Judging

Come join in a wine judging event at Ponte Vedra Beach. This judging event will provide a sampling of what is to come at the April 2012 Sawgrass Wine Festival. Uncorked takes place at Sawgrass Marriott, located at 1000 PGA Tour Blvd. in Ponte Vedra Beach.

For more information, visit www.pontevedrachamber.org.

February 25
Casa Monica Nocha de Gala (Night of the Ball)

Be a part of this 16th century masked ball celebrating the 493rd birthday of St. Augustine’s founder, Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. The celebration begins at 5 p.m. with a grand and exciting procession through downtown St. Augustine to announce the arrival of Menéndez, who will be accompanied by his colorful entourage. Starting at the City Gates at St. George and Orange Street, Menéndez will lead the procession down St. George Street to the front of the Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, engaging the town folks as he inspects his colony and prepares to enjoy his birthday celebration, Noche de Gala. The cocktail reception and dinner will be followed by dancing to contemporary tunes. Gala attire is black tie or 16th century costume. The Noche de Gala takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Lightner Museum Ballroom, 75 King Street in St. Augustine. Sponsored by the Casa Monica Hotel, this is St. Augustine’s most exciting social event of the year. Tickets are $195 per person, or $75 per person for just the cocktail reception. All proceeds go toward the restoration of Lightner Museum. Reservations are required. For more information, email nochadegala@casamonica.com.

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, 42 miles of pristine, Atlantic beaches – the same beaches that greeted Ponce de Leon in 1513 when he discovered and named La Florida, an area whose boundaries encompassed what would later become the eastern United States. For more information on events, activities, holiday getaway and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at FloridasHistoricCoast.com, become a fan on Facebook or call 1.800.653.2489.

Meetings are vital for management and communication, and properly run meetings save time, increase motivation, productivity, and solve problems. The creation of new ideas and initiatives come from the boardroom, and meetings are far better than internet or telephone conversations because feelings and thoughts are most especially carried in the way things are verbalized – in person.

Every corporation and business, as well as organization, association and group, hold meetings to manage their teams and situations, as well as to achieve their objectives quicker, easier, and more effectively.  And when the team is happier, the company is far more productive.

It comes as no surprise when these groups are looking at where to hold their next meeting, event, or get together with employees and/or clients, that they make sure to book The King and Prince Resort located on St. Simons Island in Georgia.  Not only is this a stunning place to hold that essential meeting, but the area is steeped in history.  Being a part of the Historic Hotels of America, visitors are amazed with everything from the Mediterranean architecture to the local historic sites, shopping, as well as the endless array of outdoor activities and attractions that the island offers.

What corporations and groups are constantly looking for is the perfect setting for their meeting.  They need choices when it comes to rooms, menus, accommodations, and more for their employees, clients and guests.  And everyone who searches the wealth of databases for these offerings, always come to see that the professional service, myriad of choices, and sheer beauty of location makes The King and Prince Resort is an ideal place to meet.

King and Prince offers seven meeting facilities providing accommodations for up to 350 guests and over 10,000 square feet of ocean side function space.  The Lanier Ballroom, historic Solarium, Butler Board Room, the Retreat Room, and the waterfront Delegal Room are perfect for that meeting or event.  Beauty is observed, employees are happier and more productive, and a wealth of elegant cuisine is served.

The Lanier Ballroom may be divided into four sections, with Lanier 1 offering windows for natural lighting (with floor-to-ceiling drapes), while Lanier 3 may be further subdivided into two separate rooms for smaller ‘breakout’ meetings.  Adjacent to the ballroom, a large pre-function assembly area in the Resort’s dramatic atrium is what welcomes guests in serene, elegant style with registration desks, coffee breaks, or receptions prior to dinner events.

The second-floor Retreat Room overlooks the Resort’s atrium lobby and truly rewards and astounds all guests with a stunning 180-degree ocean vista.  A fireplace and high, beamed ceilings add to the room’s significant charm, and there is a large pre-function area that’s absolutely perfect for hosting coffee breaks or receptions prior to dinner.

Pure elegance comes from the oceanfront Delegal Room, which is considered the historic centerpiece of the Resort.  This stunning facility features a series of eleven original stained glass panoramas depicting scenes from St. Simons’ rich history, and beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.  Elegant appointments include chandeliers, a fireplace, and wall paintings that underscore the room’s warmth and historic charm.

Steeped in historic character, the Solarium offers dramatic, panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The room’s crown moldings, detailed woodwork, fireplace, rich fabrics, and antique furnishings create the ideal atmosphere for business meetings, luncheons, and elegant social events.

The intimate Butler Board Room has oceanfront views and features a large oak conference table with high-back leather chairs for up to twenty guests.

These rooms, however, are not the only magnificent detail that your organization or group receives  After all, this is a stunning oceanfront resort that you have picked for your event.  Having a reception or dinner on The King and Prince  lawn allows your attendees to enjoy the sound of the waves, cool ocean breezes, and gorgeous views of the Atlantic, as their minds race into overdrive and think up the next big idea that will make your company even more profitable.

From the Executive Continental Breakfast to the Southern Breakfast Buffet; from the light luncheons with choices ranging from a Grilled Grouper Sandwich and Seafood Quiche to Grilled Breast of Chicken – the menu is superb.  Plated luncheons can also be arranged where your employees, clients and guests can dive into the stunning array of foods that include everything from Caribbean Baby Back Ribs to London Broil, as well as a New York Style Deli Buffet, the All American Cook-Out, or even a Southern Buffet with the food that best matches the amazing ambiance.  Everything is absolutely perfect at The King and Prince Resort, and when you head into the dinner menu you will find yourself in heaven. Plated dinners, reception menus, beverage services – there is absolutely nothing that The King and Prince Resort does not provide.  The high-caliber excellence that comes with your event is seen in everything from the locale to the menus to the staff which, simply stated, means The King and Prince Resort is the superior host for your group, meeting or get-together.

Golf Groups are inspired by The King and Prince golf course with its relaxed balance of natural beauty combined with the challenges of one of coastal Georgia’s most magnificent courses.  Emerald fairways surrounded by ancient forests and vast saltmarshes, the Resort’s signature four island holes, and a warm and welcoming clubhouse and staff all blend to ensure a quality golf experience.

Guest accommodations of rooms, villas, and resort residences provide numerous options for golf groups, with and without spouses.  The Resort’s Group Concierge can reserve tee times at the course after your first conversation, as well assist with information and reservations for fishing charters, trolley tours, and everything else the island has to offer.

This tranquil setting is also perfect for religious groups, providing a true haven for couples’ retreats and men’s and women’s conferences. With the wide variety of guest accommodations and meeting venues, the Resort has the amenities to host groups of up to three hundred.  Their banquet and culinary professionals strive to provide outstanding services, delicious food, and the one-of-a-kind southern hospitality that all attendees remember and adore.

And if the event is all about the family and getting back together for that much-needed reunion, The King and Prince offers a wide variety of guest accommodations for families; from guest rooms at varying price points, two and three bedroom villas and one to five bedroom homes on the Resort grounds, King and Prince offers the best for your family.  Five swimming pools, golf, tennis, and oceanfront dining, along with the miles of beach just steps from your room, the family reunion will be absolute perfection.  And, the activities!  St. Simons Island features fun for every member of the group: historical sites, Shrimping and Dolphin Cruises, fishing charters, island trolley tours, shops, galleries, and restaurants for every budget.

With all this, and the area steeped in history, King and Prince is a favored destination for Tour Groups. The sparkling array of cultural and historical sites to visit on the island and the immediate area provide entertainment for all the attendees.  It is certainly no wonder that The King and Prince Resort has been awarded multiple times for its exemplary services and amenities for hosting group events.

Let’s face it, pleasure and peace spur creativity.  Meeting productivity can be enhanced ten-fold when moved outside the boardroom.  Here, on this beautiful corner of Georgia’s coast, the scenic outdoors is what so often makes your meeting truly memorable.

The golf at the Resort’s award-winning course, miles of beautiful beaches, tennis, indoor and outdoor pools, an exercise facility, nature encounters, and historic island tours – any and all of these activities may be enjoyed by attendees on their own, or custom tailored by the Resort’s outstanding meeting planners as group, spouse, or team-building events at their Georgia conference center hotel.  The Royal Treatment Cottage certainly sums up your stay at the King and Prince Resort. Here, after a ‘hard’ day’s meeting, you can receive traditional and customized massage therapies that melt away tension, aches, and pains.
To make your meeting or event the absolute best and most productive it can be, plan the entire getaway on St. Simons Island at The King and Prince Club Resort!

Until Next Time, Everybody.

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The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522
(912) 638-3631: Phone

(800) 342-0212: Reservations
(912) 638-7699: Fax