The Ruiru Rehabilitation Centre was estabished in 1997 as a feeding programm. Street children in Ruiru were given food once or twice a week by neighbours and church members.
Mr Kimani, a local businessman allowed them to use his land and the existing facilities as a temporary shelter. The street children moved in with their sacks and started to camp in stores on the plot. A donor bought them mattresses - and the centre had begun.
After two years of fundraising the Centre managed to buy its own land in 2006. This 4 acre big plot in Ruiru is now waiting to be developed with new facilities to house the children of Ruiru Rehabilitation Centre.

Today there are 19 girls and 39 boys living at the centre, which provides them with food, shelter, a bed. clothes and schooling as well as cultural exposure, music training and sports facilities.

Visit charity-in-action.org/ruirurc.htm if you want to help

Technorati Tags: Kenya, Nairobi, Rehab Centre, street children

One of the most difficult things we can teach our children is responsibility. While knowing right from wrong may be the first step, getting your child to knowingly and willingly act in a responsible manner is the ultimate goal. The concept of responsibility, like most general ideas, can be difficult for children to grasp.

We never want to restrict our child’s freedoms or stifle them in anyway. Of course, we often feel we are doing just that when we attempt to teach responsibility. If we go to far, we may even cause them to rebel.

Educating them about consequences may be the key to teaching responsibility. It can start with something as simple as, “if you don’t clean your room, you cannot watch TV tonight; the choice is up to you.” Giving them a specific choice, with a specific consequence will help teach them what affects their decisions have. By repeating choices and consequences to them in this manner, we can help make a lasting impression.

By allowing them to make a conscious choice, they will not feel forced or bullied. Most children will see a sense of fairness in the options.

The choices and consequences we provide will depend on the child’s age. Telling a 7 year old the consequence of doing drugs may involve living on the street may not make sense to them. However, telling them the consequence of not eating their greens means they cannot have dessert is bound to cause a connection.

Removing privileges is the most common consequence for certain behaviors or not performing certain tasks. The child will begin to see that when they get their homework done, or clean their room, they are rewarded for it. This helps define a general foundation that can lead to self-aware responsibility.

Children, especially teenagers, want have a sense of autonomy. If we restrict it too much, they will only rebel. It is important to allow a certain amount of freedom and to not be too strict.

The goal is not to force responsibility, but rather to encourage them to develop it on their own. Take an active interest in their life and help guide them with goals and rewards. Teach them responsibility without becoming a drill sergeant.

Matt Adler
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/teaching-responsibility-to-children-82271.html

A wedding is always exciting. A lot of planning and preparation go into action so that the wedding will be memorable meaningful and as one-of-a-kind as the marrying couple. Yet, each couple has consideration unique to them.

With today’s escalating wedding costs, many brides and grooms who have no children of their own, ask A-wedding Day something akin to: “We want an adult only wedding and wedding reception. Is there a proper way to request that our guests not bring their chilren to wedding ceremony and wedding reception?”

The answer is both, yes and no. If you think that this makes no sense, keep reading.

When you send out your wedding invitations and reply cards, address them to:

Mr. and Mrs…. or
Mr…. or
Mrs…. or Miss…. or Ms…
This indicates to them that they are the only invitees. You may even add Adults Only Wedding. Most people will take into consideration that the invitation was not sent to - and Family and will make arrangements for their children so they can attend the wedding without them.

So, you may ask: “Where does the NO come in” Well;

What about your family and wedding attendants? Is there a chance that they will get insulted and view you as ungreatful?

Did you take into consideration your out of town guests? Will they leave their children behind and travel without them? Will they simply decline your invitation replying that they can not attend? Will they be offended and think that you are inconsiderate, especially when they see your ring bearer and flower child? or will they bring the kids anyway?

This hapened at my wedding 41 years ago. Ours was a small wedding with only 35 guests. Even first cousins were not invited. Yet almost everyone understood that this was all we, 2 students on a very minimal budget, could afford at the time and did not take offense.

Everyone except Rose and Harry who drove from Haverhill Mass to Brooklyn N.Y to attend. They brought their children Debbie and Mark 7 and 8 years old at the time. Fortunately our reception was a buffet and we did not assign seats. 5 tables of 8 left a few empty seats, enough to accomodate these two.

As it turned out, the seats were not necessary because Mark and Debbie attached themselves to the photographer. You guessed it. Every group picture potraits Mark and Debbie sitting right smack, dab in the middle. It made no difference to them, if it was a photograph of the wedding party, the bride’s side of the family or the groom’s. The two parked themselves in the center.

Today we have grown up children and grand children and have learned a lot since our own wedding.

Having seen both sides of the coin, you may ask: “Is there an adequate solution that will benefit all?”

The answer is a resound YES!

It takes thought and planning but can be done even on a tight budget.

FIRST STEP

If our suggestion appeals to you, you should add a note for guests who have children that if they must bring their children, the kids will be supervised and entertained in another location.
Let them know that their children will be cared for by a qualified adult.

Ask them to reply if they plan to bring their children and if so how many, what ages and what gender. Provide this information to the supervisor(s) so they can prepare accordingly.

To decide how many adult supervisors you need consider:

Up to what age a minor is considered a child to be supervised.

Check your list of possible locations for your wedding ceremony and or reception, to find out if they have an additional room you can reserve as a children’s Center for the duration of your wedding.

Most religious institutions have school rooms.

Hotels may offer you a small conference or meeting room, or a suite that includes a sitting room.
Restaurants that facilitate weddings usually have rooms of different sizes and will be glad to accomodate you with an additional smaller room.

The same holds true for country and other club houses.

Now that you know what to look for, choose the wedding venue that is able and willing to accomodate your young friends.

SECOND STEP

Figure out how many children need to be supervised,

Secure a very capable adult or adults who can play educational games, do art and crafts, are good story tellers or readers, and are gentle and caring. Your best choice would be a teacher, a camp councellor, a den mother or a girl scout troop leader, for example.

DO NOT HIRE A TEENAGER to just sit with the kids and watch TV!

Assure your guests that their children will not just be baby-sat but will have a good time.

Interview potential adult supervision candidates and find out how they plan to give the children a good, meaningful time while their parents are at the wedding, especially since the children will be of varying ages.

If you can afford it, provide an artisan such as a ballon artist to make crowns and animals, a face painter, a magician etc…

A wedding planner who also plans Bar-Bat Mitzvahs and other children’s events can help you locate such individuals. Or if your community has a pier, a promenade, an open street market or other locations where street artisans gather to show their talents, choose those that you believe will be best for your young guests and interview them. Since many street artisans work for donations, they may agree to provide their services at a reasonable price.

So, now you have a venue, and qualified supervision for your guests’ children. It is time to plan your next step.

THIRD STEP

Find out what art and craft materials you need to supply,

Decide what entertainment items will be appropriate such as a movie on VHS or DVD, etc…

Gather your needs and have them packed and ready to deliver to the Children Center at your wedding location.

Ask your caterer to suggest a kids menu. Make sure it is healthful.

If you plan the menu by yourself, stay away from too many sweets. Avoid nuts as some children are allergic to nuts. Do provide fruit, salads and how about Pizza?

FOURTH STEP

Having planned a children’s haven, you should decide how many supervising adults you need. Your best criteria should encompass:

The number of kids in attendance.
You should plan on one adult for every 10 children.
Ages of the children divided as follows:
Pre-school to 3rd graders;
4th to 6th graders;
Jr. high 7th and 8th graders.

Now that your guests children are taken care of, Enjoy your Adults Only wedding, assured that your guests will have a good time as will their children.

All of the above can be accomplished even on a tight budget of only a few hundred dollars.
Stop for a moment and ask yourself this question: “Is our DREAM WEDDING, happy and relaxed guests, combined with good will toward their children worth a few hundred dollars?”

Nily Glaser
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/please-no-kids-in-our-wedding-96762.html

Whether your kids are obsessed with sports, arts, music, gadgets, video games or sweets – they will definitely find themselves happy while on a holiday in London as there is everything they need. Make sure you pick up a central London hotel to stay at; otherwise the kids will loose interest after travelling long distances.

Children in London often enjoy the outdoor experience. London boasts many beautiful parks that are perfect for families: children can run, play or sleep in the vibrant and spacious London parks. London Zoo, in Regent’s Park, will leave your children overwhelmed and will give an insight into the wonderful life of animals and nature. London Aquarium and IMAX 3D Cinema at the London Science Museum will be equally liked.

Sport obsessed boys and girls might be interested in the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum or a football matches at the Arsenal Stadium. They will also be pleased to hit the sports shops - Oxford Street nearby to Paddington area has them all – Nike, Adidas or J D Sports and your wallets will start shrinking immediately.

Artsy kids will enjoy the galleries and museums. Tate Modern is a perfect place to take them – it is spacious and children can join the group and attend the drawing class. They might also enjoy the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery – no point to tell them who painted what – let them take their personal look at the gallery.

Those kids who at the age of three already claimed they’ll be pilots once they grow up will enjoy the RAF Museum that has an extensive collection of aircraft from around the world. Gadget and technology lovers will enjoy it as well.

There are many children-friendly restaurants in central London. La Porchetta in Stroud Green and Upper Street boast to be the London’s most family friendly restaurant. Chains Fish and Giraffe are awarded for giving special regards to children.

Have fun at some of the great attractions for children in London which will make your kids look forward to another holiday in London next year.

Madhukar Shah
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/attractions-for-children-in-london-531757.html

The number of overweight children is at an all time high and the numbers are increasing. Strategies to reverse this disturbing trend must be created and put into action. One strategy would be to imprison the parents of overweight children, as you would the parent of any child being abused.

Overweight Children are Victims of Child Abuse

Child abuse can be broken down into four distinct groups: child neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. The most dangerous and the most reported of the four is child neglect. According to the MedTerms Medical Dictionary, child neglect is defined as the failure to provide for the shelter, safety, supervision and nutritional needs of the child.

Parents of overweight children fail to provide:

• Nutritional needs - Children need to not eat too many calories, grams of “bad” fats, or grams of “bad” carbohydrates.
• Supervision - What and when a child is eating should be supervised. What types and how much physical activity a child is getting should also be supervised.
• Safety - Not controlling the habits of a child can have multiple health consequences in the present and in the future.

But it’s Not Malicious

Allowing a 3 year-old to play outside alone is not the same as hitting them with a car. However, if they run into the middle of the street and are hit by a car, the parent should still be blamed. The parent did not have bad intentions, but they were irresponsible. Parents have control over what and how much their children eat. Allowing a child to become and stay overweight is just as bad as force-feeding them unhealthy foods.

But The Parents Don’t Know Any Better

Many of the parents of overweight children are overweight themselves. They do not understand the health consequences of being overweight, or do not know how to lose weight themselves. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Is it acceptable for a smoker to allow their under-age child to smoke?

Maybe They Deserve Parole

Allowing a child to become and stay overweight is child abuse. However, I do not feel these parents should be jailed. I was an overweight child and I do not think my parents should have been placed in prison. However, something should be done to make parents accountable, because the children cannot help themselves.

Kalvin C. Chinyere, M.D.
http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/strategies-for-overweight-children-put-their-parents-in-jail-463562.html

There is an ATV safety crisis in America today, and it poses a great threat to the health and well being of our nation’s children. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were first made available in the United States in the early 1970’s, and have become increasingly popular ever since.

At first glance, ATVs may seem harmless; however the number of ATV-related injuries (http://www.accidentinjuryattorneyscalifornia.com/atv_accidents.html) and deaths continues to rise with their popularity.

Over 136,000 Americans suffer ATV-related injuries (http://www.bestattorney.com) and deaths ever year and over one-third of the victims are children under 16 years of age. Despite the increasing epidemic, ATV manufacturers continue to market bigger, faster, and more dangerous ATVs for children.

ATVs have been available in the United States for approximately 40 years. They are three- or four- wheel motorized machines specifically designed for off-road travel.

ATVs are intended for single occupant use and are characterized as an open chassis or frame, which travels on large, low-pressure tires, and uses handlebars for steering. Three-wheel machines have not been manufactured since 1988, however many still remain in use.

ATV engines range from 49cc to 950cc and can travel at speeds well above 70 miles per hour.

By the mid-1980’s, ATV manufacturers were selling as many as 600,000 three- and four-wheel ATVs every year in the United States. As ATV sales continued to rise, dramatic increases in ATV-related accidents followed.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) responded to the safety crisis by negotiating a Consent Decree with ATV manufacturers in which they agreed, among other things, to five major elements (http://www.cpsc.gov/library/atv2005.pdf):

- ATV manufacturers agreed to halt production of three-wheel ATVs.
- ATV manufacturers would offer safety training to all new ATV owners.
- ATV manufacturers would recommend adult-sized ATVs only for those ages 16 and older.
- ATV manufacturers would label all ATVs with warnings, instructing purchasers that children should not ride adult-size ATVs.
- ATV manufacturers would recommend ATV engine sizes according to age: ATVs with an engine greater than 70cc should be used only by children 12 and older, and ATVs with an engine greater than 90cc should be used only by those 16 and older.

The Consent Decree only covered a ten-year period and expired on April 28, 1988. Following the expiration of the Consent Decree, ATV manufacturers agreed to continue most of its elements through voluntary action plans. These agreements embodied many important safety elements, however, unlike the Consent Decree; the voluntary safety plans are not enforceable by the CPSC.

In the late 1980’s the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) began to initiate a series of ATV-related injury and death studies intended for public release.

The first report, titled “All-Terrain Vehicle Exposure, Injury, Death, and Risk Studies”, was released in April of 1988. Some major findings in the 1988 study included (http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA98/os/3548A4B.pdf):

- Approximately 95 percent of children, between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age, injured in ATV-related accidents were operating adult-size ATVs.
- Approximately 65 percent of children, less than 11 years of age, injured in ATV-related accidents were operating adult-size ATVs.
- Children less than 16 years of age accounted for nearly 50 percent of all ATV-related injuries.

ATV injuries and deaths have continued to increase since the CPSC’s first studies on ATV-related accidents in the 1980’s.

According to the CPSC’s latest estimates, there have been reports of 7,188 deaths and an estimated 1,763,800 emergency-room-treated injuries that have occurred between 1983 and 2005. Over 38 percent of the victims have been, and will continue to be, children under 16 years of age.

The following represents the most currently ATV-related deaths and injuries involving children, according to the CPSC. (http://www.cpsc.gov/library/atv2005.pdf)

- More than 40,000 children are seriously injured each year in ATV-related accidents.
- Between 1983 and 2005, at least 2,178 children under the age of 16 died from ATV-related accidents.
- Between 1983 and 2005, over 630,000 children under the age of 16 went to a hospital emergency room for ATV-related injuries.
- Over 42 percent of the children that die in ATV-related deaths are under 12 years of age.
- It is estimated that over 36 percent of the children that are injured in non-fatal ATV-related accidents are less than 12 years of age.

Despite the increasing ATV-related injuries and deaths, ATVs continue to get bigger, faster and more dangerous than ever.

ATV manufacturers aggressively advertise ATVs based on power and speed, weighing up to 800 pounds and traveling at speeds well above 70 miles per hour.

Regardless of warning labels and size restrictions, 90 percent of children involved in ATV-related accidents in 2005 were operating large, powerful, adult-sized ATVs.

According to the Wall Street Journal, ATV manufacturers are now pushing for a new category of bigger and faster ATVs aimed at image-conscious 14- and 15-year-olds. ATV manufacturers call this new category “transitional” ATVs, claiming they would reduce fatalities by encouraging children to ride ATV models more appropriate to their age. However, many consumer advocates claim “beefing up youth options” would undercut safety messages and put younger riders on bigger, more powerful machines.
(http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117677627556672193-8Uwp189JnDUw1_56wvQpY9v2CEg_20070521.html?mod=editsend)

The occurrence of ATV-related injury and death to children has become so great that pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, medical researchers, consumer advocates and other professionals have called for a ban on use of ATVs by children under the age of 16.

T.S. Park, M.D., the Shi Hue Huang Professor of Neurological Surgery at the School of Medicine and pediatric neurosurgeon-in-chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, contributed to a review published in the Journal of Neurosurgery claiming that ATV-related accidents are “leading to an increasing number of fatalities and devastating injuries with lifelong consequences for children and their parents.”

In the review, Park and his colleagues strongly recommend new legislation to reduce the increasing rates of serious injury and death from ATV-related accidents.

The following are guidelines that Park and his colleagues believe would greatly reduce the number of injuries and deaths to children in ATV-related accidents. (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/09/atvs_children.html)

- Children younger than 16 years of age should be banned from riding ATVs.
- Mandatory helmet laws should be in order.
- Mandatory instruction and certification programs for all ATV owners and operators should be in order.
- ATVs should be prohibited for all public streets and highways.

Nearly 20 years after the ATV industry agreed to improve safety, ATV-related accidents continue to take an alarming toll on children. Every year hundreds of thousands of children are injured or killed in ATV-related accidents.

Although increases of ATV-related injuries and deaths to children have consistently followed the increases in popularity, sales, size and power of ATVs, state legislatures have failed to enact proper legislation to ensure that safety follows as well.

It is clear that ATVs pose a significant hazard to children and it is time for national safety standards to be implemented.

John Bisnar
http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/children-and-atvrelated-accidents-358955.html

The town Bedlington can be found in the north east of England. It is approximately thirty minutes away from Newcastle city centre. It is situated in the south east of the country on the River Blyth. It has a population of approximately fifteen thousand people.

In 1844 it was ruled by the Bishop of Durham both in civil and ecclesiastical matters. The major industry in Bedlington during the 18th and 19th century was the production of iron. By the end of the 19th century Bedlington was becoming notable as a coalfield village.

One of the most important historic buildings is the parish church which is dedicated to St Cuthbert. It is reputed that the church takes its dedication from an event that occurred in December 1069. Fleeing northwards from the Conquerors army the monks of Durham, are said to have rested the body of St Cuthbert in Bedlington Church. The church originally of Saxon design was rebuilt about a hundred years later. Little of either the Saxon or the Norman church have survived.

The major employer in the town is the electronics company Welwyn Components.

It is national noted that Bedlington is one of the few towns in the world to have its own breed of dogs the Bedlington Terrier which is a small white lamb-like animal.

The main visitor attraction is the Bedlington Country Park. The country park on the north side of the River Blyth, has a picnic area and childrens play area as well as pleasant horse and nature trails. There is a variety of wildlife within the park. An environmental attraction and research centre includes a recycled textile company, brewery and organic farm. The site also has a nature reserve with organic plants for sale. Various events are held throughout the year and tours for groups and school children can be arranged.

Today Bedlington is noted as an attractive market town and residential area. Market day is Thursday in the town. The high street compromises of a few local shops and a number of local pubs.

Sure Start can be found in Bedlington. Sure Start is set up by the governments funding to help parents and carers of children under five. It involves parents and local communities getting directly involved in the running of their local centres. It is a chance to meet new people to share experiences with and shape the childs future. It is on central meeting place.

Douglas Scott
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/bedlington-a-small-market-town-107248.html

For special events, promotional products are like icing on the cake - they take your carefully planned function and make it that much better. By building anticipation, accenting themes and creating positive impressions, promotional products help make your company’s event a corker!

You’ve spent weeks, maybe months, planning a company picnic, awards ceremony or other corporate event. But take a minute and consider - have you really thought of everything? If you haven’t thought about how promotional products fit into your event, you’re likely missing an opportunity to generate a long-lasting positive impression of your company. Promotional products can help make any event more memorable - creating excitement in the time leading up to the function, complementing its theme and making sure it’s fondly remembered for months or years to come.

Build Excitement

It doesn’t matter how much careful planning went in to your company’s affair if no one shows up. That’s why it’s important to start trying to generate interest well ahead of time. For example, when Chippenham & Johnston-Willis (CJW) Medical Center wanted to notify local medical personnel and community leaders about the future opening of its new cardiac care center, it sent out a promotional piece two months before the opening ceremony. “Basically, we were getting ready for the summer kick-off of the new heart pavilion in the months leading up to its grand opening,” explains promotional consultant Joe Winston. “And with February featuring Valentine’s Day and being National Heart Month, we thought it would be a natural to do it then because of the obvious tie-in.”

The product Winston and CJW developed was a CD titled Songs From Our Heart, featuring 10 songs with the word “heart” in the title or lyrics. It also included artwork and information about the new hospital.

Then, when it came time to actually open the cardiac center, Winston worked with CJW to carry the theme through the grand opening event. “For the doctors, we had hearts made out of crystal with the name of the heart center. We used the heart theme for the grand opening favors, reinforcing the event itself. It was so well received and was a really exciting project.”

For The Long Haul

Other events, such as trips awarded for achieving sales or other work-related goals, require even more advance notice and, consequently, more products to keep participants motivated and on-task. Promotional consultant Mitch Silver says it’s these types of functions that require extra careful planning and relevant themes that can be easily carried throughout the experience. “Let’s say the top salespeople in a company go to Hawaii with the president of the company. To kick off the contest, 12 months prior to the trip, they should have a theme, like ‘Race to the Finish,’” Silver says. “To announce the contest and the chance that people can win the trip to Hawaii, they would do some type of pre-event invitation mailer or drop it off on the desks of all the salespeople - something with a checkered flag or some sort of raceway message.”

Other logoed products then serve as small reminders throughout the year: stressballs, desktop accessories, computer products - all featuring the racing theme. Posters and signs can also help keep the goal in-mind.

The theme then carries through to the event itself. “The winners get to the event and there’s a gift on their pillow waiting for them, playing up the fact that they made it to the finish line. It could be a clock with a racing car on the base that has their name etched on a plaque. Maybe one of the evening events would be remote-control racecar driving. And then parting gifts: just before they go home they have a giant meeting and have the foam things that you see at sporting events but shaped like a racecar,” he explains. “There are a number of different ways you can tie it all in together, with analogies that work for almost any business. Once you know the theme you can take it in a number of different directions.”

Community Causes

An entire community can get behind an event that’s held to benefit a good cause. For the past few years promotional consultant Tony Genova, who is also president of his local Kiwanis chapter, helped organize a street fair to benefit local needy children. It’s a huge production - it offers more than 100 vendors, carnival rides, games and food and draws between 12,000 and 14,000 people.

When planning an affair of this scope, one important thing is establishing a team of people to help keep things running smoothly. “When you’re starting an event like that, you really need to get a team that’s going to pull together for the same cause. That way you can delegate responsibility, you can split it up and not one person is burdened so much that it takes over their entire life,” Genova says. He adds that you also have to work closely with your local fire department, police department, county government and other officials.

Vendors that participate in large events generally like to give away useful items to people who visit their stands, Genova says. Long after the fair is over, people will look at an item and remember the company, and that it was involved in the charitable event. “Pens, magnets, business card magnets, water sports bottles, letter slitters, jar openers … most of the time people use the inexpensive products,” he says.

“Typically you’re going to have thousands of people attend but you’re only going to see 600 or 700 people at your booth,” Genova notes. “So you want to make sure that you have at least 1,000 of something to give away.”

The sponsors of the fair also use lower-cost kids’ products as prizes for the carnival games. Items such as whistles, balls, walking springs, paddleballs, kazoos, puzzles, crayons, etc., don’t cost too much for the buyer, but are priceless to the children who win them. “We have one area for kids under 5-years-old where Kiwanis has games and prizes. They all get imprinted with the Kiwanis logo and they’re given away at the fair to every kid that participates - so nobody’s a loser,” he explains.

First Things First

When it comes to special events, the key to creating a successful one is careful planning. Here are some things for you and your promotional consultant to consider when planning the big day:

What do I want to accomplish? Cleary define the reason for having the event. Do you want to create goodwill? Find new customers? Reward employees for a job well-done? Determining the purpose of an event is the first step to designing one that will accomplish your goals.

What is my budget? How much is allotted per person? Does that include food? Gifts? Transportation? Let your promotional consultant know up front how much you have to spend on the affair. That way she can help tailor the project to meet your budget, and also alert you to any expenses you may not have considered.

What is the timeframe? How far in advance do you want to start hyping the event? Is it the culmination of a months-long contest? The more involved an affair is, the earlier you will have to announce it. An event that requires many people to travel, via car, plane, train, etc., requires much more advance notice than one that is held at work or at a local meeting place.

Who do I want to attend? Will your company be entertaining top clients? Successful employees? The whole company along with their families? Will the group primarily be men or women, young or old, blue collar or white collar, etc.? It’s important to realize who your audience is when planning other aspects of the affair.

What will the theme be? From the stately and serious to the fun and frivolous, there are all types of themes to help make your company’s event successful and, perhaps more important, memorable. The question is, how do you want the event to be remembered? Emphasize stability with classical, historical or monumental themes.

There’s lots of room for fun themes too. Many can range from the slightly comical to the downright silly, depending upon their execution. Consider: Mardi Gras, casino, circus, street fair, New York, Chicago, Paris, fantasy, futuristic, Mars, the Moon, Broadway, murder mystery, the four seasons, sports, Western, Southern hospitality, blockbuster movies, classic TV, ’20s, ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s … the list goes on and is only limited by your imagination.

Still need inspiration? See what celebrations fall near the event. What famous figures were born that day, week or month? (Check out Imprint’s “Day Tripper” calendar.). How about the city or town - either where your company is located or where the event will be held - can anything in its history complement the affair?

What types of products do I want to give out, and when? Starting with the invitations and products that generate awareness of the event, the promotional items chosen will have a strong effect on guests’ impressions. Will you be awarding trophies during the function? How about prizes for raffles or contests? Will all attendees receive a gift? Will there be children, spouses, etc., there requiring different types of gifts? Do you want to leave a pillow gift or other nicety in hotel rooms? How about parting gifts to remind attendees of the event?

What might I be overlooking? Will there be food at the event? Beverages? How about entertainers? Will you need to provide transportation or accommodations for the guests?

No matter what size function your company is planning, promotional products play an important part in how the event is perceived and remembered. By working closely with your promotional consultant, you can ensure that the products used convey the desired message and create goodwill among recipients.

Rick Sheldon
http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/promotional-strategies-make-events-memorable-with-promotional-products-114845.html

Have you ever thought you would like to live at the golf course? What would life really be like on the 14th hole?

Residential golf communities are an increasingly popular option for homeowners, as families search for peaceful communities to live in. Even the pricey yearly homeowner’s fees don’t dissuade people from buying into, what the developers are calling, not just a lifestyle but a way of life.

Golf communities have been compared by some to Mayberry-like neighborhoods, where neighbors know each other, and parents feel good about letting their children play in the street with other kids. In fact, these communities are drawing lots of young families with children. And now younger families are able to afford a golf course home.

A home in a golfing community has become much more affordable in recent years. Although million dollar homes are certainly still available for purchase, so are homes that start in the mid $400,000’s or town homes that are half that cost.

But all good things come at a price so don’t expect a home with individuality and character for that price.

Cookie cutter houses are what you get at almost all residential golf communities with maybe two or three plans to choose from.

At the Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, NC you can choose one of the plans to have built and then can add a few customized features to make your house feel less standard. However, the wooded lots and spacious floor plans go a long way in making your home feel less average and more individual.

An unusual trend that golf communities are seeing is that plenty of homeowners in these areas don’t even own a single golf training aid!

In fact, some residential golf community managers estimate that as many as 65% of their residents don’t play the game much less invest in golf equipment. This just serves to prove that you don’t have to love the game to love the lifestyle.

There are many more things that make these kinds of communities attractive. Homeowners love that property values in these types of communities are steadily rising all over the country.

Having someone else manicuring your backyard is also a plus. And the camaraderie of living around likeminded people can be a comfort.

Living on a golf course is definitely expensive, even with the less expensive home models. If you choose to live in this type of community you have to view it as an investment, but for a growing number of people -it’s worth it.

Irish Anglican clergyman Patrick Bronte married Maria Branwell in 1812. Together they had six children. The first two children died aged 10 and 11. Charlotte, Patrick, Emily and Anne survived into their early thirties. They were to become the most remarkable family of writers Yorkshire had ever produced.

Charlotte, Patrick, Emily and Anne were born in the village of Thornton, west of Bradford, where Patrick was parson. The parsonage still stands today and is lived in by writer Barbara Whitehead. She is lovingly restoring the house to its regency glory.

It was in Haworth however, that the Bronte’s grew up and produced their writings.

Inspired by their writer parents and the bleak backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, the three girls wrote copiously from an early age. In 1847 the girls finally published their most famous novels. Charlotte’s Jane Eyre, Emily’s Wuthering Heights and Anne’s Agnes Grey, all became best sellers. Alas, the girls were destined to die young. Emily never completed another novel and died aged 30, followed by Anne aged 29 and finally Charlotte age 39, just a year after marriage.

Their father outlived them all and collaborated with their good friend Elizabeth Gaskell on Charlotte’s biography.

Haworth
Today you can visit Haworth and the parsonage where the Brontes once lived. The village itself is too pretty for words with cute little cottages, cobbled streets, Victorian shop fronts and olde worlde pubs. During the Christmas season there is a Victorian market on the main street and if your there at the right time, you will enjoy the carol singers. Morris dancers perform on the cobbled streets. The sound of their studded shoes hitting the cobbles and their clubs clashing together, provide exciting entertainment not normally associated with ‘gentle’ Morris dancing. This is real macho stuff (despite the outfits).

The Parsonage

You can visit the parsonage where the Brontes grew up. The rooms have been restored and the building is now a museum complete with library. The place provides plenty of atmosphere for the visitor to soak up. The rooms in which the family lived were tiny and dark and one can imagine a little scary at night when they would be lit by candlelight casting shadows and creating dark corners. This is in stark contrast to the brightness and space outside. The vast open skies and expanse of the moorland provided the birthplace of the gothic novel.

Top Withens

Emily Bronte wrote ‘Wuthering Heights’ in 1847. Her novel tells the story of doomed love and revenge. Top Withens has long been thought to have been the inspiration for her book. The ruined farmhouse stands on a hill overlooking the moors. Although the house itself bears little resemblance to the house described in her book, the situation may well have been in her mind when she wrote of the moorland setting of the heights. The place has become a popular attraction for Bronte and Kate Bush fans alike.

Bronte Waterfall

From the village of Haworth it is worth walking the two and a half miles to the falls which takes in some interesting reminders life in the 19th century, including some old coal mines. The waterfall was frequented by the Brontes and there is a rock formation in the shape of a chair named after them. Charlotte recorded a visit here during the winter of 1854 as, a perfect torrent racing over the rocks, white and beautiful!’ The falls varies from a torrent to a trickle and is best viewed after heavy rain.

Bronte Chapel

The Bronte Chapel is inside St. Michael and All Angels Church, Haworth. The old church was originally built in 1655, pulled down in 1879 and restored in 1962. Here you will find the Bronte family vault wherein lies buried the Bronte family. The chapel houses a 17th century communion table and an inscription where the engraver has mistakenly left out the ‘i’ in Christ.

Patrick Bronte lived a long life dying at the grand old age of 84 in the parsonage. He collaborated with famous authoress Elizabeth Gaskell whose autobiography of Charlotte celebrates its centenary. There is also a much awaited film being released in 2007 depicting the life and times of the Bronte family.

For those with any interest in the Bronte’s, a visit to the places that inspired their writing will be a rewarding experience.