presspass, Author at VoiceAmerica Press Blog

Nature Renewal

Posted by

presspass on January 23, 2021

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever” – Mahatma Gandhi

I popped the crunchy pods of my just-picked sugar snap peas into my mouth as I uttered a prayer of gratitude for the food I grow to nourish my family and the gardens I cultivate to nourish my soul. The past few weeks have brought the fragility of life into focus amidst the mounting death toll from the pandemic and the anxiety aroused by the political rampages.

We need to return to our roots to savor the sweetness of life. For me, Mother Nature has always provided renewal and refreshment in her simplicity and order. When I’m feeling stressed, I go outside to walk, listen, see, smell, touch, and taste…to reconnect with my senses and revive my spirit.

I picked a few stems of jonquil which are now sitting in a vase on my desk as I write this column filling my nostrils with their elegant perfume.

My step increases its bounce as I taste the tangy citrus of my newly ripe Navel oranges. Back in my vegetable garden, arugula, sorrel, Swiss Chard, assorted greens, and beets await my culinary menus. Orange and yellow calendula flowers season my salads and the unusual hued flowers of osteospermum elevate my chi as they decorate my hillside.

My journal indicates that this week in January the roses are to be pruned. My bushes are still filled with buds and blooms that enhance the landscape and my heart. I will complete this task when it is colder next month. Beauty is required as a tonic for joyfulness.

Winter is a time to regroup, to rest, to repair, to rethink. Deciduous trees are now bare, an indication that work in the garden is winding down, at least for a month or so.

We can use this period to dream and decide what projects and plantings we may want to engage in throughout the year. What’s on your list of things that you’ve always desired in your backyard but never had the time, money, or inclination to accomplish? A sampling of suggestions to fill your vision boards could include:

Planting a pollinator garden or a cutting garden

Making a meditation meadow

Rebuilding a patio or deck

Erecting a retaining wall

Growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits

Retrofitting regions for relaxation and reading

Adding a trellis, gate, arbor, or gazebo

Creating compost piles or buying compost bins

Improving a perennials plot

Hanging hammocks for summer enjoyment

Switching to succulents

Increasing native populations

Including a play structure

Paving a path with gravel or crushed granite

Installing a pond, fountain, waterfall, or other water feature

Increasing your library of garden guides

Removing a junk pile

Stacking wood for a fireplace or firepit

Enlarging bird habitats

Replacing irrigation systems

Reseeding lawns in spring

Building a rain garden

Starting a small vineyard

Buying patio furniture and chaise lounges

Planning a rock wall

Assembling an animal enclosure

Painting the fence

Shooting photos of your plants and the wildlife that visit

Ideas are endless as we daily take time to pause, brainstorm, and learn something new. Foster enthusiasm for the new year by paying attention to the enrichment of the natural world.

Reawaken your senses and restore your passion. Design your future farm. Breathe!

Happy Gardening. Happy Growing.

Cynthia Brian’s Mid-January Gardening Guide

 RECORD your landscaping escapades by writing in a garden journal online or in print. Your journals will track trends and seasons for the forthcoming years.
 CLEAN your garden tools in a bucket of vinegar and water for 20 minutes. Remove your tools and dip a sponge in a bowl of baking soda. Scrub off the rust.
 SPROUT onions and chives in your kitchen by cutting the greens, then putting the roots in a glass of water. Within a week you’ll have fresh greens for your salads and soups. (Change the water daily)
 START yams or sweet potatoes by rooting in a glass jar with water. This is a simple, fun growing opportunity for kids! When lush leaves emerge, it’s time to plant outside to produce more yams or potatoes.
 REPLENISH bird feeders with nutritious seeds keeping our avian visitors nearby while supplementing their dietary requirements during the cold season.
 READ seed and bulb catalogs or magazines that feature gardens.
 HARVEST sugar snap peas, arugula, Swiss Chard, greens, and Brussels sprouts.
 REDUCE watering on houseplants as they rest for a winter’s nap.
 RESOLVE to spend a minimum of thirty minutes per day outside. Studies indicated that every person needs at least fifteen minutes of outdoor sunlight daily for necessary Vitamin D replenishment.
 REFRAIN from heavy pruning of your rose bushes until buds and blooms are finished.
 PLANT a container of aloe to use on burns and bites.
 RECONNECT and be renewed by nature.

Photos and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1424/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Renewal-by-nature.html

Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is available for hire to help you prepare for your spring garden. Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com.

Buy copies of her best-selling books, including, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, and Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store. Receive a FREE inspirational music DVD.

Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures.

Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com

www.GoddessGardener.com

Op. Resilience in Prof. Services – Compliance in the Supply Chain

Posted by

presspass on January 23, 2021

Variety

Join me July 22, 2021 at 9am EST!

In December 20219, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK published a paper that “…Firms identify their important business services and apply resilience impact tolerances.” This has can have a significant impact upon an organization’s supply chain and ensuring compliance with the FCA directive. I speak with Sarah Garrington who will outline the compliance requirements contained within the FCA publication and what organizations can do to address it. Sarah outlines high-level considerations and steps corporate leaders must consider when planning to respond to the FCA requirement and ensure compliance. We even touch on work completed via the Business Impact Analysis (BIA). The FCA directive will have far-reaching impacts, so be sure to tune in and learn what you might need to address, even if you’re not in the UK. A very information and important episode.

Don’t miss it!

Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie * Buckle Up And Get Ready For A Fantastic Animated Adventure

Posted by

presspass on January 23, 2021

Movie Reviews

In Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie, Charlie goes on shape-filled adventures he creates using his big imagination. Charlie’s Colorforms City is an American/Canadian children’s streaming television miniseries created by Angela Santomero that is based on Colorforms. The show educates children about colors, shapes, and size. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ella M. comments, “Are you ready for a fun filled, colorful, interactive adventure? Then you have to check out Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie In this animated series, your creative imagination will flourish. So, buckle up and get ready for a fantastic animated adventure that’s both fun and educational for the whole family.” Maica N. adds, “This series has many components that make it as good as it is – for one, the musical part. I love performing and music. Music is always around me. This show includes upbeat songs and background music. For example, the theme song is SO catchy, explains what the show is about, and, by the way, and has impressive vocals.” Avery P. adds, “I got lots of messages from the show, although the one that keeps going with the theme is to stay active and creative. I really like how this DVD is trying to encourage kids to use their imagination more. With each colorful adventure they will have loads of fun.” Ashleigh C. wraps it up with, “Angela Santomero, the creator of this show is to be applauded for her ideas of creating such amazing themes and messages, while still making it fun. The best episode is “Rock Star Charlie,” where Charlie and his friends create a rock band and dance and sing.” See their full reviews below.

Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie

By Ella McCain, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

https://youtu.be/AUSKIBha2og

Are you ready for a fun filled, colorful, interactive adventure? Then you have to check out Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie In this animated series, your creative imagination will flourish. So, buckle up and get ready for a fantastic animated adventure that’s both fun and educational for the whole family.Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie is all about going on unpredictable, interactive, storytelling adventures in Colorforms City with Charlie and his best friends, Red and Violet. Every adventure is different and unique, so you never know what to expect. Charlie is always shaking things up. With Charlie’s imagination leading the way, you’ll be inspired to create colorful and magical stories, while developing your critical thinking skills.

The cast is filled with many talented actors. Jacob Soley (Charlie), Tyler Barish (Red) and Saara Chaudry (Violet) all connect with their characters throughout this series and deliver awesome performances. I love the colorful animation and music. Sometimes, I just jumped to my feet and start dancing. My favorite part is when Charlie uses his imagination to build a rocket ship using different shapes, sizes and colors to travel to outer space in order to send his friend home. And, I absolutely love the part, when he can’t decide which pet to have; so his solution is to build one mega-super pet by using various shapes along with one trait from each animal he wants.

The intent of this DVD is to inspire kids to learn about different colors, shapes and sizes as well as work on their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Charlie also teaches friendship skills such as being kind, considerate, respectful, and supportive and being an active listening. I wish I lived in Colorforms City, don’t you?

I highly recommend Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie for ages 2 to 6 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. This DVD is available January 19, 2021. Look for it; you’ve got a great story to create!

Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie

Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, Age 13

https://youtu.be/iQF0VDZfBbw

The Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie DVD is a compilation of episodes from the educational TV series that will have kids laughing and learning the whole time! It combines shapes, colors, creativity and music to entertain watchers and teach them how to problem-solve and create stories. This is a show with a lot of concepts that are easy to understand.

Charlie’s Colorforms City is about Charlie, a very silly and creative friend. Charlie invented Colorforms City from his imagination. It is a city full of colors and shapes that can make anything you dream of. From making pancakes to finding the end of a rainbow, Charlie and his best friends Violet and Red go on CRAZY story quests and solve the problems that get in their way.

This series has many components that make it as good as it is – for one, the musical part. I love performing and music. Music is always around me. This show includes upbeat songs and background music. For example, the theme song is SO catchy, explains what the show is about, and, by the way, and has impressive vocals. Something else I noticed with this series is the storylines. They are easy to follow and are entertaining. They’re not too complex but they also get you thinking. That’s a nice balance, so props to the creator, Angela Santomero, and the writers of the show. Like a lot of shows for young kids, Charlie’s Colorforms City has “call and response.” I love how this element is used in this show. It allows kids to be included in the story. When I was watching this I thought: “Wow! These characters sound excited!” It’s all thanks to the voice actors. The actor who plays Charlie, Jacob Soley, really stands out to me. He is always enthusiastic and caught my attention immediately. My favorite episodes of this series so far are “Charlie the Pancake Chef” and “Adventure Charlie.” They are intriguing and they have the best storylines. Who doesn’t love pancakes and a little adventure?!

The messages of Charlie’s Colorforms City are: creativity can lead you anywhere, and learning can be fun! Whenever the characters run into a problem, they use creativity and imagination to solve them. There is nothing inappropriate in this show and it is kid-friendly.

Overall, Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie is an incredible DVD for kids! With it being fun and educational, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 6. It’s also a good series for parents to watch with their kids! The DVD releases nationwide January 19, 2021. Check it out; I’m sure you will enjoy it.

Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie
By Avery P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

https://youtu.be/dlPtO_Ltd5o

I especially love the DVD Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie because of the interactive adventures! This show promotes imagination, games, colors, shapes and much more.

The storyline is about Charlie (Jacob Soley) who takes you on a whimsical adventure while introducing colors, shapes, sizes and all you need to know about creativity. Throughout the story Charlie also introduces other friends such as Violet (Saara Chaudry) and Red (Tyler Barish). With your help, you and Charlie get to create new stories filled with imagination.

I enjoyed the fun personalities of all the characters and the way they are so inclusive. Charlie loves to interact with his friends and the viewers, which keeps the audience engaged. I also got to build new inventions and talk with Charlie. Each new shape-filled story is repetitive enough to promote fun learning. My favorite episode is the first one, “Charlie the Pancake Chef,” because it involves problem solving skills. Each new short story promotes behaviors of kindness and sharing. This series is perfect for a good role modeling. The backgrounds in the show are bright and whimsical. There are many areas where one can participate and spot out shapes. I really enjoyed the catchy and bubbly introduction in each new short story. There are four segments with two short stories ranging from ten to fifteen minutes in each episode. An entire episode is around twenty minutes long. This is perfect for the intended audience. I love the way that Charlie’s Colorforms City can help kids learn so much about the world around them.

I got lots of messages from the show, although the one that keeps going with the theme is to stay active and creative. I really like how this DVD is trying to encourage kids to use their imagination more. With each colorful adventure they will have loads of fun.

I give Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie 5 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 6. I also think that this would be great for families to watch together. The DVD is available January 19, 2021 so look for it.

Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, 16

Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie is an engaging and hilarious DVD comprised of episodes from the TV series! This show has so many great messages that both young and old need to hear. Also, it awakens imagination and creativity.

Charlie’s Colorforms City follows Charlie (Jacob Soley) and his friends Violet (Saara Chaudry) and Red (Tyler Barish) through a series of adventures in the engaging form of a story where the audience are the storytellers. Each adventure or episode has its own conflicts and resolutions, but most importantly fun.

Jacob Soley has an amazing voice which perfectly fits Charlie’s character. The opening theme music by Voodoo Highway Music and Post, performed by Niiko Soul is undeniably the best I’ve heard for a children’s television series; it’s extremely catchy and dance worthy. The animation in this series is great. However, as most of the characters are 3D shaped, the 2D animated backgrounds look a bit out of place. The different settings such as outer space, underwater and the jungle are very colorful and full of detail. Although this show is targeted at younger audiences it teaches complex subjects such as geometry, entrepreneurship, various emotions, hygiene and weather, just to name a few. Angela Santomero, the creator of this show is to be applauded for her ideas of creating such amazing themes and messages, while still making it fun. The best episode is “Rock Star Charlie,” where Charlie and his friends create a rock band and dance and sing.

Do you sometimes feel afraid when trouble arises because you don’t know the outcome? “Not if we are the one’s telling the story!” Charlie explains that we are the storytellers of our own story, or, in this case, our lives. So, when our story gets sticky and stickier, we can create a fun plot twist and change our story to the way we would like it.

Charlie’s Colorforms City: Meet Charlie gets 4 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 2 to 7. It is available on DVD January 19, 2021. Look for it!

“Presilience” w/ Dr. Gavriel Schneider

Posted by

presspass on January 22, 2021

Variety

Join me July 8, 2021 at 9am EST!

Presilience is a different way of viewing resilience, in individuals and organizations. Join me as I talk with acknowledged subject matter expert on human centric and Integrated Risk Management, Safety and Security, Dr. Gavriel Schneider. Dr. Schneider has extensive senior level management and leadership experience, and talks to us about how the current compliance-based resiliency approach of organizational leaders needs to change. Presilience is about the ongoing use of skills in a way to better your response to risk, whether it is an opportunity, crisis or emergency. It’s not just the commonplace way of utilizing risk management to create a ‘response plan’; it allows you and your organization to be better positioned even after you’ve experienced an adverse situation. We’ll also talk about the VUCM world of risk management (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous).

It’s a real eye-opener of a chat, so don’t miss it!

Smart Cities (w/ Dr. Jacqui Taylor)

Posted by

presspass on January 22, 2021

Variety

Join me July 15, 2021 at 9am EST!

What is a Smart City? In an increasingly chaotic and disruptive world of technology, I talk to Dr. Jacqui Taylor, one of 2019’s Global Leaders and a top 10 global Internet of Things innovator. Dr. Taylor will share her global work as the world’s first Smart City Tsar and define what makes up a Smart City and the considerations, and extensive work required, needed to make cities – and nations – Smart. Dr. Taylor provides us clarity on the benefits of a Smart City and identifies the misconceptions about the top and describing how to recognize a Smart City by not ‘seeing’ the technologies behind it. It’s the next logical step in our development as a community and as a nation(s). An very interesting discussion not to be missed.

Emergency Management and Certification: An Australian Perspective

Posted by

presspass on January 21, 2021

Variety

Join me July 1, 2021 at 9am EST!

The profession of Emergency Management isn’t always recognized the same way around the globe, neither is Emergency Management certification. I speak with Officer Russell Dippy, the Emergency Management Coordinator for the South Australia Police about the state of Emergency Management in Australia. We’ll define the differences between Incident Management, Emergency Management, and Disaster Management, and Russell will also talk to us about the differences between a a Profession, Professional, and Professionalism. I’ll also talk to Russell about Emergency Management certifications; their significance, how to obtain certifications, and the the key certifications recognized in Australia. Russell will also touch on the challenge of having Emergency Management recognized as a profession in the land of Oz. A very interesting chat, so don’t miss it.

Futurist Chris Bishop Reveals Where You Could Be Working In Five Years

Posted by

presspass on January 21, 2021

Interviews

Futurist Chris Bishop Reveals Where You Could Be Working In Five Years

Job seekers often prepare to be asked, “Where do you want to be in five years?” Our recent guest on Career Central, Chris Bishop, challenged us to ask ourselves, “Where could you be in five years?” Chris is an expert on the future of the workplace who teaches professionals to prepare for success in career fields that have yet to be created. He shared with our listeners his strategies for anticipating emerging industries.

Our conversation started with Chris sharing his predictions of the advancement of nanomedicine and its reliance upon nanotechnology. My mind initially went to job opportunities for people with PhDs and MDs working in high-tech labs. Chris drew a much broader picture as our conversation continued. We explored the ripple effect of new technologies. As the field of nanomedicine grows, so will the need for people to build labs, clean labs, answer phones, sell products, create websites, edit papers, and ensure on-time delivery.

Chris shared the tools he uses to discover emerging industries and develop subject matter expertise to be competitive for the jobs they will generate. He shared some easy ways to acquire the education necessary to take your career into a new field. Chris recommended seeking out courses offered by universities at little to no cost. He reminded listeners they are not trying to earn a new degree; they are trying to acquire knowledge about a new field to supplement their current career skills.

We ended the show with Chris advising us all to Find/Follow/Connect on LinkedIn. Find and add people who are active in emerging fields to your network, follow them to learn about their industry, and when it is time to make a career change connect with them.

Access Chris Bishop’s complete interview at Career Central on the VoiceAmerica Business Network.

Lorraine Beaman is the CEO of Interview2work LLC and the host of Career Central, which is broadcast live every Monday at 11 AM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel. Each week, she interviews professionals about real-world strategies listeners can use to develop and advance their careers.

Secrets of Sulphur Springs * Dives Deep Into The Mysteries Of The Unknown With A Chilling Tale Of Mystery And Suspense

Posted by

presspass on January 20, 2021

Movie Reviews

Secrets of Sulphur Springs * Dives Deep Into The Mysteries Of The Unknown With A Chilling Tale Of Mystery And Suspense

Set in the fictional titular town, Secrets of Sulphur Springs follows 12-year-old Griffin Campbell (Preston Oliver), whose world has been upended by his father’s decision to move the family from Chicago to take over an abandoned hotel property, The Tremont. The Campbells, which includes Griffin’s mother and his younger twin siblings, move into The Tremont in hopes of restoring it to the vacation destination it once was. But on his first day at his new school, Griffin hears rumors that the hotel is haunted by the ghost of Savannah (Elle Graham), a girl who disappeared decades ago. Soon, he and his new friend, Harper (Kyliegh Curran), discover a portal that allows them to travel back in time and uncover clues about the town’s biggest mystery.

Secrets of Sulphur Springs
By Carlee S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

https://youtu.be/GTqgSrTdGFY

Disney’s new TV series, Secrets of Sulphur Springs, dives deep into the mysteries of the unknown. The writers of the show weave a chilling tale of mystery and suspense that is brought to life by the cast. It is a show about new friendships and old secrets that will leave you on the edge of your seat, as it did me.

In Secrets of Sulphur Springs, a music-loving middle school boy named Griffin (Preston Oliver) moves into an abandoned hotel called The Tremont that his family plans to restore. The hotel is said to be haunted by a girl named Savannah (Elle Graham) who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. Griffin is missing his old town and old friends, but he finds a new friend named Harper (Kyliegh Curran). Together they are determined to uncover the truth about the hidden secrets of the hotel and find out what happened to Savannah.

https://youtu.be/yp_Vl7wm0rs

One of my favorite scenes was when Griffin finds out that the old hotel is supposedly haunted—it is very fascinating to see his reaction when others tell him about Savannah haunting it. Equally interesting is to see how the others react to Griffin when they find out he is living at the old hotel. Griffin has younger twin siblings (Landon Gordon and Madeleine McGraw) and Harper has a brother (Bryant Tardy). The relationships that Griffin and Harper have with their siblings make the characters easy to relate to. The hotel set is decorated to portray that old, abandoned, rustic style which gives it a spooky appearance. The scenes where the set is dark also add to the eerie mood. The overall creepy setting makes the scenes more believable. The clothing choices are also well thought out, and perfect for the scenes.

https://youtu.be/vLshvZKPnwY

The messages in this TV series are about building friendships and trust. Moving to a new town and having to make new friends at school is not always easy. Being a good friend means being kind, helpful and truthful. It also means working together. Trust is especially important because it’s hard to earn back after it’s lost. Parents may need to know that there are some suspenseful scenes that may be scary for younger viewers.

I give the new TV series, Secrets of Sulphur Springs, 5 out of 5 stars. Every scene kept me captivated and wanting more. I recommend this show for ages 7 to 16. Secrets of Sulphur Springs premieres on the Disney Channel on January 15, 2021.

How to Prepare When You Are Not Expecting

Posted by

presspass on January 20, 2021

Variety

Join me June 10, 2021 at 9am EST!

What does a Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) entail? Join me as I talk with Business Continuity expert Jacopo Capparelli, as he provides insight on what a BCMS program entails. Jacopo will provide some insights on how the ‘Analysis’ phase of the BCMS is often mismanaged and how it can be improved using technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). We’ll also touch on the key Contingency Resources that all professionals, programs, and plans should address during adverse situations. Jacopo talks about the BCMS program with clear and concise language and shouldn’t be missed by anyone wanting to know more about the BCMS.

Enjoy!

The BCI, Continuous Professional Development, and Mentoring

Posted by

presspass on January 20, 2021

Variety

Join me June 17/21 at 9am EST!

As Business Continuity Professionals, it’s important we keep ourselves up to date on the latest methodologies, incident learnings, and happenings in our industry. I speak with noted industry expert Russ Parramore, FBCI about the Business Continuity Institute’s (BCI) Continuous Professional Development (CPG) program. We learn about what CPD is, it’s function, and the benefits it offers today’s professions. Russ will also talk about mentoring and how mentoring helps build a mentee’s abilities, confidence, skills, knowledge, and focus. We’ll also talk about the ongoing working relationship between a mentor and mentee; when it’s working and when it’s not. An informative episode to help you build you BCM career.

Don’t miss it!

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