To All You 2009 Graduates...

Urban 805 - You Gotta Hear This!

I had a lot of fun helping these great guys with PR and bios for their new CD. Check it out.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA -- Smooth urban jazz has never sounded so good. San Luis Obispo-based band Urban 805 has just released their new self-titled CD, which the group confidently predict will take urban jazz into “new and exciting territory.”

Band spokesman Mitch Watts credits a unique blend of talent and diversity among the band’s members with creating a CD that “raises the level of unique sound and excitement.” He predicts this debut offering will be “the best of many more to come.”

The band member’s bios are rich in depth and experience, and include not only impressive individual musical accomplishments, but time spent rubbing shoulders with a veritable who’s who of musical greats.

“It was meant to be,” Watts says, when he and bandmates Warfus “Moon” Powell and Charles Biggs, who had worked together for many years as studio musicians, met up with bassist Michael Fierro, drummer Terrence Kyer and trumpet player George Pandis at an evening jam session. Together and individually, the six-man powerhouse produce a brand of smooth urban jazz that “comes from the soul”.

Urban 805’s music, Watts says, has a relaxing feel which the band hopes will take listeners to “all the right places.” Powell and Biggs provide the flowing melodic sound on keyboards, while Fierro plays a tight and deep bass, to the precise beat of Kyer on the drums.

Watts plays a guitar synth and provides leads and smooth rhythms on his guitar, while Pandis provides a sweet horn sound. It’s a musical dream package that is sure to leave the group’s appreciative and growing audiences wanting much, much more.

The 11-track CD is available for purchase on the group’s website, and can also be purchased at performances by the group at a variety of musical venues, including local wineries and jazz clubs.

A great team helps "Give Kids A Smile!"

For the fifth year in a row, Potomac Falls, VA, dentists Paul Ellington and Bob Hulbert and staff (http://www.ellingtonhulbert.com/) donate time and resources to "Give Loudoun County Kids A Smile!"

Sagi, the Miracle Worker - Bio of the Week

This is Sagi, short for Sagattarius. Sagi belongs to David Block of Boca Raton, Florida.

A Bouvier des Flanders, Sagi is a trained therapy dog that spends most of his weekends visiting hospitals, nursing homes and hospice facilities. The joy and love this 100-pound bundle of joy brings to the aged, sick and terminally ill is truly amazing. He is, without question, a “Miracle in Motion.”

Sagi's owner, David, is also a giver. David is committed to, and deeply involved in, "private gifting," a concept that is core to many cultures and religions throughout the world.

Private gifting is based on the “Law of Giving and Receiving,” and is an activity enables people throughout the world to generate sustainable incomes to support their families and improve their lives.

You can check out David's website at http://www.noteproinc.com/. (David didn't ask me to mention his website, I just wanted to.)

From me, my heartfelt thanks to two of the biggest ‘givers’ I’ve had the privilege to get to know, just a little. You guys rock!

The Fab 50's Great European Adventure

Thanks, Ladies, for making 50 so much fun. Let's do it again!

Love, Jill

From Project S.A.V.E. to Kenya, with love.

Check out this fantastic group of hard-working volunteers, based in Chico, CA.

From Chico to Kenya with Love

Ronald Cassoni - Bio of the Week

My last post on Sergeant Larry Walls reminded me of another one of my favorite Bio Reviews, Ron Cassoni. A few of the many highlights from his bio follow. (Those are my words, not his. Like many super-accomplished people, I found Ron to be very unassuming and down-to-earth.) The first and last sentences are my favorites, and illustrate the numerous reasons I found him to be such a like-able guy.

About Ron Cassoni...

Favorite Business Motto: One good thing about working in the business world is that no one dies by the decisions we make.”

1975 - Commissioned as a Marine Officer, serving on Active Duty until 1986. Chosen to form the Marine Corps Anti-Terrorist Command in 1979 as a Captain. Served in a special operations role for most of my career, and in the Marine Corps Reserve until medically retired in 2008. Achieved rank of Lieutenant Colonel. I attribute my business tactics to the basic Marine Corps theme of initiating, adapting and overcoming all obstacles.

1992 – At Dell, grew revenue 127% and was the first company in history to go from $950M to over $2B in one year. Of this $2B, the Federal line generated in excess of $800M, $125M of which was generated in the last 2 weeks of the year! (Nothing the sales force likes better than a little year-end pressure!)

Acted in an advisory role to the incoming Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee on terrorist organizations and methods.

Board Member of the Austin Film Festival, and an Advisory Member of the Texas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. I helped establish Chefs for AIDs Research, a series of private dinners across Austin that now generates over $1M during the two-evening dine in.

And finally...

I have two daughters who started a new school the same day. One started kindergarten and the other started college! I drove them both.