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08/19/2010 - "the purpose of life is a life with purpose"
Blog on Volunteering"the purpose of life is a life with purpose"
Not certain when, where or how I first heard this phrase, but somehow it resonated with me.
I have never been a wealthy woman. When I was a child Santa left us apples and oranges and we were lucky to get them. On occasion when we were fortunate enough to get candy, I vividly recall three custard dishes and one bag of M&M's because they could be divided evenly.
While I've tried hard to support my child on my own, we have been the fortunate recipients of other peoples generosity on more than one occasion and have appreciated it more than I could ever express with mere words alone.
Over the years I have tried to give back and of course giving money always is encouraged.
In these difficult economic times I realize giving money is often very hard, however giving does not have to cost a penny!
If you give of yourself, your time, your talent in SOME way, give to someone!
I would like to strongly encourage every single person who takes the time to read this to give a tiny part of yourself. It could be volunteering a your kids school, a senior center, a veterans home, your church, mowing the disabled neighbors yard, shoveling their snow. You could grow your hair out and donate it for people who have cancer & need a wig.
I only ask two things, number
1. Do something for somebody else!
2. Ask everybody you know to read this and do the same as you!
I double dog dare you, that ought to get you going! Seriously you will get far more than you give of yourself, that is the true beauty of it all.
Peace, Love & Happiness to all who have read this little ditty ~:)
if anybody can tell me who said "the purpose of life is a life with purpose", I'd like to give credit where credit is due! thanks :)
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07/29/2010 - Kelly's Bakery & Cafe Does "It" Right
Kelly's Bakery & Cafe Does "It" Right
It seems to me that Kelly's Bakery & Cafe has found the perfect recipe! They take a small business, add a couple of local owners, mix in several great employees, toss in some delicious cuisine, let it set for a split second before adding a healthy dollop of doing business with other local businesses and VOILA there you have it!
The Perfect small business in every way!
Thanks for making our town unique in a big way & helping our beautiful community!
Kelly's is located a half block north of the Law & Justice Center in historic downtown Bloomington.
Help a local business help our community, Plan some Down Time today!
**Kelly's is the winner of my first ever "good karma" award**good things shall happen in this community ~ :)
Comment07/28/2010 - Local Proud here to help Bloomington/Normal!!
Local Proud has arrived in Bloomington/Normal!! Especially in this economy it is super smart to support local businesses, the more you do, the more money stays in our great community!
Local businesses tend to do
business with other local businesses. It's a fabulously vicious circle
and great for each and every single member of our community in so many
great ways!
Ask for it, we could all use the perks! ♥
To help get us started you could go into your favorite locally owned business and ask when they will begin offering Local Proud Perks!
The Perks card is given for free to any consumer who would like one and the businesses who choose to participate are charged a very nominal monthly fee and offer a great "perk" to already loyal customers as well as the new customer who has yet to grace their establishment.
There are no coupons to print, the trees will thank us!
There are no points to accumulate.
The perk offered is offered as a way of saying "thank you, we appreciate your patronage".
The Bloomington/Normal representative for Local Proud has pledged to give at least 10% of each and every dollar brought in directly back to local charitable organizations or other local needy organizations.
Keeping our hard earned dollars local is the name of the game and each person can contribute in their own small way.
If you love Bloomington/Normal like I do then I beg you to get involved.
Most people are already aware of the 70% of each dollar theory, meaning for every dollar you spend in a locally owned business about 70% of that dollar stays in our community, helping to build schools, libraries & beautify our town amongst many other uses. What many do not realize is that the 70% stays right here for 5 to 6 times as long! It sticks around where it BELONGS and helps our ENTIRE community! I am passionate about this, will you join my mission? Please?
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07/17/2010 - Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival "Get in Touch with your Inner Lucy"
"Get in touch with your inner Lucy"Well if you've been on this Earth for a number of years, you most likely have seen one of the most memorable scenes in sit-com history. Of course I refer to Lucy stomping grapes in a vat. Sound like fun to try your hand at it, er I mean try your foot at it? Here is the best opportunity to explore your inner Lucy, plus there will be a Lucy look-a-like contest!
You're invited to the Annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival to be held Sunday, September 5, from Noon to 6pm. They will have the grape stomp for those who have the desire to emulate Lucy and get their feet wet in the wine. Bring your cameras to preserve the moment and have proof of your endeavors in wine making. There will be wine tasting, food by The Catering Company and live music from The Shake performing throughout the day as MC's and "stompin' rock" for everyone to enjoy. A local car club will be at the vineyard to display their classic vehicles. They've had a number of inquiries and YES anyone who wants to come in costume dressed as a LUCY look-a- like is welcome to dress up and have fun. The Lucy Look-a-Like contest will be held at 3:15pm. For information on the event call 309-645-5054
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07/08/2010 - Post Fundraisers & Benefits
Did You Know....
Did you know that we post fundraisers
and benefits for free? Like you, we want to help too. If you know of a
fundraiser or a benefit that helps a non-profit, organization or person
that is coming up, please submit it to us. We will post it on our
calendar and promote it via social networking sites!Comment
07/08/2010 - Searching Our Calendar of Events
If you don't see your favorite here, mention us to them and see if we have contacted them yet. We are trying to get to everyone!
Let us be your virtual concierge and help plan your next day or night out! Comment
07/06/2010 - Farmers Market
shop local, shop proudI have met so many wonderful people at the farmers market this year and tried so many wonderful products. Could the Farmers Market be the highlight of my week? Quite possibly!
I'd like to say hello to all the wonderful doggies that I have met and petted, too many to name them all, but a special hello to Minnie Mouse, the boxer...you know I love you!
Along the same line a very special Thank you to A.Renee Wine Cafe for giving all the doggies fresh water for their mouths!
My son really missed the spray paint art guy last week, he wanted to introduce his cousin and grandma to some real art.
Usually there is a really nice lady at the picnic tables making fairies to fund her son and his unicycle excursion, these are absolutely adorable little fairies!
I'd also like to give a special mention to Coffee Hound, even though I am momentarily coffee-free....can I still say YUM!? Hello to Central Ill Catering for always having something (many things) my son wants and a super special shout out to the really adorable Kelly's Bakery Folks for all the delicious MUFFINS! Had to get some Pistacio muffins for my dad, I could see his mouth watering as I spoke about them!
Okay, so now I'm in love with a tiny boxer puppy by the name of Flash! He gave me some really sweet puppy kisses. So is this what they mean by Puppy Love?
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07/01/2010 - King Biscuit BBQ
a King among men!Tucked away in a mostly residential area at 1002 N Linden is a gem of a BBQ joint where the King rules.
Bowing down to the king is not required, however if you like good BBQ at a fair price, served by friendly smiling people, bowing could become a custom!
The king runs great lunch specials for $4.99, a sandwich, fries and a soda. We enjoy a nice BBQ and they grow 'em kind of big in my family, we're always satisfied. The king has also earned a couple of excellent reviews from other BBQ lovers, let's just say this man knows how to BBQ a nice piece of meat.
Almost forgot to mention that this is take out only, they do have a few picnic tables for dining outside during our beautiful weather.
If you choose to give them a try, tell the King, or the Queen that I sent you!
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06/28/2010 - Merlot and a Masterpiece
Merlot and a MasterpieceMerlot and a Masterpiece is such a unique way to spend an afternoon or an evening with friends. Come in for a great social experience and leave with a work of art that you've created!
Occasionally they offer an event to share with your child, another fantastic way to create a memory you both will remember forever.
Life is all about making memories so go make some today!
If this type of event is not for you, tell a friend who would like it and remember to support the arts in your community!
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06/28/2010 - Adkins Pilates, a great new local business, worthy of the communities support
Adkins PilatesNestled in beautiful downtown Bloomington is a new small business called Adkins Pilates.
If you are interested in pilates or know anyone who might be this is a local small business worth supporting. By supporting small businesses you help our community more than you might imagine. If not this small business then please choose another to frequent. Inch by inch is a cinch, yard by yard makes it hard.
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