How would you feel to get married at an airport?  Is this a publicity stunt to promote the new film “Up in the Air“  starring George Clooney reminding the world that some people live their lives in airports? I guess this newly married couple would agree with the quote from this movie –  ”To know me is to fly with me,” Clooney says. “This is where I live.”

George Clooney - Up in the Air

Mumbled overhead airport announcements. And a few hundred weary strangers by your side.   Talk about a romantic wedding to remember, a Toledo man gets the surprise of his life from his fiance at a Texas airport.

A Texas woman said she celebrated the airport reunions and goodbyes of her long distance relationship by surprising her boyfriend with an airport wedding.  Robyn Moore says she and her fiance had spent half of their relationship in airports. So, what better place to get married?  Robyn Moore said she greeted her boyfriend, William Acosta, Monday at Corpus Christi International Airport with a camera and a wedding party ready to make good on the marriage license.  She greeted him, wearing a wedding gown and accessorized by a justice of the peace.

They said their “I do”s right there in the terminal, surrounded by some family and the travelers who were nearby. Official photos were taken near the Christmas tree at a security checkpoint.  The two had already picked up a marriage license last week, with the idea of getting married before the end of the year — except they didn’t know where or when.

“When I walked up and saw her, it just took my breath away,” Acosta said. “She looks really beautiful.”

Moore said she and Acosta met while she was living in Dallas and he visited the city for business. She said she is now planning to move to Toledo, Ohio, to live with her new husband, who teaches computer science at a university in the city.

“I’ve got the best Christmas present in the whole world,” Moore said, “this is what every bride-to-be wants.” Acosta, who says he was speechless but thrilled, wore a sweater and jeans while the two exchanged vows.

Watch the video here -

It would have been nice if ImprovEverywhere had been there to give them a surprise wedding reception.

So, I want to run a marathon, huh? Have I lost my mind?

My experience with “distance” running includes walking a few 5K charity events with friends as well as a 3K humane society walk with my cocker spaniels on which my wife–not I–took the reins of the unruly pup.

That’s it.

I know nothing about running a marathon. I know nothing about the type of shoes, clothing, and other equipment I might need. I know nothing about how to train. I know nothing about my “pace” or “estimated finish time.” And yet for some reason, I think I want to subject myself to this torture. But what about my many questions:

• What if I pull my groin?
• What if I don’t finish?
• What if I get lost on the course?
• What if I accidentally drink Powerade instead of Gatorade?

I intend to answer these and other questions as well as chronicle my journey as I press on to the final destination:

The Glass City Marathon
April 25, 2010

Wait – April 25th? That’s only 126 days away! Eighteen weeks! Gotta go get started.

Wish me luck!
(or talk me out of it)

Cathedral of Toledo, also known as Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada

Related Post: A Day Trip To Toledo

The following are extracts from the meeting at San Pedro Columbia regarding the Potential Hydro Dam in Bladen Nature Reserve and Columbia River Forest Reserve.

Columbia River Forest Reserve and Bladen Nature Reserve Committee
San Pedro Columbia Village
Toledo District
Belize, C.A
December 14, 2009
San Pedro Columbia Village, Toledo District

Addressed to the Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Barrow Is Called To Stand In Solidarity With Belizeans And Ensure That Our Laws Are Respected.

Over 300 Belizeans from several communities in Toledo in attendance of a public meeting held on December 13, 2009 in San Pedro Columbia call upon the Prime Minister to act in the interest of Belizeans and our protected areas. Despite a number of requests to our area representative, Hon. Juan Coy and the Chief Forest Officer, Belize Hydroelectric Development & Management Company Ltd. (BHD) none has dialogued with us.  As a result of the many unanswered questions in regards to unsustainable development specifically the proposed construction of a hydroelectric facility in our most pristine areas we formed the Columbia River Forest Reserve and Bladen Nature Reserve Committee which sent a team to see firsthand what the development company was doing. The concerns, findings and recommendation generated from this Educational Field Visit and from community members were presented at this community meeting which started at 1:30 pm and concluded at 6:15 pm.  We found numerous violations reference BHD’s permit and the National Park System Act, which has resulted in the following resolution:

We hereby call upon the Government of Belize to REVOKE the concession agreement granted to Belize Hydro-electric Development and Management Ltd (BHD) on December 5, 2008 signed by the Prime Minister Hon. Dean O Barrow. This development activity, in one of Belize’s most pristine areas, threatens the ecological integrity of Bladen Nature Reserve and Columbia River Forest Reserve along with the social well being of several communities in the Toledo District.  We will no longer accept the unsustainable use of our natural resources that are the lifeline of our society.

Furthermore, the Toledo Alcaldes Association convened an emergency meeting with all its Alcaldes on December 14^th, 2009 and unanimously stood in solidarity with the resolution tabled at the San Pedro Columbia meeting held on December 13, 2009.

We request that the Government of Belize adhere and publicly respond to the December 13^th 2009 public resolution. In the event that this is not addressed in its entirety we will have no other option but to engage in a peaceful protest to demand that our rights and the rights of our protected areas be fully respected and ask for the December 5^th 2008 Concession Agreement to be REVOKED.

For more information please contact:
Nicanor Requena, Committee Chairman, San Pedro Columbia Village, Toledo District
Belize, C.A, Cell number: 628-4252, email: nicrequena@gmail.com

Central River in Bladen Nature Reserve

Good Afternoon Village Committee, Honourable Juan Coy,  Mr. Jeff, Villagers of Columbia and other invited guests.

Season Greetings to All

Ms Ash making her speech

I am a villager of San Pedro Columbia with concern about this hydro dam that they are planning to build between Bladen Nature Reserve and Columbia River Forest Reserves. These two places are reserves and it can be sold however a Nature Reserve  needs to be de-reserved if so be the case more so this is yet another process for BHD to undertake. In such cases the government should ask the people in the south, especially the villages of Columbia but instead taking the authority to do whatever they want is not right. This dam, if built, might not be beneficial to everyone but will affect many adversely, for sure. What are the consequences of this? Honourable Coy do you think you should listen to the people and do what they want? Yes people want jobs like you’ve said in the previous meeting but not in this form of development by the way, I should not say development but rather “destruction” because it will destroy our beautiful rivers and our environment. There are other means that we can help in getting jobs for people; for example getting funding for people to do farming, raising chickens, doing business like how Plenty Belize and SHI are doing.

Also I know this dam will produce electricity but ­let me tell you electricity is not that important like water which is the essential one for living and land which God made for everyone to enjoy. Let’s look at the past, our ancestors didn’t use electricity but they survive; also, an alternative way of getting electricity is through solar power which does not damage anything but it can also create jobs because someone can be trained to install and maintain it.

By the way I did a survey on the views of the people in my village about hydro dam, which they are planning to build. It resulted to 90% against the dam so this show us that the people don’t want it because of its negative impacts and we use the river for washing, drinking, bathing, recreational purposes, travelling also not only the villagers use it but people from PG and other areas within the country or outside come to enjoy the relaxation given by this river and bathe in the nice, cool, crystal water of this Columbia River.

I am asking you, Mr. Jeff, to please leave this village with its beauty, leave the two reserves alone. What else do you want? You have already built a dam in San Miguel, which is enough. This Esperanza river is the Central River so do you see what we don’t want to happen to us and the rest of the villages? Honourable Coy, can you please do what you think the people deserve? Remember when you wanted their support, they were there with you always and now that you are in position you wouldn’t even bother to look at us. Let me tell you something before you make a mistake, listen to your people do what they want and you will see what they will do in return. Think about your governance because I know you want it to last for 5 years perhaps more. So pass on this concern to the rest of the branch of government. I am asking for the people of Columbia to voice up your concerns; don’t be afraid everyone has rights. As for the future generation like myself let us help the villagers to get what we all want because we are the future of our family, village, and country so let us cooperate and stop this destruction from this dam and let us stop the xateros from the  illegal harvesting of xate. Come on we need to achieve our goals by stopping this.

As for the organization and other individuals strongly supporting this concern with the people of Columbia, I encourage you to continue because your assistance is needed and appreciated.

My name is Aliana Ash. I am a high-school student at TCC and I am 16 years old and if I, at the age of 16, can see that it is a mistake then it is should be clear to adults that this dam is a mistake, with this I say, THANK YOU!!!

Three Illinois sophomore skill players have announced they plan on transferring shortly after news that Paul Petrini has been hired to take over as offensive coordinator after Ron Zook was forced to fire nearly half of his staff.

The biggest loss is WR AJ Jenkins, who was committed to Georgia Tech prior to their coaching change. As a true freshman in 2008, Jenkins caught 11 passes for 287 yards and 3 TD’s and also returned 22 kicks for an average of 22.3 yards with another TD. This year he caught 10 passes for 123 yards and a TD and returned 11 kicks for less than a 20 yard average. He is considered the only one who could return next year.

TE/WR Hubie Graham was a four star recruit with offers from everyone out of high school but has caught 4 passes for 59 yards in 2 years. Still, he was thought to be the TE of the future and even started a game this year. Graham isn’t likely to return because he wants to transfer closer to his Pennsylvania home so his family can watch him play. Pitt is one school that’s considered a leader for him to replace All American Dorin Dickerson and NFL prospect Nate Byham. Temple and Maryland have also been mentioned.

WR Cordale Scott, from the famous Glenville High School program coached by Ted Ginn Sr, is set to transfer to Toledo. In his two years, the former top recruit didn’t catch any passes.

All three of these players are true sophomores, so they would all have the opportunity to transfer to a Division 1A program and redshirt next year then have two years if eligibility remaining.

I have created and I am adding to the list of links at the right of some popular Toledo wedding venues I have covered. I will continue to add to this list, and to the pages in the navigation above as I go through my archives for some images to illustrate each venue’s possibilities. If you have questions about any of the venues, please let me know – whether you are a bride or a photographer – and I would be happy to share my experience with each site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRsffUawBCI

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching.  This first video introduces the series and provides an overview of the Four Key Elements of the Sales Performance Dashboard:

1.   Actual Sales Performance Data

2.  Sales Skills

3.  Matching People to Work

4.  Motivation & Drive 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL2qCjXseGw

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching. 

This second video emphasizes the importance of starting the program with a thorough understanding of current sales performance on an individual level with your sales team.  Improving sales performance requires ongoing tracking, as well, and a systematic approach to this is crucial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btDIlw8JNVI

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching. 

This third video focuses on boosting sales employee productivity by using personality assessments to define the key behavioral characteristics of an “ideal” personality for a sales job.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTZArag1QYk

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching.   

This fourth video describes using personality assessments to identify individuals’ behavioral characteristics and the initial steps of comparing this to an “ideal” personality for a sales job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-kU7UiHMmY

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching. 

This fifth video describes how the Dashboard assists with assessment and selection decisions, not only with pre-employment assessment but also career pathing with incumbent salespeople.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSHNAKXK-B8

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching. 

This sixth video describes the sales assessment of actual skills used in the sales process.  This becomes the basis for determining next steps in training sales people and sales manager training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woHm34h_l5Q

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching. 

This seventh video describes our recommended approaches for training sales people.  Including how the use of a sales assessment for skills and personality assessments for behavioral characteristics fit into a training program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAsHdfX4NGI

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching. 

This eighth video describes the analytical approaches with a completed Dashboard for initial categorization of sales coaching strategies.  Sales manager training on the use of the Dashboard would cover the concepts presented here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_880E9W2jmI

The “Driving to Better Sales” video series focuses on improving sales performance through systematic sales manager training alongside the construction and use of a Sales Performance Dashboard.  The Dashboard contains the critical information necessary for effective sales coaching. 

This ninth video describes two coaching scenarios and specifically how the Dashboard is used for each individual to create next steps for performance improvement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j3Qn9VNDXM

This invitation was written by Nicanor Requena and Ya’axché Conservation Trust is helping with the circulation. Everyone is invited to learn about the past, current and future development and steps onward with To Dam or not to Dam.

Columbia River Forest Reserve and
Bladen Nature Reserve Committee
San Pedro Columbia Village
Toledo District, Belize C.A.

December 13, 2009
Dear Colleagues

I write to you on behalf of the Columbia River Forest Reserve and Bladen Nature Reserve Committee (San Pedro Columbia Village)seeking to invite you or someone from your organization to a community meeting to be held on December 13, 2009 at San Pedro Columbia R.C. School commencing at 1:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to present the findings, results and recommendations of an Educational Field Visit to the Columbia River Forest Reserve and Bladen Nature Reserve, site of the proposed Hydro-electric generating facility undertaken by Belize Hydroelectric Development and Management Company Limited.  This visit was conducted by the Village Committee and other local interested stakeholders who share our views that the resources within these protected areas are rightfully for the benefit of all Belizeans.  We have formally invited our Area Representative Hon. Juan Coy and the Chief Forest Officer and a representative of Belize Hydroelectric Development and Management Company Limited (BHD)to enlighten us on the status and future plans for this project as the committee start defining our next course of action to ensure that the concerns and recommendations of the community are recorded and fully addressed.  As a community that continues to rely on these scares resources we demand that we form an integral part of how our natural resources are planned, managed and utilized.

Thanks in advance for your attention and support; we anticipate your participation as we seek to address an issue that certainly has local and national importance.  Please confirm your participation to our community meeting by Thursday December 11, 2009 to email address nicrequena@gmail.com

Respectfully Yours

Nicanor Requena

Committee Chairman for an on Behalf of Committee Member listed below:
Village Council Chairman: Mr. Ronaldo Coc
Village Alcalde:  Mr. Jorge Coc
Committee Chairman: Mr. Nicanor Requena
Committee Vice –chairman: Mr. Geronimo Coc
Committee Secretary: Mr. Michael Cus
Committee Vice-Secretary: Mr. Osvaldo Pau
Committee Treasurer: Mr. Pablo Rash
Committee Vice-Treasurer: Mr. Norman Choco
Committee Councilor: Mr. Ignacio Ash
Committee Councilor: Mr. Sylvestre Cal

Rio Grande's Magnificent Waterfall

]]> http://echoesofpinkfloyd.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/eopf-in-toledo-this-friday/ Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:28:10 +0000 mvl http://echoesofpinkfloyd.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/eopf-in-toledo-this-friday/

Lasers and Floyd. Floyd and Lasers. It’s a built in snow removal system.

http://omnimidwest.com/

I am from a relatively small city in Ohio.  Toledo, to be exact.  As many non-Ohioans are not too up-to-date on their Ohio geography, here’s a map for your reference.

Most of us native Toledoans consider Toledo to be the center of the universe.  After all we brought you Katie Holmes, Jamie Farr (M*A*S*H… anyone?) and heavy metal band Lollipop Lust Kill.  That’s not to mention Tony Packo’s, the Toledo Mud Hens and largest continuous sheet of tempered glass on record.  But I digress…

The point here is that while we small city folks may have oodles of hometown pride, most of us can own the fact that we are often a little behind on the times.  Fashions, trends and new ideas take longer to grab on around town.  Social media is not exempt from this rule.  The originals like Facebook and MySpace took a minute to become the hip thing.  I remember my younger cousins in suburban Chicago were on them long before I was.  YouTube caught on fairly quickly, but I of course heard about if from my Chicago cousins first.

Nowadays most Toledoans know of the pleases and sorrows of both Facebook, YouTube and blogging, but some of the other networks that are huge in  Chicago still have not caught on in my hometown.  I don’t know anyone in Toledo who tweets and I would be hard pressed to find any Toledo business contacts on LinkedIn.  I would be willing to wager that most Toledoans don’t know what Flickr or Delicious are.

Keeping in mind that Toledo is fairly representative of a lot of midwestern cities and towns, I would be interested in finding out if there is any research on integrating social media in small towns and cities.  I did a quick Google search but did not find much.  Any one have any ideas?