By Ondina Nandine Hatvany, MFT,
First of all what is body image? Body image is how I look- right? No! Body image is a mental idea about your physical body and how you look. Body image is something that constantly changes as it is based more on feeling than fact. This also makes it very vulnerable to distortion.
Let me illustrate just how vulnerable your body image can be with the following story…
I had a client Marge, who was working hard on improving her body image. She was taking better care of herself. She was eating healthier foods. She was also creating other sources of nurturing for herself by fostering a more caring, supportive friendship circle. She had found an exercise she enjoyed and was doing that regularly. She was really starting to feel better about herself; her self esteem and body image were improving daily and it showed. She had a bounce in her step and an excitement about her that was contagious. She started to get more attention One day she announced to me that she had been asked on a date! She was very excited.
The following week she wasn’t doing so well. I asked her what had happened? She told me that the date didn’t go as she had hoped. Marge had what I refer to as, “A Fat Attack” She felt rejected and blamed her body. “I suddenly felt so fat and ugly!” she told me. “It was the way he looked at me, I knew I’d never see him again.” Marge went into the date and left it with the same body but somewhere in there she felt like she had put on 20 pounds.
How the Media Cashes in on Our Vulnerability:
The media really knows how to cash in on this vulnerability. We are constantly being bombarded with images that tell us that if we look a certain way we too can enjoy success, love, happiness etc. The problem with this excessive focus on externals or how we look is that it takes us away from our internal felt sense of what has true value and meaning for us. When people move away from their truth they become disempowered. It is also really disempowering to be in a constant battle with your own body. Your body then becomes your battleground or ‘shame container’ instead of home for your psyche and spirit. It is a modern tragedy.
Narrow versus Wide Base for Self Esteem:
What exactly do I mean by ‘a narrow basis for self esteem’? It is when your self esteem is based solely on one thing, such as how you look or how much you weigh. With such a narrow base, your self esteem is much more vulnerable to collapse.
What does ‘a wide basis for self esteem’ mean? It is when there are other qualities that form a foundation for your self esteem. These qualities might include your fabulous personality, your talents and gifts, your smile, your contribution to your community, your culture etc. When you have a number of different things that you value about yourself your view of yourself will also be more stable, steady and solid.
Healthy body image means that you are comfortable with the body that you have. It does not mean that you think your body is perfect, rather that you accept and commit to loving and caring for it. Healthy body image means having a relationship with your body that is based on more than what you weigh. It is built on a wide basis for your self esteem. The irony is that when we feel better about ourselves research shows we also take better care of ourselves, this means we are more inclined to feed and exercise our bodies too. Our bodies can be like kids; they respond better to positive reinforcement rather than constant criticism, nagging etc. Try focusing on talking nicely to and about your body for a day and see if you don’t notice a difference.
©Copyright 2010 by Ondina Nandine Hatvany, MFT. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Adopt A Special Kid: Intro Workshop Dates for Prospective Parents!
There are nearly 80,000 foster children in California, many of whom are available and needing permanent homes. Adopt A Special Kid (AASK), is the oldest agency in California working to help children in foster care get adopted into permanent, loving homes. AASK is located in Oakland, and serves over 21 counties throughout California. All families are welcome, including, LGBT parents, single and partnered parents, homeowners and renters, older parents, parents of all ethnic backgrounds, and people living with disabilities.
AASK provides all social work services necessary to adopt a child from foster care at NO COST to our families. Additionally, families who adopt children from the foster care system, receive a monthly stipend until their children reach age eighteen.
Please join us for a free informational workshop about the possibilities of providing a permanent home to a child. Workshops are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00pm in our Oakland office at 8201 Edgewater Drive Suite #103 Oakland, CA 94621.
Upcoming Informational Workshops:
March 9th
April 13th
May 11th
June 8th
E-mail info@aask.org or call (510) 553-1748 ext.12 to sign up for the next date! Or look for us on our website, www.aask.org.
AASK provides all social work services necessary to adopt a child from foster care at NO COST to our families. Additionally, families who adopt children from the foster care system, receive a monthly stipend until their children reach age eighteen.
Please join us for a free informational workshop about the possibilities of providing a permanent home to a child. Workshops are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00pm in our Oakland office at 8201 Edgewater Drive Suite #103 Oakland, CA 94621.
Upcoming Informational Workshops:
March 9th
April 13th
May 11th
June 8th
E-mail info@aask.org or call (510) 553-1748 ext.12 to sign up for the next date! Or look for us on our website, www.aask.org.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Girlfriend's Guide to Understanding Men
CLICK HERE OR ON BOOK COVER TO ORDER NOW FROM AMAZON.COM
WRITTEN BY A GAY FRIEND
Available Now Worldwide !
It's time to announce the beginning of a new age in relationships: The Girlfriend's Guide to Understanding Men, written by a gay friend is available online and in bookstores near you. The Guide will share with you ideas to recreate your relationships with men into something healthy and lasting.
Why this Gay Man? Well, I'm your best friend, your confidant, or your designer. I'm your model man. And this man is also a clinical hypnotherapist, a yoga teacher, and a spiritual man who has the experience to help you on many levels, redirect your energy, and shift your focus to get the relationship you deserve!
This book was birthed after many conversations with women and men in counseling and in friendship. I found myself giving advice to women, after which they would say, "I can't believe no one has ever said that to me before." After about the hundredth time, I decided to write down my ideas.
After my thoughts congealed and the ideas about relationship were on my computer, I began to realize that almost everyone I knew could benefit from this book, even men—even me!
Everyday is a chance to undo the past and begin to look at today in a new and wonderful way. The past is a heavy burden in most people's lives. At the very least you are carrying the fears of your entire life with you as you try to embark upon a new day. At the worst, each of those fears is beckoning you to follow old instincts and forget about hope entirely.
When you look at thoughts as "things" instead of being a part of you, you can begin to undo what has been created by them. I call this the omniscient brain or the watcher side of the brain. As you begin to watch your old behavior or old thoughts, you can "unhook" from them, if you have the necessary understanding and a new direction in which to take yourself.
My hope with this book is to give you some new ideas to focus on, to help you disconnect from the old ideas, and reconnect you to something that will help you move past your fears and enter into a new day, a new moment that will be unparalleled to the past.
That is a high hope, I know. But I can only tell you that my life has changed that drastically since I have adopted this way of looking at life.
I hope you can pick up a copy of The Girlfriend's Guide to Understanding Men and let me know how you feel after you've read it.
Be well.
Bo
See the Book Trailer Video on YouTube--Click Here
Why this Gay Man? Well, I'm your best friend, your confidant, or your designer. I'm your model man. And this man is also a clinical hypnotherapist, a yoga teacher, and a spiritual man who has the experience to help you on many levels, redirect your energy, and shift your focus to get the relationship you deserve!
ENDORSEMENTS
"A woman can never have a better friend than a gay man. He'll tell her what she needs to hear, not what she wants to hear."
“Great relationship and clinical advice for the heart and mind.”
“All relationship advice is not created equal. The Girlfriend’s Guide works because it gets to the fierce point of men’s actions. Bo makes understanding men a lot easier than it seems. He is yet another gay best friend I can turn to for answers!”
Mindy McCready, Award winning Country Singer/Songwriter & Actress
“There are many pearls of wisdom in this book. Bold men might glean as much wisdom from this book as a woman.”
Keith Allen, MMFT (Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy)
“The perfect book of profound insights, helpful hints and wise words of wisdom for letting go of losers and finding the love of your life!”
Reverend Donna Michael
Forgiveness coach, speaker, singer/songwriter
LuLu Roman, Hee Haw Star and Grammy nominated singer
“I read this book with an open mind to learn more about men, and finished with an even bigger bonus: LEARNING ABOUT MYSELF. The Key to a healthy relationship—finally!”
Connie “Tootsie Rose” Prince, Happily Married after a Lifetime of Searching
++++++++++
This book was birthed after many conversations with women and men in counseling and in friendship. I found myself giving advice to women, after which they would say, "I can't believe no one has ever said that to me before." After about the hundredth time, I decided to write down my ideas.
After my thoughts congealed and the ideas about relationship were on my computer, I began to realize that almost everyone I knew could benefit from this book, even men—even me!
Everyday is a chance to undo the past and begin to look at today in a new and wonderful way. The past is a heavy burden in most people's lives. At the very least you are carrying the fears of your entire life with you as you try to embark upon a new day. At the worst, each of those fears is beckoning you to follow old instincts and forget about hope entirely.
When you look at thoughts as "things" instead of being a part of you, you can begin to undo what has been created by them. I call this the omniscient brain or the watcher side of the brain. As you begin to watch your old behavior or old thoughts, you can "unhook" from them, if you have the necessary understanding and a new direction in which to take yourself.
My hope with this book is to give you some new ideas to focus on, to help you disconnect from the old ideas, and reconnect you to something that will help you move past your fears and enter into a new day, a new moment that will be unparalleled to the past.
That is a high hope, I know. But I can only tell you that my life has changed that drastically since I have adopted this way of looking at life.
I hope you can pick up a copy of The Girlfriend's Guide to Understanding Men and let me know how you feel after you've read it.
Be well.
Bo
See the Book Trailer Video on YouTube--Click Here
Sunday, February 7, 2010
WinterGreen Vacations - Your winter vacation can help protect America's spectacular wilderness areas.
From the Sierras to the Smokies, from "sea to shining sea" and all the wild places in between, America’s wilderness is an indelible part of our national heritage and an important legacy to pass on to our children.
Pristine, undeveloped wilderness is important – not only in its own right, but for the clean air and water, recreation, and wildlife habitat it provides all of us.
But these wild places are constantly under pressure and need protection in order to thrive.
And now there is a new program that makes it easy for winter travelers to support those remaining wilderness areas - WinterGreen Vacations.
The idea is simple. Stay at a participating inn or bed and breakfast from January through March, 2010, and they will donate 2% of your lodging of two-day stays or longer to The Wilderness Society.
The beta-test of the program is starting with a select group of 18 small, eco-friendly and independently owned inns and B&Bs in 12 states across the country. The goal is go national in 2011, with hopefully several thousand such eco-sensitive lodging facilities participating.
"There is a natural affinity between small, unique lodging places like us and our beautiful American spaces," said Michelle Duarte, owner of WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, Oregon, who developed this program. "We tend to be located in vacation destination spots, often near incredible areas of wilderness and spectacular natural beauty."
"It seemed only...well...natural," Duarte adds with a smile, "that we find a way to work together to protect these wild, beautiful areas of our country. That's why we partnered with The Wilderness Society in what we hope will become a major annual program generating strong financial support for their outstanding work. It's a great honor to work with them. They've already made quite a difference in our country. We are all committed to helping them do even more."
Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society’s mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. From writing and passing the landmark Wilderness Act to winning lasting protection for more than 109 million acres of permanent wilderness across the country to date, The Wilderness Society is America’s premier public lands conservation organization. TWS and its 500,000 members and supporters are dedicated to protecting America’s wilderness and to developing a nationwide network of these iconic wild lands through public education, scientific analysis and advocacy.
"The Wilderness Society is always looking for innovative opportunities to increase public awareness and generate support for America’s wild places," said Sally Adams, Vice-President of Communications and Marketing, The Wilderness Society.
As it celebrates its 75th anniversary, The Wilderness Society has played a key role in passing pivotal legislation and reversing environmentally detrimental policies. Conservation accomplishments over the past year include:
· The permanent protection of 2.1 million acres of new Wilderness in California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
· The formal establishment of the 26-million acre National Landscape Conservation System, the first new system of conservation lands in more than half a century.
· The designation of the 1.2-million acre Wyoming Range withdrawal area, which protects this scenic landscape from future oil and gas development.
· The suspension of a controversial attempt to allow oil and gas leasing in 77 areas in Utah’s Canyon Country, alongside two national parks and other special wildlands.
· The withdrawal of a Bush administration plan to triple logging on public lands in Oregon.
· The reinstatement of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
· The House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act – a landmark energy and climate package that provided the impetus for the Senate’s introduction of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.
· A nearly 17% increase in funding for 2010 Interior and Forest Service programs over last year’s budget; this increase will support an array of programs that address wildlife, wildfire suppression, climate change research, and land acquisition.
"We’re very excited about working with WinterGreen Vacations," added Adams, "and hope to pilot what could become an important recurring program to help people not only enjoy this country's beautiful wilderness areas, but to support them in a direct way.”
For more information about WinterGreen or The Wilderness Society, please contact:
Michelle Duarte, WildSpring Guest Habitat/Creator of the WinterGreen Program, www.wildspring.com, 541.332.0977 or michelle@wildspring.com
WildSpring Guest Habitat is a small, eco-friendly resort, offering luxurious accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment. Eco-conscious since their initial planning stages, they are as proud of the fact they have a zero carbon footprint through operations and offsets, as they are of the fact they've been recommended twice in the New York Times this past year. They are also a Select Registry Inn, which represents only 400 quality assured, inspected inns and B&Bs in North America.
Sally Adams, Vice-President, Communications and Marketing/The Wilderness Society, www.wilderness.org, 202.429-2616 or sally_adams@tws.org
List of all participating inns:
Arkansas
Arsenic and Old Lace B&B
Eureka Springs' Premier B&B experience.
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Contact: Doug Breitling
800.243.5223
http://www.eurekaspringsromancebb.com/
arsenicoldlacebb@gmail.com
California
McCaffrey House Bed and Breakfast Inn
Pure elegance in a wilderness setting.
Twain Harte, CA 95383
Stephanie McCaffrey
209.586.0757
http://www.mccaffreyhouse.com/
innkeeper@mccaffreyhouse.com
Georgia
Beechwood Inn
Georgia's premier wine country inn
Clayton, GA 30525
David Darugh
706.782.5485
http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/
ddarugh@windstream.net
Illinois
Harvey House Bed and Breakfast
Where luxury meets location
Oak Park, IL 60302
Beth Harvey
708.848.6810
http://www.harveyhousebb.com
harveyhousebb@gmail.com
Massachusets
Old Harbor Inn
Every day you get our best.
Chatham, MA 02633
Ray Braz
800.942.4434
http://www.chathamoldharborinn.com/
info@chathamoldharborinn.com
New York
Asa Ransom House
http://www.asaransom.com/
An intimate village inn.
Clarence, NY 14031
Bob Lenz
716.759.2315
RWLenz@aol.com
Genesee Country Inn Bed and Breakfast
http://www.geneseecountryinn.com/
A Short Drive...A World Away!
Mumford, NY 14511
Deborah and Richard Stankevich
585.538.2500
deborah@gcinn.com
Ohio
Glenlaurel
A Scottish Country Inn
Rockbridge, OH 43149-9736
Kelley Leonard
740.385.2951 x310
http://www.glenlaurel.com/
kleonard@glenlaurel.com
Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast
Upscale accommodations. Down-home hospitality.
Dellroy, OH 44620
Linda Horn
866.4LAKEVU (866.452.5388)
http://www.atwoodlake.com/
whisperingpines@atwoodlake.com
Oregon
Arch Cape Inn & Retreat
Lose yourself beside the ocean.
Cannon Beach, OR 97102
Cynthia Malkowski
800.436.2848
http://www.archcapeinn.com/
westhighlandproperties@yahoo.com
Heron Haus Bed & Breakfast
In the hills overlooking Portland.
Portland, OR 97210
Pam and Carl Walker
503.274.1846
http://www.heronhaus.com/
pam@heronhaus.com
Old Parkdale Inn Bed & Breakfast
At the foot of Mt. Hood.
Parkdale, OR 97401
Mary Pelligrini
541.352.5551
http://www.hoodriverlodging.com/info.html
parkdale@hoodriverlodging.com
Peerless Hotel & Restaurant
Ashland's Peerless Experience.
Ashland, OR 97520
Michael Biggs, Hotelkeeper
541.488.1082
http://www.peerlesshotel.com/
innkeeper@peerlesshotel.com
WildSpring Guest Habitat
For body and soul
Port Orford, OR 97465
Michelle Duarte
541.332.0977
http://www.wildspring.com/
michelle@wildspring.com
Pennsylvania
The Beechmont Inn B&B,
Where history and hospitality come together.
Hanover, PA 17331
Kathryn & Thomas White
800.553.7009
717.632.3013
http://www.thebeechmont.com/
innkeeper521@embarqmail.com
Virginia
Inn at Riverbend
Almost heaven.
Pearisburg, VA 24134
Linda Hayes
540.921.5211
http://www.innatriverbend.com/
stay@innatriverbend.com
Washington
The Shelburne Country Inn
A true American classic.
Seaview, WA 98644
David Campiche
360.642.2442
http://www.theshelburneinn.com/
campiche@centurytel.net
Wyoming
Bentwood Inn
http://www.bentwoodinn.com/
Nestled on 3 acres of Jackson Hole solitude.
PO Box 561
Jackson Hole, WY 83001
Peter and Jenny Tignor
307.739.1411
info@bentwoodinn.com
Pristine, undeveloped wilderness is important – not only in its own right, but for the clean air and water, recreation, and wildlife habitat it provides all of us.
But these wild places are constantly under pressure and need protection in order to thrive.
And now there is a new program that makes it easy for winter travelers to support those remaining wilderness areas - WinterGreen Vacations.
The idea is simple. Stay at a participating inn or bed and breakfast from January through March, 2010, and they will donate 2% of your lodging of two-day stays or longer to The Wilderness Society.
The beta-test of the program is starting with a select group of 18 small, eco-friendly and independently owned inns and B&Bs in 12 states across the country. The goal is go national in 2011, with hopefully several thousand such eco-sensitive lodging facilities participating.
"There is a natural affinity between small, unique lodging places like us and our beautiful American spaces," said Michelle Duarte, owner of WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, Oregon, who developed this program. "We tend to be located in vacation destination spots, often near incredible areas of wilderness and spectacular natural beauty."
"It seemed only...well...natural," Duarte adds with a smile, "that we find a way to work together to protect these wild, beautiful areas of our country. That's why we partnered with The Wilderness Society in what we hope will become a major annual program generating strong financial support for their outstanding work. It's a great honor to work with them. They've already made quite a difference in our country. We are all committed to helping them do even more."
Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society’s mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. From writing and passing the landmark Wilderness Act to winning lasting protection for more than 109 million acres of permanent wilderness across the country to date, The Wilderness Society is America’s premier public lands conservation organization. TWS and its 500,000 members and supporters are dedicated to protecting America’s wilderness and to developing a nationwide network of these iconic wild lands through public education, scientific analysis and advocacy.
"The Wilderness Society is always looking for innovative opportunities to increase public awareness and generate support for America’s wild places," said Sally Adams, Vice-President of Communications and Marketing, The Wilderness Society.
As it celebrates its 75th anniversary, The Wilderness Society has played a key role in passing pivotal legislation and reversing environmentally detrimental policies. Conservation accomplishments over the past year include:
· The permanent protection of 2.1 million acres of new Wilderness in California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
· The formal establishment of the 26-million acre National Landscape Conservation System, the first new system of conservation lands in more than half a century.
· The designation of the 1.2-million acre Wyoming Range withdrawal area, which protects this scenic landscape from future oil and gas development.
· The suspension of a controversial attempt to allow oil and gas leasing in 77 areas in Utah’s Canyon Country, alongside two national parks and other special wildlands.
· The withdrawal of a Bush administration plan to triple logging on public lands in Oregon.
· The reinstatement of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
· The House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act – a landmark energy and climate package that provided the impetus for the Senate’s introduction of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.
· A nearly 17% increase in funding for 2010 Interior and Forest Service programs over last year’s budget; this increase will support an array of programs that address wildlife, wildfire suppression, climate change research, and land acquisition.
"We’re very excited about working with WinterGreen Vacations," added Adams, "and hope to pilot what could become an important recurring program to help people not only enjoy this country's beautiful wilderness areas, but to support them in a direct way.”
For more information about WinterGreen or The Wilderness Society, please contact:
Michelle Duarte, WildSpring Guest Habitat/Creator of the WinterGreen Program, www.wildspring.com, 541.332.0977 or michelle@wildspring.com
WildSpring Guest Habitat is a small, eco-friendly resort, offering luxurious accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment. Eco-conscious since their initial planning stages, they are as proud of the fact they have a zero carbon footprint through operations and offsets, as they are of the fact they've been recommended twice in the New York Times this past year. They are also a Select Registry Inn, which represents only 400 quality assured, inspected inns and B&Bs in North America.
Sally Adams, Vice-President, Communications and Marketing/The Wilderness Society, www.wilderness.org, 202.429-2616 or sally_adams@tws.org
List of all participating inns:
Arkansas
Arsenic and Old Lace B&B
Eureka Springs' Premier B&B experience.
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Contact: Doug Breitling
800.243.5223
http://www.eurekaspringsromancebb.com/
arsenicoldlacebb@gmail.com
California
McCaffrey House Bed and Breakfast Inn
Pure elegance in a wilderness setting.
Twain Harte, CA 95383
Stephanie McCaffrey
209.586.0757
http://www.mccaffreyhouse.com/
innkeeper@mccaffreyhouse.com
Georgia
Beechwood Inn
Georgia's premier wine country inn
Clayton, GA 30525
David Darugh
706.782.5485
http://www.beechwoodinn.ws/
ddarugh@windstream.net
Illinois
Harvey House Bed and Breakfast
Where luxury meets location
Oak Park, IL 60302
Beth Harvey
708.848.6810
http://www.harveyhousebb.com
harveyhousebb@gmail.com
Massachusets
Old Harbor Inn
Every day you get our best.
Chatham, MA 02633
Ray Braz
800.942.4434
http://www.chathamoldharborinn.com/
info@chathamoldharborinn.com
New York
Asa Ransom House
http://www.asaransom.com/
An intimate village inn.
Clarence, NY 14031
Bob Lenz
716.759.2315
RWLenz@aol.com
Genesee Country Inn Bed and Breakfast
http://www.geneseecountryinn.com/
A Short Drive...A World Away!
Mumford, NY 14511
Deborah and Richard Stankevich
585.538.2500
deborah@gcinn.com
Ohio
Glenlaurel
A Scottish Country Inn
Rockbridge, OH 43149-9736
Kelley Leonard
740.385.2951 x310
http://www.glenlaurel.com/
kleonard@glenlaurel.com
Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast
Upscale accommodations. Down-home hospitality.
Dellroy, OH 44620
Linda Horn
866.4LAKEVU (866.452.5388)
http://www.atwoodlake.com/
whisperingpines@atwoodlake.com
Oregon
Arch Cape Inn & Retreat
Lose yourself beside the ocean.
Cannon Beach, OR 97102
Cynthia Malkowski
800.436.2848
http://www.archcapeinn.com/
westhighlandproperties@yahoo.com
Heron Haus Bed & Breakfast
In the hills overlooking Portland.
Portland, OR 97210
Pam and Carl Walker
503.274.1846
http://www.heronhaus.com/
pam@heronhaus.com
Old Parkdale Inn Bed & Breakfast
At the foot of Mt. Hood.
Parkdale, OR 97401
Mary Pelligrini
541.352.5551
http://www.hoodriverlodging.com/info.html
parkdale@hoodriverlodging.com
Peerless Hotel & Restaurant
Ashland's Peerless Experience.
Ashland, OR 97520
Michael Biggs, Hotelkeeper
541.488.1082
http://www.peerlesshotel.com/
innkeeper@peerlesshotel.com
WildSpring Guest Habitat
For body and soul
Port Orford, OR 97465
Michelle Duarte
541.332.0977
http://www.wildspring.com/
michelle@wildspring.com
Pennsylvania
The Beechmont Inn B&B,
Where history and hospitality come together.
Hanover, PA 17331
Kathryn & Thomas White
800.553.7009
717.632.3013
http://www.thebeechmont.com/
innkeeper521@embarqmail.com
Virginia
Inn at Riverbend
Almost heaven.
Pearisburg, VA 24134
Linda Hayes
540.921.5211
http://www.innatriverbend.com/
stay@innatriverbend.com
Washington
The Shelburne Country Inn
A true American classic.
Seaview, WA 98644
David Campiche
360.642.2442
http://www.theshelburneinn.com/
campiche@centurytel.net
Wyoming
Bentwood Inn
http://www.bentwoodinn.com/
Nestled on 3 acres of Jackson Hole solitude.
PO Box 561
Jackson Hole, WY 83001
Peter and Jenny Tignor
307.739.1411
info@bentwoodinn.com
Adopt A Special Kid: Intro Workshop Dates for Prospective Parents!
Located in Oakland, and serving 21 counties in Northern California, Adopt A Special Kid is the oldest agency in the state working to help children in foster care get adopted into permanent, loving homes. AASK strives to make adoption accessible to a diverse range of families, including: LGBT parents, parents of all ethnic backgrounds, single and partnered parents, homeowners and renters, older parents, and people living with disabilities. AASK provides all social work services necessary to adopt a child from foster care at no cost to our families.
Prospective parents interested in foster care or adoption begin by attending a short informational workshop. An AASK social worker will present an overview of the child welfare system and the foster care and adoption processes. Parents can ask questions in a comfortable atmosphere and schedule an initial interview with a social worker.
Introductory workshops are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00 on these dates:
February 9, 2010
March 9, 2010
April 13, 2010
May 11, 2010
E-mail info@aask.org or call (510) 553-1748 ext.12 to sign up for the next date!
The workshop schedule is always available on AASK's website, www.aask.org, under "Resources > News and Events", or via this direct link: http://www.aask.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=61
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Hush Pride - Seattle Pre-Pride Event
Hush Pride along with Seattle Pride would like to invite everyone to the Largest Pre-pride Gay and Lesbian Event of the season. Snoqualmie Casino has recognized the power of the Gay and Lesbians communities and welcomes us. We are excited to present a spectacular event in the Grand Ballroom. DJ, hot male and female go-go dancers, entertainment, Recording artist Vanessa Thompson, costume contest (the most outrageous/beautiful will win), and more. So please come and celebrate with us on May 15th 9PM.
http://www.hushpride.com
Allstar Lodging - Special Rates
Allstar Lodging Vacation Cabin Rentals in the Shenandoah Valley, near Luray Va., is currently offering lots of specials up to 33% off including: Buy 2 nights, get the 3rd night free and many other special offers. See this link:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Consequences of Dying Without Legal Documents
Undersigned is licensed to practice law in 3 states (Florida, Colorado, and Massachusetts).DYING WITHOUT LEGAL DOCUMENTS
During the past few years the following correspondence follows more and more telephone conferences after surviving partners are left out in the cold. This is especially shocking when the parents of a Deceased Partner were especially warm and loving to the surviving partner until the moment their son or daughter died and everything changed.
Following is a typical, unfortunate letter or e-mail which undersigned drafts more often than he should, to address the situation of a partner dying without legal documents (i.e. last will, life estate deed, etc…).
“According to the Clerk and Recorder records undersigned counsel was able to access, it appears that relatively young Deceased Partner titled the real property in which you lived with her or him for 10 or 20 years solely in their own name. I researched the records and was unable to locate a deed more recent than 1998 (attached).
If Deceased Partner never executed a last will (died without a last will aka intestate) and never executed a more recent real property deed conveying an interest in real property to you, then such property (your house) passed as follows:
1. Deceased Partner’s lawful surviving spouse - even if you had married Deceased Partner in another state, such marriage would not have been recognized in Florida and the property would not automatically pass to you unless Deceased Partner had executed a deed or last will devising the property to you (undersigned counsel drafts such documents for partners regularly); IF NONE, then to:
2. Deceased Partner’s lineal descendants - if Deceased Partner had no lawful spouse but left kids or grandkids, they automatically inherit Deceased Partner’s real property (i.e. the house you lived in with Deceased Partner for 10 or 20 years) unless Deceased Partner executed a deed or last will devising the property to you (Please note that you are no longer authorized to open any U.S. Mail delivered to your address which is intended for Deceased Partner since they apparently left you no written authorization permitting same); IF NONE, then to:
3. Deceased Partner’s parents equally or the survivor of them - if Deceased Partner had no lawful spouse and had no kids, then Deceased Partner’s parents share equally, or the survivor of them, inherits the house you have called home for 10 or 20 years, unless you are able to locate a real property deed or last will devising such property to you.
Undersigned counsel can NOT represent you without a written fee agreement signed by both of us. However, in order to assist you undersigned counsel needs you to locate either a last will or real property deed reflecting your interest in such property. Without such document(s) you might consider taking all of your personal property and moving sooner than later unless Deceased Partner’s parent(s) is/are willing to permit you to continue to live in a home which, given the information you provided, appears to now be theirs.
Those who do nothing, actually let the state decide. In this case, if the facts as stated herein are true, Deceased Partner, by doing nothing other than making a few statements to neighbors and friends that you get everything, decided to leave their property to Deceased Partner’s parents instead of to you. Deceased Partner’s statements to your neighbors and friends, without written support of properly executed legal documents, were of no legal significance. Doing nothing (not retaining legal counsel to draft a last will or property deed) results in lawful heirs inheriting property and such definition excludes partners.”
The above is tragic.
Hire an experienced lawyer to counsel, draft and oversee the execution of your legal documents today!!!
Jonas Urba, Esquire
Central Florida Law Office of Jonas Urba, P.A.
www.LGBTwills.com
(813) 390-7787
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