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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Demonstrate What You Are Thankful For!

Sometime we take for granted how fortunate we truly are.  This year in particular, many people who normally volunteer to help those less fortunate, find themselves needing the very assistance that they have provided before in the past.  Whether this is your current situation or not, here is short list provided by
Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor, Fifth District, to help those in need this holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving!

ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621
Thanksgiving Basket registration starts Nov. 1st. Christmas Basket registration starts Dec. 1st.  Please call for more details and for volunteer opportunities and to donate.

ALBANY SENIOR CENTER
Thanksgiving Dinner
Wednesday, November 23, 3:30 pm
Admission: $5
846 Masonic Avenue, Albany, CA 94706

BERKELEY FOOD AND HOUSING PROJECT (BFHP)
Thanksgiving Meal
Thursday, November 24, 2pm - 5pm.
Trinity Church
2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
No preregistration required.  Volunteers may contact Danielle Knutson at dknutson@bfhp.org

MCGEE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday, November 24th at 12 pm
1640 Stuart Street, Berkeley, CA 94703
No preregistration required.  If you would like to volunteer, please call ahead.

LAKE MERRITT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday November 24th, 1pm-3pm (Those who are eating can come as early as noon).
1330 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland, CA 94606
If you are interested in volunteering, please call the church.

WILLIE KEYS RECREATION CENTER
Mothers of the Year Give Back: Thanksgiving Dinner
Saturday, November 19, 11-5 pm
3131 Union Street, Oakland, CA 94608
For details or to help support the effort, contact Mary at 510-891-1395 or ksaveourkids@aol.com

COLLEGE AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday, November 24, 11 am—1 pm
5951 College Avenue, Oakland, CA
510-658-3487 (Mike Castner, Volunteer Coordinator)
Donations of money and food are welcome.  Volunteers can help beginning Monday, November 21.

2 STAR MARKET
9TH Annual Thanksgiving Celebration
Thursday, November 24, 1 pm-4 pm
2020 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94602
510-531-3576 (Abdo Alawdi, Owner of 2 Star Market) or alawdi@aol.com
For more information, please visit: http://www.2starmarket.com/

OAKLAND BLACK CAUCUS AND WORD ASSEMBLY
Thanksgiving Feast
Thursday, November 24, 12 pm – 2 pm
410 14th St., Oakland, CA 94612
For more information, please call Geoffrey Pete at 510-839-4644

Please note: This is a partial list. 

Monday, October 17, 2011

Kasim Reed - Mayor of Atlanta, GA - Special Guest - Bay Area Professionals Reception/Mixer - SF Chinatown Hilton Hotel - October 28, 2011


 Bay Area Professionals
Business Reception/Mixer


Special Guest
Kasim Reed - Mayor of Atlanta, GA
October 28, 2011
San Francisco Chinatown Hitlon Hotel750 Kearney Street, San Francisco
VIP Reception w/Kasim Reed: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Event: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  
HOSTS
African American Professionals Network
Glass House Communications
Black Founders (Start-Up)
Howard University Alumni Association
LinkedIn Bay Area Black Professionals Groups
National Organization for the Professional Advancement of
Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChe)

Requested Contribution - $100.00
For payment at the door, please make checks payable to: Ed Lee For Mayor 2011
No Corporate/Business Checks AcceptedFPPC# 1340520

Please visit http://africamericanprofessionalsnetwork.eventbrite.com to register. Thanks.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Kevin Brown's Discovery Kingdom Backpack Drive

 
Please consider supporting the Kevin Brown Backpack Drive at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom this Saturday featuring Pete Escovedo from 10am-4pm.  All those who bring a backpack with school supplies will get discounted admission.

Six Flags is a wonderful destination for fun and excitement for all ages and just a hop-skip away.  Please check out some of these photos below.




If you want to make a weekend, stay-cation out of it, please consider staying at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Fairfield-Napa Valley Area.  It is a clean hotel with wonderful amenities.  The staff is welcoming and the service is impeccable.  Breakfast is included in your stay and the rooms are spacious.  For more information, please visit http://www.homewoodsuitesfairfield.com




Or, you can stay at the Fairfield Inn  & Suites - Napa - American Canyon.  It is affordable, close to the park, has a pool and gives you the impression that you are far away staying at a resort.  Breakfast is also included and the rooms are inviting.  For more information, please visit http://www.marriott.com/sfoac



 
Please support this worthy cause of providing much needed backpacks for our youth.  Many thanks!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Managing Your Stress While Building Your Business

Managing Your Stress While Building Your Business

Starts: Saturday July 30, 2011, 09:00AM PDT
Ends: Saturday July 30, 2011, 05:00PM PDT
Event Type: Training/Seminar
Location: Ramada Inn
2436 Mahogany Way
Antioch, CA 94609 US
Price: http://www.xlence.org
Website: http://www.xlence.org
Industry:
Keywords: Women, leadership, stress management
Intended For: Women entrepreneurs Women business owners professional women
Organization: Julianna Hynes & Associates
Attention Women Business Leaders! Come out and learn how to manage your stress while building your business!
You don't want to miss out on this amazing 1-day leadership workshop for women in business where you will...
-Learn about the key life stressors that affect you as a leader and business owner. ...-Discover how to use coping strategies to ensure continued success and achieve overall results in life and business. -Gain critical insight into how stress in one area impacts other areas of life. -Learn four key coping strategies to better manage your stress while successfully building your business!
YOU'LL ALSO DISCOVER HOW TO....
-Improve your coping skills during stressful situations. -Capitalize on coping strategies to better manage stress. -Identify, minimize or eliminate common daily stressors. -Be more flexible in the face of change. -Communicate more effectively in stressful circumstances. -Build strong support systems within your network.
$59 by June 30 $79 by July 29
For more information, contact us at: womeninleadership@xlence.org 925.754.6600

Monday, April 4, 2011

Kappa Health Finance Literacy Community Fair 4/9/11


Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

Guide Right Program - The National Service Program - Health Finance Literacy Community Fair, 10 am - 2 pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, 960 10th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
* * * * * * * * * * * *Community Projects Kappa House Fund* * * * * * * * * * * *




Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

NBA Youth Empowerment Symposium and an ABA Civics & Law Academy

The National Bar Association (“NBA”) is inviting all high school students to attend its Youth Empowerment Symposium on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 11:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The NBA will convene its 31st Annual Mid-Year Conference and Gertrude E. Rush Awards Dinner from April 7-10, 2011 in the San Francisco Bay Area at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa in Berkeley, California.  During that conference, the NBA, in conjunction with the American Bar Association (“ABA”), will hold a Youth Empowerment Symposium and an ABA Civics & Law Academy.  There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided.  Transportation is also available but space is limited.
 
The symposium will provide an analysis of the NBA’s publication “How the Law Treats You Differently When You Turn 18.”   The publication is the first installment of the NBA’s “Lifting as We Climb” series and is designed to inform young people about their rights and responsibilities once they reach the age of 18. The publication, which will be distributed at the symposium, provides a brief summary on topics such as civic responsibilities (i.e. voting, jury duty), contracts (i.e. credit, purchasing automobiles, renting apartments, etc.), and criminal responsibility.  The American Bar Association’s Civics and Law Academy will build upon lessons from the NBA’s publication and focus on current legal issues by engaging the students in mini and mock trials to assist them in defining justice. 
 
The symposium will provide a “one-of-a-kind” and unique networking opportunity for your students to interact with attorneys, judges and politicians.  
 
The NBA is a non-profit organization founded in 1925 and is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of predominately African American lawyers and judges. The NBA has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and affiliations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Africa and the Caribbean. It represents a professional network of over 40,000 lawyers, judges, educators and law students.
 
To RSVP or for more information regarding transportation to the event, please contact Altheria Merricks at amerricks@eapdlaw.com no later than Monday, April 4, 2011.
 
Pick-up locations: – Berkeley City Hall, Oakland City Hall and San Francisco City Hall.
 “Lifting as We Climb--Ensuring Justice & Equality”

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

“The Good Fight 50 Years Forward: The Civil Rights Era and Today’s Battle for Justice”

Golden Gate University School of Law, the American Constitution Society, 
the Bar Association of San Francisco and
the NAACP, Bay Area Chapter Proudly 
Present
 
“The Good Fight 50 Years Forward:
The Civil Rights Era and Today’s Battle for Justice”
 
The 2011 Justice Jesse Carter Distinguished Lecture Program
 
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Golden Gate University School of Law
536 Mission, Room 2203

Join us for an in-depth discussion with lawyers and judges who hailed the clarion call to the South in the 1960s to support Civil Rights efforts. Our panelists will reflect on their experiences during the Civil Rights Era and offer their perspectives on the continuing struggle to protect civil rights in today’s world. Reception to follow program.

Panelists include:
Hon. Thelton Henderson, Senior Judge, Northern District of California
Marvin Stender, Partner, Law Offices of McTernan, Stender & Weingus
Hon. Edward Stern (Ret.), JAMS

Moderator:
Professor Peter Keane, Golden Gate University School of Law

Drucilla S. Ramey
Dean
GGU School of Law
536 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-2968
T: (415) 442-6679
F: (415) 442-6609

Monday, March 7, 2011

Urban Financial Services Coalition 2011 Annual Economic Summit

Update- 3/16/2011 - Seminar and dinner now being paid for you by the Federal Reserve Bank of SF- RSVP and pass it on-

Ok now...check it out... the Federal Reserve is paying your admission fee for dinner and seminar- hot location, hotter agenda...


What's next? (pass it on)...

Urban Financial Services Coalition 2011 Annual Economic Summit !
Business/Career planning. Banking.Insurance.Marketing.networking...

-Please send to your networks-

Please join us March 16, 2011 - 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Discussion areas:

-What are the top three items corporate leaders might be concerned with at this time?


-How does one career network in this new economy?

-How does one make sure they are delivering value added solutions to their company
or team?

-Where are the opportunity areas for impact?

Honorable Fiona Ma-CPA, MBA, Speaker Pro Tem California State Assembly-Moderator
Panelists;
Mr. Glenn S. Brown, JD- CEO- Fu-Gen, Board of Governors- California Insurance Guarantee Association
Ms. Andree Driskell-V​P- Black Economic Council
Ms. Jazmine Henderson, CEO Simply Driven, National Assn of Black Accountants
Mr.David Jackson- SVP-Comeri​ca Bank - Credit Division Manager
Mr. Robert Shoffner-S​VP-Citiban​k, Treasurer- Silicon Valley Leadership Group




Federal Reserve Bank San Francisco
101 Market St.
San Francisco, CA


*Complimentary Buffet Dinner* and No Host Bar
**Attendees door admission cost paid by Federal Reserve Bank San Francisco

RSVP to ufscbayarea@gmail.com by 3/12/2011 this is required as security screening protocols apply.


Collaborating organizations:
Coalition of Black Professional Organizations
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
First Fridays of the Bay Area
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Dress code- Business attire


Website announcement url http://www.ufscnet-sf.org/media/pdf/UFSC%20-%20Annual%20Economic%20Summit%202011.pdf

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Woman-to-Woman Oakland Brunch & Beyond - April 2, 2011

What is W2W you may ask? Woman-to-Woman (W2W) is an amazing gathering for women seeking revival, rejuvenation and refreshment in their lives through demonstration, guidance and assistance from seasoned professionals in their field. Oakland, California will host this great event on April 2, 2011. This action-packed day will include educational sessions, open forums and a keynote speaker. The women will be treated to a continental breakfast and full luncheon. Attendees will share, receive and go away with key knowledge that will propel them to the next stage of their lives. W2W treats the “whole” woman.

BABP members will get a discounted rate and can use this link to register
http://w2woakland2011.eventbrite.com/?discount=BayAreaBlackProfessionals

Looking to sponsor this event, please see below: 

-“Community Investment” Sponsor - $1,000 (4 Opportunities)
        One-Eighth-page (1/8) advertisement W2W program
        Logo on W2W website
        Acknowledgment in the W2W printed materials
        Acknowledgment in event guide
        Two (2) complimentary passes to event

-Tote Bag Sponsor – This sponsorship is based on the purchase of event bags, printed with the W2W logo on one side and your company logo on the reverse side. This bag will be distributed to all event attendees and provide maximum visibility for your company during and after W2W. Your company will handle the cost and production of this item with final approval by W2W.

-Lanyard Sponsor – This sponsorship will include the W2W logo and your logo. Lanyards will be distributed to all event attendees. Your company will handle the cost and production of this item with final approval by W2W.

-In-kind/Gifts donations that will help with the operation of the W2W event are welcomed. 

This event will be a great way to showcase local businesses and exemplify your/their investment into the community. Thanks again for your suggestions.
Best regards,
Karla Woods-Stephens, President
Bona Fide Events
(480) 619-9276 direct
(520) 568-1525 fax

Thursday, February 17, 2011

CADC, CMCP & KLN Consulting's Black History Month Celebration


The California Diversity Council, California Minority Counsel Program, and KLN Consulting Group hosted its first Black History Month Celebration featuring Paul D. Henderson, Esq., Chief of Administration, San Francisco District Attorney's Office

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of the East Bay's Blood Drive 1/15/11 7:30am-3pm

Please support my cousin Chaznee Brown's blood drive to increase the registry of blood for Sickle Cell patients. We have probably all lost loved ones to this deadly disease so please do not blood and give these patients life.  Please click the picture below.  Thanks!
 

Are You Ready to Set Your Vision in Motion in 2011?

If you attend, please let them know where you heard this from! To see appropriately, please click here. Thanks.
Find us on Facebook
Are You Ready to Set Your Vision in Motion in 2011?
Where:
Red Lion Inn (formally Holiday Inn)
1050 Burnett Avenue
Concord, CA 94520

Driving Directions

When:
Saturday February 5, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM PST
Add to my calendar
Calling all professional women (and the men who support them)! Are you ready to set your vision in motion in 2011?
It's a new year! Where are you in achieving your vision? Have you started yet? Are you stuck somewhere on your journey? Do you need a little motivation and encouragement to continue?
The Vision 2011 Seminar is the first in a series of Leadership Development Seminars for professional women in 2011. Join us for this kick off event as we explore our visions and dreams, set goals to achieve them, have fun and meet new people in the process!

Click on the link below today to take advantage of the early bird special.

$45 before Monday, 1/17

$65 between 1/18 and 2/2

$85 at the door.

See you all at Vision 2011 and bring a friend!
Forward to a Friend
Get more information
Register Now!
I can't make it
Feel free to contact us with questions or more information.

Take our survey and vote for the top semiars you'd like to see in 2011:

Seminar Survey

Thank you for your attention and response. We look forward to seeing you at Vision 2011!

Sincerely,

Julianna Hynes & Beth Luke
925 207-1578

Monday, January 10, 2011

Upcoming MLK Holiday Events in Oakland


Courtesy of Mayor Jean Quan's Newsletter



  • Saturday, January 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Clean Up in Beat 33: Meet at Allen Temple Church, 8501 International, at 8:30 am, and/or meet at the East Oakland Boxing Association, 816 98th Ave, at 1 pm.
  • Monday, January 17, 8:30-1 pm, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Clean-Up: Meet at Madison Middle School, 457 Capistrano Drive.
  • Re-establish a Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council for Beat 33 and meet your new Beat Officer, Eastmont Sub Station, 2651 73rd Avenue, Wednesday, January 26th, 6-8 pm.
Saturday, January 15 East Oakland Clean up
8:30-Noon Meet at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd.
1-4 pm Meet at East Oakland Boxing Association, 816 98th Avenue

Sunday, January 16, Family Explorations! The Art of Storytelling from Martin Luther King, Jr. to President Obama, 1-4 pm
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St.
Admission Fee for adults, Children 8 and under free. Storytellers and musicians celebrate Black History Month in this family program. www.museumca.org or 238-2200.

In the Name of Love: 9th Annual Musical Tribute honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 7 pm
Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr.
Oakland's only non-denominational musical tribute to Dr. King features several of Oakland's most outstanding and internationally known vocal treasures including American soul and R&B singer/songwriter Goapele, powerful vocalist and historian Linda Tillery premiering a new vocal duet with Gospel great Terrance Kelly, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Oakland Children's Community Choir with the Oaktown Jazz Workshops. Mayor Jean Quan will present the 6th Annual Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award to Achebe Hoskins for his outstanding work on behalf of the Oakland community. Presented by Rhythmic Concepts, Inc. Admission Fee.
www.mlktribute.com or 800-838-3006 /287-8880.

Monday, January 17 MLK Day of Service
8:30 am-1 pm MLK Day of Service in Sobrante Park
Meet at Madison Middle School at 400 Capistrano Drive. Bring gloves and clothes that can get dirty. Contact Bill Richie at 472-8911.

9 am-1pm MLK Day of Service at Lake Merritt.
Meet at the Lakeside Garden Center and join volunteers from Volunteers for Service and Volunteers for America in a major clean up of our beloved Lake Merritt. Bring gloves and water.

MLK ParkMartin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Doolittle Dr. & Swan Way
8:30 am to Noon, Free Admission
This East Bay Regional Park District's event continues Dr. King's vision to improve lives, bridge social barriers and move our nation closer together to the beloved community. Volunteers will assist staff in restoration work and invasive plant removal in order to support and care for wildlife and their natural habitats. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and closed-toed shoes. Please also bring your own water bottle. Heavy rain cancels. Registration is required either online or via phone. www.ebparks.org or 888-327-2757 then option 2 followed by option 3.

13th Annual Make the Dream Real 2011 featuring Marianne Williamson
Taylor Memorial Methodist Church, 1188 12th St.
10 am to Noon, Free Admission
The keynote address will be by Marianne Williamson, world renowned lecturer, peace activist, cultural change agent and New York Times multiple best-selling author. Mistress of Ceremony will be Aimee Allison of KPFA's "The Morning Show." Performers include Ishmael Combs & the Taylor Memorial Children's Unity Choir, Destiny Knuckles, China Spirit Ensemble directed by Winnie Wong, the Oakland Interfaith Youth Gospel Choir directed by Terrance Kelly, Kenya Hall, Kimberly Turner & Tyrese Johnson, ArtEsteem youth Leaders and others. Three Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards will be given to deserving community members who are doing exemplary service work. Presented by the Attitudinal Healing Connection, Inc. & Taylor Memorial Methodist Church.
www.ahc-oakland.org / www.taylorchurch.org or 652-5530 /444-6162

The Dream Lives On: Multicultural Peace Celebration & Rally
ILWU Warehouse Hall #6, 99 Hegenberger Rd.
10 am-2 pm, Free Admission
Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts will speak, along with youth speakers, an address by Mayor Jean Quan, remarks by YMCA of the East Bay President Rev. Robert Wilkens and entertainment.
798-5535.

Annual Classic Film Festival
African American Museum & Library at Oakland, 659 14th St.
11 am-4 pm, Free Admission. By popluar demand, AAMLO presents its Annual Classic Film Festival that takes folks back in time. www.oaklandlibrary.org or 637-0200.
Historic mural at the AAMLO>>

Wednesday, January 19, BART Celebrates Dr. King's Legacy Through Music and the Arts
2nd Floor Auditorium, Kaiser Center, 300 Lakeside Dr.
Noon to 1:15 pm, Free Admission
This celebration of Dr. King's legacy will feature performances by the Oakland School for the Arts Instrumental Music Department. 464-7139

Friday, January 7, 2011

Vote for the Local 5 Progressive Unity Slate for the California Democratic Party - 16th Assembly District - Oakland-Alameda-Piedmont-Endorsed By Gavin Newsom

From a colleague of mine and friend from elementary/high school, Chantal Reynolds:


I am running to be a delegate representing the 16th Assembly District
which includes the cities of Oakland, Alameda and Piedmont.  I’m
running on the Local 5 Progressive Unity Slate.  Please commit to
bringing out 2 to 3 people and spreading the word to 5.  Please spread
the word so that all of your family and friends can come to support my
slate!  We have to show the party our numbers and our strength, so
that our issues are at the forefront of the Democratic agenda. Please
come out, so that they know that we are here and have power in numbers!
You must be registered to vote in Assembly District 16-Oakland,
Alameda, or Piedmont.

Please vote:

Date: Saturday, January 8
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Laney Community College Theater
Address: 900 Fallon St., Oakland, CA

As a delegate I will
 * Attend annual Democratic Convention
 * Network with other Democrats
 * Represent my constituency
 * Elect Party officers
 * Promote the California Democratic Party agenda
 * Endorse candidates for statewide, legislative and congressional office
 * Vote to endorse resolutions and ballot measures

You can vote for up to 6 men and 6 women on our Progressive Unity
Slate, so I hope you’ll vote for our full slate:

Women:

 * Ronnie Caplane
 * Emmy Fearn
 * Jennifer Pae
 * Amy Thorpe Peterson
 * Chantal Reynolds
 * Rebecca Saltzman

Men:

 * Sean Dugar
 * Joel Freid
 * Richard Fuentes
 * Abel Guillen
 * Dan Rush
 * Sean Sullivan

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Best “Game” is the “Truth”

By: Kevin L. Nichols


Note: This was originally written for a column in a magazine but never got published...


Back in my single days, I was always baffled by hearing other men talk about “game,” how much they had, and how they used it to advance their objectives (exploits) in a relational context. From these conversations and discussions, I uncovered their definition of “game.” To them, “game” was their uncanny ability to attract women based on superficial characteristics, such as the appearance of how much money they had, how handsome they were, how good they appeared to be in bed, and how into their “prey” they seemed to be. Often times, this meant that they would lie, rob, steal, and cheat to get whatever they wanted whenever they could. This concept of “game” allowed these men to think that they were God’s gift to women and if successful, they could convince their women that they were special, that it was OK to let down their guards, that they were the “only ones,” to lend them money haphazardly, and to sacrifice their bodies in the name of “love.”

Ironically, these were the same men whose conversations transitioned to how some women snapped on them and pulled a “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” or a “Waiting to Exhale” on them. As their perplexity diminished, I continued to ask, “Why do you have to lie to kick it?" That’s not “game.” “Game” is being a man of integrity and telling the truth. So many men looked at me as if I was speaking a foreign language where they just could not comprehend. “Game” is a reflection of maturity as well as security. If I man has it “going on,” that should speak for itself. He should not have to brag or highlight whether or not he has money, drives a nice car, lives in a big house, etc. to get a woman's attention.  A women will come to know those things in due time.

If a man looks good, he should know it already. He does not have to look in the mirror all day (unless he’s a Kappa), take pictures of himself half naked and send them to you via text or on Facebook. And he does not have to constantly ask you how he looks, he should know it. Anyone who needs to be so absorbed in themselves to this magnitude, is insecure and women need to guard themselves emotionally.

Granted, there is no “Golden Rule” as to how fast two people can fall in love, but just meeting some one, talking to them on the phone several times, and going out on a date or two in a week’s time does not constitute “loving” someone. “Lusting” someone perhaps but not “loving” someone. Talking about what he’s going to do to you sexually before you have sex is a “no no” as well and you should be cautious to not have big expectations (no pun intended). Once again, if you have to talk about it, it’s not all that. “Demonstrate don’t placate.”

Finally, if you just met a man last week, chances are he’s not a hermit. He was probably dating someone else before you met. It’s OK to admit that you are seeing other people when you are single. But if a man says, “you are the only one in my life” you should run because that’s just not realistic.

In summary, I have a vested interest in helping couples stay together and avoid being part of the ever-growing 50+% of divorced couples in America. How couples begin their relationships usually determines the same vices of how they will end. I strongly believe that women play a vital role in raising the bar for successful relationships/marriages. Please take heed and know that the truth is powerful and it does set you free. So many people get caught trying to keep up facades, trying to recall what lies were told to whom in order to continue the false perceptions and make believe personas. It’s easier to be honest, broke, and real in the Bay than living a fake lifestyle in LA for a whole host of other reasons, which I will not address today.  Define yourself by having integrity and security in being who you are today in your life, yet hold on to your aspirations of who you want to be. When you have achieved, then you can “be” but until then, just be “me.” Now that’s “game!”

Kevin L. Nichols is an author, President and CEO of KLN Publishing. LLC located in San Francisco, California.  For more information, please visit www.klnpublishing.com.

Copyright 2011   KLN Publishing, LLC   All Rights Reserved