Chris Barrow President and CEO of EagleView Technology Named anEntrepreneur Of The Year 2015 for the Pacific Northwest

Chris Barrow Wins Entrepreneur of the Year for EagleView Technology

Bothell-based EagleView Technology Corporation, which provides the technology for aerial imagery, data analytics and GIS solutions, recently announced that EY has named EagleView President and CEO Chris Barrow as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015 in the Pacific Northwest Region.  The award recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.  Chris Barrow and other award winners were selected by a panel of independent judges.  The award was presented at a special gala event at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel on June 5th.

PicsArt Mobile Creative Image Community Raises $15M Led By Insight Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital

PicsArt Mobile Creative Image Community Scores $15 Million in New Funding

PicsArt mobile creative image community today announced $15M in new funding from Insight Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital. The new round follows a previous investment of $10M from Sequoia earlier this year. The new funding will enable the company to expand globally and develop new tools for users.

PicsArt mobile creative image community is for amateur and professional photographers, designers, artists and anyone who wants to use PicsArt’s extensive image creation and editing tools to beautify their world. PicsArt’s further enabled community collaboration with its latest feature update. Now #freetoedit images from PicsArt mobile creative image community can be shared on Facebook, inviting a new community to use PicsArt’s desktop-grade tools to edit their images.

Users can also share their creative process with others through automatically generated timelapse videos. Hit a button when you start working on an image and when you are done, share a video showcasing your technique so other users can learn from you. These are just the latest tools empowering PicsArt’s community of more than 65 million monthly active users that co-creates more than 250 million images per month.

“We want to continuously provide artists with the means to connect and collaborate,” said PicsArt CEO and founder, Hovhannes Avoyan. “With this round of funding, we can continue to do so with app updates that boost collaboration settings, such as video generation, increased sharing and the latest photo-enhancing tricks.”

“PicsArt’s rapid growth is a true testament to its unique creative platform,” said Jeff Horing, managing director at Insight Venture Partners. “We are pleased to partner with the PicsArt team as they continue to set themselves apart by solidifying a community of collaboration.”

Anyone with a smartphone can download the PicsArt Mobile Creative Image Community app from the App Store, Google Play, Amazon or Windows. To learn more, go to www.PicsArt.com.

About PicsArt
PicsArt Mobile Creative Image Community is the largest mobile community of creatives and creative images. The company’s U.S. office is based in San Francisco, California with a focus on enabling anyone to be creative, share, socialize, discover, learn and be inspired. The app has been installed over 230 million times and continues to expand and improve, so anyone can unleash their creativity and discover their inner artist.

About Insight Venture Partners
Insight Venture Partners is a global private equity and venture capital firm founded in 1995. They also invested heavily in Bellevue-based SmartSheet. They have raised more than $10 billion and invested in more than 200+ growth-stage software, internet, and data-services companies. Our Investment Team meets with thousands of companies each year, selecting a handful to invest in, supporting them with market insights and exposure to potential acquisitions and acquirers. Our Insight Onsite team provides hands-on resources and collaborative expertise to help companies scale.

About Sequoia Capital
The Sequoia team helps a small number of daring founders build legendary companies. We spur them to push the boundaries of what’s possible. In partnering with Sequoia, companies benefit from our unmatched community and the lessons we’ve learned over 40 years working with Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, John Morgridge, Jerry Yang, Elon Musk, Larry Page, Jan Koum, Brian Chesky, Drew Houston, Adi Tatarko and Jack Dorsey, among many others. In aggregate, Sequoia-backed companies account for more than 20% of NASDAQ’s total value. We’re proud that their success also fuels great causes: since 2000 alone we have returned more than $10 billion to non-profits like the Ford Foundation, Mayo Clinic and MIT.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue Win Prestigious Award for Excellence in Marketing and Communications

Recently, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue received two of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s prestigious Marketing and Communications (MAC) Awards during the organization’s 109^th Annual National Conference in Chicago, IL. Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue was selected among hundreds of local Clubs across the country for implementing the best marketing strategy for Social Media and Special Events. The two campaigns were initially designed by Club partner Lionfish, an international, award-winning branding and marketing firm focused on igniting opportunity for the world’s game changers. In recognition of this outstanding achievement, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Mark M. O’Brien, left, was on hand to present Kathy Haggart, CEO/President and Ryan Scott, COO/Vice President, with the esteemed awards.

Symphony of Gardens Tour to Benefit Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra

Symphony of Gardens to Feature Five Eastside Gardens and Benefit Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra's Symphony of Gardens fundraiser features five exciting private gardens in Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Kirkland and Mercer Island

The Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra is planning its 2nd Annual Symphony of Gardens Tour. This event, which benefits the East Side's premier orchestra, will be Sunday, June 28th, from 11am to 4pm. The tour will offer garden enthusiasts a rare glimpse of gorgeous private gardens in Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Kirkland and Mercer Island. LWSO musicians will play chamber music in the gardens from 1 to 2pm, weather permitting.

The Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra's Symphony of Gardens Tour is Sunday, June 28th, from 11am-4pm. Tickets are $25. Tickets are available at Grape Choice, Bellevue Nursery, Sky Nursery and Wells Medina Nursery or through Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1586858. For information about the LWSO, see http://lwso.org. 

  

Stacia Loo to Hold Free YouTube Marketing Event in Bellevue

Bellevue-based Social media professional Stacia Loo, who has successful clients near and far, is holding a free class on YouTube Marketing in Bellevue on June 2nd, 2015.  The event will be held at the Parkplace Boardroom on the 2nd floor at the Bellevue Hyatt from 6-8pm.  Complimentary parking is available courtesy of The Bellevue Collection.

Some of what you will learn from Ms. Loo:

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  How to brand and optimize your YouTube channel to attract leads

  
  


• 
  

  How to develop video topics that are most relevant to your audience

  
  


• 
  

  How to pick keywords and titles to attract targeted leads

  
  


• 
  

  Suggestions on the best and low cost tools to produce videos

  
  


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  Using cards, annotations, and playlists to increase engagement

  
  


• 
  

  Plus Creative ideas that will have even a novice doing videos like a pro!

  
  


• and my favorite:  Why it is important for your business to have a constant and fresh presence on YouTube (including the relationship between Google and YouTube and why your business cannot afford to ignore it.

To reserve your seat, make sure to register for YouTube Marketing For Business at Eventbrite.

 

EY announces Finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015 in the Pacific Northwest

EY today announced the finalists for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015 in the Pacific Northwest.

It's great to see a couple of Bellevue-based companies on the list:  Limeaid and Smartsheet.  It would be nice to see one of them win it all. after Bellevue-based businesses were snubbed out of the competition last year.

The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.  These business leaders were selected by a panel of independent judges.  Award winners will be announced at a special gala on June 5, 2015 at Sheraton Seattle Hotel.  To find out more about the Pacific Northwest program please visit www.ey.com/us/eoy/pnw.  #EOYPNW.

The finalists are:

Avalara, Inc. | Scott McFarlane, Co-Founder & CEO | Bainbridge Island, WA

Avvo | Mark Britton, Founder & CEO | Seattle, WA

barre3 | Sadie Lincoln, Founder & Owner | Portland, OR

Blink UX | Karen Clark Cole, CEO | Seattle, WA

Context Relevant | Stephen Purpura, Founder & CEO | Seattle, WA

Dave's Killer Bread | John Tucker, CEO | Milwaukie, OR

DiscoverOrg | Henry Schuck, CEO | Vancouver, WA

EagleView Technologies | Chris Barrow, President & CEO | Bothell, WA

ExtraHop Networks | Jesse Rothstein, Co-Founder & CEO; Raja Mukerji, Co-Founder & President | Seattle, WA

Hydro Flask | Scott Allan, President & CEO | Bend, OR

Life Flight Network | Michael Griffiths, CEO | Aurora, OR

Limeade | Henry Albrecht, CEO | Bellevue, WA

Picmonkey.com | Jonathan Sposato, CEO | Seattle, WA

PitchBook | John Gabbert, Founder & CEO | Seattle, WA

SET Creative | Sabina Teshler, Owner & CEO | Portland, OR

SmartRG | Jeff McInnis, President & CEO | Vancouver, WA

Smartsheet | Mark Mader, President & CEO | Bellevue, WA

Treehouse | Ryan Carson, Co-Founder & CEO | Portland, OR

Trupanion | Darryl Rawlings, CEO | Seattle, WA

TUNE | Lucas Brown, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer; Lee Brown, Co-Founder & Chief Architect | Seattle, WA

ZoomCare | Dave Sanders, M.D., CEO | Hillsboro, OR

Now in its 29th year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 145 cities in 60 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year national program.  Award winners in several national categories, as well as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall National Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 14, 2015. The US Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monaco, June 2016. Additionally, venture-backed companies that win an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award regionally are also eligible for the Venture Capital Award of Excellence at the national level. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors
Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored nationally by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America.  In the Pacific Northwest, sponsors also include Merrill Datasite, Union Bank and Scherzer International.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

About EY’s Strategic Growth Markets practice
EY’s Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practice guides leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets, or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, an EY member firm serving clients in the US.

FORD/AAA Student Auto Skills State Competition Creates Opportunities for Automotive Technicians at Bellevue High School

Top high school automotive technicians will challenge their technical skills and stretch their innovative minds at the Washington Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills State competition on Tuesday, April 28. Twenty high school students from across Washington, including two students from Bellevue High School, will compete for thousands of dollars’ worth of scholarships and a chance to advance to the National Finals. The state competition will be held at Renton Technical College, 3000 NE Fourth Ave., Automotive Quad (building K), from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28. Awards ceremony directly following.

The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition is targeted to support students looking to jumpstart a career as an automotive service technician. A total of 21 schools and 364 students took the online exam in Washington state this year. Of those, only 20 students qualified to advance to the state finals, representing the top five percent of all students who took the test. On a national scale, a total of 13,753 students registered for the online state qualifying exam.

Each two-student team in the State Finals will compete against each other and the clock to diagnose and repair a deliberately “bugged” 2015 Ford Fiesta SE vehicle. Top ranked schools that qualified to compete in this year’s Washington state finals include:

• Bellevue High School - Pete Mccue, Automotive Instructor


• Clark County Skills Center - Justin Flick, Automotive Instructor


• Decatur High School - Tim Kelly, Automotive Instructor


• Kentridge High School - George Sichting, Automotive Instructor


• Marysville-Pilchuck High School - Chuck Nichols, Automotive Instructor


• New Market Vocational Skills Center - Mark Emmons, Automotive Instructor


• North Thurston High School - Brian Stretch, Automotive Instructor


• Puyallup Senior High School - Larry Turner, Automotive Instructor


• Sno-Isle Technology Skills Center - Gary Holboy, Automotive Instructor


• Tri-Tech Skills Center - Larry Brookes, Automotive Instructor

Qualifying teams were selected based on their scores in the online exam which tests overall automotive knowledge. The team with the highest combined score from the hands-on competition and written exam will win the state competition.

The winning two-student team will advance to represent Washington state at the national finals at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., June 7-9, 2015. At the national finals, champions from each state will vie for millions of dollars in scholarships, automotive equipment and a trip to the Wood Brothers Racing facility where the students and instructor will work on race cars and learn from top automotive engineers.

Both the national and the state-wide competitions have been organized with the support of AAA and Ford personnel, local automotive instructors and the AAA Approved Auto Repair program, a free public service AAA performs to identify quality repair facilities throughout the country. For additional details on 2015 State Hands-On Competition locations and dates, visit AutoSkills.AAA.com.

 

About Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills

The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills is a nationwide automotive technology competition that offers millions of dollars in scholarships and prizes to high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers as automotive service technicians. Nearly 13,000 students from across the U.S. compete for the chance to represent their school and state in the National Finals. The competition tests students’ automotive knowledge, workmanship and problem-solving abilities. For additional information on the competition, visithttp://autoskills.aaa.com/

Michelle Leroux Hired as Director of Public Relations at Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Michelle Leroux, Whistler local for over ten years, joins Fairmont from Whistler Blackcomb, the No. 1 ranked resort in the world, where she managed teams for Public Relations, Communications and Social Media.

Leroux’s experience as a public relations professional within the sport, tourism and destination travel industry spans almost thirteen years. Three of those years were spent as a consultant where Leroux represented a wide variety of clients including luxury hotel, spa and major sporting events in the media relations and social media realms.

Now at the helm of Public Relations for the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Leroux will work to leverage the strong media relationships she has made through her career, and develop new connections and partnerships, to ensure North America’s largest ski in, ski out hotel is known as Whistler’s preeminent luxury hotel. With a passion for community and environment, Leroux is excited to bring her brand of story telling, engagement and awareness building to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Leroux earned her Bachelor of Communications, with a specialty in Public Relations, from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta.

Navy Petty Officer Frederick Santos, from Auburn Helps Rescue Fishermen in Philippine Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bobby Northnagle

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea – Sailors stationed on board the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) rendered assistance to a fishing vessel suffering from mechanical difficulties March 25.

Five Filipino nationals had been fishing at sea when their boat’s motor stalled out, and the vessel was taken out by the current, leaving them adrift for three days with no food.

Blue Ridge watchstanders initially could only make out a small boat and a flag, but once the ship was within three nautical miles of the vessel, they noticed it didn’t appear to be moving and several men were inside.

“We thought it was strange to see something in the water, so we slowed down to get a better look,” said Ensign John Li, Blue Ridge officer of the deck during the response. “As we began looking for signs of distress, we noticed someone was waving a white T-shirt, while someone else was waving a flashlight.”

“I could see them jumping up and down trying to get our attention,” said Hospitalman Cassandra Spain, a bystander. “Their boat was being tossed around like a little toy due to the sea state.”

Responding to the men’s need of immediate assistance, Blue Ridge deployed a boarding team via rigid-hulled inflatable boat for a rescue and safely brought the five men on board the ship.

Once on board, Blue Ridge’s medical crew provided basic first aid, showers and a change of clothes. The men were found to be suffering from hypothermia and malnourishment among other ailments.

“These are situations Navy medical professionals are trained for,” said Blue Ridge Medical Officer Lt. Cmdr. Omar Saeed. “Luckily, we were there at the right place and the right time to save a life.”

------------------------

"Why Being There Matters"

On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world's oceans give the Navy the power to protect America's interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world's oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America's finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.

Patent Agreement Announced by Microsoft and Fuji Xerox

It's really great to see such great partnerships between high-tech leaders. It will be very interesting to see what types of technological advancements will come from this.

Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd. and Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC announced on Thursday a broad patent cross-licensing agreement. Building on a 2007 cross-licensing agreement, today’s agreement ensures that Microsoft and Fuji Xerox continue to benefit from access to each other’s substantial and valuable patent portfolios and accelerate research and development.

“Today’s agreement demonstrates the power of patent licensing to stimulate engagement and innovation,” said Nick Psyhogeos, vice president and executive director of Microsoft Technology Licensing. “This expanded deal between our companies demonstrates that the opportunities for collaboration across our mutual technologies and intellectual property assets continue to grow. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Fuji Xerox in the years ahead.”

This agreement covers a broad range of products and services offered by Microsoft and Fuji Xerox, including digital imaging, document management and mobile consumer products. Microsoft and Fuji Xerox have a long history of working together to bring high-quality, cutting-edge products to consumers. Contents of the agreement will not be disclosed.

“We are pleased to continue our mutually beneficial patent agreement that respects each company’s innovations and intellectual property, encourages greater interoperability, and provides valuable protections for consumers,” said Yasuaki Onishi, corporate vice president of Fuji Xerox.

Microsoft’s commitment to licensing IP

The patent agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant technology ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 1,100 licensing agreements. More information about Microsoft Technology Licensing’s programs is available athttp://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing.

About Fuji Xerox

Founded in 1962, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. is in the Document Services & Communications field, offering solutions and services to help customers resolve their business challenges. Underlying their solutions and services are their world-class office multi-function devices, printers and production printers that we develop and manufacture for worldwide distribution. Together with cloud and mobile solutions, Fuji Xerox builds a communications environment that enable their customers to access the right information, at the right time, and in the right form — thereby contributing to their valuable communications.

Fuji Xerox is a 75-25 joint venture between FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation and Xerox Corporation, and its direct sales force covers Japan and the Asia-Pacific region including China. We employ approximately 45,000 people globally, with more than 80 domestic and overseas affiliates / sales subsidiaries. http://www.fujixerox.com/

About Microsoft Technology Licensing

Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC was formed in 2014 to acquire, manage and license Microsoft’s patent portfolio.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue to Hold Grand Opening Celebration for New Fieldhouse at Hidden Valley Sports Park

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue will host a public ceremony celebrating the Grand Opening of their Foster Family Foundation Branch – the Fieldhouse at Hidden Valley Sports Park. The event will take place on Saturday, March 28^th from 10am-11am at Hidden Valley Fieldhouse, located at 1903 112^th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. The public is invited to join as they celebrate this exciting milestone for our community!

The new Fieldhouse at Hidden Valley Park is a unique partnership with the City of Bellevue that will provide recreational facilities for thousands of youth and their families on the Eastside. This 27,000 sq. ft facility has three courts, classroom space and a concession stand that will serve both the indoor courts and outdoor sports fields. Hidden Valley Fieldhouse is now open for programming and will house BGCB’s Spring Sports programs for ages 5-18 starting in April. Spring programs include volleyball, soccer, basketball and Spring Break Sports camps. Registration is online at www.bgcbellevue.org.

In 2012, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue launched a community-wide campaign to open more doors for more kids – helping to meet the needs of a growing Bellevue and strengthen the fabric of our community. Through this campaign, the goal is to expand our capacity to serve over 70% more youth by increasing their programmable space by 80% throughout the city. The Hidden Valley Fieldhouse is the second capital project to open since then, the first being “The Club” Teen Center in East Bellevue. We hope to break ground on the third and final project – our Main Clubhouse in downtown Bellevue, this year.

Since 1952, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue (BGCB) has been in the forefront of youth development; targeting services to young people from disadvantaged economic, social and family circumstances. In 2014, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue served more than 14,000 members and their families, providing a safe, fun place that encourages kids to choose healthy lifestyles, get involved with their communities and achieve academic success. By inspiring our youth to make constructive life choices, they strive to help them realize their full potential. The Club upholds a policy that no child will be turned away because of an ability to pay, and in the past year the BGCB has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships to families in need. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, visit www.bgcbellevue.org.

Give Rides to Change Lives! Volunteers Needed!

[caption id="attachment_9918" align="alignright" width="300"] Geraldine Mensink and Linda Bauer are all smiles as they head off for a ride on a sunny day.[/caption]

87-year-old Geraldine Mensink does not know what she’d do without Volunteer Transportation.  When she decided it was time to give up her keys two years ago, the program saved her from feeling helpless and stuck.  She uses the service regularly to get to appointments and says, “I love all of the volunteer drivers!  They are wonderful.”

Since 1975, Senior Services’ Volunteer Transportation drivers have accumulated “miles and miles” of positive impact throughout King County.  Using their own vehicles, volunteers pick seniors up, take them to their doctors and drive them home again—offering valuable transportation with a personal touch.  Clients of the program often refer to them as their “heroes,” “guardian angels” or “life-savers.”  In a very tangible way, volunteer drivers make a difference in the lives of vulnerable members of our community.

Volunteer Transportation currently faces the grim reality that it cannot serve all seniors in need of rides to important medical care.  More volunteer drivers are needed!  If you have a reliable vehicle, a clean driving record and some weekday availability, this is the role for you.  Visit the program’s blog to read more of its stories; contact Hilary at (206) 748-7588 or hilaryc@seniorservices.org to find out more; or fill out an online volunteer driver application to sign-up.  Help more seniors like Geraldine get “on the road” to improved health and peace of mind!

Sue Lundquist and Her AwesomeSOXX to Represent Eastside at Oscars

Congratulations goes to Eastsider Sue Lundquist, whose AwesomeSOXX have been chosen to be part of swag bags at the Oscars after parties this year!!

According to a post on her blog, Lundquist plans to wear a pair of her inspirational socks on the red carpet while donning an evening gown for the night's events.  If all goes right, by the end of the night, she will have some A List celebs sporting AwesomeSOXX too!

Congratulations Sue!

Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich is Full of Timeless Lessons

“Thoughts are things” is the title and the first words of the first chapter of the book.

When I first read those words, I didn’t really understand what they meant – even when I read the first chapter and the examples offered in Napoleon Hill’s classic Think and Grow Rich. It didn’t resonate until I got to the end of the chapter and read, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, and believe, it can achieve.” Then I started to get it. That was 1972.

By coincidence, it was only a few days later that I heard the late, great Earl Nightingale say, “You become what you think about.” At that moment, I got it. It clicked. And it has clicked ever since then.

More reading and studying about thinking and the thought process revealed that neither Hill nor Nightingale had the original thought.

From Socrates to Samuel Smiles, to Orison Swett Marden, to Elbert Hubbard, to Dale Carnegie, to Napoleon Hill, to Earl Nightingale, to Jim Rohn – they all had their own way of saying THE SAME thing.

Your thinking becomes your actions. And it’s those dedicated, well-planned, and directed actions that lead to your outcomes. Your reality. Better stated, your success.

All of these legendary scholars can’t be wrong.

All of them told me in their writings – the same way I’m telling you – that positive thought leads to positive actions and positive results, if the aim and the purpose are passionately believed.

Orison Swett Marden’s book, He Who Thinks He Can, written in 1908, says it in the title. It’s plain as day right on the cover of his book. It was Marden, by the way, that FOUNDED Success Magazine in 1888.

Hill’s title THINK and GROW RICH tells you first you gotta THINK! Your thinking will affect your BELIEF, your belief will help you create your MAJOR PURPOSE, your major purpose will clarify your DIRECTED ACTIONS, and your actions, combined with your DESIRE, your DEDICATION, and your DETERMINATION will determine your WEALTH. First THINK, then GROW RICH.

Got it? Sure you do. Getting it, that’s the easy part. First you get it, you understand it THEN you agree with it. Easy so far. THEN the harder part, you have to believe you can do it. You have to THINK YOU CAN. Finally, the HARDEST part is you have to be willing to TAKE ACTION! Do it! That’s chapter one. Read it lately?

The rest of Think and Grow Rich contains the ideas, the definitions, and the clarifications that provide the ANSWERS. Hill describes it as the roadmap to riches. I’m telling you, it’s the most important success thinking you’ll ever be exposed to – as long as you repeat it until it becomes your reality.

But I have to stop here and clarify the book. Think and Grow Rich, and Hill’s writing, is not written in today’s language. There are no references to computers, email, the web, Facebook, social media, credit cards, or even television. Because none of those things existed when Hill penned this classic self-help book. Yet somehow the book has managed to sell more than 100 MILLION copies over the past seven decades.

To receive all the wealth in the book, you have to get over the fact Think and Grow Rich was written 70 years ago. As a country, we were fresh out of the Depression and the stock market crash of 1929. World War II was in full swing, the mood of the country was nervous, and Napoleon Hill – and his colleague Dale Carnegie – were screaming, “Make friends, be positive, believe in yourself, be influential, develop a goal and a plan, articulate yourself clearly, dedicate yourself to excellence, take directed action, and encourage others to do the same.” Pretty cool, eh?

These books aren’t 70 years old, rather they were 70 years ahead of their time. Maybe that’s why Hill’s Think and Grow Rich and Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People have been on bestseller lists for 70 years.

The first chapter ends the same way it began. With one sentence of immortal wisdom. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, and believe, it can achieve.”

I’m sharing this information today in the hopes you will read or re-read this timeless classic. Rededicate yourself to YOUR best thinking (first), so you can do your best for others (second).

That’s the secret! Please tell everyone.

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of twelve best-selling books including The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling and 21.5 Unbreakable Laws of Selling. His books are now available as online courses at www.GitomerVT.com. For information about training and seminars visit www.Gitomer.com or www.GitomerCertifiedAdvisors.com, or email Jeffrey personally at salesman@gitomer.com.

© 2015 All Rights Reserved - Don't even think about reproducing this document without
written permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer, Inc • 704/333-1112

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Eye specialist Dr. Robert Abel Jr. says proper nutrition can treat and reverse common vision problems

For 40 years, Dr. Robert Abel Jr. has dedicated his professional life as an ophthalmologist to preserving vision. As a founding partner in a large eye care practice in Delaware, he operates on four hundred cataract patients a year, but he treats six times that number without surgery.

"We know that specific foods and nutritional supplements have value in treating specific diseases, and we also now know there are also certain foods and supplements that specifically encourage eye health," says Dr. Abel, author of the book, "The Eye Care Revolution."

Dr. Abel says by using an understanding of nutritional chemistry and other means it is possible to control or eliminate many of the factors that contribute to the development of serious eye diseases:

• Controlled clinical studies show that the risk of developing cataracts can be decreased by more than half by eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, as well as the antioxidants vitamin A, E, lutein, and glutathione boosters.


• The risk of developing glaucoma can be lowered by consuming high levels of vitamins C, Omega 3, and B12. Also rhythmic breathing and avoiding blood pressure medications in the evenings.


• The risk of developing macular degeneration can be reduced by maintaining high levels of vitamins A, D, E, the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein, DHA, and the amino acid taurine (found in egg whites).


• Diabetic retinopathy can be delayed or prevented by consuming vitamin C along with alpha lipoic acid, Quercetin, and other bioflavonoids.

What is the ideal dietary regimen for someone concerned about preserving or improving eye health? In his book, "The Eye Care Revolution," Dr. Abel lists the Top Ten Foods for Sight:

1. Cold water fish (sardines, cod, mackerel, tuna) are an excellent source of DHA, which provides structural support to cell membranes and is recommended for dry eyes, macular degeneration, and sight preservation.


2. Spinach, kale, and green leafy vegetables are rich in carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein protects the macula from sun damage and from blue light.


3. Eggs are rich in cysteine, sulfur, lecithin, amino acids, and lutein. Sulfur-containing compounds protect the lens of the eye from cataract formation.


4. Garlic, onions, shallots, and capers are also rich in sulfur, which is necessary for the production of glutathione, an important antioxidant for the lens of the eye.


5. Non-GMO soy, low in fat and rich in protein, contains essential fatty acids, phytoestrogens, vitamin E, and natural anti-inflammatory agents.


6. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene. Yellow and orange vegetables, like carrots and squash, are important for daytime vision.


7. Blueberries and grapes contain anthocyanins, which improve night vision. A cup full of blueberries, huckleberry jam, or a 100 mg bilberry supplement should improve dark adaptation within 30 minutes.


8. Wine, known to have a cardio-protective effect, has many important nutrients, which protect the heart, vision, and blood flow.


9. Nuts and berries are nature's most concentrated food sources. Grains, such as flaxseed, are high in the beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol and stabilize cell membranes.


10. Extra-virgin olive oil, is a healthy alternative to butter and margarine.

Dr. Abel says to maintain eye health, drink six eight-ounce glasses of filtered water every day to keep properly hydrated, as water helps create the fluid in our eyes.

New Dietary Supplement for Eye Health:  Eye Complex CS (Clinical Strength)

"While we should depend primarily on whole foods to meet our nutritional needs, we should use vitamins and supplements as an insurance policy," says Dr. Abel.

For eye health, Dr. Abel has formulated a special multivitamin, Eye Complex CS, which contains important nutrients supportive of the retina and having a protective effect on the lens:

Vitamin C       250 mg    N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 50 mg    Selenium         .05 mg
L-Glutathione  2.5 mg    Alpha Lipoic Acid         25 mg    Vitamin E        100  IU
Lutein           10 mg    Zinc                7.5 mg    Bilberry            40 mg
Zeaxanthin      0.5 mg    Taurine             50 mg          Riboflavin B-2  15 mg
Vitamin B-6      10 mg    Vitamin B-12            0.1 mg    Rutin              100 mg
Grape Seed Ex 25 mg    Citrus Bioflavonoids        100 mg         Chromium      .05 mg
Ginkgo biloba  20 mg        Beta Carotene            10,000 IU     Eye Bright      100 mg
CoQ10      10 mg        Green Tea Ex             50 mg

ABOUT DR. ROBERT ABEL, JR., MD (www.eyecomplexcs.com)

Dr. Abel earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in 1969, completed his ophthalmology residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital and was a Cornea Fellow at the University of Florida. A board certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Abel is on the staff of the Christiana Care Health System. He is a former Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University. He founded and has been Medical Director of the Medical Eye Bank of Delaware since 1981. He teaches locally and internationally on numerous subjects, including cornea, cataract and nutrition. He instructs the Cornea Microsurgery Workshops at the Academy of Ophthalmology meetings annually and has been on the Academy's Committee of International Ophthalmology.

Dr. Abel has done active research on corneal transplants, corneal pathology, contact lenses and drugs as they relate to the eye. He holds two patents on artificial corneas and has received the AAO Honor Award and the Senior Honor Award. Dr. Abel is the author of the popular new book, "The Eye Care Revolution," which teaches patients how to treat and reverse common vision problems, and he has written eight other books. Other information concerning eye care can also be found on his website, EyeAdvisory.com.  He was also voted "TOP DOC" by Delaware Today Magazine.  In his spare time, he practices Tai-Chi, and studies alternative medicine systems.

Covenant Shores' Jim Brockmeyer Receives $1,000 Scholarship from LeadingAge Washington

Recently, Covenant Shores Fitness Coordinator/Director of Wellness Jim Brockmeyer of Bothell was one of nine to receive the LeadingAge Washington’s 2014 Scholarship Award.

Established in 2006, the senior living industry scholarship program recognizes and encourages long term care workers to continue their education, and gain knowledge and the experience necessary to improve the quality of care and life of seniors in residential communities. The scholarship is awarded to professionals who serve seniors in various fields including nursing, mental health, social services, dining, administrative and fitness.

“I am grateful and honored to be selected as one of the LeadingAge Washington scholarship winners,” states Brockmeyer. “With this scholarship, I’ll be able to continue my education, and help affect change in preventive health care and health maintenance programs for current and future senior populations.”

“Jim is very passionate and dedicated to assisting area seniors maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. We are fortunate to have him part of our Covenant Shores family,” says Bruce Erickson, executive director at Covenant Shores. “We are all excited for him, and look forward to assisting him further with his professional development and education.”

As the Fitness Coordinator/Director of Wellness at Covenant Shores, a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, Brockmeyer is responsible for comprehensive health and fitness screening, programming and education for residents in all levels of care as well as employee health and fitness. He is a graduate of Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. and University of Washington in Seattle.

Brockmeyer is currently enrolled in the Healthcare Management, Gerontology option master’s program at Marylhurst University in Marylhurst, Ore. He is a certified Health Fitness Specialist and Health Fitness Director with the American College of Sports Medicine. Brockmeyer also holds a certificate in Gerontology from the University of Washington.

About Covenant Shores

Covenant Shores, a faith-based, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community, is located at 9150 Fortuna Drive, Mercer Island, Wash. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. Covenant Retirement Communities serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Covenant Shores, call 877–385-8613 or visit

www.covenantshores.org.

Agilysys Donates Movie Tickets to Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Agilysys, Inc. a provider of innovative information technology and hospitality software and services, is donating 500 AMC movie tickets to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in conjunction with its rGuest ™ 'World Premiere' product launch, held during HITEC 2014 in Los Angeles.

Each time a HITEC attendee visited the Agilysys booth and viewed the rGuest demo, a movie ticket donation was made. The tickets will be distributed among Boys & Girls Clubs located in most of the U.S. locations where Agilysys maintains an office — Atlanta; Bellevue, Wash.; Las Vegas; and Santa Barbara, Calif.

"We are grateful to Agilysys for giving our kids a fun and memorable experience," said Carolyn Brown, executive director of Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara. "More than 60 percent of our members live at or below the poverty level, so it's a treat for them to see a movie in a real theater."

In the Las Vegas area, the movie tickets will be given to teen club members who helped raise approximately $20,000 for the organization by selling fireworks the week prior to the Fourth of July. "These dedicated young people worked very hard to raise money to help fund field trips, leadership events and programs for the coming year," said Ken Rubeli, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. "A night at the movies will be a great reward for them as well as a way to show our appreciation for their efforts."

"We are pleased to play a role in bringing happiness to some of the kids in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America," said Michael Buckham-White, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Agilysys. "We are especially gratified to work with an organization that does so much to promote the welfare of children and teens in need, giving them a helping hand and enabling them to reach their full potential. Through this donation, we affirm our corporate commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work and encourage our employees to do the same."

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America have enabled young people in need to achieve great futures as productive and responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing fun, friendship, caring adult mentors and high-impact youth development programs that emphasize academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character and citizenship. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is headquartered in Atlanta.

About Agilysys

Agilysys is a developer and marketer of proprietary enterprise software, services and solutions to the hospitality industry.

Peter Diamandis Launches Global Learning X-Prize!

I just got an e-newsletter from Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Planetary Resources, Peter Diamandis and feel the need to share it with our readers:

I'm writing to tell you about the boldest XPRIZE I've ever launched.

...and I want you involved.



There are nearly one billion illiterate people on Earth.

Two-thirds of them are women.

250 million of them are children.

These are kids who can't read, write or do basic math.

And there is a HUGE cost to society here: 250 million minds are going to waste.

We know from hard research that educated populations have lower growth rates, are more peaceful and add to the global economy.

The best way to create a more peaceful and prosperous world is to educate these kids.

But how?

To meet the demand of 250 million illiterate children would requiretraining over 1.6 million new teachers by 2015.

There is NO WAY to teach enough teachers and build enough schools.

The old way just doesn't scale.

It's time to stop thinking linearly...

So here's a solution. It's the MOST important XPRIZE we may ever launch.

It's called the $15M Global Learning XPRIZE.

We are challenging hundreds (perhaps thousands) of teams around the world to build a piece of software that can take a child fromilliteracy to reading, writing and numeracy in just 18 months.

Imagine such software preloaded onto every phone and every tablet.

Imagine software that incorporates A.I. as the facilitator -- providing on-demand, personalized knowledge and learning when and where it is needed.

This isn't designed to replace teachers. It's to create an educational solution where little or none exists.

If there was one tool to create a more peaceful and vibrant world, one tool to empower humanity, this would be it.

I want to URGE you to check out this XPRIZE and get involved.

Do you have kids? Nieces, nephews, younger siblings?

Would you like access to the most powerful learning software ever created for your local elementary school?

If you do, then get involved and get access. Please check it out here.

This may be the most important and bold issue I've ever attempted to tackle.

Join XPRIZE in this mission. Let's Change the World!

All the best,
Peter

Volunteers from Bellevue's Stantec Clean Up Cheasty Greenspace, Local Daycare as Part of Company-Wide Community Service Day

Volunteers from Bellevue design firm Stantec spent hours Monday sprucing up the Woodinville Children’s Center and Seattle’s Cheasty Greenspace  as part of Stantec in the Community Day, a company-wide day of service. The day saw nearly 5,500 Stantec employees around the world giving back to their communities.

“This day of volunteering not only supports our commitment to community, but also brings our team members together to make a coordinated, local impact,” says Stantec president and chief executive officer Bob Gomes. “Our employees have been serving their communities for decades, but bringing them together on one day like this just emphasizes what a difference we can make.”

Volunteers spent hours clearing invasive species, weeding, and other improvements at Cheasty Greenspace, a 43-acre woodland habitat in South Seattle. The Woodinville team spent time painting and sprucing up the Woodinville Children’s Center, a nonprofit daycare and child development center.

“It is a privilege for us to be able to support the wonderful resources we have in this area, like Cheasty and the children’s center,” says Stantec’s Bill Holladay. “And knowing that Stantec colleagues across the globe were doing the same thing in their communities inspires us even more.”

This is the second year the company has hosted a community service day. Some other examples of Stantec in the Community Day events around the world include:

• In New York City, volunteers stripped and repainted a 140-year-old wrought-iron fence that surrounds Christopher Park in Greenwich Village.


• In Sarasota, Florida, employees planted wildflower seeds to help replenish the struggling wildflower ecology.


• In Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Stantec team painted a mural in the downtown that showcases the community.


• In Vancouver, BC, volunteers will be serving as the “sherpas” who accompany people with limited mobility to experience hiking trails.

Learn About the Many Benefits of Driving Electric

Driving Electric is more fun, more convenient, and less expensive than driving a gas car. Find out more at the largest ever gathering of electric vehicles in the Pacific Northwest at Issaquah's world-famous XXX Root Beer Drive-In.

It's Official! Governor Jay Inslee has declared that September 15-21 is Drive Electric Week for the State of Washington and Mayor Fred Butler has declared September 15-21 to be Drive Electric Week for the City of Issaquah.

Learn about what it's like to drive a plug-in electric vehicle from real owners. We'll have owners on hand ready to answer your questions about the real-world experience driving all the popular plug-in vehicles from Tesla Motors, Nissan, Chevy, Ford and the brand new BMW i3, plus electric motorcycles from Zero and Brammo. We'll also have some rare production electric vehicles that were only sold in California as well as custom cars built by the 30-year-old community of Seattle-area electric conversion enthusiasts.

Show Schedule

7:30 - 9 am	Setup and vehicle load in
9:00 am	Show open to the public
noon	Special Guest Speakers: Charles Knutson of Governor Jay Inslee's Office, Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler, King County Council Chair Larry Phillips, State Representative Chad Magendanz, Plug-In America's Chief Science Officer Tom Saxton and Seattle Electric Vehicle Association President Stephen Johnsen
3:00 pm	Show ends, load out

Registration is FREE If you want to show your plug-in electric vehicle register now. Space is filling up!