Celebrity Poker Tournament At Playboy Mansion

Celebrities, Playmates and poker – that’s definitely a winning combination for charities these days and what participants will find at the Second Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino Night at the Playboy Mansion.

Kim Kardashian together with her sisters Kourtney and Khloe are hosting this spectacular celebrity poker tournament! There will be a special surprises and musical performances that will surely blow you away!! With special participation of 11th time World Series Of Poker champion Phil Hellmuth.

This charitable poker event offers a night of partying on the grounds of the legendary playboy mansion mixing and mingling with dozens of beautiful playboy playmates, bunnies & models, celebrities and professional athletes.

The highlights include 5-star gourmet food from the master-chefs in the playboy mansion kitchen and unlimited premium liquor flowing from several bars and vip cabanas. join us as the participants test their skills alongside the celebrities in the texas hold‘em poker tournament all while supporting a worthy cause.

Win your share of over $50,000.00 in prizes – including: the grand prize package of the ultimate vegas fantasy getaway – a super luxury fantasy vegas vacation total value of the package exceeds $25,000 VIP foursome at golf gone wild golf tournament featuring 150 nude body painted models high roller suite for four days & three nights limo transportation helicopter tour of vegas strip and grand canyon skydiving trip $2500 in casino chips $1000 food/beverage/spa credit vip passes to hottest nightspots airfare to las vegas vip ticket to 2010 aces & angels at the playboy mansion second through eight (all final table participants) will receive prizes celebrities scheduled to appear – and more being added daily!

The proceeds from this important fund raising event benefit very worthy 501(c)(3) non profit organizations. including the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association’s Widows, Orphans and Injured Firefighters Fund, The Los Angeles County Firemen’s Benefit and Welfare Association, The Orange County Professional Firefighters Association’s Fallen Firemen’s Fund, and The Sunshine Kids Foundation which assists children who are hospitalized with cancer.

TICKETS

Choose and grab a ticket now:

VIP TICKETS

For only $2,500 and includes VIP Transportation to Playboy Mansion, Red Carpet Entry to Playboy Mansion Celebrity Gala, Access to Playboy Mansion Grounds, Pool and World Famous Grotto, Five Star Gourmet Dinner, Unlimited Premium Liquor, Pass to Pre-Event VIP Cocktail Reception with the Playmates & Celebrities, Playmate Guided Tour of the Grounds, Access to VIP Cabana Area, One Entry into Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino Night Games, and VIP Gift Bag’.

CELEBRITY TICKETS

For only $1,500 and includes Transportation to Playboy Mansion, Entry to Playboy Mansion Celebrity Gala, Access to Playboy Mansion Grounds, Pool and World Famous Grotto, Five Star Gourmet Dinner, Unlimited Premium Liquor, Entry into Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino Night Games, Gift Bag.

60 Lucky Tickets for the HIGH ROLLER VIP TICKETS

Includes a FREE custom Playboy Poker Table Autographed By the Playmates and Celebrities!!

Also includes a VIP Transportation to Playboy Mansion, Red Carpet Entry to Playboy Mansion Celebrity Gala, Access to Playboy Mansion Grounds, Pool & World Famous Grotto, Five Star Gourmet Dinner, Unlimited Premium Liquor, Pass to Pre-Event VIP Cocktail Reception with the Playmates, Bunnies & Celebrities, Playmate Guided Tour of the Grounds, Access to VIP Cabana Area, One Entry into Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino Night Games, High Roller Gift Bag.

CASINO NIGHT TICKETS

For $1,000 your ticket includes Transportation to Playboy Mansion, Entry to Playboy Mansion Celebrity Gala, Access to Playboy Mansion Grounds, Pool & World Famous Grotto, Five Star Gourmet Dinner, Unlimited Premium Liquor, Casino Night Games, Gift Bag (does not include entry into Celebrity Poker Tournament).

CELBRITIES CONFIRMED IN THE PLAYBOY MANSION POKER EVENT:

KIM KARDASHIAN - HOST

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN – HOST

KHLOE KARDASHIAN – HOST

KRIS KARDASHIAN - HOST

Phil Hellmuth – Poker Superstar

Jayde Nicole – 2008 Playmate of the Year

Mo Collins – Comic from MadTV

Pamela Adlon - Marcy on Californication

The Ikki Twins – Playboy & MTV’s Double Shot at Love

Jamie Gold – 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion

DJ Tamara Sky- Playboy Playmate

Bruce Jenner – US Olympic Gold Medalist

Gavin Smith – Poker Star

Don Felder – Guitar Player – The Eagles

Ryan Cabrera – Recording Artist

David Williams – Runner Up 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event

Shannon Elizabeth – American Pie – Dancing with the Stars – Playboy

Sara Jean Underwood – Playmate of the Year 2007

Christina Lindley – Playboy & Maxim – Actress & Poker Pro

Greg Raymer – WSOP Main Event Champion 2004

ANT - Host of Celebrity Fit Club

Tone Loc – Recording Artist

Liv Boeree – 2008 European Ladies Champion

Jerri Manthey – Survivor – Playboy

Ryan Starr – American Idol

Omarossa – The Apprentice

Trishelle Cannatella – Real World Las Vegas

Nenad Medic – Poker Pro

EvelDick Donato – Winner Big Brother 8

Viktoria Foxx - Miss Myspace USA 2007

Lena Yada – WWE Diva

Heather Chadwell – Rock of Love

Jesse Preston - Playboy

Jose Canseco - Oakland A’s

Jay Davis - Dane Cook’s Tourgasm

Jessica Custodio Davis – Actress & Model

Richie Kotzen - Guitar Player – Poison / Mr. Big

Alecko Eskandarian – Professional Soccer Player Chivas USA

Annie Duke – Poker Star & Celebrity Apprentice

Steve Danneman – Runner Up 2005 World Series Main Event

Shana Wall - The Amazing Race

Jim Fox - Los Angels Kings Legend & Announcer

Hal Sparks – Actor

Shanna Moakler – Playboy & Meet the Barkers

Nicole Richie-Madden – The Simple Life

Play and mingle at the Playboy Mansion on Saturday July 11, 2009.

Tickets | VIP Tickets | VIP Cabanas | Sponsorships Available Now. See http://www.wantickets.com/EventDetail.aspx?e_id=57097 for complete sponsorship information and to purchase your tickets. This event will sell out. Get tickets while they are still available.

An Introduction to US Attorney

A US attorney is recognized as a prosecutor and defense lawyer that represents the federal government of US in one of the 93 defined districts. The location of US Attorney is given all through presidential scheduled time. The governing body further corroborates all appointments. Anyhow a US attorney could as well get another schedule time once his or her term has been officially completed.

As a delegate of the administration, a US Attorney is simply apt to be caught up in and act against cases that represent the infringement of central laws. As well, the US Attorney would protect the government in civil suits pending against it. This varies from the task of an US area attorney that prosecutes that blame of breaking state laws.

Typical cases for a US Attorney could comprise cases that involve the trial of those charged of treason or sedition. Additionally the US Attorney may also prosecute a suspect that has broken laws athwart numerous states, as in the case of kidnapping cases, which cross state lines. A US Attorney could as well serve as a spokesperson to persons in the government concerned in civil litigation.

For example, if the Secretary of State were taken legal action, a US Attorney would probable represent him. However, if the President or Vice President Requirements depiction or recommendation, they tend to turn to the US Attorney General, another chosen place and in fact a member of the cabinet.

Most time and again, a US Attorney would have the judgment to sign up and employ supporter lawyers that are generally recognized as Assistant US Attorneys. They might be steered in their choice as to who to employ and with determination groom certain lawyers with alike political standards to take over when their term ends. However, politics is more often than not second place to great competency. Naturally any US Attorney is mainly paying attention in winning prosecution and defense. The place of US Attorney has been held in some shape since 1789, with clearly expanding job and employment opportunities as the United States long drawn out its border and population.

How to Become a Firefighter – the Requirements

If you are serious about becoming a firefighter, it’s important you understand the requirements for this job. Naturally, firefighter requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but, as you will see, there are some commonalities.

First, here are the requirements to become a firefighter in the New York City Fire Department (NYFD).

To apply to take the next New York City Firefighter Exam, you must be between the ages of 17 and a half and 29.

To be hired as a New York City Firefighter

You must:

- Pass both the written and physical exams

- Pass a medical exam and background investigation

- Be at least 21 years of age

- Be a U.S. citizen

- Have at least 15 college semester credits earned as a result of satisfactory completion of course work at a college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education or full time military service with an honorable discharge; or 6 months of full time, satisfactory paid work experience

- Hold a motor vehicle driver’s license valid in New York State

- Be a resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City, or live in Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk or Westchester County

- Be a Certified First Responder with Defibrillation (CFR-D)

The city of Piqua,Ohio firefighter requirements

In comparison, here are the firefighter requirements for a small city

- Take out an application

- Return application along with a copy of your birth certificate, copy of your diploma or equivalent, and a copy of your high school records

- Take a civil service test. (This test will cover general knowledge of all types of subjects and current events.)

- If you place in the top of the group according to how many openings there are, then you move on to the next steps

- Pass a physical fitness – agility test

- Pass a physical exam

- Pass a polygraph and psychological test

- Be interviewed by a board of Fire Officers

- Be interviewed by the City Manager, the Human Resource Director, and the Fire Chief

What do these requirements have in common?

-You must take and pass a physical exam

-You must take some form of written examination

-You must pass a physical agility test

-You must have at least a high school diploma

- You will most certainly have to undergo an oral interview

Which is most important?

Of these requirements, the most important is the written exam because if you do not score highly on it, you will be eliminated as a candidate for a firefighter position.

The written exam

Piqua, OH seems to have the easier exam as it requires only that the applicant pass a civil service.

New York City’s requires the candidate to pass a written exam. In this case, the exam is designed specifically to test firefighter applicants. The biggest majority of municipalities also use a similar test designed specifically for firefighter candidates. These firefighter exams are tough. They typically take three hours or more to complete and consist of 100 of more questions. If you would like to see a sample of this test, I recommend the book Barron’s Firefighter Exams by James J. Murtagh, which includes samples of the NYC Fire Department Exam.

In summary

The short answer to the question of what is required of a firefighter applicant is that you must be in good health, you must pass a tough written exam, you need to have a clean driver’s license, you need to be able to pass an agility test or a test that simulates the skills required to be a firefighter and you will need to do well in an oral interview.

Standing out from the crowd

Getting a job as a firefighter is very, very competitive these days. If you want to stand out as a candidate – and win that coveted badge – you should have some college, especially courses related to firefighting. And it will most likely help if you have EMT or paramedic experience.

California Personal Injury Lawyer’s Top Ten Things You Don’t Want to See on the Road to Avoid a Ca Car Accident

1. A herd of cattle.

 

2. A hundred cars piled up.

 

3. Hundreds of people picking up nickels from a turned over armored car.

 

4. A sobriety check point.

 

5. Your boss when you’re supposed to be at work.

 

6. Your principal when you’re supposed to be at school.

 

7. Your spouse when you said you were out of town.

 

8. Your parents when you said you couldn’t come home for the weekend.

 

9. Your ex with another person.

 

10. Even your dog having a better time than you.

 

Here are ten useful tips of advice from a California personal injury lawyer to follow if you have been in an accident. You can also learn more about how to handle a personal injury in California, or any city in CA, by calling the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson at any of the numbers which can be found on our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learning how we can assist you.

 

Obviously, if you have had an accident, and you are reading all of this advice, it’s probably been at least a few days since the accident. However, if it’s only been a few hours or if you ever have another accident, here’s what you should do the next time from the start.

 

First, take a look around and determine if you or anyone, are hurt. If so, taking steps like trying to prevent further injury or loss of blood are the most important thing you can do. Even if some other driver caused you to be injured, it’s just good manners to help the other driver if they are hurt. They may even be so thankful that they admit their fault to you. The worst thing you can do is get angry or start a fight.

 

Second, make sure everyone is safe from being injured further. If you are in the middle of traffic, and you are dizzy, sit down away from traffic. If your vehicle is a traffic hazard and you have accident warning devices like flares or triangles, put them out on the road to warn other drivers and get away from the car. Let the police an other emergency personnel investigate the scene with the vehicles in place and move them more safely at a later point.

 

Third, call the police. Accident reports are extremely helpful if the police will do such a report. Let the police know you are injured immediately. Answer the police questions honestly. But if you are dazed or confused, let them know you need medical treatment and answer only what you feel sure about. Remember, your statements can and will be used against you if you admit fault, and it will be too late and too fishy to later say you didn’t know what you were saying at the scene. Police know that your best recollection is immediately after an accident.

 

Fourth, get the other driver’s information including their names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, make and model of their vehicles, license plate numbers, and their insurance company name and policy number. If there are witnesses, get their names, addresses and telephone numbers as well. If the other driver makes any admissions of fault, write those down as well.

 

Fifth, if you have a camera on your cell phone or in the car and you aren’t too injured, take some photos of the vehicles and the scene. If you can’t do it right away, do it after you are released from the hospital.

Sixth, if you are hurt, obtain medical treatment. Don’t decline the ambulance or hospital examination to save your insurance company money or to be stoic. Take your valuables out of your car if you can and get checked out at the hospital. If you are not hurt, don’t get treatment you don’t need. However, remember, after an accident, you may feel a rush of adrenaline that causes you to only start feeling symptoms of pain a few hours later. If you have a health plan that requires you to obtain permission first, call them and find out where you are allowed to seek treatment.

 

Seventh, call a good California personal injury lawyer as soon as you have had your initial treatment, so the California attorney can gather other important evidence and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you and obtaining such things as recorded statements that you feel fine, when many of your symptoms have yet to manifest themselves. A good California personal injury lawyer can save you from making a great deal of mistakes and can shoulder much of the hassle of knowing what to do about car repairs, car rentals, medical treatment, witness statements and the like. If you think you will save money by not having a California attorney, think again. A good California personal injury lawyer can almost always obtain much higher settlements, obtain reductions of medical bills and insurance liens and prevent you from making costly mistakes. Also, most California personal injury attorneys advance costs of obtaining police reports, medical records and the like and are paid and reimbursed for these costs only out of any settlement.

 

Eight, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company, but since they will want to take a recorded statement from you, just like any other driver’s insurance company, it’s good advice to retain a California attorney first. And if the other driver did not have insurance, remember that it is your own insurance company that will be your adversary. You will also need to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles and your California lawyer can give you the form for this.

 

Ninth, do not agree to settle your claim privately with the person at fault for the accident. This almost never works out to your advantage. Don’t agree not to call the police. Police reports that determine the fault for an accident are golden. Your agreement to not involve the police only affords an opportunity for the other driver to change his story and blame you when the police will no longer investigate the accident.

 

Tenth, don’t pay a traffic ticket without a fight if you weren’t at fault or agree to accept a small payment for your vehicle repairs without knowing that the amount will in fact cover the cost of all the repairs.

 

If you’ve had a personal injury anywhere in California, in San Diego, Orange County, Palm Springs, Rancho Cucamonga, Santa Barbara, Yorba Linda, Tustin, Lake Forest, Fountain Valley, Rancho Santa Margarita, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Santa Ana, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, or anywhere in Southern CA, we have the knowledge and resources to be your California Personal Injury Lawyer and your CA Personal Injury Attorney. Be sure to hire a California law firm with auto, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, car, bus, train, boat and airplane accident experience, wrongful death experience and insurance law expertise who can ensure you are properly represented and get the compensation you deserve.

 

If you have a personal injury legal matter, a dog bite or if you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learn how we can assist you.

Charge your cell phone using light, courtesy SunCore

SunCore is a little known Irvine, Calif.-based company that’s on the cusp of shipping some potentially revolutionary technology.

Originally posted here:
Charge your cell phone using light, courtesy SunCore

Obscure and Arrest

In March of 2006, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission along with TABC agents and Irving Texas police swept through 36 bars and arrested about 30 people on charges of public intoxication. This was supposed to be a proactive measure to stop drinking and driving. At one location, agents and police arrested patrons at a hotel bar even though some of the suspects said that they were staying at the hotel and had no intention of driving. Arresting authorities said the patrons were a danger to themselves and others. According to the TABC officials, the strategy was aimed at saving lives. Apparently, designated drivers, calling a taxi or walking home now means you can be arrested as a potential drunk driver, even when you don’t have a car.

In July of 2006, a Southern California native was quite inebriated on a Friday evening out with friends and so he decided to walk home rather than take any risks and drive. Thinking he was being responsible since he was only six blocks from his home, he was in for a big surprised when he was stopped while walking by Orange County Police. He was hauled into the station for DIP (drunk in public).

Evidently, walking home after drinking is no longer a safe measure. Even if you call a cab and leave your car, you take the chance of having your car towed away. Once you leave a bar, you run the risk of being arrested for drunk in public. Naturally, there are times when public drunk arrests are appropriate, such as when someone is behaving badly, causing a scene, fighting, throwing things, etc. But if someone is simply walking home and not bothering anyone, why place them under arrest. Your job is to serve and protect, not to obscure the evidence and arrest.

California Homeowners Can Reduce Their Property Taxes

California Homeowners are Being Over-taxed

Due to recent decline in real estate value, California homeowners are paying hundreds or thousands of dollars extra in property taxes. Homes bought between 2004-2007 are most likely to be effected by this problem. If you purchased your home within the last four years, you are probably paying more property taxes than you should, based on your original purchase price. Now’s the time to file an appeal to the Clerk of the Board to reduce your yearly property taxes.

Your Taxes Do Not Automatically Decrease

As property taxes decline, your taxes do not automatically decrease. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to file an assessment appeal to the Clerk of the Board to readjust your yearly taxes accordingly. The deadline to file appeals is usually 30-60 days after you receive your property tax notice from the assessor’s office. Appealing early, ensures that your application is received on time and increases your chances of getting approved for a tax reduction. Although the County Assessor’s Office is promising tax reductions to 128,000 homeowners, greater tax reductions can be granted to homeowners who individually file their own re-assessment appeals to the Clerk of the Board. Here’s why? The County Assessor’s Office only gives a limited tax reduction ranging from $200-$600 becauuse it assesses your property, rather than appraise it. This assessment is based on a national average, but the value of homes in some neighborhoods have declined by more than 50%; homeowners in these neighborhoods should recieve more in tax reductions. If you hire an expert to file the appeals application for you for a reasonable amount of money, this is the best way to go. These experts are real estate appraisers who know how to evaluate and compare the final sales in the immediate neighborhood with an unbiased opinion. I recommend Pacific Coast Securities, an Orange County- based tax reduction company to file the application for you. I’ve searched around and this company is the cheapest, charging only $79 for their services. Visit their website at pcsappeals.com.

The Appeals Process Can Be Difficult

When filing an appeal, the homeowner needs to know a great deal about the current market conditions, the value of his or her property and extensive knowledge of comparable properties. This information serves as evidence that you are being over-taxed. Filing the appeals application on your own can cause your application to be denied and force you to pay higher property taxes than you should. The No.1 reason County Assessors deny appeals applications for re-assessment and summon homeowners to court hearings is because applications not completed by professional real estate appraisers often contain mistakes and inaccurate market information.

You’re Not Alone

Real estate appraisers and attorney can help you file your appeal application to make sure you are approved. However, there are companies that are charging up to 50% of your savings to file the application which can average to as little as $1000. A company that I used this year to reduce my property taxes is Pacific Coast Securities, The Tax Reduction Specialists. They were very affordable and efficient. They only asked for a one time fee of $79 to file the application. I saved about $1300 in property taxes with their company.
 Their website address is http://www.pcsappeals.com

Austin Natural Pools: Hamilton Pool Preserve

One of the most beautiful and unique attractions Austin has is Hamilton Pool Preserve, located just a half an hour out of the city, in the gorgeous Hill Country. The historic swimming area and its surrounding grounds were designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner’s Court in 1990, and this idyllic, untainted spot is like an oasis, offering an accessible get-away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With 232 acres of nature preserve, the emphasis is on preservation of natural habitats, and environmental education, but the crown jewel is the pool and grotto.

Formed from the collapse of an underground river thousands of years ago, and the natural erosion since, Hamilton pool is a classic swimming hole, with the added spectacle of a fifty-foot waterfall. Hamilton Creek causes the spill, over limestone outcroppings, to create the waterfall, streaming down to the pool. One of the nicest naturally occurring benefits of Hamilton pool is that it is covered by a half dome-shaped ledge below the falls, providing cool shade for a refreshing dip. The pool leads into a brook that eventually feeds into the Pedernales River. Although the waterfall can deplete in times of drought, the water level of the pool stays fairly constant, making this a year-round destination in the warm environs of Central Texas. Water quality is gauged, and swimming is permitted only when the water quality meets safety standards. Updated information is posted at the entrance booth and provided on the park’s telephone recorder message (512-264-2740).

Nature lovers will appreciate the lush plant communities, the diversity of wildlife species, and the natural shelter that attracted the area’s first inhabitants over 8,000 years ago. The hike from the parking lot to the pool is about .5-miles round-trip; the hike along the creek from the pool to the river is about .75 miles, or for those who don’t stop to swim, 1.25 miles round-trip from the parking lot. A great variety of birds can be viewed, including the Golden-Cheeked Warbler, and in addition to the juniper and oak savannah, and the variety of native grasses and wildflowers, several rare plant species including canyon mock-orange, red bay, and chatter box orchid have been spotted in the canyon areas along Hamilton Creek.

Because this is a preserve, care must be taken not to disturb the ecosystem unduly, and therefore, no pets are allowed. A maximum of 75 cars are admitted, and should the number of visitors exceed this amount, cars will be held at the gate, and as visitors leave, new ones will be admitted.

Although no camping is allowed, Hamilton Preserve is close enough to make a day trip easy, and offers enough to make return trips essential. Visitors are welcome to participate in nature study, picnicking and hiking their many trails, and groups can inquire about naturalist-led programs on environmental education and nature study.

The Equipment Needed for Martial Arts

If you have decided to try one of the various Martial Arts available, you may be now wondering what you will need to purchase for your first class. Well, each Martial Arts practise is different and so it all basically depends upon which type of Martial Art you have chosen to partake in.

The Clothing and Equipment Needs of Each Martial Art

All forms of Martial Arts require different things and generally the things which you will need for each one include:

* Uniforms

Depending entirely upon the Martial Arts class you have decided to join, usually you will need a uniform. For Karate the uniform consists of a white suit and it comes in two different sizes for both males and females. Firstly there is a children’s white uniform and then there is the adult white uniform. There is no real size difference between the male and the female suits which could be a problem for some.

If you are taking part in Taekwondo then you will be wearing a similar suit to the Karate one only it will have a V-neck and it can come with either a black V-neck or a white V-neck. The trousers are sold separately too so it is a little extra expense. Kung Fu and Tai Chi suits are completely black and again they come in either children’s or Adult’s sizes.

If you are going to be doing Kickboxing or ordinary boxing, then you are going to need boxing gloves. You will also need boxing shorts as well as inner elastic gloves which fit under the boxing gloves to keep your hands protected.

* Protective Wear

As well as a uniform, you may have to invest in some protective wear such as a head guard which will help you to protect your head against attack when you are fighting. It is usually a good idea to ask your instructor beforehand whether protected gear is recommended as not all Martial Arts need protection.

Shin pads and other protective gear can be bought for your own peace of mind too so it all depends upon personal preference as well as if it is an actual requirement with the Martial Art that you have chosen.

Overall each Martial Art is different as stated and you really should contact your instructor before buying any equipment and before your first class. You can usually buy the equipment from the Martial Arts school or failing that there are also plenty of equipment online for you to choose from.

A “safety Net” for Tough Times -

DATELINE:  IRVINE, CA… Every year, infant formula is one of the most shoplifted items throughout the country.  This brings into focus a problem faced by increasing numbers of families with a new baby as the economy tanks.

Parents of new babies who wondered “how am I going to afford this” before their baby arrived, are now losing part or all of their income and/or home. Now what? There’s no real answer for them, other than cutting back and trying to replace the lost income. If they don’t have luck with replacing that income, things can get steadily worse.  With a baby screaming due to hunger and no money to pay for infant formula (which runs $50 per week), the temptation for a father to steal it from the local market is understandable.  Yet, it is not an option.  Dad being arrested for shoplifting will only add to the economic nightmare for a young family. 

According to Greg Bishop, founder of Boot Camp for New Dads, a non-profit orientation program for fathers-to-be, operating in more than 260 hospitals, clinics, schools, fire stations and churches around North America and internationally, and author of two books on fathering, there are alternatives available for feeding baby and family.

Bishop explained, “Every community has a ‘safety net’ for families falling off the economic ladder and they generally give priority to children. Dad will need to learn how to navigate this network, which can be very frustrating, particularly now when there is growing competition for limited resources and each community has a unique arrangement of resources and organizations involved.”

But, assistance is out there.  Boot Camp for New Dads provides some basic guidelines to follow:

·     Look for support early when it becomes apparent you may need it.  There may be waiting lists, or an eligibility period, etc. Connect with the local information and referral system.  Don’t know where to start?  Ask at a church, county welfare, a senior citizen center or food bank.

·     Start with a local food bank to supplement your family’s meal costs.  They can also provide a wealth of information (talk to others in line and staff as well) for anyone accessing the “safety-net” for the first time.

·     Check into your family’s eligibility for food stamps.  The national program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service is now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).  The SNAP program provides families with an electronic card, similar to an ATM card which may be used for groceries.  In general, families with an income of less than $2000 per month for a family of four are eligible.  (Visit www.fns.usda.gov/FSP)

·     Housing is tough due to limited resources.  Homeless shelters can be a temporary fix, but they are not set up for families.  Subsidized housing may be an option that is available to you and your family, but waiting lists are involved, so investigate this option as soon as you know you may need it.

·     You may be eligible for help with your utility bills, especially heating oil.  Check with your local referral system.

·     Temporary income assistance may also be available from your county welfare office.

·     If you lose your health insurance, check out local health clinics for the uninsured for both treatment and information on insurance alternatives (like Medicaid for your child).

·     Look for odd jobs to pay something. 

Bishop continued, “When times are tough, the man who does whatever is necessary, in an honest way, to take care of his family, is a man in its truest sense.”

Tips, Advice, Instructions and more

Greg Bishop offers strategies from more than 200,000 new dads that have gone through the Boot Camp for New Dads program in his second book, Crash Course for New Dads:  Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets.  His first book, Hit the Ground Crawling, covers work balance, being a dad, caring for a new mom and much more.  Both books are available online at www.DadsAdventure.com.

                                                                                                            

New Dads Learn What to Expect at Boot Camp Workshops

Dads-to-be will be better equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of fatherhood after attending a Boot Camp “hands on” educational workshop. Men attend the class when they are expecting their first baby, and are joined in the workshop by “veterans” who had previously attended and have returned with their two to four-month-old baby in tow.  They are able to give the dads-to-be a realistic idea of what to do and what to expect when their first baby comes.  For many men attending, it’s their first time holding a baby.

Boot Camp for New Dads        

Now celebrating their 18th year, Boot Camp for New Dads is nationally acclaimed as the “Best Practice” for preparing men to be fathers and has been named a U.S. Navy Model Program.  Boot Camp for New Dads has prepared more than 200,000 men for fatherhood over the years. 

           

With more than 4.1 million births (National Center for Health Statistics) and approximately 1.5 million men becoming new dads every year, it’s more important than ever for fathers to realize that being a “good provider” is only part of the very central role they have in their children’s lives. 

For more information about Boot Camp for New Dads, visit www.bcnd.org, or to visit Dads Adventure, go to www.DadsAdventure.com.  To arrange an interview with Greg Bishop, please contact sdubin@prworkzone.com, (781) 582-1061.

National and International Locations

Boot Camp For New Dads locations include ALASKA (Anchorage); ARIZONA (Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City); ARKANSAS (Jonesboro, Paragould, Springdale); CALIFORNIA (Apple Valley, Bakersfield, , Fresno, Garden Grove, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Madera, Merced, Mission Hills, , Oakland, Orange, Pomona, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, , S. Lake Tahoe, Travis, Valley Springs); COLORADO (Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins, Fort Carson, Greeley, Longmont, Thornton, Wheat Ridge); CONNECTICUT (Bristol, Danbury, New London); FLORIDA (Brandon, Clearwater, Hollywood, Jacksonville, North Palm Beach, Orlando, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Tampa); GEORGIA (Atlanta, Elberton, Gainesville, Marietta, Savannah); HAWAII (Pearl Harbor, Schofield); ILLINOIS (Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, East St. Louis, Evanston, Freeport, Geneva, Great Lakes, Highland Park, Libertyville, Moline, Oak Park, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana, Winfield); INDIANA (Anderson, Bluffton, Hammond, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kokomo); IOWA (Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Jefferson, Sioux City); KANSAS (Junction City, Topeka); KENTUCKY (Paducah); LOUISIANA (Covington); MAINE (Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Waterville); MARYLAND (Annapolis) MASSACHUSETTS (Beverly, Ipswich, Lowell, Nantucket, Plymouth, Weymouth, Springfield); MICHIGAN (, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Centreville, Iron Mountain, Ithaca, Kalamazoo, Niles, St Joseph, Ypsilanti); MINNESOTA (Brainerd, Duluth, Robbinsdale); MISSISSIPPI (Tupelo); MISSOURI (Jefferson City) MONTANA (Billings, Helena, Miles City); NEBRASKA (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha); NEVADA (Las Vegas) NEW HAMPSHIRE (Manchester, Portsmouth); NEW JERSEY (Princeton) NEW YORK (Glens Falls, Little Falls, Mineola, Rome, Utica); NORTH CAROLINA (Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Concord, Ft. Bragg, Greensboro, Monroe, Raleigh, Shelby); NORTH DAKOTA (Grand Forks); OHIO (Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, East Cleveland, East Liverpool, Garfield Heights, Lima, Lorain, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, Orange Village, Portsmouth, Toledo, Warren, Westlake, Youngstown); OKLAHOMA (Claremore, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); OREGON (Corvalis, McMinnville, Salem, Silverton); SOUTH CAROLINA (Columbia, Pickens, Walhalla); TENNESSEE (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis); TEXAS (Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Hood, Longview, Lubbock, Plano, San Antonio, Texarkana, Waco, Webster); VERMONT (Barre, Brattleboro, Middlebury); VIRGINIA (Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Richmond) WASHINGTON (Everett, Fairchild AFB, Longview, Olympia, Puyallup, Yakima); WEST VIRGINIA (Wheeling); WISCONSIN (Florence, Green Bay, Madison, Oshkosh, Watertown, Wausau); JAPAN (Atsugi, Yokosuka), ITALY (Sicily); UNITED KINGDOM [a.k.a. Hit the Ground Crawling] (Birmingham, Liverpool)

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