Susan M. Ayers/Creative Writer With Flair

06/08/2012

Roanoke County, VA - Official Website - Computer Classes

There are some wonderful iPad classes being held at the very reasonable cost of $10 each at County South's Library. Upcoming classes include Vacation Video Editing on Wednesday, June 27 1:30-3:30 and iPad Theatre on Thursday, June 28 that provides the opportunity to learn how to access free and paid services to turn your iPad into an entertainment center with streaming and transferring videos. Some of these as well as other computer classes are also being held at this library and other County libraries.

Computer Classes

05/09/2012

Susan M. Ayers/Creative Writer With Flair's cover photo

03/27/2012

Your premium brand had better be delivering something special , or it's not going to get the business."
- Warren Buffett

03/27/2012

News Articles: Two Tips to Improve Your Writing that You Haven't Heard Before

It stands to reason that a write will if possible write when he or she is the most clearest and focused. Here are two main things to consider.

You will do your best writing during those times when you are at your clearest and most focused. Here are a couple of ideas to help you get there.

03/22/2012

BFF2012 - World Class Business & Etiquette Show

Best Foot Forward (BFF) is scheduled for April 4, 2012 at Hotel Roanoke. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to learn how to better "up your game in business and put your best foot forward."

You are invited to BFF 2012 Best Foot Forward Best Business Practices & World Class Etiquette Conference & Show

03/22/2012

Looking forward to the Meetup 2.0 luncheon at The Plantation at Sunnybrook.

03/09/2012

Busy and productive day! PT this morning. Then attended a business luncheon followed by a two-hour conference call.

03/06/2012

is writing a white paper on changes in consumer lending.

03/03/2012

Working on a press release for a large real estate firm regarding why now is the perfect reason for first-time home buyers to purchase a first home and also, for prospective buyers to purchase the home of their dreams.

03/02/2012

The Social Buzz Lab is at Q99 - WSLQ 99.1 today and Saturday creating some buzz for "Dick and Dave's Care For Kids Radiothon" benefiting Children's Miracle Network ! Tune in to hear amazing miracle stories from children and their families and how your donations help.

02/19/2012

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/how-to-avoid-10-common-conference-mistakes-that-writers-make

Attending writer conferences are beneficial if writers take advantage of all the opportunities available. Writer's Digest asked 10 conference organizers about mistakes that most writers make when attending these conferences. Dan Smith, organizer of the annual Roanoke Regional Writers Conference and Co-Founder and Editor of Valley Business FRONT was one of the organizers queried about this.

02/17/2012

3 steps to a great elevator pitch

It is important to tailor our 30-second elevator speech to the audience that we are addressing.

By Guy R. Powell Has this ever happened to you? You're in an elevator. The CEO of your hottest prospect is also in the elevator and realizes that he recognizes you. He says, "I was

02/14/2012

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/3-reasons-why-some-books-never-sell

Is your book not selling? Here are some reasons to consider.

02/08/2012

"Make each day your masterpiece."
- John Wooden

02/02/2012

CDC Features - February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Unfortunately, most of us know someone with heart disease. This article teaches us about prevention.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Learn about heart disease prevention.

02/02/2012

Listening to "The New Relationship Marketing Webinar," presented by Mari Smith.

02/01/2012

office work funny

Apparently, this guy felt the need to take extreme measures when he just couldn't get a document to print.

pi**ed off office worker

01/30/2012

Listening to a Writer's Digest Webinar about the Corporate Writing field.

01/28/2012

The Roanoke Regional Writers Conference this evening at Hollins University was magnifique. I was delighted to see my beautiful friends Bonnie Cranmer, Janeson Keeley, Mary Ann H. Johnson and Mollie Cox Bryan. Hope I haven't forgotten to mention anyone. And there was also the opportunity to network and make new friends, which is always fun.

Conference Founder Dan Smith may have outdone himself again. I think this year's conference is going to be even better than the last! I am looking forward to attending the workshops tomorrow.

Janeson Keeley and I sat together. She is always such a delight to be around. Photo of Janeson and me was taken courtesy: Dan Smith

01/27/2012

Hollins University: News & Events

Looking forward to the Roanoke Regional Writer's Conference at Hollins University. This conference was founded by Valley Business FRONT Co-Founder and Editor five years ago and somehow gets better every year!!!

Hollins University, Virginia's first chartered women's college, has been providing liberal arts education in a small, private college setting since 1842.

01/19/2012

Listening to live Webinar regarding "What Borrowers Want Now: Tapping into the Mindset of Today's Customers," presented by Monica Orluk, Consumer Lending Strategist, Fiserv and Richard Hunt, President, Consumer Bankers Association. Extremely interesting. Outstanding webinar!!

01/19/2012

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will charge 45 cents for stamps starting on Jan. 22 - a one cent increase.

01/19/2012

AP Opens North Korea Bureau

AP has opened a news bureau in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. AP says it is the first news organization to operate a text and photo bureau with full-time staff in North Korea.

AP's chief Asia photographer David Guttenfelder will help oversee staff in the new bureau, operating in a country famous for restrictions on foreign press.

01/18/2012

McDonald’s To Give Away 9 Million Kids’ Books in Happy Meals - eBookNewser

McDonald's in the UK has replaced the little toys with a book in its Happy Meals until February 7.

McDonald’s To Give Away 9 Million Kids’ Books in Happy Meals

01/14/2012

Obesity Information

According to the American Heart Association, almost one in three (31.7%) U.S. children (23,500,000) ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese and over one-third (33.7% of U. S. adults are obese. Those who are within a normal weight range are less likely to develop serious health problems.

What is obesity? How does obesity affect your heart. Obesity and heart disease. Obesity and cardiovascular disease.

01/10/2012

Welcome | ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Center

A recent study found that the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) has resulted in increased costs and burdens on consumer debtors and the bankruptcy system. And the American Bankruptcy Institute announced in mid-December that personal bankruptcies were on track to approach 1.6 million new cases, the largest number since the law changed.

This year, personal bankruptcies are on track to approach 1.6 million new cases, the largest number since Congress changed the law in 2005.

01/01/2012

CBA Webinars

Looking forward to a webinar scheduled for January 19 about "What Borrowers Want Now: Tapping into the Mindset of Today's Customers." The presenters will be Richard Hunt, President, Consumer Bankers Association and Monica Orluk, Consumer Lending Strategist, Fiserv. Very interesting topic!

January 19, 2012 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET CBA Webinar Series presents: What Borrowers Want Now: Tapping into the Mindset of Today's Customers Sponsored by Fiserv

01/01/2012

10 minutes and counting until 2012...Happy New Year everyone!

12/24/2011

Best Wishes to everyone for a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!

12/24/2011

OCC Reports Q3 Foreclosures Rise 21.1 Percent | Mortgage News | Daily National and State Headlines

The number of new foreclosures increased 21.1 percent during the third quarter.

The performance of first-lien mortgages serviced by large national banks and federal savings association was stable, but delinquencies remained elevated during the third quarter of 2011, according to the quarterly Mortgage Metrics Report released by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC...

12/21/2011

Virginia Health Care Foundation | Drug Discount Cards and Programs

If you or someone you know is having difficulty paying for prescription medications, there are drug discount cards and programs that may be helpful according to Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF).

Are you uninsured? Or, if you have insurance, does it only count medical care and NOT prescription medicines? If so, check out the drug discount cards and programs on the table at the bottom of this page.

12/20/2011

The Lodestar Foundation

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, The Lodestar Foundation has the ability to act quickly, without the constraints of grant cycles. According to Lodestar's website, its grantmaking structure is informal. Instead of using formal grant applications, feedback is provided to prospective grantees that submit proposals consistent with Lodestar's mission. If a determination is made that a proposal fits within the parameters of its mission, the organization works with the applicant to develop a detailed proposal for funding consideration.

These principles form the basis upon which Lodestar’s mission has been developed.For interesting commentary on the relationship between happiness and philanthropy click here.One specific way in which happiness and philanthropy are linked may relate to limiting the lif...

12/18/2011

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has upgraded its holiday forecast, expecting sales to rise 3.8 percent to $469.1 billion.

With just ten days until Christmas, the National Retail Federation has revised its holiday forecast upward, expecting holiday sales to rise 3.8 percent this year to a record $469.1 billion. NRFs initial forecast, announced on October 6, called for anticipated sales growth of 2.8 percent.

12/13/2011

Catvertising

Catvertising. A wave of the near future?

To stay on top of the ever-changing advertising landscape, john st. has opened the world's first cat video division. With production, filming and seeding all...

12/09/2011

Hollins University: News & Events

I just purchased my ticket for the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference to be held January 27-28, 2012 at Hollins University. This will be the third year that I have attended and the conference somehow gets better each year. Founding Director Dan Smith says that the upcoming conference is "probably our strongest and most varied lineup." I'm once again looking forward to learning, networking, meeting new friends and seeing old friends.

Hollins University, Virginia's first chartered women's college, has been providing liberal arts education in a small, private college setting since 1842.