On Friday, December 3rd – for one magical, fun-filled night only – Tiburon Holiday Festival 2010 will feature an OUTDOOR ICE SKATING RINK for families, couples, ice skating enthusiasts, and everyone to delight!

So grab your coziest scarf and hat and get ready for a once in a lifetime opportunity to ice skate along the shores of the San Francisco Bay with the most breathtaking backdrop of the twinkling, present-wrapped San Francisco skyline.

The evening’s festivities will include: the traditional Fountain Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm with classic holiday carolers, costumed characters strolling along magical Main Street, wonderful holiday treats, yummy gingerbread house decorating, Winterland Snow Globe Making/Photo Shop for kids, and more!

In addition, the town’s eclectic shops and tasty restaurants will be offering specials to while away the hours. With spectacular views of the SF skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and Angel Island (plus ice skating too), only a Scrooge would dare miss this memorable San Francisco Bay Area holiday event!

See more details below…

When: 12/3/10
Where: downtown Tiburon (from Main St. to end of Historic Upper Ark Row)
Time: 5:30pm
Price: FREE! *(see below for Ice Skating and Gingerbread House fees)
Sponsored by: Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

For more info: call 415-435-5633
hello@shoptiburon.info

ICE SKATING DETAILS:
Where: downtown Tiburon on Main Street/Tiburon Blvd. (by the fountain)
Time: opens to public at 7pm (sessions run every half)
Session Price: $5 per person
Skate Rental Price: $5 per person

Co-Sponsored by: Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Belvedere-Tiburon Recreation Center

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING DETAILS:
Where: Sam’s Ristorante – 9 Main St, Tiburon CA 94920
Time: there will be two seatings – 5pm and 6:30pm  SOLD OUT!
Price: $25 per house
**The houses are already built so kids will be able to do the best part – decorate with all the goodies! All proceeds for the event benefit Kids Believe Achieve, a non-profit created by local kids with the mission of fundraising kid-focused non-profit organizations. Space is limited – reservations highly recommended: hello@shoptiburon.info

VISIT SHOPTIBURON.INFO FOR MORE INFORMATION

Robert James checks out Windows Live Writer to post to TibTV.

AIA has been choosen for two unique and easy fundraising opportunities. Helping out is as simple as a trip to the grocery store.

Mill Valley Market

Angel Island Association has been selected as November’s Non-Profit of the Month!

Any time you shop at Mill Valley Market, year-round, you can mention Angel Island Association and the market will donate to AIA 2% of what you spend, as part of the market’s SHOP & GIVE program. But for the month of November only, AIA will be Mill Valley Market’s SHOP & GIVE Non-Profit of the Month! As Non-Profit of the Month, Angel Island Association will receive 3% of the total amount on your receipts all month long. It’s simple. Shop, tell your checker you support Angel Island Association, and the money goes directly to AIA to fund our important work on behalf of Angel Island State Park. Don’t forget to tell your friends! Remember, Mill Valley Market is a great place to do all your Thanksgiving shopping and, when you do, AIA can give thanks too – to both our generous supporters and to Mill Valley Market!

Mill Valley Market is located in downtown Mill Valley at:

12 Corte Madera Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Whole Foods Market

Angel Island Association has been selected to participate in the Nickels for Non-Profits program!

AIA has also been selected as one of the featured non-profits in the Nickels for Non-Profits program at Whole Foods’ Miller Avenue store. Under this program, Whole Foods gives a 5₵ bag credit to customers who bring their own reusable shopping bags or bulk containers. Shoppers then direct their donations to one of three featured non-profits – and AIA is one of those three! So all you have to do is shop at the Miller Avenue Whole Foods Market early and often, bring your own bags, and choose AIA to receive your donation. This program will run through January 16, 2011, so AIA can take advantage of everyone’s frequent holiday shopping. Make sure and tell your friends. You can feel good about bringing your own bag, and the assistance it will provide to Angel Island Association and Angel Island State Park! AIA appreciates your support and the generous support of Whole Foods Market.

This program is only available at the Miller Avenue Whole Foods Market, located at:

414 Miller Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941

SEE MORE AT ANGEL ISLAND ASSOCIATION

A couple of quick pieces of news:

1. We’ve just launched the ‘beta’ site for our exciting new venture, NewMarU.com, New Marketing University. Please check it out.

2. I’m on a plane this AM to Hong Kong to speak at “Web 3.0 Asia”

Details about both are in our last “Wonderful Web” enewsletter.

Catch ya on the flipside.

SEE MORE AT JON LELAND’S COMBRIDGES

-by Jon Leland, Combridges – Tiburon, CA

As many of you know, I’ve been writing and producing videos about “The Video Web” and the digital video revolution for many years. But, it’s another day; and, I’ve taken another step.

The video embedded below, “Why Online Video is a ‘Must Have’ for Internet Marketing” describes what I believe is the next mission critical level of Internet communications as the importance of video has emerged in broad new ways.

And while you’re while you’re visiting this blog post, please don’t miss the second video embedded below from TED’s curator, Chris Anderson about the global implications of this trend (scroll down).

SEE VIDEO AT JON LELAND’S COMBRIDGES

By way of text summary, the five reasons why video is a “must have” that are illuminated in the short four-minute video above are:

1. The Medium of the Web is Morphing Dramatically and Rapidly
   
2. Video is Now the Web’s Leading Media Type
   (even though in some ways “The Web is Dead”)
   
3. Video Has Become a Viable & Powerful SEO Strategy
4. Business is Basically About Relationship Building and
   What Better Way to Build Relationships Online Than Via Video?
   
5. Video is the Web’s Future. (“Be in it to win it.”)
   

In addition, if I had my way, I would love to make this second video, from TED conference curator Chris Anderson, “How Web Video Powers Global Innovation” required viewing for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.

That’s how important I think video is becoming as a communication medium. Anderson explains dramatic increases in the power, reach and accessibility of online video from a higher level perspective, even comparing online video to the paradigm shift in communications that happened when Gutenberg invented the printing press!

Yes, Chris and I agree, The Coming of The Video Web is THAT important.

Bottom line, there has never been a more powerful or mobile way to communicate either your ideas or the benefits of your products or services. This is combined, of course, with the convergence of broadband internet connection speeds and the proliferation of digital cameras and mobile phones with video capabilities. The cost of doing video has become radically more affordable and accessible.

Call it “The Age of YouTube” if you like. But, more importantly in my opinion, it is time for everybody to recognize that video is now a ‘must have.’ It is no longer an option.

Mission Critical Data Points
If you’re not convinced, you may also want to consider the following:

• One-Third of US Adults Skip Live TV: Report
  56 million Americans have begun skipping live TV in favor of time-shifted viewing and online content. Traditional TV advertising is rapidly losing any remaining effectiveness, thus undermining whatever financial stability still exists in everything but the biggest ticket broadcasts. Much more to come!
• Netflix CEO: We’re a Streaming Company
  66% of Netflix subscribers are using their streaming services vs only 41% a year ago. Even premium entertainment is finding massive acceptance via non-cable, non-broadcast, non-satellite distribution. This ‘toothpaste’ is out of the tube. There’s no putting it back. This trend will only accelerate. Broadcasters beware. Online video producers rev your engines… Stay tuned.

SEE MORE AT JON LELAND’S COMBRIDGES

Santa should be practical this year by filling your stockings with items that take care of your feet. That is what stockings are for, aren’t they? Stockings keep your feet warm and prevent blisters. So why not be healthy and clever with ten unexpected but thoughtful stocking stuffers for your feet!

1.   Start with socks. Your foot padding tends to deteriorate as you age resulting in increased foot pain. Plus, each foot has over 125,000 sweat glands that are activated by emotional stimulation. When barefoot, the moisture dissipates; but in footwear, the moisture has no place to go – resulting in excessive friction. A brand such as Thorlos® with extra-thick cushioning and moisture wicking is a great gift for preventing foot pain and blisters.

2.   Toe warmers are inexpensive and easy to stash away when the temperatures unexpectedly drop. A great place to conveniently place toe warmers is in the glove compartment of a car – just in case of an emergency.

3.   A gift certificate to a local foot specialty store where the staff is trained in biomechanics of feet and knows how to properly fit shoes. Comfort-fit shoes are surprisingly more stylish than ever before. It’s a great way to support your local retailer and your feet!

4.   “Off the charts” foot reflexology session! Do you ever treat yourself to foot reflexology? It reduces stress which, of course, can adversely affect various parts of the human body. Because feet and hands help set the tension level for the rest of the body, reflexology is an easy way to interrupt the stress signal and reset the body’s equilibrium.

5.   Know anyone with a bunion? A bunion splint that reduces bunion pain for a friend or relative can be a thoughtful, unexpected gift. The adjustable hinged splint from Alpha Orthotics®, Bunion Aid®, supports the mid-foot arch and corrects the bunion while walking. Because one size fits most, and can be worn on the left or right foot, this splint is easy to include in a stocking.

6.   And what about a treatment for toenail fungus? Fungus affects about 6-8% of the adult population. Although there are prescription ointments on the market that treat nail fungi, the newest drug-free treatment is a laser-based method. It can be effective after only one visit but may depend on the severity of the toenail fungus.

On the lighter side. . . .

7.   For those who like to pamper their feet, give a pedicure gift certificate to a local nail salon.  Nail art is in, so add a few extra $$ for a toenail bling! Check out some of the nail art for the holidays!

8.   Colorful nail polish – forget the black; go with some opulent and metallic nail polishes such as OPI Burlesque Collection. So easy to drop into a stocking.

9.   Marbles. But why marbles? A great little item to have for exercising your feet. Try picking up marbles with your toes; it’s a great exercise for your feet in preventing hammertoes, ball of foot pain, and toe cramps.

10.  Foot crèmes. There are many wonderful foot crèmes and scrubs that hydrate and exfoliate even the toughest feet. Bliss® Foot Patrol is packed with peppermint; it’s like wrapping your feet in candy cane!

Read more at Alpha Orthotics

Oprah Winfrey recently had a pedicure by Serene Williams, tennis pro turned pedicure pro. Serene was absolutely charming in how she handled Oprah’s feet, by ignoring Oprah’s bunion (or at least not mentioning it on air), while she politely suggested a toe bling.

Toe blings are in, fun, and outrageously creative. So why not be proud of your bunion and treat it with the same fanfare?

So check out this bunion splint!

Bunion Aid®, a bunion splint that really works to relieve bunion pain and realign the big toe, adorned with ‘blings’ so it can be worn around the house in style. So whether you are Oprah, Wendy Williams, Jennifer Aniston, Victoria Beckman or a fan of celebrities, consider the benefits of wearing a stylish splint that corrects bunions while walking around at home.

Read more at Alpha Orthotics

Dr. Mercola of Mercola.com provides a brief but interesting perspective about how “pharmaceutical marketers sell drugs by selling diseases – a system known as ‘disease branding.‘ Illnesses such as panic disorder, restless legs syndrome, bipolar disorder, and ADHD were once considered rare until a marketing campaign transformed the brand in order to sell more drugs.”

Maybe we should consider bunions (Hallux valgus) a disease. Call it HV. Like a disease, a bunion develops over time; sometimes you don’t even see it but the pain is there. Side effects creep up through the body, eventually causing pain and misalignment in places other than just the big toe joint such as the knee, hip and lower back.

So shall we start a new campaign to combat bunions? And then prescribe pharmaceutical drugs? No need for drugs; instead, follow just good ole’ common sense.

The first steps are to be aware of early symptoms of bunions and know how to prevent further development of bunions.

Early signs of a bunion include:

• Movement of the big toe towards the smaller toes
• Bump on the base joint of the big toe
• Deep dull “in the joint” pain
• Pain on top or side of the big toe from shoe pressure.

The eBook, When the Foot Hits the Ground from Toe to Heel, provides a brief summary of foot disorders (including Hallux valgus) and non-pharmaceutical ways to treat them:

• Wear proper-fitting shoes – not too short or small, wide toe boxes, heels shorter than 1 ½”.
• Wear appropriate insole support. For example, overpronation can place excess pressure on the big toe joint. Wear proper adjustable arch support to minimize overpronation.
• Exercise your feet by pointing your toes and doing toe curls, walking in the sand, or picking up towels or marbles with your toes.
• Walk in a flexible hinged bunion splint 30 minutes a day to realign the big toe joint through the range of motion.

So by taking these easy steps, maybe we don’t need to brand Hallux valgus as a disease after all.

Read more at Alpha Orthotics

People say the new fifty is forty, and the new forty is thirty. However, the reverse is true when it comes to feet – the new forty is fifty, the new thirty is forty, and even, the new twenty is thirty!

Foot disorders, such as bunions, hammertoes, and splayfoot are now being seen among much younger people. Causes range from cheaply manufactured shoes with man-made materials and limited sole support to the repetitive foot actions in tight-fitting athletic shoes among children participating in sports, such as soccer.

So what to do?

1.   Increase your awareness of the quality of shoes in materials and support when you purchase a pair. It’s worth the extra dollars to invest in quality shoes.

2.   When participating in sports, do not wear those particular athletic shoes all day. Many athletic shoes such as soccer shoes, football cleats, or golf shoes restrict toe movement and should be worn only during play.

3.   No matter how much social pressure there is to wear fashionable shoes which usually mean pointed toes and high heels, reserve those for when it is really necessary to make an impression – otherwise, wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

4.   And for you teenagers and twenty-somethings . . . wear something other than flip flops all day! Because there is no support in those spongy flat footbeds, overpronation will eventually cause flat foot and excessive internal rotation of the lower leg resulting in pain in the knee, hip and lower back.

Help your feet stay young and healthy. Your feet will be thankful to you later!

Read more at Alpha Orthotics