GripFactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog Get a grip on social networking/media/marketing and various other topics of interest. Thu, 07 May 2009 22:24:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 MEDIA ADVISORY: Trust For The National Mall Host Annual Luncheon To Raise $1 Million For Restoration Efforts http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/05/media-advisory-trust-for-the-national-mall-host-annual-luncheon-to-raise-1-million-for-restoration-efforts/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/05/media-advisory-trust-for-the-national-mall-host-annual-luncheon-to-raise-1-million-for-restoration-efforts/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 22:24:38 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/05/media-advisory-trust-for-the-national-mall-host-annual-luncheon-to-raise-1-million-for-restoration-efforts/

 

 

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anna Gohmann

May 7, 2009

agohmann@deweysquare.com

(202) 777-0677 (office)

(202) 207-8086 (cell)

 

TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL HOSTS ANNUAL LUNCHEON,

MORE THAN $1 MILLION RAISED FOR TRUST’S EFFORTS

TO RESTORE THE NATIONAL MALL

 

TRUST EXCEEDS FUNDRAISING GOAL, TOPS LAST YEAR’S TOTAL

 

INTERIOR SECRETARY SALAZAR, HONORARY CHAIR MAYOR FENTY,

600 WASHINGTONIANS PLEDGE CONTINUED SUPPORT

 

Washington, DC – The Trust for the National Mall raised more than $1 million to help fund its efforts to rehabilitate and improve the National Mall at its Annual Luncheon today, far exceeding expectations and outpacing last year’s total of $635,000.  Washingtonians from across the region, including leaders from the cultural, philanthropic, political, and business communities attended the second annual event.

 

“Those who came to the luncheon today are just a small portion of the millions of Americans who are participating in the conversation that the Trust for the National Mall has begun,” said Trust for the National Mall Founding Chairman Chip Akridge.  “We are extraordinarily appreciative of our guests and supporters, and to all Americans who recognize the importance of restoring the National Mall.  Our work has just begun, and I am confident that together we can make the National Mall the greatest park in the world.”

 

The Trust for the National Mall sold over 600 tickets and signed-up even more sponsors this year than for last year’s inaugural luncheon.  The event’s speakers included Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, National Park Service Regional Director for the National Capital Region, Peggy O’Dell, and Chairman of the Trust for the National Mall Chip Akridge.  Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife Michelle served as the event’s Honorary Co-chairs.  Guests to the event, which took place in a tent on the National Mall, attended a short reception followed by a seated luncheon. 

 

“The Trust for the National Mall has been a key partner of the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior in raising awareness and funding for the rehabilitation of the National Mall,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.  “Today’s extraordinary gathering demonstrates the energy and enthusiasm behind the Trust’s effort and the strength of the partnership that we’ve developed together.  We look forward to continued cooperation with the Trust for the National Mall to restore this historic icon for all Americans.”

 

“The activism, ingenuity, and hard work of the Trust for the National Mall have been a driving force behind the increased awareness of and attention to the problems facing the National Mall,” said National Park Service Regional Director for the National Capital Region, Peggy O’Dell.  “The National Park Service is committed to continuing our partnership and making the Mall a better place for the 25 million visitors who come here annually.”

 

In the last year, the Trust for the National Mall contributed $1.1 million to the Centennial Challenge Initiative, which was met with federal matching funds to direct $2.2 million in funding for the design and production of desperately needed signs on the National Mall.  These signs, which will be installed later this year, will inform and educate visitors about the Mall’s iconic monuments and memorials and will help to make it easier for guests to navigate the National Mall.  Last month, Secretary Salazar directed $55 million in federal stimulus funding to repairs on the National Mall, including about $30 million to fix the environs around the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool, $18 million to repair a Jefferson Memorial sea wall and $7.3 million to restore the District of Columbia War Memorial.  And just last week, the Trust for the National Mall announced plans for the first ever recycling program on the Mall, together with partners Coca-Cola, the National Park Service, and the National Park Foundation.

 

The luncheon hosted many politicians, dignitaries, and members of Washington’s diplomatic corps.  For a complete list of the Luncheon’s benefit committees, please see the attached document.

 

Today’s luncheon will be followed by tomorrow’s “Ball on the Mall” hosted by the Trust for the National Mall’s young professionals group the “L’Enfant Society.”  For more information, please see www.lenfantsociety.org.

 

The Trust for the National Mall is the authorized non-profit partner of

the National Park Service dedicated to restoring and improving the National Mall, while providing new educational and volunteer opportunities that connect the park’s 25 million annual visitors to the Mall’s rich history.

 

For more information on the Trust for the National Mall, please visit www.nationalmall.org.

 

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Posted via email from Nightlife’s posterous

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/05/media-advisory-trust-for-the-national-mall-host-annual-luncheon-to-raise-1-million-for-restoration-efforts/feed/ Here Before Oprah Twitter Trending http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/here-before-oprah-twitter-trending/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/here-before-oprah-twitter-trending/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:18:15 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/here-before-oprah-twitter-trending/ Oprah on Twitter

Are you serious? The trending topic on Twitter for hours now has been #herebeforeoprah. Someone took the time to create the most simplistic website ever as if it were a basic html class assignment, http://herebeforeoprah.com/. There is no info on why this was started but it has managed to make the Twitter Trending list and people are still posting! She just arrived on Twitter this past Friday, April 17th, and already has 360, 601 followers (as of this post)! And as most celebrities, the follow back count is miniscule in comparison. Oprah is following only 10 people (as of this post) and they are all other celebrities on some scale to include Evan Williams, Shaq, Mr. viral himself, Ashton Kutcher and a few others. At least she is not following @iamdiddy who also recently joined the social site. I think he only uses it as a shout box to say whatever is on his mind with little interaction with his audience. Check this out: http://www.oprahontwitter.com/. Now, to make this all fun, Ashton has his own response to jump the trend, #herebeforeaplusk with an accomodating website, http://www.herebeforeaplusk.com/. At least it has some color and the web 2.0 look-n-feel.

What I get out of this #herebeforeoprah trend is some people are plain fed up with celebrity activity, or lack of valuable interactive activity, on Twitter. Others may be simply participating in this crazy action because self promotion is implicit when you post the message with the hashtag. No matter the reason, its comical to read some of the posts and to see the topic skyrocket in trends over one single female that has rocked the media world from the day she said “Go.” 

Follow Oprah on Twitter, if you dare to be part of Celebrity Twitter.

Posted via web from GripFactor

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/here-before-oprah-twitter-trending/feed/ Get Your Twitter App Fix With TweetTweetMe http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/get-your-twitter-app-fix-with-tweettweetme/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/get-your-twitter-app-fix-with-tweettweetme/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:43:17 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/get-your-twitter-app-fix-with-tweettweetme/
via tweettweet.me

Twitter is growing exponentially these days and becoming a social networking platform of choice. One downfall with the microblogging site is the lack of built-in features that would make the user experience more rewarding. Over the last few weeks there have been some layout updates and new features added to include the search feature and the trending topics list. In the time that Twitter grows with new users there are developers taking on the Twitter API and creating endless applications that attract people for various reasons.

The list of third-party Twitter applications can be daunting to keep up with when all you want to do is jump right into the conversations on Twitter. Enter new beta site, TweetTweet.me. The website is a user-friendly presentation of the plethora of Twitter applications which itself makes use of a few tools integrated in the site. I found it while browsing Twibs.com because one of my followers posted something asking, “What is Twibs.com.” And as much as I love beta testing I had to head over and see what TweetTweet.me was all about. Surf over and check for yourself to see if its a useful resource to feed your Twitter addiction or just another site to add to the list.

You can follow @TweetTweetMe for info and updates in your timeline.

Posted via web from GripFactor

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/get-your-twitter-app-fix-with-tweettweetme/feed/ reQall Announces New Pro Version and Upgrades http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/reqall-announces-new-pro-version-and-upgrades/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/reqall-announces-new-pro-version-and-upgrades/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:24:03 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/?p=82 reQall

reQall

The memory and task list application, reQall, announced upgrades and a Pro version! The application can be used on iPhone and Blackberry, on the web, using Google Chat and even incorporates visual aids to help you manage your tasks and life lists. I have found it completely useful and have been testing functionality, usability and integration in parallel with applications such as Remember The Milk, Jott and Evernote. The free services alone provide substantial features for anyone willing to dump their task list into an application and be relentless at keeping up with their life.

Other Sources:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/reQall-Launches-Pro-Version-prnews-14739097.html
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/reqall_goes_pro_smarter_task_management_for_the_ip.php
http://crackberry.com/reqall-upgrades-standard-service-announces-pro-version

Original post date:  March 26th, 2009

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/reqall-announces-new-pro-version-and-upgrades/feed/ New Twitter App Juixe Tweetbox 0.1 http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/new-twitter-app-juixe-tweetbox-01/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/new-twitter-app-juixe-tweetbox-01/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:30:33 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/new-twitter-app-juixe-tweetbox-01/ Juxie TechKnow

New Twitter client in alpha/beta stage! Blogger of Juxie TechKnow has taken on the Twitter API and uses javascript via Google Gears and jQuery and aims to jump in the ring to manage multiple accounts. Check out the blog post for Tweetbox. You can follow @techknow on Twitter.

Let the testing begin! Screenshots to come in a future blog post on BetaKnut!

Upcoming blog post on Splitweet and HootSuite.

Posted via web from Nick’s posterous

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/new-twitter-app-juixe-tweetbox-01/feed/ The Loss of A 17-month-old Child Maddie http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/the-loss-of-a-17-month-old-child-maddie/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/the-loss-of-a-17-month-old-child-maddie/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:41:31 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/the-loss-of-a-17-month-old-child-maddie/

Losing a child at such a young age can leave a person with no words to express the grief. On April 7, 2009, 17-month0ld Madeline Alice Spohr unexpectedly lost her life and nothing but love has come to the parents, Mike and Heather Spohr. Please take a minute and visit the website and read the story. Help the family during this time of their loss with a donation if possible or send them a card, address listed on the website.I know families across the world lose someone dear to them everyday, however, this case caught my attention. In particular, the fact that the friends, family, community and online aquaintances have come togther to make sure money does not become an issue on top of the loss of their daughter. Thanks to Chantelligence for sharing the story.

My best wishes and prayers to the Spohr Family, friends and all touched by the life of Maddie.

Posted via web from nakeva’s posterous

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/the-loss-of-a-17-month-old-child-maddie/feed/ 12for12k With Mom It Forward And Yehu Microfinance http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/12for12k-with-mom-it-forward-and-yehu-microfinance/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/12for12k-with-mom-it-forward-and-yehu-microfinance/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:47:11 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/12for12k-with-mom-it-forward-and-yehu-microfinance/ 12for12k logo

In a time of financial distress and economic downturn everyone around the world is feeling the changes to lifestyle. This month 12for12k.org teams with MomItForward.com to bring opportunities to Kenya through Yehu.org. Rather than just give money at a fundraiser or spend a few hours volunteering at a community, these two organizations are working in unison to bring a little entrepreneurial spirit to the people of Kenya. By offering your dollars to 12for12k.org you are helping provide funds through Yehu.org, a microfinance organization. The money goes to support small businesses and the people that look to build their own life to get out of poverty and create a sustainable life for their family and communities in Kenya.

Who is 12for12k.org? It’s an organization using social media, social networking and the PR of people to raise funds for different charities every month. This month the chosen charity is Yehu.org. The concept is sweet and simple: 12 months, 12 different charities, $12,000 per month based on minimal donations of $10 per month per user! There is no sign-up or obligation, just plain and simple giving on the website every month knowing it will benefit a different charity every month. The voice of 12for12k.org comes from the people that give and the use of social media to spread the word in your networks.

Who is MomItForward.com? They are an organization of women out to “change the world one mom at a time” by being active in communities. There are online meetings on Twitter, social activities, fundraisers, blog activities and more that bring moms together to improve socially, personally and within their community.

Join me in helping support 12for12k with this month’s partner MomItForward and charity Yehu.org.

Posted via web from Nightlife’s posterous

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/04/12for12k-with-mom-it-forward-and-yehu-microfinance/feed/ Search In Blackle To Save Energy http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/search-in-blackle-to-save-energy/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/search-in-blackle-to-save-energy/#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:38:26 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/search-in-blackle-to-save-energy/ Blackle Search Engine

If you are into being “green” check out the Blackle search engine. Heap Media has provided a way to use a black background and the Google search engine in hopes to save energy by using less watts while searching. They also have other products including spam free email and a food search engine. Mark Ontkush posted a story in 2007 on ways believed to save energy if there was a “black” Google based on number of hits to the website and the watts used on a monitor to display a white/light background versus a black/dark background. Using the site is as simple as searching directly with Google. I question if there is monetary value behind users searching from Blackle considering its using Google custom search and if any of the proceeds are being used towards energy programs. Try it out and let me know what you think.

Posted via web from GripFactor

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/search-in-blackle-to-save-energy/feed/ Firefox 3.1 Beta 3 Open For Testing http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/firefox-31-beta-3-open-for-testing/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/firefox-31-beta-3-open-for-testing/#comments Sat, 14 Mar 2009 02:46:45 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/firefox-31-beta-3-open-for-testing/ Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla has opened the flood gates for testing Firefox 3.1 Beta 3! It was great finding out about it via Twitter (@mozillafirefox and @firefoxbeta). Its Firefox 3.1 Beta 3 Test day so I’m off to run those tests and hope to get it up before the time ends! Check out the following sites for info:

 

Mozilla Developer Center

QMO - The Mozilla QA

Posted via web from Nick’s posterous

Share/Save/Bookmark]]> http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/firefox-31-beta-3-open-for-testing/feed/ Recommend with Likaholix Now in Beta http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/recommend-with-likaholix-now-in-beta/ http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/recommend-with-likaholix-now-in-beta/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:07:31 +0000 Gripfactor http://www.gripfactor.com/blog/2009/03/recommend-with-likaholix-now-in-beta/
via likaholix.com

New recommendation site, Likaholix, is now up and shelling out 3000 invites to test in private beta. Let’s see if the Beat Knut can get in and share what’s happening. It appears to work like Delicious, Friendfeed, StumbleUpon, Bit.ly and Twitter all mashed up with options. Let’s see where this goes, juicy testing details soon to follow!

Posted via web from Nick’s posterous

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