In addition to excellent customer care, State Farm® is responsible and active in the community.  State Farm® was recently recognized as part of the 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Index. The Index, which ranks the 50 companies with the best corporate citizenship reputations among the U.S. public.  State Farm® is proud of their reputation of strong public perception on citizenship, governance and workplace practices.

State Farm® is more than insurance, their knowledgable agents also handle all investment planning and banking needs.

To find an agent in your neighborhood, click on this link:

http://www.statefarm.com/

For more information please click on the following link - bizrate.com: Allstate dumps the unbundled

Google blacked out its name in protest of SOPA, underneath it reads, “Tell Congress. Please don’t censor the Web.”

Many websites changed their look yesterday in response to the SOPA and PIPA bills that are written to protect against anti-piracy but would effectively censor a large majority of the content on the Internet. For one day, January 18, 2012, Wikipedia shut down, WordPress went dark and Google censored their name, along with other website blackouts, in an effort to draw attention this proposed legislation that would conflict with our 1st Amendment rights. Internet users traded messages on Twitter and Facebook to share information on local Senators to contact in protest. Throughout the day opponents of the legislation and activists flooded Congress with protest calls and emails. (Senator phone numbers are provided at the end of this article.)

The public outcry was heard in the House, where Speaker John Boehner was quoted as saying,  ”there’s a lack of consensus at this point” regarding the vote on SOPA.  Several Senators changed their minds on the legislation and, as of now, the senate plans to rewrite the bill and present it again later this week. With the public being heard loud and clear on this issue, there’s no doubt that any new version of this bill will be subject to the same scrutiny.

What is SOPA?

It stands for: Stop Online Piracy Act. Sites like YouTube.com would be greatly affected because “intellectual property” could only be shared by the person who created it or with direct permission. This means, under this law if you were to post a YouTube video to Facebook, and you are not the owner of that video, you could be penalized with five years in jail, with the same penalties if you upload a photo that doesn’t belong to you. This would be the end of sites like Flickr, Etsy and funny sites like I Can Has Cheezburger. That’s right, no more LOLCats.

On the other hand, photos and video sharing has run rampant on the Internet for years with no signs of slowing down. The same photos of people doing embarrassing things get captioned something witty and show up all over the Web with no restraint. Celebrities and politicians are subjected to having their image photoshopped into unflattering and sometimes shocking photos that circulate through social media sites and pass as humor. The solution is not a simple one, however, a broadly defined law on the Internet is not the answer.

Sources:
Net-Rule Doubts Hit Congress:  wallstreetjournal.com

Don’t Censor the Web: googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com

It’s time to stop PROTECT IP: mattcutts.com

Stop Online Piracy Act: wikipedia.org 

His step-daughter, Nancie Holden, has been an outstanding team member over six years. Because of his dedication and hard work, and with the help of his team, Mike was awarded the number one producing agent in his district.

Mike was born and raised in Riverside, CA. He attended Riverside schools and City College. His office is located in Pittsburg, Ca. He is a  Past President and board member Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, Past President and member of Pittsburg Rotary Club, and a Recorder for Knights of Columbus.

When asked about his family, Mike proudly said, “My son, Steven, is with State Department in Bangkok, Thailand.  My wife and I just returned from a fantastic two week vacation with he and his family.  Son, William, is career Navy, and is the first Chief of Boat on our newest submarine, SSN Mississippi, which was dedicated on Dec. 2nd, 2011 in Grattan, CT.  The commissioning will take place in Mississippi on June 2, 2012.”

For more information please visit his website: Mike Stoiber, State Farm 

Before she began her State Farm business she had a 10 year career working at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She credits her years at LLNL as a valuable education in business management and the resource for many longterm community relationships.  In fact, associates who first experienced her commitment to  reliable and ethical professional practices followed her to State Farm.  They have remained loyal customers and appreciate the value State Farm continues to offer.    

Product diversity is another reason Kathy chose State Farm; and that also makes State Farm one of the best values in the industry.  She finds it especially gratifying to help customers plan for retirement or save for education.  Every customer has access to a wide variety of products and financial services.  There is no fee to pay for her business and asset management experience.  

Kathy is proud to say that her home town has always been Livermore California.  She attended grade school and highschool in Livermore and can’t imagine living anywhere else.  She enjoys it because residents of Livermore take pride in the natural beauty of their wine country and rich western heritage. In addition, they have the economic and educational advantage of the world renowned research laboratory, LLNL.  Considering these assets she says it was an easy decision to choose Livermore as the place to raise her family and develop her State Farm Insurance Agency.  

She understands the importance of community involvement. Her business has prospered in Livermore and her family continues to flourish.  These blessings come with a responsibility to serve the community by working to maintain the quality of life which she and so many residents enjoy.  She have been an active member of Rotary since 1987, founding board member of the Center for Community Dispute Settlement, and served as a board member of the Tri Valley Conservancy preserving agriculture and open space in perpetuity.

Kathy is frequently reminded that her customers are busy, so she makes sure they will never have to navigate an annoying phone tree when they call her office.  Every customer is greeted by her long time, knowledgeable and friendly staff. Her team has enthusiastically embraced new technology and can be reached by virtually every technological platform, even texting to her email at: kathyfarrellstatefarm@comcast.net. 

For more information on Kathy’s State Farm Agency in Livermore, Ca:  kathyfarrell.com/

Kathy is also on Facebook! www.facebook.com/pages/Kathy-Farrell-State-Farm-Agent/198728503515986

Each lawn we care for has it’s own requirements to maintain that healthy, green appearence. Since no two lawns are alike, our first step is to take a soil test to determine the essential nutrients available or lacking in your yard. The way we with nature and not against it, NaturaLawn of America strengthens your lawn’s root system by building up the soil to help give you a healthier, greener lawn.

NaturaLawn of America also offers an exclusive line of do-it-yourself retail products through its website. This extensive line consists of safer insect, weed and rodent controls, as well as eco-friendly ice melt, grass seed and equipment.

Currently a total of 66 service locations in 23 states and the number is growing. Call today at (800) 989-5444 for Safer Lawn Care Naturally^TM!

Check out their website: NaturaLawn.com

This first one is a user poll with information about typical Facebook users. The cartoons’ facial expression pretty much says it all. 

This one explains social media as a basic function. It also shows the reason for so many social media super-sites.

Yes, I want this phone!

This one is an example of what not to do when attempting to make information easier to read. The complexity of it is a bit ironic.

The last one is packed with good information while being decorated in Facebook blue. This is helpful for anyone managing a company Facebook page and wants to better understand the people who “like” their page.

Sources:

http://mashable.com/2011/10/23/top-mashable-infographics/#308615-Facebook-by-the-Numbers-INFOGRAPHIC

http://blog.bufferapp.com/the-5-funniest-twitter-infographics

http://marketingconversation.com/2011/10/04/the-social-media-effect/

http://www.onlinemarketing-trends.com/2011_01_16_archive.html

http://mashable.com/2011/11/18/facebook-stats/

Once Steve decided to open a service based business, he found NaturaLawn to be a great match.  He appreciates having NaturaLawn as a reference and support system. NaturaLawn of America’s began in 1987 with a friendly approach to lawn care. With the use of natural and organic-based products to create and maintain green lawns quickly, more naturally, and with fewer weeds.

Steve’s NaturaLawn business is acknowledged by Angie’s List with a Super Service Award. His business has an A+ Accredited Business rating from the Better Business Bureau, and he’s a Member of the Colorado Association of Lawn Care Professionals.

He stays active in the community by supporting the Food Bank of the Rockies, Bal Swan Children’s Center & local churches. He has coached competitive soccer team while his sons were in the programs. He is a native Coloradoan and graduated from Colorado State University.

To find out more, please visit his website: NaturaLawn

Kristi started her business so she could help seniors stay in their homes longer with help from regular home care visits. She understands the frustrations and heartaches adult children endure while caring for their parents on a daily basis. She now helps so many with those visits from her CAREGivers. While growing up her father was a minister and devoted his life to helping others through God’s word. In his aging years, she and her family cared for him at home for as long as possible. That experience gave Kristi the desire to help others as her father did; and now it’s through owning the Home Instead Senior Care franchises  that she is able to help seniors like her father and their families cope with the challenges of aging at home. 

Since 2003, Home Instead Senior Care has been making an impact on the lives of seniors, their families, and their caregivers in Hillsborough County. Kristi and her team participate in community charity events like Operation Medicine Cabinet, a program designed to help our environment, ensure the safety of our seniors and protect our children from accidental overdose with unused or expired prescriptions and over the counter medications. Also, Be a Santa to a Senior, an annual program created to ensure that local seniors who may not have family or visitors around Christmas time are acknowledged with a gift.  Along with numerous affiliations with local associations and received the 2011 Senior Friendly Business Award from West Coast Area Agency on Aging.

Click here for more information about Home Instead Senior Care in Tampa and Brandon, Florida

Tina, who is a registered nurse, has always wanted to care for people. Before opening her Home Instead Senior Care office, she was the project manager for nursing at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland.  Her work focused on the aging population and the need for better understanding of the elderly person’s unique care needs. This knowledge she learned from her work has been invaluable as an owner of her own home care company. Together with her husband and co-owner Tom, and the dedication of their hard-working staff, Tina is proud to help seniors remain in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their home.

Tom made the decision to leave a successful career as sale and engineering manager in the auto supplier industry so that he could join Tina full time. He handles the financial and strategic planning as well as back-up in all areas of the business operation. During 2010 Tom was heavily involved with the successful national accreditation of Home Instead-Birmingham.

Tina is involved with the community in a variety of roles. She sat on the Outpatient Palliative Care Support Committee for several years at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, was chairperson of SCAN I for four years, Senior Coordination Aging Network, sits on the board of Geriatric Social Workers of Southeast Michigan, is President of NPDA-Michigan Chapter, National Private Duty Association and is on the board of BASCC, Birmingham Area Senior Center. Tina also is a member of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Troy Chamber of Commerce, and the Optimist Club.

Tom is a member of Michigan Home Health Association (MHHA) as well as the National Private Duty Association (NPDA). He has been involved during the last four years with legislative activities including the writing of a bill to license Private Duty Home Care. Tom presented at the MHHA convention this year; subject was “The Hiring, Training and Retention of Excellent Care Givers”.

Home Instead Senior Care has headed up several outreach projects that assist the elderly. Our largest project to date, Be a Santa to a Senior, generated 2500 gifts for seniors who other wise would not have enjoyed a Christmas. Other projects include Spring flower planting and Fall yard clean-up for seniors living alone and financially in need. We also work with an area K through 8th grade school and provide children the opportunity to read to seniors which brings delight to the seniors. Home Instead Senior Care sponsors and facilitates a caregiver support group at BASCC, Birmingham Area Senior Center and the Troy Community Center.

To find out more about senior care in Birmingham, MI, please visit our website: Home Instead Senior Care.