In the age of social media, businesses that build and maintain a Facebook® presence, can closely monitor their online growth. They can actually measure with nearly pinpoint accuracy the effectiveness of every post made! The simple fact the so many business owners don't understand the value of having such a page for their own business, doesn't mean that their competitors haven't discovered the edge that having one has given them! Maybe one of the funniest excuses ever given for not having a Facebook® page is that many small business owners say their customers wouldn't use it!

Should you be one of those unfortunates, who is party to this misguided logic, here's an update; Your customers are on Facebook® and, yes, they have already noticed that your business is not!

If you're suprised, you shouldn't be! ~ But, if you're having a hard time getting started with building your business Facebook® page, we can help to put your business on the right track!

 

Sometimes it nice to be thought of as an underdog! Especially if you really believe in what you bring to the contest! The FGCU ( Florida Gulf Coast University) Men's Basketball squad are experiencing that sensation now. The War Eagles have achieved a history making 'Cinderella story' status by reaching 2013's NCAA March Madness 'Sweet 16' Tournament as a Number 15 seed! Southwest Florida's FGCU's website is buzzing! Sources say the Athletic website has crashed twice! Phones are ringing and form email inquiries are flooding the Admissions office's inbox. In a period of less than a week, some local school administrators have seen a large part of the free world discover their school, while the world focuses upon the talented team of young men that comprise the FGCU War Eagles. Not only does the glass slipper fit, they wear it well! 

Image Courtesy: FGCU - Ft. Myers

One of the five principals of yoga is called Pranayama, or breathing exercise. The word "prana" translates to mean “life force”. Proper breathing deals with the need of our brain and vital organs to receive the oxygen they require. As breathing is the only way to supply our bodies this oxygen, the importance of proper breathing techniques becomes obvious. What may not be so obvious, however, is the fact that Hindu or Vedic philosophy regarding the science of breathing dates back thousands of years. It was first referenced in Upanishads around 400 BC.

Persons who have lived in Florida for a few years have, most likely, seen a manatee. They are plentiful year round. Given the fact that manatees live and dwell in waters that are continuing to diminish in size and cleanliness, some recent rises in manatee mortality can be attributed to that fact. However, with more than 170 deaths so far this year, Florida's manatee population is facing a loss of record numbers! Experts with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute have seen a dramatic rise in the number of manatee deaths related to red tide. This fact has raised concern among other experts around the state. Given the manatee's sensitivity to cold, pollution and other factors, as well as the lengthy gestation period associated with their reproduction, the outlook seems bleak for one of Florida's most beloved and endangered creatures.

Whether it was a feature story on the nightly news, or an article that got read awaiting the dentist, nearly every American has heard something about Green Living. While many Americans practice daily green living, too many do not! For many, green living is just another fancy expression denoting practices of those "tree-hugger" types. Still others will admit to having no idea about the meaning of the expression. The truth is that everyone's knowledge and awareness of the concept fits somewhere within those parameters. What about yours? If you are one of the people who has always wanted to better understand green living (and possibly implement some of those principles into your own life), we can help! Here are eight simple ways that you can begin living green!

During the winter months in southwest Florida, many residents are fortunate to entertain visitors from out-of-state. Whether family, friends or significant others, these occasions call for special meals, special events and, of course, special desserts! In keeping with that SWFL hospitality tradition, here is a special dessert that is perfect for entertaining! According to Cindy Ann from Hagerstown, Maryland;

This makes an excellent cheesecake, similar to one you would get in a restaurant. Great for special occasions! Garnish with white chocolate curls if desired.

The 5th Annual March in the Park is an plant and garden art sale put on by The Garden Club of Cape Coral. The event takes place at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, on Saturday, March 9th from 9:00am until 3:00pm.

Sivananda Hatha yoga is a traditional style yoga that was created by a man born in India. Swami Sivananda, who practiced gymnastics as a boy, also studied the Vedantas (sacred scriptures) and became a doctor.  Having cured a wandering monk who spiritually influenced him, he then sought his Guru in the 'Land of the Sages', in Rishikesh, India. Having created a Raja-based yoga style (physical and mental control), which includes Karma yoga (unselfish acts), Bhakti yoga (devotional practices), and Jnana (knowledge), he felt compelled to send his beloved disciple Vishnudevananda to the West to spread this teaching. It was in the 1960’s that Vishnu shared his Sri Guru’s yoga and also founded the first Yoga Teachers Training in North America!

You may have never heard the name Rudi Dekkers before. However, it is likely that we've yet to hear the last of him! For those unfamiliar with Mr. Dekkers, he is a Dutch National. He has spent a good portion of his life living here in the United States. He is intelligent, multi-lingual, and he is also an author and a pilot. Maybe it's safer to say he was a pilot, as his days flying anywhere are (with near certainty) all done. The problem with Rudi is that trouble just seems to follow him. Although, there are many who say that his trouble was pretty easy to predict.

Rudi Dekkers was a Cape Coral resident. Nowadays, he also has the distinction of being known as an international crime figure.