Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
Thursday, July 9th, 2015
San Miguel de Allende is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, great food, pleasant summer climate, and incredible vistas. So, when do you plan to book your trip there? Photo Credit: Jiuguang Wang (https://goo.gl/bDa73z)
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
July 4th has come and gone. While many people limit their days off to Independence Day week, August, and perhaps Labor Day, the e-Management Travel Team knows that July is a great month to travel; so we got together and created our vacation recommendations for summer travelers. Check them out!
Try the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Located approximately 100 miles north of Seattle, the scenic islands are popular in July. Surrounded by pristine blue ocean and made up of spectacularly lush green terrain, summer temperatures on the islands are in the comfortable 70-degree range. The islands are also known for their small towns and villages, vineyards, and fine cuisine prepared from local food sources. Nature and marine life enthusiasts may find orca whale watching fascinating. Known for its annual Tour de Lopez (on Lopez Island), the area is great for cycling. The San Juan Islands may be one of the country’s best kept summer secrets.
Explore La Fête Nationale in France. For those who fancy international travel destinations, France in July is a wonderful option. Americans who enjoy Independence Day celebrations on July 4th should certainly check out how the French party and celebrate their Bastille Day (officially La Fête Nationale). The July 14th holiday commemorates the start of the French Revolution. Events are nationwide, but visitors may want to visit Paris for the Military Parade on the Champs-Élysées. Visitors will love the annual concert on the Champs-de-Mars. As with any big celebration, there are major fireworks lighting the sky around the Eiffel Tower. Traveling on a budget? The has a page for finding deals in France.
Visit the Heart of Mexico. Time magazine picked July as a great month to visit San Miguel de Allende located in the heart of the Mexico and we agree. Named after General Ignacio Allende (a prominent leader in Mexico’s quest for independence from Spain), the town is rich in history and charm. For those who love architecture, the town is known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings and edifices. San Miguel offers low humidity and comfortable temperatures during the day and cool nights. Foodies will love a sundry of rooftop restaurants that provide stunning views of the town. July also offers lower lodging costs for budget-conscious travelers. *** Great food, low prices, and amazing views…what are you waiting for, call your travel agent today. J ***
Discover Maui. Ranked at the top of the U.S. News & World Report Best Summer Vacations list, Maui is a great destination for those looking for a happy medium between upbeat nightlife and complete tranquility. First of all, the island has over 30 miles of celebrated beaches. Travelers who enjoy a good game of golf may be interested to know that the island has some of the best courses in the world. Nature lovers may want to take a day trip to Haleakala National Park, the perfect destination for hiking, camping, and viewing stunning sunsets and sunrises. For nightlife and a fine dining, check out Kihei and Lahaina. Each is known for singalong bars, dance clubs, and sports pubs. Visitors can relax in the tiered Pools of Oheo, which are filled by waterfalls.
Enjoy San Francisco. Contrary to popular belief, Mark Twain never said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Hopefully, that revelation alone should encourage visitors to consider this picturesque city in the summer. Besides, most people don’t go to San Fran for the weather. They go for the variety of options for fun. What’s so great this town? Everything! You get to ride on vintage-style cable cars that are popular with visitors of all ages and backgrounds! There’s the scenic Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps the most famous overpass in the nation. Other tourist attractions include one of the country’s most infamous prisons Alcatraz, the eclectic Fisherman’s Wharf, and the charming Palace of Fine Arts. Traveling with young ones or teens? Check out the Walt Disney Family Museum. Its Tomorrowland: Walt’s Vision for Today exhibition runs from July 22 through December 7, 2015! San Francisco has a little bit of something for everyone.
The Best of July
That’s our shortlist of places to visit in July. The Travel Channel lists other options like Barbados, Provincetown (Massachusetts), and Pamplona (Spain). Those are certainly on our bucket lists! (1) Do you plan to travel this summer? (2) What are your favorite summer destinations? (3) What other times of the year are great times to travel based on your experiences?
Tags: Bastille Day, Champs-Élysées, Dennis Powell, , Eiffel Tower, foodie, France, Golden Gate Bridge, golf, Hawaii, Maui, Mexico, Ola Sage, San Francisco, San Juan Islands, San Miguel de Allende, summer, Tomorrowland, tourist, Travel
Posted in Dining, Events, Family, Lifestyle, Travel | 24 Comments »
Monumental Learning and Fun
Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park? When is your next trip there?
What federal organization manages more than 400 national parks, conservation and historical lands, and national monuments? If you guess the National Park Service (NPS) you are absolutely correct. NPS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior and has been around since President Woodrow Wilson signed a law establishing the organization way back in 1916. NPS, supported by 28,000 workers and professionals, has an annual budget of about $3 billion. More than nearly 2.5 million volunteer for the National Park Service.
Every year more than 275 million people visit the 400+ U.S. national parks every year. Now, that’s a lot of people. The system includes more than 84 million acres of land in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Now, that’s a lot of land. But, wait…did you know that Delaware is the only state without a national park? Who knew? 
What Makes the National Park Service properties so special?
Well, NPS offers something for everyone: breath-taking parklands, recreation, cultural heritage, and history. For your convenience, e-Management has pulled together some of the popular NPS destinations and points of interest.
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African-American Heritage: As discussed earlier, NPS oversees historical land and monuments. The bureau manages African-American Heritage Sites, which spotlights the roles blacks played in American history. Popular sites include the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., is also part of NPS’ African-American Heritage Sites. Douglass was a 19th century black abolitionist who advised President Abraham Lincoln on issues from emancipation to fair pay for black soldiers who fought alongside whites in the Civil War.
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Hispanic Heritage: The Hispanic Heritage Sites preserve the history of Hispanic Americans. These sites are comprised of at least 20 properties. Each site spotlights Hispanic heritage. For instance, the popular Chamizal National Memorial in El Paso, Texas is more than a place for recreation or relaxation. The park has become a symbol for reconciliation. Why? According to park’s website, this site represents “the peaceful settlement of a 100-year border dispute between nations.” The park features a museum that provides the history of U.S.A. and Mexico border disputes and eventual resolution. Other parks in the Hispanic Heritage Sites include the De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton (Florida), Presidio of San Francisco, and the San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico.
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Women’s History: Women’s History Sites throughout the National Park Service feature information on the contributions of women in the U.S.A. Popular sites include the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, and the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site. Another site, the Sewall-Belmont House is considered by some historians to be the birth place of the women’s suffrage movement in the U.S.A. According to its website, the site “is committed to sharing the untold stories of women’s history.”
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The Grand Canyon: Who remembers the Brady Bunch episode that featured the family’s annual camping trip? Where did they go? The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. This national park is very much a part of American popular culture. Really, the site is featured in numerous movies including the Grand Canyon; Thelma and Louise; and Transformers. So, it should come as no surprise that the canyon was the second most visited NPS property last year. What’s to do there? You can hike, take mule trips into the canyon, and camp. This is the perfect destination for people who love the great outdoors. Perhaps the most interesting aspect to the Grand Canyon is its spectacular sunrise and sunset vistas. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen this spectacular view!
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The Great Smoky Mountains: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s popularity may come as a surprise to some. Spanning the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park is by far the most visited national park—beating out the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and even Yellowstone National Park. Nearly 10 million people visited the park last year. That’s twice as many as the Grand Canyon! What’s the attraction? The area is a natural and cultural history treasure. The park offers diverse landscapes, plants, and wildlife. The Great Smoky Mountains region also has one of the largest collections of log cabins and preserved buildings in the country. Beyond historical structures, other points of interest and activities include viewing wildflowers, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and bicycling.
What’s Your Favorite NPS Treasure?
The National Park Service’s official mission is to care “for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.” NPS resources are places for monumental learning and fun. As we have seen, NPS is more than just parks. NPS showcases our country’s diverse history. So, (1) when was the last time you visited a national park, monument, or heritage site? (2) What is your favorite NPS destination, treasure, or points of interest?
Tags: African American, Dennis Powell, , Government, government spotlight, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, heritage, Hispanic, National Park Service, Ola Sage, women's history
Posted in Corporate, Dining, Economy, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Family, Gadgets, Government, Healthcare, Information Security, Social Media, Travel, Uncategorized | 37 Comments »
Times are tough, but…our hearts are tougher!
Friday, April 20th, 2012
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
e-Management will participate in The Race to End Poverty, Saturday, April 28th in Rock Creek Park. How do you support your community?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 46 million people are living at or below the poverty line. Can you imagine being a family of four having to survive on an annual income of $22,314? Well, that’s the official definition of poverty in the United States. Imagine how many more families are living on annual incomes of 2-3 thousand dollars more and are omitted from the poverty designation. Arguably, the consensus on the radio, TV, or cable network news is that many people are concerned about our nation’s economic stability. Times may be tough; but Americans are still lending a helping hand to make life better for those in need.
How are people helping out?
Giving: According to Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of charities, giving is once again trending upward even though the economical outlook is uncertain. In 2010, Americans and foundations gave nearly $300 billion—about 2 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product).
Volunteering: More than one in every four of us volunteer our time to causes we love, says the Corporation for National and Community Service. In fact, one in every three persons who lives in Minneapolis-St. Paul volunteers—the highest rate in the country.
Participating: Tens of thousands of people participate in marathons, walkathons, and other races that bring attention to issues such as heart health, cancer, homelessness, and many other causes dear to our hearts. The Boston Marathon alone raises more than $10 million every year cites the Nonprofit Quarterly (April 10, 2012) for local charities!
Corporate giving/volunteering: Many companies donate money and time to make their communities better! At e-Management, we are focused on corporate citizenship; so, we are engaged in charities around energy (sustainability), education, and the elimination of poverty. We’ve exceeded our ENERGY STAR goals for the last three consecutive years. In addition, we’ve established a scholarship at the University of Maryland. This month, we plan to participate in The Race to End Poverty, a 5k organized by A Wider Circle. The organization provides “beds, dressers, and other basic need items to families that are moving out of shelters or living in neglected neighborhoods.” A Wider Circle also puts on workshops in low-income schools and “teaches health and wellness classes at shelters and public housing facilities.”
How are you helping out?
Our goal is to create a list of charitable organizations that need our support. We feel great about giving financial support, volunteering our time, and participating in causes dear to us. What about you? How do you give back to your community? Where do you volunteer? What are some of your favorite charities? Do you plan to participate in The Race to End Poverty or another walkathon, marathon, or race to benefit charities?
Tags: A Wider Circle, charity, cure, Dennis Powell, , ENERGY STAR, giving, marathon, Ola Sage, poverty, race, volunteer, walkathon
Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Events, Family, Leadership, Lifestyle, News, Uncategorized | 21 Comments »
Maybe It’s Time We Do an “Energetic” Reality Check
Monday, January 9th, 2012
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
The Department of Energy through research and development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is working to improve renewable energy technologies such as wind power that could lead to energy independence for the USA and job creation.
Pretty much everyone knows what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) do. But how many of us really understand the role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)? Recently, one prominent political figure talked about abolishing the Department. What’s interesting is the lack of protest from voters regarding the prospect of a country without DOE. Why am I so emphatic about the Department? Well, because the agency is here “to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.” In other words, DOE is responsible for energy policy including clean energy innovation, energy conservation, nuclear weapons program management, radioactive waste disposal, and so much more. Did you know that DOE developed the nuclear space power systems which powered NASA’s mission? But wait, there’s more…
Are you sick of the increasingly higher cost of fuel?
Well, I am and guess what? DOE is actually helping to make high energy cost a thing of the past. Did you know that DOE oversees the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)—the only national lab for the advancement of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Renewable energy is clean and unlike other forms of conventional power, it never runs out. Renewable energy is great for the economy because it creates jobs and reduces our national dependencies on international sources of energy such as oil. Simply put, the work at NREL leads to commercial applications that may mean more sustainable, green energy that could save all of us money
Are you comfortable with radioactive waste being dumped in your backyard?
Probably not. It’s a good thing we have DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) to keep us safe by cleaning up “the environmental legacy of the Manhattan Project and the Cold War.” Since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus Bill or ARRA) by Congress, there has been a rigorous debate on whether the Stimulus worked. Well not only is EM’s disposal of radioactive materials vital to our safety, the program office has been highly successful in the implementation of Stimulus projects. According to EM, the program office advanced its “mission to clean up the waste generated during the Cold War, by reducing that footprint by 613 square miles.” Plus, EM ARRA-funded projects put thousands of Americans back to work while giving them new skills that may be leveraged in the future. Did I mention EM completed its ARRA-funded projects ahead of schedule and way under budget!?
Extending a helping hand to low income families.
Last week, DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program announced how the Department is helping families save energy and money. Through this program, DOE has supported the weatherization of more than 750,000 homes of low-income families across the country. According to an article by April Saylor, online content producer, DOE Office of Public Affairs, the program reduced energy consumption up to 35% resulting in an average savings of $400 during the first year.
High-Powered Awareness Check.
DOE’s mission may be murky to some. But from where I stand, the Department’s activities are commendable and relevant. But this blog posting isn’t all about me; what do you think? Should DOE stay or go? How important is energy independence to the future of the USA’s economy? What are you doing to conserve energy?
Tags: clean energy, Dennis Powell, Department of Energy, DOE, , energy efficiency, EPA, IRS, NASA, NREL, Office of Environmental Management, Ola Sage, renewable, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Posted in Corporate, Dining, Economy, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Family, Gadgets, Government, Green Computing, Healthcare, Information Security, Internet/Intranet, IT Infrastructure, IT Strategy & Management, Leadership, Lifestyle, Risk Management, Social Media, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Uncategorized | 18 Comments »
Having My Cake and Giving It Too
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
By Bill Bodine, e-Management
Note: The following blog article is not an e-Management endorsement for any charitable organization; but rather an example of how one specific e-Management employee is giving back to his community. We also invite you to check out other organizations that our employees support by clicking here.
There are so many ways to give: (1) to your chosen church or nonprofit organization; (2) by monetary donation; or (3) by volunteering your time. I found a unique way of giving about a year and a half ago – the Frederick Giving Project (FGP).
A Giving USA Foundation report out this week reveals that after 2 years of decline, Americans are finally giving more to charity, foundations, and nonprofits. How do you give back to your community?
The is “a group of extraordinary people looking to improve their community, inspire more giving, and nurture the next generation of community leaders and philanthropists.” And boy, they do all of those and more! I am honored to have become a member of the leadership team early on as a member of the grants committee. In fact, Comcast TV recently interviewed me about FGP and all the great things they do. You can view that interview .
Collective Philanthropy
FGP is a fantastic group of people who simply want to improve the Frederick, MD community by collectively giving back. We also want to inspire others to give with us. The idea is that we can make a bigger difference collectively. Not only do we pool funds for local nonprofits, we also volunteer for them. This allows us to not only help the chosen non-profit with achieving their vision, but we get to build meaningful relationships with each other, which further strengthens our community.
Supporting Local Charities
Our pooled charitable contributions and volunteered talents give support to local nonprofits. We plan and participate in group service projects, we network, and we socialize at all kinds of events, from happy hours to house parties – all while raising awareness for numerous issues that affect thousands of lives.
Our fundraising events help raise money outside of membership fees to cover operating expenses so that 100% of our membership fees go to a chosen local non-profit. Each year, we accept applications from nonprofits, vote, and make a combined grant to a local Frederick County nonprofit and the people they serve.
FGP – Having Its Cake and Giving It Too
Last year, we made our first grant award. FGP was able to raise more than $8,000 and give that as a grant to Cakes for Cause. This organization helps young people in the child welfare system transition successfully into adulthood by teaching them the skills to work in the restaurant industry. Moxie Bakery & Cafe in downtown Frederick provides revenue for the nonprofit and a training ground for the young people. Don’t try the cookies – you’ll be hooked!
The Big Payback
Giving in this way has been very rewarding for me as an individual, knowing that my contribution is combined with others to make a larger difference. As Aristotle once wrote, “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” I encourage you all to look for ways to be a giver in your local community. If you live in Frederick County, please check out the FGP!
Giving is Fundamental
I’ve gone on and on about FGP. Feel free to list other charitable organizations that may need support. More than 4,000 people read this blog every month. Let’s give them some ideas about charitable giving. So, we want to hear from you. How do you give back to your community? What are your favorite charities? How does your company or agency support nonprofits and community outreach groups?
Tags: Aristotle, blog, Cakes for Cause, charity, community, , Frederick Giving Project, Maryland, Moxie Bakery & Cafe, nonprofit, Ola Sage, service, volunteer
Posted in Events, Family, Leadership, Lifestyle, Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
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