Cambridge Who’s Who Member, Dr. Elana Ashley, is a Finalist in the National Best Books 2008 Awards

Cambridge Who’s Who member Dr. Elana Ashley is executive director of Great Imaginings, Inc. and president of Dream Image Press, LLC, both located in Northbrook, Illinois. Dream Image Press publishes bilingual children’s books focusing on teaching children how to cope with daily life situations. Great Imaginings is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes imagination and creativity. Dr. Ashley develops programs for children, teachers and families that are both educational and entertaining. An accomplished writer, educator and ventriloquist, she is an award-winning finalist in National Best Books 2008 in the category of “Children’s Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction with Audio CD.”

Accompanied by her puppet storybook characters Eli Elephant, Ellie Elephant and Splunkunio Splunkey, Dr. Ashley will be presenting literacy programs based on the first book in her mystery and adventure series entitled Splunkunio Splunkey Detective and Peacemaker Case One: The Missing Friendship Bracelet. Splunkey provides a multi-disciplinary approach to educating students about coping with life issues and nurturing strong, self-assured and creative individuals who openly communicate their thoughts and feelings. The book is available in both English and Spanish. Senior editor of Spanish-teaching textbooks at Riverside Publishing, Miriam Alvarez, says that Dr. Ashley’s book is captivating in both English and Spanish, making it a great book to introduce a child to a foreign language. Due in 2009 is the second book in Splunkey’s Mystery Adventure Series, Case Two: Big Bully Holly Howler.

Through Great Imaginings and Dream Image Press, Dr. Ashley creates programs based on the books she has written and other original works, including readings, dramatic recitations, puppetry, song, poetry and role-playing. Providing educational and entertaining programming for students, educators and families, Dr. Ashley has presented programs on child abuse and substance abuse prevention, conflict management, self-esteem, character education and storytelling. She earned both her master’s degree and doctorate from New York University.

To find out more about Dr. Ashley and her new book, please visit http://www.dreamimagepress.com/ or http://www.splunkey.org/. You can also view her Cambridge Who’s Who profile by following this link: Dr. Elana Ashley.

Cambridge Who’s Who Remembers Sergeant Israel Garcia

Cambridge Who’s Who honors member Sergeant Israel Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, California, who gave his life for this country while fighting during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Garcia was born on January 19, 1984 in Nayarit, Mexico and moved to Long Beach, CA with his parents when he was two years old. He attended Lafayette Elementary and Jackie Robinson Academy and graduated from Long Beach Poly High School before joining the United States Army in October of 2002.

In 2003, Garcia participated in Airborne Wing Training at Fort Benning, GA. He continued his training at Fort Bragg, NC from 2003 to 2006 where he took part in 1st Battalion Parachute Training, 504th Parachute. On March 11, 2006, Garcia married his high school sweetheart, Lesly. They lived in Vicenza, Italy, where Garcia was stationed in the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Chosen Company.

On July 13, 2008, Garcia died when enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan attacked Observation Post Topside with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Following a failed first rush, Garcia and three other soldiers headed to the observation post under fire to provide reinforcement and first aid to their injured comrades. At the end of the battle, nine soldiers had died, including Garcia, and 27 were wounded.

“Sergeant Israel Garcia was a true patriot who sacrificed his life to protect the values and ideals that are held dear in this country. He fought with pride and courage and Californians and will never forget his service,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Family members reminisce about Garcia’s desire to be remembered as a hero, his love for soccer and his enjoyment of horseback riding.

Garcia is survived by his wife Lesly Garcia, parents Victor and Mari Cruz Garcia and brother Ramsses. His funeral mass was held on July 25, 2008 at Holy Family Church, Wilmington, CA and burial at All Souls Cemetery, Long Beach, CA. Garcia was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his bravery, dedication and service. He was inducted into the Cambridge Who’s Who Registry in September 2008. For more information about Sergeant Israel Garcia please visit http://www.sgtisraelgarcia.com/.

In addition to Garcia, Cambridge Who’s Who would also like to remember the eight other soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Wanat, Afghanistan.

1st Lieutenant Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, HI
Specialist Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, Snellville, GA
Specialist Jason M. Bogar, 25, Seattle, WA
Specialist Jason D. Hovater, 24, Clinton, TN
Specialist Matthew B. Phillips, 27, Jasper, GA
Specialist Pruitt A. Rainey, 22, Haw River, NC
Specialist Gunnar W. Zwilling, 20, Florissant, MO
Specialist Sergio S. Abad, 21, Morganfield, KY

Cambridge Who's Who Member, Andrea Ryder, Certified as a SpaFinder Virtuoso Spa Specialist

Cambridge Who's Who member Andrea Ryder, travel specialist with Ryder Travel, has been certified as a SpaFinder Virtuoso spa specialist. Virtuoso is the industry’s leading luxury travel network, comprised of more than 6,000 travel advisors across 22 countries within North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. Those who have qualified as a Virtuoso travel advisor specialize in helping traveler’s plan the world’s best vacations. SpaFinder has operated its spa travel educational program since 2006 as part of a strategic alliance with Virtuoso.

As a spa specialist, Ms. Ryder joins an elite group of Virtuoso travel advisors who have successfully completed the training course and testing developed by SpaFinder to meet the surging demand for travel with a spa component. She will be showcased in the Global SpaFinder worldwide directory, SpaFinder’s authoritative global spa guide, so that readers can contact her directly for spa travel booking.

Ms. Ryder has been in the travel and meeting industry since 1984. Her knowledge and expertise has grown through her many years of travel planning and visits to Bali, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Tahiti, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and many popular North American ski destinations.

Ms. Ryder returned to the United States in April 2008 after living abroad in London, during which time she visited various destinations throughout Europe including Paris, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Malaga, Cadiz, Munich, Frankfurt, Dubai, Innsbruck, Venice, Florence and Milan. She received her bachelor of science in business and communications from North Carolina State University in 1982.

To learn more about Ms. Ryder or to book a vacation, visit http://www.travel-xperts.com/ or email andrea@travelxperts.com.

http://www.travel-xperts.com/travelspecialists/
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/7/b21/bb7

Cambridge Who's Who Member Tisha DeShields' Company, Original Belly Works, Makes Television Debut!

Cambridge Who's Who lifetime member Tisha DeShields is the founder of Original Belly Works (OBW), a company that sells casting kits for expecting mothers to mold their pregnant shape. Casts can be decorated and customized with an array of enhancements including paint, fabric and flowers to create a one-of-a-kind, whimsical piece of art that is an expressive symbol of love. They make great baby shower gifts and are lovely keepsakes for both the mother and baby. Preformed figures are also available for adoptive, surrogate, foster and guardian mothers, mothers who have already given birth and grandmothers. OBW offers a fiberglass finish, made from the original torso cast. The fiberglass finish was chosen because it is a weather-resistant material that can withstand mold, chipping, breaking and cracking, making it a treasured piece that will last for years to come.

Original Belly Works has recently made its national television debut. Ms. DeShields appeared on CNN along with Grace Kisa, an artist working with Original Belly Works (OBW), to promote their ideas and the products and services offered by the company. To watch the interview, click here. OBW has also been featured on various websites and in Pregnancy Magazine, and has celebrity clients such as actresses Brook Shields, Angela Bassett and Mariska Hargitay, boxer Laila Ali and many more.

OBW provides its clients with “customized commissioned designs” – the designer helps to dream up a design or interpret ideas to create a customized belly cast design. Basic designs are air-brushed onto the belly cast; premium designs use acrylic paints and materials such as fabric, feathers, denim and photos; and elite designs are adorned with Swarvoski crystals, metals, gems, tile, glass and other unique embellishments. Click here to view the OBW gallery.

Awestruck by the beauty of a pregnant woman's form, Ms. DeShields conceived the idea for Original Belly Works while pregnant with her fourth child. She realized that she wanted to immortalize her pregnancy and began to research the possibility of producing a copy of her pregnant form. In doing so, the notion to offer this unique creation to all mothers was born. To learn more or to purchase a casting kit, please visit http://www.originalbellyworks.com/.

Multicultural Motion Picture Association Hosts the 16th Annual Diversity Awards

Cambridge Who’s Who member Jarvee Hutcherson is president of the Multicultural Motion Picture Association (MMPA), a non-profit organization comprised of individuals in the United States and international film communities. Its members share a common interest in recognizing the achievements of individuals in the media and entertainment industry who represent a variety of backgrounds. They are committed to celebrating diversity through ideas, stories, leadership and talent.

The MMPA is hosting the 16th Annual Diversity Awards on November 23, 2008 at the Universal Studios Globe Theater in Hollywood, California. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Diversity – American Spirit and Global Talent – Making it Happen.”

The Diversity Awards has long been considered as one of Hollywood’s most anticipated annual awards events, known for its spontaneity and embrace of the international creative community. Awards are presented for the various accomplishments and contributions that actors have made and projects that have shown diverse perspectives through leadership, fostering unity and action in the international arena. Recipients in past years include highly acclaimed actors and actresses Will Smith, Chris Rock, Dakota Fanning, Salma Hayek and Jackie Chan and the television shows Grey’s Anatomy, Bones and Heroes.

Funds raised will benefit the Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s Educational and Development Scholarship Fund. For ticket information, contact Mr. Hutcherson by calling (310) 358-8300 or visit http://www.thediversityawards.org/.

No flight of fancy

Reprinted from Auburnpub.com

By Jason Gabak/Special to The Citizen
Sunday, October 12, 2008 9:51 PM EDT

Growing up in Venice Center, Mary Beth Riley Moran had the good fortune to know with absolute certainty what she wanted to do with her life from a relatively early age.

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Photo by Jill Connor / The Citizen

From a career in the Air Force, Mary Beth Riley Moran now works for the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation safety inspector working in Rochester. She was recently chosen for the Cambridge Who's Who List, a professional resource used for networking and mentoring purposes that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals that have made a distinct place for themselves in their careers. A drive and determination has earned Moran a distinct honor.

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Moran was recently chosen for the Cambridge Who's Who List, a professional resource used for networking and mentoring purposes that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals that have made a distinct place for themselves in their careers.
For Moran, this career path has taken her from a farm in Venice Center, literally, to all over the world.

It was through her older brother, Mike, that Moran said she found her inspiration.

“This is no lie,” Moran said. “When I was 12, I knew what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a Marine, and I still have a deep respect for the marines. My brother had joined, and when he came back from basic training, I saw how it had matured him; it had taken a teenager and turned him into a man. I knew at an early age that was what I wanted to do.”

Read the full article at Auburnpub.com.

Cambridge Who's Who Member, Catherine Cardinal Publishes Powerful Book and Inspirational CD

Cambridge Who’s Who lifetime member Catherine Cardinal has published a self-help book entitled A Cure for the Common Life and released a CD called Passion of One. Known as “The Self-Esteem Doctor,” her professional trademark is an integrated approach to psychology, which yields positive results in a short period of time.

A Cure for the Common Life: The Cardinal Rules of Self-Esteem is a powerful book that pinpoints 10 specific ways to recognize the root cause of common emotional problems and, at the same time, determine a realistic course for improvement. The “Cardinal Rules” are designed to strengthen your sense of self and fortify your value and self-respect. According to Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, “Dr. Catherine Cardinal distills over 20 years of wisdom gained from counseling real people into a delightful easy-to-read book that prepares the reader to move surely and confidently to joy and success.”

Passion of One features singers Dr. Cardinal and Brandon Jarrett and was composed by Gene and Toni Bua. The CD includes 12 tracks from some of the most inspiring and diverse artists in the industry and reflects an array of genres, including rock, pop, reggae, jazz and ballads. It is based on the work that Dr. Cardinal has done for the past 20 years to help people believe in themselves, change, grow and unite with their purpose in life. “May it inspire you to sing, to dance, to feel and to relentlessly pursue an uncommon, remarkable life!” writes Dr. Cardinal. An mp3 sample of the first song entitled, “Passion of One,” is available on her website.

Dr. Cardinal has been in practice for over 22 years, working to help clients overcome childhood traumas and achieve success and happiness in their relationships. She is a Certified Anderson Stress and Anger Management Facilitator and practices individual as and couples counseling. Being a published author and having appeared in several best-selling magazines, such as Cosmopolitan and Redbook, and on major radio and television programs, including “The O’Reilly Factor,” allows her to reach and help a vast number of people in a variety of ways. “Dr. Catherine Cardinal gives her readers the ability to change their lives by accessing t heir own wisdom. It is a rare gift!” says John Gray, author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.

For more information, visit http://www.catherinecardinal.com/. To purchase A Cure for the Common Life or Passion of One, go to www.catherinecardinal.com/store.