Baseball isn’t the only American pass time. Many men and women spend their weekends and days off, on the golf course, getting in those eighteen holes. There are many professionals like Billy Jean King and Arnold Palmer that have made a career on golf courses all over the world. For them, it’s not a game, but a way of life.
You can see Moms, Dads, and even the kids out on the golf courses every summer having a great time hitting those balls across the green. Some adults have joined golf clubs and play on a regular basis. I have a friend in Las Vegas and he spends every free moment driving those little golf balls into their holes. According to him Las Vegas golf courses are the best in the world. Of course, he may be prejudice, since he was born and raised in Nevada. I went to visit him this past summer and of course we had to play a few holes at his private club. I have to admit, I didn’t do so well, but I did have a great time. The golf course really was exceptional; it was situated where you could see everything from the mountains to the strip. There was a fantastic restaurant and bar, men and women’s locker rooms and a golf shop where you can find everything from hats to golf balls and tees. You can also get a golf package which consists of tee time and a room, and that’s what we did. We spent the whole weekend playing golf, at least, during the day. I have to admit, as far as golf courses go; the Las Vegas golf courses were pretty great. I’ve never been to a golf club before, and I never realized it could be so much fun.
I knew nothing about the game before my trip to Las Vegas, but after a few hours on the green I did learn that I actually liked it, and it’s not as easy as the pros make it look. I guess that’s why they have practice ranges, for people like me that really need it. A round of golf is eighteen holes, even though some golf courses have nine, in that case you play through twice to make your eighteen holes. They each have a pin and a cup on the green and the course also has roughs, ponds and sand traps, of which I spent most of my time. It’s not as easy as it looks on the television screen, and I found out it’s got a lot to do with the golf course you’re playing on. Some courses are harder to play on than others, according to how many hazards there are and where they’re located.
Now that I’m home, I plan on checking out a few golf courses here, and putting in as much practice as I can. Next time I visit my friend in Nevada and we hit the Las Vegas golf courses, I’ll at least stand a chance.
Illinois Health Insurance and You: The Story of the Martin Family
Filed Under Health | Leave a Comment
The Martin family of Chicago, Illinois was always a bit different, if typical, normal or average are words that can be used to describe a “different” family. They didn’t live in a exquisitely furnished, spacious waterfront villa or a run down apartment that featured more water pouring in the roof then out of the faucets. Instead they lived in a typical three bedroom home on the South side. They didn’t drive a fancy sport utility vehicle (S.U.V.) equipped with all the latest gadgets, or a beat up pick-up truck, complete with rusty rims, a badly damaged fender and a muffler that sounded like a cannon. Instead they drove a normal four door sedan complete with a baby seat in back and luggage rack on the roof. They didn’t live the high life, complete with season tickets to the Chicago Bears, Cubs, Bulls and Black Hawks games, nor did they live a life of poverty. Instead they lived an average middle class life; complete with one family entertainment night every two weeks and the occasional upper deck seats at University of Illinois basketball, football, baseball and hockey games. Yes, the Martins’ were your typical, normal, average Illinois family.
The Martins’ normal life was flipped upside down one windy day in April when their seven year old son Benjamin Michael was hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street on his bicycle. You see, the Martins’ did not have Illinois State health insurance, which all too sadly, is very typical these days.
Young Benjamin Michael was rushed to the local hospital via ambulance and by the time his mother or father arrived, had already been through emergency surgery. The Martins’ were overjoyed to see that their little boy was in stable condition and would pull through this horrific accident, however their joy soon turned to shock and then despair shortly after arriving home with Benjamin Michael.
The Martins’ were told that the hospital bill had come to a shocking total of $56,490 and that because they did not have any health insurance they would have to pay this amount in cash or risk having their salaries docked. Randy Thomas Martin, Benjamin’s thirty five year old father knew that not only would he have to get a second job, but that his dear wife Emily Claire, who had been a stay at home ever since their second child Sarah Marie was born just 11 months earlier, would have to go back to work as well.
The next seven years could have been considered Biblical-esque “years of famine” as the Martins worked like slaves to do little else then pay off their staggering debt. Randy worked 70 hour weeks, while his dear wife Claire worked a full time job and even picked up extra hours when she could, all the while leaving Benjamin and young Sarah Marie in the care of a local sitter. Not having Illinois state health insurance cost them more then just a staggering debt, it cost them 7 years of quality time together.
However, not all Hollywood stories end happily and not all true stories end sadly. Today, Randy, Emily, Benjamin and Sarah Martin are not only happy Illinois health insurance carriers, but can be found spending every spare moment together as a family .. with one slight change. There is a now a fifth Martin, a four year old boy named Jonathan Louis, who is just learning to ride his new bicycle.
Easy Advertisement
Filed Under Business | Leave a Comment
How many times have you been waiting in line at the store, and found yourself reading the logo on the persons shirt in front of you? Or maybe you have no idea how that pen that is advertising a bank got in your junk drawer. This is called using cheap promotional products for cheap advertisement. It is also called smart advertisement.
This is a very effective tool in advertising your business to a large population. Imagine a group of guys playing poker for four hours once a week. The poker chips have your business name on it, and your business name is now in front of them for sixteen hours a week. It would be impossible to get that sort of exposure through traditional forms of media.
Purchasing promotional mouse pads is also another cheap and effective tool in advertisement. The possibilities are endless, and might include giving them to doctors offices, businesses,schools, and homes. A person may not think about the words written on the mousepad, until they are in need of your company. As they are trying to choose a company, they will be more likely to choose a familiar name. Your name will be most familiar to them. This form of advertising is so simple, and very cost effective in the long run.
Design your own mousepad, and start giving away custom mousepads any time that is appropriate. You can choose your own style, shape, color, and statement. You may write a creative quote, a one word statement, or simply your business name on the magnet.
The more one sees your name, the more they are likely to use your business. You can purchase hats for your employees. Make Friday t-shirt day at your business, and have everyone wear the company t-shirt. They will go to lunch wearing these shirts, and whatever errands they will run after work will be free advertising for your company. Another idea is to have free giveaways every week for your employees and/or customers. Include a small gift card to a restaurant and a bag and towel with your business logo on it. Remember, the more people see your name, the more they will trust it.
Think of ways to incorporate cheap promotional items in every part of your business. The competition is fierce, and advertising images are flashed in front of people every second. How often is yours making into the homes of your potential customers? You may need to think outside of the box, such as advertising on your mail labels. Or how about promoting on a mouse pad or a license plate? There are many creative forms of advertisement out there that do not need to break the bank. Begin using promotional products, and be ready for the business to come your way!