We bet you want to make a difference in the world. We bet you want to give back. We bet that you are on the verge of being able to do all of that. And quite possibly, you’ve already started a business or created a prototype of your invention but don’t know the next steps to take to become successful.

Or maybe you are one of the thousands of people we meet each and every day who already have a business or an invention, but you aren’t selling as many as you would like or making the revenue you know is possible.

That’s exactly why we created a special, “by invitation only” conference where you’ll discover insider secrets, cutting edge techniques and marketing strategies that top small-business owners and inventors are using to get their products noticed and their businesses to take off exponentially.  Well there is a new kind of education for entrepreneurs and inventors! It is called: The Working Inventor Weekend.

And who better to co-hosted the event than by an inventor who makes his living by licensing inventions, by Scott Evans. He is also co-creator of PassItOnToday.com.  The reason Scott and his partner Greg created PassItOnToday is because they realized that they were both very successful, but in very different fields. And they realized that there must be a common thread to that success. So they went about interviewing some of the world’s most successful people – and found that mentorship and “passing on” your resources and information was the key to launching people that were stuck. 

And now Scott has taken that same principle and created a weekend for entrepreneurs and inventors. They’ve persuaded business and invention pros and industry icons to attend this renowned event to meet –with you- the budding inventor or entrepreneur. There are no other events like this one anywhere on the planet. This event is the “signature” event in the United States for small business owners, entrepreneurs, inventors and people who want to make a difference! Attending the Working Inventor Weekend is like getting an advanced degree in the art and science of business. It is the best way to profit from your ingenuity. To be able to gain the kind of insight and knowledge from the list of amazing speakers, if you were to hire them individually to coach you, could cost $10’s of thousands of dollars if not more… But the attendees will have access to some of the most amazing people that can change their life.

Women Have Been Inventing Since the Beginning of Time
I know sometimes the world of invention is thought of as more of a man’s domain. In reality, women have been inventing since the beginning of time. For instance, did you know that the inventor of the ice cream machine was Beulah Louise Henry? She began inventing as a small child, sketching mechanical gadgets, and received her first patent at age 25 for the ice cream maker in 1912! Ellen B. Boyce obtained a patent for a washing machine way back in 1862. And the machine that made the grocery bag? That patent went to Margaret Knight in 1871.

What is interesting is that in preparing for an upcoming inventor’s summit, www.workinginventorweekend.com, I have gotten a lot of emails from women inventors! They were very glad to see that Thomas Edison’s grandniece, Sarah Caldicott (with her new book, Innovate like Edison) and I are on the list of guest speakers. When people find out that I coach inventors, it seems EVERYONE has an idea that they would love to see in the marketplace! If you think I might be talking about you, and you want to be inspired by amazing inventions, inventors, and their ingenuity, read on!

Whirlpool Mother of Invention Grant
One of the most fascinating people I got to talk to was Audrey Reed-Granger, Director of Public Relations at Whirlpool. There she heads up the Whirlpool Mother of Invention Grant Rewards Innovation and Ingenuity of Mom Entrepreneurs event. And, get this:  the invention CAN’T have anything to do with appliances. Whirlpool wants to reward women inventors who are making the world a better place; not better appliances!

Mary Anne Amato from New York is one of the winners of the Whirlpool invention contest. Mary Anne invented the Quick Change Crib. Mary Anne’s crib allows parents to change crib sheets without lifting the mattress or removing the bumpers, which is the normal practice when changing sheets in standard cribs. Her design lets parents slide the mattress out of the crib, giving direct access to change the sheets.

No-Squeeze Juice Box Holder
Owner and creator, Julie Steele, came to the invention world via her stay-at-home mom status.  With two toddlers who loved to squeeze juice boxes all over the car, around the house, and onto themselves, she was a woman in search of a solution!  Realizing she wasn’t the only parent to struggle with a sticky mess from juice boxes, Julie set out to solve the squirt problem and invented “No Squeeze Juice Box Holder” – a patent pending solution to the squirt problem that is also cup holder-friendly.  And Julie created “Story On The Go!(tm)” an audio CD to transform car rides into a fun story-time experience kids will love and learn from. Julie developed 9 original short stories featuring lovable barnyard animals that children ages 3 to 8 will love, and each story theme encourages good behavior!  A great solution for carpool, daily errands, road trips – even bedtime!   www.nosqueeze.com

Ellaroo Baby Carriers
Creator/owner Vesta Hartman Garcia became an inventor of babywearing industry by creating solutions to fit her life and goals. After her daughter was born in 2002, a limited selection of baby carriers on the market put Vesta on a path that ultimately led to Ellaroo.  Ellaroo designs are inspired by traditional baby carriers from around the world while keeping the modern, style-conscious mom and dad in mind.  Ellaroo prides itself on not only offering gorgeous, bold baby carriers sure to get noticed, but on being an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable business. All Ellaroo products are made from organic and earth-friendly products.  www.ellaroo.com    

Native Remedies
Company creators and owners, George and Adrienne, set out to create Native Remedies after having dealt with their own child being diagnosed with disorders such as ADHD and ADD. The disruption it caused in their lives, as well as the devastating effects of Ritalin, inspired them to launch an online destination that offers parents alternative health solutions and hope. To help little one feel better faster and more naturally, Michele Carelse, a Clinical Psychologist with a special interest in natural medicine, formulates the natural, herbal, and homeopathic remedies. With a website chock full of useful health information, from diagnosis to lifestyle advice and recommended products to maintain and improve a healthy body and mind, you can see why they have over 150,000 satisfied customers worldwide.
www.nativeremedies.com

Baby Care Timer
What new parent does not need help with learning and remembering and communicating the basics of baby care? New parents are sleep-deprived and overwhelmed and often find it hard to remember who did what and when – like how long ago a diaper was last changed, how long ago the baby was last fed, or how long ago medicine was given. And it’s not just mom taking care of the baby; dads, grandparents, and others are helping out.  To make baby care easier, the ITZBEEN was created. It is a multi-purpose timing tool that helps keep track, communicate, and share basic baby care information with the press of a single button. A quick glance at the ITZBEEN may help someone figure out why a baby is crying; perhaps the baby has been awake too long or needs to be fed! www.itzbeen.com

B.B. Sleep Solutions, LLC
No parent is born knowing how to swaddle a baby, and it’s important because better swaddling can lead to longer sleep times and prevent and treat colic. A solution that would make that happen has got to be music to any parent’s ears! Enter B.B. Sleep Solutions. They offer swaddling blankets and instructional DVDs that educate parents on how to effectively swaddle and soothe baby 100% of the time. www.bbsleepsolutions.com

Think you got a great idea?
If you are a woman and got a hankering for inventing and being innovative, check out the Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grants at www.whirlpool.com/moms. Is it worth going for? You be the judge! Beth House received a package featuring a $20,000 grant, a new home office, and a two-day business boot camp to leverage Whirlpool expertise, including product development and marketing. In addition, Beth also will receive Whirlpool brand’s most innovative products-a Duet(r) or Cabrio(tm) washer and dryer and a Whirlpool(r) Fabric Freshener. The criteria for the Whirlpool Contest are similar to those of most great inventions:  it has to create a solution to an unmet need; it must be unique in the current marketplace; and it should offer a viable business solution. And if you want to get mini-MBA in inventing and learn how to QUICKLY turn your ideas into cold, hard cash, check out the upcoming Working Inventor Weekend with Scott Evans of PassitOnToday.com.  I’ll be there speaking along with some amazing people! And keep me posted-whether it’s how much you loved these products, or you want to tell me about your newest invention, email me at digitaldarlings@earthlink.net.

1. CVS One-Time Use Camcorder and One-Time Use Digital Camera
2. Smartparts Digital Picture Frame
3. Kodak’s 5300 All-In-One Printer
4. Zeno
5. Wowwee Ltd’s Robopanda
6. GoDuster.com
7. The LightKeeper Pro
8. Bi-Color LED Blow On-Off Candles
9. Holy Cow Cleaner
10. Bowdabra
11. Speaking Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate(r) Dictionary
12. CellPoint’s Flamingo Bluetooth Headset
13.  The Wedge

To start out your holiday shopping you will want to get the new CVS disposal cameras. The CVS One-Time Use Camcorder and One-Time Use Digital Camera are great for those of you who still have last year’s holiday pictures still stuck in your digital camera. No need to worry about which cord goes to what device to print them. This is a great solution. You can preview the pictures as you take them on the screen and delete the shots you don’t want. Then take the camera to your local CVS store. The prints are great and better quality than many of the disposable film cameras. You also get a disc with the original picture files and a very simple, non-techie program for sending pictures to family and friends. And if you want to give a gift- you can get a book made of all the shots! These cameras are perfect for busy Mom’s on-the-go looking to record the family vacation or sporting events.  I know my family will be using them at Disney World this holiday!  
And once you have your photos you’ll want to display them. The Smartparts Digital Picture Frame with SyncPix technology has the capability to store up to 3,000 images, create organized slide shows, rearrange the picture display and add images without the use of the computer or the internet (although that option exists as well). Other frames currently on the market merely play back images with no control over order and force users to put up with clunky image download and have no capability to organize the images. Winner of the 2007 Editor’s Choice Award, it is also one of the most attractive frames on the market. It is available in a wide variety of sizes, fabrics, and colors. 
For those of you that do want to print your own photos, the Kodak 5300 All-in-One Printer is top of the line! The whole family will enjoy printing crisp, sharp documents and Kodak lab-quality photos at home for up to 50% less than comparable inkjet printers. And the Kodak EasyShare 5300 saves you money on ink – the color cartridge is only $14.99 and the black cartridge is $9.99! That’s something to shout about! And it is so much fun to use Kodak’s Gallery. Kodak Gallery has more than 60 million registered members and 2 billion stored photos. You can use Kodak Gallery to make Photo Books, Holiday Cards, Ornaments and much, much more! In our family we all pick one picture from the previous year and share with everyone in our family what we are grateful for and what that particular picture represents to us- memories of people, places and shared experiences that are priceless!

So once you have your camera ready, you’ll want to also make sure your family’s faces are camera ready. There is a device that was tested via double-blind, controlled clinical trials. It is the sleek Zeno device. We all know how zits can affect our self-esteem by remembering our teenage days; now there is an answer that works not just for teens, but for everyone. Combining the latest in medical and electronic technology the clinical results showed that 90 percent of the blemishes faded within a day or so! With over $2B dollars spent on blemish remedies, this is a true solution!

If you need to add a little fun to your family video’s you might try adopting Robopanda. It is a playful and talkative interactive friend. With his engaging personality and bright animated eyes, Robopanda(tm) shares stories and jokes, plays games, talks and sings songs. He can even crawl on all fours and return to a sitting position. Controlled directly by touch and sound, Robopanda has advanced artificial intelligence and recognizes and talks to his own toy panda (included).  He has three different play modes and includes interactive cartridge-based content. I know my nephew Nick will love this one! Nick’s robotic’s team took first place in their competition this year in Michigan! Way to go Nick! (And Glen- Nick’s dad. Glen coached the robotics team members to success!)

You know how people can drive themselves crazy when only half the Christmas tree lights work They pull bulb after bulb out looking for the culprit bad bulb? You usually just give up and throw them all away and drive back to the store and buy new ones, right? How many miniature light sets could be saved from the landfill if people knew about a little red gun called The LightKeeper Pro. Plug, Click, and it’s fixed.  The whole darn light set lights up! How’s that for a great gadget to have in your DIY tool box?

Miami art teacher David Kotkin, invented the hand-held motorized GoDuster to eradicate classroom allergens. You can use it to spruce up your house before the holiday visitors come over! GoDuster is the revolutionary motorized duster that makes dusting faster, easier and more fun than you ever imagined! It’s battery operated, just push the button and the duster head starts to spin, picking up dust in a fraction of the time. Designed for comfort, the handle is ergonomic and balanced to make dusting feel almost effortless. Go Duster reaches dust in every nook and cranny – between books, shelving, plants, blinds, electronics and delicate collectibles. It comes with a bottle of Multi-Surface Dusting Spray that will enhance its dusting performance by grabbing and holding dust. When you’re done, simply rinse the dusting head under a faucet and let dry to use again. Dusting was never so much fun – you might actually get the guys interested!

And as you are sprucing up the house, you’ll want to know about a fabulous new cleaner called Holy Cow. It is completely safe- even kid-safe.  It’s organic, natural, and doesn’t contain a single harmful chemical, yet it’s so strong, they sell drums of it to Midas Muffler for degreasing car engines!  It beats all the competition on every surface, even the tough ones like shower soap scum, carpet stains, and tile grout. This is the first time in history that a natural cleaner has beat all the toxic ones!  And it’s USDA approved for use around food prep, so you don’t leave toxic residue on counters or BBQ racks.  You can even wash dishes with it, and it’s a terrific laundry pre-spotter.  It’s sold at Ace Hardware, Walgreen’s, and thousands of supermarkets, plus on-line.  And, unlike most eco-friendly cleaners, it only costs $2.99 to $3.99 for a 32 oz. bottle!

As the holidays are upon us, no one knows better than us how we want our houses to look just so. When you are looking for a new touch to decorate your house, check out the Bi-Color LED Blow On-Off Candles. They are both safe and easy to use. Rather than a flame, these 100% wax candles have a flickering LED bulb and turn on or off by blowing.  A switch on the bottom allows either yellow (natural) light or blue light.

And if you want another decorating tip: Enter Bowdabra a decorating-made-easy bow-making device. Whether on a wreath, evergreen, mantel or gift, Bowdabra can be used to decorate for any festive occasion. The gadget is so easy to use, even kids can do it! It is actually very fun to use!

 And you know how at parties, there’s always that one guy who forces the fridge closed with too much beer, and then there’s the next innocent guy who opens the fridge only to have all of its contents come to a crashing, party stopping halt on the kitchen floor?  With all of the holiday entertaining coming up, The Wedge will certainly come in handy for the bottomless supply of beer and wine that lives in your fridge next to the eggnog during the season. The Wedge is an essential device to bring order to cylindrical mayhem; when wedged under a stack of cans or bottles (wine, beer or soda), it stops them from rolling away.  No need for a wine rack, or for your beers to take up the entire fridge – just wedge it – and you can stack bottles up against a wall or into a pyramid with no need for control! 

 I am always on the lookout for products that will make our kids smarter. Enter: Speaking Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Designed to help business professionals or students communicate effectively, this electronic handheld is your comprehensive language reference tool and planner all in one. It speaks clear and concise definitions and includes a local/world clock, built-in organizer, calculator and currency/metric converter. (As a not-so-good speller, I love this device!)

And if you are looking for a sexy tech gift, CellPoint’s Flamingo Bluetooth Headset is hot! It’s specifically designed to look unlike other cyborg-like headsets and it has won several European design awards.  Of course, I fell in love with the pink one!

This is the month where we dedicate a day to giving thanks, or at least we are supposed to do that. It tends to be more of a day about the turkey, what kind of pie should we serve, and whose house to go to… This fall I had the pleasure of interviewing a young man that made me give thanks for a number of things, first of which was that I had two legs that worked. Second of which was the resilience of the human spirit and lastly, to have met someone who clearly was resilience in action.

I know that my column is about technology – and this story is about how technology changed an amputee’s life – but it is also about giving thanks and a reminder that no matter how bad things are, that if we are grateful for what is (vs. focusing on what is not), we can hear when opportunity knocks. (Hear this solider’s story about how technology changed his life in the video….)

If we can be open, even a small amount to that opportunity, to allow resilience to spring into action, we can transform our lives and of those around us in ways we can’t imagine until we cross that bridge of fear and defeat and land in the pool of resilience. It waits for each one of us, but most of us stop before we reach it.

On the other side of defeat is level of consciousness – or gratefulness and thankfulness that is beyond the turkey, the cranberry sauce or even the pie (i.e., what we know is true today.)

Yes, this Thanksgiving we are grateful for the Pilgrims and the stand they were. But today, is the opportunity to transform any situation into something unlike what we might have ever imagined it could be. And it is an opportunity to be a stand for that possibility for others.

Here is one young man’s story, that I hope by sharing will give you courage, will inspire you and carry you over the bridge of fear and defeat to a resilience and a stand that will transform your life. That is my wish for you this Thanksgiving.

And this Thanksgiving – spread the word of thankfulness, of gratefulness. Share something you are grateful for; something that you give thanks for. And in sharing the story, whether we are a stand for ourselves or for others, it is important to remember that each and everyone one of us makes a difference. We may not know it, but we do.

Heath Calhoun
Heath Calhoun was a soldier in Iraq.  At a young age, Heath earned respect for the U.S. military. His grandfather served in World War II and his father, in Vietnam. In 1999, Heath made the decision to carry on his family’s dedication to the military and to the service of his country. Heath enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed his infantry, Airborne and Ranger training at Fort Benning, Georgia. And then was deployed to Iraq where he was a Squad Leader for the famed 101st Airborne Division.

What happened next Heath would not have predicted. Heath, standing at the rear corner of a Humvee, was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. As it hit his leg, it exploded. He exclaimed, "I was lying on my side. I could see my legs were really messed up. I yelled to the driver of the vehicle to call headquarters. I laid my head down and that is all I remember."

Heath endured nine months of rehabilitation at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. He tried several times to have prosthetic legs made that would allow him to walk again but nothing worked. It was a very painful process. After two and a half years, he gave up on prosthetics. Part of him accepted that he would have to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of his life. This husband and father of three, felt discouraged. He could not pick up his kids or help his wife carry the groceries. Simple things that we, with working legs, take for granted.

And then an opportunity knocked. In June 2006, Heath was asked to speak at the Amputee Coalition of America National Conference about hand-cycling. They wanted to hear about Heath’s experience of hand cycling 4,200 miles (from Los Angeles to New York.) Because Heath did not have legs, he used a special hand-cycle where he used his arms and upper body to pedal the 4,200 miles! The cycling event raised money and awareness for other wounded service members. (Their successful endeavor is documented in the Showtime Original Production, "Home Front.")

At the Amputee Coalition Conference where Heath was speaking, another injured service member heard about a workshop on above the knee amputees and prosthetic solutions. He contacted Heath and demanded that Heath attend the workshop. That was quite a stand this soldier took for Heath.

While Heath had cycled across America, he was still reluctant to believe life could be better for someone like him. But the part of him that had not let go of being able to pick up his kids, heard the opportunity knock. It was difficult to be open to a possibility to walk again when he had been disappointed so many times before. How much could a man take? He had dedicated his life to his country, only to find himself, crippled- emotionally and physically. As much as he loved his country, this is not what he signed up for.

Heath half-heartedly attended the workshop. He entered the room, and to his surprise he saw bilateral above knee amputees walking around with no canes, no crutches, no walkers and no wheelchairs! He had never seen above the knee amputees so independent.

Could this be true? Could this work for Heath? Would he be able to carry his children? Do chores around the house?  His interest, accelerated as he watched the amputees run, drive a normal unmodified car, walk down hills, play golf and swim. Motivated by those that had the courage to try this solution, Heath decided to give prosthetics one last shot. He made the decision to contact the company.  That decision totally change his life forever!

After training in short prosthetic legs for several weeks, he was fitted with new sockets and computerized knees. Several days after being fit, he was up and walking independently, without using canes or crutches. More importantly, he was starting to realize that it might be possible to never have to use a wheelchair again. His new legs and his newly found mobility energized Heath.

Today, he is not only walking, but running, swimming, golfing and even hiking. He has not used a wheelchair once since July 5, 2006, the day he was fit with his prosthetic legs. In November, he was part of a three person amputee relay team at the Challenged Athletes Triathlon in San Diego, completing a 1.2 mile swim event in 39:00 minutes and with record tide levels.

And while his new legs have given him the ability to try many new sports and activities the rewards of being able to walk go beyond athletics. Heath proudly said, "My prosthetic legs give me the option to do things on my own. To go out by myself, be spontaneous and more independent, is amazing. If I want to take my son Mason to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls, or carry my two daughters around the house, I can just do it. Just knowing that is out of this world."

Heath continues to lead the way and now drives a normal car without any modifications. And he is training for a slot on the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team to represent the U.S. in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Heath is resilience in action. He lives a transformed life in Salem, VA with his wife Tiffany and their three children, Mason, Brystal and Bailee, because someone took a stand. This holiday, give thanks and be a stand.
 

Whether you are Paris Hilton, running from the paparazzi or wishing you had a body double while you sneak out of the house or want something life-like for the carpool lane to beat the traffic…(Seriously don’t do that… it is a huge ticket!) But certainly everyone could use android at one time or another! I was at the WIRED NextFest, investigating all the new and amazing technology along side hundred of kids from the LA School District. They were all fascinated by Mr. Zou and his body double.

An android is a robot designed to resemble a human, usually both in appearance and behavior. In a previous article, I wrote about Asimo, the Honda robot. Asimo is fabulous, but it does not compare with the human-like aspect of the one created by Zou Ren Ti. When I interviewed his daughter Becco Zou and  Mr . Zou, I asked if the real Mr. Zou would please stand up- you’ll have to check this out to believe it:

Mr. Zou’s family business was creating life like museum figures. When Mr. Zou heard Bill Gates predict that the next hot field will be robots, Mr  Zuo had an idea. Of course his kids laughed at him, but he listened to Bill’s foresight. Bill has compared the emergence of the robotics industry to how the computer business began 30 years ago. Today robots have emerged into surgery performing machines, surveillance robots deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan that dispose of roadside bombs, and robot vacuums and robotic toys, but there is something larger on the horizon. And while there are many challenges to overcome in making a functioning robot for everyday use, Bill and Mr. Zou are the futurists who see that by developing robots via technologies such as distributed computing, voice and visual recognition, and wireless broadband connectivity, this opens the door to a new generation of autonomous devices that enable computers that we never thought possible. In fact, perhaps our computers will become robots! And robots will be our computers!

One of the reasons for the newest advancements in robots is because the price of processing power in a computer, say for instance one megahertz, has gone from $7,000 in 1970 to pennies today. The processing power needed for accurate voice-recognition (programs that can identify words well) has made enabled robots to move more smoothly and accurately. But a far greater challenge will be to build a robot/computer that can understand what words in mean a particular context. But as computing capacity continues to expand, robot designers will some day have the processing power they need to tackle issues of ever greater complexity. Even with their limits, robots today blink their eyes, shift their gazes and their faces can reflection emotions like annoyance and joy. I’ve put my order in for a Dr. Nat Double! And it can’t come too soon! Somebody needs to do the dishes! I’m counting on you Mr. Zou!
 

One of my favorite times of year is back-to-school… As a kid, I loved school and anticipated, each fall, the first day back-to-school. Seeing your friends after a long summer vacation… Wondering who was going to be in your class… Would you like your teacher… Would there be any new, cute guys in your class… Picking out your outfit for the first day (at least for us gals)… And now I teach at Pepperdine University and my students are probably wondering, “What’s Dr. Nat like as a teacher?” I guess I liked school so much I kept going… I never thought I would end up with a Ph. D. but I did!

In this world where technological innovation is the norm, the question I always have to ask is, “Is any of this new technology really going to make our life better?” As this year’s school year boots up, laptops, e-mail and Internet connections are fast becoming the chalkboards and No. 2 pencils of the 21st century. Some 44% of students use computers and 77% use the Internet to complete school assignments. While times have changed and the back-to-school products have changed, what will never changes is the love of shopping for back-to-school stuff… Some of my most fond memories are shopping for back-to-school essentials… in those days you would stroll down the rows of a store, with your mom…

Today we have the internet. Hard to imagine the world without it really. And with it comes the advantage of shopping online. I learned early on from my mom to hunt for bargains and I have continued that tradition in our family… ‘Cuz there is nothing like a back-to-school bargain! What’s great about comparison shopping sites like www.shopping.com is that they make it so easy and convenient way to compare products and find those bargains. With families spending on average $563 per family on back to school shopping (that stats brought to you by The National Retail Federation), one can see that bargains are really important when getting kids ready for class. Shopping.com is one of those great tools and resources for parents to save money while they shop for millions of products. Doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for laptops, backpacks, or calculators or clothes, it’s a great place to check out reader’s reviews and the best deals all in one place. We found a $400 difference on a popular laptop! It pays to compare!

Did you know graphing calculator help teens do better in math! Math was definitely one of my favorite subjects… I know! I am geek. I saw math as a cool puzzle to solve and part of solving puzzles is having a strategy and also having the right tools. Today the graphing calculators seem to be a super must-have for acing algebra or calculus. What was interesting is the amount of research that shows that teens with graphing calculators do better in math! (You can see those research studies posted in my next entry.) And when I talk to the young women who have these calculators and are loving math, I am convinced that this is every parent’s essential tool to give their daughters and sons. (My secret mission is to show at least one young girl that she can be pretty and smart- If I can do that, its been a good life!)

What I like about the Texas Instrument TI-84 Plus Silver Edition is that it’s highly recommended by teachers, proven to help students increase achievement in math and allowed for use on almost all of the major college entrance exams and most statewide achievement tests. Obviously you will need to learn the math, even with the calculator- i.e., it is not going pop out an answer if you don’t what to put in… you know the old saying, “Garbage in, Garbage out.” But because this graphing calculator comes pre-loaded with 1,000 college entrance exam test prep questions -if you spend the time, practice and learn the math, this could not be a better tool to give kids an extra edge when practicing for the SAT and ACT exams. (Yes, I said practice… How did I get good at Math? One- I had great, patient teachers and then I would spend all day Saturday practicing completing the square, graphing, – math is like anything else- you can’t get a washboard stomach by doing one sit-up. The analogy here is you won’t be a math wiz if you don’t practice the process and learn the rules… Math is a game. If you think about it like that, it is really fun.)

And what is great about the TI calculator is that you can use on the SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Physics and AP Statistics exams. It has more than 20 preloaded software applications, including, software for Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, math and science tools and educational games. And no worries about storage space- you can storage up to 94 software applications and it is electronically upgradeable to have the most up-to-date functionality and software applications. The built-in USB port and cable allows you to transfer data to or from a computer or other handhelds. And it connects with TI’s presentation tools to share work and collaborate with other students.

Best of all it comes in 14 cool colors (like hot pink! – they must have made that one just for me) And TI has decals as well as customizable stickers that you can print and pop on your calculator… So you could have a sticker with your dog, your cat, your family or your favorite band! For more on the removable stickers, go to http://www.education.ti.com If you want more info on these cool calculators, go to: www.education.ti.com/us/retailcolors If you need help with the calculator, call 1-800-TI-Cares (1-800-842-2737)

One of the best things about school is all your friends!!! And having just completed a scrapbook of my whole life… I really wish I had more pictures of my friends from elementary and high school! The best way to capture that fun? Whether it is a school play, football game, a debate team tournament, band practice, school dances, homecoming or just capturing your best friends doing something silly, FujiFilm’s Z10 camera has the best technology to keep all of you love in focus! There is a special face detection feature that zooms in on the faces and adjusts the exposure and the focus. And once you take the picture, it’s easy to transfer from one camera to another. Using IrSimpleTM you can transfer photos from one IrSimple device to another. The Infared (IR) technology means – no chords, wires, nothing! For those want to attach photos to their blog, it has a ‘blog’ photo feature that resizes your photo for uploading and / or emailing… Don’t be sending any 15 MB files in email if you want to keep your friends!

What’s Johnny Deep Doing in My Phone? All I got to say is I am one lucky girl! With all the after school programs and sports, more and more parents are buying cell phones for their kids to provide them with added security. (I think we used 2 cans and some string… just kidding…) Seriously, having a cell phone to call mom or dad just makes sense. And if you are a Disney fan, waiting to get picked up from band or football practice won’t seem so bad any more. WHY? mDisney (the mobile group at Disney) has just announced that those favorite, loved and cherished Disney characters like Hannah Montana, Winnie the Pooh, Tinkerbell (and many more…) will be traveling with you via cell phone ringtones, games and graphics.

Parents will love the fact that there is finally great family-friendly content that’s appropriate for all ages! And kids will love that these downloads include one of their favorite movies, High School Musical 2 (It premiered on the Disney Channel August 17th.) The mobile fun ranges from online games via Pirates of the Caribbean to the High School Musical 2 – complete with those uplifting songs.

Kids, if you are under 18 though, you’ll need your parents permission to access the downloads.

You can find out more information at www.disney.com If you log-on and can’t find what you need, check back soon, because I hear the site is being updated. And your best bet, if you can’t wait till it is updated is to check with your cell phone carrier for availability and pricing!

We know that back to school also means back to germs, colds and dirt.? From old uniforms to dirty gym clothes, parents will want to check out Samsung’s new front loader washing machine — Using nano-sized silver ions, it kills 99% of bacteria to sanitize laundry, in cold water AND without bleach.? It’s energy saving- so you are washing the GREEN way, cost-efficient, and, best of all, your clothes and colors stay in great shape.? Also, it has Vibration Reduction Technology that keeps the noise down!? The colors are so pretty you’ll almost want to put it in the family room…

Thanks in part to Al Gore, his movie and cross the country tour of An Inconvenient Truth, we are all now very much more aware of what we are doing to the planet. With this awareness, comes people asking me all the time, “What can they do to contribute to being GREEN?” I have to admit I never thought a washer would be this high-tech, but I am always open for surprises! I love to see how scientific discoveries mesh together into new products that really make our life better. This washer is certainly one of them. It combines the use of silver, widely known for its anti-microbial properties and a way to be green while washing clothes. Brilliant! Can’t get better than that!

Stats on Doing the Wash

* The average household does 400 loads of laundry a year consuming 13,500 gallons of water
* Most laundry detergents contain solvents, optical brighteners, colorants, builders and surfactants – in short pollutants
* 90% of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water

When my mom did the wash, she used A LOT of beach, HOT HOT HOT water and a ton of soap to kill bacteria. But today in the U.S, most laundry is washed in cold or warm water without bleach. The result? Prominent scientists have shown that this commonly results in clean wet laundry with a significant microbial contamination. Not good. So what’s a consumer to do get rid of the bacteria and not use a lot of hot water (i.e., extra energy?) With the increased consumer demand, Samsung developed an energy-saving washing machine with superb microbe killing capabilities.

Imagine over 100 quadrillion Silver ions (Ag+) dissolved in water to make up a super cleaning solution. Here’s how it works. In the wash, metallic silver atoms, electrolytically stripped of an electron, are injected during the wash and rinse cycles, allowing the silver ions to penetrate deep into the fabric to sanitize clothing without the need for hot water or bleach. According to tests, the positively charged silver atoms remove or kill 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria. And using cold water keeps the energy consumption down by 92%. No or less bleach keeps your clothes brighter and makes them last longer. And even extra delicates such as blouses, shirts, or even lingerie can now be sanitized effectively in cold water. And skin testing has shown SilverCareTM-washed clothing to be hypo-allergenic. (And in case you were wondering, a quadrillion is a 1 with 15 zeros after it- 1,000,000,000,000,000. A lot!)

The SilverCareTM silver plates carry a warranty of ten years, and can easily be replaced by a service technician if needed. It has a customizable setting feature called MyCycle, which allows you to customize options and recall them, so if you figure out the best combination to wash your favorite sweater on, you can repeat it. It also has an algorithm interface for optimal selection of temperature and time for each load. In addition, this front-loading washing machine has a child lock safety feature.

And best is- you don’t have to hide this washer in the basement like the old days. Ours used to vibrate so much, it felt like it was gonna take off sometimes! Samsung has incorporated a vibration reduction technology that keeps the washer from making so much noise!

And at the end of the day, we want to make life for Mom’s and Dad’s easier, happier and more fun! These great colors almost make you want to put the washer in your… Familyroom … Well not quite, but certainly they are beautiful enough to have them in more convenient areas -next to the kitchen or upstairs next to the bedrooms. The matching Samsung dryers are available, and if you are tight for space, they may be stacked with purchase of an accessory kit. Mom or Dad or whoever does the laundry won’t be carting clothes down to the basement anymore! Check it out at www.samsung.com.

So the conclusion is, “Yes, these technological innovations will definitely make our life better!”

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You just mount the camera to back of the car via the license plate screws. And then the monitor mounts on your dash or visor. There you can see everything the camera sees! And in all seriousness, this is not just about trikes and bikes. Huge blind spots hide children running or playing near cars and trucks- so this story is not just about bikes and trikes- it is about keeping our tikes safe.

The RoadMaster Back-Up Camera System.

How serious is this issue?? Serious enough to make it on Oprah.

http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200706/20070601/slide_20070601_284_111.jhtml

According to KidsAndCars.org, back-over accidents are injuring thousands of children every year and account for 50 percent of all nontraffic deaths for kids 15 and younger. Many times, the injury is inadvertently caused by loved one. The problem has become serious enough that there is now a proposal to stop backover incidents. It has 27 co-sponsors in the House and 28 co-sponsors in the Senate. A key committee in the Senate voted the bill out on May 16th and it will soon go to the Senate floor for a vote. Is your lawmaker a sponsor or co-sponsor of this good proposal? It is called the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007.

In its recent study, the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that during 2001–2003, an estimated 7,475 children (2,492 per year) aged 1–14 years were treated for nonfatal MV backover injuries in U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs). The CDC’s report which underscores the seriousness of the problem and the need for action to prevent children from being injured and killed in vehicle backover incidents. And thank goodness for companies like Roadmaster that just seems to continually come up with products that women love because their focus is on making life better!

And one another safety note, Jane shared another story with me… In other countries you can get a huge fine for talking on your cell phone while driving… Jane’s friend was driving while talking on the phone. Her friend spotted the cops and in a panic, knowing she had been caught, she accidentally threw her cell phone out the window. At 90 miles an hour, she really had no idea where it landed. (The ticket was close to $500. Add that to the cost of a new phone…)

Jane showed us a solution: a wireless, LCD, hands-free, Bluetooth speakerphone! Instead of having to search for your phone and try to answer while driving, now you can see who is calling and with a quick touch, you can answer it and start talking right away! It hangs from your sun visor. This won an innovation award at CES in 2007. This device would certainly reduce the number accident and save many, many lives for sure! The statistics for accidents due to the use of a cell phone are pretty extensive! With laws changing in the U.S., this might be a product you can’t do without!

The RoadMaster Handsfree Bluetooth Speaker Phone for the Car.

Thanks Jane for spending time with us and keeping our trike, bikes, cell phones and families safer! Say hi to your grand kids! You are a natural on video! Hollywood… Did I hear Hollywood Jane?

Backup Camera Info at: http://www.roadmasterusa.com/backupcamera_vr3.php
? Complete with all accessories. Nothing else to buy._? Wide Angle Viewing_? Monitor Mounts on Dash or Visor_? For Use with 12 Volt DC Electrical Systems_? Great for Cars, SUVs, and Delivery Vehicles!_? Helps Avoid Accidents & Injuries!

Speaker Phone Info at:
http://www.roadmasterusa.com/bluetooth_vr3.php

Bluetooth Speaker Phone _? Compatible with all? Phones_? Adjustable Wide Cool Blue Backlit LCD Screen_? Rechargeable Battery with DC Charger_? DSP Echo Cancellation and Noise Suppression_? Auto Connection _? Call Receiving and Rejecting _? Call Waiting _? Call Forwarding _? Last Number Re-dial_? Voice Dialing Supported _? Caller ID for Last 10 Calls _? Ring-Tone Supported _? Mute _? Built-in Microphone_? E-Z Mount _? Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
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Ever wish you had your own private robot? With life being so busy, all of us multi-tasking in so many different directions, I bet right about now, that would sound great. Especially if you are Jetson’s fan like me…
Enter ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot. I learned about ASIMO at the Consumer Electronics Show. Here’s a video of that interview with one of Honda’s top engineers, Stephen Keeney:

And you can get a glimpse of your future robot ASIMO. She stars in her very own high-tech stage show at the Disneyland® Resort’s in Anaheim, California in the Honda ASIMO Theater in Innoventions. In a 15-minute engaging and educational show you’ll see how humans will someday benefit from a robot assistant like ASIMO.  As you enter the Honda ASIMO Theater you’ll be introduced to Honda’s robotics program and learn how the power of dreams and the determination of engineers led to the development of a humanoid robot capable of the remarkable feat of walking like a real person. Inside the theater, you are invited into the home of the McGuires as they meet the newest member of their family, ASIMO, and discover the endless possibilities of having a humanoid robot in their home.
You’ll be inspired to dream of the infinite potential for robots to help people in the future. I loved Steve’s dedication and message to kids and the important of studying science. I know my nephew Nick has taken to robots and had entered into a robotics contest at his school. “You never know Nick! You might just find yourself working alongside Honda with your experience in robotics!” ASIMO will certainly inspire girls and boys to pay attention to math, science and all of school. Doing so will provide them with so many options. And as Steve said, “Honda doesn’t need just science and engineering majors to help ASIMO type robots assimilate into our culture successfully… we also need the help of the social sciences…psychologists! So no matter your interests, there may be a place for you in the world of robots.” 

Was this an easy innovation? Not really. ASIMO took more than two decades of persistent study, research, and trial and error before Honda engineers achieved their dream of creating an advanced humanoid robot. Today, ASIMO can run, walk on uneven slopes and surfaces, turn smoothly, climb stairs, and reach for and grasp objects. ASIMO can also comprehend and respond to simple voice commands. Using its camera eyes, ASIMO can map its environment and register stationary objects. ASIMO can also avoid moving obstacles as it moves through its environment. She has the ability to recognize the face of a select group of individuals.
The robot’s size was chosen to allow it to operate freely in the human living space and to make it people-friendly. This size allows the robot to operate light switches and door knobs, and work at tables and work benches. Its eyes are located at the level of an adult’s eyes when the adult is sitting in a chair. A height of 120cm makes it easy to communicate with. Honda added intelligence technology to ASIMO which is capable of interpreting the postures and gestures of humans and moving independently in response. The key features of the new intelligence technology:
1. Recognition of moving objects
2. Posture/gesture recognition
3. Environment recognition
4. Sound recognition
5. Face recognition.

ASIMO’s ability to interact with humans has advanced significantly—it can greet approaching people, follow them, move in the direction they indicate, and even recognize their faces and address them by name. Further, utilizing networks such as the Internet, ASIMO can provide information while executing tasks such as reception duties. ASIMO is the world’s first humanoid robot to exhibit such a broad range of intelligent capabilities.
Of course I think it would be great to have someone to do the household chores, but even more impressive is the fact that Honda is setting its sights on bigger and more important endeavors with ASIMO. Honda hopes ASIMO may serve as another set of eyes, ears, hands and legs for all kinds of people in need. Someday ASIMO might help with important tasks like assisting the elderly or a person confined to a bed or a wheelchair. ASIMO might also perform certain tasks that are dangerous to humans, such as fighting fires or cleaning up toxic spills. This is the new frontier, and I can hardly wait ‘til I am 150 years old to see how far Honda and ASIMO go!

“There’s No Place Like Home.
Actually Dorothy, There’s No Place Like The ConnectedLife.Home.”

And here’s why. Andy showed us how all the technology – from the television to the security, sound, and lighting systems (and even the revolutionary oven) – can easily be programmed/controlled from touch panels in each room, or via a secure Internet connection from anywhere – across town or halfway around the world. When you log in via your laptop or cell phone, you see the same easy-to-use screens to control surveillance cameras, lights, thermostat, and even DVR scheduling. Forgot to set up that must-see game on TV? No problem! A specialized software, Life|ware™, (www.life-ware.com) allows you to control everything with a pretty friendly user interface!

A Day in the Life Of…
The ConnectedLife.Home system is designed to go with the flow of your day. Pre-programmed “hello” and “goodbye” commands know all the things you want to do, but instead of having to remember them all and do them – it takes one button- just like Mr. Jetson! As you are walking out the door, your “goodbye” command would turn off all the lights, the iron, record your favorite TV shows, turn down the heat,… (Remember those impossible to use programmable thermostats? For get-ta ‘bout it! They are a thing of the past!)

On your drive home from the office, your pre-program personalized “hello” command turns on certain lights, starts the oven to get the casserole cooking, and launches your musical playlists. You can listen to CDs, MP3s and internet radio; store your music collection, including digital music from your computer and rock the house without ever touching another CD!

Had a hard day? Need a mellow mood? Push the button for your easy listening playlist… Got a long night of work ahead? Need to get pumped up? Pick your Motown Mojo, Classic Rock n’ Roll or try Your Dance-Reggae-Latin-Hip-hop tune playlist. Maybe you are planning a dinner party? Just hit your dinner party serenade playlist. Watching your favorite movie and want to hear the sound track as you are serving up hors d’oeuvres? It’s easy. You search on the sound track, it brings up the album and cover art, you hit buy and the theme from Top Gun is ringing from the rafters! Your need; your mood; you choose!

And after dinner you might want to record live TV and play it back later. Or maybe you are getting sleepy and you want to pause live TV in the living room and resume the same program up in your bedroom TV. No problem! And you can record and view separate programs simultaneously.

Did You Print Out Those Pictures from Last Year Yet?

Picture this. You are unofficially the family photographer. Each holiday you are the one who takes all the pictures. And now the family is on your case because the photos are still in your digital camera. Having the best of intentions, you keep promising to print them out for the next holiday gathering… but who has time? You started way back when in 1995 with one of Kodak’s first digital cameras (DC40).

With over ten years of digital photos and years of home videos, how can you get the family off your back? It’s easy. Connect your camera or the memory card into the ConnectedLife.Home system. You can crop photos, adjust contrast and fix red-eye–all on the TV screen.

What better way to reminisce than seeing 10 years of little Anne – from when she was a wee babe to her excitement as she rips the wrapping paper off her new bicycle? Or granddad, still excited by his 20th pair of new slippers. This system provides you with an automatic slideshow with all your photos and videos — and plays it on all your TV screens throughout the house accompanied by your holiday music playlist… Being a DJ was never so much fun! And if there is one photo someone can’t live without, you can upload/archive it to your photo album on the web, burn them a DVD – or even print photos from the TV!
What’s Served Up With The ConnectedLife.Home package?
A Hewlett Packard Digital Entertainment Center (including an HDTV, DVD player/burner, FM Stereo, memory card reader with 300 GB of storage), Xbox 360, networking kit, wireless router, lighting, wireless thermostat, two surveillance cameras and keypad controllers… The cost? Around $15,000- depends on exactly what you get. So if you are cooking in the kitchen and are wondering if Johnny is doing his homework or if the baby is up, you can check via the surveillance cameras.

Vacation Anyone???
Sunblock? Sandals? Beach Towel? That’s what you want to worry about when you are on vacation. Not whether you forgot to record Desperate Housewives or Gray’s Anatomy. And if you decide to come home early or, better yet, extend your vacation another week, the remote access allows you to adjust lighting and thermostats, spy on your cat or even your teenagers.
And while you are away, if you meet some new friends and want to brag about your kids? You can access those photos and videos you had at your holiday party! And once back home, you can monitor your vacation place. The remote access service does come with a $20 monthly fee, but the peace of mind is well worth it because the uses are endless.
But Do I Need To Be A Rocket Scientist To Install /Use The System?
Nope! Look Mom! No Wires! While that might sound like a lot of stuff that has to be wired – you don’t have to read the directions, pull out a screwdriver or a drill, or be a rocket scientist to make all this happen. Why is this a significant change? Historically home control systems were reserved for high-end, new home construction. That’s because it was easier to wire the controls into the house as it was being built. However, wireless technologies, eliminating the need to rewire, are transforming the idea of the connected home into an immense potential market.
In fact, consumer market research industry expert www.ParkAssociates.com states systems like the one by Best Buy, HP and Life|ware™ have dramatically changed the marketplace. By packaging the technology in a seamless, easy-to-use system they have transformed the industry from one “only the rich can afford” to one within reach of “everyday homeowners.” With the increase in accessibility to the mass-market, Parks Associates predicts the industry will reach the $3 billion mark in 2007. And by 2010, more than 30 million U.S. households will have entertainment and security interconnected systems. And I don’t know about you, but I hate all those unsightly wires, cables, connectors – and what about the 20 remote controls… half of which are lost in the cracks of the couch? All are truly things of the past!
So what about installation and service? The ConnectedLife.Home system comes with Best Buy’s expert installers and service! A technician will fly to you — no matter where you live in the U.S. — and install the whole system. And if you forget how something works, all you have to do is call! They have a great support system. If you get confused about how something works (I doubt you would because the user interface is really simple!), you can tell the person on the phone. They log into your account, walk you through the steps, or do it for you via remote access.
And while this might not be everything the Jetsons had… a car that folds up into a suit case, a 3-day work week, supersonic skate boards that can travel 1000 miles in 1000 milliseconds – it is certainly a start!  Whether you are a homeowner or a contractor, if want to know more about the connected life, you can go to www.BBFB.com/ConnectedLife or write to me and I will get you hooked up with Andy! He is the MAN! (doctorofchange@earthlink.net)
Next year we hope Andy will stop by LA and pick me up on his way to CES 2008 in a decked out, Jetsons’ Lifestyle ConnectedLife. Home system RV! That would be the ultimate ROAD TRIP!  We could report to you from the road about all the great people we meet along the way and get their comments about the new Jetson’s lifestyle… Kodak, Sony, Panasonic… we might need some new still and video digital cameras to document our road trip!!!
Oh, and Ricky Martin, we need a new road trip song… Instead of “Livin’ La Vida Loca” (“Livin’ the Crazy Life”), now that we have a one-button life—we’ll be singing “Livin’ the Connected Life”. Maybe Britney Spears has some extra time on her hands to write us a tune? Anyone? Anyone?

First secret is a little known, but exclusive and popular technology break through in men’s shoe fashion…Standing on the red carpet, answering dozens of reports questions and then staying up all night at the after parties, one’s feet can begin to ache. But stars knowing this secret technology won’t be wishing for their sandals. Enter the Catapult MMXT3 Gravity Defyer Shoe from www.gadgetuniverse.com. Scientists were investigating materials for shock absorption during earthquakes. Using this research they created an energy reciprocating, shock absorbing sole. As you step, the shoe gives you the feeling of jumping like a kangaroo. If nothing more, the gravity defying shoes will turn the least likely star into a taller, more confident secret agent man.
And when you see the stars on the red carpet, many people ask, “Why does their skin look so smooth and glowing?” Collagen is part of the answer. This top star’s next beauty secret will take you back to 9th grade biology class (Don’t worry- no frogs to dissect here….) As we age, the cells that manufacture collagen and elastin – your skin’s support system, slow down. Sun exposure accelerates this process, resulting in a chemical imbalance under your skin.
In school we learned that mitochondria are our cell’s powerhouse that converts energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate.) Physical therapists have been using various types of light therapy to heal injuries. Even the NASA space program has shown that LED light therapy promotes wound healing and human tissue growth. And now based on similar principles, light therapies are being used to enhance beauty by helping your cells to produce more energy (ATP.) The more ATP, the more fuel your cells have for the repair and rejuvenation process. (www.rejuvawand.com) Independent laboratory studies have shown that increased ATP reverses the effects on aging skin. This is because the powerful cellular energy boosts collagen levels, smoothes the skin’s appearance, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and activates key healing properties RejuvaWand technology is based on unique high power light emitting diodes (LEDs), which have been proven in independent research to safely deliver powerful cosmetic, hygienic and therapeutic benefits. Another beauty secret to a many a star, “Does this mean the end of collagen injections?” Probably not too soon… But these new technologies are catching on because there are no painful needles! (Note: Everyone’s skin type absorbs various wavelengths of light differently. It’s vital to see an experienced doctor when choosing new innovative treatments. After all, you only have one face!)

And how do the stars get from here to there on the big Oscar night? Some cruise via www.NetJets.com It’s the world’s largest fleet of private jets. The great thing about it? You only own a share of a Jet, i.e., you only buy, when you need to fly. And once back at home, how do the stars relax after a big night out? They curl up on their sofa in their very own luxury, mini-home theatre, courtesy of http://www.jotonline.tv/jot.html complete with a HDTV cinema screen, automated drapery systems that close by themselves. The lighting, home security and pool and spa climate is fully integrated and can be controlled at the touch of button. The life of the Jetson’s is finally here!