It's a Great Time to Explore Prescott!

Many of you may not know much about Prescott. Let me tell you……it will be a treat if you can find some extra time to explore and enjoy the beauty and hospitality of the area during the conference weekend. Even if you live right here in Prescott, I’ll bet it’s been a long time since you explored it like a tourist.

Average high temperatures in July are in the mid-80’s, with nighttime lows in the upper 50’s. It’s perfect weather for golfing, hiking, shopping, or enjoying a meal at one of the many outdoor dining spots in town. You can rent a paddle boat or kayak and enjoy some time on one of the area’s lakes. Or you can get out and enjoy some time hiking around in the gorgeous Prescott National Forest. And, make sure you find some time to walk around the town square and enjoy the cool shade while exploring the local shops and art galleries.

The Prescott Fine Arts Association has planned a production of “I love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change” that would be a wonderful evening activity. For you early risers, you might want to take a stroll through the local Farmer’s Market on Saturday. And, I hope you’ll plan on attending the Heroes of Yavapai County Calendar Release Party and Bachelor Auction on the night before the conference.

This is definitely a fun event (and supports TIP, too). You’ll get to see lots of hunky, handsome, great local police officers and firefighters, and you’ll even have a chance to bid on a dinner date with one (or more!) of these local heroes. The event is being held at the famous Palace bar and restaurant on historic Whiskey Row. The Palace has a colorful history and lots of local style, so it's a fun place to explore.

Please remember to check back on the Chamber of Commerce’s website (www.prescott.org) as we approach the Damsel’s In De-Stress dates to see what else is happening in Prescott.

Prescott is known is “Everyone’s Hometown”. I think you’ll be happy to call it your hometown for the weekend, too.

Submitted by Sue W.

Going Back To School

Are you considering going back to school? Pursueing your degree, while working and raising a family can be tough, and also be one of the greatest achievements of your life.

Consider attending the "Back to School" class at the Damsels In De-Stress conference, presented by Northcentral University.

When is Choosing a College Like Online Dating? What to know before you commit.

Thinking about trading up on your education?

Brent Passey wants you to look before you leap into an online university relationship. VP of Enrollment Services for Northcentral University, Brent thinks choosing the right school to continue your education is a lot like courtship. In this seminar, he will lead you gently through the process of researching, choosing and ultimately committing to the best match for you.


People beginning post-secondary studies or returning to college today will ask themselves, is online learning right for me? Increasingly, the answer to that is a resounding yes.

Online learning is the fastest growing segment of higher education and enrollment in asynchronous courses—anytime, anywhere classes—is growing fastest of all. The reason most often cited for this is convenience. With online learning people can take courses that originate hundreds, even thousands of miles away. There is no need to defer careers, disengage from families or communities, or relocate to be near education institutions.

The issue of cost is the second most compelling reason to study online. To begin with, the online university doesn’t require all the ancillary fees so common at brick-and-mortar institutions—parking fees, student activity fees, and the like. Also, commuting expenses alone are enough to incline current and would-be students toward online education. Fuel costs can now account for a substantial share of the total budget associated with higher education. But another factor may outweigh even gas prices.

“Time is the single most precious commodity our students have,” says Mark J. DeRitis, associate dean of students at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, N.Y. And Clarkson is a predominantly residential school, where most students live on campus, in dormitories. To adult students, with career, family and other obligations, time isn’t just precious; it is often what they most lack. For these people, the value of time cannot be overstated.

Convenience and cost, though, are not the only factors driving the surge in online learning. Just as significant for many students is that the online education delivery system itself is absolutely perfect. The course materials may be absorbed at one’s own pace, and thanks to this the learning process can be more deliberative, more rewarding.

Online learning relies strongly upon reading and writing—as opposed to trying to follow a classroom lecture while frantically scribbling notes amid an atmosphere of distraction. Learning in the online environment affords the opportunity for reflection as the course material is absorbed, rather than recording class content so it can be gone over later. To students who do not need, or cannot find time for the reinforcing social aspects of classroom-based learning, the freedom of asynchronous education provides the ideal alternative university.

But is online learning right for everyone? No, of course not. The real question though is whether it is right for you.

The answer to this rests with the persona of the successful online learner, an individual combination of preparedness and attitude. The successful learner will bring to the process a certain skill set—for example, a grasp of the basics of research and, most importantly, a developed ability to communicate through the written word and to understand written communication. That being said, attitude is the sine qua non of successful online learning.

The best online learners are self-starters—highly motivated, focused, determined self-starters. They are also individuals who already possess or are willing to develop time management skills and the ability to pursue their university degree alongside the competing responsibilities and distractions of life.

As you have come this far, chances are, the best online learners are people like you.

Visit www.NCU.edu for more information.

Make Your Voice Heard in a Crowd

There are only a few of us who can truly say we enjoy getting up in front of others as a featured speaker. More than likely, most of us don’t even like to speak up and offer an opinion unless we know we’re among trusted friends. So, are you among those who avoid public speaking because it’s such a miserable experience? Well, girlfriend, maybe it’s time to tackle those fears!

I’ve notice that there are several great sessions planned for the conference that help to address these issues. One of the sessions is called Speak with Passion; Speak with Power. This class will help the attendees face their fear of public speaking. It’s certainly going to help all of us to put together an effective presentation or speech. Another class is entitled My Voice My Self: This session will focus on speaking voice quality, and to discover and enrich your authentic speaking voice.

Building effective communication skills via these classes will surely pay big dividends for all of us. And, learning in such a girl-friendly setting will be a real treat, too!


Submitted by Sue W.

Spend Less Live More

Sometimes it feels as if there is a continuous financial count down looming around us, counting down to a medical emergency, a car breakdown, a layoff, or a foreclosure. Ugh, it can be tough. Although, Mary Hunt says it well, “Tough Times Don’t Last, But Tough People Do!” So, game on! Let’s see how creative we can be and show tough what tough really is!

Not many households would say ‘No’ to a $300 per month raise. The encouraging part, anyone who uses a debit or credit card for their daily purchases is eligible for such a raise! Transition to a ‘cash only’ system for your daily purchases and you can count on trimming your spending by 33%. For many households that is $300 per month or more! Use a budget to determine the amount you can spend for groceries, household purchases, clothing, entertainment, and spending money. Once your limits are determined, spend cash instead of a card and you will see the instant savings.

Tired of stopping to pick up only milk and eggs, and coming out of the grocery store with a basket full of groceries and $60 less in your wallet! Grocery shopping is a large expense for most households, but it is also a manageable beast that can be tamed. By recognizing what is a ‘Great Sale’ versus a ‘Great Advertisement’, stocking up when the items are at an amazing price, planning your meals around the sales, and taking advantage of coupons, you can cut your grocery bill by 40-50%. Wow, there is another $300 per month raise, gotta love more money!

You can go against popular opinion and say ‘No’ to the world’s way of spending money. Believe it or not, your children will survive without unlimited texting, you can look stunning in clothes from a resale or thrift store, and you can be happy eating at home as a family instead of dropping $50 eating out. Make a goal to ‘Spend Less and Live More’, give up some of the trendy ‘world’ desires so that you can work less hours, get out of debt, go on multiple vacations per year, and embrace your financial situation instead of avoiding it.

For more practical ways to save money everyday, visit www.PracticalSaver.com and being to Spend Less and Live More!

It's Time to Get Out of My Comfort Zone!

Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m not into the “angel on my shoulder” thing. I don’t understand what people mean when they talk about their auras. I do read my horoscope in the paper each day, but I can’t say that I actually believe it gives me any real indication on what kind of day I can expect. I struggle to understand and make good use of my five senses, without someone telling me to tune into my sixth sense.

But, now that I’ve confessed this to all of you, I’ll also confess that I’m very curious to find out what I may be missing by my lack of knowledge on these topics. Yes, I’m curious.

So, I want to attend some of the fun classes that are listed on the conference schedule that deal with these topics. For example, there are sessions on “Angel Readings”, “Aura Readings”, Astrology, Past Lives, and Sixth Sense.

It will be interesting to learn why other people decide to attend these sessions……..are they all believers, or are there others like me who need to be convinced? Care to join me?


Submitted by Sue W.

It's getting closer!

You know what? I'm getting excited about the Damsels in De-Stress Getaway conference coming closer. I review all the great classes often, think of all the professional speakers, and think about all the beautiful super stuff for sale at the girlfriend mall. I think of all the wonderful women I'll meet at this year's conference. The caliber of the speakers is really high and I caught one of them, Lisa Kasanicky of Arizona Spa Girls, on tv about a week and a half ago. She's really knowledgeable and very professional as are all the presenters.

I'm thinking about what I'll learn about taking care of myself in terms of metaphysical stuff, how to dress better, what the fuss is about Zumba, hair info--which I'm always in need of, places to rough it in Arizona that I can tell my friends about, how many calories are in the snacks I eat, the secrets of what lasers really do to you, and many, many more class opportunities.

And what great stuff I'll get for free like the breakfasts, lunches (the resort food is always great), giveaways, a martini at the martini party, local businesses' offers, and chances to buy raffle tickets for prizes. And the view from the Prescott resort is spectacular, especially at night. Join me and maybe we'll become new friends!"

Posted by Kathi

What a deal: Enjoy a great weekend and benefit TIP too!

You may have noticed in the promotional materials for the Damsels in De-Stress conference that the event benefits TIP. But, you might not know what TIP is.

TIP stands for Trauma Intervention Programs of Arizona. This volunteer organization performs a critical service in conjunction with the emergency responders, working to support individuals and families during times of crisis.

In 2008, this group of 56 volunteers responded to over 500 calls, assisting 1500+ individuals in need. TIP was there to help those affected by deaths, medical emergencies, structure fires, automobile accidents and many other types of trauma that affect good people every day.

The proceeds from this conference will help assure that the TIP volunteers are able to support our emergency responders and citizens in the future.

You can’t open the paper lately without reading that volunteer organizations are struggling to keep up with their financial obligations. I think it’s great to know that we have the opportunity to enjoy a fun girlfriend weekend AND to do our part to keep TIP working in our communities, too.

Sounds like a win/win to me!


Submitted by Sue W.