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Events

Parent-Teen Workshop "Preparing for Financial Independence"

White Plains Public Library to host Parent-Teen Workshop "Preparing for Financial Independence" as part of its "Allstate Readiness Series"

Teens and their parents are invited to a fun and interactive panel discussion, "Preparing for Financial Independence," on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at 7 p.m., at the White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave. The program will cover what teens need to know about money--earning it, spending it wisely, investing, basics of credit cards, and making that major investment in a college education. The workshop is free, and is a part of the "Allstate Readiness Series," a year-long series of community education programs on financial literacy and teen safe driving, funded through a grant from the Allstate Foundation to the White Plains Library Foundation. Refreshments will be served.

Our guests include two teen entrepreneurs, Tory Molnar and Nick Krichevsky, who will share their success stories about how they launched their businesses and earned their own money. Tory Molnar, a Pennsylvania resident, is an outstanding 14-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Utoria (www.myutoria.com), a direct sales company designed to help teenage girls earn money and learn about business. Nick Krichevsky is a student at Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle, and the CEO and founder of iFixYourTech, a successful computer consulting business that was recently featured in Westchester Magazine.

The teens will be joined by three financial professionals offering expert advice on how to make smart decisions about spending money, investing, and paying for college. Jacqueline Cicale and Loren Fishkind, members of the Werbitt Cicale Team at Merrill Lynch in White Plains, NY, are experienced investment advisors dedicated to educating people on budgeting, saving, investing, and portfolio diversification. Carolyn Cohen is an independent educational consultant and founder of Pathways for College. She helps students and families conduct effective college searches and evaluate college costs and financial aid packages.

The program will be moderated by Beth Feldman, founder of RoleMommy.com, an online community for parents.

The White Plains Library Foundation, a non-profit organization, was incorporated in 1995 to raise funds to help meet the long-range goals of the White Plains Public Library. The Foundation's work supports a wide range of programs and initiatives that promote literacy, educational achievement, career development, and lifelong learning.

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream.

Posted in: Events on 11/14/2011

Financial Empowerment for Teens

If you've got a teen interested in everything from financial aid programs to budgeting to starting your own business, then you won't want to miss our next event at the White Plains Library on November 30 from 7:00-8:30 pm. Check out the flyer below and hope you can join us!

Posted in: Events on 11/10/2011

October 19 Event: Ramp Up Your Financial Smarts

If you live in the tri-state area, you're invited to a special program, "Especially for Women:  Take Charge of Your Financial Life"--at the White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains, on Weds., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. Get expert advice on setting personal financial goals, budgeting, investing, insurance, retirement planning, credit, and other important financial topics. The program is free, and refreshments will be served.

Our keynote speaker and expert on investing is Susan Hirshman, author of "Does This Make My Assets Look Fat? A Women's Guide to Finding Financial Empowerment and Success." She worked for many years at JP Morgan and prior to that at KPMG. Susan has often been a speaker at Wealth Management Conferences throughout the country, has been quoted in numerous publications (Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Forbes, Kiplinger's etc), and interviewed on various TV and radio- business news shows (CNBC, CNN, FOX, ABC etc.) Ms. Hirshman is president of the consulting firm SHE Ltd., which focuses on women's financial literacy and client-financial advisor partnerships.

Our expert on retirement planning and insurance will be Deirdre Cosgrove, an Allstate agent and owner of the Deirdre Cosgrove Agency, Inc., in White Plains, NY. As a successful businesswoman, she helps families prepare a strategy to achieve their financial goals and protect the things that are most important to them--family, home, and car. She is an expert in financial products including IRAs, mutual funds, variable life insurance, and variable annuity products.

Our panel will also feature Solomon Algazi, a nationally recognized credit education expert and the president and founder of Credit Servicez. He is often employed by the nation's biggest banks and lenders to teach their customers how to understand and improve credit. His clients include lenders, auto dealerships, insurance brokers, and small business owners all seeking his expertise on their clients' or their own personal credit problems.

Beth Feldman, founder of RoleMommy.com, an online community for parents, will moderate the panel discussion.

The program is sponsored by the White Plains Library Foundation and supported by a grant from The Allstate Foundation to present women's financial empowerment programs to the community. 

For information, please contact Libby Hollahan, Executive Director, White Plains Library Foundation, 914-422-1495.

Posted in: Blog, Events, Financial Advice on 10/16/2011

A Day of Inspiration with Avon

Project You Managing Editor Jeanne Muchnick Attends a Once in a Lifetime Event with Avon

Women empowerment. Belief in yourself. Surviving and thriving. That was the message this week at The New York Stock Exchange when Andrea Jung, the Chairman & CEO of Avon Products rang the closing bell at The New York Stock Exchange. And I have to say I couldn't help getting a little teary-eyed. Especially since Jim Clark, the grandson of Avon's Founder David H. McConnell, was there, along with numerous Avon representatives - everyday "RoleMommies" like you and me. Women who took on the job of selling Avon products as a sideline to help support the family. I was also impressed with the number of women who followed their moms into the business, establishing Avon as a generational company built on a deep dedication to improving one's status.

Yesterday was the company's 125th year in business - and though it is widely successful and global - and filled with male execs - it is still, at its heart, a company built on the power of its female sales representative. (I was most impressed by the fact that the company was founded in 1886, 34 years before women earned the right to vote.)

Today, there are 6.5 million reps worldwide - smart, savvy, professional women who are a far cry from the famous "ding dong" Avon Ladies of years past. These women are passionate, entrepreneurial, and fiercely loyal. I met people yesterday - all moms -- who have been with the company 25 years, 14 years, 40 years - even one women who has been selling Avon products for more than 60 years. No wonder they call it the company for women. And no wonder, after a few minutes speaking with Haizel McIntyre, one of the reps, I was seriously thinking of joining the sales force (you can make a decent salary!!!). I was also - truth be told -- eager to leave the festivities and try the various lipsticks (I'm officially "in love" with the superSHOCK liquid lip shine) and lotions (hello Skin So Soft body wash) in my goodie bag. The piece d'resistance, however, is Anew Genics, a new line (just out this month) with patented YouthGen ™ Technology that helps stimulate the Youth Gene to help women look up to ten years younger. At only $38 a jar, how can you say no?

To locate an Avon rep near you, call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit www.avon.com.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post but received a gift bag in conjunction with my attendance at the event.

Posted in: Events on 09/17/2011

Save the Date: May 18 NYC - YBC Networking Event

Posted in: Events on 04/29/2011

Save the Date: May 12 - Success Mastery Series

Posted in: Events on 04/29/2011

Drive Safely Into Summer: May 11 Event for Teens & Parents

Join us for our next Allstate Readiness event at the White Plains Library, Wednesday, May 11 from 7-9 pm when we welcome an incredible panel of experts to tackle the topic "Drive Safely Into Summer" - a session dedicated to protecting teen drivers and parents. Our panelists include:

Jacy Good and her fiance Steve Johnson became safe driving advocates after Jacy was seriously injured and her parents were killed in a traffic accident caused by a teen. The accident, which took place on the same day as Jacy's graduation, irrevocably changed her life and her future. As she recovered, Jacy and her fiance have dedicated their lives to educating teens and adults about the dangers of distracted driving.

Rik Paul has been the automotive at Consumer Reports since 2000 and recently participated in a national conference on texting and driving spearheaded by Consumers Union and the Department of Transportation.

Steve Mochel is co-owner of Fresh Green Light, a driving school in Rye, NY which has been recognized nationally for its innovative driving simulators. Ford Hybrid cars with in car cameras and classroom and online learning. He's also the father/step-father of four children.

Susan Murphy is a licensed clinical social worker and a Student Assistance Counselor, serving in this role at White Plains High School for 11 years. She is also the advisor to the high school's students against drunk driving chapter.

The White Plains Library is located at 100 Martine Avenue. The event is funded by a grant through the Allstate Foundation.

Posted in: Blog, Events on 04/29/2011

The Million Women's Heart Project

I am named for my grandfather, Benjamin Goldman who passed away one year before I was born. Grandpa Benny was in his early 60's when he suffered a heart attack while riding the subway. Though he made it to the hospital in time and doctors had thought he would survive, my mom says that my grandfather was fearful of hospitals and endured another massive heart attack in the middle of the night and died without any of his family members by his side.

Nearly 35 years after my grandfather died, my own dad had a heart attack and underwent emergency surgery to place two stents in his heart. Thankfully, he survived, but not before my mom and I spent several hours in a hospital waiting room where we came face to face with a woman named Lenore Goldman - who coincidentally shared my own mom's maiden name. To say we were surprised was an understatement. We then learned that Lenore's husband Bernie was nearby undergoing heart surgery as well. Ironic? I think not. At that very moment, my mom and I truly believe that my grandpa Benny had sent us a sign that this time, everything was going to be okay.

As an adult, I have also experienced the sudden loss of my friend's young husbands to heart disease - both passed away of heart attacks, leaving behind their wives and young children. To think, that our friends could succumb to heart disease at the age of 39 was incomprehensible. From that moment on, I vowed to pay attention to my own heart health as well as my husband's.

That's why, when my dear friend Robin invited me to an event being spearheaded by her cousin, writer/producer Carole Isenberg and her longtime colleague and friend Pamela Serure --who suffered a heart attack and underwent triple bypass surgery at the age of 47--I instantly said I would attend.
Following Pamela's recovery, the pair founded Events of the Heart, a non-profit organization that centers on raising awareness and funds to support Women's Heart Health by incorporating artists, actors and musicians into their events. On April 6, the pair launched the Million Women's Heart Project, a star-studded event that took place at fashion icon's Donna Karan's downtown studio Urban Zen and featured performances by musicians, award winning actresses and panel discussions with leading experts in cardiology, health and wellness and the media. The purpose of the event was to educate and empower women to take care of their own health and well being while not ignoring the warning signs of heart disease.

Here are just a few of the inspiring words that were shared that day (via my twitter stream):

The event, which featured incredible readings by Sarah Jones - who transformed into four different women in a matter of minutes; "Desperate Housewives" star Brenda Strong and Tovah Feldshuh, among others, shared the real life stories of women whose lives came to a grinding halt when they discovered they had heart disease. Feldshuh's speech was incredibly moving as she shared her family's personal experience of how her 95 year old mom's life was saved when a female doctor at White Plains Hospital urged her family to send her to Columbia Presbyterian's Teaching Hospital where she underwent an experimental heart procedure that saved her life.

While Events of the Heart shares stories of women who discovered they were having a heart attack and survived, many more succumb to the disease without even knowing they are in danger of losing their life. In fact, heart disease is the #1 killer of women - surpassing all cancers. As a result, Events of the Heart founders Carole Isenberg and Pamela Serure are making it their life's mission to make sure that women are heart healthy.

This week, the pair launched the Million Women's Heart Project which has teamed up with hospitals and US Wellness, which manages health education and screening events, to offer tests free to women, with costs paid by sponsors.

The project intends to collect data on the test results, along with women's stories about their lives and health. In fact, I shared my own message below to my mom - check it out.

Following the event, we walked through the Urban Zen boutique where I made a bee-line for a bowl that was filled with hand carved river stone hearts and purchased two - one for my myself and one for my mom. The hearts were created to support the Million Hearts for Haiti campaign which supports local artisans whose businesses were wiped out during the earthquake in Haiti. During the event, Donna Karan announced that a portion of the sales from those hearts would also be donated to the Million Women's Heart Project.

For more information, visit EventsOftheHeart.org and MillionWomensHeartProject.com. Plus, if you text HEART to 48510 you can help a woman who can't afford a test Courtesy of USWellness. Plus, you can share your own heart story or message on the Million Womens Heart Project website. Make a difference today in the lives of women and if you ever feel pain in your chest or have trouble catching your breath, don't dismiss it - the key to a healthy life is having a healthy heart!

Posted in: Blog, Events, Extraordinary Rolemommy, Role Mommy Recommends on 04/08/2011

Distracted Driving Shatters Lives

I recently attended an event held at Consumer Reports Headquarters that was truly a wake up call for anyone who has been guilty of texting or talking on a handheld cell phone while driving. In a study released by Consumers Union and the Department of Transportation, it was revealed that over 30 percent of young people admit to texting and driving. Additionally, in 2009, over 5500 people lost their lives due to distracted driving and over 450,000 individuals were injured.

But even more eye opening than the statistics, are the real people whose lives were irrevocably shattered as a result of distracted driving. Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood introduced the DOT's latest Public Service Announcement campaign that shares the stories behind those statistics. I happen to have been sitting next to one of the victims' family members who was featured in a PSA. Miss 2010 South Dakota lost her 21 year old brother Kelson Vaillancort when the driver of the car he was in was texting, crossed over into the wrong lane and had a horrific collision with a truck.

Take a look...