Sunday, July 30, 2017

What is your favorite Beveridge?...or in this case, WHO....?

Hi all,

We are just shy of 50,000 readers now so first let me say thank you as we discuss Beveridges....

They say coffee is the #2 Worldwide Beveridge 2nd to Water ( as you need water to make coffee)....
Yet is the World Ready for the Real #1 Beveridge as I say to the others MOVE OVER and let the Queen walk through ..... I'm talking about the one and only Beverly Beveridge !



What is unique about Bev. is that I find her to be a creative soul, similar to myself. She has utilized all of her talents and keeps as much of that on the table as she possibly can....

Vice President at large of the Greater Atlantic City Public Relations ( PR) Council, Beverly is no stranger to the unique aspect of the business we call "People" !   Public Relations or PR is very interesting work. You can find many the Actor/Actress, Journalist, Promoter, and even Business Tycoon in the realm of PR work at various times in their careers. Sometimes I think it's just an extension of what we do when we work with People.

Beverly came to the PR council with a Jersey License in the Jersey Shore Public Relations Agency.
There, she has covered and promoted events State Wide. She has been the co-host of Radio 1450 WCTC with Tuesday Tunes at 2 and also a host with Jersey Juice.  She has written for the likes of Examiner.com and Hibu Magazine. She also does Restaurant Reviews for events/Magazines  such as Jersey Bites... I guess you could call her a Social Media Maven !  ( ....and I'm not just talking on line...she is out there doing it every day !)

Beverly also writes and teaches piano in her own private studio. I do believe a connection to the Arts makes for the best journalists and writers... it's just in the blood so to say ! LOL
Another outlet of Beverly's and something I just love is the Barefoot Sandal. You have to find her on Face Book -- connect with her --  and get yourself some barefoot sandal ! ( Of course, I mean one for each foot !)

These are designed by Beverly and sold across the Country ! You can find Bev just about anywhere with her sandals in tow ( Not TOE...although that would work too !)

Find her on Face Book at Jersey Girl Barefoot Sandal on twitter
@jerseygirlbarefootsandal  or reach out to me at
for any and all information on my blog spotlights
Coming soon, we will be adding a once a month feature..... stay tuned on that..... 
Beverly will also be appearing in the fashion statement segment of my on line TV show, "Ava's Casual Chat" that airs every 4th Tues. at www.wbtvn.tv  She is also a guest in this episode along with Bill Cradle , President of the Greater Atlantic City PR Council. Catch that episode on August 24th at 2:00 Eastern
You will also be able to find some "Barefoot Sandal" inside our purses as one of our special gifts ! 
You never know what gift you may get yet all are hand selected and in line with our Empowerment Brand
Ava's Eye Bagz launching in November !
In the meantime, grab YOUR favorite Beveridge and take a look at mine.... meet 
Beverly Beveridge and make sure you get a photo with her..... and, oh yes, 
Tell her Ava sent you !

Enjoy !

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Rock ON with Marlton Rocks !!

Good Wednesday Morning all !

This is my office day so I'm usually not in here on a Wednesday blogging, yet the trip to Niagra Falls set my weekend a little awry.... funny how things happen..... see what you "gather" from this
 blog post...and thanks for spending some time with us here !

First, going to post this "ROCK" photo...then I'll share the story.....


Let's start with the beautiful Julian T. Ross who lost his battle with Cancer on Aug. 8th of 2015. 
(My thoughts are now connected to the family forever)
Diagnosed with a Neuroblastoma at just 6 years old, and no real way to treat it, Doctors were at a loss.....a clinical trial was what took place next. Of around 100 children, Julian was able to gain some time with this trial and the only one it seemed to work for. He was actually in remission for some time yet when the cancer returned, it returned with a vengeance. 
According to his Mom, Kristi, Julian had an army of supporters.  ( Over 30,000 on FaceBook) 
"He left his bed, he laughed and he met each day filled with joy. He did many incredible things in his short life. He was the 2nd youngest cadet inducted at West Point. He was made an honorary petty officer in the Navy at Norfolk, VA, an honorary sergeant with the 10th mountain division at Fort Drum, an honorary fireman and police officer and even has 2 flight hours flying a plane", Kristi tells us.... He got to meet people from all walks of life and careers.... Generals, singers, athletes...
Kristi goes on to tell us that the one thing closest to his heart was giving back. Julian would collect toys and would fill the treasure box at CHOP. He was passionate about raising money to find a cure for childhood cancer. You can read all about him and join his army of fans on FB at 
Julian's Joust !

Marlton Rocks was set up in Memory of Julian.... Now let me share how we got connected !
So my friend and business associate , Michelle, was telling me about this cool page MARLTON ROCKS. Her daughter, Gabby, shares the same birthday as Julian....So Michelle and I  met for coffee the morning of the day my husband ( ART) and I drove to Niagra Falls. I just love all that cool interesting "stuff" and with the pocketbooks approaching launch, we are still looking for a few more charities to help with our give back component. I was intrigued to hear more....
So I reached out to the page and received a phone call that evening at dinner.... we were still in our travels to the falls..... we spent the night in Syracuse, NY and then continued on the next day with only a few hours of driving left.... the funny thing was.... Kristi and the family moved out to Marlton from Syracuse , NY.... and when I mentioned going to Niagra Falls, Kristi proceeded to tell me about one of Julian's favorite places on the US side of the falls..... I was actually in tears talking with her about it.....

Marlton Rocks was created by Sharon Riches to help spread awareness and keep Julian's legacy alive. 


So initially, we were to visit only the US side of the Falls....that changed and we wound up on the Canadian side (gorgeous). We will be going back in the near future and visiting the site that Julian loved so much. In the meantime, I - also teary-eyed - said a great big hello to Julian from his MOM on the Canadian side where I shot this photo.... interestingly enough, I couldn't see what I was taking as the sun was completely taking over my screen..... this is what I got--including the natural rainbow !

This shot was taken through the restaurant window that overlooks the falls......

All amazing..... I was really proud that I was able to say hi to Julian while I was there.... never even knowing him.......

So let's get back to Marlton Rocks .......

Encouraging you to PAINT A ROCK,  TAKE A PICTURE OF IT, PLACE IT IN A PUBLIC AREA - AND POST IT TO THE PAGE...encouraging the finder to the FB page....the finder would take a pic. of the rock and where they found it.... 
You can honor anyone on your rock....Now ....there are rocks showing up all over the Country !

So visit Julian's Joust on FaceBook, find and paint your rock and let me know how YOUR magical journey puts a stamp on the World !

Enjoy !

IN MEMORY OF JULIAN T. ROSS


#Julian's Joust
#Childhood Cancer
#Hope
#AvasEyeBagz

Saturday, July 8, 2017

Baby, Baby, Baby.....

Hello all,

Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July here in the U.S. and a great week elsewhere in the World. Thank you for taking the time to come over and read here.... We are getting very close to that 50,000 reader mark and I'm thrilled to share that with you. Thank you !

So this week....Step aside Oooh Baby -- move over  Happy Birthday, Baby --  Open up the circle Vegas, Baby --  there's some other "Baby's" on the block and there's plenty of room for all of you....

Let's talk CD BABY and BOOK BABY !

Meet President of Book Baby Steven Spatz and Senior Publishing Specialist Mike Taylor
(Not pictured: Ted Deacon- Account Executive CD Baby)




Located in nearby Pennsauken, New Jersey - CD Baby and Book Baby stem from a larger company called DISC MAKERS.  Seeing a need for a place to help Authors and Musicians move through the current climate of their respective industries, CD Baby and Book Baby bring you on that journey.  Of course, if you don't want to do all the work that goes with the process, come to 4 A STAR and we will handle that part of it for you.  CD Baby and Book Baby are providing a much needed service to those that are looking to get their books and music into the mainstream from a grass roots perspective. There is even an area where an established artist / author can take advantage of the services provided by both. From packaging to editing they can do it all....

Steven talks about -  Reading in the age of high tech, costs, publishing crossroads and more in his book THE END.  NOW WHAT?!



We start with Book Baby... taking self publishing to new heights. Book Baby is there with options including in house editors and various sizes and choices in the books you want to create and publish.
We, here at 4 A STAR, are there to help you bridge the gap in your self publishing goals and Book Baby is just the place to take those goals to a higher place....

What I loved most about meeting the "boys" at Book Baby and CD baby was their willingness to hear what I brought to the table and their willingness to engage in a business relationship with my Company.  We all had a chance to talk about our goals and projects, things that we offer our clients etc... I think it's going to be a beautiful relationship.... ( Oooh sounds like the end line of a movie !)

Thank you Maddie for the research in finding book baby and putting me together with them.

A couple of must haves at Book Baby are:

5 Steps to Self Publishing by Steven Spatz     and
The end. Now what?!  also by Steven Spatz

Let's now talk CD Baby.... CD baby, many of you know as the place that artists go to print/package and design their music discs...
There are also distribution packages available  ! ( For both CD Baby and Book Baby)

As 4 A STAR moves in the intricate places surrounding the entertainment industry as a whole, DISC MAKERS saw that same thread in the music and book scene. While working with CD Baby on the ways to improve and impact the music industry, they saw the niche and the need for the same type of concept concerning authors and their books.

This is such a natural fit for my Company, 4 A STAR,  as we will be able to offer more to our clients. By building the relationship with both CD Baby and Book Baby- new goals and dreams can be reached by all.

Both Ted and Mike took the time to go over all the products and services they can offer clients. We then talked about different options, packaging, offers etc... that would go along with any indie music artist or indie author.

It was truly an exciting meeting.  In my research, I have heard nothing but great things about  CD baby. Book baby also lives up to that standard of professionalism and follow through. Something many companies lack these days.

I am thrilled to be able to say that we are looking to build a long and lasting relationship with both CD Baby and Book Baby.

Now, get ready for an exciting  Conference they have planned coming this November, just before we launch Ava's Eye Bagz !

The Independent Authors Conference.... if you are in the Philadelphia area this November, check it out....



As always, you can contact me for any and all information from my blog posts.
Now go create.... and let us help you along the way !


Enjoy !


Saturday, July 1, 2017

A dozen bagels right here !

Helllooooo.....

Well, returning from Vegas recently has been more than challenging.... missed you all last week yet we are back and talking bagels!  I wanted to title this the great bagel debate....yet I couldn't find the debate I was looking for in over a dozen searches....so.....
I decided that I would express my own thoughts on this.........and you decide on this particular bagel debate.

Today you can get bagels in any way shape or form ( of course, still round). I mean, gluten free, fat free, plain and a GA-Zillion flavors...never mind the flavors of jams , cream cheese and other toppings to create mouth watering eats !
In fact, I'm glad I'm heading out to meet my husband for dinner shortly as I got really hungry looking at all the bagels !!!!

So here's the thing.....

The bagels are on the tray cut in half for your convenience.... ( and that's the key--cut in half)
It doesn't matter if they are cut long ways.... or short ways.... Either way they usually look terrific on the tray.

So let's say you only want half a bagel?   How do you take that half?  Do you make sure you have a top and a bottom? OR....do you take the entire top half....leaving just the bottom ( with no toppings) for someone else.

I looked at over a dozen sites and I couldn't find this debate anyplace? I just don't think it's right to take the entire top piece of the bagel? Aren't you supposed to take a top/ bottom??? Isn't that fair to everyone ( including the bagel). Who is going to eat just the bottom ??????

I have seen it many times, people taking half a bagel yet just taking the top half. What is up with that????

If you find a site that addresses this situation , let me know and we'll talk further on this....

In the meantime, enjoy these dozen bagels here..... enjoy your 4th of July Holiday !  What?  Hot dogs, burgers, corn, chicken....step aside and let's grab a bagel !!!! ( well , at least in the morning !)