Garrett Hoelscher

Blogger Venue speaks to Garrett Hoelscher about how chance meetings can change lives.

Blogger Venue: Thank for joining Blogger Venue today. We understand that you had a rather unique experience while working in Aspen, Colorado?

Garrett Hoelscher: You might say it was a once in a lifetime encounter.

Blogger Venue: Can you explain?

Garrett Hoelscher: Well, in late December of 2009 I was scheduled to meet a friend after work. He brought along another friend who I didn’t know. This new acquaintance, Howard, and I ending up striking up a long conversation.

Blogger Venue: What did you talk about?

Garrett Hoelscher: For the first hour we spoke of random topics. What really stands out, however, was his mention of a baseball league.

Blogger Venue: Baseball? That sounds like a pretty normal conversation piece between two guys.

Garrett Hoelscher: It wasn’t really part of our dialogue. That’s what caught me off guard. He mentioned that he was contemplating organizing a baseball league and hurriedly said something about keeping me in mind.

Blogger Venue: Well, that is a bit odd.

Garrett Hoelscher: It goes deeper than that. A few weeks later I checked my work voicemail. It was Howard. In the message, he said he wanted me to leave Colorado and move to California and take a position as the General Manager of the Wine Country Baseball League.

Blogger Venue: Wow. We don’t even know how to respond to that.

Garrett Hoelscher: Neither did I, at first. I took a breather and, after sleeping on it, I said that I would definitely join him.

Blogger Venue: It isn’t every day that opportunity knocks like this. What did you do as the GM?

Garrett Hoelscher: Well, with a cell phone and not much else, I had to procure a location to play first.

Blogger Venue: That’s definitely important to play baseball!

Garrett Hoelscher: Yes, and additionally, I was responsible for launching the marketing campaign. Fortunately is was successful and soon I found myself dealing with coaches and managers. I was a good two decades younger than most of them. It was a little daunting at first, but I worked hard to earn their respect.

Blogger Venue: How does one gain publicity for such an undertaking?

Garrett Hoelscher: This is where establishing the right relationships are key.

Blogger Venue: How so?

Garrett Hoelscher: If you are on the good side of the right media contacts, it is much easier to get your name and, most importantly, your cause in front of the public. In this case, the whole intention of the league was to raise money for local education programs and schools.

Blogger Venue: It also seems that this experience was a valuable one for you.

Garrett Hoelscher: It was, and I am glad that I had the chance to participate in something many men only dream about.

Blogger Venue: That sounds fascinating. We look forward to your coming back and finishing the story at a later date.

Garrett Hoelscher: It would be my pleasure, thank you.

Markus Lattner

Markus Lattner believes that when done correctly, fresh baked bread can be artistry. The agriculture improvement specialist recalls fondly the trips he and his cousins would make by bike at three in the morning as children. They’d bike all the way to the nearest bakery in his Austrian hometown and load up on hot bread, straight out of the oven. As an adult, Markus Lattner has spent years trying to recapture the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth taste of that early baked bread.

Today, Markus Lattner is still on an eternal search for the bread he loved so much as a child. Markus Lattner spoke to Blogger Venue about what makes him so passionate about fresh baked bread.

Blogger Venue: Thanks for speaking with us today. Have you found any great bakeries in America? Perhaps in some of the larger cities?

Markus Lattner: Today’s American bakeries tend to mass-produce baked goods, especially in big cities where true chefs create baked masterpieces. While that’s great, there’s nothing like personally created concoctions straight out of the oven.

Blogger Venue: Do you still believe that Austria has the best bread?

Markus Lattner: I haven’t sampled all the bread in the world, of course, but I’ve yet to find anything that beats walking into an Austrian bakery.

Blogger Venue: You also tried your hand at making your own, right?

Markus Lattner: Encouraged by my wife, I gave it a try. I didn’t do so well, at first.

Blogger Venue: It didn’t turn out so well? What went wrong?

Markus Lattner: I wasn’t sure at first. But I kept trying over the years and one day, I got it right.

Blogger Venue: What did you do differently that time?

Markus Lattner: I was going through a rough time, so I started baking as a stress relief.

Blogger Venue: And this was when you got it right?

Markus Lattner: I finally seemed to start accomplishing what I’d been trying. My wife had a theory about why I was successful.

Blogger Venue: Why was that?

Markus Lattner: It was the difficult time, we think. I was putting my heart and soul into baking, which I’ve found makes all the difference with master chefs.

Blogger Venue: Did you seek help along the way?

Markus Lattner: There’s a book called Bread, which was written by King Arthur Flour Master Baker Jeffrey Hamelman. It was very helpful. But I still believe strongly the lesson my mother taught me growing up. In fact, I think if anyone really set their minds to doing something, they can succeed, especially if they put heart into it.

Perfect Vacation Source

The Perfect Vacation Source is a travel club specializing in resort vacations at wholesale prices. Because they are also a full-service travel agency, they are knowledgeable about areas all over the world. Today The Perfect Vacation Source will be discussing some of the most exciting places to visit on a Caribbean cruise with us here at Blogger Venue.

Blogger Venue: Welcome! We’re looking forward to learning more about travel to the Caribbean via cruise ship. The dream of taking a Caribbean cruise is something that millions of people share.

The Perfect Vacation Source: It certainly is. But what some people might not know is that Caribbean cruises aren’t cookie cutter trips. They have a wide variety of interactive options.

Blogger Venue: When you say “interactive,” what do you mean by that?

The Perfect Vacation Source: Some travelers would rather stay on the ship while others prefer to go on shore and mingle with local people who live there. So, we like to find out what activities people are interested in before we make recommendations for a specific cruise line or ship.

Blogger Venue: Can you break down the types of cruises for us?

The Perfect Vacation Source: We can. Basically we recommend eastern cruises for new passengers, experienced travelers and families.

Blogger Venue: Why is that?

The Perfect Vacation Source: Eastern cruises tend to stop at fewer ports. And that way passengers get to spend more time on the ship. Sometimes they can enjoy up to two full days of uninterrupted sailing.

Blogger Venue: What activities are available to passengers when they do dock?

The Perfect Vacation Source: There are plenty of opportunities to shop for souvenirs and high-end luxury items at duty free shops. There are also fun casinos and history buffs will love the colonial history of the islands. There is also sailing and snorkeling.

Blogger Venue: What if a passenger wants to spend less time on the ship and more time exploring on shore?

The Perfect Vacation Source: Well, there are the southern cruises and western cruise options, too.

Blogger Venue: Can you explain the difference please?

The Perfect Vacation Source: Good question. A southern cruise goes through Nassau, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. John and many other islands. And those cruises are perfect for people who like to “island hop.”

Blogger Venue: And what’s a western cruise like?

The Perfect Vacation Source: We encourage people who love adventure and water sports. There are some of the largest coral reefs in the world in that area and also passengers love to swim with stingrays.

Blogger Venue: So the next time we call to book a cruise, we will know what to tell our agent! Thank you again for stopping by.

The Perfect Vacation Source: Thank you for having us.

The Perfect Vacation Source agents may be contacted during normal business hours by visiting www.perfectvacationsource.com

Pierre Bennett Global Vacations

Pierre Bennett Global Vacations suggests that club members consider visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands on their next vacation. These island gems have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and are just awaiting visitors, says the team at Pierre Bennett Global Vacations. What family wouldn’t want to learn to snorkel together and dine along the beach at sunset? With the low prices available through Pierre Bennett Global Vacations, now is the perfect time to go.

Pierre Bennett Global Vacations urges visitors to visit Blackbeard’s Castle when they visit St. Thomas. It’s an historic building that was built in the 1600′s. Pierre Bennett Global Vacations notes that the centuries-old fortress was named after the legendary pirate. Visitors are treated to an incredible view of the other islands as well as green mountain slopes and bobbing vessels in the water.

Pierre Bennett Global Vacations believes that St. John’s Coral Bay is a delightful alternative to the island’s main point of arrival, Cruz Bay. There are a few houses dotting a landscape that culminates in a view of Coral Harbor – a stunning and protected cove. Pierre Bennett Global Vacations notes that the red-roofed town church there dates back to 1750. Nearby there is fantastic snorkeling in Salt Pond Bay, or in nearby Lameshur Bay. Since Pierre Bennett Global Vacations offers club resorts available all over the world, members will also find excellent accommodations anywhere in the Virgin Islands.

Trunk Bay is so stunning that the U.S. Postal Service made it into a stamp and National Geographic described it as “without equal.” Pierre Bennett Global Vacations points out that the turquoise water and lush green backdrop make this island a little paradise of its own. It is located in the Virgin Islands National Park, and Pierre Bennett Global Vacations notes that it can’t be developed in an unsympathetic manner. Because Pierre Bennett Global Vacations offers members the best possible prices available at the time of booking, going to Trunk Bay is within any visitor’s grasp.

If visitors really want a unique experience, though, Pierre Bennett Global Vacations encourages them to visit Buck Island. It’s a completely secluded island that is also a national park. Pierre Bennett Global Vacations reports that even people who are new to snorkeling will find the waters off of Buck Island easy to navigate because of underwater trails. It’s a little slice of heaven! And since Pierre Bennett Global Vacations has changed the way people travel, visiting Buck Island is well within nearly everyone’s grasp.

Douglas Battista

Travel enthusiast Douglas Battista sat down recently with Blogger Venue to talk about his favorite destinations.

Blogger Venue: Douglas Battista, thank you for joining us this afternoon. With summer approaching, people are looking for unique travel destinations. Do you have any insights that we can share with our readers?

Douglas Battista: I have definitely enjoyed traveling to South America and have to say that Brazil is one of my favorite countries there. For travelers looking for something more than just beaches, I’d recommend a visit to the 17^th Century colonial town of Ouro Preto.

Blogger Venue: What about the sun-worshiping crowd?

Douglas Battista: Fernando de Noronha is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water visibility is amazing and it’s warm all the time. Interestingly, this group of twenty-one islands was discovered by Amerigo Vespucci in the early 1500s.

Blogger Venue: What about the countries surrounding Brazil, do you have any experience there?

Douglas Battista: I can tell you that Argentina is another very interesting country to visit. It borders Brazil and shares one amazing and stunning visual attraction, Igauzu Falls.

Blogger Venue: What is so special about the Falls?

Douglas Battista: Aside from the fact that they seem to go on forever, it appears that they flow straight through the forest. It is a truly amazing site.

Blogger Venue: That does sound truly spectacular.

Douglas Battista: The falls are also notable because in addition to Brazil and Argentina, they also border Paraguay.

Blogger Venue: What other South or Central American countries can you recommend?

Douglas Battista: A trip to the Panama Canal is a definite must for travelers looking not only for excitement, but also an historical adventure.

Blogger Venue: Yes, we’ve heard that many cruises pass through the canal.

Douglas Battista: They do but for those who arrive in Panama via plane, there are charter cruises, both public and private, that can navigate this man-made waterway for an unforgettable day trip.

Blogger Venue: You previously mentioned an archipelago in Brazil, are there any other notable groups of islands in the Pacific?

Douglas Battista: I am a definite fan of the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. This is one of the few places in the world one can swim the sea lions and sharks in the morning and enjoy a gourmet meal on the beach in the evening. These islands are a truly breathtaking landscape that everyone should see.

Blogger Venue: We sincerely appreciate your time with us today, Douglas Battista, but unfortunately we have to wrap this up.

Douglas Battista: I’m happy to speak with you and I am definitely feeling like I need to book another vacation after this conversation!

Blogger Venue: Please let us know if you visit somewhere interesting. We’d love to talk with you again.

Douglas Battista: I certainly will.

Steven Delarge

Steven Delarge knows that today’s businessperson has many demands on his or her time. Many executives wish for twenty-five or more hours in the day, but unfortunately that isn’t a possibility. In this brief article, Steven Delarge advises time-stressed businesspeople to learn to make the most of the twenty-four hours they have.

While many other experienced professionals recommend such things as to-do lists and setting priorities, these tasks are only as valuable as the person making them. Unfortunately, some people have personalities that aren’t conducive to this kind of organization. For those who tend to procrastinate or suffer from an inability to prioritize, Steven Delarge has these tips:

• Do the Things You Least Enjoy First. When you dread something, you actually expend energy thinking about it throughout the day. This zaps your energy and slows you down. By getting those distasteful items out of the way at the beginning of the day, Steven Delarge says that you will be able to look forward to the rest of the day, as well as be more productive overall.
• Make a “Don’t Do” List. While many of us may resist lists, Steven Delarge says that everyone has time-wasters, whether these are repeatedly checking e-mail or spending too much time on idle chitchat throughout the day. According to Steven Delarge, listing out these “don’t do” items will let you catch yourself doing them and redirect your efforts to something more productive.
• Look at the Items You’re Putting Off. If you keep a list, examine those items you’re constantly leaving on it, day after day, Steven Delarge advises. Make a vow to do those items first and get them out of the way, then move on to the new items. Getting those items done will shorten your list, making it less daunting.
• Tell Others. Acknowledge your bad habits and let others know you’re making a concerted effort to change them. Steven Delarge advises anyone undertaking this effort to tell others about it. By making the decision to change your ways public, you’ll be more likely to stick to the plan, Steven Delarge advises. Plus, you’ll have support from family, friends, and colleagues.
• Reward Yourself. Experts say it takes only 21 days to break a habit. By giving yourself 21 days and rewarding yourself at preset milestones, Steven Delarge suggests that you will achieve more success in reaching your goals. Mark 21 days on your calendar and give yourself a small reward every seven days, with the promised big reward at the end of 21 days.

Steven Delarge knows how difficult it can be to get organized, but the rewards make all the hard work well worth it. He reports that by focusing on organizing his time, he was even able to take a few hours off occasionally to spend time with his family. That, in Steven Delarge’s opinion, is the greatest reward of all.

James Stuckey

James Stuckey says that the limited waterfront area available in NYC should be accessible to residents and tourists alike. Pointing to a number of special waterfront regulations, James Stuckey says that the city is making great efforts to ensure fairness to both landowners and the general public.

According to James Stuckey, the NYC Department of City Planning made an amendment to its waterfront zoning provision in 2009. These changes help to ensure that assessable waterfront properties remain something for the public to enjoy. The changes specifically targeted new commercial and residential developments in densely populated areas, says James Stuckey, noting that industrial developments and lesser-populated areas were also included.

James Stuckey believes that these amendments were needed because the previous regulations no longer fit the city’s needs. The old rules had not been updated on a citywide basis since their inception, says James Stuckey. The regulations in the original proposals created design restrictions and limitations that could adversely affect the city’s residents and visitors, remarks James Stuckey.

Specifically, James Stuckey points out that the updated regulations will help to ensure that public waterfront areas are pleasant to all passersby and will have comfortable seating for those wishing to rest and admire the city’s natural resources. Also, James Stuckey says that the revised rules make it clear that waterfront access areas should maintain public availability that is unmistakable.

There are environmental benefits included in 2009’s update, says James Stuckey. The new outline promotes less concrete and more green space, which James Stuckey maintains is vital to attract wildlife, such as migrating birds. Also, planting a variety of shrubbery, ground cover, and trees will add to the aesthetic appeal of New York City’s waterfront access areas.

James Stuckey points out that the new guidelines also specify the need for unobstructed access to the water, including boat ramps and recreational areas. This also serves the local economy, as more people using these access points will equate to more shoppers for business owners, reports James Stuckey.

Under the new regulations, the amount of publicly available space has not changed, says James Stuckey. The amended plan simply serves to increase the quality of the existing areas and expand the accessibility by helping to ensure public transportation is reasonably available. James Stuckey points out that the updated guidelines focus on issues such as lighting, obstructions and barriers, paving and landscaping.

The original amendment, which was approved in April of 2009, expanded the city’s list of waterfront properties to include the Bronx River, Dutch Kills, and the Gowanus Canal. These waterways are now subject to increased hours of operation, which serve to expand the public’s opportunity to visit these locations, notes James Stuckey.

Overall, James Stuckey believes that the revised guidelines are a positive sign that New York City’s leadership is committed to keeping the city safe and accessible for both residents and tourists alike; he notes that the proposal was approved with minor modifications.

James Stuckey is the former Dean of NYU’s Schack School of Real Estate. He is currently the owner of Verdant Properties, LLC®, and likes to keep himself up-to-date on the ever-changing development requirements in New York.

Ian Woodman Idaho

Ian Woodman, Idaho resident, has had the opportunity to travel the globe for both business and pleasure over the years. But for Ian Woodman, Idaho ’s rugged landscape provides breathtaking beauty that could keep him happy for years. However, when Ian Woodman’s Idaho business tax season slows down, he enjoys visiting other parts of the world. He has already identified his “bucket list” of destinations. These include:

• The islands of the Caribbean. Ian Woodman, Idaho ’s Instant Tax Solutions co-founder, has already visited the Caribbean on trips with his wife several times. However, there are still areas of the Caribbean he’d like to explore, explains Ian Woodman. Idaho’s tax resolution business owner is interested in visiting Aruba, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.
• The Bahamas. For his seventh wedding anniversary, Ian Woodman, Idaho resident, visited Nassau. He was so impressed by what he saw there, he plans a revisit in the future. He calls a visit to the Bahamas the trip of a lifetime.
• Bora Bora. Along with Tahiti, Bora Bora is at the top of the bucket list for Ian Woodman. Idaho ’s tax relief business owner explains that Bora Bora is a great place to relax and recharge for the coming year, with bungalows elevated over water on stilts.
• Australia, Asia, and Africa. At the bottom of Ian Woodman’s bucket list are Australia, Asia, and Africa. It’s not that Ian Woodman of Idaho isn’t excited about visiting these places. It merely reflects the fact that there are so many places he would like to see first. Taking enough time away from his work might be the biggest challenge, Ian Woodman, Idaho businessman, explains. Visiting each of these places involves a long flight and, along with the time changes, would require a serious time commitment for Ian Woodman. Idaho mountains will have to do for now.

Ian Woodman, Idaho co-founder of Instant Tax Solutions, employs a staff of more than 25 tax professionals. Instant Tax Solutions provides tax resolution by working with the IRS on behalf of clients, as well as working directly with taxpayers to explain their personal tax rights, Ian Woodman of Idaho explains.

Apostle Pierre Bennett

Apostle Pierre Bennett has seen many pitfalls over the course of his life. After beginning his career as a military serviceman, Apostle Pierre Bennett worked in sales, eventually opening his own resort travel club business. But his true calling has been pastoring God’s Luv International Ministries Church, which he founded in 2008.

Apostle Pierre Bennett explains to his people at God’s Luv International Ministries Church that the money promised to Delilah if she betrayed Samson compares to someone offering us a million dollars today. It was an incredible amount of money, Apostle Pierre Bennett points out, which helps to explain what happened next.

Samson had already been betrayed by his wife and he had gotten rid of her, relates Apostle Pierre Bennett. The fact that he could be duped twice proved he had not learned his lesson. He had not been delivered. According to Apostle Pierre Bennett, Delilah wasn’t even his wife and he was able to be enticed by her.

There was still a void in Samson, Apostle Pierre Bennett explains, but by this time the void had become more negative. Sometimes a believer feels superhuman, thinking the void is no longer a weakness, Apostle Pierre Bennett describes. But even if you feel your spiritual strength has increased, there are still certain areas of weaknesses that remain. Apostle Pierre Bennett advises steering clear of those things.

As an example, Apostle Pierre Bennett mentions a person who has a weakness for strippers or alcohol. That person seeks out the church and dedicates him or herself to the Lord. That person may be praying or fasting and may be feeling stronger in His spirit. The person may even feel strong enough to directly confront the addictions of the past, Apostle Pierre Bennett continues. Maybe that person ventures back into a strip club or tries to take another drink, sure that his or her newfound faith will keep them strong. But, Apostle Pierre Bennett asks, why would you subject yourself to such a trial?

Apostle Pierre Bennett believes you should avoid these weaknesses. Stay away from the temptation, Apostle Pierre Bennett says. No matter how strong your faith, it is a weak area and it’s better to keep your mind and body in the church than to carry your Bible into that strip club and begin ministering to the strippers and patrons of that club, Apostle Pierre Bennett concludes.

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings

Post Falls, Idaho tax debt service provider Instant Tax Solutions offers ratings and reviews of some of the biggest tax mistakes that can lead to IRS action. In this interview, the Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team speaks with Blogger Venue about filing and making payments to the IRS.

Blogger Venue: Thanks for joining us today. We know you are busy.

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: Not a problem.

Blogger Venue: Can you tell us what the most avoidable tax problems are?

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: We’ll start with not having the ability to file on time.

Blogger Venue: How can someone get around that?

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: By filing an extension. Unfortunately, most people are not aware they have this option and just ignore the IRS.

Blogger Venue: That’s a huge mistake.

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: Yes, indeed it is. Form 4868 is an easy to file form that allows an automatic four month extension.

Blogger Venue: Does this delay payment?

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: No, it doesn’t. You are still required to pay anything owed. This is basically if you know your information but need time to collect documentation.

Blogger Venue: What if you just cannot pay on time?

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: Definitely file an extension for payment – this is another very common issue.

Blogger Venue: What form is that?

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: IRS Form 1127 – you will have to include supporting documentation with it. With this form, you may be eligible for half a year extra time to pay.

Blogger Venue: What happens if you fail to do either?

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: You don’t want to do that. The IRS can seize assets and garnish wages to collect.

Blogger Venue: And the penalties are pretty hefty, right?

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: They sure are. They can wind up doubling or tripling the original tax bill.

Blogger Venue: We appreciate your time today. Thank you for speaking with us.

Instant Tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team: You’re welcome, anytime.

The Instant tax Solutions Ratings and Reviews Team is made up of the firm’s dedicated employees, who monitor tax issues and offer insight and education to the public. For more information or for Instant Tax Solutions ratings, reviews, and testimonials, please visit the firm’s website at www.instanttaxsolutions.com