Tillman's Tricksters Mardi Gras Ball 2006
Topic: Entertainment
Hello everyone! My wife and I enjoyed a night of dancing and festivities at the Tillman's Tricksters Mardi Gras Ball in Mobile, Alabama tonight.

Mobile is where Mardi Gras got its start. New Orleans picked up on the idea and started their own Mardi Gras the very next year.

Because of New Orleans' horrible hurricane Katrina situation, I expect this year's Mardi Gras in Mobile to be bigger than usual.

In hopes of offering a pleasant escape from the past year's losses, The City of Mobile decided to advertise our festivities for the first time this year.

Mobile's Mardi Gras is geared towards family fun. However, it is the only time of the year where you can walk the streets a little tipsy without fear of being fined. (Unless of course you get out of control and need to be confined.)

My wife and I have been going to Tillman's Tricksters Balls for several years. We've enjoyed every ball enough to be sore from dancing for a day or two later.

Take a look at the photos we took tonight. I do not know the names of everyone in our pictures. So, let me know your name(s) if you want me to identify you in my blog.

Keep New Orleans in your prayers. Mobile wishes them a fast recovery and a better future.

In the meantime, enjoy the photographs. You will see that everyone had a good time!

The photographs start with my wife and I dropping by her parent's house before the ball.


2006 Tillmans Tricksters Mardi Gras Ball

I hope you enjoyed viewing the photographs. Until next time, I am and will always be Frank....

p.s. - Let me know any names I can put with the faces in the photos. Thanks - gfb3

Marketing Makeover Generator
Topic: Software
Vicky Heron of copywritingspecialists.com has been one of my valued advisors while I have been researching ways to build my web site. She introduced me to Alex Mandossian of MarketingMakeoverGenerator.com. He and his partners have created an innovative way to increase sales on your web site by utilizing a simple program that they developed. Without me having to go into too much detail, take a look at their software program by following this link: MarketingMakeoverGenerator.Com Their program will allow you to collect more opt-in email addresses, which will enable you to convert more visitors into sales. But, only if you follow their business advice. They even allow you to "test drive" the program for 7 days for only $1. Let me know what you think. Until next time... I am and will always be Frank...

Drop Ship Internet Business
Topic: Resources
My father and brother (Steve) have always been interested in specialty item selling long before the internet became popular. Steve has encouraged me and others to earn money via drop-ship businesses for many years.

(For those who do not know: Drop-Ship companies are suppliers that will ship products to your customers without you having to purchase supplies and store them while you try to find buyers.) Personally, I have always thought that there was too much work for the amount of money earned.

But... now that the internet has increased in popularity, that type of business is easier to market.

Of course you have your friends, family and associates to market products to. And of course, the people you email will forward messages with product offers they believe will interest people they know.

In addition, search engines and several pay-per-click marketing methods allow that much more exposure for selling opportunities.

But, then you have to find products to offer your customers. That is where I get to my point...

Worldwide Brands, Inc. are The Home EBiz Product Sourcing Experts have researched companies that offer wholesale products and who are reputable.

There are too many companies that prey on trusting people like you and me. You send them your money and never hear from them again. The next time you visit their web site only to find the site does not exist or has been closed down due to their criminal activites.

Worldwide Brands, Inc. has a directory of real companies that encourage home based businesses and other companies to use them for drop-shipping services.

They keep real time records for your 24/7 access to your sales results.

Payment arrangements vary from one company to another, but you pick and choose companies you want to do business with.

Take a look at what The Home EBiz Product Sourcing Experts offer by clicking on the banner below.

Let me know what you think. Until next time... I am and will always be... Frank

Mobile, Alabama's Mayor Sam Jones Transition Task Force
Topic: Government
I know you were expecting something about President Bush's State of the Union Speech tonight, but I was a part of something that will benefit where I live.

I am satisfied with the troops keeping terrorism in the terrorists' neighborhoods while we can continue our freedom in our neighborhoods.

That freedom allows citizens the opportunity to shape the cities in which they live.

I was one of six-hundred plus volunteers to participate in creating Mayor Sam Jones' Transition Task Force's Final Report. Mayor Samuel L. Jones asked the public to help him identify and plan objectives to accomplish during his first term as Mobile, Alabama's Mayor.

Tonight, I attended Mayor Sam Jones' and Members of the Mobile City Council's Transition Team Recognition Ceremony. Mayor Jones announced the release of the Final Report, thanked us for our contributions, and were presented a Certificate of Appreciation.

The Mayor wrote: "in recognition of your interest and willingness to serve on the Mayor's Transition Task Force. Your commitment to the growth and vitality of our City is inspiring. I sincerely appreciate your valuable contribution and outstanding service to the community and hereby appoint you as an honorary member of the Mayor's Staff."

I spoke with Mayor Jones after the ceremony and offered my continued assistance during the implementation phase of the objectives.

In particular, I told Mayor Jones I was interested in Mobile's Downtown and Riverfront Development; That I have thirty years experience in working with architects, engineers, contractors, their clients and the government; And that I would be available when he calls on me in the near future.

I also spoke with my group's Associate Manager, Bob Schaefer. He and I spoke several times during the planning process about concerns and possible solutions to Downtown and Riverfront Development. He told me that he put quite a few of my comments in the report. I reminded him to call me when he needs my assistance.

On my way out the door I spoke with Terry Hazzard. He sang "Ordinary People" during the ceremony. He is graced with a fantastic singing voice.

I remembered him from Bishop State Community College. When I was a student in 1988, I successfully asked him for student financial assistance while I was waiting for my VA education funds to arrive.

Because of his assistance, I graduated with honors with a degree in Civil Engineering Technology.

Later tonight, while sitting in my study at home, I read the bound copy of the Final Report. It covers 24 committee reports and includes 128 recommendations.

I can see this report as a guide for investors, educators, and business owners to gain great insight. Bright souls will see where they can participate while growing financially.

The group I participated in asked the Mayor to create a cabinet position on the Mayor's staff to ensure the success of our group's vision statement:

"We believe the most important first-term objective of this administration should be to make the City of Mobile the leading business and cultural community in the State of Alabama in order to be nationally recognized as the regional center for economic diverse, residentially and commercially desirable downtown/riverfront core is critical to having the City of Mobile achieve this goal. We must build upon the energy and success of our immediate past and stand upon our 300 years of coastal heritage to move forward together."

I believe that Mobile will grow both inside and out. By the way, Mayor Jones also announced his new slogan "LYN - Love Your Neighbor, Mobile, Alabama"

If you are a bright soul and are interested in reading what I've been talking about, click here for your free copy of Mayor Sam Jones' Task Force Committee's Final Report. .

Unfortunately, I am afraid that only a few people will be smart enough to see how much insightful this report is. I believe that it is better than looking into a crystal ball. But that is only my opinion.

Enjoy reading about Mobile's immediate future! Until next time... I am and will always be... Frank...

p.s. Take a look at what the City of Mobile web site has posted. gfb3

Senior Bowl
Topic: Entertainment
It is that time of the year again! Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. That is one more reason I love being a native Mobilian! I have the choice to watch it after a short ten minute drive from my house. You can watch it live this afternoon on ESPN at 2:30 CST. You can get detailed information at the official web site: SeniorBowl.com or at ESPN.com. As you know, the Senior Bowl has been the best place for recruiters to check out new stars for professional football for the past 57 years. I hope you enjoy the game! Until next time, I am... Frank

Note: After the game... The North won this year. Both teams gave their best. How many players will be drafted? And how many will be honored by the Football Hall of Fame like those selected from earlier Senior Bowl Games? Watch the news. In the meantime... I hope you enjoyed the game. - gfb3