::Dick's Sporting Goods:: Houston Grand Opening + Giveaway

Dick's Sporting Goods opened their doors in Houston a couple of weeks ago, and this Momma was super excited! Number one, the store is huge with a big selection of great quality items. Number two, their women's workout department is amazing! And, number three... they have a great section with college apparel and more importantly they carry my alma matter the University of Houston. All of these are things that are highly important to me as a Momma who likes to work out and sport her school with true pride!

Dick's opened its doors with lots of great prizes, meet and greets and oh yeah.. taco trucks. The weekend of October 21st, hundreds, if not thousands, of people walked the aisles of Dick's. The store has an impressive layout and I love how everything is sectioned and easy to find. Not only was I excited to do a store walk-through and find new items for my workouts but also, I as a Momma whose kids play sports, knowing that Dick's gives back to youth sporting leagues is an amazing feeling!

Knowing that as parents, as a community we have that kind of support for our children is something that really makes me a Momma fan of the store!

If you have not visited the store and plan on going soon know that the store has 3 main sections; the Field and Stream which appeals to all those who are into the outdoors and hunting. The section after that is a general sporting goods section with a big variety of workout clothing including Carrie Underwoods brand Calia. The final section is Golf Galaxy, which of course caters to all of the avid golf players and then some. So, yes pace yourself and give yourself plenty of time to explore, if you don't have time there are plenty of attendants that can help guide you exactly to what you are looking for.

I visited the Katy location and got to catch Olympian and three-time gold medalist in US Beach Volleyball,  Kerri Walsh Jennings, as she said hello to her fans. One of the neat attractions was a giant Texas flag made of Igloo coolers! Which if you snapped a selfie with the wall then you could potentially walk away with one of the coolers on the last day of grand-opening weekend! Overall the experience at Dick's is a fun one and it's definitely your one stop shop for all things athletic.

Dick's opened 6 new stores here in the Houston area, if you are looking to locate one please see their store link ::HERE:: NOW, are you ready to win a gift card to kick off your shopping spree at the store nearest you? Enter below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

::Helping Loved Ones Cope with Tragedy:: #HealOrlando

::momma disclosure:: informational post, content provided by Edelman communications. 

We realize that all of the events happening in the U.S. are difficult to speak about and to share. In an effort to actively support those affected in Orlando, a new LGBTQ Alliance which launched a support website HealOrlando.org to offer help to the surrounding communities and resources for those affected by the tragedy at Pulse.

Please help spread the word. The Alliance and the website were announced a few weeks back and a full media statement is below with founding partners.

To ensure that the community has the support needed after the tragedy, also helping is  Dr. David Baker Hargrove, President/CEO of Two Spirit Health Services (a local non-profit in Orlando), who can provide guidance about the Pulse Tragedy, providing you with on-the-ground insights/tips for healthy ways both gay and straight Americans can mentally and emotionally process this horrible event, whether it’s now, two months from now, or two years from now. Dr. David provided mental health support to the FDNY and NYPD at World Trade Center Ground Zero following the September 11th terrorist attacks and brings 21 years of experience to this arena, providing you with expert insights during these tough times.  

Two Spirits has offered their services to the community, already helping hundreds of people who have been struggling in the immediate aftermath of the shooting - a number that we would anticipate actually increase as the shock wears off and other emotions, such as fear, anger and vulnerability begin to set in. More importantly, there is still a very serious on-the-ground need for counseling services who can be available to those who need them most, even if it’s traveling to a victims’ home or place of worship.

  

  

**MEDIA ADVISORY **

Orlando, Florida, June 18, 2016 - In the hours after the tragic Pulse nightclub attack of June 12^th, 2016, LGBTQ leaders in Orlando came together to form The LGBTQ Alliance.  The LGBTQ Alliance is unified in support of the LGBTQ community and Hispanic communities and the City of Orlando. The Alliance grieves with the parents, partners, siblings, children and friends who lost their loved ones.

In a spirit of unity and recovery, the LGBTQ Alliance created The HealOrlando Project to help survivors and victims’ families get the help they need.

By visiting HealOrlando.org, community members can seek necessary resources or offer their assistance.

The LGBTQ Alliance and the HealOrlando Project will be formally announced this evening at the Orlando City Soccer game starting at 7:30 pm EST, at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.

The LGBTQ Alliance comes together with support from the below:

Christ Church Unity Orlando

Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention

Come Out With Pride

Equality Florida

GLBT Community Center of Central Florida

Hispanic Federation

Hope & Help Center of Central Florida

Human Rights Campaign

Impulse Group Orlando

Libby’s Legacy

MBA Orlando

Miracle of Love

Orlando Gay Chorus

Out + Equal

Orlando Youth Alliance

Pulse of Orlando

PFLAG

The Venue

Two Spirit Health

Watermark

Zebra Coalition

                                                                                                               

--------------

**ANUNCIO A LOS MEDIOS **

Orlando (Florida), 18 de junio de 2016 – Tras el ataque en la discoteca Pulse el pasado 12 de junio, los líderes de la comunidad LGBTQ se han unido para formar la Alianza LGBTQ, para ofrecer apoyo a las comunidades hispana yLGBTQ, y a la ciudad de Orlando. Esta coalición se une al duelo de padres, parejas, hermanos, hijos y amigos por la pérdida de sus seres queridos. En el espíritu de unidad y recuperación, la Alianza LGBTQ lanza hoy el ProyectoHealOrlando, con el fin de que sobrevivientes y familiares de las víctimas reciban la ayuda necesaria.

Al visitar HealOrlando.org, la comunidad tendrá acceso a diferentes recursos y también podrá ofrecer su ayuda. La Alianza LGBTQ y el Proyecto HealOrlando serán anunciados formalmente esta noche durante el partido de fútbol entre Orlando City y San Jose Earthquakes en el estadio Citrus Bowl a las 7:3O p.m (hora estándar del este).

La Alianza LGBTQ está conformada por las siguientes organizaciones:

Christ Church Unity Orlando

Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention

Come Out With Pride

Equality Florida

GLBT Community Center of Central Florida

Hispanic Federation

Hope & Help Center of Central Florida

Human Rights Campaign

Impulse Group Orlando

Libby’s Legacy

MBA Orlando

Miracle of Love

Orlando Gay Chorus

Out + Equal

Orlando Youth Alliance

Pulse of Orlando

PFLAG

The Venue

Two Spirit Health

Watermark

Zebra Coalition

::Verizon Minority Owned Business Summit:: #VZWHoustonSMB

 ::Momma Disclosure:: This is a compensated post. All statements are my true and honest opinion. 

Support for all small business owners is important. Even more vital is support for minority owned businesses, especially in our communities. Houston is a large city and small business can be often over looked. Which is why I commend Verizon for acknowledging this need. Not just supporting it but providing free resources for many in Houston who want to grow their business and learn how to expand their social media.  As a Blogger the resources and knowledge provided at events like the Business Summit, are important to my success. I am constantly seeking events to further expand my brand and business, this is also a great opportunity to connect with other local business owners.

The FREE half day summit will be in Houston on:

NOVEMBER 17, 2015

from 8:00AM – 12:30PM

Visit their site for the full agenda, which includes a Blogger Workshop! The event has a great list of keynote speakers composed of local successful entrepreneurs. You will not want to miss it, hope you join us.  

The event will be held at the:

JW MARRIOTT HOUSTON

5150 WESTHEIMER RD

HOUSTON, TX 77056 USA

::REGISTER HERE::

"Verizon is committed to supporting minority-owned businesses in the Houston community. Please join us for a free half-day of panel discussions, keynote presentations and networking. The focus of the day is on how SMBs can achieve personal and professional results, inspire their employees, manage their business to new heights, meet peers and share best practices. We’re proud to have worked with all kinds of small businesses in the greater Houston area – providing tools and guiding business owners to manage the success of their business more efficiently."

And, in honor of Small to Medium Businesses giving back to their community, Verizon will award two $5,000 donations to the charities of your choice that demonstrate making Houston communities a better place.

You can complete your nomination at the time of Registration. 

For more details visit: http://verizonevent.com/mbos/

:: Diamonds and Pearls Mothers Organization:: Local Feature

Today I am featuring a wonderful local entrepreneur. I met Yvette last year at WEC and have not yet had the opportunity to work together, but I feel like this will be the beginning of a great new venture.

Yvette is a Houstonian with a passion for giving back to the community. Read about her organization and how you can join her in helping local Houston children and women obtain resources and assistance needed to better their lives and help them on a daily basis.  

Yvette Adams 

Founder of the Diamonds and Pearls Mothers Organization  

•We Promote Positive Change for Women 

and Children 

•Honor our UnSung Heroes 

•Rebuild and Revitalize the Community 

•Partners with the Community Leaders & 

Local Schools 

•Provides Resources to Aide Women and 

Children 

Our mission is to enrich, educate, empower, celebrate and unite women internationally of all ages, religions, nationalities and cultures from all socioeconomic background and be catalyst for positive change! 

@dandpmothers 

www.diamondsandpearlsmothers.org

{I am a native Houstonian and product of the HISD. I received my associate’s degree in interpreting and transliterating for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 1997. I am a wife and mother of four children. I love to meet new people, travel and experience other traditions and cultures!}

I started my adult responsibilities at the premature age of 16, when I was put out of my mother’s house. There was no one in my family who wanted to take on the burden of rearing a displaced teenager, which was what I had been labeled. It was then that, my Auntie signed for me to get an efficiency apartment that her and my grandmother would help maintain. I was only in the tenth grade managing the responsibility of school, an apartment, financial woes, and having a social life. I did not have the support of my father, who I had known all my life to be chronically addicted to drugs and alcohol. I had very limited family support. 

What was I to do? The only thing I knew to do at the time was to try my best to survive. That meant that having employment to pay my bills now trumped the need for continuing to get my high school education. 

During this time, I meet my high school sweetheart. We had our first child, moved in together and began to plan getting married. We have been married 17 years and now have four children. Together, we became entrepreneurs. My husband has owned and operated his barber shop for 18 years and I have established an event planning, coordinating, and catering company that has been operating in business for 10 years. 

I have served as Chief Armor Bearer for the Co-pastor of my church from 2000-2008. We provided temporary living assistance to several young teen to allow them second chance opportunities that I was not given. There have been tumultuous times that I have had to endure as a young woman. I made a conscience decision to invoke my time into honoring mothers who have made some impact and contribution in a small or great way on our next generation of society. 

My event planning company now has hosted for the past eight years our annual “Diamonds and Pearls Mother’s Day Awards Gala” which I am executive coordinator & founder of the non profit 501(c)3 Diamonds and Pearls Mothers organization. The past three consecutive years our efforts were recognized by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Representative Ronald Reynolds & State Representative Alma Allan. 

The Diamonds and Pearls Mothers foundation was established in 2007 with the intention of helping women come to the realization that the world’s most precious gems are found within our women. Our mission is to enrich, educate, empower, celebrate and unite women internationally of all ages, religions; nationalities and cultures from all socioeconomic backgrounds and be a catalyst for positive change.

My upbringing growing up in a single parent home with very little outside community resources, mentors and support is what inspired and motivated me to begin my organization.

The Diamonds and Pearls Mothers have been featured in Houston Style Magazine, Forward Times, and The Defender.

In preparation of back to school, the Diamonds and Pearls Mothers along with Wanda Adams, HISD Trustee will be hosting a; 

Back to School Back Pack & Hair Kut Charity event, 

benefiting under privileged African American students, ages 5 to 12.

This event will be held 

Sunday, August 23, 2015 from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM at 

Kut-N-Zone Barber Shop 

located at 2919 Westridge, Houston, Texas 77054.

Recent data from the U.S. Census Report show that the average income for African American families in the 77048/77054 zip code area is $12,477, which are several thousands of dollars below the poverty line. This is a startling statistic; hence, this event is being held to help offset some of the back to school expenses parents/guardians will be faced with as they prepare for the new school year. 

L to R: Iris Lancaster, Tanyetta Buckner, Yvette  Adams, CleRenda McGrady, Barbara Holman,  & LaTasha Deuchane

The Diamonds and Pearls Mothers would like to obtain notable recognition for being the largest international community action organization for women and children!

Enriching the Lives of Women & Children. 

"Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is a process, Working together is a success." ~Henry Ford

Email: adams@diamondsandpearlsmothers.org

Instagram: @dandpmothers 

Youtube: diamonds and pearls mothers 

Website: www.diamondsandpearlsmothers.org

My Personal Twitter: Mrs.AdamsEE  

Phone number: 713.412.0707

Danny Medrano's Story #KindeyTransplants

One of my biggest dreams as a child was to be a physician, slowly I have realized that not becoming a physician shouldn't stop me from doing what I wanted to accomplish as a doctor which was to help others in any way possible. My passion and purpose is to use my resources and determination to help others! I try every day. Because of this I tend to open up to new people and in return people often seek my help…  If I can, I NEVER mind helping. Today, I want us all to PLEASE help Danny…here is his story as told by his Wife, Suelen Medrano:

Danny & I met in high-school we both went to Sam Houston High School, both had a Biology class together and that's where our love story begins.

First we became friends, then we talked on the phone, and kept seeing each other and so on. We both graduated in June of 2001, several months later on August 23rd he took me to our little "raspa" hangout called "Rainbow" and he asked me to be his girlfriend. 

On October 15th, 2006 he proposed, he took me to the same place where he had asked me to be his girlfriend 5 years earlier. 

In 2012, Daniel, was admitted in the hospital for (ARDS) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, in critical condition and with no chance of survival, only given 20% of survival, to the point where it caused his kidneys to fail. Few days of dialysis needed to be performed. Waited more days for more changes until 3 weeks later he finally pulled through and woke up. 

Once released he was transferred to another facility in Tomball for physical therapy. He completed his one month treatment, he went home but a week later he started having issues with his vision, surgery after surgery and procedures, Danny's left eye was saved but his right eye did not heal the way the left eye did. It was really rough to accept this. 

So, we continued with our lives, just when we thought it was all over and left in the past, once again January 2014 it happened again never imagined it would change our lives forever. 

Danny was admitted to St. Lukes Hospital for an infection on his foot. At first, his doctor's stated that he would be getting out within a few days. However, that was not the case as the infection spread to his leg and caused renal failure again due to the strong antibiotic given (made it worse) and the fact that he's diabetic didn't help either. He started having breathing problems, had to be on oxygen all this was caused because he was retaining fluid. The infection on his foot thank GOD did not spread to the bone, he had a minor surgery on his foot, it went well, was told by Dr. Wang (Danny's primary physician) that it would be a slow process to heal. Days passed, running test and more tests. Dr. Wang came to see Danny  and asked if he knew what his kidney function stage was, he answered with "not sure", but they aren't working 100%. 

On January 28th, Danny started dialysis, we were told it would only be temporary but it didn't happened like that. Since then we have been searching and trying remedies for his kidneys to come back but nothing is working. We were then told it would be best to consider a kidney transplant but warned us that there will be a lot that needs to be done. 

So, we scheduled Danny's first appointment for April 3rd at the location where Danny will have to do numerous of tests to make sure he's a good candidate. God willing Danny passes everything, the next step will be to meet with the entire transplant team, then we will be added on to the waiting list, normally it could take up to 4 years. Thankfully, we have a few family members and friends that are willing to get tested to see if they are a match/donor. Dr. Roy explained that this would be best and once he receives a new kidney, Danny will be able to live a normal life, no more dialysis. 

All I want is for Danny's health to be restored. Danny has had so many set backs but we are determined and have faith that Danny's dream will come true. 

New Kidney Transplant here we come!!!!!!

 

::Supporting the Cause::

Fighting Kidney Disease. Because, I want to my husbands life to be restored and to be able to live a normal life, no more dialysis. 

http://www.gofundme.com/dannyboy

Suelen Medrano

Email: suemedrano15@gmail.com

Please contact Kidney Transplant Donor Coordinator: 

C. Sean Leonhardt

Direct number is: 713-441-5243
Email:csleonhardt@houstonmethodist.org

Methodist Transplant Center

Be a HERO! Make a difference! 

How can you help? You can help by donating money to help pay medical expenses and other medical supplies needed for Danny. And, by helping us find a live/diseased kidney donor for Danny soon. 

PLEASE register to be an organ donors. I myself registered earlier this year, unfortunately many people don't realize that organ and tissue donation is important. One organ and tissue donor can save the lives of up to 10 people and significantly improve the lives of many more. I wish I could spread the word all over the world to help others who are going through the same situation as us. I would give anything to find the perfect donor to prevent all of this dealing with dialysis, because  is not fun. 

Everyone needs to PLEASE be educated about this. 

What if it was you needing a kidney transplant, or heart transplant what would you do? 

Team Izzy #teamizzy #cancersucks

Cancer is not a fun word. It's actually a word that I have learned to know well. Last year in November   my family lost a special person in our lives to Cancer. For a small family the moment was devastating and life-changing.

I want to be able to help make a difference and tell the story of those amazing families who have to go these difficult moments and endure the pain of Cancer. Until now, I didn't know how I would do this and then I through the magical world of Facebook I met, Esther Garcia and her daughter Isabella.

As parents learning that your child has Cancer cannot be easy. Thankfully Esther was able to notice that something was just not right with her baby girl and took action. Further than that, she is taking action by helping raise money while taking her child through medical treatments.

::Here is Izzy's story as told by Esther::

One morning she woke up saying her neck was hurting but we didn't think anything of it because it would come and go. Another morning she woke up throwing up and said she wanted to sleep so she slept and threw up all day, we thought it was just a bug but the next morning she was the same. We then took her to the hospital and the doctor noticed how she was walking and said he wanted to do a CT scan. So, the scan  was done and it came back and in less then 5 minutes the doctor said she had a big mass on the back of her head.  We were transferred to the main campus of Texas Children's Hospital that Friday where they put a tube in her head to relieve the pressure. The following Monday she had a major surgery to take the tumor out. When they saw it they told us it was all sitting on top of her brain and stretched to the front of her head. The name of the  tumor is called Ependymoma, it is Cancer but not the "really bad kind" that's why she is getting radiation treatments. If this doesn't work out the way they want it to she will have to do Chemo, God willing she won't. In total she has had 4 surgeries and 4 week of treatment 2 more to go and next 6 years of CT scans, X-rays and doctors visits to make sure it doesn't grow back. She has a permanent tube in her head that goes from the top of her head to her belly, that's going to be in her for the rest of her life and a port in her chest I don't know how long she is going to have that in.

In order to help pay for her medical bills we decided to create and sell shirts; anything and everything we get from the t-shirts helps us a little bit more than yesterday....

Thank you for the help and support if people are interested in purchasing a t-shirt please let me know your name, size and color (white or purple) and you can get a hold of me on Facebook or via email at vasquez_1018@yahoo.com

The shirts are $20 each, white or purple, Small-4-XL

Esther has another daughter her name is Layla and is married to her high school sweet heart; they have been together for 6 years. She is a Stay-at-Home Momma and Wife...and amazing of course!

JOIN TEAM IZZY TODAY!!!!!!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/esther.vasquez.12327608?fref=ts

Help this Houston family raise funds and Childhood Cancer awareness;

http://www.gofundme.com/awr9tc

 #TeamIzzy



::2015 Update::

Izzy continues to be victorious over this battle but still needs your help!!! 

http://www.gofundme.com/awr9tc

Her family is also holding a raffle for more information you can contact her Momma on her FB page: 

https://www.facebook.com/esther.vasquez.12327608?fref=ts