The Miami Dade County Chamber of Commerce announces that the 2009 Distinguished Service Award will be awarded to the president of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Bill Talbert. The Chamber by virtue of this award is recognizing Mr. Talbert for his demonstrated community leadership, sparked inspiration and his effort to spearhead a successful international effort – to drive unprecedented economic development in Miami’s hospitality and travel industry.

As President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) for the past 10 years, and as Chief Operating Officer for the prior nine years, Bill Talbert has distinguished himself as a highly respected visitor industry and community leader. Talbert’s 19 years of experience at the GMCVB includes major accomplishments such as assisting with the passage of the Food and Beverage tax to fund GMCVB’s advertising budget, negotiating inter-local government funding agreements and preparing four successful Super Bowl bids and three Pow Wow bids.

In addition, Talbert has been professionally affiliated with several organizations such as Camillus House, the Hands of Miami Advisory Board, the Orange Bowl Committee, the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee, the Florida International University School of Hospitality Management Executive Advisory Board, and the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association, among others.

The Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce will present the H.T. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary contributions in community leadership and philanthropic endeavors to local prominent attorney and community activist, Dr. Larry R. Handfield.

A Bethune-Cookman University alumnus, Dr. Larry R. Handfield has the distinction of being the namesake of their music building and new athletic training center, as well as being appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the historically black college.

After his undergraduate education at Bethune-Cookman, Handfield attended the Howard University School of Law where he received a degree of Juris Doctor. Handfield, a Miami native, currently practices law as the head of The Handfield Law Firm and is proud to be the Chairman of the Police Oversight Board for the City of Miami whose responsibility is investigating police misconduct.

In addition, Dr. Handfield serves as the Chairman of the Board of the James E. Scott Community Association (JESCA), an organization famous for providing services that respond to the changing needs of underserved communities, as well as improving their quality of life.

Miami – The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce will host its 4th Annual Holiday Gala, “Progress: The New Currency,” on Saturday December 5, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Miami.

A cocktail reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner and an award ceremony following at 7:30 p.m. The Gala has become “the event” of the holiday season, honoring the accomplishments of professionals and businesses in the South Florida community. The “progressive” theme for the night is a tribute to the Chamber’s continuous efforts to move forward in this time of economic uncertainty.

The high-profile social event is expected to draw over 700 of South Florida’s savviest and most successful business. Among the festivities, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce will honor three of South Florida’s most well-respected business and philanthropic leaders throughout the night. Receiving the H.T. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary contributions of community leadership and philanthropic endeavors is famed attorney and community activist, Dr. Larry R. Handfield.

The Distinguished Service Award will be awarded to the president of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Bill Talbert, who has demonstrated community leadership, sparked inspiration and spearheaded a successful international effort to drive unprecedented economic development in Miami’s hospitality and travel industry. Finally, the Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to former Dade Community Foundation president, Ruth Shack, whose selflessness, foresight and guidance has contributed immeasurably to the quality of life in our community. Keeping Gala attendees grooving will be the Leesa Richards band, a nine-piece top 40 musical ensemble, led by popular chanteuse, Leesa Richards.

“This is the event of the year for the minority business community. We will celebrate the many accomplishments we had in 2009 and look forward to new partnerships for 2010. The Chamber invites all business, civic and community leaders, elected officials and budding entrepreneurs to join us and celebrate the Chamber’s successes, especially our progressive efforts and activities on behalf of small, minority and women-owned businesses,” stated President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Bill Diggs.

The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce Holiday Gala has earned a well deserved reputation as one of the most anticipated corporate and social events of the holiday season, featuring stellar entertainment, fine food and a diverse mix of South Florida’s corporate leaders. Attendees can expect to enjoy an elegant and fun evening of networking, dining and dancing.

Please join us for an unforgettable evening, a celebration of true excellence and extraordinary entertainment. Businesses may purchase corporate tables for $1,500, while individuals may purchase tickets for $150 each. For tickets and more information please contact Beverly James at 305-751-8648 or visit www.m-dcc.org. For media inquiries, contact Circle of One Marketing at 305.576.3790. This year’s top corporate sponsors include Macy’s, Carnival Cruise Lines and FP&L.

Who would give thought that fantasy football could dethrone the quintessential diva and the authority on all things sports. But yes I am here to tell you that such a misfortune has taken place in my world. Oh yes I am the self-professed guru on all things sports, cricket, soccer, football, basketball, golf, track and field and even polo. I have played some, watched some and am a diehard fan of others.
I have even represented athletes and created some havoc in my time. I am a sports blogger and even have my own sport segment on Australian radio.
So you would think that a sports buff like me would have it all together in the NFL Fantasy Football, heck I could recite stats from here to the ends of the earth, and I could even recite excerpts from Hall of Fame speeches – Michael Irvin’s was my favorite.
Over the years, I have come to hold my own in the Fantasy Football world and have even called a perfect week on “Pickem” – picking every winning team for that week – no trophy to show though.
So this year when my co-workers recruited me to join the office fantasy football league – I was so hyped I felt like Jerry Jones (lol). I immediately started to trash talk, making enemies in a fun kind of way. There was one guy, who claims that he was only playing for the hell of it, simply because he was not a huge football fan – he preferred basketball. There were two people from my department, who loved the game like I do – one a Dolphins’ fan and the other a diehard Steelers’ fan.
The days leading up to the draft, team owners exchanged knowledge of the game and the top players (something they would not do in the NFL). On draft day, I was met with a few challenges, but got the two quarterbacks that I had pre-selected. I had to do some scouting after to acquire some free agents – but I had the pedigree for that or so I thought.
First week out, I took my opponent down, finishing that week with the highest score in the league. But for the last six weeks, luck has not been on my side. I have been careful in setting my team each week, I utilize the injury reports, I watch the daily TV sports shows, listened to the pundits and even took notes. But my weekly scores do not reflect that.
First of all, the infamous guy/co-worker, who declared his ignorance for the game, was 8-0 at “press time,” and this week when my Steelers fan colleague finished ten points ahead of him going into Monday night, he still could not beat him. This mid-season fantasy expert (a/k/a “thorn in everyone’s side”) did not even move a player to the reserve list even when it was a bye-week, he even had the audacity, to ask me what it meant when the player had a “bye”.
In the words of Vince Lombardi: “winning is not everything, it is the only thing,” so I will try my best to continue to season’s end, with my ego deflated. I must say that this has been a humbling experience for me in every sense. Believe me, I even gave tips to my colleagues, who used it to beat me in the end. Leaves me to a moment of re-evaluation for my next year’s strategy. As for that wanna-be NFL owner/Fantasy “showboater,” let him sit there – given taunting speeches on Monday mornings, smile every time I pass by his office. It will be a long time before I quit buddy – even if I am a loser, and this is my true confession.

Nutritional supplement company Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“VPX”) of Davie, Florida, makers of the popular Muscle Power protein shake was disappointed when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s rendered its decision to uphold the May 6, 2009 Order granting a Preliminary Injunction in favor of Cytosports in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (Case No. 08-CV-02632). VPX respects the decision from the Ninth Circuit; however, they will continue to vigorously defend the case at the trial level.

VPX was founded in 1993 by Jack Owoc with one goal in mind to produce the highest grade of sports nutritional supplements on the market. Mr. Owoc’s mission for his company is to deliver cutting edge supplements to serious individuals who are willing to indulge in a product that delivers on its promise. Each VPX brand is carefully developed and researched to support the claims of “superiority,” making sure that it’s just not another slogan.

VPX contends that its Muscle Power protein shake is superior to that of its competitor Cytosport, as VPX’s Muscle Power shake contains more protein, 183% less fat, 600% less sugar and considerably less calories. Furthermore, VPX is not relying on any contention that its product contains milk as defined by the FDA. VPX is standing by all of its statements based on its research and maintains that Cytosport’s Muscle Milk puts into question its reliance on the milk ingredient and leads its customer to believe that it contains milk, when it does not.
VPX has commenced cancellation actions with the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) in a multi count Petition to Cancel the following trademark registrations: 2973352, 2714802 and 2809666 alleging that the trademarks are deceptively misdeceptive and fraud, based on the Cytosport’s use of the word “milk”.

In fact, Nestle USA has filed its own action with the TTAB alleging similar grounds. In addition, the National Advertising Division of the Council of the Better Business Bureau has referred Cytosport to the Federal Trade Commission for investigation on claims of misleading advertising.

Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. located in Davie Florida is the creator of the VPX Product line: Redline®, Protein Rush®, Shotgun®, and Meltdown®.

For More Information Contact: Kalina Pagano, Esquire, General Counsel – Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. /Redline (kpagano@vpxsports.com) or 954-641-0570
www.vpxsports.com

I interrupt this broadcast to bring you breaking news from a fan’s prospective. I repeat this is not a test, this is reality, these are serious times that require serious measures. So here goes…Andy Reid, please listen up.

We the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles want to relay this message to you. Please do not mess around with the season banking on Kolb. You played around with the game last week, and frankly, we were not amused with you trying to be loyal to Kolb, foregoing your options of Jeff Garcia in the second half.

Why else would you pick up Garcia off waivers, if you have forgotten about how he played well, when he had to fill in for No. 5 a few seasons ago. So today, here is your note to self Andy, use Vick early and go to Garcia if the need arises.

This is football, there is no experiments, no excuses, no wait and sees and certainly no playing with the fans’ emotions.

There comes a time, when I have to heed a certain call and live up to the values they me in Sunday School. So as a sports fan, diehard Eagles fan and human being with just enough values, I have a confession to make.

Picture the scene though – Lincoln Financial Field players lounge at midnight, hell I am not showing my face during daylight, knowing what sin I am guilty of. My crime – being disloyal to McNabb and the Eagles in my fantasy football league. Stay with me as I take you through my confession. I decided to ask for a meet and confer with the great No. 5 himself, after my conscience wrote me a note.

Heck, I have been an Eagles’ fan for so long and have never committed this ungodly sin. But this year I back slided, due the pressure from the old boys’ club a/k/a the boys in my fantasy league. I really had to show the boys that I was not a homer and did not need to pick my favorite quarterback in order to build a strong team. So I went against what was a custom for several years and decided against McNabb in the days leading up to my draft.

For the meet and speak, I went extreme on my fashion get up, I wore saggy pants, a hoodie and dark glasses. I went against what would be my fantasy attire, if I should ever meet the great one McNabb. I aimed to put on a disguise from the public at large and indeed “The Dman,” heck on second thought I needed more that, if I was going to tell the truth.

The moment of truth arrived and there would be no turning back now. McNabb and I toasted each other, he drank Gatorade and I had a stiff one (Grey Goose was my drink of choice). I tried my hardest to beat around the bush, but he insisted on getting to the point. I could feel McNabb’s piercing eyes ripping apart my disguise. I told him I pick Phillip Rivers in my fantasy league, but he only sighed, saying he did not mind because River is from the AFC. I told him I choose Romo as a backup and Haynesworth and the Redskins for defense. He stood up, peeled my disguise and said “Alice is that really you, I can’t believe this.” So I tried to let him down easy, telling it was me and not him. I revealed a few more harsh realities, like how he lost the Superbowl a few years ago and failed to beat down TO when he started his antics in Philly. I reminded him that I was happy for Vick and Garcia.

McNabb laid out some of his inner feelings too, telling me that he has good intentions, that he was not over the hill, and that he would win out the season for the fans. But I told him that I aware of his good intentions, ability to play and the fact that he is hearing footsteps with every mistake. He was overwhelmed by my confessions as he simply thought I was the only supporter he had through thick and thin. “McNabb, this is not personal, just a fair warning that you need to get well and play well for the rest of the season as Jeff Garcia and Mike Vick are looking pretty good to me. We shook hands on it and I mutually agreed that our talk, would be off limits for his mom – god knows, I am afraid that lady.

My fellow divas, I am here to tell you that the state of the female sports fan union is good. I am happy to announce that regardless of the off season drama with players and training camp injuries, we girls did not fail to register our dues in this sports fan union. I am elated to tell you that the regular season kicks off in less than 24-hours. For me, life has been good, I have been busy defending the honor of our estrogen/hormone and responding to sly comments by the male sports fan kind, about our loyalty to this game. I have been blogging and fighting for the right of the fans male or female, but the boys clubs still fail to register any gratitude on their behalf, instead they renew the age old question – as to why girls love sports, especially football. Adding insult to injury, this really charming, intelligent, thoughtful and kind specimen from the boys’ club exercised his “audacity of nope”, when he asked me, if a female sports fan’s loyalty solely rest with the players good looks.
Those were fighting words, that made me want to draw upon my inner soccer fan, but I maintained my posture as a lady/diva and schooled the fool, on how deep my love flows for the old pigskin game. I broke down game film with him, he calls himself a coach these days, getting paid for his knowledge of the game – man, I sure did take him to school (those poor Pop Warner kids).
The state of the union continues to be good females fans, as you are showing up to games in record numbers, running fantasy football leagues, bleeding orange and teal for the Miami Dolphins, green for my Eagles and silver and black for “Da Raiders”.
You are sportscasters, sports agents, sports fans, sports attorneys, front office personnel and pop Warner coaches – yes you are woman. You reveal the knowledge and love for the game on facebook, twitter and myspace. You blog, you scream from your living rooms on Sundays, drink beers, and yes you tailgate – yes you are woman.
You are woman hear you roar, the guys will not leave you out in the cold, no longer will girls wish they were invited to join the office football pool, yes boys, we run the leagues now and even dare you to request an invite. Yes, we have overcome being a football widow.
For the newbie female fan, take courage my sister, we seasoned female fans got you covered. Welcome to the sisterhood and enjoy the benefits of the union. Stand up to the challenge and be counted as a fan. I am here to tell you that the membership comes with perks. Learning the game will earn you brownie points with the boyfriend, the lover, the husband and with your other male friends. As a sports fan you are no longer considered to be the average girl, you build friendships and other bonds with other females from all walks of life.
But before you go strutting your stuff, take a few minutes to learn the new terminologies, which will become a part of your lingo for the next five months and thereafter. Note to self sister fan, there are 32 teams in the NFL, to find out which teams plays in your city, log on to www.nfl.com. At the start of every regular season the teams name 53 players to their active rosters, injured players go the injured reserve list and about 4-6 players make it to the practice squad.
The quarterback is the leader of the team and especially on offense, he is the one who passes and throws the ball for a potential score. If he over throws the ball and someone from the defense gets the ball, then that’s called an interception, which can produce a defensive touchdown. The offense is the team with possession of the ball and the defense is the team defending the offensive possession.
The defense is sometimes described as either of four-three or three-four, on a four-three defense, there are four lineman and three linebackers in formation, and the three-four is the reverse of three line men and four linebackers. A first down is the initial down in each series, the offense has four attempts to complete first down or else they have to punt the ball to the other side. A touchdown is worth six points, a point after is just that and the field goal is a three-pointer. A time out is used to regroup the team for strategy and finally a running back lines up behind the quarterback to run a pass, while the wide receiver aka diva is the player who receives the ball down field.
So this season, when you chant from the seats at the stadium, tailgate before the game, wear your team color, just remember we are female sports fans, no matter what our religion, no matter our color, we bleed green, silver, orange, maroon, gold and Steelers’ black and we will not be ignored. Say it with me – the state of this female union is good.

I am no lyricist, I am no Jay-Z and I am not a rapper in any way shape or form. But after reading the NFL issued statement regarding social media and especially twitter, I am about ready to spit a rhyme called “Death of Child Please.” Sadly enough, the NFL lyricists aka Greg Aiello, Roger and them, who penned this twitter hate venom called the Social Media Policy Memo, could do with a few “followfriday” shout outs, as I think they are living in a world of “Jitters.”
In the NFL’s defense, they are certainly in need of some guidelines to regulate players, coaches and team officials from posting tweets that will affect the outcome of the games. We already know about the mandate about the release of score updates during the games. But the NFL has to realize that tweeting players will not hurt anybody, the fans actually love interacting with their favorite players. Heck, we fans have to find some way to have fun outside of paying for these pricey tickets, NFL Sunday Ticket and over priced cable.
The attraction to twitter by the players is one way for them to reach out to their fans, and in another way it helps to promote the NFL brand. I have to say that my favourite twitters have to be Shawn Merriman, the incomparable Chad OchoCinco and Darnell Dockett. Ochocinco especially has been a favorite on twiiter, because of his uncanny way of bringing humor and his little phrases and comments. He coined the phrase “Child Please” and since he did the whole twitterverse has been a buzz, using this phrase in and out of context. That phrase has been so popular it is now the most popular words on twitter – kind of an anthem so to speak.
Unfortunately due to the latest NFL stylings aka Social Media Policy Memo, we will be seeing less of the Child Please tweets from Chad. Henceforth the death oh “Child Please.” I applaud the NFL for the small gesture of allowing twitter 90 minutes before the game and following the press conference, but what if you are not a big time player and you want to tweet after the game about your first touchdown, will the NFL be monitoring that.
Players are not stupid and they do try to follow other rules, so why does the NFL try to treat them like prisoners, if tweeting is not a crime. Child please…someone should tell them to create a twitter account called @OhWell, allowing people like Jerry Jones to celebrate his “me show” in Dallas, Rex Ryan to tell us about why he acts like Hoffia and Matt Milan will revealed his secret for staying employed in Detriots for all those years.
It will be an interested NFL season, as we will now await what these pro-ball twitters will do, I tell you what, I will sure miss Merriman, Dockett and Ochocinco…child please this will be no fun. Chad said that he is going to offer up other ways that he will have fun including, but not limited to hiring a mariachi band. I am no mariachi music lover and might again have to say child please, we need you on twitter.
So as I head out of here sharing with you in a venting manner, I will leave a few words for the NFL. And better yet if I was Jay-Z, I would say it like this: the NFL has 99 problems and twitter isn’t one. Death of the No Fun League, Death of Fan Exploit – two words Child Please!!

The saga fit for reality television starring Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings continues to be the box office hit this week, but the coming out party for Mr. Favre was less than stellar. No. 4 completed 1 of 4 for 4 yards, he looked rusty and confused. But whose fault is it that Favre was forcing his muscles to work? Brad Childress has been the coach obsessed with this over the hill quarterback. He has centered his whole team around this 40-something year former gunslinger. I say former because Favre’s best days are obviously behind him. It’s such a pity that the show Hard Knocks did not take their show to the Vikes this season, because it would be quite a hit with the behind the scene starring with Favre his “forced to be disciples”.

Maybe it’s my paranoia, but the tension was even visually obvious in the practice huddle. I am not kidding you, the first few days of practice that we were privileged to see courtesy of the NFL Networks, was quite revealing. You could see the faces of the other quarterbacks looking a bit dazed from the mere presence of the “thief” who arrived in the dark to steal their thunder.

But as the world turns, I am taking a front seat to this action packed saga. If the Favre who showed up talking about having butterflies before the game, continues to have this lack-luster display of talent, fans and talking heads will boot him out of town. During his debut as the ’self-made” starter in Minnesota, Mr. Favre was upstaged somewhat by Tavaris Jackson who threw a “perfect game” or so said his own head coach “Brad C”. Childress ought to be ashamed of himself, no wonder he seem to be talking with his head down these days.

Poor Jackson, he lost the chance to be the starter when Brett was parachuted into town, and given the golden spoon without any training camp torture. But Jackson was not asking anyone to feel sorry for him, as he let his arm do the talking on Friday night. With rumors swirling that Jackson will be traded before the start of the season, I sure hope that he goes to a team that will utilize his services right away.

In comparison to Favre, Jackson really did showcase his arm and accuracy, Jackson’s quarterback rating for the game was a 158.3, which is the highest number attainable by the byzantine formula that calculates that statistic. He completed 12-of-15 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, including a 64-yarder to Darius Reynaud in the third quarter. And if teams were looking at this game to see if they might want to trade for Jackson, he didn’t do anything to hurt his case.

But seriously, is Brad C on some special meds on that short yellow bus? How could you want to trade Jackson, who even had the better 8-game stats last season in comparison to the “gray-haired” one Favre.

What if Favre get butterflies next game and has 0 for 9? Will Jackson be a serious contender as a starter? Or will Childress and the gang install Favre as the starter just to sell the tickets? Lots of questions Brad C! I really believe that Favre will be the Vikes’ “rain-man” and/or cash cow during this experiment and “the chosen”, which was anointed to save the team from empty seats this season, might put up numbers, sell tickets or simply retire at season’s end. After all it is a recession, and the teams need to make money.

So seriously Brad C, what’s it gonna be? To be or not to be is the question for Favre and Brad C.