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Gregory Fake: Passionate About Literature

February 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Gregory Fake

Gregory Fake

On any given day, Gregory Fake can be found talking with bestselling, celebrity, and children’s authors while developing segments for the award-winning Lifetime Television series, The Balancing Act.  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” explains Gregory Fake, “I have a longtime passion for literature.”

Beginning at an early age, Gregory Fake developed a love for reading and the written word.  In fourth grade, he read 140 books, more than any other student at Sam Houston Elementary School that year.  Small wonder, considering Gregory Fake’s parents were both writers and reading and writing were commonplace in his household.

As an adult, Gregory Fake is captivated by fantasy and science fiction writing and is especially fond of the great authors, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.  “These two authors with similar childhood stories, who later went on to become friends at one point, were able to create fantastical worlds like no other,” offers Gregory Fake.  “While C. S. Lewis developed an early interest in animals and bringing life to animals, J. R. R. Tolkien created his own languages with his cousins.  The basis for their great novels was born well before either one of them knew it,” Gregory Fake continues.

Much like these great authors, Gregory Fake leveraged his childhood of watching his grandfather excel in high steel and listening to him discuss the stock market, into a successful business and now television production career.  Today at The Balancing Act, Gregory Fake is able to combine his business training and experience with creativity and know-how to produce provocative, empowering television for women.  While he would love to be a renowned author, he is grateful for the current influence of literature and words in his work in television.

Not surprisingly, Gregory Fake is currently exploring the works of the various authors who were members of the Inklings, a literary club formed in the 1930’s at Oxford University, which included Lewis and Tolkien.  His love of fantasy and science fiction allow Gregory Fake to bring creativity and intrigue to The Balancing Act morning program each week.

Gregory Fake received a degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Georgetown. He has consulted for Fortune 500 companies and has practiced banking law.  Residing in Pompano Beach, Florida with his wife and kids, Gregory Fake enjoys fishing, volunteering at his church, and spending time on the beach with his family.

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Q & A with Kavin Austin Blake – Exotic Locales

January 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Kavin Austin Blake

Kavin Austin Blake

Deep-sea fishing enthusiast Kavin Austin Blake has traveled to many exotic and interesting destinations. Today, Kavin Austin Blake answers a few questions about some of his experiences:

Q: I’ve heard it said that there’s great fishing in the Caribbean. Have you traveled there?

Kavin Austin Blake: Yes, I have, many times.

Q: What spots are your favorites?

Kavin Austin Blake: I’ve always been pretty fond of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Q: What makes San Juan so special?

Kavin Austin Blake: There’s so much to do there­–surfing, golf, exploring, and some great hotels and restaurants!

Q: Have you visited Jamaica?

Kavin Austin Blake: Yes, I loved Jamaica. Really friendly, welcoming people and culture, great food, island tours, horseback riding, you name it.

Q: What about Nassau?

Kavin Austin Blake: Nassau is another favorite spot of mine in the Bahamas. Great fishing, and some fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling!

Q: What can you tell me about the Dominican Republic?

Kavin Austin Blake: I’ve only been to Punta Cana, which is far off the beaten track. That’s a good thing, though, in that it’s so peaceful and relaxed, especially in the off season.

Q: If you had to pick a favorite, what would it be?

Kavin Austin Blake: That’s a tough call, but I’d probably have to pick Aruba. Great hotels, casinos, rock climbing, four-wheeler trips up and down the coastline, Harley-Davidson excursions.

Q: You seem to derive a lot of satisfaction from travel…

Kavin Austin Blake: Yes, I do. I can’t help but feel a little sorry for people who have no interest in travel. It does so much to open up your worldview to get out and experience other cultures and other ways of life.

Q: What is it that keeps you coming back to the Caribbean?

Kavin Austin Blake: Well, there’s the fishing (laughs), but mainly it’s just a great escape and an affordable destination for honeymooners or vacationers or anyone who just needs a break.

Q: Is it the food, the culture, the people?

Kavin Austin Blake: It’s all those and more.

Q: It sounds like there’s about anything there that you might want to do.

Kavin Austin Blake: Absolutely, there’s a huge, wide range of activities that you can chase there. It’s the perfect spot for an open-minded person who wants to broaden their horizons.

Q: And then there’s the fishing…

Kavin Austin Blake: Well, of course!! (laughs)

Q: What other Caribbean spots are still on your wish list?

Kavin Austin Blake: Well, I haven’t been to Tobago or Guadeloupe yet….

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Bucket List Tips: Landing a Spot on a Reality Show

November 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

At one time, children dreamed of growing up to be movie stars and pop singers, but today the word ‘celebrity’ has much broader connotations. Twenty-somethings create audition tapes to land a spot on a reality show and find instant celebrity…at least until the next reality show airs and everyone forgets about it.

If your lifelong dream is to have a camera crew follow your every move, here are a few tips on getting that coveted spot on a reality show.

  • Think it through. Many people underestimate just how exposed they’ll feel. Not only will the cameras follow you, but your fellow show-mates will talk about you behind your back—with the results aired on national TV. The result can be humiliating, to say the least. Also, take a look at your life. Can you leave your job, family, and friends for several weeks to several months to do whatever show you’re contemplating?
  • Watch the show. You’ll have an edge if you do make it on the show by knowing how the show works. Carefully consider participating in a new show, keeping in mind that not all reality shows are “real.” You may get into a situation that’s scripted or, worse, heavily edited to make it appear as though things happened that didn’t.
  • Check the show’s website. Many reality shows have information on what it takes to get on the show. Some shows ask for video auditions, but these days, one of the best ways to get on a reality show is to attend a casting call. Keep in mind, these calls can attract thousands of people, so don’t feel overwhelmed when you get there.
  • Be unique. Before attending the audition, make sure you have a high-quality photo to present to the casting directors. While most reality shows feature their fair share of beautiful people, if you’ll watch the people that are usually chosen, you’ll notice there are usually unique qualities to each of them. Be yourself but present the side of yourself that makes you stand out from the thousands of other people.

Getting on a reality show is by no means easy, but if nothing else, showing up for the casting call will give you an interesting experience you can take with you.

 

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University of Georgia

August 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Kyle Thomas Glasser

Kyle Thomas Glasser

A senior student at the University of Georgia, Kyle Thomas Glasser, is a one of those students, who at a very young age has set an example to fellow students, the youth in general, and even people beyond his age.  Determined to make this world a better place, his efforts in reaching to out to people who are in need through resources that are readily available to him are what triggers and inspires him to help beyond what is required or expected of him.

As a high school student, he has graduated with honors and has set an example of leadership, discipline, and that inherent affection to help people who are in need. That is why it was no wonder that he decided to pursue a medical related course in college. University of Georgia presented this environment for him — perfect for academic learning while still in touch with society in general.

Already in his senior year in college, Kyle Thomas Glasser, plans on furthering his learning by pursuing a more focused medical discipline and specializing in one field or many. His idea of being part of the medical profession is simple yet genuine, to help people.

He has been doing this for quite some time, volunteering to work for his community while he was still in high school, being part of school activities to organize academic and extra-curricular activities to help strengthen the skills and talents of his group members, peers, and even his. He is also quite active in sports and has played football and baseball to represent his school.

The interesting aspect about this student from University of Georgia is his genuine concern to improve on the lives of others. It was only recently that he embarked on a mission, a trip to Central America, to aid those who might be in need of medical attention.

He is in fact a perfect example of an individual whose pursuits are not centered on his own needs, he reaches out to help others, his endeavors are focused towards efforts to achieve and make his dream a reality — a dream that is not inspired for his own gain but for the betterment of people around him and those that he can reach out to. His talents, he uses to help enrich the lives of others while his educational learning he applies to help and teach others.

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Dan Sciscente on Formula One’s Best

July 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Dan Sciscente

Dan Sciscente

Canadian entrepreneur Dan Sciscente says that Formula One Racing is a staple of entertainment in his home country and offers a rundown of the sport’s best.

Nino Farina

Dan Sciscente points out that, although Nino Farina only won one race in his career, this Italian driver is significant for winning the first ever Formula One championship in 1950. Before his time in the driver’s seat, Nino Farina was known as Dr. Giuseppe Farina, having earned his doctorate from the University of Turin, says Dan Sciscente. The well-born and ambitious “Gentleman of Turin” served his country as a Calvary officer and soldier in the tank regime before the lure of steel horses had him pushing modern mechanics to its limit.

Mario Andretti

According to Dan Sciscente, no mention of F1 drivers would be complete without noting Andretti, who is billed as one of the best performing Americans in the sport. With over 100 career wins, Andretti has proven over and over again that he is a force with which to be reckoned. Dan Sciscente points out that Andretti won the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix and today remains the most recent American to win an F1 race. A racing legend for over 50 years, Andretti is the only driver in history to win races across numerous venues over a five-decade time span, says Dan Sciscente.

Jack Brabham

Australian-born Jack Brabham began his racing career in 1948 driving midget cars, says Dan Sciscente. This former flight mechanic served the Royal Australian Air Force and owned his own successful engine shop before winning three F1 championships in 1959, 1960, and 1966. Dan Sciscente expresses a deep respect for Brabham as both a driver and as a vehicle manufacturer and designer. Brabham is the only driver in the F1 circuit to ever win a series World Championship behind the wheel of one of his own vehicles, mentions Dan Sciscente.

Jenson Button

Dan Sciscente says this 32 year old Brit won the 2009 F1 World Championship after finding an interest in racing early in life. According to Dan Sciscente, Button was only eight years old when his father, John Button, got him his very first open wheeled racing kart. The senior Button was well-known in England as a Rallycross driver in the 1970s, so it was no surprise that Jenson would follow in his father’s footsteps. Button is famous for being the youngest driver in history to claim victory in the European Super A Championship, points out Dan Sciscente.

Dan Sciscente has been an avid racing fan for as long as he can recall. This Canadian businessman says that when the Grand Prix stops in Montreal, he is one of the loudest supporters of the sport. Dan Sciscente’s favorite F1 competition car: the Ferrari. Sciscente hopes to one day own a 599 GTO.

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Tricks to Maintain Your Waist Line When Eating Out

June 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s been a long day at work, and dinner out at a restaurant sounds much more tempting than cooking. However, eating out and healthy eating rarely go hand-in-hand. What to do? A Gathering of Experts will help you navigate some of the hidden pitfalls of eating out – even in high-end restaurants.

Whether you are on a diet or just don’t want to gain weight while on vacation, eating healthy and well at a restaurant is simply common sense. This can be addressed by managing portion control. One way to do that is to snack first on something like an apple with peanut butter or hummus and vegetables. In other words, don’t go into a restaurant with a growling stomach. And portion control doesn’t just mean self-moderation before appetizers – it also applies to “on the side.” Many chefs report that customers use more dressing than they would have received on the salad initially. Be smart and dip your lettuce into the dressing and don’t pour it on the salad.

Also, what you might think of traditionally as “healthy food” isn’t necessarily that at all. For instance, sushi will often be served in a jumbo portion and come deep-fried. Also, sushi sometimes contains mayonnaise  – which is something that’s decidedly not healthy.

Avoiding side dishes altogether is also a great way to keep the calories off. Many sides are cheese based or fried, so when ordering food plan the meal around a good protein and simple vegetables. Stay away from anything with too many add-on ingredients.

It’s also a good idea to utilize the professionals. Servers memorize the specials and can help restaurant goers find an entree, either on the menu or on the special list that will fit their individual needs. Many people don’t ask too many questions out of fear of being labeled a “problem customer.” But, when in doubt ask an expert – and servers are the most knowledgeable people to ask.

Finally, check out restaurant menus online. That will help determine if it’s nutritionally the right fit. If your restaurant of choice doesn’t have a full-fledged website with a menu, utilize sites like Yelp.com for additional information. It’s possible to eat well and not consume an entire day’s worth of calories in one sitting.

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A Gathering of Experts Discusses Positive Changes in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity

June 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Recently, Disney made the startling announcement that advertisers on all of their media outlets would have to adhere to a new set of stringent health guidelines. The new guidelines will force advertisers to limit the overall calories, fat, salt and sugar in what they advertise in programs geared toward children. A Gathering of Experts believes that what made that announcement so shocking is that sugary sweets have been intrinsically linked to children’s programming – especially Saturday morning cartoons – for years. But Disney went even further during an event with First Lady Michelle Obama. They also announced that they are revamping the food that will be served at their theme parks.

While Disney’s announcement was bold, it turns out that Ted Turner’s Cartoon Network started blazing the trail for them back in 2007. No Cartoon Network character is allowed to be in advertisements that endorse high fat or high sugar foods, including beverages. While the Cartoon Network started their program against childhood obesity quietly a few years ago, they haven’t gone as far as Disney in clamping down on advertisements. However, they have been proactive with their programming by developing shows like “Rescuing Recess” and “Move It Movement,” which encourage children to exercise.

A Gathering of Experts believes that these initiatives will go a long way in helping fight the epidemic of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity rates have grown nearly thirty percent since 1980, and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. With more and more physical education classes being downsized – or canceled outright – due to school budget problems, children are much less active than they used to be.

But, the problem isn’t just lack of exercise. Schools across the country have adopted extremely fattening and high sugar meals that have contributed to the crisis. Pizza is considered a vegetable in  school food programs across the country, according to USDA standards – along with french fries. And it’s not just the food that schools serve, it’s the foods that they advertise that is part of the problem as well. Because of budget shortfalls, many schools across the country have started making money by having paid advertisements around the halls for sugary drinks and snacks.

However, because of initiatives by the Cartoon Network and Disney, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, childhood obesity is sparking conversations about the causes and potential solutions to the crisis. Hopefully in a few years there will be changes in place to make sure that childhood obesity is a thing of the past.

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Markus Lattner Extols the Virtues of Buying Local Food

May 23, 2012 By 4 Comments
Markus Lattner

Markus Lattner

Markus Lattner has long supported local agriculture. As the improvement manager for a community supported agricultural (CSA) farm in Pennsylvania, Markus Lattner knows the impact of buying local on the local economy. Money isn’t the only thing restaurants and grocers save when they buy local, however, according to Markus Lattner. Here are just a few of the benefits:

  • Save money—As fuel costs have increased, Markus Lattner reports that the cost of shipping food from overseas has become unmanageable to some businesses. That increase is built into food costs and passed on to restaurant owners and grocers. Fuel prices are dropping, however, taking away this incentive. Markus Lattner proposes taxes on oil that will encourage businesses to buy domestically, which will serve to boost the local economy.
  • Freshness—Markus Lattner says there is no way to deny the freshness of a locally grown tomato compared with one that has been imported from far away. Markus Lattner points to several reasons from this. First, locally grown produce is often lacking the chemicals found in the shipped versions. Local farmers may also pay more attention to details like soil condition, exposure to sunlight, or ripeness of fruit at the time it is harvested.
  • No risk of interruption in service—Imports of goods can be influenced by wars, natural disasters, and more, according to Markus Lattner. By relying on other economies to provide food, we run the risk of someday being without. Markus Lattner feels that keeping things local adds to a sense of self-reliance.
  • Improve local economy—When a shopper support nearby farmers, he or she puts money back into the economy. Those farmers spend monies earned at local establishments, Markus Lattner points out. Increased demand means local farmers will need to add more employees, Markus Lattner says, which can only be good for your local unemployment rate. This puts more tax dollars into a local economy, which leads to improved roads, education, and more, concludes Markus Lattner.
  • Save lives—It may sound extreme, but there are several studies that have pinpointed cancer risks associated with the pollution emitted by ships carrying food from overseas. According to Markus Lattner, the U.S. study attributed 60,000 deaths per year in our country to the world’s 90,000 cargo ships. A British study found one ship emits the same cancer-causing chemicals as 50 million cars.

Markus Lattner knows the many benefits of buying local foods and he hopes that by spreading the word, he’ll encourage others to take part. Markus Lattner’s support of the slow food initiative is a commitment to educating others on its value.

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Garrett Hoelscher | Finding Fulfillment

May 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Garrett Hoelscher

Garrett Hoelscher

When Garrett Hoelscher was in his last years of college at Emory University in Georgia, he felt that something was missing. It took months for this sports enthusiast to fully understand it was physical activity that he craved. “I had terrific friends, good grades, and a beautiful girlfriend,” Garrett Hoelscher says about his college life. But he missed the competitive rigor and challenge of sports that he had in his teens.

Garrett Hoelscher played Lacrosse in high school. Fast-forward to his senior year in college, and the realization that this is what he was missing finally set in. According to Garrett Hoelscher, he decided early that year that he was going to try out for the school’s Lacrosse team. It’s worth noting that Emory is known for its athletic programs, which are consistently ranked among the best. This made the task even more daunting, since Garrett Hoelscher hadn’t picked up a stick in three years.

Walking onto the practice field, a nervous Garrett Hoelscher embarrassed himself with his dire lack of coordination. However, the head coach saw a spark of determination in this strong-willed student and placed him on the team. Garrett Hoelscher was thankful for the opportunity to prove himself and thus spent every available minute alone, throwing and catching against a campus wall, just to hone his skills. Luckily, he regained his abilities after two months of intense practice.

By the end of the season Garrett Hoelscher was almost unrecognizable as the young man with the abysmal stick skills who had walked onto the team those months prior. The coach assigned his promising player to the Special Face Off Team, which had the sole responsibility of ensuring that the opposition rapidly lost control of the ball. He helped lead the team to victory, as his team won the Division II South Eastern Lacrosse Conference of the Men’s Collegiate Association that year. Furthermore, when his team advanced to the MCLA playoffs in Denver, Garrett Hoelscher was honored to start each and every playoff game.

While it may seem unusual to some, Garrett Hoelscher found enrichment in this Native American stickball game that year that nothing else could have provided. He was able to balance a full class load, a social life and a relationship while proving to himself that determination and a willingness to work for what he wanted could pay off. It did, and Garrett Hoelscher has accomplished numerous other post-graduation goals thanks to the confidence this last year in school and this centuries old pastime provided him.

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Sigma Alpha Lambda’s Community Oriented Programs

May 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Kyle Thomas Glasser

Kyle Thomas Glasser

Even if Kyle Thomas Glasser runs on a very tight schedule, that does not hinder him from participating in community oriented programs in Sigma Alpha Lambda. If you really want some tips on how you can prepare yourself to face the future, then you must involve yourself in community programs just like Kyle has done. Glasser liked serving other people and that is why he will be very successful in his career as medical doctor. He is full of passion, hope, determination, perseverance and faith. If you don’t know better, you could think that you are talking of a 40 years man.

No, Kyle is just 21 years and he has been able to achieve a lot for his short life. You too can achieve much more than Kyle. When you involve yourself in programs that offer services, you will be able to achieve some practical skills for how to tackle life’s challenges. Kyle- as a medical student- knows well that such programs will be more beneficial to him than to the people he is serving. Giving an excuse that you have a busy schedule will not do you any good, Kyle is busier and he is able to balance his medical work with community-oriented programs.

The main aim of participating in community-oriented programs in Sigma Alpha Lambda is to promote your excellence in education, expand and create leadership between different cultures, increasing awareness between cultures and increase service provision in the community. Sometimes it is advisable to learn from another person’s experience. In this case, you will learn how Sigma Alpha Lambda has benefited Kyle as a member. Here are the benefits you will get for participating in community oriented programs:

  • Such community programs will contribute a lot in achieving your goals in life. You will have a chance of travelling from one community to another, meet new people and build relationships all over the country. At times you might not realize how important it is to participate in community programs but in the near future you will need the connections you develop.
  • You will gain core values like treating everyone with respect and dignity, practicing fiscal responsibility and integrity when you will be working in an organization, increase togetherness between students in the university, learn how to respect the university’s, community’s, world and chapter’s resources at all costs

Becoming a member of community oriented programs does not impact negatively on your studies- but you should know how to balance the two. Kyle Thomas Glasser has kept his respect in the team and has been a member of several years now.

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