Success Express Business & Career Magazine

EDITORSBLOCK

WillRogers

Fromteambuildingandbe�erleadership prac�ces,topersonala�tudeandgoal se�ng,andevenhowtomanagestress levels,thissecondissueof BigBlend’s SUCCESSEXPRESSBusiness&Career Magazine delvesintotheworldandculture oftheworkplace.

Withplentyofexpertinterviewsand ar�cles,italsoshedslightonCalifornia’s newemploymentlaws,greenbusiness prac�cesandenvironmentalstewardship, successinwri�ngandthearts,andtrendsin agricultureandthewineindustry.

FromCaliforniatoLouisiana,andIowato England,there’sabigfocusontraveland tourisminthisissuefeaturingpanel discussionswithtravelwritersandar�sts-inresidence,aspotlightonthenewbuzzterm “Bleisure,”businessandgrouptravel des�na�ons,alongwithaninterviewabout thelifeofatravelingpetsi�er.

Checkoutournew SuccessExpressRadio pla�orm,andkeepupwithallthingsBig Blendhere: h�ps://linktr.ee/BigBlend

Here'stoYourPersonal&Professional Success!

NancyJReidandLisaD.Smith,BigBlend’s mother-daughterpublishing,podcasing andtravelteam.

FRONTCOVERIMAGE: OrangesatFarmer Bob’sWorldinTulareCounty,California,a uniquegroupandmee�ngdes�na�on. See page48.

BIGBLENDMISSIONSTATEMENT: BigBlendis acompanybasedonthebeliefthateducation isthemostformidableweaponthatcanbe wagedagainstfear,ignoranceandprejudice.It isourbeliefthateducationstartsathomeand branchesoutward.Educationleadstotravel, andtravelleadstounderstanding,acceptance, andappreciationofculturesandcustoms differenttoourown,andultimatelytoworld peace.Ourcompanyisfurtherbasedonthe principlethatnetworking,communication,and helpingotherstopromoteandmarket themselvesleadstofinancialstability;thus pavingthewaytobettereducation,travel,and thespiritofgivingbacktothecommunity. This magazineisdevelopedbyBigBlendMagazine™, copyrightedsince1997.Nopartofitmaybe reproducedforanyreason,withoutwritten permissionfromBigBlendMagazine.Although everyeffortismadetobeaccurate,wecannotbe heldresponsibleforinaccuraciesorplagiarized copysubmittedtousbyadvertisersor contributors.

“You'vegottogooutonalimbsome�mes becausethat'swherethefruitis.”

THE3BESTOBEING YOURAUTHENTICSELF ATWORK

ByShelleyWhizin

Beingauthen�catwork meansbeingtruetoyourself asanindividual.It’sknowing whoyouare,whatyouneed, andwhatyouwant,andbeing unafraidtostandupfor yourselfinahear�eltway.

Ifaco-workersayssomething thatoffendsyou,youdon’t needtolaughitofforignore it,asifit’snothing.Beopen abouthowyoufeel,and explainwhythestatementwas off-pu�ngtoyou,coming fromyourheart.

So,howdoyoucheckinwith yourself?The3-BEformula willhelpyouatany�meinany place.

The3BEs(BElieving,BEhavior,BEcoming):

1.BEliefsdictateyourexperiences,noma�erwhat. Iden�fywhatbeliefsarerunningyouthatmakeyou feelbad.

2.BEhaviorisdirectly�edtowhatyoubelieve. No�cewhatlanguageyouuse.Isitlimi�ng, hur�ng,orisitupli�ingandencouraging?

3.BEcomingwhoyouareisdirectly�edtohowyou behave.Whenyouareawareofyourbehavior,you canchangewhoyoubecome.

Youcanusemy3-stepChangeFormula(Awareness, Choice,Ac�on)tochangeallbeliefsorbehaviors thatarerunningyou.

Beingawareofthethoughtsyouthinkandthe languageyouusegivesyouanopportunitytosee whatyoubelieveaboutanysitua�onandyour behavior.It’syourchoicefromthere.Then,it’sup toyoutotakeanac�ontogetthewheelsin mo�on.

The3BEssetthetoneofyourlifeatwork.

ShelleyWhizinonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereon YouTube ordownload thepodcaston Podbean.

Somepeoplegotoworkjusttocollectapaycheck, insteadofhavingapurpose.Whatifyourwhole purposeinlifewastoenjoyyourselfinwhatever youdo?Thatmayseemfar-fetched,especially beingaprofessional,butwhatifitwasto contributeyourtalents,skills,andgi�sandhave themreceived?

Youhaveyourownmission/visionforyour professionallife.Takethe�metocreateapersonal developmentplanwithintheorganiza�onyouare currentlyin.Askyourselfwhatyouwantto accomplishinyourlife.Whenyouenvision something,you’dlovedoing,andaccepttheno�on that“thisisjustwhatitlookslikeontheway,”then youfeelinalignmentwithyourvisionandhave morepa�encewiththe�ming.

Todetermineifyouarebeingauthen�catwork, youcanaskyourselfaseriesofques�ons: ·Whatvalues/beliefs/quali�esdoyouvaluethe most?

·Doesyourorganiza�onsharethevalues/beliefs/ quali�esyoubelievein?

·Istheirintegritylevelthesameasyours?

·Haveyoucompromisedyourvaluesforthesakeof thejob?

·Canyoupinpointwhatitisyouarenotsa�sfied with?

·Whenyougotowork,doesyourpersonality change?

·Doyoubelievebeingahardassisthe“only”way youaregoingtobesuccessful?

·Doyoubelievecollabora�ngisasignofweakness?

·Doyouwanttochangethewayyoufeelatwork tomakeitajoyfulexperience?

WhenyouBEcomeconsciousofwhatyoubelieve, youaremoreawareofhowyoubehave.Youcan thentakeresponsibilityforyourpartinyour experience.

TakingresponsibilityforwhatYOUbringtoyour tableatworkfreesyoutobecomethehuman being/professionalyouwanttobe.It’samore fulfilling,joyful,andmeaningfulexperience.Youget tobeauthen�callyYOU,thatconfident, conscien�ous,competentprofessionalyouwantto BE.

Whenyouarenotconsciousofthe3BEs,youcan goonautoma�c,accep�ngthateverythingis“just thewayitis”andresignyourselftolivingalessthan-wonderfulworklife.

Insummary,youcanbeyourauthen�cselfatwork, justasyouareathome,justwithdifferentskillsets. Beproudofwhatyoubringtothetableofyourlife. Standupforthequalityoflifeyoudesire.Choosea companythatalignswithyourvalues.Sharesyour vision,gi�s,talents,andskillswithyourco-workers.

It’syourlife.Enjoythejourney.Andrememberto bringloveintoeverythingyoudo.

ShelleyWhizinisatransforma�onallifecoachand thefounderandCEOoftheSoulDivingIns�tute™ (SDI),establishedtostudyandteachtheartand scienceofBeingHuman.She’salsotheauthorof “TheHealingJournal”,“TheStoryoftheMagical BabyGrandPiano”,and“WhatDoYouBringtothe Table?ASavory,SensoryandInspira�onalGuideto LivingaYummyDeliciousLife”.

Moreat www.ShelleyWhizin.com

IsWorkStressingYou Out?

DoesitMakeYourBlood PressureGoUp?

AsDr.JacquelineEubanyshareson thisepisodeofBigBlendRadio,too muchdailystresscanleadto hypertension,aseriouscondi�on thataffectsoneinthreeadultsin theUS.Itisreferredtoasthesilent killerbecausepeoplehaveno symptomsfromitun�la catastrophiceventlikeastroke occurs.

Fromusingmedita�onandbreathingexercises,to takingawalkonyourlunchbreak,Dr.Jackieshares �psonreducingstresstokeepyourhearthealthy atwork.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

Dr.Jackieisaboard-cer�fiedcardiologistand electrophysiologist,andauthorofthebest-selling book,"WomenandHeartDisease:TheRealStory."

More: h�ps://womenandheartdiseasebook.com/

HOWAREYOURPLANS GOINGFORTHISYEAR?

Itwastheendof December2022whenwe satdownfora conversa�onwithlife coachStevePiacente aboutse�nggoalsfor 2023.Formanyofus Januaryisanupand downprocessoftryingto s�cktoresolu�ons.And then,herecomesthe monthofFebruary,the reminderthatspringwill becomingsoon,calling ustoembracethe seasonofrebirthand renewal.Andso,it’sonce again�metospend somereflec�ve�me,and totakeinventoryofourpersonalandprofessional lives,andlookatwhatwewanttoachieveinthe future.

Tohelpnavigatethemurkywatersofchange,here’s ourBigBlendRadioconversa�onwithSteve PiacentewhosharesinsightsfromhisLinkedIn ar�cle"For2023:GoDifferent,GoDaring." Watch hisinterviewhereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcastfrom PodBean.

Steveisaformerjournalistturnedlifecoach,whois

cer�fiedbytheInterna�onalCoachFedera�on,and isalsotheDirectorofTrainingatThe Communica�onCenterinWashington,D.C.

Heistheaward-winningauthorofthreenovels, “Pretender,”“Bella”and“Bootlicker.”Hislatest bookis“YourNewFigh�ngStance:GoodEnough Isn’tandYouKnowIt.”

More: h�ps://www.stevepiacente.com/

Yearsofbeingonteamsand headingteamshavegivenme insightsintowhatsupports success.Areyouinterestedin findingouthowtohelpyour Teamsucceed?Readon.

Anengineeringprofessorfound thatwhenhesetupsitua�onsfor peopletogettoknoweachother, theirprojectswerebe�er researched,detailed,innova�ve andaccurate.Intelligence,drive, andap�tudedidn’thaveasbig Animpactastheget-together withbeerandpizza.Areyou wonderingwhy?Stopfora minuteandthinkaboutit.If you’reworkingonabigproject andyouhaveanimportantques�on,butyouthink youshouldalreadyknowtheanswer,areyoureally goingtoreachouttothepersonyoudon’treally know?Perhapsthey’llusetheinforma�onagainst youandmakeyoulooklikethevillageidiotwhen theyarediscussingitwithothers.Youmightnot havetheircontactinforma�onorevenremember theirname!But,ifyouhavemetthembeforeand go�entoknowthem,you’reabletohaveacasual callwhereyoucantalkitout,gettheinforma�on youneed,andquitepossiblygetnewinsightsthat helpyouontheproject.Ifyouwantyourteamto succeed,letthemgettoknoweachotherincasual,

non-threateningsitua�ons.

Wedon’ttrustwhatandwhowedon’tknow.

A�erthegreatLondonfire,thefamousarchitect ChristopherWrenwascommissionedtorebuildSt. Paul’sCathedral.Thestorygoesthathecame acrossthreebricklayersworkingonhiscathedral. Whenheaskedthefirstbricklayerwhathewas doing,heresponded“I’mlayingbrickssoIcan makemoneytofeedmyfamily”.Whenheasked thesecondbricklayer,heansweredthathewas buildingawall.Itwasthethirdbricklayerwhowas

ByLeaBrovedani “TheTrustArchitect”

LeaBrovedanionBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

workinghardandfastthatansweredthesame ques�onwith“I’mbuildingagreatcathedralforour Lord!”Ifyouwantcommitmentandbrilliantwork fromyourteam,showthemhowtheirwork contributestothebiggoal.Regardlessofthejob, peoplewillgiveabe�ereffortiftheyunderstand theirconnec�ontothevision,mission,values,and goals.Remember“showthemthecathedral”and you’llfinditeasiertogetthecommitmentyouneed forsuccess.

I’mabe�erleadernowbecauseImadesomany mistakeswhenIwasyounger.In2003,Iwas chairingalargeHR/Emo�onalintelligence conferencewithabudgetofover350k.Ifelt overwhelmed.Fortunately,wehadhireda conferenceorganizerwhoconsistentlyfollowedup tomakesureeverythinggotdone.Ifsomeone commi�edtoatask,Wendywastheonewho followedup.ImadethemistakeofthinkingonceI delegated,itwasoffmylist,andIwasfortunateto haveWendyonmyteamtokeepusontrack.I learnedfromherandnowIcirclebacktomakesure thatthereisfollow-through.Itcanbeaquickcallto doacheck-inandseewherepeopleareat.It indicateswheretherearestrugglesandwhoneeds help.Consistencyshowsupindoingwhatyousay youwilldo.

Thefirstmee�ngfortheHRconferencewasge�ng everyonetogethersowecouldgetpeopleintothe areathatmatchedtheirskillsanddesiretoserve.I wantedeveryonetocommittothetaskathandbut alsoseewheretheirrolefitintotheoverall outcome.Forexample,theteamworkingonthe budgetsandfinanceshadbackgroundsin accoun�ngandItrustedthemto

dotheirwork.SinceIdon’tevenbalancemy checkbook,itwasn’tamatchforme.Weeach workedtoourstrengthsandcompetencies.You knowthosememesonFacebookyouseeand ignore?AlbertEinsteinwasquotedassaying “Everyoneisagenius.Butifyoujudgeafishbyits abilitytoclimbatree,itwillliveitswholelife believingthatitisstupid.”Foryourprojecttobe successful,findoutthecompetenciesofthepeople ontheteam!

Finally,makeitsafeforpeopletoaskques�ons.My friendMarcytaughtGrade3andIremember si�nginononeofherclassesasavolunteer.One ofthechildrenwasdistraughtoverdifficul�esthey werehavingwiththeworkandsaid“Mrs.McIver,I madeamistake.”Shewentoverandhelpedthem butbeforeshedid,shesmiledandsaid“No,you madealearn”.Wouldn’titbegreatifweallfelt comfortable“learning”andcommunica�ngwhen wehaddifficul�es?Ifyou’reworkingonaproject, youwanttoknowthesmall$problemsbeforethey turnintobig$$$$catastrophes!Make communica�ngsafe.Berespec�ulofothersand followtheadage“Praiseinpublic.Cri�cizein private”.

LeaBrovedaniisaspeakerandworkshopfacilitator ontrustwhoisrecognizedasaTopThoughtLeader onTrustforbytheorganiza�onTrustAcross Americaandistheauthorof“TRUSTMe–Restore Belief&ConfidenceinanUncertainWorld”and “TRUSTED–SecretLessonsfromanInspired Leader.”LeaappearsonBigBlendRadioeverythird Thursday.

More: h�ps://leabrovedani.com/ PAGE13

RITASEVER:LEADINGFORJUSTICE

Leadinginorganiza�ons workingforjus�ceisdifferent fromleadinganywhereelse. Staffexpecttobetreatedas partnersanddemandinternal prac�cesthatcenterequity. Jus�celeadersmustmeet theseexpecta�ons,aswellas recognizeandaddressthe waysthatindividualsand organiza�onsinadvertently replicateoppression.Witha focusonorganiza�onsthat supportsocialjus�ce,author RitaSeverencourages a�en�ontosupervision,HR, andcultureinhernewbook "LeadingforJus�ce."Sever,a businessconsultantcommi�ed toadvancingsocialjus�ce causes,curatesheradvicein thisbook,helpingmanagers iden�fyandaddresschallenges intheworkplacetohelpleveltheplayingfieldand promoteequity.

SIMON&MARISACLEVELAND:THEREISNOBOX

Intoday’sglobaleconomy, effec�veleadershiprequires engagingindiverse interac�ons,meaningthereis nosingular,predefinedwayto lead.Instead,leaderstoday mustbeculturallyagile,and theymustlivethatawareness andadaptabilityeveryday.

“ThereIsNoBox”(BenBella Books)byDrs.Marisaand SimonClevelandisaprac�cal guideforleaderswho recognizehowcri�calitisto drawoutsidethelinesof typicalguidancetorethink leadershipdevelopmentand gaincompetenciesthatmake themmoreinclusive,culturally awareandempoweredto facilitatecollabora�on.The authorsdrawontheir combined40yearsof experienceincorporate,governmentandhigher educa�onleadershiptoansweraques�onthey’ve

beenge�ngforovertwodecades:Howdolauded leaderslive? More: www.marisacleveland.com

JONATHANR.KROLL:PREPARINGLEADERSHIPEDUCATORS

LeadershipscholarandMaster TrainerJonathanR.Krollhas thefirstdefini�vetextfor thoselookingtoengagethe nextgenera�onofleaders. Comprehensiveyetaccessible, “PreparingLeadership Educators”(StylusPublishing) fillsalong-heldgapinthe leadershipaswellasthe traininganddevelopment industries.Drawingupon almosttwodecadesof experiencefacilita�ng leadershipworkshopsacross fourcon�nents,Krollbringsan inspiringbreadthofknowledge tothetable,makingsure educatorshavetheskills necessarytoshapetomorrow’s leaders.“PreparingLeadership Educators”isperfectfor leadershipeducators–trainers,teachers,coaches, andmentorsofallstripes–whowanttorefresh

ListentoSimon&MarisaClevelandonBigBlendRadiohereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

WatchJonathanR.KrollonBigBlendRadiohereinthe YouTube player ordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

theirpedagogicalknowledgeandrevitalizetheir strategies.More: h�ps://leadershiptrainer.org/

DAVIDJ.MUCHOW:THE7SECRETKEYSTOSTARTUPSUCCESS

Inhisnewbook“The7Secret KeystoStartupSuccess:What YouNeedtoKnowtoWin,” DavidJ.Muchow,an award-winning,thirty-year serialentrepreneurand lawyer,whoteachesLaw, Business,and Entrepreneurshipat GeorgetownUniversity,gives prac�calbusinessadviceand legal�pscoveringeveryaspectof entrepreneurship.Itincludes allthebasicsofbuildingand growingabusiness— management,fundraising, marke�ng,intellectual property,andriskmanagement —plusmuchmore.Thisfun andunique327-page prac�calguide,whichfocuses onboththebusinessandlegal keystosuccess,isamust-have foreveryentrepreneur,smallbusinessowner, student,andbusinessandlawschools. More:

ListentoDavidJ.Muchowhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

CALIFORNIAEMPLOYMENTLAW

NewLaws&Regulationsfor2023

Unlessstatedotherwise,all newlawswentintoeffecton January1,2023.

FASTRecoveryAct:Notso FAST!ByDecember5,prorestaurantgroupscollected onemillionsignaturesto placetheFASTRecoveryAct onthe2024ballot.Assuming mostofthesignaturesare valid,thatmeansalleligible Californiavoterswillhavea sayinwhethertheAct becomeslaw.Inthe mean�me,theActwillnotgo intoeffect,eventhoughit wasoriginallyslatedtostart onJanuary1,2023.

TheFASTRecoveryAct,ifpassedin2024,willsetup acounciloftenmembersthatwillregulatethefastfoodIndustry.Thecouncilwillevenhavethe powertoincreaseminimumwageto$22perhour forallfast-foodworkerswhoworkinrestaurant chainsthathaveatleast100storesna�onwide.

PayDataandJobPos�ngRequirements:SB*1162 requiresemployers,whoemploy15ormore employees,toincludepayscaleswithjobposts lookingforapplicants.Addi�onally,employers mustgivepayscaleinforma�ontoemployeeswho requestitfortheposi�oninwhichtheyare working.Employersmustalsomaintainrecordsof

Employers,whoemployatleast100employees, mustreporthowmanyemployeesofeachrace, sex,andethnicityarein10broadjobcategories trackedbytheU.S.BureauofLaborSta�s�cs. Addi�onally,thoseemployersmustalsoreportthe meanandmedianhourlyratesforeachrace,sex, andethnicityineachjobcategory.Iftheemployer alsohiresatleast100employeesthroughaservice thatprovideslaborers,theemployermustsubmit separatereportsforthoseworkers.Thereportsare duebythesecondWednesdayofMay.

ByWardHeinrichsEsq.,SanDiegoEmploymentA�orney

eachemployee’shistoryofjob�tlesandwages.

A�orneyWardHeinrichsonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

CaliforniaPrivacyRightsAct(CPRA): TheCPRAwas passedbythevotersin2020,butemployerswere exemptfrommostofitsrequirementun�lJanuary 1,2023.Now,employerscoveredbythelawmust givetheiremployeesaccesstothepersonal informa�oncollectedduringemployment.Further, withsomeexcep�ons,theemployeeswillhavethe righttocorrectanddeletethatinforma�on.

AB1949-BereavementLeave: AB*1949gives employeestherighttotake5daysofunpaid bereavementleaveforthedeathofa:child, grandchild,sibling,parent,grandparent,parentinlaw,spouse,anddomes�cpartner.Theemployee mustbeemployedatleast30days.Allpublic employers,andprivateemployerswhoemployat least5employees,mustprovidebereavement leave,andtheycanaskfordocumenta�onproving death.

OtherChangestoLeavesofAbsenceRules: AB 1041changedtwolawsthatgovernedemployment relatedleavesofabsence,theCaliforniaFamily RightsAct(CFRA)andtheCaliforniapaidsickleave law.ItallowsanemployeetotakeunpaidCFRA leaveorpaidsickleavetohelpa“designated person”withhealthissuescoveredundereachact. Thatexpandsthelistofpersonsemployeeshavea righttohelp,whichwaspreviouslylimitedtothe following:child,grandchild,sibling,parent, grandparent,parentin-law,spouse,anddomes�c partner.

EmployeeRightsinEmergencySitua�on(SB 1044): Duringemergencysitua�ons,employers

maynotthreaten,ortake,anadverseemployment ac�onagainstanemployeewholeavesorfailsto showuptoaworkplace.Anemergencyiswhen naturalforcesorcriminalactscreatecondi�onsof disasterorextremeperilorcauseevacua�on ordersofaworkplace,worker’shome,orschoolof aworker’schild.Theemployeemusthavea reasonablebeliefthattheworkplace,home,or schoolisunsafe.

MinimumWage&Salary: Theminimumwagefor allCaliforniaemployerswillbe$15.50perhour. Theminimumsalaryforanemployeetoqualifyas anexemptemployeeistwicethestateminimum wage.OnJanuary1,2023,theminimumsalarywill increaseto$64,480(2x$15.50/hourx2080hours/ year).

ManylocalgovernmentsinCaliforniahave minimumwagesthatarehigherthantheCalifornia minimum.Forinstance,intheCityofSanDiego, theminimumwageforallemployeeswillbe$16.30 perhour.Thelocalminimumwagerequirements donotaffecttheminimumsalaryrequirementfor exemptemployees.

*ABmeansCaliforniaAssemblyBill,andSBmeans CaliforniaSenateBill.

BasedinSanDiego,CaliforniatheEmploymentLaw OfficeofWardHeinrichsrepresentsbothemployers andemployeesinalmostallareasoflaborlaw.He andhisfirmli�gatecasesthathavebeenfiledin manydifferentpartsofCalifornia.

Visit www.BestEmploymentA�orneySanDiego.com

CALIFORNIAEXPANDS WORKPLACELEAVES OFABSENCE RIGHTS

ByWardHeinrichsEsq., SanDiegoEmployment Attorney

Inrecentyears,theCalifornia legislaturehasexpandedworkplace leavesofabsenceprotec�ons.This year,2023,isnoexcep�on.

Thefollowinghighlightsnew Californialeavesofabsencelaws.

Thisyear,businessesthatemploy fiveormoreemployeesmust provide5daysofunpaid bereavementleave.Un�lnow,the lawdidnotrequireemployersto offerbereavementleave.

UnderGovernmentCode§12945.7, anemployeemaytake bereavementleavewhena“family member”dies.Afamilymemberis definedasaspouse,child,parent, sibling,grandparent,grandchild, domes�cpartner,orparent-in-law.

Tobeeligible,theemployeemustworkforatleast 30daysforthebusiness.Iftheemployerhasapaid bereavementleavepolicy,thentheemployeewill receivepaidleaveaccordingtothepolicy. Otherwise,anemployeehastherighttousesick leave,vaca�on,orothereligiblepaidleavewhile onbereavementleave.

Anemployercanrequiretheworkertoprovide

documents,within30daysofthefirstdayofleave, thatproveafamilymemberhaspassedaway. Withinthelastfewyears,thelegislaturehas changedtheCaliforniaFamilyRightsAct(CFRA)in manydifferentways.In2020,theCFRAappliedto businessesthathad50ormoreemployees.In 2021,thelegislaturerequiredtheCFRAtoapplyto employerswhohadonly5employees.

WardHeinrichsonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

Addi�onally,during2021,thefamilymembersfor whomanemployeecouldtakeleavedrama�cally increased.In2020,anemployeecouldtakeCFRA leavetohelpasickspouse,child,parent,orto bondwithababy,adoptedchild,orachildplaced byfostercare.In2021,thelawmakersadded: grandchildren,grandparents,siblings,andparentsin-law.

Thisyear,anemployeemayaddtothatCFRAlista “designated”person.Thatpersonshouldbea bloodrela�veorsomeonewhoissimilartoablood rela�veintheeyesoftheemployee.Theemployee maydesignatethatpersononthedaythe employeeasksforleave.Theemployercanrequire thattheworkeronlydesignateonepersonfor every12-monthperiod.

TheHealthyWorkplaceHealthyFamiliesAct (HWHFA)wasenactedin2016.Itrequired employerstogiveworkerspaidsickleave.Thatlaw allowedemployeestotakepaidleavewhenthey aresickandwhenaspouse,registereddomes�c partner,child,parent,parent-in-law,grandparent, grandchild,orsiblingissick.JustliketheCFRA,that listofpersonshasexpandedtoincludea “designated”person,butthedefini�onof designatedpersonisbroaderthanthatdefini�on undertheCFRA.

IncontrasttotheCFRA,theHWHFAonlyrequires thattheemployeeiden�fythedesignatedperson

atthe�metheemployeeaskstotakesickleave.It doesnotrequirethatthedesignatedpersonbea bloodrela�veorsomeonewhoissimilartoablood rela�ve.However,theemployercanrequirethe employee’schoiceofthedesignatedpersontonot changefor12months,a�erwhich,theemployee maydesignateanotherperson.

AsofJanuary1,2023,employeesnowhavethe righttoleavework,ordeclinetostartashi�, duringanemergency.Anemployeemaytake emergencyleaveinthefollowingsitua�ons:1) Whennaturalforcescreatedisastercondi�onsor condi�onsofextremeperil;2)Whencriminalacts createadisasterorextremeperil;3)Whenan evacua�onorderisissuedforanemployee’s workplace,home,oraschooloftheemployee’s child.Further,anemployermustallowemployees tousetheircellphonesduringanemergencytoget updates,getassistance,andtocommunicatewith lovedones.

BasedinSanDiego,CaliforniatheEmploymentLaw OfficeofWardHeinrichsrepresentsbothemployers andemployeesinalmostallareasoflaborlaw.He andhisfirmli�gatecasesthathavebeenfiledin manydifferentpartsofCalifornia.Visit www. BestEmploymentA�orneySanDiego.com

PLASTIC-FREE PACKAGINGALLIANCE

Toprotecttheenvironment, thePlas�c-FreePackaging Alliance(PFPA)hasrolledout itsmissiontoeliminatetoxic packagingandpromoteecosafealterna�vestothepublic withcoopera�onfrom industryleaders,local governments,influencersand celebri�es.Thenon-profit planstoestablish rela�onshipsateachlevelof thesupplychainincludingthe privateandpublicsectors, whichwillsupportand incen�vizeatransi�onto plas�c-freepackaging.The groupwilliden�fyalterna�ve packagingop�onsuppliers andinnovatorsandhelp connectthemwithpoten�al endusers.

ThePFPAisdeterminedtoeducateandassistthe industrytoreducetheburdenthatplas�cwaste hasputontheair,earth,water,andhumankind.

"Humanityiswakinguptotherealitythat everythingwedoasconsumersleavesafootprint onourenvironment,"saidDavidSandoval,founder ofthePFPA,"andthereisnofootprintgreaterthan thetoxicplas�cwasteusedinconsumerproducts."

Agrowingnumberofpeoplebelieveitisour responsibilitytosolvethisproblemnowforfuture genera�ons.Financialexpertsalsobelievethatitis atremendousfinancialandbusinessopportunity forthosewhoareboldenoughtostepintothe future.

"WearelookingtoalignIndustryleaders, innovators,earlyadoptersandofcourseinformed

ProfessorAlanTratneronBigBlendRadio:Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

consumersintoanalliancefor change,"con�nuesSandoval.

Sinceconver�nghisconsumer productscompanyPuriumto eco-friendlypackaging,theyhave keptnearly100tonsofplas�c fromenteringtheenvironment.

"ThePFPAisaforceforfostering andadvancingthetrue,singular solu�ontothecri�cal,global problemsofmanufacturingand consumerpackagingwastes,” saysAlanTratner,co-founderof EarthDayandthepioneering EnvironmentalEduca�onGroup, aswellasGreen2GoldIncubatorandtheNa�onal Transi�onIni�a�ve.

Tratnercon�nues,“Themostremarkable advantageofthissolu�onisthatCompostable PackagingisinharmonywiththeEarth's Ecosystems;aseedcreatesaplant,the compostablepackagingiscreatedanda�erusethe packagingisthebiohostforcrea�ngmorefood andotherplants--abeneficialclosedcycle!”

ThePlas�c-FreePackagingAlliancewillbe

promo�ngthecauseofelimina�ngplas�csthrough socialmedia,tradi�onalmedia,tradeshows,andby invi�ngthepublictoecofundraisers,whichwill includedemonstra�onsandboothsthatshowcase plas�c-freeini�a�ves.

Itwillalignandco-promoteini�a�veswithbusiness andpublicorganiza�ons,includingtheAmerican SustainableBusinessAssocia�on,theSurfRider Founda�onandFriendsoftheEarth.

More: h�p://www.aplas�cfreeworld.org/

NATIONALPARKTRUSTCELEBRATES40YEARSOFSUCCESS

ANonprofitDedicatedtoPreservingParks&Inspiring FutureParkStewards

Thisyear,2023,marksthe 40thanniversaryofthe Na�onalParkTrust,a nonprofitorganiza�on dedicatedtopreserving na�onalparksandproviding youngpeoplewithinspiring parkexperiences.

In1983Na�onalParkTrust wasfoundedbyagroupof commi�edindividuals passionateaboutprotec�ng ourna�on’sparks.Today,the ParkTrustbenefitsfroma vibrantcommunityofpark enthusiasts,includingboard members,educators,students, families,militarycommuni�es, nonprofitpartners,donors, andstaffwhoworktogetherto supportitsmissiontopreserve parkstodayandcreatepark stewardsfortomorrow.

OnBigBlendRadio:IvanLevin,DirectorofStrategicPartnerships& Communica�onsfortheNa�onalParkTrust,discussesthe organiza�on'svariousprogramsandachievements.Watchhereon YouTube ordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

Na�onalParkTrustwillcon�nuetoexpandits longstandingpartnershipwiththeNa�onalPark Serviceastheyiden�fycri�callands-including placesofhistoricalandculturalsignificance-forthe ParkTrusttopurchasefortransfertotheNa�onal ParkService.In40years,theParkTrusthasadded over25,000acresto51na�onalparksites.These parcelsrangefromlessthananacretooverten thousandacres.Noma�erthesize,eachcomplex projectisofhighvaluetotheparkandcommunity.

TheParkTrustalsoworks�relesslytocul�vateand inspirethenextgenera�onofparkstewards. Their youthandfamilyprogramsannuallyengagetensof thousandsofstudentsfromkindergartenthrough college–andthousandsoffamiliesacrossthe country.

TheNa�onalParkTrusthasgrownbyleaps andboundssinceitsfounding40yearsago,” saidBoardChairSco�Stone.“The

organiza�on’sworkiswidelyrecognizedand deeplyrespectedacrossthecountry, protec�ngna�onalparks,andconnec�ng under-servedkidsandfamiliestopubliclands andwaters.AndevenwithalltheParkTrust’s manyaccomplishments,theorganiza�onis extraordinarilywellposi�onedforcon�nued growthandenhancedimpactintheyearsand decadesahead.”

“Aswelooktothefuture,ourworkismore importantthanever.Weremaincommi�edtoour visionthateveryonewillexperiencetheendless possibili�esofourpublicparks,lands,andwaters,“ saidGraceLee,Na�onalParkTrustexecu�ve director.

TheNa�onalParkTrustwillcelebrateits anniversarybysharinginspira�onalstoriesthat reflectkeymomentsintheorganiza�on’shistory. Itswebsite, parktrust.org,featuresaninterac�ve �melinewithmilestoneshighligh�ngits accomplishmentssince1983.

TULARE,CALIFORNIAISGROWING WITHOPPORTUNITY

OnthisepisodeofBigBlend Radio,Donne�eSilvaCarter, boardmemberofthe SequoiaTourismCounciland CEOoftheTulareChamberof Commerce,shareshow Tulare,Californiais experiencingposi�vegrowth inbusiness,traveland tourism,andagriculture.

Hearhowthissmall agriculturalcityisgrowing withopportuni�eswhile maintainingitsqualityoflife andcountrycharm.Listen hereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcaston PodBean.

HosttotheAnnualWorldAgExpo,Tulareisan agriculturalcommunityandapopulartraveland shoppingdes�na�onthat’sideallysituatednear Yosemite,SequoiaandKingsCanyonNa�onalParks, aswellasSequoiaNa�onalForestandGiant SequoiaNa�onalMonument.

Tularehasacharminghistoricdowntowndistrict withlovelytree-linedstreets,murals,bou�que shops,andrestaurants.Showcasingtheregion’s

Na�veAmerican,pioneer,andagriculturalhistory, theTulareHistoricalMuseumisafascina�ngplace tovisit.HousedintheInterna�onalAgri-Center that’shometotheTulareCountyFairgrounds wheretheWorldAgExpoisheld,AgVentures LearningCenterandtheAn�queFarmEquipment Museumarefunandeduca�onala�rac�onsfor thewholefamily.

HometotheTulareOutletCenter,Tulareisa

Fes�veFunattheDowntownDream

regionalshoppingdes�na�onwhereshopperscan getgooddiscountsonbrand-nameproducts,enjoy amealatoneofthevariousrestaurants,watcha movieatGalaxyTheatre,ora�endthefarmers marketoranevent.North‘L’Streetisanothergreat Tulareshoppingandlunchdes�na�on.Therearea varietyofhotelstostayin,allincloseproximityto thehistoricdowntowndistrictandtheTulareOutlet Center.

ToplanyourvisittoTulareandtolearnmoreabout thearea’sbusinessandreloca�onopportuni�es, contacttheTulareChamberofCommercewhichis locatedat220E.TulareAve.,Tulare,CA93274.You canreachthemat(559)686-1547orvisit www.TulareChamber.org

Interna�onalAgri-Center

TulareGolfCourse

10WINETRENDSTO WATCHTHISYEAR

ByPeggyFiandaca, LDVWineryinArizona

1.Con�nuedincreaseinthe popularityofsparklingwines. Sparklingwinesarenolonger reservedforspecialoccasions orcelebra�ons.Consumersare choosingsparklingwinesfor everydaydrinking.

2.Youngergenera�onsare veryconcernedabouthow productstheypurchaseare produced.Thistrendalso relatestowhatwinesthey consume.Youngwine consumerscon�nuetobe drawntoorganicand biodynamicwines.

3.Relatedto#2,isthe con�nuedgrowing environmentalconcernacross allconsumerdemographics. Consumersarelookingfor brandsthatarefocusedonsustainabilityand producingnaturalwines.However,theterm “naturalwine”isunregulated,andthedefini�on canbeverybroad,butithastakenholdinpopular vernacular.

4.Thewineindustryisseeingcon�nuedgrowthin alterna�vewinepackaging.Wineincans,boxes, andbagsarebeingusedbywinebrandsatvarious

pricepoints.Partly,duetotheconversa�onabout thesustainabilityofglassandpackagingcosts.

5.Thereisagrowingdemandforloweralcoholand reducedsugarcontent.Thereisashi�toward abstainingfromallalcoholorreducingtheamount ofalcoholconsumed.Thereappearstobealack

PeggyFiandacaonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube player ordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

understandingbetweenloweralcoholandreduced sugarcontent.Thetwoarenotalwaysdirectly related.

6.Peoplearelookingforimmersivewine experienceswithaneduca�onalfocus.Consumers wanttoenjoywinetas�ngbuttheyalsowantto learnabouthowthewinewasmadeorwhere/how thegrapesaregrown.

7.Newwineregions,likeArizonaorTexas,aswine des�na�ons.Thistrendisduepartlybecausethe highcostofwinetas�ngintradi�onaldes�na�ons suchasNapaValleyandSonomaCounty.Thereisa growingconversa�onaroundthetopicofwhether thesegreatwineregionshavepricedthemselves outofthewinetourismmarket.

8.Complimentarytoseveralothertrends,there willbeincreasingpopularityinculinaryandwine tours.Consumerswanttotrylocalfoodandwine; pairedtogetherisevenbe�er.

9.The�ghteconomywillcon�nuetoimpactthe wineindustryandwineregions.Thereappearsto beaneconomicstormbrewingimpac�ngthewine industry-supplychainissuescon�nuetobe problema�candcostly;increasingproduc�on costs;youngerconsumersnotchoosingwinelike pastdemographics;changingconsumerbehaviors awayfromwine;andtheoveralleconomy’simpact onconsumerspending.

10.Thereisalotofdiscussionabouttransparency andconsumerswan�ngtoknowaboutwine ingredients.Federalregulatorsareconsidering poten�alwinelabelrequirementsforingredients. Thisisalreadybeingimplementedinother countries.

Oneargumentagainstthenewregula�onisthe costtoimplementforsmallproducerswillbehard toabsorb.

PeggyFiandacaappearsonBigBlendRadioevery 1st Wednesdayonthe“WineTimewithPeggy” Show.LearnmoreaboutLDVWinerythatsheruns withherhusbandCurtLawrenceDunhamin Arizonaat h�ps://ldvwinery.com/

WineTrendsCon�nued…

HOWTOPROMOTEYOURBOOKOR ARTICLEONSOCIALMEDIA

AShortPrimeronWhatToDoOnceYour BookorArticleisPublished

ByLindaKissam“Food,Wine&ShoppingDiva”

Promotingyourbookonsocialmediaisbasicallya5-StepProcess.Here’s whatisinvolvedincreatinganactionplan.

Launchingasocialmediacampaigntakes �me,perhapsmoney,anddefinitely requiresconsistency.

Howmuch�meareyouwillingtoputinto crea�nganac�onplanthatwillinclude:

1.Iden�fyinggoals

2.Doingresearch

3.Se�ngupawebsite

4.Decidinghowmuch�me,effort,and perhapsthemoneyyouarewillingtoput intothispromo�on.

5.Launchingyoursocialmediapromo�on

Here’swhatyouneedtodo:

Iden�fyGoals

Whatexactlydoessuccesslooklikeforthisproject?

Considerthesefactors:

Areyoulookingforfame?

Areyouhopingforfortune?

Areyoulookingtojustinformorshareyourbookor ar�cle?

Doyouneedawebsite?

Whoisyouraudience?

Onceyouknowwhatyourgoalsare,let’slookat howyoumoveforward.

Doyourresearch:

1.Searchthewebforsimilarar�clesorbooks

2.Findoutwhoelseisdoingwhatyou’redoingand howyouarethesameormoreimportantly–unique.Howaretheypromo�ngtheirbookor ar�cle?Whatresourcesareyourcompe�tors using,thatyoucouldbedoingalso?

3.Ifyou’regoingtoputupawebsite,iden�fythree websitesyoulove.Showthemtothepersonwhois goingtobuildyourwebsite.Tip:Startsimple.Have itbuiltsothatyoucanaddanddeletecontentas needed.

Onceyouhaveawebsiteup(Step3)ordecideyou donotwant/needawebsite,it’s�metomove forwardtothenextstep.

Commitment

1.Realis�cally,howmuch�meareyouwillingto

LindaKissamonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

workonpromo�ngyourbookorar�cle?

Startwithtwodaysaweek,twohoursaday,and addinasyoucan.

2.Referbacktoyourgoalsweeklytojudgehowyou aredoing.Decidewhetheryouareonpointto reachyourgoalsorifyouneedtodomore.

Tip:Giveyourselfonedayoffcompletelyfrom promo�ons.Leavethecomputerkeysaloneand rejuvenate.

TimetobeginyourSocialMedia

Knowwhoyourtargetaudienceis,what�methey arelikelytobeengagingonline,whichofthesocial mediaprogramstheyarelikelytobelookingat,and whatresultyouwant.Ifyoudonothavethisinfo yet,repeatstepone–research.

Thebestresultamediapostcandoforyouisthat thereaderwantstoknowhowtheycanconnect furtherwithyou,yourbook,oryourar�cle.Your socialmediapostshouldjustbeateasertogetthe readertolearnmoreaboutyou,buyyourbookor readyourar�cle.Thisiswhyyouhaveawebsite.

Driveyourreaderstoyourwebsitewheretheycan findouthowtobuyyourbookorreadyourar�cle, learnmoreaboutyou,whatelseyouhavedone andwhatyouwillbedoinginthefuture…including beingavailabletospeaktogroupsaboutyourwork.

Nowthatyouknowwhatyouwantfromyour socialmediaefforts,let’stakealookathowyou getresults.

TipsonPos�ngonSocialMedia

1.Putasideaminimumoftwohours,perdayyou arepos�ng.

2.Composeyourpostofflinebeforeyougoonline. Decidewhichsocialmediapla�orm(s)youwillbe using.Facebookistheeasiestandbiggest. Instagramhasabook/ar�cle-recep�veaudience andTwi�erisagoodsourceoffeedback.YouTube isalsoagreatvisualop�on.Ifyoudon’tknow whichisbestforyou–gobacktosteponeanddo moreresearch.

3.Makeyoupostnomorethanfoursentencesina statementorques�onformat.

4.Makesureyouprovideawebsitelinkreaderscan followtogettoyourbookorar�cle.

5.Alwayspostapicturealongwithamessage.It shouldbeeye-catchingandrelevanttothepointof whatyouaretalkingabout.Free,high-quality photos,canbefoundonseveralonlineagenciesor useyourownfromthebookorar�cle.

6.Keeptrackoftheresponsesyouarege�ng.Do yougetmorelikesonyourSaturday posts?Doyougetpeopletofollowyourlinkwhen thepicturesexcitetheircuriosity?

ExampleofPromo�onalSocialMediaText: Next�meyou’replanning tovisitWashingtonState, tryafarmstay.It’sall abouttheruralexperience andpu�ngapersonal faceandstorytolocal farming.Perhapsthe coolestpartofmyvisit was …more

LindaKissam‘Food,Wine &ShoppingDiva’isa professionaltravel,food, andwinewriterwho specializesineasy,breezy des�na�onstories sharingherfavoritethingsabouttheplacesshe visits. Visit www.AllInGoodTaste.info

FromEgyptandJordantoIsrael andAlbania,France,and Switzerland,it'sallaboutWorld Travelonthissecondepisodeof BigBlendRadio'snew3rdFriday Vaca�onSta�on"TravelWriters PanelDiscussion"Showwiththe Interna�onalFoodWine& TravelWritersAssocia�on (IFWTWA).Hearguesttravel writerssharetheirwri�ngand travelbackgrounds,traveland travelwriter�ps,alongwith theirlatestandupcoming adventures.Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthe podcaston PodBean.

FeaturedGuests:

-DIANECOVINGTON-CARTER -Award-winning author,journalist,photographer,andcommentator. More: h�ps://dianecovingtoncarter.com/

-NORMBOUR -Self-proclaimed"analog"nomad andworldtraveler,author,andtravelwriter. More: h�ps://travelyounger.com/

-SHARONK.KURTZ -Travelwriter,worldtraveler, observer,storyteller,andtourguide. More: h�p://www.sharonkkurtz.com/

LearnmoreabouttheInterna�onalFoodWine& TravelWritersAssocia�onat www.IFWTWA.org

CorfuSunsetbyNormBour

Edessa-KaranosWaterfallbyNormBour

Beau-RivagePalaceHotelby DianeCovington-Carter

Pe�teFranceQuarterinStrasbourgbyS.K.Kurtz

WindmillsatKingerdijkbySharonK.Kurtz

Meteora,GreecebyNormBour

Beau-RivagePalacebyDianeCovington-Carter

TwoBigBlendRadio“Ar�stReunion”Conversa�ons

FromHawaii’svolcanoesandtheancientPuebloan citycomplexesofChacoCanyontoremote LoggerheadKeyinDryTortugasNa�onalParkand thesouthwestcrossroadsofhistoricFortUnion,the Na�onalParksArtsFounda�on(NPAF)partners withawiderangeofparksandmonumentstooffer residencyprogramsinplacesthatareknownfor theiruniquequali�esthatinspireout-of-theordinarythinkingandcrea�vityinar�sts.Ar�sts selectedforNPAFprogramsrangefromna�onally renownedar�stsattheheightoftheircareersto thosejuststar�ngoratthemidpointandlooking foranexperiencetotakethemtothenextstep.

Crea�ngextraordinaryopportuni�esforar�stsand thecommunityalike,NPAFpartnerswiththe Na�onalParkServiceandlocalorganiza�onsat eachresidencyloca�on.Theseinvaluable partnershipsrangefromNa�onalMuseums,local philanthropicorganiza�ons,friendsoftheparks’ groupstomilitaryveterans’organiza�ons,and

marineandbiologicalresearchorganiza�ons.NPAF isalwaysseekingoutnewpartnershipsatparksall overthecountry,andnoparkormonumentistoo bigortoosmall.Theyknowandappreciatethat eachloca�onhassometreasureofinspira�onto share.

Foroversevenyears,BigBlendRadiohasbeen hos�ngthe“ToasttoTheArts&Parks”show featuringthelatestNPAFar�stsinresidence.You canfollowtheplaylistoftheshowson YouTube. Thisyear,aspartofoursixteen-yearBigBlend Radioanniversarycelebra�on,wewelcomedsome ofthear�stsbackontheshowforacatch-up conversa�on.Takealistentothetwopodcaststo hearsomeofthemanyar�st,park,andcommunity successstoriesthathavebeencreatedthrough theseuniqueNPAFar�stresidenciesandhear�ps andadviceonapplyingtoaresidency.And,learn moreaboutNPAF’sresidencyopportuni�es,at: h�ps://www.na�onalparksartsfounda�on.org/

Ar�stAliceLeese’spain�ngset-upinHawai’iVolcanoesNa�onalPark

NPAFARTISTSREUNION–PARTONE:

FeaturedNPAFParkAr�sts-in-Residence:

– Painter AliceLeese

–Composerandmusician GlennMcClure

–Composerandmusician AndyJarema

–Environmentalar�st PatriciaCummins

–FiberAr�st NancyHershberger

Listenhereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcaston Podbean.

NPAFARTISTSREUNION–PARTTWO:

FeaturedNPAFParkAr�sts-in-Residence:

–Astro-photographer StanHonda

–MasterFeatherworker RickSanNicolas

–Mul�-mediaAr�st MaryBabcock

–Mul�-mediaar�st AnnaGlynn

Listenhereinthe YouTube playeror downloadthepodcaston Podbean.

ComposerGlennMcClureinHawai’iVolcanoesNa�onalPark

HOPPINGONTHE “BLEISURE”TRAIN

ByGlynnBurrows

Don’tyoujustloveallthe newwordswhichkeep appearing?Overthelastfew years,wehavecometo accepttermslike “zoom-bombing”,“lockdown”, “covidiot”and,forusinthe UK,“brexit”,amongmany others,butnowwehave anotheronetoaddtoour vocabulary:“Bleisure"travel. Thisrelatestotheblendingof businessandleisure concerningtravel.Inother words,insteadofjustgoingto dobusinessandthencoming home,thetripcanbe extendedtoincludesome sightseeing,orfamilymemberscan goalongtoo,tomakefulluseofthevisit.

Conferencescanbeexhaus�ng,salesmee�ngscan gettediousandtripsthatincludemul�plemee�ngs anddinnerscanbeoverloading,soitispreferable tobreakupthetourbyincludingotherthings.Why craminthreemee�ngsinoneday,whenyoucan havethemoverthreedaysandvisitsomeamazing, inspira�onalplacesandtakeinthelocal atmospherewhileyouarethere?

Thistypeoftravelisbeneficialforallconcerned: Thecompanygainsbecausethebusinesstraveller

worksbe�erandismuchmorelikelytocreatea goodimpressionandgetcontractsormakesalesif heorsheisrelaxedandhappy.Theworkerwillgive thatbitmoreiftheyarerested,relaxed,andtuned intotheirsurroundings.Theaccommoda�on providerwillgetafewextranights’ accommoda�onsandpossiblymorecustomers,as tag-alongguestscouldbestayingtoo.Thelocal economywillgainfromthemoreinvolvedpeople stayinginthearea,andvisi�ngplacesotherthan hotelsandairports.

GlynnBurrowsonBigBlendRadio:Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

Awell-restedpersonismuchmorelikelytoform goodrela�onshipsthansomeonewhoisvisibly exhausted,andsomeonewhoknowsabitmore abouttheareatheyareinwillhavedis�nct advantagesoverthosewhosimplyknowtheyarein ahotelsomewhere.Theoldadagethat“people buyfrompeople”issotrueand,ifthevisitorlearns aboutthearea,aswellasthecompanytheyare dealingwith,theyaremorelikelytoconnectas people.

Ifaccommoda�onprovidersthinkabitmoreabout “bleisure”andstarttoofferpackagestocaterto thistypeoftravel,theymayjustbeindangerof increasingtheirincome,notonlyforthetripatthe �me,butforfuturetrips,eitherfromthesame companyorfromthefamiliesconcerned.

Businesscustomersarehumanbeingstoo.They havefamilies,theytakevaca�ons,theyhave brothers,sisters,parents,cousins,etc.,andthey couldjustbeyourbestopportunitytoa�ractmore customers.Whydosomanyhotelspackagethe businessclientassomethingdifferentfromthe usualvisitor?Businessvisitorscouldbeyourbest advertifyouthoughtofthemaspeople,rather thanbusinesspeople.

Iremember,inthelate1970’sIusedtovisitthe centrallibraryinmylocalcityasIwascarryingout alotofhistoricalresearchintherecords.Some weeks,IwouldgoinonthebusandsomeweeksI wouldgoinonmymotorcycle,so,some�mesIwas inasuit,andsome�mesIwasinmotorcyclegear.I alwayswenttothesameplaceforlunchand,you guessedit,whenIwasinasuitIwastreatedinone

wayandwhenIwasinmymotorcyclegearIwas treatedverydifferently.Iwasthesameperson, spendingthesamemoney,yetIwastreated differently.

Howcouldtheyhavemademyexperiencebe�er? Simplybyrealisingthatthepersoninfrontofthem wantedthesamethings,eventhoughhewas dresseddifferently.

Abusinessmanwantsamemorableexperience and,ifencouraged,hemaycomebackwithhis family.Whynothavealoyaltyscheme?Whynot discountextranightsanddon’tforgettomake businessesawarethatyoucanprovideforother membersoftheirpartywhiletheyareworking?If youarehavingalargeconference,withlotsof singles,whynotputonanou�ngforpartners whiletheconferenceisgoingon?Thiscould encouragepartnerstocomealongandenjoyaday outtoo.

Offeringpackages,eitherextendingstaysor providinginforma�onaboutpossiblewaysto spend�meintheareaisanexcellentwayofle�ng peopleknowwhatisavailable.Mostbusiness mee�ngsareduringtheday,so,ifyouareneara theatreorifeveningeventsaregoingoninthe area,letvisitorsknow.

Letbusinesstravellersknowthatyouhavepeople whocanarrangeotherthingsforthemwhilethey arethere.Askwhattheywouldliketodo,orlearn aboutandprovidetheinforma�onforthem.Going outofyourwaytogivevisitorswhattheyare lookingforisasurewaytogetthemcomingback.

BleisureCon�nued…

Ifyouhavearoomwhichyoucanmakeavailable forbusinesspeopletoworkin,thatwouldbegreat too.Hotelroomsareusuallyveryuncomfortableto workinand,onmanyofourtrips,asacouple,I havebeentryingtoworkwhilemywifehasbeen si�ngwatchingTV.Aquietworkspacewouldbea fantas�cthingtohaveanditwouldonlyneedto haveacoupleofdesksandofficechairs,oreven easychairsandlaptopstands.

Bleisureishereand,ifwealllooktoimproveour offering,itcouldbeagreatwaytoincreaseour takingstoo.

Glynnprovidescustomized,privatetoursandalso helpshisclientstracetheirEnglishfamilyhistory. Pastguestshavevisitedandexperiencedstately housesandgardens,castlesandchurches,ruins andvillages,birdingandwildlife,WorldWarII airfields,andgeneralareatastertourstoo. Accommoda�onscanbeinalltypesof establishment,fromcharacterbuildingssuchas windmills,thatchedco�agesandcastles,selfcateringorfivestarluxury–justsaywhatyou wantanditcanbearranged.Nothingistoomuch troubleforGlynn!Visit www.Norfolk-Tours.co.uk.

PALMSPRINGS,CALIFORNIA

Whetheryou’reintownfora mee�ng,conference,orretreat,or seekingasunnydes�na�ontowork remotely,PalmSpringsPreferred SmallHotelshasyoucoveredwhen itcomestochoosingaunique lodgingop�ontosuityourneeds. Andwhenitcomestoplay�me thereareplentyofac�vi�esto enjoy,andnumerousspecialty shops,diningdes�na�ons,and entertainmentvenuesto experience.Hearallaboutitonthis episodeofBigBlendRadio’snew 2ndSaturday“SunshineStays” Show.Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

FeaturedGuests:

-JoyBrownMeredith–JoyistheownerofCrystal FantasyandthePresidentofMainStreetPalm Springs.ServingthePalmSpringscommunityand beyondsince1987,CrystalFantasyoffersa wonderfulselec�onofcrystals,jewelry,candles, andgi�s,andhostsspecialevents. Visit: h�ps://crystalfantasy.com/

-SamMcDermo�oftheInnatPalmSprings.The InnatPalmSpringsfeaturesroomswith�leor hardwoodfloorsthatopenuptofreshair.Nestled betweenLi�leTuscany,theUptownDesignDistrict, andthePalmSpringsAerialTramway,theInnisa favoritespotforlocalandglobaltravelers.Fantas�c Loca�on+DogFriendly!

Visit: h�ps://www.innatpalmsprings.com/

-JasonBallofOldRanchInn.OldRanchInnsitsin theheartofthehistoricTennisClubareaandis stepsawayfromtheDowntownPalmSprings Village.TheTennisClubareahasalongand fascina�nghistorywithHollywoodcelebri�es, poli�cians,statesmenandinfamousworldtravelers whomadePalmSpringstheirpersonaldesert hideaway.

Visit: h�ps://oldranchinn.com/

SPECIALTRAVELDISCOUNT: BothInnatPalm SpringsandOldRanchInnareofferingourBig BlendRadioaudiencea15%discount.Justbook onlinethroughtheirwebsiteslistedaboveanduse thecode"BigBlend."Offerisvalidun�lmidnight, Dec.31,2023!

StayAuthen�cinPalmSprings: PalmSprings PreferredSmallHotelsisanassocia�onof

independentlyownedbou�quehotels,whichare anessen�alpartofthisdesertresorttown'sculture andeconomyandhavebeenformanydecades.

Fromquirkytocharming,mid-centurymodernto clothing-op�onal,PalmSpringsPreferredSmall Hotelshasgotyourstay.SubscribetotheirMonthly

e-Newsle�er,Bou�quelyPalmSprings.From�ps onwhattodo,seeandeatinPalmSprings,to interviewswithhoteliers,it’stheinsider’sguideto everythinggreataboutPalmSpringsanditsiconic bou�quehotels.

Visit: h�ps://www.Authen�cPalmSprings.com

TheOldRanchInnoffersawelcomerespiteinPalmSprings.

TheInnatPalmSpringsoffersplayfulstaysatreasonableprices.

BUSINESS&GROUPTRAVELINTULARECOUNTY

StayinCalifornia’sSequoiaCountry

ThisepisodeofBigBlend Radio’s"TravelTulare County"Showfocuseson business,corporate,and grouptravelinCalifornia's SequoiaCountry.

Hearaboutlodgingand diningdes�na�ons,along withuniquemee�ng, conference,andexpo venues,andafunvarietyof extraac�vi�estoenjoy duringyourmee�ng,orif youextendyourstay.

Featuredguestsfromthe SequoiaTourismCouncil areSuzanneBiancoofVisit Visalia,andKileyArceof TulareChamberof Commerce.

LocatedinCentral CaliforniaandideallysituatedbetweentheSan FranciscoBayAreaandLosAngeles,TulareCounty ishometoSequoiaandKingsCanyonNa�onal Parks,GiantSequoiaNa�onalMonumentand SequoiaNa�onalForest.Thecharmingartand

agriculturalcommuni�esincludeVisalia,Tulare, Exeter,Dinuba,Porterville,ThreeRivers,Lindsay, andWoodlake.

Planyourvisit: h�ps://www.discoverthesequoias.com/

Watchhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean.

A�erleavingre�rementattheageof 63,AngelajoinedTrustedHousesi�ers asthesocialmediamanager.Asa foundingmemberofthepla�ormand afull-�mehouseandpetsi�er herself,Angelanotonlybrings extensiveproductknowledge,butshe encompassesthewarmthandspirit thatliesattheheartofthepet-loving community.

Havingpreviouslyheldposi�onsat L’oreal,HelenRubenstein,andAvon, Angelaisanexpertatdrivingbrand awarenessandleveragingcommunity spirit.Angelaisalsooneofthe pla�orm’smostprolifichouseand petsi�ers.

ThemajorityofTrustedHousesi�ers membersareac�vere�reesand digitalnomads,soAngela’sageand experiencearebeneficialwhenit comestorepresen�ngandchampioningthe communitytothewiderbusiness.

TrustedHousesi�ersisthepetcaresolu�onthat keepspetshappyathomewhilehelpingpetand homeownerstotravelwithconfidence.

AnInterviewwithAngelaLaws

Howdoesitwork? Madeupofbothownersand si�ers,memberspayjustonceayeartoconnect andexchangehomeandpetcareforthechanceto staywithpetsinuniqueplaces.Asneithermember chargesmoney,it’saspecialexchangethathelps ownerstravelwithtruepeaceofmindwhilepetlovingsi�ersgettoexperiencelifesomewhere new.

AngelaLawsonBigBlendRadio:Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston Podbean.

Withmembersinover130countriesandmore five-starTrustpilotreviewsthananyotherhouse andpet-si�ngpla�orm,TrustedHousesi�ersis officiallytheworld’slargestandmosttrusted communityofitskind.

Moreat h�ps://www.trustedhousesi�ers.com

So,whatdoesittaketobesuccessfulintheworld ofpetsi�ngandpetcare?CheckoutAngela’s answerstoour10PetSi�erExpertInsider Ques�onsabouthercare-givingexperience, includingthechallengesshefaces,aswellasher inspira�ons.

1.Whatledyoutobecomeapetsi�er?

ThelossofmybelovedSpringerHolly,the heartbreakofpetbereavement,thedecisionnotto bringanotherpetfamilymemberintomylife,and theneedforanimaljoyandconnec�on.

2.Whata�ributesdoyouhavethatmakeyoua goodfittobeapetsi�er?

Ananimallover,empathe�c,kind,agreat communicator,open,friendlywithadesiretohelp, prac�cal,reliable,respec�ul,professional, commi�ed,andtotallytrustworthy.

3.Whoorwhatinspiresyou?

Changemakersarethosewhopassionatelybelieve inmakingadifference.Onepersoncanmakea differencebuttogetherwecanchangethelivesof animalsandhumansforthebe�er.David A�enborough,MayaAngelou,JoyAdamson,Queen ElizabethII.

"Dothebestyoucanun�lyouknowbe�er.Then whenyouknowbe�er,dobe�er."MA

4.Describeyouridealpet-si�ngexperience. WhenItrulyconnectwithlike-mindedpetparents whofullyunderstandTHSthatthearrangementisa mutuallybeneficialrela�onship,a“win-win-win.” Andthethirdwin?Thepetsarethetruewinners, nothingintheirlifechanges…Oh,andawarm, welcoming,and“preparedforvisitors”home.. That’smyidealsit.

5.Whatisyourbiggestpetpeeveintheworldof petcare?

Notthinkingenoughbeforecommi�ngtoan animal,notcaringforthemasatruefamily memberwithfeelings,needs,andwhodeserveto livetheirbestlife…beingle�aloneforhoursisnot livingthebestlife!!

6.Whatpersonalchangeshaveyouhadtomake tobeasuccessfulpetsi�erwhilealsoHeadOf CommunityforTrustedHousesi�ers?

Iworkremotelywhilepetsi�ng,thepetshelpwith mywork-lifebalance,especiallydoggies.Theyneed walkiesandthepetsalwayscomefirst.Froma professionalpointofview,Icamefromatradi�onal workingbackground,transi�oningtothedigital spacehasbeenchallengingat�mes,buthavinga “brain"inbothcampsisalifeexperiencecompanies cannotbuy.

7.Whatdoyouconsideryourbiggestchallenge?

Twochallenges…Balancingworkanddown�me.I amaworkaholicandworkingfromhomepresentsa realdangerofnotwalkingawayfromdevicesthat arenotgoodformyphysicalormentalwell-being. And,sayinggoodbyetothepetsIcarefor,thetears flow“Every�mewesaygoodbye…”

8.Ifyoucouldinviteanythreepeople(aliveor passedon)toinvitetoadinnerparty,whowould theybeandwhy?

SidneyPoi�er,ActorKatherineGraham(Washington Post)RuthBaderGinsbergSupremeCourtJus�ce….

Threeinfluen�alpublicfigureswhoeachstoodup forwhattheybelievedinandmadeadifferencein somanylivesbuthowfardotheybelievewehave come,wherearewegoing,andhavewereally learnedfromthepast?

9.Ifyoucouldswitchcareersforaday,what wouldyouchoose?

DrummerandbackingsingerwithDianaKrallforan appearanceatCarnegieHall!

10.Whatisthemostimportant�pyouwould passontoanotherpersonjustge�ngstartedin theworldofpetsi�ngorpetcare?

BeMorePet!!Knowyourself,don’ttakerejec�on personally,testdrivethelifestylefirst,andstart locally.Youcanhavethegreatestsitsinyourown neighborhood…andrememberit’snotaboutthe loca�on,it’sthewholeexperience.Cra�agreat profile,addreferences,beprofessionalbutmostof all,beyourself.

PetSi�ngCon�nued…

Sincetakingofficein2016,Lieutenant GovernorBillyNungesserandhisteam haveguidedthestatetorecord breakingtourismnumbersineachof hisconsecu�veyearspriortothe pandemic,workingtocutwasteful spending,andupgradetheStateParks withmanybecomingprofitable throughpublic/privatepartnerships. Underhisleadership,theDepartment ofCultureRecrea�onandTourism workednon-stoptoreviveLouisiana’s 4thlargestindustry–tourism–again welcoming53millionvisitorstoenjoy Louisiana’sculture,cruiseindustry, celebra�ons,andculinaryexcellence. Louisianaremainsrankedinthetop 10touristdes�na�onbyinpolls aroundtheworld.

Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownloadthepodcaston PodBean

ThisepisodeofBigBlendRadiofeaturesLieutenant GovernorBillyNungesserandArleneGould, Execu�veDirectorofNatchitochesConven�onand VisitorsBureau,whodiscussthetravelexperience andgrowingtourismindustryofLouisiana.Hear abouthistoricsitesandtrails,MardiGrasfes�vi�es, naturehavensandoutdoorrecrea�onal opportuni�es,diningdes�na�ons,andmore

More: h�ps://www.crt.state.la.us/lt-governor/ h�ps://www.louisianatravel.com/ h�ps://natchitoches.com/

ANNUALJEFFERSONHIGHWAY CONFERENCEIN MASONCITY,IOWA

ThisepisodeofBigBlend Radio's"JeffersonHighway" Showfocusesonthe upcomingAnnualJefferson HighwayAssocia�on Conferencehappening June7-10,2023,inMason City,Iowa.Listenhereinthe YouTube playerordownload thepodcaston PodBean

FeaturedGuests:

- RogerBell, Presidentofthe JeffersonHighway Associa�on

- SandraHuemannKellyJeffersonHighwayAssocia�onConferenceChair

- LindseyJames -Execu�ve DirectorofVisitMasonCityh�ps://visitmasoncityiowa.com/

CreatedbytheJeffersonHighwayAssocia�on, whichwasoriginallyfoundedin1915,theJefferson Highwayisaninterna�onalhighway,alsoknownas "ThePinestothePalmsHighway,"thatrunsfrom Winnipeg,CanadatoNewOrleans,Louisiana.

LearnmoreandgetthedetailsabouttheAnnual JHAConferenceat: h�ps://jeffersonhighway.org/

MasonCity,Iowa-PhotobyBobWhitePhotography,courtesyofVisitMasonCity

OCTOBER1-7,2023

DateofDeparturefrom Vancouver,BritishColumbia: October1,2023

DateofArrivalinLosAngeles, California:October7,2023

TotalCruiseNights:6

HIGHLIGHTSINCLUDE:

WelcomeCocktailPartywiththePrincess CulinaryTeam&SeniorOfficers

TwoSpecialtyDiningExperiences& The360Experience IndustryWorkshops&Networking Opportunities

Andmuchmore…

TheInternationalFoodWineandTravelWritersAssociation (IFWTWA)istheorganizationofchoiceforfood,wine,and travelwriters.

IFWTWAcreatesprogramsandservicestoenhance professionaldevelopmentandfacilitatenetworkingwhile creatingamarketplacefordestinations,brands,andmedia professionalstocollaborate.

GOINGTORENOORTAHOE FORACONFERENCE?

InsteadofHeadingStraightHomeA�erwards…

WhyNotTakeaScenicDetourtoYerington…

ComeGetYourNatureFixOn…

HaveaGrandOutdoorAdventure…

SoakUpSomePonyExpress&California TrailHistory…

ExperiencetheTrueSpiritofSmall TownAmerica…

ShopforAn�ques&Treasures…

PlayinNevada’sOldestFamilyOwned &OperatedCasino…

StayinComfortattheYeringtonInn intheHeartofDowntown…