As the kids return to school, I scanned the calendar to see some of what the rest of the year will hold. Besides, work, family gatherings, kids back in school, they are many holidays we celebrate.
September holidays include Labor Day (6) and the day that changed our lives forever
(9/11). I love happy occasions like celebrating Grandparents Day (12). After all, where would families be without them? I’m very lucky to be geographically close to most of my family, but with technology today, you can stay connected to love ones across the globe. The first day of autumn (23) signals that the Texas State Fairs (Sept 24-Oct 17) is here. I’m sure lots of states have fairs in the fall, but this one is big and has been a round a long time.
In October, America celebrates Columbus Day (11) and Halloween (31). Because of the milder weather, many charity races and walks take place in the fall, as well a numerous art fests and outdoor events from concerts to little league sports games.
In America, we have the midterm elections November 2. On November 11, Veterans Day, we remember the men and women who have served our country and preserved our freedoms. One of my favorite fall holidays is Thanksgiving (25). We have so much to be thankful for, plus we always celebrate with family and friends. Delicious food, endless football, fun conversations, and happy kids—what could be better?
As we enter December, we begin to look to 2011. We celebrate Pearl Harbor Day (7),
the first day of winter (22) and the last day of the year (31). Additionally, they are many religious holidays celebrated throughout the year by the diverse population of our country.
I, like many enjoy our holidays. Some are fun, others significant of events in history, some memorial in spirit and others religious. Being able to celebrate with those who are meaningful to each of us makes them very special and enrich our lives.
In July, 1848, at the Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY, it was first proposed that women have the right to vote. Neither of the event founders, Elizabeth Cady Stanton or Lucretia Mott was still alive in 1920, when women finally gained the right to vote through the certification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
still have a long way to go in our country. Women account for less than 20% of Congress, yet 51% of the population. They are CEO of a fraction of Fortune 500 companies, yet more than 50% of the workforce is female. Almost 50 years after the Equal Pay Act was enacted, American women still only earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn.
Sports are a booming business right now. When you live in Texas, people are really into sports—from high school football games to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Mavericks. But it is difficult for many families to afford tickets to pro games. A fun, less expensive alternative are minor/expansion teams. The Frisco Roughriders and the Fort Worth Cats (baseball) have great attendance. They are fun, affordable and a great family outing. The Texas Brahams (hockey) and the FC Dallas (soccer) are available if you want something besides baseball, basketball or football.
As football season kicks off with the preseason games, cooler weather is hopefully not too far behind. One of the big football events this weekend was watching Emmitt Smith being inducted into the Hall of Fame. I’m proud to be a Dallas native and Cowboys fan. He personifies the essence of what sport personalities should be—a give-it-his-all-player, a responsible citizen and a contributor to many worthwhile charities, with both his time and dollars.
Of course Emmitt isn’t the only responsible football player, but he is the latest to receive this honor as a Cowboy. As I watch this season unfold, I’ll be looking for the next role model and hope the NFL continues to provide solid male figures with good lessons to teach, rather than the opposite.
Women like the sport, because they can relate to the drivers, enjoy the speed and thrill of the track and appreciate the family-oriented environment of the team and drivers.
stuff. The average NASCAR fan spends over $800 a year on NASCAR items.” NASCAR has become a promotional Mecca for a large number of Fortune 500 companies and customers of both sexes. In the past, cars and teams sported automotive products, including motor oil. Today, race cars feature logos for breakfast cereal, dog food and cake mix. NASCAR estimates that 40 percent of its fan base, which spent $1 billion last year on official merchandise, is women.
Its licensing deal with Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., the world’s top publisher of romance and other fiction targeted to women, is meant to market to the female demographic and draw in new fans, says spokesman Andrew Giangola. Marleah Stout, spokeswoman for the Canada-based Harlequin, says sales of the series of NASCAR-themed books are brisk, selling millions of copies.