Part 2 Backstage Experience at Yanni Voices in Baltimore

More on Yanni Voices....Did you check out the Concert review and videos?

The Mom Media Meet & Greet with Yanni Voices

After the concert we were lining up with about 70 other people for the Yanni Voices meet & greet. I, of course, did not have the right credentials because I never do, but does that stop me from getting in line? No.

Anyway, we're chatting and then we hear the lovely Krystal from YanniWake come walking down the line calling, "Who are the mommy bloggers? Mommy bloggers? Anyone here a mommy blogger?"

And then like a trouble maker I ask, "Can we be the Mom Media?"

Krystal, "Sure! Follow me!"

We jump out of line and she escorts us behind a curtain where all 4 vocalists come and chat with us. We all look at each other and say a little silent thank you to @BarbaraJones, @ToThink, and the whole team at One2One Network.

And then I turn on the Flip and hand it to my trusty friend Barb...

This was my backstage experience at Yanni Voices.

I am still recovering.
Next up - an interview with Leslie Mills...and Tango lessons with Ender (ok, that might not happen but I can dream).

Janine

Yanni Voices Show at Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena

Ok really? You can bring a glass of wine into the shows at Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena? The night was starting off great. And that wine might be what lead to this...

Dancing with the Stars: Ender and Me!

Photo Credit: Resourceful Mom

Whether you're a Yanni fan or not, a little wine, some good company (Barb, Amy & Jill) and the amazing musicians and vocalists of Yanni Voices in Concert will put a smile on your face, and, at times, a little shake to your booty.

Here's Why:
This Yanni show is not at all about Yanni. It seems to have been created to highlight all the other musicians and performers on the tour. Of course Yanni himself is a great host for the evening, but the real stars are the four new vocalists (Chloe, Leslie Mills, Ender Thomas, Nathan Pacheco) and the incredible musicians including the violinists, the percussion and drummer, the classical guitarist, and the harpist.

Here are the highlights from the Yanni Voices concert in Baltimore as I experienced them.

Ender Thomas came out in a hot pink shirt and tight pants and the Grandma sitting next to us whipped out her binoculars. No Joke. I can only imagine what she was focused on....can you?

Leslie Mills' satin vocals and fabulous wardrobe.

Dueling drums....honestly, amazing.

Chloe performed Change and I swear she was really crying.

A family of young girls (ages 12 to about 7) sitting right in front of us completely enjoying the concert!

Classic Baltimore moment...the mom of the girls comes shuffling through mid-song with nachos and a 20 oz beer (see - loving the 1st Mariner Arena!)

Dueling violins - insane



Crazy Brazilian harp thing....doubly insane!


Nathan Pacheco gets a standing ovation and we learned later on that his family was in the audience.

Next: My Backstage Experience at Yanni Voices



Janine

WE CAN! Part 3: Lessons I Learned from Jared Fogle

Having already accosted Jared with my Flip at the NIH / Subway WE CAN! program kick-off, his PR people thought it best to allow him to give me a more civilized interview...at a distance, and over the phone. Luckily, I think I won him over and he knows I'm not psycho. Also, he totally won me over and is my new blog friend. These are things I learned from Jared.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Be a Communicator

Jared understands that people are curious about him. When I asked him why he started blogging he explained, "Everyone is doing it now. It’s a way to communicate. People are always coming up and asking me questions. They want to know who I am. I’m this guy they see on a 30 second commercial or interviewed, but they ask, "What do you do?". The blog gives me a space to let people know what I’m doing, if they want to keep track of where I'm going, and occasional tips for staying healthy."

This reminds me that people respond to the personal stories and insights I share as much as the giveaways and contests. Readers want to know who I am too.

Time is not an excuse

Jared's full-time job is as a spokesperson for Subway. He also does key note speeches and is starting the Jared Foundation to help battle childhood obesity. While I envy this, Jared travels over 200 days of the year. He never knows when he'll be eating or when he'll have time to relax or work out. Yet he makes the time to take care of himself.

"My schedule is not left up to me, it’s up to the people who schedule the trips...but there are always going to be issues. Everyone has things that crop up. If they have a gym in the hotel then I try to get even 30 minutes on a treadmill. As far as eating part, I’ve always known what’s healthy or not but restaurants these days have enormous portions and you have to have the discipline not to eat the whole thing."

Jared reminds me that while I have a list of products to review and articles to write, I have to find the time to take care of myself, and get quality time with the people I love. As he said, there will always be issues. So I need to make it a priority.

Kids are kids and parents are not police

When Jared said, "I got my first Nintendo system in third grade and things went downhill from there" I realized that he wasn't always overweight. Parents need to teach kids that staying active can be fun too.

When he was in college, Jared started the Subway diet because it was convenient for him. "I tried not to schedule my first class before noon", he explained, "So I really never ate breakfast. Maybe a cup of coffee." And Subway was just a few blocks away." Basically, Jared discovered the lazy-kid's diet.

Now that he's older, Jared is spreading his message to adults as well. He asked me, as a parent, what I thought about the WE CAN! program which is where I first met him. The materials in the WE CAN! program work to engage not just the kids, but the entire family, if not the community. Jared understands that while a healthy lifestyle starts with the parents, there "is a lot vying for a kid's attention these days. It's not easy."

And so once again I learn a lesson from Jared Fogle. Start now, but as a parent we cannot be perfect. You give them the tools and show them the right choices and then stand back and say a little prayer. Then you blog about it!

In the end I learned why Jared the-Subway-guy has become so successful. It may have started as a fluke, but it has lasted because he is a genuine person with a message he is passionate about. And, he is making a difference.

Janine
In this series:
Part One: Video Interviews with Jared and Laila Ali
Part Two: More on the WE CAN! Program

WE CAN! Help our kids avoid childhood obesity with Subway and Scholastic (Part 2)

While interviewing Laila Ali and Jared Fogle was exciting, the WE CAN! program and what it is doing for kids and communities across the country is too!

Like the Escambia County Health Department giving inner-city Pensacola kids the opportunity to get in shape.

And the way the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Kentucky encourages families to spend more time in nature.

The WE CAN program has tools that make it fun to learn about eating healthy and getting exercise.

For example, I have a sample kit for teachers that includes everything to get started:
parent/guardian letter
move of the day calendar
poster
certificates and stickers
AND - special hologram stickers that turn the certificates into a coupon for a FREE Subway Fresh Fit for Kids meal!

WE CAN Makes it simple to be healthy

If you are a parent you'll want to check out the Learn It and Live It sections.

If you are a teacher or community organizer you'll want to see just how EASY it is to run the WE CAN program for your group. (Think boys/girl scouts, recreation departments, educator, after-school program coordinator, neighborhood coach, etc.)

If you are a health professional there are materials you can distribute to your families.

Some of the materials available I have pinned to the side of my fridge already including the Go Slow Whoa sheet, and the Family Activity chart so we keep these in mind when we start our days.

Make it Happen! Contest

In addition to all the cool learning materials, WE CAN! and the program partners have created an exciting opportunity for your child to share a personal story about staying healthy and be entered to win Scholastic and Subway prizes!

How to enter:
Have your child write a story (or write it together) that tells how he or she eats healthy, stays active or limits recreational screen time (TV or Computer). Has she learned a new sport or motivated the family to start eating better?

Try starting with...
"My family and I stay healthy by eating..."
"Instead of watching TV or playing video games I like to..."

Then head over to www.scholastic.com/wecan and submit your child's story before June 30, 2009 (Mail in entries must be received by June 30, 2009. Visit www.scholastic.com/wecan for official rules and eligibility.)

1 Grand Prize Winner receives: $5,000 worth of athletic equipment for his/her school, Scholastic gift basket ($500 value), Subway gift cards ($100 value), and his/her story published online at www.scholastic.com/wecan and in Scholastic Parent & Child magazine!

6 Runners Up receive: Scholastic Gift Basket ($100 value) and Subway gift cards ($100 value)

I'll leave you with a tip from the Move of the Day calendar...
"Super-size? No way! If you buy snacks in big bags, put the amount you need for small healthy portions in individual bags. That way, it's easier not to over eat."

Good advice,
Janine

WE CAN! Series Part 1

Subway and NIH say WE CAN! Prevent Childhood Obesity (Part 1)

This is the first post in a series that will highlight the WE CAN program. _____________________________________________________

Last week I was invited to attend a very special PEP Rally where kids learned they need to "Play more, Eat right, and Push away the screen" if they want to maintain a healthy weight.

To get the kids excited, renowned athletes Laila Ali and Olympic soccer player Tab Ramos teamed up with Jared Fogle (who has a blog) for a pep talk and to show the kids fun ways to get off the couch and keep moving.

This is all part of a partnership between Subway® and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to promote the WE CAN! Education Program that will bring families and communities together to fight childhood obesity.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Laila and Jared (Tab got away but I'll get him next time).







Coming up next...
More on WE CAN and what you can do to get your community involved!
Then more from Jared and how he likes blogging!

Janine

Today I'm over at JessicaKnows (BLOG IDOL)

For real. This is BIG. JessicaKnows asked me to guest post and I was bouncing in my seat! You see I not only went to Blissdom, I landed a few great interviews with Nathan Pacheco, Ender Thomas, and Chris Mann.
Jessica asked me to write about my tips for interviewing a celebrity and you can see that I learned quite a lot...mostly from making mistakes.

Video of the interviews below. Take it easy, I'm a beginner.
But watch out Joan Rivers - I'm coming to a red carpet near you!

Ender and Nathan from Yanni Voices


Chris Mann

Chris Mann interview from twincident on Vimeo.


You can see photos of me with my interviewees over at JessicaKnows.
Stop in and tell her how I did!
Janine