Life Style Lifters - The New "Face" of WWRG

Many of you are no doubt wondering "where in the world is WWRG?".

Well, after a long hiatus, we are back. The time we have spent out of public view was used to plan the launch of WWRG in the fastest growing social media vehicles on the planet right now - Facebook and Twitter.

The Facebook page for WWRG may be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wealthy-Womens-Resource-Guide/135090446545532

I know many of you also follow twitter, so we now have a new Face and Voice for you to follow. Her name is Evie and many of you know her as a frequent guest blogger in this Lifestyle Lifter's column.

You may follow Evie as she travels the globe to bring you the latest in Passion, Romance, and Fashion. Just go to @evieofWWRG and join in as a follower.

I also have a twitter handle - @JBHIVofWWRG. Together, we will bring you the latest happenings among our rapidly expanding global network of well-connected, and influential women.

We will continue to bring you the more "in-depth" insight through this blog. Now, however, you have the ability to access our network 24/7/356 through Twitter and Facebook and join the ranks of women that view this blog in five continents!

TGIF - Pre- Holiday Dining at The Rock Center Cafe

As many of you know, I am a ferocious Foodie. I am fortunate to have access to a number of fine restaurants around the globe, thanks to some connections that my network has brought to me, and by recommendations from my faithful readers.

While I am not a Food Critic (I leave this to experts such as Zagat or Michelin Guides), I do appreciate when I receive VIP level service even though the staff may not know who I am.

This was the case yesterday when I had arranged a mid-morning "brunch" meeting with a colleague. When I arrived at the Rock Center Cafe in the Rockefeller Center Building in Midtown Manhattan I was told that Breakfast seating had ended and that Lunch was available beginning 11:30am. The time was now 10:30, my guest was arriving in 15 minutes, and had to leave for another appointment shortly after noon.

Oops!

Fortunately, Ken Gordon, VP of Operations for The Patina Group, the firm that operates the RCC was standing in the reception area. He had overheard my conversation with the Hostess, and immediately offered a solution.

Ken seated me in a quiet area of the restaurant, and had one of his wait staff bring coffee to me. Keep in mind that this was BETWEEN service hours.

When my guest arrived, I told Ken that we had a short window in which to eat once the official lunch service began at 11:30. He not only offered to take our Lunch order in advance of this time, he went beyond the call and asked if we would prefer something more like Breakfast. As my guest and I had both been looking forward to this, we immediately took Ken up on his offer.

I was truly awed when our beautifully presented and extremely tasty dishes were served less that 15 minutes later! The time was now 11:15 well into the hiatus between seatings.

Our waitperson, Mike, never failed to ask if we needed anything. At many restaurants, patrons experience a "black hole of service level" if seated late into a period of transition as they busily change over place settings, etc. This was definitely NOT the case here!

This was as fine a dining experience as I have had in quite a while. As you make plans for the weekend, please add "eat at one of the Patina Group's fine restaurants" to your list. You may find one of their locations by clicking here.

If any of you are planning to be in NYC over the holidays, there is no better view of the festivities in and around Rock Center than a seat in the cafe overlooking the Ice Rink and the famous X-mas Tree.

If you are contemplating a private holiday affair, I'm sure Ken or one of his staff will be more that happy to assist you with your plan.

Based on my experience yesterday, you are in the best of hands!

Tuesday's Treasure - Holiday Tips v.2 - Giving Back

In last Saturday's Lifestyle Lifter's post, I began a series of posts intended as "Holiday Tips for The Wise".

Today I'd like to introduce you to Meera Gandhi. Her work in tireless support of many charities, non-profit organizations, and for profit ventures are too numerous to list. For a detailed look at what she has done and where she is going, click here. Her latest passion is as Founder of The Giving Back Foundation.

In a article you may read in it's entirety by clicking here , Meera gives six tips for giving during this upcoming Holiday Season:

1. Write a check. The easiest way to make a difference is to donate money to people who are doing work that you believe in. Every bit counts from as little as $10 to a $10,000.

2. Reach out to people. The simple acts of being kind and helpful is truly a way of giving back. If someone asks for your assistance, help out as much as you can.

3. Commit your time. Everyone can spare a few hours during the month. Spend it at your local soup kitchen, working for a charity or mentoring another person.

4. Be kind to yourself. Most people are running around ragged from just their daily routine. Give yourself some time to relax and recuperate. If your own well is dry, you’ll have nothing to give others.

5. If you have to say no, say it in a kind way. It’s not possible to help everyone who asks, but if you refuse kindly and perhaps put the person in touch with someone who can help, you will keep the circle moving.

6. Open up your contact list and share knowledge and experiences. Sometimes, giving can be as simple as helping others through your own knowledge or personal contacts. It requires very little effort on your part, but it can help others immensely.

Her latest project is called Giving Back. Meera has produced a documentary of this initiative and I am privileged to have been invited to a private screening tonight. She has a special mission: "We are to the universe only as much as we give back to it."

I couldn't agree more!

Here is another Holiday Tip to all you smart, impact-full, and well-connected women in my Network:

Put the DVD of Giving Back on your Holiday Gift List! You may purchase a copy by clicking here. 100% of the proceeds go to the charitable activities of the Giving Back Foundation.