Good morning, everybody. Right now, across this country, many Americans are sitting at the kitchen table, they’re scanning the classifieds, they’re updating their resumes or sending out another job application, hoping that this time they’ll hear back from a potential employer. And they’re filled with a sense of uncertainty about where their next paycheck will come from. And I know the only thing that will entirely free them of those worries –- the only thing that will fully lift that sense of uncertainty –- is the security of a new job.

To that end, we all have to continue our efforts to do everything in our power to spur growth and hiring. And I hope the Senate acts this week on a package of tax cuts and expanded lending for small businesses, where most of America’s jobs are created.

The cycle of marketing was once summarized in the story of the circus coming to town.

HoustonWorks USA today announced the receipt of $20,000 donation in money and product for the Colgate-Palmolive’s 2010 Colgate P.O.W.E.R. (Preparing Our World through Education and Responsibility) initiative in Houston, TX.

Prairie View A&M University is pleased to announce that Dr. Jimmy L. Adams, Jr. has been appointed associate vice president for continuing education and institutional relations. Dr. Adam’s appointment was made effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Shareholders of Nike, Gatorade and other Tiger Woods sponsors lost a collective $5 to $12 billion in the wake of the scandal involving his extramarital affairs, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis.

President Obama is expected to outline a set of proposals to spur job growth today. If you’ve tried and failed to find work it may be time to start thinking about starting your own business. We’ve come up with resources that are available to you now, if you want to start your own business.

The Reasoning Mind 9th Annual Dinner, hosted by Gerald McElvy, President of the ExxonMobil Foundation, was held November 5th at the Magnolia Hotel. The evening was a celebration of the exponential growth Reasoning Mind has experienced in the past year.

The new H-E-B Spring Market Fuel Station is open for business, offering customers competitive fuel prices. On Friday, Oct. 30, H-E-Buddy will greet customers while Partners (employees) distribute Quench coupons and H-E-B’s My Texas Life magazines while supplies last between the hours of 2 – 7 p.m.

Baby Girl, Inc. will host Un-Thai & Relax August 19, 2009 from 7:00PM to 10:00 PM at 5757 Westheimer. This is the first of the “Shine Series” fundraisers that spotlight women owned businesses in different venues throughout the city of Houston.

General Colin L. Powell, entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Johnson & Johnson will be honored by The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) and Foundation at its 2009 Annual Recognition Dinner. The Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., will be the venue on Thursday, Oct. 8, where more than 2,000 leaders in business, higher education and government will gather.

In this week’s address, President Barack Obama said the newly released GDP numbers are an indication that the Recovery Act is working, but that long–term investments in innovation are needed to ensure our nation’s long-term economic growth.

ECSMG Consulting, LLC Managing Director Ernest Ruffin, Jr. has written a book which he describes as “a guide for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and college professors teaching students business courses on how to start, develop, market and grow a business using key skill sets that are must have requirements to winning in business.”

Do you know an outstanding college female who excels in academics and is committed to improving the well being of her community? Encourage her to apply for the Texas Conference for Women scholarship!

UHD fall classes begin August 24. For incoming freshman, the deadline to apply for admission for the fall semester is July 15, with a late admissions deadline of Aug. 1. Transfer students have an Aug. 1 admissions deadline, with a late admissions deadline of Aug. 15.

You’ve made up your mind. Now it’s time to figure out what to do next. In the new audiobook “Start Where You Are” by Chris Gardner, you’ll see that you already possess the information you need. You just have to put it all together. Sometimes, when you have an idea, just thinking about acting on it can be overwhelming. You hardly know where to start or whom to ask for help. Gardner says that you don’t need to worry so much if you remember that your greatest assets are within you. You have the power to determine who you become.

Rice University’s business school, the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management has officially changed its name to the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business. In conjunction with the name change, the school has adopted a new logo and Web site.

“Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.” Houston does not have to worry about what or who our stars are since they have left tracks of dust behind as they’ve climbed ever higher, shinning more brightly while treading along their way. The Sugar Valley Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD) honored some of these dazzling stars at their annual Status of Women Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Brady’s Landing

Claims personnel from the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® have been deployed to the Houston, Texas area to help customers affected by the recent flooding.

On the heels of President Barack Obama’s visit to Turkey, the Greater Houston Partnership’s Executive Women’s Partnership Committee is traveling to that Eurasian country this week to promote business and trade between the two regions.

Renowned, pioneering heart surgeon to serve on museum’s board of directors and assist in shaping the future of the growing health science museum.