If I was on the Norwegian Nobel committee, I would have voted for the American Cancer Society (ACS) to win the Nobel in 2009. With all the lousy news this year, who better to win the prize than the organization that gives more piece of mind to others than anyone else?

Good thing ACS doesn’t need to win the Nobel to win. October is the official month for their annual STRIDES event. All over the USA in towns large and small, ACS has team captains, corporate sponsors, cancer survivors, radio and TV stations, and anyone else they can gather to gather and take part in the five mile walk to raise money (there is a one mile route for those that need a short cut).

TNG is proud not only to be a national sponsor, but also the biggest fundraiser as well. Our event takes place tomorrow morning in downtown Detroit on the lovely but windy and cold island of Belle Isle. Some 10,000 supporters will be there to celebrate life and to help make a difference so cancer patients and survivors can celebrate life for years to come. ACS now provides an endless supply of birthday candles to its survivors and the good news: every year they hand out more and more candles.

You can check the STRIDES schedule at cancer.org if you are so inclined to wake up early and support ACS. TNG will be down around 8:00AM and if you have never been to a STRIDES event or on Belle Isle, this is a perfect opportunity to do both and support a great cause.

I hope to see you there!

Happy Friday!

Bye-bye summer that never came. 48 degrees this morning. The past two weekends were chilly and dreary. People were driving to the cider mills this past weekend only to find them closed (they do open next weekend for the season).

Wherever summer went, just like that it’s September and that means the start of the busy time of year. One major holiday each month means time flies by even faster and shortly we will have to deal with school busses and more traffic.

But it also means our really big annual event is coming up. This year we combined Tiffany and Kemon Nights into one fabulous event September 26 at the Royal Oak Music Theater. This will truly be the signature event for the pro beauty industry.

Once again, we have three talented hairdressers going for the coveted Hairdresser of the Year award (visit thetiffanyawards.com for more info). Up and coming rock band Sinjon Smith will once again provide pre-show entertainment.

This year the DeBartolos brothers along with the Kemon Artistic and Technical team will deliver spectacular trends for the fall-winter season.

There will be also be a yummy Italian-theme strolling dinner and tickets are only $50 or $100 VIP. And remember, this is a charity event for the American Cancer Society. We hope to cross the $1.5 million mark with your help.

If you’re part of pro beauty industry, this is a must-attend event. And even if you aren’t, it’s an event you have to witness once to see what all the excitement is about. Get your tickets while they last.

Happy Monday!

Just a few months back in March, the world was coming to an end. The stock market sunk below 7,000; Ford and GM stock were trading at around a buck and casino giants MGM and Las Vegas Sands were ready to shutter their doors.

Fast forward to today and the market is up nearly 3000 points, Ford is up some 800% while MGM and Las Vegas Sands are up some 1000% suggesting people are still buying cars while gambling and visiting Las Vegas.

The $100 question of the day is the stock market rally for real? As you know, the market is a good indicator of the economy 6-9 months down the road. The market is telling us that the recession has peaked and recovery is underway and within 9 months, we will be growing again.

Is it that simply? Is it that easy? The market is never simple or easy. What do you think? Here are your selections:

A. The recession has peaked and recovery is coming within the next 6-9 months.

B. The recession is still here and the recovery will come mid-2010.

C. The market is full of BS and will go back down and we will be in this recession until late 2010-early 2011.

Happy Wednesday!

P.S. ACS personally presented me my own box of cereal, container of cold skim milk and cereal bowl for breakfast today at the Annual Strides event. Now is that thoughtful or what!