Uptown Liz Internship Opportunity

Looking to beef up your resume? Hoping to land a fun internship with great opportunities? Interested in working from home?

Uptown Liz wants you.

Your work will be seen by over 30,000 people a month from all over the world.

We are in contact with media, CEO’s, marketing/PR professionals and nonprofits of the largest organizations in the country.

Job Description

Start date: Immediately
Hours: 10-20 flexible hours per week
Pay: This is an unpaid internship, but will go toward college credit, pending approval from the school and applicable department.
Location: Telecommuting (interns can work from home).

Requirements

1. In college working toward a business, marketing or communications degree.
2. Have a program at school that allows internships to count toward college credit.
3. Have access to a computer and printer.
4. Have excellent communication skills – written and verbal.
5. Be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel.
6. Be a motivated, self-starter and quick learner that can meet deadlines and needs little supervision.
7. Be passionate about entrepreneurship, community service and people.

Duties (but not limited to)

1. Manage company blog - researching and writing blog entries which will involve celebrity, company and nonprofit research.
2. Product research - this will involve online and magazine research and contacting the companies directly.
3. Media – write press releases, research opportunities and contact media directly.
4. Social Marketing – manage Facebook page, Twitter and other social marketing outlets.
5. Advertising – research potential advertisers and develop/manage advertising campaigns.
6. SEO – maximize company presence in major search engines.
7. Affiliate Program – set up affiliate programs when applicable.

Application Process

1. Please e-mail the following to info@uptownliz.com, and put “Intern” in the subject line.
- Resume
- 2 recent writing samples
- 3 professional references
- Brief explanation of why you would be a great intern for our company.
2. If interested, we will contact you for an interview.

For more information, go to our Employment page.

Junior League of Sacramento Supports the Children's Receiving Home

The Junior League of Sacramento, an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and to improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, is hosting their annual crab feed "Denim & Diamonds".

Woodbridge Wines and Roy's Premium Barbecue will supply the wine and crab, and there will be a silent auction and dancing to the tunes of DJ Mic D.

A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit the Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento - a shelter for abused and neglected children of Sacramento County.

$40 for night out that includes crab, wine and dancing is a deal! In this economy, we are all watching our wallets a little closer; make the dollars you do spend count toward a good cause.

Denim & Diamonds

St. Mary's Catholic Church
1333 58th Street, Sacramento, California 95819
Saturday, February 7th at 5:00 p.m.

$40 in advance and $45 at the door

7 Things You Can Do To Support Someone Through Grief

I have thought about writing about grief - either through a book or dedicated blog. I have had so much experience - not only with my own, but those of close family and friends. I have lost three family members in three years: my 28 year old sister to breast cancer in 2006, my 32 year old cousin (who was like a brother to me) in 2007, and his father (my uncle) in 2008. Prior to that in 2002, a close friend of our family lost her three year, little boy to A-typical SIDS.

The grieving process is very complicated, and everyone grieves differently despite background, circumstances and personality. There is no right or wrong way and no time table.

The worst time starts after the funeral. Before that you are busy (and distracted) with arrangements, visitors, etc. After the funeral, everyone goes back to their own lives and the silence can be deafening. While they are focused on their careers and families, you are left with the aftermath of tragedy.

When you offer to help someone, many times the person will say "no" or "not to worry about it", because they don't want to ask for favors, feel like they are inconveniencing anyone, or that the favor will come with a long visit they might not be up for. Here are a few suggestions to help someone you know who is grieving:

1. Send an e-mail or a card letting the person know you are thinking of them, and that you are there for whatever they need. Try to do this a few times a month.

2. Bring meals that can be left on the porch (so not to bother the person) and put them in a disposable container (so they are not worried with getting you your dish back).

3. If the person has kids, offer to babysit or take them to school. Many parents have said that grieving when you have children is harder because you don't have enough time to yourself and you feel you always have to be strong for (and in front of) them.

4. Offer to run errands and pick up things they might need.

5. Invite them to coffee, lunch or a movie.

6. Offer to go on a walk with them.

7. Just listen and validate their feelings. There is little you can say that they haven' t heard before or that will make them feel better.

There are many other things I could add to this list. Whatever you choose to do, be there for the long haul. The more devastating the loss, the more difficult the grief. It is a process that is constantly changing, and a journey that is exhausting and overwhelming.

Here is a link to one of the best articles I have read on grief (click here). Everything I have ever said to someone else (or heard someone else say) on the topic is mentioned.

Please share your own thoughts on grief in the comments section.

How I Honor Liz's Memory (Elizabeth Overturf)

Today is the third anniversary of my sister Liz's death. This day isn't harder than any other day. I don't think of her more today than yesterday, last month or last year. An anniversary is just the marking of time, and it's realizing that is has been three years since I last saw my sister that is difficult.

My family, friends and I talk about Liz every day - "Liz would have loved that" or "Liz would have thought that was so funny". She was such a bright light - a force really - who left such a strong mark, that it seems she is always with us.

Liz was misdiagnosed at the age of 23 and by the time a proper diagnosis of breast cancer came at 26, it was too late. That shouldn't have happened, and it doesn't need to happen again.

I honor my sister's life in many ways; creating this business, fundraising for cancer awareness and research and by being my own health advocate. I believe that by taking care of myself, talking to others about their health and sharing the information I have learned is one of the best ways I can use my life.

If you have lost someone close to you, how do you honor their life?

Photo Caption: Liz Overturf in 1999.

25 Random Things About Ramona Russell of Uptown Liz

Throughout my many interviews, I have been asked a lot of questions by the press. I thought I would share some of them here.

1. I was named after my paternal grandmother (Who I never met because she died of breast cancer at 42. We also look a lot alike.). The name goes back for several generations; the origin is Spanish and means protector, advice, decision.

2. My paternal grandmother was born in Portugal and my paternal grandfather was born in the Basque region of Spain. Whenever an elderly Portuguese or Basque person meets me, they always say they see that ethnicity in me.

3. My mother was born in a small town in Germany (which is not on the map) and adopted as a toddler by an American military couple. She named herself after a neighbor once she moved to the States. When I visited Germany, I felt very at home.

4. I am a mix of Portuguese, Spanish, German, Native American (Blackfoot tribe) and much more. I happily consider myself a "mutt" or "pound puppy".

5. I've run 6 marathons and several half marathons, 10 milers, etc. in 6 years.

6. I hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon one day. I need a qualifying time of 3:40, which is a 8:23 per minute/mile in a marathon. I have done this in a half marathon, but not in a full.

7. I have naturally (very), curly hair, which I don't wash every day.

8. I knew since college that I would be an entrepreneur.

9. Two (of the many) jobs I had in college were that of a makeup artist and nanny.

10. I have a terrible fear of flying (and heights), but do it anyway.

11. I won a state-wide writing contest in 6th grade. The story was then made into a play, which I then performed in front of the entire school. It was about two, female mouse detectives. Very deep.

12. The older I get, the more I realize I don't know.

13. I hope to meet Nancy Brinker one day (the sister of Susan G. Komen). I have a lot I want to talk to her about.

14. One of the people I most admired was Paul Newman. I loved that he moved away from Hollywood, his modesty about his looks and career, how kindly he spoke of his family and how he turned the tragedy of losing his son into a massive philanthropic footprint on this world.

15. As a child, I could be found visiting with the adults instead of playing with the kids.

16. I think the people I surround myself speak to what kind of person I am.

17. I over think and analyze everything, but to outsiders it looks like I jump in head first and become an over night success.

18. I am a Law & Order junkie.

19. There are many things in life that scare me, but I do them anyway.

20. Ironically, I was a supporter of cancer awareness and the military before my sister's illness and my brother enlisted.

21. I am passionate about being your own health advocate. I was before my sister's illness, but after that 2.5 years experience with the medical community, it has only intensified. I believe we are on the verge of a "health awareness" and find it very exciting.

22. I started Uptown Liz because I felt compelled - like a force drawing me in.

23. The best person I know is my husband. His morality, generosity, compassion and support is unmatched.

24. I believe I am meant for "big things" and can do anything I put my mind to.

25. I believe cancer will be changed forever in my lifetime, and I hope to play a part in it.

Shop for a Cause at the Power of Pink

Bay Area fashion PR firm, Avant Garde Public Relations, hosts The Power of Pink - an evening of fashion, beauty, music and art for those touched by breast cancer. Annette Richmond, owner of the firm, joined forces with over 30 businesses, designers and volunteers to create this event. “I really want this to be a celebration of life.” says Richmond. “Someone close recently passed from Breast Cancer, this is a celebration for her. I wanted to focus on things Anne loved; art, fashion and music, the spa treatments are the cherry on top!”

Guests can support the cause at the Shopping Soirée featuring Bryna Nicole, Frolick, Harlequin Feltworks, Juleselin, Verrieres and Sako. VIP guests are invited to shop early at the pre-party, and will have access to two private rooms - including the Pamper Party - and receive a limited edition gift bag.

DJ Everett, DJ KeL-D, Nonchalant and DJ D-Glitch will provide the tunes and Taste of Paradise Catering and Little Piggy Cupcakes will supply the gourmet bites. When the clock strikes 8pm, the fashion show - featuring pieces from Tela D organic boutique and Taxi CDC - will begin. Models, whose hair and makeup will be done by the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology, will include professionals and those affected by the disease.

“With approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. and Marin County’s high breast cancer rate, I couldn't imagine a better time or place for this event.” says Richmond. All proceeds from this event will benefit the American Cancer Society.

As the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against cancer, the American Cancer Society has invested more funding in breast cancer research grants over time than any other voluntary public health organization – $352 million since 1972. In fact, Society-funded cutting-edge research led to the discovery of lifesaving treatments like Tamoxifen and Herceptin and it was the American Cancer Society that established mammography as the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. The Society also supports the fight against breast cancer through free support services such as Reach to Recovery, which matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors who can guide them through their journey with the disease; and the nation’s only 24-hour cancer hot line (1-800-ACS-2345), where people fighting cancer can turn anytime, day or night to talk to a Cancer Information Specialist for support, information and guidance. The Society additionally advocates for public policies to guarantee all women access to mammograms and breast cancer treatment, regardless of income. For more information about breast cancer resources and information, call the American Cancer Society at (1-800-ACS-2345) or visit http://www.cancer.org/.

The Power of Pink

Friday, January 23, 2009

Studio 333

Sausalito, CA

General Admission tickets $25

VIP tickets $35

http://www.avantgardepublicrealtions.com/
415.847.1571

Shop for a Cause: Open Your Eyes with Tarte

I - professed makeup junkie - can't get enough of tarte's natural mascara and lash stain. Always the sceptic when products claim to be "natural" but still deliver results, I was thrilled when my lashes looked lovely with these "greener" eye openers.

lash hugger ($18), an eco-friendly, natural mascara, is perfect for someone like me who is concerned about the chemicals in her personal care products. Free of parabens, phthlates, sulfates, mineral oil, propylene glycol, synthetic dye and fragrance, this mascara hugs lashes with volume, length and curl. The formula includes natural ingredients such as olive esters which conditions, treats and protects lashes, rice bran wax that helps lengthen lashes, carnauba wax to ensure a smooth application, mineral pigments to soothe and soften lashes, and water to deliver and retain moisture in lashes. To make sure there's no extra waste to our planet, the chic, metalized tube is composed of recycled aluminum.

For those of us who want great looking lashes for more than one day without having to reapply, there's 4 day stay lash stain ($18) with PolyFlex™ - a technology that allows mineral derived pigments to adhere to lashes for extended wear-time while keeping them soft and flexible. With ingredients like provitamin B5, but free of technologysynthetic dye, mineral oil, petro, phthatate, sulfate or fragrance, you can shower and exercise with no worries of fading or flaking.

Now - thanks to tarte - you don't have to give up looking good for fear of what's in your products. And if that weren't enough, tarte is supporting Sambazon's Sustainable Acai Project (SAP) which is helping to preserve the Amazon Rainforest through forest conservation, improved living conditions and educational opportunities for communities in Brazil.

You can purchase these products at tarte, Sephora, Beauty.com, Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman.

For other products that support the planet, go to the environment page on Uptown Liz.