What I didn’t know about him was that his family has been coping with a debilitating disease that has afflicted his father, Jim, over the past several years.

Back in 2003, Jim, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Pennie writes: “Our personal lives have never been the same. I never wanted to burden those close to me with my challenges, although there was a nagging instinct inside of me that refused to go away. I had to do something. I became inspired to share my story. I became inspired to be proactive to help not only my father, but those other families affected. “

MJ felt he needed to do something on a grand scale, and decided to climb the tallest mountain in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro.

He is going to climb a ‘physical’ mountain for his father and every other individual and family that has been touched by Alzheimer’s Disease. These people climb ‘emotional and mental’ mountains higher than the 19,330 feet on a daily basis.

Michael continues: “I will face low levels of oxygen and potentially life-threatening altitude sickness. At the end of my journey I get off the mountain and go home. People with Alzheimer’s stay on the mountain. Their obstacles strengthen and multiply, indefinitely.”

MJ has until September 1st, 2009 to raise a minimum of $10,000 dollars, of which 100% of all proceeds will go directly to the Alzheimer Society of BC, to provide support for families and funding for drug research.

So this morning JenTekk has stepped up and donated to this awesome cause, and will also be challenging other Entrepreneurs in my network to do the same.

100% of all proceeds will go directly to the Alzheimer Society of BC, to provide support for families and funding for drug research.

If you can… please donate! Any dollar amount will help.

For more information and to donate visit Tweet to Remember

~

Technorati Tags: michael-james pennie, tweet to remember, alzheimer, jentekk

JenTekk is proud to sponsor Rebecca Bollwitt aka Miss 604 in Blogathon Vancouver.

About Rebecca
Rebecca has been blogging about Vancouver since 2004 and podcasting with her husband since 2005.

In love with all things West Coast and the Canucks, Rebecca produces live blogs for clients and conferences, and is a co-host of both RadioZoom and The Crazy Canucks podcasts.

Known as “Podcaster, hyper-local blogger, new media outreach wiz, mainstream media pundit ~ Vancouver’s new ‘blogebrity,’…” [Vancouver Tech Women to Watch in 2008] Rebecca is no stranger to supporting local community causes. You can see some of her causes at Blogging for a Cause.

Union Gospel Mission
Bollwitt’s cause for Blogathon Vancouver this year (like last year) is the Union Gospel Mission located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

“The Union Gospel Mission is a non-profit urban relief organization serving Metro Vancouver and the City of Mission, providing hope for the hungry, hurting and homeless since 1940. If you find yourself without shelter, without food or without hope, UGM can help.”

On a personal note: I have a soft spot for the UGM. I sang there years ago for the people coming through to eat, volunteered as a food server, and know a wonderful gal that works there.

When I received Rebecca’s email regarding her raising money for this cause I knew right away that I had to jump on board!

Thank you!
Thanks Rebecca for the opportunity, for all your contributions, and the difference you make in the lives of our wonderful community… I am a fan!

~

Technorati Tags: miss 604, rebecca bollwitt, blogathon vancouver 09, blogathon, union gospel mission, ugm, jentekk

I am honored to have been invited yet again (my fourth year) to assist with the Kids SRC program.

The Kids SRC is designed to get children reading, with the use of a fun theme, posters, stickers, a reading record, bookmarks, completion medals, and novelty items. In addition each year they have a new designed website: Kids SRC 2009 which offers 7 quizzes (1 for each week of the program) word puzzles, and fun games.

Interestingly enough, some of the kids that participate in the Kids SRC are children of my own friends! That certainly makes it pretty exciting.

As I’d mentioned, this the the fourth year in assisting with the program. You may view the 3 previous website designs by JenTekk below…

Kids SRC 2008, 2007, 2006

	Kids SRC 2008 »
	Kids SRC 2007 »
	Kids SRC 2006 »

Thank You!

Being involved in this BC Kids summer reading program is so much fun, that I just keep making myself available to participate, in conjunction with the BCLA (BC Library Association).

Thank you again to the BCLA for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful program!

(The SRC is sponsored by the British Columbia Library Association, and the local public libraries with the assistance of the Public Library Services Branch, Ministry of Education, Shirley Bond, Minister)

~

Technorati Tags: kids src, bcla, bc library, summer reading club, jentekk

I first tried Bikram Hot Yoga on June 25th, 2008 at the Bikram Richmond Studio. I”ll never forget my first class – it was challenging! Between the heat, the postures, and my own demons – it was the longest 90 minutes in history for me.

Well, that was then, and this is now. Since those days, I’ve been practicing Yoga 5 times a week, and have become a strong believer in the incredible benefits of Bikram Hot Yoga.

It is this belief that led me to create a website exclusively to support and encourage the Bikram Hot Yoga Community. They have inspired and encouraged me in so many ways… this is one small way of returning the favor!

After running a few domain names by some true Bikram Hot Yogis and letting my creative juices run wild, I came up with this site.

It utilizes 3 very popular Open Source Software: Joomla CMS, phpBB Message Board, and WordPress Blog.

I’ve heard it said that if you build it, they will come. Time will tell.

If you know of anyone who does Bikram Hot Yoga, or is even remotely interested in learning about it, feel free to send them to Cafe Yogi… it should be a really great time!

Technorati Tags: Bikram, Bikram Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga, Yoga, jentekk

After the great success of WordCamp Vancouver, a friend of mine Gary Jones of BlueFur is going to host WordCamp Fraser Valley for all the WordPress bloggers out that way… cool!

This event is for anyone that has an interest in blogging and WordPress in general. Beginner’s will learn more about what blogging is and what WordPress software can do. Expert WordPress users will be able to network and learn from other expert bloggers.

WordCamp Fraser Vally Details

When is the event happening?
Date: Wednesday – July 16, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Where is it happening?
The Cascades Casino
20393 Fraser Hwy – Langley BC

Registration
Register here or via BlueFur.

Speakers/Schedule
For Speakers, Topics & Schedule click here!

I wish everyone at BlueFur a very successful event. Happy blogging everyone!

Technorati Tags: bluefur, wordcamp fraser valley, wordpress, blogging

Each summer, Kids in BC are afforded an opportunity to do something constructive and fun with their time by joining a summer reading club.

Its totally free. If you’re interested in enrolling your kids, simply head on down to your local library and sign up.

What is Kids SRC?

The Kids SRC is designed to get children reading, with the use of a fun theme, posters, stickers, a reading record, bookmarks, completion medals, and novelty items. In addition each year they have a new designed website: Kids SRC 2008 which offers 7 quizzes (1 for each week of the program) word puzzles, and fun games.

The theme this summer “Read All Over the Map” has kids learning very interesting historical facts about Beautiful British Columbia!

Did YOU know…

…that in 1886 the whole City of Vancouver burned down in less than 45 minutes?!

…Donald Smith (later known as Lord Strathcona) hammered in the last spike that joined the railway lines from the East to the railway lines going West at Craigellachie BC?

…that Ravens have been observed flying upsidedown?

…that one of the mascots for the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games is a sasquatch named Quatchi who’s dream is to become a world-famous hockey goalie!

Who knew? Just a small sampling of some of the things kids will be learning at the SRC.

Thank You

Thank you to the BCLA for the opportunity yet again (3rd year in a row) to be a part of this wonderful program!

(The SRC is sponsored by the British Columbia Library Association, and the local public libraries with the assistance of the Public Library Services Branch, Ministry of Education, Shirley Bond, Minister)

Technorati Tags: kids src, bcla, bc library, summer reading club, bc history, jentekk

Joomla! CMS is one of the most powerful Open Source content management systems (CMS) on the planet. Joomla! is easy to manage, reliable to use, and is very popular with those of my clients using it.

The newest version of Joomla (version 1.5) is an ideal platform for building Corporate websites, Intranets and Social Networks.

So, it is with great pleasure that I make this announcement: Vancouver is officially hosting a Joomla! Day event – one of Joomla’s largest and most popular events!

As a sponsor and event organizer, you can probably imagine how excited I am to spread the word, and even more so… to invite you to join us.

Details

WHEN: June 14th 2008 from 9:00am to 5:30pm
WHERE: Library Square Conference Centre in the Central Vancouver Public Library Building – Alice McKay Room
350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver BC, Canada »» view map
SPEAKERS: Chris Adams, Brad Baker, Levis Bisson, Michelle Bisson, Steve Burge, Louis Landry, Jennifer Marriott, Toni Marie Swats
FEES: $25.00 CAD

Presenters

• Chris Adams – CEO of Rochen Limited
• Brad Baker – Joomla! Core Team Member
• Levis Bisson – Joomla! Core Team Member
• Michelle Bisson – Joomla! Core Team Member
• Steve Burge – CEO of Alledia
• Louis Landry – Joomla! Core Team Member
• Jennifer Marriott – Joomla! Working Group Member
• Toni Marie Swats – Joomla! Working Group Member

For more information on the Presenters please visit: Tazzu – Announcing the Vancouver Joomla! Day or the official Joomla! Day Vancouver website, which also shows the itinerary.

Registration

Registration is now open. Seats are limited, purchase your tickets today!

Tickets are 25$ each, and for that price you will be getting a Vancouver Joomla Day! T-Shirt and a coupon which buys you a free coffee and baked goodies.

You can register online here:

Vancouver Joomla! Day Sponsors

• Open Source Matters (home of Joomla) – www.OpenSourceMatters.org
• Rochen Engineered Hosting – www.Rochen.com
• FatPort Secure Broadband Wireless
• Baratta Design – www.dvbaratta.com
• Tazzu (Business Networking Forum) – www.tazzu.com

Media Sponsors

• Bush Branding & Marketing – www.bushmarketing.com
• Raul Pacheco (hummingbird604) – hummingbird604.com
• Rebecca Bollwitt (Miss604) – www.Miss604.com – Thank you for the post

Event Organizers

These are the people I will be assisting with hopes of making the Joomla! Day Vancouver event a huge success:

• Wendy Robinson – Vancouver Joomla! Day Coordinator & Joomla Community Forum Administrator
• Tazzu Business & Technology Community – www.Tazzu.com
• Rastin Mehr of rmd Studio Inc. – Former Joomla Development Workgroup member and Google Summer of Code Mentor
• Jeannette Duguay (thats me!) – JenTekk Web Solutions www.JenTekk.ca
• Ash Sanieyan – PeerGlobe Technology Inc. www.PeerGlobe.com

Technorati Tags: joomla day, vancouver joomla day, tazzu, rmd studio, peerglobe, jentekk