Consumer: May 2009 Archives

Written by guest author Dianne Bright:

During tough economic times, everyone is feeling the pinch. But, of course people still need to buy things and order services. As many of you already know, there is a terrific website called Craigslist.org which offers a plethora of resources: community, housing, jobs, personals, for sale, discussion forums, services, and gigs. I love the fact that you can specify your search to your own local area; however, you can likewise search any regional area you want from Spain to Ireland and all the way over to Chile.

Dianne Bright
Guest Author

The "community" category offers several resources ranging from local activities, childcare options, and ride-share; it even has a lost and found category. "Services" include offerings from beauty, financial, legal, and automotive to a variety of people offering specific lessons. Haven't you been dying to learn Spanish or French? If it's not currently offered in a posting, you can list it under "wanted" under the "for sale" category. Maybe you're ready to list your services as a math or science tutor. Perhaps, you're an accomplished violinist with some extra time for offering lessons?

Hayley Billings has always loved playing sports. As a freshman at Redlands East Valley High School, she plays softball on the school team and has played basketball and soccer. Thanks to that passion for fitness and team spirit, Billings will soon be one of the new face of adidas in a worldwide print and online campaign called "Me, Myself."

Terry Pierson/The Press-Enterprise

Haley Billings, 15, of Highland is one of three girls picked for the Adidas campaign "Me, Myself."

Two other women, Katherine Genther of Grandville, Mich. and Vittoria Pool of Minot, N.D., were also selected for the campaign, which is meant to showcase women's individuality, confidence and motivation. It will include a series of portraits of women from around the world, showing snapshots of their fitness routines and daily lives.

Alongside these women, tennis player Ana Ivanovic, basketball player Candace Parker, taekwondo athlete Iridia Salazar and volleyball player Miwa Asao will also be featured.

Billings entered the "Me, Myself" contest in February by submitting a photo and her personal mantra for training success at The Sports Chalet in Redlands.

"I've been playing sports since I was a little girl and was so excited to see this contest," Billings said. "My mother encouraged me to enter because she knows how much I love sports and being part of a team."

"There was an online vote for contestants and that's how the finalists were chosen," said Michael Ehrlich, adidas spokesperson. "Then various adidas executives and trainers chose the three finalists."

The three contest winners attended a photo shoot with Candace Parker Monday in Los Angeles, where they were outfitted in adidas clothing from the women's training collections.

"She is one of my favorite athletes and a huge inspiration to me," Billings said of Candace Parker.

The photos from the shoot will be used in online ads and in sporting goods stores that carry the adidas brand across the nation.

"I am excited to be part of the adidas 'Me, Myself' campaign ... it represents women's motivations and recognizes our passion for fitness while maintaining our femininity and celebrating our successes, whether they are in the gym, at the field or on the court."