No longer do you have to thumb through a stack of catalogs or search web site after web site looking for giveaway items, resale items, and gifts on which to imprint your company logo or personal message.  If you need additional information on a product, click on it and then click on ‘request information.’  We’ll get back to you ASAP.

Please keep in mind that customized, imprinted products are not for businesses only.  Think weddings, reunions, sports teams, schools, booster clubs, social clubs, birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, open houses, fundraisers and many other activities and special events in your lives.

Check out Limelight Logo Mall now and see for yourself what a useful tool this is:  http://limelight.logomall.com.  When you’re ready to buy, you can place your orders through the secure Logo Mall.

While you’re at the Logo Mall, be sure to enter the drawing for $1000 in promotional products.  And click on ‘Promotion Connection’ to read the many great promotional ideas to stimulate your thinking in how to promote your business or event.

Please keep in mind that not all the suppliers we represent and all the products available in the vast world of ad specialties are displayed in Limelight Logo Mall.  If you don’t find what you want, by all means contact us and we’ll go to work looking for that special item you need.

Be sure to bookmark the Logo Mall and visit regularly.  Featured products change often.

Happy shopping, and our best wishes for a prosperous 2012!

RIVERSIDE, CA, January 26, 2012 – Dress yourself and your dog in your best green outfits and start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, or St. Paw-trick’s Day, early on Saturday, March 17, by joining hundreds of humans, dogs, and other critters for the 20^th Annual Walk With The Animals presented by Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC).  This year’s event features Bob Harper of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and Irish Wolfhounds from Wolfhoundrescue.org as Grand Marshals of the pledge walk around beautiful Lake Evans in Fairmount Park, Riverside.

Pledge walk registration and a hearty pancake breakfast ($5 per person) begin at 8:00 a.m. (band shell area) with the event’s various family-friendly activities going on from 8:00 until noon.  Walk With The Animals is free, open to the public, and held rain or shine.

A bagpiper kicks off the 1.3-mile pledge walk at 9:00 a.m.  The St. Paw-trick’s Day event also features a performance by children from Butler Fearon O’Connor School of Irish Dance, a Kiss The Blarney Dog booth, pet costume contest, Muttley Crew K-9 Entertainment, Urban Search and Rescue demonstration, bake sale for people and pets, exhibitors, breed rescue groups, low-cost vaccinations and microchips, and fabulous raffle prizes.  Free water and first aid is available for pets and people.

Walk participants are encouraged to collect pledges to sponsor their effort. There are categories for individuals and groups of three or more adults and youth (16 and under). Participation in the pledge walk is not required to attend the event.  To register as a pledge walker, go to www.firstgiving.com/petsadoption or call 951-688-4340 ext. 307.

The person collecting the most pledge money will enjoy a Saturday night stay for two in a suite at the Historic Mission Inn with Sunday brunch.  Second place pledge collector receives Sunday brunch for two at the Historic Mission Inn.  The top two youths collecting the most pledge money receive an MSRPAC engraved medal and Walk t-shirt.

The top team, adult and youth categories, collecting the most pledge money will be recognized with a commemorative brick in MSRPAC’s Celebration Walkway.

All dogs must be on a six-foot or shorter leash, under control of a handler, friendly to animals and people, and healthy, have a current license and ID tag, and be more than four-months old.  Cats and other pets must be on leashes, in carriers, or otherwise contained and controlled.

Grand Marshals

Harper, a fitness expert and personal trainer to the stars, has been a trainer on “The Biggest Loser” reality television show since 2004.  He has been featured on television and in magazines and workout videos and is a writer and motivational speaker. As an advocate for animals, he adopted a Havanese mix rescue, has spoken out against puppy mills and is a past national spokesperson for Farm Sanctuary.

The Irish Wolfhounds are rescues from Wolfhoundrescue.org of Sherman Oaks, CA, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to the rescue, care, rehabilitation and placement of Irish Wolfhound companions everywhere, and in Southern California in particular.

Exhibitors and Sponsors

Exhibit space is free for nonprofit animal-welfare organizations and $50 for all other businesses and organizations.  Booth space comprises one eight-foot table and two chairs.  Exhibitors are welcome to bring booth graphics and displays.  Canopies are advised for weather protection.  No electricity is available.  Deadline for exhibitor applications is March 9.

Gold Paw Sponsors to date are City of Riverside Park, Recreation & Community Services Dept., Frontline Plus/Heartguard Plus, Inland Lighting Supplies, Inc., Jan Peterson Child Development Center, Law Office of Ellen Weinfurtner, Lexus of Riverside, Mary S. Roberts Foundation, McDonalds on University Avenue, Perricone Farms, Raincross Veterinary Services, Riverwalk Pet Resort, and Starbucks.

Silver Paw Sponsors are Arlington Animal Hospital, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc., Donna Knox, Ed Adkison, Intervet, Lamb Energy, Inc., and Security Bank of California.

For information on being an exhibitor or sponsor, call Michele Mills at MSRPAC, 951-688-4340, ext. 307.  For more information on Walk With The Animals, visit www.petsadoption.org.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

RIVERSIDE, CA, November 10, 2011 – What to my wondering eyes should appear, not one, but two Santas!  That’s right!  Don’t tell the kids, but there will be two Santas at this year’s popular Pet Pictures with Santa event at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC).  Bring your pets to meet Santa Claus and have their pictures taken with either of the jolly big elves while also helping to support homeless animals.  The event will be Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Adoption Center, 6165 Industrial Ave., Riverside.

Admission to Pet Pictures with Santa is free and sittings for Pet Picture photos are not required in order to enjoy the fun.  Activities include a bake sale, vendors offering holiday and pet-related products, raffle, vaccination clinic, and cats and dogs available for adoption.  There will be hot dogs, smoothies, gourmet candy apples and gourmet dog treats available for purchase, and complimentary popcorn, hot apple cider and coffee.

All animals attending the event must be on a six-foot or shorter leash or in a pet carrier. Puppies four months and younger must be in carriers or held and not allowed to walk on the ground for their health’s sake.

No appointments are needed for photo sittings.  Photos will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  And with two Santas, wait times will be shorter for those impatient pets!

Photo keepsakes being offered are button, key tag or ornament, $5 each; travel mug, $7; tote bag, $8; 5×7 photo in jacket, $10; t-shirt, $10; and CD with 5 poses, $15.  CDs and 5×7 photos will be mailed or available for pick up on December 12.  All other items will be ready to take home from the event.

Olden Days Boutique will hold a raffle for both a handmade cat-themed and a dog-themed warm, fuzzy blanket.  Each person who purchases a pet photo item will receive one free raffle ticket.  Tickets also can be purchased at the company’s booth.  The drawing will be held at 4 p.m. and the winner does not need to be present.  The money from ticket sales will be donated to MSRPAC.

Dog behaviorist Rick Belmonte of Belmonte’s Dog Training will be on hand offering free behavior consultations.  Volunteers from MSRPAC’s agility program will help dog owners test their pets’ skills on the covered agility course.

MSRPAC’s low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic for cats and dogs will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  And, of course, there will be many wonderful homeless cats and dogs waiting to go to loving homes for the holidays.  The Center is open for adoptions 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  The Critter Corner store inside the main building is stocked with a large variety of toys, supplies and accessories for cats and dogs, as well as books and pet-themed gifts for humans.

For more information on Pet Pictures with Santa, call 951-688-4340 x307 or visit www.petsadoption.org.  See the web site for vaccination and microchip fees and pets currently available for adoption.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the Center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies.  Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped.  Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.

For more information, contact:
Jean Clement, Limelight
951-679-6388
jean@limelightpr.com

As the economic squeeze continues, the marketing game is changing.  Many business owners and managers are foregoing the shotgun approach of expensive, broad-based advertising.  Instead, they’re taking a more focused course of action: defining smaller target markets and core customers, and promoting directly to these audiences.  They’re doing so through personal sales calls, direct mail, social media, ad specialty/promotional product giveaways, participation in end-user expos, and sponsorship of community events attended by their customer types.

Another good avenue to take is donating to non-profit organizations.  By so doing, businesses benefit as much as the non-profits.  And I’m not talking about writing checks.  Remember, budgets are tight.

Instead, donate goods, services and/or manpower.  While money is important to non-profits, they’ll gladly except in-kind donations for products and services that are greatly needed but their limited budgets often can’t buy.

In-kind donations don’t have to be huge, or a one-time thing.  They can be office supplies, equipment repair, cleaning services, uniforms, construction materials or services, printing, web design services, transportation.  The possibilities are as endless and the organizations needing the help.

Not only will you be able to blow your own public relations horn, should you choose, but the non-profits will sing your company’s praises as a hearty thank you.  Additionally, if you donate to a qualified non-profit organization, you’ll be able to take a deduction on your income tax.

People who know me, know I’m a huge advocate of animal welfare and the vital need to stop pet overpopulation and give homeless animals a chance for a happy life through adoption.  Among my efforts on behalf of animals, I’m a volunteer for and supporter of the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (www.petsadoption.org), the largest no-kill shelter in Riverside County, here in southern California.

Recently, I donated through Limelight to the adoption center’s silent auction.  My in-kind donation was the highest bidder’s choice of one of five promotional product packages.  The couple that won my donation operates TongkaDOG Foundation (tongkaDOG.org) which raises money for canine cancer research and awareness, as well as provides pet oxygen masks to fire departments.  They selected an order of custom-imprinted jar openers which they gave out at a fundraising event.

This was definitely a win-win-win situation.  The Roberts Pet Adoption Center received money to help care for homeless dogs and cats.  TongkaDOG received, for less-than-retail cost, 300 long-lasting, useful promotional items bearing its logo and message to help promote its cause.  And I marketed my business to the more than 300 attendees at the silent auction while making a donation to a worthy non-profit organization.

I encourage all businesses, big and small, to consider in-kind donations to charities of their choice as part of their marketing mix.  It’s good for your company; it’s good for your community.

The other day, while doing laundry, I was wondering why said item is called pants, or better yet, a pair of pants (two for the price of one!) and not pant, singular.  After all, it IS one piece of clothing, not more.  Yes, there are 2 legs, but they’re attached to one main, larger part that we pull up to cover our butts.  If only it were that easy to cover our butts when we do something stupid.  But, I digress.

A shirt has two sleeves, but we don’t call it shirts.  Yet, we have pants.  And trousers, and drawers (aren’t they what desks have?).  We put ‘them’ on, and take ‘them’ off.  We wash ‘them’ because ‘they’ are dirty.  However, when we’re referring to those protrusions from the main, larger part, we say ‘pant’ legs.  Aha!  Just one pant, but there are two legs!  This is bewildering.

To assist me in clearing up this mystery, I went to where all writers go when they don’t know how else to start an article:  ”according to Webster’s Dictionary” (in my case New World College), pants is an abbreviation of pantaloons.  Now THERE’S an Old World word!  When was the last time you said to yourself, “Self, you need to buy a new pair of pantaloons”?  Right now, I’m envisioning something baggy, like bloomers.

So, I look in said dictionary for ‘pantaloons’ which I learn derives from the French word pantalon and the Italian (take you pick of preferred countries) pantalone.  A pantaloon is, historically, a stock character in comedy, usually a foolish old man wearing tight trousers.  In modern pantomime, a pantaloon is a similar character who’s the butt of the clown’s jokes.  Guess that character’s butt isn’t covered, except by tight trousers.

The tight trousers later became known as pantaloons.  Now, in modern times, perhaps to save a millisecond in our hurried world, we’ve abbreviated that word to pants and increased the number of types and styles: tight, too tight, baggy, hanging too low to cover the butt, cropped, and many more.

Anyway, I still don’t see the need to call this singular, all-parts-attached article of clothing pants.  However, if a person isn’t wearing one, or any, others may pant…or more likely, gasp.

The Birchcraft collection includes an impressive selection of holiday greeting cards – Thanksgiving through New Years – in a wide array of themes and several styles, including photo and calendar cards, that can be imprinted with the sender’s name.  The cards also can be ordered without personalized imprinting.  Many of the styles have a choice of verses and can include a company logo.

“I’m thrilled to add Birchcraft Studios greeting cards to the growing list of products and services we offer,” said Jean Clement, owner of Limelight.  “While Limelight still offers graphic-design services for custom cards, Birchcraft cards are ready-to-order with personalized imprinting…the perfect option for businesses and individuals who don’t want completely custom cards.”

Birchcraft is well-known in the industry for its wide variety of attractive designs and its fine workmanship.  The company has been producing personalized greeting cards for more than 80 years.

Click here to view your choices for holiday and all-occasion greeting cards.

It was midday.  I was sitting at Skydive Perris in Perris, CA.  The fog had finally lifted and I was waiting for the first plane up to release its occupants so I could get my turn to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  Something I’ve wanted to do since I was a teen, but life’s responsibilities always had me thinking twice about such frivolous desires.

However, I’m older now.  And this was a gift from my husband, so what the h___.  You only live once!

Was I nervous?  No, in spite of the required pre-jump video with the poker-faced attorney giving all the ‘at your own risk’ warnings, all the forms I had to sign (my life away), and my husband repeatedly asking, “Are you nervous?  It’s OK if you change your mind.”  I hadn’t waited all these years to change my mind now.  Besides, if 90-year-olds can do it, so can I!

Tom Hanks made his first skydive, too.

Finally, I got the call to report to the pre-jump area to suit up.  Then I heard it.  A familiar voice in the crowd.  Could that be the man who 10 years prior had crash landed on a deserted island?  Yes!  It was!  But this time he had a parachute…and a tandem instructor.

Tom Hanks had just made his first jump!  (I have to say he was as friendly and gracious as I’ve always assumed, patiently sticking around to have his photo taken again and again and to talk to everyone.)

Soon after, I was on the plane and climbing into the wild blue yonder with several seasoned skydivers and one other first-timer and our respective instructors who soon would be strapped to our backs…or we to their chests.

Maybe it was suppressed nervousness, or the sight of land…way down there…and the realization that there’s no turning back now.  For whatever reason, as my instructor, Keith Levesque, pushed us out of the doorway of the plane, I screamed.  I’m here to tell you, “Don’t do that.”

With the sudden force of air pressure against my face in freefall, with my cheeks pushed back to my ears, I could not take a breath!  For a few seconds, I thought I was going to either pass out or throw up, or both.  It did flash through my mind, “What would he (Keith) do?”  And, “Where would it go?”  Yeah, weird thoughts occur while falling fast from 12,500 feet up.

Freefalling from 12,500 feet in my first tandem skydive.

Fortunately, I recovered quickly without incident and had plenty of time during the remainder of the minute-long freefall to enjoy the ride and smile for the videographer.  (Hey!  I wanted proof that I really did jump!)

Once the chute was open, it was much quieter as we drifted down the last 5000 feet.  I took my turn steering us one way and the other as Keith pointed out the sights off in the distance.  I have to admit I was more concerned about what we were doing and the upcoming landing than I was about sightseeing.  I’ll save that for another item on my bucket list: hot-air ballooning.

The skydiving package my husband purchased is called Sensory Overload.  That’s the perfect name!  It’s an experience that’s hard to explain…exhilarating, a major adrenaline rush.  All my senses literally were overloaded.

I just wish the jump didn’t happen so fast.  All those years of wanting and waiting, and it was over in a few minutes.

However, now I can say, “I jumped out of an airplane, and lived to talk about it!”  And just maybe, some day, I’ll tempt fate and revisit this item on my bucket list.

I have to admit that if I were born of their generation and had the opportunities they’ve had since pre-school, I’d want to try some of those stunts myself.  However, I’m older, and would like to think wiser, so I get my thrills by watching others tempt fate.

I love speed, I have to say.  That’s my adrenalin rush.  But in my book, objects with ‘skate’ or ‘cycle’ in the name are not meant to fly.  I prefer to keep wheels, runners, or whatever on the ground or water, thank you very much.

Alright, so I’ve done a few daring, or stupid, things in my life, especially if I believe people who have told me I’m nuts.  But I now know what it feels like to ache from years of basic recreational activities like snow skiing, soccer and tennis.  I don’t even want to think about the pain these extreme athletes endure, not to mention will have when they reach middle age.

Yes, it would be a major thrill to go down the big air ramp.  But to fly off the other end?  I don’t think so!  There’s no harness or safety net to prevent ‘the big splat.’

I give these young athletes a ton of credit for the humongous amount of effort and dedication they put into practicing, and practicing, and for their motivation and willpower to continue after experiencing competitive and other disappointments, and especially after suffering injuries, repeatedly.

Congratulations to all X Games participants.  You’re all winners because of what you do, and do with gusto.

Are you sponsoring a golf tournament, road race or other sporting activity, or a festival, fundraiser or community event?  Are you treating your employees to a family picnic or day at the beach?  Maybe you want to promote sales by giving a free gift with purchase or simply to say, ‘Thank you for being our customer.’

Here are just a few suggestions for summertime products we offer that can be imprinted with your company’s logo as long-lasting reminders of your business:

Beverage holders, bottles and drink cups
Bottled water (custom labels)
Insulated six-pack carriers
Caps, visors and bandanas
Tee shirts
Flip flops
Backpacks, fanny packs and tote bags
Towels – hand and beach
Golf accessories
Flying discs, beach balls and sand pails
Personal fans – hand and battery-powered
Sunscreen, lip balm and bug repellant
Mini first-aid kits

To be sure you get what you want when you want it, you’d better place your orders soon.

Whatever your needs are for promotional products and corporate gifts, let us help you find the perfect solution.  Call us at 951-679-6388.  Or fill out the contact form on this web site or send an email to sales@limelightpr.com and we’ll contact you.

And one last thing…  As you plan your marketing and promotional activities in the months ahead, please keep in mind that we also provide public relations, advertising and marketing communications services for companies, special events and charitable causes.

Of course, ladies like duct tape, too.  In addition to wallets, we offer a ladies silver 100% duct tape purse that is certain to add a chic fashion flair to any outfit, from jeans to a cocktail dress.  The purse has a silver chain and cloth lining.

The duct tape is guaranteed never to lift, peel or become sticky.  Lifetime replacement warranty.

Quantity pricing (minimum 100).  Call us for details, available styles and free quotes:  951-679-6388.