Showing posts with label Miami Heat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami Heat. Show all posts
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Executive Leader | Chief Marketing Officer | Expert Brand Builder | Global Business Driver
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Executive Leader | Chief Marketing Officer | Expert Brand Builder | Global Business Driver
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Florida Chief Marketing Officer
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Florida Chief Marketing Officer Palm Beach Gardens
Monday, December 2, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Duane Michael Wagner Vero Beach Florida Chief Marketing Strategist
Duane Michael Wagner Chief Marketing Strategist Vero Beach 772-532-6397
Back in Action Chiropractic and Yoga Center Palm City
13 Extraordinary Benefits of Yoga
Photo by Allen Elliotte. The benefits of Bikram Yoga are many and endless. Bikram’s signature series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises will help you with a multitude of afflictions ranging from – thyroid problems to weight loss, stress to insomnia, diabetes to knee problems, kidney conditions to heart disease, depression to blood pressure, arthritis to back pain – allowing you to maintain exceptional health for years to come. The postures work every part of your body down to a cellular level flushing toxins out of your system.
Bikram Yoga is designed for EVERYONE – any age, size, shape, condition, or problem. To receive the benefits, a regular practice of 3 – 4 classes per week is necessary. Beginners are encouraged to start slow and take it easy for the first few classes. Benefits happen right away for some, including normalizing your weight. and it usually takes ten classes for your body to start to understand the poses.
As one student puts it, “A Bikram yoga class a day keeps the doctor away.”
1. Weight loss
Bikram Yoga is excellent for weight loss. Your digestive system and metabolism will improve, normalizing your appetite and diminishing unhealthy cravings. Your fat will turn into muscle as you develop muscle tone and strength. Warm muscles burn fat more easily as the heat flushes and detoxifies the body. Bikram yoga is known for burning anywhere from 500 to 1000 calories a session. The harder you work in class the more calories you will burn. Your cardiovascular system is worked and strengthened therefore, the more weight loss benefits you will receive. You may see and feel immediate results. You will naturally begin to start eating less and make better food choices.
Bikram Yoga is excellent for weight loss. Your digestive system and metabolism will improve, normalizing your appetite and diminishing unhealthy cravings. Your fat will turn into muscle as you develop muscle tone and strength. Warm muscles burn fat more easily as the heat flushes and detoxifies the body. Bikram yoga is known for burning anywhere from 500 to 1000 calories a session. The harder you work in class the more calories you will burn. Your cardiovascular system is worked and strengthened therefore, the more weight loss benefits you will receive. You may see and feel immediate results. You will naturally begin to start eating less and make better food choices.
2. Arthritis
Many students experience quick relief from arthritis after only a few classes of Bikram Yoga. A combination of the heat and the moving, twisting, extending and compressing of every joint can alleviate arthritis. A regular practice is necessary for continued relief.
3. Blood Pressure
Unstable high blood pressure can respond very quickly to a regular Bikram Yoga practice. Consult your doctor and don’t push too hard for your first few classes. If you are tested about a week after starting Yoga, you may see a slight rise in pressure. Don’t be alarmed. By the second week, that pressure will be normal or close to normal and will stay there as long as you continue your yoga regimen. Many students who maintain a regular practice are able to stop taking blood pressure medication.
Unstable high blood pressure can respond very quickly to a regular Bikram Yoga practice. Consult your doctor and don’t push too hard for your first few classes. If you are tested about a week after starting Yoga, you may see a slight rise in pressure. Don’t be alarmed. By the second week, that pressure will be normal or close to normal and will stay there as long as you continue your yoga regimen. Many students who maintain a regular practice are able to stop taking blood pressure medication.
4. Back Pain
Bikram Yoga has helped countless numbers of people with back pain, stiff necks, headaches, scoliosis, herniated disks and many other back problems. The Bikram Yoga series is designed to work the spine in every direction with many beneficial backbends, creating a healthy spine and thus a healthy nervous system. Make sure to tell your instructor what type of back pain you suffer from in case modifications are necessary.
Bikram Yoga has helped countless numbers of people with back pain, stiff necks, headaches, scoliosis, herniated disks and many other back problems. The Bikram Yoga series is designed to work the spine in every direction with many beneficial backbends, creating a healthy spine and thus a healthy nervous system. Make sure to tell your instructor what type of back pain you suffer from in case modifications are necessary.
5. Skin and Beauty
Watch your face and skin develop “the Bikram glow” as your eyes become brighter and your skin becomes more clear and soft. As you sweat, your pores are opened and cleaned allowing natural lanolin to release through the pores, softening and preserving your skin’s elasticity. “I feel so CLEAN inside and out, and my skin is so SOFT I don’t need moisturizer anymore!” is a student’s comment. Faces in general change expression from looking disturbed and frustrated to looking full of life and happiness. As your body detoxifies, you may eventually never need deodorant again!
Watch your face and skin develop “the Bikram glow” as your eyes become brighter and your skin becomes more clear and soft. As you sweat, your pores are opened and cleaned allowing natural lanolin to release through the pores, softening and preserving your skin’s elasticity. “I feel so CLEAN inside and out, and my skin is so SOFT I don’t need moisturizer anymore!” is a student’s comment. Faces in general change expression from looking disturbed and frustrated to looking full of life and happiness. As your body detoxifies, you may eventually never need deodorant again!
6. DiabetesBikram yoga can be a perfect complement to the lifestyle changes necessary to help keep diabetic symptoms in check. Recent research has found that performing these postures on a regular basis can decrease blood-sugar levels. A dedicated Bikram Yoga student, who lost 50 pounds without dieting, healed his chronic back problems and no longer needed his diabetic medication after practicing Bikram Yoga for 6 months. He tells his story in the book “Diabetic Always, Insulin No More.”
7. Stress & Anxiety Management – Bikram’s guru Bishnu Gosh said “Mental stress and strain is the cause of all diseases, even infectious ones.” When performing the 26 postures and two breathing exercises, the fight-or-flight response is turned off and a feeling of balanced well-being is replaced. A regular practice can lower cortisol levels, calm the mind, increase mental clarity and release and reduce stress and tension.
8. Depression – On those days when you don’t feel like doing anything, going to Bikram Yoga class is key. You just have to show up and the yoga takes care of the rest. After each session your mind will become more balanced and depression will be lifted. The more you practice, the better you will feel. Many students come off antidepressants and other medications after establishing a regular Bikram Yoga practice.
9. Breathing problems – Asthma, Allergies, Respiratory ProblemsBikram Yoga will be good for your breathing problems in several ways. The heat promotes relaxation of the muscles and nerves, and you can work with as much intensity as appropriate for your needs. Bikram Yoga will relax your mind and help let go of tensions, toxins and negativity. It strengthens your heart and lungs, improving your lung function. You will breathe easier and deeper than you ever have before.
Benefits of Hot Yoga Michael Wagner Vero Beach Florida
Michael Wagner Chief Marketing Strategist Vero Beach Florida 772-532-6397
Palm City YOGA
As a certified yoga instructor and self-proclaimed “hot yogi,” I can assure you that there are many benefits to practicing Bikram and hot yoga. But of course, those benefits don’t come without a few precautions as well. Read on for the 411 on how to practice safe hot yoga.
The benefits of a really hot room
Practicing yoga in a heated room increases your pulse rate and metabolism, allowing your blood vessels to become more flexible and making your bod burn some major calories! This in turn makes circulation easier and increases blood flow to the limbs.
"Hot yoga is amazing for weight loss, as you sweat like a fiend. Like other yogas, it will build muscle tone [but will also] improve the lymphatic system and flush out toxins. It's amazing for developing equanimity in the face of adversity and obstacles," says Ingber.
Hot yoga goes above and beyond when it comes to relieving stress and building inner confidence. This practice is the true definition of “mind over matter.” The endorphin rush you receive after completing 60- to 90-minute sweat session will leave you feeling like there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.
While I’m a huge fan of hot yoga, there are definitely some precautions you should take in order to stay safe. Read the tips below before turning up the heat in your practice!
1
Stay hydrated
Ingber recommends drinking 2 to 3 liters throughout the day. You will undoubtedly sweat more during these types of classes than in most other forms of exercise, so it’s very easy to become dehydrated. It is extremely important that you drink plenty of water before, during and after your practice.
"Everyone is encouraged to drink at least eight glasses of fluids per day in general," says yoga expert and director of SpaHalekulani, Kamala Nayeli. "When you exercise, this amount should increase by two to three cups. If you raise your core temperature or partake in a hot yoga class, I would [also] recommend including a small dose of salt prior to the class. Or have a natural 'sports drink' that will replenish the sodium you lose when sweating."
2
The rules for eating before hot yoga
It is important to avoid eating too much or too little before participating in a hot yoga class, which can be a tricky task to master. Nayeli suggests avoiding heavy foods, but encourages light snacks before yoga classes to properly fuel your body.
"Fruit, particularly those that have a high water content such as watermelon, or sodium content like bananas [are great to eat before class]," she says. "Dried fruit is good, too (figs, raisins, apricots, etc.). Seeds and nuts are also great. However, I would limit the dairy intake before class."
Ingber agrees and recommends snacks like half a banana, melon or almonds.
3
Listen to your body
It is important not to overexert during hot yoga classes. The warm temperatures and practice of poses can make your body feel looser and more flexible than normal, which can make it easier to pull a muscle. Be mindful of your body and try not to overstretch or push yourself too far when first starting out.
Gradually let yourself experiment with poses as your body adjusts and becomes more accustomed to the atmosphere and workout. If you feel any symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion, poor vision or weakness, stop your practice and immediately leave the room.
"Personally, I do not recommend hot yoga for beginners," says Nayeli. "Rather, it's something to build yourself up to. Every body is different and not always suitable for such an intense workout in such intense heat. I have seen some harsh and concerning reactions in class with people not realizing what to expect, and then they feel they need to 'keep up' with the rest of the class even though their body is saying 'take a break.' "
Ingber says one of her main concerns for hot yogis is the strict guidelines a studio may have about staying in the room. "It's really important to listen to your body more than the teacher."
4
Check with your doctor
If you have any injuries or health concerns, such as diabetes, cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a history of heat-related illness, make sure to get your doctor’s OK before practicing hot yoga.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Michael Wagner Chief Marketing Strategist Vero Beach Fl
Michael Wagner Chief Marketing Strategist Vero Beach Fl 727-557-993
Highly accomplished, visionary executive with proven ability to impact financial, social, and political goals through commitment to global issues, innovation, and diversity. Results-oriented, decisive leader offering 15+ years of success in sales, operations, and marketing. Deliver excellence in execution and developing people, utilizing international / multicultural experience to provide unique perspective and creative solutions, achieving high performance within diverse organizational cultures. Demonstrate rapid advancement based on high performance, with the ability to quickly transfer skills across industries. Self-starter with strong entrepreneurial spirit, high integrity, and solid work ethic; creative, highly analytical, and able to successfully manage multiple concurrent projects with keen attention to detail, excellent organization, and outstanding persuasive skills. Able to skillfully inspire, motivate, and lead teams for consistently winning outcomes.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
The Evolution of Eric Soelstra!!! Miami Heat World Champions
Erik Spoelstra might not get the credit he deserves from those outside the Heat organization, but that might change after he led Miami to its second NBA title in two seasons.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Miami Heat President Pat Riley congratulate each other after winning Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida on Thursday, June 20, 2013.
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BY GEORGE RICHARDS
grichards@MiamiHerald.com
Erik Spoelstra may be 42, but he doesn’t look much different than he did 20 years ago.
Spoelstra, who just completed his fifth season as coach of the Heat, still wears the same kind of things he did back in the 1990s from retro Air Jordans to a gold-toned Casio diving watch complete with a thick black rubber strap.
During Heat practices, Spoelstra isn’t shy about getting out on the court and demonstrating what he’s trying to teach — much like he did as an assistant coach under Stan Van Gundy and Pat Riley during his 30s.
It may be his boyish looks or his good fortune of being the Heat coach when LeBron James and Chris Bosh were lured to Miami to join Dwyane Wade, but Spoelstra doesn’t get the respect other coaches who have won a pair of NBA titles would get.
Perhaps that is changing.
“We used to call him the best young coach in the NBA,” Heat TV voice Eric Reid said at Monday’s rally at AmericanAirlines Arena. “But now, after two straight championships, why don’t we just call him the best coach in the NBA?”
Spoelstra has said he doesn’t care what others outside the Heat organization think of him. Spoelstra has the complete support of Riley and the rest of the Miami front office and, truthfully, that’s all that matters.
If more respect is headed his way, Miami being able to outlast Indiana and San Antonio by winning Game 7s could be a big reason why.
“That’s what competition is about,” Spoelstra said after Miami’s win on Thursday. “I mentioned that all series long. If people say it’s only because of us that we lost or we struggled and we should have had an easier run, that’s not giving any credit to the Indiana Pacers or the Spurs. They were great teams. They were incredible challenges to us that we had to overcome.
“It’s never easy. As tough as last year was, it seemed like this year was even tougher. Particularly these last two rounds.”
One of Spoelstra’s biggest champions — aside from Riley — is former Knicks coach and current ABC/ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
Van Gundy, former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy’s older brother, said in the closing minutes of Thursday’s Game 7 win against San Antonio that Spoelstra was the best coach the Heat had ever had.
A former assistant under Riley with the Knicks, Jeff Van Gundy said Monday he meant no disrespect to the Heat president. But he says he’s not the only one who believes Spoelstra is deserving of that title as the Heat’s best coach.
“I know Pat Riley, have coached for him and competed against him. He’s already a Hall of Fame coach,” Van Gundy said. “But after what Spo has accomplished, I think coach Riley would agree with me. Look at what he’s done. He’s won 11 series in three years, has been to the Finals three straight years and has won back-to-back titles.
“Erik has gotten the most from his talent at hand.”
Spoelstra is a basketball junkie who started working for the Heat 18 years ago as a video coordinator. He spent countless hours going through tape before moving up through the ranks within basketball operations.
Since joining the team, Spoelstra also has been an advance scout and was the director of scouting in charge of getting the Heat prepared for future opponents.
Spoelstra, who coached the Heat’s summer-league team for three years, took over when Riley stepped away from the bench in 2008.
“He had every job imaginable on the basketball side leading into him becoming a head coach,” Jeff Van Gundy said. “That was a great benefit. He was well-prepared when he took over in all facets of the organization and what the job entailed.
“I remember Stan always talking to me about Erik before anyone knew too much about him, always said how good and talented he was. Pat Riley does a great job of picking people before others recognize their greatness. He did it with Erik. He has absolutely fulfilled what Pat saw in him long ago.”
Spoelstra inherited a Miami team that won 15 games in 2007-08 and led it to the biggest improvement in franchise history as the Heat went 43-39 in his rookie season.
The following year, Miami went 47-35. Both years, the Heat got knocked out of the playoffs in the opening round — by Atlanta in 2009 and Boston in 2010.
Jeff Van Gundy credits the job Spoelstra did in his first two years as head coach in Miami for helping Riley sell James and Bosh on joining forces with Wade in 2010.
This year, Miami set a franchise record for wins in a season and had the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.
“I thought the job he did in his first two years [is] as impressive as what he’s done over the past three,” Jeff Van Gundy said.
“He absolutely got the most out of those first two teams as they were playoff contenders. That got the attention of Bosh and James. It opened their eyes as to how things could be if they came down to Miami. That played a big part in them coming. All five of Erik’s years [have] been incredible.”
Things would soon change in the summer of 2010 as expectations were raised. Miami became the most scrutinized team in sports, and some thought Spoelstra wouldn’t survive the storm.
He did.
On Monday, he got to celebrate another title atop a bus on the streets of Miami. Spoelstra did so wearing his Jordans with his championship cap on backward.
“Miami,” Spoelstra said, “knows how to party.”
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl and Palm Beach Gardens Fl
Chief Mortgage Strategist
Spoelstra, who just completed his fifth season as coach of the Heat, still wears the same kind of things he did back in the 1990s from retro Air Jordans to a gold-toned Casio diving watch complete with a thick black rubber strap.
During Heat practices, Spoelstra isn’t shy about getting out on the court and demonstrating what he’s trying to teach — much like he did as an assistant coach under Stan Van Gundy and Pat Riley during his 30s.
It may be his boyish looks or his good fortune of being the Heat coach when LeBron James and Chris Bosh were lured to Miami to join Dwyane Wade, but Spoelstra doesn’t get the respect other coaches who have won a pair of NBA titles would get.
Perhaps that is changing.
“We used to call him the best young coach in the NBA,” Heat TV voice Eric Reid said at Monday’s rally at AmericanAirlines Arena. “But now, after two straight championships, why don’t we just call him the best coach in the NBA?”
Spoelstra has said he doesn’t care what others outside the Heat organization think of him. Spoelstra has the complete support of Riley and the rest of the Miami front office and, truthfully, that’s all that matters.
If more respect is headed his way, Miami being able to outlast Indiana and San Antonio by winning Game 7s could be a big reason why.
“That’s what competition is about,” Spoelstra said after Miami’s win on Thursday. “I mentioned that all series long. If people say it’s only because of us that we lost or we struggled and we should have had an easier run, that’s not giving any credit to the Indiana Pacers or the Spurs. They were great teams. They were incredible challenges to us that we had to overcome.
“It’s never easy. As tough as last year was, it seemed like this year was even tougher. Particularly these last two rounds.”
One of Spoelstra’s biggest champions — aside from Riley — is former Knicks coach and current ABC/ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
Van Gundy, former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy’s older brother, said in the closing minutes of Thursday’s Game 7 win against San Antonio that Spoelstra was the best coach the Heat had ever had.
A former assistant under Riley with the Knicks, Jeff Van Gundy said Monday he meant no disrespect to the Heat president. But he says he’s not the only one who believes Spoelstra is deserving of that title as the Heat’s best coach.
“I know Pat Riley, have coached for him and competed against him. He’s already a Hall of Fame coach,” Van Gundy said. “But after what Spo has accomplished, I think coach Riley would agree with me. Look at what he’s done. He’s won 11 series in three years, has been to the Finals three straight years and has won back-to-back titles.
“Erik has gotten the most from his talent at hand.”
Spoelstra is a basketball junkie who started working for the Heat 18 years ago as a video coordinator. He spent countless hours going through tape before moving up through the ranks within basketball operations.
Since joining the team, Spoelstra also has been an advance scout and was the director of scouting in charge of getting the Heat prepared for future opponents.
Spoelstra, who coached the Heat’s summer-league team for three years, took over when Riley stepped away from the bench in 2008.
“He had every job imaginable on the basketball side leading into him becoming a head coach,” Jeff Van Gundy said. “That was a great benefit. He was well-prepared when he took over in all facets of the organization and what the job entailed.
“I remember Stan always talking to me about Erik before anyone knew too much about him, always said how good and talented he was. Pat Riley does a great job of picking people before others recognize their greatness. He did it with Erik. He has absolutely fulfilled what Pat saw in him long ago.”
Spoelstra inherited a Miami team that won 15 games in 2007-08 and led it to the biggest improvement in franchise history as the Heat went 43-39 in his rookie season.
The following year, Miami went 47-35. Both years, the Heat got knocked out of the playoffs in the opening round — by Atlanta in 2009 and Boston in 2010.
Jeff Van Gundy credits the job Spoelstra did in his first two years as head coach in Miami for helping Riley sell James and Bosh on joining forces with Wade in 2010.
This year, Miami set a franchise record for wins in a season and had the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.
“I thought the job he did in his first two years [is] as impressive as what he’s done over the past three,” Jeff Van Gundy said.
“He absolutely got the most out of those first two teams as they were playoff contenders. That got the attention of Bosh and James. It opened their eyes as to how things could be if they came down to Miami. That played a big part in them coming. All five of Erik’s years [have] been incredible.”
Things would soon change in the summer of 2010 as expectations were raised. Miami became the most scrutinized team in sports, and some thought Spoelstra wouldn’t survive the storm.
He did.
On Monday, he got to celebrate another title atop a bus on the streets of Miami. Spoelstra did so wearing his Jordans with his championship cap on backward.
“Miami,” Spoelstra said, “knows how to party.”
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl and Palm Beach Gardens Fl
Chief Mortgage Strategist
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Dan Le Batard: Not very much — only a little luck — separated Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs - Dan Le Batard - MiamiHerald.com
Dan Le Batard: Not very much — only a little luck — separated Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs - Dan Le Batard - MiamiHerald.com
Duane Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl and Palm Beach Gardens Fl Chief Marketing Strategist
"Michael Wagner"
Duane Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl and Palm Beach Gardens Fl Chief Marketing Strategist
"Michael Wagner"
Friday, June 21, 2013
Duane Michael Wagner Vero Beach and Palm Beach Gardens
Duane Michael Wagner
Vero Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter
Chefe Marketing Officer
Duane Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl, Palm Beach Gardens Fl
NBA FINALS GAME 7 | HEAT 95, SPURS 88
Miami Heat defeats San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 to win second consecutive NBA title
Led by Finals MVP LeBron James, the Heat clinched back-to-back titles to etch a place in South Florida sports history.
Miami Heat fans celebrate the team's championship outside of AmericanAirlines Arena on June 20, 2013.
EMILY MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
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BY JOSEPH GOODMAN
JGOODMAN@MIAMIHERALD.COM
That’s three titles for a town and two crowns for its king.
With a season, a playoffs, an NBA Finals and a Game 7 that will echo for years to come, the Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 on Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena to win its second NBA championship in a row and cap the most exciting two weeks in South Florida sports history.
LeBron James played stunning, brilliant basketball to earn the NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year and Dwyane Wade, who played throughout the playoffs despite knee problems, saved his best for the final game of a grueling postseason. James finished with 37 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, going 12 of 23 from the field, 5 of 10 from three-point range and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line. Wade had 23 points, 10 rebounds and an assist and made 11 of his 21 attempts.
“This team is amazing, and the vision that I had when I decided to come here is all coming true,” James said. “Through adversity, through everything we’ve been through, we’ve been able to persevere and to win back-to-back championships. It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’m happy to be part of such a first-class organization.”
FINALLY, BACK TO BACK WINS
To repeat as champion, the Heat had to win back-to-back games for the first time since Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Miami won Game 7s in back-to-back series, providing South Florida with one of the most exhilarating rides professional sports can offer.
It was the Heat’s first Finals Game 7 in the 25-year history of the franchise and it was a classic. The teams seemed to swap the lead on nearly every possession throughout the third quarter, and the final period provided nail-biting drama until the final minute. Game 7 was tied 11 times and the lead changed hands seven times.
“This was a tremendous game,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It wouldn’t end any other way.”
James, who scored 22 points in the second half, nailed a 19-foot jumper with 27.9 seconds left to give the Heat a 92-88 lead and then, to seal the championship, stole a pass from Manu Ginobili after a timeout. He then made a pair of free throws to kick-start the celebration.
James scored 69 points in the final two games of the Finals and here’s a jaw-dropping statistic: Throughout his career, James has averaged 34.4 points in five career Game 7s.
“He made enough shots to make us change our defense over and over again,” Heat center Tim Duncan said. “We just couldn’t find a way to stop him.”
CHALMERS HITS KEY THREE
Mario Chalmers banked in a long three-pointer at the end of the third quarter to give the Heat a 72-71 lead. From there, the madness began. Consider this for a measure of how crazy Game 7 truly was: Only five players scored for the Heat, yet James, Wade, Chalmers and Shane Battier outscored the Spurs 92-88.
“Shane ain’t hit a shot since I don’t know when and tonight he was unconscious,” Wade said.
Battier, who redeemed himself 1,000 times over for his performance in the Eastern Conference finals, scored 18 points, going 6 of 8 from three-point range. Chalmers had 14 points, and Chris Andersen had three points to round out the uneven scoring. Ray Allen, Mike Miller and Chris Bosh shot 0 of 14 combined.
“It’s better to be timely than good,” Battier said. “I believe in basketball gods and I felt like they owed me big-time.”
For Duncan, the Spurs’ four-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer, it was his first loss in a Finals. He finished with 24 points, going 8 of 18 from the field, but went 2 of 6 in the fourth quarter. As a team, the Spurs shot 30 percent (6 of 20) from the field in the final period.
San Antonio led by three with 46.4 seconds left in the third quarter before Battier tied the score with his fourth three-pointer of the game.
“Game 7 is always going to haunt me,” Duncan said.
A STORYBOOK SEASON
Alongside the 1972 undefeated Dolphins, the 2013 Heat will go down as one of the greatest professional sports teams in South Florida history. The unforgettable run began with a franchise-best 66-win regular season, which included a 27-game winning streak, and ended on a makeshift stage in the middle of AmericanAirlines Arena with Heat owner Micky Arison raising his franchise’s third Larry O’Brien Trophy.
“Go party,” someone screamed into the stage’s microphone to the 19,900 fans in attendance and an entire city watching from homes and parties and bars throughout South Florida.
Thursday night marked the seven-year anniversary of the Heat’s first championship. In that time, Miami has celebrated more NBA titles than any other city. But this party was different. It was ecstasy borne from endurance and wonderment crafted by willpower.
For Heat players, coaches and fans, the back-and-forth nature of the final month of the postseason was a gut-wrenching exercise. Beginning May 22 and not ending until the final game on the last possible day of the postseason, the Heat swapped wins for losses and kept an entire city wrapped in dueling emotional states of despair and joy.
Last year, when the Heat won its first title of the Big 3
Miami Heat defeats San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 to win second consecutive NBA title - Miami Heat - MiamiHerald.com
Miami Heat defeats San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 to win second consecutive NBA title - Miami Heat - MiamiHerald.com
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl, Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens Chief Marketing Officer
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl, Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens Chief Marketing Officer
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Michael Wagner Vero Beach, Fl, Federal Foreclosure Prevention Program Extended
Michael Wagner Vero Beach, Fl Marketing Strategist
Homeowners risk losing tax break to pursue loan modification
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BY KIMBERLY MILLER - PALM BEACH POST STAFF WRITER
Homeowner advocates celebrated last month when a key federal foreclosure prevention program was extended, but the time gain has turned borrowers into unwitting gamblers, forced to chance a loan modification at the risk of losing out on a short sale tax break.
The Obama administration’s Home Affordable Modification Program is now open through 2015, meaning homeowners rushing to negotiate a deal by year’s end have more time. What hasn’t been extended is a law that allows homeowners who short sell their home to exclude the forgiven debt _ usually tens of thousands of dollars _ from their income.
That ends Jan. 1, 2014, and means if borrowers pursue a loan modification and fail, they could face a short sale of their home next year without the benefit of the tax break.
“It’s putting people in a crazy situation,” said attorney Paul Krasker, whose West Palm Beach law firm does foreclosure defense and helps homeowners with loan modifications. “Some people wanting to save their home are actually being forced to do a short sale so they won’t owe the IRS.”
Since 2007, homeowners whose banks have forgiven unpaid mortgage debt after a short sale, principal reduction or foreclosure have not had to count that money as income on their tax returns. Originally set to end in December, the Mortgage Debt Relief Act was extended in a last-minute vote on legislation that averted the worst of the fiscal cliff earlier this year.
With some short sales taking months to complete, Realtors say the decision on whether to put a home on the market needs to be made soon so it can close before the Jan. 1, 2014, tax relief cutoff.
Sherry Lee, broker/owner of Lee Property Sales in West Palm Beach, suggests getting a contract on a short sale by the end of September to meet the deadline. But she has one client who would prefer to keep his home with a loan modification instead of put it on the market as a short sale.
“I told him straight up that he has to do the loan mod right now and get an answer because the only other alternative at that point is short sale and it’s already June,” Lee said. “I can’t tell my clients not to roll the dice, but I have to walk a fine line as far as advice.”
The debt relief act has been particularly helpful to South Florida borrowers who saw their home values plummet 51 percent from the peak of the market in December 2006 to a low point in November 2011, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index. Values have rebounded in recent months and were 43 percent below the peak in March, according to the index.
Under normal circumstances, if a home sells for $150,000 less than what is owed on the mortgage, the borrower would be on the hook for up to $58,500 in taxes, depending on the tax bracket. The debt relief act waives that charge.
“Prices are up so people are closer to getting even and this will be less of an issue,” said Jason Altman, a Boynton Beach accountant who has helped people avoid paying taxes on canceled debt and suggests insolvency as an option to defer phantom income. “This is a problem, but also an opportunity. It’s not the end of the world.”
Not everyone can benefit from the debt relief act. It covers only forgiven debt on principal residences and amounts up to $2 million, or $1 million if married but filing separately.
Krasker said his employees were ecstatic when the Home Affordable Modification Program to reduce monthly loan payments was extended through December 2015 because they were getting nervous about completing clients’ files before the end of the year.
Since the program was announced in 2009, more than 105,000 Florida homeowners, including 46,300 in South Florida, have received permanent mortgage modifications through the program.
But then Krasker realized homeowners would have to make the difficult decision of whether to pursue a loan modification under the threat of missing the tax deadline.
“If they want to continue forward with the modification and take the risk, we tell them that that’s what it is at this point, a risk,” Krasker said.”We hope the (tax break) will be extended, but as of today, it hasn’t.”
The dilemma
While federal loan modification plans have been extended through 2015, a law that waives taxes on forgiven debt expires Jan. 1, 2014. That means a homeowner who holds out for a loan modification, but is unsuccessful, risks having to short sale their home and owing tens of thousands of dollars in taxes on the forgiven debt.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Michael Wagner Vero Beach Fl Marketing Strategist
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Marketers
What does it take for organizations to successfully market their products or services? The truth is that, because every organization is different, a universal answer to that question just doesn’t exist. But marketers will find a few common threads that they can use to become highly effective and, in turn, make their marketing campaigns successful.
Copernicus, a Norwalk, CT-based research-driven marketing consultancy, has decades of experience working with leading brands around the world, closely observing the development and execution of winning campaigns around new products and services.
Based on these many years of behind-the-scenes observations, the firm has determined that marketing success requires a balance of personal judgment and seasoned experience with careful analysis of unimpeachable data. It has pinpointed seven specific habits that highly effective marketers employ to make better, more profitable decisions.
Habit #1: Get Your Bearings
With so much data, so many things changing in marketing, and continued economic uncertainty, it’s very hard for marketers to determine which path will lead to the biggest growth opportunities. In this podcast, Peter Krieg will emphasize setting clear and effective marketing objectives.
Listen to Get Your Bearings
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Habit #2: Challenge Conventional Approaches to Targeting
 Speaker: Eric Paquette, Senior Vice President, Copernicus
With all eyes on marketing’s ROI, identifying the “best” target – the one that will generate the highest return in terms of profits – becomes even more critical to success. Highly effective marketers know that the expanding range of communications options has changed how to assess a customer’s value as part of a market segmentation exercise. In this podcast, Eric Paquette will discuss how marketers can take a profit-directed approach to market segmentation and targeting.
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Habit #3: Take a Stand—Make Your Brand Stand for Something
 Speaker: Kevin Clancy, Chairman and Co-Founder, Copernicus
Some have suggested that in the digital age, it’s not necessary for brands to offer a clear, compelling positioning anymore. Highly effective marketers know that having a strong positioning is more important than ever today. In this podcast, Kevin Clancy will drive home the message that positioning remains the defining element of a successful brand strategy.
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Habit #4: Invest in Early Implementation Planning
 Speaker: Jeff Maloy, Senior Vice President, Copernicus
For all the work that goes into configuring a new product or service and its marketing plan, implementation of a marketing strategy often takes place more or less on the fly, which can lead to weak strategy, shaky execution and poor performance. Highly effective marketers take the time to think through how the organization will translate customer insights into products, services and the marketing mix. In this podcast, Jeff Maloy will suggest how a company can understand the implications of a strategy in terms of innovation, communication, and capabilities to support execution and drive marketing success.
Listen to Invest in Early Implementation Planning
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Habit #5: Select the Most Profitable Product, Not the Most Appealing
Speaker: Eric Paquette, Senior Vice President, Copernicus
Marketers have an uneasy relationship with innovation these days. Everyone knows that they need to maintain a steady stream of new products and/or services to grow. With management expectations for return on investment of innovation efforts at an all-time high, highly effective marketers know they need to get a product and pricing strategy in place that will minimize risk and maximize growth. In this podcast, Eric Paquette will stress maintaining a focus on profitability while using technology to test new product and service concepts.
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Habit #6: Apply Big Picture Shopper Insights All Along the Path to Purchase
 Speaker: Peter Krieg, President & CEO, Copernicus
Many marketers focus their efforts on understanding consumer behavior at “the moment of truth” without maximizing other opportunities to move the customer toward a particular brand. Highly effective marketers identify the critical points in the purchase decision-making process and build communications plans around this knowledge. In this podcast, Peter Krieg will bring a profit-minded perspective to the topic of shopper insights, with a major emphasis on how and when marketers can use shopper insights to make the highest return decisions.
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Habit #7: Embrace a Continuous Improvement Approach to Marketing Planning
Speaker: Jeff Maloy, Senior Vice President, Copernicus
Everyone understands why a marketing plan is important. Yet, building a plan that effectively and efficiently engages and influences your target is often a precarious process. Highly effective marketers treat the marketing plan as a map to the future, which should be fine-tuned pre- and post-launch to realize performance objectives. In this podcast, Jeff Maloy will examine connections between plan inputs and outputs, pinpointing issues in a marketing plan pre- and post-launch; and processing “big data" as part of the plan.
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