Drive-by balloon animated GIF

I created this animated GIF from video I captured in my car, on my way to work.

The animated GIF above that I designed appeared in the second December 2012 eNewsletter.

You can’t tell – but that’s Steve Lombardi, RE/MAX of Texas Aviation Director, piloting the RE/MAX balloon, as he treated one of our photo contest winners to a ride.

I even added a little holiday message at the end of the GIF, which in the newsletter, linked to a story about our holiday hours.

The animated GIFs – which only work in some email clients, usually mobile clients (Sorry, Outlook desktop users) – are an added feature to the newsletter that I am charged with producing.

 

Jesse Medina receives debt-free home

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Today, I took part in a surprise “Home for the Holidays” celebration event where the Texas Sentinels Foundation handed over the keys to a refurbished home to a wounded Afghanistan veteran.

As the event’s official photographer for the nonprofit organization, I feel honored to be able to help capture this moment in the Jesse Medina family’s life.

The Foundation alerted their family and close friends – and everyone kept the secret.

See more photos on the story, which I also wrote, on the Texas Sentinels Foundation website:

Thanks to Bank of America, Jesse Medina receives debt-free home

 

Here are the first three paragraphs of the story:

Marine Lance Corporal Jesse Medina and his family were surprised today by Bank of America and the Texas Sentinels Foundation with the keys to a debt-free, mortgage-free home in the Northcrest Village subdivision in Spring, Texas.

They thought they were going to a Texas Sentinels Foundation Christmas luncheon. They were — lunch was served — but they didn’t know friends, family and local media would be there to congratulate them on their new home.

The Marine and his wife, Megan, and son, Aidan, received the keys to their new 2,348-square foot, 3-bedroom, 2-1/2-bath home and saw it for the first time after a brief key presentation ceremony.

 

 

RE/MAX Leading Edge now open in Galveston

I wrote the press release about a new RE/MAX office that opened in Galveston.

I then sent the press release to media contacts in the greater Houston region.

The article, “RE/MAX Leading Edge now open in Galveston,” also contains autobiographies of each of the office’s owners that were submitted by them.

The press release was also submitted to RE/MAX media relations and marketing professionals in Denver.

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Here are the first four paragraphs of the press release:

RE/MAX Leading Edge in Galveston opened its doors today for business and is owned by four successful local Galveston resident Realtors. RE/MAX franchise Broker/Owners Kelly KelleyNicki Huprich and Sales Associate/Owners Ryan Moody and Frank Burgy are prepared to meet all of the real estate needs on the Island.

“We’re centrally located on the island and have experience in commercial properties, new developments, condos, residential – the whole gamut of what real estate in Galveston is all about and we plan to serve the entire market,” Burgy said. “When you come off the seawall, we’re the very first real estate office you see, and we’re located on the defining line of the West End of Galveston.”

Located at 3616 7 Mile Road on the edge of the West End of Galveston, the office is highly visible to full time Galveston residents as well as the second home and resort market.

“Who doesn’t want to live near a beach?” asked Moody. “The Texas Gulf Coast offers small hometown living in a resort environment. Galveston is not only a great place to live full time but many Texans find Galveston a great place to own a second home.  Our prices are competitive with other resort markets.  Driving one or two hours to a second home is more desirable than having to fly three to four hours.”