EESN Participates in Broadway Armory Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Events

 Below: EESN's co-founder, Valerie A. Fulbright, gives Broadway Armory Director, Nick Bojko, a free chair massage.

EESN was in full force at the Broadway Armory's ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning in celebration of the Abbott Fund's grant of $100,000 to the Parkway Foundation.

The Parkway Foundation forked over the generous gift to the Broadway Armory which in turn used the funds to purchase brand new state-of-the-art fitness technology for both its youth and adult patrons.  The new equipment included stationary exercise bikes that control video game consoles.  These were a big hit among the kids as it allowed them to forget about the fact that they were exercising in the heat of competing against other bikers.  Another favorite were the new dance revolution pads in which players have to match their footsteps with those displayed on the screen.

Abbott Laboratories used today's ribbon-cutting event to kickoff their new wellness initiative.  The Broadway Armory is its 1st Wellness Demonstration Program and acts as a model for the whole Chicago Park District.  The new equipment was set up and made available for the 2008 Summer Day Camp participants to test out in the main gym of the Armory.  The park kids, aged six to twelve, also enjoyed a rock-climbing wall, giant inflatable slide and a sportwall exergame in which much energy is burned trying to hit colorful circles as they light up on four different eight-foot panels.

EESN co-founders Valerie and Niquenya Fulbright were invited to participate in the festivities as local community representatives.  Valerie gave free 10-minute chair massages and Niquenya operated a display booth offering stress management tips and featuring life coaching services.  Colleen Lammel Harmon of the Mayor's Fitness Council (Chicago Works Out) was also on hand to offer nutritional snack information and a bountiful selection of organic oranges and grapes.

Others in attendance included State Representative Harry Osterman, 48th Ward Alderwoman Mary Ann Smith and Terry Mason, MD. Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Health.

News & Updates May 2008

Hello again,

It has been awhile since we have updated our constituents on current happenings with EESN's status and course offerings. Unfortunately many issues have arisen in the past year that caused our founders to place EESN plans on hold. Don't despair, we are back at it again.

We are working diligently to complete the strategic plan to finish out the decade through to the end of 2010.  In the meantime, EESN is seeking to recruit 10 new board members to add to its existing five so that we may extend our areas of competency where needed and eventually branch out into working committees.  This will be important as EESN begins to fill its mission among its various service offerings.  We plan to conduct an open board meeting within the next two months at which prospective board members may attend and submit application.  If you are interested in joining EESN's board of directors, please forward a resume/CV to info@eesn.org with "Board Applicant" in the header.

EESN is still pending its 501c(3) and accreditation status. Funding has been the primary roadblock. Fees associated include a $500 state accreditation fee to offer continuing education units and a $750 federal filing fee for the nonprofit status application.  After other expenses (including legal counsel), EESN only has $400 of these fees.  Donations would be greatly appreciated from anyone interested in supporting our cause.

Additionally, EESN is seeking a temporary location to begin operations.  Physical space needs include: reception area, 2 offices, a meeting room, 1-2 classrooms, 2-5 treatment rooms and a kitchen area.  A shower room and open gym area are also desired but not required.  If you know of a northside space that may fit these criteria (for lease or purchase), please let us know.  Remember, we intend to keep whatever space we eventually make home as green as possible.

If you have ideas for EESN's direction or can provide resources to fill any of these needs, by all means please forward your information to info@eesn.org.  We would also like to hear from you if you are a student or graduate of cosmetology, esthetics or massage therapy and want to stay informed of upcoming class schedules and events.

To your success!

Healthy Living Festival - Evanston
Topic: Events
Founders Valerie and Niquenya Fulbright were at it again this weekend. They each participated as vendors in the annual Healthy Living Festival in Evanston, IL on Saturday, April 28, 2007.

Valerie offered tastes of Ninxia Red and Young Living Essential oils in natural spring water for all to taste. Niquenya offered complimentary coaching sessions and collected funds for EESN's participation in the American Cancer Society's Walk & Roll on Sunday, May 20, 2007.

The event was set up pretty well and there seemed to be a steady stream of attendees although not as many as was expected. There were a hosts of alternative products, services and faith healers present including a Reiki master, a massage therapist, an animal communicator and a tarot card reader. There was even a guitarist and a Shamanic singer. The hit of the event was the tasty vegan meals offered by the Wild Tree Cafe. The event opened with a group meditation to invite positive energy into the room.

Overall, it was an interesting experience but EESN is unsure of future participation at this time.

Green Day
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Events
This past weekend, founders Valerie and Niquenya Fulbright, took a trip to the McCormick Place to attend the annual Green Day Festival. The festival featured a number of vendors educating the public on products and services that are available to promote sustainability of natural resources both at home and at work.

EESN's proud founders collected as much information as possible as it is their intention to make EESN a completely green business. EESN is planned to incorporate bamboo furnishings, recycled paper and hemp linens. "We would even like to obtain tiling made from recycled plastic bottles such as what was aired on NBC's Good Morning America last week", the founders claim.

If you have any comments or suggestions about this vision, please forward them to info@eesn.org.

EESN Board of Directors is Now Complete
Topic: News & Updates
EESN has finally completed selection of its board members. The newly appointed member list is as follows:

Valerie A. Fulbright - President
Niquenya D. Fulbright - Vice-President
Monica F. Giles - Treasurer
Valerie A. Beale - Adjunct Member
Dr. Jeremy Weisz - Adjunct Member

Each board member's photo and bio will be included on the "About EESN" page so stay tuned for updates. The board will meet monthly for approximately one hour starting in May or June. The position of Secretary is still open and will be filled by the Executive Assistant when hired. In the meantime, Niquenya D. Fulbright will cover the duties of taking minutes. The next step is to complete 501(c)3 application and to begin filing grant application to secure a space.

Please offer any comments, suggestions and congratulations to info@eesn.org.