Pat’s “Balancing Tips” newsletter has won a  2010 Constant Contact All Star Award for reliability and popularity among readers.

Pat was named a semi-finalist in the most recent “America’s Funniest  Humor!”  Writing Contest, sponsored by HumorPress.com  The column, “I’m Just Not Ready For Thirty,” will be featured in the current online showcase of humor, through February.

The World Laughter Tour has kicked off a “Campaign to Humorize Health Care” by sending an email blast offering 7,000 certified laughter leaders around the world a “Waiting Room Copy” for their doctor’s waiting room if they purchase a copy of the The Dog from WLT’s web site. Steve Wilson, WLT’s “Founder and Cheerman of the Bored,” reported an immediate flurry of orders. No telling where The Dog may turn up!

Professional women in Central Ohio who’d like to find more balance in mid-life transitions, have a new resource:  the Central Ohio Chapter of The Transition Network . TTN,  a non-profit organization based in New York City, provides resources and mutual support for  over-50 professional women experiencing transitions in their careers and personal lives.

Central Ohio’s is the newest local presence for TTN, which also has chapters in New York City, San Francisco, Houston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Members meet regularly for peer group discussions on issues such as retirement (planned and unplanned), health, aging, self-care, eldercare, and ageism in the workplace.

The next Central Ohio Chapter meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, August 24, at the Old Worthington Public Library.  Mary Jo Marraffa, DC, founder and director of the Worthington Wholistic Health Center, will talk about “Taking Care of Your Whole Body. “   There is no charge to attend this brown-bag event, but participants are asked to sign up by Monday, August 17.  Please use the contact form on this site to sign up or ask to be added to the group’s mailing list.