We're off to the Caribbean Sunday! I can't believe it's already here, time seems to be flying by. Since Eric and I will be teaching on this cruise, there will be NO CLASSES for our students next week, November 10-14. Our classes will start again the week of November 17-21 at Avant Garde Ballroom in Newport Beach, CA.

As some of you may not know, Jack Bridges, founder and owner of the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships, passed away October 11th from inoperable cancer. We were at Boogie by the Bay, a dance competition, and everyone in the ballroom danced to "Fly Me to the Moon" in memory and tribute to Jack. The last time I talked to him was at Jack 'n' Jill Orama in June and for the first time in all the years I've known him and MaryAnn, he was dancing! I'll always remember him standing so tall in his white suit at the U.S. Open, even through controversy, with his pillar of strength, his wife MaryAnn, always there by his side (she's 4'11'', he was over 6' tall). Sending our deepest sympathy and love to MaryAnn and their family, we will miss him, too.

With gold chocolate coins scattered around the room, stars brightly shining, balloons all around, and looking on the brighter side of things, thank you everyone who came to our "Optimistic" October dance party, it was great! Also Marcus, Joe and Eric came all the way from Boston on their way to BBB and Tina & Terry came from the WCSDC. Thanks to those who donated prizes to our raffle. John Wheaton donated a ticket to his SwingThing Thursday night dance, Laura & Dale donated their Shoe Dazzlers, and Jack donated a year's membership to OCWCSDC and passes to OCWCSDC weekly dance. Thank you Jamie for your great brownies, and as always thank you Aaron & Lynda, Jessica, Joshua, Matthew & Rachel, Eric, Bev, JoAnn, Carolyn, Jasmin & Tim, Jimmy, Jack and Andre for your time and help, with my flyers and running the parties. I really appreciate it.

Thank you all who came to Tia Juana's and joined us for another great "Dance Night Out." We're going to be there twice a month, but we'll be on the cruise the second Tuesday of this month, so maybe the third and fourth Tuesdays in November. Watch for reminders or updates by email and if you'd like to be added to my email list, you can either sign up at our website:
www.Dance-Today.com or email me at Lisa@Dance-Today.com. I mail out usually once a month so if you'd rather receive these flyers and reminders by email, sign up or email me.

October is when we have our fires here in Southern California, and this year was the worst we've had in over fifty years. Many of us knew someone affected by the fires and I pray all of you are safe and tragedy did not fall upon you. Prayers are extended to those who lost their lives, homes and businesses to these fires, which spread so quickly and so out of our control. Some of you got sick from respiratory problems relating to the smoke-filled air. If you can, reach out and help those who need help from these fires and take care of you too.

Have you ever stopped to think how light your spirit is when you're optimistic and feeling great and it's heaviness when you're not having the best of days? We all have them, whether you're young or not, it's part of life, what God throws our way to see how we handle it…and usually when we least expect it. In our mind we may logically know what needs to be done, and sometimes it's hard to get going, get pumped, make it happen (as Jer puts it). I've had my share and I know there's more to come. I'm blessed to have my family, friends and Jer in my life and a great role model, my Mom, who raised seven of us as a single parent. I was a single parent with only two sons and it was hard. Whether it's a divorce, a death of a loved one, an accident, a break-up, a major crisis or catastrophe, we who are here need to keep going. Some things come to us as a sign, a warning, some listen, and others don't. It may be a change in your life you may not see, yet given some time, worth looking at, maybe for the better. Brush up on those skills or learn new ones and more about yourself, after all, it was only our parents who thought we were perfect :). Try to stay focused and go for your dream. And if that one gets shattered, like the saying goes, "Pick yourself up (help is allowed), dust yourself off (dry your eyes), and start again (use your resources that you already have, network with family & friends), and you'll come out shining. Keep going, don't give up, you can do it, and everyday smile, tell yourself you're a great person and you're where you're suppose to be, here.

Archie & Melanie Dawson are blessed with their new son Jesse and Stan and Denise were married in August. Congratulations to you all!! New beginnings always bring a smile. Your health with great nutrition is very important also. Call me at 714-330-3689 and let me help you with Herbalife, you'll feel better and have more energy with good nutrition. The holidays are approaching and gift certificates make great and easy gifts too.

See you next month at our…
Decadent December party & dance Saturday, December 13, 2003