As you may know, Valentine’s Day has never been a big favorite of mine (although, ironically, I’m looking forward to it this year). I’ve always done my parental duty and helped the kids fill out the little Dora or Power Ranger VDay cards for their classmates. I bought all the heart-shaped candies to fill the dishes. And even donned a red scarf or necklace on that mid-Feb. day. But my cynicism had always gotten the better of me and to all the VDay well-wishers out there, I would simply smile and nod.

So, when I received an email this morning from a dear friend with a subject of  Valentine poem, I have to admit I almost didn’t read it. But I set cynicism aside for a moment and with an open mind, decided to read it and I’m glad I did. Now I am passing the poem on to you to help us all recognize a Valentine is a treasure and treasures trump cynicism any day of the year.

Valentine Treasures

Valentine treasures are people who 

have often crossed your mind,

family, friends and others, too.

who in your life have shined

the warmth of love or a spark of light

that makes you remember them

no matter how long since you’ve actually met,

each one is a luminous gem,

who gleams and glows in your memory,

bringing special pleasures,

and that’s why this Valentine comes to you:

You’re one of those sparkling treasures!

- written by Joann Fuchs

We spoke with February cover girl Michele Jones Galvin about the current magazine issue along with Galvin’s connection to Harriet Tubman.

Galvin and her mother recently completed the novel, “Beyond the Underground: Harriet Tubman, a Heroine,” which takes a rarely talked about look at the historic woman’s life.

Galvin joined us live from the Barnes Hiscock Mansion in Syracuse, which was a stop on the Onondaga Freedom Trail.

To see more photos, check out my Facebook.

Outtake of me clearing the area for the cover shoot of Kim Brown.

As we close 2011, come along on a journey with Today’s CNY Woman and get another glimpse at the amazing women who are making a difference in everything they do.

Photographer Kim Cook takes us through the first year of the magazine in pictures – some of the funny outtakes (see my photo left), glamorous shots, life, style and attitude of the women who call Central New York home.

Remember this is your magazine, a magazine that celebrates you, so enjoy it.

Happy New Year and welcome 2012 – I can’t wait to see what amazing stories we will tell!

The next issue of the magazine marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of the publication. We have been so pleased with the tremendous support and excitement behind us. Thank you all.

To honor the one-year birthday, we’ve decided to do something a little special inside the next issue, but I won’t spoil the surprise, you’ll have to pick it up on newsstands in a few weeks or so.

As I stated in an earlier post, my new year’s resolution is to work more on my social media presence. One of the professional social media outlets I utilize is LinkedIn. Part of LinkedIn includes a place for colleagues to write recommendations on you and your work, etc. I was more than honored and flattered when I read the recommendation by Kathy Dwyer, owner of TAG Group, and wanted to share it with you (a great way to start the new year):

“A really great publication only gets that way if it has a really great person – make that WOMAN – at the helm. Today’s CNY Woman is a wonderful new publication that I absolutely love to read – and even had the pleasure of penning an article for. The secret to its success is Cammi. She knows what her audience wants, knows how to find great stories, knows how to create excitement, and knows how to maximum brand potential and customer loyalty. Today’s CNY Woman is so much more than a magazine. It’s a year-round experience for area women. It builds relationships with us through special events, social media, contests, sponsorship of community events and so many other things. And at the heart of each of these initiatives is Cammi. Any organization would benefit from her creativity, savvy, talent, know-how and endless supply of energy. You go girl!”

You see, she has a hobby (a very expensive hobby). At age 12, she is already tapping into her creative side and creating pictures and videos that are really pretty cool. Check out MissBrianna818 on youtube.com. She shoots her own footage, does her own edits using Final Cut Pro and has become quite the little social media guru to self-promote her work. 

And while she just does it for fun, there’s a very special gift she’s hoping Santa brings her under the tree that will help make her “stuff better” – the Nikon D7000. (And no, I’m not getting any kickback for promoting Nikon.)

So c’mon Santa, only two more days.  :)

This year has been a whirlwind with founding Today’s CNY Woman magazine, which celebrates one year in February.

The magazine has become a force to be reckoned with here and Central New York and beyond. We’ve featured some amazing women including Amy Robbins, 93q radio personality; Aminy Audi, owner of Stickley furniture; Beezie Maaden and Erin Hamlin, both Olympic gold medalists; Chris Xaver, of The Sweet Life; Kaylea Nixon, Channel 9 News anchor; Carol Baldwin and many, many more. 

Someone asked me recently if I thought I would some day run out of women’s stories to tell. NEVER! Every woman, no matter age, socio economic status, job, etc., has a unique story behind her. And I’m dedicated to telling those stories of the strong women who inspire, lead, support and teach; the ones who  laugh and cry with me; and  sometimes and even tho ones who might sometimes get on my last nerve. So sit back and enjoy the read.

By the way, my son, Joshua, is currently spending a year abroad as a foreign exchange student in Germany. Stay tuned for lots of updates and photos coming in March when I go visit him and the two of us set off on our own adventure around Europe.

In January 2010, my dear friend’s father, Frank Wlosinski of Camillus, wandered on foot away from his daughter’s home. Months later, when the snow began to thaw, he was found dead.

Wlosinski suffered from Alheimer’s disease. In fact he is one of more than 5 million Americans who have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this devastating disease.

This year, to help those affected by Alzheimers, Im participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimers to raise funds and awareness.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research, and funds I raise will go directly toward supporting their efforts.

I know I can make a difference with your support! Will you consider making a donation? Its easy to give online by following the link below.

The end of Alzheimers starts here with a gift from you. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Alzheimer’s Association Central New York Chapter

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Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste the following into your browser:

http://walktoendalz.kintera.org/syracuse/cammiclark?faf=1&e=4820281356

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Cammi Clark

Amy Robbins of 93Q radio station, dons the cover of the inaugural issue of Today's CNY Woman magazine.

Finally, the debut issue of Today’s CNY Woman is online for all to view.

This is your magazine that highlights the amazing and extraordinary things that Central New York women and doing and offers professional advice from other women int he greater Syracuse area who live, work and play here in the center of New York state.

The print version will be on newsstands very soon. You’ll be able to pick up your FREE copy at places like Wegmans, Tops, doctors offices and several other places that women frequent.

In addition, more than 12,000 copies will be mailed directly to homes in and around Central New York.

But don’t worry if you don’t get one in the mail or they’ve all been snatched off the news stand before you get there. Just sign up on our website for your free e-subscription to the magazine and voila! You will automatically get an email every month with a link that takes you directly to the online version of the magazine so you’ll never miss an issue! 

But right now, go check her out now online at www.todayscnywoman.com

I am so proud of my entire staff for pouring their hearts and souls into making this magazine a huuuuge success. They make this magazine what it is!

Now, only one more step to go to finalize the launch. We are hosting a kick-off gala event next week, which I’m super excited about. I will have tons of photos from the event to share and you finally have YOUR magazine!!

Cammi   :)

Central New York Woman magazine's Facebook/Twitter logo

The magazine, called Central New York Woman, is an upscale magazine with a distribution of more than 20,000. Of that, 12,000 will be mailed directly to CNY homes and the other 8,000 will be dropped on newsstands in and around CNY.
CNY Woman has her own website at www.cnywoman.com where you can sign up for a free electronic subscription to the magazine. She is also on Facebook where you can go and “like her” as well as follow her on Twitter.
This is very excited news and I’m sharing with you and I want you all to be a part of it. So contact me with any questions, comments, etc. I’d love to hear from you.
Oh, and I plan to keep you all updated sooner than another six months. lol
Thanks for reading.
Cammi