I’ll have to admit to a bit of prejudice about both the writer and the subject of this book. Mama Pajama is a real Whippet that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. She’s a Whippet whose heart is huge and whose will is made of iron. She’s  a credit to her breed in many, many ways. Patience Renzulli is a writer of great talent who is sure to charm you as well as entertain.

Mama Pajama Tells a Story is a collection of short stories and poems by Patience Renzulli. While Mama Pajama features in many of them, she’s not the only subject of the stories. Mama Pajama is one of the gaggle of eight owned and loved by Patience and Bill. Patience possesses this uncanny ability to do scrapbooking with words while husband Bill, talented artist that he is, provides the unique and charming illustrations that are sprinkled liberally throughout the book.

You will laugh uninhibitedly at the tales of Patience and Bill and the Warburton Whippets. You’ll know each and every one of these wonderful hounds by page 10 and have tears rolling by page 110.

Even if you’re not a dog lover in particular, Patience’s stories and poems carry charm, wit, and even a little bit of teachings in how to be a better person.

Mama Pajama Tells a Story by Patience Renzulli
Illustrated by William F Renzulli
Published by Author House 2007
ISBN:978-1-4343-0624-1

If you have any animal be it bird, fish, dog, cat or lizard, you can benefit from this book. Learning how to motivate a creature whose ability to communicate with you is by virtue of body language is a challenge many of us can’t meet. Clicker Training for Birds will give you the tools by which to change unwanted behaviors, teach new behaviors and create a bond between you and your pet that transcends anything you’ve ever imagined.

There are no electronics used by the trainers in this book. A simple “cricket” or clicker and a target stick are the only tools you need until you begin to add props in your training regime. For motivation, you can use food or toys along with verbal praise.

I’ve had several people dismiss the effectiveness of this training, but I know from personal experience that it really works!

Trainers at wild animal parks, zoos and other places like Busch Gardens use these exact methods to train the animals you see in their shows. It’s easy to learn and you will be totally surprised by how effective a training method this is.

You may also discover that these methods work on your children, your spouse, your boss and co-workers as well! I invite you to watch the video below to see what I’ve accomplished by using clicker training methods learned from this book in training my Congo African Grey Parrot, Riley.

Clicker Training for Birds by Melissa Johnson
published by Sunshine Books, Inc. 2004
ISBN:1-890948-15-2

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has sponsored one of the first books to explain the business of digital signage. Out-of-home digital displays offer a powerful extension of or a cost-effective alternative to television advertising.

The greatest benefit is in the degree to which “Digital Signage: Software, Networks, Advertising, and Displays: A Primer for Understanding the Business” (NAB Executive Technology Briefings) by Jimmy Schaeffler, describes digital signage. Also beneficial are explanations on how it fits into the marketing and communications mix, and what to consider when investing, deploying or using this medium.
Also referred to as “dynamic display”, “retail TV”, “narrowcasting” or “electronic signage”, digital signage has accelerating momentum as a powerful marketing, staff and patron communications instrument.
The book describes various business models for digital signage in a wide range of applications including retail, transportation, hospitality, banking, education, automotive, houses of worship, medical, consumer services and staff, visitor and patron communications. It also references deployments around the world with a focus on North America, Asia, Europe and South America.
The history and emergence of digital signage are addressed by reflecting on the use of videotape runway shows used by New York fashion houses in the late 70’s. The current state of deployments and ad spending presented in the early chapters help to clarify the megatrend toward out-of-home dynamic display.

The characteristics and inherent capabilities of digital signage are well articulated, along with trends and key reasons that are driving the exponential growth of digital signage.

Digital Signage: Software, Networks, Advertising, and Displays: A Primer for Understanding the Business” (NAB Executive Technology Briefings) by Jimmy Schaeffler
Published by Focal Press April 10, 2008
ISBN 978-0-240-81041-6