Monthly Newsletter
860-788-3764 jgreen@GBAConnecticut.com
Avoid the “Mousetrap” Mistake When Networking
The following story shows how NOT to network. But
it also proves a point...
The Moustrap (author unknown)
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see
the farmer and his wife open a package. What
food might this contain?” the mouse wondered—he
was devastated to discoverit was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard,the mouse proclaimed
the warning: There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!”
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her
head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave
concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I
cannot be bothered by it.”
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is
a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in
the house!”
The pig sympathized, but said, “I am so very sorry,
Mr.Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but
pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.”
The mouse turned to the cow and said, “There is a
mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in
the house!”
The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you,
but it’s no skin off my nose.”
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down
and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap . . .
alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the
house—like the sound of a mousetrap catching its
January 2010
GBAConnecticut.com
Feature Member
Joe Dattilo, Coldwell Banker
80 Pent Road
Durham, CT 06422
Phone: 203-640-4506
Email: joedatt@gmail.com
Web: www.joedattilo.com
prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was
caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a
venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The
snake bit the farmer’s wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she
returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken
soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard
for the soup’s main ingredient.
But his wife’s sickness continued, so friends and
neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To
feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer’s wife did not get well; she died.
So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had
the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of
them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the
wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a
problem and think it doesn’t concern you, remember
—when one of us is threatened,we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life.We must
keep an eye out for one another and make an extra
effort to encourage one another. REMEMBER...
EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER
PERSON’S TAPESTRY; OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN
TOGETHER FOR A REASON.
One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a
FRIEND.
--Rev. Dan Partiss (My Healthy US) 1
 Why wait to relax, rejuvenate, and let stress work for you? Learn the art of creating healthy relationships. Be inspired to
move to the heart of healing with support, security, and acceptance. Pe rso nal Harmo ny and Health will guide you through a
step-by-step process for success with personalized, interactive, private or small group sessions.
Diane Esposito , is the founder of Personal Harmony and Health LLC and that's just what she helps you bring out in yourself.
She has practiced the Healing Arts for over two decades and offers unconditional love, support, and guidance to integrate the
keys to stress release, relaxation, and rejuvenation. As a certified Usui Reiki Master, Angelspeake™ Facilitator, and Holistic
Coach, Diane shares the secrets to meet challenges and live your best life now. She has been trained in EFT (Emotional Free-
dom Technique), Magnified Healing, and facilitates Guided Meditation groups for all levels of experience. Her degree in Com-
munication Arts enhances her ability to share intuitive, transformational healing gifts with you. Complimentary Aromather-
apy is available to personalize your sessions.
Diane offers offsite Motivational Speaking engagements and classes and maintains her private practice in Wallingford, CT .
She also provides options to receive services by phone or face to face.
Call or email Dia ne to reserve your copy of her upcoming book Play, Heal, Love! The Art of Creating Healthy Relationships
Book I. This unique book is part of a pass-along concept and comes with complimentary access to a powerful, private on-line
journal designed to help expand your healing.

New Reiki Clients:

Reserve your space in her Sat. March 6th Free Reiki Clinic—to include a 20-30 Minute Reiki Session.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS REGISTER: 203-284-1204

Alternate Date; Private Class Upon Request New Clients Call for Complimentary Consult

MONDAYS, 1/25 & 2/22; 6:30-8:30PM 4th THURSDAYS: 6:30–8:30PM

Explore Your Chakras – Le arn to re la te to me s-
sage s o f the aura & 7 ma in c hak ras. D isco ve r ho w to
liste n/re spo nd w/e ase & grace . Inte ractive c lass; no
pre v. e xpe rie nce ne ce ssary. $33 o r $25 Pre pa id/C ls.
2nd TUESDAYS: 6:30-8:00PM
Healing Heart Angels Commu nication –
Le arn to co mmun ica te with o ne ’s ange ls/gu ide s. Re -
ce ive suppo rt, e nco ura ge me nt, gu idance ; Min i-
Re adin gs. $33 o r $25 Pre paid./C lass.
Also 2/18 9:30-11:45 Wallingford Senior Ctr.
60Yrs.+ Ask Diane re: $10 Relaxation/Angel Cls.
2ND WEDNESDAYS & 4th TUESDAYS: 6:30-8:30PM
Healing Heart Angels Guided Meditation
Re lax, Re juve nate , Le t Stre ss Wo rk fo r Yo u! Re le ase
phys ica l/e ne rge tic clutte r, co rde d e ne rgy . Stre ngthe n
se lf e ste e m/attract ab un dance . Easy fit fo r C hakra
Ba lanc ing/ Au ra C le aring. $20 o r $ 15 Pre pa id/C lass.
Also : Mo nda ys: 6 :30-8 :30 in MAR APR MAY Register:
Amity Adult Ed., 25 Newton Rd., Woodbridge (203)
397-4811 x8 Individual; 5, 6, & 11 session classes.
The Art of Creating Healthy Relations hips
– Le arn t he first ste ps to he al cha lle n gin g re latio n-
ships an d pro te ct aga inst e ne rgy dra in ing co nfro nta-
tio ns & tho ughts. Re le ase the nee d to se ttle fo r le ss.
$33 o r $25 Pre pa id.
2ND SATURDAYS: 10-4PM
Reiki I C lass - Le arn to give se lf and o the rs full
Re ik i Se ssio n. He a ling an d Re ik i I Attune me nts, C e r-
tif icatio n, C lass Mate ria ls. 1 Fu ll Day o r 2 Ha lf Da y
o r Eve ning C lasse s.
3RD SATURDAYS: 10-4PM
Reiki II Class – Attune me nts o pe n o ne to In-
cre ase d Ene rgy. Le arn D ista nt He aling, Re ik i S ym-
bo ls. C e rtif icatio ns, C lass mate ria ls . $150 .
4TH SATURDAYS: 10-4PM
Reiki III Class – Le arn to make a C rysta l He alin g
Grid; practice Au ra C le arin g; Re ik i Mo v in g Me dita-
tio n; Maste r S y mbo l Attune me nt, C e rtif icat io n, C lass
mate ria ls & $200 .

2
Winter Safety for Pets
Provided to you by Out of the Dog House Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Winter is a wonderful time if you are an Alaskan Malamute or another of the pet breeds that are more tolerant of
colder temperatures, but most pets need a bit more attention as the mercury drops. Puppies and elderly dogs are
especially vulnerable because they are less efficient at maintaining body temperature, as are dogs with sparse
coats or those that are left outside. Here are some things to which you should pay attention.

Shelter is an especially important consideration: Outdoor pets need one that is large enough to stand up and turn
around in but still small enough to preserve body warmth. Equally important is providing plenty of soft and resilient
insulation such as a heavy bed of straw. Consider replacing outdoor water dishes with ceramic or plastic bowls to
prevent tongues getting stuck to cold metal.

Dogs that use the yard need a way to get to “their” spot.
For shorter dogs, this may mean needing to shovel a
designated potty spot after each snowfall. For all outdoor
animals, there should be clear paths to doors or fences.

Even indoor animals usually spend at least some time

outdoors in winter, and they too face dangers and
inconveniences from the cold. Salt that is used on Personalized at-home care for your pets
sidewalks and road may cause irritation and pets are p
rone to dry, chapped paws. Wipe or wash off paws after Insured and reliable
a walk. Another common problem is frostbite: tissue on
animal’s feet, tail and tips of ears can be exposed to
freezing temps. Frost bitten skin may appear to be gray, Free initial consultation
white or reddish and may peel. Seek medical attention for
pets that have these symptoms. Limit your pet’s exposure No extra fees for additional pets
to freezing temps and remove chunks of snow and ice
from your pet’s body when they come in. 860-838-4269

Lastly, cars can be both a haven and a danger for animals

in winter. Cats sometimes sleep under the hood of a car www.outofthedoghousect.com
or warmth, so make sure you tap or bang on the hood
before starting to avoid injuring one. Even if there are no
outdoor cats in your neighborhood, there may still be s We treat your pets like our own
trays that find a warm engine bay inviting. On the other
hand, a car left alone in the cold can also act as a
refrigerator, trapping a pet in the cold. 3
Working Towards Making '10 a “10”
By Richard A. Marti, Jr
As we kick off this new year Michele Corona and I are
working on some practical, actionable ideas for you to
implement in your business. We hope you will take
action as we work to make '10 a "10”.
In Starting this new year the topic of the last meeting
dealt with the question, "How do we let others know
that each of us is connected to a trusted network of
professionals and service providers." In other words,
how do we get our clients to turn to us and ask, "hey,
do you know anyone who ... Paints, Designs, build
websites, landscapes etc." If we can refer our clients
to trusted sources we create value for our clients, for
the other members of GBA and also build trust and
value for ourselves.
2. By sharing information about you on our site, You
will be exposed to our network and may meet new
clients or other people who will advocate for you.
3. We hope to create an environment that encourages
our readers to ask us to refer a business to them.
We hope that you will take advantage of the resources
that we are building on A Passion for Connection. If
you have any ideas or things that you would like to
learn about, we hope that you will ask us. It will give us
a better feeling of the questions you have and the
struggles you face in your business so that we can
answer them and help you to grow your business in
2010.

In that spirit, we are building a page on "A Passion for
Connection" that will contain links to your websites
while making a commitment to sharing stories of
other members. This should help you, the members
of GBA in a couple of ways:
1. Search engines look at the number of links into
your site as social proof that you are trusted by
others. The more inbound links you have, the higher
your searce engine ranking. ( we hope you will
consider linking to us as well.)
Some other things to note, If you sign up at
/www.YouGottaCall.com we are set up to make a $50
contribution that will go to charity for any clients we
book there.
We are offering a 25% discount to GBA Menbers In
January and February. Combined with a 50% Barter/
50% Cash offer We would like to encourage you to
start early and get 2010 off to a great start. We can be
reached at http://ramartijr.com . Lets make '10 a "10"

Gift Certificates and Special Deals for GBA Members

Patrician's Auto Detailing is offering a full detail service for 100% barter if a GBA member refers ONE cash
customer. (large vehicles only $30 cash) Contact Peter at 315-278-3801 or via email at Patrician.Detailing@gmail.com.

Joe Lavoie of Hold Your Head High Motivational Speaking is offering a 20% commission on the net profit of
any event a GBA member refers him for. Contact Joe via phone at 860-426-1057 or Email
hold_your_head_high@gmail.com.

Out of the Dog House pet sitting and dog walking have made gift certificates available. Each gift certificate is
for one (1) 20-minute visit. Contact GBA to purchase these with barter dollars!

GBA MEMBERS ONLY! Savory Thymes Personal Chef Service is offering 50% cash / 50% barter for your
own personal use on all her services. Chef Ruth wants you to be confident when referring her services.

Joe Dattilo is offering 50% off appraisals of GBA members' homes and free market analysis of any home.
Contact Joe at 203-640-4506 or email: joedatt@gmail.com

Personal Harmony and Health LLC presents a FREE REIKI CLINIC ON SATURDAY, MARCH 6th from
10 am-4 pm. To include a complimentary 20-30 Minute Reiki Session for all NEW REIKI CLIENTS. Call to
Register 203-284-1204. Experience stress release and relaxation and learn how Reiki helps to balance
the Aura and 7 main chakras or energy centers of the body.

Personal Harmony and Health LLC also offers 100% Barter GIFT CERTIFICATES during Jan. Feb. and March.
The desired value may be applied to recipient's choice of Healing Arts Services. See Add On Next Page.

4
 An exclusive offer for GBA members. Work with Malafronte Consulting and James Robert Creative
on your next website project. Combine the talents of two great GBA members. The graphic design of
James Robert Creative to give your site the visual appeal to make you stand out from your competition
and the application and database development of Malafronte Consulting that turns your website into
your 24/7 employee that will give you a competitive advantage over them. Attention to detail,
competitive rates and quick turn around are the cornerstones of our services. Some examples of
functionality you may think of adding
● Ecommerce ● Contact Forms ● Seamless Social Media Integration
● Photo Gallery ● Polls ● Get found on Google
● E-newsletter ● Blogs ● Browser based Content Management
● Calendars ● News Feeds ● Live site statistics and graphs
● Live chat ● Customer Portals ● Mobile Device Integration

Setup a meeting to discuss your next website project this month and we will accept 70% of our fees as
barter and your first year of website and email hosting is free.

Snow Plowing
residential & commercial properties
for the Cromwell, Rocky Hill,
Middletown, Portland areas.

Free Estimates!!!

Fully Insured Company.

Call today before the snow begins.
Early bird specials still available
before first accumulating snowstorm.
Call Today 860-913-4938
Baba Landscaping & Snow
Removal, LLC
Cromwell, CT 06416
5
 “Park”Avenue Living

Maybe you don’t prefer to have your car photographed in your living room today, but maybe you should consider having
other valuable objects photographed throughout your house both for security as well as insurance purposes. Look around
your house, and remember Ben Jordan, Photo Images Co., 860-978-2949, www.photoimagesco.photoreflect.com

It’s another new year and another resolution to lose weight. Right?
Have you thought about NOT dieting and instead eating a little
healthier each day? Savory Thymes can help you. Many people
lose weight when eating my homemade healthy dinners without
even trying! Call 860-613-2464 or visit us on the web:
www.savorythymespcs.com and order today.

Ruth L'Hommedieu
860-613-2464
chefruth@savorythymespcs.com
www.savorythymespcs.com
6
GBA Membership Graphic Design (cont'd)
Peter A. Patrician Design & Illustration
Personal Chef Service
Savory Thymes Personal Chef Service
New Members Listed in Red Contact: Peter Patrician Contact: Ruth L'Hommedieu
Portland, CT 06480 PO Box 1005
Alternative Health/Healing Arts Phone: 315-278-3801 Cromwell, CT 06416
Personal Harmony and Health LLC Email: PPatrician.Design@gmail.com Phone: 860-613-2464
Contact: Diane C. Esposito, RMT/Holistic Coach Email: chefruth@savorythymespcs.com
8 Whispering Pines Drive Health Counseling Web: www.savorythymespcs.com
Wallingford, CT 06492 Healthy Plate Healthy Path
Phone: 203-284-1204 Contact: Amanda Valden, CHHC Pet Sitting and Walking
Email: diane@personalharmonyandhealth.com Colchester, CT 06415 Out of the Dog House
Web: www.personalharmonyandhealth.com Phone: 203-213-4403 Contact: Vicki Moyer
Email: avalden@hotmail.com Middletown, CT 06457
Automotive
Web: www.healthyplatehealthypath.com Phone: 860-838-4269
Patrician's Auto Detailing
Contact: Peter Patrician Email: vicki@outofthedoghousect.com
Health Products Web: www.outofthedoghousect.com
Portland, CT 06480
My Healthy US
Phone: 315-278-3801
Contact: Dan and Aristia Partiss Photographer (Freelance)
Email: Patrician.Detailing@gmail.com
Middletown, CT 06457 Photo Images Co.
Phone: 860-316-5132 Contact: Ben Jordan
Bookkeeping Services
Email: myhealthyus@gmail.com 702-2 Church Street, Newington, CT 06111
Balanced Books by Joe
Web: www.myhealthyus.com Phone: 860-978-2949
Contact: Joe Lavoie
Phone: 860-426-1057 Email: photoi@msn.com
Home Improvement Web: www.photoimagesco.photoreflect.com
Email: Joseph_Lavoie@balancedbooksbyjoe.com
Rich the Rehabber, LLC
Catering Contact: Rich Hart Printing (Commercial)
Request A Chef Middlefield, CT 06455 Thirteenth Floor Graphics and Printing
Contact: Thomas Apgar Phone: 860-575-2589 Contact: Agata Piorkowski
PO Box 504, Tolland, CT 06084 Email: rehabrich@comcast.net 375 Lake Avenue
Phone: 860-760-5990 Web: www.rehabrich.com Bristol, CT 06010
Email: ChefThom@RequestAChef.com Phone: 860-585-7121
Web: www.RequestaChef.com Landscaping, Snow Removal, Lawn Care Email: agata@tfgp.net
Baba Landscaping & Snow Removal, LLC Web: www.tfgp.net
Computers/Networking Contact: Bhupal Baba
Distinctive Computer Solutions, LLC Cromwell, CT 06416 Real Estate Agency
Contact: Sean Rogers Phone: 860-913-4938 Joe Dattilo, Coldwell Banker
298 Cherry Street, New Britain, CT 06051 Email: bhupalbaba@yahoo.com Contact: Joe Dattilo
Phone: 860-237-8346 80 Pent Road
Email: info@dcs-llc.biz Logo Design Durham, CT 06422
Web: www.dcs-llc.biz James Robert Creative Phone: 203-640-4506
Contact: James Robert Valentino Email: joedatt@gmail.com
Computers (Repair) 139 Cedar Ridge Road Web: www.joedattilo.com
Dan LeRoy Newington, CT 06111
Email: danleroy@cox.net Phone: 860-666-0176 Restaurants
Web:www.wix.com/danleroy/danleroy Email: mindsite09@jamesrobertcreative.com Smokin' Rock BBQ
Web: www.jamesrobertcreative.com 944 Cromwell Ave
Email Marketing Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Malafronte Consulting Malafronte Consulting Phone: 860-372-4776
Contact: Paul Malafronte Contact: Paul Malafronte Email: ChefThom@RequestAChef.com
958 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514 958 Dixwell Avenue Web: www.SmokinRockBBQ.com
Phone: 203-843-6657 Hamden, CT 06514
Email: paul@malafrontehosting.com Phone: 203-843-6657 Send Out Cards
Web: www.malafrontehosting.com Email: paul@malafrontehosting.com Malafronte Consulting
Web: www.malafrontehosting.com Contact: Paul Malafronte
Fine Art 958 Dixwell Avenue
Peter A. Patrician Design & Illustration Peter A. Patrician Design & Illustration Hamden, CT 06514
Contact: Peter Patrician Contact: Peter Patrician Phone: 203-843-6657
Portland, CT 06480 Portland, CT 06480 Email: paul@malafrontehosting.com
Phone: 315-278-3801 Phone: 315-278-3801 Web: www.malafrontehosting.com
Email: PPatrician.Design@gmail.com Email: PPatrician.Design@gmail.com

Graphic Design Motivational Speaking

James Robert Creative Hold Your Head High
Contact: James Robert Valentino Contact: Joe Lavoie
Plantsville, CT
Membership List
139 Cedar Ridge Road
Newington, CT 06111 Phone: 860-426-1057 continued on
Email: hold_your_head_high@gmail.com
Phone: 860-666-0176
Email: mindsite09@jamesrobertcreative.com
back page.
Web: www.jamesrobertcreative.com 7
 Signs and Graphics Social Media Marketing (cont'd) Web Design and Hosting
Signs by Tomorrow Curcio Marti Malafronte Consulting
Contact: Tim Keogh Contact: Richard Marti, Jr Contact: Paul Malafronte
21 North Plains Industrial Road, Ste G Cromwell, CT 06416 958 Dixwell Avenue
Wallingford, CT 06492 Phone: 203-599-1903 Hamden, CT 06514
Phone: 203-949-0726 Email: ramartijr@gmail.com Phone: 203-843-6657
Email: timsue.keogh@signsbytomorrow.com Web: www.ramartijr.com Email: paul@malafrontehosting.com
Web: www.signsbytomorrow.com/wallingford Web: www.malafrontehosting.com
Video Production/Cartoon Animation
Social Media Marketing Dan LeRoy Writers
1 Degree LLC Email: danleroy@cox.net Talcott Mountain Media, LLC
Contact: Michele Corona Web: www.wix.com/danleroy/danleroy Contact: Matthew Craver
Middlefield, CT 06455 126 Wadhams Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone: 860-575-7916 Phone: 860-286-0782
Email: mcorona149@gmail.com Email: mcraver@talcottmountainllc.com
Web: www.ramartijr.com Web: www.talcottmountainllc.com

GBA Netwoorking Events Schedule CLASSIFIEDS

zzzz
Thursday, January 21, 2010, 8:00 am
Door Prize Provided by Joe Dattilo SUNNY, WARM Mexico. Now is the time to
TOPIC: HOW TO BECOME A REFERRAL SOURCE go, no crowds and great airfares. Jr. Suite for
FOR CONTACTS AND CLIENTS rent at the luxurious Pueblo Bonito Rose.
Right on the beach - CABO SAN LUCAS -
walk to town, water sports on site. $150/night.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 6:00 pm
Transfer fees included. Great winter getaway -
TOPIC: AVOIDING OPERATIONAL PITFALLS
pick your week. Call 860-613-2464.
Thursday, February 18, 2010, 8:00 am
TOPIC: AVOIDING OPERATIONAL PITFALLS To Place a Classified Ad in Our Next
Newsletter, Please send via Email at
zzzz jgreen@GBAConnecticut.com.
Water's Edge Center for Health and
Rehabilitation, Middletown, CT

This Newsletter Was Printed Courtesy of

Thirteenth Floor Printing and Graphics.

Thank You Very Much!!

Thirteenth Floor Printing and Graphics
375 Lake Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010
Phone: 860-585-7121
Fax: 860-585-7420
Email: agata@tfgp.net
Web: www.tfgp.net

Services Include
Bindery Services, Black and White Duplication, Color Duplicating, Customer Service, Delivery,
Design Services, Finishing Services, Mailing Services, Offset Printing, Pre-Press, Signs

P: 860-788-3764 E: jgreen@GBAConnecticut.com W: GBAConnecticut.com