Category Archives: Reviews

Google Fiber to Leawood, KS

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the google fiber rabbitWe have very exciting news for Leawood, KS residents: Monday night (August 19th, 2013), the City Council for Leawood, KS voted to bring Google Fiber to town. An announcement was made to this effect on the Google Fiber blog by Rachel Hack, Google Fiber Community Manager. This comes quickly after the recent announcement on August 5th that Google Fiber will be coming for Prairie Village, Kansas as well.

This is wonderful and exciting news!

In a previous post(7/26) about the need for the remaining communities in the greater Kansas City area to ‘get on board’, I lamented the delay of a handful of cities to approve Google Fiber. Now there are only a few more communities in the are to go, namely:

  • Overland Park, KS
  • Independence, MO
  • Lenexa, KS

Come on City Council members, please release your residents from ‘Technological Limbo’. Google Fiber is one of the most exciting things to ever happen to the greater KC area, and it isn’t fair to your residents to continue delaying the vote. Please put politics aside and place progress at the forefront.

The future is now, why on Earth would you delay?

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Skin Care by MedCosmetic “The finest Medical Aesthetics clinic in Kansas City and the Midwest”

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Skin Care by MedCosmetic

A review of the Medical Aesthetics clinic at Mirabile M.D. Beauty, Health & Wellness.

Expertise is a wonderful thing, and more so as the product of a professional that has devoted themselves to not only completely understanding their line of work, products and services – but that has spent over a decade as an industry pioneer and leading expert in their field teaching other industry professionals. THAT is impressive in any industry. When it comes to the Medical industry? Wow!"Beauty, inside and out"

Such is MedCosmetic by Mirabile M.D. Beauty, Health and Wellness – a new client that I am very excited to have as a member at www.myjoecard.com (anytime we get to add an industry leader and pioneer it is cause for celebration. Dr. Mirabile decided to celebrate by extending a few great offers through MyJoeCard.Com!

  1. Receive $50 OFF any laser treatment w/ MyJoeCard* (good for any laser treatment of $90 or more, cannot be combined with other offers, call for details), Expires 6/28/13.
  2. Save $50 off Medi-Weightloss: Receive $50 OFF your First Visit to Medi-Weightloss Clinics® w/ MyJoeCard* (cannot be combined w/ other offers, call for details), Expires 6/28/13.
  3. Stop in today and get a Free MyJoeCard at our offices at I-435 & Roe! (see map below)

Meet Dr. James Mirabile

If you’re looking for a quality skin care clinic in Kansas City that treats just about every skin type or condition AND that offers the latest techniques in non-surgical skin care – then you should make an appointment with Mirabile M.D. MedCosmetic in Overland Park. Aesthetics Pioneer, Dr. James Mirabile is MedCosmetic’s founder (1999) and on-site Medical Director.

How good is Dr. Mirabile? What does this experience mean to you?

  1. Quality,
  2. Effective treatments, and
  3. Peace of mind.

Not only is Dr. Mirabile a local skin care industry leader, but also a noted expert on laser treatments – providing training for doctors and medical professionals on a national level.  An invited lecturer and instructor, Dr. Mirabile is renowned for his expertise in the industry – overseeing the incorporation of non-surgical aesthetics into the practices of medical offices around the country.

At MedCosmetic you are welcomed into the most capable and caring of environments boasting an experienced and highly-trained staff (Registered Nurses and Licensed Aestheticians).

Medical Aesthetics (List of Services)

MedCosmetic takes pride in providing results-oriented treatment plans, offering a full suite of skin care services:

  1. Botox & Dysport
  2. Facials & Chemical Peels
  3. HydraFacial MD
  4. Laser Hair Removal
  5. Active FX Laser
  6. Venus Microlaser Peel
  7. Aura & Lyra Laser
  8. Dermal Fillers
  9. Body Contouring/VelaShape II
  10. Reveal® Imager, and more

Location: Kansas City

Serving Kansas City from their first floor offices at the SE corner of I-453 & Roe. Address is 4550 W. 109th Street, Suite 130 in Overland Park, KS – MedCosmetic is an integrated part of Mirabile M.D. Beauty, Health and Wellness.

Beauty, Botox, Health & Wellness at I-435 & Roe

Mirabile M.D.’s approach is to treat the whole person – inside as outside. Providing Botox and other leading medical aesthetics treatments, Mirabile M.D. also offers patients a synergistic approach to weight loss, bio-identical hormone therapy and gynecological treatment. We understand that depression, hormone deficiency, migraines or weight issues can be as debilitating as acne, unsightly hair growth, rosacea or wrinkles.

“Your one-stop shop for total wellness.”

With a goal of providing patients with beauty, health and wellness, Mirabile M.D. understands the importance of other factors that affect clients (I.e. weight issues, hormone deficiency, depression, migraine headaches) – and how they can not only impact aesthetics challenges (I.e. wrinkles, rosacea, acne, et al.) but be debilitating in their own right.

If you are ready to experience the finest in Medical Aesthetics, then call Mirabile M.D. now to reserve time for a consultation.

Beauty, Health & Wellness913-888-7546

I thought to include a couple of testimonials in this review (especially the links below to two of the video testimonials).

“Having a doctor on-site was really key in why I selected Mirabile M.D. MedCosmetic to do any procedures.”Kelly Krehbiel, Kansas City

“I work with 20 year olds, my whole staff are in their 20’s and I always feel like the old man. Being a guy walking into a med spa I was a little nervous because I thought it might be a girly place, but I was really surprised that it was gender neutral and I felt really comfortable.” – Jerry Jackson, Kansas City
 

Please welcome MedCosmetic to our network. Mirabile M.D. Beauty, Health & Wellness is “Your one-stop shop for total wellness” and their Overland Park location (see map above) is a CardCenter for MyJoeCards! Please stop in and pick up a card for free (just ask!).

 

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Defining the Future – Kansas City’s Opportunity

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Dear People and Companies of the World,

Young and old, big and small – the future is ready, are you? It spreads in the daring minds of pioneers. Architects of the future are now increasingly valued in the World – more than at any time in recent memory. Those minds are being encouraged and fed greater resources.

Resources to build, room to dream, frontiers to conquer, sails to set and horizons to eye.

It is happening.

Today, explorers and adventurers have the ‘royal ear’ and the New World is here once again. It is our same old World seen through transformative eyes . . .

New Kansas City, New Austin soon.

What will we call that place on the slopes? New Provo sounds nice!

Google is sending out the fearless, the bold, and are planting flags of the future in the Heart of America. A new product launching called Google Fiber – and running glass – fiber optic cable, to connect the World in ways in which we should have already been connected. As daring and bold as it is, what we are seeing is merely the groundwork for what is to come – people connecting, sharing, building new things – better things for a better tomorrow.

Ford, Chevy, Sony, Microsoft, Apple and Small Businesses – there are new ‘roads’ being built for your products and services. Get off your laurels – the time to act is now – and ever now.

Kansas City Areas Eligible for Google Fiber (as of 05/08/2013).

The only foes in this bright and exciting New World are those keepers of the old order – fat, complacent cats dining on old hoarded cheese. The Fiberbahn is being built, line-by-line, street-by-street, pole-by-pole, city-by-city, and mind-by-mind. When someone jumps in to build a better World, a better way – open your mind and wallet and get on board. Buy-in and build.

Enjoy being part of building and creating the new and improved – FOR REAL.

Don’t think 20% better, or twice as good . . . .

Think 100 Times – Faster, More Powerful. The old ISP and cable feudal lords know that the ‘gig is up’. Sad that someone entirely outside the industry had to come in and build a platform for the future – but there is much excitement, because a fiber-optic network is finally underway. The clamor for Google Fiber is resounding throughout our land – ask any city leader about the calls and emails that they get, saying “Can we get it? When can we get it??!”.

Indeed. Thank you, Google for having the vision and guts to begin building what will hopefully grow into a nationwide fiber-optic network. And thank you for choosing Kansas City as your first market.

The light is shining, the future is here – and it is double-parked . . . Let’s Go! Envision how our bright future will look and help build it.

There are no monsters in the uncharted waters. The Earth is not flat. The waters of the oceans don’t spill off the edge of the map into oblivion.

There are new vistas to behold, new ground to break – and it is all around you as far as you can see – wherever you are.

I see the pioneers of today building the World that they want to live in. Bob Bigelow is building a fleet for travel into space with plans for a lunar settlement and he is making progress. Ree Drummond, ‘The Pioneer Woman’ (and dear friend) has built a fairytale into a televised, and best-selling reality in Pawhuska, Oklahoma! I can’t wait to dine at her new restaurant that is in the works (from what a little bird told me).

I LOVE Ree, she calls me 'Josefus'!
I LOVE Ree, she calls me ‘Josefus’!

Google is laying a fiber optic network which will transform the way we live in ways that we are just now starting to imagine – and providing tools and opportunity – necessary means for us, our children and the leaders of tomorrow in America – to employ.

Build the future, think of ONE HUNDRED TIMES . . . Bigger, Better, Stronger, Faster.

Be part of a New Renaissance of all communications, commerce, products, services and their exponential impact of their application.

Leave complacency behind – on the couch, in the cubicle. Re-think goals, dare to dream ‘What if?’ and put on your running shoes and join in.

I’ll see you on the frontier.

– Joe

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Who to call with an electrical problem? In Overland Park (and JoCo) it’s an easy decision 24/7.

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I’ve picked up my horn. Not the French Horn, but the Bullhorn.

It is tough to find competent, experienced contractors that are also honest with needed repairs and reasonable in price. I mean, we all have to keep the lights on in business – so to speak – but it is nice to find a hard-working pro that comes out and meets you face-to-face for an estimate and who has a genuine interest in solving your problem to your satisfaction.

Our choice of electricians in Overland Park, KS is (drum roll please):

All Tech Electric & Contacting LLC

6400 W. 110th St.
Overland Park, KS 66211 **Get MyJoeCard Here**

913-963-1116
Hours: 24/7 *Emergency Electrical Repair Service*

Electrician near Kansas City - 24 hours a day

They’ve also got a pretty sweet deal going with www.myjoecard.com:

Save $25 off 1st Service w/ MyJoeCard!

The rest of the ‘blurb’ at the website hits the main points:

  1. Call a quality, experienced electrician (30+ years) that will personally meet you for any consultation and estimates, and supervise every project on site.
  2. No extra charge for evening or weekend service.
  3. Punctual, Professional, Honest and Reliable.
  4. Licensed, Bonded & Insured.
  5. Call 24/7.
  6. Emergency service available in Kansas City.
  7. No job too small!

All Tech Electric and Contracting in Overland Park, KS (Video)

All Tech’s personnel of Master Electricians are top-notch, friendly, professional and very social. If you check their Facebook page, you’re likely to end up at a local commerce/business shindig with pizza, strawberries and the world’s best chocolate cookies (guilty!).

Their excellent location near College Blvd and Nall ensures quick service to surrounding areas in Leawood, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Lenexa and Kansas City.

All-Tech Electric & Contacting provides both residential and commercial services in the greater Kansas City area. Expect accurate diagnoses of electrical problems, and performance of quality work for all electrical repair service (I.e. switches, outlets, service panels, upgrading of electrical wiring, GFCI, emergency backup generators, etc.). With that service you also receive a 1 Year Parts Warranty.

A team of licensed master electricians handles all projects and service calls. Want to know more about how their team repairs switches / outlets, ensures safety and protection, solves electrical service panel issues and performs wiring upgrades? Visit their site at: www.kansas-electrician.com.

Don’t forget to mention MyJoeCard for your $25 off 1st Service special!

– Joe

 

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Google Fiber - THANK YOU

Fire Up A Torch. Light Up The Sky.

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Google Fiber - THANK YOUMy friends, there is a coming superstorm. Not a bad one, but a good one. An EXCELLENT one.

One that we will build (and in some cases are building, and have been working toward).

We have a World that is in flux in many ways – which is alarming, in that we have been sedentary for decades (centuries?). Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ was dispelled by global growth – a lack of question marks on the map – and more importantly, a lack of querying in our minds. The old ‘it’s all been done’, ‘I can’t make a difference’, ‘what can I do?’ fears and excuses are sad comforts that are easily cultivated in our minds and later manifest in our Worlds.

Snap your fingers and dispel those lies. Do it now.

The World needs people that are, as the Chili’s say, are ‘Wide Awake Now‘.

Wake Up!

Start making a difference. You are a generator of storms. We are all builders, creators, explorers, pioneers, inventors and innovators. Marianne Williamson is right – Our greatest fear is not that we are powerless – but that we are powerful beyond all belief.

My experience is that activating that power in oneself happens when we begin allowing ourselves.

Allowing.

To dare, dream, plan, build, achieve, create.

No one can keep us down but us. Let’s allow ourselves to experience a full life and fix this World as much as possible.

Right now there is an election going on that people are all in a furor about. But this is not about politics. Every time someone starts getting ‘bent’ about politics, it just makes me think about how disarming the idea of choosing someone else to make decisions for us can be. If we all dared to make the World that we live in a better place – then evil men would be eternally discouraged and confounded.

I like the sound of that.

Every day that sun comes up, the turnstiles turn, people die, people are born, and the status quo rolls on in a slightly different iterations.

I’m all for kicking it into a better gear.

Conrad’s Heart of Darkness has returned like a wicked multi-headed Hydra.

It aint no big deal.

We’ve been slaying beasts and overcoming ‘insurmountable’ problems for as long as anyone has been paying attention. It is what we do.

What heads on the hydra?

  1. Global economic fears,
  2. Global environmental fears,
  3. Conspiracy fears,
  4. Health-related fears,
  5. Fears for our safety, livelihood and future.
  6. Et al and ad naseum.

I’m not buying it. Make a play for all of the brightest minds and light will shed (thank you again, Anthony Keidis).

The mythical beasts have returned in digital forms. The Medusa holds us paralyzed in her gaze through TV screens, live feeds of varying nonesuch-ery and sales pitches. The evil creeping up has been creeping up slow and digging its tendrils in for a long time. Certain unnamed industries have used a steady hive of smartly-dressed, sexy sirens in Washington lobbyists to turn the eyes, blind the minds and darken the hearts of our good men that we keep VOTING for. Those poor, over-paid, over-sexed and over-privileged lost sailors.

We must retake the World for tomorrow by waking up today.

I pride myself on having a television that is far older and crappier than the one in the lavatory at the local sports bar. Yes, I admit I will follow a certain long-maligned local NFL franchise and my Alma Mater in certain sports. Not saying that we don’t need some re-creation and entertainment. But let’s wake up and not be blinded, used, misled.

Dearest Mankind, we can handle ANY problems that come our way. We have to believe, we have to try, and we have to wake up and pay attention. We are capable; we have been blessed with endless gifts. You can’t tell me that one person can’t make a difference. Sure, more helps. But we all have to start somewhere. If we start lighting torches and lanterns, we kill darkness around us and provide light for others so that they may light their torch as well.

It is not about a political party affiliation. It is about who we are, what we do, how we see ourselves and how we can choose to change the World by starting with ourselves, our outlook, our decisions on what we will think and what we will do with our time and abilities.

They say that is cheap, but I am lighting my torch. I want to spread light, to shed light, to help wake people up. I dream of seeing a World of empowered free-thinkers.

Let’s wake up and slay some dragons. Our ancestors climbed mountains, slayed beasts, overthrew tyrants, sailed seas, conquered the wild, trekked forests and deserts and tundras.

We can do the same. Let’s allow ourselves. Let’s have REAL ADVENTURE and build a better World.

Forget online fantasy role-playing games that eat up your time. Disengage from any scurrilous activities that are beyond engaging us – but engorging us . . . hello Mr. Eight Fantasy Football League Teams.

The World is for doers. For dreamers. For those that dare.

So wake up and un-plug. Dare. Dream. Do. Grow. Learn. Create. Build.

That person in the mirror is a dragon-slayer – and we’ve got plenty of dragons in our new Hearts of Darkness.

The World in flux? How about the WORLD ON FIRE WITH LIGHT!

You want opportunity, challenges, adventure, drama, romance? It is all there in front of us – ALL YOU WANT.

So, here I am spouting off, running around with my torch, looking for dragons to slay. I need some help. That darkness closes in a bit at times. It also brightens the heart when I see other points of light.

Grand terms, yes. Why not.

It is only our World, our minds, our lives and our futures.

Strike it up!

If I can help – let me know. There is a lot going on out there. If you have a retail business and could use some exposure, branding and extra traffic (Internet or ‘foot-traffic’) – I will help. If you made it through my ‘rah rah’ blog post, the least I could do is offer to help.

Just let me know you’d like to help spread some light, slay some dragons, have some adventure and build your business a little more.

What will I do to help? I will advertise your business at no cost. As long as you are willing to help me as well – help me spread some light – and make a decent offer (discount or promotion) for our Cardholders.

That’s it.

I’ve been inspired by many to try to spread light. I get inspired by people and company led by people that dare, dream, do, build, create and do things for the right reasons. I’m talking to you, Google.

Yes, a lot of people like to gripe about an industry leader. But this one actually builds things and GIVES THEM TO THE WORLD.

I like that.

  1. An excellent search engine that organizes the World’s information and puts all of it at your fingertips? (Google)
  2. An incredibly detailed, feature-rich global (and then some) mapping system?(Google Maps),
  3. An awesome email system? (Gmail),
  4. Et cetera.

They just keep going.

What I love is their latest gift to the World. Google Fiber.

This has been needed for so long. I’m doing EVERYTHING I can to help make this latest Google ‘gift to the World’ get built and spread as quickly, and effectively as possible.

  • Gigabit Internet Speeds Upstream and Downstream? OH YEAH!
  • Crystal-clear HD video-conferencing? OH YEAH!
  • Speeds that are 100 TIMES FASTER at a better rate than companies that just want to keep out any new competitors, continue to screw their customers and NOT work to build something better? OH YEAH! (Yes, Pete – I heard you).

Well, I’m drinking the Kool-Aid.

It can’t be any cooler that Google Fiber chose to start in Kansas City. They have decided to LIGHT UP A TORCH that can light up the sky and help make the World a better place.

It starts here. I’m helping them. I am helping spread the word.

Thank you, Google Fiber for coming to Kansas City and firing up that big, huge torch. I see the light. Better things are coming.

Booyah!

And I’m out.

Joe

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conXkc logo 2012

Con X KC convention Sept 14-16!

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conXkc logo 2012Here it comes!! Got your tickets?? A very fun weekend is almost upon us!

Con X KC convention is finally near . . . Sept 14-16th at the Ramada Conference Center – and you can get discount tickets through MyJoeCard.com or visit www.conxkc.com/myjoecard (We are an Official Con X Sponsor).

The ‘Inside Skinny’ on Con X Tickets (Prices/Discounts/Etc.):

– Children 12 & under FREE!!
– Military 50% Discount! (*Valid by showing Military ID at the box office).

Normal Ticket Prices:Tickets - Con X KC 2012

  • Con X Day Pass: $20.00
  • Con X Weekend Pass: $45.00

Discount Ticket Prices with MyJoeCard:

  • Con X Day Pass: $15.00 *Save $5 w/ MyJoeCard*
  • Con X Weekend Pass: $35.00 *Save $10 w/ MyJoeCard*

Get the MyJoeCard discount on your tickets here: www.conxkc.com/myjoecard

It is about time Kansas City had a Movie Convention. Science Fiction, Horror and Pop Culture are alive and well in Kansas City! They have a VERY awesome facebook page, check it out!Facebook Con X KC

So save the weekend of Sept 14th-16th, 2012.

Meet Star Trek, Stargate and other Movie Stars! Autographs? Photo opportunities? Yes!  They will have all of that there.

The shindig is at the Ramada Convention Center (see map) in Kansas City, MO.

They also have a lot of cool ways to interact with the featured guests, parties, dinners, meet & greets – and you might still be able to get a VIP pass and/or have your business be a sponsor for Con X KC (as available – limited number of spots).

Please Note!!

*You must print your PayPal receipt and  present it at the ticket booth for admission!
**The Con X Day Pass is good for one day of admission to the convention only (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). Tickets to special events during Con X Weekend are separate.

MyJoeCard Sponsor - Con X KC 2012star trek in kc

** (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COURTESY OF CON X) **

Kansas City, MO – June 6, 2012 – Burnt Water Productions (BWP) presents Kansas City’s first and only pop-culture, horror and sci-fi convention on September 14-16, 2012.  Con X 2012takes place at the Ramada Conference Center and boasts film icons, TV stars, filmmakers, artists, authors and musicians who have not only entertained us over the years, but have served our country and earned Olympic Gold Medals.  Walter “Chekov” Koenig (“Star Trek”) and Margot “Lois Lane” Kidder (“Superman”) headline the event along with cast reunions for “Paranormal Activity,” “Stargate SG-1” and “Amityville Horror.”

80’s movie fans will delight in meeting “Back to the Future” and “Top Gun” actor James Tolkan and Police Academy’s Leslie Easterbrook.  Kansas City native and dancer Sandahl Bergman (“Conan,” “All That Jazz”) also makes a return to her hometown.  If movies like “Pet Sematary,” “Shawshank Redemption,” “Halloween,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Sin City” had you lining up at the theatre box office, you won’t want to miss Con X full line up of stars (complete list on their website).

Fans of all genres will get a complete “Celebrity” experience with a weekend full of options: a chance to meet the celebrities, get autographs and pictures and a lucky few will even get to know their favorite celebrity one on one at an intimate dinner in the hotel’s Fireside Room.  Cocktail party and concerts benefiting Wounded Warrior Project …”Taking of Savannah” red carpet premiere … a film festival … shopping in the dealer room … Q&A’s with the celebs … these are just a few of the things that will make this a weekend convention goers won’t soon forget (full list of events on their website).

Tickets for the weekend convention are available online now with an early bird discount through June 30 and those showing a military ID at the door will get 50% off.  A limited amount of VIP Passes and Celebrity Dinner tickets are available online while supplies last.  Vendors spots, sponsorship packages and discount rooms at the Ramada Conference Center are still available.  More information can be found on the Con X website.  Check the site and their Facebook page for updates and a complete list of celebrity guests, events and vendors.

con x kc celebrity dinner 2012

For interviews with convention organizers’ Burnt Water Productions, celebrities attending the convention or to apply to cover the event, contact publicist Marla Stoker at 314.973.5525 or  marla@marqueemediaandmarketing.com.

http://www.conxkc.com – http://www.facebook.com/conXkc – http://twitter.com/conXkc


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Save on healthcare costs with HCCR

Something New – and It Saved Me A Lot of Money

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Save on healthcare costs with HCCRA new thing. A new idea – and a company that is working hard to bring something good to America/The World. I decided to check it out for myself.

First, I’ll give you the straightforward ‘guts’ of something new that I tried, how it worked and how much it saved me on a doctor’s visit – then I’ll give an overview of the concept and company as I see it.

  1. I joined HCCR, then went to my most recent doctor’s appointment (and it was my primary care physician) and saved a significant amount of money (over $70 from the “deal” I thought I was getting) on my visit.
  2. When I arrived for the appt at my doctor’s office in Olathe, I showed the receptionist my HCCR member card and they were glad to see me – and glad to see that I was an HCCR member (more on this later).
  3. I was seen by my doctor and received excellent service.
  4. As I was paying for my visit on the way out – the office clerk noted that I am an  HCCR member and gave me their ‘lowest cost’ rate (which was lower than medicare or medicaid – or any rate that would be charged to an insurance company). I saved over seventy bucks on the spot. YES!

How cool is that?!!

So, of course, with any new ‘idea’ that comes along the mind wonders “really? how can this be? why would they want to give me this ‘lowest cost’ rate?”

Its really not rocket science – in fact its not even insurance! Doctors and dentists have an expensive headache on their hands every time they have to deal with an insurance company to get paid. There are a myriad of costly and time-consuming games/hassles that insurance companies utilize to try to keep from paying healthcare providers:

  • delays (four months? eight months?),
  • push-backs (“this isn’t covered”),
  • charge-backs (“we changed our mind about whether this is covered”)
  • extensive paperwork and processing

By the time a doctor/dentists gets paid through the insurance company – through the delays and extended processing expenses – they realize a substantial reduction of their compensation.

In other words, they make MORE MONEY if they just have a patient uses HCCR and pays cash on the spot. Makes sense.

Still don’t believe it? Well, then how about a 100% satisfaction guarantee? Heck, what if you could try it for FREE for six months? Well, Go Ahead – try out HCCR for free for six months. NO COST.

  1. Go to http://www.healthcarecostrevolution.org/new-join-now
  2. Use coupon code “MYJOE” and get 6 months for free.

Signing up was easy and it didn’t require any financial information. You’ll get an email confirmation with your access code, and your HCCR member card will arrive in the mail within a day or two.

MY EXPERIENCE: I took a moment and went to their website and signed up for a membership with HCCR (Healthcare Cost Revolution). The next day I received my membership card in the mail. From there I was able to login at the website and check out the list of providers (over 60 local quality, board certified doctors that can treat virtually anything that might be wrong with a person, and dentists with over 20 years of experienced) and a list of local pharmacies where I would received very healthy discount prices on all medications.

What I really liked was seeing my primary care physician – who I have been using for over 12 years – on the list. Very cool.

MY ADVICE: Try it out. It is worthwhile. How many new things come along and actually save you money on quality healthcare?

This program is a “must” for anyone not covered by health insurance, and it’s also a perfect fit for H.S.A. users and those with high deductibles.  With the HCCR membership a patient can get their needed and/or uncovered care at the lowest possible prices.  H.S.A. users simply pay for the service with their H.S.A. card and the cost applies to the deductible.  Those with high-deductible (catastrophic) policies can use the membership to keep costs to a minimum for all uncovered, (prior to the deductible being reached) care.  This could save someone usually at least 50% on all their uncovered healthcare bills prior to the deductible being reached. HUGE!

Ideas are powerful things. When a new idea is ready and it is brought forth – then LOOK OUT! To quote Victor Hugo “An invasion of armies can be resisted; an invasion of ideas cannot be resisted.” See full quote here.

I’m confident you will be impressed with your experience – and you will love saving money at the doctor, the dentist and the pharmacy. Additionally, HCCR is a locally-owned Kansas City area company – so you’ll also be shopping local!

Enjoy.

P.S. Their site says “Disponible en español,” . . . so I believe they service spanish-speaking people as well.

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Mention this Blog Post, Save Twenty Bucks (Keyword “Smoothride”)

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ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS: I have learned many things since starting up the MyJoeCard network in 2003. Perhaps more than anything, I have learned to appreciate small business owners in America. My success as a small business owner depends on their success – and the lackluster economy has not been helpful or kind to small businesses across the board. Indeed the marketing and advertising industries have been in an accelerating pace of constant flux.  How people get their news and information is continually morphing – as are the ways in which small businesses are able to reach the consumer.  One of my main goals in starting MyJoeCard.Com back then was to build a network where consumers can easily shop for the things they want and need – in a ‘Go Green’ and ‘Shop Local’ format that would allow businesses to be found easily. I figured that if I can help enough people get where they are going, then I can get where I am going.

It follows that I have developed many strong, long-term relationships with Kansas City area small business owners as a consumer as well. In a world that has scores of ‘Daily Deals’, limited-time specials and coupon mailers impacting B2C industries, I have been lucky enough to have developed a relationship with an auto repair shop – and more importantly – my CAR developed a relationship with them as well.

Today’s blog post highlights the importance of finding a quality automotive repair shop (in this case, Smith Specialty Automotive) and developing a relationship with them. Instead of browsing for automotive deals at a myriad of different repair shops, I started getting to know Dave, Keith, Tom, Kellee and the rest of the crew at Smith Specialty.

I am proud to drive an older (paid for) car and I have been fortunate to realize the long-term savings and cost-benefits of having a consistently-serviced and maintained auto. Without that relationship, I think my car would have died a few years ago. These guys have taken great care of my car, have been consistent in maintaining it – and there is no doubt in my mind that quality service and maintenance by a quality auto repair shop has saved me a bundle AND extended the life of my car.  BOO-YAH!

So Dave, this post goes out to you (and Smith Specialty Automotive).

Dear reader, if you are interested in experiencing quality automotive repair on a consistent basis by highly trained and experienced professionals (and the overall cost benefits and extended life of your car), then I recommend calling Dave Smith at Smith Specialty Automotive.  His phone number is (913) 393-0700, or contact him by email: smithspecialty@sbcglobal.net.

If you mention this blog post when you take your car in for service and repair at Smith Specialty Automotive, Dave will give you a $20 ‘repeat customer’ coupon that you can use on your car’s second visit.  After two visits to Smith Specialty Automotive, I believe you will find a ‘home’ for your car – and take the mystery and guessing out of maintaining your car.

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Midnight In Paris, A Pedantic Movie Review

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Midnight In Paris
Midnight In Paris

“Midnight In Paris”

Oh Dear Reader, I must admit that this is my first Woody Allen movie experience (at least that I am aware of).  I had no expectations other than the fact that any pretzels consumed during the movie would most likely “Make Me Thirsty”.  Now that I’m over myself, on to the review.

This movie was excellent. Taken in as all movies should be, with little or no knowledge of what lies ahead, and therefore no expectation of the movie in any way.  All I knew was:

  1. The Title,
  2. That it was a Woody Allen movie, and
  3. That Owen Wilson was in it.

Casting was A+, character development was above adequate.  Dialogue was superb.  Acting was engaging and artful.  Setting was hard to beat (Paris, France).

I’ll not be a spoiler for you.  I’ll just say that if you are well-rounded, well-read and/or well-traveled (as in Paris, France) – then you will be able to more fully appreciate all that is offered here.  Not a delight for the dullards.

If you like romance?  This is a great choice.  Grab a date.  If you’re in love, or would like to be – then go see this one.

Movie Rating: 4.5 Stars (out of five)

Rating Justification: Excellent Movie.  It wasn’t over-done.  It wasn’t lacking. It was served up masterfully.  Old Man Allen delivered a masterpiece.  I’m not sure if I am compelled to see all of his other works, or scared that they won’t measure up?  Somewhere in between, I’m thinking.

Midnight In Paris
Romance In Paris

Theater Review: Cinemark “The Palace” at the Plaza

Cinemark The Palace at The Plaza
526 Nichols Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64112

A Saturday Night Showing (10:00pm).  Parking Garage was close enough.  Good thing I didn’t get vertigo circling up to the 5th level.  No matter. Experiencing Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza on a summer night is a beautiful thing (barring any twitter ‘flash mobs’).

  • Seats: “A” for Comfort
  • Popcorn: “B-” for standard fare.
  • Crowd: “A” well behaved, no one kicking the seat. No talkers.  No milk duds hitting the screen.
  • Special Note: Warning: This movie may make you nostalgic, and also may make you want to visit or relocate to Paris, France.

Peace Out.

Joe

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Aarghh!! Pirates of the Carribean 4 Review

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Penelope Cruz, Pirate Extraordinaire
Pirate Muse of The Carribean

“On Stranger Tides”

Fun, campy, expectant.  For ten bucks you get to see Penelope Cruz running around in pirate outfits – which is a deal ALL BY ITSELF.  Throw in the sets , the scenery, the costumes, the actors and *Wham-Kbam* . . . . you’ve got a bargain.

Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow is exactly what you’ve come to expect, which is enough to make you not care that you’re perpetuating a franchise.  Older kids can enjoy this, it is not too suggestive or violent (although today’s kids are growing up with a serious handicap of non-preparedness for a rough world).

Movie Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of five)

Rating Justification: They didn’t screw it up.  It was exactly what you expected, which was great.  If they would have been a bit more creative with the mermaids, I’d have easily given it four stars.  Anyone who writes a bad review of this movie suffers from a bad case of divergence.  Seriously, you know what it is going in.  It is done well, the cast is great.  If you’re griping then you’re lame.  If you’re picking it apart, then you’re just sad.

Theater Review: AMC Studio 30

A Saturday Night Showing (7:40pm).  Parking Lot was MAD PACKED.  Evocative of Arrowhead in the Derrick Thomas – Neil Smith Heyday.  Sadly no bar-b-que.  I park on the north forty and jogged a quarter of a mile to get to the theatre.

Seats: “A” for Comfy

Popcorn: “C” for expensive, salty, butter-flavored cardboard.

Crowd: “A” well behaved, no one kicking the seat. No talkers.  No milk duds hitting the screen.

Special Note: Stay after the credits and you get an extra scene of Penelope Cruz on the deserted island.

Peace Out.

Joe

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