MIDDLETOWN – Last year, when 30 Middletown High School students decided it would be nice to invite the Fox News Channel to Middletown for "Middletown Days," what group more than any other came to their aid? It was the Ryze Business Network – a free online business networking resource.

Believe it or not, members of this network from around the world began calling and e-mailing the Fox News Channel, encouraging them to make the trek to Middletown. And, as everyone who attended last year's parade knows only too well, Fox News came in the person of international news correspondent Adam Housley. He not only addressed the parade crowd, but told them they would be acknowledged by the network during the weather broadcast – all throughout that day!

Make no mistake, passionate people (regardless of where they live) can make amazing things happen ... even in Middletown.

Just last month, the Hidden Valley Community Church hosted its 17th annual harvest party on Oct. 31. The turnout by the community was impressive. Was it the new addition of the chili cook-off competition or the Mystery House that added to the event's popularity? Certainly the advance promotion by the local media was most helpful. But, don't discount the impact of the Internet and the Ryze Business Network – especially the network gifted to Middletown earlier this year by Althea Garner – appropriately called, "Project-Middletown."

This network is designed to draw attention to events and businesses located in South Lake County. However, the attention Project-Middletown draws is not limited to Lake County or even California. It is worldwide. Any business or organization is encouraged to freely use this network to promote itself.

Since Project-Middletown is a network itself and not simply a Web site, the promotion can be interactive. Not only can you freely post information, you can get feedback to your posting. And the feedback you get can be truly astounding.

Thanks to promotion through Project-Middletown, Ryzers from around the world actually RSVP'ed to an Evite online invitation promoting the harvest party – even though they could not physically attend. They simply wanted to encourage those here locally who could attend to show up.

Some Rysers went so far as to actually send audio clips and spoke words of encouragement. See for yourself. Visit www.squidoo.com/HVCC.

No doubt Ryzers will have had a hand in creating some international buzz for the Middletown Merchants Association's last business mixer of the year, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 15th at 5:30 p.m. at Westamerica Bank, and "Christmas in Middletown," which happens throughout downtown Middletown on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For details on each event and to look at the RSVP registry, visit www.squidoo.com/MABA.

And, don't hesitate to add yourself to the registry list. Even if you are unable to attend, a "No" RSVP response with encouraging words for those who can attend makes a positive difference in overall attendance.

 

To learn more about Project-Middletown and to freely subscribe, visit http://middletownca-network.ryze.com. If you any questions regarding any of the websites, call 707-709-8605.

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