Galveston Author Releases Second Book
GALVESTON, TX – Galveston author Michelle Arbaugh celebrates the nationwide release of her second book, “A Dreamer’s Beyond.” It is the poignant story of a recent widow’s adventure into the past, which ultimately influences her future.
When her husband dies, Ann Renee sinks into a depression—until she finds the diary of her mysterious great aunt, C. L. Whitman. The tales of this interesting life sweep her immediately into the diary’s adventures, and Ann Renee finds herself in the wild and dangerous world of the pony express rider. She faces harsh living conditions, Indians, outlaws, and—the last thing an old widow expected—gains everlasting companionship.
Arbaugh keenly reveals how the woman's heart and mind open up to deeply reflective inner battles and longings for fantastic adventure – elements of a story every human being truly hungers for.
Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available at bookstores nationwide, can be ordered through the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, and by visiting BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and many other online books sellers worldwide.
A Texas native, Arbaugh currently resides in Galveston, where she has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years in both banking and insurance. In early 2009, she released a Juvenile Adventure book, “A Feather, a Pipe and a Kicking Broom.” Since its release, this mystically captivating adventure of a modern boy's journey to manhood as a Native American Indian has been enjoyed by thousands of readers nationwide.
To arrange an interview or author presentation visit, please contact Michelle Arbaugh at www.MichelleArbaugh.com, call (409) 621-1240, or simply reply to this email message. Or, you may contact Mark McDevitt, Tate Marketing Representative, at (888) 361-9473 or send an email to Mmcdevitt@tatepublishing.com.

SMECCA ELECTED GALVESTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP CHAIRMAN

Galveston restaurateur Johnny Smecca was elected Chairman of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership (GEDP) at the Board of Directors’ annual meeting Thursday (Feb. 4, 2010).
“Our mission has always been to focus on expanding and diversifying Galveston's employment and tax bases. Over the years this has been effective, however in the future we must be prepared to create even more support for quality projects as they come to the table,” said Smecca, who is president of Galveston Restaurants Group, owners of five restaurants on Galveston Island, and a founding member of the GEDP.
“In addition to our normal economic development activities,” Smecca said, “the GEDP staff and membership have worked tirelessly to help local businesses get back on their feet after Hurricane Ike. Among other things we helped organize and promote a recovery loan fund with local banks, we helped the city apply for federal relief funds, and we got the message out wherever we could that Galveston is alive and open for business.”
Smecca said the GEDP often works quietly behind the scenes, providing the economic data and information essential for Galveston’s economic well-being. “So a lot of people never hear about all of the work we do, and don’t know how much we support the local economy.”
Others in the economic development sector do take notice, however: Smecca said the GEDP received the Community Economic Development Award for 2009 from the Texas Economic Development Council, recognized as the Community of the Year for the second time in six years.
“That kind of recognition from our peers around the state tells me we’ve been doing our job consistently and effectively.”
Smecca said as Chairman of the GEDP, he looks forward to “continuing the excellent work that we have done over these past 10 years as well as adding my energy to capturing the opportunities that lay ahead for our business community. 2008 was a catastrophic year, 2009 was a challenging year and the year ahead will be a time for all of us to focus on making Galveston a better place and leveraging the unprecedented level of public funds coming in to assist in building a better Galveston.”
Smecca succeeds outgoing Chairman Richard Ferdinandtsen, President and Chief Operating Officer of the American National Insurance Company. Also elected at the GEDP Annual Meeting were: William A. Ross, Jr., Vice Chairman; Gwen Wagner, Secretary; and William Rider, Treasurer.
GEDP is a private non-profit organization founded in 1999. Its member organizations represent a broad spectrum of Galveston’s large and small business sector, including utilities, governmental, educational, and financial organizations, hospitality, port-related groups, developers, attorneys, retail and service industries. Additional information is available at www.gedp.org.