October Newsletter                                                     2010
In This Issue
Four Seasons to Offer Manners Classes
Blog Post on Bullying
Halloween Etiquette
"The Gentlemen's Society"
"Introductory Course with Holiday Manners"
"Mother & Daughter Holiday Tea"
From the Source - Cyber-Bullying

Beverly Hills Manners Comes to the Four Seasons Westlake Village

Four Seasons Westlake Village

We are pleased to announce our newest classes offered at the Four Seasons Westlake Village. Send your children to manners class and take some time for yourself to enjoy a relaxing experience at their luxurious spa.  Upcoming class dates are Saturday, November 13th and Saturday, November 20th from 10am to 1:30pm.  Program includes a multi-course luncheon.  Registration fee for the class is $150.00 per child.  To book your reservation, please call 818.575.3000.

Bullying - A Rite of Passage or a Dangerous Path to Destruction

Anti-Bullying

October is known as National Bullying Prevention month. This October sent a message loud and clear as it ironically and tragically focused on the death of bullying victim, Tyler Clementi, a college student at Rutgers University who committed suicide as a result of being cyber-bullied by his roommate and friend who took it upon themselves to stream live video of his sexual encounter with a fellow male student. This incident prompted a media storm to bring to the forefront an anti-bullying crusade. CNN's Anderson Cooper devoted an entire week on the subject, People Magazine and the Cartoon Network also mounted campaigns to help shed light. Celebrities spoke out to share their personal experiences with bullying and activists jumped in to provide tips on prevention. We have compiled many of the highlights, as well as added a few thoughts of our own on how to combat bullying through manners.  Click here to read more.

Halloween Etiquette "Surviving the Night of Fright 2"
Halloween

Kids of all ages love Halloween. Some of them know exactly which superhero or princess they want to be months prior. Others look forward to visiting pumpkin patches and eating candy corn till their hearts are content. Many celebrate with Halloween parties and decorated houses and a few skip the festivities altogether. Regardless of how you choose to acknowledge the holiday, before October 31st, parents and children alike should take a moment to review our essential Halloween etiquette tips to ensure survival on the most frightful night of the year.  Click here!

Table Setting
Greetings!  

The theme for the October newsletter became apparent after attending the Women's Conference on Tuesday.  Hosted for the last time by First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, it was a day filled with rich history, groundbreaking pioneers and influential leaders.  As I listened intently to an unbelievable lineup of speakers and witnessed once-in-a-lifetime conversations, my attention kept coming back to the word "civility" and to the mantra/catch phrase "It's Time" which was the theme for this year's conference.  Perhaps it was because I was in awe watching legendary Supreme Court Justices, Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, share their personal stories on how they were able to break the glass ceiling and enter the male-dominated world of the Supreme Court with such grace, dignity and humor.  Maybe it was due to the impromptu discussion between California's Gubernatorial Candidates, Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown, that went sour and caused the audience to boo Ms. Whitman for not agreeing to remove her negative ad campaign against her opponent.  Overall, the afternoon seemed to highlight very opposite ends of the civility spectrum.   
 
Bullying is another form  of behavior that falls extremely low on the spectrum and has come into major focus this month.  The suicide of Tyler Clementi encapsulated the very real problem of bullying and more recently, cyber-bullying, that has consumed the lives of countless children in this country.  In honor of Bullying Prevention Month, we bring you our "From the Source" article by Lori Getz, founder of Cyber Education Consultants, who offers her expert advice educating kids about this issue.

Finally, taking a cue from  the Women's Conference theme, "It's Time" to stop the relentless trashing and bashing we see on the political frontlines, "It's Time" to put an end to the overwhelming hatred and intolerance our children are experiencing and "It's Time" to restore respect and civility back into our society for the sake of our children and of our nation.  Please join us in supporting this mission.
  
Very best,
 
Lisa Gach
Beverly Hills Manners
310.276.9078
"The Gentlemen's Society"

Gentlemen's SocietySaturday, November 13, 2010
10:00am to 1:00pm
Teen Boys ages 13 and up
 

"The Gentlemen's Society" is a 3-hour course that encourages the teenage boy to have greater awareness and confidence as he grows into maturity. Topics such as appropriate gestures to make on a first date or selecting an appropriate outfit for a college interview and knowing how to make polite conversation at a party are just some of the useful and valuable skills that are covered during the program. By learning and applying these essential and practical skills, he is guaranteed to achieve overall success in each of his endeavors.  A multi-course dining tutorial is included.  Sign up now!
"Introductory Course with HolidayHoliday Manners2 Manners"
Sunday, November 21, 2010
2:00pm to 5:00pm
McCormick & Schmick's - Beverly Hills
Children Ages 6 to 12
 
This special introductory class provides an overview into the world of manners with tips on how to survive the holiday season with style and grace. Children are instructed in all aspects of etiquette and protocol while developing fundamental character-building traits such as respect, compassion and common courtesies. Through acquiring and practicing these indispensable life skills, children gain more confidence and increase self-esteem. A 5-course dinner reviewing all of the essential table and dining manners is included.  Sign up now!
tea etiquette"A Mother & Daughter Holiday Tea"
Sunday, December 12, 2010
2:00pm to 4:00pm
The Montage Hotel - Beverly Hills

Celebrate the season with a special Mother & Daughter holiday tea in the Library at the beautiful Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.  Join us for an afternoon of learning about the history and tradition of taking tea along with the various courtesies that are associated with any tea gathering. A formal tea service will be served including a selection of tea sandwiches, pastries and scones as well as an assortment of the finest black, green and herbal teasSign up now!

Lori GetzFrom The Source: Cyber-Bullying  
 by Lori Getz, Cyber Education Consultants 
According to the National Crime Prevention Center, over 40% of all teenagers with Internet access have reported being bullied online during the past year.  58% of 4th graders through 8th graders, also reported having mean or cruel things being said to them online.  The increasing number of suicides related to cyber-bullying incidents has made us take notice of how devastating the effects of online humiliation can actually be.  As a result, we thought it was imperative to check in with educator and expert, Lori Getz of Cyber Education Consultants, to help both parents and children acquire knowledge about cyber-bullying prevention.  Read complete article here.
Save 15%
Sign up for one adult program and one child's program and receive an incredible 15% off of each class!  Enter the coupon code TWOFOR15 or attach this coupon to your enrollment form.  Take advantage of this special offer while it lasts! 
Offer Expires: November 30, 2010