Last month (or last year, whichever you prefer), TalkLocal began the process of searching for its first Featured Business of the Month. The finalists were named and the votes were tallied. Though all of these small businesses were great choices, there could be only one. Thanks to the support of its many loyal and happy customers, the TalkLocal Featured Business of the Month for January is… (drum roll).

Cheaper Than A Geek!

Congrats to Cheaper Than A Geek, its owner Christopher Barber and the small, but hardworking team that has helped it run so fluidly during its fifteen years of service.

Cheaper Than A Geek is located in Crofton, MD and assists people in the area with all of their computer needs. Whether your computer’s going at a snail’s pace because of annoying viruses or it’s stopped running and you don’t know why, whether PC or Mac, Cheaper Than A Geek is ready to get that computer working back to full capacity.

CTAG has already won more customer service awards than any other IT company in Maryland. Its “customer service oriented approach”, as Barber says, is clearly working for them as TalkLocal received an out-pour of customer testimonials which all stated just how great CTAG is and why it deserves to win.

So, here’s another title to add to your website, Cheaper Than A Geek. Congratulations!

Of course, this is only the first award of the year. So, who is your favorite local services provider? Vote for your favorite or nominate your own business by clicking here.

The Centennial State of Colorado is well-known for its beautiful scenery, especially the picturesque mountains that always leave people breathless. Whether you’re a Colorado native or a visitor to one of the state’s biggest attractions, like Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs or the Denver Botanical Gardens, you know there’s already much to love about Colorado.

Now, TalkLocal is launching in Colorado to connect consumers to local professionals.

TalkLocal is a virtual concierge service that connects consumers with professional handymen, landscapers, accountants, etc. in 90 seconds.

Just think of us as your local search sherpa. Here’s how it works

Colorado is home to the United States Olympic Sports Committee, so it’s obviously a city where everyone strives to be their very best whether they’re an Olympic skier or a local plumber. And, when it comes to business acumen: it’s the home of the addictive and delicious Chipotle headquarters. Need we say more?

“TalkLocal is only here to make this great state even greater,” said TalkLocal cofounder Gurpreet Singh.

So, if you want to connect with the right local pro without wasting time calling around, it takes just three simple steps:

1. Go online to www.talklocal.com (or use our mobile app)

2. Put in the information of the job you require (where, when, what)

3. Wait for one of three professionals to call you in 90 seconds to discuss the job

It’s just that easy. No hassle, no trouble, and best of all: it’s free to use.

So, while Colorado may have its ups-and-downs due to all of those gorgeous landscapes, TalkLocal will make these business connections as smooth as a freshly paved road.

Thanksgiving is a day known for a variety of things: parades, days off from school, and food…a lot of food. But what we really need to remember is that it’s supposed to be known for giving thanks. Thanksgiving is a day to remember that we may have experienced challenges with still more challenges to come, but that we are also fortunate in many ways. We’re fortunate, most importantly, to be surrounded by loved ones whom we count on to support us as we face life’s challenges.

Thanksgiving also reminds us of those who may be having an especially hard time sharing in the spirit of gratitude because they don’t have as much good fortune as others.

Now, how do we give the gift of gratitude to those who may not have much? We give them something to be thankful for!

Here are five ways that you can show thanks or give thanks this Thanksgiving.

Give: We don’t just mean money. You can give a neighborhood family a turkey for Thanksgiving or an army member a care package so they remember the holidays.

Donate: Maybe you don’t know who to donate to but there’s all kinds of organizations, be it the Salvation Army, a local charity or one overseas, like our founder, Gurpreet Singh, did for the Sikh Helpline.

Volunteer: Whether it’s at an animal shelter, senior citizens home or a soup kitchen, everyone appreciates someone helping out when they need it.

Fundraise: There are different fundraisers going on all throughout the year. Find one that works for you and go participate. If you don’t see one, create your own.

Cook: If you’re not able to get to an outside location to help, that’s fine. Help out in your own home. If you don’t usually cook or clean on Thanksgiving, then here’s your way to thank the people closest to you.

We understand that life can be hectic, but we want you to remember that there’s a lot to be thankful for. Whether that’s your family, your home or the fact that you’re alive and well, always remember to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Albuquerque, New Mexico hosts the amazing and spectacular Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF). It’s an annual 9 day event that features around 750 hot air balloons from all over the world.

The balloons show off their stuff by touring around the sky and participating in various competitions and events. Such events include The Fiesta Challenge which involves balloonists dropping markers to try and hit a target. There’s also America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, which isn’t really a race. The winner is actually whichever balloon goes the furthest before running out of gas.

Hot air ballooning is actually kind of amazing in Albuquerque thanks to this air current pattern known as the Albuquerque Box. Balloons that lift off during the AIBF can usually make a perfectly continuous loop using the Albuquerque Box.

Going around in circles is fine if you’re hot air ballooning, but not if you’re looking for someone to help with a home repair project. No one likes reading online review after online review trying to decide on the best service professional. And, when you finally get on the phone with someone, it is always deflating to hear that the company doesn’t service your area or can’t do the job.

Sounds like a bunch of hot air, doesn’t it?

Now, there is TalkLocal, the online concierge service that is here to help Albuquerque natives find professionals to help with stubborn cars, ACs, leaky roofs and just about anything else. Watch this quick video to see how we can help.

Just go online to www.talklocal.com, put in some basic details about your service job and TalkLocal will handle the rest. We will find you up to three of the best local service professionals and connect you with them on the phone directly.

We guarantee they will be able to do your job on your time. All you have to do is set up the appointment. If you are unhappy with their work, we’ll convey your sentiments to ensure better quality the next time.

No more navigating without a compass. TalkLocal will help keep you floating.

Written by Krystal Moore

With Thanksgiving and other major holidays just around the corner, November 20th doesn’t  garner much celebration. Fortunately, this year, we’re celebrating the Great American Smokeout, which is marked annually on the third Thursday of November.

The Great American Smokeout began in the 1970s when Arthur P. Mullaney, a guidance counselor at Randolph High School in Randolph, Massachusetts, offered a challenge for people to quit smoking cigarettes for a single day and spend the money they would use on tobacco products to donate to better causes.

As the years went on, the Great American Smokeout became more popular and in 1976, 1 million people managed to quit that day – in the California division alone! Not only has it helped people drop the habit, but it also helped reduce secondhand smoke by promoting laws that prohibit smoking in certain public spaces.

So, in honor of the Great American Smokeout, here are four reasons you should quit smoking (or convince someone you care about to quit).

Better health – Without those noxious fumes poisoning your lungs, you’ll be able to feel better in all aspects of life. Your physical health improves with less chance of cancer and lower blood pressure and your emotional health improves because you’ll feel so much better not having bloodshot eyes or going on a date with smoky-smelling clothes.

More money – Do you know how much money is spent on cigarettes a month? Depending on how much you smoke, it can be hundreds. Just like what Mr. Mullaney said, why spend all that money on cigarettes when you can spend it on something you really want?

Good Example – Kids look up to adults and model their behavior on yours. So, even if you tell them not to smoke, when they see you doing it everyday, they find it a contradiction and do as you do, not as you say. That’s why your actions have to match your words.

Although it will never be a cake-walk, there are plenty of tools and resources to help you get through it like…

Medical aids – Nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, all of these are aids that are created to help you when the cravings kick in.

Medical practitioners – They can offer you a plan that will be best for you to kick the habit.

Alternative medicine – Some people have had great luck with things like hypnosis or meditation

Support groups – There are others who are going through what you are. You’re never alone in this journey.

Loved ones – Always remember them when you are trying to quit because they need you here, happy and healthy.

For help on any and all ways to quit smoking, take a look at the Great American Smokeout which provides a variety of tips and support. To all of you making the effort to quit, we know you can do it and thank you for taking on this rewarding challenge.

In our interconnected world where cause and effect is the law of the land, a small act of kindness can go a long way to making the world a better place. After all, an act of kindness is bound to brighten someone’s day, and who knows how the recipient will pay that good deed forward. So, a domino effect with positivity as its spark can potentially transform the world. So, it is in recognition of the power of positivity that November 13th is World Kindness Day.

So, now is the time to set aside any personal hang-ups and adopt an attitude of gratefulness and generosity.

Rediscover how making someone else’s day is the fastest way to make your own day great.

All around the world people are challenging themselves to do an act of kindness to help make the world a better place. Fortunately, there are as many ways to be kind as there are people needing kindness.

Get inspired by those who practice kindness every day. Take the living angel who created a batmobile just to give sick children a once in a lifetime joy-ride. Even our own founder, Gurpreet Singh, is helping to raise a £1,000,000 to help a charity support those in need of care and counseling.

So, what can you do today? Donate or volunteer to support a cause that matters to you, buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line, or invite a neighbor over for dinner.  There’s no act too big or too small.

And, of course, every day can be World Kindness Day if you always take the time to do something kind.

So, do something nice every day and don’t forget to be polite, please and thank you. 🙂

Written by Dallea Caldwell

American veterans, now more than ever, can feel out of place in civilian life and culture. The greatest generation is all but a ghost and most support for troops is tinged with opposition to the wars they fight, from Vietnam to Iraq. Meanwhile, veterans face disproportionate amounts of homelessness and unemployment as the VA faces accusations of incompetence and corruption.

That’s why today is a day to truly remember and help those who have done so much. Today is November 11, Veterans Day, when we celebrate those who have served. So, America’s veterans get enough lip service in their support. Here are five programs you can become a part of to make a real difference in their lives.

Wounded Warriors Project – WWP’s main objective is to help veterans who have been injured. You can assist by becoming a Proud Supporter where you can organize your own campaign around something else you’re passionate about.

Operation Gratitude – Operation Gratitude provides care packages filled with food, toiletries and words of good wishes. These care packages are not only sent to soldiers abroad but also to veterans, their families and first responders.

Homes for Our Troops – HFOT builds homes for veterans that are mortgage-free and adaptable to any injuries they may have sustained. They have many ways to assist them which includes donations, helping build homes and fundraising.

Disabled American Veterans – DAV offers a variety of services to assist disabled veterans and their families. They have many ways for people to volunteer, including providing transportation and assisting in local hospitals.

Soldier’s Best Friend – Soldier’s Best Friend provides soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury with a therapy dog, usually rescued from a shelter. Donating to this cause helps not only a veteran in need but also gives a shelter dog a new home.

(Additionally, if you personally know any veterans who are showing signs that concern you, please visit this website so they are able to receive the help they need.)

So, this Veterans Day, answer the call of duty as so many veterans have done before. Your sacrifices will seem trivial compared to theirs, but your contributions will help prove this country worthy of all they’ve risked and given to protect it.

(For those of you who have served, we thank you. Here is a nice list of deals and freebies that you and your families can enjoy today.)