Tony's Blog

I'm a happy guy, today. Actually, I'm a happy guy pretty much everyday. It's just my nature. OK, I guess that means that today, I'm really happy.

Want to know why? Well, it wasn't until I hit my 30's that I became a vegetarian, and soon thereafter a vegan. Yes, it's got my Italian mother in church even more often than usual (and that's a lot) praying to be forgiven for her failure (an Italian and no veal!?) and praying especially for her son to come home, both figuratively and literally, I might add.

I have to laugh at the use of the word "became." I don't think I anymore became a vegetarian, than I became an entrepreneur --- it was always in there, it just took some time to come out.

Just as I left TV news to start my company in 1999, I left meat behind just a year later. My path was always leading me to this place. I just hadn't arrived, yet.

OK --- now that I've got you just straning to know why I'm feeling so good today, here goes. Today, 50PlusPrime.com is happy to welcome People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), to our online space for baby boomers.

PETA's commitment to animal rights will expand to Prime Living, our articles center about boomer lifestyles, resources and services. PETAPrime.org bloggers will be regular contributors to Prime Living, publishing articles on the interrelationship between the humane treatment of animals, healthy eating and a clean environment.

“We are very excited about our new partnership with 50PlusPrime.com. It will be a great way to share the compassionate, humane and healthy ideas we feature every day on PETAPrime.org with a new audience," said Karen Taggart, Manager of Fundraising Innovations at the PETA Foundation.

As for me, I not only support PETA's work on behalf of the millions of animals who are abused and slaughtered for human consumption each year, I place my corporation firmly behind promoting PETA's mission. I'm thrilled that PETA will be publishing its content on our site, to further sensitize boomers to the ties between our health, animal cruelty and global warming."

From PETA's website:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 2.0 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry. It also works on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other "pests," and the abuse of backyard dogs.

PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.

PETA and 50PlusPrime.com --- it was always in there, it just took some time to come out.

Tony Fama, a former TV news anchor and investigative reporter, is president and founder of Maria Madeline Project, Inc., parent company of 50 Plus Prime TV and www.50plusprime.com, a social networking site for baby boomers. Tony can be reached at tony.fama@50plusprime.com.

Just in time for the holidays --- It’s a new service for baby boomers, and it combines freshly baked cakes and cookies, diabetic treats, and a commitment to helping kids develop culinary skills.

Here's what Valena Cade, whose Baby Boomer Bakery is now open and ready to serve, said about her new online store.

I’m a native of Chicago, and a baby boomer myself. My fondest memories are baking with my grandmother, helping her make cakes, pies, icings and ice cream with a traditional southern flair from scratch, at her home and in her restaurant.

I also remember making desserts in my very own EASY-BAKE Oven for my three brothers, who loved my creations. I’ve been passionate about baking since. I would always say ‘when I grew up I wanted to be in business like my grandmother,’ and I did it.

Since 1993, my wonderful husband Gregory and I have mentored hundreds of students, teaching life skills such as responsibility, entrepreneurship and commitment. We’ve partnered with Detroit Public Schools, to help students cultivate their culinary and pastry talents while encouraging creativity. We hire and pay the kids, as part of our commitment to developing tomorrow’s head chefs and restaurateurs.

Our signature desserts, Red Velvet Cupcakes and 7UP pound cake, are served at Michigan’s largest festival and restaurants. And now, our new Baby Boomer Bakery has afforded us a vehicle to distribute our exquisite, made from scratch desserts nationwide.

Our mission is to consistently provide the highest quality pastries, using the finest ingredients, made to order and delivered to your door in a timely manner, while helping our young people achieve their dreams, as my grandmother helped me achieve mine.

Got your sweet tooth interested? Visit Baby Boomer Bakery.