Created by XOOM.com publisher Bob Ellis, LifeTIMES.com is kicking off a brand new look with a line of features that keeps groups of people connected through online calendars, scrapbooks, chat areas, voice messages, self-designed web pages, shared email lists, address books, and much more. LifeTIMES.com also offers a special collection of gifts perfect for any momentous family occasion, including news ummer items like unique picnic baskets and totes for outdoor events, beach and camp gear, and gourmet food items great for giving or keeping. 

LifeTIMES.com is a free Web service that enables users to keep in touch through online communities, known as Circles.  These free Circles link friends, families, groups and community organizations in private online areas.  Circles can help families and groups plan important occasions such as weddings and family reunions, as well as celebrate holidays and important occasions- from births and birthdays to baptisms, retirements, anniversaries and much more. 

The LifeTIMES.com site is relaunching this week with a number of new features, including personal voice-recorded messages.    (clicking above image takes you to the site)

 

"LifeTIMES.com keeps families and friends connected for all of their special occasions by helping them create live, interactive communities on the Web," said Bob Ellis, founder and chairman of LifeTIMES. "With our fast-paced lives, staying connected with the people we care about has become a real challenge. We've added a number of new features to the 
site just in time for parents, children, and friends to get  together virtually to share their summer experiences." 

Circle members can participate in private chats, create e-mail and address directories for group mailings, post notes for all members to see, and keep a shared list of favorite Web sites. LifeTIMES.com allows community members to input important dates on your Circle Calendar for everyone to see, and send reminders and gift recommendations to keep friends abreast of upcoming special days and events. 

For those who never thought they could create their own Web page, LifeTIMES.com features a wizard to help create "SuperCard" Web pages for family or Circle members quickly and easily. SuperCards are the ultimate in personalized greetings. Besides creating your own design, you can also upload personal photos, include a guestbook for others to 
sign, and add a recording of your own voice. 

LifeTIMES.com's VoiceCard technology now allows you to mplement your own voice for free into a SuperCard to surprise your friends and loved ones.  Simply call a toll-free telephone number found on the site to place a voice message into your online SuperCard, and you're on your way to adding that special final touch to a creative online masterpiece. SuperCards leave the technical jargon aside and take all the guess work out of designing a creative page dedicated to a specific purpose or event you and your fellow Circle members can enjoy and be proud of. 

One of the SuperCard varieties new for summer is a Letter from Camp, a ready-to-send template which allows kids to update family and friends on their summer adventures and 
include a photo and voice recording. There's also a companion version for parents to send to their kids who are away. Some LifeTIMES members have created their own talking birthday 
cards, congratulatory announcements for Circle members, and even online memorials for pets or loved ones. 

The site offers varying levels of security for Circle members, allowing users to control who views their content.  Circle owners can choose to make their Circles and SuperCards private or open to the LifeTIMES public, or just make certain sections private. 

"LifeTIMES.com was created to give friends and family an online community to stay in touch and connected in a fun, easy-to-use way," said Ellis. As the busy summer season kicks into gear, friends and family can stay connected through their Circles to keep everyone updated on all the fun and excitement summer has to offer. 
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