Wednesday, March 30, 2011

PJ Tampa Bay Story Winner of the Week

Here is the winner of this weeks story contest for PJ Tampa Bay:

From: Robyn Huber

TAMPA, FL – The 1Voice Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to supporting children with cancer and their families, is working with the Hillsborough County School District to open the 1Voice Academy, the first school in the United State for children with cancer.

The Foundation is kicking off its $5 million capital funding campaign with an open house at the Home Theater Gallery, 3300 S. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, on Thursday, March 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Children on treatment who miss school fall behind academically and resent their disease and the alienation it causes even more,” said Mary Ann Massolio, the Executive Director of 1Voice Foundation whose own son passed away from cancer. “Plus, many parents have to miss work to stay home with them. This can lead to financial devastation and add to the 80% divorce rate that parents of chronically-ill children face. The 1Voice Academy will provide children with a safe learning environment while their immune systems are compromised, such as in the 7 to 10 days following chemotherapy.”

“I always have to be vigilant about whether there is a flu or strep going around school,” said Natalie Willis, whose daughter, Mandy, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 7. “Mandy had to miss a lot of days even though she felt well, but she couldn’t risk coming into contact with a sick child. The truth is some parents send their kids to school even with a low fever or other signs of infection.”

“One of the greatest challenges we faced with Daniel were his counts were horrible, but otherwise he felt good,” said Holly Wade, whose 9-year-old son passed away from cancer. “My choice was to have him homebound, and he missed being around people his own age and his own friends. With this Academy, kids can be around classmates who aren’t going to look at you funny because you’re bald, or because you have to get up and throw up, or have an IV bag hanging off of you or a shunt. It’s an opportunity to make these kids feel as normal as possible in the most abnormal conditions you can imagine.”

Holly and her husband, Capt. Bill Wade with Tampa Fire Rescue, will be among the families on hand at the open house.

In addition to offering classes, the 1Voice Academy will offer after-school programs for tutoring, art and music, and will provide support groups and programs for parents and siblings.

About 1Voice Foundation 
The 1Voice Foundation began in 2008 when six members of the Tampa Bay community – each having prior experience with pediatric cancer programs – realized organizations focused on research and organizations focused on assisting families were competing for dollars instead of working together. The 1Voice Foundation’s Executive Director is MaryAnn Massolio, who was the executive director of the Children’s Cancer Center for 10 years and who knows firsthand what it’s like when your child is diagnosed with cancer. In addition to researching cures for cancer, The 1Voice Foundation provides resources and support groups for patients and their families, outings for children with cancer, scholarships, and funeral assistance. The non-profit organization currently does not receive any state or federal funding and is dependent on corporate and private donations.

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Friday, March 25, 2011

St. Pete revs up once again

Here's what's going on this weekend in the Tampa area:

ST. PETERSBURG - A full weekend of racing is already in gear in St. Petersburg.

The festivities officially started with a Thursday night parade down Central Avenue. It featured last year's champ, Will Power, and this year, Budweiser added a float and its world-renowned Clydesdale horses.

A big party followed at North Straub Park where fans got the opportunity to meet the drivers.

"Anytime we bring in the Honda Grand Prix, it brings 150,000 people to a downtown spot. So the hotels are filled, restaurants will be packed, there's a lot of economic impact with this event," Mayor Bill Foster offered. "And then, of course, you've got the impact of a three-hour commercial on national television."

The weekend of racing wraps up with the main event, Sunday's Honda Grand Prix.

There are several closures in the downtown area. Through race weekend, the following roads will be closed or have limited access:

  • CLOSED - First Ave. S. from First St. to Bayshore
  • LIMITED ACCESS on Second Ave. S from First to Second St. S
  • CLOSED - Beach Dr. from Central Ave. to First Ave. S
  • CLOSED - First St. from First Ave. S to Fifth Ave. S
  • LIMITED ACCESS - First St. S from Fifth Ave. S to Eighth Ave. S AND Sixth Ave. S from Second St. to First St. from March 25 through March 27

For more traffic and parking information, click on over to the city's website. 

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Coach Joe Gibbs Presents the “Game Plan for Life” in Tampa

Tampa, FL February 2, 2011 – Now celebrating its 40th year, the Tampa Bay Leadership Prayer Breakfast again welcomes 3 time Super Bowl Champion and 3 time NASCAR Champion - Coach Joe Gibbs who will talk about his “Game Plan for Life.” This year’s breakfast event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the Tampa Convention Center where #11 FedEx NASCAR Gibbs Racing Team Showcar will be on display. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. for the breakfast buffet with the program beginning at 7:00 a.m. and finishing at 8:15 a.m.

The Game Plan for Life is a fail proof, long-term approach that will change you from the inside and impact every area of your life—from relationships to finances to your view of what winning really means. You’ll find true success, relevance and lasting peace if you follow it.

Attendance this year is expected to reach 1200 and tickets will be going fast. Prominent business, political, government, and military leaders will be in attendance. Sponsored by the Tampa chapter of CBMC, a national organization focused on discipleship and leadership, the event draws many men and women.

Individual tickets are $30 and tables of ten are $310 available for purchase on line (with additional transaction fee) at www.tampabaybreakfast.com. Corporate sponsorships are available, and this year, the organizing committee is looking for those who can serve as Assistant Coaches by hosting each table at the event.

By: Tom Behrens

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Friday, March 11, 2011

Harlem Globetrotters at St.Pete Times Forum

When:
 
March 12 : 2 p.m.
March 12 : 7 p.m.
On Sale Date:
 
November 22, 2010
Price:
 
$15, $25, $33, $51, $106
Event Phone Number:
 
813-301-2500

St. Pete Times Forum
401 Channelside Drive
 

TampaFL 33602
813-301-2500

Watch these guys, dribble, pass and dunk like never before. The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 85th consecutive season of tearing up the court with their magical 2011 "4 Times the Fun" World Tour that stops in Tampa at the St. Pete Times Forum on March 12, 2011. Don't miss your chance to watch two of their performaces that day. The first is at 2 p.m and the second is 7 p.m. More information can be found atwww.harlemglobetrotters.com.

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

March Teacher Month

Here's an interesting event for Tampa Bay for the month of March:


  • March 01, 2011 - March 31, 2011
  • Address: 5145 Harvey Tew Rd., Plant City, FL 33565
  • Times: 9am to 5pm
  • Admission: free teachers
  • Contact: Nicole Randall
  • Phone: 813-717-9865
  • Email: dinosaurworld@scrtc.com

Free teacher with a guest every day in March to Dinosaur World. Valid teacher ID required.

 

 

Click here to visit their website

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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Recycling fishing line for marine life

Here's an interesting article about our marine life here in Florida:

 

TAMPA - Many people consider Florida to be the fishing capital of the world. But with so many anglers comes a lot of fishing line.

Images of dolphins and turtles tangled in fishing line or nets are disturbing and unforgivable.

"As an environmental scientist, as a person who loves the outdoors, I like wildlife and I feel bad when I see them suffering in a way like that," said Kevin Misiewicz, an environmental scientist with Tampa Bay Watch.

Fishing line causes needless suffering, due to some anglers' improper disposal of it. Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's produced a video on fishing line recycling to put stop the suffering.

A popular reminder of this is Winter the dolphin. Her tale was amputated after it became entangled in fishing line. Most animals aren't as lucky -- especially birds.

Misiewicz explained, "The hooks will get lodged under the wing, the wing gets pinned down, and then they can't fly. If they can't fly, they can't catch food, if they can't catch food they can't feed their young, and often times the whole nest can parish."

There is a way to prevent these disasters: monofilament fishing line recycling bins posted at many major fishing areas.

Misiewicz helps clean the bins. While cleaning, he notes items of garbage that are not supposed to be in it.

 

Click here to learn more.

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Monday, February 28, 2011

PJ Tampa Bay Story Winner of the Week

From: Ruth Doroslovac

Flowers To Eat is an independently woman owned business, maker of delicious and unique fruit and vegetable arrangements right here in the Temple Terrace community. 
It was the first fruit bouquet store to open in Temple Terrace in the fall of 2004. The owner, Ruth Doroslovac had created arrangements for her family events and then gone to Washington D.C. to train with Food Network chef and winner, James Parker. 
Coming back to Temple Terrace, she opened her store offering only 8 fruit bouquets. But when customers asked for chocolate covered strawberries, she responded by creating many unique arrangements using gourmet dark, milk and white chocolate. She also added apple wedges and her famous Banana Bites™. 
With the downturn in the economy over the last few years, Ruth saw many people who had willingly or unwillingly left corporate America and were looking for a small business in which they could showcase their creativity. In November of 2009, Flowers to Eat began offering classes to teach budding entrepreneurs the tips and techniques of making bouquets like the ones that they offer. Hands on classes have become very popular and attracted students ready to start their own new business and have come from as far away as Taiwan, Turkey, Ecuador and Costa Rica. Now people in many countries are enjoying Flowers to Eat type of bouquets and the store owners are expanding their product lines to create their own variations using the fruits and vegetables that are popular in their countries.

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