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.

Posted via email from pjtampabay's posterous

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

Posted via email from pjtampabay's posterous

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.

Posted via email from pjtampabay's posterous

Story Winner of the Week

The winner of this weeks story is:

 

Sean O’Cuinneagain

 

 

The idea came to them over a glass of wine.

 

 

 

A small device that would aerate red wine quickly without making a mess.

 

Sean O’Cuinneagain, owner of WineMall, an online wine retailer, had been pondering the idea for a while. But on this day while he and friend Andy Broden sipped a glass of Malbec, O’Cuinneagain sketched it out on a paper napkin.

The first version of the Vin-Aire wine aerator was born.

“We felt this was something we were passionate about,” O’Cuinneagain said. “Something we could all go in the same direction about.”

Broden, a Westchase resident and wine broker, had been selling O’Cuinneagain wine for years making him the best “partner in wine” for the venture.

“Andy had the contacts and he saw the vision,” O’Cuinneagain said.

That first sketch was about two years ago. These days, O’Cuinneagain and Broden, are steadily building up a Vin-Aire following.

Vin-Aire is primarily Internet based, but the company is in talks to sell the aerators ($29.99 each at www.vin-aire.com) in a retail setting. And former Tampa Bay Lightning hockey player Zenon Konopka, a stakeholder in the business, is using the aerator to raise money for the New York Islanders’ Children’s Foundation.

Konopka was traded to the Islanders last year. For the next month, a portion of all Vin-Aire sales will go to the foundation.

“After two years we’re so excited,” said O’Cuinneagain, a Lutz resident. “The great thing about it is it’s not just for wine connoisseurs. It’s for regular people who enjoy wine.”

On a recent day, O’Cuinneagain and his staff demonstrated how the product works. You simply place the clear Vin-Aire device over your wine glass and slowly pour the wine through the device. A “hsssss” sound can be heard as the wine aerates through the device.

It takes about 10 seconds as opposed to the hour or so it takes for red wine to aerate naturally.

By exposing wine to air, or “letting it breathe,” the wine heats up slightly allowing the aroma and ingredients to release. The result is generally a more mellow, better tasting glass of wine.

The idea is to make an $8 bottle of wine taste like a $30 bottle. The Vin-Aire isn’t the only wine aerator on the market. However, the lower price and ease of use make it a better product than its competitor, O’Cuinneagain said.

Fred Moses, a Westchase resident, was one of the first to purchase the Vin-Aire.

“When you get home from work and you want to have a glass of wine, you don’t want to have to pour it and stare at the glass for hours,” said Moses, a commercial banker.

“Your red wine taste completely different after using it,” he said. “It’s a good product.”

Sales for the Vin-Aire are steady, he says. In 2011, the company will market the product to wine stores, restaurants and bars. The European market is in their sights as well.

From a simple sketch to an intentional sensation—that is the hope.

“A lot of people have ideas but not a lot of people do them,” Broden said. “We decided to seize this opportunity."

Posted via email from pjtampabay's posterous

Runner Up Story

Here is the runner up story fir our story contest:

Only Job News USA allows an employer to effectively reach potential employees using different media methods at a cost effective rate!  Job News provides comprehensive multi-media recruitment solutions, such as a local employment website (i.e.www.jobnewstampa.com ), weekly employment publications (widely distributed in places such as retail, learning facilities, and both indoor and outdoor rack distributions), Job Fairs and broadcast advertising.  We work with both local and national businesses to better help them reach candidates in their specific markets at a cost more reasonable than traditional newspaper or web only products.  Not only are we proud of our “local market focus” but we are proud to sponsor and organize 5-6 career fairs annually.  Our career fairs focus on attracting the Tampa Bay local talent to match our Tampa Bay businesses.  Our next Career Fair is February 9th, 2011 at the Tampa Wyndham Westshore Hotel from 10am-2pm.  Some of the participating companies are Progressive Insurance, AFLAC, ABC Networks, 20-20 Companies, Valet Waste, Waste Management, Tampa Bay Business Journal, Lokey Automotive, Ferman Automotive, Avis, CarMax, The Secret Service, One Touch Direct, Amerilife, Cellular Sales of Central Florida, Verizon and many others!  The career fair is FREE to candidates, which includes parking and we are proud to have FrankCrum Staffing participate in a resume review session, where candidates can have their resumes looked at and critiqued.  As the General Sales Manager of the Tampa market, I am big on our local Tampa Bay community.  We like to give back!  I am proud to be a part of an organization that focuses on what many other recruitment solution organizations do not, matching local talent with local companies.  To register as a candidate at the career fair visit www.jobnewstampa.com and again it is free!  To participate as an exhibitor, please feel free to contact me directly atfkneitel@jobnewsusa.com or at 813-875-8555.  We look forward to seeing you all there!  And, stay tuned for our next career fair to be held April 12th at the Marriot Roosevelt in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area!
Address:  5601 Mariner Street
               Suite #102
               Tampa, FL  33609
 
Hillsborough County
www.jobnewstampa.com (local website) and our national website iswww.jobnewsusa.com

Posted via email from pjtampabay's posterous

Shop With A Cop

Let’s all step it up this year and support the “Shop With A Cop” program under the direction of the Zephyrhills Police Department. The ZPD is partnering with the Zephyrhills community to help collect school supplies and money for this effort.  This year more than ever, families are in need of assistance in providing basic clothing and school supplies for their children to attend school. The kids need Kinder Mats, crayons, pens, pencils, 3 ring binders, notebook paper, notebooks, composition books, pocket dictionaries, calculators, sandwich bags, hand sanitizer, wipes, tissues, backpacks (no wheels), and/or monetary donations for clothing.

Any business wishing to set up a collection box, donate gift cards or make charitable donations toward this cause, please contact Lori Tindall at 813-780-0050 ext 147.

Thank you for making Zephyrhills the caring community we all know and love. Together we CAN make a difference!

 

http://www.pjtampabay.com

Posted via email from pjtampabay's posterous

Icon Savvy TV Lands In Tampa Bay Every Friday Morning

Who: Icon Savvy TV – Leading Society News and Host, Brandi Kamenar.

What: “Icon Savvy: Leading Society News” is a local news and lifestyle segment, featuring industry “Icons” in the community who inspire and make an impact in Tampa Bay. Host Brandi Kamenar is on a mission to interview and uncover all the aspects that truly matter to Tampa Bay community members, making Icon Savvy an exclusive source for Lifestyle, Entertainment Business and Fashion news. Last week’s premiere segment featured the exciting and new Glazer Children’s Museum with interviews of VP of Development and Marketing for the Museum, Heidi Shimberg and Tampa Bay Parenting Expert and board member, Angela Ardolino.

This week’s segment will feature behind the scenes moments from the launch of The Focus Magazine South Tampa and Icon Savvy TV. The “Flash & Flare Event” benefited the American Cancer Society with a smoldering Burlesque performance by Fred Astaire Dance Studios Tampa Bay that jump-started the evening and included a 2010 Summer Fashion Show that featured local designers, La’Daska Mechelle Swimwear and Dara Lauria, accessory designer to country stars. The fashion show also showcased hot fashions from local boutiques such as Paradise Island, Urban Body Men's Clothing, Reborn Couture, Kit's Well-Heeled & Well-Dressed, and FLY Jewelry by Ian Beckles. This week's segment also features Brandi interviewing leading professionals such as owner and editor of Reality Edit, Bob Rose, Maria Alithinos, SVP of Icon B. Marketing & Publicity Group and Marc Palmer, Publisher of Focus Magazine. You can tune in to view this new segment at www.IconSavvyTv.com this Friday at 10 AM!

When: A new segment Each and Every Friday at 10:00 AM

Where: http://www.IconSavvyTV.com/

About Icon Savvy TV:
“Icon Savvy: Leading Society News” is a local news and lifestyle segment, sponsored by FocusTV and hosted by Brandi Kamenar, CEO & Creative Director of Icon B. Marketing & Publicity Group, featuring industry “Icons” in the community who inspire and make an impact in Tampa Bay. The show will be shown on IconSavvyTv.com .

About the Host: Brandi Kamenar

Known for her sense of style and entrepreneurial spirit, Brandi has a true eye for publicity and news. With a fashion-forward roster of clients and successful celebrities at her company, Icon B. Marketing and Publicity Group, she knows first-hand what it takes to thrive in the fast-paced luxury/lifestyle world. Connected to the area’s most exclusive social and business circles, Kamenar is a master-connector who was born to bring people together in unique and innovative ways. Her years of experience in the fashion and entertainment industries - including her work as a professional model - make her the perfect person to uncover the iconic life - right here in Tampa Bay.

For more information regarding Icon Savvy TV and Brandi Kamenar, please contact leia@icon-b.com or call 315.651.5227.

aahttp://www.pjtampabay.com/

Posted via web from pjtampabay's posterous

Congratulations PACE - Center for Girls

 

"I love Papa John's Pizza, not only because it tastes great, but also because I love the hot peppers that come with it and remind me of the pizza place we went to when I was a growing up in Maryland. I am a single mother of 4( 3 girls ages 13, 15, and 16 and one boy age 18).

For the past 6 years one or more of my daughters have attended the Center for Girls. The Center provides a safe positive place for them to spend time outside of school when I'm working full time. They learn things I can't teach them about how to grow to be strong health women, and see positive role models in areas of life I have no other access to.

All of that is well and good, I don’t intend to downplay all the wonderful things they do at The Center, however my selfish reason for loving the Center for Girls comes on the third Tuesday of the month when we attend Family Night. That's the one night that I NEVER have to figure out what's for dinner, cook it, or pay for it, and I know that all of the kids will eat it. It's Papa John Pizza! Even my son has attended Family Night. I hope you give them a discount as a non-profit organization. They deserve it and my family and many others are very grateful."

This is our "Submit Your Story" winner nominated by: Cori Toler

PACE Center for Girls provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. PACE values all girls and young women, believing each one deserves an opportunity to find her voice, achieve her potential and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace.
http://www.pacecenter.org/centers.html

aahttp://www.pjtampabay.com/

Posted via web from pjtampabay's posterous