A brief in Wednesday’s Life, etc., section misstated chef Lorena Garcia’s role in Miami restaurant Elements Tierra. Garcia no longer owns the restaurant.
******
Telemundo star chef Lorena Garcia will be cooking this weekend at local Belk stores to highlight her new line of cookware and housewares products. Garcia, a Johnson & Wales culinary school graduate, has trained all over the world and owns a fusion restaurant, Elements Tierra, in Miami.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, she will be at Belk in The Streets of Southpoint in Durham, then at 3:30 p.m. at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. Each demonstration will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
Grocer fights breast cancer
Buying your fruits and veggies at Harris Teeter grocery stores can help raise money for breast cancer research.
All month, “Pink Ribbon Produce” will be clearly marked in all Harris Teeter stores, and a portion of those sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure local affiliates.
C’est Halloween, kiddies
C’est Si Bon cooking school in Chapel Hill is offering a Halloween-themed cooking class for children Oct. 25.
The class is designed for children ages 8 to 14 with beginning to intermediate cooking skills. The class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $75. For more information or to make a reservation, call 942-6550.
Read More:News & Observer
(ARA) – School is out and across the country many families now face the perennial seasonal dilemma: What should the kids do with themselves this summer? For a growing number of community-minded youngsters, the answer is: “Make a difference.”
“Summer is all about fun in the sun and taking a break from the rigors of school,” says Liz Scott of Wynnewood, Pa. “But kids really benefit from doing something more with their summer, like getting involved in the community or raising funds for a cause they believe in. Not only do they stay occupied, engaged and excited throughout the summer, they gain a real sense of their own strength and worth.”
Scott should know. Her daughter, Alexandra, gained national attention for her efforts to raise money for pediatric cancer research by holding lemonade stands. What started as a simple but passionate idea inspired a worldwide grassroots fundraising effort. Sadly, Alex passed away Aug. 1, 2004. Parents Liz and Jay continue promoting Alex’s cause and raising money for pediatric cancer research through their foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), which has raised more than $19 million to date.
“Numerous studies show that volunteering holds many physical and mental health benefits for volunteers, regardless of their age,” says Pam Edwards of Volvo Cars of North America. To commemorate the life of Alex Scott, Volvo created the Alexandra Scott Butterfly Award to recognize exceptional child heroes.
Zach Bonner was named the 2008 Butterfly Award winner. To help victims of Hurricane Katrina Zach, 10, collected 27 truckloads of sundry items, raised $600 in donations for the Red Cross post-Katrina efforts and secured $7,000 worth of new toys and sporting equipment for homeless children living in Red Cross shelters. He also recently founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation, Inc., which collects and donates backpacks filled with food, school items and other supplies to disadvantaged children nationwide.
Getting kids involved can be as simple – or grand – as the children and parents wish. The efforts of past Butterfly Award winners can provide a roadmap for getting started:
* Look to the Internet.
“The Web is a great resource for finding a charity or volunteer opportunity that fits your child’s needs and personality,” Edwards says. For example, this year www.lemonadestandforlife.com, hosted by Volvo, gives visitors the chance to support ALSF. By visiting the site, you can make a direct donation by purchasing a cups of virtual lemonade for just $1. You can then share those cups via e-mail with others asking them to also visit and support the site’s mission.
* Look to current events.
News accounts of the need caused by Katrina inspired Zach Bonner to get involved. When Congress designated November National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Zach launched a marathon walk from Tampa, Fla., to the state capital 250 miles away in Tallahassee. He and his team raised money and awareness for the nation’s estimated 1.3 million homeless children.
* Draw inspiration from your own life.
Alex Scott founded her lemonade stand as she was recovering from cancer treatment. Grace Farnan, 14, of South Hamilton, Mass., decided to become involved in hospice care after her grandmother peacefully passed away in hospice care. Her work with the Hospice of the North Shore has included collecting hundreds of new picture frames for patients to keep photos of loved ones close at hand, and the creation of more than 500 guest books in which visitors, family and staff can write encouragement for patients. Grace was recognized as the 2006 Butterfly Award winner.
* Don’t be afraid to reach far.
In addition to efforts to help Florida’s hurricane-affected residents, Samita Mohanasundaram, 16, of Nashua, N.H., also helps disadvantaged children in India. When she was just 7, she visited a small, impoverished village in southern India and was moved by the local school’s need for books, supplies and materials. Upon returning home, she launched a book drive that drew support from all over New England. In 2007, Samita became the third child to win the Butterfly Award.
To learn more about the Butterfly Awards and to help raise funds to fight pediatric cancer, visit http://www.lemonadestandforlife.com .
(NewsUSA) - Advertising is telling the world how great you are, while publicity is having others tell the world how great you are. Companies and organizations that understand the importance of publicity are generally more successful than those who use advertising alone to reach their target audiences.
Newspapers, magazines and radio and television news programs are filled with stories about businesses and organizations. Those who know how to present materials professionally to the right people will get media coverage for free, while those who don’t understand how publicity works have to rely on large advertising budgets to reach their audiences, usually with less impressive results.
“If you can get a news organization to report about your event or praise something you’re doing, you have gained an enormous amount of credibility that simply couldn’t be generated through paid advertising,” said David Forman, a public relations veteran and author of “Publicity Professor,” a workbook that teaches business owners how to get free news coverage.
The first step in reaching out to media professionals is to create an appealing press release. Its main purpose is to get an editor or producer interested in what you have to say or in what you are doing. It should contain enough information, specifics and quotes that a writer can craft a story from it without ever having to call you.
A media alert is another tool for getting press coverage. Its purpose is to give news assignment desks the specifics about an event in a way that entices editors or television news directors to send a reporter or camera crew.
There are dozens of other ways to get news coverage, such as placing feature stories or writing pitch letters offering your expertise in a subject for quotes or on-air interviews.
Forman says you don’t have to hire outside help to get publicity.
“Nobody knows your business like you do,” Forman said. “You simply have to reach the appropriate person with your message, in a format that media professionals expect.”
Using real-world examples, “Publicity Professor” shows you how to give editors and producers exactly what they’re looking for to get your story covered for free.
The guidebook includes easy-to-follow templates of press releases, media alerts, feature stories and pitch letters; suggestions on creating newsworthy special events and awards programs; and resources for contacting local, regional and national media.
For further information on promoting your business, order a copy of “Publicity Professor” by calling toll-free (866) NEWS-400 or by visiting www.publicityprofessor.com.
APEX, N.C. — Creative Gifting, a business that specializes in unique, creative gift designs, has been named to Rave Reviews Magazine Top 100 List. The Top 100 list was created by Rave Reviews Magazine from a nationwide survey of business owners in the gourmet/gift basket industry.
“For Creative Gifting to be named to Rave Reviews Magazine’s Top 100 List is very reaffirming of our work,” said Debra Simonette, owner of Creative Gifting. “To be selected due to our growth over the past seven years makes this award to be even more significant.”
In 2005, Creative Gifting was recognized by Gift Basket Review as one of the Top 100 Gift Basket Businesses in America.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
“Green Issue” also Highlights Environmentally Friendly Business Practices
RALEIGH, N.C. — Progress Energy Chairman, CEO and President Bill Johnson has always been up for a good challenge. As incoming chair of the North Carolina Chamber, he’s eager to work with Chamber staff to guide the organization during what he describes as “an exciting time.”
The March 2008 issue of NC Magazine, the official magazine of the North Carolina Chamber, sheds light on Johnson’s professional accomplishments, personal life and principles. He also shares his thoughts on top priorities for businesses in 2008.
“The March issue serves as our ‘green issue’ this year,” said Sherry Melton, vice president of communications for the North Carolina Chamber. “Almost all of the regular sections of the magazine include an article or sidebar addressing environmentally friendly issues and practices.”
Additional highlights in the March issue of NC Magazine include the following:
- a showcase of golf resorts throughout all regions of North Carolina, plus a feature on courses certified by Audubon International as meeting nature-friendly design and maintenance;
- a feature on how green architectural practices are becoming more commonplace and less costly;
- an article describing how sustainability is the new trend in North Carolina’s substantial furniture industry; and
- a preview of the Governor’s Conference on Tourism (March 16 to March 18 in Winston-Salem) and how it will promote sustainability through conference practices and speaker topics.
The Community Spotlight for March is on Guilford County and features articles on Greensboro’s cluster strategy for growth, Guilford Tech’s aviation training programs, High Point’s continued growth, and the Gateway University Research Park.
Other sections of the magazine highlight the historic coastal town of Beaufort and the North Carolina Zoo’s new Watani Grasslands Reserve, designed to improve the zoo’s ability to breed elephants and endangered white rhinos.
NC Magazine is a monthly publication that highlights the power of North Carolina business and is available as a member benefit from the North Carolina Chamber. Subscriptions are also available for purchase from the Chamber. For more information on the North Carolina Chamber or NC Magazine, visit www.ncchamber.net or call (919) 836-1400.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
Raleigh, N.C. – Butterball, LLC, the largest turkey producer in the United States, received The Triangle Business Journal’s SPACE Award for Economic Development in the New Industry category. The award was presented to Butterball executives at a ceremony held Jan. 31 at North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh.
The Business Journal selected Butterball in recognition of its new lease. The turkey producer will soon relocate its corporate headquarters into a $12 million, 46,000-square-foot facility in Garner, N.C.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Triangle Business Journal,” said Keith Shoemaker, CEO of Butterball. “The Greater Raleigh area is growing tremendously and we’re pleased to be able to contribute to the development by bringing jobs and economic goodwill to the metropolitan area.”
When Butterball relocates during the summer of 2008, corporate and management level employees will relocate from their existing offices. Moving forward, Butterball will maintain its strong presence in Mt. Olive, where it operates the largest turkey-processing plant in the world, a state-of-the-art, 650,000-square-foot facility that employs more than 2,600 people
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
RALEIGH, N.C. – Ned Jennings, principal at FreemanWhite, an architectural, engineering, interior design and consulting services firm for healthcare organizations in the United States, has announced that the firm has been ranked number one in the Triangle Business Journal’s annual 2008 Book of Lists for Largest N.C. Architects (www.triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle ). The Triangle Business Journal ranked the companies based on the number of registered architects and total number of employees in N.C.
“We are excited to be ranked number one on the Triangle Business Journal’s annual 2008 Book of Lists for Largest N.C. Architects,” said Jennings. “We have worked hard to make FreemanWhite the kind of firm that attracts and retains the best architects and designers in the field.”
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
GARNER, N.C. – What are the latest floral trends for spring weddings? What types of rings are couples choosing these days? These and other wedding-related questions are answered in the February/March issue of Triangle East Magazine available now.
“We found that spring 2008 wedding flowers will be all about sassy colors that make a statement – with a little bit of bling adding an exclamation mark,” says Kerry Watson Garner, editor of the magazine. “Engagement rings used to be the star of the show, but wedding bands, now lavishly detailed, are giving engagement rings a run for their money.”
TEM’s first annual “Tastes of Triangle East” article highlights the region’s eclectic dining options from wiener schnitzel, sushi, chicken salad sandwiches and dry-aged, bone-in sirloin to pickle chips, buffalo wings, steamed oysters and more. Featured restaurants include Kaze Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi, Sunny Side Too Oyster Bar, Edelweiss Bakery & Café, The Pink Teacup, Cleveland Draft House and 1705 Prime.
This issue’s Community Focus centers on the Garner Senior Center, which welcomes 2,000 active adults every day. Between the Tai Chi classes, card games, aerobics and multitude of other offerings, the center buzzes with activity from open until close.
Readers can also discover great treats for Valentine’s Day in the magazine’s Sweet Spot section, featuring raspberry cheesecake fudge from Sweet Carolina Gourmet, truffles from The Chocolate Works & More, and sweet potato sticky buns from The Plain Jane Baking Co.
The February/March issue of Triangle East Magazine is available now at 24 retail locations throughout eastern Wake and Johnston counties, including Barnes and Noble Booksellers and Borders Books and Music in Raleigh. Subscriptions may be ordered directly by visiting www.triangleeastmagazine.com or by calling (919) 674-6020.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
RALEIGH, N.C. - A modern house perched on a steep hillside in Raleigh’s established Laurel Hills neighborhood is featured this month in Architectural Record magazine, one of the profession’s most respected journals.
Raleigh architect Frank Harmon, FAIA, designed the 1800-square-foot house for Lynda Strickland when she relocated here from Washington, D.C. Her property is located within a 150-year-old beech and oak forest above Crabtree Creek.
“We knew we had to raise the house off the ground and let the water flow under it,” Harmon told Architectural Record’s Clifford Pearson, so he propped it on nine wood trusses sitting on concrete columns. “The strategy not only preserved the site’s hydrological patterns,” writes Pearson, “but allowed the architect to build without cutting down any major trees.”
In the article, entitled “Frank Harmon raised the Strickland-Ferris Residence off the ground, then let its roof take flight,” Pearson addresses the innovative “butterfly roof..floating above a band of windows wrapping around the top of the building,” which also helps collect rainwater for irrigating the forest floor.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
RALEIGH, N.C. – Monica Smiley, publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women magazine (www.enterprisingwomen.com), has announced the winners and finalists for the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards, an annual tribute to North America’s top women entrepreneurs. The award winners and finalists will be recognized during a three-day tribute held in their honor from Feb. 28-March 1 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, FL. This is the sixth anniversary of the gala awards celebration. The Walt Disney World Company is the premiere event sponsor, with UPS serving as platinum event sponsor.
Award recipients must demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and stand out as leaders in their communities. Many of these women are also leaders in key organizations that support the growth of women’s entrepreneurship.
Award winners were recognized in five categories: annual sales revenues of more than $25 million; more than $10 million and up to $25 million in annual revenues; more than $5 million and up to $10 million in annual revenues; more than $1 million and up to $5 million in annual revenues; and up to $1 million in annual revenues.
For more information or to register to attend the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards, visit www.enterprisingwomen.com or call (919) 674-6640.
“We have the privilege of bringing together the nation’s finest women business owners to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments,” Smiley said. “The judges have selected an outstanding group of women who are very deserving of this recognition.”
The winners of the award are listed below:
Over $25 million in annual sales revenues category:
- Kathy L. Bennett of Bennett Packaging of KC, Inc., Lees Summit, MO
- Susan V. Daywitt of SLM Waste & Recycling Services Inc., Sellersville, PA
- Renee Fraser of Fraser Communications, Los Angeles, CA
- Carolyn Gable of New Age Transportation, Distribution & Warehousing, Inc., Lake Zurich, IL
- Cordia Harrington of The Bun Companies, Nashville, TN
- Michelle Morey of Magnetic Products and Services, Minneapolis, MN
- Sharon Olson of Olson Weiss, Bloomington, MN
- Pamela Chambers O’Rourke of Icon Information Consultants, LP, Houston, TX
- Patti A. Penny of Penmac Personnel Services, Inc., Springfield, MO
- Ranjini Poddar of Artech Information Systems, LLC, Cedar Knolls, NJ
- Beverly Raphael of RCC Associates, Inc., Deerfield Beach, FL
- Rosalie Stackman Edson of Meadows Office Furniture Co., New York, NY
- Gail Warrior-Lawrence of The Warrior Group, Inc., DeSoto, TX
- Lisa Wexler of Elaine Construction, Newton, MA.
Over $10 million and up to $25 million in annual sales revenues category:
- Jaki Baskow of Baskow & Associates, Las Vegas, NV
- Karen L. Draper of S & N Pump Company, Inc., Houston, TX
- Jayne Edison of Office Furniture Innovations, Houston, TX
- Rebecca Herwick of Global Products, Inc., St. Peters, MO
- Kip Hollister of Hollister, Inc., Boston, MA
- Carla Conti Kalavritinos and Paola Garzoni of Premier Relocation Solutions, New York, NY
- Wendy Kalisher of Best Press, Inc., Addison, TX
- Judith Lawton of TLC Staffing, San Diego, CA
- Mary Ann Lievois of iscg, Royal Oak, MI
- Nicole Loftus of Zorch International, Inc., Chicago, IL
- Linda Magnusson-Rosario of InSys Consulting Services, Inc., Rochelle Park, NJ
- Maura Ryan-Kaiser and Sheila Ryan-Felker of Snelling Staffing Services, Southfield, MI
- Anisa M. Telwar of Anisa International, Inc., Atlanta, GA
- Barbara VanKirk of IQ Inc., Murrysville, PA
- Rose Wang of Binary Group, Arlington, VA
- Sharon M. Weinstein of Core Wellness International, Lake Forest, IL.
Over $5 million and up to $10 million in annual sales revenues category:
- Diann Albers of UpNorth Consulting, Inc., Bloomington, MN
- Cheryl Amyx of Amyx, Inc., Alexandria, VA
- Julie Sue Auslander of Corporate Subscription Management Services, Ramsey, NY
- Michelle D’Souza of Unified Business Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI
- Barbara Fagan-Smith of ROI Communication, Inc., Scotts Valley, CA
- Karin L. Greene, Alisa F. Levin and Susan Kurz Snyder of Greene-Levin-Snyder, LLC, New York, NY
- Barbara Hendrickson of Design Incentives, Inc., Livonia, MI
- Valerie Holstein of CableOrganizer.com, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Dr. Ginger Lai of Marketing Fundamental/Gingi Inc./ABC Barter, Alhambra, CA
- Francine Manilow of Manilow Suites, Inc., Chicago, IL
- Nancy Marshall of Aluminum Supply Company, Inc., Detroit, MI
- Lisa Negri of LT Environmental, Inc., Arvada, CO
- Jodi Pulice of JRT Realty Group, New York, NY
- Frances M. Queen of Queen Associates Inc., Charlotte, NC
- Lynne Stewart of Superior Search & Staffing, Dallas, TX
- Barbara Stork of Midwest Provisions, Inc., Sioux Falls, SD.
Over $1 million and up to $5 million in annual sales revenues category:
- Laura Allen of Vision Education & Media, New York, NY
- Kim Barnes of Barnes & Conti Associates, Berkeley, CA
- Kathleen Bellwoar of PPT Consulting LLC, Newtown Square, PA
- June Bratcher of Daisy Tours, San Antonio, TX
- Patty Briguglio of MMI Associates, Inc., Raleigh, NC
- Michelle Crumm of Adaptive Materials, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
- Carol Curran of Phoenix Data Corporation, Indianapolis, IN
- Lisa Dolan of Securit, Flushing, NY
- DJ Heckes of EXHIB-IT!, Albuquerque, NM
- Margot King of OnSite Resource, Alpharetta, GA
- Cathy Lanier of Technology Solutions, Inc., Columbia, SC
- Lisa Pineiro of Technical Services, Inc., Durham, NC
- Diana Richards of Vacuum Systems International, Inc., Cleveland, OH
- Carol Kimmel Schary of Nathan Kimmel Company, LLC, Los Angeles, CA
- Sandra Sinicrope of ASF Interior Re-Design Inc., Alhambra, CA
- Cheryl Smith of Kansas City Home Care, Inc., Overland Park, KS
- Laurie Sprouse of Ultimate Ventures, Dallas, TX
- Hollis Thomases of Web Ad.vantage, Inc., Havre de Grace, MD
- Kara Trott of Quantum Health, Inc., Columbus, OH
- Donna M. Vandiver of The Vandiver Group, Inc., St. Louis, MO
- Sally Weatherly of Weatherly Consulting, Inc., Minnetonka, MN.
Up to $1 million in annual sales revenues category:
- Eileen Carew of Direct Associates, Natick, MA
- Jennifer D. Collins of The Event Planning Group, LLC, Washington, DC
- Nancy Denker of Focus Ink, Inc., Albuquerque, NM
- Susie Duboe-Bryant of Hinsdale Furriers, Hinsdale, IL
- Ann Duncan of Vertical Integration, Inc., Tampa, FL
- Lawrie Hollingsworth of Asset Recovery Technologies, Inc., Elk Grove Village, IL
- Karen Karp of Karp Resources, Southold, NY
- Deborah A. Osgood of Knowledge Institute, Inc., Exeter, NH
- Terri S. Williams of ArchitectureSouth, Tupelo, MS.
The judges also selected finalists for the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Award. Both winners and finalists will receive recognition at the awards celebration
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
