In the Times' business page Monday!!!
Ester Venouziou announces the launch of Local Shopper LLC, P.O. Box 530144, St. Petersburg, at www.localshops1.com. Local Shopper promotes locally owned, independent shops, and previews about 500 stores and restaurants in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/article905725.ece
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Halloween contest!
Local Shopper had lots of great entries in our October contest at our Web site, localshops1.com. Here are some of our favorites! Can you guess which one we picked?
Answer, of course, is on localshops1.com!
-- Ester Venouziou
------------------------
Two entries by Tamara Hart
First, we dressed our two year old son up like a killer tomato. He was so fat with all the newspaper we stuffed in him that we had to put him in a wagon to go door to door. We went to visit our nieces and trick or treat with them. Our youngest niece as we started walking around to collect chocolate, started screaming and ducking. We asked her why she was doing that and as she started running home she yelled, "BATS!! BATS!! BATS!!". We didn't she her the rest of the night. Oh, yes there were bats. The rest of us thought it was pretty cool seeing it was Halloween, plus they eat the bugs that fly around and bite us.
The second Halloween was when one of our other nieces, who is was a teenager, decided to put make-up on my husband. He was going to wear the blow up ballerina costume. She made a real production of it. He looked pretty good too. Even with the mustache. When we went out with the kids to get treats someone yelled at my husband, "Show us what's was under the skirt!!" Well, the costume was connected from neck to ankle, but he could jump up and down and the skirt would fly up and down with him. He twirled around and acted like he was dancing then lifted the little skirt in the back as to moon them. Everyone laughed so hard just from him dancing and then a man fell out of his chair when he lifted the back of skirt to moon them.
----------------
By Lena Hunt:
When I was in fifth grade, my teacher appointed me the task of being a vampire for our school's spook house. Thoughts of strobe lights and being chased by people in black with "chainsaws" crossed my young mind as I pictured the spook houses I had experienced. I begged the teacher to let me be a greeter. She refused.
Grand opening night of our haunted abode, I laid shivering with fear in my own cardboard coffin. Even my fake vampire teeth were chattering! Suddenly, our first paying visitors came through and boy, did I ever scare the living daylights out of them when THEY SCARED ME by simply walking past my spray-painted coffin. I jumped up and dashed out of the mock coffin, nearly leaving my black cloak behind. Strobe lights, figures in black, and screaming chainless chainsaws followed me all the way out of my own haunted haven.
---------
By Lena's daughter, Lauren Mabra
When I was only seven I dressed up as a rock star; I thought it was the coolest idea. So I threw on my pink wig (compliments of the Dollar Store) and some purple leather pants, then we were off on our Halloween adventure.
Our neighborhood was the ultimate trick-or-treating place. People would give out the whole six-candy-bar pack and not just individual candy bars! My friends and I would be having a heart attack over how much candy we've gotten from just the second house and our parents would be having a heart attack over how cold it was!
By the time we got home, my wig was a huge, pink fuzz ball (so much for Dollar Store quality), but I didn't care about that… I wanted the candy! All of us kids had a secret annual trade-your-bad-candy-for-someone else's, so we dumped all of our sweets out and began.
---------
By Backyard Getaway, host of our Nov. 15 garden party!
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. My favorite halloween memory was when we took our 2 year old grandson trick or treating for the first time. He was a bit shy at first but once he realized that he was getting candy from every person he met he couldn't wait to get to the next house! But, I have to say my most memorable halloween was a few years earlier. When our kids were young we would have costume parties. My husband would create a haunted house. We had added a room to our home. The roof wasn't on yet just cement block walls. It made the perfect haunted house. One of my sons friends was a bit of a prankster & he decided he would scare the guys working the haunted house. I got the bright idea to scare him. As he entered the room he was suprised by one of the guys & he started swinging & backing up. I was right behind him & ended up with a broken nose & toe!
---------
By Andrea Johnson
Magical and memorable: Halloween 2003 will always be very close to my heart. Bo and I eloped and were married in Gatlinburg, TN on November 1, 2003. We arrived in town the day before, on Halloween. After checking into a cozy room, and racing to get our marriage license before the courthouse closed - we ate a great dinner, we strolled around Gatlinburg, enjoying the town and the amazingly cool weather. People in bizarre and outlandish costumes roamed the streets. For everyone else, it was just Halloween. For me, that night, everything was right in the world because I was holding Bo’s hand. I lost Bo just 10 months later in a car accident. We would be celebrating our fifth anniversary this year. Instead, I hold the memories from that Halloween weekend very close to me and try to smile when I think of how very blessed I was.
Answer, of course, is on localshops1.com!
-- Ester Venouziou
------------------------
Two entries by Tamara Hart
First, we dressed our two year old son up like a killer tomato. He was so fat with all the newspaper we stuffed in him that we had to put him in a wagon to go door to door. We went to visit our nieces and trick or treat with them. Our youngest niece as we started walking around to collect chocolate, started screaming and ducking. We asked her why she was doing that and as she started running home she yelled, "BATS!! BATS!! BATS!!". We didn't she her the rest of the night. Oh, yes there were bats. The rest of us thought it was pretty cool seeing it was Halloween, plus they eat the bugs that fly around and bite us.
The second Halloween was when one of our other nieces, who is was a teenager, decided to put make-up on my husband. He was going to wear the blow up ballerina costume. She made a real production of it. He looked pretty good too. Even with the mustache. When we went out with the kids to get treats someone yelled at my husband, "Show us what's was under the skirt!!" Well, the costume was connected from neck to ankle, but he could jump up and down and the skirt would fly up and down with him. He twirled around and acted like he was dancing then lifted the little skirt in the back as to moon them. Everyone laughed so hard just from him dancing and then a man fell out of his chair when he lifted the back of skirt to moon them.
----------------
By Lena Hunt:
When I was in fifth grade, my teacher appointed me the task of being a vampire for our school's spook house. Thoughts of strobe lights and being chased by people in black with "chainsaws" crossed my young mind as I pictured the spook houses I had experienced. I begged the teacher to let me be a greeter. She refused.
Grand opening night of our haunted abode, I laid shivering with fear in my own cardboard coffin. Even my fake vampire teeth were chattering! Suddenly, our first paying visitors came through and boy, did I ever scare the living daylights out of them when THEY SCARED ME by simply walking past my spray-painted coffin. I jumped up and dashed out of the mock coffin, nearly leaving my black cloak behind. Strobe lights, figures in black, and screaming chainless chainsaws followed me all the way out of my own haunted haven.
---------
By Lena's daughter, Lauren Mabra
When I was only seven I dressed up as a rock star; I thought it was the coolest idea. So I threw on my pink wig (compliments of the Dollar Store) and some purple leather pants, then we were off on our Halloween adventure.
Our neighborhood was the ultimate trick-or-treating place. People would give out the whole six-candy-bar pack and not just individual candy bars! My friends and I would be having a heart attack over how much candy we've gotten from just the second house and our parents would be having a heart attack over how cold it was!
By the time we got home, my wig was a huge, pink fuzz ball (so much for Dollar Store quality), but I didn't care about that… I wanted the candy! All of us kids had a secret annual trade-your-bad-candy-for-someone else's, so we dumped all of our sweets out and began.
---------
By Backyard Getaway, host of our Nov. 15 garden party!
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. My favorite halloween memory was when we took our 2 year old grandson trick or treating for the first time. He was a bit shy at first but once he realized that he was getting candy from every person he met he couldn't wait to get to the next house! But, I have to say my most memorable halloween was a few years earlier. When our kids were young we would have costume parties. My husband would create a haunted house. We had added a room to our home. The roof wasn't on yet just cement block walls. It made the perfect haunted house. One of my sons friends was a bit of a prankster & he decided he would scare the guys working the haunted house. I got the bright idea to scare him. As he entered the room he was suprised by one of the guys & he started swinging & backing up. I was right behind him & ended up with a broken nose & toe!
---------
By Andrea Johnson
Magical and memorable: Halloween 2003 will always be very close to my heart. Bo and I eloped and were married in Gatlinburg, TN on November 1, 2003. We arrived in town the day before, on Halloween. After checking into a cozy room, and racing to get our marriage license before the courthouse closed - we ate a great dinner, we strolled around Gatlinburg, enjoying the town and the amazingly cool weather. People in bizarre and outlandish costumes roamed the streets. For everyone else, it was just Halloween. For me, that night, everything was right in the world because I was holding Bo’s hand. I lost Bo just 10 months later in a car accident. We would be celebrating our fifth anniversary this year. Instead, I hold the memories from that Halloween weekend very close to me and try to smile when I think of how very blessed I was.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Gulfport clothing swap pictures!
You might have read about it on our Web site -- localshops1.com -- our clothing swap was a huge success. The response was overwhelming. Close to 100 people must have shown up, some to trade clothes, some to give clothes, some to share their stories. We met a couple from Tampa, one from Tierra Verde, several women from St. Pete Beach, and tons of our neighbors here in Gulfport.
The event raised almost $60 -- and enough clothes to pack three cars -- for CASA, shelter and advocacy group for victims of domestic violence. We heard from CASA volunteers, past and present; as well as women who say CASA saved them. We heard from teenagers who were bored of their clothes, but too broke to buy new stuff; we heard from moms who wanted to surprise their kids with new outfits. Friends were picking out clothes for each other, and strangers were becoming friends. It truly was a wonderful day, and we are grateful to live in a place with so many generous people.
Many asked if we would do this again. We hadn't been planning to, but after seeing how happy people were, we decided that yes, of course! Next one probably will be in early February -- time to start clearing out winter clothes and getting outfits for the spring. Of course, we'll keep you posted on localshops1.com.
A huge, huge thanks to Bianca Cypser, owner of Complexions skin care, for co-hosting this event. And thanks to the other shops in the courtyard -- Sunny Bay Trading, Yummy's hot dogs, Java Nirvana coffee shop and the Industrial Arts Center -- for letting us share the space, use their tables, and turn the courtyard into a clothing shop for the afternoon. You are all absolutely the best.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Grab your free taco, but finish meal elsewhere.
A stolen base in the Rays World Series game the other day is paying off for us: Taco Bell is giving away one free free taco to anyone who drops by one of their restaurants 2-6 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 28)
So who are we, to pass up free stuff?
Our suggestion: grab your free taco, then head to one of the cool independent Mexican places around for the rest of your meal ... and for some margaritas!
For details on the Taco Bell promotion, you can go here.
For info on the coolest indie restaurants (and shops), come visit us at www.localshops1.com, of course!
You know it by now: It's always free to browse, free to register, free to get listed.
So who are we, to pass up free stuff?
Our suggestion: grab your free taco, then head to one of the cool independent Mexican places around for the rest of your meal ... and for some margaritas!
For details on the Taco Bell promotion, you can go here.
For info on the coolest indie restaurants (and shops), come visit us at www.localshops1.com, of course!
You know it by now: It's always free to browse, free to register, free to get listed.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
$450 raised for Friends of Strays
localshops1.com would like to thank Dee, owner of Rose Garden Boutique, and all the great people who came to our party in Dunedin today. We raised almost $450 (!!) and lots of merchandise for a great cause, the Friends of Strays in Pinellas County.
A special thanks also goes out to Chip Marshall of the Broadway Training Institute in Dunedin for bringing along the Broadway Babies.
From the school's Web site: The Institute provides professional vocal training, film acting, dance and stagecraft. Students learn by doing, as the Broadway Training Institute also produces shows for the Human Rights Group Inc, the Junior Storytellers, Artistry Players, the Pinellas County Public Libraries, and other organizations.
We know you're here for our pictures, not our exceptionally well-crafted chatter, so here they are:
A special thanks also goes out to Chip Marshall of the Broadway Training Institute in Dunedin for bringing along the Broadway Babies.
From the school's Web site: The Institute provides professional vocal training, film acting, dance and stagecraft. Students learn by doing, as the Broadway Training Institute also produces shows for the Human Rights Group Inc, the Junior Storytellers, Artistry Players, the Pinellas County Public Libraries, and other organizations.
We know you're here for our pictures, not our exceptionally well-crafted chatter, so here they are:
Thursday, October 16, 2008
New web site
We recently came across a new Web site, walmartspeakout.com, a site in which current and former employees talk about the company.
First, the background and the disclaimers:
The site is a project of Wal-Mart Watch, a decidedly anti-Wal Mart group, and obviously not affiliated in any way with the company.
The stories deal with wages, discrimination, corporate culture. Site says all are true, but of course we have no way of independently verifying it. Many entries are anonymous; others signed just with initials.
Now, for some of the stories:
M.L. in Illinois on Wages
"When you have your evaluation each year, you get a very small raise. Then they cut your hours back so that you don't make anymore take home than you did before."
Anonymous on How Not to Vote
"We were told that if a Democrat president is voted in, that the first bill to be reviewed is the union bill and if it passes we will loose benefits, pay, etc."
Anonymous mother of two
"I am not available at night. That is not an option for me, being a single mom. I feel like I am getting pushed out of my full-time job because of being a single mom."
Late For Lunch
"I was a ten year Associate at a Wal-Mart. After all those years of dedicated service I was fired for going to lunch one minute late."
Some thoughts.
Now, we realize Wal-Mart is a business and must look out for its own interests. The mom of two, for example, she might not be able to work nights, but if that's when Wal-Mart needs workers, she needs to find way to make that work, or look for another job.
Wal-Mart is not a charity, and we are not expecting it to operate as if it were. We do ask for some compassion, though. Perhaps offer her a job at a different store, if she's an otherwise good employee? But that might not be possible. Not giving her day hours doesn't necessarily make Wal-Mart evil.
I have personally worked at several reputable companies, often working the late shift. That's just the nature of my business (journalism). But the companies have often tried to take into account that staffers have outside lives, too. It doesn't mean giving us all day shifts -- that just wasn't realistic -- but it meant maybe giving us a day off on short notice, when a family thing came up.
If Wal-Mart is making an effort, we can't blame them for asking the single mom to work night hours.
Now, for the one-minute late worker ... that, if true, is unexcusable.
We'll certainly be monitoring the site, and urge you to do so, too.
First, the background and the disclaimers:
The site is a project of Wal-Mart Watch, a decidedly anti-Wal Mart group, and obviously not affiliated in any way with the company.
The stories deal with wages, discrimination, corporate culture. Site says all are true, but of course we have no way of independently verifying it. Many entries are anonymous; others signed just with initials.
Now, for some of the stories:
M.L. in Illinois on Wages
"When you have your evaluation each year, you get a very small raise. Then they cut your hours back so that you don't make anymore take home than you did before."
Anonymous on How Not to Vote
"We were told that if a Democrat president is voted in, that the first bill to be reviewed is the union bill and if it passes we will loose benefits, pay, etc."
Anonymous mother of two
"I am not available at night. That is not an option for me, being a single mom. I feel like I am getting pushed out of my full-time job because of being a single mom."
Late For Lunch
"I was a ten year Associate at a Wal-Mart. After all those years of dedicated service I was fired for going to lunch one minute late."
Some thoughts.
Now, we realize Wal-Mart is a business and must look out for its own interests. The mom of two, for example, she might not be able to work nights, but if that's when Wal-Mart needs workers, she needs to find way to make that work, or look for another job.
Wal-Mart is not a charity, and we are not expecting it to operate as if it were. We do ask for some compassion, though. Perhaps offer her a job at a different store, if she's an otherwise good employee? But that might not be possible. Not giving her day hours doesn't necessarily make Wal-Mart evil.
I have personally worked at several reputable companies, often working the late shift. That's just the nature of my business (journalism). But the companies have often tried to take into account that staffers have outside lives, too. It doesn't mean giving us all day shifts -- that just wasn't realistic -- but it meant maybe giving us a day off on short notice, when a family thing came up.
If Wal-Mart is making an effort, we can't blame them for asking the single mom to work night hours.
Now, for the one-minute late worker ... that, if true, is unexcusable.
We'll certainly be monitoring the site, and urge you to do so, too.
Happy people
Found this in payscale.com and thought it was interesting enough to pass along to you ...It's from a study on job satisfaction, byt the University of Chicago.
According to the study, here are the jobs with happiest employees:
1. Clergy Jobs
Job Description: Conduct religious worship and perform spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. For clergy, job satisfaction is gained through intense faith, and the act of providing guidance and counsel to others.
Very happy: 67.2%
Median salary*: $44,102
2. Firefighter Jobs
Job Description: Control and extinguish fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts. Firefighters live their lives on the call to public service. Although the hours are long, and risks are high, firefighters also experience high job satisfaction, and are held in high esteem by their communities.
Very happy: 57.2%
Median salary: $45,553
3. Travel Agent Jobs
Job Description: Travel agents plan and sell transportation and accommodations for travel agency customers. Imagine the job satisfaction of creating vacations for others. Everyone love a vacation, and the happiness rubs off on travel agents.
Very happy: 56.5%
Median hourly rate (travel agents): $14.23
4. Architect Jobs
Job Description: Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. Not only do Architects create the buildings we depend on to live and work in, but they also obtain job satisfaction from using creativity in their designs.
Very happy: 53.5%
Median salary: $54,079
5. Special Education Teacher Jobs
Job Description: Teach school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Teaching is not necessarily an easy thing. But most teachers have at least one story of connecting with a student, and the job satisfaction that comes with knowing they've helped someone.
Very happy: 52.6%
Median salary (preschool, kindergarten or elementary school): $41,344
Median salary (secondary school): $43,060
6. Professional Actor Jobs
Job Description: Actors play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Not only do actors experience job satisfaction from using creativity, but they also get to entertain people, and make them happy.
Very happy: 51.0%
Salary varies greatly
7. Science Technician Jobs
Job Description: Use principles and theories of science and mathematics to solve problems in research and development, and to help invent and improve products and processes. Scientists experience the job satisfaction of contributing to people's health and the understanding of the world.
Very happy: 51.0%
Median salary (research scientists): $72,435
8. Automotive Technician Jobs
Job Description: Automotive service technicians and mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles. With diagnosing and repairing vehicles comes the thrill of solving puzzles, and the job satisfaction of providing service to others.
Very happy: 53.6%**
Median hourly rate (mechanics/auto tune up): $15.26
9. Industrial Engineer Jobs
Job Description: Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes. Job satisfaction for industrial engineers comes from designing and managing systems that make jobs easier, and improve efficiency.
Very happy: 48.4%
Median salary: $61,729
10. Airline Pilot Jobs
Job Description: Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of multi-engine aircraft in regularly scheduled service for transport of passengers and cargo. Pilots carry a lot of responsibility on their wings, but they also experience job satisfaction from having others depend on them for safe travel.
Very happy: 49.1%
Median hourly rate (airline pilots, copilots, or flight engineers): $63
According to the study, here are the jobs with happiest employees:
1. Clergy Jobs
Job Description: Conduct religious worship and perform spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. For clergy, job satisfaction is gained through intense faith, and the act of providing guidance and counsel to others.
Very happy: 67.2%
Median salary*: $44,102
2. Firefighter Jobs
Job Description: Control and extinguish fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts. Firefighters live their lives on the call to public service. Although the hours are long, and risks are high, firefighters also experience high job satisfaction, and are held in high esteem by their communities.
Very happy: 57.2%
Median salary: $45,553
3. Travel Agent Jobs
Job Description: Travel agents plan and sell transportation and accommodations for travel agency customers. Imagine the job satisfaction of creating vacations for others. Everyone love a vacation, and the happiness rubs off on travel agents.
Very happy: 56.5%
Median hourly rate (travel agents): $14.23
4. Architect Jobs
Job Description: Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. Not only do Architects create the buildings we depend on to live and work in, but they also obtain job satisfaction from using creativity in their designs.
Very happy: 53.5%
Median salary: $54,079
5. Special Education Teacher Jobs
Job Description: Teach school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Teaching is not necessarily an easy thing. But most teachers have at least one story of connecting with a student, and the job satisfaction that comes with knowing they've helped someone.
Very happy: 52.6%
Median salary (preschool, kindergarten or elementary school): $41,344
Median salary (secondary school): $43,060
6. Professional Actor Jobs
Job Description: Actors play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Not only do actors experience job satisfaction from using creativity, but they also get to entertain people, and make them happy.
Very happy: 51.0%
Salary varies greatly
7. Science Technician Jobs
Job Description: Use principles and theories of science and mathematics to solve problems in research and development, and to help invent and improve products and processes. Scientists experience the job satisfaction of contributing to people's health and the understanding of the world.
Very happy: 51.0%
Median salary (research scientists): $72,435
8. Automotive Technician Jobs
Job Description: Automotive service technicians and mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles. With diagnosing and repairing vehicles comes the thrill of solving puzzles, and the job satisfaction of providing service to others.
Very happy: 53.6%**
Median hourly rate (mechanics/auto tune up): $15.26
9. Industrial Engineer Jobs
Job Description: Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes. Job satisfaction for industrial engineers comes from designing and managing systems that make jobs easier, and improve efficiency.
Very happy: 48.4%
Median salary: $61,729
10. Airline Pilot Jobs
Job Description: Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of multi-engine aircraft in regularly scheduled service for transport of passengers and cargo. Pilots carry a lot of responsibility on their wings, but they also experience job satisfaction from having others depend on them for safe travel.
Very happy: 49.1%
Median hourly rate (airline pilots, copilots, or flight engineers): $63
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
September contest
Last month we asked you to tell us about your favorite vacation souvenir. And many of you did! We could pick only one winner, but loved quite a few of the entries, so we're posting some of our favorites here.
Can you tell which one we picked?
You can find out, of course, on localshops1.com
While there, check out October's contest!
Now, for our favorite entries from some of our favorite local shopper members ....
Kristel Bilgen
My favorite vacation souvenir is an umbrella. This isn’t just any umbrella though, it’s from London, England and it has a map of the tube (their subway) system on it. Not only is it cool and unique, but it’s also practical. Since London is a rainy city what better thing to spend your money on than an umbrella and you will never get lost in this rainy city with a map of the tube! I’ve used the umbrella numerous times and each time I’ve been asked what city it is. It’s a great conversational piece!
Geoff Buchanan
Not another stinking tee shirt!
Having grown up in the Smokey Mountains, it's hard for me to be impressed with sights. Then my wife and I went on our honeymoon to Kauai. I was shocked with each day's adventures in paradise. As I was laying on the beach I looked to my left and saw a two thousand foot waterfall, straight ahead a glass top bay. To my right, four-foot breakers crashed on the reef that protected the bay and protected me from
Great Whites! I realized that I was TRULY in paradise. When I see my Hanalei Bay tee shirt, it does what souvenirs are supposed to do--take me back in time.
Lena Hunt
Being a photojournalist, I get to do some serious traveling. This has allowed me to acquire lots of souvenirs. It should be difficult to pick a favorite but it isn't. I went to the famous Crater of Diamonds, the world's ONLY public diamond mine where you can keep what you find. I didn't find a bling but what I found was my most treasured gem: Shirley Strawn-Wagner who fought to keep the mine public. If only I could fit the world's only-flawless-rated-diamond finder into a jewlery bag. Her continued friendship is my most favorite souvenir.
Elizabeth Brackman
The chartreuse bag summoned me upon entering the tiny gift shop at Westwind Inn, Sanibel Island. Two rope style straps create a perfect circle across the top of the bag, cowrie shells zigzag across one side, and glaring green canvas is decorated with brown Tiki gods who refuse denial. Yet I ignored their call all weekend, despite six visits to the little shop to admire them. Repenting my foolishness of ignoring their demand for the paltry sum of $12, I relented the last vacation day, and now the Tiki gods tote for me each day.
Catherine Culbertson
Easily the best souvenir I've ever returned home with was one I didn't actually buy. Several years ago, I was in Key West for a friend's wedding. Despite the fact the festivities were to occur at the break of dawn the following day, the bridal party and I hit Duval Street while the bride slumbered peacefully. Little did she know we were
getting ourselves into trouble and working our way towards some powerful headaches.
Did I mention Key West has Frozen alcoholic slushies for $4 on almost every block?
They call the walk home the "Duval Crawl" for a reason. Severely inebriated and less a few members of the gang, we headed home--slowly. Along the way we came across Duval Street's famous roving Elvis. Why was there a 6'2 Elvis in Key West? Many have asked, and few know the answer.
Regardless, he knelt down on his knee directly in front of me, broke into a serenade, and finally produced a small plastic ring. I was perplexed.
Everyone loves Elvis. Everyone loves tall men. Everyone loves plastic rings--but what in the hell was Key West Elvis doing?
My brain, befuddled by alcohol, had no idea until the legendary songbird uttered simply, "Will you marry me?"
"Yes," I replied as he picked me up and swung me around. Once he returned my feet to the ground, he placed the ring on my finger and abruptly walked away. I haven't seen him since, but have received reports that there is still a man in Key West dedicated to love -- the love of many, many drunken tourists.
So far, it's been the best relationship I've ever had, and that ring is easily the most amazing souvenir I have ever gotten.
Can you tell which one we picked?
You can find out, of course, on localshops1.com
While there, check out October's contest!
Now, for our favorite entries from some of our favorite local shopper members ....
Kristel Bilgen
My favorite vacation souvenir is an umbrella. This isn’t just any umbrella though, it’s from London, England and it has a map of the tube (their subway) system on it. Not only is it cool and unique, but it’s also practical. Since London is a rainy city what better thing to spend your money on than an umbrella and you will never get lost in this rainy city with a map of the tube! I’ve used the umbrella numerous times and each time I’ve been asked what city it is. It’s a great conversational piece!
Geoff Buchanan
Not another stinking tee shirt!
Having grown up in the Smokey Mountains, it's hard for me to be impressed with sights. Then my wife and I went on our honeymoon to Kauai. I was shocked with each day's adventures in paradise. As I was laying on the beach I looked to my left and saw a two thousand foot waterfall, straight ahead a glass top bay. To my right, four-foot breakers crashed on the reef that protected the bay and protected me from
Great Whites! I realized that I was TRULY in paradise. When I see my Hanalei Bay tee shirt, it does what souvenirs are supposed to do--take me back in time.
Lena Hunt
Being a photojournalist, I get to do some serious traveling. This has allowed me to acquire lots of souvenirs. It should be difficult to pick a favorite but it isn't. I went to the famous Crater of Diamonds, the world's ONLY public diamond mine where you can keep what you find. I didn't find a bling but what I found was my most treasured gem: Shirley Strawn-Wagner who fought to keep the mine public. If only I could fit the world's only-flawless-rated-diamond finder into a jewlery bag. Her continued friendship is my most favorite souvenir.
Elizabeth Brackman
The chartreuse bag summoned me upon entering the tiny gift shop at Westwind Inn, Sanibel Island. Two rope style straps create a perfect circle across the top of the bag, cowrie shells zigzag across one side, and glaring green canvas is decorated with brown Tiki gods who refuse denial. Yet I ignored their call all weekend, despite six visits to the little shop to admire them. Repenting my foolishness of ignoring their demand for the paltry sum of $12, I relented the last vacation day, and now the Tiki gods tote for me each day.
Catherine Culbertson
Easily the best souvenir I've ever returned home with was one I didn't actually buy. Several years ago, I was in Key West for a friend's wedding. Despite the fact the festivities were to occur at the break of dawn the following day, the bridal party and I hit Duval Street while the bride slumbered peacefully. Little did she know we were
getting ourselves into trouble and working our way towards some powerful headaches.
Did I mention Key West has Frozen alcoholic slushies for $4 on almost every block?
They call the walk home the "Duval Crawl" for a reason. Severely inebriated and less a few members of the gang, we headed home--slowly. Along the way we came across Duval Street's famous roving Elvis. Why was there a 6'2 Elvis in Key West? Many have asked, and few know the answer.
Regardless, he knelt down on his knee directly in front of me, broke into a serenade, and finally produced a small plastic ring. I was perplexed.
Everyone loves Elvis. Everyone loves tall men. Everyone loves plastic rings--but what in the hell was Key West Elvis doing?
My brain, befuddled by alcohol, had no idea until the legendary songbird uttered simply, "Will you marry me?"
"Yes," I replied as he picked me up and swung me around. Once he returned my feet to the ground, he placed the ring on my finger and abruptly walked away. I haven't seen him since, but have received reports that there is still a man in Key West dedicated to love -- the love of many, many drunken tourists.
So far, it's been the best relationship I've ever had, and that ring is easily the most amazing souvenir I have ever gotten.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Go Bucs!
I know this is a little off the subject of shopping and such, but I felt I needed to say something about the Buccaneer's kicker Matt Bryant. A few days ago Bryant had lost his 3 month old child. It happened in their home overnight, but there are no details as to what happened, yet. The Bryant family is very much into the community, constantly helping those that are less fortunate than them. Today, Bryant played in Raymond James Stadium, just days after this horrific tragedy. I found it to be amazing and very brave. I believe it shows what type of person he is. This is the type of attitude we all need to have. To be able to look beyond our own situation and be able to still be there for the people that need us. Thank you Matt Bryant!
Your Local Shopper
Jenn
localshops1
Your Local Shopper
Jenn
localshops1
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Faith (in businesses) restored.
We've always loved Cafe Bohemia. The coffee shop on Central Avenue, just a few blocks west of downtown, is artsy and casual, with comfortable couches and little bistro tables. It hosts films and art exhibits and poetry readings, and it has great coffee and fun sandwiches and salads. And free wi-fi, too. And it has a sign, reminding customers that it's not Starbucks. No ventis or grandes or talls here.
So, yeah, we're there a lot. And we didn't really need another reason to love them more.
But today, we found one.
Dropped by to meet a friend there, for an afternoon cafe con leche. A sign on the door said the coffee shop was closing early so the staff could attend a fundraiser benefit for another local coffee shop, Local Coffee + Tea. The sign also asked their customers to go to the other fundraiser, too.
You might have read our blog a couple of days ago: Owner of Local Coffee + Tea was calling it quits, but the three 20-somethings who work at the shop weren't ready to give up. They planned to take over, save it, revive it. And the fundraiser tonight was the first step toward that.
Now, purely in economic terms, one coffee shop closing might be good news for the remaining coffee shops. Cuts down on competition, frees up customers.
So why did Cafe Bohemia close early, cutting into its daily profits, to help another coffee shop just a few blocks away? Why did it send its customers to a competing shop?
"They're our friends," we were told.
A few blocks north, we drove by a Starbucks. There, it was business as usual.
So, yeah, we're there a lot. And we didn't really need another reason to love them more.
But today, we found one.
Dropped by to meet a friend there, for an afternoon cafe con leche. A sign on the door said the coffee shop was closing early so the staff could attend a fundraiser benefit for another local coffee shop, Local Coffee + Tea. The sign also asked their customers to go to the other fundraiser, too.
You might have read our blog a couple of days ago: Owner of Local Coffee + Tea was calling it quits, but the three 20-somethings who work at the shop weren't ready to give up. They planned to take over, save it, revive it. And the fundraiser tonight was the first step toward that.
Now, purely in economic terms, one coffee shop closing might be good news for the remaining coffee shops. Cuts down on competition, frees up customers.
So why did Cafe Bohemia close early, cutting into its daily profits, to help another coffee shop just a few blocks away? Why did it send its customers to a competing shop?
"They're our friends," we were told.
A few blocks north, we drove by a Starbucks. There, it was business as usual.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
We're in the St. Pete Times!
We love, love, LOVE the Deal Divas, of the St. Pete Times, even though they love the chain stores :)
Check out all the nice things they had to say about us here at www.localshops1.com!!
Click here: Deal Divas blog on localshops1.com
My personal favorite part, of course:
Our friend Ester Venouziou, a Times designer and writer, is the master of the universe when it comes to local shopping. ... Want to know where to buy funky jewelry in Manatee, an odd teapot in Pasco or trendy beachwear in Pinellas? She's got you.
Check out all the nice things they had to say about us here at www.localshops1.com!!
Click here: Deal Divas blog on localshops1.com
My personal favorite part, of course:
Our friend Ester Venouziou, a Times designer and writer, is the master of the universe when it comes to local shopping. ... Want to know where to buy funky jewelry in Manatee, an odd teapot in Pasco or trendy beachwear in Pinellas? She's got you.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
We're in the news!
Alex Pickett of Creative Loafing writes about us in his blog. Excerpts:
You’ve heard it from us before: shop local. .... Now, you have another website to help you shop responsibly: Localshops1.com. (Not sure what the “1″ is for.)
Check out the rest, post comments -- and find out what the "1" is for. To go to his blog, click here.
Comments always welcomed!
You’ve heard it from us before: shop local. .... Now, you have another website to help you shop responsibly: Localshops1.com. (Not sure what the “1″ is for.)
Check out the rest, post comments -- and find out what the "1" is for. To go to his blog, click here.
Comments always welcomed!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Gas prices!
I really have about had it with all this "gas price" talk. I have been driving around looking for the lowest prices so I could save a little bit of money. But after this horrible Ike disaster, things seem to have gotten out of control again.
Driving home from work yesterday I saw prices ranging from $3.60 to 3.99.
I was a little upset, thinking it was impossible for the price to have been effected in under 12 hours of the hurricane hitting.
But I digress.
I looked on BayNews 9's Web site and found they have a link to low gas prices in your area.
The link is http://www.baynews9.com/GasPrices.html You can choose your county and it will have updated prices as the days go along.
I hope this will help some of you out there. Now maybe I will even save some gas by looking at the site instead of driving around? Good luck to everyone. And my prayers are with all of the families effected by Hurricane Ike.
Your Local Shopper,
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Driving home from work yesterday I saw prices ranging from $3.60 to 3.99.
I was a little upset, thinking it was impossible for the price to have been effected in under 12 hours of the hurricane hitting.
But I digress.
I looked on BayNews 9's Web site and found they have a link to low gas prices in your area.
The link is http://www.baynews9.com/GasPrices.html You can choose your county and it will have updated prices as the days go along.
I hope this will help some of you out there. Now maybe I will even save some gas by looking at the site instead of driving around? Good luck to everyone. And my prayers are with all of the families effected by Hurricane Ike.
Your Local Shopper,
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Lecture: Does Wal-mart have a soul?
On Oct. 14 we'll be at Eckerd College, to hear a lecture by Charles Fishman, investigative journalist and author of The Wal-Mart Effect. Admission is free. Lecture starts at 7:30, at Fox Hall, 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg.
If you're interested in joining Local Shopper, please visit us at our Web site, and check for contact info.
As for the title of the blog ...
Well, you can probably guess our opinion in the matter. We understand Wal-mart offers low prices, and we understand that in some cases that might be the only option, or the best option.
What we DON'T understand is people who clearly have the means to shop elsewhere still go there. Is saving a few pennies, or even a few dollars, worth it?
We're all for saving money, too. But we think we need to weigh in other factors, and perhaps the answer sometimes might be buying fewer things?
Now, we're not saying to skip on essentials, we're not saying don't go shopping. (we're definitely not saying that ... we LOVE shopping!) ... What we ARE saying is to consider the effects of what you buy, and where your money goes.
Some excerpts, from the book, from http://www.walmarteffectbook.com/
‘The Wal-Mart You Don’t Know’
The giant retailer's low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart's relentless pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line?
[the original story that inspired the book, from chapter 4]
‘The Man Who Said No To Wal-Mart’
Every year, thousands of executives venture to Bentonville, Arkansas, hoping to get their products onto the shelves of the world's biggest retailer. But Jim Wier wanted Wal-Mart to stop selling his Snapper mowers. [from chapter 5]
And about the author, also from the book's web site:
Charles Fishman is an award-winning investigative and magazine journalist, who has spent the last 20 years trying to get inside, understand and explain important organizations, from NASA to Wal-Mart. Fishman was the first reporter ever permitted inside a Tupperware factory, and he was the first reporter in 30 years allowed inside the nation’s only bomb factory.
Fishman grew up and graduated from high school in Miami, Florida and received a BA from Harvard University. He is married to a journalist.
Fishman has visited dozens of Wal-Marts in 25 states, and has spent several months of his life in Bentonville.
“The Wal-Mart Effect,” his first book, made the bestseller lists of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek.
If you're interested in joining Local Shopper, please visit us at our Web site, and check for contact info.
As for the title of the blog ...
Well, you can probably guess our opinion in the matter. We understand Wal-mart offers low prices, and we understand that in some cases that might be the only option, or the best option.
What we DON'T understand is people who clearly have the means to shop elsewhere still go there. Is saving a few pennies, or even a few dollars, worth it?
We're all for saving money, too. But we think we need to weigh in other factors, and perhaps the answer sometimes might be buying fewer things?
Now, we're not saying to skip on essentials, we're not saying don't go shopping. (we're definitely not saying that ... we LOVE shopping!) ... What we ARE saying is to consider the effects of what you buy, and where your money goes.
Some excerpts, from the book, from http://www.walmarteffectbook.com/
‘The Wal-Mart You Don’t Know’
The giant retailer's low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart's relentless pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line?
[the original story that inspired the book, from chapter 4]
‘The Man Who Said No To Wal-Mart’
Every year, thousands of executives venture to Bentonville, Arkansas, hoping to get their products onto the shelves of the world's biggest retailer. But Jim Wier wanted Wal-Mart to stop selling his Snapper mowers. [from chapter 5]
And about the author, also from the book's web site:
Charles Fishman is an award-winning investigative and magazine journalist, who has spent the last 20 years trying to get inside, understand and explain important organizations, from NASA to Wal-Mart. Fishman was the first reporter ever permitted inside a Tupperware factory, and he was the first reporter in 30 years allowed inside the nation’s only bomb factory.
Fishman grew up and graduated from high school in Miami, Florida and received a BA from Harvard University. He is married to a journalist.
Fishman has visited dozens of Wal-Marts in 25 states, and has spent several months of his life in Bentonville.
“The Wal-Mart Effect,” his first book, made the bestseller lists of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek.
Monday, September 8, 2008
More hurricane resources
Bay News 9's Web site has a page with lots of resources and links you might want to check out, too. Evacuation routes, lists for getting ready, etc.
Here's how to get to it: http://www.baynews9.com/Hurricane.html
Here's some interesting info, from their FAQ section:
How are hurricanes ranked?
A tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 mph.
According to the Saffir-Simpson scale, a category 1 hurricane has winds of 74-95 mph. It's associated with a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.
A category 2 hurricane has winds of 96-110 mph. It can have a storm surge of 6 to 8 feet.
A category 3 hurricane has winds of 111-130 mph and a 9-to-12-foot storm surge.
A category 4 hurricane has winds of 131-155 and a 13-to-18-foot storm surge is possible.
A category 5 hurricane has winds of 156 mph and greater. It can have a storm surge of 19 feet or greater. Category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes are also classified as major hurricanes or intense hurricanes.
What does an average hurricane season mean?
An average hurricane season brings 10.6 tropical storms. Six of those become hurricanes and two become major hurricanes, meaning category 3 or greater. The average is based on data from 1968 to 2003. Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, although storms can form outside this time period.
What year was the most active? What year was the least active?
Until recently, 1933 had the most named storms on record with 21. In 2005, that record was broken when the National Hurricane Center identified 28 storms. Since all of the traditional names had been used for 2005, the last six named storms were called "Alpha," "Beta," "Gamma," "Delta," "Epsilon," and "Zeta," the first six letters of the Greek alphabet.
1933 is now second, and 1995 is third with 19 tropical storms. 2005 also had the most hurricanes in one season with 15. The least number of tropical storms happened in 1983 when just four storms formed. In 1982, just two hurricanes formed, making it the year with the least amount of hurricanes since 1968.
There's lots more there, so you might want to check it out.
Here's how to get to it: http://www.baynews9.com/Hurricane.html
Here's some interesting info, from their FAQ section:
How are hurricanes ranked?
A tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 mph.
According to the Saffir-Simpson scale, a category 1 hurricane has winds of 74-95 mph. It's associated with a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet.
A category 2 hurricane has winds of 96-110 mph. It can have a storm surge of 6 to 8 feet.
A category 3 hurricane has winds of 111-130 mph and a 9-to-12-foot storm surge.
A category 4 hurricane has winds of 131-155 and a 13-to-18-foot storm surge is possible.
A category 5 hurricane has winds of 156 mph and greater. It can have a storm surge of 19 feet or greater. Category 3, 4 and 5 hurricanes are also classified as major hurricanes or intense hurricanes.
What does an average hurricane season mean?
An average hurricane season brings 10.6 tropical storms. Six of those become hurricanes and two become major hurricanes, meaning category 3 or greater. The average is based on data from 1968 to 2003. Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, although storms can form outside this time period.
What year was the most active? What year was the least active?
Until recently, 1933 had the most named storms on record with 21. In 2005, that record was broken when the National Hurricane Center identified 28 storms. Since all of the traditional names had been used for 2005, the last six named storms were called "Alpha," "Beta," "Gamma," "Delta," "Epsilon," and "Zeta," the first six letters of the Greek alphabet.
1933 is now second, and 1995 is third with 19 tropical storms. 2005 also had the most hurricanes in one season with 15. The least number of tropical storms happened in 1983 when just four storms formed. In 1982, just two hurricanes formed, making it the year with the least amount of hurricanes since 1968.
There's lots more there, so you might want to check it out.
Hurricane Emergency Information
I'm sure everyone has been watching the weather these past few days with Ike out there in the Atlantic creating havoc. I just wanted to give some quick information about our Emergency Operations Center here in western Pasco. You can go to www.pascoemergencymanagement.com or call them at 727-847-8959 to get information about which zone you are in and to get info on the evacuation routes. It is always a good idea to be prepared, especially since we are smack in the middle of "hurricane season." Good luck to everyone.
Your local shopper,
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Your local shopper,
Jenn
www.localshops1.com
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Save our Store sale
Hey, everyone!
We need your help. We were at a really fun store tonight, Sequins and Denim, in downtown St. Petersburg. Calls itself "a fashionista's playhouse," and we couldn't agree with it more. Funky shoes, retro and modern styles, all sorts of cool things.
Anyway, we started talking with the owner and she asked for our help: She needs some quick sales, or she has to be out of there by mid-month.
So she's having a huge sale: Everything is 50 percent off. Please, please, if you're in market for shoes, clothes, jewelry, check out what she has to offer. We'd hate to see another shop leave that cool stretch of St. Pete. She's at 441 Central Ave. Phone: 727-894-0325.
She's also planning a huge party, next Saturday. We'll be adding more info on that in the next couple of days, on www.localshops1.com
Thanks for your help. Let's do all we can to keep another independent store alive in the Tampa Bay area.
We need your help. We were at a really fun store tonight, Sequins and Denim, in downtown St. Petersburg. Calls itself "a fashionista's playhouse," and we couldn't agree with it more. Funky shoes, retro and modern styles, all sorts of cool things.
Anyway, we started talking with the owner and she asked for our help: She needs some quick sales, or she has to be out of there by mid-month.
So she's having a huge sale: Everything is 50 percent off. Please, please, if you're in market for shoes, clothes, jewelry, check out what she has to offer. We'd hate to see another shop leave that cool stretch of St. Pete. She's at 441 Central Ave. Phone: 727-894-0325.
She's also planning a huge party, next Saturday. We'll be adding more info on that in the next couple of days, on www.localshops1.com
Thanks for your help. Let's do all we can to keep another independent store alive in the Tampa Bay area.
New Publix coming to Valrico
Hey, Valrico browsers! We hear there's a new Publix heading your way, replacing a Winn-Dixie and Eckerd's. Check out more info in our Web site's members only page. And of course, come browse for all the locally owned, independent options for food and drinks ....
And if you have a favorite spot we haven't listed, please let us know. Thanks!
You can always e-mail us at shoplocally1@gmail.com
Our Web site is at www.localshops1.com
And if you have a favorite spot we haven't listed, please let us know. Thanks!
You can always e-mail us at shoplocally1@gmail.com
Our Web site is at www.localshops1.com
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