Ashley's Offers Plant-a-Seedling Activity

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, gave back to the community last Saturday, September 18th, by participating in the Whole Foods Market 30th Birthday Bash benefiting All Faiths Food Bank. Ashley’s hosted a “Plant-a-Seedling” activity, inspired by the company’s “Plant-a-Tree Program,” which has facilitated the planting of over 18,500 trees since 2,009.

Children visiting the Ashley’s Food Delivery booth planted certified organic vegetable seedlings (donated by Jessica’s Organic Farm) in biodegradable peat pots, then filled them with soil donated by Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. Landscape Architects. The planted pots, which children were able to take home with them, were completed with hand-decorated plant markers.

“We had a lot of fun participating in this event,” says Ashley’s Food Delivery owner Jeff Sniegocki. “Working with the kids to plant seedlings, and knowing that it was for the benefit of All Faiths Food Bank, was highly rewarding. We strongly support their mission and commitment to fight hunger in our community.”

The Ashley’s Food Delivery Plant-A-Tree program is part of the company’s green commitment. For every order placed, the restaurant delivery service plants a tree through the international Trees for the Future organization. “Our Plant-A-Tree program is one way we are trying to offset our ecological footprint,” says Sniegocki. More information about the Ashley’s Green Commitment is available on the company’s website, www.AshleysFood.com.

Full delivery menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are also available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD (953-3663).

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 25 restaurants in Sarasota to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Girl Scouts to Host True Beauty Festival

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is recognizing National Love Your Body Day with a True Beauty Festival, October 23rd from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Girl Scouts Event and Conference Center (4740 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida). Open to the public, the True Beauty Festival offers girls in grades 4 through 12 a venue to learn about self-esteem, healthy body image and self-care in today’s environment. The program is sponsored by the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Uniquely Me!, an initiative created by Girl Scouts and funded by Dove to address the critical nationwide problem of low self-esteem among adolescent and pre-adolescent girls.

Love Your Body Day was developed by NOW in 1997 in response to a quickly growing American health crisis: negative body image among girls and women. Today, 80% of American women report being dissatisfied with their appearance. On the contrary, having a positive body image can lead to increased self-esteem, healthier habits, and lower rates of depression. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is committed to working with the community toward cultivating positive body image for young women.

The True Beauty Festival will include workshops from local female community leaders in a variety of disciplines, as well as performers, activities, a film and a fashion show, all dedicated to fostering positive body image. Participants will learn about holistic health, green eating and living, healthy relationships, goal-setting, fitness, self-defense, self-care, yoga, bullying, media awareness and more.

Registration for the True Beauty Festival is $5 for Girl Scouts and $17 for non-members (this includes a $12 annual membership to Girl Scouts; a limited number of scholarships available). The Festival is free for accompanying adults. Confirmation will include detailed information about the workshop schedule and lunch. Sponsorships are still available for local businesses. To register, or for more information about sponsorships, please contact Julia Onnie-Hay at (941) 921-5358, ext. 316, or juliao@gsgcf.org.

ABOUT GIRL SCOUTS OF GULFCOAST FLORIDA, INC.: Girl Scouting builds girls of Courage, Confidence and Character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves over 11,200 girls in ten counties including: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier. For more information please visit www.gsgcf.org.

Blonde Cow Photography Opens Burns Ct. Studio

Blonde Cow Photography, a Sarasota-based company owned by Kollene and Mattias Carlsson, has opened the doors to its new studio in historic Burns Court. The Carlssons have operated the business from their Arlington Park home for three years.

“We decided to move out of our home-based business which has truly been a dream come true,” says Kollene. “To open the doors of our downtown location and be able to separate business and family has been huge for us! We have so many things planned and are so excited to be a part of our community!”

A grand opening reception at the studio, located at 505 Burns Lane, is planned for October 1st. For more information about Blonde Cow Photography, please visit www.blondecowphotography.com.

About Blonde Cow Photography: We are Kollene and Mattias Carlsson, and Blonde Cow Photography is a Sarasota-based, full-service photography studio specializing in simple, fresh, happy images that will take you back to special moments and make you smile for years to come. At Blonde Cow Photography, we believe in simplicity, style, and a beautiful experience for our customers. Our new studio is now open at 505 Burns Lane in Sarasota, or at www.blondecowphotography.com.

Ashley's Delivers FREE on School Nights!

Get in the back-to-school spirit with free delivery on school nights (Sunday – Thursday) from Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service.

“It’s a busy time of year for families and a great time to take advantage of the convenience of our food delivery service,” says owner Jeff Sniegocki. “We can deliver a delicious, wholesome dinner for the whole family right to your door – what could be simpler?”

Ashley’s Food Delivery offers a wide variety of restaurants to choose from to please everyone in the family. The restaurant delivery service offers full dinner menus and kids menus from variety of restaurants, including Chili's, Word of Mouth and Demetrios.

“There are also options for family-style dinners from several of our restaurant partners,” says Sniegocki. “Basil’s Flame Broiled Chicken & Ribs, Roadside Rib Shack and Troyer’s Dutch Heritage all offer easy-to-order meals for a bunch.”

To redeem free delivery on school nights, place your order online at www.AshleysFood.com and use the coupon code “school” at checkout. Or mention the Back to School Special when you call 953-FOOD. (Promotion is valid Sunday through Thursday, on dinner orders only, through 9/2/10. A minimum $25 food order is required. Free delivery value is $3.75.)

Full delivery menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.AshleysFood.com. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD (953-3663).

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 25 restaurants in Sarasota to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Caregiver Training for Parkinson Disease Offered in Sarasota This Week

On Saturday, August 21st, Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) will offer training to professionals and laypersons caring for Parkinson’s disease patients. The workshop will be held at The Pines of Sarasota from 8:00am to 1:00pm. All Parkinson related healthcare providers, professional and family caregivers, and anyone working with Parkinson patients and their loved ones are encouraged to call 926-6413 to register.

“One of the ways Neuro Challenge Foundation intends to improve the lives of people with PD is by training the people who interact with them.” says Doreen Sutherland, NCF president. Issues like dressing, sitting, standing, dementia and medications will be discussed in addition to topics of specific interest to therapists and nurses. Continuing education credits are available.

Participation in either the live or web-based class allows professionals to become a part of the Neuro Challenge Network of caregivers, called Parkinson Partners. The network includes assisted living facilities, massage and yoga professionals, physical, occupational and speech therapists, attorneys, at-home care nurses, transport services and many others. A relational database created specifically for the task of matching clients to resources in the Sarasota area is being developed through a grant from Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. PD patients can take advantage of the free program by requesting enrollment through their doctor. There are an estimated 9,000 people living with Parkinson Disease in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties and more than 15,000 caregivers for those with PD.

Speakers include Dean P. Sutherland, MD, PhD, Marilyn Tait and Laura Magnusson, OT/L. The cost for attendees seeking CEUs in $45 and $25 for all others. Call 926-6413 to register.

Whole Foods to Benefit Save Our Seabirds

Shop July 28 at Whole Foods Market Sarasota and 5% of net sales will benefit Save Our Seabirds. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release as many birds as possible and to incorporate non-releasable birds as educational tools and surrogate parents. They are committed to educating the public of the problems our wildlife has to endure and make suggestions on how to mitigate them. The Oiled Wildlife Response Program trains volunteers to respond to an oil spill, initiate the proper procedures to rescue, triage and maintain protocol to successfully release as many birds as possible back to the wild. For more information, visit www.saveourseabirds.org.

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Time: 8 am – 9 pm

Where: Whole Foods Market Sarasota

1451 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34239

(941) 955-8500

Contact Nikki Heil at Nikki.heil@wholefoods.com or 941-955-8500 ext. 215 for more information.

End your shopping day with a summer wine tasting. 100% of your $10 ticket will benefit Save Our Seabirds.

For information on Whole Foods Market Community Giving programs:

www.wholefoodsmarket.com/community/giving.php

About Whole Foods Market®: Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com), a leader in the natural and organic foods industry and America’s first national certified organic grocer, was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to its 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 12 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2008, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 275 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & WildTM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats® and Capers Community MarketTM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc.

Beat the Heat with Ashley's Specials

This summer, get out of the kitchen and get local food delivered hot and fast from Ashley’s Food Delivery. Summer dining is a breeze with fresh, no-fuss meals from over 25 area restaurants delivered right to your door. Three summer specials are now available (through August 31st):

Basil’s Picnic Pack includes 12 pieces of flame-broiled chicken, two large sides and pita with honey butter for $22.99.

The Café Italia Pizza Party includes two large-16” cheese pizzas for $20. Toppings are available for an extra charge.

Ashley’s is also offering a FREE six-pack of Coca-Cola with any $25 delivery order. Redeem your six-pack with coupon code COKE when ordering online, or mention it when placing your order at 953-3663.

Full delivery menus for all of Ashley’s restaurant partners are available on the Ashley’s Food Delivery website, www.AshleysFood.com. Delivery orders can be placed online, or with a customer service representative at 953-FOOD (953-3663).

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About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 30 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

SMH HealthPlex Dance Party for Parkinson's

This Friday, the Sarasota community will gather at the Sarasota Memorial Healthplex Fitness Center for an evening of Latin, Zumba and ballroom dancing in support of Neuro Challenge Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical, educational and emotional support to those suffering with debilitating life challenges such as Parkinson Disease.

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and Neuro Challenge Foundation understand the proven benefits of dancing and other movement therapies for Parkinson patients. The two organizations worked closely together to develop the unique program Smart Moves, an integrative approach to health that centers on a simple but important concept: that attitude and exercise are essential to keep your body, mind and spirit up and moving. Smart Moves activities range from aquatic therapy, acupuncture and therapeutic massage to ballroom dancing, gentle yoga, tai chi and art therapy. Each activity offers scaled down and customized movements that empower people to overcome their physical limitations and help them stay ahead of their disease.

“Dancing with the Plex” begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 16. The fun-filled evening will include an hour of Latin and Zumba dancing with local dancers Felipe, Ana, Maurina and Linda, a professional ballroom dance show by Dance Fusion Professionals (featured on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”), two hours of Latin dancing with live band VocesLibre, and more—including a surprise dance from a Healthplex staff member. $10 tickets include two drink tickets (beer, sangria or water) and one raffle ticket for a Healthplex dance lesson package. Advanced tickets are encouraged and may be purchased at the Healthplex, 5880 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota (3/4 mile west of I-75 off of Clark Road) or by calling (941) 917-7000. All proceeds from the event will benefit Neuro Challenge Foundation.

About Neuro Challenge Foundation: The Neuro Challenge Foundation (NCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers through service, education and research. NCF funds programs and activities that promise to ease the burden of Parkinson Disease through patient-centered professional education, community forums and scientific and clinical research. 9,000 people in Sarasota and Manatee counties are coping with Parkinson Disease. Neuro Challenge Foundation helps these patients and their caregivers with the day-to-day decisions that help them to cope with this chronic and progressively debilitating disease through individualized care plans, educational and support programs, and referral services. Patients, caregivers and nationally recognized scientific experts advise us and lead the way as we invest in the science and services that will lead to a cure. For more information, please call (888) 623-4483 or visit www.neurochallenge.org.

About Healthplex Fitness Center: The Sarasota Memorial Healthplex Fitness Center is a health and fitness facility combining all of the amenities of an upscale fitness club with the world-class medical expertise of the region's top health care system. With an impressive array of fitness equipment and programs, and the finest restorative and rehabilitative care when prevention is not enough, Healthplex is designed to promote optimal health and keep people out of the hospital. Healthplex offers a variety of programs under the supervision of specially trained health and fitness professionals. For more information, please call (941) 917-7000 or visit www.sarasotahealthplex.com.

The Hukilau Hut Opens on Sarasota Mainland

The Hukilau Hut, a local favorite for its thirty flavors of authentic Hawaiian shave ice, has opened its first store on the mainland in Sarasota, Florida. Owned by a long time Sarasota family, the company has expanded their selection to include a complete coffee bar using beans roasted on site (including Cuban and American coffee, espressos, lattes and more), boutique ice creams and milk shakes, Kahuna signature sandwiches on in-house baked Maui bread, Kona chili dogs and much more.

“We really enjoy the atmosphere of seeing families enjoy themselves, being together for such a simple treat,” says Hukilau Hut owner Juan Gutierrez, who operates the store with his wife Renee and their son Brandon. “Time flies by so fast and then everyone is spread out and you miss most the times you share with your family,” says Juan. “I saw an opportunity to bring my family together and spend time with each other.”

The new restaurant incorporates the unique, hand-carved Hawaiian décor that has made their traveling Hukilau Huts so well loved in the community. Located on the north side of Bee Ridge Road just west of Shade Avenue, the Hukilau Hut is open from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

In addition to visiting the new Hukilau Hut, the mobile Hukilau Huts are still available for events and private parties. For more information, please visit www.hukilauhut.com, or stop in for a treat. Aloha!

About the Hukilau Hut: The Hukilau Hut was inspired by the famous North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. A 'Hukilau' is a gathering of people to have fun and share food, refreshment, and fellowship. The Hukilau Hut is available for luaus, parties, birthdays, grand openings, fundraisers or any celebration where fun is the objective! The Hukilau Hut store is open from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. For more information, call 925-0400 or visit www.hukilauhut.com.

Ashley's Food Delivery Owner is Behind Bars!

Ashley's Food Delivery owner Jeff Sniegocki needs your help! He's made the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "Most Wanted" list and is being ARRESTED on June 30th! Help bail him out of jail and help many local children and adults with muscular diseases by adding vital funds to MDA's research efforts. PLEASE make a pledge and help Jeff make bail!! Call 953-FOOD or donate online today!

The MDA Lock-Up gathers local business and community leaders annually who agree to be "arrested" for having a "big heart." This unique community-wide event raises funds for Jerry's kids.

Donations to MDA provide help and hope in many ways, including clinics with expert specialized medical care, cutting-edge research into treatments and cures, support with obtaining equipment and coping with challenges, and the annual MDA Camp, a barrier-free week of fun, friendship and laughter for kids. Please visit www.mda.org for information on how MDA makes a difference to people around the country and in your community.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.