There are always events to report when it comes to the world of NASCAR. Most of those events are crashes, or fires, or something that has the whole world stopping and staring at their screens just hoping that the man inside will be just fine. However, at Darlington over the weekend, there was a different type of ‘scuffle’ that erupted on the track. In fact, it looked way more like a boxing match or a football scuffle than having anything to do with cars.

We take you to pit road, where the No. 39 Stewart-Haas Racing crew actually hauled off and charged the No. 51 Phoenix Racing crew. No, I’m not kidding. It was actually freaking hysterical. In fact, if these men had the ability to sing and dance it would have made a great new version of West Side Story.

On Saturday night, following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the scuffle broke out. It was a super humid evening and the race was filled – as always – with minor nicks and scrapes. But it would be when Kurt Busch found his No. 51 Chevrolet running into the wall while being immersed in the top 15 drivers that the fireworks began. The wall caused a cut to his front tire, and it came from the fact that Ryan Newman had to check up to avoid coming in contact with Aric Almirola in Turn 2.

But it wasn’t the actual butt into the wall that made life difficult for the hardworking crews. It was when Busch came to pit road for repairs to his tire and then proceeded to exit through the No. 39 stall, which – in all fairness – was next to his pit. The crews grew seriously angry.

It was Busch’s crew chief, Nick Harrison, who explained that: “We came in to do a little damage repair and the 39 guys were mad because Kurt blew out of our pit stall. There was nothin’ I could do at that point. We were just trying to get to the end of the race.”

Randy Newman’s crew chief, Tony Gibson, said he had absolutely nothing against Busch or the Phoenix Racing crew, but his people were forced to “jump out of the way” to avoid being hit. Gibson made a point to say that: “When you come ripping through someone’s pit box like that, he could have taken out five or six guys plus the officials pretty easy. It’s a miracle someone didn’t get hurt.”

An over-exaggeration? Hmmm, perhaps. But he also took it one step further by saying: “The guys were out on pit road working when Busch did his burn out. We had just finished our stop. It was kind of uncalled for to come ripping through our pits like that when you could have run everybody over. His emotions were high and hot and our guys were scared, hot and mad.”

Oh yeah they were. We are talking a whole lot of men who literally looked like they were in a roadhouse bar brawl that got out of control…and fast. Both teams sat and spoke to NASCAR, and it seems that NASCAR will be handling the situation from here on out.

Gibson said his crew was told to just “keep their cool, stay focused and go on.”

The Busch statements were a little more vague. After the race, the Phoenix Racing crew was asking for Busch’s locale at the track. After Busch and Newman found each other on pit road, after the No. 51 ran into the back of the No. 39 Chevrolet – it was the No. 39 team’s gasman, Andy Rueger, that first charged the Phoenix Racing team causing a NASCAR official to be knocked down in the process.

“Their gasman (Rueger), a big boy that used to be at Brewco, came in there wanting to fight Kurt, raising hell. It was hard racing. We had a great run tonight, ran up front a lot. We just didn’t get the finish we were looking for. Kurt was a little frustrated and spun off the pit road. I guess he was a little close to some of the pit road guys, but that’s between them and Kurt. As far as on the track racing, I don’t think there’s any hard feelings with the 39 and us. But they came down there with a bunch of drama. It’s just part of racing. I think that’s great for the sport. If they want to come down and fight, so be it.”

See that? Another like me who loves the ‘agony of defeat’ part. Let’s face it, guys – without the scuffles racing is just a bunch of cars going around in a circle…boring!

NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said, the sanctioning body had yet to speak to Busch and was taking the incident under review. Despite speculation that Busch had jeopardized his position with the Phoenix Racing team because of his ill-timed burnout, James Finch, the owner, said that wasn’t the case. And Harrison said that the whole team remained committed to its driver.

In the end, neither one was at the top of the heap. In fact, Busch and Newman finished 21^st and 23^rd, respectively.

Now, this scuffle – although fun to watch – thankfully was more like something you would expect in the humid air filled with pent-up emotions. To me, the worst still occurred in the lead up to the Kobalt Tools 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway when Robbie Gordon and Kevin Conway got into it.

It was on a Friday night when Robby Gordon supposedly “ambushed” Conway in the garage area at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (said to have been completely unprovoked.) Gordon had previously confronted Joe Nemechek, Gordon’s car owner on pit road during Cup series qualifying, by shoving him and warning him that he was looking for Gordon and would assault him.

According to Conway’s statements, there were many witnesses, including a crew chief that signed a police report documenting the physical attack on Conway.

So, although I am a lover of scuffles, I am most definitely not a proponent of moronic ‘bullies’ who seem to want to test the theory that their…talent is longer than the other guy’s. Really, that is just so high school.

I say, keep NASCAR as clean as possible BUT – a little West Side Story on a hot May night never hurt anybody!

Until Next Time, Everybody,

Amy

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 St. Augustine, FL-Jack WIlson Chevrolet announced today its continued support of St. Augustine Little League, youth baseball and now Chevrolet has kicked off its 2012 “Diamonds & Dreams” program, Jack Wilson Chevrolet, St Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Recreation and Parks Department and St. Augustine Little League encourage you to enter to win a refurbished baseball field for our community, for AD Davis Ball Park.

A link to enter will be provided on www.jackwilson.com, St. Johns County Recreation and Parks website and St. Augustine Little League to enable you to spread the word to family and friends to enter with a link to the entry form.

Mr. Jerry Morgan ”Let’s all rally behind the “Diamond and Dreams” program and put us in a winning position to refurbish the A.D. Davis Ball Park.”

“St. Johns County Recreation and Parks Department is proud to partner with Jack Wilson Chevrolet for the Diamonds and Dreams Baseball Field Makeover Program.  This is a great opportunity for our children in St. Johns County.”   Wil Smith, Director, St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Recreation and Parks Department

Mr. Marty Martin of The St. Augustine Little League expressed “The St. Augustine Little League family is proud to be participating in the Chevrolet Diamonds & Dreams makeover program with the support of Jack Wilson Chevrolet and SJC Parks and Recreation Department. With your help and support we hope to bring one of the field makeovers to our community. Please take time to vote for our communities very own A.D. Davis field.

One winner will be chosen each week for up to 12 weeks through July 22 and be eligible to win the Grand Prize: an all-new, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO.

“Every young person wants and deserves a ‘dream’ baseball diamond, and we offer them a chance to get one,” said Phil Caruso, Chevrolet national promotions manager. “From the back yards to the big leagues, Chevrolet is committed to community and youth baseball and giving back to where our customers live, work and play.”

In its third year, “Diamonds & Dreams” has awarded more than 25 youth field makeovers across the country.

Renovations of the 12 field makeovers will be administered through Ripken Design, a division of Ripken Baseball, owned and operated by National Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. and 12-year Major League Baseball veteran Bill Ripken.

“I have been working with Chevy for about two decades and it is a relationship I value a great deal, said Cal Ripken. “Together we are positively impacting kids through baseball at the grassroots level and giving them safe places to play. It is a very gratifying part of what we do, and I appreciate Chevrolet making us a part of this terrific effort.”

One of last year’s Diamonds & Dreams winners, Wendy Vasquez of Livermore, Calif., is experiencing the impact at field level.

“I continue to get thank-yous from people across the league. Our new field is helping so many athletes be that much better,” said Vasquez. “I think it is beyond amazing that Chevrolet does this for communities and the kids.”

The Official Lawn Care Company of Major League Baseball™, Scotts, will continue to partner with Chevrolet and lend its support to multiple field refurbishments. “Scotts believes that it is important to offer youth a safe, reliable field and playing area.  In addition to helping reduce injuries, a strong foundation of thick and lush grass helps to create a beautiful outdoor environment that encourages children to spend time outdoors,” said Chris Strunk, Scotts manager, sports marketing and sponsorship.

As the Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball™, Chevrolet also supports the Chevrolet Youth Baseball (CYB) program, which has helped raise more than $13 million to aid local teams over the last seven years. More than 3 million young people in communities across the country have benefited. More than 1,600 Chevrolet dealers are participating this year.

For more information about Chevrolet’s support of baseball, the “Diamonds & Dreams” program and a chance to win, please visit www.chevybaseball.com

*No purchase necessary, ends July 22, 2012. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and District of Columbia, 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received for the applicable drawing.

About Jack Wilson Chevrolet

Jack Wilson Chevrolet been serving the St. Augustine, St. Johns and Flagler County communities including Palatka, East Palatka, Palm Coast, Ponte Vedra, Hastings and Elkton since 1971. As your premier St. Augustine Chevrolet car dealer in Florida, we here at Jack Wilson Chevrolet Buick GMC provide for your every automotive need. For more visit www.jackwilson.com.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About Ripken Design

Ripken Design (RD) is a division of Ripken Baseball, the sales and marketing company based in Baltimore, Md. that represents all business and philanthropic efforts of National Baseball Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr. and 12-year Major League Baseball veteran, Bill Ripken. RD assists municipalities, ownership groups and investors with the design, management and development of unique complexes used for sports and other activities. Their experience, insight and perspective give RD the ability to forge strong public/private partnerships maximizing the benefits for their clients and partners. Professional baseball wisdom, from both an executive and player perspective, provides RD a unique position in today’s marketplace that achieves the goals of builders. For more visit www.RipkenDesign.com.

About Scotts Miracle-Gro

With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, the Company’s brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

Plan a Vacation with your BFF, Mother, Daughter, Sister or Cousin

Sometimes the best way to escape life’s everyday stresses is to get away and unwind with your BFF, mother, daughter, sister or cousin. This summer, from Sunday, June 3 – Thursday, August 23, the (4)  www.SavannahInns.com are hosting ‘Savannah Memories Girls Getaway’. Stay a minimum of two weekday nights (Sunday – Thursday) and enjoy a wonderful package of gifts as guests of your innkeeper.

Check into one of the four historic bed & breakfast inns that offer outstanding accommodations with picturesque settings, V.I.P. personalized and attentive service.

• Azalea Inn & Gardens            www.AzaleaInn.com
• Dresser Palmer House             www.DresserPalmerHouse.com
• Green Palm Inn                       www.GreenPalmInn.com
• Zeigler House Inn                   www.ZeiglerHouseInn.com

Your Savannah Memories complimentary gift includes: ($70 value)

• Savannah Trolley Tour for Two with OLD SAVANNAH TOURS – bringing Savannah History to Life for nearly 30 years
• Luscious Ice Cream Banana Split for Two to Share at LEOPOLD’S ICE CREAM (since 1919)
• Admission for Two to JULIETTE GORDON LOW HOUSE – Celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of The Girl Scouts
• Personal Tour of the four SAVANNAH INNS – a glimpse into the most romantic bed & breakfasts in the South. Spanning history from 1856 -1897, the Inns grace the City with their genuine warmth and Southern hospitality

For Reservations and Information:  www.SavannahInns.com

When you book your reservation, mention GIRL SCOUT COOKIES for your special Savannah Memories Gift!

Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast features historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches – the same beaches that greeted Ponce de Leon in 1513 when he discovered and named La Florida.

“Tourism is truly the lifeblood of Florida’s Historic Coast,” said Richard Goldman, executive director of the Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Not only does the industry provide more than 11,000 jobs in St. Johns County, the 3.4 million overnight visitors who came here last year spent more than $660 million during their stay on Florida’s Historic Coast. Best of all, this essential economic activity is provided at no cost to local taxpayers. All of our tourism marketing activities are funded through the tourist development tax paid by visitors for overnight lodging. Last year, visitors paid $6.6 million in these ‘bed taxes’ – funds that were used to encourage millions of potential visitors to come here this year, help fund special events and to make improvements to beach and recreation facilities we all enjoy.”

This year’s review of local tourism will have lots of good news for the industry. Nearly every indicator shows impressive increases in the number of visitors and their spending while here. Clearly, the tourism industry has returned to the levels enjoyed prior to the economic downturn that began in 2008. In fact, recent data indicate tourism activity is nearing or exceeding monthly records.

As part of the event, the Visitors and Convention Bureau will review some of their major successes in placing Florida’s Historic Coast on the list of “must-sees” for millions of Americans. Much of this success has resulted from the Bureau’s contract and close working relationship with the Ypartnership advertising agency of Orlando which recently merged with MMG to form MMGY Global and stake their claim as the world’s unquestioned leaders in tourism marketing.

Once again, the centerpiece of the event will be a presentation by tourism visionary Peter Yesawich whose insights into tourism trends are followed closely by travel professionals worldwide. Formerly the chairman of Ypartnership and now the vice chairman of MMGY Global, Peter’s perspective on travel trends and changing consumer behavior, coupled with his intimate knowledge of Florida’s Historic Coast as a tourist destination will provide compelling information that can be successfully applied throughout the local tourism industry.

The State of the Tourism Industry event will also include the presentation of the coveted Tourism Employee of the Year Awards. The finalists represent the very best tourism employees on Florida’s Historic Coast and were selected on the basis of their exemplary service.

The event will take place at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, I-95 exit 323 in St. Augustine. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for coffee and pastries and the program will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and end by 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Admission is $10. To secure a reservation for what is expected be an extremely well-attended event, call Carey Cramer at 829.1711 or email  ccramer@floridashistoriccoast.com

There is a place…a paradise, if you will, centered in a locale that’s name is perfectly suited to the ambiance. The place: The Golden Isles. Off the coast of Georgia lies St. Simon’s Island and the King and Prince  Beach & GolfResort and, quite frankly, the elegance and the ‘5-star’ service outweighs any ‘royal treatment’ you could possibly find anywhere else on the planet.

The King’s Tavern is a facet of this incredible resort, and inside its doors dwells a chef who is outstanding at his work. He is as vibrant as his food, and he celebrates life at the King and Prince, which is then transformed into the most amazing meals you could possibly wish for.

The Atlantic Ocean is his daily view. His name, Chef Jeff Kaplan. His goal, to make The King’s Tavern - the unforgettable dining experience. He wants this Eden to shine even brighter (which is hard to do, considering how fantastic it is now). We were lucky enough to be able to sit down with this incredible man and ask him questions about his life, his career, and what makes the King and Prince Beach & Golf  Resort truly unique.

_____

What inspired you to become a chef?

I actually ‘grew up’ in the business. My family has owned a catering company for almost thirty years now. When I was a freshman in college, I worked at a pizza place as a delivery man. One night, the cook walked out and the owner asked for someone to take over and start cooking. He said the person who stepped up would even get a five-dollar-an-hour raise. So I put down my keys, stopped delivering and moved into the kitchen. It was a great deal of fun – creating the perfect pizza, or the perfect Italian dish.  I spent a year there and absolutely fell in love.

Did you study cooking at school?

Actually, no. I attended the University of South Florida which did not, at that time, have a culinary program. I ended up heading to New York, and then – completely by chance – the hands of Fate intervened. The Human Resources Director of Interstate Hotels literally bumped into me on a New York City street and spilled my drink on me. She felt bad and we began to talk. Two hours later, I was set up for an interview out on Nantucket Island.

Now, I’m a Miami boy and it was winter in the East.  (LOL) So, I flew out to Nantucket in the snow, but the Chef there had no time to speak with me. I simply hung out and waited for hours to speak with him. He said that, anybody who was willing to go through all this having no real experience in the culinary industry must really want to cook, so he hired me on as a garmonge chef. It was seasonal employment and I was in charge of desserts and salads.

Wow, so all Fate or good timing up to that point?

Exactly. And then irony struck again. A man had come out to the Island for a week to work and he and I hit it off. He asked me to come back to New York and work at an Inn in Great Neck, Long Island. He was just beginning the project and I helped him open it up. I began with the salads and desserts and worked my way up to my first Sous Chef position.

Now I was literally entrenched in the ‘food’ world.  Not only was I a Sous Chef, but I was working at a deli in the mornings, and on a third shift in a butcher shop. It was hard, but it was truly amazing working the three jobs because it allowed me to take a lot in and was a great learning experience.

And you moved on to Jacksonville?

Yes, I had an opportunity to transfer within the company and went to the Sawgrass Marriott Resort in Jacksonville, Florida. I spent 12 years there and learned a ton. This as a ‘5-star’ resort, and I loved it.  In fact, there is a tie-in from there with the King and Prince, because it was in Jacksonville that I met Vinnie D’Agostino, who is now the Food and Beverage Director here at the King and Prince.

I worked with him in Jacksonville. He was the one who called me at the beginning of this year about this position and now, here I am – three months later and I couldn’t be happier.

I’ve met Vinnie; he really is a great individual.

This is true. We had a lot of fun together at the Sawgrass. I call the people here at the King and Prince my ‘family’ now; but anywhere you work – if you’re awake for 14 to 16 hours of the day and working 12 of those hours – you do end up spending more time with the staff than your family at home. You go through trials and tribulations together that truly bring you closer together. Vinnie and I have always worked well together and I love this place. I mean, we’re sitting here in a ‘5-star’ resort that is bubbling over with southern charm and hospitality, looking out at the Atlantic…this is a magnificent opportunity.

I’d like to speak about your ‘Farm to Table’ menu ideas and the changes you are making here at the King and Prince.

I actually love the ‘Farm to Table’ concept. We are working on transferring all of our menus over to that. What we do is work with local farmers, growers, etc. and use their products – all that fresh produce, fish, etc. – for our menus. We used this concept at the Sawgrass where we would alter our menus depending on what was ‘in’ as far as the growing season was concerned at the time.

Here on St. Simon’s, we are reaching out to local farmers, local purveyors, and establishing relationships with them. We have conversations with the farmers and orchard owners, etc., about what they have ‘on tap’ at the time, so that we can only use fresh/seasonal products versus grocery store purchases. That’s the concept we’re embracing.

Vinnie has laid the groundwork for the regional and local products, and I will be getting out there so we can feature local culinary ‘treats.’ Partnering up with local farmer’s markets and touching base with the locals is fantastic, because we can get both our ‘names’ out there. We can celebrate the King and Prince and at the same time help the local economy and our local ‘friends’ increase their business. So it helps everyone.

And it’s a healthier product? I mean, you are staying away from the processed foods.

Exactly. You skip the ‘middle man’ by basing your specials on seasonal menus. You can rotate your selections based on what’s in season and what the farmer’s have ready to yield that month. You can’t beat it; this is as fresh as a product can get. We’re going to do this as well with the local seafood purveyors. After all, we are on the Atlantic so we should have the freshest seafood you can get. The possibilities here are endless.

What is your favorite cuisine?

Actually, I love cooking everything; I don’t have a particular favorite. I truly love using the fresh, local proteins, produce, etc., and really treating them properly and respecting all the flavors. I love enhancing foods with salsas, pan sauces, herbs, etc. – and although I don’t really have a particular ‘favorite’ cuisine, the focus will be southern classics. We featured some of those this week. Fried chicken and waffles was fun. Grits and greens…heck, I could eat fried green tomatoes all day long. And with the fresh seafood and the love the South has for frying things, it’s a good fit.

You mentioned fried chicken and waffles. I have to say, I’ve been all over the South but here, was the first time I ever had that. It’s a traditional southern dish?

(LOL) I actually don’t know how it came to be, but it is infamous in the South. Working in New York, I worked with a lot of different fusion-style foods, but in Jacksonville (which we called South Georgia) I first experienced Southern classics and they definitely sparked my interest  Now I want to learn the area, the culture and what’s behind all this. Once I’ve embraced everything, and once these selections are on the menus, I think it will be an amazing combination.

I have to ask, Chef, what motivates you?

I love making people happy with food. I mean, think back to your most memorable and favorite family moments; the best and most happiest of your life usually were some sort of gathering – dinners, holidays, parties – and I have just loved being a part of creating memories like that for people. I love creating that perfect dish. There is nothing better than making something for someone who just loves it, and you know they’ll remember it for a long time to come.

Also, people eat with their eyes. You want to dress it up, and I love working with different presentations and staying on top of the latest food trends

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Gosh, I can go back and think of so many things, but one that sticks out is one week in 2007 when Jacksonville hosted the Super Bowl. The Sawgrass hosted the team – the Philadelphia Eagles – and it was pandemonium for ten straight days. We actually did three million in revenue in one week. I was very proud, because we handled it all, we pleased all the guests – including the team – and it definitely stands out as a major accomplishment.

I’m also very proud of all the hard work I’ve put in over the years. I didn’t go to culinary school, I like to think I went to the school of ‘hard knocks.’ I loved each and every opportunity. I mean, I admire culinary schools; they teach you about food, proper techniques, etc., but they can’t teach you how to work in a kitchen – all of that is strictly hands-on. I’ve been cooking for 20+ years now and it has been a great accomplishment to be able to achieve the Executive Chef position at this point in my career.

What’s the best cooking tip you could give to a novice?

Make sure you have salt and pepper! You must have the basic seasonings. I, personally, love heavy, rich flavors – but everything has to be seasoned. You have to make sure that when the food leaves the kitchen it’s at the highest level it can be. But that would be my tip…make sure the salt and pepper is handy before you begin.

What’s your funniest kitchen experience?

One year on my birthday – we had these huge eighty gallon kettles for cooking soups, stocks, sauces, etc. – and my culinary team decided to fill one with ice and water and I was then chased down. They picked me up and dunked me in there. Even though I put up a fight, that was how they said, “Happy Birthday.”

There were also several birthdays of being ‘pied,’ which was a long-running tradition at the Sawgrass. It was the big joke on everyone’s birthday to receive pies in the face, so I have several memories of being chased around the kitchen with cream pies at the ready.

Do you have a favorite cookbook? Or, is there even such a thing?

I have two I work with quite a bit. One is, The Food Bible, which covers every food there is out there. It tells the origin, what goes well with that particular item, seasonal information – everything.

There is also, The Food Lovers Guide, which is really a food dictionary. Any word that is even culinary related to products, techniques – everything is in there. I would like to think that in twenty years I have the experience to know all, but that’s not possible.  There is always plenty to learn, and I go there to learn it.

What is your ‘vision’ for the King and Prince dining experience?

I told Vinnie when I came here that my goal was to put our cuisine on the map. I want to make this the best restaurant on the island and one of the top in all of Georgia. I want to embrace that ‘southern hospitality,’ bring in fresh product, new ideas, new recipes, and treat the food with the respect it deserves.

I want a line out the door every night with the restaurant always rockin’. This incredible resort speaks for itself, and I just want to bring the culinary program to the highest of heights. I want people to flock here, enjoy the food, and want to bring their families here. …It’s all about making people happy.

Certainly this amazing environment really sets the stage. 

Exactly. Again…visual. The King and Prince is pure class – great views, elegance to the nines – which makes the food even better. It certainly doesn’t hurt to eat your meal in the lap of luxury as you watch the sun rise or set over the ocean.

A Georgia Boy Burger, a beer, the salt breeze…?

Exactly. You got me sold!

_____

Yes, readers.  You can ‘hear’ the celebration of life in Chef Jeff Kaplan’s words, and it certainly translates onto the plate that is set down before you. This is the ultimate Chef who truly sees ‘food’ as being the ultimate spice of life.

What to do after reading this? Look up Southern comfort foods (check out that very cool and delicious, Fried Chicken and Waffles), and make a reservation immediately to come to the King and Prince Resort to make a brand new unforgettable memory!

I’ll meet you there!

For more information, go to:

http://www.kingandprince.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/kingandprince

http://www.facebook.com/TheKingandPrince

http://blog.kingandprince.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/KingandPrince1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingandprinceresort/

http://www.kingandprince.com/

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522
(912) 638-3631: Phone

(800) 342-0212: Reservations
(912) 638-7699: Fax

or Join the Volunteer Team

There is a growing excitement as the 13^th anniversary of SenioRITAs Doubles Tennis Tournament at Sawgrass Country Club approaches. With an all-volunteer team effort insuring that 100% of the event’s proceeds go directly to fighting breast cancer through research, the SenioRITAsweekend event has already raised over $621,000 since 2000. The disease strikes 1 in 8 women and SenioRITAs want researchers to find a cure.

SenioRITAs proceeds from donations, tournament entry fees, party and auction directly benefit critical medical research and patient services at Mayo Clinic,Jacksonville and Baptist Medical Center Beaches. A total of 286 women participated last year with 23 out-of-state-players. All money raised in Northeast Florida stays in our community, but exciting research efforts hold promise for hundreds of women everywhere who may face breast cancer diagnosis in the future.

Beginning with a Party and Auction on Wednesday, October 17 hosted by Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, the fundraising event includes a live & silent auction, raffles, light cuisine and cash bar. The cost to attend is $35 for non-players & complimentary for registered tennis teams.

There are tennis spots open to women age 40 and older throughout the Jacksonville area to join the doubles tournament as well as for volunteers who want to contribute their time and talents throughout the weekend’s special events. The Doubles Tournament Play begins Friday, October 19 thru Sunday, October 21. The cost to enter is $75/per player which entitles player to attend the October 17 Party & Auction.

ON-LINE TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION BEGINS IN MID JULY!

www.the-rita-foundation.org/senioritas

Sponsorship opportunities range from $50/patron to $1500 + as a Featured Sponsor. Detailed information about sponsorship, tennis play and volunteers is available through:

Mr. Magnus Berglund

SenioRITAs at Sawgrass Country Club

10034 Golf Club Drive

P.O. Box

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl 32082

(904) 273-3740

magnusberglund@comcast.net

The term ‘Omega-3’s’ has been coming up a great deal lately. From the latest cookbooks to fact sheets on recipes, ingredients, vitamins…Omega-3’s are having the spotlight shone upon them because they truly do more work in your body than Batman does for Gotham City, and I’m not kidding. Our bodies are temples, and although we’ve been treating them poorly as of late, Better Way Health is helping us change all that. The phenomenal list of products offered by this company has changed the way many – including me – see our health, and finally see a way of improving it with no gimmicks or ridiculousness that comes from the advertising and marketing of products that have not been proven to help one iota.

The man who began this beneficial company knew what he was doing. He was coming from a place where he had to find a way to help himself after Western medicine had let him down. And what he gave to the rest of us is Better Way Health - a company that we can not do without.

Making educated decisions when it comes to increasing our health, fitness and energy levels is easy to do with the BetterWayHealth.com line, and the one that truly shows the needs of Omega-3’s for our body is AstaCran®. This product is a combination of Astaxanthin (an antioxidant) and Cranberry seed oil extract, which is very high in the much-needed Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This product is essential to help reduce LDL cholesterol, help regulate inflammation and promote a healthy heart.

These Omega-3 fatty acids are beyond necessary. As I said, cookbooks are highlighting them and all the foods that are packed with these essential nutrients are popping up in the latest heart-healthy recipes. They are actually fats commonly found in marine and plant oils. The health benefits they provide are numerous, but what everyone must know is that Omega-3’s are essential because of the fact that the human body can not provide them naturally, and they are vital for our metabolisms.

Transfer Point’s Zanthin® – another fantastic BetterWayHealth.com offering – is the most potent source of astaxanthin, a highly renewable resource that provides the best source for extracting Astaxanthin. Cranberol™ which is their cranberry seed extract, is taken from cranberry seeds and the waste products of cranberry juice manufacture.

The question of its safety is extremely easy to answer: These products are completely safe for daily use and have no known adverse reactions. Another thing to know is that these products will not negatively affect allergies. In fact, they may lead to the alleviation of allergic reactions, and AstaCran® gets right to work regulating exaggerated pro-inflammatory immune disorders.

One of the harshest issues in our world today is heart attacks and stroke – not to mention the levels of stress and anxiety that cause these issues to start. Currently, there are many products on the market that claim to contain heart-healthy “Omega 3’s,” but they only contain one out of the three you actually need. These products contain mainly plant oils and must be converted by the body to create more. Some evidence even suggests that people with certain circulatory problems, such as varicose veins, benefit from Omega-3’s, which may stimulate blood circulation and even reduce blood pressure. Just think! A product that may actually reduce the risk of secondary and primary heart attack. The world would be highly different if we all jumped on board with the ‘Better Way’ today!

But it doesn’t end there. Other potential benefits have been reported to ease the conditions of rheumatoid arthritis AND is helpful in cases of depression AND in reducing the effects of all that anxiety. Cancer is also helped by the intake of Omega-3’s. These acids are reported to help breast, colon and prostate cancer; Omega-3 fatty acids have reduced prostate tumor growth, and has also shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer in many studies.

But we’re not even done! When it comes to neurology, Omega-3’s can decrease the progression to schizophrenia, as well as counter memory impairments that can lead to Alzheimer’s!

If all this is not enough to convince you that Omega-3’s are highly necessary for your health and well-being, well…I don’t know what would be. And BetterWayHealth.com once again offers you not only the right products to use, but they always go one step further and give you the reports, statistics, information and the real truth when it comes to you receiving a longer life and better health.

Good information bears repeating, and BetterWayHealth.com is always there with that information. One of the best books on the market can be found on this site. The title is Reverse Aging, written by Sang Whang. We spoke about the books available once before, and the letters and comments that have come back were too numerous to name. Once again, this ‘must-have’ information.

Just like the huge profile of Beta Glucan – another outstanding need for the body which BetterWayHealth.com products give to their clients ten-fold, ionized alkaline water is also looked at in-depth as being the healthiest water on the planet.

This is what I mean! Experts – real experts - have all bonded together with BetterWayHealth.com to not only give us that longer and more energized life we all want, but they have done so by also providing the education that’s been missing in this world. We must make INFORMED decisions if we want to be around to see the next generation flourish.

Begin today! The best water – the best minerals – the best nutrients – AND the most essential information on everything from water to those remarkable Omega-3’s is ONLY found at BetterWayHealth.com.

This is a company that was built from the ground-up by a man who fought to make sure that you and I would live longer, healthier lives. Let’s take advantage of it!

Until Next Time, Everybody.

For more information:

http://betterwayhealth.com/

Or, call: (800) 746-7640

More and more people are delving into the world of franchising. Opening your own franchise has become the new ‘top career choice’ for many Americans, but some are going into the ‘tunnel’ without knowing what’s at the other end. The research that needs to be done is highly important in order to find the best franchise opportunity that fits YOUR specific needs and goals. There are many out there, so you need to be careful.

Over the past few months we have had a gazillion questions ‘pop up’ about the ‘dynamic duo’ of MassageLuXe and FaceLuXe - or, as I like to call them, the ‘LuXe Universe.’ These are two companies that were created by a man who built a marketing plan that went from good to profitable to a strategy that made these two companies phenomenal.

FaceLuXe is one-of-a-kind, as is her sister, MassageLuXe, and we’ve spoke at length about the staff, the benefits that this company provides to their staff and their customers, their products, their services, and the fact that ALL of this has been wrapped up into a package that is now being ‘gifted’ to franchisee candidates across the country. As a result, the LuXe Universe has been the only franchiser on the lips of ‘wannabe’ business owners for the last year.

Marketing is the key to a successful business. A marketing plan is actually not a easy thing to come up with, believe me. In a marketing plan you need to not only understand what your goals are, but you have to find a way to attain them. You need to know the ins-and-outs of your company’s vision, and you need a mission statement that you can follow to the letter in order to create a company that is ‘the best of the best; and one that will not only succeed in the marketplace but exceed expectations. Todd Beckman – the creator of MassageLuXe & FaceLuXe -did just that.

He knew the major marketing objectives he wanted to accomplish. He knew the budget, he identified the target market and his target audience, and he was able to ‘see’ the overall market and identify the sub-groups of people that he had to reach in order to ‘bring to them’ and ‘market to them’ the services LuXe provided. Which means he had to make his audience go from ‘what they wanted’ to ‘what they HAD to have.’

A marketing plan or strategy is all about setting goals and achieving them. You need a competitive and tactical plan that details all the marketing channels you will use to become a success. Everything from print advertising to Public Relations to publicity, direct marketing, direct mail, trade show exhibiting, Web and Internet marketing, outdoor advertising, and sponsorships, have to be taken into consideration. These are literally the keys to success.

Now do you see how difficult that all is? The last thing you want as a franchisee is to have to worry and fret that your marketing plan – that ALL of these things we’ve spoken about above – have not been taken care of by the business you are joining. When a company says they have a proven marketing plan you should jump for joy, especially after seeing the huge success they’ve made of the business. Again, the ‘LuXe Universe’gives that to you!

What should you know about marketing? Well, marketers and advertisers have always spoken about “The Four P’s of Marketing:” Product, Place, Price, and Promotion. But, as Todd Beckman learned, there was a ‘P’ missing in order to really have success. And that, was People. Not only are the clients the ones you need to be serving and serving well by providing the absolute best services possible – but you also needed to serve your ‘inside’ people. A happy, exhilarated and skilled staff is dependable, hardworking, and far more efficient. THEY are the people who provide YOUR clients with the best. Therefore, THEY have to be happy. We’ve spoken about the amazing benefits that MassageLuXe & FaceLuXe offer to their staff, treating them as the ambassadors of the business and even supporting them to one day become owners of their own FaceLuXe or MassageLuXe franchise.

One of the largest facets of the FaceLuXe target audience, as we’ve stated before, is female. From the age of around thirteen on up, females desire the ability to stay young-looking, healthy and fit. With FaceLuXe, that target audience is supplied with the best services available to do just that! The new technologies that FaceLuXe offers is also a large part of their business that provides that successful marketing strategy that is proven to work!

Fate, or Mother Nature, provides us all with facial wrinkles, cellulite, spider veins, stretch marks, varicose veins, etc. – and FaceLuXe is the owner of ways to help halt, change, revamp, and refine those issues. By offering women of all ages a way to achieve extremely beneficial health and beauty services, FaceLuXehas taken its place among the truly successful franchises. The marketing strategy – the vision – the objective of providing clients with a better source of health and beauty treatments at affordable prices – have all combined to make the LuXe companies the true ambassadors to the health and beauty realm.

So as a prospective franchisee, you can see that opening a franchise of THIS particular company is the only smart choice offering a secure future. Why? Because all of the points we’ve made today have already been tested, researched, implemented, and achieved by Todd Beckman. Remember – a proven marketing strategy is not just a line – it is a ‘must-have’ when attaching oneself to a company.

FaceLuXe and MassageLuXe are there for their target audience as well as their staff. They provide exhilarating opportunities that include career advancement for their staff, and the support for franchisees who have the ability to open a successful FaceLuXe or MassageLuXe in their own city. On top of all that – their proven marketing strategy is still as successful as it’s always been, by staying committed to providing an affordable spa experience for every man and woman to look and feel their absolute best.

The path to achieving a successful career begins with knowledge, and the one franchiser out there who has the knowledge – the proven knowledge – to give you the life you want to have is the ‘dynamic duo’ that Todd Beckman created. And that, in a nutshell, is why FaceLuXe and MassageLuXe are the only choice for the serious ’wannabe’ franchisee!

Until Next Time, Everybody.

For more information, go right now to:

http://www.massageluxe.com

http://www.faceluxe.com/

http://www.facebook.com/FaceLuXe?v=app_4949752878

http://twitter.com/#!/mluxe

Check out the Virtual Tour which will have you walking, running, biking, swimming, or driving to your nearest location to get in on the luxury!

http://www.massageluxe.com/ML360/Kirkwood%20Lobby/index.html

For Franchise Information Call:

877-321-LUXE (5893)