Latest Press Releases Articles

C. Ashley Mann, DDS Issues Final Call for Toys for Tots Donations; Offers Thanks to Salvation Angel Tree Helpers

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:32:38 -0800

(Raleigh,NC) - There are only several days remaining to donate an unwrapped toy or issue a monetary donation for this season’s Toys for Tots drive at Dr. Ashley Mann’s family dental and cosmetic surgery practice in Cary, an official collection site located at 315 East Chatham Street.

Community members and patients alike are encouraged to drop by the office, grab a freshly baked cookie, and drop off their gift of generosity that will undoubtedly warm the heart of another. Any and all offerings for children to teens are welcomed and needed.

“We’ve participated in the Toys for Tots drive for a number of years, and this has been a slower collection year for us than in years past,” noted Liz Russell, office administrator. “We are so appreciative of those that have already contributed and hope that we can continue to rally with a big finish leading up to this Friday.”

Donations can be dropped off from 7:00a.m. until 3:00p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; from 7:00a.m. until 5:00p.m. on Wednesday; and from 7:00a.m. until 2:00p.m. on Friday, December 16.

In keeping with the giving spirit, 2011 also marked the office’s first participation in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. This past Friday, December 9, the practice collected and delivered sixty fulfilled “angel” wishes to the Salvation Army program. “We want to send a big thank you to all who came into our office and took the time to fulfill a wish for those struggling this holiday season,” stated Dr. Mann. “This is certainly a special program we look forward to participating in again.”

For more information on the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, visit www.toysfortots.org. For further information on the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

C. Ashley Mann, DDS, a family and cosmetic dental practice, is conveniently located on Chatham Street in downtown Cary, North Carolina. Doctors Ashley Mann and Ralph Dolfi, and their team serve the Triangle with a welcoming, relaxing and caring spirit, and excellent dental skill and technologies. Starting with babies' first visits through parents' elder years, the team at C. Ashley Mann, DDS focuses on patient comfort while they care for the health and beauty of your teeth.

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Prominent US Virtual Assistant Company, Assistant Angel, Launches Virtual Assistant Training Network

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:56:08 -0800

Raleigh, North Carolina - On December 1, 2011, the Virtual Assistant Training Network was launched by a well-established leader in virtual assistance, Angel Lebak of AssistantAngel.com.

Angel Lebak started her virtual assistant business several years ago and in less than a year had a wait list of micro and small business owners wanting her assistance. Lebak's success drew to her dozens of other Virtual Assistants (also known as VAs) and people seeking a career change. To help other VAs, Lebak created a group on the ComeOnInside.com professional network for the Raleigh area, inside919.com, where she was a high contributing co-manager.

"I am convinced that the small and micro business community can be absolutely transformed by quality Virtual Assistants," said Angel Lebak who has personally coached and mentored dozens of virtual assistants and helped launch a number of virtual assistant businesses. "The small and micro business owners are slowing their growth by trying to do everything themselves."

Angel Lebak's clients are outspoken about the value she delivered. www.virtualassistantsocialmedia.com And the people she has helped launch new careers and businesses as Virtual Assistants endorse her character, skill and value.

Colleen Gray is one of the Virtual Assistants who was in Lebak's inside919.com VA group and who received mentorship from Angel Lebak. "Angel has been my mentor for the last year, and I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting to start a virtual assistant company, or needing help in growing their business," said Gray. "She taught me the basics for my own virtual assistant company, and is always there to help me when I need guidance."

The new Virtual Assistant Training Network distinguishes itself by the mentorship that Lebak provides, a facilitated online community, and top notch training and practices. www.virtualassistanttrainingnetwork.com Lebak's experience as co-manager of the inside919.com micro and small business professional community (with over 3,000 members) gave her in-depth experience in understanding how people can best utilize online communities. Lebak may be the single best known professional on the site, a testament to her commitment to supporting thriving online networks.

Commenting on the new Virtual Assistant Training Network, Gray said, "Angel keeps informed of all of the latest tools that VA’s need to provide excellent service to their clients, as well as the ones that help VA’s use our time most efficiently. She is a very reachable coach and teacher, with high integrity and a passion for helping others."

All aspects of building virtual assistant skills, and, building a successful virtual assistant practice, will be covered in the training network through a variety of methods to suit varied learning styles. Members will have their choice of videos and reading, discussions and coaching opportunities. Membership on VirtualAssistantTrainingNetwork.com has several durations to choose from with promotional specials for the launch.

Virtual Assistants seeking additional training, mentoring and community; and men and women seeking to pursue a flexible career with expanding opportunities as a VA are encouraged to visit VirtualAssistantTrainingNetwork.com. Businesses seeking well-trained US based Virtual Assistants and VA management consulting and assistance can contact Angel Lebak at AssistantAngel.com.

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AssistantAngel.com is a prominent US Virtual Assistant company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded by Angel Lebak, Assistant Angel has grown to include the new Virtual Assistant Training Network. AssistantAngel.com also provides Virtual Assistant Management Services and Consulting for small businesses and larger corporations. Visit AssistantAngel.com and VirtualAssistantTrainingNetwork.com.

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Catering by Design Wins Best Caterer Award for 2012 in the Raleigh North Carolina Area

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:28:10 -0800

Raleigh, NC - Catering by Design has won The Knot Best of Weddings Award 2012 for Best Caterer in the Raleigh area. The Knot notified Catering by Design via phone call.

"We’re very excited that Triangle brides have voted us the best wedding caterer in the Triangle!" said Chef Greg Lewis, owner and general manager of Catering by Design. "We love catering weddings and giving our all to make it the best day for our brides."

The Knot, one of the premier wedding sites for brides across America, has an annual survey for recent brides to rate all of their wedding related vendors. It is administered by a third party.

The survey results for the 2012 ranking in North Carolina were tallied, showing Raleigh’s Catering by Design as the sole caterer in the Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill area to win.

Formal notice and publication of the results by The Knot will occur on December 30th, 2011, when they publish all the Best of Weddings 2012 winners.

Chef Greg Lewis said, "We look forward to adding the award ribbon to our website and heartily thank all our brides for voting for Catering by Design as The Knot‘s Best of Wedding Caterers in the Triangle for 2012."

Catering by Design offers a full array of catering services in and around Raleigh North Carolina. We deliver the highest quality fresh foods in creative styles suited to your individual needs. Whether you are hosting a simple garden picnic, a silver anniversary party, a corporate fundraiser or an extravagant multicourse dinner affair complete with fine linens and full china, we are here to ensure your special occasion is one to remember as the most perfect day ever. In addition to the beautiful presentation of our flavorful, exquisitely prepared dishes, our professional staff (including our set-up crew, servers, and bartenders) will graciously tend to you and your guests.

Learn more about what we can do for you through pictures, video and stories. Visit our sites:

Blog: www.catering-by-design.com/blog
YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/cateringbydesignnc
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/CateringbyDesignRTP
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChefGregLewis

www.prsurvival.com

Kustom Koozies offers Wine Wraps

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:26:54 -0700

Kustomkoozies.com, the popular website offering can huggers to keep your drinks cool in the hot summer, has a new offering. Wine wraps - personalized wraps for wine glasses are very popular.

“Customers have been asking for this for years.” Says Bob Liddle of Kustom Koozies. “Our customers, for the most part, are consumers who are celebrating a wedding, a party, an event or some type of occasion and they would like a wine wrap to go with it. We are now able to offer this product in 8 different colors.”

Kustom Koozies offers 6 different styles of koozies in a large variety of colors and inks. The miminum order for koozies is one, a feature which makes them very popular.

Interactivity was increased in the site through utilization of a “Live Chat” feature. Customers may click on the “Live Chat” button at any time to “chat” with a site representative.

About Kustom Koozies

Kustom Koozies offers personalized can huggers or koozies for small or large events. Kustom Koozies has been providing quality koozies to customers for 13 years. Kustom Koozies offers many types of designs/colors and hundreds of graphics to choose from. You can visit at www.kustomkoozies.com or call 919-261-6628

www.prsurvival.com

About the Author

Kustom Koozies

Bob Liddle

bob@kustomkoozies.com

www.kustomkoozies.com

www.prsurvival.com

Family and Friends Use Hearts and Feet to Fight Cancer

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:47:49 -0700

(Raleigh, NC) -Walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the Second American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Brier Creek/RTP gets underway with teams of residents gathering at Leesville Road High School on June 3, 2011 at 7:00 pm.

Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out at an athletic track, park or other gathering area, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the evening. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life – all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

The event this year has been chosen for the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS -3)-3! This will be available for anyone between the ages of 30-65 who have not been diagnosed with cancer, and willing to make a long-term commitment to the study. You can enroll from 6-10 pm Friday evening. Besides this study, there will also be entertainment, food, and prizes.

“Relay is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease,” said Sol Halliburton, American Cancer Society. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Brier Creek is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” Halliburton added.

Funds raised at Relay For Life of Brier Creek are enabling the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community.

These funds go to different areas, all to help our community. Funds will help support groups for cancer patients and their caregivers, including a support network and the Road To Recovery program, which provides rides for patients to treatments. Proceeds will also fund the early detection and cancer risk reduction programs, cancer research, and various advocacy programs for cancer patients.

Relay For Life’s Luminaria Ceremony takes place after sundown, honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. Participants will circle a track that is surrounded with glowing luminaria that bear the name of someone who has battled cancer. Luminaria may be purchased for $10 by calling 334-5218 or by visiting briercreekrelay.org.

Also a part of Brier Creek’s Relay For Life event is the “Fight Back” Ceremony, in which a community leader will inspire Relay participants with his or her own commitment and will challenge them to take a personal pledge of action (e.g., stop smoking, eat more healthily, exercise regularly, etc.) in fighting back.

To locate a Relay For Life event and find out how you may get involved, please call 1-800-227-2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

www.prsurvival.com

The Handmade Market, April 23rd, Downtown Raleigh

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:54:27 -0700

North Carolina design and craft collective, The Handmaidens, announce the 11th semiannual installment of The Handmade Market.

The Handmade Market is a one-day, indoor designer craft fair and market featuring handcrafted goods from 50 artists, designers and crafters from NC and beyond. The event runs from 11 am until 5 pm on Saturday, April 23rd. The Handmade Market will be held at Cobblestone Hall, in downtown Raleigh. The entrance is located at 215 Wolfe Street in City Market, just south of Moore Square, in the former Greenshields building.

Applicants were juried into The Handmade Market with a focus on local and regional artists. The participating designers represent such diverse groups of modern handcrafts including jewelry, baby and kid’s goods, men and women’s apparel, fashion accessories, home goods, fine art and stationery.

Sweet T Cakery and Joe Van Gogh will be available for yummy treats and coffee. Other locally owned restaurants and shops are conveniently located just steps from the front door of the show.

The event also includes a fundraiser to benefit Toxic Free NC. This local nonprofit’s goal is to get rid of pesticide pollution, in our water, our food and our bodies through education, governmental influence and community knowledge. Entrance to The Handmade Market is free, but Toxic Free NC will be selling raffle tickets for various artists donated items. One hundred percent of the money raised from the raffle will go to Toxic Free NC. In the past we have raised thousands of dollars for various local charities.

Since its inception in 2006, The Handmade Market quickly has become one of the Southeast’s most highly anticipated shopping events. The Handmade Market is produced by The Handmaidens and is made possible with support from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Ornamentea, LiPi, Yelp, Carolina Fiber Fest, The B Keeps Us Honest and High Park Restaurant.

For a list of all the participating artists, designers, comments, customer feedback and application process information, please visit: www.thehandmademarket.com.

www.prsurvival.com

Raleigh Outdoor School and Summer Camp Director, Andy Smith, Publishes Book of Nature Essays

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:57:33 -0700

Raleigh, North Carolina - Andy Smith, director of Grey Fox Wilderness Programs, an outdoor school and summer camp based in Raleigh, has published his first book.

Grey Fox Wilderness Stories is a collection of essays about personal discovery, mentoring and teaching in the wilderness. He tells stories about his own solo outdoor adventures and experiences with students. Smith is very insightful about listening to his intuition to guide his own actions in nature, and as a teacher.

"I wanted to write these stories of mentoring and self-discovery in nature to share how much I learn and to encourage others to discover their own connection with nature," said Smith. The book is available in paperback and as a Kindle eBook on Amazon.com.

Your purchases of the book support Grey Fox Wilderness Programs in continuing to offer valuable and fun nature experiences for youth and adults in the Raleigh area..

Inner River Press, a new North Carolina micro-publisher, selected Grey Fox Wilderness Stories as their first book. "We chose Smith's manuscript because it closely fit with our mission to print books that inform us about our inner nature and the natural world," said Anora McGaha, the publisher.

Smith is a story teller. In his camp programs and workshops he uses stories to engage his students on multiple levels, whether around campfires or other settings. In the chapter called Crocodile Crawl, Smith begins a story with his campers while in the cool waters of a stream.

Ken Moore, Flora columnist for the Carrboro CITIZEN, and a former assistant director of the N.C. Botanical Gardens, wrote this about Smith's book:

"Following in the footsteps of Tom Brown, Jr., Andy Smith’s Grey Fox Wilderness Stories offer engaging stories of personal adventures that invite each of us to seek a serious reconnect with Nature, to meet a personal challenge and to follow the yearning to realize that ‘reconnect’."

In a time in our civilization when our culture is increasingly removed from nature. Smith speaks to the awakening and vitality we can re-discover outdoors. Like The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, Smith shares the urgency of and passion for reconnecting children, teens and adults to nature.

About the Author, Andy Smith

For over twenty years Andy Smith has been teaching and mentoring youth and adults in learning about themselves and their world in the outdoors. Andy Smith began mentoring at 14, working for local Boys and Girls Clubs, the Triangle Area YMCA, Raleigh and Wake County Parks, and the Schoolhouse of Wonder. Smith also co-founded of a local tracking and survival group.

Andy Smith has trained with some of the top wilderness survival and training professionals. He has taken classes at Tom Brown Junior's Tracking, Nature, and Wilderness Survival School; taken John Young's Art of Mentoring course; and studied with expert tracker Kevin Reeves, and many other local trackers.

Smith is available for speaking engagements, book readings, custom outdoors events, programs and camps. He welcomes inquiries about special programs and events for home school students, groups of friends, and adults.

Pictures and updates are posted on the Facebook Page.

For bulk orders starting at 10 books and up, contact anora@clearsightcreativeresources.com.

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Grey Fox Wilderness Programs is an outdoor school and summer camp founded by Raleigh native Andy Smith. Through its many programs, Grey Fox Wilderness Programs offers day summer camps for kids, weekend camping, quests, survival training, scout events and skills. Grey Fox Wilderness Programs are held at a variety of local parks and private locations best suited for each event. Visit his Web site for a calendar of camp programs.

Andy Smith can be reached at 919-524-8757 or via email at: andy@greyfoxwilderness.com

www.prsurvival.com

Brackett Foundation Repair Supports Boys and Girls Club of Wake County Spring Fundraising Campaign

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:48:54 -0700

Raleigh, North Carolina - The Wake County Boys and Girls Club launched their 2011 fundraising period with the help of a challenge grant to match donor funds. Fundraising for the 2011 Positive Place for Kids Campaign is in progress.

The 2011 campaign goal is $1.2 million, aiming for about $1 million from corporate donations.

Brackett Foundation Repair was one of hundreds of corporations that received a letter requesting support in early March. John Boulware, VP of Brackett Foundation Repair, the Triangle's most experienced foundation repair company, responded to the donation request from the local Boys and Girls Club. "We've been in business in the Triangle for almost 40 years and know how valuable the Boys and Girls Clubs are for the community."

The 2011 Positive Place for Kids Campaign began on February 15th and will continue through mid-May 2011. Ms. Marymac Webb of The Wake County Boys and Girls Club confirmed that the challenge grant will continue to match all donations for this campaign. The campaign aims to raise about half of the organization's $3 million annual budget.

One sign of how valuable Boys and Girls Clubs can be seen in the statistics about high school graduation rates for participants. In The Wake County Boys and Girls Club graduation among participants was almost 80% in 2010, and it is 100% for those who stay from 9th - 12th grade.

A February 2011 News and Observer article by Chelsea Kellner describes additional needs of the local Boys and Girls Club. In addition to needing support for their annual operating budget, they are also looking to raise capital to cover expansion needs.

For more information about The Wake County Boys and Girls Club, visit their Web site at wakebgc.org. Donations can also be made there.

Brackett Foundation Repair, Inc. or Durham, North Carolina is the Triangle's most experienced foundation repair contractor, serving both home-residential customers and the commercial building market. Brackett Foundation Support Systems, Inc., the manufacturing arm of the business, manufactures and distributes helical piles, brackets and other foundation repair equipment to installers and dealers throughout the United States. Brackett Foundation Support Systems also offers a training program for construction firms wanting to enter the foundation repair business.

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Metro Productions “Show & Tell” Open House & V Foundation fundraiser

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:44:50 -0700

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. – Chuck Underwood, President and Chief Creative Officer of Metro Productions (metroproductions.com), a Raleigh-based design, video and production company, announced the company’s “Show & Tell” open house and fundraiser for the V Foundation on March 31, 2011 from 4:30 to 6:30.

The open house is an introduction to metro’s new HP 3550 Digital Printing press, a state-of-the art press with unmatched quality, speed and efficiency.

“We’ll show off examples of Variable Data Printing (VDP), specialty papers, and other great features of our new press, as well as raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation,” said Chuck Underwood. “Plus, attendees will leave armed with ideas on how to improve their marketing strategies.”

Metro will also offer a Lunch and Learn from 12 to 1 to discuss QR codes, Variable Data Printing and Secrets to a Successful Direct Mail campaign.

Each attendee will have a donation made in their name to The V Foundation by metro, will receive an inspirational V Foundation poster, and will be registered to win fantastic door prizes supplied by HP and Lindenmyer Monroe Papers.

To register for the Lunch & Learn, email printing@metroproductions.com

For more information, visit http://www.metroproductions.com/clients/metro_show_tell/

www.prsurvival.com

New Salvation Army Center in North Raleigh Has a Champion for New Dental Clinic

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:07:02 -0700

Raleigh, North Carolina - The Salvation Army of Wake County broke ground for the new Salvation Army location in North Raleigh on October 19, 2010. $9.6 million of the $12 million capital campaign had been raised by 12/31/2010. Another project associated with the Center of Hope, a new dental clinic, has just starting its fundraising effort.

Raleigh area dentist, Dr. Ashley Mann, member of The Salvation Army of Wake County Advisory Board, championed the vision of a new dental clinic in the new facility. That meant getting consensus among the decision makers and stake holders. When consensus was reached, Dr. Ashley Mann undertook responsibility for the million dollar fundraising effort.

When asked how he thought to pursue a dental clinic for the new Salvation Army facility, Dr. Mann said, "I was reading about the history of The Salvation Army and saw this quote by the founder William Booth, when it really hit me."

Here's the quote from the founder of the Salvation Army when he was raising funds in the late 1800s for a better facility in London for those in need:

"Poor people feel the cold quite as much if not more than do rich people. We shall have a wooden floor and the place shall be heated by hot water apparatus. No one gets a blessing if they have cold feet and nobody ever got saved while they had a toothache!"

--William Booth, Salvation Army founder

Currently in Wake County there is only a part-time clinic for those who can't afford dental care, Wake Smiles. www.rwcds.org/wake/about.htm A full time clinic, close to those who seek shelter in the new facility, would be invaluable.

Dr. Mann has led fundraising efforts before and was recognized as Triangle Man of the Year in 2009 for his work on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Donations for the Center of Hope can be made at www.buildingthecenterofhope.org/page/make-a-gift

Information on how to make donations directly for the dental clinic will be forthcoming on the C. Ashley Mann, DDS Web site and on their Facebook Page.