Friday, August 26, 2011

PICK THE FAST SIGNS LOCAL BUSINESS WINNER BY SEPT.2

Nineteen Windsor/Essex Businesses Hope to Win a FASTSIGNS® MetamorphoSIGN Makeover



FASTSIGNS® of Windsor would like to remind local businesses and organizations, as well as the Windsor/Essex community, that voting for the FASTSIGNS MetamorphoSIGN Makeover Contest will begin on Monday, Aug. 22 and will end on Friday, Sept. 2.


Those who are interested in voting for whom they feel should receive a sign and graphics makeover from FASTSIGNS can do so by visiting http://www.metamorphosign.com/.

To vote for an entry, click “Morph It” and to continue onto the next entry click “Leave It”. Each voter may select only one entry to “Morph” each day and will be entered into weekly drawings to win one of six $50 American Express gift cards each day that they vote.

“We are so excited to see the response that we have received just during the entry period of this contest,” explained Jackie Raymond, who co-owns the Windsor FASTSIGNS with her friend, Donna Bilodeau. “We especially hope that the enthusiasm continues during the voting period because out of the more than 550 businesses that entered this contest, 23 of them are from right here in the Windsor/Essex area.”

The businesses from the Windsor/Essex area that have entered the MetamorphoSIGN Contest are as follows: Decks and Fences by Ryan; Jacobs Gowns, Footwear, & Accessories Ltd.; Happy Days Diner; Latelier Du Chocolat; University of Windsor St. Denis Centre; Ed Viselli - 581 Cataraqui Street; Windsor Croatian Centre; Complete Chiropractic; Double Play CafĂ©; Wheelers Printing & Copying; WFCU Centre; Advance Beauty Supplies; Divine Designs Flowers; Canadian Mental Health Association; Towne & Country Motel; LaSalle Premier Auto Spa; Riverside Minor Baseball Association;  Windsor/Essex; Teutonia Club of Windsor and Blab! Media.


“We’re eager for the community to get involved by showing their support for local businesses and organizations in need of a transformation—they really can make a difference and help someone they know win a sign and graphics makeover,” said Bilodeau.

At the end of the MetamorphoSIGN contest, two $10,000 sign and graphics makeovers will be awarded; one winner will be voted on by the social media world online and the other winner will be determined by FASTSIGNS. The two makeover winners will be announced on September 23. To learn more about the contest or to vote, visit www.metamorphosign.com.


by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

Monday, August 22, 2011

Don't Worry If You Hear Explosion August 23 On The Detroit River!

THE CITY OF DETROIT AND U.S. COAST GUARD TO HOLD


INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EXERCISE ALONG DETROIT RIVER AUGUST 23-24

The City of Detroit and the U.S. Coast Guard will work with more than 60 U.S. and Canadian agencies to stage an exercise on August 23-24 involving an explosion on the Detroit Princess boat, evacuation of passengers and an oil spill on the Detroit River.

The full-scale exercise involves U.S. and Canadian agencies at the federal, state, and local levels and will test and measure the Area Maritime Security Plan, contingency plans of participating agencies, and public information outreach. Detroit River Readiness 2011 will take place along the Detroit River Corridor from Trenton to Detroit and Windsor.

The exercise begins around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, with an actual, controlled explosion and smoke coming from the Detroit Princess boat. Passengers will be evacuated from the boat and transported to an emergency medical facility located at Milliken State Park. The exercise will continue on August 24 as crews respond to an oil spill on the Detroit River.

We wanted to inform area residents and Biz X/IN PLAY readers about the exercise to minimize concerns about the explosion and subsequent smoke. Individuals with questions or concerns are encouraged to call (313) 567-3007.


by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

Monday, August 8, 2011

Grants For Creative Projects Needed By Aug. 26, 2011!



The WindsorEssex Community Foundation Announces Grants For Innovative Community Projects!


 Do you have an idea that would make a difference in the lives of people in Windsor and Essex County? The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for its 2011 Community Impact Grants.


The Foundation’s Community Impact Grants provide organizations with $2,000 to $10,000 to implement innovative projects that make Windsor and Essex County a better place to live, work, play, learn and grow. They are interested in initiatives that will make a lasting difference, increase community capacity, involve partnerships, show creativity and provide a model for others.

“Organizations often have great ideas, but lack the financial resources to bring them to life,” says WECF’s Grants Committee Chair, Jay Strosberg. “These grants help them develop new and creative projects that can have a positive impact upon our communities for years to come.”

The Community Foundation knows that community vitality is built through a variety of elements, so we fund a wide range of initiatives. Past projects we have funded include; a mental health guide for new-comers to Canada, the purchase of skates and helmets for All Saints’ Skate Program, a video commemorating our Veterans, community recreations spaces, tree plantings, and community gardens.

For further information, visit www.wecf.ca.


APPLY ONLINE NOW…. all applications must be received by 4:30pm on August 26th, 2011.

by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

MCCCU BBQ August 10 Erie Street

MOTOR CITY COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION CHARITY BBQ


WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10, 2011 11AM-3PM


Once again MCCCU is having a BBQ here at its Commercial Centre at 895 Erie St. in Windsor to raise money for Scott Sefton and his family. The date is Wednesday August 10th, and the staff are asking for your support.

Scott Sefton is a local 34 year old married father with 2 young children who has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig ’s disease. They are asking everyone to join us to raise funds for much needed home renovation to make it wheel chair accessible. His disease has progressed rapidly and renovations are required for him to get around. Some proceeds will be donated into an education fund for his young children.

For all MCCCU friends who were able to make our BBQ last year and to those who donated, a warm thank-you.

Please help MCCCU help Scott. If you cannot make the BBQ and would like to donate, please call 519-944-7455 ext. 228!


Thanks so much and look forward to seeing you on the 10th of August.

by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

Monday, August 1, 2011

"FASTSIGNS" Gives Away Free Makeover-Enter by Aug 12

"FASTSIGNS" MetamorphoSIGN Contest to Give Away Free Sign and Graphics Makeovers

Businesses can win one of two $10,000 visual communications transformations


"FASTSIGNS" of Windsor wants local businesses and organizations to have the opportunity to receive a visual communications transformation by entering the MetamorphoSIGN contest, which is giving away two free sign and graphics makeovers.

“Signs and graphics can visually communicating your messages for days, weeks or years at a time," explains Jackie Raymond, who co-owns the Windsor FASTSIGNS with her friend, Donna Bilodeau. "They not only inform, direct and sell, but signs and graphics can also extend your brand or business identity.” 

What do your signs say about you? What kind of impression are they making on your behalf? What business objectives are they working to help you meet?

“As an integral part of a business and marketing plan, an organization’s visual presence should professionally and clearly represent who they are and what they do," adds Raymond. "Many businesses could benefit from a sign and graphics transformation, and that’s where we can help.”


The Windsor FASTSIGNS is no stranger to visual communications makeovers. Three years ago, when FASTSIGNS gave away several similar makeovers, two recipients were located in Windsor. The Windsor FASTSIGNS made the transformations happen and, to this day, the Wrap Shack and Impact Staffing still feature the centre’s work. During the MetamorphoSIGN contest, two $10,000 sign and graphics makeovers will be awarded; one winner will be voted on by the social media world online and the other winner will be determined by FASTSIGNS.

“During the voting period, anyone can cast a vote for their favorite business or organization and they can vote once a day,” says Raymond. “We’re excited for the community to get involved by showing their support for local businesses and organizations in need of a transformation — they can make a difference and help someone they know win a makeover.”

The makeover entry submission period is from July 18 – August 12. Businesses interested in being considered for the makeovers can visit www.metamorphosign.com to submit their entry, which is a 250-word write-up about why they should win and a photo of their business. Entries will be viewable on metamorphosign.com and open for online voting from August 22 – September 2. During the two-week voting period, all who vote will be entered into weekly drawings to win one of six $50 American Express gift cards. The two makeover winners will be announced on September 23.

To learn more about the contest, to submit your business or to vote, visit http://www.metamorphosign.com/.
Email Jackie.Raymond@fastsigns.com  for more details.


by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine