Jolie Gonzalez
¿ Como estan mi gente ? What a terrific year I am having ! Thank you GOD . Despite the bumps in the road ; Latin Times is doing Great . Many of you might have seen our Latin Times electronic billboard which was featured on the corner of Waters & Dale Mabry in Tampa .
Alright , so here we are practically halfway through the year already ! I hope that you will enjoy our 2 nd quarter issue of Latin Times Magazine which features the top 10 Latino Movers N Shakers in Tampa Bay . And , also , it is with such great pleasure that I present to you our choice of national Latino Movers N Shakers ; someone that I consider to be “ kick-butt ;” none other than Mr . “ George Lopez !”
Here comes the BIG 10 ! Can you believe that I am almost 10 years old – Latin Times Magazine that is !
YES , hard to believe huh ? But I have been publishing for 9 years now ! You know what they say about time , “[ it ] sure flies when you are having fun ,” ( lol ). I must admit that it hasn ’ t all been fun ; but I am so grateful to God for the opportunity to communicate with my community and for giving me a career that I feel such love and passion for . It is that which has kept me in the game for so many years now .
We are currently working on our 10 th year Anniversary which will take place along with our 1 st issue of 2011 . If you receive our weekly newsletter you will be treated to a trip down memory lane soon as we travel back in time to present you with some of our first issues !
Opportunities Abound ! Latin Times is currently looking for sales professionals in the Tampa Bay area . The positions are commission based . We provide leads , training and office support . Interested individuals should contact our office .
Have you attended any of our exciting events !? Our most famous event , the 1 st Friday networking socials have MOVED to a NEW LOCATION ! Starting on Friday , April 2 nd , 2010 , our events will be held at La Pelota , located at 1701 W . Waters Ave ., in Tampa , FL . Event hours are from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM . 1 st Friday Latin ConneXions entered its 6 th year of hosting these exciting networking socials on Friday , April 2 nd . Please join us in making this our biggest year yet !
Subsequent 1 st Friday events will be held on Friday , May 7 th , 2010 ; Friday , June 4 th , 2010 ; and Friday , July 2 nd , 2010 .
Our Ladies ’ Tea and Spa Parties are the perfect way for ladies to spend a Sunday afternoon getting to know other elite women in the community . These events are held at the Empress Tea Room at 6810 E . Fowler , Temple Terrace , FL . Join us at this charming Victorian Room where you will be awed by the formal setting and beauty of the room . Feel spoiled , as you are served with Crystal , Linens and fine English Bone China . Talk and get to know other elite local business women in an atmosphere designed to make you unwind and relax . Develop new friendships or business relationships . Afterward , stroll through the connecting gate into the Secret Garden ; enjoy wine tasting , and Champaign toasts and a Chocolate fountain with delicious fresh fruits . Relax and unwind in the Garden Spa we create , while enjoying the firm hands of our massage therapists , or getting a pedicure , a manicure , facial , skin care consult , beauty consult and more from one of our exhibitors ! The next date for this “ elite ” ladies ’ event is scheduled for Sunday , July 11 th , 2010 .
Latino Love Connections is Tampa Bay ’ s Premier Latino Single ’ s Club ! Join us on Thursday , May 20 th , 2010 , at Whiskey North , 11921 N Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa , FL . Events are held on the 3 rd Thursday of each month at varying locations throughout Tampa Bay . Outings include : Speed dating , golf outings , sports outings , bowling , billiards , dinners , lunches , concerts , retreats , picnics , game rooms , camp fires , beach days , dancing , and more ! For specific dates and venues please join our Facebook fan page where you will be kept up-to-date !
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the BIG ExploSION Latina ! The 1 st annual Fair / Expo will offer Tampa Bay ’ s Hispanic / Latino community with educational workshops on Health , Higher Education , Marketing , Business 101 , Career Planning / Jobs , Business Opportunities , Community , Fashion , Music , Culture and MORE ! This is an all-day family event that will offer over 200 exhibiting companies , educational workshops , LIVE music , theater and dance performances . Location and date TBA .
On a more personal side , I would like to share with you a few changes that have been occurring in my life this past year . In February of this year , Victor and I were granted temporary custody of his two beautiful daughters Zion who is 7 years old and Victoria who is 3 years old . Most of you couldn ’ t believe that I could handle becoming a mom all over again , but to be honest with you , it has been more of a delight than anything else . Now who would have ever thought at my age ; ( wait a minute , I am not THAT old ) but still ; that I would be raising two more little ones . I thought for sure my 15 year old son Nikko would be it for me and I would be “ home-free .” ( By-the-way Nikko absolutely loves his two new little sisters .) This is a huge challenge in our lives , but certainly something that we are happy about and welcome with wide-arms and I thank God everyday for his blessing . I feel that the LORD has placed these little girls in our care to love and protect them and we wouldn ’ t want it any other way .
Also , I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude each and every one of you for your support during this difficult time and I ask that you continue to include our family in your prayers especially in next several months ahead as we prepare ourselves to walk the steps of the judicial system in hopes that the courts will rule in our favor so that we may keep these little angels in our care “ permanently ” in order to raise them into the strong and beautiful individuals that God means them to be .
And on a final note , I want to thank all of you for your continued support of the Latin Times and for believing in us over the years . Muchas Gracias .
May God Bless You ALL !
Jolie Gonzalez
Step up to the plate and dare to be the Elite Latino !