More than a dozen Fitness Clubs are Considering Participation in the Charitable Event to Honor the 262 Fallen Ohio Soldiers

HUDSON, OHIO (January 25, 2012) – Many of the area’s top health and fitness clubs are interested in supporting local charitable veterans’ organizations through the first annual Pedal for Heroes Fundraiser to be held on February 26, 2012.  Teams of participants will cycle at their local fitness club for 262 minutes representing the 262 Ohio lives lost in the Middle East since 9/11/01. 

“Any NE Ohio Heath and Fitness Center that has Spinning or indoor cycling should be participating in this important charitable event,” said Jerry Lynch, co-owner of LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club.  “There is still time to get involved. We are hosting an informational session on Saturday, January 28 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. where we’re inviting fitness directors from around the area and local veteran charitable organizations along with Senator Frank LaRose, an Iraq War Veteran,  to learn about how the Pedal for Heroes will support our Ohio veterans.”

The deadline for fitness centers to sign up for Pedals for Heroes is February 1, 2012. The centers are invited to participate in this event and to challenge their members to form teams to cycle on stationery bicycles for 262 minutes on February 26. The date of the event honors the day when Marine Lance Corporal Andy Nowacki, of Lake County, gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

“Ohio veterans have given so much for us. We are excited to spearhead this worthy cause and hope that it will become an annual fundraiser for Ohio veterans,” said Lynch. “We challenge all of the fitness and recreation centers in Northeast Ohio to participate with us in this Pedal for Heroes event that supports local veterans and recognizes those who have given their lives.”

All proceeds from the event on February 26, 2012, will be donated to local veterans’ charitable organizations.  The donations from LifeCenter Plus will go to Wheels4Change.org, an organization that raises funds for Warriors Journey Home.  At the event on Saturday January 28, fitness directors will have any questions answered, participants will be preparing for the 4 hours of cycling and representatives from local veterans’ groups will be available to discuss how the money donated will serve the veterans in need.

Fitness center directors interested in learning more about how to participate in Pedal For Heroes should contact Fitness Director, Jessica Schodowski at LifeCenter Plus at 5133 Darrow Road in Hudson, Ohio at 330-655-2377, ext. 138.

Council of Small Enterprises (COSE) Announces Top Weatherhead 100 Companies

CLEVELAND, OHIO (January 12, 2011) –EnviroScience, Inc. of Stow, Ohio, has been named one of Northeast Ohio’s fastest growing companies and is the recipient of the 2011 Weatherhead 100 award. EnviroScience is a nationally recognized ecological consulting firm that has experienced significant sales growth over the past five years.

“We are honored to have been recognized by COSE and the Weatherhead School of Management for the second time for our company growth,” said Martin Hilovsky, president of EnviroScience, Inc. “We continue to operate with a philosophy that our team is our greatest asset and vehicle to growth. We encourage and recognize winning ideas and promote and reward those people that make it happen.”

EnviroScience provides ecological monitoring, lake management and eco-friendly solutions to the overgrowth of intrusive plants and insects. They also offer emergency response divers, toxicology reporting on wetlands and waterways and ecological restoration plans. The company has grown significantly over the past five years.
“Our entire staff of scientists, commercial divers, technicians and office personnel is the driving force behind our growth and success,” said Hilovsky. “They truly understand the needs of the companies and communities we serve and provide creative solutions for continued ecological improvements.”
EnviroScience ranked 44 in the top 100 companies in 2011, increasing their rank from the 64th place in 2010. EnviroScience was also awarded the Top Place to Work Award last summer by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Top Place to Work Award recognized EnviroScience as the 6th top ranked place to work in Northeast Ohio.

The Weatherhead 100 award recipients are determined by a percentage of sales growth based on having a minimum of $100,000 of sales in 2006 and an excess of one million in sales by 2010. Additionally, winning companies must have employed a minimum of 16 full-time employees in 2010.  EnviroScience and the other 99 winning companies were honored by the COSE at a black tie gala in Cleveland in early December.

For more than 20 years, EnviroScience, Inc. has provided ecological services, aquatic environment studies, and lake management solutions throughout the US and Canada.  Recognized for excellence in marine services, ecological restoration and biomonitoring fresh water, EnviroScience, Inc. provides technology, recommendations and solutions to meet a wide range or variety of environmental needs. For more information about, visit their website at www.enviroscienceinc.com or call 800-940-4025.

EnviroScience, Inc. receives 2011 Weatherhead 100 Award in Cleveland on December 5, 2011. From left, Gregory F. Zimmerman, Vice President, Daniel G. Dunstan, Chief Executive Officer, Cathy Gore, Administrative Director, James Krejsa, Executive Vice President. Not pictured: Martin A. Hilovsky, President.

Club Invites Fitness Centers Across Northeast Ohio to Participate in Honoring 262 Ohio Veterans Who Have Sacrificed for Our Freedom

HUDSON, OHIO (December 21, 2011) – LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club is challenging all Northeast Ohio fitness centers to join in an effort to honor and support our Ohio veterans. On February 26, 2012, fitness centers across Northeast Ohio will host “2012 Pedal for Heroes” events, where hundreds of participants throughout Northeast Ohio will cycle for 262 minutes representing the number of military personnel from Ohio who have sacrificed their lives for our country since 9/11/01.

“Ohio veterans have given so much for us. We are excited to spearhead this worthy cause and hope that it will become an annual fundraiser for Ohio veterans,” said Jerry Lynch, co-owner of LifeCenter Plus. “We challenge all of the fitness and recreation centers in Northeast Ohio to participate with us in this Pedal for Heroes event that supports local veterans and recognizes those who have given their lives.”

Fitness centers are invited to participate in this event and to challenge their members to form teams to cycle on stationery bicycles for 262 minutes on February 26. The date of the event represents when Marine Lance Corporal Andy Nowacki, of Lake County, gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Proceeds for each event will be donated to a local Veteran’s charitable organization selected by each local fitness center. LifeCenter Plus offers a few example benefactors such as Wheels 4 Change, Warriors Journey Home, Freedom House and the Andy Nowacki Foundation, Inc.

LifeCenter Plus is providing participating fitness centers with planning materials as well as an educational presentation to show during the event. LifeCenter Plus will include participating fitness centers in the media marketing communication.

Fitness center directors interested in learning more about how to participate should contact Fitness Director, Jessica Schodowski at LifeCenter Plus in Hudson, Ohio at 330-655-2377, ext. 138. The deadline for fitness centers to sign up for Pedals for Heroes is February 1, 2012.

About LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club
A premier health and fitness facility, LifeCenter Plus has served the Hudson, Stow and surrounding communities since 1978. The 103,000-square foot multi-purpose facility is a full-service, four-season health and fitness club with five swimming pools. For more information call 330-655-2377 or visit the website at www.LifeCenterPlus.com.

Website Provides Horse Breeders, Horse Trainers with Resources for Selecting Electric Fence Products and Fence Charger Instructional Guides

STREETSBORO, OHIO (November 3, 2011) – Horse Safe, a website geared toward horse owners and horse trainers interested in selecting, installing and maintaining electric fences, launched recently. This robust, online equine resource provides owners of horses, ponies and colts with information for the selection and installation of electric fence energizers and equipment.
 
“Horse breeders, trainers and owners constantly seek new information about ways to keep their horses safely corralled,” said Deidra Roberts, VP of Marketing at AgraTronix. “The Horse Safe website provides online manuals, white papers, articles and the answers to frequently asked questions about the installation and maintenance of their Power Wizard electric fence products.”

At the Horse Safe website, a horse trainer will find up-to-date articles, resources, links to supply houses and troubleshooting guides to assist with grounding and electric fence maintenance. The list of articles, websites and governmental agencies on the Horse Safe resource page provides beneficial information horse breeders and horse owners will find of value.

Additionally, visitors to this equine website can sign up for the Power Wizard Horse Safe e-newsletter to receive instructional information on Power Wizard fence charger products, trends in the electrical fence industry and articles demonstrating how horse trainers use the Power Wizard products.

ABOUT POWER WIZARD
Power Wizard is the top brand of fence energizers available today based on long lasting low impedance technology.  Power Wizard has over 20 types of fencing energizers with retail prices that range from $25 to $690.  Power Wizard energizers are designed to meet the varied needs from horse trainers, horse breeders and dairy farmers, to the small hobby farmer with sheep, goats or pigs and even specialty animal owner with alpacas or llamas. For more information about Power Wizard branded energizers, visit www.HorseSafe.com or call 1-800-866-2161.

Article Highlights the Benefits of Sister Circles in Reducing Anxiety among African American Women

TALLMADGE, OHIO (October 26, 2011) – Many times described as a case of bad nerves, the issues of anxiety and fear among Black women have a social stigma that has made treatment more difficult.  A recent article, Sister Circles as a Culturally Relevant Intervention for Anxious Black Women, describes the research of Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett and her team on the healing effect of Sister Circles.  The article was featured in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE in the September, 2011* issue. 

“We outline the countless studies and research proving a correlation between anxiety and performance and the benefit of community as an intervention tool,” explained Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett, award-winning psychologist and associate professor at Kent State University.  “Through the use of Sister Circles in my research with African American women dealing with anxiety, fear and panic, we have been able to develop an intervention that can help offer an answer for this problem.”

Particularly effective in the treatment of professional African American women, Sister Circle interventions address key elements with culturally infused aspects that include the use of song, community support and faith combined with cognitive behavior therapy. A Sister Circle is defined as a “subset of women embedded within an existing Black women’s organization who share an existing concern related to anxiety and fear.”

The article explains two exercises developed by Dr. Neal-Barnett and her team using music and a call and response method already prevalent in African American communities which are used as a form of cognitive restructuring. The So What Chorus and the Build Your Own Theme Song (BYOTS), work as a musical intervention in decreasing anxiety symptoms in members of the Sister Circle.

Often Black women avoid addressing their anxiety issues out of a fear of appearing less productive or valuable both in the work environment and within their own community. The article offers valuable information proving the benefits of participating in a supportive environment like a Sister Circle as a means of invention in a culturally relevant way.

About Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett
Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett is a national award winning psychologist, professor, author, and leading expert on anxiety disorders among African Americans. She is a sought-after workshop presenter and speaker, and the author of the best-selling book “Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman’s Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic and Fear,” published by Fireside/Simon and Schuster. Currently a tenured member of the psychology faculty at Kent State University, she directs the Program for Research on Anxiety Disorders among African Americans. Dr. Neal-Barnett’s work focuses on fears and social anxiety in African American children as well as panic disorder and worry in African American adults. For more information, visit www.SootheYourNerves.com or call 330-608-1937.

* Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett et al. Sister Circles as a Culturally Relevant Intervention for Anxious Black Women    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2850.2011.01258.x/abstract

LifeCenter Plus Opens Swim Team Registration to Members and Non-Members

HUDSON, OHIO (October 6, 2011) – LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club launched the first year-round swim team. The Stingrays swim team is made up of swimmers that are 6-18 years of age. The LifeCenter Plus offers multiple sessions throughout the year with each swim team session lasting nine to ten weeks. Both members and non-members of the LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club are welcome to participate.

“Swimming is a great cross-conditioning exercise and our competitive swim team promotes health, wellness and a great sense of self confidence,” said Amanda Boswell, LifeCenter Plus swim coach. “Team members learn and improve their competitive swim strokes like the breaststroke, butterfly and free style using a variety of training techniques provided by our instructors while having fun.”

The Stingray swim team is open to students 6 through 18 years of age. Swimmers are grouped based on their swimming abilities and benefit from a low student-to-teacher ratio. Unlike some other competitive teams, the LifeCenter Plus swim instructors create a fun, relaxed atmosphere for swimmers by including a Penny Dive Fun Day and a time trial mock meet each practice.

To qualify for the Stingray swim team, swimmers must be able to swim continuously on their front in a free style stroke and their back, using the backstroke for a distance of 25 meters or the length of the pool.  Swim practice is offered after school on Monday and Wednesday at 5pm and Friday at 4:45pm.  Students can elect to practice once, twice or all three times each week, depending on their desired amount of instruction.

There are three home meets this fall. The Stingray swim team opener versus Kent is on Thursday, October 27, at 6pm, followed by two more home meets scheduled on Tuesday, November 22 versus the Shaw Jewish Community Center at 6pm and on Wednesday, December 20 at 6pm versus Kent.

For more information or to register for the fall swim team session, stop by the LifeCenter Plus, located at 5133 Darrow Road, Hudson, OH, call 330-655-2377 or visit the website at www.LifeCenterPlus.com.

About LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club
A premier health and fitness facility, LifeCenter Plus has served the Hudson, Stow and surrounding communities since 1978. The 103,000-square foot multi-purpose facility is a full-service, four-season health and fitness club with five swimming pools. For more information call 330-655-2377 or visit the website at www.LifeCenterPlus.com.

Children Ages 4-13 Enjoy Swimming Games, Peanuts Film and Healthy Snacks on October 21
 
HUDSON, OHIO (October 6, 2011) – Celebrate fall at a fun pool party on Friday, October 21 at the LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club located at 5133 Darrow Road in Hudson, Ohio. Pre-registration is required for this two-hour event featuring a floating pumpkin patch and a viewing of the classic Peanuts movie It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

“We are excited to offer a fun evening event for the children of our community,” said Jerry Lynch, co-owner of the LifeCenter Plus. “We hope this event will encourage those new to the facility and to the community to experience all of the great programs and equipment our health and fitness club offers.”

Pre-registered swimmers will enjoy a game of “save” your pumpkin, by swimming out to rescue their pumpkin and then take it home as a souvenir. The Great Pumpkin Patch Pool party, which is from 7 to 9 pm, will include healthy, fall associated snacks like popcorn and apple cider.

Kids must be able to swim one pool length or be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Parents are required to stay with their non-swimming child or children under the age of six and the parents or guardians of a non-swimming child must be in the water and within arms length of that child at all times. Pre-registration is requested. Members and non-members can call, stop in or visit the website at www.lifecenterplus.com to register your swimmer for a night of great fall fun.

About LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club
A premier health and fitness facility, LifeCenter Plus has served the Hudson, Stow and surrounding communities since 1978. The 103,000-square foot multi-purpose facility is a full-service, four-season health and fitness club with five swimming pools. For more information call 330-655-2377 or visit the website at www.LifeCenterPlus.com.

Authentic Spanish Website Provides Added Benefit for Global Customers

MANTUA, OHIO (September 19, 2011) – Mantaline Corporation, a customer-driven manufacturer supplying the heavy truck, automotive, and other similar industries on a global scale, launched a new version of the company website that is entirely available into Spanish.

“Effective communication with our global customers is critical in today’s competitive business environment,” said Salvador Nunez, General Manager of Mexico Operations for Mantaline Corporation.  “Making our website available in Spanish makes good business sense. Spanish is the native language of many of our customers and suppliers, so we want to be easily available and accessible to meet the needs of our audience.”

Their comprehensive website, www.Mantaline.com, offers an overview of the many services and capabilities Mantaline provides.  Clicking the “Español” button found on the top navigation bar permits the user to instantaneously toggle between English and Spanish.  This permits access to information about products and services for the off-road, construction, recreational, industrial, medical, agricultural and automotive markets in either language at the touch of a button.

Unlike some other websites using generic applications, such as Google Translator, Mantaline’s professional engineering team accurately converted each page of their website to ensure a factual and thorough representation of the information.

Mantaline opened their first international facility in Mexico in 2009 to provide fast, cost effective service to their many customers which have operations in Mexico. The expansion into Mexico helped to strengthen distribution channels, intensify the effort to develop new and existing customer relationships and increase business in key industry segments.

ABOUT MANTALINE CORPORATION

Located in the heart of the polymer industry, Mantaline Corporation is a world-class leader known for its engineering competence, quality and precision in extruded parts for the heavy truck, off-road vehicle, rail, automotive, recreational vehicle, and marine industries. For more information about Mantaline, visit their site at www.mantaline.com, call (800) 321-0948, or email info@mantaline.com.

Entrepreneur Provides Insights and Benefits of Starting a Business with Students in Two KSU Classes

HUDSON, OHIO (September 15, 2011) – Since our current economical struggles began at the end of 2008, it has been the vision and hard work of entrepreneurs and small business owners across the United States that have helped to create new jobs and new opportunities.  On Tuesday, September 6, 2011, students at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (CEBI) at Kent State University heard from a local, award winning business owner and entrepreneur on the value of owning your own business.

“I didn’t plan to start my own business after I graduated from Kent,” said Chris Brown, owner of Marketing Results and Results, Inc. and member of the CEBI Advisory Board. “But after seventeen years of working in large companies in the corporate world, I decided to tap into my entrepreneurial spirit and open my own branding and marketing firm.”

During her presentation, Brown shared the story of transitioning from a successful career in the corporate world to opening a small marketing firm and growing her business to become one of the most respected branding firms in Northeast Ohio.

“Kent State offers a wonderful opportunity for students in any course of study to obtain a minor in Entrepreneurship,” said Brown. “Students today need to be prepared for the fact that obtaining their college degree does not guarantee a job. By learning how to develop, operate and build a business they can be more prepared to create their own. 

The CEBI supports students in their efforts to develop and operate their own company. Several student-run businesses are currently in operation including the café at the Kent Library, a laundry service and a company distributing biodegradable bottles.

Chris Brown presented to two entrepreneurship classes, including the Introduction to Entrepreneurship and the Speakers Series Entrepreneurship Class. After sharing her story she answered questions from the students about the struggles and challenges of owning a business.

For more information about the CEBI, visit http://www.kent.edu/cebi.

About Marketing Resources & Results
Founded in 1998, Marketing Resources & Results, Inc. companies nationwide in developing strategic marketing plans and provides market research, graphic design, website development, press releases and other marketing tactics designed to help companies achieve their sales and marketing goals. For more information call 330-656-9793, or visit www.Resources-Results.com.

HUDSON, OHIO (September 8, 2011) – Jerry Lynch and David Gadd, local Akron businessmen, have purchased LifeCenter Plus at 5133 Darrow Road, Hudson, Ohio for an undisclosed sum, effective on Friday, September 2, 2011.

They plan to continue the LifeCenter Plus goal of providing state-of-the-art equipment in a fun environment with a family friendly focus.

“We are very excited about this opportunity. LifeCenter Plus has so much promise with a great facility, qualified trainers, a strong family orientation, and a loyal membership,” explained Jerry Lynch.  “Over the next few months we will be evaluating the fitness programs and the aesthetics of the club and will be formalizing plans to upgrade both the facility and the programming.”

The owners plan to survey members in the first 90 days to find out their opinions and suggestions for changes. “Following the survey we will evaluate a variety of programs,” he said.  “We’ll consider the members input and ideas for improvement.”

Lynch, a long time member and spinning instructor at LifeCenter Plus, is a fitness enthusiast.

About LifeCenter Plus Health and Fitness Club
A premier health and fitness facility, LifeCenter Plus has served the Hudson, Stow and surrounding communities since 1978. The 103,000-square foot multipurpose facility employs 140 people as a full-service, four-season health and fitness club with degreed, certified fitness staff and personal trainers. The fitness club offers individually designed programs and group classes for members.  Facilities include a fitness center with TechnoGym strength-training and cardio equipment; five swimming pools, Spinning Studio; Pilates, Yoga, and Tai Chi Studios, an indoor track, a rock climbing wall, an outdoor BootCamp program, several Kids Klub fitness programs and more.

In May 2011, the aquatics center at LifeCenter Plus was featured in Oprah’s magazine with their 11-member In Synch team.  In 2008, LifeCenter Plus earned the distinction of being listed in the Guinness Book of World records with the “Largest Aqua Aerobic Display” in the world, with 273 people performing choreographed water aerobics simultaneously in LifeCenter Plus’ two indoor pools.  Three years in a row (2007, 2008, and 2009) LifeCenter Plus was honored by Aquatics International Magazine with the “Best in Aquatics” Award. For more information call 330-655-2377or visit the website at www.LifeCenterPlus.com.