Registration has begun for the 2010 International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Family and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS.org). Last year’s competition featured 2,000 model’s images and raised $164,775 for the NILMDTS organization.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS), is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization committed to assisting parents and families going through the difficult time when they experience an early infant loss. NILMDTS connects families with volunteer photographers and provides them with a reproducible CD of the images of their baby at no cost to the family. For further information on NILMDTS, visit their website at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.
Participating photographers submit portraits of local families for online voting. Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org).
The grand prize international winner will be determined from the 52 city finalists. Many exciting prizes will be awarded, and the grand prize winner receives a new car. The winners will be selected from the finalist gallery by photography and modeling industry experts. The winning family also receives a session with the renowned portrait artist Sandy Puc’ and international recognition.
Sandy Puc’, Model Search sponsor, has long believed charitable work is the backbone of the community. She created this contest to highlight excellence in the portrait photography industry as well as raise funds for NILMDTS, the organization she co-founded in 2005.

For more information, visit http://sandypucmodels.com.

For the 7th time Cedar Points Millennium Force has been named top coaster in the world. Voted the "Best Steel Coaster in the World," Millennium Force broke TEN world records when it opened in 2000.

Riders climb the 310-foot-tall lift hill smoothly and quickly and dive towards the earth at an 80-degree angle at speeds of 93 mph! It's all speed and airtime as Millennium Force stays close to the ground, climbs onto an island and twists and turns as it flies towards the end of the ride.

Cedar Point is open until Nov 1 2009

LifeFlight will no longer be keeping a helicopter at MetroHealth Medical Center. The emergency rescue flight company moved to the Lorain County Regional Airport. Another helicopter will be based at Portage County Regional Airport and the third will be at either Stark or Wayne county next month. The three helicopters will form a ring around Cuyahoga County. Officials say the configuration will result in quicker response times and increases the ability to fly in poor weather.

Cedar Point is hiring 4,500 people this summer in Sandusky, Ohio. Ride operators, food service attendants and merchandise and games associates are just a few of the job positions that will be available at Cedar Point during this summer's operating season.


Cedar Point will hold open interviews for more than 4,500 positions from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the park's Breakers Express Hotel, 1201 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky. Open interviews will also be held at the same time and place on Saturday, March 28.

All applicants need to complete an online application prior to attending the open interviews. To apply, visit www.cedarpoint.com and click on "Jobs."

test link

The World's Best and Northern Ohio's largest amusement park opens the doors on its 2008 season on Saturday. Cedar Point is hoping for a good season, and hopes despite high gas prices, people in the Great Lakes will stay close to home for their entertainment and visit the Sandusky-based park. The 2008 Cedar Point season features a new children's play area named "Planet Snoopy." The amusement park's season runs daily through Labor Day, then on weekends through early November.

Mark Mothersbaugh is known internationally as part of the experimental rock group "Devo." The Cuyahoga Falls native will be honored Saturday with a college degree. Mothersbaugh attended Kent State University, but left in 1973 just a quarter shy of earning a degree. Kent State will present an honorary degree to him Saturday at spring commencement. Mothersbaugh is now 57-years-old. Devo has won Emmy Awards for composing movie, television and other musical soundtracks.

Akron Ohio groundbreaking is scheduled today for a new middle school in downtown Akron. The National Inventors Hall of Fame School will be attached to the inventors hall and specialize in math, science and technology education. The museum at the hall of fame will be closed during construction, but is expected to reopen next year.

Avon is considering passing a law that means door-to-door salesmen may have to avoid a lot of homes. Avon council will vote this evening on the proposal which will create a registry of homes where peddlers, solicitors and canvassers aren't allowed. The law is designed to provide peace of mind and added safety to senior citizens, single parents and people who live alone, according to Avon Councilman Dan Urban. A similar law was passed last month in North Olmsted.

Six Northeast Ohio YMCA Associations Join Forces to Help Northeast Ohio Make Healthy Choices for 2008 Resolutions

For the first time ever, six independent YMCA Associations in Northeast Ohio have joined forces to collaborate on a major communications blitz to make people in 10 counties aware of the breadth and depth of healthy programs available to YMCA members. The six associations include: Akron Area YMCA, YMCA of Ashtabula County, YMCA of Greater Cleveland, YMCA of Central Stark County, Lake County YMCA and Tuscarawas County YMCA. Also participating are YMCA's Camp Tippicanoe & Camp Y-Noah.

Most YMCA Associations operate independently under their own respective processes based upon local volunteer voices. A collaboration of this scope enables them to speak louder with one message and one voice to ten counties so communities become aware of the healthy programs available through YMCA membership.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has released data that indicates 65% of Americans are overweight or obese. Lack of fitness contributes to heart disease and cancer and only 15% of U.S. adults engage regularly in vigorous physical activity. Nearly 25% of adults report no physical activity. The YMCAs of Northeast Ohio are uniting to amplify their message to help reduce these alarming statistics and encourage all Northeast Ohioans that together, we can make a difference in health and wellness for all, regardless of age, race, gender or economic status.

"Although we have always been committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities, it is very difficult for independent YMCA Associations to effectively get the word out," said Doug Kohl, CEO of Akron Area YMCA, "We are committed to meeting the special needs and specific interests of all health seekers throughout Northeast Ohio. Our collaboration strengthens teamwork and makes it possible to communicate a clear message to the community. We want all of Northeast Ohio to know that the YMCA strengthens the spirit, mind and body for all."

The health and wellness awareness building campaign includes a URY message, shorthand for "you are why." The six YMCA Associations have selected this message to reinforce the community that the YMCAs are member-centric, whose sole purpose is to serve its members and provide them with access to a healthier life.

"People are typically surprised by the number of programs available at YMCAs. Most think of us as a gymnasium or a swimming pool. Certainly we provide a facility but most importantly we provide everyone with a broad selection of fitness, social, recreational, child care and spiritual programs," continued Kohl. "This collaborative campaign gives folks an opportunity to save money on our join fee and discover for themselves the benefits of the YMCA experience. We are pleased to unite our values, share resources and effectively reach out to provide a unified message of health for families in ten Northeast Ohio counties."

The YMCAs of Northeast Ohio promotes and nurtures a sense of belonging, a feeling of trust, a celebration of diversity and a mission of service for all its members. The YMCA provides opportunities for families to strengthen their spirit, mind and body through hundreds of programs, services and volunteer opportunities. It serves the community with a willingness to be flexible, try new things, pioneer, and above all, put its emphasis on people. The YMCA inspires those who care about the world and one other, fosters understanding and respect and encourages all to accept responsibility for their own lives while being committed to helping improve the lives of others. The YMCAs of Northeast Ohio serves 10 counties with childcare sites, after school sites and 30 membership branches. They also provide premiere camping year-round at Camp Tippicanoe and Camp Y-Noah and operate Rotary Camp for children with special needs.

YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities. YMCAs are the nation’s largest community service organization and charity of choice. Annual Giving Campaigns make scholarship and financial assistance available for those who may not have the ability to pay. YMCAs build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. For more information please visit www.URYMCA.ORG