The game will take place on Sunday, December 11th at 2pm. Admission is FREE!!

Please spread the word. These boys practiced at least twice a week as a team so that they could play during the PWSB, and this is their moment on the field. WE NEED YOU to help cheer them on from the sidelines and in the stands.

PLEASE COME OUT. Did I mention that it is FREE ADMISSION? Just show up and CHEER your head off!

The Pop Warner National Champion West Orange Wildcats Challenger Cheerleaders will be there supporting their favorite team. See their 12/7/11 performance on youtube HERE.

For the past few years the West Orange Challenger team has received and then submitted their paperwork for the team to play during the Pop Warner Super Bowl, which for the past few years has been held on Disney property at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The team would receive the paperwork a couple of weeks prior to the start of the event.

This year we found out over the weekend that our boys were not allowed to play this year because the paperwork had not been submitted. When our board members spoke to the Mid-Florida Region leaders they were told that it was too late and that we should have known to submit the paperwork months ago.

The Winter Garden Wildcats provide the MAJORITY of all the volunteers that do the “grunt” work during the entire Super Bowl week. This year the Winter Garden Wildcats provided 38 volunteers. How many did the next group provide, MAYBE a dozen, but more than likely less than 10.

Our boys, who have spent their entire life fighting for everything, and for most, that includes their very life while they were still in the womb. We are talking kids that face the challenge of downs, autism, microcephaly, skeletal, mental, genetic, or other physical issues. Life is not a joy ride for these kids.

The Pop Warner Challenger division is set up for these boys so that they can still play football, and yes, it is flag football, but to these boys, it is just like the football they other kids play. They get to hold the ball and run. People cheer. They are happy campers. After the game, they get together for a post race snack, and then see each other at school (several are in the same classroom) and they look forward to practice (twice a week) and the game on the weekend.

Here is the problem, after finding out that there was a paperwork mix-up, our West Orange Wildcats president and directors both tried several avenues in order to get our boys out on the field and play this Thursday.

We have hit a brick wall and possible back office roadblocks with the powers that be, which include Sam Mutz, the “National Football Commissioner for Pop Warner Little Scholars”, who can be contacted via his PUBLISHED email address sammutz@popwarner.com. He has stated that it would be unfair to let our kids play since the paperwork had not been submitted. End of discussion according to him.

Reminding him that the West Orange team provided 38 volunteers for this year’s event, and is always the leader in providing volunteers does not mater to him. He simply sees that the paperwork was not submitted.

For the past few years our team HAS submitted paperwork AFTER receiving it from the head office a couple of weeks prior to the start of the series. Last year the paperwork was submitted the week prior to the start. NO ONE stated that they were submitting it late, so we had no idea that it was late. Last year our team played a team from New York and the kids loved being able to play someone other than themselves.

PLEASE send an email to sammutz@popwarner.com and plead to Sam so that our boys can play on Thursday. He is answering emails, and at this point they do not seem to be simply cut and paste auto replies though he will most likely simply reply back stating that it is too late to do anything, though we know otherwise via several sources, BUT HE IS THE ONLY PERSON THAT CAN LET OUR KIDS PLAY! He will also say that we are on the top of the list to play for next year. That is great, but what about the boys THIS YEAR!

They DO have time to allow our boys to play a simple 30 minute game. It is NOT rocket science.

Repeat after me, let them play! Let Them Play! LET THEM PLAY!

Thanks,
Mark

Though the letter above states that “Albertsons in concerned about protecting the enviroment…” I bet you that in reality the amount that they are paying in just postage is far and away more than the mailings brought in weekly via the mailings. Everyone that I know that receive the inserts via the Post Office have not stepped foot in an Albertsons in many months.

So basically the letter states that we will no longer be receiving the inserts via snail mail, but instead if we hand over an email address, they will add us to the VIP First Look program, and email us the same information. What will be interesting is if they kill off the coupon all together or they make it something that you have to visit coupons.com or similar service to be able to print out.

If they simply have the coupon as part of the email, and you can print 1 to as many as you wish, well, Publix simply has to say, “No More Albertsons Coupons”. In the past they could at least tell it was from an insert.

What do you think?

Q: You are staying at the Daytona Beach Hilton Ocean Walk and when you are checking in the oh so not even happy to have a job front desk employee, but one that really does a great job checking people in asks if you took a cab to the hotel or not. Not if you plan to valet or self park. I ask why does it matter if I took a cab or not. She replied that if I took a cab then she would not have to explain the various parking options. Made sense when you think about it. But, I happened to drive and then she asked if I was going to valet or self park? Self-park, I replied. Having been at the groundbreaking for this building over two decades ago, I knew there was a lot diagonally across the street. She said it costs $10.00 a night to park there. No problem, and she told me to swipe my room key to get the entrance gate to go up. Got my free meal vouchers and upgraded room because I am a member of HHonors, and off to park my car. Parked and then went to my room. Uneventful so far. Then I remembered that I left something in my car, and instead of taking the elevator down, I did what I usually do, I took the stairs down, 16 stories.

As I approached the parking gate, I noticed that the EXIT arm was in the UP position. Made a mental note and went back about my business, played on the beach for a while, had dinner, and walked past the parking lot, and noticed that the EXIT arm was still up. When I got back to the hotel I left the valet person know, and they replied that it is usually like that. “Well doesn’t that mean anyone can park there?” I asked. Looking at me like I was an idiot the girl behind the glass replied “ah, yeahhhh”. Decided to let someone else that might actually care. Found a security person who told me pretty much the same thing. I asked him then why is the hotel charging people to park there. Because they are trained to charge for parking was his reply. I asked to see the hotel manager on duty. There wasn’t one. I asked for the resident manager, “we don’t have one” was his reply. I decided it was a lost cause and figured I will wait until I check out to bring it up again.

Fast forward to the next morning. I did what I came to Daytona to do, and my job at the speedway was done before the sun rose. I came back to the hotel for brunch. Guess what I saw when I came back to the parking lot? If you said the EXIT gate was down, well you are wrong amigo.

I took a couple of photos, because you know you can never have enough photos of an EXIT gate to a hotel parking lot. They are at the bottom of this post, enjoy, it is some really nice urban landscape photography, Ansel Adams would be proud. If you have no idea who Ansel Adams is, ask your parents.

So, after I had brunch, went back to the room, gathered my things, I went to check out. GREAT! Guess who was at the front desk, does this person ever go home? Though I knew I did not have to go through the charade of actually checking out, I wanted her to ask if everything was OK or not. I asked her why I paid $10.00 to self park in a lot that has the EXIT arm in the UP position. “Because you self parked there and that costs $10.00 per night”. Yes, that is true, but what does the hotel do if someone just parks there and does not tell you? “That’s dishonest and no one does that.”, was her terse reply. “Are you sure” “Yes, this is a Hilton and we do not do business with dishonest people.” I was caught off guard by that statement. As if they know the actual business that every one of their guests is involved with.

I gathered my wits and when she asked me again if everything was ok or not with my stay I slid her my bill and said that it will be better when she refunds me my $10.00 for parking. “But that is dishonest sir.” I’m not lying about wanting my $10.00 back. You know the gate arm is broken and that you are pretty much letting anyone park there for free.” Now, I would like my money back. She refused, no manager was on duty, and the resident manager was at church. Hey, at least she admitted to what I already knew to be true, almost all Hilton Hotels have a resident manager that actually lives on the property.

I figured that instead of leaving a voice mail on the RM’s machine, I would instead make sure that everyone knows how to get FREE parking at the Daytona Beach Hilton Ocean Walk. BTW, they DO NOT issue parking passes, which means that they have no way of looking at a car and knowing if that car belongs to someone staying at the hotel or not.

Yes, in the photo is a booth, which from what I understand is only used when there is an event at the Ocean Center, Peabody Auditorium, Spring Break, Bike Weeks, and Speed Weeks.

During brunch I DID in fact encounter an employee that actually LIKED his job, even said so. His name is Joseph and works in Doc Bales’ Grill. His very professionalism made my entire stay and if I owned a hotel, Joseph would be the person who at that moment I would want my employees to be like. Maybe he was in a great mood, maybe he really is a great person, have no idea, but I do know, he appears to work hard and it showed.

Daytona Beach, FL Sunday, October 30, 2011. Pay the Daytona Beach Hilton their $10.00 for overnight parking OR go in through the exit? Which would you do. BTW, they know that the arm is stuck in the open position. Photo: Mark E. Lepow

So, the morals question is this, do you admit to parking and pay the $10.00 or jet park there knowing that the hotel doesn’t have a clue as to who should be parking there or not?

Leave your answer in the comments.

If you would like to subscribe to this magazine (12 issues/$19.95), please click HERE or the logo above above.

For those that have no idea what Swag Bucks is, it is a search engine that pays you to use it. No, NOT EVERYTIME you search, but you will be surprised how often you will gain “SwagBucks” just for typing a few characters into their search bar.

Here is the painless method to join (and find out more prior to signing up):

1. Go here and register.

Both Kathy and I have enjoyed searching via SwagBucks, and like telling people about the company.

If you have never seen All You magazine (exclusively at WalMart stores or various sites online), it is packed with money saving coupons and is one that I read every month as soon as it arrives in our mailbox. Kathy and I regularly find coupon match-ups weekly using this magazine.

If you would like to subscribe to this magazine (12 issues/$19.95), please click HERE or the logo above above.

What are you doing this coming Sunday morning (March 6th)?. I know for many of our readers the answer is going to church. But if you are not going to be at church or have free time this coming Sunday morning (March 6th) the company I work for, Sommer Sports, is having a Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk in Tavares, FL (Wooton Park) and we need a bunch of volunteers to help put the event on.

We need people to help with registration in the morning, pass out water along the course, hand out finisher medals, collect the timing chips, and of course helping with the post race food tent. NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED. Everything you would need to work with will be provided to you at the race.

For more information, please visit send an EMAIL or call 352-1320, ext 100

Thank you very much for helping.

Mark

Sorry to be posting this a day later then I had hoped to, but I took our daughter to Cape Canaveral to see the launch. I lost count of how many shuttle launches I have seen over the years, but this was her first one that was up close and personal at the Cape. We usually watch the launch from our backyard.

I want to congratulate Shirley Walker, who typed “I like Progresso Soups” on 2/21, for winning our Italian Days at Publix $25.00 Gift Card giveaway. MyBlogSpark will be sending her the gift card which was provided by General Mills.

Our family pretty much keeps LEGO in the black bricks,
so I am being honest when I tell you the above deal is a
good one.

Even if you already have the Police Boat in your
house, if you take advantage of this deal, you now will have
a very inexpensive gift for a neighbor child on their birthday
or during the holidays.

The above banner pretty much says it all.

Spend $35.00 at lego.com and get a FREE LEGO City Police Boat.

Click on the banner above or HERE to to advantage of this GREAT deal.

Enjoy, Mark

FREE sample of Quaker Life Bar

FREE sample of Playtex Sport

Gift Certificates:

Dinner of the Month Club:

From February 17th through March 2nd, visit your local Publix to take advantage of the great savings on some of your favorite General Mills brands such as Progresso, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Muir Glen and Totino’s, and save $5 when you purchase 20 participating products.

While visiting Italian Days at Publix, you can also enter the Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes, sponsored by General Mills, for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of $10,000 worth of free groceries or one of 200 $100 Publix gift cards being given as prizes.

There are three easy ways to enter for a chance to win the Sweepstakes. Enter via phone, mail or at ClickCallMail.com – a convenient one-stop website, where you’ll also be able to download great coupon savings on some of your favorite General Mills brands and other great offers from Publix.

Here’s how it works:
Click – Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you’re registered and logged in, you can participate in any current promotions.

Call – If you’d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills/Publix hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes. Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).

Mail – If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to P.O. Box 43425 Atlanta, GA 30336 and be sure to write “Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes” on the outside of the envelope.

The above information, and the $25.00 Publix Gift Card that we are giving away are courtesy of General Mills and MyBlogSpark.

To enter to win the $25.00 Publix Gift Card provided to us by MyBlogSpark and Publix, DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING + LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS PAGE:

1. Become a fan of FrugalFloridan on Facebook, and leave a comment.
If you are a triathlete or interested in running events, please consider “liking” the following on Facebook as well, Sommer Sports, and TriFlorida Events. These are Facebook pages for Sommer Sports, Inc a great company that I have been involved with for over a decade and could use some Facebook love.

2. Subscribe to our feed via email (using Feedburner) and leave a comment.

3. Post about this giveaway on your blog and email us your direct link to the blog post.

4. Follow us via twitter.com/FrugalInFla (must have at least 10 followers) then tweet the following: “@FrugalInFla is having a $25 Publix GC Giveaway. More info: http://bit.ly/gVXcJV”

Don’t forget to leave a comment about (or a tip on) how to use your favorite Italian Days item ON THIS POST only. This contest ends on Tuesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:59PM ET. The winner will be announced on 2/24/11.

Disclaimer: This give away is being sponsored by General Mills and MyBlogSpark. They provided the information, and the $25.00 Publix Gift Card to give to the winner of this contest and one for our use. All comments and opinions are my own.

If you are looking for a VERY EASY way to help raise money for the American Heart Association, PLEASE enter the 3rd. Annual Kiss-im-mee 5K To Pound Out Heart Disease on February 12, 2011.

Enjoy running, walking, or just plain strolling through historic downtown Kissimmee, past the beautiful lakefront, and through historic neighborhoods in the third annual Kiss-im-mee 5K Run! The race is Chip Timed and awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers.

To register for this event, click HERE.

I sincerely hope that you will help make this event a huge success.

Thanks, Mark

Quick and Easy Children’s Clothing Swap! Why buy new clothes for kids, when you can swap ‘em for a fraction of the price?

Sign Up  for Free today at OutGrowingIn.com!

If you would like to subscribe to this magazine (12 issues/$19.95),
please click HERE or the cover image above.

Here are the coupons, all of which are manufacturer:
B1G1 Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Nail or Moisture Renew Lip Gloss (exp 2/28)

B1G1 Glade Fabric & Odor Eliminator (exp 6/30)

50¢/1 Halls Cough Drops (exp 3/31)
50¢/1 Starkist SeaSations product (exp 3/31)
50¢/1 New York Brand frozen product (exp 4/18)
50¢/1 Reames Egg Noodles (exp 4/21)
50¢/1 Minute Rice (exp 4/30)
50¢/1 Mezzetta or Napa Valley Bistro (exp 6/30)

55¢/1 Smithfield Bacon (exp 3/31)
55¢/1 Eggs carton WYB Kikkoman product (exp 6/30)

75¢/1 Colgate Wisp product (exp 3/31)
75¢/1 Eight O’Clock Coffee (exp 3/31)

$1.00/1 Marrying Daisy Bellamy by Susan Wiggs (exp 2/25)
$1.00/1 Whey Protein Plus (exp 2/25)
$1.00/1 Nature’s Bounty product (exp 3/4)
$1.00/1 Disney or Marvel Multivitamins (exp 3/4)
$1.00/1 Ester-C product (exp 3/4)
$1.00/1 Osteo Bi-Flex Liquid, 6 pk (exp 3/4)
$1.00/1 White Cloud bathroom tissue (exp 3/21)
$1.00/1 Woolite All in One Carpet Cleaning Tool (exp 3/31)
$1.00/1 Quaker Instant Oatmeal (exp 3/31)
$1.00/1 Hartz Crunch ‘n Clean Dog Biscuits (exp 3/31)
$1.00/1 Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste (exp 3/31)
$1.00/1 NYC (New York Color) product (exp 4/1)
$1.00/1 Taco Bell Home Originals (exp 4/30)
$1.00/1 Quaker Life Soft Baked Bars (exp 5/31)
$1.00/1 Campbell’s V8 Soup (exp 5/31)
$1.00/1 Downy Wrinkle Releaser (exp 6/1)
$1.00/1 Mucinex-D (exp 9/30)

$1.00/2 Fit Me product (exp 4/21)

$1.50/1 Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil (exp 4/1)

$1.50/3 Hormel Chili, Hash, Bacon Toppings, Spam, Dinty Moore, Chicken Breast or Compleats (exp 4/18)

$2.00/1 Birds Eye Steamfresh WYB 1 Van de Kamp’s or Mrs. Paul’s item (exp 3/18)
$2.00/1 K-Y product (exp 4/30)

$3.00/1 Flexamin product (exp 3/4)
$3.00/1 Neutrogena Cosmetics (exp 3/15)
$3.00/1 Nature Made Vitamin D (exp 5/31)
$3.00/1 Nature Made Vitamins (exp 5/31)
$3.00/1 PreserVision Eye Vitamins (exp 5/31)

$3.00/2 Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons (exp 4/30)

$4.00/1 Osteo Bi-Flex softgels, caplets or powders (exp 3/4)
$4.00/1 K-Y Couples Lubricant, Intense, Kissable Sensations or Intrigue (exp 4/30)
$4.00/1 Nature Made CholestOff (exp 5/31)
$4.00/1 Nature Made Fish Oil (exp 5/31)

$6.00/1 Nature Made Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg (exp 5/31)

There you have it, all the coupons from the February 18, 2011 All You magazine. Remember, you can have this magazine mailed to your home. Click HERE for more information.