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Official Winning Raffle Numbers - St. Pete Pride 2011 - Ox Babies

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Winning Raffle Numbers - St. Pete Pride 2011 - Ox Babies loves you all soooo much!

Thank you for having fun with our raffle, we are so happy to have met you all! However, we all know~there can only be four winners (unless someone duplicate wins...in that case we hope the "dup" winner will pick their favorite basket & reoffer the other for a second go-around raffle...but "dup" winner does not have to~take it all home and enjoy!) Enjoy!

Great (& LUCKY) Ox Supporter #1 is...

Ticket #716669

Great (& LUCKY) Ox Supporter #2 is...

Ticket #716592

Great (& LUCKY) Ox Supporter #3 is...

Ticket #716625

Great (& LUCKY) Ox Supporter #4 is...

Ticket #716674

CONGRATULATIONS!

E-mail OxMama Amanda oximages@gmail.com with the winning ticket # to see which basket you won & to get instructions on claiming your basket! Yes! you have to have the ticket! We love you! Remember "Our One Day!" from St. Pete Pride 2011~And thank you to everyone who supports the LGBT community.

If you would like more information on St. Pete Pride go to www.stpetepride.com

More information on Ox Babies LGBT Parent & Child Social Playgroup that meets monthly at various parks in the Tampa Bay Area, including St. Petersburg~Tampa~Sarasota~ Brandon~Plant City~Largo~Clearwater~Key West & More Coming Soon...visit the blog section www.OxImages.com titled Ox Babies. Also, feel free to check out our previous playdate's in the photo gallery section. Pride pics~including pics of the prizes for each winner will be posted soon!

Kids St. Pete Pride June 25, 2011 & Raffle Page

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:49:00 +0000

FIRST EVENT: St. Pete Pride Kiddie Section

When: Saturday JUNE 25th 2011 From 9am-3pm!

Where: 2200 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL

Who: Everyone! Even if you are not LGBT Parent~Come say HI~

(We'll even have a guest book for LGBT friendly/supportive folks to sign or put their business card in...always looking for safe places to bring my family!)

Look for me, Ox Mama Amanda and sign up for the raffle. Don't worry if the kiddie's get tired, you don't have to be present to win. Winner's will be announced on the **Ox Babies LGBT Playgroup, For LGBT Parent's and Their Children on Facebook as well as in the blog section of www.OxImages.com.

Awesome raffle prizes for the parent's and the kids~games~crafts~creative play and bouncy houses!
Oh, did I mention the bubbles? Oh, yes...there will be BUBBLES!

**Ox Babies is a playgroup for all LGBT families~no matter how you came to recognize as one yourself. All ages of children are welcome. Grand-Step-Single Parent's Count, too~so come say, "Hi!" and make some new friends that are out and proud of who they are. Parent's are critical to setting the example with reaction to the world's political climate. Hiding yourself away, only feeds into the idea that something is wrong with being gay. As a parent, I understand the fundamental instinct to protect your children, while also being true to yourself~so that one day...you're child will be able do the same. Isn't that what we all want? For our own children to be able to be true to themselves~no matter what~despite adversity. The more we feed the fear~the bigger it will grow. Let's show the world what gay parent's in the Tampa Bay Area are really like...loving, steadfast, and strong. (Like an Ox!)

Ok, I don't know if an Ox is loving~but Ox Babies surely is!
Please feel free to contact Amanda at oximages@gmail.com, either before or on the day of the event. I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

SEE YOU THERE! Another family event will is posted below for Sunday~Also, if you want to enjoy St. Pete Pride "grown-up style" Saturday Night...Then get a sitter & keep posted on the Ox Babies Facebook Page to see where we end up~Georgies~Flamingo~so many things to do!

"Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean" C. Reeve

Type A Parent - Recipe For An Exciting Photograph PDF

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:25:00 +0000

Google Online Science Fair - Awesome - Leave it to Google

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:45:00 +0000

Google Online Science Fair - Awesome - Leave it to Google to come up with the first ever global online science fair. This Ox Babies Mama has a personal passion for science. Apparently my children have inherited this passion, so we are very excited about this idea from Google. The only problem is...only children between 13 and 18 may enter it.

If you have a child between the ages of 13 and 18, the Google Online Science Fair is for you! Want to sign up? Want more information? Want to know what do your experiment on? Want to share it with your school? How to present your completed experiment to Google in the two minute time frame.

Want professional images for your presentation? Contact Ox Images at bookmenow@oximages.com to give your experiment a winning edge with sharp, clear, and colorful documentation of your project that will surely hold the judges attention~especially if it's a win-worthy experiment! Will yours be? All entries must be in by April 4, 2011. How cool would it be to have an Ox Babies teen win!

Click the Google image above for more info.

Best wishes and charmed good luck to everyone!

Amanda Vagianos

www.OxImages.com

www.TypeAMom.net - Is Now - www.TypeAParent.com

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 07:50:00 +0000

As the Lesbian Moms Section Editor of www.TypeAMom.net I am thrilled to announce the new website we have moved to. It's called www.TypeAParent.com and both sites were launched by the brilliant owner, Kelby Carr. It is wonderful to have an even larger, more inclusive setting to express my worldly (although some might say "wordy") views in the form of articles and reviews.

It can be a serious challenge to keep articles under 700 words for this booming site (apparently most online readers have ADHD) Especially regarding views on lgbt parenting.

Althought there may be a tweak or two, LGBT parent's want their children to become happy, loving, self-sufficient, and productive member's of the society in which they will live. Joys, difficulties and challenges that surround raising children really seem to be the same with straight parent's as it is with the LGBT parenting community...

...oh, except for that stubborn little thing called bigotry. Yes, that one tends to really put a spin on raising children "normally." Wondering if our children will be treated unjustly by their teacher in school because their parent is gay and we start spinning this way. Wondering how to explain to our children why this neighbor does not talk to their two mommies and we start spinning that way. Wouldn't it be great if bigotry just floated away? Then LGBT parent's could focus completely on parenting, like our straight counterparts.

Well, we all have dreams. For now, it's here. Although I do have faith that bigotry will disolve, and ignorance can be solved. I have faith in parent's...because it is really hard to teach "bigotry" with an educated-straight-face. We are all the same. We are all human. Some of us are good. Some of us are working on being good. Some of us really fight being good. Some of us are just not good at all. It does not matter if we are gay or straight. We are all just human products.

Products! That's right! At the new Type-A-Parent website, you can find product reviews, movie reviews, parenting advice, recipes, and just about anything else you can imagine! Check out this awesome site for yourself, & see which category you fit into. A big, warm welcome to the other half of the Type A population...that's right...the new site is including Daddy's! Enjoy, fellow humans of cyberspace. May peace be with you.

LOOK OUT BELOW!

You can find more detailed information below regarding the new www.TypeAParent.com website!

Amanda Vagianos, Type-A-Parent Lesbian Moms Editor, is passionate about organizing, creating, and bringing people together. She does this through the Ox Babies LGBT Play Group, photography business and advertising support for business’ that are gay friendly

Type-A Parent, Defined

[tahyp ey pair-uhnt]

-noun

1. Driven, ambitious, multi-tasker

2. early adopter, influencer, social media leader

Ox Babies Live On Air! Gay Safe Haven Hour at www.LifeImprovementRadio.com

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:22:00 +0000

Hi There Folks!

Ox Babies was live on the air...go the the photo gallery section of this site to view the "OX BABIES LIVE ON THE AIR SEPT 2010" Album! You can even hear the broadcast!

Be sure to click "view as a slideshow" to hear the recorded broadcast. Apx seven minutes in, after two songs, the show begins with Ox Mama Amanda Vagianos (me!) We even had an Ox Mama call in internationally from England!

Even got a mention in for Type-A-Mom, Kelby! So much fun! Other guests included Arica Love, Stand-Up Florida, Christ the Cornerstone Church. www.LifeImprovementRadio.com Live call in number is 727-329-9167 every Wednesday 3pm-4pm is the Gay Safe Haven Hour!

Call in and let them know your concerns or life someone up in our community! If you want to be interviewed by Greg and Victor live on the air...contact them at www.gaysafehaven.com! Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Amanda Vagianos

www.OxImages.com

www.OxBabies.com

www.Charlop.com

www.TypeAMom.net

Ox Images Meets Gay Safe Haven

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:46:00 +0000

NEWS RELEASE

Bay Area Firm Launches ‘Gay Safe Haven’ Online Directory

Published: 06/25/2010 by Jeff Kratch, Markets Beyond

Bay Area Firm Launches ‘Gay Safe Haven’ Online Directory

National Niche Directory Provider Supports GLBT Community

SARASOTA, Florida – June 25, 2010 - Charlop, Inc., the nation’s premier provider of directory services for consumers and businesses inspecifically targeted niche communities announces the launch of its latest online advertising directory service, Gay Safe Haven, an offering with a primary focus of providing support, information, tools and innovative advertising products and services for the gay and lesbian community. The commercial launch and celebration of the firm’s unique new service, www.gaysafehaven.com, will be held during the St.Pete Pride Festival on June 26th in St. Petersburg, Florida. Gay SafeHaven will debut as a media sponsor of this year’s St Pete Pride, one of the nation’s largest events supporting the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexualand Transgendered (GLBT) community.

Charlop’s mission is to develop directory offerings that create awareness and help businesses reach into targeted niche markets that have specific social concerns. The firm’s owners, Gregory Henchar and Victor Lopez, have over 35 years of combined advertising experience, launched Gay Safe Haven as an entirely gay owned and operated Gay Friendly Yellow Pages. As gay business owners themselves, they are active in the community and created this service to aid other companies in the prevention of discrimination that they are faced with daily in the GLBT community.

The President of Gay Safe Haven, Victor Lopez, a retired veteran of theUnited States Navy, stated; "I proudly served our country in the U.S.military for 20 years and now I am thrilled to be able to proudly serve our GLBT Community. The gay community represents population segments that rely heavily upon trusted resources to provide them with solutions to their business and consumer needs. We are proud to help serve those needs.”

GaySafeHaven.com targets one of the largest, most affluent minority groups in North America today. The GLBT Community benefits from various‘gay friendly’ resources to help guide them on where they will choose to do business. As one of the most consistently affluent sectors in theU.S. economy, with an average household income $83,000, data indicate that up to 87% prefer to do business with Gay Friendly businesses, 79%are willing to pay a premium for quality products and services and 94%readily travel to purchase products and services marketed towards them.

In addition to online directory services, Gay Safe Haven offers free classified ads, event listings, discussion forums, business reviews,relevant articles, health resources, and even horoscopes; providing people a reason to visit the site beyond their basic online product shopping needs. Franchise opportunities are also available from coast to coast; please contact us at info@gaysafehaven.com or call 888-988-4733.

About Charlop

Charlop, Inc. is the nation’s premier provider of directory services for businesses and consumers in specifically targeted online communities. As the creators of GreenDirectoriesUSA.com and GaySafeHaven.com, we do more than just provide people with business listings. We built sites that bring these communities together. GaySafe Haven is your gay owned and operated Gay Friendly Yellow Pages and much more. For more information about Charlop, Inc., or our directory services please visit www.charlop.com or please call 1-888.988.4733

Public Relations Contact

Jeffrey Kratsch – President

MarketsBeyond

941-704-6835

jeffk@marketsbeyond.com

Play In Ybor - Ox Images Interviews Owner Halcyon Opening Night

Fri, 07 May 2010 04:21:00 +0000

Ox Images asked Deb and Stephanie of Halcyon to define their new venue "Play" at the grand opening, May 1st 2010.

Our goal? Clarification. After receiving numerous invitations from Facebook Pages, ProSuzy, MyQmunity, The Gaybor Coalition, etc. It was still not really clear what exactly this new venue, called "Play," was all about. So, Ox Images asked the head "enchiladies" directly.

Our Casual Interview
In "Play's" modern style tiki courtyard, the crowd was starting to simmer down and Deb and Stephanie of Halcyon finally had a moment to catch their breath. Ox Images caught up with the fabulous pair as they were excitedly reviewing their bustling opening night. From all accounts it was an extremely successful evening. Do you want to hear a secret? During our casual interview, we were told that was just an introduction to "Play" and the best is yet to come. Be sure to check out their website for upcoming events by clicking either of the pictures within this blog. These two women actually fit the definition of the word halcyon. Which was compounded by an awesome gesture during the interview. Wait until you read this and see what they did, as well as what they have in store for "Play" in Ybor.

Ox Images, "Hi, my name is Amanda, with Ox Images, could I ask you a quick question or two?"

Halcyon, "Sure, go ahead."

Ox Images, "I don't know if you remember me, we met while you were playing at the HoneyPot for Sugar, you were upstairs in the VIP..."

Halcyon, "Stop, stop....I remember you, yeah, yeah, yeah...how are you? What's going on?"

Ox Images, "I'm great, thank you...and you are obviously keeping busy. (Proud, sweaty nodd from Halcyon here.) So, you know your picture got published in Watermark, but did you see my blog on you? I sent it to your MySpace page."

Halcyon, "Pfft, we hardly ever use MySpace anymore. Facebook-Twiitter, that's where we are at now."

Ox Images, "Perfect," with sarcasm, "because I only joined MySpace to send it to you. I have not been on it since."

We shared a laugh over the hilarity of our missed correspondence.

Ox Images, "So, does, "Come out and play at Play!" mean that audience members are going to actually go up on stage and play music or is it more of a "Come out and play at Play!" to get your groove on and dance at our new night club? The advertising was a little vague, and the DJ tonight isn't really playing your type of music (or mine!) I was hoping you could clarify what exactly your new place is going to be about...and is "Play" just for lesbians or LGBT or whoever? "

Halcyon, "This is a venue for ALL PEOPLE who love music, not just the LGBT community. It is not a nightclub...although we might host events with a DJ from time to time. We are going to have Kareoke, comedy and bands. The DJ is not going to be the norm here. We are mostly about live music...and no, the idea is not to have the customers play...but often times the band may call a member of the audience up to perform with them. That is up to the individual band. Our vision is for this to be the kind of place where all kinds of people can come and listen to great music...and who knows what else. We have received hundreds of ideas from everyone here tonight. There is a lot of excitement about this place. Although we have a vision for this place, we are still fluid at this point of it's final destination. Where ever "Play" is supposed to land, it will." She finished that description as if posed on a surfboard, riding a wave. Feet apart, knees bent, and an awesome arm gesture that moved in a wave pattern that eventually leveled out horizontally. Creative people are always fun to watch talk, and Halcyon was no exception on this beautiful night.

After photographing Halcyon for Watermark in October, it was clear these two women were going to do something great with music. It's in their soul, an undeniable passion within each of them. Their love of music has found yet another outlet at their new venue called "Play." Now that we actually know what it's all about, we'll definately be following them on FaceBook.

"Play" is such a great word to make lovely suggestive innuendos out of that we urge you to do so in the comment section below...just please try to keep it fairly clean.

A special thank you to Halcyon for answering my questions and for being a fan of "humanity" in general. So many people are completely missing the point...it's equality, not superiority for all of humanity! Okay, I'm getting off my soap box now and going out to "Play!" See you there!

Amanda Vagianos, Type-A-Mom Lesbian Moms Editor, is passionate about organizing, creating, and bringing people together. She does this through the Ox Babies LGBT Play Group, photography business and blog she runs.

Camille Leone April 2010

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:56:00 +0000

Once again, Okesene Tilo did not disappoint, but instead thrilled an art loving enthusiastic crowd at the Ritz Ybor in Tampa for Camille Leone.

The wonderful performing artists compelled most of my attention at the last event, Magnum Opus and were even more energized at Camille Leone. However, Ox Images decided to focus our attention towards the artistic talent surrounding the big stage at this creative event. To quote Okie, "This is not like New York, this is Tampa's thing!" I've decided to take que from Okie. Instead of doing a "Top 10" of my favorite artists at the event, I'm doing my own thing with the "Top 11" (plus there were so many great artists, it was difficult to decide!) The artist's are listed only in the order I discovered them at the event, all deserving equal recognition. Please remember this is my "Top 11" not New York's, and if you enjoy the artists I've selected then-BUY THEIR ART (links to their sites are provided in their name.) Support Tampa's thing!

1) FIGURATIVE ART BY GIN A-Gina has an amazing eye for color and adds metalic paint for interesting reflection/dimension! Something for the boys and the girls, hot stuff! She says, "Althought the images of the women are not of me specifically, every artist puts themself in their work." We couldn't agree more! Her price range at the event was $10-$225. See Pictures At Ox Images!

2) SHAKIRA NALINI WILLIAMS-Nalini has a gift for the slightly abstract, along with bold intentional meaning behind and story telling within her artwork. She says, "My artwork has been a discovery of myself, an expression of my inner journey." It shows beautifully in her self portrait (not shown in our gallery, it's on her business card) a must see! Her price range at the event was $200 and up. See Pictures At Ox Images!

3) ANASTASIA'S ART & DESIGN-AnaStasia's art ranged from astrological tiles to acrylic canvas to the most awesome metal expansive murals. She says, "She can do any size in the aluminum art, and recently created a counter top for a client." We think that it is the most original art at Camille Leone and look forward to seeing more of this from Ana! Her price range at the event was $5-$100. See Pictures At Ox Images!

4) TERESA CROUT FINE ART & GRAPHIC DESIGN-THE VOODOO SERIES-Theresa offered the crowd something very different on the artistic path. (Although it was a little scary to approach her table, for fear of possibly upsetting her and having a voodoo doll named after Ox Images.) She was actually quite a joy to speak with, an ultimate optimist and divulged (in reference to her work), "Love is a battlefield, and the heart can be put back together." In her piece descriptions, there is a clear understanding of her influence from various artists, history and The Bible. Her price range at the event was $20-$500. See Pictures At Ox Images!

5) SCOTT KING-FINE ART, COMERCIAL ART, EXHIBITIONS-Scott King does it all, from coloring books, to colorful laquered wood art (huge seller at Camille Leone!) Scott says, "I'm just trying to get my name out there and am happy that people have become collectors of my art." We loved his shiny patent leather boots (pictured in our gallery) & humorously twisted interpretations! His price range at the event was Free to $500. (Boots $30-$50) See Pictures At Ox Images!

6) LUIS ANTONIO BATTISTINI-ACRYLICS, ABSTRACTS, & NUDES-Luis is the perfect example of a talented artist making his way to his niche in the art world. One of the more sophisticated and inspirational artists at the event, his work included many mediums. Luis says, "I took the leap, as incredibly scary as it was to leave the security of a big business world job, and decided to pursue my heart and dream to create." We can't wait to see where he lands! His price range at the event was $75-$1000. See Pictures At Ox Images!

7) THE ART OF DUSTY MYERS-Dusty's artwork caught our eye on our way to the main stage. Another artist, just starting to trust his instincts on canvas...and wow, he surely has talent! We can't wait to see where he goes with the confidence of Dali near the end of his work. Dusty is one to watch on the art scene! His price range at the event was $400-$700. See Pictures At Ox Images!

8) KLAAREN-MURALS, FINE ART, INSTRUCTION-Terry Klaaren was one of the more well established artists we met, with work already steadily commissioned from big names like MOSI and TGH. He has received numerous awards and recognitions. We were dissapointed there would be a charge for Klaaren to visit Ox Babies LGBT Playgroup (we asked because of the really cool "how to" books he has created, pictured in our gallery) but understand he can not do such things for free. This husband/wife team met in art class in the 70's is making a living with art. No pension, no retirement, so buy or commision some art from them! Amazing work! His price range at the event was $75-$2100. See Pictures At Ox Images!

9) DEMIGOD STUDIO-ECLECTIC ART & HANDMADE GIFTS-Ox Images didn't get a chance to speak to the owner of DemiGod Studio's. Due to the location of her art-next to the intense pulsing music for the performing artists on stage. We found her display, of just about every application you can imagine using ceramics, during one of the performances. Necklaces, earings, handbags & statues...DemiGod has it's own Indian infused thing going on and we loved it! Tasteful and lovely packaging...artists could learn some marketing skills from DemiGod! Her price range at the event was $2 & up. See Pictures At Ox Images!

10) TOMASSI-What we love, love, loved most about Adriana Tomassi was that she is a fellow mom, a local art teacher, and an avid Dali fan. She promises her next work, already being displayed at her website, will be a little less "dark and mysterious." There is depth, reason, dancing, humor and sadness in her work. Really cool t-shirts for only $5! The kind of art that takes you somewhere out of this realm of being. Ox Images loves to see a fellow mother living her passion and is looking forward to future work by Tomassi! Her price range at the event was $5-$90. See Pictures At Ox Images!

11) DR. TWISTID-MONSTER PORTRAITS, ODDITIES, DARK HUMOR & MADNESS-Geff Bartrand is a self-proclaimed mad scientist. His art, not likely to adorn a traditional family living space, is extremely surreal. He is well known and regularly commissioned for his "Monster Portraits." Give him a picture, he will turn you into a monster. We have to admit, it's an awesome idea and definately a unique gift. Dr. Twistid simply asks, "Please no cute stuff. I am a monster maker, after all." It was also a relief to find that Dr. Twisted is actually quite funny and even has a comic book coming out soon! He says, "He gets all his evil out of his dreams and into his art!" Phew! (Although we might call his dreams...nightmares by looking at his art!) His price range at the event was $5-$1000. See Pictures At Ox Images!

A special thank you to all of the artists that shared their inspirations, influences, and styles with Ox Images. We are looking forward to seeing you at the next Square One Event at the Ritz Ybor in Tampa, FL. Okie let us know, in confidence, what the likely theme is for November...but we aren't telling, sorry folks! Let's just say, it's going to be unexpected (imagine that from Okie?) possessing distinctive features to an extreme degree. A must attend event, without question. See you there!

LGBT Playgroup For Parents And Their Children In Tampa FL

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:55:00 +0000

There are few things in life more valuable than connecting with other human beings. Ox Babies LGBT Playgroup is one way for the LGBT community to do so. It's a place for LGBT parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to get together in a casual park setting and connect with other families like their own.

http://prosuzy.com/?p=337 Click here for the full article "Come and Play With Us" at Prosuzy!

In the Tampa Bay Area there are so many wonderful things to do in the LGBT community, it is truly a thriving family oriented community. However, there are few things to do for gay parents and their children. Unfortunately, even within the LGBT community there is exclusivity. Which means that if you and your partner didn't have the children together, then you might not be welcome. So, even if you are single, partnered with someone that has children, adopted, have handicapped children, are trying to come out, came out after becoming a parent, or even came out later in life as a grandparent, you are welcome at Ox Babies.

Ox Babies meets monthly at various locations in the Tampa Baby Area, including Brandon, Tampa, and St. Petersburg, FL. Some of the parks have included Paul Sanders Park, St. Pete Beach Community Center, and Lettuce LakePark. The calendar is ever changing, so to keep up to date, check out the Ox Babies Calendar at Ox Images, MyQmunity.com www.GaySafeHaven.com or sign up for the ProSuzy.com mailing list.

See you at the next play date!

Amanda Vagianos

Type-A-Mom Editor