Food

Richard places education and family high on his priorities. Help him graduate from college.

August 18, 2013 By Administrator

richardlarosa1 College student Richard La Rosa plans an eventual CPA business to support widowed mother and give back to the community. (His father died several months ago.) And after graduation he will get a job to begin supporting his sisters (they quit school in order to earn money to help pay for his education) and his mother.

Go to Global Giving https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-50-disadvantaged-filipino-youth-earn-diplomas/ and sign up for “Get Updates via Email.” From September 1-September 30, Global Giving will accept donations to help Richard and 49 other high school and college students earn their diplomas.

I think he’ll be an amazing C.P.A.

Find Richard’s story at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.228973910586738.1073741830.228644093953053&type=1 or read it below (the headings are mine):

College student’s dad died in May 2013, leaving 8 siblings
My name is Richard V. La Rosa, born June 15, 1993, 20 years of age, from Banay Banay 2.0, San Jose, Batangas I‘m a 4th year student in (BSU) Batangas State University, Batangas City, taking up Accounting Management.

My mother’s name is Adela M. Virrey-La Rosa, 53 years old and born on September 08, 1959. She is under graduate of elementary and had no work or job as of now since she takes care of my father due to his illness. My father’s name is Melchor L. La Rosa, 57 years old and born on January 06, 1956 . He graduated from elementary and a jeepney driver. Last year he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died on May 08, 2013. We are eight siblings in the family.

I am a working student since I was 2nd year high school up to now. But due to my hectic schedule, I worked during Saturday and Sunday only for me to have my transportation fare and school allowance during my school days.

Often at end of week no money for food
(Pinagkakasya ko po ang pera ko kaya minsan nagbabaon ako ng tinapay o kanin.) You could imagine how I tried to meet both ends on a meager money, so once in a while I simply brought along in school either bread or rice.

I really need to have a financial assistance. Because with my busy schedule with my thesis, assignment and others, I need to have an extra income to support all my expenses.

My big dream is to be a certified public accountant and this project will fulfill my dream by supporting my schooling expenses. I will find a job right away after graduation to support my family.

Sisters quit school to support Richard’s education costs
I will help my other siblings and support my sisters to continue their studies since they chose to stop in order for me to finish my studies. I also want to have a business of my own for my mother, that can support not only my family but also other people like PSAC and Aral Pinoy were doing. I was so touched the way they help other people. No pretensions, no anything.

Is Richard trustworthy? Credible? Then why not give and make his dreams become reality?
So, I really need to graduate this April to fulfill my dreams and be someone that my other siblings can rely on. My daily schooling allowance is not enough for Monday until Friday. And I was so thankful that I’m part of Aral Pinoy project and will be a recipient of schooling allowance. I am hoping and praying to God for the chance that I will be selected.

(Maraming maraming salamat po.!) Many many thanks!

Gluten-free online bakery

July 4, 2013 By Administrator

I recently attended a Phoenix networking luncheon and one of our guests was from Quinoa Esta! Bakery.

I’ve become quite interested in wheat-free and gluten-free products. I’m not fanatical about it, but if using more of such products gives me better health, I won’t complain. And they can be a great help for people with digestive issues and allergies. Plus this company does not use preservatives.

Right now, this is an online business, and they offer cookies, brownies, sugar-free agave & honey-sweetened banana bread with flax. Plus dry ingredient mixes.

Quinoa Esta assists commercial kitchens create sweet and savory gluten-free menu items that feature quinoa. They also help home cooks, take orders for quinoa treats at events and parties. Get the full details from their website

You can learn more about Quinoa here. Might be worth giving Quinoa Esta Bakery a try!

Fair Trade Cafe

September 29, 2012 By Administrator

fairtradecafe Earlier this week I had a meeting in Phoenix with a colleague, Elsbeth Oggert. She introduced me to an amazing cafe on the corner of Roosevelt and First Ave. Fair Trade Cafe.

“The Fair Trade Cafe & Gallery supports sustainable economic independence and fair trade for communities locally and across the globe. We brew only fair trade, organic, great-tasting coffees and espresso.” Oh. Yes.

It is a quiet, clean, pleasant place patronized by very nice people. Well, they seemed nice. And the people who run it are gracious and efficient. I enjoyed a sandwich that was unusually good. Stuffed with sliced turkey and sprouts and other good things, it was so filling I had to take half of it home. In a sustainable box, of course.

Did I mention it has free WiFi? And a very nice bakery case? And best of all, I had an excellent meeting with Elsbeth Oggert. There is so much to learn in the area of Web development.

West Valley Think Tank enjoys catered lunch

November 9, 2009 By Administrator

800-thinktank Today was my birthday, and I couldn’t think of anything more fun than to invite some very special people and have one of them cater the lunch.

Anne Caldwell, who is a human resources guru, is also a terrific caterer, and she came into my home this morning and took over while I went back to the office and worked. She produced lunch, and I produced Web pages and did bookwork.

Then it was time for my guests to arrive, including my brother and his camera, and we sat down to a delightful lunch. Anne is fairly new to our group, as is Julie Moran, but the rest of us, including Jen Muench and Elsbeth Oggert (who couldn’t join us today), have been part of the group for over a year.

In the picture above, from left, are Anne Caldwell, Lois Epps, Julie Moran, Janet Crook, Ruthann Clemens, Roseann Ritterby, and me.

punchbowl What do we do? Brainstorm. Help each other out with business ideas. Help with organizational ideas for small businesses and nonprofits. (One of our members is starting up a nonprofit, and another is a social worker.) Analyze projects brought in by one or another of us. Analyze and critique as needed. Learn how to use new technology. Learn how to navigate in the world of social networking.

We’re a group of authentic people who have a great deal of life experience, enthusiasm, and energy. While we certainly look back at what we’ve learned, we tend to look forward as we discover way to make our businesses work in this new age. Marketing and communication are two of our main focus points. A diverse group, which makes things very refreshing, we try to think outside the taco.

Back to Anne Caldwell. Her catering business is called “In Good Taste,” and she specializes in healthy, wholesome cuisine. The main dish and salad were delicious and colorful, and the Zero Sugar Dessert was to die for. She knows what she’s doing, and I recommend her highly. Give her a call at (602) 228-9191 to discuss how she can enhance your holiday experience. Her rates are very competitive, and she’s totally reliable.