Thursday, May 13, 2010

My Blog Giveaway Winner Announced!!!!!

About a week ago, I posted a contest to give away a package of prizes from Boston Sports Blogapalooza.

Each entrant had the opportunity to enter the contest up to three times. I numbered all of the entries in the order I received them and used Random.org to pick the winner.


So without further ado, I'd like to congratulate Jeff Docherty!!

Jeff has won:
Thank you to everyone who entered my very first blog contest and to all of our participating companies for the great prizes!

Congratulations, Jeff! Please email me (soxylady {at} gmail {dot} com) with your choice of necklace and your address.

You can follow Jeff on Twitter or read his blog, Jeff Doc, here.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Jacoby Ellsbury & Josh Beckett Launch Their Charity Wines

Yesterday, in the shadows of the Green Monster, I attended the launch party for Jacoby Ellsbury and Josh Beckett's charity wines. The event was held at the exclusive Foundation Room at the House of Blues. Ellsbury and Beckett are the latest athletes to launch their wines "ZinfandEllsbury" and "Chardon-K" under the Longball Cellars brand.

NESN personality Heidi Watney emceed the event which was attended by Ellsbury. Beckett was supposed to be there but he's been "whining" about a tweaked back and had to focus on treatment in hopes he won't miss his next start (Get it? "whining"). Watney said the back problem stemmed from Beckett having to take batting practice in order to prepare for inter-league play later this month.


Heidi Watney

Jason Oberle, Executive Director of the Josh Beckett Foundation was on hand to read a statement from Beckett:
Jason Oberle
"With my new contract here in Boston, it is going to give me the chance to pursue even more opportunities to help the children in New England with my Foundation. These opportunities would not be possible if it were not for the dedication and hard work from companies like Charity Hop who also give back to our charities."
1oo% of proceeds from sales of Beckett's wine will go to the Josh Beckett Foundation, which supports community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially those who are seriously ill, disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.

One example of how this charity has helped local kids is the Josh Beckett Treatment Room at Children's Hospital. Located in their Oncology department it's a room where sick kids can go in and focus on the cheerful Fenway Park imagery instead of drab walls. Once their treatment is done they leave with a Beckett baseball card and a picture.

Oberle also announced that Jason Aldean will be performing this July after Josh Beckett's Charity Bowl celebration, Beckett Bowl. I love that they're bringing this country star to Boston and hope I'm able to attend the event.

Next up was Andrew Graff. Graff started Charity Wines with the goal of finding athletes and celebrities, and matching them with fine wines to raise funds for the charities of their choice.

Andrew Graff

I was really hoping for the opportunity to speak with Graff, as he is a businessman I have looked up to for a long time. It has always been my hope to work for a non-profit or charity organization, while being able to support my family. Graff has found a way to combine that with sports and I really can't imagine anything better. Unfortunately it was not in the cards for me to meet him yesterday, but I was grateful to be able to hear him speak.

Shannon Albert, President of the Navajo Relief Fund spoke a little bit about the Navajo people. They represent the largest reservation in the United States and still take part in traditional activities such as basket weaving, rug making, harvest dance and silver making. What most people don't realize is the difficulty in the day-to-day conditions the Navajos face.

The current unemployment rate on the reservation is between 40%-50% and over 300,000 Navajos live below the poverty level. Nearly half of the high school students are drop-outs and teen suicide is well above the national average.

In her sincere thanks to Ellsbury (whose grandmother and mother are full Navajo) she presented him with a beautiful silver and turquoise bracelet which Ellsbury said reminded him of his grandmother.

Shannon Albert presents Ellsbury with a Navajo bracelet

Ellsbury's Navajo bracelet

“I have been blessed, not only to be a professional athlete but to be able to give back to the less fortunate,” Ellsbury said.

He mentioned how it took him a while to choose the charities who would benefit from wine sales. So difficult was it, he couldn't choose just one but was able to narrow it down to three charities which he said are "all near and dear" to his heart.

I already mentioned the first one, The Navajo Relief Fund helps Native Americans improve their quality of life by providing opportunities for them to bring about positive changes in their own communities.

The second is Project Bread. Executive Director Ellen Parker was on hand to talk about the leading anti-hunger organization, and how the money earned from sales of Ellsbury's wine will go to in-school programs to ensure kids from low-income families will be fed nutritious breakfast and lunches during school.

Ellen Parker

Ellsbury's third organization is the Ellsbury-Read Project. I was unable to find a website for this organization (So um....if you need some help with your online visibility, contact me!) but the Project helps promote child abuse prevention so every child can be safe at home.

Ellsbury talked a little bit about his number change from 46 back to his preferred 2 (He did mention 46 served him well in 2007 when the Sox won the World Series. Watney joked maybe he should switch back), his hopeful return to baseball "soon" and joked how his wine tasted better and had a better name than Beckett's.

He was so gracious posing for pictures, signing autographs and talking to his fans.

If you're a faithful reader of my blog, you know I'm a big fan of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Ellsbury played for the Cape League in 2004 for the Falmouth Commodores (*side note: The Commodores lost the championship to the Y-D Red Sox, my home-town team!). It's hard to believe he wasn't the heart-throb back then that he is now.

Swoon-worthy Ellsbury

That's not to say he wasn't adorable, but he wasn't the guy on the team all of the girls swooned over, like he is now.

Speaking of swooning girls...Ellsbury's long-time girlfriend Kelsey Hawkins was at the event. Despite rumors that have been swirling around lately Hawkins wasn't sporting a ring on her left-hand.

Jacoby Ellsbury's girlfriend, Kelsey Hawkins

You know who was sporting bling, though? Jacoby. Check this watch out!
Ellsbury's Watch

Does anyone know what brand that is? Wow.....

OK, back to the serious stuff.

I need to thank Brett Rudy from Charity Hop for inviting me to this wonderful event! The wines are now available for around $14 in local establishments, as well as online.

Mike Lembo, Brett Rudy & Jacoby Ellsbury

Please raise your glasses for both Beckett and Ellsbury
for using their status as a professional athlete to help those in need.

Friday, May 7, 2010

When Promotional Emails Just Don't Do It For Me (With My Sox On) (That's What He Said)

If you're like me, your email inbox gets flooded with promotional emails on a daily basis. Email marketing has proven to be an effective tool for businesses - especially small businesses - some even have a lot of fun with it.

Today I got an email from Chowdaheadz. You know, the guys who have that "wicked pissah stuff." But instead of enticing me to buy something (or even get the free T-shirt they were promoting) I wanted to report them to the Grammar Vandal*.

Here is the text of the email:

By being our friend you are going to get some great deals from us including:
Discount codes, Free stuff, & Much More..

In fact we will start right now with this great offer:
FREE CHOWDAHEADZ T-SHIRT TODAY
FREE CHOWDAHEADZ T-SHIRT
HOW TO REDEEM:
-Use coupon code at checkout: FCTN7183
-This one time coupon code must be used the same day this email was opened
-Code cannot be combined with other codes & expires today
-CLICK THIS LINK TO GET YOUR FREE TEE TODAY!


Thanks for being a Chowdaheadz and we look forward to hearing from you!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHOWDAHEADZ.COM
If your a Yankee Fan hit unsubscribe below:

I'm going to offer my unsolicited advice to these clams:
  1. Saying "this one time coupon code must be used the same day this email was opened" and that the code "expires today" does not go hand in hand. What if I didn't open your email until tomorrow? Or next week? You are leaving your words open for some interpretation and confusion.
  2. Do I need to purchase something in order to get my free Tshirt? Or maybe there is no purchase necessary? I don't want to have to click through to your site, try and add the shirt to my shopping cart and try and check out, only to find out I might need to buy something else. Tell me now, please.
  3. You thank me for being a Chowdaheadz (wouldn't I just be a Chowdahead? I don't have multiple heads) and say you look forward to hearing from me, but don't tell me how to get in touch with you. Fail.
  4. This line, while intending to be funny (I get that), is really just wrong in so many ways "If your a Yankee Fan hit unsubscribe below" - oh where to start, where to start....
  • First: Let's talk about homonyms. You've surely learned about them. They're words that are pronounced the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. See the Yankees, they don't belong to me. They don't belong to my heart, none of their shirts even belong in my closet.
  • Second: This may be me going over the edge a bit, but I'm an online marketing geek, I "click" on links. I don't "hit" them. My mom taught me not to hit at all, it's not nice.
  • Third: I can't even "hit" or "click" unsubscribe below because there is no unsubscribe button or link. There is just a dynamically generated link full of garbage most people don't understand.
And before you go all Snooki on me, I know I'm far from perfect. But this is my blog and I felt the urge to say something.

That's my rant for the day. Until next time, remember to proof your business emails before sending them out!

*Read the Grammar Vandal's Travel Blog: Adventurous Kate


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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

A Blogapalooza-Sized Boston Sports Give-Away!!!!!

You've read about Blogapalooza on my blog more than once. I've promised to write about some of the awesome bloggers, vendors and people I met there and I'm going to make good on that promise in the coming weeks. Today, however, I'm going to do one better. I'm not only going to write about some of the vendors but I'm also going to host my VERY FIRST SOXY LADY BLOG GIVE-AWAY!!!!!

I'm going to be giving away* a package of 5 awesome prizes in honor of Cinco De May0 and Nomar Day at Fenway Park.

All you need to do is either blog, Tweet or Facebook about this give-away. Once you have done that, leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog/Tweet/Facebook status** and you're entered! If you do all three then you are entered three times :) Make sure you leave your contact information in your comment, or email it to me at soxylady33 {at} gmail {dot} com.

You have until midnight on May 12th to enter. The winner will be announced on my blog on Thursday, May 13th.

The first prize comes from Sportsnecks. Sports jewelry made in the USA! These adorable baseball charms are perfect for the female sports fan in your life.

The winner will have their choice of one of the following:

  • A ball and bat charm on a silver chain or red chain
  • A glove and ball charm on a black chain
  • A white baseball on a silver chain
  • A pink baseball on a silver chain

(image courtesy of Sportsnecks.com)

The second prize comes from BottomLine Apparel. These Boston Sports shirts are fun and made on quality T-shirts. If you purchase Bottom Line's "Yoouuk" T-shirt $5 is donated to the Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids charity. I'm wearing mine to the game tonight!!

The T-shirt you will win is size L and one of my favorites!

(image courtesy of blshirts.com)

The third prize comes from those Supah people over at Supahfans.com. They sell Boston sports T-shirts, stickers and more!

The sticker you will win is a must-have for any Red Sox fan! Place it on your car, your notebook, your forehead (heh)

(image courtesy of supahfans.com)

The fourth prize is a coupon for one free ticket to any home Brockton Rox game! You'll have a chance to experience professional baseball at a fraction of the price of the major-league team.

The ticket is not assigned to any seat, so for $5 bring a friend or family member!

(image courtesy of the Brockton Rox)

The fifth prize is really 3-in-1. You will win a pair of Wachusett Brewing Company coasters and a Wachusett Brewing Company bottle opener.

This MA-based brewery offers tours and has a store where you can fill 1/2 gallon growlers with their beer!! Bring it home and enjoy :)

(image courtesy of WachusettBrew.com)

All of these companies were represented in one way or another at the first-ever Blogapalooza. I want to thank them for these awesome prizes and hope you enjoy them!

Best of luck on winning!


*Dear, FTC: These prizes were all donated to me either to be part of a SoxyLady giveaway, or as a "door prize" at Boston Sports Blogapalooza.

**To link to the exact Tweet you posted on Twitter, click on the time stamp after the Tweet has been submitted and send me that link. To link to the Facebook status just tag me @SoxyLady in your message! Let me know if you have any questions.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Rally Wally

I've always been a huge fan of Rally Wally. As a matter of fact, just a quick search through some of my old pictures and I was able to find these:


The first picture is from when Papi hit a 3-run walk-off homer in June of 2006. The Sox were down by 2 in the bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, 2 strikes...and the power of Rally Wally took hold.

Truth be told, I don't remember when the second picture is from, but we'll just have to assume it was also an epic night.

Earlier today the folks at the Remy Report urged Red Sox Nation to take part in "Upside-Down Wally night"

To all of Red Sox Nation - something MUST be done to stop this slide into oblivion.

So many of you have a Wally, and many even have his chair. Let's get ALL of Red Sox Nation to recognize "Upside-Down Wally" night as the Sox take on LAA.

We will even have Wally upside down and on his chair at Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill. If you are there tonight, be sure to wish luck on Wally, so that he will bring luck to the Red Sox.
What are you waiting for?

Get Wally on his head before the game begins and tell all your friends and family to do the same! The Nation is waiting!
Did I take part?

You bet I did!!!!


Here is Rally Wally with the Growler of beer we won yesterday at Boston Sports Blogapalooza.

The Nation responded with plenty of pictures posted to the Remy Report's Facebook page. Go and check them out, and add your own photo from tonight if you have one.

I'll say the call to the Nation has paid off. In the 8th inning it is 17-4 Sox over the Angels. Dare I say I don't even think our bullpen can blow this lead?

Don't make me eat my words........

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Boston Sports Blogapalooza

Kudos to Joe Gilll for organizing a very successful Blogapalooza. If you weren't able to make it, definitely try and be there for the rumored 2nd coming of Blogapalooza in the fall.

In the coming days I'll be highlighting many of the bloggers/artists I met and will talk about the various prizes and schwag I walked away with. There is just too much to highlight in one post (and yeah, I'm tired after a long weekend!)

In the mean time, I want to share some linking love with the people I met. If I've missed you I apologize in advance, just shoot me a message and I'll be sure to add you to the list.

I want to send a special shout-out to Mike Hall's girlfriend, Laura. I was so excited to find out Laura is a fan of SoxyLady. I hope to get the chance to meet her soon!!