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TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE 12TH ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR MAY 15 IN TAMPA

                                                               Story provided by Dr. Renuka Ramappa  

The 121h annual Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, at the Hindu Temple Community Hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa.

The volunteer-run community service has been a tradition at the Hindu Temple of Florida since 1998. Each year, the Health Fair, which is free to the general public, generates a tremendous response. There are typically 300-400 attendees and 50-100 participating physicians. Physicians and volunteers alike work together to bring free screenings and health information services to the public.

Medical services include free screenings for blood sugar, cholesterol, osteoporosis, and stress; evaluations of visual, auditory, and pulmonary function; information regarding anti-aging, mammography, self-breast exams, obesity, asthma and allergies; dental examinations, and more. Blood sugar and cholesterol screenings will be provided. Also, attendees can interact with physicians by asking field-related questions regarding nutrition, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, stress management, child health, menopause syndrome, bypass surgery, peptic ulcer, heart disease and more.

There also will be fun-filled activities such as a moon walk and slide for the children, as well as raffle door prizes. The fair will include booths with jewelry, clothes and Indian vegetarian food from the Prasad Sadan (the Hindu Temple kitchen).

For information, call (813) 962-6890 or visit www.hindutempleofflorida.or

 

 ___________________________________________________________________________

 

GRANDPARENTS DAY TO BE CELEBRATED MAY 23 IN SOUTH FLORIDA

                                                            By SHEPHALI J. RELE

For the first time, the Indian Religious and Cultural Center (IRCC) will hold Grandparents Day celebration on Sunday, May 23. The 4 to 8 p.m. event will be at Shiva Vishnu Temple, 5661 Dykes Road, in Southwest Ranches.

On the agenda for grandparents is singing, dances, jokes/mimicry/poetry and skits. For grandchildren (ages 14 and younger), there will be an essay writing competition and poems about grandparents.

The event is free for grandparents. Members pay $15 and non-members $20. Children ages 15 and younger are $10; children of non-members are $15; kids 3 and younger are free. Dinner will be served by Woodlands Indian Restaurant.    

Visit www.irccflorida.com for entry forms and deadline details. Or call IRCC board members Poonam Wadhwa at (954) 345-3412, Durgesh Thakar at (954) 755-2667, Sanjay Gupta at (954)-461-4003, Sanjiv Shah at (954) 786-9997, Rupal Shukla at (954) 967-8388 or Vivek Swaroop at (954) 349-5661.  

 

____________________________________________________________________________

DANCE TO THE RHYTHM OF RAVI DRUMS MAY 7 IN TAMPA

                                                                        By NITISH S. RELE

Ravi Jakhotia, known as DJ Ravi Drums, will present a performance Friday, May 7, in Tampa. The event is organized by FIA of Tampa Bay.

Ravi Drums, former Tampa resident and a graduate of Chamberlain High School, brings his high-octane, in-your-face energy to hip-hop, rock, funk, house, Latin, Brazilian and reggaeton.

�I will play a mix of everything,� said Ravi Drums in a phone interview. �It will be a sort of Indo-mash-up, a mix of Bollywood songs as well as stuff you hear on the radio here. You could call it a special hybrid sauce.�

Ravi Drums expects attendees at the event to party down, �should be a lot of fun,� he said. �A stress relief of sorts, a performance that both the young and old can enjoy.�


Among a few of Ravi Drums� numerous accomplishments are being music director and drummer on the 2009 NBC TV series �
Howie Do It�; performing at the 2009 Oscars when two �Slumdog Millionaire� songs were nominated; performing with Tupac Shakur, Paula Abdul, Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin, Will Smith and Black Eyed Peas; appearing in a Gap commercial as well as playing a small role in �The Matrix Reloaded.� More recently, on April 17, he performed to a standing-room-only crowd at Grand Hyatt in Mumbai.

The 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. act will at India Cultural Center, 551 Lynn Road. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 after May 1; children 12 years and younger are $25; babysitting services re available for $5. Dinner and drinks are included.

For more information, call Event Chair Anita Shembekar at (813) 972-7717, Event Co-Chair Madhavi Shekharam at (813) 792-2646 or FIA President Rashmi Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.

Also, visit www.ravidrums.com

 

___________________________________________________________________________

ALACHUA KRISHNA TEMPLE TO HOLD PRAN PRATISHTHA MAY 29-30

The New Raman Reti, ISKCON of Alachua will install Sri Krishna-Balaram on May 29-30, which is Memorial Day weekend. The Pran Pratishtha ceremony will start Saturday, May 29, with auspicious services under a big tent from 4:30 pm until 7 pm.


Sunday is a full day beginning with arati, sadhu sanga, kirtan and abhisheka of Sri Krishna-Balaram. There will entertainment and children's activities throughout the day. Prasadam feasts will be served both evenings; and prasad served throughout the day too.  

The Hare Krishna Hare Rama temple is at 17303 N.W. 112th Blvd. in Alachua.


For more information, call (386) 462-2017, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.newramanreti.com/festival

____________________________________________________________________________

TAMPA INDO-US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOLD BANYAN BALL JUNE 5

Story provided by INDO-US Chamber

INDO-US Chamber of Commerce in Tampa will hold its annual gala and awards banquet on June 5 at Tampa Airport Marriott. The Banyan Ball is an event honoring Asian-American businesses and individuals who have distinguished themselves through professionalism and community service. It provides excellent networking opportunities and brings people together to celebrate the chamber�s activities and its success over the past year.

Business and political leaders will come together at this event and only 350 seats are available. Last year�s attendees included Consulate General of India Sanjiv Arora, Attorney General Bill McCollum, along with business leaders in the Tampa Bay area from the Indian community and outside. This year�s invited guests include Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar, Consul General Sanjiv Arora, Gov. Charlie Christ, Attorney General McCollum, Florida�s CFO Alex Sink, and leadership of other Indo-American chambers across United States and business leaders from Tampa Bay and beyond.

The black-tie event will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. and continue with dinner, Indo-US Business awards, keynote speaker, entertainment and dancing. Tickets can be purchased through www.indo-us.org or by contacting chamber President Francis Vayalumkal at [email protected] or (813) 719-0303.

BUSINESS AWARDS

The INDO-US Chamber of Commerce will recognize businesspersons and companies that are making it through these tough economic times. Whether you are growing or just staying afloat, the INDO-US Chamber of Commerce seeks to recognize businesses and individuals who make a difference. It seeks to identify leaders and creative business persons who are an inspiration to the teams around them.

The categories include:

     Businessman of the Year
     Businesswoman of the Year
     Young Businessperson of the Year
     Community Service Person of the Year

All information provided below will go directly to the board of directors of the INDO-US Chamber of Commerce.

CRITERIA: The businessperson and/or principal owners of the business should be a resident(s) of the Greater Tampa Bay area including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk, and Hernando counties (neighboring counties will be considered).

SUBMISSION: Please submit the following relating to your nominations:

     Nomination category (one or more of the above 4 award categories)

     Name of company

     Name of individual

     Brief description of company�s business

     Brief description of individual�s background, including education, past businesses /employment history, and what brought him/her to this company and the Tampa Bay area.

     Reason for award � why do you believe this company or individual should receive this award. How have they made a difference and how do they inspire others?

Please submit the above via email to Santosh Govindaraju at [email protected] by no later than May 20. You may also e-mail Santosh with any questions about the awards and selection process. 

More information about the chamber can be found at www.indo-us.org

 


   COLUMN: MOTORING
 

LINCOLN MKS GETS ALL-NEW ECOBOOST FROM FORD

By NITISH S. RELE

[email protected]

EcoBoost. You will be hearing more about this all-new V-6 direct-injection, twin-turbocharged engine produced by Ford for some present and future vehicles. Like the 2010 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan, which cranks out 355 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 350 pounds-feet of torque at 3500 rpm. The 3.5-liter DOHC engine is mated to a seamless 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.  

EcoBoost is essentially twin turbochargers and a smaller-displacement engine working in tandem with gasoline direct injection to produce a powerful but fuel-efficient engine.  

Though a carryover from 2009 and sharing its basic design with the Ford Taurus, our flagship test sedan came with all-wheel drive, which distributes torque efficiently between the front and rear wheels. Ensconced on a unitized steel body structure is a MacPherson strut suspension in front and an independent rear multilink system. An electric power steering uses power from an electric motor only when needed, unlike a normal hydraulic system, which constantly pulls power from the engine. This ensures fuel savings and a remarkable steering response.

The now familiar-faced massive grille with the centered Lincoln emblem and adaptive HID headlights greets onlookers. The rear shows off the car division�s insignia amid a chrome-slathered bar and dual exhaust. The 19-inch painted aluminum wheels carry plenty of stick.

Lincoln has always been associated with opulence and, in this respect, the MKS leaves up to its reputation. The push-button start is a convenient feature. As temperatures inch up, the standard rear window power sunshade will come in handy. Sprinkles of wood on the dashboard and the power tilt/telescopic steering column add classiness. We liked the aura in the cabin as soon as the ambient lights came on. Apart from 12-way power heated and cooled front seats, the MKS gets is equipped with standard heated rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, hands-free Sync voice-activated system and a cap less fuel-filler system. And the trunk can gobble up 18.7 cubic feet of space.

Safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain for both rows, four-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist, AdvanceTrac with Electronic Stability Control, traction control, seatbelt pretensioners, antiskid system and front/rear obstacle detection system.

Despite the EcoBoost system, the MKS may be unable to attract buyers. Its $50,000-plus price tag seems too hefty. Also, the ride isn�t as quick and nimble as one would expect of a luxury car. However, passengers can sit, relax and enjoy the ride in style.  

LINCOLN MKS

Tires: P255/45R19 all season

Wheelbase: 112.9 inches

Length: 204.1 inches

Weight: 4,276 pounds

Fuel capacity: 19 gallons

City: 17 mpg

Highway: 25 mpg

Base price: $47,760

Web site: www.lincoln.com

____________________________________________________________________________

STYLISH ACCORD COUPE AN EXCELLENT PERFORMER

By NITISH S. RELE

[email protected]  

A carryover from last year, the 2010 Honda Accord coupe offers a supple ride with snappy acceleration, first-rate steering and body control. It navigates sharp turns and corners with confidence.  

The 2.4-liter inline-4 cylinder engine doles out 190 horsepower at 7000 rpm and 162 pounds-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. It is mated to a precise and easy-to-engage 5-speed automatic transmission. A front double wishbone and a rear multilink suspension isolate occupants from road noise and bumps to maintain balance. Providing admirable on-center feel and feedback is the variable gear ratio and assist rack-and-pinion steering. The 11.8-inch ventilated front and 11.1-inch solid rear disc brakes offer a firm pedal experience.   

There can be no doubt about it � this is one polished vehicle, thanks to a rakish roofline, long hood and wedge-shaped rear windows. A centered �H� in the six-point chrome-packed grille is surrounded by projector-beam headlights. Props to Honda for its interior packaging except for a plethora of individual control buttons (Engineers, are you listening?) Otherwise, the red-on-white needles on the instrument panel amid the blue ambient background will grab your attention. The 270-watt Honda audio system with seven speakers is a hoot. Standard amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power driver�s seat, power moon roof, tilt/telescopic steering column and heated fronts.  

Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for both rows, four-wheel antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, active front head restraints, three-point seat belts, side impact door beams, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard.  

On the outside, we may appreciate the coupe for its athletic and stylish look. But this Accord also exhibits superb performance, respectable gas mileage and generous cargo capacity.  

ACCORD COUPE EX-L

Tires: P225/50R17

Wheelbase: 107.9 inches

Length: 190.9 inches

Weight: 3,221 pounds

Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons

City: 21 mpg

Highway: 31 mpg

Base price: $28,880

Web site: www.honda.com  

___________________________________________________________________________

FIT BOASTS LIVELY, FUN-TO-DRIVE HANDLING  

By NITISH S. RELE

[email protected]

THE RIDE: Four-door, five-passenger 2010 Honda Fit Sport subcompact car.

DOWN THE ROAD: Redesigned in 2009, the unit-body-based Fit offers a smooth and comfortable ride though the 1.5-liter engine could use a slight boost in power. But the small car responds with agility in most driving situations. 

TECH & PERFORMANCE: An inline-4 cylinder engine develops 117 horsepower at 6600 rpm and 106 pounds-feet of torque at 4800 rpm. It is mated to a smooth 5-speed automatic transmission. Suspension is handled adequately via a front MacPherson strut and a rear torsion beam. The electric power steering system is swift and accurate. Stopping abilities are taken care of by 10.3-inch ventilated front and 7.9-inch rear drum discs.

LOOK & FEEL: Flanking the honeycomb grille are large multi-reflector halogen headlights. The front quarter windows make visibility easy for the driver. Step into the cabin and the back-lit blue gauges for tachometer and speedometer will leave you quite impressed. Offering a firm feel is the three-spoke tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The 60/40 rear seat, which folds flat into the door with the flip of a lever, opens up 57.3 cubic feet of space. It�s truly in the storage department that the Fit shines � 10 cup holders, front door pocket bins, dual glove box, passenger side seatback pocket and an under-seat tray.

SAFETY FIRST: Standard are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, Electronic Brake Distribution, front active head restraints, front/rear crumple zones, three-point seat belts, side impact door beams, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

OUT THE DOOR: $17,260, plus tax, tag, delivery and destination charges.

BY THE NUMBERS: Tires, P185/55R16 all season; wheelbase, 98.4 inches; length, 161.6 inches; weight, 2,489 pounds; fuel capacity, 10.6 gallons; city, 27 mpg; highway, 33 mpg; Web site, www.honda.com

WHY DIG IT: The Fit boasts lively and fun-to-drive handling, cheeky styling and a well-designed cabin. And with gas prices once again hovering around $3 a gallon, the affordable subcompact car makes perfect sense.

 



  


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