April 18, 2003 (PRWEB) April 20, 2003 – Beginning April 25th Tampa Bay Reads, a local non-
profit literacy program, will introduce Bay area children to YborÂÂs very own childrenÂÂs book character, Trolley Kat by way of the ÂÂTrolley Kat Book TourÂÂ. A Kick-Off celebration will be held from 10-1 at the Columbia Restaurant attended by children from Metropolitan Ministries. Author, Ferdie Pacheco, M.D. will be there to do a reading of one of the Trolley Kat books with lunch and a ride on TampaÂÂs Trolley provided by Tampa Bay Reads and other local sponsors, 9Second Technologies, Columbia Restaurant. The first official stop on the book tour will be at the YMCA on Palm Avenue in Ybor later in the afternoon.
The book tour was designed to promote literacy awareness and also give area children a sense of the culture and city they live in. The tour will visit any location in the Tampa Bay area that is interested in learning more about the Trolley Kat books and provide each child in attendance their very own Trolley Kat book, T-Shirt and other goodies. Invitations have been sent to all YMCAÂÂs, BoyÂÂs and GirlÂÂs Clubs, however, is open to any organization that caters to school aged children. ÂÂIÂÂll visit with anyone whoÂÂll have meÂÂ, said Dr. Pacheco. The Trolley Kat Book series includes Trolley Kat Alphabet Book and Trolley Kat Travels where Trolley KatÂÂs biography is told in colorful detail of his travels on the yellow Birney Streetcar in Tampa and Ybor City.
Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, born and raised in Ybor, has been called a Renaissance man because of his varied careers. He has been a successful pharmacist, medical doctor, boxing analyst, screenwriter, novelist and artist. He is most recognized for working 17 years as a corner man for 12 world champions, including Muhammad Ali. He served as a boxing commentator for NBC, Showtime and Univision, won two Emmys, published 10 books and written for major newspapers in America. He is also an accomplished fine art painter and has recently focused on Ybor history.
Tampa Bay Reads is an umbrella organization that links the services and resources of local literacy providers and the people who need their help. The organization is committed to building literacy in Tampa Bay by coordinating, assisting and enhancing the available literacy programs.
The initiative represents a unique partnership between Verizon and Tampa Bay Reads (TBR). It
brings together Verizon’s corporate resources and commitment to the cause of improving literacy to Tampa Bay. These diverse programs operate in libraries, schools, youth organizations, employment training projects, prisons, homeless shelters, day care centers, and a variety of other community-based organizations.
To have the Trolley Kat Book Tour stop at your location contact Debbie Nieto, Executive Director Tampa Bay Reads, at 813-874-READ (7323)
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Tampa Bay Reads
Debbie Nieto, Exec. Director
2610 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Florida 33609
813-874-READ
Fax: 813-874-6442
Cell: 813-690-2760
debbienieto@tampabayreads.org
9Second Technologies
Ray Gonzalez, President/CEO
5210 Webb Road
Ste. 9
Tampa, FL 33615
813-249-1000
Fax: 727-939-0120
ray@9seconds.net
Columbia Restaurant, Inc.
Richard Gonzmart, President
2025 East 7th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
813-248-3000
Fax 247-5881
rgonzmart@columbiarestaurant.com
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