If you have signed up for our special text messaging offers, stay tuned today for a text telling you how you can receive up to $50 Bright Eyes  gift card by supporting our YMCA spin-a-thon! Just show us the text on your phone to qualify.

If you haven’t signed up yet, you can join by texting “Brighteyes” to 74700 and take advantage of exclusive text-only offers and savings!

See Well!

-Dr. Nate
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Connect: Facebook Twitter Foursquare LocalShops1.com

At Bright Eyes, we believe in strong relationships with the community. In addition to providing eye care for those in need, we have been longstanding supporters of  the YMCA.

I routinely work out at the Y and since this year has been quite cold, I’ve especially enjoyed the spin classes, also called studio cycling.  So I was excited to see that there was going to be a spin fundraiser: The Spinathon on Saturday, March 20th at the New Tampa YMCA!

The idea is simple: A person or team of people will do four consecutive hours of spin class. They take donations to raise money for the YMCA Building Strong Kids Campaign. The Building Strong Kids Campaign is a nation-wide campaign to raise money for after-school care, swim lesson, camps, leadership training, and other programs for kids not just in Hillsborough County, but around the country.

Why donations? (Get it? “Y Donations!”, lol ) From the YMCA webpage: “Simply put, your gift changes lives. Every dollar given to the YMCA goes directly to help children and families participate in YMCA memberships and programs, regardless of their financial circumstances. Through YMCA involvement, families become closer, children grow and blossom, seniors discover new energy, and those with disabilities find new abilities and new hope.”

Check out this wonderful video about  Building  Strong Kids, click here.

And if you like to read some wonderful testimonials, click here.

The entire staff of Bright Eyes will be taking turns spinning away for four hours straight. We are planning on getting team shirts and everything. You won’t miss us. It will be a blast!

There are three ways to support us in the Spinathon:

1) Drop a donation in the Spinathon box at Bright Eyes: check or cash is fine.

2) Use this handy Chipin widget via Paypal. (It is SO easy!)

3) You can donate directly to YMCA: Just click here and then tell us how much you donated for our team!

Look forward to photos and results! Let us know if you’d rather your gift be anonymous. Or consider forming a team of you own!!

UPDATE:  To ensure that we reach our goal, we will be donating 5% of all sales on glasses to the Spin-a-thon between now and March 20th. If you’d like to match our donation, then let us know!

GO TEAM BRIGHT EYES!

-Dr. Nate
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Connect: Facebook Twitter Foursquare LocalShops1.com

Thank you so much to all those who entered our FREE Coach contest! It was very fun. We had so many great entries via text, tweet, blog, and Facebook.

I know there is much anticipation to find out the winners. And I will reveal them….. soon. But while I’ve got your attention: You can still text “Brighteyes” to 74700 to be put on our texting list for specials and events. And don’t forget to check in on Foursquare and add reviews about us on LocalShops1.com!

Now, on to the winners:

Our category one (blog comment) winner: Joysunshine.

She really out did herself with creative and honestly desperate pleading for Coach sunglasses. Here is one sample:

(In the tune of “If I Only Had a Brain”)

I will savor every hour
While lookin at the flowers
And not have any strain
And my face would be so dreamy
While the sun’s so hot and steamy
If I only had COACH Frames

I’d be cute, not just a little
As any individ’le
I hope I’m not too vain

(Dorothy–a.k.a. Dr. Bonilla-Warford)
In the sun you’d be winkin’
While your shades would hide your blinkin’
If you only had COACH frames.

(Scarecrow–aka ME)
Oh, I would watch the sky
As the sunset on the shore
I could look at things I never saw before
And then I’d sit and look some more

I would not be missin’ nuffin’
I’d sing till I was huffin’
I’d play out in the rain
I would dance and be merry
Life would be a ding-a-derry
If I only had COACH frames!!!!

Winner from Category Two (Twitter/Facebook): @KrystalS

Krystal not only had numerous funny Facebook and Twitter pleas for the glasses, she was the only one who actual wrote a blog post about our contest.  Kudos to her for going the extra mile.

Winner from Category Three (Text): Melanie Alvarez

Like most people who entered by text, Melanie also entered via the other ways.  But she was the luckiest texter.

Congrats to all three winners! All you have to do is stop by Bright Eyes and pick out some shades or frames. We’ll take care of the rest.

Thanks to all who entered. I hope everyone had a good time. But, hang on, there is more.  We had so many great entries that we decided to give out some honorable mention prizes!!!!

First, we have @IslandGirlCakes! She makes specialty cakes and said that she’d make a special Bright Eyes cake if she won. So we will take her up on her offer and will trade one pair of Coach sunglasses/frames for said cake. It better be amazing!

Second,we have @EllenatVistra who did submit some creative poems and haikus! She wins a $100 gift certificate!

And finally, Amanda, Amy, Michele,  Danielle and Shelley all win $50 gift certificates for sheer determination!

This contest was very fun. Maybe we’ll do it again. We’ve already done Tiffany and Coach. Maybe Kate Spade next time?

Thanks everyone!

Dr. Nate
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Connect: Facebook Twitter Foursquare LocalShops1.com

This year it will be three years that we’ve had this blog up and running and we’ve had over 50,000 page views.  And to celebrate those three years,  we are giving away 3 Coach frames! You could win FREE Coach sunglasses or Coach frames!

There are three ways you can enter, and no purchase is necessary. There will be one winner from each category.

1) Write a comment here on this post and tell us what you think of this blog. All comments welcome!

2) Become our Facebook fan and/or follower on Twitter. Then post a comment on Facebook Wall or mention @BrightEyesTampa in a tweet. UPDATE: You can enter via Twitter with our one-click contest entry!

3) Text the word “BrightEyes” to  74700. This will sign you up to receive occasional special announcements and deals from Bright Eyes and enter you to win the Coach eyewear.

On February 28, 2010, we will announce the winners on this blog. There will be one winner from each of the categories above and you can enter by any and all of the methods as many times as you want.

But take note.  We are not going to pick the winners at random. From each group above, we will pick a winner that is compelling.  The funnier or more interesting, the better. The more attention you draw to yourself (and Bright Eyes),  the more likely you are to win. You could win by entering many times or one exquisitely-crafted entry. Read the rest of this entry »

This is cool! Localshops1.com has featured me on the very popular “Sticks of Fire” blog, in a piece called, “Bright Eyes See Social Media Work“:

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, better known as “Dr. Nate” among patients, friends … and Twitterbuddies (but more on that in just a bit) opened his business, Bright Eyes Family Vision Care, in 2006 in Westchase. The family-friendly neighborhood in Tampa is ideal for Bright Eyes, which focuses on family vision care, with a big emphasis on eye care for children and even infants.

Now, about the Twitter stuff, business people especially should listen up. Dr. Nate is a great role model for business owners on how to effectively use social media to market their business. On Facebook and Twitter, Dr. Nate has established himself as THE vision care expert among the Tampa Bay social media world. More than 1,000 people follow him on Twitter@BrightEyesTampa; on Facebook, Bright Eyes Tampa has almost 150 fans. Dr. Nate has even been known to help quite a few neighboring businesses get on board in the social media world. “Get involved with social media as early as possible,” Dr. Nate tells other entrepreneurs. “We have really made connections and strengthened Bright Eyes via the Bright Eyes News blog, Facebook, and Twitter.”

The piece then goes on to interview me about the good and bad of small business owner, advice for other entrepreneurs  and my opinions on the recession. Check out the whole thing here.

Thanks to Localshops1.com for making this possible! And remember, you can pick up a 1Card at Bright Eyes and use your 1 card for a Bright Eyes discount! You can see our Ls1 listing here.

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us: Facebook Twitter Foursquare

Just a brief note of celebration to say that this blog has now seen over 50,000 page views! Thanks all who read and hopefully pass along what we write. It takes some effort, but is well worth it.

We’re looking forward to the next 50K!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford and Staff
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us: Facebook Twitter Foursquare

Join us on December 12th, 2009 for the annual December Eyewear show! This year we will be featuring one of our best-selling line of designer frames: Takumi.

Takumi eyewear features Japanese influence with fun colors and designs. Each frame comes with a custom polarized magnetic sunclip.

Just for this event, we will have on hand  every color and style of Takumi frames! So stop by early to take a look at the giant selection.

For this day only, we will be offering 25% off all Takumi orders.  This includes prescription lenses, including progressives. We will have some cool giveaways!

The event will take place December 12th, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the annual West park Village Holiday Stroll.

I hope to see you there. And, like always,  frames and lenses do count toward Flex and HSA spending.

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us: Facebook Twitter Foursquare

To all of the friends and patients of Bright Eyes Family Vision Care, Happy Thanksgiving! The office will be closed this weekend as we spend time with our families. And as 2009 winds down, I want to take a moment to thank you for being our patient and supporting independent Optometry. We have so much to be thankful for and I hope that this year has been as wonderful for you as it has for us! Let me share with you some noteworthy news for us at Bright Eyes:

Javier is here!
We are thrilled to celebrate the arrival of Javier Bonilla Warford on Oct. 8th, 2009.

Vision Therapy
This year we welcomed Edna Moore to Bright Eyes as our full-time vision therapist. As a mother, she had personal experience with vision therapy and she now has proved to be a marvelous asset to the team! Patients love her!

The December Eyewear Show
During the West Park Village Holiday Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 12th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, we will showcase the entire Takumi Eyewear collection for Men, Women & Kids. All Takumi Eyewear includes matching magnetic polarized sunclips. Stop by the show for 25% OFF Takumi Eyewear including prescription lenses! (Limitations may apply)

Social Media
Bright Eyes is excited to be a leader among eye doctors in the use of social media to connect patients. Not only do people all over the world read our blog, Bright Eyes News, but we routinely communicate with patients on Facebook andTwitter. You can also check in on Foursquare.

Precise Corneal Reshaping Ortho-k
We have become certified in additional Orthokeratology methods to correct nearsightedness by using special contact lenses to reshape the eye’s front surface. No glasses or contacts are needed during the day. This is great for kids, because it can actually prevent eyesight from becoming worse! Very exciting indeed.

New Multifocal Contact Lens Options

Good news! We will be doing another contest this winter. We will be giving away a pair of glasses/sunglasses. We had a ball giving away some Tiffany suns this summer and we are excited to do it again!

Help us decide what the Grand Prize should be! Would you like:

Coach

Bvlgari

Tiffany and Co.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us: FacebookTwitter

More info to come!

Be Well!

Dr. Bonilla-Warford
Bright Eyes Family Vision Care
Westchase, Tampa, FL
Connect with Us:  FacebookTwitter