Ask Gary (1-800-ASK-GARY)

2011-09-21T12:53:00.001-07:00

Who wants to win two tickets to Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance this
Saturday at 1-800-ASK-GARY
Amphitheatre?
Enter to win at http://bit.ly/rbw9B7

2010-12-10T08:03:00.001-08:00

1-800-Ask-Gary is a proud sponsor of Monster Jam - check out this cool video on the show http://ping.fm/Jmpbb

2010-10-23T08:23:00.001-07:00

1800AskGary sponsoring todays cancer walk - The walk starts at 9am. Channel side to bayshore!

2010-10-06T06:15:00.001-07:00

SARASOTA HELPLINEâ€™S â€œDR. GARYâ€ DONATES TO LOCAL ULTRA-RUNNER PLEDGING TO RUN CHICAGO MARATHON FOR ORGANIZATION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

http://ping.fm/CsY9p

2010-09-17T07:07:00.001-07:00

http://ping.fm/p8SWz

http://ping.fm/ESi4V

2010-09-15T13:47:00.001-07:00

Dane Cook
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre At the Florida State Fairgrounds - Sun, Oct 24, 2010 08:00 PM
http://ping.fm/KPQXh

2010-09-14T09:18:00.001-07:00

Are you on Foursquare? Check in to the Amphitheater next time you are there! http://ping.fm/94eeq

2010-09-04T12:25:00.001-07:00

Tampa hosts John Mayer at the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre Fri., Sept. 10, 2010
http://ping.fm/Vd9vP

2010-08-05T13:10:00.001-07:00

1-800-ASK-GARY DOCTOR DONATES $10,000 TO NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY FOR CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

http://ping.fm/7oodc

ASK GARY donates $10,000 to Northwestern University

2010-08-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

Minnesota’s Northwestern Health Sciences University, a natural and integrative health care institution, is another organization recently blessed with a significant contribution from free accident and injury helpline 1-800-ASK-GARY’s founder. Dr. Gary, as he prefers to be called, works with Northwestern alumni Dr. Todd Crabtree, who introduced him to Scott Palmer, chief development director for the University. During Northwestern’s most recent capital campaign, Dr. Gary stepped up with a $10,000 donation that will be used for infrastructure improvements.

Explains Palmer, “Dr. Gary is a big fan of integrative medicine, which combines the best of various disciplines to treat the patient in a way that produces optimal health. He is a great guy and a great supporter of chiropractic and general medicine and consequently Northwestern as well.”

Dr. Gary’s generous donation has already been put to use to help provide new buildings, classrooms and the latest technology for students, enabling them to go forward and provide the best care for their future patients.

Visit ASK GARY at http://www.1800askgary.com

2010-08-03T14:01:00.001-07:00

Meet Dr. Gary Kampothecras, Warrior Dad
http://ping.fm/7uXRq

2010-07-31T06:51:00.001-07:00

AEROSMITH WITH SPECIAL GUEST BLUE OYSTER CULT AT THE 1-800-ASK-GARY AMPHITHEATRE IN TAMPA SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2010 http://ping.fm/Nfo1n

2010-07-29T12:57:00.001-07:00

We launched our new website today... we will be adding more stuff soon.... http://1800askgary.com

Sarasota helpline’s “Dr. Gary” co-sponsors Special Olympics Kentucky’s annual Polar Plunge event

2010-07-28T11:50:00.001-07:00

Dr. Gary Kompothecras of the free accident and injury helpline 1-800-ASK-GARY has again made a major contribution to those in needs, this time in support of the Special Olympics, a global nonprofit organization targeting the nearly 200 million people round the world who have intellectual disabilities, and specifically their annual “Polar Plunge” event in Kentucky.

While locals raise money to compete for the right to jump into freezing cold water in the middle of February, Dr. Gary donated $5,000 as a co-sponsor of the event, which allowed other monies raised to go directly to year-round sports training and competition for those with disabilities. Anna Beth Logan, special events director for Special Olympics Kentucky explains that Dr. Gary’s contribution “went directly to change over 6000 lives in central Kentucky. “

As usual, Dr. Gary was eager to help. “He jumped right on board,” says Logan. “When we were introduced he told me ‘I’d love to help you sometime.’ Especially in today’s market, when so many are in need, he really stepped up to the plate. We are very appreciative of his support.”

Raising two autistic children, Dr. Gary is very aware of the additional challenges facing parents and children in these circumstances. Dr. Gary is always ready to lend a helping hand, evident in his support of organizations like the Chabad Kaplan Preschool and his participation on the Florida Autism Task Force.

2010-07-28T09:45:00.001-07:00

Dr. Gary Kompothecras of 1-800-Ask-Gary Supports Children in Need at Chabadâ€™s Kaplan Preschool http://ping.fm/QvO8Z

2010-07-24T12:47:00.001-07:00

PRWeb Press - http://ping.fm/pTKNO

2010-07-24T09:41:00.001-07:00

Santana with special guest Steve Winwood at the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre in Tampa Saturday, July 31, 2010 http://ping.fm/Vj4Tf

2010-07-09T17:15:00.001-07:00

The Chabad Kaplan Preschool is extremely thankful that this community is â€œblessed with someone like Dr. Gary,â€ according to Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Executive Director of Chabad of Sarasota. http://ping.fm/t3nIx

2010-07-09T12:55:00.001-07:00

Good Blog - something to think about - http://ping.fm/9w1ur

2010-07-07T05:10:00.001-07:00

Gary on Channel 10, talking about raising money for the families of the fallen heros in Tampa Bay http://ping.fm/Q4tQG

2010-07-06T12:24:00.001-07:00

-800-ASK-GARYâ€™s Dr. Gary Kompothecras donates $5000 to widows of Tampa police officers gunned down in line of duty http://ping.fm/uSkWm

2010-06-29T07:08:00.001-07:00

1-800-ASK-GARYâ€™s Dr. Gary Kompothecras Fights for Autism Awareness in Conjunction with the Institute of Chronic Illnesses http://ping.fm/JWaKj

2010-06-28T07:02:00.001-07:00

Sting in Tampa!!!! http://ping.fm/Adbcf

Sting with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

2010-06-24T13:11:00.001-07:00

[ June 23, 2010 â€” Sarasota, Fla. ] Grammy-award winning artist Sting will perform in Tampa with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra during his â€œSymphonicityâ€ World Tour at 8 p.m. Sat., July 3 in the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Sting will play his biggest hits re-interpreted as symphonic arrangements backed by his orchestra.

Prior to starting his solo career, Sting was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist of The Police. As a solo musician and member of The Police, Sting has received sixteen Grammy Awards for his work, his first for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1981, in addition to an Oscar nomination for best song. He is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The Symphonicity World Tour will be a one-of-a-kind performance of Stingâ€™s best-known songs from his decades as a top performer. Order your tickets for Sting at the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre on Sat., July 3 by visiting livenation.com today.

Sting with the with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, 8 p.m., Sat., July 3, 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 US Highway 301 North, Tampa, (813) 740-2446 or livenation.com, $44.50-$157

ABOUT 1-800-ASK-GARY AMPHITHEATRE
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre is the first outdoor concert facility in the Tampa Bay Area. It opened in 2004 with a performance by rock band Rush and capacity is around 20,000. Major artists that have performed at the amphitheater include Chicago, Def Leppard, Dave Matthews Band, Depeche Mode, Eric Clapton, Gwen Stefani, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Roger Waters, Rihanna, Kanye West, N.E.R.D., Lupe Fiasco, No Doubt, Blink-182, Jonas Brothers and Backstreet Boys, among others. 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 US Highway 301 North, Tampa, (813) 740-2446. Purchase tickets at livenation.com

2010-06-23T20:39:00.001-07:00

Join our NING Network - http://ping.fm/SjNzc

2010-06-23T19:46:00.001-07:00

Connect with Gary on LinkedIn. http://ping.fm/8YeIn

Meet Dr. Gary Kampothecras, Warrior Dad

2010-06-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/02/meet-dr-gary-kampothecras-warrior-dad.html

By J.B. Handley

I often talk about the "autism net", the concept that the ranks of parents impacted by the autism epidemic grows every day. With each person added to the net, the chances of someone being added with the power and connections to do something about it grows.

Meet Dr. Gary Kompothecras: he's one of those parents. Based in Sarasota, Florida, he appears to be a one-man wrecking crew doing many of the things all of us wish we could.

Consider this excerpt from an article that ran yesterday in his local paper, the Herald Tribune of Sarasota, FL. (HERE)

"Dirt bags!" he says, throwing up his arms in a conference room in his office. "It's a cover-up. They're killing kids."

Gary Kompothecras, who likes to be called Dr. Gary, is a chiropractor who acknowledges that, if you cross him, he can be a bulldog. He made himself a multi-millionaire building clinics to treat people hurt in car accidents and by creating the 1-800-ASK-GARY referral network. He is also one of the state's biggest political donors and a close friend of Gov. Charlie Crist.

Two of his children are autistic. Sarah Alice, 11, repeats back what other people say to her and still plays with a jack-in-the-box. Bronson, 12, is so severely delayed he spent years in therapy to learn the name of his favorite plaything, bottles.

Kompothecras (pronounced kom-PAHTH-uh-kras) believes their disorder was caused by an ingredient in vaccines, mercury-based thimerosal, that they received as infants.

"Dirt bags" is one of the nicer names he has for public health officials who disagree.
This legislative session Kompothecras wants lawmakers to pass a law preventing any vaccines with more than a tiny amount of thimerosal from being given in Florida, creating what would be the nation's strictest vaccine law.

Pediatricians say the legislation, which essentially amounts to a ban on the preservative, is rooted in bad science and will put children and the elderly at risk for deadly flu viruses. The one shot containing a substantial amount of thimerosal is the flu vaccine, and if the preservative is restricted there could be a shortage, medical experts warn.
But Kompothecras is relentless. He promises to leverage every political favor and every dollar he can to get the law passed.

"If I can do this, my son won't go down for nothing," Kompothecras said. "You know how many lives we're going to save? This is going to be bigger than tobacco."

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Gary today. He's one of us, he gets it, he's hopping mad, and he can make things happen. He appreciates how important looking at unvaccinated kids is, and he's currently moving to do just that in Florida. From the article:

"Working for a vaccine law is just the beginning for Kompothecras. He wants to commission a study using the state's Medicaid database looking at children who received thimerosal-containing vaccines and at how many became autistic."

Dr. Gary is a member of the Florida Governor's Autism Task Force. To that end, he put together a 46 minute video of a hearing on the thimerosal bill in September of 2008. The video includes excellent testimony by the Geiers, Dr. David Berger, and Dr. Boyd Haley (And some great questions from Ven Sequenzia, Jr., the President of the Autism Society of Florida). While it's long, I highly recommend you watch it HERE (HERE).

(Checkout minute number 25, where the Florida Department of Health speaker, Saad Omer, gets shredded, and minute 35 where Boyd Haley explains the extreme toxicity of mercury. And, minute 38 where a mom gets the Florida Department of Health loser to admit they have no studies on the safety of simultaneous administration of vaccines. And, minute 39 where Dr. Gary trips up the Department of Health loser by quoting Dr. Healy!!)

Our kids need more Warrior Dads. In Dr. Gary, they have one who we will be hearing a lot more from soon. Welcome, Dr. Gary, we’re thrilled to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the fight.

GOVERNOR CRIST ANNOUNCES TASK FORCE ON AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

2010-06-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

March 7, 2008

Contact:

GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced the creation of the Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders by Executive Order 08-36. The task force will work to address the growing health crisis that autism represents through coordinating efforts and setting a proactive agenda. The task force, made up of leaders in autism advocacy and treatment, health care practitioners, and family members of persons with autism, will submit a final report to the Governor by March 20, 2009.

“Children are the future of our state and one of our most valuable resources,” Governor Crist said. “This task force will work to bring together experts in the field of autism spectrum disorders to create a collective resource that will empower parents, teachers and communities, and establish a support system. I am committed to giving our children the best possible means for success, and I understand the toll this disorder can take on a family. I feel strongly that this task force will work to improve the lives of all Floridians who are affected by autism.”

Autism spectrum disorders include autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. These disorders begin in early childhood and are lifelong neurological disabilities that affect a person’s ability to communicate, understand language and socially interact with others.

Among its responsibilities, the task force will coordinate and review the efforts of state agencies and organizations; encourage public-private partnerships and resource sharing in support of autism and developmental disabilities research and services; develop a comprehensive Florida autism Web site to help families sort through an extensive amount of information and quickly identify resources; and develop a strategy for early diagnosis and intervention by working with medical experts and organizations to determine how best to encourage screenings for autism as part of routine pediatric visits.

Governor’s Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders

· Jane E. Johnson, 48, of Tallahassee, director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, appointed as co-chair for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Dan Marino, of Miami, former football player with Miami Dolphins, appointed as co-chair for a term beginning March 7, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009.

· Anna “Holly” Benson, 36, of Tallahassee, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Ana M. Viamonte Ros, 51, of Tallahassee, surgeon general for the Department of Health, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Ven Sequenzia Jr., 47, of Melbourne, president of Autism Society of Florida Inc., appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Elizabeth Emken, 44, of Danville, California, vice president of government relations, Autism Speaks, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Karen A. Berkman, 53, of Tampa, director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, University of South Florida, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Antonia “Toni” Crawford, 68, of Ponte Vedra Beach, chairperson of the Duval County Early Learning Coalition, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Kelly Purvis, 33, of Tallahassee, statewide parent consultant with the Children’s Medical Services, Early Steps State Office, Department of Health, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Patty Houghland, 60, of Pensacola, advocate for the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Debra Dowds, 54, of Tallahassee, executive director of Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Inc., appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Susanne F. Homant, 62, of Tallahassee, president and chief executive officer of the Able Trust, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Jeffrey P. Brosco, 44, of Coral Gables, associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics with University of Miami, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Gary Kompothecras, 47, of Sarasota, president of Physicians Group LLC, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Randal Perkins, 43, of Parkland, chief executive officer of AshBritt Inc., appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Robert J. Kanjian, 41, of West Palm Beach, county commissioner of Palm Beach County, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Lance J. Block, 52, of Tallahassee, attorney with Searcy, Denney et. al., appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Bambi J. Lockman, 49, of Tallahassee, chief of the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services with the Florida Department of Education, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Richard D. La Belle, 46, of Dunedin, executive director of Family Network, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Kimberly Hill, 36, of Tallahassee, finance manager with Florida Baptist Children’s Home, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.

· Loranne Ausley, of Tallahassee, member of the Florida House of Representatives, District Nine, appointed for a term beginning March 7, 2008, and ending June 30, 2009.