Florida Trend articles from April 2008

Florida Trend archives from April 2008

Check out our web-exclusive content this month at FloridaTrend.com/Extra.(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Babcock Ranch Tour Take a video tour of the 91,356-acre Babcock Ranch in Lee and Charlotte counties. Developer Kitson & Partners sold 73,548 acres to the state and plans several mixed-use developments on 11,000,...

Daily news.(Daily News and More ...)
April 1, 2008... Daily News: FLORIDA TREND'S Daily Pulse eNewsletter keeps you up-to-date on today's top business and political news from around the state--delivered FREE to your in-box every weekday morning. Sign up online at FloridaTrend.com

Florida stocks.(Daily News and More ...)
April 1, 2008... Florida Stocks: Stock quotes of Florida's top 150 public companies at FloridaTrend.com/Stocks.

Multimedia reports.(Daily News and More ...)
April 1, 2008... Multimedia Reports: Archived FLORIDA TREND multimedia reports are now available at FloridaTrend.com/Multimedia

Customer service and change of address.(Daily News and More ...)
April 1, 2008... 24/7 service online at FloridaTrend.com/customerservice

The green advantage.(Corner Office)
April 1, 2008... Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, wildlife and natural environment, and many of Florida's CEOs embrace the state's environmental values and recognize that their approach toward the environment plays a major role in their success. ...

Water woes.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... Good for the Lake County elected officials! Hard to believe the economic development council of Lake County is not aware of the critical water shortage, not just in Lake County, but statewide ["Niagara's Fall" March, FloridaTrend. com]. And...

State song.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... I just finished reading your "New State Song" editorial in FLORIDA TREND online, at the urging of one of my many friends in the Florida folk music community. He and I share your view that the three finalist songs are indeed dreadful, and that...

Central beef.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... While your recent article regarding Central Beef had its facts generally correct ["Willful Disregard," February, FloridaTrend.com], it's imperative that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection put those facts into context for readers...

Outside interests.(Executive Lifestyles: Outdoor Living)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Marieanne Khoury-Vogt and Erik Vogt, architects with a modest practice, closed up shop in Miami four years ago and moved to a seaside enclave in the Panhandle to transform it into one of Florida's latest New Urbanist communities. They also set...

Made in the shade.(What's New)
April 1, 2008... Miami-based Tuuci produces high-end umbrellas and shade structures from cabanas to curtain-engulfed privacy lounges complete with outdoor bedding. Its Bali lounge has a bed-lounge combo with all-weather cushions and Sunbrella fabric. It...

Watching the stars.(What's New)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] George Liu started his audio/ video business, AVS South, in Tampa nearly 25 years ago and has been installing TVs outdoors for 10 years. But there were some key limitations and challenges--until now. Runco, a...

Sun-powered.(What's New)
April 1, 2008... Hampton Bay's Solar Hurricane table lamp is solar-powered and includes two bright LED lights that stay lit up to 10 hours. Its St. Laurent rechargeable table lamp, also solar-powered, comes with a charger/adaptor. Solar Hurricane, $39.97...

The ultimate in drought-resistant.(What's New)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kevin Lynch, owner of Backyard & Beyond, a Fort Myers landscape design firm, is waiting for synthetic turf to catch on in his region. It's bound to, he says, with strict watering restrictions becoming the norm. He...

Standing up to the elements.(What's New)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Design Within Reach's Veneto outdoor furniture line features a fabric resistant to chlorine and saltwater corrosion, WaProLace is a 100% recyclable and non-toxic woven fabric made from polyethylene. While it has a lacy look and texture, it's...

No run-of-the-mill feat: Joyce Evans decides to give her boss a run for his money.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Long-Distance Training)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last year, when Joyce Evans met with her boss for a brainstorming session, he gave her an unexpected challenge: Do something difficult you haven't done before. It didn't have to be work-related. Evans, a 29-year-old...

Running with the penguins.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Long-Distance Training)
April 1, 2008... Steve MacDonald has never considered himself a natural runner. When the 40-year-old CEO of Tampa's myMatrixx staged jogging about 20 years ago, he couldn't get far without hyperventilating. He was more into lifting weights, but he decided to...

Wedding wows.(Executive Lifestyles: Getaways: Honeymoon Retreats)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More newlyweds are planning activities designed to add adventure. Among the trends: > Combining the wedding and honeymoon. Italy, Spain and France have become popular destinations where wedding parties gather for...

Local motions.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)(Truluck's Seafood, Steak, Crab House)(Naples Tomato)(Restaurant review)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Truluck's Seafood, Steak, Crab House 98 4th Ave. S., Naples, 239/530-3131 351 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561/391-0755 trulucks.com Naples Tomato 14700 Tamiami Trail N., Naples 239/598-9800,...

Rocca 2004 cabernet sauvignon.(Wine & Spirits)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... RED Rocca 2004 cabernet sauvignon Napa Valley $65 One of California's best years was the time, and Rocca Family Vineyards in Yountville, in the heart of Napa, was the place. Rocca is a small production winery, yet its...

Candolini Grappa Ruta.(Wine & Spirits)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... BRANDY Candolini Grappa Ruta Italy $35 When Nonna said "Grappa's good for you," she meant the old-fashioned kind like this. Candolini has made authentic grappa for a century, stout of heart and stern of flavor, but polished....

Production 'magnet'.(Trendsetters: Entertainment)(Terry Miller Jr.)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The film bug chomped on Terry Miller Jr. on the Florida set of Paul Newman's Harry & Son, for which Miller was a college student intern production assistant. (His alternative description of his work on that film: "A...

Keeping score.(Florida Trend Anniversary)
April 1, 2008... As part of its 10th anniversary issue in 1968, FLORIDA TREND made a number of predictions about the state's future. How'd we do--and how will you do on some related questions you can use to test your Florida Business IQ? For the answers, go to...

2008 economic yearbook: a time to diversify.(Florida Trend)(Report)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Residential real estate has always been an 800-pound gorilla in Florida's economy, and the housing slump is taking up a lot of space in the room these days. Real estate-related state budget shortfalls and Amendment 1...

Paying the piper.(SOUTHEAST)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS Years of escalating prices for homes, property taxes, insurance and consumer goods and services are taking a toll on Southeast Florida. "Affordability is absolutely our No. 1 issue for 2008," says...

Building clout.(TREASURE COAST)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS Say this for the real estate market collapse. It crystallizes the need to diversify the Treasure Coast's economy. "The issue for Indian River County is we need to create a more stable job base,"...

Eye opener.(SOUTHWEST)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS Hard hit by the housing market slump, regional leaders are stepping up efforts to lure businesses and industries to Southwest Florida. "We need to diversify the economy so as to reduce the...

Roller coaster real estate: it's time to be honest.(Q A: Ask the Expert)
April 1, 2008... Gordon Gecko said in the movie Wall Street, "Greed is good." Kenny Rogers, in his song The Gambler, sang, "Know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em." Unfortunately, whether you are an individual "condo flipper" or a government...

Back to earth.(SPACE COAST)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS Across Florida's Space Coast region, there's a flurry of activity to create jobs and mitigate the effects of the residential real estate collapse and the rapidly approaching end to NASA's space...

Joining forces.(CENTRAL)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS Central Florida leaders are building on an established reputation for collaboration in 2008. Two of the region's most powerful business groups--the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission...

Battling a misperception.(TAMPA BAY)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS In Tampa Bay, business leaders say the economy remains fairly strong; their biggest challenge is battling the perception that it's not. Aside from some very real problems associated with the...

Making adjustments.(NORTH CENTRAL)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS The hottest issue facing the North Central region: The St. Johns River Water Management District's proposal to build pipelines through much of the area to tap the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers as...

Tidal forces.(NORTHEAST)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS The Northeast region likes to call itself Florida's First Coast--home to the first European settlement in the U.S., the first beach that visitors reach when they drive into Florida. These days, in...

Upgrading.(BIG BEND)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS Transportation improvements, water and sewer system extensions in rural counties and access to better healthcare are big issues for leaders across the Big Bend region--and are recognized as key to...

What CEOs need to know about marketing in a recession: there is wisdom in lessons learned from the past: in times of economic slow-down, don't cut budgets.(Q A Ask the Expert)
April 1, 2008... Companies that reduced marketing and promotional efforts in the last recession ended up neglecting their existing customers and prospects in order to save money and improve bottom lines. Then, when conditions improved, they paid a hefty price...

Refocusing.(NORTHWEST)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGIONAL TRENDS "Sometimes it takes a crisis to get people's attention," says A1Wenstrand, president of Florida's Great Northwest, a 16-county economic development organization. The combination of falling real...

CB Richard Ellis.(Players)(CB Richard Ellis Services Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CB Richard Ellis has promoted Scott Sime to managing director for Miami-Dade County, overseeing the firm's downtown and airport offices. Steven Gomez, Adams previously managing director for the Miami Airport office,...

Atlanticblue.(Players)
April 1, 2008... Ben R. Adams Jr. was appointed CFO for Atlanticblue, a Lake Wales-based management, acquisition, land development and agricultural organization. You can reach Richard Westlund at richard.westlund@earthlink.net

Acqua Liana.(PROJECTS)
April 1, 2008... Palm Beach luxury residential developer Frank McKinney is building Acqua Liana, a $29-million oceanfront estate in Manalapan. He is working with the U.S. Green Building Council to earn LEED certification for what he calls the "most expensive...

Off-Brickell.(PROJECTS)
April 1, 2008... Taylor Development and Land Co. and Economos Properties are building Off-Brickell, a $120-million, office, retail and hotel complex near the Miami financial district. The 3.5-acre, 568,000-sq.-ft. development will include a new Epicure Market...

Toll's take on Florida.(LUXURY MARKET)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With nearly 20 upscale communities under way from Naples and Boca Raton to Jacksonville and Orlando, Bob Toll pays close attention to Florida. The chairman of Pennsylvania-based home builder Toll Brothers says the...

Made to order: talking menus offer a solution to dim restaurant lighting and failing eyesight.(Cutting Edge: Baby Boomers)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of the pleasures of eating out is deciding which menu items to order. But reading a menu with small type in a restaurant with dim lighting can be frustrating for aging diners whose eyesight isn't what it used to...

Beach access.(MOBILITY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Floridians and visitors who use crutches, canes and wheelchairs can't always enjoy the state's beautiful beaches as much as everyone else. Getting around on the sand is too difficult. So several Florida beach communities, including Fort Myers...

Low down: can cities or the state legally outlaw baggy britches?(Of Counsel: Florida Law)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In his 14 years on the Opa-Locka City Commission, Timothy Holmes has become known as a straight talker. When he sees something he doesn't like, he says something about it, and lately he's been talking a lot about...

High bid.(Of Counsel: Florida Law)
April 1, 2008... When Hunton & Williams announced it would host an auction in its Miami office, the law firm anticipated some intense bidding over a rare Mercedes-Benz race car. One of just five in the world, the restored C-11 model competed on the Formula 1...

Holland & Knights.(IN THE NEWS)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steven Sonbeg is Holland & Knight's new managing partner, replacing Howell "Hal" Melton Jr., who did not seek a second five-year term to lead the Florida-based national firm. A Miami partner, Sonberg chaired Holland...

Florida's Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske.(IN THE NEWS)
April 1, 2008... Jamie Cole is the new managing director of south Florida's Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske. Cole, previously the managing partner of the firm's Broward office, replaces Joseph Serota, who had been managing director since the firm...

Rosenthal & Levy.(IN THE NEWS)
April 1, 2008... Rosenthal & Levy of Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach has added Steven. C. Simon as a named partner and changed its name to Rosenthal, Levy & Simon.

Shutts & Bowen.(IN THE NEWS)
April 1, 2008... Harvey E. Oyer III is a new partner at Shutts & Bowen in West Palm Beach.

Everglades Coalition.(IN THE NEWS)
April 1, 2008... The Everglades Coalition, a network of 47 Everglades conservation and restoration organizations, has named Miami attorney Paul J. Schwiep, partner at Coffey Burlington, its 2007 "Conservationist of the Year."

2008 bank holding companies.(Top Rank Florida)
April 1, 2008... Top Rank Florida 2008 Bank Holding Companies (deposits as of 6/30/07) 2008 2007 Rank Rank Bank Holding Company 1 1 Bank of America 2 2 Wachovia Corp. 3 3 SunTrust Banks Inc. 4 6 ...

Pain, no gain.(Editor's Page)
April 1, 2008... We Americans don't like to hurt. And we're wealthy enough as a society not to have to. When we're in pain, whether emotional or physical, we're conditioned to "take something for it." And so we do. And every day in Florida, about five or...