Florida Trend articles from March 2008

Florida Trend archives from March 2008

A well-timed investment.(Corner Office)(Column)
March 1, 2008... In December I wrote in this column about how FLORIDA TREND was teaming up with the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation to move the Florida Innovation Economy Initiative ahead. I'm excited that we are now ready to launch a major marketing...

John Walsh.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... I read with great interest the John Walsh interview by Art Levy ["Icon" February, FloridaTrend.com]. As a parent of a child who suffered from a significant sexual abuse tragedy at the hands of a now convicted sexual predator, I thank John Walsh...

Relocation aid.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... After reading "Upwardly Mobile" [December, FloridaTrend.com], I felt it would be helpful to inform your readers about the existence of the Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corp., a state agency created by the Legislature to provide financial...

Malpractice rates.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... Your news brief in December's issue titled "Malpractice Rates" references a report issued by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation titled "Medical Malpractice Financial Information, Closed Claim Database and Rate Filings." Your article...

Megaships.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... Regarding the February "Port Report" story, we are concerned at the implication that larger ports are "luring" the megaships away from Port Canaveral. It is totally inaccurate to imply that the new Genesis class ships were "lured away" from...

Thanks to Tolf.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... Mr. Tolf: For many years I have enjoyed reading your commentary and recommendations. Thank you for all the years of great eating and effort to showcase the best of the restaurants we have to often We will miss your wit and unusually fine style...

Corrections.(Readers)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2008... * In a story on the Central Beef slaughter-house in February's issue, Richard Greene's correct title should have been listed as special projects manager. * Part of a movie dialogue in Spanish in February's cover story, "Lights, Camera,...

Good business sense.(Executive Lifestyle: City Living)(Joel Altman of Airman Cos.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joel Altman Chairman, Airman Cos. Boca Raton Ask developer Joel Altman what's driving urban redevelopment lately, and he'll tell you: Good business sense. Creating the infrastructure to keep up with...

Sold on Tampa and Orlando.(Executive Lifestyle: City Living)(Anthony M. Everett)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anthony M. Everett President, Everett Realty & Investments Tampa In the late '90s and early 2000, as the suburbs were booming, then-Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood looked at her downtown's eroding tax base...

Design statement.(Executive Lifestyle: City Living)(John Futterton)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] John Futterton Founding partner, Fullerton Diaz Architects Coral Gables The resurgence in downtowns is long overdue, says Coral Gables architect John Fullerton. The market is strong for well-designed,...

The neighborhood grocer.(Downtown Amenities)(Fresh Market Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Two specialty neighborhood markets, Whole Foods Market and The Fresh Market, are expanding their presence in Florida's downtowns. Whole Foods has nine locations in Florida, the newest opened in Coral Gables last September. A recent merger with...

Outdoor markets.(Downtown Amenities)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Downtown outdoor markets are flourishing, creating business for small farmers and a destination for residents and tourists. Some noteworthy markets: Downtown Orlando Farmer's Market, Lake Eola Park--40 to 50 vendors. Open Sundays...

Visual aids: new treatments offer hope in treating macular degeneration.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Vision Health)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The lens of the eye is important to vision, says Dr. Mark Michels, but the back of the eye--the retina--does most of the real work. At the center of the retina is an area called the macula, which "gives us our crisp...

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography.(Eye Innovations)
March 1, 2008... Physicians at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami are using this new, non-invasive imaging technology to diagnose early stages of macular degeneration, glaucoma and other eye diseases. The equipment uses reflected laser...

Lasik advancements.(Eye Innovations)(Cory Lessner, touts the newest IntraLase Laser)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Lasik surgery has two parts. The first creates a flap to gain access to the cornea, and the second reshapes the cornea to achieve better vision. Dr. Cory Lessner, an ophthalmologist at Millennium Laser Eye Centers in Sunrise, touts the newest...

Ophthalmology professor Eduardo C. Alfonso has been named interim chairman of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami.(IN THE NEWS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ophthalmology professor Eduardo C. Alfonso has been named interim chairman of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. He replaces Carmen A. Puliafito, who left last year to take over as dean of...

Horseplay.(Executive Lifestyles: Getaways: Horseback Riding)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Equestrians love this time of the year in Florida. The weather is good, and the equestrian winter show circuit is wrapping up. Riders of all skill levels can find something to do around the state. The latest in...

Virtual horseback riding.(Executive Lifestyles: Getaways: Horseback Riding)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Panasonic's JOBA Horse Riding Fitness Equipment, also known as the Mechanical Core Muscle Trainer, helps riders strengthen muscles in the abdomen, thighs and back by simulating a trail ride right in the home. Cost:...

Inquiring minds.(Executive Lifestyles: Getaways: Horseback Riding)
March 1, 2008... You'll want to know about rates and riding trails, of course, but you also should ask the resort these questions before you go, courtesy of Horse & Rider magazine: * Have any horses had any recent bouts of illness that could be contagious?...

Pigging out.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)(The Ravenous Pig: An American Gastropub)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Ravenous Pig: An American Gastropub 1234 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park 407/628-2333; theravenouspig.com If the term "gastropub" sounds pretentious, the full name of Orlando's hippest new restaurant,...

Red: Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004.(Wine & Spirits)
March 1, 2008... Napa Valley $40 This new cab from a fine year is as good as the view up on the Mayacama ridge and tastes as fresh as if you were picking blackberries with the bears bruising through the briars and Napa's old first-growth vineyards....

Whiskey: Knappogue Castle Irish Single Malt Whiskey, 1994.(Wine & Spirits)
March 1, 2008... Ireland $35 Sure an' begorrah, Ireland's making single malts again after too many decades of blended whiskeys, and Irish tongues are smiling. Knappogue is a new rarity distilled by vintage. The pale 1994, recently bottled, is clean...

Pubgrub's roots.(Dining and Spirits)
March 1, 2008... Reinventing pub fare has a few precedents. A few American brewpubs, notably the Tampa Bay Brewing Co., have chefs who put craft in food to match the beer (and beers in vinaigrettes, pizza crust and ice cream). When Downtown Disney rebuilt...

Boca Bacchanal.(Tasting Menu)
March 1, 2008... The Boca Bacchanal has its grand feast and auction at the Boca Raton Resort and a grand tasting of 140 wines and 25 favorite Boca bites at Mizner Park March 1-2.

Washington state's winemakers will join the annual Abilities of Florida tasting March 8 to pour their newest releases on the Rays infield at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.(Tasting Menu)
March 1, 2008... Washington state's winemakers will join the annual Abilities of Florida tasting March 8 to pour their newest releases on the Rays infield at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Look for home run rieslings and syrahs from the visitors.

Coral Gables Wine & Food Festival.(Tasting Menu)
March 1, 2008... Coral Gables Wine & Food Festival takes over a stretch of Giralda Avenue March 27.

International Rum Festival in Clearwater and Ybor City.(Tasting Menu)
March 1, 2008... Great reserve and aged rum at tastings, dinners and judgings at the International Rum Festival in Clearwater and Ybor City, March 27-29.

Talbot 'Sandy' D'Alemberte.(Icon)(Interview)
March 1, 2008... Law professor, Florida State University, special counsel, Hunton & Williams. Florida House of Representatives, 1966-72; FSU law school dean, 1984-89; president American Bar Association, 1991-92; FSU president, 1994-2003; age 74 * I had an...

Radiation 'rebel'.(Trendsetters: Manufacturing)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Richard Sweat's company, .decimal, makes customized metal filters used in treating cancer patients. Cancer centers e-mail specs based on a patient's tumor shape and size. In as little as a day, his 60-employee...

Transforming ideas.(Trendsetters: Manufacturing)
March 1, 2008... Bring the napkin sketch of your big idea to Mike Siemer's Orlando shop, and he'll turn it into a design. Bring a design, and he'll rapidly create a prototype. Bring a prototype, and he will quickly have production running. Mydea...

The old college try: a startup professional league hopes to capitalize on Florida's passion for college football.(SPORTS BUSINESS)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A few years ago, when the organizers of the All American Football League kicked around the idea for a new football league, they realized they'd need Florida to make it work. The spring league, rather than placing...

A dose of change.(HEALTHCARE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new College of Medicine at Florida International University won't hold its first classes until next year, but it's already changing the face of medicine in Miami-Dade County ["Med School Startups," July 2007,...

$30-million gift.(PHILANTHROPY)
March 1, 2008... Adrienne Arsht, a national business leader, philanthropist and former Miami banker, has delivered financial security to Miami's fledgling performing arts center through a $30-million donation. The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts will be...

On display and on film.(ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT)
March 1, 2008... Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is hosting Poppin' Tropical Nights with wine, tapas and live music on Thursdays. The event features glass works by Dale Chihuly and guest artist Roy Lichtenstein's structures and designs. The exhibits are also...

Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation has named Mark H. Hildebrandt president of the fund-raising unit of Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

Lennar Corp.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Lennar Corp. has appointed Sherrill W. Hudson, chairman and CEO of TECO Energy, to its board.

Angel Langston Balikos and Yaffa Mizrachi, formerly president and vice president respectively of PR firm Apple Organization in North Miami Beach.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Angel Langston Balikos and Yaffa Mizrachi, formerly president and vice president respectively of PR firm Apple Organization in North Miami Beach, have launched Langston Mizrachi & Co. in Plantation.

University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies.(CORAL GABLES)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... CORAL GABLES -- A report issued by the University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies was named one of "The Top 10 Stories You Missed in 2007" by Foreign Policy magazine. While most news outlets featured the declining...

The Florida Keys ranked as one of the "Fastest-growing winter beach destinations" by Orbitz Insider Index.(KEY WEST)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... KEY WEST -- The Florida Keys ranked as one of the "fastest-growing winter beach destinations" by Orbitz Insider Index. In the U.S., Maul scored the top ranking, based on hotel bookings. But Florida claimed five of the top 10 U.S. winter...

Computer-based identity fraud case.(MIAMI)
March 1, 2008... MIAMI -- A multiagency government task force that included the Miami U.S. Attorney's Office indicted a Colombian citizen on charges of running a computer-based identity fraud case that victimized more than 600 consumers. Mario Simbaqueba...

City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff wrote an unusual memo to himself in which he accuses Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones of demanding payoffs from developers for her associates.(MIAMI)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff wrote an unusual memo to himself in which he accuses Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones of demanding payoffs from developers for her associates. As a result, the Miami-Dade state attorney's office is investigating...

Lennar Corp.(MIAMI)
March 1, 2008... Lennar Corp. (NYSE-LEN) and Morgan Stanley Real Estate have launched a land investment venture that will acquire, develop, manage and sell residential real estate. The joint venture purchased 11,000 home sites from Lennar in various stages of...

Perry Ellis International.(MIAMI)
March 1, 2008... Perry Ellis International (Nasdaq-PERY) plans to buy the C&C California and Laundry brands from Liz Claiborne for $37 million. The businesses are expected to generate about $60 million in revenue in 2009.

Ryder System.(MIAMI)
March 1, 2008... Ryder System (NYSE-R), a transportation and supply chain management solutions company, has completed its purchase of the full-service truck leasing, commercial truck rental and contract maintenance businesses of Lily Transportation Corp., a...

Best Beach Real Estate.(MIAMI BEACH)
March 1, 2008... Best Beach Real Estate has added two independent real estate agencies with a total of 30 real estate agents: Arellano Realty and Oceanfront Realty, both in Miami Beach.

Starz InBlack.(MIAMI BEACH)
March 1, 2008... Starz InBlack, a premium movie channel targeting African-Americans, has launched a monthly live concert series called "Hip Hop: Raw & Uncut" that will be shot in South Beach.

Pilot program.(HIGHER EDUCATION)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every so often, high school teacher Paul Hershorin takes a student up in his own small plane and in midair hands over the controls. Terrifying? Not really, Hershorin says--his students prepare well for that first...

Calder Jewelry.(ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT)
March 1, 2008... The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach will host a collection of about 100 pieces of jewelry crafted by sculptor Alexander Calder, using many of the same techniques that characterize his unique sculptures. The exhibit will be on display...

Jason Isaacson.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Jason Isaacson is the new president of Cypress Creek Capital and will continue as chief investment officer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Richard Van Lith has replaced Gary Strack.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Richard Van Lith has replaced Gary Streck as CEO and president of Boca Raton Community Hospital.

Broward Health.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Dionne E. Wong has been promoted to senior vice president/chief human resources officer for Broward Health, formerly the North Broward Hospital District.

Fort Lauderdale online diet company eDiets said CFO Robert Hamilton has resigned.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Fort Lauderdale online diet company eDiets said CFO Robert Hamilton has resigned. Carla Cox, senior vice president of financial reporting, is interim CFO.

Warren Newell.(Players)
March 1, 2008... Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Warren Newell was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to using his position to profit from at least three deals and using money laundering, fake financial disclosure and income tax forms...

GEO Group.(BOCA RATON)
March 1, 2008... BOCA RATON -- The GEO Group, a correctional services firm, received a 20-year federal contract to house 768 detainees at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Clayton County, Ga.

BankAtlantic Bancorp.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
March 1, 2008... BankAtlantic Bancorp posted a $22.2-million loss for 2007, largely stemming from a $9.5-million provision for loan losses at its BankAtlantic subsidiary.

Home Diagnostics.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
March 1, 2008... Home Diagnostics has signed an agreement to be the exclusive supplier of a co-branded blood glucose monitoring system for Rite Aid.

TOUSA Inc.(HOLLYWOOD)
March 1, 2008... HOLLYWOOD -- TOUSA Inc. has become the largest home builder nationwide to file for bankruptcy. In its Chapter 11 filing, TOUSA cited the sagging housing market and a loss of 98% of its business. Its CFO, Stephen Wagman, resigned and was...

Phillip Frost.(JUPITER)
March 1, 2008... JUPITER -- Miami physician and entrepreneur Phillip Frost and his wife, Patricia, have donated $1 million to Scripps Florida.

Atlantis Foods.(LANTANA)
March 1, 2008... LANTANA -- Atlantis Foods will add about 23 jobs to its 150-person workforce in the next six months and use a grant to train some of its employees. The company will also add a 6,000-sq.-ft. building to its 50,000-sq.-ft. facility.

Spirit Airlines.(MIRAMAR)
March 1, 2008... MIRAMAR -- Spirit Airlines plans to add 20 flights from Fort Lauderdale, including flights to Caracas, Venezuela, and Cartagena, Colombia. It also plans to add more than 400 jobs in south Florida.

DHL.(PLANTATION)
March 1, 2008... PLANTATION -- DHL has renewed its contract to be the primary carrier for U.S. express shipping for Kraft Foods and is working with Walgreen Co. to install package-shipping kiosks in its drugstores. DHL's Americas headquarters is in Plantation.

J. Cherry & Sons.(PALM CITY)
March 1, 2008... PALM CITY -- Custom home builder J. Cherry & Sons has filed For Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

St. Lucie County Fire District.(PORT ST. LUCIE)
March 1, 2008... PORT ST. LUCIE -- To deal with growth in the southwest part of the city, the St. Lucie County Fire District will build two new fire stations and hire more than 50 firefighters.

Western Union.(SUNRISE)
March 1, 2008... Western Union opened its Latin American and Caribbean headquarters, consolidating multiple offices throughout south Florida. The site employs 172.

Mounted Memories.(SUNRISE)
March 1, 2008... Mounted Memories, a division of Dreams Inc. of Plantation, is selling and auctioning off memorabilia from Miami's Orange Bowl Stadium, which is slated for demolition.

World Avenue USA.(SUNRISE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... World Avenue USA reached a $1-million settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Florida Attorney General over its use of the word "free" in online advertising. The company will be required to clearly and conspicuously disclose when any item offered...

Baltimore Orioles.(VERO BEACH)
March 1, 2008... VERO BEACH -- The Baltimore Orioles have signed an option agreement with Indian River County to explore replacing the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgertown. The Orioles now hold spring training in Fort Lauderdale.

Palm Beach International Airport.(WEST PALM BEACH)
March 1, 2008... Palm Beach International Airport is one of the least expensive airports in the country, according to the U.S, Department of Transportation, which ranked it 84th out of 100.

Oasis Outsourcing Holdings.(WEST PALM BEACH)
March 1, 2008... Oasis Outsourcing Holdings, a professional employer organization, bought Professional Employer Plans, Advantage Employer Solutions and related companies for an undisclosed amount.

Rick Case Automotive Group.(WESTON)
March 1, 2008... WESTON -- Rick Case Automotive Group has opened a Smart Car dealership.

Mermaid subsidies?(ATTRACTIONS)(Weeki Wachee Spring adds a new position to its payroll)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Come October, the state will add a new position to its payroll: Mermaid. The owners of the Weeki Wachee attraction--the nine residents of the city of Weeki Wachee--in January signed an agreement to give the...

Sidewalk art.(ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, sculpture, glass and digital works will be on display at the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in downtown Tampa. The free outdoor art show, held March 1-2, will...

Ohio-based development company Equity Inc. has completed its $49.6-million acquisition of 128 acres at 1-75 and Big Bend Road near Apollo Beach.(HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY)
March 1, 2008... HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY -- Ohio-based development company Equity Inc. has completed its $49.6-million acquisition of 128 acres at 1-75 and Big Bend Road near Apollo Beach. It plans to build a 1-million-sq.-ft. open-air mall--the largest retail and...

Ave Maria University.(IMMOKALEE)
March 1, 2008... IMMOKALEE -- Ave Maria University is looking to sell naming rights for its law school for $20 million.

Crosland, a Charlotte, N.C.-based developer, is planning to build an 11.23-acre shopping center.(POLK COUNTY)
March 1, 2008... POLK COUNTY -- Crosland, a Charlotte, N.C.-based developer, is planning to build an 11.23-acre shopping center at U.S. 27 and County Road 547 in Davenport.

The Naples Children and Education Foundation--founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival.(NAPLES)
March 1, 2008... NAPLES -- The Naples Children and Education Foundation--founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which generated $14 million in January--announced grants totaling $10.8 million for three initiatives to aid children in the most impoverished...

Atlantic Blue Group.(POLK COUNTY)
March 1, 2008... POLK COUNTY -- Atlantic Blue Group, a Lake Wales-based real estate management, acquisition and land development company and the majority shareholder of Alico, has acquired Phoenix Industries, a Winter Haven-based food storage and distribution...

Isaac Group Holdings, developer of the $200-million downtown condo/retail project known as Pineapple Square.(SARASOTA)
March 1, 2008... Isaac Group Holdings, developer of the $200-million downtown condo/retail project known as Pineapple Square, signed a deal with the First United Methodist Church to build a parking garage for the project on property that the church owns on...

Genmar Holdings, a Minnesota based-company and the parent company of Wellcraft Marine and Hydro-Sport boats, plans to move its Sarasota manufacturing facility out of state.(SARASOTA)
March 1, 2008... Genmar Holdings, a Minnesota based-company and the parent company of Wellcraft Marine and Hydro-Sport boats, plans to move its Sarasota manufacturing facility out of state. Executives say the closing was prompted by an adverse environment for...

Clarke Advertising and Public Relations.(SARASOTA)
March 1, 2008... Eric Mower and Associates, a Syracuse, N.Y., advertising agency, finalized a deal to buy Clarke Advertising and Public Relations, a Sarasota advertising agency with $20 million in annual billings.

First Advantage.(ST. PETERSBURG)
March 1, 2008... First Advantage (Nasdaq-FADV), a St. Petersburg company that provides consumer and business credit information, has acquired the assets of CredStar, the mortgage credit reporting business unit of Fiserv, for an undisclosed amount.

HSN.(ST. PETERSBURG)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... HSN, the St. Petersburg-based home shopping company and division of IAC/InterActive, will pay $875,000 to settle allegations that it failed to report in a timely manner, as required by federal law, serious injuries and hazards associated with...

Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club.(ST. PETERSBURG)
March 1, 2008... FelCor Lodging Trust, a Texas-based real estate investment trust, purchased the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club for $112.5 million.

Maggio's First Dartmouth Homes.(ST. PETERSBURG)
March 1, 2008... Maggio's First Dartmouth Homes, a custom-home builder, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.