Florida Trend articles from November 2007

Florida Trend archives from November 2007

Florida: open for business.(Corner Office)
November 1, 2007... Even if you're a longtime subscriber, you've probably never seen some of the annual magazines published by our Custom Publishing Division. Business Florida, the "Official Guide to Business Opportunity in Florida," is distributed only to our...

Gov. Crist.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Bravo to Neil Skene for the observations in his October article "Reinvention Time" for Gov. Crist. Mr. Skene has Charlie Crist figured out. From his support for voting rights for felons, his waffling on college tuition and his failed foray in...

Outsourcing.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Outsourcing legal work overseas ["Delhi Up to the Bar," August, FloridaTrend.com] can seem at first like an attractive cost-savings alternative in light of recent ABA headlines of some national firm attorneys charging $1,000 an hour and...

Nurturing.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Your recent Corner Office column on nurturing young professionals in Florida [September, FloridaTrend.com] struck a strong chord with those of us related to the Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Florida. Our center...

Contractors.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Thank you for the excellent August 2007 cover story, "Left in the Lurch." I hope it will encourage owners to become more familiar with, and utilize, the protective measures available under Florida's Construction Lien Law before they begin a...

Neighbors.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... As I was completing my September issue, I came to your editorial "Neighbors." I was soon enraptured as I found myself reading about a continuing-care retirement community. I am president of the Florida Life Care Residents Association. We are...

Clarification.(Readers)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2007... * JMC Communities' Sandpearl development in Clearwater opened in August. * Bonita Bay Group's plan to build 15 homes 330 feet from an eagle nesting area was rejected by Bonita Springs.

Thai breaker.(Executive Lifestyles: Executive Workouts )(Tom Capocefalo employee of Studley Inc. gives information about Muay Thai)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Tom Capocefalo Managing director, commercial real estate adviser Studley Inc. Fort Lauderdale Workout: Muay Thai, full-body contact training, focuses on boxing and kicking. It is the national sport of...

Challenging his employees.(Executive Lifestyles: Executive Workouts)(Scott Witt of Stellar Group Inc. launched health program )
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Scott Witt Senior vice president/CFO, construction services company Stellar Group Jacksonville Workout: Power Challenge, an intensive 12-week fitness and wellness program encompassing strength and...

Made in Florida.(Executive Lifestyles: Executive Workouts)(AquaVee swimming pool equipments)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... * AquaVee Portable Swim System What It Is: An easy-to-use swim-in-place system. Swimmers first strap on an inflatable belt. Two suction cups attach to the swimming pool wall, and two lines run from the inflatable belt to the suction cups,...

Clearing the air: the end is near for CFCs used in inhalers.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Lung Health)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the late 1970s, when the depletion of the ozone layer was talked about as much as global warming is today, governments across the world began to ban the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), an ozone-depleting...

O so good?(RESEARCH)(oxygen bars are set up during events for guest comfort)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... You don't have to be a patient in the hospital or a pro athlete to get a dose of oxygen anymore. These days, party planners set up oxygen bars at weddings, bar mitzvahs and other events. Meanwhile, at places like the Extraordinair Lounge in...

Change of seasons.(FLUE PROTECTION)(availability of influenza vaccines)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] State health officials say the best way to prepare for flu season is to get a flu shot. "There is an ample supply of flu vaccine available this year so we encourage everyone to break the habit of skipping their...

FloridaTrend.com/Links.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Lung Health)
November 1, 2007... Red Tide, an algae bloom found along Florida's coasts, can cause coughing, sneezing and other respiratory problems. For the latest on where the blooms are, check out the Mote Marine Red Tide Update Page at FloridaTrend.com/Links. ...

Taste of history.(Executive Lifestyles: Travel: Business and Leisure)(Tween Waters Inn)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 75-year-old 'Tween Waters Inn--between the Gulf and San Carlos Bay near the tip of the Sanibel-Captiva islands off Fort Myers--combines a historical Florida flavor with a 1940s ambiance. The inn's...

Travel aid.(Executive Lifestyles: Travel: Business and Leisure)(NeatReceipts Scanalizer)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NeatReceipts Scanalizer $199.95 neatreceipts.com Scans travel and restaurant receipts into organized, searchable spreadsheets for easy filing. Data can be exported to Excel, QuickBooks, MS Money and...

Sandpearl Resort & Spa.(HOTELS/RESORTS)
November 1, 2007... Sandpearl Resort & Spa, with 253 rooms and a lagoon-style beachfront pool, has become the first new luxury resort to open in Clearwater in 25 years. You can reach Diane Sears at dianetrend@aol.com

Regent Bal Harbour.(HOTELS/RESORTS)
November 1, 2007... The Regent Bal Harbour in south Florida is accepting reservations as it prepares for an opening date of Jan. 2. The resort is Bal Harbour Village's first new hotel in about 50 years. You can reach Diane Sears at dianetrend@aol.com

JW Marriott Hotel Miami.(HOTELS/RESORTS)
November 1, 2007... The JW Marriott Hotel Miami has spent almost $5 million upgrading its 300 rooms. You can reach Diane Sears at dianetrend@aol.com

Sarasota Ritz-Carlton.(HOTELS/RESORTS)
November 1, 2007... The Sarasota Ritz-Carlton has started offering guided and self-guided tours of the resort's art collection and its ties to the city's cultural heritage. You can reach Diane Sears at dianetrend@aol.com

Favorite destination to travel with the grandkids.(ATTRACTIONS)
November 1, 2007... About 28% of grandparents rank Orlando as their favorite destination to travel with the grandkids, over Washington, D.C., (20%), and New York City (19%), according to national survey results released by the Orlando/Orange County Convention &...

Cypress Gardens.(ATTRACTIONS)(Land South Holdings )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Cypress Gardens has a new owner. Land South Holdings, based in Mulberry, paid $16.8 million for the theme park at a bankruptcy auction. Previous owner Kent Buescher will be CEO. Brian Philpot, a Lakeland lawyer, and Robert Harper are partners...

Changing landscape.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Market developments have shifted the restaurant landscape in Florida considerably. For beginners, Golden Spoon Hail of Famer Norman's of Coral Gables has closed; Miami Beach's Pacific Time, for nearly 15 years the...

Wine & spirits.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)
November 1, 2007... WHITE 2005 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley $45 Distinguished in every way with a refreshing absence of anything oak, Far Niente blends the best of Napa Valley vineyards. The wine is perhaps best known for its richness...

Tolf's picks.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)(information about hotels)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... TALLAHASSEE La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant 2329 Apalachee Parkway 850/656-3392 The place to go for the best South of the Border food for miles and miles around--with a solicitous and knowledgeable staff serving up authentic homemade...

Gus Stavros: (businessman, philanthropist, Florida Board of Governors member, 82).(Icon)(Personal account)
November 1, 2007... > My father came to America when he was 14. At the age of 9, his parents sold him to a wealthy man in Athens to be a gardener's helper. One day he was sent out to run some errands, and he got involved in some other things and he never finished...

Just add capital: Florida VC funding grows this gear.(VENTURE CAPITAL)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fifteen Florida firms landed $127 million in venture capital in the second quarter, according to the latest PricewaterhouseCoopers/National Venture Capital Association MoneyTree report. In the year-earlier period,...

College Board.(Players)
November 1, 2007... The Board of Education appointed Eric J. Smith education commissioner. Smith, who replaces John Winn, most recently was senior vice president at the College Board and had served as superintendent of the Charlotte, N.C., school district.

Council for Sustainable Florida.(Players)
November 1, 2007... David G. Tillis, regional general manager for new markets for Bonita Bay Group, has been named chairman of the Council for Sustainable Florida. Tillis had been vice chairman.

Florida Republican Women's Network.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Anne Voss, a Tampa political consultant and member of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, was elected to a two-year term as president of the Florida Republican Women's Network.

Florida Medical Association.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Dr. Steven R. West was voted president-elect of the Florida Medical Association for 2007-08.

Act II.(ART)(interview of Ricky Arriola president of Inktel Direct)(Interview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Carnival Center for the Performing Arts is going into its second season with new board leadership, programming and controversy. The center recently added 2,700 parking spaces to address a shortage that marred the...

Akerman Senterfitt.(Players)
November 1, 2007... President Bush appointed Jorge L. Arrizurieta, chairman of the international policy group at law firm Akerman Senterfitt, to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, a senior trade advisory panel for the federal government. ...

Fontainebleau Resorts.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Howard C. Karawan was appointed COO of Fontainebleau Resorts, a Las Vegas-based resort and casino developer with operations in Miami Beach. The company is building Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a $2.9-billion resort on The Strip, and working on the...

Miami Children's Hospital Foundation.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Lucy Morillo has been named president of the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation. She is the foundation's first Hispanic, female president. She was executive director of the Office of Estate and Gift Planning at the University of Miami. ...

Wooing India.(TRADE)(Miami-Dade County)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Miami-Dade County business and government trade leaders took the state's first official trade mission to India Oct. 1-6. Leaders from Miami-Dade County traveled to Mumbai and New Delhi. "Our trade with India increased 49% last year alone,...

Latina Style.(MIAMI)
November 1, 2007... Latina Style has selected American Airlines as one of the "Top 50 companies for Latinas." The magazine's annual survey features employment and career information for Hispanic women based on a pool of more than 800 companies in the U.S. You...

Janitors at Bayside Mall in Miami joined other custodial workers around the country in filing labor charges against the mall's owner, General Growth Properties.(MIAMI)
November 1, 2007... Janitors at Bayside Mall in Miami joined other custodial workers around the country in filing labor charges against the mall's owner, General Growth Properties. The employees, who are also suing two GGP subcontractors, charge that the company...

Brightstar Corp.(MIAMI)
November 1, 2007... Miami-based Brightstar Corp., a global distribution and supply company in the wireless industry, received a $500-million senior secured loan from a group of lenders led by PNC. The company will use the money for working capital and for...

Raminova--a joint venture between the Ramirez Group.(MIAMI)
November 1, 2007... Raminova--a joint venture between the Ramirez Group, a 75-year-old real estate.development company, and Caixanova, one of largest financial institutions in Spain--plans to invest about $650 million in various resort and tourism-related projects...

One Flagler Development.(MIAMI)
November 1, 2007... Despite the recent difficulties in the condominium market, One Flagler Development has arranged financing and begun sales at One Flagler, a 15-story building that is being converted into office condos and retail space. The 145,000-sq.-ft....

Strike Miami.(MIAMI)(Strike Holdings is developing bowling alley)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Strike Miami, a high-end bowling alley and entertainment center in Dolphin Mall near the Miami International Airport, will be used as a prototype for the national expansion of its corporate parent company, Strike Holdings. Strike Miami is...

Health Care, a medical equipment company, received a 10-year prison sentence for Medicare fraud.(MIAMI)
November 1, 2007... Gisela Valladares, owner and operator of Miami-based PRN Home Health Care, a medical equipment company, received a 10-year prison sentence for Medicare fraud. Valladares was also ordered to pay restitution of $1.7 million for more than $3...

Lombardi Media Corp., a publicly traded Canadian company, bought Pronto Post, a 25-year-old direct marketing services company, and Joshua Blank has been named president.(MIAMI GARDENS)
November 1, 2007... Lombardi Media Corp., a publicly traded Canadian company, bought Pronto Post, a 25-year-old direct marketing services company, and Joshua Blank has been named president. Pronto's customers include Fortune 100 companies. Pronto is ranked among...

Biscayne Landing.(NORTH MIAMI)(Boca Developers to develop a project)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Biscayne Landing, a master-planned mixed-use community in North Miami, is under development and has been designated a pilot "green neighborhood" project through a program run by U.S. Green Building Council. Developed by Boca Developers,...

Bentley Beach Hotel.(SOUTH BEACH)
November 1, 2007... The 107-suite Bentley Beach Hotel in South Beach will become Hilton's first franchise on Miami Beach. Following the conversion, the hotel will be known as Hilton Bentley South Beach Hotel. Located on the southern tip of Ocean Drive in the Art...

Fewer Kids.(EDUCATION)(growth in schools)(Report)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In February 2003, the Broward County Planning Services Division issued a report predicting that "significant growth of the school-aged population will continue through 2010." The report cited "recent demographic...

Expanding on Scripps.(RESEARCH)(Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science to bring to florida)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Palm Beach County Commission approved plans to pay $86.9 million over 10 years to bring a branch of Germany's Max Planck Society to the Florida Atlantic University campus. The county will lease six acres for a 100,000-sq.-ft. facility for...

Seald Sweet.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Mayda Sotomayor was named CEO of Seald Sweet, a Vero Beach citrus marketing company. She was senior vice president. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

Broward County Public Schools.(Players)
November 1, 2007... James F. Notter was named superintendent of Broward County Public Schools. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

BankAtlantic.(Players)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BankAtlantic has named Mark Manitz chief retail banking executive. Manitz was most recently president and CEO of Bank of Florida, Southeast. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

Broward County Aviation Department director.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Kent G. George has been named Broward County Aviation Department director, overseeing Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale International Airport. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

China Direct.(BOCA RATON)
November 1, 2007... China Direct, based in Boca Raton, began trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol CDS. The company is a consultant and investor in Chinese companies. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals.(BOCA RATON)
November 1, 2007... Nabi Biopharmaceuticals is selling its Florida corporate offices and labs to Biotest, a German firm, for $185 million. Nabi's headquarters will move to Rockville, Md., where the company will continue to produce its smoking cessation products....

Florida Atlantic University's board of trustees.(BOCA RATON)
November 1, 2007... Florida Atlantic University's board of trustees voted unanimously to approve a 30,000-seat, $62-million football stadium on its campus. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

FAU's Christine E. Lynn School of Nursing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification.(BOCA RATON)
November 1, 2007... The U.S. Green Building Council awarded FAU's Christine E. Lynn School of Nursing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification, the first such recognition for FAU. The $12.7-million building was designed by...

Vertical Yacht Club Marina Mile.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
November 1, 2007... Aqua Marine Partners and Vertical Yacht Club Development will build Vertical Yacht Club Marina Mile, a dry storage facility designed for yachts up to 85 feet long. The indoor facility will hold 46 yachts. You can reach Ellen Forman at...

Levitt Corp. will lay off 200 employees in its home building subsidiary.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
November 1, 2007... Levitt Corp. will lay off 200 employees in its home building subsidiary, Levitt and Sons, because of the housing slowdown. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

The Community Foundation of Broward.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
November 1, 2007... The Community Foundation of Broward, a philanthropy and non-profit clearinghouse, was awarded an Atlantic Philanthropies Community Experience Partnership grant of $25,000 in the first year and $300,000 for the following three years. The money...

Harbortown Marina-Fort Pierce.(FORT PIERCE)
November 1, 2007... Harbortown Marina-Fort Pierce is planning a $1.3-million dredging to remove an estimated 60,000 cubic yards of sludge from the marina's bottom. Harbortown has been certified by the state as a "clean marina," a certification of "high...

Piper Aircraft.(INDIAN RIVER COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... County commissioners signed off on a deal that gives Piper Aircraft $16 million to stay in Vero Beach. The state is kicking in another $20 million. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

FPL Group.(JUNO BEACH)
November 1, 2007... FPL Group announced plans to spend $2.4 billion on solar energy projects in Florida, including a solar-energy plant that will eventually produce 300 megawatts of power. You can reach Ellen Forman at eInformation@aol.com

PBS Global.(MELBOURNE)
November 1, 2007... A Wichita grand jury has handed clown a 24-count indictment charging PBS Global, its president and seven employees with fax-blasting fraudulent offers to purchase small businesses in Kansas and other regions. The company markets businesses that...

Club Med Sandpiper.(PORT ST. LUCIE)
November 1, 2007... Club Med reversed its decision to sell its 2-decacle-old Port St. Lucie resort. The Paris-based resort operator now may renovate Club Med Sandpiper, the 216-acre property on the St. Lucie River. The resort includes a 337-room hotel, 18-hole...

Safeguard your company's future: 1Vault keeps your business in business when disaster strikes.(QA Ask the Expert)
November 1, 2007... Many companies choose Florida as their base of operations because of the unique combination of a skilled workforce, booming business economy, and endless recreational options. However, because Florida is located in the South Atlantic Hurricane...

Growing problem.(ENVIRONMENT)
November 1, 2007... In a quest to clean up its waters, Sarasota County has outlawed the use of chemical fertilizers by residents and businesses between June 1 and Sept. 30. The ordinance also sets maximum limits for nitrogen and phosphorus that fertilizers can...

Kesselring Holding.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Douglas P. Badertscher was named CEO of Kesselring Holding (OTCBBKSSH), a Bradenton-based restoration and construction company. He succeeds Ken Craig, who will continue as a director. Kesselring's COO, Cliff Wildes, has stepped down to focus on...

NorthStar Bank.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Michael Briggs, previously an executive vice president and commercial banking manager at Florida Capital Bank in Tampa, has joined NorthStar Bank in Tampa as senior vice president and private client service manager. You can reach Amy...

Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.(Players)
November 1, 2007... Suya Davenport is the new executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. She formerly worked as corporate director of global strategic partnerships for LXR Luxury Resorts. You can reach Amy Keller at...

WCI Communities.(BONITA SPRINGS)(Carl Icahn new director)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Carl Icahn is one of nine new directors on the board of WCI Communities (NYSE-WCI). The billionaire investor and his companies control at least 14.5% of WCI stock. * After letting go 30 employees earlier this year, Bonita Bay Group cut another...

Pierce Manufacturing.(BRADENTON)
November 1, 2007... Pierce Manufacturing, a division of Oshkosh Truck, will add 140 employees over the next two years as part of a $1.2-million expansion to increase production of its Medtec ambulances. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Pooling their building department staffs.(CHARLOTTE COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... Venice, North Port and Charlotte County are looking at pooling their building department staffs to save money, avoid layoffs and avoid permitting and inspection delays. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Frank D'Alessandro.(FORT MYERS)
November 1, 2007... Prominent real estate broker Frank D'Alessandro drowned in September in a kayaking accident in New Jersey. He was 52. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Stetson Law School.(GULFPORT)
November 1, 2007... The American Bar Association has named Stetson Law School its ABA School of the Year for the second time in the past three years. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Stofft Cooney Architects.(NAPLES)
November 1, 2007... Stofft Cooney Architects is building two mixed-use projects in old Naples. The McCabe building will include a restaurant as well as commercial and residential space. The Condello building will include commercial, office, retail and residential...

The Manatee County School Board.(MANATEE COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... The Manatee County School Board has agreed to buy 146 acres from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, developer of Lakewood Ranch, for $4.4 million to build up to three schools. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Gyrocam Systems.(MANATEE COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... Gyrocam Systems received a $43.4-million order from the Army for replacement parts for the Gyrocam Triple Camera systems it purchased a year ago. The company more than doubled its workforce to 112 employees. You can reach Amy Keller at...

Gateway to the Ranch.(MANATEE COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... Lion's Gate Development has begun construction on Gateway to the Ranch, a retail project on State Road 70 east of 1-75. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Increased zoning densities.(PINELLAS COUNTY)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Pinellas County Commission voted to approve increased zoning densities in select communities along the beaches to help hoteliers rebuild aging properties. The new limits, which were scheduled for final approval in October, would apply only...

Smith & Nephew.(PINELLAS COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... Smith & Nephew, a London medical device company, is planning to close a Largo production facility that employs 150. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Gemesis Corp.(SARASOTA)
November 1, 2007... SARASOTA -- Diamond manufacturer Gemesis Corp. plans to double the size of its facility at Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park to 60,000 square feet. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Ed Smith Stadium.(SARASOTA COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... A $45-million plan to renovate Ed Smith Stadium for the Cincinnati Reds fell apart because of a lack of support from county commissioners. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Honeywell International.(SARASOTA COUNTY)
November 1, 2007... Honeywell International is moving 87 jobs to Freeport, Ill., and Mexico. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com

Catalina Marketing's shareholders.(ST. PETERSBURG)
November 1, 2007... Catalina Marketing's shareholders accepted a $1.7-billion private buyout bid by investment group Hellman & Friedman. You can reach Amy Keller at akellar@floridatrend.com